Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Boston, Massachusetts – Hometown boy makes an impact at Berklee School of Music in Boston. Many of our readers will remember Joseph Greer, 2013 graduate of Dexter Senior High School and talented musician. He was selected among thousands to attend Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and what an impression he has made in his first year at college.
"I have friends from all over the world now and they are the best of the best of the musicians in the world," stated Joseph.
Greer began playing piano at the age of nine under the direction of his piano teacher, Pete Paryseck. While studying jazz and pop tunes, he also learned about Gospel music at the church he attended since the age of three, Mt. Calvary Power House Church in Poplar Bluff.
Gospel music has definitely had a strong impact on his life and how he composes music. "I was able to perform two Gospel concerts with the best Gospel musicians I have ever seen," commented Greer.
Joseph was selected by the Berklee Piano Department to perform in a student composer competition and he won. He was later featured in a recital with the other winners of the competition who performed their original pieces in jazz, piano, small ensemble and gospel organ settings.
"I wrote a song for the Hammond b3 organ and it was picked along with six others to be performed at the Berklee Piano Department/Student Composer Show. I was even chosen to play for a slide show for Henry Diltz. He was the photographer on stage at Woodstock!"
In his first year of college it’s not surprising that Joseph would walk away with an outstanding musicianship award. He received the Multi-Keyboard Award. This award is given to a student who embodies musical and academic qualities that Berklee seeks to promote within the three instructional divisions of the college – Professional Performance, Professional Writing, and Music Technology, and Professional Education. This award is one of the most prestigious the college offers, given that nominations are made by faculty within the student’s area of specialization. The award was presented at the Berklee College of Music Spring Awards ceremony.
One of the most exciting endeavors of his freshman year of college was performing in the Prince & Janet – The Tribute, a Jevie pop series concert. He played the Prince of course and what a fantastic performer he has become.
"I got to be Prince who is definitely one of my music heroes. I love his wild and craziness, his ideals, and how he dresses. Plus he's pretty short just like me! I sang 'I Wanna Be Your Lover', 'How Come You Don't Call Me Anymore', and 'Kiss'.
Joseph also stated that the show was so successful that the school would like to have a repeat performance again in the fall!
As far as his summer plans go, he's home in Dexter to visit and will return to Berklee in the fall. "My first year at Berklee was absolutely amazing! It's been an awesome ride," stated Joseph Greer.
I imagine we will see more accomplishments from this Dexter native! Good luck Joseph we wish you well in life's journey!
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri - Bagby Investment Consultants is pleased to announce that it has changed its name to Bagby Wealth Management to better reflect its offerings and approach to serving the financial needs of clients.
The community can expect a fresh look to accompany the name change and offerings have been updated to provide an even higher level of service. Clients can expect the same level of attention, professionalism, and guidance they have always expected from Bagby and his team, and ownership of the company has not changed.
Mike Bagby, founder and president of Bagby Wealth Management, has been actively involved in the financial services industry since 1982. After opening an independent branch office in 1984, Mike established Bagby Investment Consultants in 1994 as an independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) that offered financial planning, wealth management services, investment management, and investment advice to clients in several states. Today, operating as Bagby Wealth Management, the firm continues to grow and thrive because of its client-centered approach to the growth and preservation of wealth.
Mike Bagby, president of the firm, commented: “We take a team approach to help our clients achieve their financial goals. We’re confident our clients will appreciate our new name, look, and service offerings which will only enhance their experience with us. Look for us to grow and expand with this new brand.”
With over 30 years of serving the Dexter community, Mike and his team at Bagby Wealth Management are committed to providing clients with tactical, strategic advice and wealth management services to build, preserve, and utilize wealth.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Below is a current list of the events and the times of each event. Opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m. and the closing ceremony will be at 1:30 a.m. Times and events are subject to change. Let's pray for zero raindrops this year and have a great time raising money for a great cause.
STODDARD COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE 2014
FRIDAY MAY 2, 2014 @ WEST CITY PARK
4:30 MAGGIE THORN
5:30 CARRILO MARTIAL ARTS
6:00 OPENING CEREMONY
BOY SCOUT TROOP 200 – PRESENTING THE COLORS
CENTRAL SONG MAKERS – NATIONAL ANTHEM
PRAYER – FATHER DAVID DOHOGNE
6:30 INTRODUCTION OF TEAMS, SURVIVORS, CARE GIVER LAP
7:00 LIVE AUCTION
8:30 BLACK ISLAND BAND
9:15 FLASHBACK BAND
10:00 LUMINARY CEREMONY
11:00 TALENT SHOW
(SPONSORED BY 4 OAKS HOSPICE)
11:30 REBECCA NORTHERN
12:15 MISS RELAY
(SPONSORED BY LIBERTY HILL GENERAL BAPTIST)
1:00 80'S DANCE PARTY/CLEAN UP PARK
1:30 CLOSING CEREMONY
SURVIVOR APPRECIATION TENT OPEN AT 4PM
CORPORATE SPONSOR APPRECIATION TENT OPEN AT 4PM
TO MAKE A DONATION OR FOR MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT RELAY FOR LIFE CONTACT
CO-CHAIRMAN BELINDA WORLEY AT 421-1100 OR
CO-CHAIRMAN JENNIFER HARTLEIN AT 614-9093
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon teal are legal during the September teal season in Missouri. The season was established primarily for blue-winged teal (BWT) because this early-migrating species is essentially not present during the regular waterfowl season. Teal season frameworks depend on the current year’s BWT breeding population indices, which are determined after surveys conducted in May.
Each year, the Conservation Commission approves season dates contingent on results of these surveys in order to meet deadlines for the state rule-making process. This year’s contingent dates are:
Sept. 6 through 21 (16 days) if the BWT breeding population index is 4.7 million or greater.
Sept. 6-14 (nine days) if the breeding population index is at least 3.3 million but less than 4.7 million.
No season if the BWT breeding population index is below 3.3 million.
If there is an early teal season, the limits will be six daily and 18 in possession.
Blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon teal are legal during the early teal season.
For more information go to the Missouri Department of Conservation website by clicking HERE.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Columbia, Missouri - Many families face the decision of whether to get a dog. For families of children with autism, the decision can be even more challenging. Now, a University of Missouri researcher has studied dog ownership decisions in families of children with autism and found, regardless of whether they owned dogs, the parents reported the benefits of dog ownership included companionship, stress relief and opportunities for their children to learn responsibility.
“Children with autism spectrum disorders often struggle with interacting with others, which can make it difficult for them to form friendships,” said Gretchen Carlisle, a research fellow at the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction (ReCHAI) in the MU College of Veterinary Medicine. “Children with autism may especially benefit from interacting with dogs, which can provide unconditional, nonjudgmental love and companionship to the children.”
Carlisle interviewed 70 parents of children with autism. Nearly two-thirds of the parents in the study owned dogs, and of those parents, 94 percent reported their children with autism were bonded to their dogs. Even in families without dogs, 70 percent of parents said their children with autism liked dogs. Many dog-owning parents said they specifically chose to get dogs because of the perceived benefits to their children with autism, Carlisle said.
“Dogs can help children with autism by acting as a social lubricant,” Carlisle said. “For example, children with autism may find it difficult to interact with other neighborhood children. If the children with autism invite their peers to play with their dogs, then the dogs can serve as bridges that help the children with autism communicate with their peers.”
Parents of children with autism should consider their children’s sensitivities carefully when choosing a dog in order to ensure a good match between pet and child, Carlisle said.
“Bringing a dog into any family is a big step, but for families of children with autism, getting a dog should be a decision that’s taken very seriously,” Carlisle said. “If a child with autism is sensitive to loud noises, choosing a dog that is likely to bark will not provide the best match for the child and the family. If the child has touch sensitivities, perhaps a dog with a softer coat, such as a poodle, would be better than a dog with a wiry or rough coat, such as a terrier.”
Carlisle recommends parents involve their children with autism when choosing a dog.
“Many children with autism know the qualities they want in a dog,” Carlisle said. “If parents could involve their kids in choosing dogs for their families, it may be more likely the children will have positive experiences with the animals when they are brought home.”
Although her study only addressed dog ownership among families affected by autism, Carlisle said dogs might not be the best pet for every child with autism.
“If you know one child with autism, you know one child with autism,” Carlisle said. “Dogs may be best for some families, although other pets such as cats, horses or rabbits might be better suited to other children with autism and their particular sensitivities and interests.”
“This research adds scientific credibility to the benefits of human-animal interaction,” said Rebecca Johnson, a professor at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine, director of ReCHAI, and the Millsap Professor of Gerontological Nursing in the MU Sinclair School of Nursing. “This research helps us understand the role of companion animals in improving the lives of children with autism and helps health professionals learn how to best guide families in choosing pets for their families.”
The study, “Pet Dog Ownership Decisions for Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder,” was published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing earlier this year.
