Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri – Each year hundreds of Relay for Life events are held all over this great nation to help those who are battling cancer. The 2014 Stoddard County Relay held their annual event the first weekend of May and surpassed their set goal of $75,000 by more than $4,000. Total raised was ….….drum roll please……$79,119.62!!!
Any outdoor event could have potential weather issues and this was the second year in a row they moved the event. Last year thunderstorms and rain moved the event indoors to the Park Lane gym. This year the rains came prior to the event a decision was made to move from West Park to East Park. This proved to be an excellent decision with ample parking and paved areas many came out to help make the event successful.
The paved walking loop was lined with luminarias making the honorary Survivor’s Lap quite emotional for many. Amy Ellinghouse was lifted high above taking photos from the top of the bucket truck!
Many activities and foods were available for supporters to enjoy. One the most entertaining event is the annual Miss Relay where gentleman dress as ladies and beg for donations. Always fun to watch those fellows strut their stuff!
The ‘Coolest Campsite and Theme” award went to two great teams, SoutheastHEALTH of Stoddard County and the Stoddard County Health Coalition.
Liberty Hill Church was recognized for having raised the most money as a team contributing $18,102.31.
Real Estate Rock Stars and the Bowlers Against Cancer Teams wond the “Team Spirit Award”.
“Most Outstanding New Team at Relay” went to the Southwest Elementary School. They raised $8,099.04. Way to go Southwest!
Carrillo’s Martial Arts Studio’s Kick-Thong brought in $6,901.25. General donations totals $2,348.25 and Luminaria bags brought in $805.
A list of teams and their donations are listed below:
Liberty Hill - $18,102.31, Central Cats - $9,083.62, Southwest Elementary -$8,099.04, Rebel Warriors - $5,269, Real Estate Rock Stars - $4,001, Bowlers Against Cancer (BAC) - $3,981.66, Four Oaks Hospice - $3,293.71, Health Nutz -- $2,942.72, Faith Lutheran - $2,571, SoutheastHEALTH - $2,159.53, Carmode Family - $1,999, Stoddard County Health Coalition - $1,655, Faurecia - $1,315.50, KDEX - $1,000, Spark of Hope - $875, Country Hope - $870, Tyson Foods - $769.03, Webfoot - $607, and Walgreens - $446.
The 2015 Relay for Life event is already in the planning stage so get your teams ready. The Planning Committee has decided to host the event at East Park on May 1st, so mark your calendar!
CELEBRATE REMEMBER FIGHT BACK
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Missouri - Summertime is hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking time. It also is tick time, and the Missouri Department of Conservation reminds those visiting conservation areas to take time to prevent tick bites.
Ticks can transmit diseases, including ehrlichiosis, tularemia, anaplasmosis, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI). The risk of contracting these illnesses is small but serious, so it is worth taking a few simple precautions to avoid them.
Protective clothing is the first line of defense against ticks. When outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and boots with pants tucked into socks or boots. Rubber bands, blousing bands, or tape can be used to secure the cuffs of your pants.
Once indoors, conduct a thorough tick check and shower as soon as possible to remove any unattached ticks. Tumble clothes in a dryer on high heat to kill remaining ticks before washing your clothing.
Insect repellents also reduce the risk of being bitten. Products containing DEET are most effective. Apply DEET-based repellent on exposed skin and clothing. Use a product with at least a 20-percent concentration. Lower concentrations do not repel lone-star ticks, Missouri’s most common ticks. Essential oils and natural products are not registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for tick repellency. Be sure to follow label instructions to ensure safety and best results.
Products containing permethrin can be applied to clothing and equipment but not directly to skin. Garments must be allowed to dry thoroughly before wearing. These products kill ticks rather than merely repelling them. Again, be sure to follow label directions.
Most tick-transmitted diseases are not transferred to the host until the tick has been feeding for some time. The earlier the tick is located and removed, the less the chance of being infected with a tick-borne disease. When you are active outdoors, never allow more than a few hours to pass without a tick inspection.
Remove any attached ticks immediately. Proper removal is important, because improper removal can increase the likelihood of infection. Follow these steps to remove a tick that is already attached.
• Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible. If you use your fingers, cover them with tissue or rubber gloves. Use only as much pressure as necessary to avoid forcing the tick’s stomach contents into the bite.
• Remove the tick with a firm outward movement. Never jerk or twist the tick when removing it.
• After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
Watch for symptoms of tick-borne disease in the days and weeks following a tick bite. These include any unusual rash and unexplained flu-like symptoms, including fever, severe headaches, body aches, and dizziness.
Symptoms of tick-borne diseases often are mild, but they should not be ignored. If you know you’ve been bitten by a tick and any of the above symptoms appear, consult a doctor and mention the recent tick bite. Prompt treatment with antibiotics can prevent serious illness or even death.
For more information about tick-borne diseases, visit cdc.gov/ticks/resources/Hunterfactsheet.pdf and cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Poplar Bluff, Missouri – The John D Hale Band and Powder Mill will be in concert at the Black River Coliseum this Friday night with special guest Maggie Thorn of Bloomfield.
Maggie will open for these two fantastic bands at 7:00 p.m. Friday, May 30, 2014. She is the 20-year-old singer/songwriter from Bloomfield, Missouri. Her musical journey has earned her regular performances at local events, clubs, wineries, charities and other venues in Missouri and Tennessee.
Her first EP “Gravel Road” debuted in March of 2013. As a college student at Belmont University she juggles studies with her musical career. She is currently pursuing a degree in commercial music. You won’t want to miss hearing this outstanding young lady. She is talented with a tremendous voice!
Tickets are just $10 each and you can still get tickets at the Box Office! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 573-686-8001.
The John D. Hale band is a blend of country, Americana, southern rock and a little bluegrass. They have crafter their own edgy and raucous sound since forming back in 2005 with their debut album, “One of a Kind”. Their hometown of Jackson, Missouri is where they have set up shop. The quartet of John D. Hale, Kurt Tietz, Chris Brotherton and Mason Wakins give an energetic and rowdy showcase of great country music.
Powder Mill released their latest album “Land of the Free” online in September 11, 2013, their 5th album. It features eleven original songs, most of which were tracked in early 2012 within the walls of Jim Dickinson’s legendary Zebra Ranch Studio in Coldwater, Mississippi. The band brought the tracks back home to their Trumble Hill Studios in Carter, County, Van Buren, Missouri to finish recording the album. Powder Mill’s own Jeff Chapman, along with Mark McPheeters, mixed and produced the album incorporating the their home-grown Ozark grit. They bring to mind an outfit of roughians, backwoods hillbillies that love rock and roll, but if you dig a little deeper they are honest, homegrown, down-home simple.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri – The Stoddard County Coroner’s office, Kenny Pope, and Aaron Mathis, along with Stoddard County Presiding Commissioner, Greg Mathis recently fed the members of the Dexter Fire Department and Extrication Team.
The Dexter Fire Department recently held their regular monthly training for all the people who assist the Coroner’s office and Stoddard County emergency personnel when emergency situations arise. These people are dedicated to saving lives and sometimes don't get the recognition or appreciation from the general public. We would like to thank them for their dedication and hard work and for saving lives and property.
Presiding Commissioner Mathis stated, “The cities and towns of Stoddard County are very fortunate to have dedicated men and women to meet the challenges of fire protection and emergency response.”
Submitted by Mark Reed
Bloomfield, Missouri - If you are looking for a great way to get the kids’ summer started, look no further. Local volunteers with support from local businesses along with The National Wild Turkey Federation and the Missouri Department of Conservation will be holding the Stoddard County JAKES Event on Saturday, May 31. This annual event has proven to be popular with kids and parents alike so if you haven’t attended one yet, here is your chance. The day begins at 800 am sharp so arrive early. We will wrap up activities around 100 pm just after lunch.
The JAKES Event is open to all kids age 6 thru 16 and lunch is provided. The day is free thanks to financial support from the community and local businesses. As in past years, the event will be held at the Holly Ridge Conservation Area archery range and pavilion on Stoddard County Road 517. The easiest way to find the area is to travel east from Bloomfield on HWY E then turn south on CR 517. Stay on 517 and you will find us.
Popular activities include archery, trapping, target shooting, nature hike, primitive skills, and more. The kids are divided into small groups based on age and move around the area on a schedule, allowing everyone to participate in all activities. Friends and family will be able to stay together throughout the day. The NWTF and MDC are strong supporters of family and introducing others to the great outdoors. The NWTF’s philosophy of “Share the Hunt” encourages avid sportsmen and women to take others along not only on hunting trips but also a variety of other outdoor experiences.
All equipment will be provided by the NWTF and the MDC so you don’t need to bring anything except an appetite for adventure and maybe some bug spray. Most of the day will take place in mowed areas but closed toe shoes are recommended for walks in the woods. Each activity will be supervised by experienced personnel to ensure a safe and enjoyable day.
There’s no better way to get the kids off their electronic devices and in touch with Mother Nature for a few hours than with this free and enjoyable day. As a bonus, we provide lunch and you don’t have to do the dishes. For more information, contact Dale Kemp at 624-1283, John Pyles at 568-3774, or Mark Reed at 421-3240.
