Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Southeast Missouri – Every year American empty their wallets buying fireworks for the Fourth of July holiday and celebrate America’s independence. Though the origins of fireworks were not associated with the holiday, but with New Year’s Eve, it has now become an annual tradition that everyone seems to enjoy.
What are you doing this Independence Day?
Are you looking for 4th of July celebrations this holiday season? Several cities in the area are having their planned fireworks display on other days than the forth. You may still light your own fireworks as long as you follow city laws.
City of Dexter – Public Fireworks Display will be held on Thursday, July 3rd at East City Park . They are allowing fireworks until midnight on July 3rd and 4th inside the city limits.
City of Bloomfield – fireworks permitted on July 4th until midnight.
City of Bernie – Fireworks permitted on the 4th of July only.
Other locations do not allow fireworks within the city limits like Sikeston and Poplar Bluff.
One of the largest fireworks displays will be held at Wappapello Lake, which will be held on Saturday, July 5th at dusk.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri - A few of the Residents of the Cape Veterans Home traveled to the Disabled Veterans Wildlife Facility at Gobbler Ridge Farm north of Dexter last week.
The Residents enjoyed a tour of the facility and grounds. They were able to visit the farm's specially constructed handicap accessible blind where guests may take part in seasonal hunts. After the tour they were entertained with a wonderful lunch.
Mark Reed, Missouri Department of conservation Agent was on hand to discuss a special Veterans Hunt and invited the Residents of the Cape Veterans Home to return and participate in a deer hunt in November.
Shown in the photo are Earl Reed, Cassie Zeilenga (Dir. of Recreation Activities at the Cape Veterans Home), Veteran Delmer Witt, Mark Reed, Mindi Pruitt, (Administrator of the Missouri Veterans Home), Terry Rollins (family member - Paul Rollins' brother), Jim Adams of the American Legion Post 59, and Veteran Paul Rollins.
For more information about the Disabled Veterans Wildlife Facility contact Tom Love at 573-820-0802 or find them on Facebook by clicking HERE.
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Dexter, Missouri - Bagby Wealth Management is pleased to announce the addition of Ed Gargas and Shawn Guethle to their team.
Ed Gargas is the new Sales Manager for Bagby Wealth Management. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University, as well as a Masters in Business Administration from William Woods University.
In addition to his experiences in the banking and insurance industries, Ed has served as Project and Marketing Manager for KMC Construction/ServiceMaster and as Regional General Manager for NewWave Communications. He is a commissioned officer in the Missouri National Guard and currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel. He is a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and has received four Army commendation medals and many other awards for his performance and service.
Ed is a member of the First Baptist Church in Dexter as well as various other community and civic organizations including the Dexter Economic Development Board, the American Legion, and the Dexter Chamber of Commerce.
Shawn Guethle is joining Bagby Wealth Management as an Investment Consultant with eight years of experience in the workforce. He holds three degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Finance from Truman State University, a Master of Business Administration (finance concentration) from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a Master of Education (administration emphasis) from William Woods University. He also has a Series 65 license for passing the Uniform Investment Advisor Law Examination. Since beginning his finance career in 2003, Shawn has worked as a Performance Analyst for Waddell & Reed and as a math teacher and coach for the Dexter Public School System.
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.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Missouri – “Success Can Kill You” – “One man’s story of success failure, faith and forgiveness by Rodney Jetton.” I went to high school with Rod Jetton and though he has not led a perfect life and who has, he has learned from his mistakes and he is learning how to heal. Isn’t that what life is all about – learning and forgiving!
Rodney’s new book chronicles the rise from a young Marine officer to the second youngest House Speaker in Missouri state history. As Speaker of the House, he had the power to kill any bill that flowed through the General Assembly. He was a very powerful man. Rod was on the fast track to becoming possibly one of the youngest Governor’s of Missouri, but his personal life was set on a course for self-destruction. He went through a very public and humiliating fall from grace.
On December 7, 2009, Rod Jetton was arrested for felony assault charges after a one-night stand with a woman he connected with on social media. He was facing serious jail time. Soon after that Rod received a call from a former girlfriend telling him she was pregnant and he was now going to be a father at the age of 42. A few weeks later, Rod found out he was the target of a grand jury investigation from his handling of a bill when he was Speaker of the House. In just a few months, Rod was broke and without a job.
While Rod’s difficulties were necessary to tell his story, the most helpful aspect about his book is the way he details the emotional and physiological effect that success and power had on him as he climbed the ladder of success.
The book begins with a few short chapters covering Rod’s early life growing up and going to Charleston High School, his college days and becoming a Marine before moving on to his entry into the political scene. He provides highlights of his rise to power, legislative and political success. Then in chapter seven things begin to spiral for him and his family. He doesn’t pull any punches about his shortcomings and mistakes.He tells it like it is and tells the truth!Throughout the book he makes many references to his faith in God and he truly believes that his sins led him to his downfall. He closes with a list of lessons learned and in the last few chapters how he recovered from his mistakes.
Rodney is a courageous man and for him to tell his story is perhaps what will help him heal and help others not to make the same mistakes as he did. He is not only inspirational to many, but I consider him my friend and I always will.
“I hope that this book serves as a warning to those entering the political world,” commented Jetton. All politicians should sit back and take a few hours to read this book, perhaps then they will be a little more humble.
What are others saying about Rodney Jetton and his book, “Success Can Kill You”.
“Rod’s ability to identify the early warning signs of pride, bitterness and paranoia in his life are exactly the type of cautionary advice anyone who is experiencing success needs to hear. He does a great job of keeping the reader’s interest with forthright stories, useful illustrations and sound advice. Thoughtful leaders would be wise to read this book and heed the warnings gleaned from his mistakes.” -Johnathan Miller, Former Kentucky State Treasurer
“There is not a more compelling story of the reality of politics that I know. I knew Rod throughout this time and am thrilled he has decided to share his story. It is courageous. As power and money consume more of our body politic, this will be one of the most important reads of our time. If you know someone who has run, or who might ever run, "Success Can Kill You" is the best contribution you could make to their campaign.” Dr. Gina Loudon, FOX news commentator, author, and talk show host. (DrGinaShow.com)
