Dexter, Missouri - Courtney Potts has been chosen as the ShowMe Times January Calendar Girl for 2015.  She is the 18 year-old daughter of Randy and Peggy Potts and is a senior at Dexter High School.

Courtney is a member of Future Teachers of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FCCLA, and Future Business Leaders of America.  She is also a Dexter Honor Society student and a member of the 2014/2015 Yearbook Staff.  Courtney is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and is actively involved with the youth group.   She is a varsity Basketball Cheerleader and after school is an instructor at Dexter Tumbling and Cheer.  She is also a Cadet Teacher.

Miss Potts plans to attend Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau and will obtain a Bachelor of Science in education.

Miss Courtney Potts was an attendant in the Miss Dexter 2014 Pageant.  This is an annual pageant sponsored by the Dexter Senior High School Music Department.  Each year Miss Dexter and her attendants are chosen as Calendar Girls throughout the year.

 

Congratulations Courtney!  The Dexter community is extremely proud of you and your accomplishments.

Dexter, Missouri - Employees of Countywide Insurance Agency in Dexter, Missouri have big hearts during the holiday season.  They collected toys at their annual employee Christmas party to donate to children who also receive much needed food at the Stoddard County Gospel Mission.

Without help from the community many children would have nothing for Christmas leaving them depressed and sad.  With donations of toys, children will have smiles upon their faces and something new to play with and enjoy.  Watching a child smile is one of the greatest gifts of love and knowing they are happy brings much joy to many who offer their time and love to these children.

The Countywide Agency team would like to extend a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all and hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday season.

Countywide Insurance is located at 140 S. Walnut and can provide you with all of your insurance needs. 

Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Rotary Club donates their time each year to help bag holiday "baskets" at the Stoddard County Gospel Mission.  On Monday, December 15th several Rotarians and Rotary Interact students stuffed 3,000 bags to be given to those in need.  

"I am so proud of the Dexter Rotary Club for working year after year helping us to provide food or a warm Christmas meal for those in need in our county," stated Kim Slavings, Director of the Stoddard County Gospel Mission.

The Rotary Club donates endless number of hours helping those in need each year and raising money to donate to several organizations in the area.  

Rotary is an international service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.  If you are interested in joining Rotary, please contact Jack Rodgers at jrod63841@yahoo.com or 573-624-5762.

Dexter, Missouri - At the December 16th morning Rotary meeting three "young" men were honored with Perfect Attendance pins.  Jack Rodgers and Wayne Jean received pins for 41 years of perfect attendance while Danny Talkington received his pin for 31 years of perfect attendance.

The Rotary Club meets weekly and hosts several fundraisers, four blood drives per year and  they host an annual 4-person golf tournament in June.  Fellow Rotarians are amazed that they never miss a meeting and never fail to show-up to volunteer their time at community events.  Thank you for your service and your commitment to Service Above Self.

The Rotary Club is always looking for people to join them each week at the American Steakhouse in Dexter.  First and third Tuesday are morning meetings at 7:00 a.m.  Second and fourth Tuesday are noontime meetings.  If a month has 5 Tuesday then it's dinner with their spouse at a different restaurant voted on by the club.

Rotary is an international service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.  If you are interested in joining Rotary, please contact Jack Rodgers at jrod63841@yahoo.com or 573-624-5762.

Shown in the photo form left to right are Jack Rodgers, Wayne Jean, and Danny Talkington.

Bloomfield, Missouri – Every year since 1992, Wreaths Across American has been held across the country.  Last year 20,000 volunteers unloaded 33 trucks and placed over 110,000 wreaths on graves. 

A very special ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 13th at 11:00 a.m. at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield to coincide with programs across the country. 

Approximately 2,000 wreaths will be placed on Veterans graves throughout the cemetery.  Randy Dunn will serve as master of ceremonies and seven special wreaths one for each branch, Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and a POW/MIA veterans’ wreath will be placed as memorials. 

Wreath Across America is a non-profit organization and formed as an extension of the Arlington Wreath Project.  Arlington will conduct their ceremonies at the same time as Bloomfield.

No matter the weather tomorrow, rain, sleet or snow the wreaths will be placed on veterans’ graves.  It will be a powerful image: a veteran’s headstone and an evergreen wreath wrapped in red ribbon.  It’s an honor to participate.  It’s a time of remembrance and a kind gesture of gratitude.

Please come out and honor those who have given so much.  The public is encouraged to attend the ceremony beginning at 11:00 a.m.