Dexter, Missouri – The Regional Healthcare Foundation is planning a tour for the pubic to see some of the best gardeners around.

On Saturday, June 13^th, the Foundation will host a Garden Tour.  This self-guided tour will showcase four very unique and beautiful gardens in and around Dexter, Missouri.

Tickets for the tour are only $20 each and are available at Gregory’s Two East downtown, Shelter Insurance at 1002 W. Business 60 and at the Regional Healthcare Foundation’s office at 215 W. Grant St.

Tickets will be available through June 13^th and the four gardens to be toured include the residences of Bob and Janice Barney, Gene Rowland, Andy and Natalie Riley and Gary and Judy Crump.  Directions to the gardens are on the back of the tickets.

In addition to the tours, Master Gardeners will be available at Cox Corner between 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on the day of the tour.  A door prize and complimentary gifts will also be given out that day.

For more information or questions please call (573) 624-1607.

Dexter, Missouri - Miss Shelby Gathings has been chosen as the 2015 ShowMe Times May Calendar Girl.  She is the daughter of Bobby and Angela Alford and is a senior at Dexter High School.

Shelby is a member of Honors Choir, Choir Ensembles, Pep Club, Scholar Bowl, and Showstoppers of Southeast Missouri.  She is also on the DHS Yearbook Staff.  She is currently working part-time at Hickory Log while attend high school.

Her plans are to attend Southeast Missouri State University after graduation.

Miss Shelby Gathings 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 Shelby!  The Dexter community is extremely proud of you and your accomplishments.

Photo courtesy of Shannon Putnam.

Lake Ozark, Missouri - The Missouri Army National Guard's 35th Engineer Brigade recently honored Lt. Col. Edward P. Gargas with the U. S. Army Engineer Association's Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal at its 36th annual engineer ball.  

The bronze medal goes to an individual who has rendered significant service or contributions to an element of the engineer regiment.

The esteemed engineer award was signed by Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, chief of engineers.  Gargas, whose family resides in Dexter, was recognized by the Army Engineer Association, on behalf of the engineer regiment, for inspirational leadership to the United States Army Corps of Engineers.  

The citation further read, Gargas has distinguished himself throughout many years of dedicated service to the United States Army Engineer Regiment by his demonstrated ability in nearly every fashion possible along leadership lines. Gargas has served in many of the United States Army Engineer Regiments' venues; combat effects through division operations.  His service also includes platoon leader, company commander, battalion S3, division engineer, brigade S3, and battalion commander.  His selfless service has set the standard for officers to emulate.  The Soldiers of the engineer units that he has impacted will remember his work and leadership.

The engineer regiment adopted the de Fleury Medal which is named after French engineer Francois Louis Tesseidre de Fleury, who volunteered to serve with the American Army in its fight for independence from Britain.  He won the accolades of Congress for courage under fire during the battle at Stony Point, New York in 1779 and a medal was struck in honor.

There are four levels of the de Fleury: Gold, Silver, Bronze and Steel.

The Engineer Regiment adopted the de Fleury Medal as an award because of the values demonstrated by the man for whom it was struck - values of special meaning to Engineer Soldiers.

Brig. Gen. Randy Alewel, the former brigade commander and current joint force land component commander presented the Bronze de Fleury Medal to Gargas on behalf of the Engineer Regiment. While the ball's host, Col. William Blaylock, 35th Engineer Brigade commander and Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Stuenkel stood alongside Alewel during the presentation.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com and our social media sites: www.facebook.com/Missouri.National.Guard; www.twitter.com/Missouri_NG; www.youtube.com/MoNationalGuard; www.myspace.com/missouri_ng; www.flickr.com/photos/missouriguard; www.moguard.com/blog; www.pinterest.com/monationalguard/

Stoddard County, Missouri – The Stoddard County Public Water Supply District #4 officials gathered along with federal, state, and county officials at the USDA office near Dexter, Missouri to break ground on an improvement and expansion of the water system.

District 4 received a Water and Waste Disposal Loan of $1,670,000 and a Water and Waste Disposal Grant of $1,186,200 from USDA Rural Development. 

Pictures at the ceremony are from the left:  Clarence Smith, Board Member; Rick Huffman, District Superintendent; Randy Long, Board Member, Phyllis Minner, Rural Development Area Director; Tim Fowler, Board President; Whitney Watts, Rural Development Area Specialist; Henry Rieffer, Board Member; John Chittenden, Engineer, Waters Engineering Co.; Ken Rinehart, Board Member; Pam Anglin, Rural Development Housing Program Director; Danny Talkington, Stoddard County Commissioner; Christy Mercer, representing U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill; Billy Pat Wright representing State Senator Doug Libla.

Bloomfield, Missouri – On behalf of USDA Rural Development Missouri State Director Anita J. Dunning, Housing Program Director Pam Anglin celebrated Earth Day by visiting Bloomfield, Missouri.  This year marks the 45^th anniversary of the first Earth Day and has become a day of recognition to highlight the impact human activities have on the environment.

“Rural Development’s mission is to improve the quality of life for residents of rural America which includes protecting what the earth provides for future generations.  Projects undertaken must be shown to avoid negative affects on natural resources,” Dunning stated.  “Participating in water quality and water service projects such as the City of Bloomfield project enables Rural Development to influence decisions made on the use of our natural resources.  We are proud of the city’s recognition and willingness to continue to provide quality water while preserving our natural resources.” 

Bloomfield’s water distribution system is aged and requires continued maintenance.  Maintenance and repair costs have created a burden on the city’s budget and staff.  Line breaks are frequent requiring boil water orders to prevent bacterial contamination.  In order to improve the city’s system and reduce any health risks, Rural Development awarded Bloomfield a $2,406,000 Water and Waste Disposal Loan and a $1,875,000 Water and Waste Disposal Grant.  These funds will be used to install new distribution lines, hydrants, pump, and meters. 

Water and Waste Water Grant and Loan Programs assist the development of water and waste disposal systems in rural areas and towns with a population not in excess of 10,000.  The funds are available to public bodies, non-profit corporations and Indian tribes.