Dexter, Missouri - It takes many hands to make light work.  The Dexter Bearcats proved that to be true on Tuesday morning when they arrived early to help lay the groundwork and build the platform for the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall that will arrive on Thursday.

The Moving Wall is a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. spanning 253 feet in length.  The football players served as volunteers to help prepare the support foundation for the panels that will be mounted in place on Thursday morning.

Beginning Thursday, The Moving Wall will be open to the public 24 hours per day with an information tent open from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. manned by volunteers from the community to help patrons find names on the wall and offer water during the heat of the day.

On Sunday, August 9th at 1:15 p.m. a Run to the Wall will commence down Business 60 from Hickory Log to East Park.  The public is invited to participate. 

A police escort will lead the way followed by motorcycles from the Patriot Guard and Freedom Rider, cars and trucks flying American flags!  Please support the Veterans by participating in the Run to the Wall!  Honk your horns and waive your flags in honor of Veterans and those currently serving this great country!

Once the Run to the Wall completes their drive to East Park, a more solemn ceremony will commence at 2:00 p.m.

The Kenady-Hanks American Legion Post 59 Honor Guard will present the Colors, the Boy Scouts of America will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, the Dexter High School Band will play the National Anthem and Lauren and Caroline Powers will sing God Bless America.

Rev. Justin Sponaugle will give the Invocation and the welcome will be delivered by Mayor Joe Weber.  Guest Speaker will be Retired Brigadier General Charlie Kruse.

The 1221st National Guard Transportation Company will perform a gun salute with Dexter High School Band plays Taps.  Rev. Justin Sponaugle will end with the Benediction.

Please honor our Vietnam Veterans, MIAs, and those who died for our FREEDOM and join The Moving Wall Run to the Wall and Ceremony on Sunday, August 9th.

Shown in the photo are Gabe Jackson (green shirt) and Nate Weathers (pink shirt) throwing a sledge a hammer!  Other football players carrying 2x4s and various other materials needed for The Wall.

Dexter, Missouri - Bud Shell Ford of Dexter held their annual "Drive One 4 Relay for Life" fundraiser during the May Stoddard County Relay for Life event.

For every test-drive completed, Bud Shell Ford contributed $20 to the Relay for Life organization.

Robert Shell of Bud Shell ford presented Belinda Worley, co-chair of Relay for Life with two checks totaling $5,080.

The money will be donated to the American Cancer Society to help fund a cure for cancer as well as for cancer education and to help those undergoing cancer treatment.

Shown in the photo are Emma Kate Worley, Belinda Worley, and Robert Shell.

 
Donations have fallen to critically low levels and patients needing O negative, B negative and A negative blood could go without the lifesaving support they need. We need you to help prevent an emergency shortage – recruit new donors now!

We're grateful you've chosen your day to help save lives by hosting a blood drive with the Red Cross. Your effort to recruit donors is critically important, and appreciated. By offering convenient opportunities for donors to give, you can help ensure blood is available for those that need it this summer.

How to donate blood

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Dexter, Missouri - Vocal talent runs thick in the Powers family!  Coby, Caroline, and Lauren Powers each auditioned for Heartland Idol at the Cape Mall on July 11th.  All three were picked to move on to the semi-finals.

Forty talented singers were chosen from hundreds who tried out.  Those 40 will then sing at one of four venues in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

Coby and Caroline Powers will sing on Tuesday, August 4th at 6:00 p.m. at Port Cape in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  Lauren will sing at the Boathouse on Friday, August 28^th at 6:00 p.m.

Out of the top 40 they take two out of ten from each venue, one chosen by a panel of judges and one by a vote of the people present.  They also choose one person who competes at the SEMO District Fair Karaoke Night.  Those 9 singers will then compete at the SEMO District Fair main pavilion in the finals on Wednesday, September 16^th at 7:00 p.m. for a $1,000 prize.

A panel of judges chooses the ultimate winner.  Mississippi River Radio who owns 16 radio stations in the Heartland sponsors the contest.

Last year, Caroline was the only family member to compete. She made it to the semi-finals at the Boathouse.  She lost to the eventual winner.  This year Coby will have his first competition as you have to be 14 to compete.  He may be one of the youngest contestants from the area.  Lauren made it to the finals once and eventually lost to Katherine DeHart of Sikeston.  All three have big dreams of winning!

Each of these Dexter students has an amazing voice!  Caroline and Lauren will also sing God Bless America at the Moving Wall Ceremony in Dexter on August 9^th beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Essex, Missouri - The annual Mae Hall Park Day Pageant will take place on Saturday, August 8th in Essex, Missouri.

The first pageant is set for 10:00 a.m. and each age group will follow.  Deadline to pre-register is August 7th.  An additional $5.00 will be added for late entries.

In case of rain, the pageants will be held at the Harvest Assembly of God Church in Essex.

The fees are $10 for Baby,Wee, and Tiny entries.  the entry fee is $20 for all other entries.  All contests are open to everyone.  The attire is casual or Sunday best.  No pageant wear should be worn.  Points will be deducted for those in pageant wear.

The categories are: Baby Miss (0-11 months), Wee Miss (12-23 months), Tiny Miss (24 months - 36 months), Little Miss (4 years - 6 years), Baby Mister (0-11 months), Wee Mister (12-23 months), Tiny Mister (24-36 months), Little Mister (4-6 years), Young Miss (7-11 years), Junior Miss (12-15 years), and Miss (16-19 years unmarried). 

The Pageant is sponsored by the Lion's Club of Essex-Gray Ridge.

Checks should be made payable to the E.A.D., P.O. Box 15, Essex, MO 63846.  For additional information please contact Janet Palmer 820-8248 or Sandy Kildow at 283-5175.