Dexter, Missouri - The American Legion, Tom Love, and Gobbler Ridge, the Missouri Department of Conservation, Sikeston Rotary, and the National Wild Turkey Federation are once again sponsoring a deer hunt for disabled veterans.

This year's hunt is at Gobbler Ridge on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 according to Stoddard County Conservation Agent Mark Reed.

If you are a disabled veteran and are interested in participating, please contact the American Legion in Dexter, Missouri.

Gobbler Ridge Farms was converted from a family recreational area into a place where veterans with combat-related injuries could go, relax, enjoy the outdoors, and hunt and enjoy nature. The project has been spearheaded by Tom Love and Gobbler Ridge Farms and sponsored by the Kenady-Hanks American Legion Post 59 in Dexter.

“It is a place where disabled veterans can hunt, view wildlife, take nature photographs, and relax,” Love said recently.

Priority will be given to Stoddard County veterans and veterans with combat-related disabilities

The site has handicapped accessible blinds elevated for hunting and viewing. Blinds are wheelchair accessible. Ground blinds are also wheelchair accessible and portable to provide mobility and maximize use through the seasons and movement of wildlife.

Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Cambridge Adult Day Center on Thursday, October 22, 2015.

The Center is located at 812 North West Oak Street in Dexter.  For more information about their services contact Bertha Sherritze at (314) 210-7393.

Shown in the photo from left to right are: Debbie Stidham, Jerry Corder, Lucinda Gyurci, Jeri Pierce, Bertha Sherritze, Mark Stidham, Joe Weber, Bill Hampton, Kevin Bishop, and Dennis Boggess.

Dexter, Missouri - “Being Faurecia” is a new initiative at the Dexter Faurecia plant and globally that aims to continually support the community in which they operate through both volunteerism and monetary contributions.

In addition to a recent donation to the Regional Healthcare Foundation’s Mother-to-Mother program, the “Being Faurecia” team presented a check on Tuesday to Dexter Police Department’s Officer Lori O’Dell, who is the coordinator and director of the local D.A.R.E. Program at the fifth grade level.

Emphasizing that “Children are Our Future,” Being Faurecia Champion Angela Roberts, (at left holding the D.A.R.E. mascot) along with Team Member, Kim Pierce, with Human Resources at the local plant, are shown presenting the $500 contribution to O’Dell to be utilized as she instructs her D.A.R.E. students.

Dexter, Missouri - It was a great year for the 2015 DHS Bearcat Art Splash.  They had way more businesses willing to participate than they were able to accommodate with students artists this year.

This group of incredibly talented art students is among some of the busiest high school students on the Dexter Bearcat campus and yet they still found time to paint eight business locations this year for homecoming.

Organizing and running this event takes a lot of time, a special thanks to County Wide Insurance and Tracy Horton for making this event special during the homecoming activities.

The art students painted 5 large windows and 3 small windows in Dexter.  The DHS Bearcat Art Splash program collected $550 for the art students and the Art Club at Dexter High School.

They paid out $225 in prize money and $200 was shared among the students who painted the windows.  The additional $100 went to the Art Club. 

Josh Ladd and Emily Ladd painted their Bearcat at County Wide Insurance Agency and earned a 3^rd Place finish and $50. (See photo below.)

Taylor Ivy and MaKayla Waldner painted the cute Cheerleader and football player at Ben Franklin and placed 2^nd receiving $75.

First place went to Brianna Gourley with her “Blow Away the Eagles” painted at First Midwest Bank (Downtown).  She received $100 for her incredible work and efforts.

Congratulations to all of the art students for their hard work, long hours, and talent!   A shout-out to County Wide Insurance for sponsoring the 2015 DHS Bearcat Art Splash again this year.

Shown in the photo above are from left to right (Each student received $25 for participating!) front row: Madison McConnell, Brianna Gourley, Marissa Pilgrim, and Emily Ladd.  Back row: Reagan Miller, Janie Lindsey, MaKayla Waldner, Taylor Ivy, and Joshua Ladd.

Below are the other business participants and the name of the artist who painted their window.  Madison McConnell pained Dexter Senior Center.  Taylor Ivy pained County Wide Abstract.  Regan Miller painted Farm Bureau Insurance, Travis Miller Agent.  Regan Miller also painted along with Janie Lindsey First National Bank and Marissa Pilgram painted first State Bank & Trust's window.

Dexter, Missouri - Mark Snider of First Midwest Bank was honored with a retirement reception on Friday, September 25, 2015 in Dexter.

Snider has spent 33 years in the banking business with the last 14 years at Dexter's First Midwest Bank.

Snider is pictured at center holding a resolution read in his honor given by the bank.  Also pictured are from left, Community Bank President Steve Millington, Board Member Larry Johnson, Chairman of the Board of Directors Norma McLane Smith, and Bank Executive Vice President Jack Huffman of Dexter.

Snider retires as Senior Vice President of First Midwest.  Congratulations Mark on your retirement!