Dexter, Missouri - The Regional Healthcare Foundation in Dexter has once again offered to provide the volunteers free use of the Cox Corner building at the corner of Walnut Street and Business 60 in Dexter.  

The volunteers are Jack Norman and Earl Young.  The Free tax returns will be provided through the University of Missouri Extension Service in conjunction with the IRS VITA/TCE Programs.

Norman and Young will be on hand every Monday and Thursday from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. beginning Monday, January 25th through April 14th.  Returns will be e-filed the same day they are completed.  Tax returns will be completed on a first come, first served basis.  No appointments will be scheduled.

Tax volunteers remind those who plan to use the serve to bring with them all information regarding income, proof of identification, and social security numbers for everyone on the tax return.  They also remind citizens that they will be asked whether they have health insurance. 

If their insurance was purchased through the marketplace, then a 1095-A must also be completed.

Dexter, Missouri - The Elks Lodge in Dexter sponsors an American Essay Contest each year.  This year the topic was, "What I Can Do to Promote Americanism and Love of Country."

Elks Americanism Chairperson Randy Northington presented three students with awards for their essays.  Division II (7th and 8th grade students) First Place are AnnMarie Long, Second Place Blair Rogers, and Third Place McKayla Maze. 

Winners will be entered at the District Level, if they are successful, then the State Level of competition.  

Below is T.S. Hill Middle School 8th grader, AnnMarie Long's essay.  She won first place.  Her essay is entitled, "What can I do to promote Americanism and Love of Country."

There are many ways to promote Americanism and love of country.  Most of the ways I can promote Americanism are relatively simple.  Here are a few ways.

I can promote Americanism and love of country by teaching children more about America.  Kids need to know how great our country is and how we have all of these amazing rights that we wouldn’t have if we lived in another country.  We take for granted all of the lovely things we have here in the United States.  Children don’t know why we have these things and how lucky we are to have them.  if we don’t teach kids how lucky they are now, how will they tell their kids when they’re older?  This is one way I can promote Americanism and love of country.

Another way I can promote Americanism and love of country is by showing the people who served our country that we appreciate everything that they’ve done.  We should do this to thank them for protecting our country.

I can also promote Americanism and love of country by respecting all of the symbols for our country.  This is an easy way to promote Americanism.  I can do this by taking off my hat during the National Anthem or the Pledge of Allegiance.  I can also do this by not talking badly about the flag or the National Anthem.  We can all do these things

These are all ways I can promote Americanism and love of country.  We all need to try to promote our love of our awesome country.

Dexter, Missouri - The Elks Lodge in Dexter sponsors an American Essay Contest each year.  This year the topic was, "What I Can Do to Promote Americanism and Love of Country."

Elks Americanism Chairperson Randy Northington presented three students with awards for their essays.  Division I (5th and 6th grade students) winners were First Place Jayci Holcomb, 2nd Place Taylor Oliva, and third Place was Reece Jones.

Winners will be entered at the district level and if they win they will be moved on to the state competition.

Below is the American Essay by Central Elementary Fifth grade student, Jayci Holcomb.  She won First Place. Her essay is entitled "What can I do to show love of country and Americanism?"

America is a beautiful country.  Anyone can show Americanism and love of country.  Anyone can show Americanism and love of country.  There are many ways to do this. 

One way I can do this, or anyone in general, is by saying the Pledge of Allegiance.  I think the Pledge of Allegiance is important because it shows love and respect for our country.

Like I said, America is beautiful, but some people don’t care.  They litter and do even worse.  So, another thing anyone can do is to help take care of their community.

You can pick up trash that you see around your town, or for your community, you can do fundraisers for businesses and more.

Also, to show Americanism and patriotism, you can put up a flag outside of your house, or on patriotic holidays wear red, white, and blue, or shoot fireworks.

I think showing this is important, and as John F. Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

Dexter, Missouri - City employees celebrated 10 years of service at their annual safety luncheon.  

The city of Dexter acknowledged five employees with awards for 10 years of service.  

Those received 10 year plaques were Todd O'Dell and Jeremy Freeman of the Dexter Fire Department, Pam Trammell, Director of Keller Public Library, Josh Robinson from the City Water Department, and Rick Cook from the Police Department.

Shown in the photo from left to right Pam Trammell, Todd O'Dell, Jeremy Freeman, Josh Robinson, and Rick Cook.

Photo credit to Dee Loflin, ShowMe Times Manager/Editor.  All Rights Reserved.

Dexter, Missouri - The City of Dexter honored John Jenkins on his retirement from the Fire Department.

Pictured is Dexter Mayor, Joe Weber (left) presenting John Jenkins (right) a plaque acknowledging his 38 years of service to the city.

Photo credit to Dee Loflin, ShowMe Times Manager/Editor.