Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Chamber of Commerce held their annual awards banquet on Saturday evening.
Chamber Director Debbie Stidham presented the Industry of the Year Award. The two nominations were Faurecia and Tyson.
Faurecia has brought over 480 jobs to our community. The original Arvin was built in 1974. it merged with Arvin-Meritor in 2000, was redesigned as Emcon Technolgies in 2007 and then became Faurecia in 2010. They are a worldwide automotive supplier of seating, exhaust systems and interiors with 330 sites in 34 countries. In 2015, they wanted to create an initiative called "Being Faurecia". They created a culture on the concepts on entrepreneurship, energy, respect, autonomy, and accountability.
They wanted to be a good ambassador to our community. They created a team focused on raising money and seeking out community projects that the workers could get involved with. They donated to Mother-to-Mother, DARE, Meals on Wheels, Relay for Life, 18FORELife, and Shop with a Hero. They are continuing to find ways to give back to Dexter and expand their industry.
Tyson is another major employer with around 625 employees. They started in 1935 in Arkansas and soon after opened a Dexter plant. Over the years this industry's operation in Dexter has grown and today their product goes from the egg to our tables. In fact, we enjoyed their product this evening. They are eager to help the community with donations and volunteer work. They are a huge supporter of our local farm families and keep the poultry business alive and growing around our area. they are involved with the Downtown Fall Festival, they are a sponsor of the Dexter's Grille it Up Cook-Off in July, a big supporter of the Chamber and much more. Mark makes sure his team is happy and makes a huge effort to acknowledge each one of them by name.
The 2015 Industry of the Year is Tyson Foods.
Photo credit to Dee Loflin, ShowMe Times Manager/Editor.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Chamber of Commerce held their annual awards banquet on Saturday evening.
"We can't express how grateful we are to have such wonderful businesses in Dexter," commented Stacey Blocker. "The nominations this year showed us what a caring community it is and that the citizens show their support for all businesses."
The top three nominees stood out for their love of Dexter and their endless effort to do things for Dexter. All of the nominees not only own and operate one business, they have at least two businesses they own.
The nominees are the ShowMe Times, N'Style Galleria, and The Loft.
1. ShowMe Times puts in endless amount of time. She needs about 48 hours in a day to cover all the things that are going on in Stoddard County. When you see Dee Loflin running around, you know there is an event going on. She seems to be a one woman show, but she has a great support backing her. the ShowMe Times team is always looking for ways to grow and communicate with the citizens. They are all positive news and informing you on everything. They do ads, text alerts, classifieds, Facebook, Twitter and of course their ShowMe Times website. The owner, Alan Hedrick recently added Air SMT utilizing a drone to video record Dexter and the surrounding areas. We can only image what is next.
2. N'Style Galleria or formerly known as Lois' House of Fashion was purchased by Pam Garner in March 2014. She carries fashion accessories, Merle Norman Cosmetics, clothing line, offers full service salon and art gallery with custom paintings and photography. She is always looking at ways to grow. She recently started MeN'Style which offers men's clothes and custom design shirts. She is eager to participate in what Dexter is doing and sponsors the Annual Cruisin' for Kids car show in downtown Dexter. This event brings several people into Dexter and all proceeds go to children in need.
3. The Loft which is owned and operated by Brian Crawford since 2011. Brian isn't from Dexter, but saw the potential and decided to put in a store. His store fronts have really made the downtown look great. After suffering a fire to his store, he rebuilt and even grew into a larger business. they carry a full coffee bar, tea, and hot chocolate. the store has beautiful furniture, jewelry, home decor, and many other unique items. He is always willing to support the local schools and organizations and individuals that are in need of help. He host many events in his store that gives people a different experience. In 2014, eh opened his second store "The French market" that offers truffles, spices, herbs, and other cooking needs. His store overcame tragedy and became a bigger and better asset to Dexter downtown.
The 2015 Business of the Year went to The Loft.
Photo credit to Dee Loflin, ShowMe Times Manager/Editor.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Chamber of Commerce held their annual awards banquet on Saturday evening.
Chris Brannan said, " Dexter has several great organizations that do a lot of community service. We had several nominations turned in this year."
"The committee narrowed it down to three very active and well deserved nominees: Relay for Life of Stoddard County, Dexter Lions Club, and Star Banner 4-H of Dexter."
1. Relay for Life has been raising money to fight cancer since 2004. In 2005, over $81,000 was raised to provide services and life saving research to cancer patients in Stoddard County. This year they are going to strive to hit the $1 million mark of funds raised within Stoddard County. Their annual event is huge and brings positive attention to Stoddard county.
2. Dexter Lions Club does tons of work for Dexter. They provide and pay for the school children's eye exams and also provide eye exams and glasses for others in nee. They hand out two $1,500 scholarships to students, they pay for the student athletes to play in state all-star games and donated 3 Lion water fountains to the city parks. they also donate annually to the Wreaths Across America, Stoddard County Children's Home, Boy Scouts, Boys state and Girls State, after Prom activities, Truck or Treat, Mid South Lions Sight and Hearing and the Kenny Rogers Telethon. They have fundraising events, such as their annual golf tournament, Waffle Day, and sell funnel cakes at the Stoddard County Fair. They are very active and we appreciate their work.
3. The Star Banner 4-H of Dexter program completes several community service projects throughout the year. They go to nursing homes for holiday visits, play Bingo, go caroling, and deliver food baskets. They have also done several other projects like Wreaths Across America, had a haunted house, and participate in the Stoddard County Fair. Each student chooses to participate in speech contest, livestock, entrepreneurship, workmanship, or political involvement to obtain their service hours. These students are learning viable skills before graduating from school.
The 2015 Organization of the Year Award goes to the Dexter Lions Club.
Photo credit to Dee Loflin, ShowMe Times Manager/Editor.
Dexter, Missouri - H&R Block is putting the "fun" back in the Tax Refund Season! James and Julie Twomey, local winners of the "H&R Block 1,000 wins $1,000 Daily Sweepstakes", celebrate at the H&R Block office at 209 W. Business 60.
It's an amazing story with James and Julie as they both were entered to win because of a joint tax return. James received his email first and was pretty excited to be a winner, but when Julie received her email they thought there was a mistake or it was a repeat email. Much to their surprise both won a $1,000 prize and were presented two checks on Friday, January 22, 2016 for a total of $2,000.
"I thought it was super cool," stated James Twomey. "It's a blessing. We are foster parents and have been using H&R Block for more than 20 years."
H&R Block is giving away a total of $32 million in the first month of tax season. Anyone who files their taxes at a participating H&R Block office by February 15th can automatically be entered into the sweepstakes. Thirty-two thousand people will win $1,000 from H&R Block. You could be a winner if you file your taxes soon. For more information, visit www.hrblock.com/grand.
Pictured are Cheryl Bridgewater, H&R Block Preparer, James Twomey, Julie Twomey, and Kim Allen, H&R Block Franchisee.
Congratulations James and Julie Twomey!
Dexter, Missouri - Patty Miller Gard, a Dexter native, has recently given away nearly 400 books she authored. The Keller Public Library offered the books in a beautiful display during the holidays.
Her first book entitled “I Saw Heaven!” was written just a few years ago in 2010. It’s an inspirational story about her conversations with her brother after his near death experience. Richard Miller fell into a deep coma in 2001, but he defied the odds and one day woke up to talk about his experience of seeing Heaven. Richard passed away in 2004 and she realized that God was in control. Her book "I Saw Heaven" is a testament to a way God often works.
“Those conversations changed my life,” Patti said about her brother. “It was God’s plan and I am just following that inspiration.”
With a better understanding of writing and publishing her first book, she decided to write another book in 2013. It is entitled, “Living Right Side Up in an Upside Down World.”
“I couldn’t have imagined the places the success of these books have taken me,” commented Gard.
“This community has been very good to me and I am blessed to live here,” Gard said. “I have been many places, but this will always be home.”
Patti believes she was called to write these two books, perhaps God had a very special plan for her, but she knew she needed to offer these books to anyone. She and Pam Trammell, Keller Library Director, set up a display and the books began to fly away in the hands of patrons during the holiday season.
Both books are available. Patti will be glad to get you a copy. Just stop in the library and if they are not readily available, please leave your name at the desk.
Patti plans to have a book signing at a later date and there will be another opportunity to receive her special gift and visit with her.
"I just love my hometown," continued Gard. "I have such fond memories as a child, I remember my classmates and I just have wonderful memories of Dexter growing up. I wanted to do something for the community and giving away my books just felt right."
She writes her books under the pen name of Dunham.
