Dexter, Missouri - Thursday, July 14th was dedicated to Mandan, North Dakota as the "Official Destination" for National Hot Dog Day!! I beg to differ!
It is as American as Apple Pie. Mustard, relish, sauerkraut, onions and ketchup are some of the popular choices to top them with. Adults love them and kids simply adore them. You see them at football games and baseball games, gourmet restaurants and even at the Dexter Farmers Markets! Tim’s Dawg Cart may just have some of the best hotdogs around in these parts and you don't have to travel all the way to North Dakota to get a hot dog!
The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council has designated July as Hot Dog Month and for 2016 Thursday, July 14 as National Hot Dog Day. On May 31, 2012, a world record was set for the most expensive hot dog. The “California Capitol City Dawg” sold for $145.49 at Capitol Dawg in Sacramento, California.
July 23rd will the United States Official National Hot Dog Day! So get your delicious dogs early and beat the rush!! Have a hot dog and post on social media using #NationalHotDogDay to encourage others to join in.
New Madrid, Missouri - Kony Ealy Youth Football Camp will be held Saturday, July 9, 2016 at the New Madrid County Central High School. The camp is free to all young athletes and the camp will offer a unique opportunity to train with NFL player, Kony Ealy.
Ealy was a star athlete at NMCC before graduating and moving on to the University of Missouri – Columbia. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2014 and continues to play for them in the National Football League.
Ealy will also be joined by Mario Addison of the Carolina Panthers, Stephon Tuitt of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and free agent Ronnie Wingo.
The morning session will run from 9:00 a.m. – noon for children ages 6 to 12 years old however check-in is at 8:00 a.m. The afternoon session will be for athletes age 13 and up and it will be from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Each athlete will receive a t-shirt, lunch and refreshments.
The camp is supported through a grant from the NFL Foundation and USA Football along with a generous donation from AgXplore.
For more information about the camp and to register click HERE.
Photo by Ron Clements, Omnisport.
Yuma, Arizona - Dexter native, Lt. Col. Chad Vaughn marked his change of command on June 30, 2016. The Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 211 re-designated to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (FMVA) 211 during a ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.
The re-designation marks the first time an AV-8B Harrier squadron transitioned to an F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron, becoming the second F-35 squadron in the United States Marine Corps.
During the ceremony, Lt. Col. William Maples relinquished command of the transitioning squadron to Lt. Col. Chad Vaughn.
Lieutenant Colonel Chad Vaughn is a 1997 graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He was commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Course as a Second Lieutenant in May 1997. He is the son of Gen.(Ret) Clyde and Carol Vaughn and lived in Dexter until his parents due to Clyde's military service had to move from the area.
Lt Col Vaughn attended The Basic School with Delta Company in 1997 and reported to NAS Pensacola, FL in January 1998 for flight training. After training at NAS Whiting Field, FL and NAS Kingsville, TX Lt Col Vaughn was designated a Naval Aviator in January 2000 and slated for the F/A-18 Hornet. From February 2000 to February 2001 he trained at the VFA-125 “Rough Raiders” aboard NAS Lemoore, CA.
In March 2001 Lt Col Vaughn reported to the “Black Knights” of VMFA-314 aboard MCAS Miramar, CA. Following the Sept 11, 2001 attacks the squadron rapidly deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with Carrier Air Wing Nine on board the USS John C. Stennis from November 2001 to May 2002. After a brief return home, he was deployed to the Western Pacific on board the USS Carl Vinson from January to September 2003. Upon return from WESTPAC Lt Col Vaughn was selected to attend TOPGUN in 2004 and WTI in 2005. During this tour Lt Col Vaughn served as a Schedule Writer, Airframes Officer, Training Officer, Assistant Maintenance Officer, and Safety and Standardization Officer.
In September 2005 Lt Col Vaughn reported to NAS Fallon, NV as an instructor at the Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). While at TOPGUN, Lt Col Vaughn served as the Navy/Marine Corps Subject Matter Expert on 1v1 Air Combat and Briefing/Debriefing and was the USMC F-35 Liaison.
In June 2008 Lt Col Vaughn reported back to VMFA-314 aboard MCAS Miramar, CA as the Operations Officer. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from March to Sept 2009. While serving with VMFA-314, Lt Col Vaughn was selected as one of the initial cadre to transition to the F-35.
In December 2009 Lt Col Vaughn reported to the “Warlords” of VMFAT-501 at Eglin AFB, FL to stand up the initial F-35B training squadron. During this tour he served as the squadron’s Weapons Officer. In July 2011 Lt Col Vaughn was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps for duties as the F-35 Requirements Officer.
Lt Col Vaughn reported back to VMFAT-501 in July 2013 as an Instructor Pilot where he served as the Maintenance Officer. During this tour he was selected for command of the VMFA-211 “Wake Island Avengers”. He reported to MCAS Yuma, AZ in July 2015.
Lt Col Vaughn has over 2,600 flight hours in the F/A-18A-D, F-16A/B, F/A-18E/F, and the F-35B. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 5 Strike/Flight Awards, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four gold stars.
“The Marines are really what makes this aircraft special,” said Vaughn. “Their hard work, effort and dedication are what really make this aircraft awesome, so I’m humbled to be working with them and proud to lead them.”
To watch the ceremony click HERE.
Photo courtesy of Randy Hoeft of the Yuma Sum Newspaper.
Bernie, Missouri - Cymber Arnold has been chosen as the 2016 ShowMe Times July Calendar Girl!
Cymber is the 15-year old daughter of Derik and Casey Arnold and Tommy and and Lacey Winchester.
She received 1st Alternate in the 2016 Miss Bernie Pageant and is currently the reigning Miss Stoddard County!
Cymber is active in volleyball, softball, cheerleading, BETA, FBLA, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Bernie High School. She will be a sophomore in August.
Her future plans are to attend Harding University after high school and obtain a degree in the medical field.
Congratulations Miss Cymber Arnold!
Photo by Norman Swafford Photography!
Dexter, Missouri - Small towns are wonderful especially this time of year and you can't get more American than a hometown kids' Patriotic Parade!!
Now in its 24th year, the Fourth of July Patriotic Parade for kids will be held on Monday, July 4th at 10:00 a.m. This annual parade will begin at the corner of Elm and Vine streets in downtown Dexter.
The “just for kids” parade was started by Janice Barney, Lisa Greer and Jean Rahm. The parade leadership has passed to a new generation, as Kristina and Jason Banken, now host the holiday parade each year. The Bankens began hosting the parade 10 years ago, and have continued to build upon the Independence Day tradition.
The parade will follow its traditional route down Elm Street to Stoddard Street with kids on bicycles, tricycles, wagons, scooters, golf carts, on foot or in strollers. You may even see a few patriotic dogs in the parade.
The youngsters guided by Uncle Sam will gather on the steps of the U.S. Post Office on Stoddard Street to salute the American Flag with the Pledge of Allegiance. They will sing a few patriotic songs and pose for those ever-lasting photos.
The parade will get moving again, east down Stoddard Street to Poplar Street, where it will turn south at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) back to Vine Street and turn west returning to the Bankens’ front yard where they will be treated to lemonade and a small snack.
Children are invited to participate. They may walk or bring their bikes and other means of transportation for the parade. Parking will be available for grown-ups in the city parking lot on Vine Street across from the Dexter Municipal Building.
