Dexter, Missouri - Renowned craftsman, John Bundy, will travel from Noblesville, Indiana to Dexter, Missouri on Monday, July 18th and spend the evening at The Metro Gallery. The event will take place from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with food, beverages, and fellowship. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this free event.
Bundy is known for his high quality collectible duck decoys that he has been creating for more than 30 years. His ducks begin as a solid block of wood that are carved, then detailed, and painted and finished. No two are alike.
John and Valarie Bundy and their son, Jason, have been carving the most beautiful, unique decoy carvings in the world. There is a look and a magic about Bundy Ducks that is impossible to show in a photo. Nothing compares to actually seeing one. With the unique combination of the grain of the wood, the combination of colors, stains, and the high gloss finish, each one is a piece of art which brings enjoyment to the owner.
"We carve each of them from a full size log section and “carve off everything that is not a duck”. We use a log to start from so we can actually “see the duck” while it’s still inside the log and properly align the grain pattern. In creating these carvings we attempt to show off the natural beauty of the wood by enhancing it with colored stains, which work with the growth rings, knots and unique patterns of each piece of wood, creating a one of a kind piece of art."
A few of Bundy's decoys are on display at The Metro Gallery. Several more pieces will be on hand along with John.
For more information about John Bundy's Duck Decoys click HERE.
Bloomfield, Missouri - Farmers Insurance presented a check in the amount of $10,000 to the Stoddard County Children's Home in Bloomfield.
Pictured seated on the front row: Judi Boyle, Jim Russell and Pat Crane; Back row: Lauren Mayer, Jim Tweedy, Lina Gibbs, Mike Hill, Andrew Stuever, Marissa VanGennip, Linda Sams, Clay Hurst, Janine Ballin and Melinda Masters. Hill, Stuever, VanGennip and Hurst are all Farmers Insurance representatives and everyone else is with the Stoddard County Children's Home.
Clay Hurst, Farmers Insurance District Manager stated that all of the Farmers Insurance agents in the various communities of Stoddard County, are very thankful and appreciative to be able to represent Farmers Insurance; a company committed to investing into the communities we serve.
"We have each personally donated to the Children's Home in the past, and will continue to do so."
After informal conversations with the board members present, Hurst indicated the agents are even more impressed with the services that this great organization provides to the children and families of Stoddard county and thanked the Children's Home board members and administrators for their hard work and dedication in serving the county in this capacity.
Photo and information submitted by James Tweedy.
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.
