Dexter, Missouri - In what has been some unstable times for police officers throughout the country, Sue Edwards, of Dexter felt it was time to celebrate our law enforcement.
“I just am tired of all the negative talk about the men and women who wear the badge,” stated Edwards. “I was sitting at the kitchen table one day and the more I thought about it the more I wanted to do something for our local officers who risk their lives each day.”
Dexter’s police department is fortunate enough to have so many citizens show their appreciation throughout the year, but on August 4, 2016 this day will be set aside each year to celebrate our local police force and all they do for the citizens of Dexter.
On Thursday the Dexter Police Department, the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office, and several of our local Missouri Highway Patrol Troopers will be treated to lunch at Hickory Log at noon.
Dexter’s Mayor, Joe Weber, will be on hand to sign a city Proclamation dedicating August 4th as “Back the Blue” Day. Hopefully this will become and annual tradition and grow each year to include surrounding police departments.
Sue Edwards is point of contact for this event and she has already received a few donations from local businesses to help promote the event. For police officers invited, but not able to attend, gift certificates to Hickory Log will be given to them as a show of appreciation.
Missouri Senator Doug Libla will be the guest speaker.
The Boy Scouts plan to fly the American Flags down Business US 60. If your business has a flag, please display it August 4th.
Sue asks that everyone wear BLUE to work that day and if businesses could display BLUE ribbons to let the police know how much we support them in Dexter.
“I think about all those mothers, wives, and children who kiss their loved ones goodbye as they go off to work not knowing if they will return that evening. It can be a very dangerous job,” commented Edwards.
An account has been established at Southern Bank in Dexter for donations. The bank is located at 713 W. Business US Highway 60 in Dexter. Their phone number is (573) 624-5525.
If you would like to donate or need further information, please contact Sue Edwards at (573) 614-9266.
Dexter, Missouri - On Sunday, July 24, 2016 three young men earned the rank of Eagle Scout and an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony was conducted at the Faith Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Dexter.
Tyler Kent Stevenson, Weston Aaron Avery, and John William Brehmer became Eagle Scouts, the highest achievement attainable in the Boy Scouts of America.
Mark Avery, Troop Commissioner, served as Master of Ceremonies for the Court of Honor. He mentioned several of the benefits of Scouting, noting that history has shown that Scouts typically develop hobbies that will add interests throughout the rest of their lives. Many will go on to serve in the U.S. Military or serve in the U.S. or state governments.
"At least one of every 100 Scouts will use that training to save another person's life, and many will credit it with saving their own," Avery told a large audience in attendance.
Andrew Bond, also an Eagle Scout, served as Voice of the Eagle at the ceremony and credited the three new Eagle Scouts for their many achievements. He noted their efforts that earned them the rank of Eagle Scout.
"The climb from First Class to Eagle becomes harder with each step and only a handful of Scouts reach the top." Bond said. "As you climbed, you could see that there were far fewer Scouts ahead of you, clearing the path, than there were behind you, following in your footsteps."
Tyler Stevenson was credited with having earned 34 merit badges for Scouting. Will Brehmer earned 31 merit badges and Weston Avery earned 33 merit badges. Over the years these three young men participated in more than 200 nights of camping, hiked the trails of several camps, and completed over 100 service hours in their local community.
Each Scout completed a major project as a prerequisite to earning the Eagle Scout Rank. Tyler Stevenson built a bridge at the Bootheel Youth Camp near Bloomfield. Will Brehmer painted a livestock barn at the Stoddard County Fairgrounds. Weston Avery roofed a sign, built a picnic table and two benches at his church.
Each Scout recognized their parents with a special pin to acknowledging their part in their son's journey to the rank of Eagle.
Will Brehmer is the 17-year old son of J.T. and Monie Brehmer.
Weston Avery is the 17-year old son of Mark and Laurie Avery.
Both Brehmer and Avery will be seniors at Dexter High School.
Tyler Stevenson is the 18-year old son of Kay Stevenson and Keith Stevenson. Tyler will be attending Harding University in the fall.
Executive Director of the Dexter Chamber of Commerce, Hillary Starnes, congratulated them and spoke of their resolve to becoming an Eagle Scout.
Billy Pat Wright, representative for Senator Doug Libla spoke and presented each with a Resolution from the Missouri State government. He also named some very famous Eagle Scouts who went on to accomplish greatness in our history. Neil Armstrong, President Gerald Ford, Peter Kinder, Governor Jay Nixon among the few he named.
Congratulations to Will, Avery, and Tyler on attaining the highest rank in the Boy Scouts. You are officially and forever an Eagle Scout!
Dexter, Missouri - A Coed Volleyball Tournament will be held at the First Assembly of God Church in Dexter on Saturday, July 30th beginning at 8:00 a.m. all for a good cause!
Whitney Paige Kearbey was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation last year and underwent brain surgery to help ease her symptoms.
Chiari is a serious neurological disorder where the bottom part of the brain descends out of the skull and crowds the spinal cord, putting pressure on the brain and spine and causing many disabling symptoms.
Symptoms on a daily basis are pressure-like headaches at the back of the skull, neck and shoulder pain, dizziness, vertigo, trouble walking, imbalance, difficulty swallowing, gagging, facial pain, numbness, fatigue, insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, depression, trouble speaking, blurred vision, irregular heartbeat and the list goes on.
The volleyball tournament will be 6 on 6 coed with only 3 guys on the court. $15.00 per person to play. They are only taking 10 teams so get your name in as soon as possible.
September is National Chiari Malformation Awareness Month. What a great way to get the awareness out there than an event like this. Whitney needs our support to help her battle this terrible disease.
First Assembly of God Church is located at 911 Brown Pilot Lane behind the Bearcat Event Center in Dexter.
For more information and to sign your team up for this wonderful cause please contact Christina Pyles at (573) 421-3968.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for our newest business in town, Ultimate Flooring and Paint.
The business is owned by Darrin Johnson and is located at 1520 West Business 60 in the Liberty Center behind Tropical Sno SEMO.
Ultimate Flooring and Paint features a full line of paint products, including Benjamin Moore paint. They also feature Mohawk Flooring. The store is open from 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday and 9:00 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday. Their new number is (573) 614-7300.
This is the third location for them as they have stores in Sikeston and Cape Girardeau. Follow them on Facebook by clicking HERE.
Shown in the photo are Christine Young, children Rose Eubanks, Izzy Eubanks, and Parker Johnson, Elizabeth Johnson, Darrin Johnson, Mayor Joe Weber, Keith Byrd, Alice Jarrell, Vicky Jarrell, Anna Eubanks, Jerry Jarrell, and Jerry Corder.
To see photos of the big event go to the ShowMe Times Facebook page!
Dexter, Missouri - Jessica Loflin and her mom, Dee, brought their Turtle Family to Keller Public Library for their weekly Summer Reading Program, "On Your Mark, Get Set........Read on Wednesday, July 13th with a theme of "Slow and Steady Wins the Race. They also brought many pelts, furs, skulls, shells, and other items from Missouri animals.
Mr. Bill Drake read the book The Tortoise and the Hare.......well he sort of read the book. He actually improvised with such an enthusiastic voice the children were glued to his every word all the while Mrs. Judy Nea worked her magic with two puppets, a tortoise and a hare! She was an amazing puppeteer!
It was a hands on experience as each child touched the educational items on display. They were also excited to hold members of the Turtle Family - Myrtle, Elvis, Crackers, Oscar, Baby Face, Dot, Hulk, Dani, and LittleFoot. The children even got to feed some of the turtles watermelon!
Myrtle has been in the their family more than 50 years, but she is believed to be about 67 years old. She was originally found at Wappapello Lake area in 1959 and became a family pet for four generations. You can tell she's an old girl by the way she looks and she loves to eat eggs and worms.....and watermelon!
Elvis is a rescued turtle who would not eat in the beginning. Once taken to Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic it was discovered that Elvis is mostly blind. He has cataracts and has trouble locating his food.
Crackers is also a rescue. His shell was partially destroyed by an industrial lawnmower. Once "glued" back in places his shell will not close completely therefore allowing prey to eat him if returned to the wild.
This week's program will be "Motion Commotion" on Wednesday, July 20th at 11:00 a.m. with Crafts and Ice Cream. It's the last one of the summer and you won't want to miss it!
