Dexter, Missouri - The members of the Chalk Bluff Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution recently traveled to Columbia, Missouri for state workshops to prepare for the coming year.

Attending were Ann Polsgrove, State DAR School Chair, Kay Stevenson, Chalk Bluff Chapter Regent, and Mary Bess Green, State Chapter Development & Revitalization Commission Chair.

If you are interested in joining the Daughters of the American Revolution and learn about your Revolutionary War ancestor, please contact Kay Stevenson at kaystevenson82@gmail.com. 

Children are also able to join the Missouri Bootheel Society Children of the American Revolution.  For more information contact Kay Stevenson.

Shown in the photo from left to right are Ann Polsgrove, Kay Stevenson, and Mary Bess Green.

Blood Donation Shortage

Please give!

Dexter, Missouri - The ShowMe Times will host a Blood Drive along with Countywide Insurance, Mayer Law Office, and Montgomery Bank in the Countywide Insurance Building located at 140 S. Walnut Street on Tuesday, August 23rd from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Blood donations are urgently needed in the final weeks of summer.  The American Red Cross urges blood donors to give to help with critical summer blood shortages. With recent tragedies in Louisiana, injuries, and people displaced who may be undergoing treatment, the need is great.

Donors of all blood types are needed to give now to help ensure blood is available for patients in need. Those who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to donate again.  Blood can be safely donated every 56 days, and double red cells can be donated every 112 days.

Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling (573) 624-7469 and leave a message as to what time you would like your appointment.  If nothing else please drop-in and donate, no appointment necessary, but you may have to wait a few minutes.

YOU hold the power to save lives!

On average, the Red Cross must collect 14,000 blood donations every day across America for patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country.  Blood and platelets are needed for many different reasons.  Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle-cell disease may all need blood.

Please join us at the ShowMe Times office in the Countywide Insurance Building and donate.  Park on Stoddard Street or in the back parking area.  We urge you to give blood and save 3 lives!!

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive.  To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the side.

Dexter, Missouri - The Farmers Market has been in full swing this summer and has been quite successful at the new location on Market Street.

"We have 16 season pass vendors and 14 day vendors," stated Hillary Starnes, Executive Director of the Dexter Chamber of Commerce.  "All together this season we have had 30 different types of vendors.  Everything from homemade, handmade, or homegrown from southeast Missouri."

"Scott Garner and Bobby Garner had done a tremendous job getting the location together and ready each Thursday," continued Starnes.

National Farmers Market Week is August 7th - 13th 2016. Dexter Mayor Joe Weber signed a proclamation stated that Dexter recognizes and celebrates National Farmers Market Week and it will be celebrated annually.

The Dexter Farmers Market is held each Thursday from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Circle G on Market Street behind Busy B Lumber.

If you are interested in setting up at the Farmers Market contact the Dexter Chamber of Commerce at (573) 624 - 7458.

Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Dexter Community Care Center on Wednesday, August 10, 2016.

The Community Care Center offers family medical care for all ages, well-child exams, well-woman visits, preventive and health maintenance, sports physicals, scout physicals, and school physicals.  They also offer minor procedures and wound care.  have a sore throat or a sinus issue, they can treat that as well.  Thinking of losing weight or managing a health diet, they offer weight management, hormone testing and management. 

Have you tried to quit smoking, but need a little extra help?  The Community Care Center has a Smoking Cessation program as well to help you quit the habit.

At Dexter Community Care Center they are able to provide many on-site laboratory services and referrals for specialty needs.  They accept most insurances and offer discounted services to non-insured patients.  Give them a call at (573) 614-5762 for an appointment.  They are located at 1523 Business Hwy 60, Suite 1 next door to Ultimate Flooring & Paint.  Hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Hollie Hughes, NP-C, Family Nurse Practitioner is now available. She has worked in the medical field for over 10 years and has worked as a Registered Nurse since 2005.  She has been a Nurse Practitioner since 2010 in Family Practice.  She is married with three boys that reside in Essex where she grew up.  Hollie enjoys being outdoors, riding horses, playing sports, and being at the river, although  she spends all her free time keeping up with her three sons.

Dr. Mowaffaq Said has been practicing Nephrology in Southeast Missouri for nearly 15 years.  He is a Clinical Associate Professor at St. Louis University Department of Medicine and a member of the National Kidney Foundation.  His main office is at the Missouri Delta Physician Services in Sikeston, but will also be treating patients at the Dexter Community Care Center.

Dr. Jennifer Waller, Obstetrics/Gynecology is also excepting patients at the Community Care Center in Dexter.  Women's Care includes depression, infertility, menopause management, incontinence, family planning, gynecological surgery, prenatal care, and high risk OB care.

Other doctors will be featured on the ShowMe Times in the near future.

Shown in the photo are from left to right: Rhonda Hall (Chamber Director ) Gini Dockins (MO Delta Retired), Shannon Davis (Receptionist), Donna Fields  (Clinic Manager), Latina Hampton, (Director of Operations), Dr. Mowaffaq Said (Nephrology), Hollie Hughes (Family Nurse Practitioner), Dr. Colleen Hunter-Pearson, Teresa Hutchcraft (Montgomery Bank), Gina Watson (Montgomery Bank), Katie Levart (Nurse), Hayley Staggs (Nurse), Debbie Stidham, Chamber President, Jerry Corder, Alderman,

Back row from left to right: Sharon Urhahn, Director of Marketing, Keith Byrd Ultimate Flooring & Paint, Jerry Dockins, and Mark Stidham (Dexter City Adm).

Dexter, Missouri - The ShowMe Times "Back the Blue" series will feature our local men and women in law enforcement.  A healthy bond already exists between the Dexter Police Department and our citizens. 

The ShowMe Times hopes that you can get to know our local police force and they can share with you a little about themselves. While a good relationship exists between the police and residents of Dexter the August 4th annual "Back to Blue" event will only enhance that relationship and build on the foundation of good will. 

Bottom line is that when police and law enforcement are appreciated and supported, they will only increase their commitment and desire to protect and serve.

Ross Culbertson, Badge #955, has been a patrolman with the Dexter Police Department for four years and has been a police officer for five years.

Why did you become a police officer?
“I knew several officers personally.  It seemed like a fun job to try.”

What do you like most about your job as a police officer and why?
“I enjoy the freedom and being able to help people when I can.”

What do you like least about your job as a police officer and why?
“I have no dislikes about my job.”

With the recent unrest in our country with regards to attacks on police officers would you still recommend policing as a career to others? Why or why not?
“No I would not.  I would not wish the danger that may be involved on anyone.”

What is the most gratifying incident you have ever been involved in?
“The most satisfying incident I have been involved in was saving a dog that fell into a drainage culvert that involved the fire department and street department.”

If you didn’t become a police officer what profession would you have wanted to join?
“I would have taken over the family business and became a farmer.”

Sometimes we forget that police officers have families that they are human just like us.  On our darkest day they will be there for us. We hope they all return home safe to their families each and every day.