Dexter, Missouri - Come to Paris, the city of LOVE after dinner with your favorite Valentine and stroll by for Dessert at the Stoddard County Nutrition Center located at 23 West Stoddard Street.
The Stoddard County Nutrition Center will host "It's Death by Chocolate" on Saturday, February 11, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the center.
The cost is $10 per person and is a fundraiser for the Nutrition Center. The public is encouraged to attend.
The Paris, France themed event will feature "all you can eat" decadent milk, dark, and white chocolate tasting of desserts, candies, and drinks with fillings and toppings to delight chocolate lovers. Dip strawberries and other favorites in a fountain of chocolate amid romantic scenes of the streets of Paris.
The event will benefit the Nutrition Center's Meals on Wheels program an dis sponsored by the Ladies of the Church of Christ churches in Bernie, Bloomfield, Essex, and Dexter.
Please join them for an evening of fun and who doesn't like chocolate!
Dexter, Missouri - The 2016 Distinguished Citizen of the Year was announced at the Dexter Chamber of Commerce annual banquet on Saturday, January 28, 2017.
"This years Distinguished Citizen is described as perhaps the hardest working "non-working" person in Dexter," stated Hillary Starnes, Executive Director of the Dexter Chamber of Commerce.
"She can be found working in countless capacities, not only within the immediate area, but across the county and the southeast Missouri region. She is an extraordinary planner and organizer and is perfectly willing to work behind the scenes with no fanfare or accolades."
Mary Ann Taylor is the 2016 Distinguished Citizen of the Year!
Mary Ann stepped down from the Dexter Park Board in 2012 after a 33-year run. As a certified physical education teacher and sports enthusiast, she seemed the perfect fit on the board in 1979. During her tenure, she was instrumental in placing the 1/2 cent sales tax on the ballot in the year 2000. With its passing, the Park Board eventually hired a full-time director, built a facility to house personnel, completed the Dexter Aquatic Center, established the walking path at West City Park, and eventually became the governing entity for the city's summer and fall sports leagues. Additionally, the Dexter Parks and Recs gym was constructed at East City Park.
As a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Mary Ann has worn more hats than can be counted since moving to the community in the early 1970s from Aurora, Missouri. She is constantly called upon to head up and serve on a number of committees. She currently serves as president of the Parish Council and has held positions on the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and the Regional council of Catholic Women.
Dexter was the hometown of her husband, Steve. The two met while in college at the University of Missouri - Columbia (MiZZOU). Their only child, Dr. Mack Taylor, lives in Dexter and practices dentistry in Bernie, Missouri.
If there is a task to be done, she is there. If there is a mission to be fulfilled, a dinner to be organized, a church directory to be planned, a committee to head, up, Mary Ann will no doubt will be behind the effort. Whatever task is at hand, she completes it with thoroughness, seemingly with ease and always with grace and style that is hers alone.
A good organizer is a good delegate, and Mary Ann is one of those people who recognizes the need to secure reliable help as she heads up events like the Catholic Church - Annual Turkey Dinner that serves thousands and the October Festival of Sharing at the Methodist Church that is a regional effort to help the needy in an area that stretches all the way to Sedalia.
For the past 17 years, Mary Ann has also served on the board of what is now Aging Matters, formerly referred to as the Agency on Aging. In that capacity, she represents Stoddard County on an elected 18-member board, one member for each of the 18 southeast Missouri counties served by the non-profit.
For more than two decades, Mary Ann has also been a faithful servant of the local Stoddard County Nutrition Center, delivering Meals on Wheels to locals every Friday, right before she collects recyclables from crossroads Court residents and delivers those items to the recycling bin in town.
Mary Ann has also been heavily involved with the work of the Regional Healthcare Foundation and has served on their Board of Directors for the past five years. Her roles on the Foundation's board have included secretary and fundraising committee chair, and she is currently serving as the Board's vice president.
Additionally, she and Steve are longtime faithful supporters of the Keller Public Library. The Friends of the Library selected the pair as their "Friends of the Year" in 2014, and she often serves as a guest reader and performer at Story Hour. She also is a supporter of the library's annual Fashion Show.
"For her endless volunteerism, her tireless efforts on so many levels, and most of all, for her spirit of giving and asking for nothing in return, we thank you and honor you as our Citizen of the Year,"
Shown in the photo from left to right are: Tila Hubrecht, 151st State Representative, Billy Pat Wright, Field Representative for Senator Doug Libla, Mary Ann Taylor, and Hillary Starnes, Dexter Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
Dexter, Missouri - the 2016 Educator of the Year was named at the Dexter Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet on Saturday, January 28, 2017.
“As a Dexter school board member, this is one of my favorite awards to present,” commented Kevin Bishop. “The educators in our school district go above and beyond for their students. The nominations from students, co-workers, and former co-workers made this educator stand out.”
“One parent said it is scary to send her child to school that is non-verbal and unable to communicate with other, but this educator was always there for him and made sure he had plenty of interaction with others and taught him to feel at ease while at school."
"A co-worker said she always goes above and beyond for her students," continued Bishop. "She is constantly researching the best ways to teach children with autism and developmental delays. She has a good rapport with her 19 children's parents and always makes sure her two aids are the best they can be."
"A former co-worker said if she was still teaching she would want to be her when she grows up but wishes she could have been ahlf the teacher this educator is now."
She has a lot of support from her husband and young children. they know what a taxing day she may have had and are always there to help with household needs. She has been in Early Childhood position for only two years and was previously a kindergarten teacher this 2016 Educator of the Year is making an impact.
The 2016 Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year is Mrs. Katrina Prance.
Tila Hubrecht, 151st State Representative and Billy Pat Wright, Field Representative for Senator Doug Libla were also on hand to present Missouri House and Senate Resolutions.
Shown in the photo from left to right are: Tila Hubrecht, 151st State Representative, Billy Pat Wright, Field Representative to Senator Doug Libla, Kevin Bishop, Dexter School Board Member, Katrina Prance, Educator of the Year, and Hillary Starnes, Executive Director Chamber of Commerce.
Dexter, Missouri - The 2016 Industry of the Year was named at the Dexter Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet on Saturday, January 28, 2017.
"Industries in Dexter are a big part of our workforce and this Industry has over 600 employees and occupies three buildings in the Willis Conner Industrial Park," stated Jake Nesselrodt. "The original company, Arvin was built in 1974, it merged with Arvin Meritor in 2000, was redesigned as Emcon Technologies in 2007 and in 2010 became Faurecia."
Faurecia is a worldwide automotive supplier of seating, exhaust systems and interiors with 330 sites in 34 countries. In 2015 they created an initiative called "Being Faurecia" and it focused on creating a team that gives back to the community by raising money and volunteering their time on projects.
They have donated to Mother-to-Mother and helped paint the Rainey House. They gave money to the DARE Program and fed 5th grade students pizza for completing the program. They have helped with Meals on Wheels, Relay for Life, 18FORE Life, and Shop with a Hero. They recently had 40 volunteers assist with filling holiday baskets at the Stoddard County Gospel Mission and distribute them to the families in need.
The employees of Faurecia once again participated in their FUELS Program which in September 2016 raised 11,000 lbs of food for the Stoddard County Gospel Mission. They had employees volunteer with the Stoddard County Fair Parade and the fairground in September 2016.
Faurecia also buys over $20,000 in Dexter Dollars each year for their employees, either for birthday, Thanksgiving, or just to say Thank You!
Tila Hubrecht, 151st State Representative and Billy Pat Wright, Field Representative for Senator Doug Libla were also on hand to present Missouri House and Senate Resolutions.
Congratulations Faurecia as the 2016 Industry of the Year.
Dexter, Missouri - The 2016 Business of the Year was named at the annual Dexter Chamber of Commerce Awards banquet on Saturday, January 28, 2017.
"We can't express how grateful we are to have such wonderful businesses in Dexter," commented Chamber Director Aaron Mathis. "The nominations this year showed us what a great community we have and that the citizens really appreciate our local businesses."
"Hard work and a dedicated team have made this business a very notable restaurant," continued Mathis. "This business has truly touched the lives of many people an dhas contributed behind the scenes not wanting any credit."
The 2016 Business of the Year is Pizza Hut.
Nine years ago Phil and Pam Ternes purchased the Pizza Hut in Dexter and not have a total of 5 stores. They provided DARE shirts for 5th graders at Central Elementary and gave certificates for pizzas for completing the Book It Reading Program. In the late 1990s they heard that bus drivers didn't have a way of communicating on their daily routes so they donated phones for all 23 bus drivers to make it safer for children.
They have donated to 18 FORELife and host the breakfast for the Chamber of Commerce Industrial Appreciation Week.
Three years ago they gave their corporate office on Stoddard Street in downtown Dexter a facelift to help improve the look coming into the downtown area.
"With their only son by their side, Phil, Pam, and Matt have created such a fun and family atmosphere for their employees and their community," continued Mathis.
Tila Hubrecht, 151st State Representative and Billy Pat Wright, Field Representative for Senator Doug Libla were also on hand to present Missouri House and Senate Resolutions.
Congratulations to Pizza Hut as the 2016 Business of the Year!
Shown in the photo from left to right are: Hillary Starnes, Tila Hubrecht, Tony Rushin, Phil Ternes, Pam Ternes, Billy Pat Wright, and Matt Ternes.
