Dexter, Missouri - Through Walmart's community grant program, the Dexter Walmart made a $250 donation to Boy Scout Troop 200.
The troop will use the money to upgrade and replace worn camping gear.
Shown in the photo from left to right: Debbie Juden, Walmart Manager, Jacob Chamness, Senior Patrol Leader, Tristan King, Dakotah Persfull, and Nathan Green.
Shown in the middle row are Blair Hunsaker, Jake Kiser, Kyle Ellison, and Patrick Lutmer.
Shown in the back row are Greyson Stephens, Joshua Green, and James Kalata.
Photo by the ShowMe Times.
Dexter, Missouri - First Midwest Bank held an Open House in conjunction with the Dexter Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting to celebrate recent renovations at the downtown facility.
The First Midwest Bank first opened in 1964 in downtown Dexter.
The lobby and teller area were completely renovated, adding a mix of traditional and modern design.
The contractor for the project was Brown Construction Company.
Shown in the ribbon cutting are form left to right Alisha Trammell, Joe Craig, Holly Shepherd, Alli Poteet, Jessica Lee, Madeline Guethle, Jerry Dorton, Alma Smith Joe Weber, Dennis Smelser, Janie Smelser, Deb Pope, Joey McLane, Norma McLane, Jane McLane Brown, Lori Bishop and Leslie Kyle.
First Midwest Bank has locations in Dexter, Dudley , Sikeston, and Jackson.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for the newly remodeled McDonald's in Dexter.
Owner/Operator Shannon Davis stated that the new building exterior features the latest design from the national corporation. Davis owns 11 McDonald's franchises in southeast Missouri.
The original McDonald's was built in the mid 1970s.
Shown in the photo front row from left to right: Chamber Director Hillary Starnes, Alisha Trammell, McDonald's Training Supervisor Kathy Forrest, McDonald's Vice President Robert Cork, Owner/Operator Shannon Davis, Director of Marketing Cheryl Farrow, Karen Cook, Amy Lovelady, Leslie Kyle, Sherry Hubbard, and Billy Pat Wright.
Back row from left to right: Rhonda Hall, Christy Pierce, Shane Brumfield, Tammy Moore, Jerry Dorton, Richard Hickson, Chris Guethle, Jake Nesselrodt, and Jason Banken.
Dexter, Missouri - Ruth Gibson, representing the Stoddard County Democrat Club, donated "At Mama's Knee: Mothers and Race in Black and White", a book written by April Ryan to the Keller Public Library in memory of Orlie Edward Cokley.
Mr. Cokley passed away on February 5, 2017 at the age of 66 in Dayton, Ohio.
"In her first book, The Presidency in Black and White, journalist April Ryan examined race in America through her experience as a White House reporter. In this book, she shifts the conversation from the White House to every home in America. At Mama’s Knee looks at race and race relations through the lessons that mothers transmit to their children. As a single African American mother in Baltimore, Ryan has struggled with each gut wrenching, race related news story to find the words to convey the right lessons to her daughters. To better understand how mothers transfer to their children wisdom on race and race relations, she reached out to other mothers—prominent political leaders like Hillary Clinton and Valerie Jarrett, celebrities like Cindy Williams, and others like Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin’s mother, whose lives have been impacted by prominent race related events. At a time when Americans still struggle to address racial division and prejudice, their stories remind us that attitudes change from one generation to the next and one child at a time."
Before Ed passed away he wrote a letter to his dear friends.........
"This has truly been a spectacular life. I have made some great friends along the way. We have made countless great memories and have enjoyed some great laughs together.
It's been a loving life. I married the love of my life, we had two wonderful boys and raised them to have wonderful families of their own. I am so very proud. This is the definition of a beautiful life.
I will be with you always.
It's been a very fulfilling life. I am so thankful to have met so many of you wonderful people through life's journey. You have each touched my life and my heart. Even if we couldn't always keep in touch, please know that I have always appreciated our friendship.
Now I am moving on from this really great life, as we all eventually do. As I reminisce, I feel so privileged to have lived this incredible journey that has led to this day. I have no regrets, and couldn't have asked for more. I leave my loving family and some great people, but feel at peace also knowing that I leave behind our great memories.
Thank you each for being my dear friend, my other half, and my loving family.
A special thank you to my dearest wife - my Suzie, my sweet darling. You have always been the love of my life, my rock. You have been the greatest mother to our boys and managed to effortlessly give us all of your love, support and friendship for the last 48 years.
You have especially been my saving grace this last year and deserve a standing ovation. Thank you Sue!
You have always been my angel, and now I will be yours.
Never forget how much I love you.
Goodbye my friends. Thank you for being a part of my life. You are forever in my heart."
Orlie Edward Cokley
September 25, 1950 - February 5, 2017
Shown in the photo are Theetta Cokley, Ed's mother, Ruth Gibson, Stoddard County Democratic Club representative, and Pam Trammell, Keller Library Executive Director.
For more information about the Stoddard County Democrats and to follow them on Facebook click HERE.
Bernie, Missouri - The Bernie Parents as Teachers' Students of the Month for April 2017 are Ariella Speer and Brentley Magouirk.
They are the children of Danielle Speer and Tony Magouirk.
Ariella Rae is two years old and loves to play on her tablet and read books. She impresses her mommy with how fast she catches on to new words and phrases, and her family always enjoys her fun and sassy attitude.
Brentley Bishop is 13 months old and loves playing with his big sister. He enjoys playing with balls, learning new words, his sippy cup, and being outside.
The family's favorite parts of participating in the PAT program include all of the new activities and books they get to play with during each home visit, and Danielle enjoys learning ways to help her children grow and learn, all while having fun.
If you would like to know more about Parents as Teachers contact Courtney McGarity or Casey Arnold at 573-293-5335, ext 293 or find them on Facebook by clicking HERE.
The following information was taken directly from the Parent as Teachers Missouri website. For more information click HERE.
Our Vision
All children will learn, grow and develop to realize their full potential.
Our Mission
To provide the information, support and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life.
Our Values
The early years of a child's life are critical for optimal development and provide the foundation for success in school and in life.
Parents are their children's first and most influential teachers.
Established and emerging research should be the foundation of parent education and family support curricula, training, materials and services.
All young children and their families deserve the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of any demographic, geographic or economic considerations.
An understanding and appreciation of the history and traditions of diverse cultures is essential in serving families.
History
In 1981, Missouri pioneered the concept of helping parents embrace their important role as their child’s first and best teacher. Today, Parents as Teachers continues to equip early childhood organizations and professionals with information and tools that are relevant—and widely applicable—to today’s parents, families and children.
The Parents as Teachers leadership team and Board of Directors is engaged in a three-year strategic plan, which positions the organization as a valued partner to support the organizations and professionals who serve families and children, especially those most vulnerable.
The concept for Parents as Teachers was developed in the 1970s when Missouri educators noted that children were beginning kindergarten with varying levels of school readiness. Research showed that greater parent involvement is a critical link in the child's development of learning skills, including reading and writing.
Early childhood professionals suggested that a program to provide early detection of developmental delays and health issues, and parent education to help parents understand their role in encouraging their child's development from the beginning could help improve school readiness and parent involvement.
With funding from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and The Danforth Foundation, Parents as Teachers began in 1981 in Missouri as a pilot project for first-time parents of newborns. Recognizing the program's benefits and cost effectiveness, the Missouri legislature provided state funding in 1985 to implement Parents as Teachers programs in all Missouri school districts. Since 1985, Parents as Teachers has expanded to all 50 states and six other countries.
