Dexter, MO - A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at Wings Etc. Grill and Pub to celebrate the opening of its Dexter location at 529 North Walnut.
Pictured in front from left are: Dexter Chamber of Commerce President Dustin Mayer, Amy Ellinghouse, Southeast Health of Stoddard County CEO Sue Ann Williams, Dexter Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Alisha Trammell, Dexter Chamber Economic Development Coordinator Ed Dust, Reagen Mays, Hailey Filbrandt, Sakueila Boatman, Kendra Felty, Evelyn Brockway, Lauren Thorne, Wings Etc. Manager Mark Hobgood, owner Michelle Hobbs, owner Joe Hobbs, Angry Chicken, Leslie Ackman, Mark Whitehead and Cecil Haley.
Dexter, MO - The First United Methodist Church of Dexter will hold a LIVE Nativity Drive Thru on Friday, December 17th and Saturday, December 18th on the grounds of the church. the nativity will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each evening.
The nativity will include events from the decree of Pontius Pilot to the visit of the Wisemen from afar and will be portrayed as part of the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus.
Live animals will at various stations, however guests will not be allowed to exit their vehicles are visit with the animals.
At the end of the stations there will be a photo opportunity for the children with stationary angels and shepherds.
Pastor Larry lawmen and the congregation of the First United Methodist Church of Dexter are excited to offer this Christmas gift to the public. Please join them. Free and open to the public.
Bloomfield, MO - Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce will have a Parade of Lights prior to the Christmas Around the Courthouse on Saturday evening. This is not just a Bloomfield event, but it's our County Seat so everyone in Stoddard County is welcome to come and even participate. The more the merrier!!!
"We are kicking off our event with a good ole Parade of Lights this Saturday, December 4th, beginning at 5:00pm.," commented Amy Haas, President of the Bloomfield Chamber.
The parade will begin at the Bloomfield Park going North towards the Courthouse. It will make a left on Center St and end at the Bloomfield School. The sign up list for this parade is getting long.
If you are interested in throwing something fun, you can enter online here https://forms.gle/bHjRNiRGzdzL2ixaA It doesn't cost a thing!
"We still have a few spots open for our Christmas Around the Courthouse Event if anyone is interested in them," continued Haas.
"The spaces are filling up fast as we have worked our way around the Courthouse. It is sure to be a good event. We have some businesses and organizations who have signed up to pass out Hot Cocoa, Hot Apple Cider, Smores, Chilli, cookies, some informational items and do some crafts and games! We also have local vendors signed up for some light Christmas shopping."
The Choir will be on the Courthouse steps singing Christmas Carols and Santa will be there too! If you're not setting up, then come on out and enjoy the festivities with us!
The Event will run from 5:30-7:30. Online Link to sign up for this event is here: https://form.jotform.com/213058429730051
Dexter, MO - The 13th Annual Christmas Reading is slated for Saturday, November 27th beginning at 6:00 p.m. at 130 W. Stoddard Street across from Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.
Greg Mathis began the annual Christmas Reading by reading the Second Chapter of Luke in 2009 and has now become a wonderful tradition.
June Coffey, Lisa's mother and Greg's mother-in-law read the Christmas story from Luke 2 every Christmas Eve to their two boys when they were young. It was a tradition Greg decided to share with others through the Christmas reading. Mrs. Coffey passed away in 2015.
“Too often we tend to get caught up in the rush of the holiday season,” Mathis said. “It is simply a reading by a special person in the local community who tells aloud the true story of the first Christmas.”
The event is outside and everyone is encouraged to attend. A special guest will read the story of the first Christmas, but you have to attend to find out who the secret guest will be this year.
In case of inclement weather the event will be moved indoors to the chapel at Rainey Mathis Funeral Home.
Crowley Ridge Mennonite Church Choir providing Christmas carols.
Dexter, MO - The Dexter Tree Board planted three new trees in downtown on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 as part of a beautification project. One was planted on Stoddard Street near The Bunny Patch, one was planted on Locust Street in front of the old mural beside K9 Biz, and the other tree was planted in the small park next to BA Promotions on Walnut Street.
The trees are Yoshino Dwarf Cherry Trees which will produce white blooms in the spring and red leaves in the fall.
"The trees were chosen because this is the type of tree that was originally seen lining Stoddard Street," commented Dexter Tree Board Member Wayne Jean. "Other trees including Crepe Myrtles and Bradford Pears now grow in the downtown as well."
Jean went on to say that there are two species of these Cherry Trees. The Yoshino, with the white bloom, and the Kwanzien has red or pink blooms.
The trees were paid for through the annual spring tree sale held in the back parking lot of Jean & Company. Jean said, "The tree board receives zero dollars from the city, but the members are appointed by the Board of Aldermen. The tree board has no income other than the tree sales."
Bolen Brothers Nursery out of Sikeston was on hand to assist with the planting.
If you would like to donate money to the Dexter Tree Board please contact any board member. They would appreciate any monies for future beautification projects.
Pictured are: Members of the Dexter Tree Board stand with the new Yoshino dwarf cherry tree on Stoddard Street. Pictured in front from left is Mark Snider, Wayne Jean, Judy Thurston, Herman Morse (back) and Alma Smith. Not pictured is board member Bennetta Harrellson.
