Dexter, MO - Are you looking for your forever fur baby?  The Dexter Animal Shelter has just the dog for you!!!

This is Bobo.

He is 1 1/2 years old and he has been in the shelter the longest. 

He is up to date on all shots and is a German Shepard mix. 

Loves people and kiddos!   

He will be fixed and microchipped upon adoption.

Sparklight®, a member of the Cable One family of brands, recently awarded a $5,000 grant to Kennett Community Development Corporation through the company’s Charitable Giving Fund. Through this program, the company awarded more than $100,000 in grants during the winter of 2021 to 32 nonprofit organizations across its 24-state footprint.

Kennett Community Development Corporation, which promotes economic development and provides assistance to Kennett and the surrounding communities, received a grant from Sparklight to help beautify Kennett’s Downtown Courthouse Square.

“We’ve had a recent surge of new merchants and our downtown retail space is more vibrant than it has been in many years,” said Melissa Combs, Kennett Community Development Corporation Executive Director. “Beautifying the Downtown Courthouse Square will provide a more attractive space for visitors and improve the overall economic health of our businesses who greatly support our community. With funding from Sparklight, we’ll be able to focus on an extensive cleanup of the courtyard to the south of our Square as well as improve seasonal décor on the Square. We hope these aesthetic enhancements will encourage more Downtown events and the space will continue to be a place of relaxation for visitors.” 

The Charitable Giving Fund annually awards more than $200,000 in grants to local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations served by Sparklight and the other Cable One family of brands (Fidelity Communications, ValuNet Fiber, and Hargray), and concentrates support in the following priority areas:

Education and Digital Literacy

Food Insecurity

Community Development

Nonprofit organizations will have the opportunity to apply for a grant during open application periods each spring and fall. Applications for spring 2022 grants will open between April 1 -30, 2022.

“Through our philanthropic initiatives and support of our local nonprofit organizations, we are helping to build strong and vibrant communities, improve quality of life, and make a positive difference in the cities and towns where we live and work,” said Julie Laulis, Cable One President and CEO. 

The Charitable Giving Fund is an extension of the company’s existing corporate social responsibility efforts, which include:

Chromebooks for Kids, an initiative in which the company donates Chromebooks to Title I schools across its footprint. To date, the company has donated more than 2,000 Chromebooks to help bridge the digital divide in schools that lack funding.

Supporting national organizations dedicated to advancing racial equality, justice, education and diversity, including the Equal Justice Initiative, the Emma Bowen Foundation and the National Diversity Council. 

Supporting the mission of Special Olympics Arizona, which provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports, as well as health, arts, and leadership and advocacy programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 

Planting trees through the Arbor Day Foundation on behalf of customers who switch to paperless billing. To date, the company has planted 120,000 trees in its markets and national forests.

Supporting the mission of Keep America Beautiful in cleaning up and beautifying communities across the U.S. 

For more information about Sparklight’s Charitable Giving Fund, visit www.sparklight.com/charitablegiving. 

About Sparklight

Sparklight® is a leading broadband communications provider and part of the Cable One family of brands, which serves more than 1.1 million residential and business customers in 24 states. Sparklight provides consumers with a wide array of connectivity and entertainment services, including high-speed internet and advanced Wi-Fi solutions, cable television and phone service. Sparklight Business provides scalable and cost-effective products for businesses ranging in size from small to mid-market, in addition to enterprise, wholesale and carrier customers.

Bloomfield, MO - The Bloomfield Chamber held their monthly meeting on Thursday.  The Bank of Advance hosted the meal catered by Las Brisas while the Baptist Church offered a meeting location.

The Bloomfield Chamber is now a Missouri State Chamber Member according to Amy Haas, President of the Bloomfield Chamber.  she also said that if anyone was interested in being a member to please contact her she now has the ability to offer health benefits to businesses with 2-50 employees.

Kristi Baker from the University Missouri Extension Office was the guest speaker.  She spoke of an online course to develop a Farmers Market in the area.  The Bloomfield Chamber already has a farmers market during the summer sponsored by Ozark Federal Credit Union.  Also if anyone has plant issues this spring there is an Agronomist available to answer questions.

"We have nine 4-H Clubs with Puxico being one of our largest in the area," commented Baker.  Pam Elder has created a new club and she will be able to house animals for those who do not have farms.  If any business would like to donate money to cover a child's membership fee please get in contact with her. Cost is $20 per student."  Students ages 5 - 18 may sign up to be in 4-H.

Also Baker is seeking members to serve on an Advisory Council.  

Mechelle Banks, Youth Program Director, also spoke about the youth programs available and some of their future plans to add more programs.

The Bloomfield Chamber would like to thank John McCain, pastor of the First Baptist Church for their hospitality.  He also spoke about the congregation and the fact it has been a church in Stoddard County for 175 years! 

Bank of Advance also announced they are going to have a branch in Bloomfield in the future.  More details forthcoming as progress is made on renovating the building.

Dexter, Missouri – The Lions Club of Dexter will host their annual Waffle Day on Saturday, March 12, 2022.

This event will take place at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 102 East Castor Street from 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 

Their breakfast menu will be waffles, sausage, coffee, OJ and milk.  Tickets are $6.00 each.  Children 6 and under are Free!

Proceeds from the event will go to purchase eyeglasses for those who are in need and for local scholarships. 

You can purchase a ticket from a Lions Club Member or at the door! 

Dexter, MO - The Dexter Bee Club will offer a Beginner's Bee Course on Saturday, March 26, 2022.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and class will go until early afternoon.

Location is Pleasant Grove Community Church at 13798 State hwy H in Dexter.

Price is $40 per person.

You will receive a one year membership to the Dexter Bee Club, a beginner's booklet and course, lunch is also provided and a chance to win a 5-Frame Box and Nuc.

Instructor will be Tyler Sparkman.

To pre-register or if you have questions please contact Steve Babb at (573) 421-0010.