Dexter, MO - A groundbreaking ceremony was held on the new Harty House in Dexter. The Harty House was made possible by a bequest from the Norman B. Harty trust and a land donation by the Regional Healthcare Foundation.
According to a news release from Assistant Program Director Renee Trout the new facility will feature 9,000 square feet of living space and provide safety, security and technology upgrades. The facility was designed by Dille Pollard Architects and Smith & Boucher Engineers and will be built by Brown Construction Company.
“Welcome to the future site of the Harty House,” said Trout at the groundbreaking. “And on behalf of the Stoddard County Children’s Home Board of Directors, staff, and most especially the children, we would like to welcome you here today as we break ground for our new residential facility.”
Trout recognized the current members of the Stoddard County Children's Home Board next: Kelly Fields-Wilburn, Joy Hudgens, Tonya Keena, Jackie Mayberry, Lauren Mayer, Paula Miles, Josh Miller, Michele Owens, Randy Russell, Allie Scherer, Ryan Slinkard, Zenita Smith and Jim Tweedy.
She also recognized the advisory board comprised of Judge Rob Mayer, Judge Joe Satterfield, Chief Juvenile Officer Tonya Causey, and Children’s Division Circuit Manager Kim Bolin, who oversee operations and ensure that the children in Stoddard County receive the best protection and care.
“We would also like to say thank you to our many partners in this project,” said Trout. “ First and foremost, the Norman B. Harty Trust, who’s vision and foresight is the foundation of what we are beginning here today.”
“Also, thank you to the Regional Healthcare Foundation and its board of directors for the donation of this land and their promise to help build healthy communities in our area,” Trout continued. “Thank you also goes to our project partners, Dille Pollard Architects, Smith & Boucher Engineers, and Brown Construction Company, who’s skill and expertise will bring this house to life.”
The regional Healthcare Foundation released a statement regarding the project which said:
“The mission of the Dexter Community Regional Healthcare Foundation is to build healthy communities through programs and services we operate, designed to increase the overall health and wellness of our surrounding communities. We could think of no better way to act out our mission statement than donating ground for the building and operation of the new Harty House, children’s residential facility operated by the Stoddard County Children’s Home. Through the operation of our own Mother to Mother mentor program, we have been an active participant of young children’s lives, and by donating this ground, we saw a different avenue of participation we could take, to aid in other children’s lives as well. We certainly want to thank the board of the Stoddard County Children’s Home for allowing us to play a small role in this project.”
“And to you, the citizens of Stoddard County, we offer our grateful appreciation for the continued support that will allow us to build this safe haven for the abused and neglected children in our county,” Trout said. “Thank you for joining with us to provide a secure and loving environment for the children who need us most. We come from communities large and small: Advance, Bell City, Bernie, Bloomfield, Dexter, Essex, and Puxico, and, working together, we will make the Harty House a home.”
Following Trout's address members of the Stoddard County Children's Home Board and county officials donned hard hats and turned the first scoops of dirt with gold shovels.
Pictured from left breaking ground on the Harty House is Brett Dille, Jim Tweedy, Presiding Stoddard County Commissioner Danny Talkington, C.H. Parsons, Lauren Mayer, Meredith Mayer, Tonya Keena, Zenita Smith, Kimberly Bolin, Chief Juvenile Officer Tonya Causey, Jim Russell, Randy Russell, Josh Miller, Aaron Mathis, Justin Trammell holding Brooks Trammell, Bonnie Harty, Sue Grobe, Judy Ackman and Kelly Fields-Wilburn. SHOWME TIMES/Dee Loflin
Please joins us for a historic ground-breaking ceremony for the new Harty House children’s residential facility, hosted by Stoddard County Children’s Home Board of Directors!
On Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 6 p.m. they will break ground on the new facility. The new facility will be located at the corner of Hickory Hills Drive and Girl Scout Way just behind SoutheastHEALTH of Stoddard County.
Duke and Shirley Rudd have rented booth #33 at Old Timer's Antique Mall for 25 years. Last week they retired from a lifetime of buying and selling wonderful treasures. They have been married for 67 years and have been wheeling and dealing in furniture and antiques for over 50 years.
"Shirley always ironed all their linens, she always decorated her booth in a theme," commented Joni Burleson, owner of Old Timer's Antique Mall. "There will never be another renter in that space. We are officially retiring booth #33."
I won't be able to decorate like her, but I put some Christmas trees or something in there and sell ornaments. People will buy those." Burleson said laughing. "We will miss them very much here.
Shirley started her career hanging wallpaper many years ago. Her business was called "The Hanging Shop" based out of her home in Poplar Bluff at the time.
"I did a lot of the homes in Poplar Bluff that had 14' ceilings with beams," commented Shirley. "I finally had to give it up, but I noticed that is it coming back in style."
When they first got started more than 50 years ago they bought from estate sales and tag sales. They mostly purchased furniture, but also bought items to decorate.
"It was so much fun and I will miss that." continued Shirley.
Duke always worked in banking and financing, but he had a love and an eye to purchase and resell the antiques. It started off as a hobby and then actually started making money.
"Duke and Shirley are like my grandparents," stated Mikal Long, longtime employee of Old Timer's. "I've known them since I started working here 25 years ago. They were the first one's I met and I just love them."
Duke and Shirley will be missed. Their decorated booth was a favorite of many.
The 2022 Stoddard County ARC Special Olympics were held Friday morning at the Bearcat Event Center in Dexter.
The athletes competed in shot put/softball throw, archery,basketball shoot and walking/running events. All participants were awarded medals for their efforts during the competition.
Missouri State Representative Herman Morse, District No. 151, and the Missouri House of Representative pause in silent reverie to recognize the lifetime achievements of an outstanding Missourian who positively touched the lives of countless individuals during his fifty-two year journey on this most precious earth.
This legislative body was distressed to learn of the death of Kyle Smith, a remarkable individual who was an inspiration to all who knew and loved him.
Kyle was born to John G. Smith (deceased) and Connie Coleman Smith on September 18, 1969 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and was living in Dexter on March 12, 2022 when God took him home to the love and beauty of His everlasting light.
Smith was well known to many and will be greatly missed by his grieving family, colleagues and friends.
He was a Sports Editor for the Dexter Statesman, SEMOBALL and the Daily American Republic and will be remembered as a person of unbound vision who zealously supported many significant endeavors throughout his life.
"It be resolved that the members of the Missouri House of Representatives, One Hundred First General Assembly, join in paying final tribute to Kyle Smith and in expressing to his family our deepest sympathy at this difficult time of tremendous personal loss and be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for the loved ones of the late Kyle Smith."
Ms. Connie Smith, his mother, was presented a framed copy of the resolution.
