Lowery Acres located in Puxico, Missouri have opened The Market.  On Saturday during their grand opening day celebration they held a ribbon cutting for their new building.

The Market will have local items such as Wagner Beef Co., local honey, local homemade candy, candles, t-shirts, strawberries, flowers, pots, and so much more.  Of course they will also have numerous flowering hanging pots, vegetable plants for your garden, and more.

The Market is located at 20375 County Road 283 off J Highway. They are open Monday through Saturday from 8 until 5 and Sunday from 12 until 5 each week through the end of May.

The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held a Ribbon Cutting for Country Pickins Flea Market in Bloomfield.

Located in the heart of our city, the Bloomfield flea market is a haven for collectors, bargain hunters, and anyone who appreciates the charm of the old and unique. Unlike traditional retail stores, every item here has a story to tell. From vintage clothing and antique furniture to handcrafted jewelry and rare books, there’s always something new to discover.

Country Pickins Flea Market is a unique Flea Market offering clients a wide selection of quality products at great prices! 

“We value our good relationship with our vendors and welcome you to visit us!”

There are four locations currently - Bloomfield, Poplar Bluff, Sikeston, and Doniphan.

Hours at the Bloomfield Location are Wednesday through Saturday 10 - 6, Sunday Noon - 6 and Monday 10 - 6.  Closed on Tuesdays.

On May 3rd at 5 p.m. they will have a Sip N' Shop Event!

The Board of Directors of First Midwest Bank announced that Chris Guethle has been named the Community Bank President for the Dexter market.

Guethle has worked for First Midwest for nearly 15 years, specializing in commercial and consumer lending. He will manage the bank’s two Dexter locations while continuing to serve the residents of Dexter and the surrounding communities as a lender. Guethle steps into his new role under the mentorship of Jerry Dorton, who will continue as Executive Vice President of the bank group.

“We’re very pleased to have Chris transition into a leadership role,” said Jerry Dorton. “Being a Dexter native, his commitment to his hometown combined with his experience in banking will be a great asset to our customers and the community.”

Chris earned both his bachelor’s degree and Master of Business Administration from Missouri State University and graduated with honors from the Louisiana State University Graduate School of Banking.  He and his wife, Maddie, live in Dexter with their three children. Chris is an active member of First Baptist Church in Dexter, serves on the Southeast Health Foundation Board, and is a proud supporter of the Dexter Bearcats.

Guethle’s office is located at First Midwest Bank’s main bank location on Business US 60 in Dexter.

First Midwest Bank is a family-owned community bank headquartered in Southeast Missouri. Our belief in serving customers with midwestern values has led to steady local growth, long-standing customer relationships, and the ability to make meaningful investments in the communities we call home. Since its founding in 1964, First Midwest has met the financial needs of consumers and businesses with an extensive suite of banking products and services. 

Under the Midwest Bancorporation holding company, the First Midwest Bank group has assets of over $1.2 billion and operates 19 locations throughout Missouri, including Cape Girardeau, Dexter and Springfield. For more information, visit www.onemidwest.com. First Midwest Bank is a member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

The Dexter Chamber of Commerce held their annual awards banquet on Friday, March 22, 2024.  Since the Chamber began 80 years ago, the theme was the 1980s.  Members dressed in their best 80s themed clothing and the Elks Lodge was decorated in 80s theme!

Alisha Trammell, Dexter Chamber Executive Director presented the Lifetime Achievement Award.

In the pursuit of a purposeful existence, the objective is not immortality but the creation of something lasting. 

Tonight, we pay tribute to an individual whose enduring legacy has compelled the Dexter Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to bestow upon him the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Across his extraordinary journey, this individual has epitomized the highest standards of service, leadership, and philanthropy, embedding himself deeply within our community for several decades. 

Operating with understated efficiency, this individual thrives in the shadows, attending to needs without seeking acknowledgment. Beyond the anticipated acts of kindness, such as providing warm shelters for stray cats after spaying and neutering them, his benevolence extends to unexpected moments of compassion. 

In 2009, following the aftermath of the ice storm, he personally transported individuals and families to warming centers, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to our community. 

Similarly, in 2021, when a tornado struck, he once again purchased and distributed sandwiches to those tirelessly engaged in cleanup efforts.

In his earlier years, he dedicated fifteen years to coaching little league baseball and donated his time as the voice of the 
Dexter Bearcats for over a decade. His active participation in the Dexter Lions Club for more than two decades culminated in being honored as Lion of the Year. 

Serving on the Chamber Board of Directors and as a past president, he was duly recognized as Dexter's Man of the Year.

Anyone, make any guesses as to who we are honoring tonight?  Let me give you a few more hints.

This individual harbored a deep desire for the Dexter community to have an informal gathering to inaugurate the Christmas Season. 

In 2009, he took the initiative to organize the inaugural Dexter Christmas Reading, an event that has since become an annual tradition, uniting hundreds of citizens around fire pits, Christmas carols, and the story of Jesus' birth.

A passionate advocate for our local hospital, he dedicated a decade of service to the Mercy Stoddard Regional Board of Directors. 

His contributions, spanning decades, have undeniably left a permanent mark on every facet of our community. 

What truly distinguishes this individual is not merely the extensive list of his accomplishments but the profound impact he has had on countless lives. However, the most extraordinary element of tonight's presentation lies in the element of surprise. 

Had he been notified in advance, he undoubtedly would have attempted to redirect the award to someone else, 
showcasing the selflessness that characterizes this extraordinary man.

With deep gratitude and profound admiration, it is my esteemed honor to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to none other than Mr. Greg Mathis.