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 Dexter Elks Lodge #2439 held a smoked pork tenderloin meat fundraiser for Bernie Elementary. 

The school is raising money for much needed and up-to-date playground equipment for the students.

The Lodge raised $2,784.60.

Front row from left to right: Cassadee Hill, Paisley Owens, Charley Owens, Sara Owens, Ellie Graham, and Everleigh  Graham.

Back roll from left to right: Alex Kester, Randy Northington, Dustin Hicks, Bernie School Superintendent, and Shelley McClintock.

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.

Bernie, MO - Melody Ann Ross is Bernie Parents as Teachers July 2022 Student of the Month.

Melody is the four year old daughter of Logan and Lisa Ross.

She loves to sing and dance.  

Her favorite things are painting, drawing, and playing on her tablet.

Melody’s favorite part of PAT is when Mrs. Casey comes over with her giant bag of toys. 

If you are interested in joining Parents As Teachers in Bernie contact Casey Arnold at arnoldc@bernie.k12.mo.us via email.

The following information was taken directly from the Parent as Teachers Missouri website.  

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 relevantᾢand widely applicableᾢto 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.