Dexter, Missouri - H&R Block is putting the "fun" back in the Tax Refund Season! James and Julie Twomey, local winners of the "H&R Block 1,000 wins $1,000 Daily Sweepstakes", celebrate at the H&R Block office at 209 W. Business 60.
It's an amazing story with James and Julie as they both were entered to win because of a joint tax return. James received his email first and was pretty excited to be a winner, but when Julie received her email they thought there was a mistake or it was a repeat email. Much to their surprise both won a $1,000 prize and were presented two checks on Friday, January 22, 2016 for a total of $2,000.
"I thought it was super cool," stated James Twomey. "It's a blessing. We are foster parents and have been using H&R Block for more than 20 years."
H&R Block is giving away a total of $32 million in the first month of tax season. Anyone who files their taxes at a participating H&R Block office by February 15th can automatically be entered into the sweepstakes. Thirty-two thousand people will win $1,000 from H&R Block. You could be a winner if you file your taxes soon. For more information, visit www.hrblock.com/grand.
Pictured are Cheryl Bridgewater, H&R Block Preparer, James Twomey, Julie Twomey, and Kim Allen, H&R Block Franchisee.
Congratulations James and Julie Twomey!
Bernie, Missouri - "Every Day Is a Good Day - Hoops for Hope", sponsored by 18 FORELife will be held in honor of alumnus Shawn Green on Friday, January 22, 2016 at the Bernie Mules game against the Puxico Indians.
“Every day is a good day” is the motto Shawn Green lives by. After graduating from Bernie HS in 1993, Shawn enjoyed a stellar collegiate basketball career at Shawnee CC and the University of St. Francis (IL). But his every day journey since 2009 has had many challenges.
In January of 2009, Shawn was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer called Glioneuronal. He underwent surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. For the next 6 ½ years, Shawn was considered cancer free and cherished every minute of every day. Shawn and his wife, Erin, added to their family with the birth of Avery Hazel. Shawn continued to do the things he loved such as: spending time with family, traveling, playing golf and running half marathons with his twin brother, Shane and cousin, Jason Long.
In June of 2015, Shawn’s next challenge arose. He experienced an intra-cranial hemorrhage. In early October 2015, the doctors confirmed that there was tumor regrowth in the same area. Within a month (Nov. 4th), Shawn had a second brain tumor resection surgery. He was able to walk out of the hospital just 3 days after the operation. Unfortunately, the setbacks didn’t stop. On Thanksgiving day, Shawn started to develop a staph infection around the incision. Shawn was again admitted to the hospital and endured another surgery to clean out the infected area. This resulted in the permanent removal of the bone flap (part of the skull) which now requires Shawn to wear a helmet when he is not sitting down. The staph infection also led to the weakening of the right side of his body. Shawn spent the next 3 weeks in the Rehab Institute of Chicago (RIC) for physical, occupational and speech therapy. Being released on Christmas Eve, Shawn was able to spend Christmas Day with his family.
This new tumor, a Stage 4 Gliosarcoma, is his biggest challenge yet. Shawn is currently undergoing another round of radiation (15 treatments that will ended January 14th) and chemotherapy. He continues to receive outpatient therapy at RIC to regain the physical strength he lost due to the staph infection.
On behalf of Shawn’s family (Erin and Avery), Shane’s family (Kerri, Lainey and Malley),brother Kevin and our mom and dad, we want to express our sincere gratitude for all of the support, prayers and positive energy. Shawn is an inspiration to all of us on a daily basis with his undeniable will to fight this terrible disease. “Every day is a good day”
Several events are slated for the evening of January 22nd, please come out eat, enjoy, and most of all give whatever you can to help this amazing family.
A Fish Fry will be held from 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. in the Bernie Cafeteria. Tickets can be purchased for $10 or you can purchase at the door.
Luminaries in memory or honor of someone who has battled cancer can also be purchased for $2.00 that night.
There will also be a booth set up to start a college fund for Shawn and Erin's daughter, Miss Avery. Donations will go toward the purchasing of a savings bond that will help someday with her college expenses.
A silent auction will also be held. many items will be available. The auction will end at the start of the halftime of the varsity basketball game. Top bidders will be announced at the conclusion of the varsity game. Baked goods will also be available for purchase in the lobby.
Single donations for Shawn can also be made to "Hoops for Hope" at the Bank of Advance in Dexter. You can mail or drop off your donation or give it to Coach Brad Botch or Kristi Whitehead.
Bernie, Missouri - Blakely Mae Oens has been chosen as January Student of the Month by the Bernie Parents as Teachers organization.
She is the four-month old daughter of Richard and Brittney Owens. She is the little sister to Macayla, Blair, Brynlee, and Baylor.
Her face just lights up when her big sisters talk or sing to her! Blakely enjoys chewing on her hands, swinging in her swing, and cooing.
During the family's Parents as Teachers visits, Blakely loves watching the different activities that Mrs. Courtney brings and getting a new book for Mommy an dDaddy to read to her.
If you would like to know more about Parents as Teachers contact Courtney McGarity or Casey Arnold at 573-293-5335, ext 293 or find them on Facebook by clicking HERE.
The following information was taken directly from the Parent as Teachers Missouri website. For more information click HERE.
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 relevant—and widely applicable—to 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.
Dexter, Missouri - Patty Miller Gard, a Dexter native, has recently given away nearly 400 books she authored. The Keller Public Library offered the books in a beautiful display during the holidays.
Her first book entitled “I Saw Heaven!” was written just a few years ago in 2010. It’s an inspirational story about her conversations with her brother after his near death experience. Richard Miller fell into a deep coma in 2001, but he defied the odds and one day woke up to talk about his experience of seeing Heaven. Richard passed away in 2004 and she realized that God was in control. Her book "I Saw Heaven" is a testament to a way God often works.
“Those conversations changed my life,” Patti said about her brother. “It was God’s plan and I am just following that inspiration.”
With a better understanding of writing and publishing her first book, she decided to write another book in 2013. It is entitled, “Living Right Side Up in an Upside Down World.”
“I couldn’t have imagined the places the success of these books have taken me,” commented Gard.
“This community has been very good to me and I am blessed to live here,” Gard said. “I have been many places, but this will always be home.”
Patti believes she was called to write these two books, perhaps God had a very special plan for her, but she knew she needed to offer these books to anyone. She and Pam Trammell, Keller Library Director, set up a display and the books began to fly away in the hands of patrons during the holiday season.
Both books are available. Patti will be glad to get you a copy. Just stop in the library and if they are not readily available, please leave your name at the desk.
Patti plans to have a book signing at a later date and there will be another opportunity to receive her special gift and visit with her.
"I just love my hometown," continued Gard. "I have such fond memories as a child, I remember my classmates and I just have wonderful memories of Dexter growing up. I wanted to do something for the community and giving away my books just felt right."
She writes her books under the pen name of Dunham.
Dexter, Missouri - Pat Hayes receives the Auxilian of the Year award from Auxiliary member and incoming President Betty Keirsey.
Pat was recently named Auxilian of the Year for SoutheastHEALTH Auxiliary of Stoddard County. Pat works in many areas of the Auxiliary and is always there to help.
Betty wrote a poem about Pat that describes her dedication.
Round and round and round she goes,
Where she'll stop, nobody knows.
She's here, she's there, she's everywhere.
Down to the kitchen or maybe the stairs,
She pushes the cart with our snacks and drinks,
She's hungry and thirsty herself me thinks.
Once she's sure we have all we've needed,
She then slows down and is finally seated.
