Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for our newest business in town, Ultimate Flooring and Paint.
The business is owned by Darrin Johnson and is located at 1520 West Business 60 in the Liberty Center behind Tropical Sno SEMO.
Ultimate Flooring and Paint features a full line of paint products, including Benjamin Moore paint. They also feature Mohawk Flooring. The store is open from 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday and 9:00 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday. Their new number is (573) 614-7300.
This is the third location for them as they have stores in Sikeston and Cape Girardeau. Follow them on Facebook by clicking HERE.
Shown in the photo are Christine Young, children Rose Eubanks, Izzy Eubanks, and Parker Johnson, Elizabeth Johnson, Darrin Johnson, Mayor Joe Weber, Keith Byrd, Alice Jarrell, Vicky Jarrell, Anna Eubanks, Jerry Jarrell, and Jerry Corder.
To see photos of the big event go to the ShowMe Times Facebook page!
Dexter, Missouri - Jessica Loflin and her mom, Dee, brought their Turtle Family to Keller Public Library for their weekly Summer Reading Program, "On Your Mark, Get Set........Read on Wednesday, July 13th with a theme of "Slow and Steady Wins the Race. They also brought many pelts, furs, skulls, shells, and other items from Missouri animals.
Mr. Bill Drake read the book The Tortoise and the Hare.......well he sort of read the book. He actually improvised with such an enthusiastic voice the children were glued to his every word all the while Mrs. Judy Nea worked her magic with two puppets, a tortoise and a hare! She was an amazing puppeteer!
It was a hands on experience as each child touched the educational items on display. They were also excited to hold members of the Turtle Family - Myrtle, Elvis, Crackers, Oscar, Baby Face, Dot, Hulk, Dani, and LittleFoot. The children even got to feed some of the turtles watermelon!
Myrtle has been in the their family more than 50 years, but she is believed to be about 67 years old. She was originally found at Wappapello Lake area in 1959 and became a family pet for four generations. You can tell she's an old girl by the way she looks and she loves to eat eggs and worms.....and watermelon!
Elvis is a rescued turtle who would not eat in the beginning. Once taken to Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic it was discovered that Elvis is mostly blind. He has cataracts and has trouble locating his food.
Crackers is also a rescue. His shell was partially destroyed by an industrial lawnmower. Once "glued" back in places his shell will not close completely therefore allowing prey to eat him if returned to the wild.
This week's program will be "Motion Commotion" on Wednesday, July 20th at 11:00 a.m. with Crafts and Ice Cream. It's the last one of the summer and you won't want to miss it!
Dexter, Missouri - Renowned craftsman, John Bundy, will travel from Noblesville, Indiana to Dexter, Missouri on Monday, July 18th and spend the evening at The Metro Gallery. The event will take place from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with food, beverages, and fellowship. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this free event.
Bundy is known for his high quality collectible duck decoys that he has been creating for more than 30 years. His ducks begin as a solid block of wood that are carved, then detailed, and painted and finished. No two are alike.
John and Valarie Bundy and their son, Jason, have been carving the most beautiful, unique decoy carvings in the world. There is a look and a magic about Bundy Ducks that is impossible to show in a photo. Nothing compares to actually seeing one. With the unique combination of the grain of the wood, the combination of colors, stains, and the high gloss finish, each one is a piece of art which brings enjoyment to the owner.
"We carve each of them from a full size log section and “carve off everything that is not a duck”. We use a log to start from so we can actually “see the duck” while it’s still inside the log and properly align the grain pattern. In creating these carvings we attempt to show off the natural beauty of the wood by enhancing it with colored stains, which work with the growth rings, knots and unique patterns of each piece of wood, creating a one of a kind piece of art."
A few of Bundy's decoys are on display at The Metro Gallery. Several more pieces will be on hand along with John.
For more information about John Bundy's Duck Decoys click HERE.
Dexter, Missouri - Thursday, July 14th was dedicated to Mandan, North Dakota as the "Official Destination" for National Hot Dog Day!! I beg to differ!
It is as American as Apple Pie. Mustard, relish, sauerkraut, onions and ketchup are some of the popular choices to top them with. Adults love them and kids simply adore them. You see them at football games and baseball games, gourmet restaurants and even at the Dexter Farmers Markets! Tim’s Dawg Cart may just have some of the best hotdogs around in these parts and you don't have to travel all the way to North Dakota to get a hot dog!
The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council has designated July as Hot Dog Month and for 2016 Thursday, July 14 as National Hot Dog Day. On May 31, 2012, a world record was set for the most expensive hot dog. The “California Capitol City Dawg” sold for $145.49 at Capitol Dawg in Sacramento, California.
July 23rd will the United States Official National Hot Dog Day! So get your delicious dogs early and beat the rush!! Have a hot dog and post on social media using #NationalHotDogDay to encourage others to join in.
Yuma, Arizona - Dexter native, Lt. Col. Chad Vaughn marked his change of command on June 30, 2016. The Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 211 re-designated to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (FMVA) 211 during a ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.
The re-designation marks the first time an AV-8B Harrier squadron transitioned to an F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron, becoming the second F-35 squadron in the United States Marine Corps.
During the ceremony, Lt. Col. William Maples relinquished command of the transitioning squadron to Lt. Col. Chad Vaughn.
Lieutenant Colonel Chad Vaughn is a 1997 graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He was commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Course as a Second Lieutenant in May 1997. He is the son of Gen.(Ret) Clyde and Carol Vaughn and lived in Dexter until his parents due to Clyde's military service had to move from the area.
Lt Col Vaughn attended The Basic School with Delta Company in 1997 and reported to NAS Pensacola, FL in January 1998 for flight training. After training at NAS Whiting Field, FL and NAS Kingsville, TX Lt Col Vaughn was designated a Naval Aviator in January 2000 and slated for the F/A-18 Hornet. From February 2000 to February 2001 he trained at the VFA-125 “Rough Raiders” aboard NAS Lemoore, CA.
In March 2001 Lt Col Vaughn reported to the “Black Knights” of VMFA-314 aboard MCAS Miramar, CA. Following the Sept 11, 2001 attacks the squadron rapidly deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with Carrier Air Wing Nine on board the USS John C. Stennis from November 2001 to May 2002. After a brief return home, he was deployed to the Western Pacific on board the USS Carl Vinson from January to September 2003. Upon return from WESTPAC Lt Col Vaughn was selected to attend TOPGUN in 2004 and WTI in 2005. During this tour Lt Col Vaughn served as a Schedule Writer, Airframes Officer, Training Officer, Assistant Maintenance Officer, and Safety and Standardization Officer.
In September 2005 Lt Col Vaughn reported to NAS Fallon, NV as an instructor at the Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). While at TOPGUN, Lt Col Vaughn served as the Navy/Marine Corps Subject Matter Expert on 1v1 Air Combat and Briefing/Debriefing and was the USMC F-35 Liaison.
In June 2008 Lt Col Vaughn reported back to VMFA-314 aboard MCAS Miramar, CA as the Operations Officer. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from March to Sept 2009. While serving with VMFA-314, Lt Col Vaughn was selected as one of the initial cadre to transition to the F-35.
In December 2009 Lt Col Vaughn reported to the “Warlords” of VMFAT-501 at Eglin AFB, FL to stand up the initial F-35B training squadron. During this tour he served as the squadron’s Weapons Officer. In July 2011 Lt Col Vaughn was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps for duties as the F-35 Requirements Officer.
Lt Col Vaughn reported back to VMFAT-501 in July 2013 as an Instructor Pilot where he served as the Maintenance Officer. During this tour he was selected for command of the VMFA-211 “Wake Island Avengers”. He reported to MCAS Yuma, AZ in July 2015.
Lt Col Vaughn has over 2,600 flight hours in the F/A-18A-D, F-16A/B, F/A-18E/F, and the F-35B. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 5 Strike/Flight Awards, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four gold stars.
“The Marines are really what makes this aircraft special,” said Vaughn. “Their hard work, effort and dedication are what really make this aircraft awesome, so I’m humbled to be working with them and proud to lead them.”
To watch the ceremony click HERE.
Photo courtesy of Randy Hoeft of the Yuma Sum Newspaper.
