Bloomfield, MO - The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held their annual 2020 Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 12th at the Assembly of God Church.
Julie Dodd was named 2020 Teacher of the Year.
She and her husband, James Dodd, live in Bloomfield with their two children Jameson and Molliann.
Julie has taught at Bloomfield Elementary for 22 years and all but one year as a kindergarten teacher.
"To say she has made an impact on the future of our community is an understatement," commented Toni Hill, Bloomfield Chamber Board Member and Superintendent of Bloomfield Schools.
Mrs. Dod hold an event each year to raise money for 18Fore Life and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation when in 2009 Clause for a Cause was founded. She began raising money by taking pictures with Santa. In just 11 short years she has helped raise over $110,000 for charity through her pictures with Santa program, shirt sales and sponsors.
Congratulations to Julie Dodd, 2020 Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year!
Pictured from left to right are Toni Hill, Julie Dodd, Herman Morse, 151st State Representative, and Amy Haas, Bloomfield Chamber President.
Bloomfield, Missouri - The city of Bloomfield was recently named a Purple Heart City after months of efforts by Bloomfield City Clerk Kari Standley.
"She was instrumental in this endeavor to make Bloomfield a Purple Heart City," commented Bloomfield Mayor Bill Aslin. "I commend her for her actions and I am grateful she took this upon herself to do for our community."
Aslin signed the Proclamation on Monday, May 20, 2019 at the monthly city council meeting. On hand were Purple Heart recipients and members of the community to honor them. As well as other local veterans including the Stoddard County Honor Guard and representatives of the Region 2 Military Order of the Purple Heart.
The Purple Heart is the oldest military award in the United States. In 1782, George Washington needed a way to quell the talk of a rebellion at the end of the Revolutionary War. Moral was low and they were starving. He was afraid of a mutiny so he created the Badge of Military Merit to recognize heroic acts by his troops. No one knows home many received this award and it later lapsed after the war for many years. It was in 1932 on Washington's 200th birthday, the modern medal featuring a profile image of Washington was created for soldiers.
The award was made retroactive - WWI soldiers who had earned certain awards could apply for the Purple Heart. Today many have earned the medal and we thank them for their service and sacrifice.
"I really wanted to do this for our community," stated Kari Standley. "We have a lot of military history here and I wanted them to know that we appreciate their sacrifices. We will eventually get a few signs as you enter Bloomfield to visually thank those who were battle wounded and stand as a thank you for their service. It's definitely a sign of respect and gratitude!"
One of Standley's goals is to get everyone on board in Stoddard County and all the towns to become Purple Heart cities.
Bryce Lockwood, Chaplain of Chapter 621 Missouri Military Order of the Purple Heart from Springfield, Missouri, explained that the medal is given to members of the U.S. military who have been wounded or killed in action during wartime.
Also in attendance was John D. Dismer, Region 2 Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. "I am proud that Bloomfield has become a Purple Heart city. The sign will acknowledge that the city supports and honors all veterans."
Dismer explained that Bloomfield will have the opportunity to purchase road signs identifying the town as a Purple Heart City and they will be placed at near the city limits on the north and south in the beginning. They may try to purchase a couple more for other county roads leading into the city.
"I am truly honored to read and sign this proclamation tonight," continued Aslin. "My dad was in the Navy and my Uncle was in the Air Force. It's a privilege and honor for the city of Bloomfield to be designated a Purple Heart City."
Purple Heart City of Bloomfield Proclamation signed May 20, 2019
"Whereas the City of Bloomfield, Missouri and our Community have a great admiration and the utmost gratitude for all of the men and women who have selflessly served their country and this community in the Armed Forces; and
Whereas veterans have paid the high price of freedom by leaving their families and communities and placing themselves in harm's way for the good fall; and
Whereas the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by our citizens' and
Whereas citizens of our country have received the Purple Heart Medal as a result of being wounded while engaged in combat with an enemy force, construed as a singularly meritorious act of essential served; and
Whereas the City of Bloomfield, Missouri seeks to remember and recognize those who are recipients of the Purple Heart Medal.
Now, therefore, I Bill Aslin, Mayor of the city of Bloomfield, Missouri, do hereby declare the city of Bloomfield to be a Purple Heart City honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation's men and women in uniform, wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect our freedoms.
Pictured: Purple Heart recipients present for the proclamation of Bloomfield as a Purple Heart City include, from left: Terry Hood, U.S. Army, Charles Hedspeth, U.S. Army, Bryce Lockwood, U.S. Marines, John Dismer, U.S. Army; Dallas Buchanan, U.S. Army, David Wilson, U.S. Army, and David McClellan, U.S. Army.
Bloomfield, Missouri - Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Las Brisas, the latest Mexican restaurant to open in the area.
Las Brisas is located in the newly remodeled Sonic building. If you haven't had a chance to visit you will be amazed at the difference in the old building vs the new style.
Las Brisas is owned by Cristobal Marquez and Gustavo Marquez. Managers are Carla Lopez and Miguel Marquez.
They are located at 507 State Highway 25 South in Bloomfield, Missouri. Phone number is (573) 568-6100.
Bloomfield, Missouri - Outdoor Movie Night sponsored by Bloomfield Fellowship of Christian Students/Staff and the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce will be on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the City Park.
They will feature the movie Soul Surfer.
FREE hotdogs, popcorn and water. Just bring your own chair or blanket to sit on!
SOUL SURFER is the inspiring true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame all odds to become a professional surfer.
"Bethany Hamilton has become a source of inspiration to millions through her story of determination, faith and hope. At the age of thirteen, Bethany lost her left arm to a 14-foot tiger shark, which seemed to end her career as a rising surf star. One month after the attack, Bethany returned to the water and within 2 years had won her first National title. In 2007, she realized her dream of surfing professionally and since then her story has been told in a New York Times best selling autobiography and in the 2011 film, SOUL SURFER. Bethany is involved in numerous charitable efforts, including her own foundation, Friends of Bethany, which reaches out to amputees and youth, encouraging a broken world by offering hope to overcome through Jesus Christ. Using her platform as a professional athlete to promote living a fit and healthy lifestyle, she authored the book BODY AND SOUL in 2014. Bethany’s latest project, UNSTOPPABLE, a surf documentary which will showcase her as one of the best women surfers in the world, is set to release in 2018, accompanied by a photo book and a children’s book. She is passionate about helping young women be unstoppable in life and faith, and is launching a new website and app this Fall for sharing content and facilitating connection. Her greatest joy is being a wife and mother, and she continues to touch and inspire lives globally as a professional surfer, and motivational speaker."
