By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor

The doors of the Stoddard County Ambulance District center in Dexter were thrown open wide Sunday afternoon for an Open House to let the public see the new headquarters for the county service.

Guests were greeted at the doorway by a staff member and led on a guided tour of the facility – from the training room, to the hub of county 911 operations to even upstairs to see the living quarters were ambulance crews spend their “down” time while on duty.

The new facility at the intersection of Oak and Business Highway 114 is really an expanded and remodeled version of the “old” ambulance district facility. The project expanded the facility from 4,000 square feet to almost 17,000 square feet – and created a state-of-the-art facility for Stoddard County.

“It’s a much-needed improvement,” a proud David Cooper said of the center. Cooper is the director of SCAD, and has been with the district for 25 years. He has witnessed SCAD grow from a brand-new service to the multi-station, modern organization it is today.

Cooper said many folks do not realize that Stoddard County is one of the largest counties in Missouri in terms of area. So while some counties can have an ambulance service with one station, the enormous size of Stoddard County requires multiple facilities – in Bernie, Puxico, Advance and the headquarters in Dexter. The new center in Dexter houses critical services – such as the 911 call hub, training facilities, and is technologically and logistically set to handle emergencies such as this spring’s floods.

Many features of the new facility have been developed as a result of events and how the county was able to respond. Local events – like the Ice Storm in 2009 and this year’s flooding – showed that the county needed an Emergency Crisis Center.

“After the Ice Storm, I went to Bloomfield and sat down with the sheriff and we agreed there needed to be a crisis response center,” Cooper said. So the new SCAD headquarters has space and facilities so that all the county emergency management responses can be managed from a single site. In addition, the technology is in place so that if power was to be lost, services such as 911 and vital communications would continue.

The events of September 11, 2001 also had a hand in some of the features of the facility.

“9-11 changed a lot of things for us,” Cooper said. FEMA regulations and practical experience demanded certain features for the new SCAD headquarters, all with an eye toward the security of the personnel, the equipment, and the public.

The new facility was designed for present needs but also growth. Cooper said there has been a steady increase in SCAD calls and responsibilities throughout his 25 years with the district.

“You build with the future in mind, and that’s what we did,” he said. “This facility will meet present needs, and help grow in the future.”

SCAD staff and board members were on hand at the open house Sunday – giving guided tours and serving refreshments. In the 911 room visitors had the change to call 911, and see their call come into the system, find their location, and witness first-hand what is on the screens when a call comes into the system.

Photo Above: Carol Moreland explains the operation of the 911 call center to guests during the open house at the Stoddard County Ambulance District Sunday.

It was an evening filled with excitement as Dexter’s newest restaurant held a special opening party at Dhafer’s Mediterranean Steakhouse.  Area residents experienced the lovely décor and fine foods prepared Friday (June 10) evening as staff, chefs and management welcomed over 100 guests to the invitation-only affair.  

Dhafer and Melissa Al-Makuter are the new owners of one of the area’s premier steakhouses.   You immediately know that quality of food and excellence of service are the first-hand priorities for these business owners.

Melissa and children have been living in the area for the last two years, but Dhafer has only recently made the move to southeast Missouri. Dhafer, a former manager of a high-end steakhouse in Kansas City, was used in reconstruction after Operation Iraqi Freedom as an interpreter.


During her husband’s time overseas, Melissa - with the help of her parents - renovated the facility, which was formerly Diva’s Special Events.

Upon arrival at Dhafer’s, guests are greeted with a friendly, eloquent staff that is eager to serve you. Moving forward, guests quickly notice an extremely tasteful modern décor in the dimly lit dining area, where the wait staff remained eager to serve guests with many delicious dishes throughout the evening.

For those unfamiliar with a Mediterranean diet, it is noted as a very heart-healthy diet according to a Mayo Clinic report.  The Mediterranean diet incorporates the basics of healthy eating — plus a splash of flavorful olive oil and perhaps a glass of red wine — among other components characterizing the traditional cooking style of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. 

In fact, a recent analysis of more than 1.5 million healthy adults demonstrated that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced risk of overall and cardiovascular mortality, a reduced incidence of cancer, and a reduced incidence of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

The menu will consist of steak, fish, and vegetable-based dishes, with very little fried offerings. There will be a separate lunch and dinner menu, and even a buffet on Saturdays and Sundays.

Dhafer’s Mediterranean Steakhouse will be officially ‘open to the public’ on Wednesday, June 15.

Youngsters in Dexter will travel the world this summer - to Jamaica, Australia, Europe, South America and North America. Passports for the journey will be help keep their travel memories for safekeeping and along the way they will meet new animals, customs, music and more!

All of this travel will be done with “tour director” Rita LeBeau and her talented team of volunteers at Dexter’s Keller Public Library and the Summer Reading Program. The six-week program’s theme is “One World, Many Stories.”

The adventures will begin on Wednesday, June 15 and will continue for six weeks at the library. Programs are held each Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Keller Public Library on Grant Street. All children are invited to participate in the programs and all are free.

“You don’t have to have a library card to attend – it is free of charges to all ages,” said Library Director Pam Trammell.

The community room is decked out with bright posters and memorabilia from the travels the youngsters will take this summer. LeBeau has planned a six-week program that is sure to excite, entertain and energize!

The annual program is planned and led by a crew of creative volunteers each summer, but an extremely important group at the facility financially supports the program.

“The Friends of the Library completely underwrite the cost of the Summer Reading Program,” said Trammell. She said the cost for all the decorations; the Friends group picks up incentives, prizes and refreshments.

And there are lots of new books for the children to discover, too, Trammell announced

. “Our board (Library Board of Directors) makes buying books a priority,” she said. A displey of brand-new books - all with stories from around the world - are on display in the community room.

The six-week program will include fun and activities for the youngsters, as well as a corps of volunteers from the community who will be guest readers and bring stories to life. One week is a craft day, with several crafts projects as well as the poplar ice cream treats.

Trammell said every week holds excitement for children, with the final program being live animals from around the world for them to see and “meet.”

Throughout the summer the youngsters will discover the many stories in the world, learn more about this one world as well as learning that reading is fun!

BRIEFLY

WHAT: Summer Reading Program
THEME: One World, Many Stories
WHERE:/ Dexter’s Keller Public Library
WHEN: Wednesdays , 11a.m. until 12 noon
COST: Free to all children
WEBSITE: http://www.kellerpl.org/

By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor

The Missouri State Racking Horse Show in Dexter this weekend will be the last championship to be held in Dexter and hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.

With a tinge of sadness in her voice, Dexter Chamber of Commerce Executive Janet Coleman announced the local chamber would no longer host the event.

"We are really sad it has come to this. But we are working diligently to find a new home for the show in Missouri,” she said.

Dexter has hosted the show since 1977, and as chamber executive director Coleman has coordinated the local work for 19 years. Coleman said the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors did not feel that the benefit to the community was as great as the time and energy it took to plan and coordinate the event.

In recent years, Coleman said the economy has played a part in a decline in the number of entries at the show. However, the was a slight increase in the number of entries this year. In fact, one out-of-state exhibited brought more than 15 horses to the show.

The winners of the 34th Annual Missouri State Racking Horse Championship Show are:

Class 1 - Apple Jack ridden by Nolan Ellis
Class 1A - So Real ridden by Danny Odum
Class 2 - E's Little Big Man ridden by Jim Morris
Class 3 - Loose N Ritzy
Class 4 - Star ridden by Alexis Heitz
Class 5 - Stormy's Ebony Jo ridden by Mo Patterson
Class 6, - The Lady of Skywatch ridden by Danny Odum
Class 7 - The Situation ridden by Lance Meisenheimer
Class 8 - Dancing with Evil ridden by Joe Collins
Class 9 - Pusher's Gold Change ridden by Edna Decker
Class 10 - Scratch Player ridden by Fred McRoy
Class 11- The Boogie Man ridden by Jim Morris
Class 12 - Stormy's Ebony Jo ridden by Mo Patterson
Class 13 - A Master of Patten ridden by Ava Odum
Class 14 - Strut's Charm ridden by Michelle Jarred
Class 15 - A Change for A Dollar ridden by Ava Ochen
Class 16 - Ritz Cosmo ridden by Fred McRoy
Class 17 - Dolly Madison ridden by Buddy Hankins
Class 18 - Down Town ridden by Karma Beardslee
Class 19 - Impulsive ridden by Jaylnn Burklow
Class 20 - Watch Me Score ridden by Adrian Rehkemper
Class 21 - E's Little Big Man ridden by Brooke Morris
Class 22 - Shine on Silver ridden by Greg Johnston

Thanks to Janet Coleman and Carol Roberts of the Chamber of Commerce for compiling the winners’ list.

By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor

More than 80 years of service to Dexter was recognized Tuesday evening as the Dexter Board of Aldermen recognized employees with key professional milestones.

Mayor Joe Weber honored five employees, including one employee who was retiring and five who celebrated employment anniversaries.

“We are fortunate in Dexter to have the commitment to the town that we’ve got,” Weber said. “These are part of the people that you’ll see that have given a lot of time, effort and expertise to their jobs. You really have to have some good people working for you or you couldn’t run a city like this. ”

JoAnn Dunn retired this week as the city court clerk after serving in the position for 22.5 years. A reception was held for Dunn prior to the aldermanic meeting.

Others recognized were:

• Lawson Metcalf with the Parks and Recreation Department, 25 years
• Kevin Moore, Police Department, 10 years
• Terry Battles, Fire Department, 10 years
• Cecil Hartline, Street Department, 10 years
• Darrell Penberthy, Fire Department, 10 years

Police Chief Sammy Stone reported that work continues to move forward with the expansion at the police station. Stone reported that brick is expected to be delivered just any day and trusses are expected next week.

Stone also report that he and office Charles Sanders attend some training last week.

“It was some pretty good training,” Stone reported. “We got to meeting other chiefs from smaller departments and that’s always good.”

The Fire Department has start on the annual testing of fire hydrants in the city, and Fire Chief Al Banken reports about 75 hydrants have been tested. In addition, the chief reported that the department would participate in an extrication class that will be held in Dexter.

Following a question from Alderman Kirby Taylor (Ward 3), Banken also confirmed that he has been in touch with officials with Union Pacific concerning a washed out area on a railroad bridge in town.

City Administration Mark Stidham confirmed that UP has been notified of the area and has started work to fill in and repair the area. The gravel and embankment at the bridge has washed out due to recent heavy rains.

The Dexter Aquatic Center opened Memorial Day Weekend, and Parks and Recreation head Lawson Metcalf reported that attendance is strong at the facility. In the first ten days of the season the daily average is 235 patrons.

In other business, the board –

• Confirmed Weber’s appointment of John Blair to a 3-year term on the Dexter Library Board
• Approved a liquor license (beer and wine) to Dhafers LLC on Locust Street
• Approved a Resort and Pool Table license (renewal) to Robbie D’s

Stidham also announced that the Independence Day Fireworks Celebration in the city would be held on Sunday, July 3.

During the Citizen’s Input portion of the meeting resident Ginny and Don Martin discussed a problem they have experienced for several years with drainage on the streets near their home at the corner of Elm and Vine. During heavy rains rainwater does not drain well along the roadway, and the Martin’s basement collects water.

After a lengthy discussion, Weber suggested that the Martins meet with Stidham and officials with the Street Department to see if there are any possible solutions to the situation. Weber confirmed that the area around the Martin’s home would be included in a study of drainage issues in the Downtown district that will be conducted this summer.

ShowMe Times Photo Gallery

Order prints To order prints from this gallery, look for the "Buy" button at the top of the gallery page. You will be able to select photo sizes and other photo products and pay online using your credit or debit card.