ShowMe Times Editor
They have served the nation – helping preserve the freedoms and liberties that are so often taken for granted. Many served overseas in harm’s way. And they now are disabled – confined to wheelchairs, walking with artificial limbs, walking with canes or crutches. Their access to many things once enjoyed – such as hunting, fishing, enjoying the outdoors – has been restricted by their physical handicapped.
But now a local veterans organization is taking a beautiful, rugged piece of Stoddard County land and equipping it with the modifications for access for area disabled veterans to enjoy and appreciate.
Tom Love and the Kenady-Hanks American Legion Post 59 in Dexter are taking Gobbler Ridge Ranch, and equipping it for hunting, fishing, and outdoor enjoyment by local disabled veterans. Just as these veterans' service was heroic, so too is the work the local American Legion and the sponsors of the project.
Gobbler Ridge is a rugged piece of rolling Crowley’s Ridge – with deep woods, hills and valleys, beautiful vistas, a pond for fishing. It’s been a family retreat – for hunting, family gatherings, and good times by the Love and Hedrick families.
“We decided to turn this into a disabled veterans facility,” To Love said on a recent visit to the ranch. “We are going to turn it into a place for hunting, wildlife viewing, just driving around and being out in nature. “
Love says he has talked to a number of veterans who tell him they don’t care what they do, the chance to get outdoors again is something they desire and need.
‘Thanks to Kenady-Hanks Post 59, we have this project rolling and off the ground,” he said.
“The project” is making a rugged camp into a place that is handicapped accessible and conducive to hunting and other outdoor activities. Wheel chair ramps are being built to the furnish cabin on the grounds, and doorways and restrooms inside have been expended to accommodate wheelchairs.
Out on the property other accommodations are being made – including an elevated “blind” – a stand for hunting, wildlife viewing and photography, taking in the beautiful scenery. A well-designed ramp leads from the woods floor up to the elevated platform, that will be sheltered and heated.
The vista from inside the stand is nothing short of stunning. A broad, beautiful valley rimmed with deep woods – perfect for turkey and deer and other wildlife.
“So far we have had good support,” Love said to a group of veterans and community supporters.
In addition to the physical improvements to the property, a number of food plots and habitat are being developed in a manner consistent to standards established by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Clover, wheat, beans, corn, milo, and chicory in addition to the natural grasses will all be planted to provided for diversified wildlife habitat.
“Southeast Coop has been wonderful,” he said. The agricultural coop has been assisting in he preparation of the wildlife food plots, providing seed and supplies. “I’ve just called and they’ve been here.”
“The veterans will have first priority.” he explained, with veterans in Stoddard County receiving first priority. “It is 100 percent for veterans any time they want it.”
The cabin will even be available for veterans group meetings.
Love explained the facility will be for Stoddard County veterans confined to wheelchairs or with a disability that restrict their mobility.
“We can never fully repay our veterans who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. However, we can offer a heartfelt ‘thank you’ by improving and maintaining the Disabled Veterans Wildlife Facility,” Love said.
Donations are tax deductible – and may be monetary or in the form of supplies and equipment for the project, or volunteer work.
For more information on the project and to learn how to make a donation, contact Tom Love at 573-820-0802 or the Kenady-Hanks American Legion Post 59.
EAST PRAIRIE - Today, as a temporary ban on post office closings expires, a local official in southeast Missouri is speaking out about the successful fight waged by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill to save 29 local postal facilities from closure-and what McCaskill's effort means for families and businesses in the region.
"For a lot of rural towns and villages these post offices represent something more than a place to send or get mail, and Claire has understood that from the start," said State Representative Steve Hodges of East Prairie. "It does not make sense to close post offices when it would have a negative impact on community spirit that already suffers from economic challenges and job loss."
The U.S. Postal Service announced plans last year to shutter thousands of post offices across the country-most from rural communities-as part of a larger cost-savings package. Twenty-nine post offices in southeast Missouri were slated for closure
McCaskill waged a year-long battle against the closures, arguing that shutting down rural post offices would not help the Postal Service achieve substantial cost-savings, but would deal significant blows to communities across rural America. McCaskill helped win a temporary moratorium on closures, and then successfully passed an amendment to the Senate's postal reform legislation that protected rural communities from losing their post offices while implementing major cost-saving reforms like addressing the Postal Service's pre-funding requirement for retiree benefits.
As a result of McCaskill's efforts, the U.S. Postal Service reversed course last week and announced that it no longer intends to close down rural post offices.
"I waged this fight because, as a daughter of rural Missouri, I know exactly what these post offices mean for the small towns they serve," said McCaskill, who was born in Rolla. "I've fought alongside folks on the ground in Missouri to send a message that our post offices are more than just brick and mortar-they're the lifeblood of rural America. And that message has been heard loud and clear. That we were able to save these post offices means that seniors will still have access to life-saving prescription drugs, that area businesses won't have to contend with losing their shipping location, and that hard-hit small towns won't have to lose good-paying jobs. But I'm not going to rest on our accomplishment. I plan to keep working hard in the weeks and months ahead to ensure that families and businesses in southeast Missouri can continue relying on their local post offices."
McCaskill also again called for action by the U.S. House of Representatives, which has so far failed to move on postal reform legislation. Unless the House acts to pass legislation addressing its finances, the Postal Service will likely be forced to make drastic cuts to service resulting in slower mail delivery, an end to Saturday delivery, and the shuttering of mail processing facilities in Missouri-changes that would hurt rural businesses and families in small towns across Missouri.
Link of Interest
ShowMe Times Editor
Dexter City Clerk Crystal Bishop administered the oath of office to newly reelected city officials at Monday evening’s meeting of the Dexter Board of Aldermen.
Taking the oath of office for new terms were aldermen Jerry Corder (Ward I), Kent Essner (Ward II), Tim Aslin (Ward II), and Ray Pixley (Ward III), and City Collector Crystal Allstun. The newly sworn-in officials then signed the “Book of the Oath of Office” and resumed their seats at the aldermanic table.
The swearing-in ceremony was the high point in an otherwise rather uneventful meeting Monday night. Mayor Joe Weber was out of town, and Ward II Alderman Kent Essner presided in his role as aldermanic president.
City Developer Janet Coleman reported to the board that a “couple of inquiries” have been received concerning potential new small businesses in town. Coleman called the prospects “promising.”
Pam Trammell, director of the Keller Public Library, reported the Genealogy Society would be hosting a workshop at the library on Saturday, June 5. Additional information can be received by contacting the library.
After conducting ‘old business,’ the board adjourned Sine Die, and reassembled and reorganized. Bishop administered the oath the office, and the ‘new’ board began its duties.
On a nomination by Alderman Taylor, Ward II Alderman Tim Aslin was unanimously elected as president of the board; Bishop was unanimously appointed as clerk. In addition, the board gave its approval to the reappointment of standing city committees.
The next aldermanic meeting is set for 7 p.m., Monday, May 21
Photo Above: City Clerk Crystal Bishop administers the oath of office to city officials reelected in municipal elections in Apri. Taking the oath of office are (from left) Crystal Allstun, Ray Pixley, Tim Aslin, Kent Essner, and Jerry Corder. (ShowMe Time photo by Annabeth Miller)
