By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

Some people just inspire and motivate others naturally – with their enthusiasm, loving spirit, unselfishness and zest for life.

Tommy Blankenship was such an individual. When he would enter the choir room at Dexter High School, it was almost as if a special light would shine. He was enthusiastic, caring, willing to go an extra mile or two to accomplish a task. Tommy was a natural leader who inspired other by his own zest and participation.

When Blankenship passed away unexpectedly in 2000, Dexter High School Choir Director MaryRuth Boone wanted a way for his light to continue to shine and inspire new generations of choir students. So that year she established the Tommy Blankenship Memorial Choir Award to recognize the student who best exemplified the spirit shown by young Blankenship.

At the close of Tuesday night’s DHS Choirs Pop Concert Boone presented for the 11th time the “Blankenship Award” – this spring to a young lady who has been active in choir, who has a genuine love of music and enthusiasm for choir and her peers – Jessica Lesley.

Lesley will graduate later this month from DHS and has plans to continue her music studies in the fall at Southeast Missouri State University. She was named to Missouri All-State Choir and All-District Choir, she participated in district and state music contests, the Show Choir, small ensembles and solos. and this weekend will participate in a statewide vocal music competition in Springfield.

“Jessica has the same loving, giving spirit and the enthusiasm and love of choir as Tommy,” Boone said. Jessica is the daughter of Dawn Dowdy and Jeff Lesley. Boone said Jessica will go the extra mile to lend a hand to a choir member, always shares a smile, and has been dedicated and participated in the success of the choral music program.

Boone explained that Jessica’s enthusiasm for Pop Concert shined in recent weeks as the choirs prepared for the two-night extravaganza. She said Jessica worked tirelessly on decorations, helped with organization, encouraged fellow students, helped with the Senior Show video, participated in small ensembles and prepared solos. She was an encourager and role model.

“Jessica is a young lady who comes to class everyday with a smile. She is a sensitive individual with a kind, loving and giving heart,” Boone said. “She demonstrates that wonderful, giving and enthusiastic spirit as Tommy.”

Photo Above: DHS Choir Senior Jessica Lesley was awarded the Tommy Blankenship Memorial Choir Award by DHS Choir Director MaryRuth Boone at the conclusion of Tuesday night's Pop Concert.

Guidance For Handling Flood Damage To Homes, Cars and Crops

Jefferson City, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Insurance has made information about insurance claims for flood damage available on its website. The online resources include details for how flood damage is covered, depending on whether it affects homes, cars or crops.

Most homeowners and renters insurance policies don't cover flood damage. To be covered, consumers need a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program. Policies have a 30-day waiting period before they're effective.

Consumers with coverage should contact the agent who sold them their flood insurance policy, or the National Flood Insurance Program at http://www.floodsmart.gov or 888-379-9531.

While liability auto insurance policies won't cover flood damage, comprehensive coverage may. Consumers with damage should contact their auto insurance agent to file a claim.

Flood damage to crops is covered by some types of crop insurance. These policies are sold by private insurance companies, but regulated by the federal Risk Management Agency. Most policies require claims to be filed within 72 hours of discovering damage.

Farmers with crop damage should contact their crop insurance agent as soon as possible. They can also contact the Risk Management Agency at http://www.rma.usda.gov or call 202-690-2803.

"As with any kind of property damage, filing a claim quickly is vital," said Missouri Insurance Director John M. Huff. "While the flood and crop insurance programs are administered by the federal government, your local insurance agent should be able to help you navigate the claims process."

Huff says when it comes time to make repairs to their homes, consumers should watch for unscrupulous contractors. He offers this guidance:

· Be suspicious of door-to-door repair offers
· Don't let contractors inspect your property without you. Some unscrupulous companies will cause more damage to drive up repair bills.
· Work with companies known to you or recommended by someone you trust.
· Don't pay a repair company until your insurance claim has been processed.
· Don't pay the full cost of repairs until the work is done.

Consumers can file complaints or ask general questions about insurance by contacting the Missouri Department of Insurance at http://www.insurance.mo.gov or calling the Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-726-7390.

About the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional Registration

The Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration (DIFP) is responsible for consumer protection through the regulation of financial industries and professionals. The department's seven divisions work to enforce state regulations both efficiently and effectively while encouraging a competitive environment for industries and professions to ensure consumers have access to quality products.

By Annabeth Miller, ShowMe Times Editor

Two Dexter students are performing in a classic children’s musical at Three Rivers College.

Jessica Blankenship, Landon Hall and Shawn Slavings, all of Dexter, are among the cast and crew in the Three Rivers Music Department preparing for this week’s for its annual musical, which this year will be You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. Throughout this week the students will perform the musical for school children in the region, and a evening performance for the public this Friday, May 6.

In light of the recent flooding disasters, the Three Rivers music department will present the evening performance this Friday for free to the public. The curtain will rise on the performance at 7 p.m., Friday, May 6 in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center on the Three Rivers campus in Poplar Bluff.

“This is always an outstanding production that area children love, and it’s a wonderful performance experience for our students,” Dr. Devin Stephenson, Three Rivers president, said.

The musical is under the direction of college vocal music instructor Cindy White and instrumental music instructor Buddy White.

Three Rivers also announced that persons who had already purchased tickets for the Friday evening public performance may contact the college music department at 573-840-9639 to arrange a refund.

Photo Above: The Music Department at Three Rivers College will present the children's musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Cast members include, (front row) Pride Wilder, Meagan Woodruff, Tabitha Pierce, Allison Wilfong, Brittany Patterson, Christene Cook; (second row) Stephanie Henning, Alex Swenson, Donny Falk, Felicia Johnstone; (third row) Jasymine Clark, Jessi Karlish; (fourth row) Silva Oesterreicher, Arnon Niyapa, Danny Killian, Tierra Higgins, Ian Kinder Back Row: Michael Sotelo, Shawn Slavings, Addie Layne,and Landon Hall. Not pictured are Jessica Blankenship, Jessica Deken, Chase Eschrich, Sarah Morey.

Most will agree that Southeast Missouri has more water than ever seen before. We are seeing unimaginable damage to homes, properties, and our communities. Unfortunately, many people are finding that flood insurance is not a typical coverage in their homeowners insurance. The unlikelihood of a flood to this magnitude was unlikely and many have taken the cost savings path of “It will never happen to me”.

“My house has water in it, do I have coverage?” This is a very popular question in most insurance offices recently. Sadly enough and much to the surprise of many homeowners, flood is excluded from most homeowners insurance policies. Flood insurance is purchased on a separate policy in most instances.

A recent survey indicated that 94% of all property owners who carry flood insurance only purchased it for 1 of 2 reasons. 1) They have a bank loan and the bank is required the purchase of a flood policy. 2) They have experienced a flood in the past 5 years and did not have the coverage; therefore they purchased it after they repaired the damage to their properties from the prior flood.

A federal government program administers flood insurance, and like most government programs has specific rules and regulations. A few rules of the flood insurance is:

Everyone is eligible to purchase flood insurance. It is not required that you reside in a high-risk flood zone.

Naturally, it is cheaper the less risk you have. Also, if you live in a higher risk area the flood insurance could be up to 66% cheaper if you obtain elevation certificate shot for your property.

It is important to remember when purchasing flood insurance, there is a typical 30-day waiting period from the date of purchase before the policy goes into effect. However, this waiting period is normally waived for bank loans and becomes effective the day of the closing.

The National Flood Insurance Program has created an awareness campaign to help consumers better understand flood insurance. You can find additional information on flood preparedness on the NFIP sponsored site of http://www.FloodSmart.gov.

During emergency conditions that we are facing now, a community many times gets to see the best of people. That is so true for the Stoddard County Emergency Management Agency Team.

After retiring from Dexter Public Schools, Kent Polsgrove was appointed and is now experiencing his first true emergency as the director of the EMS group. But organization and team work comes easy to Kent as he is surrounded by a group of dedicated professionals willing and ready to assist Stoddard County residence with their needs throughout these tough times.

Carol Moreland has been with the E911 group for a number of years and knows the ropes of emergencies. During the Ice Storm of 2010, Carol was instrumental in coordinating much of the relief efforts that were essential to our community.

However, the idea of emergency management is not new to Stoddard County or the Dexter Community. This group has always observed the "5P's" of Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. The incredible vision of our Stoddard County Commissioners (Greg Mathis, Carol Jarrell and Frank Sifford) has given a strong focus on the development of the emergency services in our county.

This does not occur by accident. The strength of our Stoddard County Ambulance District under the leadership of David Cooper is a major piece of the puzzle. Our commissioners see fit to created a strong combined effort throughout the emergency groups to make certain the that effectiveness and efficiencies are being used to the benefit of all citizens.

Stoddard County has always held a high position with preparedness for emergency events. Most recently, an emergency plan developed a "Bunker Room" during the construction of the new facilities of SCAD. This room is complete with the communication, mapping