ShowMe Times Editor
In 1946, Demp Holden was like so many other young men of “The Greatest Generation” – he was on his journey home.
After serving in the Army in World War II, Holden was making his way back to Southeast Missouri. He arrived at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis – not far from home. And in St. Louis he had $300 in his pocket and boarded a train headed to Southeast Missouri.
“There were two pretty girls on the train, and I was unattached and all, and we had a lot of fun on that train ride. I got well acquainted with those girls,” he said, with a touch of twinkle in his eye. It was spring time, there were the usual floods and delays in that train trip from St. Louis to the Bootheel. “We got down to Poplar Bluff, and their dad and mom met them, and my dad met me over there."
But lo and behold, the next day when he was outside his parent’s home, Demp received a bit of a surprise.
“When I got up the next morning, I learned those two girls lived next door to me!”
But it was a third sister that he met on his first day home that really caught Demp’s eye. The young lady was Celeste. And after just four dates, the two young people knew it that it was a match made in Heaven. The couple “ran off to Arkansas and got married.”
The rest, as they say, is history!
Now, 65 years later, Demp and Celeste are celebrating a lifetime of married life – complete with five children, 13 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren with another arriving in just a few weeks.
The Holden children gathered with Demp and Celeste this week – Bill, Steve, Diane, Terri and Tim – to celebrate their special anniversary milestone. And a bunch of the grandchildren, great-grandchildren and spouses were on hand for the celebration as well.
Celeste is living these days at Cypress Point, but the love between these two still shines when she gives him a kiss or looks at him with loving eyes.
Demp’s love and devotion shines, too. He is with Celeste every day – caring for her, loving her, and being together as they have been these 65 years. Daughter Terri says he posts on Facebook everyday, keeping all the family up-to-date on how she’s doing and what is going on that day.
“He so devoted to her,” Terri said. ”Love and devotion – that’s what it’s about.”
“She’s the light of my life,” Demp said as he leans over to give her a kiss.
Photo Above: Celeste and Demp Holder celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary, with children (from left) Tim, Terri, Steve, Diane, and Bill. (SMT photo)
On an evening that seemed perfect for a hometown football game, the new Miss Dexter High School was crowned in pre-game festivities on Friday.
The new Miss DHS for 2011-2012 is Miss McKenzie Mitchell. She was crowned by the 2010-2011 Miss DHS, Samantha Long, and was escorted onto the track at Charles Bland Stadium by her brother, Drake.
McKenzie is the daughter of Kevin and Ann-Marie Mitchell. She is a member of the DHS Volleyball team, the Basketball Cheerleading squad, member of the Dexter Honor Society, the DHS Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Future Teachers of America (FTA), DECA, and the Rowdy Gals.
Lindsey is the daughter of Scott and Paula Hindman. Lindsey is a member of the DHS Volleyball and Track teams.
Lauren is the daughter of David and Joy Ward, and she is a member of the DHS Volleyball team, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Future Teachers of America (FTA), the Dexter Honor Society, the Rowdy Gals, and the DHS Student Council.
The other candidates for Miss DHS included:
- Kait Seiberlick: The daughter of Tina Glass, Kait is a member of the newspaper staff, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Future Teachers of America (FTA) and the Rowdy Gals.
- Hannah Sandage: Hannah is the daughter of Larry and Tina Sandage and she is a member of the DHS Dance Team, the Rowdy Gals, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), the DHS Student Council, the Future Teachers of American (FTA), and is the Senior Class Vice President.
- Jessica Snider: The daughter of Jeff and Debbie Snider, Jessica is a member of the DHS Tennis Team, the Dance Team, the Future Farmers of America (FFA), Future Teachers of America (FTA), DHS Student Council and is the Senior Class President.
- Malinda Mayo: Malinda is the daughter of Roger and Malisa Mayo and is a member of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Future Teachers of America (FTA) of which she is treasurer, is the president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, member of the school newspaper and yearbook staff, is a member of the Cross Country squad, the DHS Chamber Choir, the Dexter Show Choir, the Rowdy Gals and the Girl Scouts.
By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
Vibrant. Caring. Energetic. Empathetic. Likeable. And he had an infectious smile, which his boys inherited. He was a champion of champions, a true hero, and a friend and community role model.
Photo Above: The group participating in the 2010 "This Run's For Vaughn". (photo courtesy of Greg Mathis)
By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
It’s a playtime fixture. It’s been in toyboxes and in playroom and elementary classrooms for …. Well, as long as some of us of a certain age can remember. And Sept. 18 is it’s “day”.
Play-Doh. It’s made of simple stuff - flour, water, salt, boric acide and silicone oil. But, oh the fun that kids (and adults) can have with this simple stuff.
Sunday is National Play-Doh Day, and the good folks at Montgomery Bank in Dexter still have a touch of child’s fun in their heart!
On Friday, in preparation for National Play-Doh Day, the staff at Montgomery Bank visited the kindergarten children at Southwest Elementary in Dexter, and gave each child their own can of Play-Doh.
“We all remember the fun of playing with Play-Doh, and wanted the children in kindergarten to enjoy their very own can of Play-Doh to celebrate this fun day,” said Dana Adams, of the local bank.
This popular product has been entertaining and delighting children of all ages since Rainbow Crafts began selling it back in 1956. Legend has it a teacher asked her brother-in-law, Joseph McVicker, to come up with a safe and simple modeling clay for her students in 1955. And the rest, as they say, is history.
While the original Play-Doh was available originally only in one color, red, yellow and blue were added in 1957. In 1960, mini-cans were added to the line. And if you think Play-Doh is a passing fad, think again. Over 950 million pounds of the reusable modeling compounds have been sold.
No matter what color - or if you are one of those that mixes your Play-Doh colors - it's still fun to see what you can create with a can a Play-Doh. And thanks to Montgomery Bank, another generation of youngsters will know that joy!
PHOTO ABOVE: Kindergarten student Landon Jarrell receives a bag with a can of Play-Doh so he can celebrate National Play-Doh Day. Presenting the playtime treat is Lindsay Emillo of Montgomery Bank in Dexter.
ShowMe Times Photo Gallery
ORDER PRINTS! To order prints from this gallery, click to go to complete 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.
