By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor

The Belarus National Christian Choir presented an exhilarating evening of music that was part concert, part worship experience at First Baptist Church in Dexter.

The evening proved the point that music is a universal language and be savored, cherished, and appreciated whether sung in English or Russian. The concert program included Belarusian, Russian and English selections; many Belarusian favorites, others that are favorites in churches in America. The choir’s rich, full sound filled the FBC Worship Center with majestic, moving music.

The choir of 17 women and 14 men were accompanied during the evening by a wonderful string ensemble and three exceptional pianists, all of whom also sang in the choir. An ensemble from the choir also performed on traditional Russian instruments, including accordian, guitar, and balalaika.

Viktor Krutsko, President of the Evangelical Union of Belarus, was spokesman for the group and introduced the music selections and the choir.

From the very first selection of the evening, you heard the powerful, rich harmonies of the choir and traditional Russian music.The lavish harmonies blended with splendid melodies for an evening of incredible music, whispered prayers and moving worship.

Much of the evening’s repertoire was in Russian or Belarusian, which only proved that music is an international form of expression and can be enjoyed and appreciated in any language. It was interesting to note one word sounded the name – whether in Belarusian, Russian or English. The word is “alleluia.”

During the evening the audience was also treated to selections from the talented string ensemble, a wonderful trumpet soloist who performed a moving medley of Maltbie Babcock’’s traditional hymn “This Is My Father’s World” and the spiritual “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands.”

In addition, a trio of ladies performed traditional Belarusian folk tunes – what Krutsko called “Belarus Bible – Believing Bluegrass.” An ensemble of men on traditional Belarusian instruments accompanied the trio.

An ensemble of the men also came forth and performed a traditional American hymn – “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms” – by blowing across bottles. The number was popular with the audience, and the sound they were able to create from simple bottles filled with different levels of water was incredible.

The First Baptist Church choir joined the Belarusian guests for two selections, sung in Russian. FBC Music Minister Rich Lee, who has traveled to Belarus three times and accompanied Belarus choir on its tour, taught the church choir the selections earlier this fall. Lee directed the combined choir for the two selections.

“Please pray for your choir,” Krutsko said as the choir settled into the church’s choir loft. “They are going to sing perfect Russian!”

Lee also conducted the Belarus choir on a moving arrangement of “It Is Well With My Soul” that move the audience to its feet in applause.

The evening of music concluded “American music with Russian words” – a very thrilling arrangement of “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

Formed in 1986, the choir has performed in Eastern Europe, France, Germany and Russia, and is currently making its 5th tour in the United States.

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Belarus National Christian Choir

Dexter First Baptist Church, Oct. 13, 2011

Helping Hand For Children

The Stoddard County Real Estate Board recently made a donation to the Stoddard County Children’s Home. The Board presented the home with $1000 plus arranged for a new American flag to be presented by State Senator Rob Mayer at the home. On hand for the presentations were (front row, from left) Frank Killian, Judi Boyle and Lauren Mayer of the Children’s Home; Shirley Carney and Jim Tweety of the Stoddard County Real Estate Board, and Brad Jarrell representing State Senator Mayer;  (back row, from left) Mary Worley, Sherry Burnett, Sue Horn, Audrey Holifield, Kathleen Dover, Melanie Miller, Jeanie Barker, Jane Flowers, Scott Chesser, Sherry Hubbard, Linda Collier, and Michele Horton. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)

The 3rd Annual Cotton Ramble Bicycle Ride was held on October 8, 2011 in Sikeston. With over 200 bicycle enthusiasts participating in the event, the day was only complimented by the beautiful sunshine for the ride.

With cotton harvest in full swing, the Cotton Ramble was appropriately named. Starting in downtown Sikeston, riders had a choice of a 13-mile course, a 26-mile course and a long 65-mile for the more serious rider.

All participants started the routes at the historic train Depot through a designed course, passing by shaded, tree-lined streets with majestic homes. Those riders that took the longer routes traveled along fields of cotton as well as soybeans and corn to Vanduser and near Bloomfield before returning to the start/finish line.

Organizers of the event had many activities planned for participants including festival events, cotton gin tours and a spaghetti lunch. Random prize drawings were also made available to riders at the ride completion.

The organizers really do a great job with this event. Participants were from all over Southeast Missouri, as well as many places far beyond. One 65-mile rider from St. Louis was able to complete the course in a little over 3 hours.

Other riders from Dexter included Jerry Dorton, Mark Zabelin, Shanan Zabelin, Tracy Hedrick and Alan Hedrick.



Special Thanks for Rodney McConnell for the use of his pics from the Cotton Ramble.

It's not everyday that a girl goes out and becomes an expert marksman. But that's just what Dexter native Jessica Freeman did last week. Jessica is an Airman First Class serving in the U.S. Air Force and is stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. Out on the shooting range last Monday,  Jessica shot an amazing 47 out of 50 to become "expert." Jessica is a 2005 graduate of Dexter High School, and the daughter of Tammy and Wayne Freeman of Dexter.

The halls of Dexter High School were a little … well, - nerdy on Tuesday.

It’s Homecoming Week 2011 this week, and the student body celebrated on Tuesday with Super Nerdy Nemesis Day. And bold black eyeglasses taped together, “high rise” jeans, odd combinations of clothing, suspenders, look-alikes for television character Steve Urkel and interesting wardrobe combinations.

Wednesday is Super Side Kick – or Twin Day at DHS and T.S. Hill Middle School as Homecoming Week continues. The students at Southwest and Central schools are celebrating Wednesday with Crazy Hair Day.

Homecoming Week activities will kick it up a notch on Thursday with the Lady Bearcats’ home volleyball DIG PINK game to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer. A silent auction will kick off the special evening of Bearcat volleyball at 5 p.m. in the lobby of the Bearcat Event Center.

The Lady ‘Cats will don special pink uniforms as they meet the Poplar Bluff Mules on the BEC court. The junior varsity match-up begins at 6 p.m., following by the varsity game.

Homecoming 2011 activities include:

Thursday

• Super Fashion Disaster Day (Mix & atch or Crazy Hay Day) at DHS; Rick & Roll Day at Middle School; Camo & Animal Print Day at Central and Southwest.
• DIG PINK Volleybal game against Poplar Bluff; 6 p.m. in the BEC

Friday

• SUPER BEARCAT DAY - Wear your Red& Black and show your school spirit!! (At DHS, Middle School, Central & Southwest)
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes Breakfast at 7:20
• DHS Pep Rally at the BEC during seventh period
• HOMECOMING 2011 TAILGATE sponsored by ontgomery Bank & County Wide Insurance; begins at 4:30 on Brown Pilot Road between Faith Lutheran Church and the Dexter School Administrative Offices.
  
• Presentation of the Homecoming Court and crowning the 2011 Homecoming Queen in pre-game festivities on Bearcat Field in Charles Bland Stadium; 6:30 p.m.
• Kickoff of the 2011 Homecoming game againt Caruthersville, 7 p.m.
• Fifth Quarter festivities with music by The BUZZ, at Faith Lutheran Church parking lot.

Saturday

• Bearcat Booster Club Dodge Ball Tournament & Mr. DHS contest; 6 p.m. in the DHS Gym