By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
A Dexter teen has pursued her dream by working hard and keeping the dream close to her heart.
So it should come as no surprise that this weekend McKenzie Mitchell made the Final 5 and won two prestigious awards at the Miss Missouri Teen USA pageant. The pageant was held this weekend in St. Charles.
In addition to being named in the Top 5, the Dexter teen was named the Most Photogenic at the pageant on Saturday night. The award is named for Melana Scantlin, Miss Missouri USA in 2002.
Then on Sunday, Michell participated in a series of interviews with each of the five pageant judges for four minutes. According to her mother, Ann-Marie Mitchell, three of the four judges were former winners of the Miss Teen USA crown.
“She was over the moon when it was over,” Ann-Marie said.
McKenzie impressed the judges during the interview process so much she received for Courtney Chilcutt Interview Award, named for Dexter native Courtney Chilcutt Lungren, herself Miss Missouri Teen in 2002.
Ann-Marie had friends on “pins and needles” during the course of the pageant on Sunday, keeping folks back in Dexter up-to-date with posts on Facebook. When she posted that McKenzie had won the Courtney Chilcutt Interview Award and placed second in the pageant, a chorus of congratulations from friends was posted.
McKenzie is a senior at Dexter High School and the daughter of Dr. Kevin and Ann-Marie Mitchell and big sister to Drake. After graduating this spring from DHS, she plans to attend University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in the fall.
Photo Above: McKenzie Mitchell (right) and her mom Ann-Marie, backstage during the Miss Missouri Teen USA Pageant this weekend in St. Charles.
Second Photo: A young McKenzie Mitchell (center) with Miss Missouri USA Melana Scantlin (left) and Courtney Chilcutt of Dexter, Miss Miss Teen USA, in 2002. McKenzie won prizes this weekend named in honor of these two women.
By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
The fog was just beginning to disappear Saturday morning as a hearty crew of folks set off on a run to help a young Dexter teen fighting for his life.
The “Miles for Kyle” walk/run was organized to help young Kyle Wade Stearns. On Oct. 1 the 16-year-old was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He is under treatment at Children’ Medical Center in Dallas.
Huddled early Saturday morning, folks browsed and placed bid on silent auction items, kept hands warm with coffee, and prepared for the run/walk. The route took participants from the Church of Christ on North One Mile Road through Hickory Hills to the West City Park, across Business Highway 114 to Downtown Dexter and back to the church.
To help the family with medical bills for Kyle’s treatment, a local group – Katch A Kure for Kyle – has been organized. Saturday’s event included a 5K run/walk as well as a silent auction.
Ted Mason, whose son Drew is a good friend of Kyle, has helped organize the group lending a hand to the Stearns family.
“We are from a small town with big hearts,” he said.
Mason has established a website for Katch a Kure for Kyle as well as a Facebook page to keep Stearns’ friends up-to-date and to accept donations.
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So where would you go for a good bowl of warm chili and homemade desserts on a chilly Friday evening? The First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)Chili Supper!!
The men of the church have been working hard and are ready to serve delicious chili Friday evening until 7 p.m.
But the women of the of the congregation of also been busy, and have prepared some amazing desserts to cap off your chili meal. Just ask Sydney Booker (photo above). She just loved her chocolate icing in a piece of cake sooo much that she just had to show it off!
These guys know how to cook chili! Some of the men responsible for the chili at today's Chili Feed at Dexter's First Christian Church pause for a moment in the kitchen. Pictured are (from left) Tommy Horton, Jim Russell, Wayne Owens, Eric Basham, Gary Williams, Bob Mayer, Larry Thompson, Jim Hall, Darryl Orr, Charles Pippins and Jim Putnam. (SMT photos by Annabeth Miller)
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By Kim Lacy, SMT Contributing Writer
When you walk into Central Gardens, you are met by happy, smiling faces. It just feels like home - comforting and inviting. Alvin, the cocker spaniel and a valued member of the Central Gardens family, will usually be the first to greet you.
Administrator Stacy Blocker is typically right behind her trusty dog, and she is one of the reasons for the welcoming, home-like atmosphere at Central Gardens. Despite her administrative position, this is not ‘just a job’ to Blocker - it is her passion. After a brief conversation with her, you know what these residents mean to her and how ‘near and dear’ she keeps each and every one of them.Blocker is a busy working mother, but she tirelessly gives of herself, time and energy. She refers to the residents of Central Gardens as her ‘second family’. You can talk to the residents and staff and they will be quick to tell you that they feel the same way about Stacy. She goes above and beyond her ‘job description’ on a daily basis.
Central Gardens has much to offer in the way of services for its residents. Therapy sessions and the 24-hour-a-day nursing staff provide peace of mind for both residents and family members. They also offer transportation around town and fine dining.
The sense of independence Central Gardens provides its residents is very important to the well-being of a resident. The day I was able to visit, Stacy and a few residents were headed out for ice cream on a beautiful fall day.
The staff also provides fun, engaging daily activities for residents. One of the activities that kept things humming lately was the making of a float for the Stoddard County fair parade. This year, Central Gardens’ float was build around the theme of the Wizard of Oz. Many hours went into this huge endeavor, and the float was a big hit at the parade. The residents so enjoy these big projects, and everyone gets involved.
Dorothy was right when she said "There is no place like home.", and Central Gardens is home in more ways than one.
By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
It was a grand night for Little Red Riding Hood, bumble bees and beekeepers, vampires, Buzz Lightyear, and pirates.
The Student Council at Dexter High School sponsored its 10th annual Trunk-or-Treat event Monday night, with hundreds of youngsters filing through the community event.
Student groups decorated car trunks or truck beds and created a fun and safe place for youngsters to trick-or-treat and enjoy Halloween. Trunks were decorated and featured everything from the Cat In The Hat to a pair of beekeepers and their hive of bees. There was Captain Jack Sparrow and his “wenches” and the Wolf with Little Red Riding Hood and Grandma. Buzz Lightyear was around sharing his energy, and Mickey and Minnie attended the event complete with a miniature version of Cinderella’s castle.
Every stop along the way had oodles of candy for the kids, and there was a fun time for everyone. The line of trick-or-treaters and parents stretched for a time for the DHS parking lot up the hill to the Bearcat Event Center. Kids were dressed as Cardinal baseball players, vampires, Tinker Bell, and even Captain America made an appearance!
Student Council Advisor Jennifer Miller said the event Monday evening was the tenth annual event in what has become a community tradition. Miller reported 28 groups decorated trunks for this year's event.
The winners of the “trunk decorating” were the crew at Da Hive, and a trio of pirates and their cove.
Photo Above: The beekeepers had a pesky job Monday night of keeping the bees near the hive, but they all did their duty in helping youngsters have a great time at the annual Trunk-or-Treat at Dexter High School. (SMT Photo by Annabeth Miller)
