It has become Dexter's hometown version of the great "Black Friday" specials.
Weber's Ben Franklin will be a beehive of activity Friday and Saturday, as the after-Thanksgiving shoppers will stream into the Dexter store for great bargains.
Storeowner Joe Weber says they have been holding Black Friday specials for "at least 15 years" and they are prepared for Friday's big day. Christmas trees and wreaths, decorations and more are stocked and ready for the holiday season.
Armed with the special coupon, shoppers will be able to take advantage of Ben Franklin’s extensive line of holiday decorations, crafts and gifts. Two special coupons are featured on the ShowMe Times. One coupon is for 25 percent off any regular item on Friday and Saturday. The second coupon if for 50 percent off any regular items, and is good only from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. on Friday morning.
Weber’s Ben Franklin has been a Dexter tradition for over 100 years. The store began in 1909 with Edward Weber, Joe’s grandfather. His father, Ernest assumed management in the 1920s, and Joe continues the family tradition.
Weber’s is located at 31 East Stoddard, at the corner of Stoddard and Locust streets. Holiday store hours are 8 a.m until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Weber and store manager Donna West will open the doors at 7 a.m. this Friday for shoppers.
Shoppers may print the special COUPON from the ShowMe Times to take advantage of the great deals at Weber’s Ben Franklin this Friday and Saturday.
By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
CAPE GIRARDEAU - Meagan Brehmer has been around animals all her life. In fact, this fall she ended a successful career as a 4H showman at the Stoddard County Fair where she has proudy shown her animals since she was a young girl.
But now, as a student at Southeast Missouri State University, Brehmer has embarked on a new adventure as a member of the university’s Equestrian Team. At least a couple of times each week her friends on Facebook have been treated to her stories about working with the horses, the team, and her successes at shows this fall.
The Southeast Equestrian Team include nine young women from all walks of life and various riding skill levels.
The team rides English – a form of riding that is seen throughout the world. English style uses a flat English saddle western saddles. Generally, English riders do not wear spurs, and wear a shirt with some of tie, jodhpurs, equestrian helmet and a jacket. Riding includes classical dressage to jumping and racing. English riding is an equestrian discipline with many different styles, however, at the most basic level, most versions require riders to use both hands on the reins, rather than just one hand, as is seen in western.
The SEMO teams works out of Fox Run Staples and the coach is SuAnne Remley. Remley studied equestrian science at William Woods University in Fulton, the first college or university in the country to offer a four-year degree in Equestrian Science.
Brehmer and the team recently returned from a show hosted by Northern Illinois University at Fox Creek Staples near Chicago. And Dexter’s Brehmer came home from her first major equestrian show sporting the ribbons for her efforts. Brehmer competed in the Walk/Trot Equatation division. To save costs, the host staples provides the horses, and riders draw for their ride during the show.
“I pulled a small bay pony named Haley the first day, and a small elderly black pony named Ebony on the second,” the feisty Brehmer said. “Our competitions are two days, with a new judge each day. I usually draw ponies rather than horses because of my small size. On Friday I placed first in my division! On Saturday I placed fifth out of nine riders. I made a pretty big mistake that I didn’t realize until halfway though-woops!”
Riding horses is nothing new for farm-girl Brehmer, but the style is different.
“I had never ridden English before I attended SEMO, I had plenty of Western riding experience however,” she commented. She is so smitten with the riding experience that she has a goal – a big goal.
I’m currently shopping around for my own English horse to board in Cape and to take to barn shows with Fox Run,” she says. “I participate in competitions outside of the collegiate level ones as well. It’s my dream to be an Olympic rider-but, we will see about that! Most Olympians are in their 50's!!”
The young women on the team might come from different backgrounds, but Brehmer says they have become close friends.
“I love all the girls on my team, we are one huge family. Sadly our team gets little support from the college. We pay for everything out of pocket,” she said.
Fox Run Stables hosts our team. The lovely barn owner, Tricia LaFoe, provides the horses and arenas for us to practice in. She is a blessing to us!”
This fall Bremer received third place in Walk/Trot Equitation at a show Illinois State University in Bloomington, forth in fith in the same division at a show at Southern Illinois University in Carbonday. In schooling shows this fall she has placed third in Walk/Trot/Canter Equitation and fifth in Crossrails class in Madanda, Ill.
Southeast Missouri State Equestrian Team will be hosting its first show on March 10 and 11 at Fox Run Stables in Cape Girardeau.
“We encourage anyone interested in attending SEMO or anyone who loves horses to attend,” Brehmer said.
Photo Above: The Southeast Missouri State University Equestrian Team. Team member Meagan Breahmer of Dexter is third from the right, next to Coach SuAnne Remley. (photos provided)
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Heartland Leadership Labs Attracts over 300 for Aeneus Williams
Sikeston - The final lab of the 2011 program was held today attracting over 300 to hear former St. Louis Rams and future Hall of Famer, Aeneus Williams. The room was filled with area and local business professionals as well as more than 100 students from the Mingo Job Corp near Puxico.
“Good leadership can effect the world and is the driving force behind the Heartland Leadership Lab’s mission”, commented organizer Brad Aycock. “The Heartland is filled with great leaders and the Heartland Leadership Lab is a way of further developing those leadership skills.”
An inspired vision of Alan Kennan and Brad Aycock, both gentleman came together with a passion to create an environment where area business people could hear from the nation's top speakers on the topic of leadership.
“Leadership effects your families, your workplace and ultimately effects the world we live,” Aycock said.
The vision was born of two men and completed by the helping hands of a large group of volunteers from the First United Methodist Church of Sikeston. With the use of their facilities and a long list of corporate sponsors, the vision became a true reality throughout the Fall of 2011.
September’s speaker was Dr. Tim Elmore. Tim is a renown expert on many topics about today’s youth, the Gen Y Group. His topic was entitled “Habitudes: Images that Form Leadership Attitudes and Habits”. Tim is the founder of Growing Leaders and has written more than 20 books, including his most recent book Generation iY.
Sue Nelson Kibby is a consultant for many large Fortune 500 companies throughout the world and specializes in strength finders studies. In the October lab, Kibby helped the group identify their own strengths and led discussions of how to “Lead By Strengths”. Her book, StrengthsFinder 2.0, was given to each attendee and an online strength analysis was performed to find the top five strengths of each member of the group.
The final speaker of the 2011 Heartland Leadership Labs was Aeneus Williams. Aeneus lead a discussion of Teamwork Makes the Dream Work. The future Hall of Famer spoke of his days with the Arizona Cardinals and the St. Louis Rams.
Williams shared the story of when he arrived in St. Louis of the vision Coach Mike Martz cast upon him as a leader when Martz stated, “You’ll do for our (Rams) defense what Marshall Falk did for our offense.”
During the afternoon session, the audience was allowed to ask questions of the speaker on many subjects from “what he thought of Michael Vick” to “the influence of Christianity on the football field." As a pastor, you would have expected a strong “church” related answer but Williams was more down to earth with his reply.
“God is honored by the level of work you do on your job”, said Williams. “In the NFL, they aren’t paying you for your Christianity. They are paying you to play football and you better do your job.”
He also reminded the crowd that the letters of NFL stand for “Not For Long” to many of the athletes on professional teams.
The work and organization of the First United Methodist Church should be applauded. Brad Aycock and Alan Keenan have followed their vision to bring high level management conference to our area to improve not only our workforce, but our leaders.
Special thanks to all the area businesses that participated and in the event to include Alan Wire, Missouri Delta Hospital, Newwave Communication, MANAC, Orgille, Noranda, Montgomery Bank, County Wide Insurance Agency, Moll Printing and the ShowMe Times.
Discussions are already underway for the 2012 labs and you can find additional information by contacting Brad Aycock through the Heartland Leadership Lab website (www.Heartlandleadershiplabs.com) or the First United Methodist Chuch of Sikeston.
By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
Santa Claus checks his list every December to be certain boys and girls have not been naughty – but instead nice this past year. And Santa (so the experts tell us) wants good things for all good children.
This weekend there is a chance for children to be good and to help other children – and have their photo taken with the jolly elf himself.
The Third Annual Claus For A Cause event will be held this Sunday, Nov. 20, with an opportunity for children to write Santa a letter, to participate in craft fun, enjoy some yummy treats and have their photo taken with Santa himself.
The event will be held from 3 until 5 p.m. Sunday at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomfield.
Claus For a Cause is organized by photographer Julie Dodd, and all proceeds from the event will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and to 18 Fore Life. Dodd says the inspiration for this annual event is from real life.
One photo that highlights the reason for this event and is special to Dodd is of Santa with two of his biggest fans – Anna Ellinghouse and Maggie Stubenrauch. Both girls are “almost 6” and both have Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes.
“The night before our very first Claus For A Cause, Anna was diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes,” Dodd said. In two years of the event, more than $3,500 have been raised for “the cause.”
At the event, photos with Santa will be taken and photo packages for sale. Dodd said all proceeds from the sale of the photo packages donated to the two charities. Photo packages range from $10 - $20 and no appointment is necessary.
“Everyone will enter into the gymnasium, sign in, receive a number, and head to the fun tables, where there will be lots of fun stuff for all ages to do,” Dodd said. Youngsters can choose what they want to participate in and enjoy “the magic of the season.”
Dodd said that in addition, local musician Buddy Heaton will be on hand and will playing great Christmas music on the piano.
During the event, numbers given upon arrival will be called for photos, eliminating lines and wait time.
“When it is your turn, you will enter into the room where Santa will be waiting,” she said.
A great afternoon, a great guy from the North Pole, and a great cause!
Photo Above: Anna Ellinghouse and Maggie Stubenrauch and ... well, does he really need an introduction!
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