Written by
Zach Hedrick, SMT Writer
The apostle Paul wrote words of encouragement to his young friend Timothy in II Timothy 4:7 when he said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Ms. Frances echoes Paul’s sentiments on life, but adds “I am here for God’s purposes. He has given me this race to run, and I will finish this race in His timing. We are all here for God’s purpose, and I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have a purpose. He has called me to the encouragement ministry.”
Ms. Frances’ story began on a small farm near Kingsville, Missouri where she was raised with one sister. She remembers growing up in First Baptist Church of Kingsville where she says she accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at the age of 9. Her mother was her greatest Christian influence as a child, and she followed her mother’s example, becoming active in church ministry early on.
In high school, Ms. Frances played the piano at church and taught Sunday School for kindergartners. She states she felt a special affection to children, and has always been like “candy to kids.”
She was a very well-rounded teenager as she was class president, editor of the school paper, played piano, tuba, and violin, along with playing on the girl’s basketball team. The “I Dare You” award was also given to her as the student noted to have the most potential and the greatest community involvement.
After high school, Ms. Frances attended The State Teaching College at Warrensburg for two years, and later completed her four year degree by going to school in the summers. Her first job was at a one room schoolhouse known as Locust Grove School.
It was during this time she met her future husband. One of her eighth grade students had an older brother who rode her to school on a horse.
One day he asked Ms. Frances if she would like a ride, and she accepted. The young man spurred the horse causing Ms. Frances to turn around and put her arms around the young man to keep from falling off of the horse. She states she later told her husband those spurs “cost him almost 56 years of marriage” and the spurs are still in the family!
After eight years of marriage, Ms. Frances finally had her beloved son Steve. She states that she had prayed diligently for a child, and after his birth she modeled Hannah in the Bible and “dedicated the child to the Lord.” This son is known to those in Dexter as “Pastor Steve” of the local First Baptist Church.
Ms. Frances loved being a mother, and stopped teaching after the birth of her son, but continued to be active in her local churches. The family moved to Raytown, Missouri when Steve was in kindergarten, and First Baptist Raytown is where Ms. Frances’ current ministry found its early beginnings.
It was here that she taught 2nd grade Sunday School, and she began writing notes to all of her students. She states that the ministry took off in the early 1970’s as Steve graduated from school, and she had more time to devote to this valuable tool of encouragement.
Her initial emphasis was note writing to children, high school, and college students, and this is her passion. However, her list soon grew to include the children’s parents, those with illness, recent baptisms or rededications, soloists in church, those noted in the local newspaper, and almost an endless list of other occasions which she deems worthy of a note of encouragement.
After the death of her husband in 2001, Ms. Frances followed her son Steve and his wife Cheryl to Lake St. Louis where Steve was the pastor at a local church. It was here she developed a friendship with Ellie Young who became her prayer partner.
This partnership survived Ms. Frances’ move to Dexter in 2008 when she again followed Steve and Cheryl as they began their ministry at First Baptist Church Dexter. Ms. Frances states that she and Ellie talk by telephone every Tuesday for about two hours and pray over a wide range of prayer requests. However, the only personal request Ms. Frances has of Ellie is to pray for her arthritis in her hands so that it won’t hinder her card writing ministry.
Ellie has another powerful impact on Ms. Frances’ ministry in that she provides all the beautiful note cards that are used for encouragement.
There are few accomplishments or noteworthy achievements that get by without a card from Ms. Frances. She literally sends out hundreds of cards each month, and over 350 cards at Christmas time.
Times have changed from the three cent stamp in 1942 to the forty-five cent stamp today, but Ms. Frances heart of love and encouragement has not changed. She remains an extremely humble, gentle soul who seeks no glory for herself, but only to glorify Christ by showing a practical expression of His love towards others.
It is hard to get one up on Ms. Frances – if a thank you note is sent to her for a note, often a thank you for the thank you note is sent in return! She should be an example for all of us that age is not a defining factor in the ability to an active part of God’s ministry here on earth. After all, she is still “running the race” with a smile on her face and usually a pen in her hand.
By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor
Things have changed quite a bit in the last 50 years.
In 1962, a gallon of gas would set you back $0.31; a gallon of milk was $0.49. Also, in 1962, Donna West began working at Weber's Ben Franklin in downtown Dexter.
On Tuesday, July 10, West celebrated her 50th year of employment at Weber's Ben Franklin. She was quick to point out some of the many changes she's seen throughout the years.
"Downtown has changed a great deal in these 50 years," West said with a smile. "There aren't as many stores as we used to be, but we still have a fairly decent downtown. All the parking meters are gone now, and businesses have come and gone in 50 years."
"The overall format of the store has changed. When I started, we had much more variety of merchandise. Now, we've gone more towards craft supplies," she continued. "We do framing, floral, and fabric. The store has doubled in size, and we've had many changes to what we offer, along with how things are done nowadays."
Few people stay employed at the same business for this amount of time; West noted that the Weber family, as well as the great atmosphere of Ben Franklin, have kept her happily working in the store.
"I've always been happy here. I've worked for great people; the Webers been really great employers," she said. "I've always liked the atmosphere, and never really wanted to go anywhere else once I got here."
"I've never seriously considered leaving - it's just a great place to work," West added. "I can't imagine being anywhere else."
Photo above: Donna West stands behind the candy counter at Weber's Ben Franklin; West noted the counter was the first job she had in her 50 year tenure at the store.
Brett Dorton wrapped up the celebration of his 40th birthday and took off with his entire family to St. Louis for a weekend of the Cardinals, the Muny and Six Flags.
The memories were accentuated by the record setting 106 degree temperatures at Busch Stadium.
"It was hot," noted Dorton. "But we got a little cloud cover later in the game and made it a lot better.'
The thrill of a lifetime for Brett's son, Carter occurred when a foul ball came his way at Busch Stadium. According to Brett, it wasn't the big story of snagging a high fly foul ball while hanging over the banister.
Carter certainly would have made the play with his strong athletic skills. However this situation called for movie star eyes and a great smile.
"There just isn't a great story to it", added Dorton.
When the baseball jumped off the bat of St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Lohse, it traveled down the 1st Base Line to the wall where the attendent picked it up and searched for a cute young man who getting a Cardinal baseball would mean the world to.We think they choose well.
Not only did he come out with a prize baseball from the game, Carter was caught on the television for everyone to see. Perfect for grandparents watching the game.
A local Boy Scout has participated in several leadership programs this summer through Boy Scouting.
Tyler Stevenson of Dexter, a member of Boy Scout Troop 4200, traveled to St Joseph, where he attended Boy Scout Camp Geiger.
While at Camp Geiger, Stevenson successfully completed Project C.O.P.E. Project C.O.P.E. is a national program of the Boy Scouts of America. COPE is an acronym for “Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience” and is designed to provide all participants both group and individual challenges that encourage teamwork and leadership skills.
Stevenson is also a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say at Camp Geiger and was elevated to the rank of Warrior on the last night of camp.
In order to progress to the next rank, Stevenson had to complete parts of his costume by hand and pass the Warrior test, which consisted of grading his costume and dancing skills.
Stevenson left Camp Geiger and traveled to S-F Scout Ranch in Farmington where he was on the camp staff of National Youth Leadership Training. N.Y.L.T. is a program designed for councils to provide youth members with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home troops and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others.
Stevenson attended as a participant last year and was chosen to be a Troop Guide for a patrol this year. Stevenson has been recommended for an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader position for the 2013 Camp Season.
Stevenson will be a freshman at Dexter High School this fall and is active in marching band, jazz band, football, tennis and a member of the Missouri Bootheel Society Children of the American Revolution where he holds both local and state offices. He is the son of Keith and Kay Stevenson of Dexter.
Written by
Zach Hedrick, SMT Writer
Prior to Matlock and before The Andy Griffith Show, there was a comedy routine by the name of "What It Was, Was Football".
The likelihood is that your children haven't heard this comedy routine. It's even more likely your grandchildren haven't heard this. But this is truly a classic piece of "country art" by the late Andy Griffith that should be shared with all the ages.
This was in a much simpler time in life that was without Google, YouTube or Netflicks. The idea of a digital new journal like The ShowMe Times wasn't even a thought. This comedy routine came packed on piece of plastic called a record and was played individually in each home. This could practically be referred to as "The Land Without iPods, iPhones or iPads". The idea of an iTunes account was only found in the episode of The Jetsons.
It is reasonable to expect that you ask your child or grandchild to come and listen to this classic piece of art, you will receive one of those all so endearing looks that says "you are so stupid". But if you are watching this on Facebook or The ShowMe Times, we would argue that you are a little more advanced than the average.
This classic comedy selection was the actual breakout routine that moved the late Andy Griffith to a successful career. So actually, Andy Griffith got his start with his country boy way of describing a football game.
It is told that one evening in 1953, while traveling down pastoral N.C. Route 54 from Chapel Hill to an appearance in Raleigh, Griffith was struck by an inspiration that would ignite his career.
He dreamed up a comic monologue about a country bumpkin mystified by a game “where you try to run across a cow pasture without getting hit or stepping in something.” It got big laughs in that day and still brings a smile to many today.
"What It Was, Was Football" sold a million copies. It got Griffith on The Ed Sullivan Show and established Griffith as a Southern comedic voice.
Draw a crowd into the room and enjoy this YouTube video below.
What It Was, Was Football ~ANDY GRIFFITH
