Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – The 2013 Annual 18 FORE Life Charity Banquet was an emotional heartfelt night of tears and laughter.
Local recipient, Becky Dennington and Ed Hearn, former professional baseball player were this year’s keynote speakers. Kerri Kruse welcomed over 500 people to the Elk’s Lodge and Rev. Michael Williams was gracious to give the invocation.
Scott Kruse spoke to the audience, occasionally laughing and every now and then his eyes would fill with tears. Kruse spoke of his late brother, Ben and how proud he would be to see so many people in the audience and join together for a common cause to help those in need and fighting cancer. “I would like to express our appreciation and gratitude for everyone that is here tonight and for everyone that contributes to this Foundation in so many different ways,” commented Kruse.
Kruse continued by saying, “We have numerous volunteers that help make this weekend possible, but many more who also work tirelessly throughout the year helping us to raise money and awareness of what we do.”
There was not a dry eye in the house after Ben’s friend, Chad Gaylord, gave a beautiful toast. The stories he told were quite humorous to say the least and that is one reason Ben was so loved and will be missed by so many. He was the ultimate amusing, friendly and congenial person to be around.
David Robinson who is a Dexter native but traveled from Atlanta, Georgia to attend and donate his service to providing the video produced a video tribute. This year’s video depicted love offering recipients or their caregivers a chance to display a printed sign with a word or phrase and defined their journey with the dreaded disease. Faith, Believe, Love
"It's been a long journey and good ride, but I so wish Ben was here to see this," commented Kruse.
Becky, a recipient of a 18 FORE Life love offering was diagnosed with non-invasive and invasive ductal carcinoma......Breast Cancer. At the age of only 31, she began a journey that would forever change her life.
After numerous treatments at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis, Missouri, Becky found therapy in journaling about what she was experience and began a blog, "Deep Thoughts by Beck". Her blog caught the eye of a publishing company, LazyDay Publishing, which wanted to turn her blog into a book. In October of 2011, "Me and the Ugly C" was released on E-Book and in just two months was printed in paperback form.
Becky is the wife of Kelley Dennington to whom she just recently celebrated 18 years of marriage and has two beautiful children, Ryan (17) and Mallory (12). She is the proud owner of Tips to Toes in Bernie, Missouri.
LazyDay Publishing is graciously donating 100% of their profit of Me and The Ugly C to the 18 FORE Life Charity.
Ed Hearn who was called by The New York Times as "a hall of famer in the game of life", was the banquets was the guest speaker for the evening. He fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a professional baseball player and won a World Championship for the New York Mets.
A serious shoulder injury brought an end to his promising future in baseball and with it he learned a valuable lesson in life. Less than six months after he left baseball, he was diagnosed with a life-threatening health condition.
Not only did he survive one near death condition, but three as he has received three life-saving kidney transplants, a successful bout with cancer, and takes up to 50 pills per day. Ed spoke of his depression and his "pity parties" and realized his life experience could empower and uplift others around him. his courage, faith and determination speak volumes as many face life's challenges. He too wrote a book, "Conquering Life's Curves Baseball, Battles & Beyond" and he is founder of The Bottom of the Ninth, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to rebuilding the spirit and character of our nation.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Columbia, Missouri - For many Columbians, it’s a mid-Missouri cookout staple alongside the tongs, charcoal and billowing smoke.
Harry Berrier, BS Ag ’41, MS ’60, first concocted what would become Show-Me Liquid Smoke Bar-B-Q Sauce in the 1970s. The small batches, whipped up before dinner guests arrived, were a hit among family and friends.
“There wasn’t anything available on the [grocery] shelf that was fit to eat because it was all full of junk,” Berrier told MIZZOU in 2010. “Tapioca, water, guar gum, xanthan gum — they don’t add a thing to flavor, just bulk. So I made my own.”
Berrier, professor emeritus of clinical pathology and toxicology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, died March 10, 2013, at age 95.
Born in 1917 on a farm near Norborne, Mo., the 37-year veteran of the U.S. Army and Air Force founded the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathologists in 1965.
He and Lina, MA ’61, his surviving wife of 62 years, mixed and bottled Show-Me in their CoMo basement starting in 1975. Now, with a part-time staff and an industrial mixer, the operation produces about 14,000 gallons of sauce per year. It’s available at local grocery stores and many out-of-state restaurants and meat shops. Show-Me has mail-order customers in all 50 states.
Lina and Harry have established a trust with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Profits go toward the ultimate purchase of prairie land to be named after the couple.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Mark was a great friend to Ben and his story is incredible. He was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer. His dog is even named BUZZ!
This love offering was sent thanks to Alan Hedrick, owner of Countywide Insurance of Dexter, Missouri by purchasing a desk plaque and asked that Mark be designated to receive the gift. An idea to have the desk plaque was conceived by Kerry Gilbow, Mark Booker and Matt Mills.
Scott has worked diligently this week sending out "Love Offerings" to those who are fighting cancer. They sent out a record $65,000 this week and today sent an additional 7 love offerings. This brings the total given away to date at $1,003,000!!!
"I hope one day we are raising money for another cause and know that there is a cure for cancer. Until then, we have much work to do and will do all we can to raise our next MILLION in record time," stated Kruse.
Submitted Article to
ShowMe Times
news@showmetimes.com
Jefferson City, Missouri - Co-Founder and President of The Missouri Times, Rod Jetton, has co-authored a book on how to survive a crisis.
Jetton told The Missouri Times that his book, “The Recovering Politician’s Twelve Step Program to Survive Crisis,” is about the steps necessary to handle, overcome and survive mistakes or crises in life.
In the book, more than a dozen “recovering politicians” share lessons learned from some of their most difficult personal trials, from highly publicized and politicized scandals, to smaller, more intimate struggles.
In The Recovering Politician’s Twelve Step Program to Survive Crisis, a bi-partisan collection of former politicians, readers can draw lessons from more than a dozen “recovering politicians” who use their scandals to share guidance on how everyday readers can transcend crisis, recover, and launch their own second acts.
The book outlines deliberate, focused and vigorous courses of action and reaction that are meant to be applicable to helping readers resolve and transcend their own crises in the worlds of business, finance, non-profit, religion and in their own personal lives.
“Each of the writers did an excellent job of addressing how they dealt with their individual scandals,” Jetton said. “Politics is a blood sport and the lessons learned from these political stories are more needed today than ever before. With the explosion of social media and new technology celebrities, athletes, corporate leaders and even average individuals have less privacy than ever before and even a small mistake can turn into a major crisis if not handled properly.”
Some of the stories in the book include:
Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele plunging into a nationally televised scandal when a subordinate uses the party’s credit card at a strip club with a sexual bondage theme
Former Missouri State Senator Jeff Smith facing a year in federal prison when he lies to federal investigators about a minor campaign finance violation.
Former Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton enduring trial and tribulation when he is accused simultaneously of sexual and ethical improprieties.
Former Pennsylvania State Representative Jennifer Mann humbled by banner headlines alleging that her top aide is implicated in the state capital’s “Bonusgate” scandal.
“This book was a bi-partisan, collaborative labor of love,” Editor and co-author, Jonathan Miller added. “It has been an extraordinary honor to bring together former elected officials from both parties, each of whom has struggled through crisis or scandal, all of whom are eager to share their lessons with everyday readers. And best of all — it is a highly engaging, entertaining and informative book.”
“Mary Pickford once said that failure is not falling down but staying down,” former state Senator and co-author Jeff Smith said. “That’s the spirit in which we approached this book and we hope it helps others face adversity with courage, humility, grit, and even — when appropriate – humor.”
“I had made mistakes and let friends and family members down,” Jetton said of his own chapter of the book. “Too many times when we make mistakes we don’t sincerely apologize and take responsibility. I hope my story will help others learn you can move on and enjoy life even after making serious mistakes.”
The book can be downloaded in digital format for the Kindle, iPad, iPhone and more until June 11th for only 99 cents. The price will go to $4.99 for the digital version after the first week. A paperback version will be available soon for $8.99, and Miller, Jetton and the other authors will launch a national book-signing tour later this year.
“We are excited to offer over 200 pages of wisdom and advice, gleaned not from the self-declared ‘experts,’ but from people who actually have weathered crisis and scandal as the principal, the man or woman at the center of the fire,” Miller said.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Bloomfield, Missouri – JAKES Take Aim Program presents opportunities for youth ages 17 and younger to try target shooting, learn about gun safety, participate in an archery shoot, and learn primitive survival skills. Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship is dedicated to informing, educating and involving youth in wildlife conservation and the wise stewardship of our natural resources.
On Saturday, June 15, 2013 at the Holly Ridge Pavilion in Bloomfield, youngsters will have the opportunity to explore their outdoor world through these fun events that help pass on the traditions of responsible hunting, habitat management, and safety. It is FREE and lunch will be provided.
There will also be demonstrations, turkey calling, crafts, the candy cannon will be fired, and there are also lots of prizes including a Crickett .22 Rifle. The event begins at 8:00 a.m. and concludes around 3:00 p.m.
If you would like more information, please contact Dale Kemp at 624-1283 or American Outdoors 624-5421.
The National Wild Turkey Federation state chapter is providing a fully equipped airgun trailer to use for the event along with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s traveling trailer.
“It’s an opportunity to get the kids outside for a day, but also to learn,” according to Agent Mark Reed. Mark will be among the many volunteers who put on the event each year. The Crowley’s Ridge Blackpowder Club members will be demonstrating and offering hands-on events such as tomahawk throwing, how to build fires using flint and steel, and magnifying gasses.
The Holly Ridge conservation area provides a pavilion, an archery stand, a shooting range and plenty of trees to provide shade.
This should be a great day for the outdoors!
