Bloomfield, Missouri - Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield invites the public to Participate in Wreaths Across America Program on Saturday, December 17, 2016.
The program will begin at 11:00 AM in the cemetery at the Committal Shelter Pavilion.
Master of Ceremony for the program will be Mr. Randy Dunn.
The cemetery has participated in the program for the last ten years by placing a ceremonial wreath on the grave of a member from each branch of service and a former POW. Due to the fund raising efforts the cemetery will be able to fully participate in the program again this year and will place a wreath on every grave within the cemetery for the ninth year in a row.
Families and friends of those interred, as well as the general public are invited to attend to help us remember the fallen; honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom.
Information about the Wreaths Across America Program can be found at: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
For further information you may contact the cemetery at (573) 568-3871
Bloomfield, Missouri - The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to the 2nd Annual It's a Wonderful Life in Bloomfield event on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of Christmas cheer filled with entertainment, photos with Santa Claus, a Pet Parade/Contest at 6:00 p.m. and Zach Zook will perform the Christmas Reading. There will be lots of hot chocolate, coffee, cookies, snacks, candy, chili and more all free. Buddy Heaton will also have the community choir singing old fashioned Christmas songs!
The Chamber would like to invite all local businesses and churches to join them. Goldie DeGroot encourages anyone to participate by setting up a booth or table. If you are unable to set up a booth, donations are welcome. There will also be prizes. Just give her a call at (573) 568-9996 or (573) 568-2584.
Please go to the event page and let them know you are attending! Click HERE.
Dexter, Missouri - The 8th Annual Christmas Reading is slated for Saturday, November 26th beginning at 6:00 p.m. at 125 W. Stoddard Street across from Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.
Greg Mathis began the annual Christmas Reading by reading the Second Chapter of Luke in 2009 and has not become a wonderful tradition.
June Coffey, Lisa's mother and Greg's mother-in-law read the Christmas story from Luke 2 every Christmas Eve to their two boys when they were young. It was a tradition Greg decided to share with others through the Christmas reading. Mrs. Coffey passed away in 2015.
“Too often we tend to get caught up in the rush of the holiday season,” Mathis said. “It is simply a reading by a special person in the local community who tells aloud the true story of the first Christmas.”
The event is outside and everyone is encouraged to attend. A special guest will read the story of the first Christmas, but you have to attend to find out who the secret guest will be this year. Also the Crowley Ridge Mennonite Church will once again bless us with their beautiful magical voices.
In case of inclement weather the event will be moved indoors to the chapel at Rainey Mathis Funeral Home.
Greg Mathis has created a website if you would like to learn more about the event, click HERE.
Bernie, Missouri - Parents as Teachers in Bernie have selected Elijah Carroll Lawrence Mathis as the October Student of the Month.
He loves to read, play with his horse and dog, play ball, and bath time.
During the family’s PAT visits, Nikki and Elijah most enjoy the new books they receive and spending time reading them together.
If you would like to know more about Parents as Teachers contact Courtney McGarity or Casey Arnold at 573-293-5335, ext 293 or find them on Facebook by clicking HERE.
The following information was taken directly from the Parent as Teachers Missouri website. For more information click HERE.
Our Vision
All children will learn, grow and develop to realize their full potential.
Our Mission
To provide the information, support and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life.
Our Values
The early years of a child's life are critical for optimal development and provide the foundation for success in school and in life.
Parents are their children's first and most influential teachers.
Established and emerging research should be the foundation of parent education and family support curricula, training, materials and services.
All young children and their families deserve the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of any demographic, geographic or economic considerations.
An understanding and appreciation of the history and traditions of diverse cultures is essential in serving families.
History
In 1981, Missouri pioneered the concept of helping parents embrace their important role as their child’s first and best teacher. Today, Parents as Teachers continues to equip early childhood organizations and professionals with information and tools that are relevant—and widely applicable—to today’s parents, families and children.
The Parents as Teachers leadership team and Board of Directors is engaged in a three-year strategic plan, which positions the organization as a valued partner to support the organizations and professionals who serve families and children, especially those most vulnerable.
The concept for Parents as Teachers was developed in the 1970s when Missouri educators noted that children were beginning kindergarten with varying levels of school readiness. Research showed that greater parent involvement is a critical link in the child's development of learning skills, including reading and writing.
Early childhood professionals suggested that a program to provide early detection of developmental delays and health issues, and parent education to help parents understand their role in encouraging their child's development from the beginning could help improve school readiness and parent involvement.
With funding from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and The Danforth Foundation, Parents as Teachers began in 1981 in Missouri as a pilot project for first-time parents of newborns. Recognizing the program's benefits and cost effectiveness, the Missouri legislature provided state funding in 1985 to implement Parents as Teachers programs in all Missouri school districts. Since 1985, Parents as Teachers has expanded to all 50 states and six other countries.
Bloomfield, Missouri - Two long-time custodians were honored with Hometown Hero Awards at Bloomfield Public Schools on Tuesday, October 25th.
Darrell Sindle and Bruce Blocker tricked into coming to the high school gymnasium to an enthusiastic crowd of students from kindergarten - 12th grade. Members of the band and flag corps were on hand to welcome them at the entrance.
They received the awards from Modern Woodmen.
Bruce Blocker graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1980. He was hired as a custodian for the district and began work on August 1, 1990. This is his 28th year working for the district. Both of his parents, flora and Eugene Blocker also worked as custodians at the school.
Darrell Sindle graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1986. He began working as a custodian for the district on September 24, 1997. This is his 20th year working for the district. Both of his parents, Nadene and Charles Sindle worked for Bloomfield Schools.
"Both of these gentlemen have spent almost their entire lives in the halls of Bloomfield schools," said Lara Thorn, a Modern Woodman representative. "Their dedication to our school and students is a testament to the type of men they are - the type of people we want around our students as examples. I can't say enough good things about Bruce and Darrell and can't express how much these two deserve the title of 'Hometown Hero.'"
Each Hero will receive a check to be donated to a charity of their choosing.
Shown in the photo are from left to right: Front row - Isaac Hendley, Ryker Chasteen, and Avery White. 2nd row - Katie Hendley, Cheyenne Brown, Wyatt Hendley , Bruce Blocker, Ashton White, Darrell Sindle, and Lara Thorn. Back row - Will Thorn , Gavin Chasteen , Kurtis O'Neal , Matt Gibbs , Skye Brown , Sam Gibbs and Alex Gibbs.
