Drexel, Missouri - We all know too well how cancer has touched each and everyone of our lives. We either have been directly affected or know someone who has battled the terrible disease. On Saturday, the Dexter Bearcats football team will travel to Bolivar, Missouri to take on the Drexel Bobcats. Each player will have the #20 on their helmet in honor of one very special Bobcat.
Our boys of fall will be playing in honor of Wyatt Deel. Wyatt is a senior this year at Drexel High School and on May 31, 2017 he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor called DIPG (Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma)
Since July 14, 2017 he has been fighting his illness at St. Jude's Childrens Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
Though St. Jude's provides some housing it does not provide all the expenses incurred with a hospitalized child from a different state.
Wyatt's Warriors was created to help support Wyatt and his family during this difficult time. Several fundraisers and benefits have been set up to raise much needed funds to help the family with travel, food, and lodging expenses. Follow Wyatt's Warriors on Facebook by clicking HERE.
18ForeLife based in Dexter will be giving a Love Offering to the family of Wyatt Deel on Saturday, September 9th during the Dexter vs Drexel Football game in Bolivar, Missouri.
"We will be presenting Wyatt with a Love Offering on Saturday." stated Scott Kruse, 18FORELife founder. "It should be a special moment and I hope to meet him and his family. That spirit is what our charity is all about!"
Wyatt is like many of our Bearcats he plays multiple sports. Whether he is on the football field or on the basketball court he wears the #20 proudly. He also has played baseball. Due to his illness this year he is sidelined, but that has not dampened his spirit and drive for sports. He may even give golf a try for the Bobcats come Spring. He will never give up what he loves to do, Wyatt is a fighter just like anyone who is battling cancer.
Wyatt is described as a character, never knows a stranger, and always full of energy.
He enjoys sports, fishing and hunting.
His parents are Dennis Deel and Katesa Hocker and he is the grandson of Jan Rush of Butler, Bill Hocker of Drexel, and the late Wayne and Dorothy Deel of Drexel. He also has an older brother Hunter who is 19 years old and three step-siblings, Mandy who is 23, Jon who is 19 and Nick who is 18.
His mother, Katesa said, "We are currently getting treatments at St. Jude's Children Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. We have been so blessed in our journey and thank you to everyone for your support. Wyatt is truly amazing!!"
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Chamber of Commerce wants to see your BEARCAT pride on September 22, 2017 for the Homecoming Game Day!
The Dexter Chamber encourages every business to show your school spirit by decorating windows, your lawn, or the outside of your business. You can even have a large number of employees participate by wearing their spirited outfits and do a little cheer!
To enter CODE RED contest, just call the Chamber at 624-7458 or email to info@dexterchamber.com
Judging on two different categories: Commercial Business or Small Business.
Judging will be done by NOON on September 22nd. "We will let you know when the judges will be by your business" stated Hillary Starnes, Dexter Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, "just in case you have a cheer or special affects for the judges.
Winners will be announced at the tailgate and will receive a traveling trophy and a free prime tailgating spot at next year's homecoming event!
2016 winners were Farmers Insurance and FM Bank! They got spirit!!! Do you?
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Kiwanis have a unique fundraiser going on in Dexter "A Golf Ball Drop". Anyone can purchase a golf ball and you don't have to be present to win!
On Friday, September 29, 2017 at noon in the Gill Group Properties land next to Save-A-Lot your "BALL" will be dropped. The ball closest to the hole gets %10 of the profit and the second closest ball will get 5% of the profit. That could be $400 or possibly $200.
1 Ball is $10, 5 Balls are $40, 10 Balls are $80 and 25 balls are $175.
Proceeds will help Kiwanis give out scholarships to Dexter students, help the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the Stoddard County Gospel Mission, and the Childrens' Home as well as several Dexter School projects in the works.
You can purchase balls at Southern Bank, Shelter Insurance, Dexter Chamber of Commerce, and FM Bank.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at Clearwater In-Home Care located at 1525 West Bus 60, Suite C, just past the license bureau in the same hallway.
In-Home Care is owned by Justin and Billie Jo Crane. They offer medical care, housekeeping, and personal care services to the elderly, VA patients, disabled and youth.
The business opened on January 4, 206 and they served 19 counties in the southeast Missouri region. They are open Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Pictured are from left to right: CindyCopeland, LPN, Charles Powell, Patsy Cooper, office supervisor, and Chelsey Barnes. Standing in the back are Alisha Trammell, Chamber second Vice President, Jake Nesselrodt, Chamber Director, Andrea Sisk, Chamber Director, Doris Watford, homemaker, Justin Crane, Billie Jo Crane, Jill Glore, coordinator, and Jason Banken, Chamber President.
Essex, Missouri - There will be a candlelight vigil in memory of Maura Nicole Peters, Hailey Elizabeth Laws, Bryson Matthew, and Weston Lynn. All four were tragically killed in a car wreck on Highway 25 just outside of Dexter when their vehicle was hit by a train.
The vigil will be held at Richland High School in Essex on Saturday, September 2, 2017 from 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM.
A Facebook Events page has been set up online. Just click HERE.
Bring a lantern if you like or glow sticks or even candles. You can even bring helium filled balloons and write a message on it if you like.
Kona Ice will also be there. The proceeds will will be going towards The HMWB (Hailey, Maura, Weston & Bryson) Memorial.
