The 12th annual Dexter Christmas Reading will be held, Saturday, November 28th, in the chapel of Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Greg and Lisa Mathis began this tradition in 2009 for Stoddard County.
"After making preparations to extend our lot area by closing off Stoddard Street, purchasing additional speakers in order to reach a wider area and purchasing 700 Holiday facial coverings with our Dexter Christmas Reading logo, we have made the decision to go virtual," commented Greg Mathis.
"We feel that with nice weather, which is predicted, we could have had over 500 folks in attendance."
"With the COVID 19 numbers in Stoddard County and surrounding communities rising, we feel that it is in the best interest of our community to go virtual."
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.
Folks can access the Dexter Christmas Reading by going to the Mathis Funeral Home Facebook page, where a link will be provided to receive the webcast. Also the ShowMe Times will place a link on their Facebook page that will allow you to watch.
The Crowley Ridge Mennonite Choir will begin singing at 5:45 PM, The Reading will begin at 6:00 PM, with the choir singing again for 15 minutes after The Reading concludes.
Anyone wishing to have one of our facial coverings, please come by Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter where they will be distributed free on a first come basis.
"We appreciate your understanding and sincerely hope you will join us!"
Bloomfield, MO - On Veterans Day, the Bloomfield Assistance League along with Jack Matthew's family gathered to dedicate a road in his honor. Matthews is a World War II Veteran and was the driving force in efforts to bring the Missouri Veterans Cemetery to Stoddard County.
A road on the north side of the property now bares his name as does a plaque at the front door of the administration building.
Mr. Matthews worked diligently beside Jerry Elder, Frank Sifford, and Ray Coats to acquire land to donate to the state. He made numerous trips to Jefferson City to meet with officials to get the site at Bloomfield.
The ceremony was small due to COVID-19. Col. Ed Gargas began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
US Army Sergeant Blair Moran, president of the Bloomfield Assistance League spoke, "We have gathered here this morning on a very special Veterans Day to honor a very special veteran. Mr Jack Matthews is the reason we are assembled here today at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery because of his outstanding work that he did in making this site a reality."
"All of us assembled here today as baby boomers owe a great deal of gratitude to both Jack and Pauline (his wife) and their generation who sacrificed so much," continued Moran. "That allowed all of us as baby boomers to grow up in a country, free of tyranny that Jack helped defeat while wearing the uniform of our nation."
Matthews did not stop with just forming the Bloomfield Veterans Cemetery, he dedicated his entire adult life to helping veterans. He created a foundation that helps fund programs that assist Missouri State Veterans. He worked through the Dept of Labor on veterans employment and served on the Missouri Veterans Commission for eight years.
Mr. Matthews was unable to attend the ceremony due to health reason, but his wife Pauline and son, retired Army Col. Larry Matthews, were in attendance.
Col. Matthews was presented a plaque from the Missouri Legislature and an appreciation flag from the Bloomfield Assistance League.
He also spoke to the crowd, "I have always told people that the journey is more important than the destination and even though this is a destination, dad fought a hard journey to get us where we are today."
"When dad started this journey, he decided he wanted to try and give something back to the community. There were two cities that wanted this cemetery real bad. One was Cape Girardeau and the other was Poplar Bluff. He worked closely with the Stoddard County Commission and when they donated the land it all fell into place."
Matthews was a WWII veteran and joined at the age of 17. He was sworn into the Army at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis and went to basic training at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He then shipped out on a train to Boston and took a troop transport to Glasgow, Scotland. From there, he took a ship across the English Channel into France. He returned two years later and finished high school.
"When you think about what you were doing as a junior in high school," said Matthews, "You probably didn't see the carnage that those young men saw during WWII."
Col. Matthews extended his thanks on behalf of his family, stating that the Bloomfield Cemetery had no better friend than Jack Matthews.
Dexter, MO - Xtreme Body spa and Family Hair Salon had their relocation ribbon cutting on Friday, December 9, 2020. Lisa Tucker owner/operator is excited to make available new services.
Xtreme Body Spa is locally owned and is located at 202 E. Business Hwy 60 in Dexter. They offer haircuts, colors, perms, eyebrow waxing, teeth whitening, tanning and have various toning tables available.
They are open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Call 573.624.1242 for an appointment.
Pictured left to right are Dexter Mayor Jason Banken, Tom Tucker, Lisa Tucker, Patty Sisk, Natalie Robison, Charlotte Vandiver, Executive Director of the Dexter Chamber of Commerce Alisha Trammell and Dustin Mayer.
Dexter, MO - The Lair Event Center located at 13583 Highway 25 in Dexter held a ribbon cutting.
Susan Kimball is the Owner and Brandy Kearbey is the Event Director.
You can contact them at 573.793.6591 (Susan) or 573.718.1195 (Brandy) or email them at thelaireventcenter@yahoo.com
The Lair Event Center will be hosting several upcoming events including a Trunk or Treat, Midget Wrestling, and a Parents Night Out!
Pictured in front from left are Dexter Mayor Jason Banken, owner Susan Kimball, Event Director Brandy Kearbey, Johnna Sprouse, Amanda Holiman, Carol Kimball, Rebecca Fields, Florence Johnson, Lanie Wilkerson, Susan Lee, Dexter Chamber Director Sue Ann Williams, Dexter Chamber Director Mark Whitehead and Dexter Chamber Executive Director Alisha Trammell .
Dexter, MO - Family Matters Adult Dayhab held a ribbon cutting celebrating their grand opening located at 13583 Highway 25 in Dexter.
Brandy Kearbey is the director and she says she has several events planned throughout the year.
She is currently building their Behavior Buck Store. If you would like to donate items please give her a call at 573-718-1195. She is there from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.
"We teach accountability for ourselves, how to save for things we would like and not instant gratification."
A consumer will be running the store to put in place job skills training.
They have already had a cooking class, apron making class and several other fun activities.
Pictured front row from left are Dexter Mayor Jason Banken, Cindy Decker, Lauren Blaigh, Sikeston Dayhab Director Susan Kimball, Dexter Director Brandy Kearbey, Johnna Sprouse, Amanda Holiman, Carol Kimball, Rebecca Fields, Florence Johnson, Lanie Wilkerson, Susan Lee, Dexter Chamber Executive Director Alisha Trammell, Dexter Chamber Director Sue Ann Williams and Dexter Chamber Director Mark Whitehead.
