On Saturday members of the Sikeston American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary gathered at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery to make a donation. The donation was in the amount of $25,740. Since 2012 the group has donated more than $169,000 to the cemetery. One year was missed due to the COVID-19 shutdown meaning this was achieved in nine years.

The funds were raised as part of the recent poker run and cook off weekend held in April by the Legion and other sponsors.

Veterans cemetery director Tammy Smith said this has allowed for the installation of the heat, air, LED lighting, sound system and enclosure of the committal shelter. Other beatification projects around the cemetery have also benefited from these donations.. The cemetery is state funded, but not everything is covered in that budget.

“Without their support it would be very difficult to keep up the pace that we do, it would be very difficult,” said Smith. “It is expensive to maintain the cemetery and groups like this make it so much easier.”

“The whole interment process for the family, the experience of having to be down here, they have just made so much more comfortable for them,” said Smith. “Grieving is very difficult, you cannot make that easy. But being comfortable when you are having to go through it is a plus.”

“I have so many family friends interred here already and I have been around it in one way or another since its inception in the early 2000s,” said one of the organizers Jimmy Cantrell. “It holds a big spot in my heart. To see what it was and what it is now is amazing.”

Cantrell said the events held over the weekend that raised these funds were a corn hole tournament and the ultimate wing war (chicken wing cook off) held on Friday night. On Saturday was an auction, cook off and poker run.

“It takes a lot to do what we do, it takes a lot of help, It takes a lot of manpower, a lot of woman power,” said Cantrell. “A lot of things most people don't see, hear or realize. Our sponsors and contributors are the backbone.”

Smith and the staff at the cemetery participate in the weekend by judging the cook off, which is not a sanctioned state event. One of the events Smith and others judge is the mystery meat class, which is kept secret until the morning of the event. Some of the meats have been head cheese and liver.

Cantrell said the winners of the cook off receive a cash prize which is paid from a separate fund and not in anyway deducted from the donation.

Vickie Wilson with the Sikeston American Legion Auxiliary spoke about what this donation means to the auxiliary.

“It means a whole lot because that is what we are centered around is veterans, anything that has to do with veterans,” said Wilson. “Nine years ago Blair Moran came to us stating that the cemetery needed a new bell tower and system for the funerals so I took it on as my project as district president for the American Legion Auxiliary. And from then on it has been going ever since.”

The American Legion, Legion Auxiliary, Legion Rider, Sons of the American Legion and non members.

“If it wasn't for our sponsors out in the community, we couldn't do it,” said Wilson. “Our sponsors are our big supporters.”

Wilson and Cantrell both said it takes a lot of people with a lot of input to make the weekend work. Wilson said the event has grown considerably, the first years donation was $9,000 all the the way to this year which was more than $25,000.

“$25,740 is incredible, it's an incredible feat and they do it in one weekend,” said Smith.

“We appreciate the outstanding support we receive from the American Legion Post and Auxiliary unit in Sikeston,” said Blair Moran, with the Assistance League. “This represents a great deal of hard work and we would also like to thank our community support given to make the generous donation a reality.”

Article and photo submitted by Josh Ayers, Dexter Statesman.

A ribbon cutting was held to celebrate the opening of Scooters Coffee at 600 Business Highway 60.  Scooters is a drive-thru only business, but you can smell the aroma of coffee as soon as you drive up to the window!

To follow Scooters Coffee Click HERE.

Pictured from left are Dexter Chamber office manager Karlee Wright, Baylee Johnson, Tanya Badlapatla, Angel Smith, Tori Curtis, Delaney Lemmon, Shelby Haynes, Samarah Hicks, Jason Ivy, Linda Ulm, Leslie Ackman, Dexter Mayor Jason Banken and Dexter Chamber president Dustin Mayer.

Dexter, MO - This will be the 22nd annual 18FORE Life event and more than $3 million dollars have been distributed to families of cancer patients.

On June 3rd, the Ben Kruse 18FORE Life annual banquet will take place featuring Scott Hamilton, Olympic gold medalist and cancer survivor as the guest speaker.

Hamilton survived three brain tumors as well as testicular cancer.  Hamilton is not only the 1984 Olympic gold medalist in men’s figure skating, but he also is a best-selling author, four-time cancer survivor, television broadcaster and motivational speaker. As a champion and survivor, he is a constant reminder that anything is possible with faith, fortitude and determination.

A love offering recipient also speaks at the annual banquet each year and this year's speaker is Lora Galati.  She was a caregiver to her mom, dad, and sister who all unfortunately passed from cancer.  She spearheads many fundraisers and is a huge supporter of the 18FORE Life.

The banquet doors open at 4:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge.  Banquet and meal will begin at 6 p.m.  Then on Saturday morning the much awaited golf tournament will tee off at 7 a.m. and another group at 1 p.m.  

A record 88 teams of 4 descended on the greens at Hidden Trails Country Club Golf Course int 2021 to compete in the annual Ben Kruse 18 FORE Life Golf Tournament.  Perhaps another record will be broken this year.

The team of Chad Wooldridge, Shawn Wooldridge, Chris Cohen and Cody McCain won the 2021 tournament.

Their mission statement is this: 18 FORE Life will get as many people together as possible to play golf and celebrate the gift of life by helping others in need, raising as much money as possible.

"Jake Barge, Kip Musgrave, my brother, Ben, and I came up with the name and settled on it immediately," stated Scott Kruse. "Our charity will always be called 18 FORE Life, but now we will always be much more than a golf tournament. In 2005, we began hosting a weekend of good times and great FUNdraising. The festivities are called The Ben Kruse 18 FORE Life Charity Golf Event."

Dexter, MO - A ribbon cutting was held at Chalk Bluff Paint & Body Shop LLC at their location at 710 State Highway 25 North in Dexter.

The business will host a Grand Opening on Saturday, May 21st from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Hotrods & Hotdogs!

Pictured from left are Matt Harris with the Dexter Chamber of Commerce, Debbie Ebner, Brandy Freeman, Chalk Bluff Paint & Body, Lisa Moeller, Chalk Bluff Paint & Body, Fred Moeller owner, Corey Dees, Napa Auto Parts, Dexter Chamber Executive Director Alisha Trammell and Leslie Ackman with the Dexter Chamber of Commerce. 

Dexter, MO - A ribbon cutting was held at Catch 22 on to celebrate its opening at its new location at 911 C West Business 60 (behind Rhodes).

The business is owned by Justin and Danielle DeVers and has been open over two year at its downtown location.

Check out their website by clicking HERE.  You can also follow them on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Hours are Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.  Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

They also deliver within a 5 mile radius of the business with no minimum order.

Pictured from left is Kim Williams, Becky Hobbs, owner Danielle DeVers, owner Justin DeVers, Jim Cook, Jamie Cook and Dexter Chamber office manager Karlee Wright.