Bernie, MO - The Bernie Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for the new convenience store, Fast Break, on Wednesday, August 3, 2022.
Fast Break is located on Highway 25 in Bernie. They are open Sunday - Thursday from 5 a.m. - 11 p.m. and Friday/Saturday from 5 a.m. - midnight.
They opened officially on August 4th at 5 a.m.
Pictured from left to right: Walter Matthews, Jennifer Heil, Darlene Walls, Holly McGraw, Wendy Holt, Debi Swindle, Owner, Randall Swindle, Owner, James Tilmon, Mayor of Bernie, Logan Swindle, Leni Swindle, Jayme Harris, Chamber of Commerce, Kristy Reeves, Store Manager, Brenda Conner, Kendra Owens, Vice-President of Bernie Chamber of Commerce.
Please joins us for a historic ground-breaking ceremony for the new Harty House children’s residential facility, hosted by Stoddard County Children’s Home Board of Directors!
On Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 6 p.m. they will break ground on the new facility. The new facility will be located at the corner of Hickory Hills Drive and Girl Scout Way just behind SoutheastHEALTH of Stoddard County.
Duke and Shirley Rudd have rented booth #33 at Old Timer's Antique Mall for 25 years. Last week they retired from a lifetime of buying and selling wonderful treasures. They have been married for 67 years and have been wheeling and dealing in furniture and antiques for over 50 years.
"Shirley always ironed all their linens, she always decorated her booth in a theme," commented Joni Burleson, owner of Old Timer's Antique Mall. "There will never be another renter in that space. We are officially retiring booth #33."
I won't be able to decorate like her, but I put some Christmas trees or something in there and sell ornaments. People will buy those." Burleson said laughing. "We will miss them very much here.
Shirley started her career hanging wallpaper many years ago. Her business was called "The Hanging Shop" based out of her home in Poplar Bluff at the time.
"I did a lot of the homes in Poplar Bluff that had 14' ceilings with beams," commented Shirley. "I finally had to give it up, but I noticed that is it coming back in style."
When they first got started more than 50 years ago they bought from estate sales and tag sales. They mostly purchased furniture, but also bought items to decorate.
"It was so much fun and I will miss that." continued Shirley.
Duke always worked in banking and financing, but he had a love and an eye to purchase and resell the antiques. It started off as a hobby and then actually started making money.
"Duke and Shirley are like my grandparents," stated Mikal Long, longtime employee of Old Timer's. "I've known them since I started working here 25 years ago. They were the first one's I met and I just love them."
Duke and Shirley will be missed. Their decorated booth was a favorite of many.
The Dexter Elks Lodge #2439 held a smoked pork tenderloin meat fundraiser for Bernie Elementary.
The school is raising money for much needed and up-to-date playground equipment for the students.
The Lodge raised $2,784.60.
Front row from left to right: Cassadee Hill, Paisley Owens, Charley Owens, Sara Owens, Ellie Graham, and Everleigh Graham.
Back roll from left to right: Alex Kester, Randy Northington, Dustin Hicks, Bernie School Superintendent, and Shelley McClintock.
The 2022 Stoddard County ARC Special Olympics were held Friday morning at the Bearcat Event Center in Dexter.
The athletes competed in shot put/softball throw, archery,basketball shoot and walking/running events. All participants were awarded medals for their efforts during the competition.
