A SMT News Report

Parents, students and teachers can pay a bit less for school supplies during the Missouri sales tax holiday this Friday through Sunday.

During the three-day holiday period, certain back-to-school purchases such as clothing, school supplies, computers and other items defined by state statute can be exempt from sales tax. The sales tax holiday, adopted in 2003 by the state Legislature, typically runs from the first Friday in August to midnight Sunday night. The holiday comes as schools are readying to open their doors for the new school year.

Beginning 12:01 a.m. Friday and ending midnight Sunday, the state's 4.225 percent sales tax won't be assessed on school supplies, computer items or clothing.

State law gives local jurisdictions the option of whether to participate in the sales tax holiday. Area cities not participating in the sales tax holiday include Bloomfield, Cape Girardeau, Malden and Poplar Bluff. In addition, Stoddard County is not participating.

The items exempt from sales tax during the back-to-school sales tax weekend include:

• clothing — any article with a value of $100 or less.
• school supplies — not to exceed $50 per purchase. This can include textbooks, notebooks, paper, writing instruments, crayons, art supplies, rulers, book bags, backpacks, handheld calculators, maps and globes. • computer software — taxable value of $350 or less
• personal computers — not to exceed $3,500. These can include a laptop, desktop, compute system, mouses, printers and other hardware.
The tax holiday also benefits teachers, who often pay out of their own pockets for school supplies, particularly for students who come to school without them.

Related Link

Missouri Department of Revenue

School bells are getting ready to ring in Stoddard County, and districts are busy making preparations for the start of a new school year.

Richland Schools

Students, parents and teachers at Richland R-I are getting a kick-start to the school year, with registration set for tomorrow, Aug. 3. Key dates to remember leading to the start of school at Richland include:

• Aug. 3 – Registration
• Aug. 8 – New Teacher Training
• Aug. 9 & 10 – In-Service training for teachers
• Aug. 11 – First day of school

Students should report for classes at 8 a.m. on Aug. 11 and the first day will be a full day of classes. School personnel remind parents and students that the supply list for each grade is available at local Wal-Mart stores.

The Student Handbook will be distributed to Richland Students on the first day of schools. Parents and students are both advised to pay special attention to the new attendance policy.

Bloomfield Schools

Bloomfield students will report for a full day of classes on Thursday, Aug. 18. School buses will run on the first day of school.

Bernie Schools

Preparations are being made for the start of the 2011-2012 school year in Bernie Schools. Important dates to remember include:

• Aug. 3 – New Student Registration, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. in the high school Media Center
• Aug. 9 – Returning Student Registration, 7 – 12 only
o Grades 7, 8 , and 12 – 8:30 -11:30 a.m.
o Grades 9, 10, and 11 – 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
• Aug. 12 – Kindergarten Orientation – 6 p.m.
• Aug. 15 – Teacher Orientation
• Aug. 16 – Elementary Open House – 6 p.m. in the high school gym
• Aug. 18 – First day of classes

By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor

BLOOMFIELD - Stoddard County won’t be getting a new University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist anytime in the near future.

The Stoddard County Commission learned Monday that the University Extension does not intend to fill the position open due to the recent retirement of David Guethle in the near future. The commission received a letter from Vice Provost Michael D. Ouart concerning the position.

The commission wrote Ouart concerning the opening earlier in the summer, stressing the need for an extension agronomist in agriculture-based Stoddard County. However, Ouart informed commissioners the University of Missouri Extension is still operating under a hiring freeze.

“Hopefully, if the economy shows further improvement, we will have another opportunity later this year to fill additional open positions,” Ouart wrote. “At this time, we cannot predict when the next review process of open positions will occur. When that process does begin, the Stoddard County position will be on the list for review and prioritization.”

Ouart informed the commissioners that until the university is able to refill the position, other area agronomy extension faculty members will be available to “answer questions and provide programming” in the county.

Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis said he was at a recent Farm Bureau gathering in the county, and the open agronomy position was a concern to area farmers.

Commissioner Frank Sifford announced there would be a presentation on Tuesday, Aug. 2, from USDA Rural Development to the First Baptist Church in Puxico. The church was instrumental in obtaining a grant for $18,000 for the purchase of an emergency generator for the congregation’s Family Life Center to be used in times of community emergency. The church is also a designated Red Cross Shelter.

“I wish we could get [a generator] in the Advance, Essex, and Dudley areas,” Mathis said. He noted that Bernie already has generators on hand in case of emergency.

Commissioners also announced that a ribbon-cutting celebration would be held for the road project on County Road 702 that leads to the Union Pacific center in Stoddard County.

Because of the importance of the railroad to the county, the commission will adjust its meeting on Aug. 8.

“Union Pacific brings a lot of revenue to Stoddard County,” Sifford said. Therefore, Sifford proposed the commissioners attend the ribbon cutting celebration at 9 a.m. on Aug. 8, and the regular weekly commission meeting begin at 10 a.m. Presiding Commissioner Mathis and Commissioner Carol Jarrell both concurred.

It's an exciting time of the year, as things begin to perk back up after summer vacations, and thoughts turn toward a new school year and great activities and events.

This last week for the "Boys of Fall" (the Dexter Bearcat football crew) to have football camp each evening at the sports complex.

Drivers passing by Bland Stadium could see the young guys and the coaching staff hard at work. It was a week filled with hard work in near unbearable heat as the team prepares for the 2011 season of Bearcat football.

As a way to celebrate the end of football camp, a number of Bearcat fans organized a special barbecue for the team and staff at the conclusion of Friday's practice.

As guys came off the practice field hot and tired after an extremely tough practice, they were treated to a "Summer Spectacular" of hamburgers, hotdogs, fresh grilled sweetcorn and all the fixin's. This was the perfect ending to the grueling hours of preparation for the 2011 football season.

The Football 'Cats have worked hard all summer in the weightroom and running. Yesterdays practice was the culmination of increases to the running program as the team performed 10 sets of 200 yard sprints.

"It (the practice) really shows who has been working because it's hot and tough out here." says coach Aaron Pixley.

The barbecue crowd gathered early at the end of the track adjacent to the Field House to prepare the evening's meal. Helping with the Bearcat Barbecue were:

"The boys have really looked forward to this all summer" commented head coach Aaron Pixley. "We really appreciate the support of all the people that make this possible".

The crowd "chowed down" on the extra thick and juicy burgers and the hot dogs, ate fresh "peaches & cream" sweet corn grown by the Christian Church Youth group, and really savored the sweet, cold watermelon.

It was a meal "enjoyed by all" and a meal worthy of great Bearcat athletes!

As the young Bearcat men prepared to go home after an evening of football and Bearcat Barbecue, they could be seen standing in line to shake the hands and thank the folks who made their barbecue possible.

GO BEARCATS!

By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor

Back in 1949, it was a little spot on the undeveloped western end of Dexter. It was known as the Daisy Queen, and Leon and Gwen McGarrity served ice cream and fountain soft drinks. Before too long, the McGarrity’s started serving hamburgers and hot dogs to go with the soda.

But Leon learned to smoke meat, and he soon began making what has today become a Southeast Missouri classic. Leon named his most popular sandwich, the “Pig”, made of sliced barbecued pork, topped with slaw and his secret mustard sauce. And eventually Gwen stopped pealing those potatoes that came in 100 pound sacks, and they bought crinckle cut frozen cries, and today's favorite Pig Basket joined the menu.

On Saturday afternoon, Gwen McGarrity joined today’s owners – Lori Hawkins and husband Dana Hawkins – for the dedication of a special mural on the western side of Dexter Queen. Painted by local muralist Bob Whitehead, the artwork depicts a special era in Dexter Queen lore – complete with classic cars and a special section dedicated to Leon and the old Daisy Queen days.

In addition to a special ribbon cutting that included all of today’s staff, the Hawkins' and Dexter Queen hosted a classic car show to celebrate the new mural. Classic cars – just like the ones that would “circle” the Dexter Queen in the 1950s and 1960s – were lined up and ready for viewing. With old time “rock and roll” tunes in the back ground, it was a trip to yesteryear.

Leon and Gwen McGarrity owned Dexter Queen for 32 years. Due to the high heat and humidity, Leon – now 91 - was unable to attend Saturday’s event. Gwen attended in his absence. But the legend that Leon created back in 1949 is still served every day thanks to Lori and Dana Hawkins who celebrate the Dexter Queen tradition.

Photos Above: Top - Gwen McGarrity and Lori Hawkins with the "Dexter Queen Girls;" Middle - Lori Hawkins and Gwen McGarrity next to the mural of Leon; Bottom - The Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Celebration for the new Dexter Queen Mural. (SMT photos by Annabeth Miller)