With great anticipation, the opening day of Fall Dove season begins on Thursday, September 1st and will run through November 9th. However, the start of a dove season is far more than that to many hunters around Southeast Missouri. Dove season marks the time for hunting buddies to get together, swap stories, and simply enjoy hanging out with each other.

Special events can be found all over as dove season begins. Many hunters are up early to catch a breakfast at one of their hunting buddy's houses. Others will grab a quick snack at local convenience store or a local restaurant. More than just an event, it's a tradition.

Many waterfowl hunters are very interested in dove season as it is the first opportunity to sharpen their shooting skills. Dove season is considered the mark of the beginning of all hunting seasons. It is the chance for many hunters to get their gear together and get prepared for a great season.

This past weekend offered area friends and buddies a chance to come together for the annual Mills' Hunting Season Kickoff. Complete with a full-blown skeet shooting contest, a BBQ whole hog and BBQ nachos, a crowds of friends was on hand to enjoy a beautiful afternoon of just hanging out.

The T-Shirt of the day outlined the feeling of the group with the slogan of “Good Friends, Good Food and Poor Shoot’in”. And that would pretty much sum up the day as the practice session ended and the groups were divided up into the a contest of “knockout” using skeet.

Of course, the shooters are important but nothing happens at this event without the pure stamina of the skeet throwing team. Head coach of the team is Kent Essner, who never brings a gun to the event. He leads a bullpen of arms better than the St. Louis Cardinals. Jim Rhodes, Shannon Lusk, Royce Snider and others all toss skeet at a feverish pace to empty every single skeet box.

The true spirit of hunting was shared among this group as everyone got together to laugh, have fun, and eat a great meal. This is the true value of a hunting experience as sometimes it's with old friends, sometimes with new friends, and often with family members. It stretches the boundaries of age from young to old - everyone enjoys a good hunt.

Jason Comfort offered his cooking expertise with a Cajun Microwave BBQ Whole Hog and BBQ Nachos complete with all the trimmings to top off a great day.

So the wish for everyone this season is for good times with good friends .... and the hope that your shooting will improve by the end of the season.

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A large number of area hunting buddies gathered at the farm of Matt Mills for the annual skeet shooting event this past Saturday. It was easy to see the complete concentration on the faces and feel the spirit of good competition at the event. The winner of the day received a World Wrestling Federation Championship belt purchased by Matt at the past 18 Fore Life golf auction.

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The Red Cross has scheduled the following blood drives in the area:

• Thursday, Sept. 8: Three Rivers College, 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 9: Three Rivers College, 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 10: First United Methodist Church in Dexter, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Last week, the Red Cross moved blood products to areas predicted to be in the path of Hurricane Irene. These products were used to treat patients before, during and after the storm.

However, the need for blood remains constant.

Area residents can make a difference in the aftermath of the storm by donating blood in the coming days and weeks. Donations can help make up for the blood that went uncollected due to blood drive cancellations across the east coast.

Right now, there is an immediate need for blood platelets. Platelets are the fragile cells that control bleeding and can be used by cancer patients and those undergoing chemotherapy. Platelets have a shelf-life of just five days, so they must constantly be replenished.

Anyone who presents to donate blood with the Red Cross Sept. 2-7 (Friday-Wednesday) is automatically entered into a drawing for a $1,000 gas card.

Photo Above: DHS student Darcy Lane prepares to give blood during a Red Cross Blood Drive in Dexter this spring. (SMT file photo)

A SMT News Report

Plans are being finalized for the annual Miss Dexter and Miss Heartland pageants, sponsored by the DHS Choral Music Department, on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 3 and 4.

Choir student Dalton Putnam reported that members of the choir have been busy working on the annual pageants, and a number of the gentlemen in the choir will be on hand to serve as escorts for the older girls in the pageants.

"This is one way the men of the choir are involved, and it adds a special touch to the pageants," Putnam said.

Malinda Mayo, Stephanie Gee and Morgan Cliff all said the choir members are working hard, and hopeful that girls will participate in the pageants.

Mayo explained the Miss Dexter Pageants will be held on Saturday, Sept. 3. Contests include the Little Miss, Little Mister, Petite Miss, Junior Miss and Miss Dexter pageants.

Cliff explained that all contestants in the Miss Dexter pageants must reside in the Dexter R-XI School District. The pageants will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the Little Miss and Mister Dexter contests. All pageants will be held in the DHS Auditorium.

On Sunday afternoon, the Miss Heartland Pageant will be held. The Miss Heartland Pageant will be open to all girls throughout the region. Gee said the Miss Heartland Pageant scheduled and their age divisions include: * Baby Miss at 1:30 p.m., birth through 17 months * Tiny Miss at 2 p.m., 18-35 months * Wee Miss at 2:30 p.m., 3-5 years * Petite Miss at 3 p.m., 6-8 years * Pre-Teen Miss at 3:30 p.m., 9-11 years * Jr. Miss Heartland at 4 p.m.,12-14 years * Miss Heartland at 4:30 p.m., 15-19 years An entry fee of $25 is required for each contestant. Entries forms are available at the Bunny Patch in Downtown Dexter, may be downloaded from the ShowMe Times by using the links below, or by contacting the pageant director at via e-mail/: Jamie Sepulcado

Miss Dexter Entry Forms

Little Mr. & Miss Dexter

Petite, Jr. & Miss Dexter

Heartland Pageants Entry Form

Heartland Pageants

Photo Above: DHS Choir members Malinda Mayo, Stevie Payne, Morgan Cliff, Dalton Putnam, and Stephanie Gee pause on their preparations for the Miss Dexter and Miss Heartland pageants, to be held Sept. 3 and 4. (SMT Photo by Annabeth Miller)

Dexter's Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting celebration to mark the opening of Associated Building Solutions, LLC (ABS), located at 1311 W. Business 60. ABS is owned by Reade Ferguson and provides full service architecture and construction management services locally and for neighboring states as well. Taking part in the celebration were (front row, from left to right) Alderman Jerry Corder, Chamber Director Mendy Bell, Mayor Joe Weber, Owner Reade Ferguson, his wife, Mary Ferguson, Chamber Chamber Secretary/Director Kevin Bishop, Ashley Jackson, Chamber member Dana Adams, and Chamber Executive Director Janet Coleman.