MALDEN – A Bootheel airport will receive some needed renovation thanks to a grant from the the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Malden Airport is set to receive $110,170 Rural Business Enterprise Grant from the USDA. According to a document released by USDA Malden is the only community in Missouri receiving a RBEG grant. The grant was awarded or airport hanger renovation.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that funding is being provided to producers and development organizations in 40 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to promote job creation and business development.

“The Obama Administration and USDA are committed to helping rural small businesses grow, and to providing the technical support needed to spark sustainable job creation,” Vilsack said. “The funds being provided today will foster an environment to create jobs in every part of the country.”

In all, 69 awards totaling more than $14.7 million were announced today to promote economic development efforts. A portion of the RBEG funding is intended to support rural economic area partnership efforts.

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

Over a span five days as the summer of 2011 comes to an end, the Stoddard County Fair will bring together the area for non-stop musical entertainment and fun for the entire family.

Beginning with the biggest and best parade of the year, Fair Week will kick off Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. with a drumbeat from the Advance High School. The band won the opportunity to be the lead band in this year’s parade by winning the 2010 Fair Parade Band competition.

Bands and flags, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, clowns, politicans with candy (handed out, not thrown), church groups, business groups, fire trucks and more will all take the spotlight during the parade. The parade will run the length of Stoddard Street in Downtown Dexter – from Catalpa Street west to the Fairgrounds.

Floats are a big part of the parade’s “fun equation” and area groups are busy this weekend putting the finishing touches on their creations. There area three classes for parade floats – Commercial, School, and Churches & Other. Three prizes will be awarded in each category – first place receives $150, seond $100, and $50 for third place.

The weather forecast is somewhat iffy, but fair and parade lovers are keeping a positive attitudent. The forecast calls for a 30 percent chance of rain on Tuesday, with a chance of isolated thunderstorms. The high on Tuesday is expected to reach 82 degrees.



Photo Above: The Dexter Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter have been busy the last few weeks preparing their float for Tuesday evening's Stoddard County Fair Parade. The FFA members are hoping to repeat their 2010 win in the Schools Float Division in the parade, and are hiding their float so the competition will be dazzled by the entry!! (SMT Photo By Annabeth Miller)

Autumn is on the way, and folks in Stoddard County will be gathering next week for the annual Stoddard County Fair. And to get folks in the mood for this annual event, the folks at Trammell Realty hosted a "fair" themed event for the monthly Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event. Chamber members were enjoyed "fair treats" - caramel apples, hot dogs, fresh popped popcorn, and more at the event held at the Trammell offices on Vine Street. Justin Trammell and Linda Collier had fresh popcorn ready for guests at the event. A "duck pond" was also on hand - with guests selected a duck from the small 'pond' to win prizes. The Business After Hours event in October will be hosted by Three River College in Dexter. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)

Dexter will be a beehive of activity all next week as the annual Stoddard County Fair kicks off with a week of adventures, excitement and fun.

The week will kick off in its exciting and traditional way with the annual County Fair Parade through Downtown Dexter. Bands, floats, clowns, tractors, horses and more will delight as the parade begins at 5:30 p.m. from the intersection of Stoddard and Catalpa streets.

Entries for parades are still be accepted by parade organizers and awards for the top three floats in three divisions - Commercial, Schools, Churches & other. To enter or for additional information, contact the Dexter Chamber of Commerce at 573-624-7458 or toll-free at 1-800-332-8857.

The parade will also feature the annual marching band contest, with bands competing for the honor of “top band” to lead the 2012 county parade.

The opening night at the Fairgrounds will feature the Fair Queen contest right after the parade in Arena A.  Young ladies who wish to enter the pageant may find the entry form here.

Also on Tuesday night, there will be plenty of fun and action in Arena B, with the Chicken Catching and Youth Games.

Beginning Tuesday evening the, Stoddard County Fair will highlight local talent and entertainment. The Tuesday spotlight will shine on the music of Anna Catherine DeHart. DeHart, of Sikeston, has a voice that has been called “strong and mature beyond her years. She blends traditional country with today’s sounds.

“I've been singing most of my life. I've grown up around music and have been greatly influenced by country music,” DeHart said.  Her musical influences include Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette to some of today’s superstars like Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and Martina McBride.

DeHart will perform beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on the Midway.

And what would the Fair be without the rides? Tinsley Amusements will be on the Midway each evening of Stoddard County Fair Week.

The American Red Cross has a great way for blood donors to get more rewards while doing a good deed. This fall, the Missouri-Illinois Region will be encouraging donors to participate in Red Cross Racing, an online rewards program for blood donors.

Stoddard County blood drives in September include:           

• Sept. 13:  Richland High School,1:30 P.M.  to 5 p.m.
• Sept. 13:,Bell City High School,  2 to 6 p.m.
• Sept. 16: Bloomfield High School, 8 until 11:30 p.m.
• Sept. 26: Bernie Community Center,  3 until 7 p.m.

Without volunteer blood donors, the Red Cross would not be able to meet the demands of patients who need blood. By taking the time to give, blood donors can now get more rewards through the Red Cross Racing program, including Best Buy® Reward Zone® points!

After their donation, donors can go to redcrossracing.com and report their donation. Members will be awarded Donor Rewards points for each donation, which can be exchanged for exclusive racing merchandise like die-cast cars, t-shirts and golf bags.  Additionally, donors may also convert these points into Best Buy Reward Zone points – up to 800 Reward Zone points for each donation.

Photo Above: Kristi Williams waits patiently as a Red Cross technician prepares to draw blood at an American Red Cross Blood Drive held last Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Dexter. (SMT Photo by Annabeth Miller)