It was a grand day on Monday, as Ashley Mosier and staff at Halo Hair Studio marked its Grand Opening. On hand for the Dexter Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting celebration were (front row, from left) Chamber Executive Director Janet Coleman, Chamber Director Mendy Bell, stylists Heather Sanders, Sheila Edwards and Candice Stepp, Dexter Mayor Joe Weber. owner and stylist Ashley Mosier,  Chamber Vice President Kenny Pope, Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Bishop; (back row, from left)  Jerri Morgan Pierce of Mary Kay, Misty Loughibler of Quick Cash, Dexter Ward III Alderman Terry Battles, Justin Mosier, and Ann Matthews of Three Rivers College. Halo Hair Studio is located at 13147 State Highway AD in Petal Stone Plaza. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)

Miss Madison McGowan of Dexter was crowned the new Miss Stoddard County for 2011 on Sunday afternoon. First alternate was Kelsey May (left) and second alternate Stephanie Gee, both of Dexter. The pageant was sponsored by the Xi Lambda Psi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. (SMT Photo by Annabeth Miller)


The new Miss Stoddard County for 2011 was crowned Sunday afternoon at a pageant sponsored by Xi Lambda Psi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi.

The new Miss Stoddard County is Madison McGowan of Dexter, the reigning Miss Dexter.

First alternate is Kelsy May of Dexter; second alternate is Stephanie Gee, also of Dexter.

The new Junior Miss Stoddard County for 2011 is Lauren Leigh Thrower of Dexter, the reigning Junior Miss Dexter.

First alternate to Junior Miss Stoddard County is Ashlynn Wyman of Dexter. Second alternate is Caroline Powers of Dexter.

The Miss Petite Miss Stoddard County is Blair Ashton Rodgers of Dexter. First alternate is Margo Elizabeth new of Dexter; second alternate is Allison Jones of Essex.

The new Little Mister Stoddard County is Caleb Sherfield of Dexter; first alternatie is Levi Cole Seyer of Dexter; second alternate is Cash Dawson Murphy of Dexter.

The new Little Miss Stoddard County is Isabella Cook of Dexter; first alternate is Ryleigh Hall of Dexter; second alternate is Chloey Breann Foster of Puxico.

The Mistresses of Ceremonies for the afternoon's pageants were Melanie Stoelting and Mary Ann Simmons. The pageants were held in the Dexter High School Auditorium.

The Pageant Committe from Xi Lambda Psie included Susan Hill, chairman; and Mary Ann Simmons, Melanie Stoelting, Linda Ulm and Cheryl Boggess. Melanie Stoelting is the president of Xi Lambda Psi.

Proceeds from the pageant will be used by Xi Lambda Psi to support its philanthropic work in the community.

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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)