North, south, east and west; young and old; scary, funny and goofy; ghosts and goblins and banshees.
It’s Halloween time at all points of the compass for “kids” of all ages. Lots of events are planned in local communities for the spooky holiday.
Check out these tricks and treats and events in the area this weekend.
Bearcat Football & Senior Night: The “weekend” begins Thursday evening as the Dexter Bearcats celebrate Senior Night and the end of a regular season that has been described as “historical.”
The Bearcats take on the Fredericktown Black Cats in a Thursday evening at on Bearcat Field at Charles Bland Stadium. Senior Night recognition for the football, cross-country, tennis and Marching Bearcat Band will be held in pre-game festivities beginning at 6:30 p.m.
DHS Future Teachers of America Blood Drive: On Friday, the students to Dexter High School are joining together to save lives.
The DHS Future Teachers of America organization is hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive. The blood drive will be held in the DHS gym from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Give the gift of life!!
Halloween Science Fun: The fun continues Saturday in Cape Girardeau for kids.
Children ages 5-12 are invited to learn that science is "a blast" at the FREE Halloween Science Night at Southeast Missouri State University. Children will be transformed into scientists and will have the opportunity to see exploding pumpkins, learn about things that glow, see creepy creatures and carnivorous plants, and participate in gooey, gross and awesome activities.
The event will take place from 2 - 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29 (check in from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.) in Dempster Hall on the Southeast Campus.
The event is free, but online registration is required at the event’s page on the University website at Halloween Science Night .
Genealogy Workshop: Keller Public Library in Dexter in conjunction with the Stoddard County Genealogy Society will host a Genealogy Workshop Saturday. The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the library on Grant Street. There is a $5 cost to cover materials
Halloween Fun In Dexter: The City of Dexter has designated Monday evening, Oct. 31 as the “official” time in the city for trick-or-treating. Trick-or-treaters make make their run from 6-10 p.m. Monday night.
Trunk-Or-Treat: The Dexter High School Student Council will once again sponsor the ghostly-popular Trunk-Or-Treat event on Halloween Night – Monday, Oct. 31 - for youngsters in pre-school through grade 5. The event is held at the DHS parking lot from 5:30 – 7 p.m. and is free and a fun time for all.
Photo Above: Oh my!! What has frightened Malinda, Lauren, Hannah and Kaycee?! The Halloween weekend is full of fun activities! Safe trick-or-treating! (SMT archive photo by Annabeth Miller)
Republican Sarah Steelman brought her Senate campaign to town for an early morning meeting with supporters. The meeting room at the Airport Café was packed for the breakfast political gathering.
Steelman used the opportunity to speak casually to the group on a range of issues –from the economy, federal regulations and trade.
Steelman said one stranglehold over the economy has become the hold federal agencies have over business in the county. She relayed a story of a small business near Marshfield and regulators came into the business with the purpose of finding two violations.
The inspectors. Steelman said, told the business owner that they had been instructed to find two violations.
“Those violations will cost that business owner $10,000 a piece,” Steelman said. “Most people are operating on a very slim margin today, and you have two violations that are $10,000 a piece – that’s enough to put you under. This is ridiculous and scary attitude for government to have towards people who are creating jobs and economic activity in this country.”
Steelman of Rolla, was elected Missouri State Treasurer in 2004 and was elected to the State Senate from the 16th senator district in Mid-Missouri. She is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Claire McCaskill in the November 2012 election. She faces two opponents in the August 2012 primary – U.S. Congressman Todd Akin and St. Louis businessman John Brunner.
Earlier this month Steelman challenged Akin and Brunner to a “series of old-fashioned debates.”
“I haven’t heard a word from them,” she said of Akin and Brunner on the debate challenge. She said while she has not heard a word from Brunner, Steelman and Akin were scheduled to both appear on a radio show in the Kansas City area. But the radio station cancelled the program due to lack of response from Brunner.
“I think people are hungry and thirsty for a debate about the issues,” Steelman said, “just a good, healthy discussion about solutions and what people think, that engages the public. It’s good for us to do that; it’s good for the voters. And that’s all that I’m after.”
Thanks For Service
State Rep. Billy Pat Wright honored one of American's finest recently. 1st Sgt. Rob Myers of Essex is currently serving in Afghanistan is home in Southeast Missouri on a two-week leave. Myers and his wife Sherry both attended Wright's fish fry recently, where Wright and the crowd recognized Myers and thanked him for his service to the country. Myers led the group in the Pledge of Allegience to the American flag at the annual fish fry. Myers will return to his unit in Afghanistan at the end of his leave. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)
WASHINGTON –U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson has a reminder for high school juniors: The deadline for submitted an application to one of America’s service academies is right around the corner.
Emerson announced today that interested juniors have one week remaining to submit their applications for the nation’s five service academies. Congressional offices have the privilege of nominating outstanding students who wish to serve, and Emerson designates an Academy Review Board to make these decisions.
“For an outstanding college education and an incredible chance to serve our country, the service academies of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and Navy offer young Americans a prestigious opportunity. I’m always impressed by the caliber of students who compete for admission to the service academies from our Missouri congressional district. The members of our community who take on the difficult task of recommending students always have difficult decisions to make,” Emerson said.
Emerson staff member Heather Peugh in her West Plains office is the designated a staff contact for information about the application, nomination and appointment process. Peugh may be reached at 417.255.1515.
The five U.S. service academies are: The U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO, The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, The U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London, CT, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY, and the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD.
It looks to be a great fall weekend ahead, with community cuisine and good times.
The weekend starts early for some. The students in the Dexter Public Schools will not report for classes on Friday, Oct. 21. Friday is a Professional Day for district teachers, and students will get to enjoy the day out of the classroom!
The Dexter Bearcats will travel Friday evening to New Madrid for a great evening of football. Kick-off time for the district game is 7 p.m. Better bundle up! The forecast for game time calls for clear skies and a "feels like" temperature of 48 degrees.
Kiwanis Pancake Day: The Kiwanians in Dexter are Pancake Wizards!For more than 45 years the Dexter Kiwanis Club has had this annual autumn event and through the years they have become experts about all things “pancake”!! This year’s Pancake Day begins bright and early Saturday morning at 6 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Hall. Pancakes hot off the grill, bacon and your choice of drink comes with your $4 ticket.
Third Annual D.A.R.E. Rod & Custom Car Show: The D.A.R.E.event will begin with registration at 9 a.m. Saturday on the parking lot of the Dexter Aquatic Center. Judging will be held at 11 a.m. and award presentations at 3 p.m. The cost to register is $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the show. All proceeds from the show will benefit the Dexter D.A.R.E. Program
8th Annual Billy Pat Wright Fish Fry: State Rep. Billy Pat Wright will be hosting a Fish Fry beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Central Elementary School in Dexter. Special guests include U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, Missouri Senate Leader Sen. Rob Mayer, Missouri House Speaker Rep. Steve Tilley and more. The social time will begin at 5:30; dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 each and include fish dinner, dessert and drinks. For more information call 573.624.7561 or 573.624.5997.
Annual Bess Truman Day: Hosted annually by the Stoddard County Democratic Women’s Club, this year’s Bess Truman Day will be held Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Hidden Trails Country Club in Dexter. State Rep. and Missouri state senate candidate Terry Swinger (and Dexter native!) is the keynote speaker.
Demolition Derby: A Demolition Derby will be held beginning at 7 p.m. at the Stoddard County Fairgrounds. This event will be held rain or shine! For additional information contact Kevin Holman at 573.625.8650.
The BUZZ is back: The local band sensation The BUZZ will be performing from 7 - 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Boat House Wine Company north of Bloomfield.
