By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
CAPE GIRARDEAU - One of Dexter’s most honored native sons will deliver the December commencement addresss at Southeast Missouri State University.
Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, retired director of the Army National Guard of the United States and a 1968 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, will deliver the commencement address.
Commencement is scheduled for 2 p.m. Dec. 17 in the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau during which 656 students--543 undergraduates and 113 graduate students -- will receive degrees.
Vaughn was raised in Dexter, graduated from Dexter High School and attended Southeast Missouri State where he graduated in 1968, He taught and coached at Dexter High School after graduating from SEMO.
Vaughn was commissioned through the Missouri National Guard Officer Candidate School program in 1974 and served in a wide variety of command and staff positions as a traditional Guardsman and on active duty. He also served extensively in Central and South America on several deployed task forces.
Vaughn retired as the director of the Army National Guard in July 2009 after nearly 40 years of service to the Guard and the U.S. Army. As director of the Army National Guard -- a force of over 350,000 Soldiers in the 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia -- Vaughn guided the formulation, development and implementation of all programs and policies affecting the Army Guard. He built an innovative and highly successful recruiting program; undertook the changes necessary to raise Army National Guard combat readiness levels to all time highs; enabled the Army National Guard to meet all wartime and deployment requirements, deploying more than 300,000 soldiers; guided the deployment of Army National Guard soldiers to hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the Southwest Border; and developed several innovative programs such as the Afghanistan Agriculture Development Teams.
Among the unique approaches to the challenge of recruiting 70,000 new soldiers a year were establishing a National Guard High School Academy in Indiana, and a GED institution in Arkansas. These schools were for nationwide, high potential, high school dropouts who desired to join the Army National Guard and serve their country.
His general officer assignments were as deputy director of operations, Readiness, and mobilization and deputy director of military support under the G3 of the U.S. Army, deputy director of the Army National Guard, assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for National Guard Matters, and director of the Army National Guard from June 2005 to July 2009.
Vaughn has received the Army Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Defense Superior Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. In 2006, he was honored with the Alumni Merit Award by Southeast Missouri State University. In 2010 he was awarded the McLain Medal by the Association of the U.S. Army, which is awarded to one Army National Guard Soldier each year.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southeast Missouri State University and a Master of Public Administration from Shippensburg (Pa.) University. His professional military education includes the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa.
Vaughn and his wife Carol Westrich of Cape Girardeau met while attending Southeast. They have two children, Kristi and Chad, and four grandchildren. Vaughn and Carol, his wife of 44 years, currently reside in Winchester, Va
For families unable to attend or for those who wish to preserve the moment, a DVD copy of either the Honors Convocation or commencement ceremony may be ordered by contacting Dr. Jim Dufek at (573) 651-2484.
The DVD copies include “senior shoutouts” which are brief prerecorded messages from various graduates to friends and family. “Senior shoutouts” also are aired on monitors on the Show Me Center concourses prior to commencement.
But wait! Where are the presents, the discarded wrapping paper, the bows torn off packages in excitement, the new toys and games and dolls and all “the stuff?”
Ellie Dowdy and Maddie Glaus “almost share” birthdays – they were born one day apart. So, at their birthday party recently, they had all the fun, friends and frenzy. But these two young ladies wanted to do something different -something for other kids. So the invitations went out to friends asking them to a party, but asking for friends not to bring presents to the birthday celebrants.
These two 7-year old girls instead asked their friends to bring a toy for other kids – kids who might not have a toy, game, or Barbie under the Christmas tree. They asked their friends to bring a new, unwrapped present for other children.
“We just wanted to help other kids,” Ellie said. The two girls took a short break from the birthday party action.
“We just wanted to help the world and help other kids,” Maddie.
Some friends, Ellie explained, also brought cards for the two birthday girls.
“Cards are alright but we want presents for other kids,” she said. Maddie agreed with her buddy.
“Some kids might not have any presents. So we want to be sure they got a present,” Maddie said.
There’s too much excitement to talk long. There are friends inside, and music and fun and games and hula-hoops ready for action. And a cart of unopened presents – all ready to brighten the holidays for other young children.
Already, at age seven, these two young ladies have taught grownups lessons about giving thanks, giving to others, and how it is often the little things that can make the biggest change in the world.
Maddie Glaus (photo above, left) and Ellie Dowdy (on right) are the seven-year-old daughters of Kara and David Glaus and Alana and Josh Dowdy, all of Dexter.
The girls are donating the toys from their birthday party to the Stoddard County Foster Parents Association
ShowMe Times Photo Gallery
One of Dexter's favorite Christmas traditions is ready to help begin the holiday season in the community.
The annual Holiday Home Tour, sponsored by the Dexter Heritage House Association, will be held Saturday, December 3 from 1 to 4 p.m.
"We are excited about the homes that will be open for viewing that day," a member of the group stated. "We have four homes that have all undergone renovation and the fifth house will be the Heritage House, which has not been in the tour in four years. It also has received somewhat of a facelift.
The houses include:
- Matt and Marissa Mills, 324 East Vine Street;
- Brian Crawford, 723 Saddle Spur Road
- Mikal Long and John Brickley, 209 Holmes Drive
- Tom and Lisa Thrower, 320 Chautauqua
- Dexter Heritage House, just off Cooper Street, north of the police station.
When visitors arrive at the home of Matt and Marissa Mills, the hostess will be greeting guests along with Bob Keathley who first bought the home, supervised all of the renovation and then sold it to the Mills. Known for many years as the Webb home, this house was skillfully brought up to date without sacrificing the time period in which it was built. Decorations in this home will include a silver tree with a color wheel popular almost 50 years ago. Fresh greenery and other holiday adornments will make this lovely home a joy to see.
The home of Brian Crawford was on the home tour two years ago. Then it was a charming ranch style home with fresh coats of paint, wonderful furniture and elegant Christmas trees. In the past two years, an extensive remodeling has taken place and is now almost doubled in size with a new sitting room, sunroom, office and master bedroom suite. One of the highlights of this home are stained glass windows and transoms, many with a historic background.
The home of Mikal and John is readied for Christmas, cheery decorations will abound, and this historic home will delight guests with trees, collections of holiday items, greenery and candlelight. Hopefully, if nothing is amiss, there will be some special guests, so don't be surprised if a confederate soldier and ladies in Civil War-era fashions welcome you.
The home of Tom and Lisa Thrower was built in 1952-53. Tom and Lisa Thrower are only the second owners of this lovely period-styled home. The house was built by John and Helen Ringer, and even though the main floor was gutted and a stairway removed, many of the features of that time period remain intact. There will be a collection of Santas, snowmen, nutcrackers and angels, which will undoubtedly put a smile on the faces of visitors to the home during the holiday season.
Last, but not least, will be the Dexter Heritage House, dressed for the season in fresh greenery, a Christmas tree and other signs of the coming holiday. The house sports new interior paint, new windows on the East side, and the exterior of the home was also painted this past summer.
"We want to thank the community for supporting the events we sponsor each year to raise money for the upkeep of Dexter's oldest home," a Heritage House member said. "Without this support, we would not be able to care for the house to prevent deterioration."
Tour guests may register for a gift basket to be given away, and take a Christmas quiz with the winner to receive a batch of homemade divinity.
Tickets for the home tour are on sale at Chrisman Tire, Highway 114 West (at the corner of Catalpa and 114 or Business 60 as it is often called.) Cost of the tickets will be $20, the same as last year.
Tickets are limited to 100.
JEFFERSON CITY - The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a “Red Flag Warning” Friday afternoon for much of Missouri.
“This means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will create explosive fire growth potential,” the NWS warning stated.
The Missouri Department of Conservation urges hunters, campers and others in the outdoors to follow these precautions to protect lives, property and our forests.
Getting to camp
- Wildfires can start when fine, dry fuel, such as grass, comes in contact with catalytic converters.
- Think twice before driving into and across a grassy field.
- Never park over tall, dry grass or piles of leaves that can touch the underside of a vehicle.
- When driving vehicles off road, regularly inspect the undercarriage to ensure that fuel and brake lines are intact and no oil leaks are apparent.
- Always carry an approved fire extinguisher on vehicles that are used off road.
Preparing to make your fire
- Clear a generous zone around fire rings. When humidity is low and wind is high, debris can become tinder for a stray spark or ember.
- Store your unused firewood a good distance from the fire.
- Never use gasoline, kerosene or other flammable liquid to start a fire.
- Keep campfires small and controllable.
- Keep fire-extinguishing materials, such as a rake, shovel and bucket of water, close by in case you need to quench your fire in a hurry.
Never leave a campfire unattended!
- Extinguish campfires each night and before leaving camp (even if it's just for a few moments).
Practice extra caution in the field
- If you smoke, put out your cigarettes completely. Burn them in your campfire or pack them out.
Don't delay call for help!
- Call 911 at the first sign of a fire getting out of control.
Report forest arson
- Many wildfires are set by vandals. You can stop arson by calling 800-392-1111. Your report will remain anonymous, and rewards are possible.
A SMT Report
COLUMBIA – Get your winter coat and gloves ready, because we could be in for a repeat of last winter’s cold weather.
Last winter, the Midwest United States experienced one of its coldest winters in recent history. A University of Missouri atmospheric scientist is predicting a repeat performance for the approaching season.
“Atmospheric blocking patterns will keep cold air in place,” said Tony Lupo, professor and chair of the Department of Atmospheric Science in the School of Natural Resources. “In addition, more moisture will be guided into the United States leading to more precipitation. With colder temperatures and increased moisture, expect another snowy winter for much of the Midwest.”
For the rest of the United States, Lupo predicts:
- The eastern and southeastern U.S. will experience a colder and snowier than normal winter.
- In Texas and the southern plains, residents will experience a mild, dry winter.
- The Great Lakes states will have the typical cold, snowy winter.
- Northern states will have a colder, snowier winter than usual.
- The Pacific Northwest will have a typical cool winter with slightly above average snowfall.
- The western states will experience typical cool temperatures and typical precipitation levels.
In the Midwest, Lupo said La Niña is the driving force behind the cold winter. The weather phenomenon cools the equatorial seas of the Pacific and influences global weather patterns. Less warm air rises during La Niña periods, which cools the atmosphere.
The 2010-2011 La Niña was one of the strongest on record, Lupo said. The warmer than usual sea temperature around the Gulf of Alaska will influence the upper level winds steering more storms into the continental United States.
In addition, Lupo said there will be increased atmospheric blocking events this winter due to low solar activity. Atmospheric blocking is a relatively unknown weather phenomenon responsible for prolonged bouts of extreme conditions. The event occurs between 20-40 times each year throughout the world and usually lasts between 8-11 days, Lupo said.
Blocking usually results when a powerful, high-pressure area gets stuck in one place. Because they cover a large area, fronts behind them are blocked. Lupo is part of a team that recently received a 3 million Russian ruble (about $104,000) grant to study blocking patterns.
Lupo received his doctorate from Purdue in 1995 and is currently the principal investigator at the Global Climate Change Group. The Global Climate Change Group investigates how global climate change may impact long-term weather patterns and the growing season in the Midwest. He has written 34 papers on factors that influence large-scale weather patterns. Lupo is also a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore in October 2007.
SMT File photo, Winter 2011
