

Your office is responsible for distributing this information throughout your department for compliance with this order statewide on July 21 and in Boone County from July 21 through July 27. A copy of the Governor’s order is available here.

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
The 20th Annual Fourth of July Kiddie Parade feature kids decked in red, white and blue, decorated scooters, bikes, wagons and battery-powered vehicles, and even pets ready to celebrate the national holiday.
The parade, hosted by Jason and Kristi Banken, is a community tradition on the July 4 Independence Day holiday. The children and their families gather in the Banken’s front yard, near the intersection of Elm and Vine streets. The patriotic parade steps off on Elm, heads north to Stoddard Street.
On Stoddard, the group pauses at the Post Office for photos, and an Independence Day celebration. Kids and adults alike join together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, and raise voices in song – the year the repertoire included “Yankee Doodle” and “”You’re A Grand Old Flag.”
The ensemble then begins its march again on Stoddard, heading to Poplar and turning south and marching to Vine, and back to the intersection with Elm.
The kids and families then enjoyed cool lemonade and cookies and celebrate the special day.

It's time to "Celebrate America" and wave the red, white, and blue. It's July! And helping to usher in the patriotic month is the July ShowMe Spotlight girl, Whitney Layton. Whitney graduated in May from Dexter High School and is the daughter of Donnie and Janet Layton of Dexter. While at DHS, Whitney was a member of Family, Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), the DHS Band Color Guard, the Lady Bearcat softball quad, and was a member of the Chamber Choir where she participated in solos and ensembles. Whitney is also involved in the community, and is a member of the Dexter Show Choir, and returned last month from the Show Choir's succesful concert tour in Branson. The ShowMe Spotlight is a monthly feature of the ShowMe Times, featuring one of the Top finalists in the annual Miss Dexter Pageant. (Photo by SMT Reader Shannon Putnam. Thanks, Shannon, for everything!!)

Ice cream for breakfast?
It may seem like a unique idea – a kid’s dream,really. But for two young Dexter ladies it is more than a cool treat on a hot summer’s day or a delicious cold treat. It’s a way to help bring smiles to the faces of children with life-threatening diseases.
McKenzie Mitchell and Lori Thrower will be representing Dexter and the ShowMe State soon at the National Tee and National Junior Teen pageants in Orlando, Fla.
In preparation for the pageant, the Mitchell and Thrower are holding “Ice Cream for Breakfast” fundraiser for the Give Kids The World Village, the philanthropy of the national pageants.
This Sunday the two young Dexter ladies will host Ice Cream For Breakfast at the Dexter Queen on Business Highway 60 in Dexter. From 9 a.m. until “noon-sh” folks can stop by the Dexter Queen, buy an ice cream cone, make a donation, and support this national non-profit organization. All proceeds from the Sunday event will be given by thee Dexter teens in Florida later in July.
Give Kids The World Village is a unique place. The village is a 70-acre resort located in the heart of Central Florida’s major theme parks. The non-profit organization exist only to fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Children and their families are brought to the Give Kids The World a Village, and from there they are able to note only enjoy the GKTW Village, but enjoy a cost-free family vacation to the world famous attractions.
Mitchell was crowned Missouri Teen and Thrower Junior Teen in pageants held in March. McKenzie graduated this spring from Dexter High School and is the daughter of Dr. Kevin and Ann Marie Mitchell. Thrower will be a freshman this fall at DHS, and is the daughter of Lori Fortner Hawkins and Bob Thrower.
- What: Ice Cream For Breakfast
- When: Sunday, July 1
- Time: 9 a.m. – 12”ish” noon
- Where: Dexter Queen on Business Highway 60, Dexter

The Mark Twain Nation Forest office in Rolla announced today that the forest service is restricting open fires due to heightened fire danger, drought conditions and continued hot, dry weather forecast for the next few weeks.
Mark Twain National Forest Acting Forest Supervisor Teresa Chase said no open fires are permitted except within campfire rings or pedestal grills located in developed recreation areas such as campgrounds and picnic areas.
No other open fires are permitted while these restrictions are in place.
Visitors may still use propane or gas cook stoves but are asked to use caution and to not leave stoves unattended.
These restrictions are temporary and will be in effect until the Forest receives significant rainfall.
In addition to restrictions on open burning, visitors are not allowed to possess or discharge fireworks or other pyro-technic devices on Mark Twain National Forest lands.
These restrictions are intended to protect the safety of Forest visitors and area residents by preventing unintentional wildfires started from campfires not fully extinguished or fireworks landing in dry vegetation.
For updated info about Mark Twain National Forest or contact your local Mark Twain National Forest office.
Mark Twain National Forest is the largest public land manager in Missouri with 1.5 million acres in 29 counties in southern and central Missouri. Mark Twain National Forest’s mission is to continue to restore Missouri’s great outdoors and maintain a healthy, working forest.