Locust Str. Flowers will join thousands of Teleflora local member florists across the country today for Make Someone Smile Week. The program runs from July 22-28, and is a joint project spearheaded by local Teleflora member florists who volunteer their time to create and deliver bouquets made in Teleflora's signature 'Be Happy!' mugs to those in need of a smile. Developed by Teleflora in 2000, Make Someone Smile has grown to become one of the floral industry's most successful cause-related initiatives in North America.
Above, Locust Str. Flowers team members (from left) Lexi, Willa, Kim, and Daryl prepare arrangements to be delivered this afternoon. (ShowMe Times photo by Andrew Cato)

By order of the Governor, all flags at all State and government offices statewide will be flown at half-staff for one full day on Saturday, July 21, 2012, from sunrise until sunset in memory of Specialist Sterling William Wyatt who died while serving his country in Afghanistan.
 
Also, by order of the Governor, all flags at all State and government offices will be flown at half-staff, in Boone County only, from sunrise on Saturday, July 21, 2012, until sunset on Friday, July 27, 2012, in memory of Specialist Sterling William Wyatt.
 
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