Girl Scout Missouri Heartland Service Unit 675 of Dexter is holding a "Share the Warmth" clothing drive. You can participate in the drive by bringing anything that is able to keep you warm in the cold weather, such as: gloves, blankets, socks, hats, coats, scarves, or other pieces of clothing that are often used during the winter. They are asking for new clothes, not previously worn or dirtied, so that the recipient will get newer and cleaner items.
The adult items that are collected will be given to local nursing homes all over Stoddard County and will be greatly appreciated by the people receiving these particular items. The items that are for the children will be donated to children in need, children’s homes, and public schools across the county. With cold weather creeping in and winter coming close, it is important that each child has a coat to keep them warm, even if their family is not able to afford it.
The clothing drive will be held on December 1st from nine o’clock in the morning until noon at the Girl Scout’s Office in Dexter. Be sure not to miss the fun festivities taking place after all the donations are collected. You can stick around and play games, make arts and crafts, eat snacks and baked goods, and grab a cup of hot chocolate or other warm drink.
This is a great way to reach out to the community but it is an act that will need a lot of support. We hope that you can come out and support the Girl Scouts so that this will be a very successful and helpful event.
Aleshia Flowers
Dexter, Missouri - The annual Veterans Day event held at the Bearcat Event Center transpired Monday, November 12th. Each year the ceremony is sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Members of the general public and the entire Dexter Public Schools student body were in attendance. The event pays tribute to local and national veterans as well as serves as an opportunity for today’s youth to become more aware of the role veterans play in each American’s life.
Several distinguished speakers addressed the crowd through the presentation. Da Airman Darryl LaPierre, American Legion Post 59 Commander, spoke of his military experiences in the “chrome dome” flying “hot” planes by the poles in Alaska.
When Dr. Roger Alsup asked LaPierre to explain to the crowd why he chose to serve in the armed forces, LaPierre noted his love of freedom, love of country, and love of service were his driving forces. LaPierre stated that four of the city’s police officers and one of the city’s firefighters were retired military. He noted that over six thousand veterans reside in Stoddard County. These men and women are proud to continue serving the public beyond the terms of their enlistment. Scott Rybodt directed the DHS Band in a medley entitled “A Tribute to the Armed Services.” The medley included the theme song of each branch of the armed forces and veterans as well as enlisted military stood in honor while their respective anthem was in tune.
The Sisler-Eskew-Parker Monument Wreath Presentation to Delois Gales, American Legion Auxiliary member, was conducted by Dr. Tom Sharp, Dexter Schools Superintendent. The assembly concluded with a moment of silence for the playing of “Taps” and retiring of the colors.
The active participation of the student body in the events leading up to yesterday’s ceremony allowed students to gain appreciation for the armed services. Students in various grade levels participated in several activities designed to accentuate the Veterans Day program.
June Lawrence, the art teacher at Central Elementary, along with Sheila Alsup, representative for the American Legion Auxiliary, hosted a fifth grade poster contest. Applicants were asked to design an all-original poster representing Veterans Day.
SPC Katie Alsup addressed each classroom with details regarding the competition. Katie lent knowledge of the history and importance of US Veterans. Alsup states, “It is amazing to see the hard work the kids put into their posters. For some students, the poster contest has allowed them to explore the history of veterans in their own family. I feel it is important to instill gratitude and respect for our veterans at a young age.”
While each fifth grade student participated, only a select few works of art were chosen as honorable mentions. One winner from each classroom was then selected as a winner. Classroom winners were announced at the event; recipients were as follows: Hayden Hillis, Spencer Warren, Jayden Cato, Sebastian Conner, Shay Baker, Ann Marie Long, Rebecca Trough, and Netee Patel.
Eighth graders prepared for the Veterans Day event by participating in an essay contest. Melinda Sweeny, eighth grade teacher, assisted in organizing the essay competition. Each student was asked to write an essay in the theme “Freedoms I Enjoy Most.” Maci Urhahn was awarded second place for her submission and Kelly Ash was given third place for her composition.
However, the essay written by Olivia Sitze entitled “Freedom of Assembly” stood out above the crowd, winning first place. Sitze was asked to read her amazing essay at the Veterans Day ceremony. Many were moved by her thoughtful words of gratitude for the freedoms American veterans had given her. Sitze will continue on to be a contender in the state wide essay contest.
Programs such as these allow our youth to better understand the commendable role American veterans play in ensuring out protection and freedom. We look forward to next year’s event!
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Elks Lodge #2439 Hoop Shoot competition will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, at T. S. Hill Middle School in Dexter.
Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the Hoop Shoot contest will begin at approximately 10 a.m. The public can watch the event at no charge.
The event is a free-throw shooting contest open to all boys and girls ages 8-13. Contestants will be assigned an age-group based on the age that they will be on April 1, 2013. Contestants must be 8 years old by April 1, 2013, to participate and can only participate in one Lodge contest.
All information of the Hoop Shoot was sent out to five schools: Dexter, Richland, Puxico, Bloomfield, and Bernie. The information was sent out by the Elks Lodge and then received by the coaches at the each of the five high schools. Participants should get with their coaches in order to get signed up for the contest.
The Hoop Shoot contest is arranged in two divisions, one for boys and one for girls, in age categories 8-9, 10-11, and 12-13. In the 8-9 boys age division, the 28.5 boys basketball will be used in the competition. In the 10-11 and 12-13 age divisions, a regulation-size basketball will be used. All girls age groups will use the girls regulation-size basketball.
All contestant will be allowed 10-minutes to warm up time prior to competing. Boys and girls in the 8-9 age category may shoot from a line four feet in front of the regulation foul line.
The event director will determine the shooting order by random drawing of names. The contest score consists of the total of made free throws out of 25 total shots. Each contestant may have up to five warm-up shots if desired and will then shoot 10 shots for their official score. After the other contestants have finished their 10 shots, the contestant will then shoot 15 shots to complete their 25 shots for a final score
Additional rules contestants should be aware of are:
- Contestants cannot bounce the ball more than four times between shots. If the ball is bounced more than four times, a penalty occurs and the shot is void.
- Contestants must stay behind the foul line until the ball has touched the hoop, backboard or net. The penalty for a line violation is the loss of a basket, if made.
- Only contestants, officials and scorers are allowed on the floor during the contest.
- All contestants must wear gym shoes and gym clothes (t-shirt with pants or gym shorts) to compete.
The six Dexter Elks champions, one boy and one girl in each age group, will advance to the District Hoop Shoot contest. From there winners continue on to the state finals on February 2nd at Windsor High School in Imperial, MO.
State winners progress to the three-state regional competition on March 9th in Paris, TN. The national finals will be held on April 20th in Springfield, Massachusetts.
For more information, contact the membership of the Dexter Elks Lodge via email at bpoe2439@newwavecomm.net.
Aleshia Flowers
The children had a wonderful time dancing to the music, forming Congo lines, and posing for silly pictures. The dance was beautifully decorated using supplies borrowed from the high school’s Student Council. PTO volunteers provided tasty refreshments for the attendees and SEMO DJ Service’s Jim Hager played an exciting remix of popular songs those dancing seemed to thoroughly enjoy.Fifth grade students complete the DARE program this month. Students have spent the last several years learning how to lead safe, healthy, drug-free lifestyles; however, this school year’s study of the topic has been more in-depth than in years past. The students will celebrate their conclusion of the program with a special graduation ceremony on Monday, November 17th at 1:00 PM.
Article by
Contributing Writer
Aleshia Flowers
The members of the Stoddard County Republican Club are “electing” to have a good time on November 6th. The local club’s Central Committee is hosting this year’s Election Watch Party at the Hidden Trails Country Club. The event will begin at 7:00 PM and continue until all election results have been announced.
Several TVs will be displayed throughout the banquet hall covering both local and national news stations. Pizza and snacks will be served and those planning to attend are asked to bring $5.00 to help compensate for the cost of refreshments.
The party will be a wonderful opportunity to meet with others who take interest in politics and also meet with potential elected officials. Members of the public, both young and old, are welcome to attend.
It is a pivotal time in American history. The results of this year’s election will surely determine the pace of the nation over the next four years.
Whether you sit on the left or right side of the aisle, the Stoddard County Republican Club would like to encourage all whom are eligible to cast their vote. Our ability to actively participate in our government is a right unique to the United States- please exercise your freedom of speech this election season!
