Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
Bloomfield, Missouri - County Wide Insurance of Dexter, Missouri enjoys giving during the holiday season. With the temperatures beginning to drop and the cold, night air finally upon us, we assume everyone will stay warm this winter.
This year at County Wide Insurance Agency's annual Christmas celebration new hats, mittens, gloves and scarves of all colors were bundled together. Everyone was excited folding pretty pink scarves, matching gloves to hats, holding up little tiny mittens for the littlest of children. All to be delivered to the Stoddard County Children's Home in Bloomfield, Missouri.
The Children's Home is a safe haven for children from infant to eighteen years of age. Their doors opened in January of 1980 because of a man named, Churn Williams. He served as the county's part-time juvenile officer during those days. He knew there was a need in the county to have a place where children felt safe, loved and happy.
Mike Davis, Chief Juvenile Officer and currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Children's Home, knows just how hard times can get when he sees so many children in need, especially during the holidays. "Your generosity and support will bring joy to the children. Thank you!"
It is the true spirit of giving that sustains the Stoddard County Children's Home. Due to the generosity of many local businesses, schools, churches, other organizations, and people from the local community the Children's Home has been keeping children safe for 32 years.
Anyone wishing to donate are encouraged to contact the Board of Directors by mail at P.O. Box 164, Dexter, MO 63841 or you may contact Mike Davis at the Justice Center in Bloomfield, Missouri.
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
Bloomfield, Missouri - The Bloomfield Masonic Lodge #153 out cooked themselves again this year with a Holiday Breakfast this past Saturday. Cooking breakfast for the community has been a tradition at the lodge, which is located on Prairie Street just north of the courthouse square near the Bloomfield post office.
Mike McCollum, Worship Master, stated “You can’t get a better breakfast than this anywhere for $6.00. We had sausage, bacon, eggs, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, orange juice, milk, and hot coffee. All you care to eat”.
Even the youngsters who attended the event were excited to pick out a Hot Wheels car to take home. The little race cars were donated by one of the newest members of the Lodge, Dale Kemp of Dexter, Missouri.
The Mason men really enjoy their cooking as they have each year a Valentine’s Day Breakfast, Mother’s Day Breakfast and Father’s Day BBQ. Monies from these wonderful events are used for various community projects. Their most recent endeavor is to have a Hunter’s Safety Education Course for children interested in the sport.
Clifford Hicks joined the Masonic Lodge #153 back in 1958 just after the building was dedicated. “I’m a good cook”, and “The Working Tools of the Knife and Fork Degree is proof as it is printed on my apron”.
The musical is directed by Maria Chamberlain and performed by the many talents of the First Baptist Church adult choir. The presentation will bring to you the story of Christmas to life by the elegant and simplistic use of many colors throughout the program.
Final preparations and the final polish has been placed on the performance this Wednesday evening as the group held a dress rehearsal.
You will be amazed as the holiday show will deliver the story of the Savior, Jesus Christ. The stage will be filled with drama and banners, as the choir performs traditional selections ranging from "White Christmas" to "Silent Night" and "Jingle Bells" to "The Messiah's Medley".
Many will recall the days of yesteryear as Maria and First Baptist Church would host a week long presentation of a Christmas pageant. Those events are remembered by many throughout the Midwest as the most exceptional two act presentations filled with fun, laughs and meaning. Act one would offer the joys and traditions of a typical American Christmas, while act two would present the life of Jesus Christ from birth to Crucifixion.
A new creation each year, the pageant always brought anxious guest to be amazed by the work of the First Baptist Church, Don Kennedy's effects and Maria's talent for bringing everything together for a special evening.The Colors of Christmas is certain to deliver the same meaning of the Season while you enjoy the beautiful sounds of Christmas. Make your plan to join others in the community to get your holiday season started right.
There is no charge for admission to the program. The Colors of Christmas is a gift of love from the members of First Baptist Church of Dexter to the communities of the area.
The musical will be performed this Saturday and Sunday evening, December 8th and 9th at the First Baptist Church in Dexter, Missouri. Performances will begin at 7:00 PM.
Written by
Jessica Snider, SMT Writer
Today the annual KDEX “Coats for Kids” campaign got underway. The program is very active every year and helps many people in need during the holidays.
The Stoddard County Gospel Mission is very low on goods this year and as always, could use your help! It doesn’t take long or even much effort, and you could majorly affect a whole family’s life this winter.
Classes at Central Elementary School in Dexter are collecting coats, which will be distributed by the Stoddard County Gospel Mission. The “Coats for Kids” campaign will run through December 20th.
The classes have turned things into a competition in order to motivate kids to bring in new or good used coats for donation. The winning classes at Central Elementary will receive Pizza Hut pizza parties.
Not only can you help by donating coats, but canned goods are also being collected. The Stoddard County Gospel Mission will also distribute the cans that are collected. Both the cans and coats which are collected by people throughout the community will be evenly distributed to people who are less fortunate around the area.
This is just one of the many ways you can get involved to help people in the community. It doesn’t take much to take a look through your closet or the pantry to find something you don’t plan on using. Maybe it’s a coat you’ve outgrown or extra canned food in the pantry; either way, you’re sure to change someone’s life with this small gesture.
Not only can you drop the coats and cans off at Central Elementary School, but Harps in Dexter will also be available for drop off.
Never forget how blessed we truly are and also remember there are people who have never had the feeling of being warm through the winter season. With your simple, kind gesture, you will extend love into many hearts this season.
You still have about three weeks left until the KDEX “Coats for Kids” campaign comes to an end for 2012. This program has been going on for over fifteen years and has touched many lives throughout the community.
If you plan on donating coats or canned goods, remember you can donate to Central Elementary School or also Harps, both are located in Dexter.
Not only will you feel good about your gesture, but you will put a smile on many faces who are in need this year!
Jessica Snider, SMT Writer
While the Thanksgiving holiday has just come to a close, many of us could still be full from all the food that was partaken it. Okay, probably not still full, but most people definitely had enough to eat!
Have you ever stopped to wonder how many people around this area didn’t get a meal for Thanksgiving? Not only just on Thanksgiving, but some people right here in our own community don’t even get regular meals.
We often take for granted how lucky we are. Even if you’re someone who recognizes that there are needy people all around us, maybe you’re wondering how you can help this year.
Although it is very sad that things like this happen, fortunately, there is a very easy way you can get involved! It has been announced that the Stoddard County Mission is very low on food. This is awful to hear about, but even worse right here close to the holidays.
If you’re someone who wishes to help, you have a big chance to get involved tomorrow. The Modern Woodmen Youth Clubs will be stuffing a truck for the Stoddard County Mission.
The “truck-stuffing” will take place from 3:15-4:00 P.M. tomorrow, November 28th. The event will be held at the Town and Country Supermarket in Bloomfield.
The Youth Club asks that you stop by and help fill the truck in any way you possibly can! The club will also have a table set up inside Town and Country.
This is a great and easy way for those who wish to get involved but aren’t sure what they can do to help. Stuff A Truck is a wonderful thing and it will affect a lot of people right here in the community throughout this holiday season.
Help spread the love and stuff a truck!
