Written by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – The Rotary Club of Dexter had their early morning breakfast meeting on Tuesday, April 2nd and were pleasantly greeted with a guest speaker.
Mr. Tom Love, co-owner of Gobbler Ridge Farm in Dexter, Missouri was present to discuss the Disabled Veterans Wildlife Facility. Also as guests were Mr. Jim Adams and Mr. Darrell LaPierre, who are officers of the Kenady-Hanks American Legion Post 59 in Dexter.
Tom and his family have enjoyed spending time on their 125 acres called Gobbler Ridge Farm, which is about four miles north of Dexter off County Road 426. If you haven't had the opportunity to visit this beautiful location then you have missed a great wildlife habitat.
Privately owned and without severe government restrictions, the grounds are maintained by volunteers and donations from the community.
The facility was designed for the use of disabled veterans exclusively. Veterans with combat related disabilities will have first preference, but veterans with documented disabilities will also be eligible. Priority is given to those who are wheelchair bound or require assistance to use the facility.
The rustic cabin and the grounds area are specifically designed so that disabled veterans can hunt in elevated blinds, travel along the trails or just view the beautiful wildlife.
There is a large enclosed blind that is completely wheelchair accessible and very safe, even heated and insulated with sliding windows for accessible hunting or taking photographs.
They maintain the area in a manner consistent with the Missouri Department of Conservation standards and have added food plots with clover, wheat, beans, corn and milo. There are even ground blinds that are wheelchair accessible and portable to provide mobility.
The rustic cabin is quite a home away from home and is used for preparing meals, sleeping or just relaxing and is fully wheelchair accessible. Meals or snacks will be provided for veterans as needed or requested and guides are available as well.
The Disabled Veterans Wildlife Facility is a valuable asset to our community and serves the needs of our disabled veterans. We want to show our appreciation for their service and dedication to this great country of ours.
They do have needs as this is a completely privately owned and volunteer operated facility. Tom stated, "The road going in will have to be repaired. It floods sometimes and we need to get that fixed. We can't use the facility if we can't get to it easily."
"We can always use seed, fuel, food, money to cover insurance, trail repairs, and other needs," continued Mr. Love. "Mostly we could use a well. We get water the old fashioned way like when I was growing up, utilizing rain water. I have only ran out of water twice and that was in the summer months."
For many veterans who are confined to a wheelchair or whose mobility has been restricted as a result of serving their country or due to age, etc accessibility to their once favorite pastime is restricted, but not any more. With the Disabled Veterans Wildlife Facility, they can enjoy hunting, fishing, photography, or just getting out of the house and into the woods for a daytime adventure!
For more information please or to make a donation, please contact, Tom Love 573-820-0802 or Jim Adams 573-421-3660.
To mail in donations: D.V. Outdoor Fund
American Legion Post 59, P.O. Box 446, Dexter, Missouri 63841
They also have a Facebook page with lots of photographs of the facility, blinds, veterans who have used the facility and just God's creatures living on the land.
Go to the page: https://www.facebook.com/DisabledVeteransWildlifeFacility?ref=stream
The Dexter Rotary would like to thank Tom Love and his guests for joining them for their breakfast meeting and they look forward to visiting the Disabled Veterans Wildlife Facility at Gobbler Ridge Farms in the near future.
The Dexter Rotary Club meets weekly for breakfast or lunch and is currently looking for new members. If you are interested in becoming a member contact Mr. Jack Rodgers at 573-624-5762 or jrod63841@yahoo.com. Their motto is Service Above Self!
Also check out their new Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dexter-Rotary-Club/495427427182546
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Larry Jones was from Bloomfield, Missouri and passed away on March 14, 2011. As a teenager, Larry was quite the athlete at Dexter Senior High School. He was an accomplished sportsman, competing in football, wrestling, track and boxing and earned his nickname of "Arkansas Flash".
In honor of his brave fight with cancer that took his life, the Larry B. Jones H.O.P..E. Campaign was established to celebrate Healing, Optimism, Prayer and Example. Those who wish to donate directly may send monies to 1428 W. Business Hwy 60, Dexter, Missouri 63841 or drop your donation off at the Bank of Advance in dexter, Advance or Bell City, Missouri.
This month, they are raffling two wonderful prizes to raise money for 18 Fore Life. Purchase a ticket and you will win one of two $500 Wal-Mart gift cards. Tickets are $1 each or six tickets for $5. Tickets may be purchased at Allen Christian Buick GMC in Dexter and Autry Morlan Chevrolet-Cadillac in Dexter.
You can also purchase them by calling Kyle at 573-820-7033, Che' at 573-820-7542, Joe at 314-952-9127, Lora at 314-402-7777 or Kathy at 572-421-8649.
All proceeds benefit 18 Fore Life, which gives gifts of love to local cancer patients and is about to hit their one million dollar goal of giving this year.
The drawing will be held live on KDEX radio at 1:00 p.m. April 30, 2013.
The Jones family honors his life by giving back to those in our community and by helping other families who are faced with the difficult journey of fighting cancer.
Please make a donation today if you can. Cancer is a terrible disease and so many people, including children in our community are facing it each and every day, struggling to fight for their lives.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – The Missouri Bootheel Society, Children of the American Revolution traveled to Lake Ozark, Missouri on March 16th and 17th to participate in the 2013 State Conference.
The 2012 State President, Mr. Jack Lake, of Jackson, Missouri presided over the meetings. The local MO Bootheel Society President, Tyler Stevenson of Dexter, Missouri addressed the audience with his report. Kendra Stevenson, State Registrar and Tyler Stevenson, Assistant State Registrar gave state office reports.
Members of the Missouri Bootheel Society were also honored with contest awards.
Walker Jarrell earned 1st Place for Perennial Garden, PeeWee Member. He also received Honorable Mention for American Heritage, PeeWee Member.Walker Jarrell is the son of Brad and Sarah Jarrell of Dexter.
Tyler Stevenson earned 1st place in C.A.R. Magazine Editor, Conservation and American Heritage. He also received 2nd place in Patriotic Education.
Kendra Stevenson earned 1st place as State Librarian, State Organizing Secretary, State Chaplain and State President. She also earned 3rd place in Patriotic Education.
Kendra and Tyler Stevenson are the children of Kay Stevenson of Dexter and Keith Stevenson of Poplar Bluff.
Congratulations to Kendra, Tyler and Walker!
The final ceremony of the conference was the induction of State Officers for 2013. Kendra Stevenson was inducted to the office of State Organizing Secretary. Tyler Stevenson was inducted to the office of State Registrar.
The National Society of the Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.) was founded in 1895 and is the oldest patriotic organization for youth in America. Membership is open to descendents of patriots of the American Revolution. The age range is birth to twenty-one and is both for boys and girls. Meetings and activities are planned for all ages with special consideration given to younger members. Those age 10 and under are affectionately called “PeeWee Patriots”.
Members gain invaluable leadership experience in conducting meetings, following parliamentary procedures and standard protocol, serving as delegates and speaking before groups at local, state and national conferences.
Their Mission Statement is as follows, “The National Society of the Children of the American Revolution trains good citizens, develops leaders and promotes love of the United States of America and its heritage among young people.”
If any one is interested in information about Children of the American Revolution or Daughters of the American Revolution, please contact Kay Stevenson at kaystevenson82@gmail.com.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – The “Prayers for Gaige” Fundraiser will be held this Saturday, March 30th beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the new Dexter Parks & Recreation gym by East City Park for the 3 on 3 basketball.
The other exciting activities planned will be held at the Stoddard County Fairgrounds beginning at 10:00 a.m.
At 8:00 a.m. there will be a live performance of our National Anthem by Katie Snider, followed by a special prayer from T.J. Scott at the gym.
Donuts and coffee will be available for sale from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. There will be BBQ, a cake walk, kid’s activities, raffle, 50/50 drawing and a book sale from 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Stoddard County Fairgrounds.
Wonderful musical appearances beginning at noon by Dexter’s own Lauren Thrower, 1 p.m. will be Michaela Heaton, 2 p.m. Rebekah Northern, 3 p.m. Tori Travers and Maggie Thorn will round out the entertainment at 4 p.m.
There will also be a Car and Motorcycle Show from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with a $10 entry fee and a trophy for each category will be awarded.
Come and show your support for Gaige and his family and listen to the area’s finest talent
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
His internship, through Arkansas State University, will run throughout the spring semester and will be one of the final steps in completing his Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations.
Zack will focus a majority of his efforts on social media promotions for the Brickhouse Grill. Although one of the more popular places in Jonesboro, social media has not been the main focus in their advertising efforts. By revamping the website and menu, Hedrick says, "I hope to boost sales and strengthen the Brickhouse Grill name. That's my goal."
While working on his internship at the Brickhouse Grill, he will report back to his Public Relations Practicum class once a week to review his progress with Dr. Gil Fowler. Class time is also used to brush-up on new skills involving his major.
The Brickhouse Grill was established in 2007 by Louisiana transplant Dan Johnson. The bar and grill venue brings together an incredible mix of amazing food, the very best in live music, and an unbeatable atmosphere, all served up New Orleans style. The Brickhouse Grill was one of the leading forces in the revitalization efforts in downtown Jonesboro and is located at 218 S. Main Street. Check out their Facebook page by clicking the image below:
Zach, now 21, is the son of Dexter business owners Alan and Tracy Hedrick. He spent his entire life in Dexter, Missouri before beginning his career at Arkansas State University in the fall of 2009. After initially declaring his major in Political Science, he changed his major to Public Relations during his sophomore year and has thoroughly enjoyed the ASU College of Communications.
Hedrick is working towards his Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations with a minor in History. His anticipated graduation is soon approaching on May 11, 2013. Congratulations Zach on a job well done!
It is always great to hear about our Dexter High School graduates and how well they are prospering in colleges and universities throughout this great country of ours.
If you know of a Dexter graduate that is performing well let us know at news@showmetimes.com. We would love to write an article and let the Dexter community know we support them in their endeavors.
