Submitted by

Beth Farrah, SMT Writer

Malden, Missouri - Three Rivers College will host the General Education Development (GED) Test in Malden this April. The exam will be offered at the Three Rivers Center at Malden on Saturday, April 20, from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. The registration period for this test closes on April 17.

 "Three Rivers main campus in Poplar Bluff normally offers the GED test one Saturday each month," said Diane Patterson, coordinator of the Testing Center at Three Rivers College. "We're offering this so that people in surrounding areas can have a chance to take the GED closer to home."

 Those interested in taking the test should contact the Testing Center for an information packet, which includes the testing application and step-by-step instructions. The Testing Center can be reached by phone at 573-840-9667, or by email atdpatterson@trcc.edu.

Students must be at least 17 years of age to apply for the test, and must submit their application with a $20 application fee to the state. Upon receipt of the application, the state GED office will send the student an authorization form and candidate's responsibility sheet. Students must also complete the eight-page demographics form, available at the Poplar Bluff Adult Education and Literacy Center, and where other GED classes are offered, such as the Harry L. Crisp Bootheel Education Center in Malden.

 Students must submit their state authorization form, candidate's responsibility sheet, completed demographics form, and a $20 testing fee to the Three Rivers Testing Office prior to the test registration deadline on April 17, making the total cost of taking the GED $40. No paperwork or walk-ins are accepted the day of testing. Mailed paperwork must be in an envelope large enough not to bend or fold the forms.

 Those interested in taking GED classes before the test should call the Poplar Bluff Adult Education and Literacy Center at 573-686-2011, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The center is located next to the Crisp Technology Center on the Three Rivers main campus.

 "Students are not required to take classes before taking the test, but it could be beneficial in passing the test the first time around," said Patterson. For more information on registering to take the GED, contact the Three Rivers Testing Center.

Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.

Submitted by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer

Jefferson City, Missouri - Gov. Jay Nixon today encouraged young Missourians looking for summer employment to apply online with the State Parks Youth Corps (SPYC) program, which will return once again in 2013. SPYC - a nationally recognized jobs initiative started by Gov. Nixon in 2010 to enhance Missouri's 87 state parks and historical sites - is a cooperative partnership between the Division of Workforce Development and Missouri State Parks.

The Governor said the 2013 State Parks Youth Corps will employ Missourians between ages 17 and 23 who meet eligibility requirements at state parks and historic sites across Missouri, with the program running from May 1 through Oct. 31. Applications for the program are now being accepted online on the state of Missouri website, MO.gov.

"Through their hard work, the State Parks Youth Corps has helped create a better experience for the millions of people who visit Missouri State Parks each year," Gov. Nixon said. "As a result, we again saw attendance grow, reaching more than 18 million visitors in 2012. I encourage young Missourians who want a summer job that is interesting and challenging to go online and apply."

During 2012, SPYC workers put in more than 119,223 hours at 69 parks and historic sites, performing a variety of tasks, ranging from routine maintenance work and trail construction to interpretation and social media efforts.

Examples included rebuilding a wood picket fence at the Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site in Kansas City; painting 42 historic structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps at Pin Oak group camp at Lake of the Ozarks State Park; assisting with photo documentation and transcription of exhibit text at the Missouri State Museum in Jefferson City; participating in wildfire response training at St. Francois State Park in east-central Missouri; and completing a study of trees at Weston Bend State Park in Platte County and making the study into a book.

The State Parks Youth Corps and Gov. Nixon were recognized in 2010 with the President's Award from the National Association of State Parks Directors for the innovative program.

Written by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer

Dexter, Missouri – The Stoddard County Gospel Mission received a wonderful donation today from AgXplore.

AgXplore donated $5,000 to the Mission to help them continue to serve the Stoddard County.  The Mission helps over 1,500 families each month with food, clothing and household items.

AgXplore is located at 7035 State Hwy D in Parma, Missouri and manufactures and markets nitrogen management aids, specialty fertilizers, micronutrients, and premium adjuvant for enhancing farming applications.  They have been around since 1999 and are meeting the farmer’s needs by listening and developing products to meet the day-to-day challenges the growers face in the fields.

If you would like more information about AgXplore, contact them at 573-357-4506 or find them on the web http://www.agxplore.com.

Shown in the picture is Lorraine Gee (Receptionist), Director of the Mission Kim Slavings, Michelle Aycock  (Owner), Glyneise Green (Shipping Manager), and Ron Gisi (Shipping Specialist).

The Stoddard County Gospel Mission would like to thank AgXplore for their generous donation.

If you would like to make donations to the Mission, contact Kim Slavings at 573-624-8979 or make a donation directly to 207 North One Mile Road, Dexter, Missouri 63841.

They appreciate the community's support and generous donations.

Picture submitted by Misty McBride, Director of Marketing, AgXplore.

Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Strikers Baseball Team will be having a FREE car wash this Saturday from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

These little guys are trying to raise money and are only asking for donations.  They will be at the Auto Zone parking lot and ready to wash your car or truck for FREE!.  Any money raised will go to purchase uniforms, equipment, tournament fees and traveling expenses.

The Dexter Strikers will be playing their first game on Friday, April 12th in Chaffee, Missouri.  They are eight, nine and ten year old kids and are potentially our future players for the DHS Bearcat Baseball Team!  Let's support them all the way!

They are also selling t-shirts for $16 each and they have two wonderful Cardinals Basket to raffle.   These baskets are perfect for the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball fan!  Each contains items shown in the picture PLUS 2 tickets for the PowerAde Bridge seats that are all inclusive seats.  The game is on Mother's Day, May 12, 2013 at 1:15 p.m. and the tickets include FREE buffet and drinks during the game.  The Cards will be hosting the Colorado Rockies!

Raffle tickets are $1.00 each or 6 tickets for $5.00.  The tickets alone are valued at $400.  If you would like to buy these tickets, contact Matt Long at 573-625-3919. 

The drawing will be held on April 27th and you do not have to be present to win. This is a great way to support a local team and an opportunity to see the Cardinal's game.  Would make a wonderful Mother's Day present for Mom that is a Cardinal Fan and you would be helping some youngsters who love to play ball! 

Written by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer

Dexter, Missouri – The Rotary Club of Dexter had their early morning breakfast meeting on Tuesday, April 2^nd 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: