Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri - It's becoming a trend. Youngsters are asking for money for their birthdays, but not for themselves. They are choosing to donate their birthday money to charities.
Liza King, a middle school student at Dexter, decided to donate her birthday money to the Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation this year. They give "love offerings" to local people undergoing treatment for cancer.
In June 18 Fore Life donated their 1 millionth dollar. A goal Scott Kruse and his fellow fundraisers set years ago. And until there is a cure for all cancers they will strive towards their next millionth dollar!
"She's a great student," commented Kruse, principal of T.S. Hill Middle School and organizer of 18 Fore Life. "I am amazed each time a student donates their own money. My brother would be so proud."
As many of the Dexter community already knows, Ben Kruse started the ball rolling when he wanted to have a golf tournament to raise money. He loved helping people and he loved golf. He was tragically taken away, but his memory is not forgotten. Today, 18 Fore Life is instrumental in this area to helping those suffering from the hardships of cancer. They host annual events including Hits for Hope, 10 Pins for Ben, a Charity Golf Tournament, Crappie Tournament, and more.
Liza donated $100 of her birthday money. What a wonderful contribution as knows the importance of what a community can give to each other. It hits a little closer to home for her though. Her Dad is currently battling cancer.
Thank you Liza! The Dexter community is extremely proud of you!
Written by
Beth Farrah, SMT Writer
Dexter, Missouri – Liberty Hill General Baptist Church will be holding their fourth annual Relay For Life 5K run on Saturday, November 23th, 2013 at 9:00am. Just like the previous years, it will be held at West City Park in Dexter. This event is not only for runners, but walkers as well.
Liberty Hill focuses on raising money for Relay for Life all year long. It is an incredible effort that they put forth and in 2011, they raised nearly $20,000 and in 2012 they raised $25,000. They have spent many years working and perfecting fundraisers so they are able to contribute to Stoddard County’s very own Relay for Life. They participate in a wide variety of events and fundraisers throughout the year, but the upcoming 5K is one of their larger events that they encourage local people to participate in. The 5K isn’t only to raise money, but it is for the runners/walkers to represent and honor a loved one who fought or is fighting cancer.
The coordinators for this event are up and ready to get this show on the road with pre-registration. Pre-registration for this event costs $20 and this includes the 5K, a t-shirt, and a light breakfast following registration. Late registration or Racing Day registration is only $25 but if you wait to register on race day, your preferred t-shirt size is not guaranteed. If you do not want to participate in the walk or run but you would like to purchase a t-shirt to support this event, you can order a t-shirt for $15. All runners or walkers that participate in pre-registration are guaranteed a t-shirt.
Sponsorships for local businesses are also available for purchase and their company name will be placed on the back of the t-shirts that are being sold. One business logo will be sold at the cost of $100 and the companies that choose to participate will each receive two free t-shirts.
Times will be given out to the walkers and runners at the end of the 5K but no awards will be given out because this is not meant to be a competitive event. The main goal of Liberty Hill’s 5K is to honor those who have been diagnosed with a type of cancer, remember those who have lost the fight to cancer, and raise money to help the awareness campaign for the 2014 Stoddard County Relay for Life Team.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri - County Wide Insurance enjoys giving back to the community and this year is no exception. They are collecting food for the Stoddard County Gospel Mission and will continue to do so even after the holidays!
Everyone knows that there are difficult times for many and fellow neighbors are starving in Stoddard County. "Through local food drives, you can give back and make a direct impact on the lives of people living in our own community," stated Tracy Horton, County Wide Insurance agent.
"Items needed are any non-perishable foods such as rice, beans, canned vegetables, mac&cheese, peanut butter, boxed drinks, ramen, spaghetti, soups, canned tuna, boxed cornbread, and cereal," according to Horton. "We just want to give to the community and we realize there are a lot of people who could use some much needed food this holiday season."
You can drop off food between 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday at 140 S. Walnut Street. While you are there pick up a free 2014 calendar!
County Wide Insurance is encouraging employees, insurance company partners and the public to help them make the holidays a little bit easier for those in need. Please give what you can!
Shown in the photo are Tish Gentry, Kaylin Goins, and Tracy Horton, County Wide Insurance Agents.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
The Food Drive will be on Saturday, November 23rd from 8:00 a.m. - Noon at Town & Country in Dexter.
All donations will got o the Stoddard County Gospel Mission. According to Kim Slavings, Director of the Mission, "We are in need of non-perishable foods such as peanut butter, spaghetti, canned vegetables, canned fruit, cereal, rice beans, boxed drinks, soups, crackers, boxed cornbread, ramen, mac&cheese, and canned tuna."
The Rotary Interact student also voted at their last monthly meeting to donate $250 work of food to the Food Drive from money they have raised last year. Service Above Self!
Submitted by Jill Temples
SMT Writer
“…Magic is capable of creating moments of wonder that inspire and move people into a place of transformation. It’s about using this world, where seemingly anything is possible, to offer a new perspective, to get people to see the possibilities around them and wonder out loud, ‘What if?’”
Dexter, Missouri- Harris III, who is a member of Catalys’s pretigous and highly-respected Young Influencers List, will be performing at the First Baptist Church tonight at 6:30 p.m. The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for students (18 and under). Kids (6 and under) will get in FREE! This will be great entertainment for families!
Harris “the Third” has spent the majority of his young life dazzling audiences. His performances have been featured on thousands of stages throughout the United States, and his magic-with-a message has captured the spotlight in over 15 countries on 5 continents. He has performed in Europe, Asia, Africa, and even the Middle East, to the exclusive, members-only club of Manhattan’s Soho House, Harris’ illusions have captivated spectators in an unusually wide variety of venues.
Harris, who is only in his twenties, has been called upon by Elvis Presley Enterprises to create custom presentations for Graceland, asked to deliver creative messages at fundraising events at venues like the Southwest Airlines Corporate Headquarters, and has been hired to entertain and inspire the staffs and leadership of organizations like North Point Community Church, Focus on the Family, and the Southern Baptist Executive Committee.
Since the age of eleven, Harris immersed himself in performance art. Enlisting the help of Mr. McMichael, (an illusionist he first saw perform in the unlikely venue of a small country church), Harris spent hours, every day, rehearsing. Like a diligent athlete, he practiced the rudiments of prestidigitation and explored the science of misdirection. He polished his presentation and shined up his showmanship until this once disillusioned boy mastered the Art of Illusion, itself.
The instructions Harris received from the mentor he first saw perform “in church”, opened his eyes; but not to the magical or the mystical, but rather to matters that truly matter – the spiritual.
“…Every moment of misdirection I create on stage has a purpose; every illusion is intentionally tied together to enlighten, to inspire others to see the deception around them, to learn the truth about lies…and discover their own purpose.”
His knack for communicating “the evident of things unseen,” often opens the eyes of his audience more than his visual misdirection. And that art of story telling has opened new doors of opportunity for Harris as a respected communicator to conjure up words of inspiration at concerts, in seminars, and in his latest book, Senseless. Harris has also created his DVD, Harris III – Master Illusionist. The production combines live performances of illusions with an artistic film short.
The story’s lessons raise the curtain on the perils of Pride, the dangers of Deception, and the transforming magic of finding one’s true purpose.
Harris III is fulfilling his purpose. Through his misdirection, he is revealing the everyday deceptions that detour us from the Truth. And with a masterful sleight of hand he is opening eyes, ears, and hearts to the wonders around us…to matters that truly matter.
What others have to say about Harris:
“I am a fan of anyone who can entertain and genuinely minister at the same time. That’s why I’m a fan of Harris, III. I have seen him in various settings, large and small, and have been completely amazed by his talent. Most impressive, however, is his unique presentation of the Gospel. Harris uses magic as a vehicle to communicate his message in a way that is as unique and memorable as anything I have ever seen. He is a true talent and his style and presentation is universal. It’s hard to imagine a setting where it wouldn’t be both entertaining and impacting. In a day and age where people have almost limitless choices for entertainment – I can honestly recommend Harris as one of the best choices you could make. His message is eternal.”
-Chaz Corzine, Manager for Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Frank Peretti and Others
“Illusion followed by revelation. The true beauty in Harris’ show is found in the enlightenment of Truth. Harris and Kate use their gifts to illuminate the deception of this world, and lead people into the person of Truth, Jesus Christ. The show is mesmerizing and entertaining, while the message is clear and inspirational. As their pastor, I have watched Harris and Kate discovering Truth more deeply at every turn in their journey. They are contributing to the Kingdom of God in an incredible way.”
-Jamie George, Pastor, Journey Ecclessia, Franklin, TN
For more information about Harris the third, visit his website: www.HarrisIII.com
