Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Rotary Club along with volunteers from Rotary Interact of Stoddard County and the Dexter Tree Board combined their efforts to plant 36 red Crepe' Myrtles in the area of the Highway 60 and One Mile Road exit.

The project was made possible through a $1,000 grant obtained through Rotary International and the Dexter Rotary Club who matched the funds dollar for dollar.

"It's been a long process,"  stated one Rotary member.  "But well worth it!  Service Above Self is our motto.  These trees will grow and people will enjoy them for many years."

The Dexter Tree Board will pick up any additional expenses for maintaining the trees, but one can only imagine how quickly Rotary members will be out there if called upon.

Rotary is an international service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.  If you are interested in joining Rotary, please contact Jack Rodgers at jrod63841@yahoo.com or 573-624-5762.

Dexter, Missouri - On Thursday, December 5th, Rotary Interact students will host a fundraiser with Pizza Hut.

Pizza Hut will donate 10% of any purchase of a regular priced menu item to the Interact group between the hours of 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. on December 5th,

"This is a great opportunity to support our local Interact Club," stated Phil Ternes, owner of Pizza Hut.  "The Dexter Rotary Club sponsors these students and each year they use money raised for service projects and scholarships."

Students will pass out flyers at Town & Country on Saturday, November 23rd from 8 a.m. - noon as they collect donations for their food drive. 

Take the flyer to Pizza Hut on December 5th to ensure the students receive their financial donation.  Interact students recently helped with a beautification project in Dexter.  They were up early on a rather cool Saturday morning planing Crepe' Myrtles at the One Mile Road/Poplar Bluff Exit in Dexter. 

They also plan to deliver food to the Stoddard County Gospel Mission on Saturday and they will be making Christmas cards for local seniors living in residential care facilities in the area.  You might even find them out caroling this holiday season!

Any Stoddard County student may join the Rotary Interact Club.  Freshman and Sophomores are encouraged to join early during their high school career.  Service Above Self is their motto and these students definitely demonstrate those qualities. 

They meet on the second Sunday of each month at 4 p.m.  at the Evangelical Free Church at 16287 North Outer Road, Dexter, Missouri.

Bloomfield, Missouri - The 5th Annual "Claus for a Cause" will be held this Sunday, November 24th from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomfield, Missouri.

Come have your picture made with Santa just in time for the Holidays. Picture packages ranging from $10 to $25 will be available for purchase. No appointment necessary.

They have raised over $10,000 in their first four years.  It's a great way to raise money and the memories will last a lifetime!

All proceeds benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and 18 Fore Life. The public is encouraged to attend and Everyone is welcome!

The church is located at 704 W. Missouri Street.

Dexter, Missouri - Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.  Everyone should experience the tradition of a great meal, family and a fun afternoon of visiting.

The Student Council of Dexter High School knows all to well how tradition is important and again this year they will host the Senior Citizen's Turkey Dinner on Tuesday, November 26th.

Dinner will be served at the High School at 5:00 p.m. with entertainment and BINGO to begin at 6:15 p.m.

All Senior Citizens are encouraged to attend and no per-registration is required.  There is no charge for this wonderful meal.

Pictured with some of the BINGO prizes are Student Council members: Honey Patel, Alexis Smith, Zach Sims, Lacey Midgett, and Hayli Petty.

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!