Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor

Dexter, Missouri – Please mark you calendar for Saturday, April 5^th and Rally for Riley at the First United Methodist Church.

A Benefit Pancake Breakfast will be held for Riley Rickman and her family.  Many of you already know she was diagnosed with Leukemia just over a month ago and has been undergoing treatment at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis, Missouri.  Her mother, Robin, has been with her the entire time.

Riley Jo Rickman is a senior at Dexter High School. Avid softball player, singer and academic student and especially beautiful! She was diagnosed with APL a form of Leukemia and is undergoing treatment in St. Louis. She is loved by many, especially her high school classmates!! Rally for Riley! We're In This Together!!!!!

Please join the First United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 5^th from 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. for some delicious pancakes.  Your donations will be greatly appreciated.  There is no set price for the breakfast, donate what you can.  Every dollar is appreciated!!!

First United Methodist Church is located at 501 South Walnut in Dexter.

Rally for Riley!  We're In This Together!!!

Dexter, Missouri - "We need your help!!  April 2nd is 7th Annual World Autism Awareness Day and we want to light up Stoddard County in BLUE," stated Belinda Worley.

Belinda Worley is the owner of Bootheel Pediatric Therapy and her daughter is autistic.  She currently serves as a member of the Parent Autism Advisory Council, a state-appointed position and works with many children who are affected by this disorder.

April is also Autism Awareness Month and serves as a time to educate and inform the public about the disorder.  Autism is a neurophysiological disorder affecting brain development and function and is usually diagnosed in young children. 

Nikki Finch works with autistic children at Bootheel Pediatric Therapy in Dexter and has witnessed first hand the every day challenges faced by parents. 

World Autism Awareness Day shines a bright light on autism as a growing global health crisis. By bringing together autism organizations all around the world, they will give a voice to the millions of individuals worldwide who are undiagnosed, misunderstood and looking for help. Please join them in their effort to inspire compassion, empowerment and hope. For more information about Autism click HERE.

Shown in the photo are speech language pathologists of Bootheel Pediatric Therapy: Belinda Worley, Ashley Miller, and Nikki Finch.

Dexter, Missouri - If you can't get to Columbia on Friday to cheer for the Lady Bearcats, then gather your friends and head out to Pizza Hut!

YHC TV will be broadcasting live on channel 21 to give our Bearcat fans a chance to watch the FINAL FOUR basketball game to be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, March 21st.

Dexter Public Schools are letting students out at 1:00 p.m. so they can get to a radio or television to listen and watch the game.  The girls are going to make history and you won't want to miss out!

Invite some friends and family and come on down to Pizza Hut with their five tv's all on the Lady 'Cats and eat delicious pizza any way you want it for just $10.  How crazy it that?  Or you can order off the menu and enjoy some hotwings and Lady 'Cat basketball!

Go Bearcats!  ONE TEAM ONE DREAM!!

Bernie, Missouri - The Bernie Parents As Teacher's program have announced their March Student of the Month.  Three year old Madilyn Jones, the daughter of Brian and Jessica Jones.

She likes to sing, dance, slide and play outside.  She loves playing with her My Little Pony toys.

During her Parent As Teacher's visits with Mrs. McGarity, she enjoys matching games, putting puzzles together and amuses herself with the ever infamous play doh!

Congratulations Madilyn!  For more information about Parents As Teachers in Bernie go to their Facebook page by clicking HERE.

Bernie, Missouri - The Bernie Parents As Teachers have chosen Branton and Breyson Ferguson as two of their March Students of the Month.

They are the 10 month old twin sons of Dustan Ferguson and Christy George.

Branton and Breyson like to climb and they love listening to music.  They recently discovered how to dance.  Their favorite Parent As Teacher's experience with Mrs. Williams was hiding the scraps of fabric in a box.  They enjoyed pulling the fabric pieces out of the box and feeling the different textures.

For more information about Bernie Parents As Teachers program, find them on Facebook by clicking HERE.