Dexter, Missouri - The Rotary Club held their weekly meeting at noon on Tuesday, November 10th at the American Steakhouse.  Mrs. Hillary Starnes, new Dexter Chamber of Commerce Director, was the guest speaker.

She gave a little background of how she ended up in our little town and her former career, but most importantly she updated the Rotary Club of upcoming events and what her plans are at the Chamber.

She spoke of the Chamber Business After Hours held each month and that there was one Tuesday at the Metro Gallery in downtown Dexter.  She mentioned the latest Chamber Ribbon Cutting at Ozark Credit Union that she attended just moments prior to this meeting.

She also talked about upcoming events: Moonlight Madness on Friday, November 13th at participating businesses downtown from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. as well as upcoming seminars and the December Doe.  She even let the cat out of the bag about an upcoming Dexter Community Days in July....more details to come as they get that event organized!

Don't forget the Polar Express in December 10th, 11th and 12th!!

Also there is the Annual Awards Event on January 30, 2016.  Local Chamber members can nominate deserving businesses, organizations, educators or industries.  There will be a silent auction as well.

For more information about the Dexter Chamber of Commerce follow them on Facebook by clicking HERE or go to their website by clicking HERE.

If you would like to be a guest of the Rotary Club and speak about your business please contact Jack Rodgers at jrod63841@yahoo.com or Dee Loflin, President of Rotary at 573-614-4804.  They would love to have you.  Follow Dexter Rotary on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Dexter, Missouri - The Metro Gallery located in downtown Dexter hosted the Business After Hours with the Dexter Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, November 10, 2015.

Each month a Chamber business hosts the event and it gives everyone a chance to meet and greet the owner(s) and learn more about what the business has to offer.

The Metro Gallery gave everyone sneak peak at beautiful items for Christmas a long with a variety of purses, jewelry, candles, hand-crafted pottery, stained glass, sculptures, paintings, hand-carved statues, and much more.

This unique and affordable arts and fine crafts store is located at 1 East Stoddard Street.   The Metro Gallery is open most days from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

On Friday, November 13^th The Metro Gallery will participate in the Moonlight Madness hosted by the Historic Downtown Dexter Association.

For more information follow them on Facebook by clicking HERE or give them a call at (573) 624-6100.

Stoddard County, Missouri - The Daughters of the American Revolution, the American Legion Auxiliary, the City of Dexter, and the Dexter Public Schools will sponsor the Veterans Day observance on Wednesday, November 11th at the Bearcat Event Center.

The public is encouraged to attend  and the entire Dexter student body will be in attendance.  The DHS Choir and the DHS Band will perform.

Herman Morse will provide the keynote address which will begin at 9:30 a.m.

At 1:00 p.m. the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield will host a ceremony to observe Veterans Day.  U.S. Navy Veteran Robert Wayne Fortenberry will deliver the keynote address.  He is a veteran of the Vietnam War era.  The public is encouraged to attend.

The Bloomfield High School will also host an event at 9:00 a.m. in the high school gym.

Please support our veterans and honor them with your presence at any of these events.

Dexter, Missouri - The Stoddard County Democratic Club donated two books to the Keller Public Library on Thursday, November 5, 2015.

They donated in memory of former club members Shirla Howard and Judy Sneed Brown.  Both women were members of the Democratic Club and each book will feature a memorial inside the cover of the book.

The books donated were "A Full Life" and "A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power," by former President Jimmy Carter.

Shown in the photo are Club Vice President Ruth Gibson, Pam Trammell, Keller Library Executive Director, and Club President Peggy Barks.

Dexter, Missouri - The National Guard 1221st Transportation Company recently held their 25th Reunion dinner in Dexter, Missouri.  1221st members were invited to spend an evening of reminiscing, eating, and just enjoying the company of others who all shared one common event in their life and that was traveling overseas to support Dessert Storm.

After all the expenses were paid to have the reunion, money that was collected but not used for the actual event was donated to the Stoddard County Honor Guard to help offset the cost of uniforms, cleaning of uniforms, and other necessary costs in order to honor those veterans who pass away and have a military service. 

A total of $175 was given to the Stoddard County Honor Guard by Ken Harris, a 1221st National Guard member who helped Alan Hedrick plan and implement the reunion in September.

Fifteen wonderful men became the first Stoddard County Veterans Honor Guard in 2003 to provide military honors for those who served.  We as a community owe them so much for their continued dedication and service to our loved ones who are buried at the State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield. 

Over the years they have consisted of veterans from all over the county who represent all veteran’s organization including the American Legion Posts, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter.  Besides honoring the fallen they have provided services for parades and official ceremonies throughout Stoddard County.

This group of men volunteer their time to serve one last time to the veterans who protected us against foreign and domestic enemies.  We owe them more than we can ever repay.

Thank you for your continued service to our veterans.  If you would like to make a donation please contact Mike Williams at (573) 421-6385.

Front Row from left to right Honor Guard in uniform: Danny Robinette, Dallas Buchanan, Jack Gillis, Rick McClean, and Jesse Deardorff     Back Row from left to right: Brad Williams, Elmer Wilson, Mike Williams, and Dale Weaver.  Ken Harris (blue shirt) presenting the check.