Bloomfield, Missouri - In 2009, Julie Dodd, a kindergarten teacher at Bloomfield and a wonderfully skilled photographer was inspired along with her friend, Amy Ellinghouse, also a skilled photographer decided to give back during the holidays.

The Claus for a Cause is a one day annual event slated for Sunday, November 22, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomfield.  Come get your photo made with Santa!

Picture packages range from $10 to $25 and no appointment is necessary.

They have raised more than $40,000 in the first six years with all proceeds benefiting Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and 18 FORE Life.

In their first year way back in 2009, they raised $500.  By 2011 they were well over $6,800 in profit.  Last year these ladies netted an impressive $11,035 to donate to their two favorite foundations.

The goal this year is $12,000 and they are off to a great start.  With over 50 sponsors and nearly 500 t-shirts already sold they are pretty excited to raise so much money for the 2015 holiday season!

"My daughter has two close friends with Type 1 Diabetes, Maggie Stubenrauch and Anna Ellinghouse," commented Dodd.  "JDRF is the only global diabetes foundation with a strategic plan to end Type 1 Diabetes."

Trinity United Methodist Church is located at 704 W. Missouri Street in Bloomfield.  The public is encouraged to attend and everyone is welcome to stop in.  There will also be lots of games and things to do along with meeting Santa!

For additional information or to donate to the "Claus for a Cause" contact Julie Dodd at (573) 421-2452 or email her at clausforacause@gmail.com.  You can even follow them on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Dexter, Missouri - The Crowley's Ridge Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution posed for a photo on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 following the Veterans Day Observance at the Bearcat Event Center.

This group, along with the American Legion Auxiliary, the City of Dexter and the Dexter Public Schools, annually sponsor the Veterans Day activities at the Bearcat Event Center.

From left, the members are: Jeannie Robinson, Glynda Bates, Pauline McBride, Betty McClintock, Shirley Richard, Frances Moore, Connie Hutchcraft, Shirley Carney and Delores Bailiff.

Mrs. Bailiff has spearheaded the Veterans Day event for many, many years.  Thank you ladies for your time and hard work to make this event so successful each year!

Dexter, Missouri - The Stoddard County Democrat Club held a rifle raffle at the Stoddard County Fair in September.

The rifle was provided by the Mad Hatter Armory in Dexter.

Barry Cooper was the winner and is shown holding the Remington Model 783  .270 caliber rifle in the photo above.

Shown with Cooper are Boyce Wooley from the Democrat Club and at right, Mad Hatter shop owner, Amber Womble.

The raffle drawing was held on November 6th with Chief Deputy Tommy Horton drawing the winning ticket.

County Democrats are also selling tickets to win a $100 gas card from On The Go. They will be giving away three of the cards through the raffle. Tickets may be purchased from Boyce Wooley or other county Democrats.

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.