
Bloomfield, Missouri - Goldie DeGroot, owner of Granny Pickers in Bloomfield, Missouri has a soft heart. She knows there is a need in Bloomfield to help the local Animal Shelter.
Bonnie Blue is the face of the Bloomfield Animal Shelter. She helps as many dogs as possible to find their owner or give them new homes, but it does come at a cost. She helps as much as she can, but it's a community endeavor and Goldie knows feeding many dogs can get expensive.
From now until May 21, 2017 Granny Pickers is a drop off point for much needed items such as dog food, puppy food, paper towels, bleach, cloth towels, blankets, dog toys, dog leashes, and of course cash. All proceeds will be given to help the Bloomfield Animal Shelter.
No donation is too small. Please give to your local shelter and save a dog's life!
Mrs. DeGroot is also the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce president and is making great strides at improving the awareness of the Chamber in Bloomfield and the surrounding area.
Granny Pickers, LLC Flea Market is located at 801 N. State Highway 25, Bloomfield. Call Goldie at (573) 568 - 9996.

Dexter, Missouri - The Keller Public Library has been awarded a $2,812.00 grant to be placed toward the purchase of three new computers for the library circulation desks.
This equipment upgrade will keep the library on target with their regular replacement policy and allow them to serve the electronic needs of their patrons by providing successful transactions in a timely manner and delivering adequate information and educational services and resources.
This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
"This upgrade will help ensure that our technology infrastructure is continually improved and maintained in order that we may offer the best possible library experience to the patrons we serve. We welcome an average of nearly 2,500 customers each month at our circulation desks, and they check out over 2,800 items. That does not include the eBooks they are also accessing. Our library board and staff are committed to maintaining a high standard of service for each of them," commented librarian Pam Trammell.

Bernie, Missouri - Bernie Parents as Teachers' May 2017 Student of the Month is Chandler Beck Bates.
She is the one-year old daughter of Dustin and Jade Bates.
Chandler loves to sing and dance to “If You're Happy and You Know It” and “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes".
Her favorite place to be is outside and she loves all things girly like lip gloss, shoes, and purses.
She also loves her pet dog “Heidi” and pet cat “Kitty.”
During the family’s PAT visits, Chandler most enjoys the new activities she is challenged with and getting rewarded with a new toothbrush because she loves to brush her teeth.
If you would like to know more about Parents as Teachers contact Courtney McGarity or Casey Arnold at 573-293-5335, ext 293 or find them on Facebook by clicking HERE.
The following information was taken directly from the Parent as Teachers Missouri website. For more information click HERE.
Our Vision
All children will learn, grow and develop to realize their full potential.
Our Mission
To provide the information, support and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life.
Our Values
The early years of a child's life are critical for optimal development and provide the foundation for success in school and in life.
Parents are their children's first and most influential teachers.
Established and emerging research should be the foundation of parent education and family support curricula, training, materials and services.
All young children and their families deserve the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of any demographic, geographic or economic considerations.
An understanding and appreciation of the history and traditions of diverse cultures is essential in serving families.
History
In 1981, Missouri pioneered the concept of helping parents embrace their important role as their child’s first and best teacher. Today, Parents as Teachers continues to equip early childhood organizations and professionals with information and tools that are relevant—and widely applicable—to today’s parents, families and children.
The Parents as Teachers leadership team and Board of Directors is engaged in a three-year strategic plan, which positions the organization as a valued partner to support the organizations and professionals who serve families and children, especially those most vulnerable.
The concept for Parents as Teachers was developed in the 1970s when Missouri educators noted that children were beginning kindergarten with varying levels of school readiness. Research showed that greater parent involvement is a critical link in the child's development of learning skills, including reading and writing.
Early childhood professionals suggested that a program to provide early detection of developmental delays and health issues, and parent education to help parents understand their role in encouraging their child's development from the beginning could help improve school readiness and parent involvement.
With funding from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and The Danforth Foundation, Parents as Teachers began in 1981 in Missouri as a pilot project for first-time parents of newborns. Recognizing the program's benefits and cost effectiveness, the Missouri legislature provided state funding in 1985 to implement Parents as Teachers programs in all Missouri school districts. Since 1985, Parents as Teachers has expanded to all 50 states and six other countries.

Bloomfield, Missouri - The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held their annual award ceremony at the Assembly of God Church on Thursday, April 20, 2017.
Several awards were announced including Woman of the Year, Business of the Year, and Organization of the Year, Man of the Year, Educator of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Farm Family of the Year Award.
The Bloomfield Assembly of God Youth Group meets every Wednesday evening for Bible study under the leadership of Leighton Hensley.
There are usually from 30 to 40 junior and senior high school students in attendance.
Their mission projects include collecting shoes that go to Kicks for Kids, helping with the food pantry and sending items or money to the Inter-city Missions.

Bloomfield, Missouri - The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held their annual award ceremony at the Assembly of God Church on Thursday, April 20, 2017.
Several awards were announced including Woman of the Year, Business of the Year, and Organization of the Year, Man of the Year, Educator of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Farm Family of the Year Award.
The Gibbs Family has been important to the economy of Bloomfield since 1960 when Don and Willene Gibbs opened Don’s Buyrite on the corner of Missouri and Viola; they later had a restaurant in the building that is now Wyatt’s One Stop.
This year the Bloomfield Chamber has selected The Gibbs Corp as the business of the year. The trucking business is owned by Scott and Todd Gibbs, sons of Don and Willene. The business was established in 1985 and today employees twenty people.
A third generation of Gibbs boys, Don, Alex, Matt and Sam are learning the business from their fathers, so the Gibbs family may be important to Bloomfield’s economy for many years to come.