Dexter, MO - The Dexter Board of Aldermen approved the results of the April 2021 election on Monday, May 3rd at their regularly scheduled monthly meeting. City clerk Crystal Bishop administered the oath of office to incumbents Terry Battles in Ward I, Tim Aslin in Ward II, and Michael Shepard in Ward III. All three were elected to two-year terms. After the oath of office, the board elected Frank Killian as the president of the board.
The board approved an ordinance allowing Mayor Jason Banken to execute a MO Highways and Transportation State Block Grant Agreement. This grant allows the design and construction of two box hangars at the Dexter Municipal Airport. This grans shall not exceed $483,333.00. The city will pay the matching amount up to $16,666.00. The project will begin in July of 2021.
Director of Parks and Recreation, Jamie Rowe, explained to the board that the Aquatic Center will open Memorial Day weekend. Unfortunately the pool will not be able to stay open seven days a week due to a shortage of lifeguards. "We have 9 lifeguards completely trained and able to work. We typically have at least 16 lifeguards on staff each year," commented Rowe. "Because some of these lifeguards are only 15 years old, there will be restrictions as to the number of hours they can work. We are still looking to hire lifeguards at this time."
Dexter Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Alisha Trammell was happy to announce that a new business was coming to Dexter. Wings Etc has purchased the building at the corner of Business 60 and Walnut Street, commonly known as Cox Corner. They closed on the building on Friday and renovations will begin shortly. She said they hope to open in August.
"Our Farmers Market will kick-off on Thursday, May 6th from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. at 19 N. Elm," stated Trammell. "The market will be held each week through October 7th."
In other business Mayor Banken appointed two new police officers to the Dexter PD. Cody Trout and Holden Duckworth with the board approval. Banken also appointed Benjamin Hickle to the Dexter Fire Department also with the board's approval.
New City Administrator, Trevor Pulley, extended his thanks to the mayor and the board for the opportunity to serve the city. He noted that there was new software being installed at city hall and there were a few bugs, but all the issues were being resolved. He stated that residents who pay their water bills online will have to create their online account again.
Several appointments were made to city boards during the meeting. All were approved. June Lawrence and Kurt Lovelady were re-appointed to the Library Board. Kirby Taylor was re-appointed to the Planning and Zoning Board. Nichole Guethle and Donna Becker were new appointments to the Library Board. Devin Miller was appointed to the Tree Board. All standing committees were re-appointed.
Dexter, MO - The Dexter Tree Council will host their annual Tree Sale on Saturday, May 8, 2021 from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. behind Jean & Company in downtown Dexter.
"We've been having annual sales for about 20 or so years now," commented Tree Board Member Wayne Jean. "Our trees now are planted here in Dexter, grown and cared for and have wintered here for a couple of years before we sell to the public. They are also native to this region and can handle our climate and soil."
There will be a variety of trees from Crepe Myrtles, Oak, Maple, Red Buds, Japanese Cherries, (like the ones planted downtown Dexter), Cypress and even some Dogwoods. Prices will range from around $12 - $20 per tree depending on the type of tree.
"Proceeds from the tree sale will go to beautification projects like planting the trees down Stoddard Street and side streets in downtown Dexter,"
Music for the Mind will host a two day festival this year, Friday June 11th and Saturday June 12th, at The Camp at Lake Wappapello, MO.
This is a great opportunity to enjoy the lake and then later enjoy some great music.
"We have a very exciting lineup. We are beyond excited to announce to you that we will have national touring act and critically acclaimed Rock & Soul singer Maggie Rose and her band both nights for two completely different shows,"
Maggie is an Emmy award winning songwriter and has performed at the Grand Ole Opry over 80 times. She has performed alongside Kelly Clarkson, Heart, Joan Jett, Sheryl Crow, Tim McGraw and more as well as sets at Bonnaroo, CMA Fest, AmericanaFest among others. Also on the bill is Nashville’s premiere 11-piece Jamband with horn section Lady Couch, Americana singer-songwriter Dylan Hartigan who was Season 14 of The Voice runner up on team Kelly Clarkson, East Nashville’s highly praised rock and roll band Them Vibes with one of Modern Drummer’s “best drummers in the world” Sarah Tomek, who has also toured with Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and has been drumming with Maggie Rose for over a decade. There will be a special arrangement of famous musicians grouped together to form the Nashville Groove Grease. This group even has a Grammy award winning guitarist. This alone will be phenomenal, but wait there's more! Local musicians include Maggie Thorn, Jesse Hammock of Powder Mill, The Evan Webb Band, and the Ivas John Band. The amount of talent is through the roof! There will be a spectrum of musical genres to enjoy that include rock, jam, funk, Americana, country and blues! I am so glad that Southeast Missouri can help support these artists and music during such a trying time to make a living as a musician as well as help those that have been through trauma.
CAMPING & LODGING OPTIONS:
The Camp @ Lake Wappapello
153 University Forest Dr, Wappapello, MO
(573) 222-7206
-RV Camping Tent Camping
-30 AMP - $42 on RV side
-50 AMP -Primitive $25
Other local Lodging Options
Bullwinkles Rustic Lodge (573) 778-3535
Lakeside Marina & Resort Cabins (573) 343-8204
Rockwood Cabin Rental (573) 778-6292
Redman Creek East Campground (573) 222-8233
Holiday Inn Poplar Bluff MO (573) 776-1200
***Shuttle available after festival
Things to do @ Lake Wappapello:
-Swimming pool
-Mini Golf
-Sand Volleyball
-Permitted fishing at the Spillway
-Sundowner Boat Marina- pontoon rental (573) 222-8622
-Hiking at the Spillway
-Bullwinkles Rustic Lodge
-Lakeside Marina -pontoon and kayak rentals 573) 343-8204
Places to eat @ Lake Wappapello
-Las Brises Mexican Cantina
-Fireside Pizza
-Then General Store at The Camp
-Crabb and Co.
-Speedy Cone
-Food Rite Grocery
Any additional questions? Contact Stephanie at musicforthemind2019@gmail.com See Less
The annual Stoddard County Relay for Life Auction will continue this year!!! It will just look a little different than it has in the past.
It will be completely ONLINE!
The site will go live and open for bids on Monday, May 3 at 8 am and will close Thursday, May 6 at 8pm.
Bidders can set automatic bids and receive notifications if they’ve been outbid or if they’ve won the item.
The address is https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/83589/auctions/102627 share it with everyone you know on social media, email, word of mouth...
Items will be available for pick-up and payments can be made at the Relay for Life event at the East Park on May 7 between 5-9pm. Items can be paid by cash, credit cards, or checks payable to the American Cancer Society.
Since it will be online this year - some out of town friends may want to bid so there will be shipping and online payment options available.
Some of the items we have so far are Cubs/Cardinals tickets, photo sessions, make-up bundles, home decor, Google Home mini, and more to be added by the end of this week.
Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce met at a regularly scheduled meeting last week. They are busy setting up event for later this year. Due to COVID-19 they had to cancel a few of their events, but are happy to begin planning for the Fall Festival and Christmas Around the Courthouse.
"We are in the early stages of planning," commented Amy Haas, Chamber President."But we are excited to finally have some events in Bloomfield. We have set a few dates and will be making phone calls and asking for volunteers over the next few weeks."
Haas also explained that anyone wishing to join the Chamber or volunteer is readily welcome. You can reach her on the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce Facebook page or by calling 573.421.2934.
Mark your calendar for these upcoming events in 2020 and early 2021. Also there are Facebook Event pages on the ShowMe Times. Please invite people to LIKE the event pages.
Bloomfield Fall Festival will be Saturday, October 2, 2021. Christmas Around the Courthouse and Parade will be Saturday, December 4, 2021. The Chamber Awards Banquet is set for March 10, 2022 at 6 p.m. and the Heritage Days and Spring Festival will be Saturday, April 9, 2022.
In Other business they discussed the membership dues are down from previous years and are looking for ways to increase those memberships.
They also discussed starting Marketing/Business type of classes free to members during the summer months.
Ozark Federal Credit Union has agreed to sponsor some additional banners for the Bloomfield Farmers Market which begins May 4th from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. at Elderland.
Advertising was approved for the Farmers Market on the ShowMe Times again this year.
There was discussion on the annual scholarship for a Bloomfield 2021 graduate. The amount will be $259.
Peter Coutavas with the IDA has offered to allow the Chamber to use their conference room for noon meetings.
The next Chamber meeting will be Tuesday, May 11th at noon in the IDA building.
