News – Thursday, December 19th 2024

The Salvation Army Dent County Service Unit volunteer bell ringers will begin raising funds for those in need at Country Mart and Wal-Mart every Friday and Saturday through December 24th. Counter kettles will also be located throughout the community. The kettles are the primary way funds are raised locally to continue to meet the needs of the less fortunate in our community. For those who do not want to handle cash, you can donate digitally with Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo at any Red Kettle. Every donation helps hope march on for those in need, and all gifts stay within the community in which they are given. If you would like to volunteer to ring the famous Salvation Army bell, please call Susie at 729-6771 or 247-7099. You can also call the Salvation Army Dent County Service Unit office at 729-8163.

Holiday celebrations often center around the Christmas tree. Picking the right tree and caring for it properly can ensure a safer, longer-lasting tree. These simple steps show you how. Make sure that the tree you select is fresh. To test freshness, gently shake one of the tree’s branches. It is normal for a few needles to fall, but if an excessive amount of green needles fall, it is a sign that the tree is not fresh. As an alternative to a cut tree, consider purchasing a live evergreen from your local nursery or garden center. Not only will it make a beautiful Christmas tree, you also can plant it in your yard after the season and enjoy it for many holidays to come. If you’re considering a live tree for Christmas, proper planning is essential. Remember water is the single most important factor in caring for your Christmas tree. A fresh tree that is kept in water should last four to five weeks. And don’t place your tree near a heating vent, wood stove, or fireplace, as this tends to dry the tree out. Ensure that your tree is secured in a sturdy tree stand away from high traffic areas and sources of open flames, such as candles and fireplaces. Check to see that all lights have cords that are not worn or frayed, and never leave home or go to bed with the Christmas tree lights on. When the holidays are over, you can place the tree in the backyard to offer cover for wildlife, or under bird feeders to provide nesting locations in the branches. Your tree can be shredded or chipped for mulch, or you can sink it in a pond to enhance fish habitat. If you used a live evergreen and your ground is still soft enough to spade up, add it to your home landscape for years of enjoyment and wildlife cover.

Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk said her office in the Dent County Courthouse will have extended hours for those wanting to pay their tax bills in person starting Friday, December 27th and continuing through Tuesday, December 31st from 8:00 in the morning until 5:30. She reminded everyone that the post office is only open until noon on Saturday, December 28th. Payments mailed in must be postmarked NO LATER than December 31st. She recommends if you wait until that day to take your envelope inside the post office to have it hand stamped at the window. There is also a drop box in the front of the courthouse at the southwest corner of the courthouse square where you can leave your payments through Tuesday night, December 31st. Payments can also be made online by following the instructions on your real estate and personal property tax bills.

The Healthy Dent County Fitness Center is excited to ring in the New Year with a special bonus fitness class designed to jump-start your fitness goals in 2025! Starting on January 6th they’re offering a limited-time Armory X Fitness Class featuring CrossFit-style workouts under the expert guidance of Eric Metcalf, a local instructor, teacher, and assistant football coach at Salem R-80 School District. This class is a high-intensity, coach-led workout that incorporates constantly varied functional movements like bodyweight exercises designed to develop broad physical capabilities including strength, power, endurance, agility, and coordination, all while being scalable to different fitness levels through modifications and proper coaching; typically featuring a warm-up, skill development, a “Workout of the Day” (WOD), and a cool-down, with the WOD often scored to track progress and encourage competition. This energizing class will be held every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evening at 5:15 PM throughout the month of January at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The cost is $35 for Healthy Dent County Fitness Center members or $60 for non-members. For those who aren’t yet members, there is a membership special at just $24.75 for a full membership! Becoming a member will grant you access to the Armory X Fitness class where you get both a membership and this class for $60.00. Spaces for this class are limited to the first 20 registrants, so we encourage you to act quickly to secure your spot. Registration must be completed and paid in full before your spot is confirmed. You can register by calling 573-739-1127 or email susie@salemcommunitycenter.org.

Montauk State Park will be closed to guests until at least February 21st, 2025. Park crews are actively assessing safety concerns and addressing damage to park infrastructure caused by early November flooding. The extent of the destruction and the work required to reopen the park is substantial. While the park remains closed to the public, the Missouri Department of Conservation announced that winter catch-and-release trout season remains open at Roaring River and Bennett Spring state parks and Maramec Spring Park. When heavy equipment use is complete, opportunities for volunteer cleanup efforts may become available. If you are interested in helping, please email dspvolunteercoordinator@dnr.mo.gov. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.