Here we are only a few days from Christmas and 2016 and I have this overwhelming urge to say thank you to everyone who uses Bluff Technologies, Inc. and SEMO.net. I'm the only remaining employee of SEMO.net. So when customers call in they talk with me. That's a far cry from 10 years ago when Poplar Bluff Internet had 50 employees working 24/7. As I write this, I'm in Nashville because my oldest son, Ben, has a recording session this afternoon for two of his songs. But, with the wonders of technology, our phone system tracks me down and I can still work no matter where I am (though the hold times might be a little longer today and tomorrow).

The Poplar Bluff Public School Foundation has awarded $3,300 in computer components so Technical Career Center students can gain experience building CPUs and upgrade their basic skills lab in the process. Approved unanimously by the board last month, the mini-grant was part of the nonprofit’s innovative educational project program which finances one-time classroom proposals that involve new technologies, unusual field experiences, supportive curriculum resources or exceptional instructional strategies. “When considering the price for these computers, we decided to forego labor costs of a pre-manufactured computer and use our computer technology students to build the CPUs from scratch,” read the grant submission, written by Vocational Resource Educator Barbie Hon. “This proposal serves two purposes then because it also provides enrichment

The Tinnin Fine Arts Center at Three Rivers College will open 2016 with the first children’s show of the 2015-16 Patrons of the Arts season, as well as a special two-man production from Center Stage. “We’re kicking off the new year with two really powerful shows at the Tinnin Center,” said Tim Thompson, Director of the Tinnin Fine Arts Center. “’Goodbye Marianne’ has the raw emotion of any Holocaust story, and ‘Tuesdays With Morrie’ is a classic heartstring puller. I think these are two of the most affecting shows we’ve ever done at the Tinnin Center.” The Tinnin Fine Arts Center schedule for January 2016 will include the following performances. All shows are held in the Tinnin Center unless otherwise

Several students from the Poplar Bluff Middle School Junior Beta Club qualified to compete in nationals during the 13th annual state convention held Thursday and Friday, Dec. 4-5, at the Black River Coliseum. Lucas Robertson placed first in spelling; Sidonia White placed third in social studies; and Lily Johnson, Nathan Mays, Clara Rahlmann and River Rowland with alternates Daine Dugas and Landen Maurer placed first in written response and second overall in the Quiz Bowl Division 1 competition. The students all earned the option to participate in the national Junior Beta Convention June 23-30 in New Orleans. Additionally, a team comprised of Kennedy Rowland, Brady Robertson, Blake Yarbro, Hannah Spencer and Addison Kirkman with Olivia Kirkman as an alternate vied

Source: Poplar Bluff Schools The Lake Road Elementary 4th grade will perform at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15, in the gym. There will also be an art show displaying the 4th grade students’ artwork they have created since the beginning of the year. Students, families, and friends from all grade levels are invited to attend. Students will sing the following selections:  This Holiday, Christmas Jubilation, Beautiful Christmas, Turn Off That Nose, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Dates for future programs and art shows are: 2nd grade –  Tuesday, March 8 1st grade –  Tuesday, May 3 Details for this and more are in the School's newsletter:  Download (PDF)

Source: Poplar Bluff Schools A student wrote a heartfelt essay about her school janitor and won $500 plus an all-expense paid trip for the pair to attend the Missouri High School Football Championship in St. Louis. Poplar Bluff High School junior Katie Huskey and long-time custodian Jan Ethridge enjoyed the Fort Osage versus Chaminade game together on Saturday, Nov. 28, receiving on-the-field recognition and a behind-the-scenes tour of Edward Jones Dome. Huskey said she chose Ethridge in the Missouri National Education Association-sponsored writing contest, Teacher Words Matter, because of the custodian’s welcoming smile and positive influence on the lives of cohorts of high schoolers. “It’s not big things that matter. She inspires us to do little things every day,” Huskey