Thursday, July 17, 2025
Vol. 5, No. 48
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
A GIFT FOR GOOD By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
With food insecurity being an ever-present topic in communities across the state the PCM Food Pantry was more than excited to receive a surprise donation of $25,000 from First Interstate Bank’s Believe in Local program. The program, which awards $25,000 to 40 nonprofits across the bank’s footprint, was nominated by Melissa Masterson, retail manager at the Prairie City bank location. “Our Believe in Local grant campaign embodies the Bank’s core values,” Masterson said. “Celebrating nonprofit organizations like PCM Food Pantry that make a significant, positive impact in our community. I am excited for them to receive this special grant, helping make Prairie City a better place to live, work and raise a family.”
When selecting the PCM Food Pantry, the bank found the organization shines in moments of anxiety, uncertainty and hardship for those who aren’t sure where the next meal will come from. The compassion and care the pantry provides for vulnerable community members and the unwavering dedication it has to bring comfort, stability and a sense of dignity to those in need are reasons why the small-town organization was an ideal candidate for the program “We are incredibly thankful for this generous donation,” PCM Food Pantry Board Treasurer Dianne Taylor said. “It allows us to continue putting healthy food on the tables of families who are struggling, reminding them that they are not alone.” Since 2022, First Interstate Bank’s Believe in Local campaign has selected 40 nonprofit organizations across DONATION | 2
First Interstate Bank donates $25,000 to the PCM Food Pantry through the Believe in Local program
Submitted Photo The PCM Food Pantry was recently surprised with a $25,000 donation from First Interstate Bank’s Believe in Local program. The organization was nominated by Melissa Masterson, retail manager at the Prairie City bank location.
A SPLASH OF ART Five PCM high school students create a new mural at Gateway Recreation By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Submitted Photo PCM high schoolers Emma Leedom, Addison Beener, Rylan Edgington, Grace Derry and Kiley Clark worked to create a new mural at Gateway Recreation in Monroe.
As a part of a community service project, five high school students got creative and gave a splash of color to the pool area at Gateway Recreation. Emma Leedom, Addison Beener, Rylan Edgington, Grace Derry and Kiley Clark spent part of their summer volunteering by creating a fun, active mural featuring the sun, water and golf course at Gateway. “They were very well organized,” Gateway Board Member Kendra
Kane said. “Other than approve the design and purchase the paint, which they picked out themselves, they did the whole project start to finish, themselves.” The team spent more than 20 hours working on the mural. It is a welcome greeting to those getting ready to cool off with a swim in the pool. “Their families and high school art teacher should be so proud of all their excellent work on this,” Kane said. “I was very impressed with their ability to work as a team on this.”
Mutton but love for ewes Golf is GREAT Meet Jasper County Sheep Queen Hailey Dodge By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer Tell us a little about yourself: My name is Hailey Dodge and I spend my summers in Newton since my dad is stationed in the military in Fort Hood, Texas. I am 14 years old and will be a sophomore in high school. I am also in the Sherman Sunbeams 4H group. I started showing sheep when I was four. This will be my tenth year. I work my animals every day from May to the fair. In the spring for spring break I come up and help with lambing. What is your favorite part of caring for them? My favorite part of caring for my sheep in my opinion is in the spring when I have to feed the bottle lambs. They seem all excited to get a bottle it makes me very happy. How do you prepare them to show? To prepare my sheep to show I first start off with halter breaking them to lead so they can lead around the show ring with ease. The
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More than 60 kids hit the links for the annual Gateway Youth Golf Clinic in June
Submitted Photo 2025 Jasper County Sheep Queen Hailey Dodge’s favorite part of caring for her animals is bottle feeding the lambs in the spring.
second step would be to wash the sheep close to the show date. I normally wash them about a week out so it give me time to fit the sheep out.
The third step would be to fit them out so they can look there in the ring. All while feeding SHEEP | 2
Submitted Photo Growing golfers competed in a series of challenges to finish off the annual Gateway Youth Golf Clinic.
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