Stories from Wednesday, February 5, 1997

To the editor: Conventional wisdom now has it that President Clinton's second inaugural address was less than outstanding, even banal. I didn't hear it or read it. Nevertheless, one set of sound bytes was extraordinary: "Government is not the problem," he said...

To the editor: Tamara Zellars Buck is a fine writer, and we always enjoy her columns, especially the one in the Feb. 1 issue in which she write on the origin and nature of Ebonics. However, her Civil War history is a bit skewed when she wrote "and how Missouri is in the Midwest and was a neutral state in the Civil War."...

A good measure of public displeasure is often the volume of the complaints. That is why the relative silence that has followed the announcement of new proposed school boundaries is so welcome. An Attendance Area Study Committee refashioned the six current elementary school boundaries into five attendance areas. The proposal is based on the assumption that the April 1 bond issue and tax increase will pass and a new elementary school will be built at the corner of Sprigg and Bertling...

Though I prefer flying, one of the nice things about driving across country (Cape Girardeau to Florida via children and grandchildren in Charlotte, N.C., and Fayetteville, Ga.) is to be able to read a number of different newspapers. It seems every school board is having difficulties passing bond issues to repair or replace 50-year-old buildings (or older). They're having the same arguments about the curriculum and quality of their local educations. Unemployment is at a record low...

WHAT DO you mean, Jesse Jackson, when you say it's one thing to punish a man and it's another thing to take away his dignity? Where was Dennis Rodman's dignity while he was kicking Eugene Davis? I say that was no act from a man with dignity. THIS IS in response to the comment about a case of extortion. ...

The study of laughter -- the human animal and survival in his habitat -- will be the topic of the eighth annual Community Caring Conference on Valentine's Day. Motivational speaker Beth Higgs will be featured at the conference, which is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Feb. 14, at the Show Me Center...

As the fifth president of Southeast Missouri State University, Willard Duncan Vandiver angered regents when he ran for Congress. A century later, today's Board of Regents plans to honor the man who coined the state's "show me" nickname by creating the Vandiver Show Me State Award...

A jump in the market value of residential property in Cape Girardeau and surrounding counties is largely responsible for the major reassessment that could push up tax bills for some. Cape Girardeau County Board of Realtors statistics show the median market value of residential property in Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Perry and north Scott counties increased $23,250 from 1991 to 1996...

The inauguration of Dr. Dale Nitzschke as Southeast Missouri State University's 16th president will be a weeklong affair in April featuring nationally known speakers. Dr. Maya Angelou, a distinguished poet, author, actress and playwright, will speak April 10 at the 2 p.m. inauguration of Nitzschke in the Show Me Center...

I've gotten much more accomplished since I gave up having a life. It's a quiet Sunday morning here in Pensacola, and our apartment complex sleeps after a night of drunken debauchery. I know that because it's 11 a.m. and our light fixtures aren't shaking under our upstairs neighbor's footsteps...

I am beginning this article just like I did last week. It has been a great week for Southeast Missouri State basketball, with wins over Tennessee State and Austin Peay. It was certainly no place for the weak at heart with both games coming down to the last shot. That can be a little trying on one's nerves, but it sure is exciting...

JACKSON -- Jackson High football coach Carl Gross is as surprised as anyone that Indian star Glen Brunke will not be putting his name on a Division I letter of intent when the signing period begins today. Brunke, a 6-foot-2, 225-pounder, was one of the area's top running backs the past three seasons. He received plenty of recruiting interest from the likes of Missouri, Illinois and Vanderbilt...

If Southeast Missouri State University football runs in anyone's blood, it runs in Bobby Brune's. Brune will follow his grandfather, father, an uncle and two brothers to Southeast when he signs a letter of intent this morning to play football for the Indians. Today marks the first day that high school seniors can sign national letters of intent...

Marcus Lowe is going to make it a Cape Girardeau Central High double team for Southeast Missouri State University football today. Lowe, a receiver, will join teammate and quarterback Bobby Brune in signing a letter of intent with Southeast this morning. Lowe and Brune are both seniors at Central...

FARMINGTON -- Jackson High's heavier weights extended a heavy streak. Jackson's wrestling team overcame an early deficit and beat Farmington on the road 42-27 Tuesday night. The win completed Jackson's regular season at 8-0 in dual meets. It was the Indians' fourth straight undefeated season...

Fans of Southeast Missouri State University basketball certainly can't say they're not getting their money's worth this season. The Indians are not only having plenty of success in Ohio Valley Conference play -- their 7-4 record has them tied for third place in the 10-team league -- they're also keeping fans glued to the edges of their seats until the closing seconds...

SCOTT CITY -- Funeral Mass for Alma Rose Jackson of Scott City will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with the Rev. Pat Wissman officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City after 4 p.m. today. A VFW Auxiliary service will be held at 5:30, parish prayers at 6, and Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:30...

SIKESTON -- Florence McGuirk, 77, died Monday, Feb. 3, 1997, at Sikeston Health Care. She was born Oct. 10, 1919, in Sikeston, daughter of James and Cora Shuffit. McGuirk was a vocational nurse at Sikeston Health Care before retiring. Survivors include a son, Edward McGuirk of St. Louis; two daughters, Frances Caffey and Renita Hudson of Houston, Texas; and four grandchildren...

SIKESTON -- Pauline E. Moore, 85, of Sikeston died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 1997, at her home. She was born Feb. 1, 1912, in Hallville, Ark., daughter of Samuel Porter and Ella Warren Tate. She and Hunter F. Moore were married April 16, 1929. Moore was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church...

ADVANCE -- Funeral service for Sterling O. Kirkpatrick of Advance will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at First Baptist Church. The Rev. Marlyn "Bud" Schott will officiate, with burial in Grassy Cemetery at Grassy. Kirkpatrick, 86, died Monday, Feb. 3, 1997, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau...

Dorothy Eileen Deevers, 71, 2168 Bend Road, died Monday, Feb. 3, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born Aug. 11, 1925, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Glenn H. and Lorena Whitaker Deevers. Deevers worked in housekeeping at Southeast Missouri State University for 18 years...

ANNA, Ill. -- Alice M. Groner, 83, of Anna, Ill., died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 1997, at Parkway Manor Nursing Home in Marion, Ill. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Lutz & Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna.

GRASSY -- Winnie H. Shiverdeck, 86, of Grassy died Monday, Feb. 3, 1997, at her home. She was born July 10, 1910, near Greenville, daughter of G.L. and Myrtle Pigg Talley. She and Abner Shiverdeck were married May 4, 1934. Shiverdeck attended Friendship General Baptist Church...

Funeral service for Ivory Lee Betts, 1712 Woodlawn, will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at New Bethel Baptist Church, Linden and Benton. The Rev. Johnny Thomas will officiate, with burial in Fairmount Cemetery. Friends may call at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Chapel from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to service time at New Bethel Church...

CHAFFEE -- Elsie Dean Ebbs, 85, of Chaffee died Monday, Feb. 3, 1997, at Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Services in Cape Girardeau. She was born July 16, 1911, at Morley, daughter of John and Betty Bolden Riley. She and Charles Ebbs Jr. were married Feb. 23, 1934. He died Aug. 20, 1971...

SIKESTON -- Katherine Montjoy, 64, of Sikeston died suddenly Monday, Feb. 3, 1997, of an apparent heart attack. Sh was born Nov. 14, 1932, in Hickman, Ky., daughter of Willie and Lucille Redd Dickson. She and L.V. Montjoy were married May 16, 1950. Montjoy formerly worked at Missouri Delta Medical Center, and was a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints...

Funeral service for Lillie Mae Wiseman, 627 S. Benton, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Christ Temple Church of God in Christ in Holly Springs, Miss. Elder Albert Pass will officiate, with burial in Cottrell Cemetery in Holly Springs. Friends may call at New Bethel Baptist Church, Linden and Benton in Cape Girardeau, from 6-8 p.m. Thursday...

Son to Manuel Miguel Crespo Sr. and Glenda Faye Hayward of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 4:45 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997. Name, Manuel Miguel. Weight, 6 pounds 8 ounces. Second child, first son. Ms. Hayward is the daughter of Annie M. Hayward of Cape Girardeau, and Jimmie Brown of New Madrid. Crespo is the son of Maria Crespo of Memphis, Tenn., and Chico Crespo of Chicago...

The Southeast Missourian asked people at Riverside Regional Library what they like to read. Kristen Bundy: "I like mysteries by Christopher Pike and R.L. Stein, and also science fiction books. I go through the library and look at the covers. If I like what I see, I'll check it out."...

Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III will discuss issues that affect the Cape Girardeau community on KRCU 90.9 FM's "Going Public" program Sunday. The half-hour, taped program will be broadcast at 3 p.m. on Southeast Public Radio. "Going Public" features interviews and discussion on issues that affect the KRCU 90.9 broadcast region...