Stories from Wednesday, May 22, 1991

A group of concerned school representatives are working to assist at-risk students in the Cape Girardeau Public Schools. Their goal is identify these children at an earlier age and hopefully prevent future school failures. Their point is well taken. ...

SCOTT CITY -- Christy Bohn of Scott City, a student at Southeast Missouri State University, was honored recently at the College of Health and Human Services honors recognition program. Bohn was recognized for receiving a dean's scholarship. The scholarships are awarded to the top students within the College of Health and Human Services. Bohn is working toward an associate of nursing degree at Southeast...

Thousands of books will be available for sale at the Cape Girardeau Public Library, 711 N. Clark, during its spring sale on June 1-2. "We're having a tent sale," said library director Terry Risco, "We'll feature a variety of books, including history, mystery, and a few `semi-rare' books."...

The American Red Cross and Life Underwriters are sponsoring a blood drive from 2-7 p.m. May 29 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center. "While blood collections during Operation Desert Storm were more than adequate to meet local needs, the supply has dwindled because blood has a shelf life of only 42 days," said William V. Miller, chief executive officer at American Red Cross. "It's important that, with the end of the war, people continue to donate on a regular basis."...

CHAFFEE -- Dawn Michelle Graviett of Chaffee has received a President's Scholarship to attend Southeast Missouri State University during the 1991-92 academic year. The President's Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who meet the following criteria: Rank in the upper 15 percent of their high school class and score a 23 on the ACT; or rank in the upper 20 percent of their class and score a 24 on the ACT; or graduate as their class valedictorian or salutatorian...

PERRYVILLE -- Donna East doesn't mind having parents in her classroom to offer their suggestions. "The need for parental involvement in the classroom is becoming increasingly important," said East, who teaches third grade at Perry County School District 32 in Perryville...

We have readers who would like to know the difference between syntax and idiom. We formalists spend most of our lives trying to master the art of writing, but we seldom think of categorizing our efforts. Often, usage defies classification, or categories overlap...

When it comes to traveling, Queen Elizabeth II is the 1,000-pound gorilla. Where does she go? Anywhere she wants. And in a lifetime of traveling about, with a free lunch waiting at every stop, a movable feast with no boundaries, her royal highness has chosen for her current tour ... well, barbecue...

An official at Southeast Missouri State University voiced support Tuesday for a $385 million tax-hike-for-education measure that will be submitted to Missouri voters Nov. 5. If approved by the voters, it would mean an additional $190 million a year in state funding for higher education, and an equal amount for elementary and secondary schools in Missouri...

When Calvin Chapman took over as director of special services in 1970, special education in Cape Girardeau public schools included 10 teachers and one speech therapist. The district received about $50,000 in exceptional student aid from the federal government...

There's a new telephone pre-fix in Cape Girardeau 290. The new prefix is part of a statewide plan being implemented for Missouri state offices. "What happened in Cape Girardeau this week is part of a statewide program for what we refer to as outstate Missouri offices," said Dan Steidley, assistant director for Data Processing and Telecommunications...

Limiting the number of years state and federal lawmakers serve would eliminate career politicians and build a legislature that favors the interests of common citizens over those of special interest groups. That's the message Missourians for Limited Terms is trying to get across to Missouri voters. The group is trying to gain support for two constitutional amendments that would limit a lawmakers' tenure to eight years...

St. Louis Mayor Vincent Schoemehl, who is flying around the state in his quest to become governor next year, says he will actively support a $385 million tax package for education that voters will decide Nov. 5. But Schoemehl warned the plan will not solve all the problems of education and it would be a mistake for people to view it that way...

SAM ADAMS Occupation: Firefighter, Cape Girardeau Fire Department Birthplace: Scooba, Miss. Current Home: Cape Girardeau The best part of my job is: "Being able to help others." What do you do in your spare time? "Read, fish, ride around and talk to people about fire safety."...

The near future holds a new location for the Cape Girardeau office of the Missouri Division of Employment Security. A bid was awarded May 10 to a Columbia man, Mike Kelly, for the office to lease space on Girardeau Court off Independence, a state official said Tuesday...

CHAFFEE -- The clinic at the North Scott Medical Center in Chaffee will close its doors today. The announcement comes just five days after the acute-care unit at the hospital also shut down. The clinic, which has been operating for about a month under the name MedNow, can no longer operate because of a lack of resources and employees, said Dr. Gordon Nunnelly, the physician who ran the clinic...

The 1991 version of the Cape Girardeau Riverfest T-shirt is now on sale through the Riverfest Association. The powder-gray shirts feature a red, white and blue Riverfest logo over a riverboat silhouette. Advance orders will be accepted through Saturday...

A Southeast Missouri State University professor has been named acting dean of graduate studies for this summer at the school. Frank Linn, professor of educational administration and counseling, will serve as acting dean in the absence of Sheila Caskey, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Extended Learning. Caskey is taking a sabbatical this summer...

Catherine Taylor Foster, senior staff specialist in the American Nurses' Association Center for Nursing Practice in Kansas City, has been named the new chairperson of the Southeast Missouri State University nursing department. "I am looking forward to joining the faculty and staff and meeting the students," she said. "I hope I will be able to make a contribution as they work toward their goals."...

Eight Notre Dame seniors, about 15 percent of the senior class, have received Missouri Higher Education Academic scholarships, commonly knows as Bright Flight scholarships. Robert Dodson Jr., Mike Gamel, Deborah Jansen, Chris Kuntz, Jeff Maurer, Todd Nenninger, Terrence Wells and Danna Westrich qualified for the $2,000 renewable scholarship...

The Cape Girardeau City Council Monday decided not to seek funds this year for up to 60 federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) low-income housing units. Mayor Gene Rhodes said at the May 6 City Council meeting that HUD money was available to the city if it would appoint a Public Housing Authority and apply for the funds prior to May 26...

In observance of the Memorial Day holiday, there will be no trash pickups on Monday. The transfer station will also be closed that day. Monday's residential routes will be picked up on Tuesday. Selected commercial services will continue as scheduled Monday...

A memorial service for Barbara E. Neal, 35, of Cape Girardeau, was held Saturday at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel. The Revs. Neil Stein and Earl Statler officiated, with burial in Memorial Park. Neal died Tuesday, May 7, 1991, in Cape Girardeau. She was born Feb. ...

PERRYVILLE -- Lenita M. Cook, 85, of Perryville, died Saturday, May 18, 1991, at her home. She was born Sept. 21, 1905, at Milheim, daughter of Louis C. and Mary Bhrle Weiss. She married Claude C. Cook, who died Jan. 20, 1983. Survivors include a brother, Wallace Weiss of Peryville, and a sister, Irene Welker of Arnold...

CHARLESTON -- Funeral service for Clarence E. White Jr. of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Charleston, was held Saturday at St. Francis Catholic Church in Memphis. Burial was in Memory Hill Cemetery. White, 76 years old, died Thursday, May 16, 1991, following an extended illness...

PEORIA, Ill. -- Jennie Merriman, 93, of Peoria, formerly of Buncombe, died Monday, May 20, 1991, at the home of a daughter here. She was born Jan. 30, 1898, in Union County, daughter of Tice and Amelia Hartman Carraker. She married Clifton Merriman, who died Aug. 28, 1958...

SIKESTON -- George Edward Wright, 64, of Sikeston, died Tuesday, May 21, 1991, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. He was born Oct. 4, 1926, in Warm Springs, Ark., son of Claude and Monie Missouri Wright. He married Clara Belle Spitzer June 13, 1944, in Osceola, Ark. She died Dec. 27, 1989...

CHARLESTON -- Edgar Harmon, 72, of Charleston, died Saturday, May 18, 1991, at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Ky. He was born Feb. 12, 1919, in Ripley, Tenn. Survivors include his wife, Earlean Harmon of Union City, Tenn.; two sons, Edgar and Henry Harmon of Union City; two daughters, Dorothy Halliburton of Paducah, Ada Coleman of Union City, and a friend, Mattie Austin of Charleston...

PERRYVILLE -- Hubert J. Keller, 62, of Pevely, died Monday, May 20, 1991, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. He was formerly of Perryville. He was born Sept. 10, 1928, in Perry County, son of Adarian and Janie LaRose Keller. He and the former Bernice I. Griep were married June 20, 1964...

CHAFFEE - Two city committees will explore how overweight trucks and other vehicles should be handled by the city when they are too large to maneuver through the city's truck route. Ward 4 Councilman Tom Cunningham, filling in as mayor Monday night at the Chaffee City Council meeting, sent the matter to the city's street and ordinance committees...

JACKSON -- Dorothy Marie Jones, 64, of Jackson, died Tuesday, May 21, 1991, at her home. She was born Dec. 16, 1926, at Hilderbrand. She married Lynn V. Jones Feb. 19, 1947. She was a member of Calvary United Pentecostal Church. Survivors include her husband; six sons, Gary Jones of Barnhart, Richard Ruch of Cape Girardeau, Joe Jones of Colt Neck, N.J., Mitchell Jones of Walnut Creek, Calif., Terry Jones of Lutesville, Darrell Jones of Jackson; three daughters, Shirley Cook of Lutesville, Betty Jones of Walnut Creek, Martha Bowers of Jackson; two half brothers, Jerry Self of Oak Ridge, Johnny Self of Villa Ridge; a half sister, Mabel Carnell of Jackson, and nine grandchildren.. ...

Opal Baker, 90, of 333 North Pacific, died Tuesday, May 21, 1991, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements by Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel to be announced later.

Registration for Kiwanis, Jaycee and Cape Swim Team summer swimming programs are scheduled today. The Kiwanis will take sign ups for their learn-to-swim program today from 1-7 p.m. at the A.C. Brase Arena Building in Arena Park. The fee is $13 for residents and $15 for non-residents...

The women folk of the world are more inclined to visit than men. For centuries it was customary to pay social calls on friends in the afternoon, at which time tea and cake or tea with small sandwiches were served. If you lived in a southern state, afternoon tea began at 4 o'clock, so a fresh cake and a tray of tea sandwiches had to be ready. ...