Stories from Friday, November 29, 1991

This holiday season, time may be working against us. That's why your help will be so much more important. Thanksgiving Day kicked off the annual Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly campaigns. But due to the lateness of Thanksgiving this year, we have nearly a week less for collections. That will place an extra burden on both crusades...

Dear Editor: I read your article in the Nov. 21, 1991 issue of the Southeast Missourian. I would assume you quoted Judge A.J. Seier correctly and if you did, I certainly agree with him, namely a grand jury in this matter would be a waste of time and taxpayers' money...

To the Editor: Long ago we realized that it is not worth responding to the comments of Peter Kinder as though they were based on reason or any understanding of the issues about which he writes. But we are sufficiently amused by the column of Nov. 24th, where he lumps all manner of groups with dramatically different interests under one "weenie" heading, that we feel a response is in order. ...

To the Editor: I would like to add my name to the list of Show Me Center patrons that are unhappy, disappointed and saddened to see the lack of foresight in auditions for the Tulsa Ballet Performance. My family has travelled to St. Louis on several occasions to observe this whimsical, holiday ballet and it was with great anticipation that I read open auditions would be held and I knew my nine-year old daughter would love the opportunity to try out. ...

SCOTT CITY -- The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will assess Scott City Schools in December, evaluating everything from class size to student use of library books. Superintendent Bob Brison said the evaluation is done every five to seven years at all Missouri schools to determine the district's classification...

On the first day applications were accepted for this year's Toybox program, 84 families asked for help to make Christmas special for their children. Toybox, a joint project of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian newspaper, brings together the needs of these children with the generous gifts from community members...

When Mr. B was asked what he would like for Christmas, he requested a gift for his wife. Mr. B has worked hard all his life. He has always paid his bills first, even if it means doing without things he needs, even necessities. For example, he keeps the furnace at a very low temperature in the winter and often doesn't run the air conditioning at all in the summer to conserve electricity costs...

For Cherie Herbst, Thanksgiving means volunteering at the Salvation Army and seeing old friends. "I think more than anything I come here because of the people," Herbst said Thursday as she helped clean up after a Thanksgiving dinner for 350. "I see people I recognize from last year and the year before, and they recognize me," she continued. "It's a pretty good feeling."...

From tree farms to tree lots, area residents have a lot to choose from in picking out the family Christmas tree. Some Cape Girardeau area tree lots opened Wednesday, while others officially open this morning. Prices generally range from $3 to $4 a foot, with a seven-foot tree typically costing about $25 to $30. Most of the trees range from 4 to 10 feet in height, although larger trees can be found, particularly at the tree farms...

Getting rid of the family Christmas tree after the holidays may be a little more difficult this year. The city of Cape Girardeau will no longer haul off the trees with the regular trash pickups, said Doug Kaminskey, environmental services coordinator for the city...

Cape Girardeau retailers today greeted the traditional first day of the Christmas shopping season, expected to be the busiest of the year, with good cheer brought on by strong sales. Retailers said they look for shoppers to continue their spending ways this holiday season. West Park Mall Center Manager Tony Stephens said he believes the good news for the area is that sales are up...

The Salvation Army Tree of Lights campaign, used to provide food, toys and clothing to needy families, will hopefully raise $100,000. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Salvation Army's traditional kettle. Bob Neff of Cape Girardeau is this year's Tree of Lights Chairman...

SIKESTON -- Leo L. Schade, 81, of Sikeston, formerly of Jackson, died Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1991, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born Jan. 3, 1910, son of Conrad and Mary Schade of Jackson. On July 6, 1941, he married Hontas Lee of Sikeston. She survives...

MARBLE HILL -- Sadie Eaker, 85, of Marble Hill died Thursday, Nov. 28, 1991, at Bond Nursing Care Center in Marble Hill. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Baker Funeral Home in Marble Hill.

JACKSON - Jackson resident Jon McReynolds died at St. Francis Medical Center Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1991. He was 45. He was born Aug. 13, 1946 in Marshalltown, Iowa, the son of Philip McReynolds of Clinton and Shirley Reynolds McReynolds of Waynesville...

NEW WELLS - Clarence "Tommy" Ladreiter, 86, of New Wells, died Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1991, at the Jackson Manor Nursing Home. He was born July 7, 1905 at New Wells to Albert J. and Hulda Wunderlich Ladreiter. He married Olga Ruehling June 23, 1935. She survives...

Two upstairs apartments were damaged as a result of a Thursday fire that police believe may have been deliberately set. There were no injuries. The fire, at an apartment building at 212 S. Lorimier, was reported at about 7:45 p.m. by residents of the building...

MOUNDS, Ill. -- Leslie David Stoner, 89, of Mounds, died Thursday, Nov. 28, 1991, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born July 13, 1902 at Wetaug, Ill., son of Charlie and Daisy Hileman Stoner. He attended the First Baptist Church of Mounds. He retired after 47 years as a machinist with the E.L. Bruce Co. near Cairo, Ill...

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Herman Eftink of Oran, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 8:31 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, 1991. Name, Charlotte Denise. Weight, 10 pounds 11 ounces. Fourth child, third daughter. Mrs. Eftink is the former Betty Sanders, daughter of Lydia Sanders of Chaffee. Eftink is a kiln fireman operator with Golden Cat Corp. in Oran, and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Eftink of Oran...

Cape Girardeau resident Wanda Willis died Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1991 at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was 75. Willis, of 611 South West End Blvd., was born in Sikeston on Aug. 11, 1916, daughter of Guy Browning and Fadie Reynolds. On April 26, 1947, she married Jake G. Willis. He died in January 1987...

The senior members and cadet corps of the Cape Girardeau Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol invite the public to attend the squadron's open house Sunday, from 2-5 p.m., at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport. The event will be held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the founding of Civil Air Patrol on Dec. 1, 1941. It is scheduled at the Cape Girardeau Pilot's Club Building, where the squadron meets each Tuesday at 7 p.m...

JACKSON -- Three Jackson houses will be open for a holiday candlelight tour Sunday, including the Oliver House, Jackson's only home listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Others on the tour will include Trisha's Bed & Breakfast, and the L.A. Goodwin home now owned by Norm & Vi Colyott...

The Missouri duck season at Wappapello Lake will continue to Dec. 8. "Our area is in the middle zone for waterfowl hunting," said Michael McClendon. "The season opened Nov. 9. Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Canada goose season at Wappapello Lake starts Dec. 2 and runs to Jan. 20...