Stories from Wednesday, November 25, 1992

The Cape Girardeau branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is sponsoring an African Heritage Ball from 8 p.m. to midnight Dec. 5 at the Civic Center, 232 Broadway. The event will include a fashion show of African designs by Betty Conley. Eva Tabb will perform an African dance, and heritage food will be prepared by Louise Duncan. Those attending the ball should wear traditional African attire...

An announcement concerning appointment of a new city fire chief will be made after the first of the year, Cape Girardeau City Manager J. Ronald Fischer said Monday. "Our goal is to make a final decision in late December, and announce the selection of the new chief in early January," said Fischer. "As soon as we've made our choice, and the offer has been accepted, we'll make the announcement."...

SCOTT CITY -- Kim St. John was alternately distraught and furious Tuesday. Joel, her 7-month-old baby, is a newly diagnosed asthmatic who twice a day must inhale medicines through a respirator. And Union Electric had just shut off her utilities. St. John didn't know that, because of Joel's illness, she may have been able to qualify for a Life Support Account with UE, which would have prevented the company from taking that action at least temporarily...

Where can you take a minute-and-a-half drive and see at least 80 different interpretations of Christmas all decked out in lights? The Holiday of Lights display at Cape County Park North, of course. Over 80 organizations, individuals and businesses in Cape County have set up holiday displays for the community to enjoy...

Activity fee revenue of $220,000 has been allocated to Southeast Missouri State University student groups, including a gay and lesbian organization, while funding for two Christian organizations remains in doubt. The issue is whether separation-of-church-and-state laws preclude funding for religious organizations on campus, said Bob Beodeker, director of the University Center and campus activities, and adviser to Student Government...

The home delivery rate for the Southeast Missourian will change, effective Tuesday. The new rate structure follows: All prices include sales tax. For subscribers who pay through the office, the new subscription rate will be effective upon renewal. The new rates are up to 56 percent off the newsstand prices...

The National Weather Service has revised its Mississippi River flood crest for Cape Girardeau, and warns additional heavy rainfall between now and the weekend could alter the latest flood crest prediction. The weather service says the river at Cape is now expected to crest Friday at 35.5 feet, one-half foot, and one day later than predicted Monday...

FREDERICKTOWN -- Five eastern Missouri communities remain in the running for a new women's prison to be built near St. Louis, officials said Tuesday. "We're one of those communities," said Don S. Maddux, city administrator at Fredericktown. "We are elated here. We feel that such a facility would not only help Fredericktown but would impact other areas throughout Madison, Iron and Bollinger counties."...

JACKSON - After nearly six years of service, Harold Kuehle has resigned his post as chairman of the Governor's Committee on Employment of People With Disabilities. Kuehle has submitted his resignation effective Jan. 1 and will preside over his last meeting of the 25 member committee on Dec. 11...

It may be a little difficult getting to grandmother's house for Thanksgiving dinner Thursday, in parts of Missouri and other midwestern states. A strong, late autumn storm spinning across Oklahoma and Missouri has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a winter storm watch for northern and western parts of Missouri today and tonight...

SHEILA FAIRE Occupation: Floral designer Pet Peeve: "People who won't smile." The best part of my life is: "Exploring different people's styles." What do you do in your spare time? "Cook and sing." The book I'd recommend is: "The Happy Prince," by Oscar Wilde...

With funding of $4,528 from student-fee revenue, the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Association (GLBA) is one of the top funded student organizations at Southeast Missouri State University. That funding has come in for criticism from some students, those involved with Student Government and the GLBA say...

PERRYVILLE -- Paula O. Hacker, 82, of Perryville died Tuesday, Nov. 24, 1992, at her home. She was born July 12, 1910, at Schalls, the daughter of Otto W. and Lina M. Mangles Weinhold. On Oct. 10, 1930, she married Oscar W. Hacker, who preceded her in death Jan. 17, 1992...

Ruby M. Daugherty, 84, of Knoxville, Tenn., died Sunday, Nov. 22, 1992, at North Haven Health Care Center in Knoxville. She was born Jan. 10, 1908, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Reido Robert and Ida Elizabeth Bertling Schwab. She and Harry E. Daugherty were married Sept. 8, 1957. He died in 1978...

SIKESTON -- Funeral mass for Charles M. Mitchell Sr. of Sikeston will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at St. Francis Xavier Church. Msgr. William Stanton and the Rev. Byron Edwards will officiate, with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery. Nunnelee Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements...

Funeral service for Helen L. Keller, 2500 Fairview, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Chapel. The Rev. Earl Statler will officiate, with burial in Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home from 9 a.m. to service time...

JACKSON -- Funeral service for Etta H. Boyd of Jackson will be held at 2 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Chapel. The Rev. William Bernauer will officiate, with burial in Russell Heights Cemetery. Boyd, 94, died Monday, Nov. 23, 1992, at Chateau Girardeau...

BLOOMFIELD -- Funeral srvice for Ray Whitledge of Bloomfield will be held at 2:30 p.m. today at Chiles-Cooper Funeral Chapel. The Revs. Vyron Yount and Jim Russell will officiate, with burial in Bloomfield Cemetery. Whitledge, 79, died Monday, Nov. 23, 1992, at Bloomfield Nursing Center...

PERRYVILLE -- William Franklin "Bill" Hamlin, 74, of Perryville, died Tuesday, Nov. 24, 1992, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was the son of Frank and Ollie Taylor Hamlin. He and E. Phyllis Barber were married May 21, 1970. Hamlin was a retired carpenter with Hamlin Construction Co. here. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and St. Marys Masonic Lodge...

DONGOLA, Ill. -- Leona Herren, 78, of Dongola, died Tuesday, Nov. 24, 1992, at Jackson County Nursing Home in Murphysboro. She was born Oct. 9, 1914, at Perks, daughter of George and Flora Wright Herren. Survivors include two sisters, Margaret Wilson of Anna, Geneva Provo of Madison, and a brother, Norman Herren of Vermillion, S.D...

DEXTER -- Funeral service for Gladys Abernathy of Dexter will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance. The Rev. Eldo Eaker will officiate, with burial in Morgan Memorial Park. Abernathy, 85, died Tuesday, Nov. 24, 1992, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau...

COMMERCE -- W.A. "Bill" Hamm, 75, Commerce Route 1, died Tuesday, Nov. 24, 1992, at his home. He was born July 17, 1917, at Gravelton, son of William Lincoln and Emma Dorris Hamm. He and Dorothy Walter were married Oct. 27, 1941, at Jackson. Hamm was a scalesman and clerk 44 years at Southeast Missouri Stone in Cape Girardeau...

SIKESTON -- Funeral service for Cornelia Inez Freeland of Sikeston will be held at 2 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Tommy Estill will officiate, with burial in Garden of Memories Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 9 a.m. to service time...

CHAFFEE -- Watching worms wiggle helps kindergarten students at St. Ambrose Catholic School in Chaffee learn the letter W. When they learn about the letter B, the children bake bear biscuits. For the letter S, they sew up a pair of sandals, explained teacher Ellen McAuley...

Although Thanksgiving is not an official church holiday, it is a national holiday in our country, and in England and Canada as well. In America, the official day is the last Thursday in November, and special services are held in many churches all over the land, inviting the grateful to thank God for all the benefits bestowed upon them daily, though too often taken for granted...

Thanksgiving is a joyous time of family gatherings and bountiful feasts. It's the traditional kick off to a busy holiday season. But it's also one of the most deadliest days on America's roadways. Last Thanksgiving, the festive image was shattered for hundreds of families. In 1991, there were more than 570 crashes on Missouri roadways on Thanksgiving Day alone, leaving 200 injured and four dead...

To the Editor: In any discussi~on of homosexuality these days the proponents are quick to charge as homophobic anyone opposed to this "alternative lifestyle". The definition of homophobia in common usage seems to have moved from irrational fear of homosexuality to hatred of homosexuals. Even some ministers are quick to point out the radical inclusiveness of Jesus' love. The problem is that the love being touted is neither true nor biblical love...

To the Editor: I have served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years and have observed the quality and professionalism displayed by naval forces in combat and everyday routine situations. I feel the need to address some issues not usually known by most civilians. ...

WASHINGTON -- The United Nations needs to strengthen its commitment to providing security for relief workers in Somalia, says U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson. The Cape Girardeau Republican, who just returned from a fact-finding mission to the African nation, said Tuesday that U.N. troops are handcuffed because they lack authority to fight back against "bandits and bullies" who hinder relief efforts...