Stories from Saturday, March 26, 1994

To the Editor: I'm writing in response to the challenge given earlier this month by Mr. Kent King, executive director of the Missouri State Teachers Association. Mr. King rightly stated that we have a values problem in our school, as well as in the whole of society. He also maintained that parents have the responsibility to teach their children values...

Dear Editor, In your "50 years ago" column citing happenings in this area on March 14, 1944, it reads: "One of the Army Air Forces' big Flying Fortresses, B-17F, lands shortly before noon at Harris Field, first for one of giant four-motor bombers to land here; plane came from Great Bend, Kansas, to get Maj. Clifford Warden, who is stationed there, but who came to Cape Girardeau Sunday to visit his brother, Capt. Charles Warden, who is stationed at Harris Field."...

To the Editor: Politicians are launching subtle scare campaigns aimed at derailing Hancock II Amendment. Their self-serving motive is to keep taxpayers' from gaining more control over taxation. Hancock II consists of the following: First, proposed State Tax, License or Fee (TLP) exceeding .20 ercent of previous years' Total State Revenue, (example, nine-million dollars in 1993) shall be subject to vote approval. ...

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is expressly clear when it comes to voluntary school prayer -- it should not be prohibited. Hopefully, Congress will further solidify this important liberty that our forefathers originally intended as a moral anchor for our democracy...

Tonight begins the week-long celebration of Passover, a Jewish holiday commemorating God's deliverance of the children of Israel from Egyptian captivity. It also is the start of the Christian Holy Week, commemorating God's deliverance of mankind from the bondage of sin and death...

A Hungarian Easter will be celebrated with Festivals, Families and the Arts today. The program will take place from 2-3:30 p.m. at St. Mary's School, 210 S. Sprigg, in Cape Girardeau. This program is designed for parents and children and offers a glimpse at how another country celebrates Easter...

The narrow, Themis Street bridge over Walker Creek -- at the intersection of Themis and North Kingshighway -- was closed Friday so the contractor can remove the bridge and replace it with a wider and longer bridge. City officials estimate the new bridge will be open to traffic in about 60-90 days. Meanwhile, motorists can utilize several detours while the new bridge is under construction...

With just two days remaining for candidates to file for offices that are on the ballot in 1994, no doubt there is a lot of political talk occurring this weekend around the state of Missouri. Incumbent judges, legislators, congressmen, and county officials are wondering whether they will remain unopposed or draw further opposition. And, some potential challengers are spending the weekend meeting with supporters and trying to determine whether 1994 is their year to enter the political arena...

With a doctorate in philosophy and a resume that includes stints as the national education secretary and drug czar, William Bennett might have missed his true calling. In an hour long speech at the campus of Southeast Missouri State University Friday, Bennett -- also a best-selling author with a law degree from Harvard -- delivered a pretty fair stand-up comedy act before a packed house of about 550 people...

Tickets go on sale today for country music star Travis Tritt return performance at the Show Me Center on Sunday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. Special guests of Tritt, who was named top new male artist in 1990, are Joe Diffie and Lee Roy Parnell. Since the release of his debut album "Country Club," which produced three number one singles and various award nominations, Tritt has recorded "It's All About To Change," which yielded the number one single "Here's a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)," and the album "Trouble.". ...

Opryland USA's ambassador of goodwill, Professor U.B. Sharp, will visit three Cape Girardeau schools Monday with a musical program designed to promote the virtues of friendship among elementary school students. The Opryland Kids Club Friendship Tour beings an interactive program of singing, riddles, ventriloquism and self-esteem building. ...

The Cape Girardeau City's Division of Planning Services will release updated maps of streets and their names at the SEMO Homebuilders' annual Home and Garden Show today and Sunday. The new maps can be purchased at the Division's booth, which will be near the exit from the main floor...

JACKSON - If you've ever wanted to be a part of steam railroading, or ride a real steam-powered passenger train, today is your opportunity. The Friends of Steam Railroading will hold a membership drive at 3 this afternoon at the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway Company's Jackson passenger station, located at the intersection of Highway 61 and South Hope Street...

PORTAGEVILLE -- Mary Josephine Richards, 57, of Horseshoe Bay, Texas, died Wednesday, March 23, 1994, in Horseshoe Bay. She was born Aug. 1, 1936, in Portageville, daughter of John and Josephine Glastetter Eftink. She married Gus Richards in 1959, at Portageville...

DEXTER -- Nathan Hubert "Doc" Corbin, 74, of Dexter, died Thursday, March 24, 1994, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Dec. 12, 1919, at Greenbriar, son of Clyde and Pearl Watkins Corbin. He and Betty Carwile Henderson were married March 7, 1975...

SIKESTON -- Helen Jones, 94, of Fulton, died Thursday, March 24, 1994, at Presbyterian Manor in Fulton. She was born July 23, 1899, in New Madrid, daughter of Edward Alanson and Mary Irene Powers Loud. She married Boy Mosely Jones, who preceded her in death...

SIKESTON -- Funeral service for James C. Evans Sr. of Sikeston will be held at 2 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. The Revs. Dolan Rogers and C.D. Lynch will officiate, with burial in Garden of Memories Cemetery. Evans, 64, died Thursday, March 24, 1994, at Missouri Delta Medical Center...

Mildred M. Martin, 76, 2505 Ranchito, died Friday, March 25, 1994, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born Dec. 18, 1917, in St. Louis, daughter of Ferdinand H. and Clara R. Bingham Manger. She and John W. Martin were married May 14, 1938, in St. Louis...

Rose L. Toenjes, 81, of Waterloo, Ill., died Friday, March 25, 1994, at St. Clement Hospital in Red Bud, Ill. She was born Jan. 7, 1913, in Renault, Ill., daughter of John and Fannie M. Heller Kaestner. She married John B. Toenjes, who died Nov. 11, 1978...

MARBLE HILL -- Jeanette Kathleen Cook, 75, of Marble Hill, died Friday, March 25, 1994, at her home. She was born June 29, 1918, in Princeton, Ky., daughter of Aubrey Ray and Lawvean Holloman Jones. She and Hubert Cook were married May 16, 1949. He died Dec. 20, 1985...

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hedden of Nashville, Tenn., Donelson Hospital, 9:24 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, 1994. Name, William Eric. Weight, 9 pounds 3 ounces. First child. Mrs. Hedden is the former Rhonda Kasten, daughter of Milton and JoAnn Kasten of Jackson. She is an accountant with Norandal USA Inc. Hedden is a computer programmer with Red Kap Ind., and is the son of Ed and Camille Hedden of Carbondale, Ill...

The 39-year-old school teacher walked briskly into the Womancare center at St. Francis Medical Center a few minutes before 4 p.m. Thirty minutes later, the mammogram completed, Martha Nothdurft was ready for the drive home. Yet, Nothdurft believes, the ramifications of such a half hour could save her life...

Perry County Memorial Hospital of Perryville will host its annual ethics seminar with a presentation on "Life Support: Yes? No?" April 14. The program will be presented by Dr. Robert J. Barnet, professor of medical ethics at the Center for Health Care Ethics at St. Louis University Medical Center. Barnet had a private cardiology practice in Reno, Nev., for 23 years. He has been teaching medical ethics since 1981...

K. Charles Cheung, M.D., will discuss brain tumors on Thursday's "Ask Your Doctor" program. The show airs at 8 p.m. on Cape Girardeau cable channel 5 and features local doctors answering questions from viewers. Martha Muench and Dr. Jean Chapman host the program, which is sponsored by Southeast Missouri Hospital, St. Francis Medical Center, the Cape Girardeau County Medical Society and channel 5...

St. Francis Medical Center will sponsor an American Red Cross standard first aid class on two consecutive Thursday nights in April. The two-part class begins April 7 and concludes April 14. Both sessions are set for 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the St. Francis Information Center in Jackson...

St. Francis Medical Center and the Regional Arthritis Center at St. Francis will offer a six-week arthritis self-help course designed to help people with arthritis, their families and friends. The program is scheduled on six consecutive Thursdays beginning April 7...