Stories from Sunday, June 25, 1995

To the editor: The Cape Girardeau County Commission's deliberations on the proposed Oak Ride and Jackson I-55 interchanges are a striking deviation from the standard process of approving and scheduling federally funded highway construction projects...

Seven years ago, former First General Baptist minister Frank Bain had a dream of staging a patriotic cantata. The result, "I Believe in America," will be presented Wednesday through Saturday at the church. Bain has moved on to another church in Kentucky now, but the cantata and its ecumenical nature continue...

I think most of us learned a long time ago that if you don't like the president's position on a particular issue, you simply need to wait a few weeks. ... If you can follow this White House on the budget, you're a whole lot smarter than I am. -- Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, ranking Democrat, House Appropriations Committee, June 13, 1995...

Cole Cramer, left, and Geoffrey Enders, both of Jackson, practiced playing the drums they made at day camp with a #10 can, innertube and twine. Jim Roche, left, of Millersville conducted archery class for Cub Scouts at day camp, including Matt James of Jackson...

The Homan Oil Co. circa 1935. From the left are Vernon 'Bun' Homan, Jake Stanfill and Buck Kelley. The trucks were used to deliver gas to farmers, sawmills and highway department sheds throughout the area. For the past 66 years the pumps never ran dry at Homan Oil Co. in Marquand. But on June 10, owner Vernon 'Tuck' Homan declared with a chuckle: "I'm out of gas!"...

The theme for the library's summer reading program is "Rock Your World -- Read!" All children, preschool through sixth grade of the 1995 school year are invited to participate in the reading and activities programs. Awards will be given for reading achievement. Children that read five books will receive a colorful rectangle sticker designed by Woodleigh Hubbard...

The Jacksonian Charter Chapter of the American Business Women's Association awarded a total of $1,500 in scholarship money to local women planning to attend Southeast Missouri State University this fall. The money was awarded at the A.B.W.A.'s May 25 meeting...

Harmonica John said he doesn't know much about the history of the harmonica, he just knows how to play one. But it does have a history, if but a brief one. Webster's defines the harmonica as "a small rectangular wind instrument in which free reeds are agitated by the exhalation or inhalation of the breath."...

Jonathan R. O'Dell Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan R. O'Dell, a 1993 graduate of Jackson High School recently graduated from the Navy's Basic Nuclear Power School. During the course at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, Orlando, Fla., officers and enlisted students learn the principles of science and engineering fundamental to design, construct, operate and performed maintenance on Naval Nuclear Propulsion Plants...

The music and food of New Orleans periodically pull me all the way down to the end of Interstate 55. Where else can I have early morning beignet doughnuts, late-night gumbo and in between experience two concerts by Clarence "Frogman" Henry, the best of classic jazz at Preservation Hall and on any corner in the French Quarter, street musicians who would put most recording artists to shame...

The line seemed to be drawn. It was vintage Republican dogma vs. vintage Democratic dogma. It was the politics of fiscal prudence vs. the politics of meeting the needs of the people. As part of the Contract With America, the Republicans promised to balance the budget in seven years -- by 2002. ...

We Americans have long resorted to cliches when dealing with certain subjects which are displeasing or alarming, such as a death in the family, an unintended pregnancy by an unmarried daughter, . a sudden reversal of family fortunes. The psychiatrists and other witch doctors say this is perfectly normal and acceptable, since the practice helps us deal with events wed just as soon not be forced to handle...

State Auditor Margaret Kelly last week released an audit that was sharply critical of the Missouri Ethics Commission. The commission replaced the old Campaign Finance Review Board two years ago. It is charged with collecting and filing personal finance disclosure forms -- from public officials, elected officials and candidates -- and campaign finance disclosure forms from candidate committees...

To the editor: We express our great appreciation to the Southeast Missourian for publishing Paul Greenberg's column of June 19. Greenberg very cogently made the point that a government that possesses the authority to establish, support and endorse religion also possesses the authority to suppress it. Every American should study that column carefully...

To the editor: The May 5 staff editorial in The Tiger, the Cape Girardeau Central High School newspaper, introduced a very vital solution to the school district's problems. In this editorial we suggested that the problems had perhaps begun with the district forgetting its purpose: our education. ...

Monticello House Administrator Mike Bacon, left, says that the residents really love Harmonica John and wouldn't let a Thursday go by without hearing his music. They call him Harmonica John and not without good reason; he's played one for over 60 years. For the last two, he's been playing at various nursing homes in the Jackson area...

ANNA, Ill. -- Ted Frayser, 87, of Anna died Saturday, June 24, 1995, at Union County Hospital in Anna. He was born April 30, 1908, in Cave In Rock, Ill., son of Ross and Effie Alma Oxford Frayser. He married Leona Odum on Oct. 10, 1929. She preceded him in death April 29, 1979...

ORAN -- Jerry R. Evans, 61, of Moberly, formerly of Oran, died at his home Friday, June 23, 1995. He was born May 19, 1934, in Oran, son of J.R. and Isabel Slinkard Evans. He owned and operated Evans Pump Service in Moberly, was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was a Boy Scouts scoutmaster for many years...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Grace Greaney, 81, of Cairo died Saturday, June 24, 1995, at her home. She was born Feb. 3, 1914, at Cairo, daughter of Thomas and Zerilda Etheridge Gardner. Greaney was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic parish in Cairo. She was a retired bookkeeper for First Bank and Trust Co. in Cairo and a member of the Patrons Club of Magnolia Manor in Cairo...

WYATT -- A Charleston man was killed Saturday morning when he was struck by a tractor trailer on U.S. Highway 60 near Wyatt. The Missouri Highway Patrol said Christopher Hale, 32, was passed out and laying on the road when he was hit. The accident happened at about 4:30 a.m...

JACKSON -- Democrats tired of hearing about Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich need to step forward, proclaim their party affiliation and help build the Democratic Party, Marvin Proffer said. Proffer was guest speaker at the Byrd Township Democratic Club barbecue Saturday at the Jackson High School...

SIKESTON -- Wanda Lee Roam, 66, of Paso Robles, Calif, formerly of the Sikeston area, died Saturday, June 24, 1995, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. She was born March 25, 1929, in Oran, daughter of Nina Velma Graviett Couts Gunter of Vanduser, and the late Walter S. Couts...

PARMA -- Julia K. Parker McDonald, 89, of Parma died Friday, June 23, 1995, at St. Francis Medical Center. She was born April 4, 1906, at Starett, Ala., daughter of John and Sarah Francess Armstrong Singleton. She and James E. Parker were married on March 24, 1924. He preceded her in death on June 15, 1955. Then on Aug. 8, 1959, she and John F. McDonald were married. He preceded her in death on Sept. 24, 1973...

Cape Girardeau County Michael J. and Judith A. Detore to John R. Abercrombie; Lorene M. Bohnert et al. to Linda M. Wilson; Edgar L. Myers III and Nancy J. Myers to Larry L. Hoffmeister Sr. and Dixie L. Hoffmeister. James B. and Amy V. Rabenold to Alan George Temes; Karen E. Rice to Herbert J. Seyer; Ronnie L. and Marilyn Brown to Jerry T. and Laura A. Joy...

CHARLESTON -- Christopher Carl Hale, 32, of Charleston, died Saturday, June 24, 1995, near Wyatt. He was born Feb. 24, 1963, at Charleston, son of Lynda Lou Parker Davis, who survives of Charleston. He lived in Charleston all his life and attended the General Baptist Church...

Alma E. Franck, 91, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, June 23, 1995, at The Lutheran Home. She was born Aug. 17, 1903, in Scott County, daughter of August and Mary Held Schaefer. She married Ervin F. Franck on Jan. 29, 1922, in Cape Girardeau. He preceded her in death Aug. 22, 1986...

ADVANCE -- R.W. (Butch) Friedrich Jr. of Advance died July 24, 1995, at the Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis after an extended illness. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance.

ANNA, Ill. -- Hazel Barnwell, 90, of Anna died Saturday, June 24, 1995, at her home. She was born March 5, 1905, in Johnson County in Illinois, daughter of William E. and Lula P. Whiteside Gray. She and Paul Barnwell were married Dec. 26, 1941, in Kahoka, Mo. He preceded her in death on May 23, 1984...

Some South Sprigg Street residents say the construction of the Mississippi River bridge highway has become a neighborhood nuisance. The sidewalk along the east side of the 500 and 600 blocks of South Sprigg was torn out in mid-April to relocate utility lines. Since then, residents have been saddled with a dusty, bumpy ribbon of dirt where the sidewalk was...

College Street, east of Sprigg, will be closed during the day beginning Monday for construction work on the Mississippi River bridge highway. The street will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays and from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Missouri Highways and Transportation Department officials said...

Each year thousands of people throughout the United States are injured by fireworks. The highest risk group for fireworks injuries are 13- to 15-year-old boys, said Rich Paul, executive director for the Missouri Ophthalmological Society, headquartered at Blue Springs. "Fireworks are not toys for children to play with," he said...

JACKSON -- Dozens of feet shuffled to keep track of the steps as their cowboy boots scooted across the dance floor. An instructor counted out the beats above the din of the country music. About 40 couples attended the country dancing seminar at Stroder Country in Jackson Saturday. Ralph and Cindy Veemer, instructors from Washington, Mo., taught the class...

A change in Missouri election law has tightened rules for community campaigns, like the upcoming effort to pass a half-cent transportation sales tax increase in Cape Girardeau. A citizen's committee is being formed to promote the sales tax increase, which will be on the Aug. 8 ballot. The five-year tax increase would raise more than $16 million for city road and bridge projects...

JACKSON -- The clerk at Brown's Market in Cadet knew immediately that David Hunt of Jackson had won something big on a Missouri Lottery Scratchers ticket. "She said all the color went out of my face and I started trembling," Hunt said, as he described the moment he won a 1995 Eddie Bauer Ford F-150 pickup truck in the lottery's "Trucks-N-Bucks" game...

JEFFERSON CITY -- Wouldn't it be nice if getting your Missouri hunting or fishing permit were as easy as having a pizza delivered? Starting in 1996, it will be. With the introduction of the new Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Card, permit distribution for Missouri hunters, anglers and trappers will take a dramatic step forward in speed and convenience...

Birds are big business. Most people enjoy some visual link to the wild, and birds are the logical medium. Aesthetically pleasing and at least moderately compatible with human senses and avail themselves to observation. We'd enjoy the sights of larger, "wilder" critters traipsing around in the back yard, but that's less likely for most people. Those who dwell in developed, highly civilized areas don't have much opportunity for gazing upon the spookier mammals...

JEFFERSON CITY -- Longing for the taste of deep-fried frog legs? Or maybe you want to revisit childhood memories as you chase bouncing bullfrogs along the edge of a pond. Either way, frogging is an activity that can be pursued throughout Missouri starting at sunset June 30. The combined daily limit for green frogs and bull frogs is eight...

The weekly fishing report from the Missouri Department of Conservation: RIVERS Black (above Clearwater): Clear, 3 1/3' above normal and falling; bass and goggle-eye good on worms; all other fishing slow. Castor (above Zalma): Clear, normal; bass fair on live bait and topwater lures; sunfish good on small minnows, crickets and worms; all other fishing slow...

The eastern pre-dawn horizon showed gold through the filigree of green leaves. The sky was cloudless. Robins were announcing the arrival of a new day. This, I said to myself, will be a great morning to go down to the creekside and fill up my senses as John Denver would say...

PUXICO -- If someone tried hard enough, he could imagine that time stood still in a 22,000-acre refuge two miles outside Puxico. Monopoly Marsh and Rockhouse Marsh look like perfect habitats for prehistoric reptiles, with their stagnant surfaces and flourishing cypress trees...

An antique and collectibles market will be held today at Cape Girardeau's A.C. Brase Arena Building. The show will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exhibitors from four states will be offering a variety of glassware, furniture, jewelry, pottery, toys, comics, baseball cards, paper Americana, character collectibles and primitives...

The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor a summer beach blast and swim-a-thon at the Central Municipal pool on Friday. Co-sponsors of the event are the Cape Girardeau Swim Team and KGMO. The public is invited to participate from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. food. Admission will be $1 at the door. All ages are welcome to attend a fun-filled day and evening of food, swimming, prizes and games. KGMO will broadcast live from the pool...