Stories from Tuesday, October 24, 1995

While pursuing an engineering degree 12 years ago, Ron Huff decided to try substitute teaching -- a decision that led to what he calls a more rewarding occupation. Huff teaches eighth-grade mathematics at Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School and physics at the high school...

At one time, sign language was only considered a way to communicate with and between the deaf. For some people today, however, learning to sign is like taking a course in a foreign language. Linda Hurt, who teaches sign language at the Cape Girardeau Vocational School, said people enroll in the class not out of a need to learn to sign, but out of desire to learn...

Ask community leaders from anywhere what makes their cities special and they will tell you the same things. They talk about the malls, the parks, the airports, the schools. There's some truth in that -- all those things are important. But one thing makes cities different from each other...

A public hearing next month could prompt the federal government to steer clear of historic homes in choosing a site for a U.S. courthouse in downtown Cape Girardeau. Significant opposition from property owners and residents would lead the federal government to look at alternative sites downtown, said Jim Ogden of the General Services Administration's regional office in Kansas City...

If you're man's best friend, you could have something to bark about this Christmas. There are plenty of new doggie gifts to please even the most particular pooch. Take "Doggie Adventure," for example. This isn't a Disney movie about yapping dalmatians...

DRUM ROLL, please! And the 1995 award for the understatement of the year goes to Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau. Kinder recently wrote a column in which he made reference to "a few (emphasis added) folks who've overdosed on (his) anti-OBE columns." The hundreds, perhaps thousands, or even millions who religiously read and have overdosed on his anti-OBE (Outcomes Based Education) columns do not constitute a mere "few." I might add that it is a very difficult addiction to overcome. ...

Jackson Board of Education Tuesday, Oct. 24 7:30 p.m. A. Consider professional development plan for 1995-96. B. Consider 1995-96 budget. C. Consider resolution regarding library merger. D. Consider agreement to continue legal services with Steve Wright...

JACKSON -- With a vote just two weeks away, Mayor Paul Sander went before the Jackson Chamber of Commerce Monday to answer questions about the merger of the two libraries in Jackson. Their curiosity satisfied, the chamber voted unanimously to support the merger and the tax increase that would result...

At 50, the United Nations is having a blowout celebration in New York. But the festivities that mark United Nations Day today are tinged with problems within the massive agency. Heads of state and government leaders from more than 150 member countries are participating in birthday party that began over the weekend. Much attention has been paid to figures like Cuba's Fidel Castro and the absence of China's leadership -- all part of the political undertones inherent with the United Nations...

Son to Vincent Turner and Sara Beth Brown of Jackson, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 5:36 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, 1995. Name, Austin. Weight, 6 pounds. First child. Ms. Brown is the daughter of David and Kathy Green of Jackson. Turner is employed at Quality Packaging. He is the son of Michael Turner of Oak Ridge...

Funeral service for Beatrice G. Smith of New Madrid will be held at 2 p.m. today at Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid. The Rev. Mike Swalina will officiate, with burial in Mounds Cemetery at Lilbourn. Smith, 87, died Friday, Oct. 20, 1995, at Fountainbleau Lodge in Cape Girardeau...

BREWER -- Funeral mass for Verna M. Moore of Brewer will be held at 10 a.m. today at Christ the Savior Catholic Church. The Rev. Felipe Martinez will officiate, with burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends may call at Young and Sons Funeral Home in Perryville from 6:30-9:30 a.m. today...

Marion Franklin Hobbs, 79, of Cape Girardeau, died Sunday, Oct. 22, 1995, at St. Francis Medical Center. He was born Dec. 5, 1915, in Scott City, son of George and Belle Butcher Hobbs. He was raised by foster parents, John and Addie Hobbs of Jackson. He married Syvilla M. Brockmire, who died Jan. 5, 1995...

ALTENBURG -- Paula H. Weber, 84, formerly of Altenburg, died Sunday, Oct. 22, 1995, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born Dec. 14, 1910, in Altenburg, daughter of Frank and Hulda Petzoldt Koeberl. She and Herman J. Weber were married Dec. 5, 1942. He died April 29, 1984...

ANNA, Ill. -- Mary Helen Eimers, 65, of Anna, was found dead Monday, Oct. 23, 1995, at her home. Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna is in charge of arrangements.

MOUND CITY, Ill. -- Alfred J. Seals, 57, of Mound City, died Monday, Oct. 23, 1995, at his home. He was born April 18, 1938, in Elco, son of Alfred Lee and Esther Sims Seals. He married the former Elizabeth Walker. Seals was a dockhand 25 years with Spector-Red Ball Co. in Chicago, and was retired from Cairo Grain Agency in Cairo. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Tamms...

Directors of the American Creativity Association focused on everything from attitude to mental imagery during a series of sessions Monday at Southeast Missouri State University. The sessions with faculty, staff, health-care professionals and others were part of the association's weeklong conference...

SCOTT CITY -- Ruby Evelyn Bundy, 63, of Scott City, died Monday, Oct. 23, 1995, at her home. She was born March 1, 1932, in Gale, Ill., daughter of Benjamin and Viola Mae Porchey Simmons. She and Lewis Allen Bundy were married July 14, 1948. Survivors include her husband; four sons, Kenneth Bundy of Fulton, Bruce Bundy of Jackson, Raymond Bundy of Waverly, Tenn., Richard Bundy of Chaffee; two daughters, Patricia Johns of Oran, Tina Bill of Jackson; her mother, Viola Franklin of Scott City; a brother, Ray Franklin of Enterprise, Ala.; a sister, Cora Gramm of Scott City; 12 grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.. ...

While students in Cape Girardeau schools study the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic, their parents are studying a more complex subject -- school finances. Analyzing current district spending, finding additional funding sources and cutting unnecessary spending were top concerns at a Vision Planning meeting attended by about 20 people Monday night...

The Cape Central Marching Tigers earned third place in the 24th annual Greater St. Louis Marching Band Festival last weekend. Forty-eight bands competed in the overall competition. Cape Central also received third place in the Gold Division, which included 11 other bands...

Bethanie Gosche and Matt Rubel, seniors at Notre Dame High School, were recently named students of the month by Cape Girardeau Elk's Lodge 639. Gosche, 17, is the daughter of Larry and Bonnie Gosche of Chaffee. She is a member of the National Honor Society, spirit club, SADD and student council and is editor of the school newspaper...

Rae Anne Kloss-Alpers recently became a certified journalism educator. She teaches at Cape Girardeau Central High School. Kloss-Alpers will be recognized next month at a national convention for becoming a certified journalism educator. Journalism certification recognizes teachers who meet national standards of preparation for teaching journalism. Certification requirements include earning college credit in news reporting and writing, communications law and publications advising...

Rick Hoffman, a teacher at Altenburg Public School, is using television to improve his math skills. "PBS MATHLINE" is a television program that uses videotaped lessons to help fifth- through eighth-grade teachers implement national math standards in their classroom. Video conferences and on-line discussions also are available...

Cape Girardeau Elk's Lodge 639 has named two Scott City students students of the month. Neil Sanders, 17, son of Donald Sanders and Deborah Cox, both of Scott City, was named September student of the month. He is a member of Future Business Leaders of America, the National Honor Society, science club, Key club, Model U.N. and Bible club. He was also named to the honor roll and received the World History Award...

Ghosts and goblins will haunt the halls of the A.C. Brase Arena Building this month. The fourth annual Haunted Halls of Horror will open Thursday at 7 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children. The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department, K103/KZIM and Phi Delta Theta fraternity are sponsoring the event. For information or advanced tickets, contact the parks department at 335-5421...

Oak Ridge schools will hold parent-teacher conferences Thursday. Students will be dismissed at 11:20 a.m. and conferences will be from 1-8 p.m. at the school. Elementary teachers will hold conferences in classrooms and junior-high and high=school teachers in the cafeteria...