Stories from Tuesday, April 23, 1996

When it comes to food for thought, Hannah Farrow is an expert. She is one of three cooks at Franklin Elementary School and serves as the school's cafeteria manager. Farrow and the other cooks regularly cook for about 300 students each school day. "We never feed less than 275," she said as she and the other cooks prepared lunch one day last week in the small, tidy kitchen...

BENTON -- After raising two children and sending them off to school, Vera Hennemann decided she couldn't be just a parent. She wanted to teach as well. Seeing her children interact with school friends and teachers motivated Hennemann to attend college...

PERRYVILLE -- A new housing development is a start to solving Perryville's housing dilemma. Plans for a three-phrase, 100-house development on 24 acres were revealed by city officials, realtors and contractors. The first-phase, Breezeway Estates, consists of 43, three-bedroom, ranch-style homes just off Highway 61 near the Smith St.-Breeze Drive intersection...

PERRYVILLE -- Gathered on the banks of Saline Creek late Monday, family members of Dusty Wampler said he loved to hunt but was afraid of water. The Ste. Genevieve County man was presumed dead after being swept away Monday morning in the fast-rising waters of Saline Creek about seven miles west of Perryville while on a turkey hunting trip with a friend, Randy Wilson...

Among the signs directing people through Cape Girardeau City Hall is one pointing the way to "Customer Service." The department is where people pay bills and lodge complaints -- two unpleasant activities. City Manager Michael G. Miller wants residents' feelings about customer service to change...

Fifteen single-family, rental homes will be built on scattered vacant lots in southeast Cape Girardeau under a partnership to provide affordable housing. Government tax credits, a low-interest loan and private investment will be used to fund the $1.2 million project...

Balloons make the clown. Forget the makeup and the crazy wigs, it's balloons that really matter. You've seen clowns twist colorful balloons into dogs, cats, horses, swords and anything else that one can imagine. There is real art to it. I know about this because my house is now full of such balloons. We have a virtual graveyard of them piling up...

If you think shooting a three-pointer is tough, try it while riding a donkey. That's what Mayor Al Spradling, Councilman J.J. Williamson and Circuit Judge John Grimm will do at Central Junior High School Friday during a game of donkey basketball. The game begins at 7 p.m. in the old gym at Central High School. It is sponsored by the Central Junior High School Beta Club and PTA...

JACKSON -- While new school buildings might have to wait for bond issue approval, Jackson public schools plan to spend $180,500 in building repairs this summer. The Jackson Board of Education is expected to approve the list of repairs at its meeting tonight. The board meets at in the Middle School Library, 1651 W. Independence...

When the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education reviews the strategic plan and mission statement of Southeast Missouri State University this fall, Dr. Kala Stroup won't have too many questions. Stroup was president of the university when the plan was first developed, but left in September to become the state commissioner of higher education. She returned to Cape Girardeau Monday to speak at a student research conference...

I SECOND the notion that anyone who makes $300,000 a year has no business drawing Social Security. They've been blessed. They ought to forfeit their future Social Security and be glad to pay into it get Social Security out of the red. Why should they be so greedy? I know it's not like welfare, but it should be an honor. They should be so thankful that they may not have to rely on it. So stop being selfish and start thinking of other people besides yourself, you rich people...

When the student editors at Blue Springs South High School decided to demonstrate how retailers sell cigarettes to minors, they thought they were exercising good journalism. But when the students found two stores willing to sell them cigarettes, they ran into a roadblock with the story. The principal decided the story shouldn't include the names of the two retailers. Instead of deleting the names, the students chose to run a headline with blank space underneath...

A lot of attention has been given to Roman Catholic Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of the Lincoln, Neb., diocese and his decision to excommunicate church members who belong to or support causes that are contrary to church teachings. For a long time, religious and secular organizations have been intent on finding ways to accommodate a variety of positions and choices without driving anyone away. ...

To the editor: I commend the Southeast Missourian for the recent addition of Today's Prayer on the Opinion page. I also fully agreed with the April 19 editorial concerning this addition. I have always been proud of the quality of this newspaper, and this recent decision certainly increased my faith and confidence in those who work hard to make it the best newspaper it can be...

To the editor: Do you know if your child is properly immunized? Many parents don't, and that's a big danger for their children. This week is National Infant Immunization Week. Communities across the country are joining hands to ensure that all children get the shots they need when they need them. ...

MOUND CITY, Ill. -- V. Marie "Ree" King, 61, of Mound City died Friday, April 19, 1996, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She was born Aug. 27, 1934, in Mound City, the daughter of Cleveland and Beatrice Forbes. She was married to Fate King Jr...

Son to Jeffrey Scott and Samantha Karen Eftink of Olathe, Kan., Shawnee Mission Medical Center, 6:53 a.m. Monday, March 11, 1996. Name, Zachary Scott. Weight, 8 pounds 13 ounces. First child. Mrs. Eftink is the former Samantha Merrill, daughter of Ron and Mary Ann Yeamans of Lebanon, Mo., and Richard and Bobbie Merrill of San Antonio, Texas. ...

CHAFFEE -- Jan Halbert, 33, of Chaffee, died Monday, April 22, 1996, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Sept. 27, 1962, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Harold L. and Dottie Scheeter Halbert . Halbert was employed at St. Francis Medical Center, and was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church...

SCOTT CITY -- Funeral service for Barbara Louise Brashear of Scott City will be held at 11 a.m. today at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with the Rev. Pat Wissman officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel at Scott City is in charge of arrangements...

CHARLESTON -- Funeral service for Arbie Glathen "Gash" Parker of Bonne Terre will be held at 1 p.m. today at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. The Rev. Royce LaMarr will officiate, with burial in Oak Grove Cemetery. Parker, 69, died Sunday, April 21, 1996, at Mineral Area Hospital in Farmington...

Dees, 67, died Sunday, April 21, 1996, at his home. He was born May 23, 1928, in Jackson, son of Claude and Emma Gobble Dees. He married Dorothy Ann Halter June 17, 1950, in Chaffee. Dees was retired from the highway construction business and had worked for P.R.I. Asphalt in Cape Girardeau. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps...

SIKESTON -- Cordie Bell Holmes Rogers, 90, of Benton, Ky., died Sunday, April 21, 1996, at Calloway County Hospital in Murray, Ky. She was born Aug. 24, 1905, in Ripley, Tenn., daughter of Albert and Mattie Johns Lovelace. She first married Henry Holmes in 1925. He died Dec. 4, 1956. She later married Marvin Ralph in 1974, who died in 1979. She and Lawrence T. "Pete" Rogers were married Jan. 4, 1981, at Sikeston...

ANNA, Ill. -- Oma Bryant, 90, of Anna, died Sunday, April 21, 1996, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She was born Sept. 18, 1905, in Kentucky, daughter of Andy and Fannie Bell Baker. She and Russell Bryant were married Feb. 1, 1925, in Terre Haute, Ind. He died Dec. 15, 1987...

SCOTT CITY -- Virgil J. Kohr, 84, of Scott City, died Sunday, April 21, 1996, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born April 10, 1912, at Kimmswick, son of Jacob and Margaret Zeruba Kohr. He married the former Gertrude S. Crider. Kohr was a brewer with Anheuser-Busch a number of years. He was a member of Fenton Masonic Lodge 281 AF&AM and Scott City Elks Lodge...

Donna Ballman of Perryville was only the second person to receive the Thanks Badge II from the Otahki Girl Scout Council. Ballman was one of dozens of adult Girl Scout volunteers who were honored Saturday at an appreciation luncheon in Jackson. The Thanks Badge is one of the highest awards given to volunteers by the Otahki Girl Scout Council, Inc...

More than 100 freshman students were recently inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society at Southeast Missouri State University. Phi Eta Sigma is a national honor society that was founded in 1923 at the University of Illinois. The local chapter was founded in 1984...

Scott County Elementary School honored its most improved students at an assembly in March. Eleven students received awards from Marvin Walton, school board president. The students are Brittany Warren and Jovonne Banks, kindergarten; Shea Watkins and Darron Kent, first grade; Brittaney Babb and Cody Caudle, second grade; Aaron Coplin and Casey Fodge, third grade, Brian Gaskins, fourth grade; Josh Dowdy, fifth grade; and Jimmy Yarbro, sixth grade...

The Cape Central Team Spirit group recently received a proclamation from Gov. Mel Carnahan for its efforts to prevent drunk driving. The group, along with others from Jackson, Notre Dame, St. Vincent's, Meadow Heights, Scott City and Delta, was trained at a meeting last August...

Bill Gates, computer guru and CEO of Microsoft, wants to know what the coolest computer can do. To find the answers, his corporation is asking children ages 6-11 to submit an answer in 50 words or less. The entries for the "Imagine the Magic" contest must be mailed by May 15 to qualify. Six grand prize winners will receive a trip to Microsoft headquarters, a closed-door meeting with Gates and a software library...

An Oran teacher and five Scott County high school students were recognized in the Tandy Technology Scholars program. The students are each eligible for a $1,000 scholarship. Vicki Nenninger, a teacher at Oran High School, was nominated as an outstanding science teacher. She received a certificate of recognition...

During its annual volunteer appreciation dinner Saturday, the Otahki Girl Scout Council, Inc. elected members to its board of directors. They include James Kinder III of Cairo, Ill.; Ted Ballman, Nancy Gaultney, Loretta Moeckel, all of Perryville; Leonard Essner of Jackson; Kevin Teegarden and Butch Holyfield, both of Cape Girardeau and Glendella May of Scott City...

PERRYVILLE -- The Sodality Chapter at St. Vincent High School will celebrate its 50th anniversary May 5. Reservations for the brunch should be made before Sunday. Call 573-547-4659 to make a reservation or for more information. The Sodality chapter is a service organization in Perryville. Former members will be given a special invitation to the May Crowning at St. Mary of the Barrens...

DEXTER -- Women interested in forming a chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy are invited to meet Saturday at Fiddler's restaurant in Dexter. The meeting is open to anyone interested in joining the historical and patriotic organization. For more information, call 573-624-1810...

The junior members of the River City C.B. Club will host a craft and bake sale from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in conjunction with the Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive. Craft items, smoked ribs and pork skins will be sold at The Personal Touch Gift Shoppe in Oak Ridge...