Stories from Friday, May 17, 1996

To the editor: A note of appreciation to the Cape Girardeau Police Department, the Cape Girardeau Fire Department and the staff of the University Recreation Center who performed duties to protect the citizenry in unusual conditions. On May 5, as the approaching storm drew nearer, approximately 1,000 people were ushered off soccer fields at two locations in Cape Girardeau. ...

Hundreds of people were moved to do kind things this week -- Random Acts of Kindness Week, sponsored by the Southeast Missourian. The kindnesses people reported were so inspiring for folks at the newspaper, they decided to get in on the act. Joni Adams, managing editor, created about 50 colorful, personalized cards on her home computer. They were addressed to people in the Residential Care Center, Fountainbleau Lodge and Lutheran Home who don't get very many visitors...

Some acts of kindness involve more sweat than others. Take the soldiers of the 1140th Engineers Battalion of the Missouri National guard who have spent the last two weeks scratching out a narrow road through a Panama jungle to provide a small village access to medical services...

The power of positive thinking illuminates from Melvin Gateley. This educator-turned-city-councilman has a smile and pat on the back for everyone he meets. He's a people person, who delights in helping the underdog and the down and out. Serving on the city council since 1992 certainly hasn't gone to his head. ...

Long before they knew anything about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Larry and Myrt Kellett were helping sick children. Although the couple enjoyed a healthy business -- Kelpro Inc. in Sikeston -- and relatively healthy children, they watched some of their friends' children struggle with life-threatening diseases...

What happened if disaster struck -- your home burned down or a serious illness drained your family's resources. Where could you turn? At St. Francis Medical Center, employees can turn to each other. For the past two years, the Caring Fund has helped about 45 employees facing crisis...

Lillian Biggs and her friend Lynn Bahn were driving home separately on a wet Thursday afternoon. They had just finished a nice lunch at a local restaurant. Many of Cape Girardeau's streets were flooded with three or four inches of water after a heavy and constant downpour...

THANK YOU, Speak Out. Though it has been several weeks since we had the citywide spring cleanup, I am still impressed with the speedy and neat job that the men did. They always do a great job. This year was no exception. Thanks, guys. Way to go. RANDOM acts of kindness are nice for one week out of the year, but why can't we be this way every day? Nothing compares to a lifelong friend who is there for you when you really need her. Thanks again, Chris...

Bob Dole's decision to focus on America in his quest for the White House is being described as "surprising" and "extraordinary." It certainly is both of these, but there are much deeper contexts in which to assess the powerful Kansas senator's relinquishing of his political power base in order to offer himself to America's voters...

The resignation of a powerful U.S. senator has a far-reaching ripple effect. Choices must be made about filling leadership positions. A major decision lies in the hands of Kansas Gov. Bill Graves, who must appoint a successor to Bob Dole. One of the interesting ripples is the impact that choice could have on Missouri's 8th congressional district...

Here is the text of Bob Dole's speech Wednesday announcing his resignation from the U.S. Senate in order to campaign as the Republican candidate for president: Let me say to many of my friends, and my wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, Robin, and others, we're very honored to have you here...

To the editor: In light of Random Acts of Kindness Week, I would like to share a few thoughts about the actions of a group of outgoing teen-agers. For the Central High School Beta Club, acts of kindness are not necessarily random. The dedicated group of juniors and sophomores meets at 7 a.m. every two weeks to plan and prepare for service projects. The projects are designed to improve the school and help others...

Kindness was dished out on paper plates Thursday. Members of Grace United Methodist Church grilled hot dogs and hamburgers for more than 400 Cape Girardeau Central High School students and staff, who ate lunch on the church parking lot at Broadway and Caruthers...

JACKSON -- Cape Girardeau County will go to court in hopes of forcing the state to keep its hands off use-tax revenue collected by the county. "We're going to sue them," Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones said Thursday. "We're going to file an injunction."...

The Mississippi River is headed for yet another crest at Cape Girardeau, this time at 41 feet on the gauge, the National Weather Service said. Flood stage here is 32 feet. The river's lowest reading of the month was 34.2 feet on May 6. It reached 40.4 feet Thursday afternoon...

Doing a random act of kindness, it turns out, is quite a bit easier than trying to explain it to an inquiring store clerk. Quite possibly you may not be interested in kindness theology, but this seems to be the right week to bring it up. There are all kinds of popular theologies -- what we believe about God and his mystery realm -- but most of them don't interest me either. ...

Teri Goodman, public awareness coordinator for the city of Cape Girardeau, recently began work at the Convention and Visitors Bureau, 2121 Broadway. Goodman is the former director of public relations and fund development for Crowley's Ridge Girl Scout Council in Jonesboro, Ark. She has worked for public relations firms in New York and Indianapolis...

It isn't Christmas or their birthdays, but a group of 32 parents and teachers in Cape Girardeau already know what is on their wish list. It includes things like more consistency among schools, increased parent involvement and a combined emphasis on the basics and new technology...

A federal judge has sentenced two Southeast Missouri men to serve prison terms for their part in a methamphetamine drug trafficking operation. U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh sentenced Darrell Edward Jones, 28, of East Prairie to 10 years in prison without parole for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm...

Mark Lester recently was named city engineer, selected from 21 applicants after a nationwide search. Lester, who joined the engineering department in 1990, was working as interim city engineer. Kensey Russell held the position for 20 years before joining a private firm in Chillicothe...

A Dallas, Texas, home builder plans to build a new subdivision along the new North Sprigg Street extension. Holigan Homes will file preliminary subdivision development plans with the Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission this month. Holigan's plans call for homes in the low $100,000 range, to be constructed in an area along the Sprigg extention, which will run from Bertling to Lexington. Lexington is being constructed along the north edge of Melody Lane...

Residential locks should be effective, but easily opened. That's the message officials were touting this week after a fire contained to a bedroom proved fatal for a Cape Girardeau woman. Rosemary Carley, 53, of 1113 Walnut died from smoke inhalation while trying to unlock her back door, fire officials said...

A small hydraulic fluid spill near the corner of Main and Themis streets was not immediately recognized as a hazard this morning, then was cleaned up without becoming one. Cape Girardeau Fire Department training officer Mark Hasheider said the spill, which was spread in a thin sheen over a three-block area, was probably caused when a hydraulic line on a garbage truck opened up and dumped a slick 10-weight oil onto the road. ...

The Clippard Elementary Parent Teacher Association will host a reception Sunday for principal Richard Giles. Giles is retiring at the end of this school year after 30 years as an educator in Southeast Missouri. He has been a principal at Clippard for five years. The reception begins at 2 p.m. at the school. The community is invited to attend...

Funeral service for William Lee "Bill" Kassel, 612 Emerald, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel. The Rev. Louis Launhardt will officiate, with burial in Russell Heights Cemetery at Jackson. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4-8 p.m. today...

BLOOMFIELD -- Gene Winton Bennett, 70, of Bloomfield, died Thursday, May 16, 1996, at Dexter Memorial Hospital in Dexter. He was born Oct. 11, 1925, in Bloomfield, son of Paul and Sadie Aslin Bennett. Bennett was a graduate of Bloomfield High School and Southeast Missouri State University. He was a radio announcer for a time, and had played the piano for supper clubs, senior citizen groups and church socials...

Ida L. Wren, 54, of Tupelo, Miss., died Wednesday, May 15, 1996, at her home. She was born Oct. 10, 1941, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Virgil L. and Tommy Childers Brown. Wren had worked at Jackson Manor in Jackson. Survivors include four sons, Donnie, Mike and Billy Stringfield and Kenny Wren, all of Tupelo; two daughters, Brenda Stringfield and Lisa Gaddis of Tupelo; four brothers, Dale, Terry, Pete and Jody Brown of Cape Girardeau; two sisters, Betty Keller of Bradley, Ill., Susie Brown of Tupelo, and five grandchildren.. ...

Mary Helen Seabaugh, 69, of Belleview, died Wednesday, May 15, 1996, at Arcadia Valley Hospital in Ironton. She was born Feb. 17, 1927, in Cape Girardeau County, daughter of Earl and Gladys Amos Sawyer. She and Robert Seabaugh were married Nov. 20, 1945, in Paragould, Ark...

FRIEDHEIM -- Larry J. "Shab" Moore, 52, of Friedheim, died Thursday, May 16, 1996, at Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville. He was born Sept. 14, 1943, in St. Louis, son of Wallace F. and Leona H. Wirth Moore. He and Shirley R. Brune were married May 20, 1972...

PERRYVILLE -- Zelma Erwin, 74, of Perryville, died Thursday, May 16, 1996, at her home. She was born Feb. 8, 1922, in Perry County, daughter of Andrew and Cora Preston Erwin. She and Ardell J. Erwin were married July 18, 1942. He died June 14, 1995...

JACKSON -- Funeral Mass for Viola M. Peak of Jackson will be held at 7:30 p.m. today at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Msgr. Edward Eftink will officiate. Friends may call at the church from 4 p.m. until service time. McCombs Funeral Home at Jackson is in charge of arrangements...

The Americorps Southeast Missouri Partnership for Community Service will play host to a summer environmental club for children ages 10-15. Activities will include picnics, educational tours, hiking, community beautification and interactive nature projects...

MARBLE HILL -- Descendants of John F. and Lucinda Robbins Miller will gather May 19 at Pellegrino Park in Marble Hill for their fifth annual family reunion. Family and friends are invited to the potluck dinner but should bring a dish, tableware, beverages and lawn chairs...

JACKSON -- Two bloodhound puppies have been signed on with the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff John Jordan announced Thursday that deputies had picked up the two puppies -- a male and a female, each 8 weeks old -- in St. Louis. They were purchased from a bloodhound breeder in Quebec, Canada, who has provided Canadian Kennel Club-registered bloodhounds for police in Maryland and the New Jersey State Police as well as in Quebec, Jordan said...

PERRYVILLE -- For the first time in his life, Mark Klaus saw more money than he receives as an allowance. Klaus, a sixth grade student at Altenburg Public School, counted and recounted $1,350 during his job as "Banker for a Day" on Thursday. Eight sixth grade students from Perryville, Altenburg, Biehle and Frohna schools spent the day counting money and learning about life as a banker Thursday...

Old-time cowboy gunfights and bank robberies will be featured at the fourth annual Western Days Saturday and Sunday at Black Forest Villages. Western Days is a return to the Old West, when cowboys and saloon gals walked the streets. Hours for the show at the town of New Hanover are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday...