Stories from Saturday, November 30, 1996

If you are thinking of shopping at the Humane Society for someone else's Christmas gift this year, think again. The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri encourages families looking to adopt animals to come see its selection. But they don't allow adoptions on behalf of others...

The New Madrid Fault grumbled another reminder of its restless existence late Thursday with its largest earthquake in five years. The 4.3 magnitude tremor occurred at 11:41 p.m. with the epicenter near Blytheville, Ark. No damage or injuries resulted from the earthquake, which was felt in six states...

The scene was enough to make a doll collector drool. Rows of beautiful dolls sat on a bed. They were black and white, blonde and brunette, casual and formal. Some wore jaunty berets, others big, puffy bows. And all 25 of them were the work of one industrious woman...

Mildred Whitehorn of Kennett braved wet, cool weather to join thousands of others who embarked Friday on the annual Christmas shopping season armed with cash, checkbooks and credit cards. The day after Thanksgiving traditionally kicks off the shopping season. It is usually is the biggest buying day of the year...

This is the holiday season all right. Let's see, saw some reindeer the other day. Wasn't even drinking. They look like a big goat with a cow's face and Frisbees for feet. I know how much that sounds like a typical substance-induced hallucination but that's really what reindeer look like...

Mr. and Ms. F are related and take care of each other. They live in an older home that needs many repairs, and they often have trouble paying household bills. Both are diabetic, and Mr. F also has hypertension. They are the only family they have. Mr. and Ms. F often have trouble paying for their medications, so they would appreciate help with their pharmacy bill...

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce has crystal apples to give to excellent educators. Educators will be chosen from the categories of elementary, secondary, vocational-technical and administration to be the 1997 Educators of the Year. It is the fourth year the awards have been given...

Educational and developmental toys are needed just as much for infants and toddlers as they are for older children. Many parents are requesting toys for children up 4 years of age this year. Those children need toys that light up or make sounds to help develop motor skills and the senses of sight and hearing...

IRONTON -- The search for a deer hunter missing since Sunday has been temporarily called off, leaving only a few townsfolk looking for the man, authorities said Friday. Searchers had been using dogs and helicopters to search for David Skaggs, 55, of Park Hills, but stopped on Wednesday...

Some of the best penny watchers will be helping others complete their tax returns for this year. The American Association of Retired Persons is teaming up with the IRS to train senior citizens to be tax-aide counselors. Volunteers will receive free training, and then will assist others with personal income tax returns between Feb. 1 and April 15...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department will restrict downtown parking beginning early Sunday morning in preparation for the annual Parade of Lights. Starting at 2 a.m., parking will be prohibited on Broadway from West End Boulevard to Main Street, on Main Street from Broadway to William Street, on North West End Boulevard from Broadway to Normal Avenue, on Parkview from Perry Avenue to North West End Boulevard, and on all the streets and parking lots in Capaha Park...

After nearly $2.5 million in state and federal funds were spent on buyouts, it appears the long-term flood problems in tiny Commerce, on the Mississippi River south of Scott City, have been addressed. Some 25 houses were purchased in the buyouts that followed the 1995 flooding in Commerce. Most of those houses were destroyed after families were relocated elsewhere. In just a few cases, houses in the flood area were moved to higher ground...

The number of bankruptcies in eastern Missouri is skyrocketing, and for the first time there appears to be a connection between failed personal finances and gambling. So far this year, there have been more than 10,500 bankruptcies filed in eastern Missouri, up 3,000 from last year. ...

To the editor: Your recent article, "Transportation panel's purpose questioned," presented an opportunity for Missouri Total Transportation Commission members like myself to clarify our mission and objectives. First, I'd like to thank every citizen, government official and transportation group representative for attending our public forum at the Drury Lodge in Cape Girardeau. ...

SIKESTON -- Graveside service for Abigail Hope Beardsley will be held at 11 a.m. today at Garden of Memories Cemetery, with the Rev. Johnny Beardsley officiating. Nunnelee Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. The infant was stillborn Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1996, at Forsyth Memorial Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C...

WOLF LAKE, Ill. -- Robert E. "Sarge" McMahan, 63, of Wolf Lake died Thursday, Nov. 28, 1996, at his home. He was born July 15, 1933, at Wolf Lake, son of Lawrence D. and Minnie Foster McMahan. He and Della L. Koch were married Aug. 3, 1957, in Anna...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Margery Samuels, 85, of Rogers, Ark., died Thursday, Nov. 28, 1996, at Innisfree Nursing Home in Rogers. She was born Nov. 16, 1911, in Cairo, daughter of Edward C. and Prudy Rogers Robinson. She married Clarence Samuels, who died in 1969...

Lois E. Fritzler, 47, 1617 Bel Air, died Thursday, Nov. 28, 1996, at St. Louis University Hospital. She was born Sept. 19, 1949, in Cheyenne, Wyo., daughter of Christian E. and Emma E. Ehmke Backer. She and Steven K. Fritzler were married July 10, 1971, in Cheyenne...

Thurman Melvin Travelstead, 84, 2418 Masters, died Friday, Nov. 29, 1996, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was born April 24, 1912, in Advance, son of Milo and Maggie Shell Travelstead. He first married Grace Ross June 5, 1938, at Dexter. She died Nov. 22, 1982. He and Betty Sams were married Aug. 28, 1993, in Cape Girardeau...

JACKSON -- Alma Bell, formerly of Vienna, Ill., died Friday morning at Jackson Manor. Bell, 90, was born in Stone County, Ark., on Nov. 19, 1906, daughter of Charles and Isabelle Hines Branscum. She married George Bell, who preceded her in death on June 25, 1980...

TAMMS, Ill. -- Chester Abercrombie, 94, of Tamms died Thursday, Nov. 28, 1996, at Tamms. He was born Oct. 26, 1902, near McClure to John and Anata Harvell Abercrombie. On Sept. 21, 1921, he married Cecyl Miles, who died May 31, 1961. He married Vertie Warren Newell Sept. 15, 1962...

Son to Ronald Lionel and Fenena Seyer, 733 Woodbine, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 8:03 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, 1996. Name, Josiah Mark. Weight, 8 pounds 11 ounces. Fourth child, second son. Mrs. Seyer is the former Fenena Ceja, daughter of Ezekiel and Antonia Ceja of Santa Gertrudis, Michoacan, Mexico. Seyer is the son of Elmer and Susie Seyer of Oran. He is employed by the U.S. Postal Service in Jackson...

BLOOMFIELD -- Funeral service for Beth Ruth Holderness Poe will be held at 1 p.m. today at Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home. The Rev. Hank Foster will officiate, with burial in Bloomfield Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 11 a.m. to service time...