Stories from Saturday, December 14, 1996

To the editor: In two recent writings in Kinder's Commentary, Peter Kinder has quoted Marrianne Moody Jennings, a law professor at Arizona State University, regarding the nature of the algebra textbook her daughter was using in an algebra class in Mesa, Ariz. The textbook was reported to have been published by Addison-Wesley under the title, "Secondary Math: An Integrated Approach: Focus on Algebra."...

A group of students responded to a complaint in Speak Out made by a homeowner near Cape Girardeau's Central High School. The concern was a growing litter problem. Senior Laura Lueders with the help of her friends started SAGE, which stands for Students Aspire to Guard the Environment Club. The group, along with members of the Beta Club and Future Business Leaders of America, have formed a litter patrol -- picking up trash around the high school campus three times each week...

Even though the April bond issue for Cape Girardeau's public schools isn't yet on the ballot, informational presentations have begun. There is nothing wrong with that. It is never too early to begin the education process when something this important is on the table...

PETER KINDER: I resent your Dec. 8 column about the first lady. You certainly are not a good example for our children. Instead of always being so negative, could you not work with the Democrats as we had hoped instead of being so critical? You are a disappointment to many of us. ...

Samples of fiberglass cast material are shown to patients. Though broken bones are never pleasant, wearing a cast traditionally yielded the consolation of showing an artistic flair by creating a montage of signatures and drawings added by friends. But modern casts have taken an even more eye-catching turn with the casts themselves available in a variety of colors and patterns, some even featuring popular cartoon characters or professional sports team logos...

The weather certainly doesn't look a lot like Christmas, but it might by next week. While some days this week offered abnormally high temperatures -- Wednesday's 72 degrees was a record high for Dec. 11 -- weather forecasters expect conditions to become more seasonal. They said Southeast Missouri might see some snow as early as next week...

Earthquake insurance premiums rose an average 16 percent in a six-county area of the Missouri Bootheel from 1993 to 1995. That is more than twice the statewide average increase of 7.2 percent, a new study by the Missouri Department of Insurance shows...

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education will vote Monday on whether to put a $14 million bond issue and tax levy on the ballot for voters to decide in April. The tax portion of the measure calls for increasing the district's property tax levy by 30 cents to help pay for the bonds...

Every time I see a report about another break-in I can practically feel a shudder run through the community. There is nothing worse than feeling like you can't be safe in the only secure place in the world -- home. In August 1989 I went through a situation that gave me great insight into what the elderly of this community are feeling -- what it's like to be a victim...

Gifts and monetary donations to Toybox continue to trickle when actually a downpour of gifts is needed. More than 600 needy children will go without gifts this Christmas unless well-meaning people get their donations in by the beginning of next week. Volunteers would like to have all donations by Monday because they need time to sort through the applications and match gifts with requests...

A number of Southeast Missouri State University athletes are proving to be just as adept at spreading cheer as they are on their playing fields and courts. For the first time this year, Southeast has instituted a good-will program that features various athletes from all the school's intercollegiate sports programs...

Southeast Missouri State University's Board of Regents has taken steps to reduce traffic congestion at the New Madrid and Henderson intersection. The board Friday approved plans to improve Greek Drive, which ties into the intersection. Greek Drive currently is a two-way street. The university plans to make it one way for motorists traveling east toward Johnson Hall on the north end of the campus...

DEXTER -- Funeral service for Julia Ann Fletcher of Dexter will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at Watkins and Sons Funeral Chapel in Dexter. The Rev. Wayne Dismuke will officiate, with burial in Dexter Cemetery. Fletcher, 89, died Friday, Dec. 13, 1996, at Dexter Memorial Hospital...

SCOTT CITY -- Funeral service for Esther D. Browne, formerly of Blytheville, Ark., will be held at 2 p.m. today at Cobb Funeral Home in Blytheville. The Rev. Bill Williams will officiate. Entombment will be in the family mausoleum in Maple Grove Cemetery at Blytheville...

SIKESTON -- Betty Poole, 61, died Thursday, Dec. 12, 1996, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Jan. 11, 1935, in Manila, Ark., daughter of Robert Lee and Hettie Fretwell Rodgers. She and Bobby Joe Poole were married March 4, 1949, in Piggott, Ark. He died May 29, 1979...

KELSO -- Sister Mary Adelma Seyer, 82, died Friday, Dec. 13, 1996, at Villa Gesu in St. Louis. She was born Dec. 20, 1913, at Kelso, daughter of Joseph J. and Pauline Dohogne Seyer. Seyer entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame at Lemay Sept. 1, 1931, professed her vows Aug. 7, 1934, and made the final commitment Aug. 18, 1940...

CHAFFEE -- Ruth Bryant, 82, of Chaffee died Friday, Dec. 13, 1996, at Charleston Manor in Charleston. Amick-Burnett Funeral Home of Chaffee is in charge of arrangements.

Daughter to Terry L. and Tammy Maria Manas of Essex, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 7:06 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1996. Name, Regan Cassidy. Weight, 9 pounds. First child. Mrs. Manas is the former Tammy Head, daughter of James Head and Charlotte Head, Sikeston Route 1. She is employed at Wal-Mart. Manas is the son of Terry W. Manas and Linda Manas, Sikeston Route 1. He is a farmer...

Terry Juden figures it's about time he graduates from college. He first enrolled at Southeast Missouri State University nearly 30 years ago. Today, the Cape Girardeau man will graduate with an industrial management degree. At age 48, Juden's path to graduation has been a difficult one...