Stories from Thursday, February 6, 1997

Contra dancing has been around for centuries, yet many people don't know what it is. It is much like a square dance in that the figures performed are mostly identical to the figures made by square dancers, according to Max Drake, who plays old-time banjo and guitar at contra dances in Cape Girardeau...

No fancy footwork or outfits are required for contra dancing. Nearly 40 people turned out Friday night to do a kind of dancing few people know how to do. Contra dancing is similar to square dancing, but the dancers progress down long lines with their partners instead of dancing in squares...

In directing "Steel Magnolias," the challenge for George Kralemann was walking the line that separates the play's comedy from its tragedy. "I had to find a natural balance," said Kralemann. "Sometimes it was too comedic and sometimes too dramatic." What he discovered in rehearsal was that the six actresses who make up the cast understood better than he did how these women friends would interact in the mix of comic and calamitous situations the play presents...

Legislation introduced in the Missouri House of Representatives would take editorial power away from school administrators and put it in the hands of student journalists. State Rep. Joan Bray, D-St. Louis, again sponsored legislation restricting school administrators from prior review of student publications. Bray sponsored a similar bill last year that successfully made it past the House Judiciary Committee before dying on the floor. The bill is again assigned to the committee for hearings...

ULLIN, Ill. -- Three Southern Illinois counties have given a vote of approval to a regional jail. Groundbreaking for the Tri-County Criminal Justice Center is expected before summer. The center, to be financed, constructed and operated by Western Corrections Group (WCG), will be built on a five-acre site off Interstate 57 near the Ullin exchange in Pulaski County...

Missouri's roads and bridges are far from satisfactory, and problems will be compounded by a substantial increase in traffic, a new study says. The study, conducted by The Road Information Program (TRIP), concluded that increased funding for repairs is needed to remedy the situation...

A Missouri Department of Transportation meeting in Cape Girardeau Wednesday night didn't attract the same number of people a similar meeting did in Scott City last month. But a wide range of community residents were on hand to give department representatives their opinions on building a highway between Cape Girardeau and Scott City...

Feb. 6, 1997 Dear Pat, When I first moved to California in 1978, the San Francisco Chronicle became my first friend, showing me around this new world, introducing me to people the likes of which I'd never known. The Chronicle itself was unlike any newspaper I'd ever seen, full of irreverencies, quirkiness, balderdash and very little of the hard-news newspapering I'd been raised on...

To the editor: I have recently moved back to Cape Girardeau after living elsewhere for some 15 years. I must say that I am rather amazed and disturbed by the attitude toward the natural environment which seems prevalent in this community. I would like to comment briefly on the issue of property rights...

Weather, the Senate schedule and St. Louis rush-hour traffic permitting, I will have arrived in town tonight to make the kickoff rally for passage of the proposed bond issue for the Cape Girardeau School District at Central High School's auditorium. ...

Talk of a new performing and fine arts center at Southeast Missouri State University raises a number of crucial questions -- questions whose answers will have a direct bearing on whether or not such an ambitious project should be pursued. The first thing that most people notice in the recently published remarks of those who support such a center is the cost. ...

Southeast Missouri State University will explore the feasibility of setting up a day-care operation that would serve faculty, staff and students. The issue has been raised sporadically in recent years, but nothing has been done. Student Regent Christie Johnson told the Board of Regents Wednesday that the issue is being explored...

JACKSON -- The use of high-density polyethylene pipe for storm sewers and culverts in the city of Jackson will be reviewed, the city's Planning and Zoning Commission decided Wednesday night. The commission took the action in the wake of Wednesday night's public hearing on revisions to the city's Land Subdivision Regulations...

AQUILLA -- A Stoddard County man died in his car before the vehicle left the road and struck a house Wednesday, police said. The Missouri Highway Patrol in Poplar Bluff said James Cullum, 52, of Zalma was driving north on Highway 25 near Aquilla at around 2:30 p.m. when the car left the road, hit a culvert, went airborne and struck a house...

JACKSON -- The American Bar Association may have lost one local member because of its recent vote on the death penalty, but it is about to gain a new one. A few days after the ABA receives Cape Girardeau Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle's letter of resignation, it will get a letter from public defender Kent Hall, who heads the public defender's office in Jackson...

When the River City Players' new production of "Steel Magnolias" begins, the first inclination is to think of Dolly Parton as you watch Tana Howard's Truvy sashay about her beauty salon. Same with Virginia Overholser's portrayal of Truvy's discombobulated assistant Annelle. That's not Daryl Hannah. Where's Julia Roberts? Sally Field? Shirley MacLaine?...

In the six-year history of Southeast Missouri State University's NCAA Division I basketball program, the Indians have not played many -- if any -- important Ohio Valley Conference games this late in the season. That's why Southeast coach Ron Shumate barely hesitated when asked if tonight's contest against Murray State ranks as his team's biggest ever on the Division I level...

One question Southeast Missouri football fans won't be asking in the 1997 season is, "Where's the beef?" The beef will be hard to miss when the Indians have the ball with a group of linemen in the 300-pound range. On Wednesday, the first day of the signing period, Southeast added two more linemen among its nine signees. The Indians had already signed three hefty junior college offensive linemen...

CHARLESTON -- Cape Girardeau Central's girls basketball team moved into the semifinal round of the Charleston Tournament Wednesday with a 75-57 victory over Scott County Central. Cape Central (15-3), the No. 2 seed, will face third-seeded Poplar Bluff tonight at 8:30...

Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball coach Ed Arnzen can point to a game on Jan. 23 in Murray, Ky., as to where his team's most recent troubles began. The Otahkians were coming off a solid road trip that saw them upset Middle Tennessee State in overtime and suffer a close loss to Tennessee Tech...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Fred Franklin Flowers, 78, of East Prairie, died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1997, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born Oct. 9, 1918, in Mississippi County, son of the late George and Cara Cogdill Flowers. He was a farmer and a member of the Church of Nazarene in Matthews...

Patrick Clayborne Davis Jr., 66, of Highland, Calif., formerly of Sikeston, died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 1997, at Veteran's Hospital in Loma Linda, Calif. He was born Jan. 7, 1931, in Sikeston, son of the late Patrick C. and Eunice Kaiser Davis, Sr. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, 1949 graduate of Sikeston High School, a graduate of Redlands University in Redlands, Calif., and worked as a school administrator at several California schools...

PERRYVILLE -- Francis "Hap" Taylor, 84, of Perryville, died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1997, at the Perry County Nursing Home. He was born May 20, 1912, in Perry County, son of the late Thomas and Mary Whistler Taylor. He married Olinda Mary Gotto on Aug. 18, 1936, and she survives him...

CHAFFEE -- Ernest Oscar "Bud" Fowler, 71, of Marion, Ark., formerly of Chaffee, died Friday, Jan. 31, 1997, at his home. He was born April 29, 1925, in Chaffee, son of the late Oscar and Ninia Graves Fowler. He is survived by his wife, Ann Taylor Fowler of Marion; three sons, Michael and Richard Fowler, both of California, and James Fowler of Montgomery, La.; one daughter, Hope Fowler of Marion; and two grandchildren...

A memorial service for Dolores N. Hampton of Cape Girardeau will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel. Dr. John Owen will officiate. Hampton, 88, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, at Chateau Girardeau.

PERRYVILLE -- Anne E. Carron, 94, died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1997, at Perry County Nursing Home. She was born July 7, 1902, at Bloomsdale, daughter of Joseph and Mary Kertz Eisenbeis. She and Dr. Oscar A. Carron were married Oct. 29, 1932. He died Nov. 26, 1996...

JACKSON -- Anna Grace Masters, 88, of Jackson died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 1997, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Jan. 15, 1909, at Patton, daughter of Wyley Joseph and Mary Margaret McGraw Gallup. She and Earl T. Masters were married Oct. 8, 1927, at Benton...

ANNA, Ill. -- Funeral service for Alice M. Groner of Anna will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna. Bill Stout will officiate, with burial in Anna Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6-9 p.m. Saturday...

SIKESTON -- Memorial service for Robert Hodge Decker Jr. of Sikeston will be held at 11 a.m. today at First Christian Church. The Rev. Ed Pangburn will officiate, with burial in Sikeston City Cemetery. There is no visitation. Amick-Burnett Funeral Home at Sikeston is in charge of arrangements...

UNIONTOWN -- August A. Hemmann, 80, of Uniontown died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1997, at his home. He was born March 18, 1916, at Uniontown, son of Gottfried B. and Emma Kanke Hemmann. He and Clara E. Hendershott were married Feb. 22, 1941. Hemmann was a former owner/operator of a Shell service station in Uniontown, and had farmed. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church...

PERRYVILLE -- Jeffrey Alan Peterson, 21, of Perryville died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 1997, at his home. He was born Feb. 11, 1975, in Perryville, son of Robert C. and Mary Margaret Naeger Peterson. Peterson was a 1993 graduate of St. Vincent's High School, received an associate of arts degree from Mineral Area College at Park Hills, and was attending St. Louis College of Pharmacy. He was a member of St. Vincent's Church, Knights of Columbus, and Phi Theta Kappa fraternity...

DONGOLA, Ill. -- Elbert Stoner, 94, of Dongola died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1997, at Alton Memorial Hospital in Alton. He was born Nov. 4, 1902, in Pulaski County, son of Otis and Martha Hartline Stoner. He and Marguerite Hight were married Oct. 2, 1923. She died Feb. 4, 1989...

ORAN -- Reta Spiva Duncan, 76, of Oran died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Aug. 31, 1920, at Puxico, daughter of Charles and Rose Spiva Siler. She and Huston Lewis Duncan were married March 6, 1954. He died July 22, 1996...

Hal B. Lehman Sr., 2040 Thilenius, former business manager with Cape Girardeau Public Schools and longtime civic leader, died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1997, at his home. He was 79. He was born March 20, 1917, at Sikeston, son of John and Lois Teeters Lehman. He and Betty Penn were married June 1, 1940, in Maplewood. She died Feb. 21, 1993...

Daughter to David Paul and Tinea Marie Green of Jackson, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 7:02 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, 1997. Name, Kelsey Lynn. Weight, 6 pounds 2 ounces. Mrs. Green is the former Tinea Houts, daughter of Bruce and Shirley Houts of Jackson. She is an Avon representative. Green is the son of Kenneth and Kay Green of Jackson. He is employed at Ceramo Co...

MOUNDS, Ill. -- Carl E. Glenn, 86, of Mounds, Ill., died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1997, in Mounds, Ill. He was born Jan. 1, 1911, in Piggott, Ark., son of the late Alec and Lela Lence Glenn. He was a member of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Villa Ridge, Ill., a retired construction laborer and a U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division veteran of World War II...

Dabbed or sprayed -- even smoothed and shaken -- fragrances cap daily dressing routines yet retain an aura of luxury. Favorite fragrances speak to a personal, perhaps primal sense of well-being. Wearing a favorite fragrance "just makes you feel good. It's a little pick-me-up," said Barbara Lemons, cosmetics merchandising assistant for JCPenney in West Park Mall...