Stories from Tuesday, March 25, 1997

Dr. Dale Haskell, an English professor at Southeast Missouri State University, started the group. Briana Welker kept the writers in coffee during the monthly meetings at Barnes and Nobles Book Store. The bookstore seemed to be a place writers feel comfortable...

Are you a weather nut? Via the Internet, you can actually see the color weather radar those radio stations brag about. And you don't have to wait for the evening news to check out the Doppler and Nexrad or even fly through the weather. First stop is...

Teaching just might be a part of Vicki Nenninger's DNA. The 1991 graduate from Southeast Missouri State University has many relatives involved in education, including her parents, who are educators at Leopold High School, and her brother, who is an academic recruiter at the university...

The Castor River Conservation Area in southwestern Bollinger County could be a suitable site for a recreational lake, a state lawmaker said Monday. State Rep. Bill Foster, R-Poplar Bluff, said the Missouri Conservation Department land could offer an alternative to a lake that would cover parts of Cape Girardeau and Bollinger counties...

PERRYVILLE--Architects from St. Louis plan to meet with the Riverside Regional Library Board of Directors tonight at 7 at the Perryville Library to discuss plans for the Perry County Multipurpose Building. Monday, the Perry County Commission passed a resolution approving up to $500,000 in tax-anticipation notes for preliminary work on the center. ...

With one week to go before Election Day, Cape Girardeau public schools have pledges of yes votes from 3,000 voters. Campaign organizers are confident that those voters represent others who haven't signed their names to the campaign's rolls. "We're doing real well," said Melvin Gateley, chairman of the 5500 club. When the campaign kicked off, organizers calculated that 5,500 yes votes would equal a victory at the polls...

A Cape Girardeau woman is dead, and a Tamms, Ill., woman was in surgery Monday night, after a two-car accident in rural Alexander County, Ill. Cristen J. Aufdenberg, 19, 2500 Ranchito St., died from injuries in the accident. She was driving westbound on Grapevine Trail Road, one-quarter mile east of the Egyptian School Road between Tamms and Olive Branch when her car collided head-on with one driven by Robyn K. Ford, 18, of Tamms...

March 23, 1942. On this day, the Japanese renewed their air attack by bombing a New Guinea harbor, Port Moresby. On the same day in America, Gen. Douglas McArthur promised a final victory for the Allies soon, little realizing that there were still three years left of World War II...

One of the constant challenges facing higher education generally, and Southeast Missouri State University in particular, is how best to serve students and the region. It is always exciting to hear about the academic successes of our students. At that same time, however, it is troubling to learn of the growing number of students who say their dream of earning a college diploma is slipping away because of the current cost of a college education. ...

When it comes to the federal highway trust fund, most highway users have a high expectation of -- what else? -- trust. The fund derives its revenue from fuel taxes paid by motorists. Currently, Missouri receives some 87 cents back on each dollar of federal fuel tax paid by its motorists...

A study of industrial jobs in Missouri and some other Midwest states served by the 8th District Federal Reserve Bank show a trend of increases in rural areas in the decade ending in 1994 and decreases in urban areas. There are several reasons cited by the Fed, but in general manufacturing companies can find dependable workers at lower costs in rural areas. ...

To the editor: Here I am in the fall of my life with sad news from my doctor. I reflect back on my life and ask myself: What have I contributed to this world? What am I leaving as a legacy? I am not a mother who taught high morals and values to her descendants. I am not a teacher who molded children's minds, hopes and ambitions. I am not a minister to heal them spiritually. Nor am I a physician to administer to their physical needs. So what is my legacy?...

To the editor: I recently read the article on the NAACP's rejection of the school bond issue. I do not with to attack anything or anyone other than the group, statements and arguments in question. The local NAACP, I believe, has let its judgment be clouded. I hold only the leadership of the NAACP responsible...

JACKSON -- Farmers still have time to sign up for the Conservation Reserve Program. CRP contracts, a voluntary program that offers farmers annual rental payments, incentive payments for certain activities and cost-share assistance to improve cover on eligible crop land, can be signed for 10 or 15 years...

In an effort to remove the stigma associated with mental disabilities, Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III proclaimed March Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Month. "It is becoming necessary to educate people about people having disabilities. They are the same as we are," Spradling said...

Fund-raising was down, but the American Cancer Society said its annual gala at the Show Me Center Saturday night can still be counted a success. Last year nearly 500 people attended and $60,000 was collected. It was the 11th year the society has sponsored the gala. The theme celebrated regional French heritage in the form of a Krewe Ball. Authentic Mardi Gras '97 decorations collected by interior designer Al Phillips were used to create a carnivale atmosphere for revelers...

The Sons of Union Veterans, Richard J. Oglesby -- Bird's Point Camp No. 61 will meet Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Cape Girardeau Public Library, 711 N. Clark. A presentation is planned on the 1862 battle at Fort Donelson, Tenn. The Sons of Union Veterans is a nationwide fraternal organization that perpetuates the memory of Union soldiers and sailors who served during the Civil War. ...

As expected, Southeast Missouri State University's women's gymnastics team learned Monday that it has qualified for the NCAA Central Regional meet. The seven-team regional will be held April 5 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Southeast qualified fourth out of seven squads, behind Michigan, Alabama and LSU. Iowa State, Minnesota and Michigan State round out the bottom three...

The Cape Central Tigers looked like they'd been playing baseball all winter as they opened the 1997 season Monday at Tiger Field with an impressive all-around performance against Chaffee. The Tigers pounded out 13 hits in only six innings, including two home runs, on their way to a 12-2 win. Central scored five runs in both the fourth and sixth innings to end the game via the 10-run rule. Pinch hitter Jeff Michel's two-run double ended the game...

JACKSON -- The schedule says it's the start of the high school baseball season, but Notre Dame's Nathan McGuire looked like he was in late-season form Monday afternoon. And that meant bad news for Jackson. McGuire allowed just four singles -- and only five baserunners total -- as the Bulldogs routed the host Indians 9-0 in the 1997 opener for both squads...

A minivan belonging to Notre Dame fans who made the trip to see the Lady Bulldogs play in the Class 2A Final Four in Columbia this weekend showed its allegiance by proclaiming "Notre Dame is No. 1" in shoe polish on the windows. After Notre Dame lost to a very talented Urbana Skyline team 61-45 in the championship game Saturday night, the owner of the minivan crossed out the "1" and replaced it with a "2."...

Three players from both Notre Dame and Scott City highlight the Class 2A all-district basketball teams that were -- along with the Class 1A squads -- released today. On the boys side, Scott City's high-scoring Dustin Cauble -- who averaged 26 points per game -- and teammate Chris Sisk join Notre Dame's Dirk Dirnberger on the 2A team...

Area high school golf teams return plenty of experience from last season's successful teams. Notre Dame and Jackson, both coming off state qualifying seasons, appear ready for a return to the state meet. Cape Girardeau Central lost its only state-qualifying golfer to graduation but will still look to be competitive...

STE. GENEVIEVE -- Perryville demonstrated both pitching and hitting in its season debut Monday, defeating Ste. Genevieve 11-0 in five innings in high school baseball action. Matt Meyr held the Dragons to a lone third-inning single in going the distance. He struck out seven and walked two...

CHARLESTON -- Donald Lynn Moore, 53, of Charleston died Sunday, March 23, 1997, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born July 3, 1943, in Charleston, son of Byrd Thomas and Willie Finley Traylor Moore. Moore had worked at Reeves Boomland 11 years, and was a member of Elm Street Baptist Church...

PERRYVILLE -- Carrel J. "C.J." Stearns, 74, of Perryville died Sunday, March 23, 1997, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born Nov. 8, 1922, at Millersville, son of Charles J. and Marzella Statler Stearns. He and Marjorie Wilcox were married Aug. 24, 1941...

PERRYVILLE -- Paul V. Mattingly, 53, of Aurora, Ill., died Saturday, March 22, 1997, in Aurora. He was born Oct. 17, 1943, at Perryville, son of Robert and Stella Marie Lawrence Mattingly. He and Mona Grace Hall were married Aug. 24, 1967. Mattingly was a former steel foundry worker...

BLOOMFIELD -- Funeral service for Bud McRoy of Bloomfield will be held at 11 a.m. today at Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home. The Rev. Kevin Eskew will officiate, with burial in Walker Cemetery. McRoy, 91, died Sunday, March 23, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau...

PARMA -- Roscoe Borders, 93, of Parma died Sunday, March 23, 1997, at Warsaw Health Care Center in Warsaw. He was born March 3, 1904, near Zalma, son of Daniel Jacob and Alice Sullivan Borders. He and Margaret Naomi Jackson were married Aug. 15, 1928, at Bloomfield. She died March 7, 1989...

JACKSON -- Pansy M. Eakins, 94, of Jackson died Sunday, March 23, 1997, at Heritage Gardens Nursing Home. She was born Sept. 27, 1902, at Burfordville, daughter of Frank and Hester Medley Howard. She and Erma Eakins were married Aug. 17, 1921. He died Sept. 28, 1991...

CHARLESTON -- Shannon Anthony Mascia, 23, of Charleston died Saturday, March 22, 1997, in Cape Girardeau. He was born Dec. 19, 1973, in Fayetteville, N.C., son of Tony A. and Peggy Lynn Mascia. Mascia was a bartender at Ramada Inn and at J.D.'s Steakhouse in Sikeston. He had been accepted into the Southeast Missouri Police Academy and was to begin classes in May...

ULLIN, Ill. -- Graveside service for William Rife of Ullin will be held at 1 p.m. today at St. John's Cemetery in Dongola, with the Rev. William Gholson officiating. Friends may call at Crain Funeral Home in Ullin after 11 a.m. Rife, 87, died Sunday, March 23, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau...

SCOTT CITY -- Jerry Wayne Skinner, 52, of Scott City died Monday, March 24, 1997, at St. John's Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City is in charge of arrangements.

MARBLE HILL -- Evan A. Myers, 83, of Imperial died Sunday, March 23, 1997, at his home. He was born Oct. 17, 1913, in Shannon County, son of George and Arizona Henry Myers. He and Veda Jewell Sturgeon were married Sept. 12, 1936, near Lutesville. Myers retired as a machinist with McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, He attended First Baptist Church of New Offenburg...

BENTON -- Gerald L. Bridwell, 68, of Benton died Monday, March 24, 1997, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of arrangements.

Eldoris McMikle Daniel, 77, formerly of Charleston, died Monday March 24, 1997, at the Bertrand Nursing Facility. Funeral arrangements are incomplete with McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

MILLER CITY, Ill. -- Carl Willis, 82, of Miller City died Monday March 24, 1997, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born March 23, 1915, in Miller City, son of Frank and Lydia Kerstein Willis. He was a farmer, member of the Pulaski-Alexander County Farm Bureau, the Alexander-Pulaski Sportsmans Club and the Olive Branch United Methodist Church...

The Interstate 55-Route E Interchange Committee will hold an informational meeting at 7 tonight at Oak Ridge High School cafeteria. The citizens committee, which formed to induce the state to build the interchange on I-55 near Oak Ridge north of the Fruitland exit, called the meeting to answer questions people might have about the state's plans, said Brenda Schoen, chairwoman of the committee...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Theresa M. Garvey, 93, of Cairo died Monday, March 24, 1997, at Daystar Care Center. She was born Nov. 22, 1903, in Bowling Green, Mo., daughter of James P. and Margaret Tobin Garvey. Garvey was a registered nurse at the former St. Mary's Hospital in Cairo many years. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church...