Stories from Saturday, October 11, 1997

Ever heard of or seen a "dowager's hump", and wonder what it is? It is the hump that some elderly women develop on their back and is often associated with the "little old lady" stereotype. This is actually caused by multiple vertebral compression fractures (broken back bones), that results in a "hump," bend, or angulation of the spine. These broken vertebrae are often the result of osteoporosis...

Jari Southard, a nurse with the Cape Girardeau County Health Department, has a deal for women: free clinical exams, mammograms and pap smears. But Southard said even when the services are free, women are reluctant to participate. "People say, `It's not happening to me' or `I'm too young' or `Nobody in my family has breast cancer,'" Southard said...

The city of Cape Girardeau's Fall Cleanup Week starts Monday. The fall cleanup is a "you-haul" program, said Pam Sander, the city's solid waste coordinator. City residents can haul a variety of items, including furniture, appliances and general garage and basement cleanup items and dump them at the city's transfer station for free. Yard waste should be taken to another location...

Saturday 7:30 a.m.: Copper Dome Breakfast, Show Me Center 9:30 a.m.: Homecoming Parade, Capaha Park to Main Street 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Tours of Scully Education Building 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Mardi Gras Festival Tailgates - Alumni, Houck Field House Area...

Freshman Erin Holt, left, kept track of how points were scored during a recent volleyball match. Editor's note: This is another in a continuing series of stories which follow the progress of two freshmen -- Erin Holt and Brad Botsch -- from Bernie as they make their way through their first year at Southeast Missouri State University...

SCOTT CITY -- A fleet of five trucks, led by the Scott County Sheriff's Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, made the first official trip down the new Route AB/Nash Road extension Friday at the SEMO Port. "The road was built to serve industry. It was built for the trucks," said Dan Overbey, executive director of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority. "Everyone else is welcome on it, but it was built for the trucks and we wanted them to have it first."...

The Missouri Department of Transportation has poorly monitored spending on road projects under the state's 15-year plan, state auditors said Friday. Deputy State Auditor Chuck Pierce said MoDOT hasn't tracked the actual cost of road projects in the 15-year plan...

Sarah Martin's brother leaned over his sister's hospital bed and told her to wake up. Grandma and Grandpa were coming to visit. Sarah's eyelids fluttered then opened Friday morning. She was awake two days after suffering what doctors describe as poor blood flow to the brain...

Finally, a movie made by, for and about black Americans that touches on more of the realities and fewer of the extremes of our lives. I'm tired of Blaxploitation in American movies. Not all black women are on welfare, use food stamps, have babies in their teens, are constantly sexually aroused, wear braids and big earrings, roll their eyes (and necks), pop their chewing gum, or are excellent gospel singers...

To the editor: One of the most vivid memories of my congressional service was a conversation I had with Congressman Phil Burton of California, now deceased. The conversation took place several days after the Watergate break-in. Phil, a brilliant and liberal Democrat, said, "Lou, we're going to get Nixon. ...

IN REGARDS to Tina Trickey's letter on separation of school and church in the New Hamburg School, she might need to check her facts about how the school is run and that there is complete separation of church and school. The children are not excused on holy days and every Wednesday morning. ...

There are many agencies that provide help for people in need. But sometimes people in need don't know which agency to call for a specific need. That's why a centralized information and referral service would be of service to Cape Girardeau County. The Area Wide United Way and the Community Caring Council are making the push to establish the service...

It's Homecoming weekend -- a favorite time for the region to wave the red-and-black banners of Southeast Missouri State University. The festivities are already under way. But a highlight of the weekend is always the Homecoming parade, which begins at 9:30 this morning at Capaha Park. Marching bands, university groups, community organizations and colorful floats will travel down Broadway to Main Street as thousands watch...

To the editor: Have you heard the music in the air every Wednesday morning? It's coming from Central High School. This is marching band season, and I'd like to congratulate the Cape Central Marching Tigers on their first-place finishes the past two weekends. The band has traveled to marching band competitions the past two Saturdays and placed first in its division at both competitions...

To the editor: Realizing that letters to the editor are printed on the Opinion page, the recent letter titled "School, church aren't separated" is based mostly on opinions, not facts. Opinion: "The public school is run by Catholics in a very Catholic way." Fact: The taxpayers of the Kelso School District voted these members into office. ...

To the editor: Thank you so much for your very informative article on Dr. Terry Jones' church in Koln, Germany, and the persecution by the German government. This is a continuing fight not only in Germany, but throughout the world. Christians must be ever vigilant, or the same thing could happen in our country. ...

JACKSON -- Opponents for the Jackson Indians be warned: Not only is Devree Flint arguable the best running back in the area, but he's not a bad quarterback either. Flint ran for three touchdowns Friday night, then added a new wrinkle to his offensive arsenal, throwing a 22-yard TD pass to Todd Wessel in the fourth quarter to seal the Indians 28-6 homecoming victory over Belleville (Ill.) Althoff...

SCOTT CITY -- Howie Stubenrauch 24, Caruthersville High 6. While sequels of hit movies often flop, the sequel to Stubenrauch's performance last week earned a unanimous two thumbs up. Behind three rushing touchdowns and an interception for a score by Stubenrauch, Scott City beat Caruthersville 31-6 in Friday night's homecoming game...

When Southeast Missouri State University football coach John Mumford says today's homecoming opponent is much better than its record, he's not just blowing smoke. Tennessee Tech, which visits Houck Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff, doesn't on the surface appear to be all that imposing at 2-2...

KANSAS CITY -- Southeast Missouri State University's volleyball team had no trouble Friday night as the Otahkians routed host Missouri-Kansas City 15-6, 15-3, 15-6. The Otahkians improved their record to 17-5 with the non-conference win. They'll remain in Kansas City today to take on Oral Roberts in a 2 p.m. non-league match...

Kelly High softball coach Rhonda Evans is confident of a return trip to the Class 2A Final Four -- but also realistic enough to know that getting there won't come easy. The Lady Hawks will face Clopton at noon today in a sectional game at the Fountain Lake Softball Complex in Bellefountain Neighbors, which is near St. Louis. The winner earns a berth in next weekend's 2A Final Four...

FREDERICKTOWN -- Jeremy Penwell rushed for 138 yards to help Fredericktown High's football team gain its first win of the season, a 26-18 victory over visiting Potosi Friday night. Fredericktown improved to 1-5 on the season while Potosi fell to 2-4...

TITUSVILLE, Fla. -- Irene E. Hargis, 79, of Titusville, formerly of Peoria, Ill., died Friday, Oct. 10, 1997, at Marnier Health Care Center in Titusville. She was born July 24, 1918, in Gorham, Ill., daughter of Elmer E. and Lena O. Welchel Stamp. She was a member of the Baptist faith and a housewife...

JACKSON -- Douglas Warren Salzmann Jr., 41, of Dallas, Texas, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997, at his home. He was born Oct. 19, 1955, in Tulsa, Okla., son of Dr. Douglas and Paula Strickland Salzmann. He and Gina Turner were married Dec. 27, 1986. Salzmann was a 1974 graduate of Jackson High School, and 1978 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point...

MATTHEWS -- John Ephraim Clarke, 81, died Friday, Oct. 10, 1997, at the Sells Rest Home in Matthews. He was born Sept. 21, 1916, in Peoria, Ill., to Ephraim and Nora Clarke. On Nov. 13, 1969, he married Geraldine Huls at Las Vegas. She died March 9, 1992...

MORLEY -- Verdiree Sutton, 84, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997, at the Hunter Acres Care Center in Sikeston, where she was a resident. She was born Jan. 8, 1913. She had lived at the King Foster Home in Morley for 25 years before moving to Sikeston. She is survived by many friends...

SIKESTON -- Opal Irean Johnson, 86, of Sikeston died Friday, Oct. 10, 1997, at Bertrand Retirement Home in Bertrand. She was born Feb. 3, 1911, in Bucoda, daughter of William Wesley and Willie O'Brian Ferguson. She and Omal Elmer Johnson were married in 1935 at Senath. He died in October 1956...

PERRYVILLE -- Funeral Mass for Albert H. Winkler of Perryville will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Vincent's Catholic Church. The Rev. Kevin Fausz will officiate, with burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends may call at Miller Family Funeral Home from 4-9 p.m. Sunday, and 6:30-9:50 a.m. Monday. The parish wake and KC service will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, and the rosary will be at 9 a.m. Monday...

DEXTER -- Ella Fay Baker, 66, of Dexter died Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Feb. 25, 1931, in Flint, Mich., daughter of John E. and Irean Arnold Robinson. She and Bill J. Baker were married Feb. 25, 1949, in Piggott, Ark...

Thomas Ross Poteete Jr., 58, 2044 Broadway, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997, at his home. He was born Aug. 19, 1939, in Franklin, Tenn., son of Thomas Ross and Willie Mai Anderson Poteete Sr. He and Linda Donmyer were married Dec. 30, 1975, in Springfield, Tenn...

Curtis Empson Brewer, 92, of DeSoto died Thursday, Sept. 4, 1997, at DeSoto Nursing Center. He was born Oct. 31, 1904, in Uniontown, Ind., son of William Curtis and Florence Empson Brewer. He married Helen Louise Barney Aug. 15, 1928, in Cape Girardeau. She died in 1983...

Birdie L. Kincaid, 74, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Oct. 10, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born Oct. 9, 1923, at Wardell, daughter of William J. and Amelia M. Hickerson McPherson. Kincaid retired from Florsheim Shoe Co. in 1985. Survivors include two sons, Tim Kincaid of Cape Girardeau, Ronald Wright of Wauchula, Fla.; four daughters, Darlene Kincaid of Cape Girardeau, Deanie Anderson of Wauchula, Patricia Moore of Phoenix, Ariz., Carolyn McCaig of Caruthersville; her mother, Amelia Hughley of Wardell; a sister, Jewell Cain of Memphis, Tenn.; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.. ...

PERRYVILLE -- Linus F. "Slim" Vernon, 64, of Perryville died Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born April 2, 1933, in Perry County, son of Elmer and Lela Boxdorfer Vernon. Vernon was a mechanic at garages in Perryville, Ste. Genevieve, and Granite City, Ill., retiring from Valleroy's Garage in Perryville. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church...

BENTON -- Easter May Miller, 90, of Benton died Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born Feb. 23, 1907, at Benton, daughter of James W. and May Harbison Farris. She and Lester Miller Sr. were married in 1925 at Benton. He died in 1968...

George L. Baughman, 83, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Oct. 10, 1997, at Ratliff Care Center. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

WOLF LAKE, Ill. -- The first annual Mighty Duck Race will be held here Sunday. This marks the fifth year for the annual Union County Colorfest, being held today and Sunday throughout the county. Events are scheduled in Alto Pass, Anna, Cobden, Dongola, Lick Creek, Jonesboro and Wolf Lake...

The Target Store here will turn into "Halloween Central" Sunday afternoon. The local store, at 202 Siemers Drive in Cape West Business Park, is one of than 790 Target stores nationally that will scare up fun for youngsters with its "The Big Boo To Do," a Halloween celebration which will be held from 1 to 3 p.m...