Stories from Saturday, December 6, 1997

To the editor: The United Nations was hatched right after World War II. At that time, the state purpose was to unite all member nations into a world peacekeeping body. It was readily accepted by most of the people of the world, because they were tired of war. But what the people failed to consider was the fact that you cannot trust other people to make plans for you. When other people make the plans, the advantages and benefits always go to them...

To the editor: While I support state Sen. Peter Kinder's efforts to represent my best interests in our area, I would appreciate it if he would research his columns in the Southeast Missouri instead of just parroting the agenda of the extreme right wing. ...

For 15 years, Young Life has provided fellowship and support for area high school students. The organization helps youngsters incorporate Christian principles into everyday living. It is a wonderful organization that has mentored hundreds as they made their way through often trying adolescent years. Members meet weekly for fun and reflection...

You see them everywhere. Kids selling stuff -- candy bars, calendars, popcorn, wrapping paper, pizza, fruitcakes -- for their school. They sell to benefit both public and private schools, although the sales seem even more prevalent in the private sector. And these sales are often above and beyond student retailing for Scouts, sports and other organizations...

There's nothing prettier this time of year than a traditional Christmas scene: Piles of presents stacked under a tree groaning with bright ornaments and candles. But sometimes dangers lurk unseen in the pretty paper and lights, especially for little ones...

Santa and his elves are busily making more and more safe toys for this holiday season. Although all toys are meant to bring joy, entertainment, and enhanced development, some toys have been linked to too many injuries. Each year, 2.6 billion toys and games are sold in the United States, and two-thirds of them are sold during the holiday season. Appropriate selection and proper use of toys can greatly reduce some of the associated injuries and deaths...

In 1927, the Cape Girardeau traffic bridge across the Mississippi River took 17 months to build and cost $1.6 million. The Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge will take more than four years to build and will cost an estimated $90 million. In today's dollars, the old bridge would have cost $14.7 million -- still a far cry from the cost of the new one. Why does the new bridge take so much longer to build, and why is it so much more expensive?...

U.S. Rep. Jim Talent will seek his fourth term next year, but he isn't discarding the idea of a run for governor in 2000. "It's too early at this point to think about governor," said the Chesterfield Republican. "But I will certainly leave that option open."...

A person can really get a new understanding of her parents when she becomes teacher and they are the students. The older I get, the more Portia and Sam make me laugh. My parents are two of the hardest working, smartest, down-to-earth people I know. They are also probably the funniest couple I've ever met...

MARBLE HILL -- Bollinger County Library in Marble Hill will host a special story hour, including a visit from St. Nicholas, today from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Refreshments and treats will be served, and a collection of Santa Claus and St. Nicholas figurines will be displayed...

The halls have been decked and volunteers are ready to spread Christmas cheer at the historic Glenn House, 325 S. Lorimier. Christmas tours will be conducted at the nearly 120-year-old house from 1-4 p.m. today and Sunday. Additional tours will be conducted Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 20-21...

CHARLESTON -- Former Missouri governor Warren E. Hearnes is recuperating at home from six-way heart-bypass surgery performed Nov. 27 at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Hearnes, 73, was admitted to the hospital Nov. 24 after complaining of chest pains. He underwent surgery two days later and was released Tuesday afternoon to continue his recovery at home...

DE SOTO -- Tied entering the fourth quarter, Cape Girardeau Central High's boys basketball team applied a full-court press, made free throws and emerged with its first win on Friday. The Tigers beat De Soto 77-68 behind senior Aron Meystedt's three 3-pointers, late free-throw shooting and 18 points...

A big third quarter by Sikeston High's boys basketball team was just enough to offset a furious fourth-quarter rally by host Notre Dame Friday night. In a battle of Bulldogs, the visitors outscored Notre Dame 17-5 in the third quarter and then had to withstand a major rally by the host squad down the stretch to claim a 66-60 victory...

Bubba is gone, and for that Southeast Missouri State University basketball coach Gary Garner is thankful. But even without Bubba Wells -- the nation's leading scorer last season -- Garner expects Austin Peay to be more than a formidable foe tonight...

ORAN -- Since winning their last Oran Invitational Tournament in 1981, the Kelly Hawks basketball team had made it to the tourney final four different times without claiming the title. Friday night against the third seed and host Oran Eagles, the top-seeded Hawks got a fantastic game from Denver Stuckey to claim the championship 87-59...

ZALMA -- Funeral service for Lottie Pulliam of Walnut Ridge, Ark., was held Nov. 29 at Higginbotham Funeral Chapel in Walnut Ridge. Grady Linebaugh officiated, with burial in Lawrence Memorial Park in Walnut Ridge. Pulliam, 87, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 1997, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Walnut Ridge...

CHAFFEE -- Madge Louise Corgiat, 87, of Chaffee died Friday, Dec. 5, 1997, at Chaffee Nursing Center. She was born Jan. 1, 1910, in Tyler, Tenn., daughter of Alvin Prentis and Grace Estella Wagster Denton. She and Antonio Corgiat were married Nov. 29, 1936. He died Dec. 1, 1982...

ANNISTON -- Graveside service for Andrew Thomas Curvin of Anniston will be held at 3 p.m. today in Dogwood Cemetery. Steve Kimbro will officiate. Friends may call at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie after noon today. Curvin, 70, died Friday, Dec. 5, 1997, at his home...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- L. Doyle Brown Sr., 82, of Jonesboro died Friday, Dec. 5, 1997, at Union County Hospital in Anna. He was born Dec. 11, 1914, at Mill Creek, Ill., son of Robert Nalley and Mamie Dillow Brown. He married Ruth Jane Acklin on Aug. 27, 1946, at Union City, Tenn. She survives...

PUXICO -- Funeral service for Jerry Blackburn of Puxico will be held at 1 p.m. today at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico. The Rev. Marshall Link will officiate, with burial in Stanfield Cemetery near Clarkton. Blackburn, 56, died Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997, at his home...

SIKESTON -- A memorial service for Ella Louise Carroll of Sikeston will be held at 11 a.m. today at First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Fred Leist and Dr. Jim Davis will officiate. Ponder Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Carroll, 81, died Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997, at Missouri Delta Medical Center...

Funeral Mass for Lucy Miederhoff of Cape Girardeau will be held at 9:30 a.m. today at St. Mary's Cathedral. The Rev. Randy Tochtrop will officiate, with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery. Friends may call at Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel after 8 a.m. The rosary will be recited at 9...

Beulah M. Unfer of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997, at Heartland Care Rehab Center. She was born in Guthrie Center, Iowa, daughter of Angus L. and Minnie Mae Whistler Teskey. She and Louis Unfer Sr. were married June 11, 1921, in Panora, Iowa. He died March 7, 1983...

A memorial service for Aneda Bennett of Jonesboro, Ark., will be held at 2 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel. The Rev. Cy Smith will officiate. There is no visitation. Bennett, 60, died Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997, in Jonesboro. She was born Feb. 18, 1937, in Union County, Ill., daughter of Alexander "Eck" and Sylvia Price Goodpasture...

Daughter to Timothy Ray and Misti Lyn Weakley of Marble Hill, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, 1997. Name, Taylar Shirlene. Weight, 5 pounds 4 ounces. Fourth child, second daughter. Mrs. Weakley is the former Misti James, daughter of Everett James of Marble Hill and Shirlene James of Jackson. She is employed at Advance Nursing Center. Weakley is the son of Gordon Weakley and Beverly Weakley of Marble Hill...

BELL CITY -- Grace Marburger, 88, of Bell City died Friday, Dec. 5, 1997, at Dexter Memorial Hospital in Dexter. She was born Jan. 28, 1909, at Lamar, Ark., daughter of Alvin and Celia Ann Goforth Wilkins. She married Edward Marburger, who died in January 1960...

GORHAM, Ill. -- Donald L. and Patricia Bess of Gorham died in an automobile accident Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997, on Highway 32 near Ste. Genevieve, Mo. Donald, 54, was born June 17, 1939, in El Paso, Texas, son of Donald Leeman and Arlene Harbin Bess Sr...

CHARLESTON -- Desales Duenne, 70, Charleston Route 2, died Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born Jan. 15, 1927, in Mississippi County, son of Henry Bernard and Ann Catherine Bruenderman Duenne. He and Ruth A. Hayes were married Dec. 27, 1951...

Graveside service for Thomas H. "Hank" Norman, 611 S. West End Boulevard, will be held at 2:30 p.m. today at Senath Cemetery in Senath. Art Smith will officiate. Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel from 10 a.m. to noon. Norman, 83, died Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997, at St. Francis Medical Center...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Earl "Shep" Weiss, 94, of Jonesboro died Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997, at Union County Hospital in Anna. He was born Oct. 6, 1903, at Jonesboro, son of George and Cora B. Dillow Weiss. He married Emma Jane Settlemoir in East St. Louis. She died Aug. 27, 1989...