Stories from Sunday, December 21, 1997

To the editor: Thank you so much for the wonderful article by Peggy Scott about the Christmas Bobcat Den. She did a great job. The Southeast Missourian has been very kind to May Greene School over the years. I want you to know how much we appreciate it...

25 years ago, 1972 With only slightly more than half a month left, some 34.31 percent of taxes due this year have been collected, reports Cape Girardeau County Auditor H. Weldon Macke to County Court; Macke says 34.31 percent figure presents sharp increase, because only about 16 percent had been collected by Dec. 1...

That's right the Global Warming pact has been Ok'd and now you need to cut back your emissions to pre-1990 levels so let's dive in and see what that will mean. Number one, people who were smoking in the 1980s, but quit in the 1990s can resume smoking again. But, those who picked up the habit anytime after Jan. 1, 1990 will have to cease smoking immediately...

It may not be an Oscar contender, but JHS students led by Nick Murphy have completed a movie on video for the local public. "Why be Normal?" is available at Super Video Warehouse. The movie has been available since the end of October. The two copies of the movie available for rent have been rented a total of 31 times, according to Patti McCallister, sales clerk at Super Video...

Jackson Emanuel United Church of Christ located at 304 E. Adams St. Dec. 24- Christmas Eve Service at 10:30 p.m. New McKendree United Methodist Church located at 225 S. High St. Dec. 21- Children's Christmas Pageant "Angels We Have Heard on High," at 7 p.m...

Immaculate Conception fifth-grade students held their D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony Tuesday night at the school. A crowd of 100-plus watched the graduating class of 30 students were honored for completing the D.A.R.E. course offered by the Jackson Police Department...

Civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be remembered at Southeast Missouri State University during several campus activities scheduled in January and February. Highlighting the events will be the 13th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast on Jan. 19 at 8 a.m. in the Student Recreation Center, university officials said...

JACKSON -- The filing period for seats on the Jackson Board of Aldermen begins Tuesday and continues through Jan. 20. Up for election April 7 are David Ludwig's seat in Ward 1, David Reiminger's seat in Ward 2, Larry Cunningham's seat in Ward 3 and Fred Leimer's seat in Ward 4...

I'M FROM out of town and just moved to the area. I've lived in other areas of the country, and this is the most silly thing I've ever heard, not being able to use model homes for sales offices. This a common practice done in the real estate industry. ...

Gov. Mel Carnahan's latest major initiative is a major transformation of Medicaid into what has all the hallmarks of a new, open-ended entitlement in the state budget. He wants to extend Medicaid to cover the children of middle-class families, including even those with incomes at 300 percent of the poverty level. This could include incomes of $48,000 for a family of four...

The current buzzword is "dialogue." Think of it -- even Mohammed Khatami, the president of Iran, has proposed a "thoughtful dialogue" with the United States and the outside world. The fashionable phrase under Lyndon Johnson was "come, let us reason together." In Jimmy Carter's time there was much talk of finding "partners" to work with. Somewhere along the line, "consensus" and "community" were the catchwords of togetherness. Under Bill Clinton, it's "dialogue."...

This month brought news that has been long awaited in the region: Cape Girardeau's two hospitals announced that their respective governing boards have authorized the beginning of talks that could lead to what officials call a "permanent affiliation" of the two institutions. A joint study on the feasibility of affiliation is under way, with selected members of both boards of directors serving on the study committee...

"As President Clinton shapes his 1999 spending plans," began a recent Associated Press story, "he's finding his opportunities for initiatives constrained by last summer's budget-balancing pact. Administration officials pushing child care, school construction and other projects are competing over an unusually small pie."...

In just a few days, we Christians will once again celebrate the fact that the Son of God chose to become one of us at a given moment in the history of this world. In doing so, Jesus has sanctified all human life. And, before returning to the Father, He gave his life that all humans might be restored to friendship with their Creator...

On Monday, the city will seek bids to improve four houses in the Locust-Maple neighborhood improvement project. But the houses aren't the only part of the South Cape neighborhood being upgraded. New sewer lines are being installed in the neighborhood, along with sidewalks, streets will be paved and curb and gutter work will be done...

Nine states have passed laws on restructuring electric utilities, designed to deregulate the electric industry and let customers pick their own power company. The move toward electric utility deregulation started in 1992, when the Energy Policy Act forced utilities to transmit other power providers' electricity on their lines, for a fee...

Extending Jackson's East Main Street to Interstate 55 is of immediate importance to Jackson, which is struggling with the traffic problems of a growing city that has only one major east-west artery. But in the long term, the benefits of a new northern interchange at I-55 could be great for Cape Girardeau as well...

The cities of Cape Girardeau and Jackson have long been rivals. Municipal officials in the two cities rarely communicated with each other and when they did it was with a large dose of mistrust. The annual battle on the gridiron between the Jackson Indians and the Cape Girardeau Central Tigers historically has been more than just a rivalry -- it has been a grudge match...

Legislation giving consumers a choice of electric power is law in Illinois. The complex bill, 261 pages, is aimed at breaking up the state's electric monopolies. Gov. Jim Edgar's approval last week came after he postponed his decision, saying he was concerned deregulation measures could benefit utilities at a cost to consumers...

Donald L. Harrison made a career of paving roads first for a growing interstate highway system and later for students seeking an education. Harrison, 72, died Friday at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He collapsed at a Christmas party held Friday at the Cape Girardeau Country Club...

"Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas," I said. Actually, it was more of a muffled chant behind the fake white beard and mustache that masked my face. I was a Toybox Santa, one of an army of red-suited guys and gals who delivered toys to needy children Thursday night in Cape Girardeau...

The Ste. Genevieve wrestling team turned the 1997 Tiger Classic into the "Dragon Drubbings", scoring a meet-record 283 points to claim the team title Saturday night at the Tiger Fieldhouse. Ste. Genevieve's point total broke the old mark of 269 set by Mater Dei in 1985. The Dragons placed 12 of their 14 wrestlers in the top six, claiming six individual titles to easily outscore the 16-team field...

If ever a team looked like a lock to win the 53rd annual University High School Christmas Tournament, it's Charleston. The Blue Jays often are seeded first and they've won more U-High championships than any other squad -- 11, all since 1975, including four of the past six...

CHARLESTON -- The Charleston Blue Jays defeated West Plains Saturday to take a 6-1 record into the Christmas break. Howard Biles led three Blue Jays in double figures with 18 points. Clintrus Clark followed with 17 points and Larico Coleman tallied 14...

JEFFERSON CITY -- The great Missouri River flood of 1993 is a fading memory to many Missourians, but it is very much alive to a group of about 30 researchers and technicians working on a long-term study. They hope to determine what effects the flood had on wild animals, from mice to reptiles, fish and birds...

The 2nd Annual Farmington Let's Go Fishing Show will be held Jan. 10-11 at the Farmington Community Civic Center. The show will include fishing tackle, fishing boat dealers, antique lure display and other collectibles, and free seminars. Show hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults; children under 12 are free. NAPA Auto Parts stores in Cape Girardeau and Jackson are providing $1 off coupons...

1 You may have hear the phrase, build it and they will come." I guess the reverse is also true, "take it away and they will leave." These phases seem appropriate for the middle Mississippi River because much habitat has been taken from it resulting in fewer fish and wildlife resources...

Wilma Christine Foster, 63, a longtime pastor's secretary at First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997. She was born March 17, 1934, in Hugo, Okla., daughter of William and Winnie Fennel Scantling. On March 5, 1955, she married Robert Foster at Seminole, Texas. He survives...

Leta Ann Hutson Ferguson, 97, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997, at the Lutheran Home. She was born Jan. 30, 1900, at Millersville, daughter of Jeff and Amanda Smith Hutson. In 1935, she married Dean Ferguson in Chariton, Iowa. He died in 1959...

STE. GENEVIEVE -- Lola J. "Jerry" DeClue, 76, of Ste. Genevieve, formerly of St. Marys and Jackson, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born July 9, 1921, at Ellington, daughter of Thomas L. and Minnie L. Myers Brawley...

PERRYVILLE -- Sarah H. Bohnert, 98, of Perryville died Friday, Dec. 19, 1997, at the Perry County Nursing Home. She was born Feb. 2, 1899, at Longtown, daughter of Anton and Rose Leible Bohnert. She was a housewife. She married John V. Bohnert. He died March 4, 1971...

ANNA, Ill. -- Dorris L. Hankla, 80, of Anna died Friday, Dec. 19, 1997, at the home of a son in Cypress, Texas. He was born Aug. 15, 1917, in Cobden, son of William Jefferson and Susie Fitzgerald Hankla. He married Gladys Murphy. He was a member of Mount Moriah Lutheran Church in Anna...

PERRYVILLE -- Roscoe H. Zschille, 83, of Perryville died Thursday, Dec. 18, 1997. He was born June 22, 1914, in Cape Girardeau County, son of Adolph and Augusta Wilhelm Zschille. He married Virginia Dambach on May 7, 1944. She died May 2, 1990. He was a member of the Old Appleton Methodist Church...

CHAFFEE -- Ogie Verlin Hefner, 78, of Delta died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born Aug. 25, 1919, at Bell City, son of Urnie and Grace McIntosh Hefner. He worked as a plater at Hager Hinge in St. Louis. He attended First Baptist Church at Delta and East Prairie. He was a past member of the Chaffee VFW Club...

Virgil James Cotner, 86, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Nov. 20, 1911, at Crosstown, son of Harlowe and Jettie Chappins Cotner. He married Edna Heuschober. She survives. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church 17 years. He was member of the Maple United Methodist Church...

ORAN -- Johnnie Katherine Sauceda, 54, of Oran died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born March 10, 1943, in Cave Creek, Ark., daughter of Bunkie and Iva Mae Canady. On July 27, 1959, she married Alex Sauceda in Benton. He survives...

ADVANCE -- Willard L. Reutzel, 89, of Advance died Friday, Dec. 19, 1997, at Advance Nursing Care Center. He was born Jan. 1. 1907, at Rumbranch, son of Robert Henry and Stella Christian Reutzel. He was a fleet mechanic for H.C. Price Co. before retiring. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Navy. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Advance...

Daisy B. Drury, 98, of Cape Girardeau, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997, at Fountainbleau Lodge. She was born Feb. 15, 1899, in Carter County, daughter of Seth and Sarah Zack McKee. She married William J. Drury on Nov. 17, 1923, at St. Louis. He died in 1982...

CAIRO, Ill. -- George R. Hornberger Sr., 91, of Cairo died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Sept. 23, 1906, in Cache, son of George and Eva Strickland Hornberger. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church at Cairo and the Cairo Knights of Columbus...

Thomas Meyr is the mayor of Altenburg. Marilyn Crites thought it was her civic duty to accept the job of mayor of Whitewater, population 103. After all, she was born and raised in the community. "Back in 1992, people on the board were afraid that we'd be unincorporated because nobody was showing interest in running," Crites said. "So it was sort of my sense of civic duty."...

Jean Bell Mosley's new autobiography, "For Most of the Century," is only available in serialized form in the Southeast Missourian. Return each week for her continuing story. Daddy's artificial arm worked fairly well. He could screw in a hook or a hand at the end and manipulate both by a twist of his shoulder muscles which would set in motion certain leather straps that embraced his upper body and other arm. ...

SIKESTON -- The Kenny Rogers Cerebral Palsy Center in Sikeston is looking for organizations and businesses to sponsor a VIP panel during the center's 18th annual telethon March 21 and 22. A VIP panel is made up of six persons working a 30-minute segment on the telethon...

Life in England continues to be interesting with so many new things to see and do that are different from the United States. Shopping for instance in the smaller villages has both advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is you are in walking distance of all the shops some of which are on the street in the market...

TCI Midwest Region cable systems collected over 29,800 pounds, or nearly 15 tons, of food for the needy during a recent food drive. The Midwest Region includes parts of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. The food drive, called "Take a Bite Out of Hunger," kicked off Nov. 1 in over 350 communities served by TCI. It ran through Nov. 30...