Stories from Wednesday, April 15, 1998

JACKSON -- Growing up, an important part of Pat Schwent's musical education came from playing with professional musicians. The Jackson High School music teacher organized Saturday's Big Band Gala Dance so her students could have a similar experience...

Taxpayers waiting until the final moment to place their tax forms in the mail have plenty of company. Tax forms must be postmarked by midnight tonight, and many post offices are expecting long lines today as procrastinators send an estimated 44 million pieces of mail containing tax returns...

The birth of rap music in the South Bronx in 1975 "turned liberal elitist ideology on its ear," a former rapper and conservative radio host said Tuesday night. Reginald Jones said development of the rap music industry is a perfect example of how capitalism thrives without government interference...

Keith Hamm got out of a two-on, two-out spot in the seventh inning with a strikeout as Notre Dame beat Jackson 3-1 on Tuesday. Hamm struck out six, allowed three hits and walked only one in seven innings. Chris Schlick suffered the loss. Notre Dame scored runs in the first, second and sixth innings. Jackson got its run in the third...

JACKSON -- After hearing and making numerous presentations, the Jackson Board of Education Tuesday night put off for two weeks a decision regarding whether to reinstate a recently canceled transportation policy. The school board in January approved new attendance-center boundaries to coincide with the opening of South Elementary School in the fall. ...

To the editor: I want to speak about the meth problem to all of our youths. I graduated from Central High School in 1987. I remember how plentiful weed was in my high school days, so I can imagine what the meth is like in our high schools. The day I graduated, I decided to stay away from drugs. ...

CHARLESTON - Charleston residents are inviting visitors to "Step Back in Time" when they arrive for the 30th annual Dogwood-Azalea Festival. The steps can take visitors back 30 years when the Molly French Garden Club's plant sale began the original festival...

Five new members have been appointed to the board of directors of the Southeast Missouri University Foundation. They are Skip Smallwood and Melvin Van de Ven of Cape Girardeau, Paul Copeland of Union, James Gleason of Sikeston and Gerald Jones of Jackson. Their terms run through the fall of 2000...

JACKSON -- Just one year ago, 31-year old Robin White was an energetic, busy woman. She operated a daycare in her home and served as a teacher for the children's ministry at First General Baptist Church. These activities were in addition to her roles as a wife and mother...

I UNDERSTAND from an article in the Missourian that the Missouri Department of Transportation is concerned because of all the traffic between Scott City and Cape Girardeau. I believe they stated that the interstate was never meant to be used for commuter traffic. ...

The key to success? Getting the edge: "The whole idea is to somehow get an edge. Sometimes it takes a little extra something to get that edge, but you have to have it." -- Don Shula, former NFL coach The edge is something you must have to be successful in athletics -- and in life. All great people have it. So can you. Hard work makes dreams come true. That's how you get the edge...

Southeast Missouri Hospital is gearing up for its 70th anniversary. The hospital has come up with a fun way to celebrate this birthday: honor the first babies. There were 48 babies born that first year of Southeast's operation. Members of the Alumni Club of 1928 will be recognized Thursday night at the hospital's annual dinner. More than 800 people are expected to gather at the Show Me Center for the celebration...

Air Evac has added a fourth helicopter to its regional services. The new aircraft will be stationed at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport. The commitment is a major one. The helicopter itself costs more than $750,000, and the daily overhead runs about $3,000...

To the editor: The father of two of our students at Central High School has been undergoing a medical ordeal in recent months. He has spent a lot of time in the hospital here and in St. Louis. His family has worried about him and missed him. Even with insurance, it has been an expensive process...

JACKSON -- A new alternative route that would connect Highway 34-72 west of Jackson with the new Highway 74-Interstate 55 interchange in Cape Girardeau was favorably received by elected officials meeting with the Missouri Department of Transportation and St. Louis-based design consultant QST Tuesday...

Have you ever been the victim of telephone rudeness? You aren't alone. Untold millions of dollars are lost every year to poor customer service, says Nancy Friedman, a motivational speaker and author on telephone etiquette. She bills herself The Telephone "Doctor," and her clients include many Fortune 500 companies...

CHAFFEE -- John Halter keeps more than a wary eye on the weather this time of year. He also keeps tabs on severe weather with weather-alert radios in his home. Halter is emergency management coordinator for Chaffee. He was civil defense director for Lewistown, Ill., for 25 years...

Paul Keller was half asleep in front of the television set in the living room of his home near Gordonville Monday night when the sound of an approaching storm roused him. He looked outside, and except for a few streaks of lightning in the distance the sky was dark. Still, Keller could see debris flying by his window...

Affiliation of Cape Girardeau's two hospitals could save $47 million over five years, says a recently completed efficiency study. Officials from Southeast Missouri Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center issued a written statement Tuesday that said a preliminary draft of the study, conducted by Arthur Andersen and Co. consulting firm, has been completed...

One day we were inseparable. The next: "My HUSBAND? What are you talking about? Before anything else, let me wish you a happy Income Tax Filing Deadline Day. Don't forget to participate in this day's traditional activities, like toilet papering your local Internal Revenue Service office and placing flaming bags of dog doo on your local congressman's porch...

It didn't take long for Southeast Missouri State University basketball coach Gary Garner and his staff to pick up their recruiting pace after hearing from the NCAA. Thursday, the NCAA handed down its decision regarding violations under the previous coaching staff, giving the Indians three years probation and the loss of a scholarship -- but no postseason ban...

MARTIN, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University junior Christine Engelhardt threw a perfect game as the Otahkians split an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader with Tennessee-Martin on Tuesday. Southeast moved to 28-8 overall and 11-1 in the OVC...

In a titanic clash of tape-measure home runs Tuesday night, Missouri lost the battle but won the war. The Tigers had three homers compared to seven by host Southeast Missouri State University, with just about all 10 being of the no-doubt variety. But the Tigers hit the long ball that mattered the most -- a three-run rocket by Griffin Moore that broke an 8-8 tie in the top of the ninth inning. ...

When it comes to similarities, the United States and Russia don't appear to have many. Not even on the volleyball court. Tuesday night before a crowd of 886 at the Show Me Center, a laid-back American team fell to an intense Russian National team 14-16, 15-9, 16-14, 15-5 in the second exhibition match between the two teams...

The 15th annual Southeast Missouri State University Booster Club Golf Tournament, sponsored by Kohlfeld Distributing, will be held May 4 at the Cape Girardeau Country Club. Lunch will be provided at 11:30 a.m., with tee off at 12:30 p.m. There will be a barbecue chicken dinner after play. There will also be plenty of refreshments provided on the course...

Jackson City Park will be the site of an ASA-sanctioned girls fast-pitch softball tournament June 6-7. There will be three age divisions: 14-under, 16-under and 18-under. All teams are guaranteed to play four games. The entry fee is $140. For more information, call Becky Riney at 243-4691...

A men's five-on-five basketball tournament will be held April 18 at Marquand High School. The entry fee is $85 per team. For more information, call Rob Harlow at 783-3748.

The SEMO Horseshoe Association will held its first tournament of the 1998 season April 19 at the K.C. Hall in Jackson. The tournament will begin at 1 p.m. and is open to all men, women and youths 13 and over. There will be a draw for partners. Entry fee is $5 per person...

James L. Whitledge, 86, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, at his home. Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

SIKESTON -- Joe Galemore, 74, of Sikeston died Monday, April 13, 1998, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Nov. 19, 1923, in Success, Ark., son of Gene and Daisy Golden Goodman Galemore. He and Alma Essary were married July 4, 1942...

BERTRAND -- Isadora G. "Billie" Harper, 80, of Bertrand died Monday, April 13, 1998, at her home. She was born Oct. 22, 1917, at Wyatt, daughter of Charles W. and Lura Tucker Gregory. She and Ulus Harper were married Dec. 28, 1968, in Cairo, Ill. He died Oct. 26, 1991...

SCOTT CITY -- Marsha Jean Holder Perner, 47, of Maryland Heights, formerly of Scott City, died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, at her home. She was born Sept. 7, 1950, at Detroit, Mich., the daughter of Otto Emil and Ethel Nadine Boyd Holder. She married John E. Perner Sr. on April 12, 1975, at Las Vegas, Nev...

ANNA, Ill. -- James D. "Jimmy Dean" Williams, 64, of Anna, formerly of Cairo, died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. He was born Sept. 28, 1933, at Cairo, the son of Ralph and Nellie Dean Williams. He was a policeman for the city of Cairo for many years and retired as chief of police in 1983. He was a member of the Cairo Elks Lodge, the Cairo VFW, and a veteran of the U.S. Army...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Freda B. Oliver, 81, formerly of Chaffee, died Monday, April 13, 1998, at Chaffee Nursing Center. She was born Dec. 29, 1916, daughter of Harvey and Stella Jennings Griffith. She and Henry Oliver were married July 12, 1968. He died May 29, 1975...

SEDGEWICKVILLE -- Elmer J. Hahs, 77, of Sedgewickville died Monday, April 13, 1998, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born May 4, 1920, in Cape Girardeau, son of James F. and Paulina Kibler Hahs. He and Ruby Seabaugh were married Feb. 18, 1958. She died Sept. 23, 1986...

PUXICO -- Grace I. VanMatre, 87, of Puxico died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Aug. 18, 1910, in Bollinger County, daughter of Herman and Hettie Trafford Coats. She and William VanMatre were married Jan. 10, 1937, at Arab. He died Feb. 5, 1986...

SIKESTON -- Lawrence M. "Bing" Limbaugh, 58, of Granada Hills, Calif., died Thursday, April 9, 1998, at Sherman Oaks Hospital in Sherman Oaks, Calif. He was born May 27, 1939, in St. Louis, son of Lester Jerome and Mona Pansy Ables Limbaugh. He and Eula Laster were married April 16, 1967...

CHARLESTON -- Beatrice Moore, 72, of Charleston died Thursday, April 9, 1998, at Beverly Health and Rehab Center in New Madrid. She was born Jan. 10, 1926, in Patterson, Ark. She married Willie Moore. Moore was a member of Grand Avenue Seventh Day Adventist Church...

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Funeral for Zola Ollis of Olive Branch will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms. The Rev. Roger West will officiate, with burial in Olive Branch Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 5 p.m. today...

CHARLESTON -- Frank Smith Gillespie, 94, of Massachusetts died Saturday, Jan. 31, 1998, at Hammersmith Home in Saugus, Mass. He was born Sept. 12, 1903, in Poplar Bluff, son of William Looney and Clara Huffman Gillespie. He and Annetta Priester were married March 25, 1938, in Charleston. She died Nov. 10, 1992...

Son to Paul and Kristi Hueseman of Kirkwood, St. John's Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur, 1:06 p.m. Monday, April 6, 1998. Name, Jack Henry. Weight, 7 pounds 14 ounces. First child. Mrs. Hueseman is the former Kristi Schetter, daughter of Elmer and Sandra Schetter of Cape Girardeau. ...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Elay Agnes Redd, 90, of East Prairie, died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, at East Prairie Nursing Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home.

More than 12 million people subscribe to Southern Living magazine for a mix of home, garden, travel and food features. But the food section is not strictly limited to recipes. The magazine imparts advice on entertaining, food presentation and home decor. These little differences can make a big impression when it comes to entertaining at home...

There's a story making the rounds about the bartender who was so proud of his strength that he made a standing offer of $1,000 to anyone who could squeeze another drop of juice from a lemon after he had finished with it. He would ceremoniously squeeze the lemon catching its juice in a glass. Then he would present the crushed fruit to his customers challenging them to extract another drop. Anyone who could, would win the money...