Stories from Thursday, May 14, 1998

To the editor: My father died in the prime of his life at age 49 following his fifth heart attack. I was 20 years old and, being wise and knowing all about life, I thought, well, he's old. He's lived his life, and it's time for him to die. I am now 54 and in the prime of my life. ...

A smile and good deed Terry Ford reported a kindness Monday that made her day. Phyllis McDonald at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce did her good deed for the day when she gave Ford a smile and a friendly greeting. Ford was looking for a city map, a rental guide and a Cape Girardeau telephone book. McDonald made Ford's day by giving her all three items. "She was so nice. She really just made my day," Ford said...

A triumvirate of Cape Girardeau's finest youthful musical talent will be on display Sunday. Each has won competitions in the past as a soloist, but on Sunday cellist Kirk Miller, violinist Liesl Schoenberger and pianist Patches King will combine to perform Mendelssohn's Piano Trio No. 1...

Rory Kipper of Cape Girardeau has received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., as a member of the Class of 2002. He accepted a political appointment from U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson. Kipper is among 1,400 candidates selected from 12,000 applicants. Requirements for admission include a political nomination, high academic standing and rigorous medical and physical exams...

Withdrawal of a request for a special use permit to operate a proposed halfway house leaves the program "kind of dead in the water," the director of the Gibson Center said Wednesday. Dick Decker, whose agency wants to operate the halfway house for the Missouri Division of Probation and Parole, said his agency won't have time to find another site and get it operational by the state's June 30 deadline...

Fewer offices and more display space is the new renovation plan for the Convention and Visitors Bureau building. Members of the CVB's building subcommittee met Wednesday afternoon with John L. Boardman, project architect, to discuss their concerns about renovating the building at 100 Broadway...

Marble Hill Fire Chief James Bollinger has been appointed to the Missouri Fire Safety Advisory Board. State Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, sponsored his nomination in the Senate. Bollinger was selected to the board as an arson investigation expert...

The offices of U.S. Sens. Christopher "Kit" Bond and John Ashcroft will hold a special "Listening Post" forum in Jackson on May 20. Tom Schulte, who heads up the senators' Cape Girardeau office, will meet with constituents, beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce building...

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. -- The Logan Days Celebration will be held Sunday, Monday and Wednesday in Murphysboro. The Sunday event will include a fried chicken dinner , dedication of the courthouse lights, an ice cream social and bake sale, and entertainment...

Mary Jane Fieser was a young girl when she first met Ilena Aslin through Girl Scouting. She was just one of hundreds of young girls impacted by the kindness and compassion of Aslin, who served as executive director of the Cotton Bowl Girl Scout Council in Sikeston for 30 years...

Nick Roberts remembers the first time he put on his blue Cub Scout uniform. He was 7. The uniform had no special patches, but he was determined to fill that shirt with special recognition. He did. A university student, Roberts spends much of his free time helping others experience boy scouting...

To the editor: The Fifth Annual Spring Classic Run was a success as entrants enjoyed nearly perfect running weather. Thanks to the Southeast Missourian for its sponsorship of this year's run. Your corporate sponsorship was a generous contribution. This year's event raised $800 for the Fraternal Order of Police. The run has raised close to $4,000 in five years for our local law enforcement...

To the editor: I am very proud and humble to say that I was one of the recent Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce educators of the year, and I must publicly thank everyone involved in this outstanding recognition program. The chamber has created an experience for educators in Cape Girardeau that really rewards them for their hard work and contributions to serving the youth of our community. ...

To the editor: In a poll supposedly taken recently, the results allegedly gave President Clinton a 60 percent approval rating. This indicates that 60 percent of the American people are stupid. I don't buy this for a minute. There is another probability in this propaganda attempt. ...

High school graduation. It is a passage between childhood and adulthood -- a time of reflection and celebration. Sometimes the celebrations get out of hand when alcohol is involved. A new program called Operation Graduation takes aim at promoting chemical-free high school graduation parties. TCI Cable deserves credit for its sponsorship of the program that will help students throughout Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio...

Republican lawmakers are trying a new tactic on education at the federal level. It is a move that will hopefully pick up steam. Gone is the push to abolish the Department of Education. Curtailing education bureaucracy and meddling is imperative, but eliminating an entire department has become more of a battle of politics than philosophy. The dispute goes right down party lines...

I WISH something could be done about the highway department or road district dumping old concrete in creek gullies along the highways. These are an eyesore and should be considered dumping. These can be seen on Route W, Cape LaCroix Road and Highway 177. If these departments want to dump this material, why not break them up in rock-size pieces? It would not be so offensive...

Members of the University Theatre inducted into Black Mask Honorary Dramatic Society were, from left, David Schneider, Kathryn Waterhout, Rachel Roberts, Megwyn Sanders and Scott Mercer. The graduating seniors fought off tears and senior Terry Vallulunga's words prompted more in the audience during last weekend's Black Mask Honorary Dramatic Society Banquet at the Drury Lodge...

Verna Dell Petzoldt is "one in a million." Gayla Volz, a friend who met Petzoldt through a homemakers' club, is one of many who will testify to that. "The way this lady helps individuals and the community far exceeds extending a helping hand," she said...

Papa Aborigine and Month of Sundays will play a benefit for Stacy Stanley from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday at the River City Yacht Club. Stanley was injured in a March 11 traffic accident and spent 12 days in a coma. She currently is undergoing rehabilitation in St. Louis...

Bob Antill thought he was supporting his sons, Matt, 18, and Cody, 16, when he attended a school picnic at Central High School Wednesday morning. But halfway through the event he learned it was actually another effort by staff and students to help support his family...

Sue Braning says learning is a lifelong process and an endeavor worth pursuing, no matter the odds. "You can't have too much education," she said. "I feel like when I'm not learning I'm stagnant." Braning, 51, of Bonne Terre recently completed requirements to receive a master of science degree in administration with an emphasis in public administration from Southeast Missouri State University -- no small task for a woman fighting for her life...

Lucy Brindley took time away from her job managing investments at Mercantile Bank to prepare salads and serve up Brunswick stew at the Cape Girardeau Senior Center. "I wish there was a way to show how much work goes into these meals," Brindley said. "I'd love to say it happens in the blink of an eye, but it requires a lot of work."...

Police protection at special events can be costly. As a result of a change in the city's overtime policy, Cape Girardeau may begin charging special event organizers more money for added police protection at their events. Some organizers fear the cost may rise so much that it will become a hardship on the organizations and the events...

A coalition of telecommunications businesses has urged the Missouri Public Service Commission to reject Southwestern Bell's request to offer long-distance service in the state. "That's a little premature," said a Southwestern Bell spokesperson. "We haven't filed for permission to offer long-distance in Missouri yet."...

May 14, 199 Dear Pat, Our Panamanian friend Carlos graduates from college Saturday. The job prospects in Central America aren't as bright as they are in the United States, but Carlos will return home with a prized degree and much better English skills than he had when he arrived. Then we had trouble holding the simplest conversations. Now we speak effortlessly, and the credit is all his...

Degrees will be conferred on 921 graduates during spring commencement Saturday at Southeast Missouri State University. Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon will present the commencement address during exercises scheduled for 2 p.m. in the Show Me Center. Degrees will be conferred on 849 undergraduates and 72 graduate students...

Southeast Missouri State University students will have the opportunity to live on a residence hall floor devoted to leadership in diversity when the 1998-1999 academic year begins in August. The program will be offered on the fourth floor of Towers North. It will offer students an opportunity to participate, learn and experience a wide range of activities and programs in the rich diversity of cultural and ethnic traditions, said Carol Coventry, Southeast's residence life director...

Southeast Missouri State University music professor Dr. John Shelton has spent much of his career on the bench, tickling the ivories on his office piano. But after 36 years, Shelton is readying for retirement this month. He is one of three Southeast faculty members who have taught at the school that long. All three are retiring this spring...

The rubber match wasn't much of a match. Craig Ringwald held Notre Dame High scoreless for five innings, and Cape Girardeau Central beat the host Bulldogs 5-1 Wednesday. It was Central's second victory against Notre Dame in three tries this year. Early in the season, Tatum Kitchen threw a no-hitter as the Tigers won 4-1. Then Saturday Notre Dame edged the Tigers 7-5 in eight innings...

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois named longtime Purdue assistant Bruce Weber head basketball coach Wednesday, one month after the school asked former coach Rich Herrin to resign. Weber, 41, plans to make recruiting a top priority, putting to good use his solid image in Indiana and experience trolling for players in East St. Louis and Chicago...

As Southeast Missouri State University's baseball Indians continue to prepare for their NCAA play-in series with Southern University, coach Mark Hogan marvels at just how much of a true team effort this season has been so far. "It seems like we've had different people coming through all the time," said Hogan as he put the Indians through a workout at Capaha Field. "We've had so many good performances from so many people."...

Larry Kitchen is sure glad he finally opened a piece of mail that he very nearly threw away. If not, the local umpire would never have discovered that he had been named Missouri Baseball Official of the Year. "I received a brochure in the mail a few weeks ago, but I didn't think anything about it because I belong to about every association in the world," explained Kitchen with a laugh. "I let it lay on my table. Then about a week later I open it up and figured I'd just throw it away...

JACKSON -- Scott City's Lance Amick was perfect at the plate Wednesday and John Wipfler went the distance on the mound in an 8-3 Rams' victory over host Jackson. Wipfler walked none, struck out five and allowed seven hits in seven innings. Amick went 4-for-4 to lead Scott City (7-7). Brandon Amick and Pat Johnston added three hits apiece...

Rory Kipper School: Cape Central Class: Senior Sport: Track Events: 1600, 3200 meters Coach: Jerry Dement Week report: Kipper claimed four individual titles, winning the 1600 meters and 3200 meters in both the Poplar Bluff Invitational and SEMO North Conference Meet. ...

Seeking to reach NCAA qualifying standards, several track and field athletes from Southeast Missouri State University will compete in Saturday's Billy Hayes Invitational at Indiana University. Four members of the Southeast women's team will compete, including Tammy Wenkel, who will seek to lower her personal season-best time of 2:08.29 in the 800-meters. She needs to run 2:07.50 to provisionally qualify for the NCAA finals...

Regan Hughston of West Plains, who has signed to play basketball for Southeast Missouri State University's women, has been named Missouri's USA Today Player of the Year. Hughston, a 6-foot-1 senior forward, led West Plains to the Class 4A state championship this year. She averaged 17 points and six rebounds per game while shooting 62 percent from the field and 76 percent from the free-throw line...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Funeral for Jonny Faye McGhee of Immokalee, Fla., will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie. Larry Gammons will officiate, with burial in East Prairie Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home after 5 p.m. today...

PERRYVILLE -- Irene J. Stortz, 79, of Perryville died Tuesday, May 12, 1998, at her home. She was born Jan. 27, 1919, at Biehle, daughter of William and Dora Schemel Pingel. She and Frederick Stortz were married Jan. 27, 1937. He died in 1984. Stortz was a member of St. Vincent's Catholic Church and its Ladies Sodality...

Mary Kay Ruesler, 37, of Columbia died Tuesday, May 12, 1998, at her home. She was born Oct. 8, 1960, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Harry D. and Olga Best Ruesler. Ruesler was a medical technologist at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbia...

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Gerald E. "Buddy" Clutts, 72, of Olive Branch died Tuesday, May 12, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Oct. 9, 1925, in Thebes, son of Gerald D. and Edith Brown Clutts. He and Mary Elnora Jordan were married in 1946. She died in 1979. He married Bernice Levil Bledsoe in 1990...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Charles Kinslow, 63, of Jonesboro died Tuesday, May 12, 1998. He was born Oct. 26, 1934, in Pulaski County, son of Claude and Wilda Rives Kinslow. He and Betty Womack were married Dec. 19, 1958, in Jonesboro. Kinslow was a mechanic at Southern Illinois University. He was a member of Ullin Baptist Church, and a veteran...

PUXICO -- Allen G. Greenlee, 52, of Puxico died Wednesday, May 13, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Aug. 3, 1945, in Canalou, son of Leonard and Della Alberson Greenlee. He and Georgia Sommers were married April 10, 1964, in Midland, Texas...

SIKESTON -- Glenda Mae Dicus, 82, of Sikeston died Wednesday, May 13, 1998, at Sikeston Health Care. She was born June 18, 1915, at Marquand, daughter of William M. and Lillian L. Zimmerman Tallent. She married Virgil G. Dicus, who preceded her in death...

ANNA, Ill. -- Eva Lorene Bernhard, 85, of Auburndale, Fla., died Tuesday, May 12, 1998, in Auburndale. She was born Oct. 5, 1912, in Anna. Bernhard had lived in Auburndale since 1959. She was a member of First Baptist Church. Survivors include two sons, David Bernhard of Orlando, Fla., Richard Bernhard of Anna; a daughter, Beverly Tomkins of Auburndale; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren...

CHARLESTON -- Mary Burton, 73, of Charleston died Wednesday, May 13, 1998, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston is in charge of arrangements.

Daughter to William L. and Elizabeth Hagan III of Collierville, Tenn., Baptist East Hospital in Germantown, Tenn., 2:26 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, 1998. Name, Mary Elizabeth. Weight, 9 pounds. First child. Mrs. Hagan is the former Elizabeth Harris, daughter of Donnie and Linda Harris of Germantown. She is employed at Northwestern Mutual Insurance Co. in Memphis, Tenn. Hagan is the son of William L. and Mary Ann Hagan Jr. of Chaffee. He is a self-employed attorney in Collierville...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- John Lyerly, a native of Union County, died Saturday, May 9, 1998, at his daughter's home in Sarasota, Fla. He was 67. He was born Nov. 15, 1930, the son of Grover and Lena M. Lingle Lyerly. He was an Army veteran and was stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict...