Stories from Sunday, January 9, 2000

5. Gaelry The next morning when April awoke the sun was shining, the sky was a pretty, light, blue, with little, white, fluffy, clouds here and there in it, and there was a gentle breeze that came up every now and then. There wasn't one sign of rain anywhere in the sky...

Newton D. and Ella Florence Ford, with son Bill, in 1924. Located about four and a half miles north-west of Jackson, the home place was built around 1851 by Isaac Newton Sheppard. The farm itself was first purchased by Isaac Sheppard (Isaac Newton's uncle) in the fall of 1811. ...

SIKESTON - Jackson resident Scott Melton, assistant design technician for the Missouri Department of Transportation, received the MoDOT Meritorious Safety Award on Dec. 7 for his heroic efforts while performing a lifesaving act. The honor for anonymously aiding in the rescue of a choking woman. ...

Each summer the Girls Scouts of the Otahki Council have a hard time finding qualified individuals to work as medics during the weeks of their council's resident camp, Cherokee Ridge. The scouts are looking for qualified individuals who know and understand the needs of growing girls...

J.A.M. stands for Jackson Acting Motivators. The main objective of J.A.M. is to write, rehearse, and then perform skits for area schools. Our skits not only discourage drug and alcohol use but also help build self-esteem and encourage individuality and creativity...

The Jackson Heritage Association will sponsor an Antique Appraisal Day Saturday. The appraisal day will run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Jackson High School cafeteria. The public may bring antique items such as jewelry, art, glassware, clocks, quilts and furniture to be appraised for a $5 per item fee by area appraisers. This form of appraisal has recently become very popular with the Antiques Roadshow, broadcast on public television each week...

Janey Miller of Jackson has been appointed a full-time agent for American Family Insurance in the Jackson area, according to District Manager Richard Friend. Miller opened an office at 130 S. High -- Suite 101 on Jan. 3. The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturdays...

Nick Garvey received a medal and savings bond from Dan Stover, social studies teacher and event coordinator. India borders what two land-locked countries in the Himalayas? What Great Lakes canal was constructed in the early 1800s? Large numbers of passengers began riding what type of transportation on the Mississippi River after 1820?...

Editor's Note: The editor has been instructed to conclude the serialization of the true-life story Jeffrey: A Child's Holocaust. The 91,000-word story by Oak Ridge's Noreen Nesbit-Krackenberger, tells of her son Jeffrey and the struggle the family had to find suitable education and counseling for him. It was being run one chapter at a time in the USA Signal...

Joseph Graefe's fourth grade students participating in a class discussion Wednesday. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans "Laben raum," the term made both famous and infamous by The Third Reich, is readily available at the new St. Paul Lutheran School. At the moment three is "elbow room" for everyone...

Principal Al Lipke with the elevator in the new addition. The elevator is one of the handicapped-accessible features of the new building. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans Cafeteria workers turned out a fresh batch of cookies in the sparkling new St. Paul kitchen. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans...

25 years ago, 1975 Proposal to enact special tax levy to finance and maintain residential facility for adult handicapped and to finance operation of Cape County Sheltered Workshop likely will be submitted to county voters in April; board members of workshop, known as VIP Industries of Cape Girardeau, appeared by County Court Thursday to inform court of board's intention to submit tax levy issue to voters and to learn what steps should be taken to bring proposal to vote...

The December meeting of the American Legion Post #158 was called to order by Commander Seabaugh, at 8 p.m. The Color Guard advanced the colors, Chaplain Boyd Summers, gave the opening prayer. The pledge of allegiance to the flag, and the preamble of the American Legion Constitution were recited in unison by the 43 members present...

Happy New Year!! As we begin a new year it is a good time to re-view the year past and plan for the years ahead. Jackson continues to be a thriving community that is enjoying a strong economic climate. All of our departments in the city are busy trying to fulfill the day to day needs of the community. All departments have ongoing projects that will benefit Jackson in 2000...

Filing for candidacy for the school board ends Jan. 18. January is also school board recognition month. In light of this, I would like to offer the following thoughts: Perhaps many of our community members will recall an earlier article in which I asked the question, "Whose is the school?" We have tried to emphasize the fact that the Cape Girardeau public schools belong to everyone in the community: students, parents, grandparents and all patrons. ...

The General Assembly convened this week in Jefferson City, as it does the first week of every year. This being an even-numbered year, a November election is looming, and the seats of all 163 representatives and 17 of 34 senators are up for election. ...

To the editor: In his Dec. 24 sports column, Bob Miller argued that several small schools should be removed, or should remove themselves, from the University High Christmas Basketball Tournament. He said those schools are not competitive with the other generally larger schools that take part in the tournament. Mr. Miller's proposal was both ill-timed and shortsighted...

Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker wrote a new chapter in stupidity and offensiveness with his indefensible comments on unwed mothers, minorities, AIDS victims and poor New Yorkers. He has now been sentenced to psychological counseling or evaluation by baseball commissioner Bud Selig, as the latter formulates his decision on how to deal with Rocker...

Unless one believes in the tooth fairy and the Loch Ness monster, there isn't a large group of Missourians who believe this year's session of the General Assembly will produce much in the way of enlightened legislation, progressive reform or even needed correction. The session which has just started is occurring in the same year Missourians will select their next governor, most statewide officials, a U.S. senator, our congressional delegation and most of the sheriffs in the state...

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education will decide whether to hire an architect and construction manager for a planned high school during a special meeting Tuesday. The board will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Board of Education office, 61 N. Clark. Members will make final decisions regarding proposals from four groups offering architectural, program management or construction management services for the high school, which would be built adjacent to the vocational career center being built near Interstate 55.. ...

If people thought Cape Girardeau's streets were confusing during sewer separation work last year, they could be shocked when the city begins construction on several major street projects this summer. "Now is a good time to have stock in the orange cones," joked City Engineer Mark Lester...

Perhaps John Ueleke of Memphis best described his grandson: "He had small feet but he made big footprints." William "Will" Fischer seemed like any normal 2-year-old. He was a helping child and loved to give hugs. Illnesses seemed limited to ear infections...

Wide hallways, large classrooms with computer access, ample parking, these were among the many things that impressed parent Al McFerren about a new high school in Troy, Ill., that he traveled by bus to see on Saturday. But more important to McFerren, who traveled with more than 60 others on the trip organized by the Cape Girardeau school district, was that he now has a clearer idea of why the school board wants to build a new high school and what it could offer students...

JACKSON -- Beginning at the end of January, an ambulance crew will be stationed at the Jackson Fire Department an extra 1 1/2 hours weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The move is part of a dramatic increase in the level of emergency care available in the city in the past two years...

One man's junk is another man's treasure, they say. But I don't think there's anything in our junk drawer at home that will ever rate as treasure. An antique expert in Boston recently advised Americans to "just take a bunch of junk and throw it in a drawer and let fate decide." Well, if that's the case, I'm afraid fate has dealt us a bad hand...

JACKSON -- Two men whose vehicle was stopped late Jan. 1 on East Jackson Boulevard for having a light out were arrested for attempting to manufacture methamphetamine. Capt. Bob Hull of the Jackson police said the driver, James Hendrix of Sikeston, appeared nervous to the officer when pulled over. ...

Southeast Missouri's Brian Bunche, left, grappled for a loose ball with Austin Peay's Brad Loos near the end of Saturday's game at the Show Me Center. Loos got control of the ball and called timeout. It didn't look like it for quite a while, but Saturday afternoon's Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball game between Southeast Missouri State University and Austin Peay wound up matching all of its considerable pre-contest hype...

After seeing Austin Peay shoot 53 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes to build a nine-point halftime lead, Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball coach Ed Arnzen knew his Otahkians would have to step up their defense. Mission accomplished...

All season long, I've been waiting for the Rams to finally wake up and become the same old Rams that we Missourians have gotten used to over the last few years. No way, I kept telling myself, could the Rams really be this good. Any Sunday now, one of the patsies they've been slapping around will wake up and belt St. Louis but good...

There were two upsets of state-ranked teams in the region this past week. Scott County Central's boys pulled off the bigger of the two, downing Class 2A Portageville, ranked fifth in the state, 67-63. The Braves pulled off the upset despite having two players go down with injuries. Todd Blissett, Scott Central's second-leading scorer went down with an injury, but returned and was a key contributor...

Eagle Ridge Christian School dropped to 4-2 on the season after suffering a 71-48 home loss to Unity Christian of Herrin, Ill. on Saturday. Toby Shreeve scored 16 for Eagle Ridge, followed by Brandon Sparkman with 14 and Andrew Mellis with 13. Jared Sparks scored 22 for Unity Christian, while Andy Murrow scored 19 and Micah Oakley added 17...

Arnold Andrew Blattel, 81, of Scott City, died Saturday Jan. 8, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center. He was born Dec. 2, 1918, at Ancell, son of Leo and Anna Catherine Schoen Blattel. Blattel was a nurse's assistant at Jefferson Barracks Hospital. He was an Army veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso. He was a member of Scott City Knights of Columbus Council No. 6420 and VFW Post 6407...

BERTRAND -- Geraldine "Gerry" Morse, 62, of Bertrand died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000, at her daughter's home at Cape Girardeau. She was born Sept. 26, 1937, at Hasty, Ark., daughter of Charles Bunyon and Mary Frances Farmer Bratton. She had been a waitress at the Gaslight Square Restaurant at Sikeston...

PERKS, Ill. -- William Oaks, 82, of Perks died Friday, Jan. 7, 2000, at Union County Hospital at Anna. Arrangements are pending at Crain Funeral Home at Ullin.

SIKESTON -- Lanus Propst, 85, of Sikeston died Friday, Jan. 7, 2000, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center. He was born Sept. 18, 1914, at Cape Girardeau, son of Harley Baxter and Georgia Davis Propst. He and Myra Bell Minner were married Sept. 21, 1933...

Steven Lee Ward, 42, of Bernie, died Friday, Jan. 7, 2000, in Bernie. He was born Dec. 20, 1957, at Poplar Bluff, son of Thomas Lee and Melba Lee Medlin Ward. He and Mary Lynn Hueckel were married Dec. 2, 1978, in the Vinson area near Parma. Ward was a civil engineer with the Missouri Highway Transportation Department in Sikeston...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Dewey Sasseen, 89, of Cairo died Friday, Jan. 7, 2000, at Lourdes Hospital at Paducah, Ky. He was born Sept. 27, 1910, at Charleston, Mo., son of Edward and Judy Baker Sasseen. He was married to Lillian Marie Sasseen. She died May 6, 1999...

Valentine "Val" Joseph Mueller, 85, of Cape Girard by the Riverside Lumber Co. before purchasing the Culley Paint Store, which later became Steve-Mark Inc. He spent most of his working years in the paint, wallpaper and picture framing business. He was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He served with the U.S. Army in Burma during World War II...

KARNAK, Ill. -- Willis "Doc" Briley, 87, of Karnak and formerly of Metropolis died Thursday, Jan. 6, 2000, at the Sunnyhill Care Center at Joliet. He was born May 12, 1912, at Karnak, son of Sam and Minnie Haven Briley. He was married to Mayselle Upton...

Carmen Marie Brennecke Below, 80, formerly of Delta, Mo., died on Jan. 8, 2000, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born May 30, 1919, near Jackson, Mo., the daughter of Joseph "Joe" Henry Brennecke and Cora Chostner Brennecke. She married James Roscoe Below on Aug. 18, 1939. He died Feb. 28, 1977...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Donald E. Schlenker Jr. of Jonesboro died Thursday, Jan. 6, 2000, at the Union County Hospital in Anna. He was 42. He was born Feb. 6, 1957, at Anna, son of Donald and Patricia McMahan Schlenker Sr. He was married to Pamela M. Lackey on April 11, 1981, at Jonesboro...

DONGOLA, Ill. -- Altha Mae Mowery, 88, of Arlington, Texas, and formerly of Memphis, Tenn., and Cairo, died Friday, Jan. 7, 2000, at Heritage Oaks Nursing Home at Arlington. She was born Aug. 9, 1911, at Ullin, daughter of Clarence Everett and Allie Melvina Barringer Mowery...

SIKESTON -- Sikeston police officers arrested five people after a raid of an illegal club operating at 225 Felker Street early Saturday morning. Additional arrests are expected. Police Chief Jim Leist said more than 100 people were found inside the club, along with alcohol and large amounts of substances appearing to be crack cocaine and marijuana, when the raid occurred...

SCOTT CITY -- Illmo Baptist Church was the setting Nov. 20, 1999, for the wedding of Erin Beth Griffin and Christopher Ray Venable. The Revs. Neil Franks and Larry Lawman performed the double ring ceremony. Pianist was Evelyn McClintock and vocalists were Brent and Christy Horton, all of Scott City...

JACKSON -- The Enchanted Gardens in Jackson was the setting Oct. 16, 1999, for the wedding of Ginger Michelle Lowes and Jerry Wayne Malone. The Rev. Raymond Epps performed the double ring ceremony. Keyboardist was Geri Beussink and vocalist was Jane Oehl, both of Jackson...

JACKSON -- Kyla Lee Bauman and Robert William Erlbacher III were married Oct. 2, 1999, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau. The Rev. Paul Short performed the double ring ceremony. Organist was Dr. Dan Cotner and violinist was Beverly Reece, both of Cape Girardeau...

JACKSON -- Amy Amanda Jane Bess and John Patterson "Pat" Hume Jr. were married Sept. 18, 1999, at First General Baptist Church. The Rev. Luther Rhodes performed the double ring ceremony. Organist was Susan Lane of Jackson. Vocalists were Robin Koetting of Cape Girardeau and Rowe Arends of Jefferson City...

Cathleen Corine Tamplin and Sean Michael Dougherty were married Aug. 14, 1999, at Kumler Chapel on the campus of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. William Brunsmann performed the double ring ceremony. Marsha Weygant of Hamilton, Ohio, was pianist. Soloists were Debbie Mueller of Cleveland, Ohio, sister of the bride, and Linda Ridenour of Lafayette, Ind...

Some of my friends often say, "I'll be glad when things get back to normal." After hearing this several times, I began to question, what is normal? I agree, there is a satisfaction in routine unless we let it become so deadly we no longer notice life's little extras along the way...

Lisa Catherine Logel and Winchell Smith Carroll Jr. were married Nov. 20, 1999, at Shrine of St. Joseph in St. Louis. The Rev. John Wetmore performed the double ring ceremony. Organist was Ralph Ellerback, trumpeter was Mark Hasenstab, and vocalist was Maribeth McMahon, all of St. Louis...

Brad and Sharon Welker of Cape Girardeau have announced the engagement of their daughter, Danielle Dawn Welker, to Robert Lane Lummus. He is the son of Jim and Linda Lummus of Cape Girardeau. Welker received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Southeast Missouri State University in 1998. She is employed in ICU at St. Francis Medical Center...

JACKSON -- Michael J. Wilson of Jackson and Cheryl S. Wilson of Dexter have announced the engagement of their daughter, Michelle S. Wilson, to Christopher M. Taylor. He is the son of Debbie Taylor of Cape Girardeau and Terry Taylor of Denver, Colo. Wilson is a 1996 graduate of Jackson High School, and is pursuing a degree in criminal justice at Southeast Missouri State University. She is a phlebotomist at Southeast Missouri Hospital...

Joe and Mary Hook of Cape Girardeau have announced the engagement of their daughter, Amy Christine Hook, to Ryan R. Rassin. He is the son of Ron and Mary Lou Rassin of Deerfield, Ill. Hook is a 1996 graduate of the University of Illinois. She is a sales consultant with Smithkline Beecham Pharmaceuticals in Chicago...

JACKSON -- James D. and Mary Jo Shelton of Jackson have announced the engagement of their daughter, Jodie L. Shelton, to Adam Herman. He is the son of Gene B. Herman of Berkeley, Calif., and Roslyn Brown of Norfolk, Va. Shelton is director of owner relations for Vistana West Inc. in Denver, Colo...

JACKSON -- Norman and Anna Campbell of Jackson have announced the engagement of their daughter, Karen Kirsten Campbell, to Russell Max "Rusty" Marks. He is the son of Sharon Marks of Dixon, Ky., and the late Max Marks. Campbell is a 1991 graduate of Jackson High School. She is employed at Southwestern Bell Telephone...

CHARLESTON -- George Elliott Simmons of Charleston and Julie Lutz Simmons of Scottsdale, Ariz., have announced the engagement of their daughter, Julie Elizabeth Simmons, to Scott Denton Lyon. He is the son of the late Edward Augustus Lyon and the late Margaret Keck Lyon, both of Cincinnati, Ohio...

A stained-glass window adds a unique glow to the foyer. Elegance with style is a hallmark of this English tudor which is situated at the end of a cul-de-sac at 1330 Kenwood in Cape Girardeau. Elegance abounds in this 1979 Southeast Missouri District Fair "Dream Home." Top a small knoll and into view comes a fabulous English tudor at the end of the cul-de-sac. ...