Stories from Sunday, January 16, 2000

JEFFERSON CITY -- Mary Bono, 17, of Jackson, was one of 38 contestants competing for the role of Missouri Farm Bureau Ambassador during the organization's 85th annual meeting Dec. 5 at the Lake of the Ozarks. Bono's parents are Jeff and Karen Preussen...

JEFFERSON CITY -- Stanley Sievers, Jackson, was recognized as runner-up in the Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Achievement Award at the 85th annual meeting of the Missouri Farm Bureau Dec. 5-7 in Osage Beach. As runner up for the top YF&R award, the Sievers was presented a plaque by Missouri Farm Bureau President Charles Kruse, recognizing his achievements in farming, management and leadership...

JEFFERSON CITY-- Roger Aufdenberg, 21, of Burfordville, was one of 38 contestants competing for the role of Missouri Farm Bureau Ambassador during the organization's 85th annual meeting Dec. 5 at the Lake of the Ozarks. Aufdenberg's parents are Leon and Donna Aufdenberg...

JEFFERSON CITY -- Voting delegates representing Farm Bureau members from Cape Girardeau County were among the crowd attending the 85th Annual Meeting of Missouri Farm Bureau Dec. 5-7 in Osage Beach. A record attendance of 1,655 farmers, ranchers and guests attended the meeting, where Saline County farmer Jay Plattner was re-elected to his third consecutive term as vice-president of the state's largest farm organization...

The French Club at Jackson High School is a club open to any students who have taken a French class and are wanting to participate. Our goal is to get the members more interested in the French culture though the activities that we do. Our sponsor is Mrs. Darlene Houhcins, French teacher at JHS. Officers are Julie Gerecke, president; Jodie Brunke, vice-president; Andrea Penland, secretary; Marci Myracle, treasurer; Mary Bono, historian; and Jamie Pierce, foreign correspondent...

We all love sugar. We know it makes us fat. We know it is only Iempty calories with no nutritional value. But we still crave sweets. Do you know that sugar is not only empty of any nutrition, it actually depletes other nutrients from your body? According to Linda Page, N.D., Ph.D, sugar depletes calcium, worsens arthritis by creating an acid condition in the body, and also drains the body of B vitamins...

As the saying goes "The news of my demise are greatly exaggerated." Well, it seems the news of our Y2K demise were also greatly exaggerated and it seems all systems are functioning the way they are supposed to, I'm sure it was all the extra precautions everybody took. By the way, does anyone want to buy 10 cases of water and five boxes of sardines?...

Bernard Schaper's photo albums brim with Jackson's past. From grainy, water-damaged 19th century prints of citizens on mud-slogged streets, to countless organization group photos over the decades, the photos tell the story of a growing community. Preserving that story is part of the mission of the Jackson Heritage Association. ...

Dr. Timothy W. Jones, Ph.D. along with Principal Chief Lola Scholl and Deputy Chief Larry Turman of the Western Cherokee Nation of Arkansas and Missouri will be presenting two lectures on Jan. 22, in Cape Girardeau. The first lecture will be in the University Center located on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. The lecture there will begin at 11 a.m. in the University Ballroom. The second lecture will be at 3 p.m. at the visitor's center of the Trail Of Tears State Park...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Individuals and organizations that contribute to the intellectual and personal development of students in extraordinary ways at Southeast Missouri State University were honored on campus Dec. 3 at the first annual Student Development Awards Ceremony...

The St. Francis Hospital Diabetic Support Group will meet Feb. 3, 2-3:30 p.m. in Conference Room E, next to the diabetic center at the hospital. The topic will be "New Years Resolutions: Are you keeping yours?" Everyone is welcome. Any questions may be directed to Roberta Anderson at 243-6838, or the Diabetes Center at St. Francis Hospital, 331-5897 or 1-800-457-1720...

Street Department personnel are ready for the first snow or ice of winter. From left were Lyman King, Mike Dougan, Dennis Hurst, Brian McClanahan and Steve Hendrix. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans Part of the city of Jackson's winter weather fleet waited in front of its cinder pile. The dump truck is equipped with an 11-foot blade, the pick-up with an eight-foot blade. The other truck has been equipped as a cinder-loader. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans...

One weekend in the early 1990s I was watching The McLaughlin Group, when I heard the term "politically correct" for the first time. I had to chuckle in disbelief. It reminded me of a movie I had enjoyed as a teenager -- Woody Allen's Wake Me When the Revolution is Over. ...

After spending more than seven years helping area residents stay physically fit, Janey Miller is ready to help them stay fit, protection-wise. Miller opened an American Family Insurance office at 130 South High Street Jan. 3. "It feels good," Miller said. "I've met a lot of people and I'm learning a lot. I'm excited to be here."...

New McKendree United Methodist Church is hoping to start a new tradition for the new millennium. On Jan. 23 the church is having a free concert entitled "An Evening of Musical Praise." Several members of the church choir will be performing different styles of Christian music, ranging from southern gospel to contemporary...

Then they said, "Let us start building!" So they committed themselves to the common good. -- Nehemiah 2:18 After more than two centuries of constitutional self-government, Americans are still searching for ways to perfect the democratic system envisioned by our Founding Fathers. To say we are closer to this vision today than a quarter of a century ago may be stretching the point, but there is no denying we have, indeed, made considerable, if not total, progress over the past 217 years...

House Republicans in Jefferson City have a novel proposal for those local school districts across our state that are doing a good job: Call them "waiver districts" and free them up from many state regulations and controls from Jefferson City. "The concept behind waiver districts is to reward schools that are doing a good job," said Republican floor leader Delbert Scott of Lowry City. ...

So the question of what to do with Missouri's stake in the money flowing in from the state's settlement with the tobacco industry will dominate this year's legislative session. At least lots of folks in the news media and in both political parties are saying so...

The Cape Girardeau United Ostomy Association (UOA) recently held its Christmas dinner and party at Ryan's Steakhouse. After the buffet, a game was played and gifts were exchanged. UOA is a support group for anyone with an ostomy. The meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month from March through December in the New Generations Building at Southeast Missouri Hospital...

Chapter 7 Caught "So, what are we going to do," Mitch said, "go back or go on? Hey, we don't have much food, and we don't know how big the valley is." " Well, he does have a point there," Martha said. "But we can't turn back now!" April said. "We have to find Neleger."...

The Oak Ridge Homemakers met at the home of John and Barbara Popp Dec. 8 for its annual Christmas celebration. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by retiring President Lee Anderson. The devotion was also given by Anderson. Mary Dee Ford installed the new officers for 2000-2001. The new officers are President Marilyn Rutherford, Vice President Jackie Rutherford, Secretary Roxanne Smith, Treasurer Billie Criddle, Historian Carole Jo Byrd, Song/Game Leader Melva Floyd and Reporter Lee Anderson...

Missouri's education chief wants to institute what he calls "universal preschool" for our state's youngsters. Commissioner of Education Robert Bartman pitched his proposal to provide universal preschool for Missouri children before a House committee earlier month...

25 years ago, 1975 Park board and city officials have tentatively agreed to approximate type and size of new municipal swimming pool, which they hope can be built this year in City Park; architectural firm of Allgeier Martin and Associates of Joplin will draw plans for L-shaped pool, which will be seven lanes and 25 meters long...

FRUITLAND -- Finding interest in a proposed Lutheran high school was simple compared to finding the right location for a permanent home. The Board of Regents for Saxony Lutheran High School looked at 11 different sites before buying a 40-acre tract near Fruitland along County Road 601...

Guy Darrough's fossil collection includes these snails from the Ozarks, which date bac, 450 to 500 million years. MARBLE HILL -- Guy Darrough spends much of his time digging for dinosaurs and other fossils of long-ago life. When he's not unearthing fossils, the self-taught paleontologist builds realistic, fiberglass dinosaur models for museum exhibits. He operates Lost World Studios and showcases some of his work on the Internet...

Henry A. Graham can be thankful that Rick Marshall knows the smell of a burning trailer. Marshall and his wife, Dawn, discovered a fire burning inside Graham's trailer home at the Route W Trailer Court while visiting a relative on Saturday afternoon...

If black holes are good enough for the universe, why can't we use some in our homes? If only we could harness black holes in our homes like we do electricity, we'd be so much better off. For one thing, we'd no longer have to pick up all those toys on the family room carpet. We could relegate them to some black hole where they wouldn't be visible when friends or relatives stopped in to visit...

The 2000 census will be discussed Sunday on KRCU's "Going Public" show. Ellen Brandon, local office manager for the Census Bureau, will be the featured guest on the taped show, which airs at 3 p.m. on 90.9 FM. At 3:30 p.m., "Going Public" will rebroadcast an interview with Dr. Martin J. Medhirst. Medhirst discusses political rhetoric, Dwight Eisenhower and the future of the presidency...

A year ago, only about half as many people in Southeast Missouri were seeking help to handle suicidal thoughts, say area counselors. "The volume of those considering suicide is increasing," said Claire Lafoon, director of education for the Community Counseling Center in Cape Girardeau...

MURRAY, Ky. -- Before coach Gary Garner arrived on the Southeast Missouri State University basketball scene, the Indians and Murray State had a rivalry -- but primarily because the schools were so close geographically. Now, the teams have a rivalry based on the fact that the Indians' program has improved so much that SEMO has become a legitimate threat to the Racers' Ohio Valley Conference supremacy, although the Indians -- along with every other league team -- still have a ways to go to catch up to Murray, which has won 11 of the past 12 OVC titles.. ...

MURRAY, Ky. -- Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball team finally beat Murray State -- and Gary Garner wasn't even there to see it. The visiting Indians rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit for an improbable 84-78 victory Saturday night...

Cape Central's 51-36 victory over Seckman Saturday showcased two entirely different halves. In the first 16 minutes of play, the Lady Tigers could only score 15 points. The second half, however, saw the Cape Central girls shake off cobwebs that may have developed over an eight-day layoff. The Lady Tigers netted 36 points in the second half en route to victory over the visiting Jaguars in the Bank of Missouri Tiger Showcase at Tiger Field House...

Go ahead. Shoot it. I dare you. That was the approach used by John Burroughs against Notre Dame's girls basketball team Saturday in the Tiger Showcase. After struggling from the field early, the Lady Bulldogs answered the challenge and pulled away in the fourth quarter with a 48-39 over the same team that ousted Notre Dame in the state quarterfinals a year ago...

The Tiger Showcase was intended to pair up teams from St. Louis and from Southeast Missouri. After six games on Saturday, it was Cape County 5, St. Louis 1. Jackson's boys team was the only local team to lose. However, they played a tough Vianney team which brought in a 10-3 record and has played a tough schedule...

Cape Central needed this. The Tigers, who have struggled this season, played a nearly flawless game Saturday night in the final game of the Tiger Showcase, beating Oakville 59-48. "We lost three or four in a row and I thought winning this game was critical," said Cape Central coach Brett Reutzel. "There are times when you need a win desperately and I think that was the case tonight."...

MURRAY, Ky. -- The road has not been a friendly place for Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team so far this season during Ohio Valley Conference play. Southeast dropped its fourth straight OVC road game Saturday, going cold down the stretch during a 54-49 loss to Murray State...

A 3-on-3 basketball tournament will be held Jan. 29 at Southern Missouri Christian School in Poplar Bluff. Entry fee is $10 per person. For more information, call Josh Morrison at 686-1155.

The Cape Area Youth Soccer Association (CAYSA) will conduct sign-ups for the upcoming spring season on Sunday Jan. 23 and Jan. 30 at Westfield Shopping Center. The sign-ups will be held from noon to 5 p.m. in the JC Penney courtyard. Parents may also pick up a registration form from Unisoccer, Howard's Sporting Goods and Play It Again Sports. The registration period ends Feb. 9...

Nominations for the Cape Central High School Athletic Hall of Fame are being accepted. If you nominate an individual, send a complete resume on the nominee to Terry Kitchen at Central High School.

The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department will host is third annual Osage Invitational Coed Volleyball Tournament Feb. 6. The tournament, which will be played at the Osage Community Centre, will have a 6-on-6 format and consist of pool play with a single-elimination tournament to follow...

The Scott City-Notre Dame game Friday night didn't live up to the hype, but it did distinguish the Rams, who have won 31 of their last 33 games, as the undisputed top seed in the upcoming district tournament. Right now, it looks as if Notre Dame -- with wins over Sikeston and Cape Central (twice) -- will be the two seed and Woodland, which shocked 4A Jackson on Jackson's home floor this past week, will get the three seed followed closely behind by Kelly...

The Cape Giradeau Parks and Recreation Department will have its second annual Blues trip on Jan. 22 when the St. Louis takes on the New York Rangers. Cost of the trip is $39 per person, which includes ticket and transportation.

The March of Dimes of Paducah, Ky., will hold a B-Ball for Babies basketball tournament Feb. 4-6 in the Paducah area. Boys and girls ages 10-14 are eligible to participate in the 5-on-5, full-court tournament. The entry fee is $150. For more information, call toll-free 1-800-365-8603...

CHARLESTON -- Calvis Marion Wright, 78, of Charleston died Friday, Jan. 14, 2000, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born Nov. 15, 1921, at Dunmor, Ky., son of Everett and Alma Powell Wright Dockler. Wright had lived in Charleston most of his life. He worked for the Fisca Oil Co. near Wyatt...

PERRYVILLE -- Bernard H. "Benny" Koeper, 90, of Perryville died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born May 17, 1909 in Perry County, son of Herman and Mary Braun Koeper. He was retired from International Shoe Factory. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and Holy Name Society...

AVINGER, Texas -- Garland Mims, 83, formerly of Jackson died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000, at his home in Avinger, Texas. He was born Feb. 18, 1916, in Morris County, Texas, son of Davis W. and Verna Little Mims. Survivors include three brothers, D.W. Mims of Euless, Texas, Phillip Mims of Daingerfield, Texas, and Ferris W. Mims of Garland, Texas; two grandchildren, Hanna Maghee of Sikeston, and Lloyd Davis Mims of Marble Hill; and several nieces and nephews...

Floy L. Hopper, 91, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Jan. 14, 2000, at her home. She was born Feb. 24, 1908, at Swinton, daughter of Albert H. Finley and Flaura B. Grayum Finley. She married Clarence "Doots" Hopper Sept. 12, 1927, at Anna. She worked for International Shoe Mfg. 30 years as a shoe cutter...

MARBLE HILL -- Lois I. Shrum, 57, of Marble Hill died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center. She was born July 25, 1942 at Lutesville, daughter of Dillard O. and Cora I. Abernathy Rhodes. She and Robert "Bobby" Shrum were married on Dec. 28, 1968...

Charles Henry "Bud" Stockman, 89, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Jan. 14, 2000, at the Beverly Health and Rehab Center. He was born Nov. 12, 1916, at Belleville, Ill., son of Simin and Alma Schmidt Stockman. He and Betty Butler were married Aug. 1, 1947, at Jackson. She died April 19, 1999...

LAKE CITY, Fla. -- Christine Cathline White Price, 81, of Lake City, Fla., died Friday, Jan. 14, 2000, at Lake City, Fla. She was born April 9, 1918, at Vanduser, daughter of Henry and Martha Woods White. She and Dennis Price were married 30 years. Price was employed as a senior nurse assistant in Cape Girardeau...

MARBLE HILL -- Viola Gremar, 90, of Glen Allen, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000. She was born Sept. 1, 1909, at Portageville, daughter of Marvin Luther and Dora Ann Austin Robbins. She and Narvel H. "Pete" Gremar were married on Sept. 14, 1924. He died Dec. 13, 1988...

Daughter to James Anthony and Sarah Ann LaLumondiere of Sikeston, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 6:56 p.m. Monday, Jan. 10, 2000. Name, Ashley Nicole. Weight, 7 pounds 10 1/2 ounces. Second daughter. Mrs. LaLumondiere is the former Sarah Thorne, daughter of Laurie Pedersen and Steve Pedersen of Portland, Ore. LaLumondiere is the son of Aurelia Finley and Larry Finley of Sikeston...

PERRYVILLE -- Lisa Marie Martin and Gayland Charles Selby Jr. exchanged vows July 17, 1999, at St. Xavier Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Rev. Matthew T. Gamber performed the double ring ceremony. Lectors were Rick Laurentius and Megan Murray. Wayne and Marjorie Martin of Perryville are parents of the bride. The groom is the son of Roseann Powell and Gayland Charles Selby Sr. of Cincinnati...

Ron Acord of Cape Girardeau and Kali Standish of Kansas City, Kan., have announced the engagement of their daughter, Heather Michele Acord, to Trevor Lawrence Blackann, both of Washington, D.C. He is the son of Shari Blackann of Independence. A Dec. 2 wedding is planned in Kansas City...

Mary Jo Price of Apopka, Fla., and Helius Devon Price of Orlando, Fla., have announced the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Anne Price, to Matthew Louis Steinhoff. He is the son of Ken and Lila Steinhoff of West Palm Beach, Fla., and formerly of Cape Girardeau...

JACKSON -- Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Schreiner of Jackson celebrated their 40th anniversary Nov. 28, 1999, at Main Street Fitness Center. The reception was hosted by their son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Diana Schreiner, and grandchildren Cole and Athena...

JACKSON -- Michelle Dawn Sander and Jeremy Michael Hohler were united in marriage Sept. 25, 1999, at St. Paul Lutheran Church. The Rev. David Johnson performed the double ring ceremony. Organist was Pat Palisch and soloist was Cheryl Fortner, both of Jackson...

JACKSON -- Laura Ellen Smith and Thomas Frederick Stoverink were married July 3, 1999, at First General Baptist Church. The Rev. Luther Rhodes and Msgr. Edward Eftink performed the double ring ceremony. Pianists were Angie Miscall of Jackson and Marge Newton of Van Buren. Soloists were Julie Stoverink of Cape Girardeau and Marge Newton...

Nearly every gift giving season we find that we have to purchase batteries to accompany the gifts, either for those we give or receive. They are nearly always of the AA or AAA strength. By the time we get all the holiday things put away for another year, I feel it would be nice if our bodies came with little extra compartments or zippered pockets which we could open and slip in some Energizers, Ever Readies or Duracells...

Ron and Dana Underwood of Cape Girardeau and Pete and Janet Borah of Mt. Erie, Ill., have announced the engagement of their daughter, Tracy Sue Borah, to Jason Nicholas Jumps. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Jumps of Makanda, Ill. Borah received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Southeast Missouri State University. She is an account manager with Nova Marketing Services in St. Louis...

Lawrence and Carol Sommer of Cape Girardeau have announced the engagement of their daughter, Kristi Lynn Sommer, to Michael Thomas Mahoney. He is the son of Martin and Barbara Mahoney of Killeen, Texas. Sommer is a graduate of Central High School and Southeast Missouri State University. She is a programmer/analyst with First Community Services Inc. in Killeen...

JACKSON -- Michael G. Wendel and Sandy D. Wendel of Jackson have announced the engagement of their daughter, Stayci LeAnn Wendel, to Stephen Douglas Dotson. He is the son of Harold and Nancy Dotson of Pevely. Wendel is a 1996 graduate of Jackson High School. She is pursuing a degree in elementary education at Southeast Missouri State University...

JACKSON -- John and Mary Hume of Jackson have announced the engagement of their daughter, Amy Elizabeth Hume, to Garrett Shawn Sparks. He is the son of Wilburn and Brenda Sparks of Jackson. Hume is a 1994 graduate of Jackson High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in occupational therapy from St. Louis University in 1998. She is an occupational therapist at United Cerebral Palsy in St. Joseph...

The fireplace insert in the family room adds old-time charm to warmth and comfort. The dining room adjoining the family room and kitchen adds a spacious, country feel to the house. This brick, ranch home on four acres outside Morley provides for peaceful living...