Stories from Sunday, January 23, 2000

The Future Farmers of America's 451,997 members and 7,268 chapters represent all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam and Rota. FFA is a diverse oganization, operating in rural, urban and suburban schools. Students aged 12-21 enrolled in agricultural education programs are eligible for membership. The Jackson FFA is currently one of the largest FFA chapters in Missouri with 176 members...

Rick Saupe has been characterized as one who "does everything under cover and behind the scenes to get stuff done," without seeking credit. This unselfish attitude and devotion to the Jackson Jaycees and the club's projects earned the Pocahantas Lumber employee the Jaycee's 1999 Distinguished Service Award. Saupe, who said he became suspicious when he saw his parents at the DSA Banquet Thursday night at Delmonico's, was surprised by the award...

The lines represent years of love, Paths taken in the midst of everyday life, Roads leading to the warmest heart, Streets heading to a smiling face, The wrinkles symbolize not just maturity, But years of knowledge and experience, Weeks of unsurpassed kindness and faith,...

Oscar and Tillie Friedrich Ludwig on their wedding day, march 9, 1919. Photo courtesy of Bonnie Ludwig I sat beside my dad, F.J. Armstrong, when he was an old man. This is what the told me about the flu. In the winter of 1917-18, while the war was still going on, Cractic Wallace's body was shipped home in a coffin. A big sign in red letters was on the coffin "Do Not Open, Very Contagious Disease." It was influenza...

New McKendree United Methodist Church is hoping to start a new tradition for the new millennium. The church is having a free concert today, 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...

While the recently-organized Citizens Supporting Jackson Schools has addressed "a gamut of issues" in the words of Fritz Sander, the organization is not likely to become involved in day-top-day operations of the Jackson R-2 School District. "We encouraged people to simply talk and express ideas and concerns, relating to future growth," said Sander, a Jackson native who returned to town in 1999 and opened an investment business. We assimilated information of w hat people had been saying...

Plans are moving forward to launch the Jackson Area Youth Football League, which would prove Jackson children opportunity to play tackle football without leaving town. The Jackson Area Youth Football Foundation (JAYF) is a non profit organization formed to provide Jackson area youth the same opportunities to learn the fundamentals of football and cheer leading which are currently enjoyed by kids growing up in other area towns and in metropolitan areas...

The Community Counseling Center Foundation is sponsoring its second semi-annual Antique and Collectibles Show April 9. The other show in 2000 will be Oct. 8. All proceeds from the event will go to the Community Counseling Center Foundation to be used for providing improved facilities, equipment and services for persons with mental illness...

Shakespeare returns to the Jackson High School stage this spring, with a pair of condensed classics from the bard. The JHS Drama Club will present Othello and Much Ado About Nothing march 17-18 at 7 p.m. in the historic JHS auditorium. The two productions, both shorter adaptations of the early 17th century master pieces, are currently in the rehearsal stage...

In my Father's House are many mansions, I hope yours Is next to mine! We'll see each other everyday And have a wonderful time! Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord! We can raise our hands and pray. He'll be right there with us all As he Is here on earth each day!...

So far we've been blessed with a lovely, mild winter. Our local, seasoned, meteorological prognosticators, warn me, "We're going to pay for this nice weather someday." The thing that bothers me the most about winter is the hazardous road conditions. ...

Exactly when history entered my life, I am not certain. I believe it was somewhere around the age of 7 or 8 when the history bug first sank its teeth into me. By third grade I could name every President of the United States (I'm sure today's teens would take great delight in pointing out that there weren't nearly as many to memorize back then!) and tell their years in office. I often drew portraits of the presidents and hung them in the hallway at home...

Although he did not step into the Jackson R-2 School district at the most peaceful of times, Dr. Ron Anderson has no complaints following his first semester as superintendent of schools. "The time has gone extremely fast from August till now," Anderson said. "It's been very enjoyable to have the opportunity to get a chance to familiarize myself with all the schools. I've visited white many of the staff members and have enjoyed various school activities."...

Who better to understand what a shopper wants than another shopper? With this theory in mind, Dawn Fallert, her mother, Sharee Galnore, and Donna Boardman, decided to put their love of visiting specialty and collectible shops to good use. They opened High Street Station Nov. 1, 1998 and have had no regrets since...

FRUITLAND -- A high school will open its doors in the Fruitland area for the first time since 1939, when the new Saxony Lutheran High School is constructed. After looking at several sites for the planned school, the Board of Regents bought a 40-acre tract of along County Road 601, near Fruitland. The land was bought for $320,000 from AA Mobile Home Sales in Festus...

The annual Jackson Heritage Association Banquet will be held Jan. 29 at Bent Creek Golf Club in Jackson. A side presentation, depicting Jackson's history, will be presented, as well as musical entertainment by area vocalists. The Heritage Award and Unsung Hero Awards will also be presented...

25 years ago, 1975 Presiding judge of County Court, Ervin Hobbs, said Wednesday that he won't allow county to enter any contract for construction of new jail as long as lawsuits over matter are pending; his comment comes during questioning by Circuit Judge Stanley A. ...

8. When April awoke, Carl was not in the cell with them any more. "Where is Carl?" April asked in alarm. Mitch and Martha sat up and looked around too. Lolly woke up and immediately went to squawking "Charlie! Charlie! Charlie! Where are you!" over and over again...

House Republicans in Jefferson City announced a bold idea this week. Among their legislative proposals, they said, is a plan to abolish the constitutionally independent Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission and replace it with a member of the governor's Cabinet responsible for transportation and highways...

It's too early in the season for Missourians to be discussing issues in November's general elections, and thus far we have seen little of the presumably voter-swaying dogma that will soon be forthcoming form such high profile candidates as John Ashcroft, Mel Carnahan, Bob Holden and Jim Talent. I'm sure Missourians can hardly wait...

While Republicans are investing much energy in the presidential race, they may be losing sight of the other half of the equation. Regardless of whether they win the White House, their ability to effect meaningful change will be severely limited unless they also recapture Congress...

It's awfully easy to get used to a mild winter. Folks in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois have been lulled into a season of cool nights and mild days. Some have watched their tulips and daffodils put up shoots. So it was a surprise when, on Thursday morning, we got a taste of winter. But later in the day the sun came out, and even though it was cold, we still went around without our coats on...

Attorney General Jay Nixon won a victory this week in the tobacco case filed against the state by a number of hospitals seeking to intervene and grab a portion of Missouri's tobacco-litigation proceeds. The 2-1 decision by the Eastern District Court of Appeals in St. ...

Imagine a horrible crime, the kind that makes a community question its values, wondering how it could have happened here. Pretend that the person arrested for the crime is the boy who lives down the street. Should his name be published or broadcast by local media?...

Kurt Warner never looked so good in snow. At least, Matt Unterreiner thinks so. He and his buddies built an 8-foot snowman Saturday at the Cape Girardeau home of friend, Jess Gotto. They put an old Rams jacket on the beefy snowman and added the number 13 in honor of their favorite quarterback. A blue towel and banana peels made up the football helmet and sawed-off limbs were used for arms...

It didn't take a building dedicated in his honor to convince the parents of Matthew E. Schlimme that their son was a hero, but they are proud he is being recognized by others. The United States Coast Guard on Thursday will dedicate the Machinery Technician Matthew E. Schlimme Industrial Facility in St. Louis in honor of the Whitewater man who died in a rescue effort off the coast of Washington...

CHARLESTON -- Researchers from the Missouri Department of Health and national Center for Disease Control will survey Southeast Missouri residents next week in an effort to find the source of a fungal infection that has claimed five lives in recent years...

Forget the cold. Rams fans are a hardy lot, particularly when they're consuming large quantities of food and beverages at tailgate parties. I managed to get a ticket to the Rams-Vikings playoff game in St. Louis last weekend, courtesy of my brother-in-law who has season tickets...

Two people were seriously injured and three others sustained moderate injuries in two separate accidents Friday night and early Saturday morning. Clara Underwood, 68, and Elvis Underwood, 67, both of Cape Girardeau, received serious injuries in an accident on Highway 34 five miles east of Marble Hill. The accident occurred at 9:50 p.m. Friday...

Saturday was the day of the dragon at Franklin School. Children made dragon heads and pretended to be a dragon in an arts program inspired by the Chinese New Year coming up Feb. 5. This will be the year of the dragon. The 12 children attached colored streamers to their arms as a prelude to the Dragon Dance, a game in which the head of the dragon tries to catch the tail. Each of the children who wanted to got to be the dragon's head...

Two robberies that occurred around Broadway on Thursday involved assaults, the theft of money and a can of beer, police said. The first took place about 5 p.m. as a woman was walking along Broadway, Cpl. Kevin Orr said. As she turned to walk down Louisiana Street, she noticed three young men following her. She described them as being between 15 and 17 years old. Two of the teenagers were black, and one was white, Orr said...

ST. LOUIS -- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday is a reminder of the impact his leadership had on the American Civil Rights movement. "King, a Man and His Dream" is that as well but also examines his younger life "How he got to become the man he was," says Rob Grumich...

Def Leppard could be charged with aural assault and battery for Friday night's concert at the Show Me Center, but 5,009 fans loved every thunderous blow. The 36 Marshall amplifiers lined like cannons across the stage gave notice that the band's dual lead guitars, Phil Collen and Viv Campbell, were there to singe some strings and bare their chests...

Def Leppard fans, who met through the DefNet Internet mailing list, gathered at the Holiday Inn in Cape Girardeau after attending a concert at the Show Me Center Friday. Twenty-five people from nine states traveled to Cape Girardeau Friday, seeking "Euphoria" they could only get from seeing Def Leppard. The group of strangers shared three common bonds: love for the legendary British rock band, access to the Internet and a subscription to DefNet...

A representative of U.S. Sens. Christopher "Kit" Bond and John Ashcroft will hold Listening Post forums on Feb. 2 in Ste. Genevieve, Perry, Bollinger and Cape Girardeau counties. The representative, Tom Schulte, will meet with the senators' constituents at 9 a.m. in Ste. Genevieve, at 11:15 a.m. at Hoeckele's Bakery in Perryville, at 1:30 p.m. at the Gray Law Office in Marble Hill and at 3:30 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce office in Jackson...

The two teams at the top of the Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball standings are really not all that surprising. First-place Southeast Missouri State University could be labeled as something of a surprise, because it's doubtful many people expected the Indians to be doing quite this well, but they were picked to at least contend for the title...

With two of Eastern Illinois' top players injured and not in uniform, Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball coach Gary Garner was concerned that the Panthers would rally around their fallen teammates and put together a big-time performance Saturday night...

Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team picked up a much-needed victory Saturday night, and it came with about as much difficulty as Otahkian coach Ed Arnzen had imagined. The Otahkians scored the final 13 points of the game to break open a tight contest as they beat Eastern Illinois 83-70 at the Show Me Center...

ST. LOUIS -- The Cape Central Lady Tigers suffered just their third loss of the season with a 40-24 setback to Parkway West, the third-ranked team in Class 4A, on Saturday. According to Central coach Darrick Smith, poor shooting led to the Lady Tigers' demise. Central (11-3) -- ranked eighth in Class 4A -- shot just 21 percent (9-for-43) from the field and just five of 11 from the foul line...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Gertrude Fromm, 98, of Mount Carmel, Ill., formerly of Cairo, died Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000, at General Baptist Nursing Home in Mount Carmel. She was born on Sept. 26, 1901, at Mount Carmel, daughter of Samuel and Minnie Young Toombs...

Dexter has left little doubt that it is the best boys basketball team in the region. Still undefeated at 16-0 and ranked fourth in Class 3A, the Bearcats disposed of Advance rather easily Friday night, 87-68, in the championship game of the Stoddard County Tournament...

The Shawnee Park Sports Complex is starting to form its 2000 softball leagues. A managers meeting will be held at the Osage Community Centre Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. There will also be a rules meeting on March 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Osage Centre. League games will tentatively begin on April 24. For more information contact Kaed or Jennifer at 334-2523, or leave a message at 335-5421...

Southeastern Illinois College is forming an open men's basketball league. The deadline for signing up is Feb. 5, with a fee of $75 per team. Anyone interested should contact Coach Greg Franklin at (618) 252-5400 ext. 2480 or (618) 252-5269; or Coach Adam Hines at (618) 252-5400 ext. 2424 or (618) 252-4484...

The USA Athletes International in conjunction with the Netherlands Olympic Committee is holding baseball tryouts for a traveling team to Belgium and Holland next summer. The tryout, to be held Feb. 6 at Cape Central High School, is for high school age players who will not turn 16 before Aug. 15, 2000...

Bird still over-populated, damaging its nesting grounds. Beginning February 1, Missouri hunters will have the opportunity to do something to help preserve arctic waterfowl habitat. The state is one of 24 targeted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for participation in special measures to reduce North America's snow goose population...

Inis W. Fulbright, 83, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2000, at the Chateau Girardeau Health Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Ruth Helen Fox, 90, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Jan. 21, 2000, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born Aug. 17, 1909, at Leadwood, daughter of Daniel and Nora Jane Martin Ringer. She and Theodore H. Fox were married on Sept. 15, 1939, at Cape Girardeau. He preceded her in death Sept. 15, 1979...

SCOTT CITY -- A.W. Wright, 97, of Scott City died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2000, at West Volusia Memorial Hospital in De Land, Fla. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

JONESBORO, Ill. -- William "Buck" Bryant, 87, of Jonesboro died Friday, Jan. 21, 2000, at the Jonesboro Healthcare Center. He was born April 11, 1912, at Tamms, son of George and Mattie Cohen Bryant. He was employed by the Florsheim Shoe Factory. He served in the U.S. military...

PADUCAH, Ky. -- Charles C. Manker, 59, of Paducah, Ky., and formerly of Cairo, Ill., died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2000, at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo.

OAK RIDGE -- Cheryl Crites, age 48, of Oak Ridge passed away Friday, Jan. 21, 2000, at the Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. She was born Jan. 14, 1952, in Wichita, Kan., the daughter of Warren and Helen (Clifton) Wilson. She married Lee Crites April 24, 1981, and he survives...

MOREHOUSE -- Ruby Rebecca Early, 90, of Morehouse died Friday, Jan. 21, 2000, at Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston. She was born on Oct. 18, 1909, in Obion County, Tenn., daughter of Hugh Ell Gill and Lillie King Gill. She was a cook, employed over the years at Grayridge School, on a riverboat and at the Heritage House in Sikeston...

ARBOR -- Duane Howard McLain, 30, of Arbor died Friday, Jan. 21, 2000, at his home after an extended illness. He was born May 23, 1969, at Cape Girardeau, son of Jesse and Evelyn Reed McLain. Survivors include his father of Jackson; his mother, Evelyn Reed Coomer of Arbor; his stepfather, Russell Coomer of Arbor; a half-brother, Jeffrey McLain of Jackson; two stepbrothers, Joe and John Wissman, both of Jackson; two sisters, Dara McLain of Jackson and Kara McLain of Arnold; one stepsister, Kim Hill of Phoenix, Ariz.; and a step-grandmother.. ...

ANNA, Ill. -- Kylie Samantha Edmonds, 8, of Anna died Friday, Jan. 21, 2000, at Union County Hospital in Anna. She was born June 26, 1991, at Cape Girardeau, daughter of William Roderick and Julie Aldridge Edmonds. Survivors include her parents; a brother, Tyler Edmonds of Champaign; two sisters, Kacie and Kodie Edmonds, both of Anna; maternal grandparents; and a paternal grandmother...

After nearly 50 years, Charles Schulz has called it quits. He no longer draws his beloved "Peanuts" comic strip. In response, United Feature Syndicate is providing classic Peanuts to the 2,600 newspapers that carry the strip. The comics reruns will start with those from 1974...

So, little Lauren, now half a head taller than I am, is off to London to study at one of the colleges there. How can this be? A time warp? Why, only a few months ago she, breathlessly, told me the story of the Velveteen Rabbit as we walked through the Park. It took the whole former racetrack and several side roads...

Don and Diane Kelpe of Cape Girardeau have announced the engagement of their daughter, Christy Lynn Staley, to Jeffrey Joseph Bebej. He is the son of Larry and Sue Bebej of Lockport, Ill. Staley is a 1994 graduate of Central High School, and attended Southeast Missouri State University. She is employed at Broadway Prescription Shop...

Mr. and Mrs. R. Neal Tanner of Cape Girardeau have announced the engagement of their daughter, Angela Jo Tanner, to Steven William Logel. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Logel of Cape Girardeau. Tanner is a 1991 graduate of Notre Dame High School. She received a bachelor of health science degree in occupational therapy from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1995. She is assistant manager of occupational therapy at St. Francis Medical Center...

JACKSON -- Heidi Marie Griswold and Toby Alan Crowden were married Oct. 23, 1999, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The double ring ceremony was performed by the Revs. Jake Duffner and Dave Griffin. Organist was Geri Beussink of Jackson, and flutist was Shana Griswold of Green Bay, Wis., cousin of the bride. Vocalists were Karen Benefield of Jackson, Mike and Mark Kohlfeld of Cape Girardeau...

TAMMS, Ill. -- First Baptist Church in Tamms was the setting Oct. 9, 1999, for the wedding of Janet Louise Buchanan and Chris Eric Faulkner. Kenneth Johnson performed the double ring ceremony. Pianist was Judy Sharp of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and soloist was April Hemman of Oak Ridge, Mo...

BELL CITY -- Denise Marie Steiner and Jeffrey Marck Funston were married July 24, 1999, at Bell City United Methodist Church. The Rev. Daniel Hale performed the double ring ceremony. Pianist was Debra Hitt of Cape Girardeau, and vocalists were Terry and Janet Robison of Advance...

LEOPOLD -- Alan and Ronda Elfrink of Leopold have announced the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Laine Elfrink, to Bryan Stacy Leimer. He is the son of Robert and Joan Leimer of Fruitland. Elfrink is a recent graduate of Leopold R-3 High School...

NEW HAMBURG -- St. Lawrence Catholic Church was the setting Sept. 4, 1999, for the wedding of Tonya Dawn Klipfel and Bradley Gene Hazen. The Rev. Normand Varone performed the double ring ceremony. Lector was Amy Kern, cousin of the bride. Organist was Cheryl Kern, aunt of the bride, and soloist was Kari Lape...

SCOTT CITY -- Christine Lynn Petitt and Calvin Brian Mah were married July 10, 1999, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The Rev. Patrick Wissman performed the double ring ceremony. Lector was Melanie Beard, aunt of the bride. Organist and pianist was Loretta Ditto of Chaffee. Vocalist was Justin Johnson of Benton...

ORAN -- Mike and Linda Wheeler of Oran have announced the engagement of their daughter, Dana Moyers, to Allan Lynch. He is the son of Don Lynch of Bertrand and Dorothy Lynch of Morehouse. Moyers is a 1993 graduate of Oran High School. She is employed at Wheeler Steel Works in Morley...

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Koch of Cape Girardeau have announced the engagement of their daughter, Misty Lyn Koch, to Stephen Curtis Dunning. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Dunning of Jackson and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hodgkiss of Scott City. Koch is a 1994 graduate of Central High School, and expects to graduate from Southeast Missouri State University in December...

THEBES, Ill. -- Guy and Lisa Lesch of Thebes have announced the engagement of their daughter, Stacy Lesch, to John Davis. He is the son of Dennie Davis and Kay Davis of Benton, Mo. Lesch is a 1996 graduate of Shawnee High School in Wolf Lake. She is a secretary at Ferrell Mobile Homes in Cape Girardeau, Mo...

A spacious family room with a fireplace connects the breakfast area to the house. A center island in the kitchen provides a handy workspace and general gatheringspot for the family. The country ranch style house with porch and brick foundation faces east to welcome the morning sun...