Stories from Sunday, February 20, 2000

The Optimist Club of Jackson and the Noon Optimist Club of Jackson recently held their annual essay contest at the Knights of Columbus Hall. The theme was "Where would I be without freedom?". Winners of this year's event were Ben Richard Statler, first place; Justin Thompson, second place; and Jennifer Watson, third place...

Several new titles are available at the Riverside Regional Library's main facility at 204 S. Union in Jackson. New adult titles include Circus at the Edge of the Earth, by Charles Wilkins; Star, by V.C. Andrews; What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day; by Pearl Cleage; The Farming of Bones; by Edwidge Danticat...

American Legion Post 158 of Jackson , has selected the following students as Music Student of the Month for Dec., 1999, Jan, and Feb., 2000. This is a program of the Americanism Committee of the Legion Post and recognizes outstanding music students of Jackson High School. This is funded by the American Legion Bingo Account. Each of the students will receive a $100 Savings Bond in honor of their accomplishment's...

In 1999, LeeRowan's purchasing department set a goal for all of the buying agents to achieve Certification in Purchasing Management by the National Association of Purchasing Managers by the end of the year. This goal was achieved with Greg Temperly, Joe Figler, Bill King, Brandi Smith and Geoff Smith completing all requirements for certification...

For more than two decades, Ross Furniture has provided quality home furnishings and service to area residents. The family business began with Charles and Eddie Ross in 1979 and is now owned by Eddie Ross and Jeff Moore. In 1987 a Perryville location was added...

25 years ago, 1975 Cecil J. Unger of Jackson has received certificate of completion for advanced training program of Investors Diversified Services, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.; Unger was selected to participate in extensive study of business financial service; he is district sales manager in Southeast Missouri for Investors Diversified Services and has been with company for 14 years...

After its annual awards banquet was postponed one week, due to inclimate weather, the Jackson Heritage Association presented its annual awards Feb. 5. The Rev. Sam Roethemeyer, pastor of Emanuel Untied Church of Christ, received the 23rd annual Jackson Heritage Award. ...

Mrs. Ruth Burchyatt was honored with an 80th birthday celebration Feb. 13. The party was held at the home of Betty Melvin in Jackson. Hostesses were her daughter, Betty Griffith and Betty Melvin and Norma Shipp, two sisters. Guests were family members and friends. Mrs. Burchyatt is the oldest of 12 children, 11 of whom are living. Their parents were the late Mrs. Laura Koeppel McLain and Roy Wilson McLain...

Now that Derrick Thomas has died as a result of injuries suffered in his auto accident, there is a movement to get more people to wear their safety belts (seat belts and shoulder harnesses). Of the 3 people in Thomas' vehicle, the one who was wearing safety belts essentially walked away, the other two are now dead. ...

Scott Terry has joined LeeRowan, Jackson as an Industrial Engineer. Scott holds a B.S. in Industrial Technology from Southeast Missouri State University. Nancy Pope has been named as General Accountant at LeeRowan, Jackson. She previously served as Accounts Payable with Workforce in Farmington, Mo. She holds her B.S. in Accounting from Southeast Missouri State University...

Revisiting the past with the alumni has been both fun and rewarding for Jean Schweain, Jackson High School choral director and organizer of the Alumni Showcase. "As I've phoned, e-mailed, written, and faxed our guests, they have shared so many great stories and memories of their high school performing days." Schweain said. ...

It was the Year of our Lord, 1317, in Sicily, where I saw the strange visitor. It had been a time of struggle, with messengers arriving with word of disease plaguing parts of Europe. I was only eleven years of age at the time, working at the docks in Messina, delivering inspection results and other such things to merchants and ship captains, so as to supplement our family's income, which was very poor. ...

'When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.' My Mom echoes the line as if she is the originator of the coined phrase. As I look back, my day-that day-wasn't too sour, but it wasn't the most spectacular, either. No minor catastrophes, and no overwhelming spurts of happiness decorated my afternoon: a typical day in the life of a high school senior...

Looking down, into the pool The reflection there Not mine. see someone I'm not, And I wish we all weren't so Blind. Like the pool, a mirror I am. Reflecting false images, personalities. Such as all humanity, No one exposes their frailties. Just Be Yourself,...

Tobacco issues seem to be occupying lots of the time of state lawmakers this session in Jefferson City. Both the House and the Senate have spent much time deliberating proposed statutes and constitutional amendments concerning the disposition of Missouri's stake in the national tobacco litigation. That share has long been rumored to be in the range of $6.7 billion over 25 years, but recently experts from both parties are agreeing that the figure will be far less...

Missouri lost a great leader this past week with the passing of former state Sen. John Dennis. Known for his friendliness, trustworthiness and quietly effective style, Dennis first served 24 years as sheriff of Scott County before being elected to the Missouri Senate in 1976. His tenure in the Scott County courthouse had long before established him as a legend unbeatable in any race for office...

Otto von Bismarck, the 19th century chancellor of Germany, is reported to have said there are two things one should never watch being made: sausages and laws. Finding ourselves in the midst of what has increasingly become an almost continuous exercise in extracting votes from the American electorate, one is tempted to add a third event one should avoid watching: political campaigns...

"Politics ain't beanbag," said Mr. Dooley many years ago. You wouldn't know it by listening to today's media weenies, who apparently want to turn it into just that, along with hopscotch, marbles and ring-around-the-rosie thrown in for good measure. Is there any subject on which more claptrap is uttered than on the now ritualistic denunciations of negative campaigning? I don't think so...

To the editor: The U.S. surgeon general, Dr. David Satcher, recently issued the first-ever report on mental health. The report was a collaborative effort of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Institute of Mental Health. ...

For many years I've used an old quilt for my dining room tablecloth. It has many good features for this use. First, it is the right size. Mama made it for a twin bed. In fact, she made a set of them when, once upon a time, I felt the need for twin beds. ...

At first I was aggravated. On such a bitterly cold night, there did not seem to be a parking space anywhere near the gym or on Russell Street. I wound up having to circle all the way around and park on Missouri Street, across from the "A" Building. When I returned to my car, a bit frost-bitten, after shooting Sikeston-Jackson basketball photos (and nearly bowling over one concession stand worker), I got in my car and looked up. I was amazed...

The attractive 1939 "C" building, whose historic auditorium is being restored, as added significantly to the JHS campus. One Jackson's best-loved and most valuable attributes is its historic downtown public school campus. The campus dates back to the days of the Jackson Military Academy, which closed its doors and sold its building to the public school for $4,600 in 1909...

Missouri's health insurance program for children is a financial time bomb, says state Rep. Patrick Naeger. The Perryville Republican said the program called MC+ is set to expire in 2002, along with the federal funding that pays the bulk of the cost...

As word of the death of former Southeast Missouri State University president Dr. Bill Atchley spread through Cape Girardeau Saturday, friends and colleagues recalled an honest man, a funny man, a man who did a lot for the university in his one year as president...

When those attending this year's Cape Girardeau County Cancer Society Gala March 4 enter the Show Me Center they will step into a magical forest filled with twinkling lights and even fairies. On Saturday members of the decorations committee for the gala to benefit the American Cancer Society were hard at work turning sticks, clay pots and greenery into part of a fairy forest in keeping with this year theme "A Midsummer Night's Dream."...

There's more to taking care of your sick kids than being a nurse. Parents have to be entertainment directors too. With our two children stuck at home due to illness much of last week, I felt like a cruise director during my shift at home. There are only so many video tapes, computer games and video games that kids can watch. Sooner or later, they want something else to do to occupy their time...

A public meeting to explain and answer questions about the Main Street revitalization process will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the River City Yacht Club upstairs from Port Cape. A press conference will follow at 12:30 p.m. Randy Gray, Missouri Main Street coordinator, and Sheri Stuart, a program associate with the national Main Street Center in Washington, D.C., will be in Cape Girardeau for the meeting, said Judith Anne Lang, chairman of a board founded in late 1999 to prepare for the Main Street Program, on Saturday.. ...

Three Southeast Missouri State University students served as mentors last fall for a group of at-risk sixth graders in Jackson. Criminal justice majors, Perry Save of Long Beach, Calif., and Carlos DeJesus of South Gate, Calif., and social work major, Anne Stukenberg of Mascoutah, Ill., mentored 15 "at risk" sixth grade students at Jackson Middle School as part of an independent study at Southeast and the Jackson R-2 Pilot Tutoring Program...

Southeast Missouri State University's admissions director, Jay Goff, will be the guest Sunday on KRCU's "Going Public" radio show. Topics will include college life and student recruitment at Southeast. The show airs at 3 p.m. on 90.9 FM, the region's Public Radio affiliate station...

The newest and most innovative features to be had were on display at the Cape Girardeau Spring Sports Show held Saturday at the Show Me Center. The three-day event featuring outdoor sports equipment land and water play continues today from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m...

When Southeast Missouri State's baseball team got a bat on the ball, it really got a bat on the ball. The Indians clubbed two home runs, four doubles and 12 hits overall in a 11-4 victory over Iowa State of the Big 12 at Capaha Field Saturday. For all of the hitting, Southeast baseball coach Mark Hogan was pleased to see his team's offense catch up with its splendid defense and pitching...

Pam Iversen probably won't go down as the best basketball player Ed Arnzen has ever coached, but she already rates as one of his most courageous. Iversen is a sophomore center for Arnzen's Southeast Missouri State University women's squad. She's a solid performer, averaging more than 12 points and seven rebounds per game to rank first and second, respectively, on the squad...

COLUMBIA -- Jackson High School saw its eighth state champion coronated at the Missouri Class 4A State Wrestling Championships as Adam Wachter emerged as the king of the hill in the 140-pound division Saturday at the Hearnes Center. Wachter, a senior, capped a perfect 4-0 state meet with a 9-3 victory over Travis Craig of Oak Park. The loss was just the second of the season for Craig (42-2) as Wachter finished his stellar season at 36-4...

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- There is still a week left in the regular season, but Saturday night's Ohio Valley Conference basketball game between Southeast Missouri State University and host Eastern Illinois sure had the look and feel of a playoff contest. A raucous crowd of 4,624 packed into cozy Lantz Gym to watch a pair of teams who still have so much on the line as the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament approaches...

There was enough action on the area basketball scene this past week to make one's head spin. Despite the big games, big performances and the big upsets, the big news came off the court as two respected and experienced coaches announced they would not be coaching next year...

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- For the second straight game Saturday, Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team erased a halftime deficit to prevail. And the latest rally, which resulted in an 89-75 victory over host Eastern Illinois, could not have come at a better time for the Otahkians as they took a major step toward qualifying for the Ohio Valley Conference postseason tournament...

Who among us hasn't heard the old adage "there's a gold mine right in your own backyard?" Well, for those of us living in Cape Girardeau that's an accurate statement and the gold mine is the Mississippi River. The river flows every minute of every day of every week of every year right out our backdoor. It forms the boundary between Missouri and Illinois and is a natural resource of infinite possibilities...

As usual, the Class 4A, District 1 girls tournament is loaded. Among the teams are No. 1 seed Poplar Bluff, ranked third in the state, second-seeded Cape Central No. 10 in 4A and perennial power Jackson, which is down somewhat this year but has gained momentum and respect down the stretch...

When the Class 4A, District 1 Tournament begins Monday at Sikeston High School, it's anybody's guess as to which team will win. By Thursday, there will be an answer. But for now, it's too close to make a prediction. The five teams in this district have simply beat up on each other this year...

IRONTON -- Arcadia Valley rained on St. Vincent's perfect week with a 66-51 victory Saturday. St. Vincent had assembled a 4-0 week, but quickly found itself behind as the Tigers sank six 3-pointers in the opening period. Arcadia Valley started out with a 22-12 lead in the first quarter and extended its dominance in the second period, outscoring the Indians 18-6 to take a 40-18 lead into halftime...

Benton will hold a boys youth baseball signup on Tuesday, Feb. 29, at the Benton Library from 6:30-8 p.m. The registration is for boys ages 9-12 years old. Cost is $55 per child and must be paid upon registration. No signups will be accepted after Feb. 29...

The Cape Road Runners will sponsor its 7th annual Spring Classic on April 8 at 8 a.m.. The event will feature a 5K run, a 5K fitness walk and a 1K run for youths 12 and under. Medals will be awarded in each race for the top three finisher in each age group...

The annual McDowell Capahas benefit auction will be held March 11 at the Show Me Center. The auction, which serves as one of the primary fundraisers for Cape Girardeau's highly successful summer baseball team, will begin at 9 a.m.

Former Southeast University State University president Dr. Bill L. Atchley, 68, of Murrells Inlet, S.C., died Friday, Feb. 18, 2000. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at Ford & Sons Mount Auburn Chapel.

SIKESTON -- Robert W. "Bob" Florence, 70, of Sikeston died Friday, Feb. 18, 2000, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. He was born July 8, 1929, in Camden, Tenn., son of Robert and Minnie Smothers Florence. He and Dorothy Crawford were married on April 12, 1948, in East Prairie...

TAMMS, Ill. -- Florence Pauline Dillow, 87, of Tamms, Ill., died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2000, at her home. She was born Oct. 14, 1912, in Illinois, daughter of C. B and Georgia Jackson McNeilly. She was a former member of the E & R Reform Church, now the Community Church of Tamms...

JACKSON -- Randy McGarity, 42, of Jackson died Friday, Feb. 18, 2000, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Nov. 7, 1957, in Sikeston, son of Barbara Sherrill McGarity and the late Edward McGarity. He had lived in Essex most of his life until moving to Jackson in 1996. He had worked as a truck driver for C and K Fertilizer in Essex...

ADVANCE -- Audrey L. Becker, 89, of Advance died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2000, at Advance Nursing Center. She was born Jan. 17, 1911, at Edwardsville, Ill., daughter of William and Carrie Norder Schneider. She had retired after 20 years as manager of Velvet Freeze in St. Louis and was a member of the United Methodist Church at Edwardsville...

Helen Marie Sanders, 78, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Feb. 18, 2000, at Saint Francis Medical Center. She was born Oct. 22, 1921, in Union City, Tenn., daughter of Jessie and Mary Fobar Priest. She and George Sanders were married on Dec. 15, 1959, at St. Louis...

CHARLESTON -- Lois Emily Baker, 74, died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2000, at the home of her sister, A.L. "Janette" Story, in Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete with McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

Michelle "Shelly" Coffer, 30, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2000, in St. Louis due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Funeral arrangements are pending at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie.

MARBLE HILL -- Cuba B. Clubb died at Chateau Girardeau Health Care Center Saturday, February 19, 2000. He was born in Zalma, Mo., Oct. 25, 1909, to the late Thomas Jefferson Clubb and Belle Sitze Clubb. Mr. Clubb graduated from SEMO State Teacher's College in 1953 with at BS in Education and from Peabody College in Nashville, Tenn., in 1954 with a Master's in Education and Administration. He did post-graduate work at the University of Denver...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Kathleen Myers, 75, of East Prairie died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2000, at her home. She was born March 22, 1924, in Mississippi County, daughter of Elmer and Nora Couch. She had lived most of her life in East Prairie, where she was a member of the Full Gospel Church. She and Joe B. Myers were married on Feb. 26, 1938. He died Jan. 21, 1982...

Yvonne Hall was stepping into new territory in the fall of 1966. Her new husband, Jim, had already recorded 36 victories in two seasons as head basketball coach at his alma mater, Dexter High School. There is no Coach's Spouse Theory 101 class offered to prepare a young woman (or man) for life as a coach's spouse...

SCOTT CITY -- Francie Marie Restoff and David Anthony Landewee were married Jan. 8, 2000, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in DuBois, Ill. The Rev. Daniel Jurek performed the double ring ceremony. Lector was Edna Thompson of Jackson. Mass servers were Stewart and Steven Reidelberger of Tamaroa, Ill., cousins of the bride. Offertory gifts were carried by Chris Ritter of DuQuoin, Ill., aunt and godmother of the bride...

MALDEN -- St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church was the setting Dec. 18, 1999, for the wedding of Brooke Christine Hildebrand and Bobby Lynn Clubbs. The Rev. Richard Walsh performed the double ring ceremony. Organist was Carolyn Gifford of Kankakee, Ill., and guitarist was Scott Mercer of Bernie. Vocalists were Elden and Megan Dubuque of Kankakee, cousins of the bride, and Kevin Cook of Minneapolis, Minn...

George and Lillian Heise of Cape Girardeau celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in December at the Lutheran Home, where Mrs. Heise is a resident. Brunch was served for family and friends. The couple was married Dec. 21, 1939, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Egypt Mills...

JACKSON -- New McKendree United Methodist Church was the setting Nov. 20, 1999, for the wedding of Carmen Michelle Rushing and Charles Michael Cox. The Rev. Richard Northcutt performed the double ring ceremony. Pianist was Catherine Martin, flutist was Tammy Carroll, and soloist was Robyn Hosp, all of Jackson...

Cynthia Lynn Briney and William Arthur Knaus were married Sept. 4, 1999, at the United Methodist Church in Livingston, Ala. The double ring ceremony was performed by Dr. James DuFriend. Reader was Carol Gullatt of Huntsville, Ala., cousin of the bride...

JACKSON -- Carrie Ann Clippard and John Raymond Perez exchanged vows July 17, 1999, at First Baptist Church. Craig F. Stout performed the double ring ceremony. Organist was Jean Schweain, and soloists were Beth Roethemeyer and Adrian True, all of Jackson...

JACKSON -- Laura Kuehle and Alan Stanfill were married Oct. 9, 1999, at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church in St. Louis. Dr. W. Wilson Benton Jr. performed the ceremony. Parents of the bride are the Rev. and Mrs. Don Kuehle of Jackson. The groom is the son of Ralph and Joy Stanfill of Geneseo, Ill...

MORLEY -- Pamela Joy Stembel of Morley and Gregory Shane Lemoine of Port Allen, La., have announced their engagement. She is the daughter of Quentic C. Ingram of Morley, and the late Joyce F. Ingram. Lemoine is the son of Mary and George Comeaux of Port Allen, and the late Norris J. Lemoine...

JACKSON -- The Rev. and Mrs. Jim Raney of St. Charles, formerly of Jackson, have announced the engagement of their daughter, Lauren Michelle Raney, to Stephen Jeremy O'Neal. He is the son of Stephen J. and Jean O'Neal of Hopkinsville, Ky. Raney is a 1998 graduate of Jackson High School, and is majoring in art at Murray State University in Murray, Ky...

Mr. and Mrs. David E. Kurre of St. Charles, formerly of the Cape Girardeau area, have announced the engagement of their daughter, Laurie Ann Kurre, to John Raymond Hume. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Hume of Kahoka. Kurre is a 1992 graduate of St. ...

FROHNA -- Clifford and Kathy Stueve of Frohna have announced the engagement of their daughter, Kelly Kay Stueve, to Wesley Allen Colbert. He is the son of Gordon "Ken" and Norma Colbert of New Melle. Stueve is a 1995 graduate of Perryville High school, and 1999 graduate of St. Louis Community College. She is employed in the human resources division at Edward Jones...

JACKSON -- Charles and Darlene Kamp of Jackson have announced the engagement of their daughter, Kia Lynne Kamp of Farmington, to John Louis Zieba of Hanson, Ky. He is the son of James and Margaret Zieba of Cape Girardeau. Kamp received a bachelor of science degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University. She is women's head basketball coach and works in the admissions department at Mineral Area College in Park Hills...

JACKSON -- Mr. and Mrs. Fred O. Jones of Jackson have announced the engagement of their daughter, Polly Ann Jones, to Kent A. Koch. He is the son of Arwin Koch of Gordonville, and the late Betty Koch. Jones is a graduate of Jackson High School and Southwest Missouri State University. She received a master's degree in speech/language pathology from the University of Kansas. She is employed by Jackson R-2 School District...

SCOTT CITY -- Cletus Dannenmueller of Kelso and Donna Diebold of Scott City have announced the engagement of their daughter, Amber Elise Dannenmueller of Scott City, to Mark Alan Donelson of Cape Girardeau. He is the son of Charlotte Memering-Dahl of Hobart, Ind., and Mark Donelson of Crown Point, Ind...

JACKSON -- Ken Kramer of Jackson and Barb Kramer of Cape Girardeau have announced the engagement of their daughter, Kendra Dorthea Kramer, to Benjamin Kennith Steffens. He is the son of Dale and Helen Steffens of Jackson and Sally Steffens of Champaign, Ill...

Kimberley Ann Scherer and Christopher Michael Bader were married Sept. 19, 1998, at St. Mary's Cathedral. Msgr. Richard Rolwing performed the double ring ceremony. Parents of the couple are Dennis and Sharon Scherer of Cape Girardeau, and Joseph and Mary Bader of Crystal City...

The oversized Jacuzzi in the master bath is accented with glass blocks and an arched window. Wild horses won't be able to drag you away from this luxurious home at Wild Horse Creek Ranch. From the moment you arrive on the four-acre estate, the grandeur of the home is evident. Guests will park with ease on the circular drive. Stately pillars frame the recessed entry...