Stories from Thursday, March 9, 2000

To the editor: Long before Rowe vs. Wade, a young couple fell in love, settled down and decided to get married. After feeling a little emptiness in their lives, they planned to have a family. They went to her physician, and he said with excitement that she was with child. Needless to say, euphoria completely surrounded the room at the thought that they were going to be parents for the first time...

To the editor: Congratulations to Southeast Missouri State University basketball players and fans on their first-ever NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament appearance. I'm sure last year's heartbreak makes Sunday's victory even sweeter. I played (mostly sat) for Coach Gary Garner at Drake in the mid-1980s. ...

Remember a few years ago when there was such a hubbub over wild horses in the Ozarks? Certain environmental groups were seeking to have the horses -- descendants of horses let out to pasture when open-range laws prevailed that never came back to the farm -- killed in order to prevent what was generally described as a threat to the ecological system of the vast woods in southern Missouri...

For folks in Southeast Missouri, it's a long way diagonally across the state to Northwest Missouri. In that part of the state, Maryville is the home to Northwest Missouri State University. Like our own Southeast Missouri State University, Northwest's roots are in teacher education. Over the years, all of the state's regional universities have looked for specialty areas to attract students and reduce or eliminate duplication of programs...

This will be an unpleasant political year, but it will be necessary to stay tuned ... especially in Missouri. From the highly charged presidential race (BUSH vs. GORE) to the U.S. SENATE race (CARNAHAN vs. ASHCROFT) to the governor race (TALENT vs. HOLDEN), Missouri will be a battleground where control of the Legislature is also in play...

For Jennifer Daume and Mark Barylski, it was a successful experiment. The transformation of an old shower curtain and plastic mattress cover into a graceful, tethered aircraft was complete. A translucent diamond, it defied the cold air and gray sky, buoyed by hope and held together with artful use of a glue gun...

Finding streets in Cape Girardeau that could be improved to ease traffic congestion isn't too difficult, but deciding which streets to repair and how to pay for it is a bit harder. The city's Planning and Zoning Commission met Wednesday night for an hourlong study session to talk again about its list of 10 possible projects, estimated costs and revenue that could be part of a Transportation Trust Fund extension...

Still chewing the two flapjacks he had stuffed into his mouth at the last second, Bill Peifer won the pancake eating prize for Sigma Chi fraternity at a contest held during Wednesday's Pancake Day. Peifer downed 18 pancakes in 20 minutes to win the Southeast Missouri State University interfraternity pancake eating contest, a new feature at the Noon Lions Club's fund raiser. Lions Club members spent from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. serving up pancakes and sausages to 3,139 people at A.C. Brase Arena...

No more laws are necessary to insure that people wanted for crimes in other areas aren't released from jail by mistake, say police in Southeast Missouri. A group in Independence is seeking support for a proposal that would make it a legal requirement for law enforcement agencies to conduct record checks of anyone before the person is released from police custody...

March 9, 2000 Dear Patty, My mother somehow convinced my father to accompany us recently to a performance of a play by Shakespeare. Maybe the fact that the director set the play in the '60s made my dad willing to believe it could possibly be more interesting than the Thursday night TV fare. After all, he lived through the '60s, too, albeit cursing Flower Children and anti-war protesters...

Southeast Missouri Hospital's School of Nursing will begin a course to train surgical technicians next summer and has changed its name to reflect the scope of its health careers programs. The surgical technology certificate program will be the school's first allied health sciences course, said Tonya Buttry, College of Nursing chairperson. The name, Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences, has been adopted by the college's board of directors, Buttry said...

A short-term tutorial program at Blanchard Elementary School benefits elementary students and their high school tutors. About 24 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders are currently participating in the Becoming Excellent Students Together, or BEST, tutoring program each afternoon at Blanchard. First-, second- and third-graders recently completed a four-week session...

In its way, the master class Liz Koeppen taught Wednesday night proved her assurance that everyone can dance. "It's human nature to be able to dance," the New York City-based dancer says. "Even people who can't move can dance." The 50 dancers who filled Parker Dance Studio to learn from the Parsons Dance Company rehearsal manager demonstrated varying skills. They included some taking their first dance class, collegiate dance instructors, members of the Southeast Sundancers and gymnasts...

The "Pygmalion" plot of "My Fair Lady" endures -- most recently in the movie "She's All That" -- perhaps because we all hope our flaws can be transformed into beauty, and perhaps because every one of us would like that transformation to look like and be like Audrey Hepburn...

POPLAR BLUFF -- Garrett Broshuis stepped forward with 38 points to lead Advance into the Class 1A quarterfinals with a 60-40 victory over Thayer in Wednesday's sectional round. Advance (27-4), ranked fourth in the state, will face Billings (23-6) in Saturday's quarterfinal contest in Cabool. Billings defeated Stoutland 63-51 Wednesday...

Most teams would collapse if a freshman had to play point guard. Most teams wouldn't want a ninth grader at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter of a tight game, a state playoff game. But most teams aren't Notre Dame and most teams don't have Ashley Millham...

For Ricky Keller, the unlikeliest of heroes, time just stood still. He sprinted to the ball and looked up -- 2.5 seconds. He intercepted the pass -- 2.5 seconds. He looked up again and found Ronald Watson underneath the basket -- 2.5 seconds. Keller threw the ball half the length of the court and Watson put it up and in -- buzzer...

Three Bourbon shots were entirely too much for the Missouri Tigers to handle on a windy Wednesday afternoon at Capaha Field. With Indian catcher Jeff Bourbon enjoying his second three home run game in an Indian uniform, Southeast overcame a shaky start to defeat the visiting Tigers 14-8...

Maude E. Smith, 91, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, March 7, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center. She was born July 30, 1908, in White County, Ill., daughter of Luther Clark and Nellie Mae Taylor Creek. She and Clarence S. Smith were married July 28, 1929...

MALDEN -- Helen Jones, 69, of Malden died Tuesday , March 7, 2000, at her home. She was born May 30, 1930, at Holindale, Miss., daughter of James Weathers and Helen Townsend Weathers Cooper. She was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Parma. Jones raised two nephews and a niece...

CHAFFEE -- Anna Bea Davis, 87, of Chaffee died Wednesday, March 8, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born June 26, 1912, at Zalma, daughter of Robert and Sava Jane Merideth Shelton. She and Ambrose Davis were married July 25, 1964. He died April 16, 1979...

Graveside service for Linnette Maxine Reed will be held at 1 p.m. today at Lorimier Cemetery. The Rev. Cy Smith will officiate. There is no visitation. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Reed, 69, died Tuesday, March 7, 2000, at her home...

PERRYVILLE -- Flora D. Franke, 89, of Perryville died Tuesday, March 7, 2000, at PerryOaks Healthcare Center. She was born Nov. 2, 1910, in Uniontown, daughter of Arthur and Johanna Bodenschatz Franke. Franke had worked at International Shoe Co. and in food service at Concordia Seminary. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Uniontown...

ADVANCE -- Funeral for Lloyd Revelle of Advance will be held at 10 a.m. today at Morgan Funeral Home. The Rev. Stan Gibson will officiate. Burial will be in Morgan Memorial Park. Revelle, 92, died Monday, March 6, 2000, at Heartland Care Rehab Center in Cape Girardeau...

JACKSON -- Ruby M. Morton, 95, of Jackson died Wednesday, March 8, 2000, at Jackson Manor Nursing Home. She was born Oct. 30, 1904, at Oak Ridge, daughter of William and Ivy Goodson Drum. She married Darwin Morton Nov. 21, 1920. He died Aug. 6, 1983...

SIKESTON -- Cecil Mott, 81, formerly of Sikeston, died Tuesday, March 7, 2000, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born Aug. 13, 1918, at Dexter, son of Dellar Lee and Katie Ellen Stovall Mott. He and Glenda Juanita Mills were married April 10, 1937. She died Sept. 30, 1990...

PERRYVILLE -- Lula E. "Lou" Wibbenmeyer, 86, of Perryville died Tuesday, March 7, 2000, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, La. She was born Sept. 11, 1913, at Lithium, daughter of Albert James and Lula Elizabeth Hyatt Graff. She and William T. "Bill" Wibbenmeyer were married May 31, 1937. He died Nov. 21, 1994...

CHARLESTON -- Yvonne Couch, 49, of Charleston died March 7, 2000, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. She was born May 5, 1950, in Charleston to Arthur and Rosie Carthell Couch. Couch was a member of Opportunity Church of God in Christ. Survivors include a daughter, Keturah D. Couch of Charleston...

Committal service for Betty Lou Fitch Uhr of Cape Girardeau will be held at 2 p.m. today at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum. The Rev. Vyron Yount will officiate. There is no visitation. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Betty, 74, died Sunday, March 5, 2000, at Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Services...

JACKSON -- Mark David Adams, 39, of Grand Haven, Mich., died Sunday, March 5, 2000, at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, after a long battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Mark was born March 28, 1960, in Cape Girardeau, son of Bill and Shirley Martin Adams. He and Chantal Schiffeler of San Francisco, Calif., were married March 21, 1995...

Dolores Catherine Ziegler, 70, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, March 5, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center. She was born Nov. 12, 1929, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Anton J. and Emma Burger Ziegler. Dolores was retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company as a records clerk for 35 years. She was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral, St. Mary's Bereavement Dinner Committee, St. Mary's Council of Catholic Women, and Southwestern Bell Telephone Pioneers Club...

Gladys Compas, 81, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, March 7, 2000, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born March 1, 1919, at Chaffee, daughter of Earnest Kirby and Ida Mae Williams Crump. She and Leo George Compas Jr. were married Nov. 9, 1940, in Cape Girardeau...

Funeral for Richard T. Mahy Sr. of Cape Girardeau will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel. Dr. Clayton Smith will officiate. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park. Friends may call at the chapel from 4-8 p.m. Friday...

Jean Ann Ward, 36, of Friedheim died Tuesday, March 7, 2000, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson. Funeral will at 2 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim.

CAIRO, Ill. -- Blaine W. Bryant, 83, of Cairo died Wednesday, March 8, 2000, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born April 17, 1916, in Cairo, son of Jesse and Nell Wise Bryant. Bryant retired as a salesman with Merit Clothing Co. in Mayfield, Ky. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and Cairo Elks Lodge 651...

SIKESTON -- Funeral for Georgia Frances Henning of Sikeston will be held at 1 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Dolan Rogers will officiate. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery. Friends may call at the chapel after 11 a.m. Henning, 82, died Tuesday, March 7, 2000, at Clearview Nursing Center...