Stories from Sunday, April 9, 2000

Incumbent Ben F. Ellis Jr. was elected to his fourth term as mayor of Marble Hill in Tuesday's election. Ellis with 176 votes easily outdistanced the two other candidates in the race, Jim Johnson with 106 votes and Russell Masterson with 56 votes. "It shows that people have put their trust in the direction the board is going, that they have been satisfied with our work and hope it will continue" Ellis said. "I hope we can all work together for continued growth in Marble Hill."...

All four members of the Jackson Board of Aldermen up for re-election Tuesday ran unopposed. Re-elected in Ward 1 was Dave Ludwig with 529 votes. Dave Reiminger was re-elected in Ward 2 with 566 votes. Third Ward Alderman Larry Cunningham received 615 votes...

Jackson residents will be urged to tidy up the town April 17-21 during the annual Spring Clean Up Program. The Jackson Sanitation Department will pick up trash placed at the curb on the regular trash pick-up day. The refuse must be placed at the curbside by 8 a.m. ...

Incumbent Bill Rhodes was re-elected to the Woodland School Board Tuesday, with 342 votes. Jim Gray with 397 votes, joins him. Other candidates and their votes were Douglas A. Lindley, 226; Dale E. Chronister, 155; and Daniel Lindley, 71. Incumbents did well throughout Bollinger County...

What Nancy Townsend missed out on, Katie Townsend is gearing up to take advantage of. "My mom always talked about how much fun communications class was in college and how she wished he would have done speech and debate," said Townsend, a Jackson High School junior. "So I decided to try it."...

Good Life Promotions will be hosting its fifth annual Pre-Easter Gospel Sing April 21-22, at the Arena Park in Cape Girardeau. The weekend's event is the largest Easter Gospel Sing in the Heartland. Friday will start off with a talent search in the afternoon, and will continue on Saturday with some of the area's most talented Gospel singers and musicians. ...

Members of the Jackson Noon Optimist Club gave the Jackson Police Department a new tool to help build rapport with area youngsters last week. The Noon Optimists presented the department with "P.C., the Patrol Car," a battery-operated remote control car with a number of computer-generated functions...

A new generation of leadership will get its opportunity to shape the future of the Jackson R-2 School District. Brent Wills and Mark Baker, Jackson High School graduates from 1980 and 1989 respectively, won seats on the Jackson Board of Education following Tuesday's election...

How merciful you were that day to give us a provision, That if we would accept Jesus, our sins would all be forgiven. How proud you must have been, when Jesus was born. in that humble, little barn. I know you burst with love, when Jesus came to John,...

The finest gift that God could give His only son that ever lived. He sent Him down from heaven's shore and on the cross for me was torn. A precious man that loved us all and from our sin He tried to call to his bosom would He clasp the men that stung Him like an asp...

For all the trail riders; I've got this friend, who loves me true. No matter what my stocks might do. He looks down the road, for my truck to come and runs out to meet me, on a dead run. Sometimes we take a little ride, and his love for me he just can't hide...

Just a heap of old rags Slung over the fence Put out in the sunshine to dry Seemingly useless -- no good at all To those who are just passing by. But soon they'll be trimmed so each piece will match Carefully hemmed And then smoothly pressed; Each stamped with a pattern...

The ornamental magnolia tree in our yard had come back. Its blossoms were frozen out by spring frosts in both 1997 and 1998. The tree spent 1999 growing new branches, the blooms were scarce. But it was loaded this year. And with the warm winter/early spring, it was blooming early and brilliantly. ...

Amy Pohlman, a sophomore at Oak Ridge High School, has been selected by the General Federation of Women's Club (GFWC) Scope Club of Cape Girardeau to attend the annual Sophomore Pilgrimage. She will represent the Ninth District and Scope Club, along with 55 other students from this district. The meet will be in Jefferson City April 11...

Children's blessing will be held at Whitewater Country Chapel in Whitewater will be celebrating the "entrance of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem" April 16, Palm Sunday. All are invited to attend at the park in the center of town at 8 a.m. On Easter Sunday children are invited to the chapel for the special "Blessing of the Children" services at 10 a.m. and 67 p.m. This is not a baptismal service, but an honor of the dedication of the children to the Lord for his protection and his service...

If you add up all the federal mandates imposed on Missouri government in just the past three years, the cost comes to $1 billion. This is $1 billion of funds generated by state, county and city governments that must be spent on programs required, but not funded, by the federal government...

Three years ago, a few of us in the Senate doggedly opposed a large expansion of welfare in Missouri. A major initiative of President Bill Clinton and Gov. Mel Carnahan, it was an extension of Medicaid into the middle class. We warned that the state couldn't and shouldn't go down this road. ...

Although he has never been adequately recognized for his wise perception of American government, the nation's first president, George Washington, played a vital role in steering the second constitutional convention around some of the popularly supported pitfalls that face any important law-writing assembly...

25 years ago, 1975 Larry Koenig won second term as Ward 4 councilman in only city contest Tuesday, while incumbents James Jones and Bertha Hoffmeister won three-year terms to Jackson R-2 Board of Education; Koenig, with 93 votes, defeated challenger Ollen Deneke...

Wills Insurance started on a farm, moved into town as it grew Gene Wills Insurance was established in the mid-1960s and operated from Wills' farm in Millersville in the early days. Initially the agency sold mainly farm and rural residential fire and wind policies. Later auto insurance was added to the agency's offerings...

By a 28-5 vote, the Missouri Senate this week passed and sent to the House a plan to sell $2 billion in bonds to accelerate highway construction. The bill calls for selling $500 million in bonds each year for four years beginning next year. The Missouri Department of Transportation would use the revenue to complete projects already planned. The highway commission would list projects to be funded by the bond money, and the House and Senate would have 60 days to reject the list...

Thirty-four French and Spanish students from Jackson High School attended the Southeast Missouri Foreign Language Fair April 4, at Southeast Missouri State University. Nine students received trophies. Winners included: Spanish spelling bee -- Advanced level - 1st place - Ryan Vangilder; Beginner level - 2nd place -Eric Bosco; Spanish Tongue twister -- Advanced level - 1st place- Maggie Martin; 2nd place - Shannon Scott; Beginner level - 1st place Sophie Gathman. ...

Spring is blooming. Bright yellow daffodils, flowering trees and sprouts announce the nicer weather. It just brings a smile to your face. Random Acts of Kindness Week will help you keep that smile in place. It's scheduled to begin on Mother's Day, May 14, and runs through May 21. This marks the fifth year that the Southeast Missourian has sponsored the week...

The steps taken to meet the needs of crime victims for the past 20 years will be recognized with the start of the National Crime Victims' Rights Week on Sunday. Crime victims' week, to be marked in Cape Girardeau on Tuesday outside the Commons Pleas Courthouse, predates state and federal legislation that gave crime victims' specific rights in 1984...

Southeast Missouri State University speech professor Tom Harte has plenty on his plate as he readies to retire this spring. Among other things, he plans to keep cooking and writing "A Harte Appetite," his cooking column that appears every other Wednesday in the Southeast Missourian. An enthusiastic traveler, he and his wife, Jane, intend to take plenty of trips. Harte's wife is a travel agent...

Andre Brown went through a cycle during his younger life, one he is not proud of but one he will talk about. Brown talked about it Saturday night during the annual Teen Challenge International of Mid-America Spring Banquet, held at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau...

JACKSON -- Gilbert Leimer is an unassuming fellow with a generous smile. But he makes a difference each and every day at the Jackson Senior Center and its food pantry. Leimer's contribution of more than 1,000 pounds of home-grown vegetables to the needy caught the eye of national Make a Difference Day judges, a project co-sponsored by USA Weekend and the Southeast Missourian. ...

Play ball! There's nothing like Opening Day in Major League Baseball, particularly in St. Louis where the sport is almost a religion. Joni and I went to the Cardinals' home opener last week. Not surprisingly, it was a party atmosphere both before and during the game against the Chicago Cubs...

Because of the increasing production and need, testing, and maintenance costs, operating and maintaining an efficient water distribution system is a high priority for the city of Jackson. One of the city's most useful tools in our ongoing maintenance program is our annual drinking water distribution system leak survey...

Colorado State apparently showed Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball coach Gary Garner the money -- but his love for the Show Me State and SEMO are evidently what kept him from making the move. And, if your a SEMO hoop fan, I'm sure you couldn't be happier by Garner's decision to turn down quite a bit more money at CSU and remain with the Indians...

JACKSON -- Nobody challenged Dionna Webb and Mario Whitney after all. With the wind at their backs, Webb and Whitney were even faster sprinters on Saturday at the 12-team Jackson Invitational. Whitney, a Jackson sophomore phenom, broke a 12-year old meet record in the 200 (:21.87) and set a personal record in the 100 with a 10.48. Both bettered school records which he established just seven days earlier despite running in temperatures that topped out around 50...

If you had told Southeast Missouri State University baseball coach Mark Hogan that his team would only get seven hits in two games Saturday, Hogan would have figured on a disappointing day. But, thanks to some stellar pitching, the Indians were able to overcome their offensive futility and sweep a key Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader from Middle Tennessee State...

Southeast Missouri State University's softball team lost just two Ohio Valley Conference games last year as the Otahkians captured their fifth consecutive OVC regular-season title. This year, the Otahkians already have three league defeats, thanks in large part to Saturday's doubleheader sweep at the hands of visiting Eastern Kentucky...

PACIFIC -- Notre Dame High's girls soccer team fell a bit short of winning the title in the Pacific Tournament as Union defeated the Lady Bulldogs 4-2 in Saturday night's championship game. The Lady Bulldogs, who fell to 4-6, got goals from Emily Worley and Courtney Vickery. Worley and Katlyn Kelly had assists...

There weren't exactly perfect conditions for a track and field meet, but host Southeast Missouri State University and Missouri-Kansas City were able to brave the weather to claim titles Saturday during the 19th annual All Sport Classic. Southeast won the 10-team women's division, scoring 152 points to ease past UMKC (124) and Southern Illinois (119.5)...

Jackson's golf team may be young, but it has already established itself as one of the best around this year. Still undefeated, the Indians have posted impressive scores of 152 and 150 as a team so far despite being led by several underclassmen. Peyton Sims, a sophomore, played a brilliant nine holes on Wednesday. With stout winds swirling around the Cape Country Club, Sims carded an even-par 35 to claim medalist honors in a triangular meet against Cape Central and Clearwater...

Dave Howard is fairly modest when talking about his athletic career at Stetson University. "I guess it was okay," he said. But Stetson officials evidently believed Howard had more than just a fair four-year stint at the school located in DeLand, Fla. Last month, the longtime Cape Girardeau resident was inducted into the Stetson Sports Hall of Fame...

Over the years Lindsay Sample has been adept at raising the bar. A renowned power-lifter, Sample has bench pressed 413 pounds, squatted 705 pounds and dead-lifted 683 pounds. He's won nine power-lifting state championships, two national titles and a world title...

Anne Killian, 55, of Cape Girarhic: Charlotte Nenninger, 65, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, April 8, 2000 at St. Francis Medical Center. Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

BLOOMFIELD -- R. V. Vanover, 81, of Bloomfield died Saturday, April 8, 2000, at St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born April 12, 1918 in Tanner, son of William Richard and Grace Vanover. He and his wife, Trecie, were married in October 1937. She died Dec. 21, 1996...

PERRYVILLE -- Leona M. Sauer, 83, of Perryville died Friday, April 7, 2000, at her residence. She was born Jan. 26, 1917, at Biehle, daughter of Edgar and Catherine Braun Stark. She and Edgar O. "Eddie" Sauer were married Sept. 28, 1942. Sauer was owner-operator of the Intersection Motel from 1946 to the present. She had previously worked for the International Shoe Co. She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and Ladies Sodality...

MARBLE HILL -- Jessyna Ann-Marie Seiler died shortly after birth Thursday, April 7, 2000, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Surviving are the parents, Mike and Tracy Lynn Schott Seiler of Friedheim; a brother, Kody Sieler; a sister, Ashley Schott of Millersville; and grandparents, Lenny and Jeanne Berkbigler Seiler of Freidheim and Larry and Shirley Horrell Schott of Millersville...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Lewis S. Edwards, 90, of Cairo died Saturday, April 8, 2000, at his residence. He was born Sept. 13, 1909, at Paducah, Ky., son of George and Margaret Brown Edwards. Edwards served for many years on the Cairo Fire Department, as fire chief before his retirement. He was also deputy fire marshal for the state of Illinois. He was associated with Barkett Funeral Home for 22 years. Edwards was a member of the VFW and Washington Avenue Baptist Church in Cairo...

PERRYVILLE -- Edgar "Eddie" O. Sauer, 84, of Perryville died Friday, April 7, 2000, at his residence. He was born Feb. 11, 1916, at Highland, son of Theodore A. and Mary Louise Leible Sauer. He and Leona M. Stark Sauer were married Sept. 28, 1942. Sauer was owner-operator of the Intersection Restaurant from 1946 to 1994. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, the Lions Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion and held third degree with the Knights of Columbus...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Claude E. Davis, 89, of Anna died Friday, April 7, 2000, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Jan. 2, 1911, at Balcom, son of Charles and Bertha Settlemeyer Davis. He and Opal Phillips were married Dec. 3, 1938, in Benton, Mo...

DEXTER -- Dot Cravens, 82, of Dexter died Friday, April 7, 2000, at the Dexter Memorial Hospital. She was born May 13, 1917, at Piggott, Ark., daughter of John L. and Nora Amanda Jackson Parks. She had been a resident of Dexter since 1936. Survivors include a daughter, Jonnie Sue Copeland of Dexter; two granddaughters; and a great-granddaughter...

Maurice G. Rendleman, 78, of Caseyville, Ill., died Saturday, April 8, 2000, at Caseyville Nursing and Rehab Center. Funeral arrangements are pending at Lutz & Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna.

University of North Carolina historian Dr. Theda Perdue will present "Writing the History of Cherokee Women" Sunday at the 2000 Beckwith Lecture at Southeast Missouri State University. Perdue is the author of "Cherokee Women," a book that looks at the values and behavior of Cherokee women through court records, myths and observers' accounts. She examined women's roles in farming and community life, and concluded that women were equal contributors to Cherokee culture...

Cynthia New worried she wouldn't be able to tell her twin girls apart when she first brought them home from the hospital. "Here were two little bundles that looked exactly alike," she recalled. Initially, she kept the hospital bands on Marissa Marie and Alexia Ashlin...

JACKSON -- Laura Theresa Lottes Ray and Fred William Brown Sr. were married March 17, 2000, in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. The Rev. Jodie Champoux performed the double ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of the late Dennis E. Lottes and Mary Ann Lottes of Cape Girardeau. The groom is the son of the late Robert Charles Brown Sr. and Dorothy Brown of Cape Girardeau...

CHAFFEE -- Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Bollinger of Chaffee celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary March 25, 2000. The couple renewed their vows and the Rev. Ralph J. Duffner celebrated mass at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. Lectors were Mary Clem Tripp of Cape Girardeau, a daughter; and Daniel Bollinger II of Atlanta, Ga., a grandson...

Thomza and I were reminiscing, over the telephone, about spring things. We talked about the old Easter lilies (daffodils) and colorful tulips that came back year after year, unlike so many of the modern bulbs that produce more beautiful flowers but tend to mysteriously disappear in a few years. ...

WHITEWATER -- Regina Renee Newell and Timothy Joseph Becker were married Feb. 17, 2000, at Otter Slough in Dexter. Ronnie Collier performed the double ring ceremony. Robert and Marty Ford of Whitewater are parents of the bride. The groom is the son of Ed and Joanne Becker of St. Peters...

PERRYVILLE -- Dotty O'Leary and David O'Leary will be married April 29 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael O'Leary of Perryville. He is the former David Boyer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Hahn of Advance...

MORLEY -- Faith Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church in Cape Girardeau was the setting Dec. 18, 1999, for the wedding of Alicia Michelle Randol and Terry Wayne Finney. The Revs. Doyle W. Randol and Gregory W. Randol performed the double ring ceremony...

Charles and Claire Ellinghouse of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Christina Lee Ellinghouse, to Matthew Franklin Batchelor. He is the son of Frank and Sue Batchelor of Cape Girardeau. Ellinghouse is a 1997 graduate of Central High School. She is owner of Kids Wear...Again...

VILLA RIDGE, Ill. -- Bennie and Kim Britton of Villa Ridge announce the engagement of their daughter, Heather Rene Britton, to Jay Kevin Davis, both of Cape Girardeau, Mo. He is the son of Jerry and Mary Davis of Lee. Britton is a 1993 graduate of Meridian High School in Mounds. She received a bachelor of science degree in management from Southeast Missouri State University. She is a management assistant at Enterprise in Cape Girardeau...

JACKSON -- Morris Owens of Jackson and Eva Owens of Ocean Springs, Miss., announce the engagement of their daughter, Kristin Dawn Owens, to Travis Michael Perr. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Perr of Jackson. Owens is a 1994 graduate of Jackson High School. She is employed at Neurologic Associates of Cape Girardeau Inc...

CHAFFEE -- Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sanders of Chaffee announce the engagement of their daughter, Amy Renee Sanders, to Todd James Essner. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Essner of Kelso. Sanders is a 1994 graduate of Chaffee High School, and a 1996 graduate of Metro Business College. She is employed at Mid-South Steel Products Inc. in Cape Girardeau...

ORAN -- Anita Jill Murphy and Bradley Dwight Halford announce their engagement. She is the daughter of Morris Hammond of Anderson, Ala., and the late Othell Hammond. Halford is the son of Norman and Rita Halford of Oran. Murphy is a 1989 graduate of Lexington High School. She received a bachelor's degree in social work from the University of North Alabama in 1994. She is employed by Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services in Muscle Shoals...

DEXTER -- J. Christine Davis and Eric Jason Brown announce their engagement. She is the daughter of John and Eleanor Davis of Helmville, Mont. Brown is the son of Ronald and Maureen Brown of Belleville, Ill., and formerly of Dexter and Charleston. Davis is a 1997 graduate of the University of Illinois-Urbana. She is a veterinary technician at Hoof-N-Paw Vet Clinic in Belleville...

Mr. and Mrs. Roger Pierce of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, June Ann Pierce, to George Anthony Craigmiles. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Craigmiles of Chaffee. Pierce is a 1988 graduate of Central High School. She is a 1992 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, and a 1996 graduate of Southwest Missouri School of Anesthesia. She is a certified registered nurse anesthetist with Anesthesia Associates of Cape Girardeau...

MCCLURE, Ill. -- Rex and Randy Adams of Elco, announce the engagement of their daughter, Heather Chere Adams, to David Wayne Benefield. He is the son of Bob and Sandy Benefield of McClure. Adams is a 1993 graduate of Egyptian High School. She is a teacher's assistant at McClure Pre-K...

SIKESTON -- Robert and Ann Schwendemann of Portageville announce the engagement of their daughter, Christine Marie Schwendemann, to Dean Alan Spurlock. He is the son of Leonard and Mary Ann Spurlock of Sikeston. Schwendemann is a graduate of Portageville High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in secondary education from Southeast Missouri State University in 1992. She is a business/vocational teacher with Portageville School District...

The old saying "You can take a girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl" also holds true as city living advances farther away from the mainstream hustle and bustle. In this home, you're still only minutes away from city conveniences, but this fantastic wooded setting with frequent visits from deer will make you feel a million miles away...