Stories from Sunday, March 25, 2001

The church where I interned in Wisconsin did a study on electrical usage in the church building. One of the things that emerged from the study was that if we replaced the old "exit" signs with new ones with a newer, more efficient lighting system, we would spend $6 a year per exit light, compared to the $55 a year we were spending on the old, inefficient lights. ...

For the Eastern Wild Turkey, history in Missouri started in the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Around the year 1820 the estimated population of the wild turkey in Missouri was around 250,000 birds. Then started the wholesale cutting of timber, clearing large tracks of land. The clear-cutting and burning of thousands of acres allowed open range to occur and introduced the feeding of livestock to these areas along wood lots...

Auditions were held last fall for All-district jazz band, with 18 members from the Southeast Missouri area being selected. Eight band members were from Jackson. Rehearsals and the concert were held at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center on the campus of Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff in February. The clinician was Dr. Don Parker, professor of music and director of percussion and jazz studies at the University of Missouri at St. Louis...

A year ago Robyn White took over chairmanship of the Jackson MS Walk and expanded the annual event to a regional one. More than 400 walkers took part, raising some $45,000 for multiple sclerosis programs. This year White hopes to see the number of walkers double for the April 1 walk...

"How'd y'all manage to find that old place you're fixin' up?" I've been asked. I've related the story of our discovery several times. It goes like this: We looked at several places in Missouri to which to retire when the time came in 1999. We had been disappointed several times when looking at property which did not quite measure up to the descriptions in real estate ads...

The "iffy" weather needn't make you cross. Check out one of these, enjoy and forget the weather: One of the most popular authorities has set his latest work partially in post-Civil War Missouri. "Boone's Lick," by Larry McMurtry gives us a view of a thriving town with several saloons, at least one dry goods store, and possibly a traveling dentist. ...

Nearly a century after its closing, the Jackson Military Academy hovers like a ghost in the annals of Jackson history. Only a handful of local historians have studied the institution, which thrived for a quarter of a century, and many of them have disagreed on specific details about the school...

History professor Patrick Foley will deliver the second annual Friend-Bollinger Regional History Lecture on April 18 in Perryville, Mo., and April 19 in Cape Girardeau. Foley of Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas, will discuss "Missionaries Extraodinaire: The Vincentians of St. Mary's of the Barrens."...

Students from Risco, Mo., schools took overall honors for the eleventh straight year at the District History Fair on Saturday at Southeast Missouri State University. The fair's sweepstakes trophy was presented to Risco, which received 16 awards in the competition. Advance schools were second with seven...

Few things we do in life are as important as the caring for, and participating in the learning process of, our children. This is the type of investment that will provide a return like no other investment can even hope to achieve, not just for the child, or even you, the parent. This investment will provide for the future as well...

Jackson Boy Scout Troop 311 received a donation of $2,975 from its sponsoring organization, the Optimist Club of Jackson, at its Court of Honor held at the Jackson Middle School March 5. The Optimist Club has sponsored the troop for more than 45 years...

People adding siding are, from left, Brendan Jones and Chris Robertson. The mission trip to Oklahoma included from left, Angela Rogers, Todd Cook, Pam Cook, Brendan Jones, Lelsey Proffer, Christ Robertson, Oklahoma farmer James Gaines, Ashlei Kelly, Marci Mann, Alicia Farmer, Matt Proffer, Ashley Farmer and Amber White...

To the editor: I was somewhat amused by a Speak Out comment concerning my officiating New Madrid Central's state championship basketball game and helping the team win a state title. The caller erroneously stated that since I was from the area, I wouldn't have been impartial to a local team and I would have helped Coach McFerren win his game. Here are the facts...

When Republicans in the Missouri Senate, who have a majority for the first time in more than half a century, recently announced steps that would clean house, reduce costs and establish guidelines for moving legislation, the ensuing howl from Democrats diverted attention away from real issues...

Estimates that it might cost $1 million to demolish the aging Marquette Hotel in downtown Cape Girardeau are staggering. If the city ever decides to give up on deadline extensions while the owner looks for a buyer, taxpayers would have to foot that bill. Even if the real cost is much less -- say in the $250,000 range -- it's money the city doesn't have...

Isn't it amazing how much difference a few short months can make, especially in terms of events on the world stage? Not long ago, Bill Clinton, frantically seeking some foreign policy legacy, was presumptuously meddling as a peace broker in the Middle East. His counterpart in Israel, Ehud Barak, was all too anxious to allow Clinton to impose his will and dictate the terms of a settlement with the Palestinians, a settlement that would have greatly reduced Israel's national security...

I WAS watching the city council meeting. It was the most disgraceful thing I've ever seen when Michael Pryor, the Taste Lounge owner, would not stand at the invocation and the pledge of allegiance. I think the city council members who voted for his license should be ashamed of themselves. I hope when the license comes due in June they will vote him down. He does not have the right to be disrespectful not only for the prayer to our God, but to the flag...

To the editor: My mother sent me a copy of John Blue's obituary, which made me think how much he influenced my life and career choices. John Blue hired me as an intern starting the morning after I graduated from Central High School in 1965. I wasn't exactly a stranger to The Missourian before that summer. After all, I had been a paperboy starting at age 12. As a freshman at Central, I started writing letters to the editor, and John Blue would print them and provide feedback...

Jackson's Cody Rouse won his second American Athletic Union state wrestling championship in 2001. He also won the state title in 1999 and placed second in 2000, behind the Tulsa national champion and Missouri AAU state champion. The Jackson USA wrestling team starts the Missouri and USA Wrestling Series this month, with the finals being held at the Hearnes Center at the University of Missouri at Columbia...

The Cape Girardeau County Soil and Water Conservation District has cited two Jackson area farmers for their efforts at soil and water conservation. Lawrence McBryde was named Outstanding Conservation Farmer. He and his family manage and farm nearly 500 acres of pasture and hay land near Jackson. His cow-calf operation maintains around 100 cows...

Starting kindergarten can be as nerve-wracking for today's parents as it is for their children. Skills like counting to 10, color and shape identification and writing -- which formerly were taught during the first year of school -- are now considered standard for incoming kindergarten students...

Southeast Missouri State University's Sundancers will make their fourth straight trip to the National Cheerleading Association's Division I National Dance Team Championships April 5 through 7 in Daytona Beach, Fla. The Sundancers won the team competition at the NCA Midwest regional camp in August and have earned a Top 10 ranking based on a videotaped competition...

Parents and educators have differing opinions about how to determine when a child is ready to enter kindergarten. The state doesn't weigh in on the matter, except by mandating a minimum age of 5 before the Aug. 1 cut off date. And school attendance does not become mandatory until children reach the age of 7...

Inside, outside, all around the house -- the 21st annual Southeast Missouri Home Builders Association Home and Garden Show has it all, and then some. From a "safe room" for protection against tornadoes to raising a garden in water, from landscaping outside to fixing damaged furniture to raising a sinking home, the thousands of visitors who filed through the turnstiles at the Show Me Center this weekend viewed the latest in techniques...

Cape Central scored 16 runs on 14 hits. Two Tigers hit home runs and three hit doubles. But the most important number for Cape Central in its 16-1 romp over Poplar Bluff Saturday was zero -- as in the number of walks Justin Welker issued. Welker put forth a dominant performance, striking out 10 in a five-inning four-hitter at Cape Central High School...

Todd Pennington shrugged off his late-game misfortune about as routinely as he did Belmont's batters. Pennington, Southeast Missouri State University's junior right-hander who is having a sensational season, turned in another dominating pitching performance Saturday afternoon as the Indians knocked off visiting Belmont 3-1...

Last week I wrote that I'd already tossed my NCAA Tournament bracket in the trash can after the rash of early-round upsets that always helps make the event so great. Well, luckily I kept a copy of the original around just in case. As it turns out, maybe I'm not doing so bad after all...

The Notre Dame Lady Bulldogs overcame their opponents, as well as the cold weather, to emerge as champions of the third annual Notre Dame-Cape Central Noon Optimist Soccer Tournament. Notre Dame defeated Perryville 3-0 in Saturday's final to improve to 3-1 on the young season...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- For the first time in the seven-year history of its own meet, the Perryville High boys track team has captured the championship. The Pirates scored 89 points Saturday to edge Jackson (84) in the seventh annual Perryville Invitational, which featured 21 squads in both the boys and girls divisions...

ATLANTA, Ga. -- After nearly pulling off a stunning upset Friday night, Southeast Missouri State University's softball team came back Saturday and posted its first victory in the Georgia Tech Buzz Classic. The Otahkians, who lost 5-4 to California -- the nation's third-ranked squad -- Friday night after earlier falling to No. 22 Wisconsin 9-0 earlier in the day, knocked off Mercer 2-1 Saturday...

KENNETT, Mo. -- A former Dunklin County judge and longtime prosecutor for the county has died at 77. Charles Hamilton Baker of Kennett died Wednesday, March 21, at the Heritage Nursing Center. Baker arrived in Dunklin County after graduating from Washington University in St. Louis in 1948...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Myrtie Teel Huddleston, 86, of Dexter died at Dexter Memorial Hospital Friday, March. 23, 2001. She was born May 15, 1914, at Lilbourn, Mo., daughter of Paul and Eveco Celia Joyce Chamber. She married Joseph Raymond Teel Sept. 30, 1928, at Risco, Mo. He died March 19, 1977. She married William T. Huddleston Oct. 13, 1978, in Bernie, Mo. He died June 16, 1993...

If you are a parent, you have no doubt heard your children complain that "grownups are so lucky, they get to do lots of things that kids aren't allowed to do. " Well, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has turned the tables on the adults and set a special hunting season just for youngsters...

Daughter to Kenneth Robert and Denise Ann Gilman of Sikeston, Mo., Southeast Missouri Hospital, 8:11 a.m. Thursday, March 15, 2001. Name, Ashley Sierra. Weight, 7 pounds 12 ounces. Second daughter. Mrs. Gilman is the former Denise Rutledge, daughter of Shirley Rutledge of Sikeston, and the late George Rutledge. Gilman is the son of Ana Jiminez of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and John Gilman of Tehachapi, Calif...

Fred H. Foeste, 80, of Park Hills, Mo., formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Saturday, March 24, 2001, at the Country Meadows Nursing Home in Park Hills. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Funeral Home.

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Faye Nell Nordin, 66, of Chaffee, died at her home Saturday, March 24, 2001. She was born March 30, 1924, at Lutesville, Mo., daughter of Henry B. and Thelma Jackson Long. She was a retired store clerk. She previously worked at Cox's Dime Store in Chaffee...

FARMINGTON, MO. -- Alan Ray Schuessler, 49, of Farmington, Mo., died Saturday, March 24, 2001, at Park Hills, Mo. He was born May 27, 1951, in Perry County, son of Vernold and Velma Farrar Schuessler. He and Connie Lane were married July 27, 1973. Schuessler worked for the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department as a signal electrician for 32 years...

Florence Irene Sides, 79, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, March 23, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center. She was born July 26, 1921, at Perryville, Mo., daughter of George and Mary Robinson. She was a member of St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau...

JACKSON, Mo. -- James Lester Davenport, 78, of Jonesboro, Ark., formerly of Jackson, Mo., died Thursday, March 22, 2001, at his residence. Davenport had lived in Jonesboro for 45 years after leaving Jackson. He was a retired professor at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and Korea, and a member of the American Legion, VFW and USS Graffias AF 29 Association...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- George J. Hotop, 66, of Perryville died Friday March 23, 200l, at Perry Oaks Manor. He was born April 2, 1934, at McBride, Mo., son of Anton Joseph and Louise Pingel Hotop. He worked on the assembling and packing line at VIP Industries-Sheltered Workshop...

KENNETT, Mo. -- Floyd Carroll, 79, of Zalma, Mo., died Friday, March 23, 2001. He was born Sept. 11, 1921. He married Dorothy Brown in 1948 at St. Louis. He married Dorothy Sheppard in 1983 at St. Louis. She died May 19, 1995. Survivors included a son, Rodney Carroll of Alton, Ill.; daughters, Helen Matheny of Sun Set Hills, Mo., and Janie Riggs of Warrenton, Va.; brothers, J.T. ...

Marchelle Jean Webb, 43, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, March 23, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center. She was born March 11, 1958, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Charles F. and Betty L. Holifield. Survivors include her mother, Betty L. (Beauchamp) Haskins, and stepfather, Bill Haskins; two sons, Michael Evans Jr. of Okemah, Okla., and Tyler Webb of Cape Girardeau; a stepbrother Charles F. Holifield Jr. of Cape Girardeau; a stepsister, Angie Holifield of Cape Girardeau; and two grandchildren...

COBDEN, Ill. -- Barbara Ellen Brewer, 66, of Makanda, Ill., died at her home Friday, March 23, 2001. She was born Nov. 9, 1934, at Makanda, daughter of Rollie and Celia Sprouse Wright. She is survived by three sons, Michael Brewer, Richard P. Brewer and Danny Brewer, all of Makanda; two daughters, Vicki Sue Baggett and Candice Clover, both of Makanda; a brother, Frank Wright of Herrin, Ill.; six grandchildren and one grandchild...

MOUND CITY, Ill. -- Robert Clanahan, 67, of Hurst, Ill., died Saturday, March 24, 2001, at St. Joseph Hospital in Murphysboro, Ill. Arrangements are incomplete at Barkett Funeral Home in Mound City, Ill.

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Flora Keller, 100, of Chaffee died at the Chaffee Nursing Center Saturday, March 24, 2001. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel.

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Thresia L. Cavaness, 85, of Jonesboro, Ill., died Saturday, March 24, 2001, at her residence. She was born Oct. 8, 1915, at Reynoldsville, Ill., daughter of William and Nora Miller Smiddy. Her husband, Claude Cavaness, died in 1976...

NAME: Carl Edward Fuerst ALIASES: Douglas Cole, Gerald P. Cole, Johnni Hall, Carl Phillips, Shawn Gibson, Ralph Dillard, David Russell, Taylor Robinson, Dale McTaggart, Kevin Jernigan, Jimmy Crumpton, Carl Roberts, Donny Hamblin, Thomas Houston, Donald Smith, Donnie Bridgeman, David Gillentine, Ricky Hallmark, Phillip McKoy, Thomas May, James Barnes, Bill Perry, Phillip Poteet, John Doe, Shawn R. ...

No cooking. Don't open the door, even if you're sure of who's on the other side. Don't answer the telephone. These are rules Alecia, 12, has followed for nearly two years since she began staying home alone after school until her parents return from work...

"God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well." Romans 12:6 Some friends and I were at lunch in one of those places where a whole loaf of warm bread is brought in on a slicing board, accompanied by a sharp knife. The bread was placed before one of my friends who laughingly said, "Not I" as she slid the bread board over to the one on her right. ...

Robin Holden of St. Louis and Trent Swick of Imperial were married Feb. 20, 2001, at Sandals Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Holden of Cleveland, Ohio. The groom is the son of Martha Swick of Imperial and the late William Swick, formerly of Cape Girardeau...

LEOPOLD, Mo. -- Jennifer K. Keller and Jackie L. Garland were married Dec. 30, 2000, at St. John's Catholic Church. The Rev. Bill Huggins performed the double ring ceremony. Organist was Mary Jansen. Vocalists were Hanna Jansen, Stephanie Horrell, Jennifer VanGennip and Tara Broshuis...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Melissa Jo Kirn and Tyson Shawn Krauss were married Aug. 19, 2000, at St. Ambrose Church in St. Louis. The Rev. Allen Maes performed the ceremony. Organist was Lynette Biesendorfer of St. Louis, godmother of the groom. Readers were Taylor Krauss of Brazeau, Mo., niece of the groom, and Jacob Kirn of Winchester, Mo., nephew of the bride...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Shannon Leigh Perry and Braden Trex Lusk exchanged vows Dec. 29, 2000, at St. Paul Lutheran Church. The Rev. Robert Henrichs performed the double ring ceremony. Organist was Christy Shinn, and soloist was Beth Roethemeyer. Parents of the couple are James and Susan Perry of Jackson, and Trex and Teresa Lusk of Hutchinson, Kan...

Ronald and Glenda Fornkahl of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Lora Elizabeth Fornkahl, to Jason Lee Estes. He is the son of Dennis and Karen Estes of Diehlstadt, Mo. Fornkahl expects to graduate from Southeast Missouri State University in May. She is employed at Bank of America...

Gilbert and Jean Seres of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Janise Rene Seres, to Rama Demmin of Dallas, Texas. He is the son of Ron and Karen Demmin of Cobden, Ill. Seres received a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Southeast Missouri State University in 1994. She is a kindergarten teacher at Chaffee Public Schools...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Frances VanGennip of Marble Hill announces the engagement of her daughter, Mary Susan VanGennip, to Andrew William Siebert. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Siebert of Cape Girardeau. VanGennip is also the daughter of the late John A. VanGennip...

Joel and Mary Smith and Voyann Smith of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Alisha Voyanna Smith, to Shawn Ashley Reynolds. He is the son of Jerry and Mary Lou Reynolds of Cape Girardeau. Smith is a 1996 graduate of Central High School. She is employed at Smith Stop in Dutchtown, Mo...

Mr. and Mrs. Leron Smith of St. Louis announce the engagement of their daughter, Lorraine Smith of Cape Girardeau, to David C. Davis of Ullin, Ill. He is the son of Catherine Williams of Ullin. Smith is a social service worker with Scott County Division of Family Services...

Dennis and Donna Underwood of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Kelli Denise Underwood, to Eric Lloyd Hasty. He is the son of Lonnie and Brenda Hasty of Cape Girardeau. Underwood is a 1997 graduate of Central High School. She is pursuing a degree in early childhood education at Southeast Missouri State University...

TAMMS, Ill. -- Mr. and Mrs. Loyd Twente of Columbia, Tenn., formerly of Tamms, recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Twente and Virtus Harvell were married Feb. 28, 1931, in Jonesboro, Ill. The couple has two daughters, Marilyn Legg of Columbia, Vivian Eudy of McClure, Ill.; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter...

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- Kimberly Helfer and Lee McDaniel announce their engagement. She is the daughter of Dolly Harrison of Caruthersville, and the late Ed Harrison. McDaniel is the son of George and Joy Robertson of Excelsior Springs, Mo. Helfer is office manager at H&R Block in Caruthersville...

JACKSON, Mo. -- James and Rita Trankler of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Nichole Trankler, to Joseph McCadams, both of Knoxville, Tenn. He is the son of Bob and Karen McCadams of Cordele, Ga. Trankler is attending the University of Tennessee. She is employed at the University of Tennessee Medical Center...

DELTA, Mo. -- Johnny and Co-Ann Below of Delta announce the engagement of their daughter, Jody Below, to Andy Blattel. He is the son of Herb and Wanda Blattel Jr. of Chaffee, Mo. Below expects to receive a bachelor of science degree in middle school mathematics from Southeast Missouri State University in May...

FRIEDHEIM, Mo. -- Dennis and Marsha Lappe of Friedheim announce the engagement of their daughter, Jacklene Ann Lappe, to Gabriel Brian Putz. He is the son of Ron and Linda Putz of Millersville, Mo. Lappe is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School. She is employed at Southeast Missouri Hospital...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Howard and Charlotte Krauss of Perryville announce the engagement of their daughter, Stephanie Beth Krauss, to Craig Michael Brown. He is the son of Glennon and Rose Brown of Perryville. Krauss is a 1996 graduate of Perryville High School. ...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Gordon and Martha Feeney of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Stephanie Sue Feeney, to Richard E. Murray, both of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. He is the son of Linda Cooper of Ft. Lauderdale, and the late Richard Murray. Feeney is a graduate of Jackson High School. She is employed at Broward General Hospital...

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- Mr. and Mrs. Donnie R. Dirnberger of Scott City announce the engagement of their daughter, Nicole Renee Dirnberger, to Edward George Landewee. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Landewee of Scott City. Dirnberger is a 1995 graduate of Scott City High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in child development from Southeast Missouri State University in 2000. She is lead teacher at Big Stuff Preschool and Childcare in Fruitland, Mo...