Stories from Sunday, April 15, 2001

To everything there is a season. Ecclesiastics 3:1-8 To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.. ...

President Bush's handling of the standoff with China reveals he is going to approach foreign policy with the strategic interests of the United States as his foremost priority. A senior U.S. official said the United States will refuse to discontinue reconnaissance flights like the one involved in the incident over the South China Sea...

MY HUSBAND had a heart attack about three weeks ago and has had surgery and a four-way bypass. It's been quite an ordeal. I've spent a lot of time at the hospital. He got out of the hospital five days ago. Two evenings ago I went to Schnucks to get some food, and because I'm so stressed lately, I left my billfold in the front part of the cart when I took my groceries out. ...

To the editor: April 16-22 is National Organ-Tissue Donor Awareness Week. During this week, we honor those families who have given the most precious and rare gift in the world, the gift of life, through organ and tissue donation. At this time we also recognize the importance of organ-tissue donation and the critical shortage of organs and tissues available for transplant...

Girls 12 to 18 years old meet from 7 to 8:30 Tuesday nights at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. in Cape Girardeau to learn how to decorate cakes. The girls learn to make roses, carrots, leaves and borders in one night! They really caught on quick. Now as they look through the cake-decorating books, they'll have a better idea of how to accomplish more involved projects...

With 31 teams and 124 players, it was ready, set, go at the Bent Creek Golf Course April 6 for the annual Jackson Chamber of Commerce golf tournament. Bent Creek, laid out over the naturally rolling hills of Southeast Missouri, is regarded by many as the best public golf course between St. Louis and Memphis...

Jackson Noon Optimist Club members are preparing for their 10th season at Safety City USA. Safety City, a child-sized town located west of the lake in the Jackson City Park, quickly became one of the most popular areas in the Jackson park system. April 8 found many families from Cape Girardeau, Perryville and Jackson enjoying the playground area and miniature roadways at Safety City. ...

The Jackson Area Organized Soccer Association is about to wrap up its spring season. The kindergarten through second-grade field is on Highway 72, just past the Highway PP intersection. There is a new sign, which follows the same graphics as the Litz Park sign, that has just been put into place. It's a burgundy sign with green pine trees and a sun...

Riverside Regional Library will have a variety of events and programs this month. At 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, there will be storytime for preschoolers at the Jackson branch, 204 S. Union St., and at 10 a.m. storytime for preschoolers will be held at the Perryville branch...

Lives in: Millersville Family: Consists of a husband and two daughters, a grandson and a stepgranddaughter. Job: Selling Avon. In June I will have been selling for 20 years. What you like most about the area: Slower pace. Previously lived in St. Louis...

Alan Hunter, an area engineer at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office at 113 W. Main in Jackson, recently took the time to explain how the office helps local areas control floods through sandbagging, maintaining flood walls and finding the equipment to get the job done...

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's mobile office recently visited at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, 125 E. Main. It's a monthly occurrence. Mobile office director Jayson Clark acts as a liaison between her constituents and Emerson and answers questions, listens to ideas and grievances and enables people to get help from federal and state agencies...

Easter is on it's way, and I am awash in memories of my childhood. Easter was a big event, second only to Christmas. It always seemed so perfect that the earth appeared to wake up, and all the plants were reborn just before Easter. Even the ladies of the church got into the spirit. People dressed up more then, and many of the ladies wore wonderful hats. Come Easter morning, the congregation would look like a garden full of flowers stretched out before me...

I read the headlines, "Hostages Taken." Three terrorists had sky-jacked a plane and were holding the passengers and crew hostage. Officials negotiated for their release. Many prayed for their safety. An old word had taken on new meaning for us as we agonized for the freedom of the hostages...

KENNETT, Mo. -- Next month, Missourians will read headlines in their local newspapers proclaiming the end of this year's session of the General Assembly along with a wide assortment of messages of self-congratulations by those who have participated in its progression from budget officers to state law...

A miraculous event 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem changed the world. On this Easter morning, the story is presented again from the Holy Bible (the Gospel according to St. Matthew, Chapter 28): In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. ...

Reviewed by Ralph Wanamaker of Cape Girardeau As I get older, I tend to pick up the business section more often to check on my two stock holdings. And, although my two stocks don't fluctuate much, I wonder if they'll be enough to get me through my retirement. Should I sell and buy more aggressive stocks? Will I have enough money to retire on? Will I be able to do some of the things I want to do when I finally retire?...

The Bush administration's proposed tax bill has attracted attention largely because it reduces income taxes. But the administration's proposal also presents the most serious threat to the federal estate tax since its enactment. Not only would the proposal repeal the federal estate tax, it would also throw out the federal gift and generation-skipping taxes. ...

It is no secret that I love this city. I must admit, however, as it gears-up for the Olympics the city has lost some of its charm. Expansive construction has gone on in Park City and its outskirts, and it has all the comforts of home, including its very own Wal-Mart. This year's ski season is all but over, but we boarded a flight in March and thought we'd try our hand at a little spring skiing...

In 1999-2000 the privilege of representing Shoney's Inc. in the sale of three of their properties in our region fell to me. It was a whirlwind as the speed of sale was imperative. All three were sold and closed within a nine-month period. The properties are now owned by the Montano family, dba El Acapulco in Poplar Bluff, by Bening Motors in Sikeston and by Jomar Investments, dba Denny's in Cape Girardeau...

Southeast Missouri Peggy Lake is the new marketing director at Medicate Pharmacy in Farmington. Victor Ho has joined L.A. Nails, a full-service nail salon, as a partner in the store at Westfield Shoppingtown in Cape Girardeau. Donna Seabaugh has joined Regional Title and Land Services as branch manager of the Jackson office...

It is not unusual these days for marriages to break up. This often affects the family business, because even if both spouses did not work in the business, each is entitled to a portion of its value. This type of split could weaken the company because of one partner's absence, drain the company financially because of the settlement, or worse yet, necessitate its sale...

Cape Girardeau County tax liens and lien discharges recorded at the office of Janet Robert, Cape Girardeau County recorder of deeds, during the month of March are filed by the Missouri Department of Revenue except as indicated by IRS designation. For information concerning the dollar amount of the liens, contact the recorder's office at 243-8123...

President Dubya moved a step closer to achieving his much-heralded campaign pledge -- across-the-board tax cuts for every taxpayer. On April 6 the U.S. Senate passed a budget resolution, 65-35, that included the major portion of the president's tax cuts -- almost $1.3 trillion -- as well as an extra $85 billion consented for immediate relief in the form of rebates for either retroactive rate reductions or for a one-time refund...

Southeast Missouri Cape Girardeau Judith Anne's, a gift shop downtown, has been sold by Judith Lang to Bob and Patricia Blade. It has reopened as Patricia Ann's. Attitudes Styling Salon has opened at 208 Independence. The owner is Brandy Brady...

Following is a listing of new business licenses issued by the city of Cape Girardeau and the Cape Girardeau County collector's office during the month of March. Some franchises may list out-of-town or out-of-state addresses.Cape Girardeau City Business Licenses...

By Jim Obert Business Today Drivers along Interstate-55 near Cape Girardeau Regional Airport might notice a flurry of activity taking place in the area. Construction of the Pavestone plant, which began in November, is nearing completion on East I-55 Outer Road. The plant will manufacture landscaping and retaining wall blocks that will be shipped throughout the Midwest...

200 jobs coming to Williamson County By Jim Obert Business Today MARION, Ill. -- The economy of Southern Illinois got a positive jolt March 30 when an auto parts manufacturer said it would build a $20 million auto parts plant just outside Marion city limits...

Part 2 of a 2-part series (see Part 1) Last month we examined some common misconceptions about tax deferred exchanges. This month's concluding exchange article looks at some of the more important benefits derived from a well structured exchange...

By Jim Obert Business Today Tri-State Swimming Pools of Cape Girardeau isn't drowning in too much business, but like a rising tide, business has increased since the company dove into its own Web site. Jack Byrd, co-owner of the company that was founded in 1970, said Tri-State went online about one-and-a-half years ago. His business is a member of the National Swimming Pool Institute, which hired a Minnesota-based company to create Web sites for its members...

Bankruptcies filed through April 10 for the Southeastern Division of the Eastern District of Missouri's U.S. Bankruptcy Court are listed below with their corresponding case number. The Southeastern Division includes the counties of Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Dunklin, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscott, Perry, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard and Wayne. Court is held in Cape Girardeau...

America's churches used to be the country's only welfare service, taking care of the sick and the poor. That duty later fell to the government with the birth of subsidized food and medical care programs. Now some churches want that responsibility back...

JACKSON, Mo. -- The Cape Girardeau County Commission says it will scale back plans for a new juvenile center to cut project costs. The new center will be built in an industrial area west of South Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. Commissioners hope to have the building under construction later this year and complete it in a year...

The Easter Bunny has been visiting our yard. For disbelievers, I've got proof. There's a rabbit hole near our front porch. Our youngest daughter, Bailey, regularly checks on the hole to make sure I haven't covered it up. She confidently tells me I can't evict the Easter Bunny...

The sounds of excited Easter egg hunters and gospel music at Arena Park provided Robyn Hosp with a one-stop Saturday morning. Her 7-year-old son, Drew, waited on a softball field with thousands of other children for the signal to begin hunting goodies. An hour later at the A.C. Brase Arena Building, Notre Dame High School sophomore Casie Janet, Hosp's friend, contended for the top prize in a gospel singing competition Hosp herself won a few years ago...

A honor roll 12TH GRADE Megan Beggs, Brett Burger, Andrew Canter, Amy Dirnberger, Brandon Gross, Adam Haines, Keisha "Ann" Hamm, Wesley Hamm, Jennifer Hoskins, Nicole Kern, Kari Lape, Nancy Lewer, Laura Ruff. 11TH GRADE Alana Burford, Adam Daughhetee, Chase Deason, Shannon Deshaney, Adam Duncan, Brian Hency, Amy Kern, Bridgett Riley, Deandra Smith, Garrett Stricker, Brian Taulbee...

The first hints of it can be found in the eyes of unsuspecting 12th-grade high school students during school hours in early spring. Once sparkling and energetic eyes take on a temporary glaze of incomprehension. Students begin to find excuses to leave their classrooms in search of other amusements or simply time away from educational pursuits...

I'm already into my 40s and the golf bug hasn't hit me yet, which no doubt makes me one of the few such males out there. I've only played one round of golf in my life and that was a highly forgettable event in Oklahoma almost 20 years ago (well, it was forgettable as far as the ball striking was concerned, but the beverage part of things was plenty enjoyable. Isn't that how most rounds of golf work?)...

Don't let her red hair, her freckles, her short frame or her shy demeanor fool you. Middle Tennessee State's Jennifer Martinez is tough. Tough enough to basically beat a team all by herself. Martinez hit a three-run double and came about five inches from throwing a no-hitter in the opener of a doubleheader Saturday as Southeast dropped a pair of 4-0 losses at Southeast Missouri State's sports complex...

MARTIN, Tenn. -- The University of Tennessee-Martin got a huge pitching and hitting performance from Brad Meadows as the Ohio Valley Conference's last-place team upended Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team 8-6 Saturday. Meadows, who pitched 8 2/3 innings for the win, went 2-for-3 with two home runs, three runs batted in and three runs scored for the Skyhawks, who improved to 6-31 and 2-13 in the OVC...

It's somewhat ironic that Mel Thomas is a student athletic trainer at Southeast Missouri State University who helps treat the school's injured athletes. That's because Thomas, the lone senior on Southeast's women's tennis team has suffered through more than her share of injuries during her career...

Southeast Missouri State's tennis team closed out its 2001 season with a 4-3 home loss Saturday to Tennessee St. The loss concluded a winless OVC campaign for the Otahkians, who finished 0-7 in conference play. Southeast was 5-13 overall. The Otahkians had a couple of bright spots as Mel Thomas concluded her Southeast career with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Danielle Blancada in No. 1 singles play and teamed with Adrienne Bland for a win in doubles...

Veda Edwards, 93, of Puxico, Mo., formerly of Dexter, Mo., died Saturday, April 14, 2001, at Dexter Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey Funeral Home in Dexter.

Batting average Runs batted in Runs scored Home runs Triples Doubles Hits Stolen bases Ben Duncan, Bell City 19 Walks PITCHING Earned-run average Winning percentage Strikeouts Fewest walks per 7 innings -- Compiled by Bob Miller...

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Jackson's girls soccer team won one and lost two games Saturday to finish in fourth place at Carbondale's Fralish Cup Tournament. Meanwhile, St. Vincent outscored its opponents 5-0 in consolation play to pick up a pair of wins to improve to 7-5-1...

DONGOLA, Ill. -- Jimmie W. Miller, 51, of Dongola died Saturday, April 14, 2001, at the Union County Hospital in Anna, Ill. Friends may call at Crain Funeral Home in Dongola from 5-8 p.m. Monday. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Paul Sadler officiating. Burial will be in St. Johns Cemetery...

Harold Schott of Cape Girardeau carded a hole-in-one at Kimbeland C.C. Schott used a 4-iron to ace No. 6, a par 3 playing 160 yards. The hole-in-one was the eighth in Schott's career. Witnesses were Ed Esicar, Gordon Feeney and Clay Hunter.

Were you fortunate during a past fishing trip? Did you catch a big fish, a really, really big fish? It's an awesome experience to catch a true trophy, the fish of a lifetime. Imagine the thrill of catching a state-record fish. In Missouri, the Department of Conservation keeps a list of the state-record fish. Records are kept for pole and line (rod and reel) and alternate methods. This article focuses on pole-and-line records only...

F. Elaine Briggen, 85, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, April 14, 2001, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born May 14, 1915, at Cape Girardeau, daughter of Walter and Dolly Ann Jones King. She and William Franklin Briggen were married Sept. 27, 1941, at Benton, Mo. He died Aug. 19, 1988...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Lee J. Jarrell, 78, of Dexter died Saturday, April 14, 2001, at Dexter Memorial Hospital. He was born Nov. 14, 1922, at Kennett, Mo., son of Lou David and Ada Villa Harris Jarrell. He and Beulah Black were married April 21, 1944, in Piggott, Ark...

Lessie Page Lusk, 91, formerly of Dexter, Mo., died Saturday, April 14, 2001, at Sid Peterson Memorial Hospital in Kerrville, Texas. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Rainey Funeral Home in Dexter.

M. Grace Cotner, 93, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, April 14, 2001, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born Sept. 24, 1907, at Egypt Mills, Mo., daughter of Charles and Anna Hauer Poe. She and Carl Talley were married in 1931. He preceded her in death. She and Guy Cotner were married in 1953. He preceded her in death in 1983...

Larry Bruce Revelle, 59, of Union, Mo., and formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Friday, April 13, 2001, at St. John's Medical Center in St. Louis. Arrangements are incomplete at Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel.

ANNA, Ill. -- Paul Manus, 88, of Anna died Saturday, April 14, 2001, at City Care Center in Cobden, Ill. He was born Feb. 3, 1913, in Anna, son of James and Alice Jackson Manus. He and Geneva St. John were married Dec. 25, 1939. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Anna. He was a retired carpenter and a 50-year member of the Carpenters Local. He was a veteran of World War II, serving as a combat engineer...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Harry Thomas Stout, 79, of Cairo died at 7:35 a.m. Saturday, April 14, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Harry was born Aug. 26, 1921, in Cairo, the son of the late Harry M. and Mary Eileen (Ryan) Stout. Harry was a member of the St. ...

Mitchell DeWitt Stafford Jr., 62, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, April 13, 2001, at his residence. He was born Jan. 1, 1939, at Memphis, Tenn., son of Mitchell DeWitt and Minnie Lue Wilson Stafford. Stafford had served in the Korean War in the Army. He had been a truck driver for UPS in Detroit, Mich. He also drove for the former Wetterau Inc. Stafford was a member of Teamsters Union No. 574. He retired in 1992...

COBDEN, Ill. -- H.E. "Gene" Casper, 84, of Cobden died Friday, April 13, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born March 29, 1917, at Cobden, son of Walter C. and Minnie Humphrey Casper. He and Ruth Alene Hardin were married July 8, 1950, at Anna, Ill...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Leona Vangilder, 85, formerly of Dexter, died Friday, April 13, 2001, at Three Rivers Healthcare South Campus in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She was born Sept. 14, 1915, in Lafe, Ark., daughter of Robert and Effie Potts White. She and John Vangilder were married Oct. 25, 1947, in Paragould, Ark...

With curiosity and a little bit of apprehension, a group of 10 international students gathered Thursday night to experience an Easter tradition in America: dyeing eggs. Dipping their hands into mugs of dye, the students quickly discovered the fun of coloring eggs and then hiding them. Some had dyed eggs before, others had no recollection of an Easter holiday since it's not celebrated in their native country...

THEBES, Ill. -- CaSaundra Angelo Prater and Justin William Kaufman exchanged vows Jan. 13, 2001, at First Pentecostal Church in Cape Girardeau. The Rev. Darrell Faire performed the ceremony. Pianist was Krystal McClain. Vocalists were Robert May, Sheila Faire and Debra McCain...

New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson, Mo., was the setting Dec. 23, 2000, for the wedding of Gloria Jean Mayo and Darrin Kenneth Sauerbrunn. The Revs. John H. Rice and Lynn Crader performed the double ring ceremony. Pianist was Tara Allen of Jackson, and saxophonist was Eric McGowen of Cape Girardeau...

In early spring there comes a day in my life that is special. It is not a national, state, nor local holiday. It is not marked on the calendar. Not my birthday. It has no set date at all. It is somewhat like those old fairy tales that begin, "Once upon a time ..." So dreamily unfettered. ...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Caroline Rose Pickens and Eric Brian Hoxworth were married Sept. 16, 2000, at First Baptist Church in Marble Hill, Mo. The Rev. Fred Ritter performed the double ring ceremony. Pianist was Marilyn Baker of Marble Hill. Parents of the couple are Elmer and LaWanda Macke of Jackson and Kenny and Gloria Hoxworth of Marble Hill...

LEOPOLD, Mo. -- Kristal Lynn Landewee and Matthew Edward Hill were married Oct. 21, 2000, at St. John's Catholic Church. The Rev. Bill Huggins performed the double ring ceremony. Wendy Vandeven and Courtney Wesbecher of Leopold, cousins of the bride, were acolytes. Andy Landewee of Leopold, cousin of the bride, was eucharistic minister. Reader was Bryan Greaser of Cape Girardeau...

The Rev. David and Sandy Griesemer of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Bethel Grace Griesemer, to Samuel Kelso Renfrow. He is the son of Kevin Renfrow of Cape Girardeau and Vanessa Huff of Springfield, Ill. Griesemer is attending Southeast Missouri State University. She is employed at Holiday Inn...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Bill and Paulette Cobb of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Christina Joy Cobb, to Jonathan David Anderson. He is the son of Dave and Jan Anderson of Cape Girardeau. Cobb is a 1998 graduate of Jackson High School. She received a Bible certificate from Columbia International University in Columbia, S.C., in 1999. She is pursuing a degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Charles and Millie Seyer of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Linda Seyer, to David Henson, both of Cape Girardeau. He is the son of Don Henson of Cape Girardeau, and the late Sandy Henson. Seyer is a graduate of Jackson High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Southeast Missouri State University in 1998. She is an inventory specialist in the Facilities Management Department at Southeast University...

Doris Wray of Titusville, Fla., announces the engagement of her daughter, Angel Michelle Wray, to Gregory Lee Klund, both of Cape Girardeau. He is the son of Jim Klund of Carterville, Ill., and Jackie Graham of Destin, Fla. Wray is also the daughter of the late Roy L. Wray...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Simmons II of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Elizabeth Simmons, to Jimmy Dale Parker II. He is the son of Zelda Parker of Jackson, and the late Jimmy Parker. Simmons is a 1996 graduate of Jackson High School. She expects to receive a bachelor of science degree in industrial technology from Southeast Missouri State University in May...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Lisa A. Roach and Sam E. Brewer were married June 17, 2000, at First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Grant Gillard performed the double ring ceremony. Organist was Jim Rhodes. Parents of the couple are Richard and Marilyn Roach of Hannibal, Mo., and Porter and Marilyn Brewer of Jackson...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ott of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Angel Antiqua Atchley, to Mark Steven Hahn, both of Kirksville, Mo. He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Sparkman of Cape Girardeau, and Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Hahn of Advance, Mo...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Jim and Toni Willenbring of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Julie Jo Willenbring of Alexandria, Va., to Sgt. Charles Aaron Hughes of Stafford, Va. He is the son of Paula Garrard of Marion, N.C., and Michael Hughes of Ridgeland, Miss...

BENTON, Mo. -- Donna DeBrock of Leopold, Mo., and Melvin DeBrock of Kelso, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Lisa Michelle DeBrock, to Brian Lee Towe, both of Benton. He is the son of Ronald and Barbara Towe of Sikeston, Mo. DeBrock expects to receive a degree in elementary and special education from Southeast Missouri State University in December. She is employed in the registration department at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau...

NEW HAMBURG, Mo. -- Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Glastetter of New Hamburg announce the engagement of their daughter, Kimberly Ann Glastetter, to Roger Lance Hogan. He is the son of the Rev. and Mrs. Roger Hogan of Farmington, Mo. Glastetter is a 1995 graduate of Notre Dame High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Southeast Missouri State University in 1999. She is employed at World Wide Technology Inc. in St. Louis...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Gerald Bruce and Jackie Wortmann of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Deborah Susan Wortmann, to Jeremy Andrew Wachter. He is the son of Allen and Anna Mae Wachter of Jackson. Wortmann is a 1997 graduate of Jackson High School. She expects to receive a bachelor of science degree in communication disorders from Southeast Missouri State University in May...

COMMERCE, Mo. -- Scott and Debra Sander of Commerce announce the engagement of their daughter, Emily Joy Sander, to Jamie William Essner. He is the son of Paul and Geneva Essner of New Hamburg, Mo. Sander is a 1999 graduate of Kelly High School at Benton, Mo. She is pursuing a degree in early childhood education at Southeast Missouri State University. She is employed at S&L Builders in Scott City, Mo...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Mr. and Mrs. Mike Miller of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Carrie Miller, to Cory Grojean. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joel Crutchley of Benton, Mo., and Mr. and Mrs. Randall Grojean of San Antonio, Texas. Miller is a 1995 graduate of Woodland High School at Marble Hill, Mo. She received a bachelor of science degree in fashion merchandising from Southeast Missouri State University in 1999. She is assistant manager at Supermarket of Shoes in Cape Girardeau...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Gerald and Sandra Fritsche of Perryville announce the engagement of their daughter, Nicole Dawn Fritsche, to Adam Ryan Burger, both of Jackson, Mo. He is the son of Ron and Karen Burger of Scott City, Mo. Fritsche is a 1992 graduate of Perryville High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University in 1997. She is a first grade teacher with Cape Girardeau Public Schools...

JACKSON, Mo. -- John and Karen Sparks of Fairview Heights, Ill., announce the engagement of their daughter, Shelly Jean Sparks, to Jason Michael Enders, both of St. Louis. He is the son of Mike Enders of Jackson, and the late Judy Enders. Sparks is a 1994 graduate of Collinsville High School. ...