BUSINESS MEMO

JACKSON -- Nelson L. Stone, doctor of veterinary medicine and mixed animal practitioner at Jackson, has been named to a fifth term as secretary-treasurer of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association. The appointment was made during the recent 101st annual meeting of the organization at Osage Beach.

The MVMA is a statewide organization of more than 900 members.

Stone, a graduate of the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Swine Practitioners, Society for Theriogenology, and Southeast Missouri VMA. He has served as president of the SEMO VMA and is past president of the Missouri Veterinary Alumni Association.

He has operated his clinic at Jackson more than 30 years.

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Dan Drury, vice president of MidAmerica Hotels Corporation, Cape Girardeau, has been elected to the Missouri Restaurant Association's state board of directors.

Drury has worked in the food service and hospitality industry for more than 20 years. MidAmerica Hotels owns three hotels, including the West Park Holiday Inn, which received its second Quality Excellence Award during the 40th Holiday Inn Worldwide Conference in London.

MidAmerica also owns Auburn Outdoor Advertising, the Holiday Inn South St. Louis, the Victorian Inn at Cape Girardeau, and 18 Burger King Restaurants throughout Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas and Kentucky.

Drury is involved in several industrial affiliations. He is a member of the International Association of Holiday Inns' Reservations and Communication Committee, a director of the Missouri Hotel and Motel Association, director of the Missouri Hospitality Association, area chairman for Missouri Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and serves on the advisory board of the Cape Girardeau Convention and visitors Bureau.

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Bi-States Southern Oil Co., with service stations at 920 N. Kingshighway and 400 Morgan Oak, is taking on a new brand of gasoline.

"We have a signed agreement with B.P.," said Bob Blank, Bi-States owner. "Starting Monday morning, we'll be offering B.P. products."

The move came about when Sunoco announced that it was leaving the Midwest area.

The Sunoco announcement was made in August and takes effective today, noted Blank.

The huge Sunoco signs were taken down Friday. B.P. signs will be installed in the near future.

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John E. Carpenter, coroner of Cape Girardeau County, has been elected president of the Missouri Coroners and Medical Examiners Association.

Carpenter was elected Thursday at the group's annual meeting in Jefferson City. He previously served as secretary in 1991, and as vice president in 1992.

The state organization was founded nine years ago to enhance education for investigation purposes for coroners and medical examiners.

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A.G. Edwards, Inc., has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 15 cents per share, to be paid April 1 to shareholders of record March 5, representing a 15 percent increase in the regular quarterly rate.

Benjamin F. Edwards III, the firm's chairman and chief executive officer, reports revenues for the fiscal year, which ends today, will exceed $1 billion. Net earnings for the year should exceed $110 million, a record level.

The annual meeting of stockholders will be held at the firm's St. Louis headquarters June 24.

A.G. Edwards, Inc. is a holding company whose primary subsidiary is the broker firm of A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc., which operates 474 offices coast-to-coast, including a branch at Cape Girardeau.

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JACKSON A rubber stamp creative designing workshop will be held at the Crafters Corner here next week.

Morning and evening workshops will be presented.

Additional information is available by calling 243-7322.

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ST. LOUIS (AP) - May Department stores has reported earnings of $319 million, or $2.53 per share, in the quarter ended Jan. 30, up from $266 million, or $2.12 per share, in the same period a year ago.

Sales rose to $3.39 billion from $3.09 billion.

May said last week that it has helped boost its profits by cost-cutting moves including the consolidation of several of its divisions and the closing of under-performing stores.

For the full fiscal year, May's earnings totaled $603 million, or $4.71 per share, up from $515 million, or $4.02 per share, in fiscal 1991.

Sales rose to $10.5 billion from $9.7 billion.

May is the largest department store retailer in the United States, operating 303 department stores and more than 3,500 Payless shoe stores. Its department stores include Lord & Taylor, Filene's, Foley's and Kauffman's.

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TILTON, Ill. - Labor leaders are holding private talks with an Indiana businessman interested in buying General Motors Corp.'s auto parts foundry.

The head of United Auto Workers Local 579 said the meeting last week with John Pichon of Fort Wayne lasted about three hours. Both sides agreed not to disclose much to the news media.

"He's still real interested in buying the facility. He's still dealing with GM," the union's Bill Matthews said.

GM last week said it will sell or close the factory near Danville within 18 months. The foundry employs about 1,200 people.