Memo 3/26/07

Spartech declares quarterly dividend

The board of directors of St. Louis-based Spartech Corp. declared March 14 a regular quarterly cash dividend of 13.5 cents per share, payable May 9 to common shareholders of record on April 25. Spartech recently announced first-quarter 2007 results, including sales of $347.3 million, net earnings of $8.1 million and record first-quarter operating cash flows of $17.2 million. Spartech Corp. is a leading producer of thermoplastic sheet materials and has locations in Cape Girardeau.

Dalhousie makes changes in team

Cord Dombrowski, managing member of Dalhousie LLC, recently made several changes in the management structure of the Dalhousie Real Estate Development team. Realty Executives of Cape County is now representing Dalhousie LLC in all real estate sales on the nearly 1,000-acre development.

Working with Dalhousie in the Highlands neighborhood will be Turnberry Construction, owned by Keith Boeller, Lauren Jones and Jeff Maurer. Jones will be the manager of Turnberry and be the main contact for the company. Turnberry has two spec homes in the Highlands and will be the builder of choice for future development in that neighborhood.

Dalhousie Construction will continue to build in the Lochs neighborhood. Aaron Dombrowski will be the administrator of that part of the project; Lee Smith will be the construction manager.

Overseeing the overall marketing of Dalhousie will be Research One Marketing Services. Research One is owned by Charles and Judy Wiles. Charles Wiles is a professor emeritus of marketing at Southeast Missouri State University. Judy Wilson is the chair of the department of management and marketing at the university.

Saint Francis meets diabetes standards

The Saint Francis Medical Center Diabetes Education and Management Center has met the national standards set by the American Diabetes Association to be recognized in diabetes self-management education based on quality outcomes. Saint Francis has the only diabetes center in Cape Girardeau recognized by the American Diabetes Association. To be recognized, diabetes education and management centers must meet 10 national standards. Standards include the development of an education plan, a multifaceted instruction team and regular continuing education for instructors.

Garber's receives Perfect Fit Award

Garber's Mens Wear, in the Town Plaza shopping center in Cape Girardeau, has been awarded the Perfect Fit Award for 2006 from Jim's Formal Wear in Trenton, Ill. Garber's was recognized for having a replacement percentage of less than 7 percent of the total orders for 2006. The actual replacement percentage was 3.59 percent.

-- From staff reports