STRICTLY BUSINESS: FISHING DAYS ON THE LAKE AHEAD

Richard W. Meyer may be getting his fishing gear out about the right time.

Meyer, who will officially retire as assistant administrator at Southeast Missouri Hospital this year, may find some 40-plus degree weather -- almost a heat wave after a month of freezing temperatures. That means the bass will be jumping, and the crappie hitting at just about anything that moves in the water.

Meyer, the favorite fisherman around Southeast Hospital, will retire Jan. 19.

He started with the hospital as director of special services in 1970, and has served the past quarter-century as assistant administrator, where he has worked with 16 hospital departments, including the Volunteer Services.

He has been involved in some major building projects at the hospital -- the parking garage, a $19 million clinical services building, and a $5.9 million lobby renovation project.

In addition to his work at Southeast Hospital, Meyer has devoted time to some community projects. He helped organize the community's Safe House for Women in 1990, and has served on the Safe House board more than a half-dozen years. He was board president from 1993 to 1994.

Meyer says his retirement plans include travel with his wife, Janet, who retired from teaching two years ago, and "catching up on his fishing."

Get in touch, Mr. Meyer, I'll provide some information on a good "lunker hole" or two.

Retiring from board

H. Weldon Macke has also announced retirement from the Firstar Community Bank's Board of Directors.

Macke, who is NOT retiring from his job as Cape Girardeau County auditor, served on the bank board a total of 39 years, ranging from the Bank of Gordonville through its mergers with Cape State Bank, Mercantile Bancorporation and Firstar.

Macke joined the board of the Gordonville State Bank in 1961. Two years later, the bank moved to its present offices at 325 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau.

Macke has served as county auditor since 1969.

He is past president of the Missouri Association of Counties. He has served on the taxation and finance team of the National Association of Counties. He has also served as president of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission and treasurer of the Missouri Councils of Government.

He is a member of the National Association of Regional Planners and the National Association of Development Organization.

Car parts swap meet

In one corner an antique car buff may find that special Alberto Vargas hood ornament for a 1930s Plymouth.

Or, perhaps, a spare "side-mount" wheel for a 1938 Packard.

Or, maybe, a transmission for that 1940s stick-shift pickup truck.

"This is the big one," said Dave Jackson of the Capaha Antique Car Club about the February Swap Meet.

The 35th annual indoor swap meet will be held Feb. 18 from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the A.C. Brase Arena Building.

"It's heated, and food and sodas will be available," said Jackson.

Jackson, and other members of the Capaha Club will discuss the annual swap meet when they get together Jan. 23. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Delmonico's Restaurant.

A number of items are on the club's agenda. Besides the swap meet, members will discuss a building committee update and a membership drive.

Reppert expansion

Reppert Publications, headed by Anna, Ill., businessman Jerry Reppert, has expanded.

Reppert Publications, which publishes the Gazette-Democrat and Monday's Pub at Anna, and Patrick Seil of Grayville, Ill., have incorporated S R Media LLC, which will operate newspapers in Grayville and Albion, Ill.

Seil, who owned and operated the two newspapers -- the Navigator and Journal Register (4,000 circulation) and the Prairie Post (13,200 circulation) -- will remain as publisher. Reppert Publications will be responsible for management of the business.

"We're looking forward to the business association in White, Edwards and Wabash Counties," said Reppert.

Also under the Reppert Publications banner is the Cairo, Ill., Citizen.