FYI 8-18-13

Heartland Writers Guild meets today

The Heartland Writers Guild will meet at 2 p.m. today in the Steck House, next to First Presbyterian Church in Jackson. The guild will be considering the importance of incorporating environmental interest and knowledge into various kinds of writing. Jonell McNeely will lead from her experience as an environmental specialist with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the EPA and the county health department and as a prolific reader. Bring writing of your own to demonstrate, or modify, to develop environmental conscience. For more information, visit heartlandwriters.org or email hwg@hearlandwriters.org.

Homecoming at Arbor General Baptist Church

The Arbor General Baptist Church Homecoming is 10 a.m. Sept. 1, and will feature the group Glad Heart in concert. The church is at 20587 Highway 25 in Chaffee, Mo. For more information, call Pastor Kermit Patton at 573-794-2730.

Scott City VFW to host fundraiser

The Scott City VFW will host a dinner and auction -- Dreams for Caselynn -- from 5 p.m. to midnight Sept. 7. Caselynn was diagnosed with a genetic disease, spinal muscular atrophy, and proceeds will go toward travel and other expenses incurred in Caselynn's treatment. The dinner is from 5 to 7 p.m.; the cost is $15 a person or $25 a couple, with donations accepted at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free. A live auction is at 6 p.m., with a band and dance following. There also will be raffles, including a 50/50 drawing. The affair is BYOB. For more information, call Ashley at 573-579-1731 or Carla at 573-318-4312.

Habitat for Humanity golf tournament

The Texas Roadhouse-Buchheit Habitat for Humanity golf tournament is scheduled for Sept. 9 at Dalhousie Golf Club in Cape Girardeau. The team scramble is $150 a player, and hole sponsorships are $250. For more information, call Habitat for Humanity at 573-334-9728 or email hfhcapegirardeau@gmail.com.

Read to Succeed volunteers needed

Volunteers for the United Way's Read to Succeed program are needed in all Cape Girardeau elementary schools to help kindergartners and first-graders improve literacy skills. Students who are chosen to participate in the program are identified by teachers based on their reading skills and are paired with a volunteer for 30 to 40 minutes, four days a week, for 50 sessions each. Two training sessions for interested volunteers are from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 7. Those interested need attend only one session. Training will be in Room 214 at the Cape Girardeau Public School Board office, 301 N. Clark St. Those interested may call Monique Johnson at the United Way of Southeast Missouri at 334-9634 or email readtosucceed@unitedwayofsemo.org. Background checks are required at no cost to the volunteer.

Walk to end Alzheimer's

The Alzheimer's Association 2013 Walk to End Alzheimer's is at 9 a.m. Sept. 14 at Cape County Park North, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. Nearly 800 people from the Southeast Missouri area are expected at the event to raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer's disease. The Walk to End Alzheimer's participants will honor those affected by the disease by taking part in a one- or three-mile walk, and they also will learn more about Alzheimer's disease, advocacy opportunities, clinical trial enrollment and support programs and services offered by the Alzheimer's Association. To start or join a team for the walk, call the Alzheimer's Association at 800-272-3900 or visit alz.org/stl.

Kim King Memorial golf tournament rescheduled

The Kim King Memorial golf tournament to help fund the new Facilities Management Endowed Scholarship at Southeast Missouri State University has been rescheduled for Sept. 23. The tournament, held in honor of longtime Facilities Management employee Kim King, will be at Bent Creek Golf Course in Jackson. The tournament originally was set for July 22. The event will begin with lunch at 11:30 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Team entry is $200, and individual entries are $50. Hole sponsorships are $250. All proceeds will benefit the Facilities Management Endowed Scholarship Fund. Registrations are due by Sept. 9. For more information, call 573-651-2203 or 573-651-2214.

Kickball tournament and BBQ at New McKendree

A kickball tournament and barbecue to benefit the American Heart Association is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 28, at New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson. The 9 a.m. starting time is subject to change. The event will consist of teams of eight to 10 people that can enter at $10 a person. Teams can also enter the creative uniform contest for an additional $20 a team. The tournament will be single-elimination, and trophies will be awarded for first and second place. The tournament will also welcome bronze sponsors for $50, silver sponsors for $75 and gold sponsors for $100. The barbecue will consist of a hamburger or hot dog, chips and a drink for $5. For information on how to play in the tournament or to become a sponsor, email Kara Whitledge at karawhitledge @yahoo.com.

Counseling foundation holds craft beer festival

The Community Counseling Center Foundation will hold the second annual Cape Girardeau Craft Beer Festival from noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 5 at Arena Park and SEMO fairground arena. Admission is $30 in advance and $30 at the gate. This includes a pilsner beer glass; tasting of more than 100 beers from more than 25 microbreweries; home-brewing demonstrations; and live German music by the Jerry Ford German Band. Food will be available from Cook's Bar-B-Que and there will be hourly drawings for gifts and prizes. All proceeds from the event will go to the Community Counseling Center Foundation to be used for providing improved facilities, equipment and services for persons with mental illness. For more information, contact Larry Essner at 339-6512.

14th annual Benefit Golf Tournament for Community Counseling Center Foundation

The Community Counseling Center Foundation 14th annual Benefit Golf Tournament is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 4. This will be a 18 hole, 4 person shamble at the beautiful and challenging Cape Girardeau Country Club. Tournament fee is $125.00 per player. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. followed by tee time at 12:30 p.m. Beverages all day. Proceeds will benefit the treatment of mental illness in the five county area served by Community Counseling Center. For more information, contact John Harding or John Grimm at 335-3316 or Larry Essner at 339-6512.

MS Walk to be held in area communities

Walk MS, the signature fundraising event of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, is scheduled Sept. 28 at the West City Park in Dexter, Mo. Registration begins at 4 p.m. and the walk starts at 5 p.m. The MS Walk also is scheduled for Sept. 29 in Jonesboro, Ill., with registration at noon and the walk at 1 p.m. For more information, call Meghan Freeman at 573-446-4165 or email meghan.freeman@nmss.org.