FYI 9-15-13

VFW essay competition

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau announced its annual Patriot's Pen Essay Competition. Middle-school students in grades six through eight are invited to write a 300- to 400-word essay on the theme "What Patriotism Means To Me." Students will begin by competing at the post level, and post winners will advance to the district level. District winners will compete at the state level, and the first-place winner will receive $5,000. Deadline for entries is Nov. 1. For information, contact VFW Post 3838 at 573-651-3633, or email sandra.prichard@ymail.com.

VFW scholarship competition

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau announced the 67th edition of the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition. Local high students are invited to write and record a three- to five-minute essay on the theme "Why I'm Optimistic About Our Nation's Future" on audio cassette tape or CD. Participating students will compete at the post level, with winners advancing to the district level. The first-place district winner advances to the state competition, and all state winners will receive a four-day trip to Washington, D.C. First place at the national level is a $30,000 college scholarship. Participants should present their recording, typed essay and entry form at their local VFW post, and the deadline for entry is Nov. 1. For information, contact VFW Post 3838 at 573-651-3633 or email sandra.prichard@ymail.com.

Worship at New McKendree at Lake Girardeau

New McKendree at Lake Girardeau opened its doors for worship on Aug. 18 with an 11 a.m. service. About 46 worshippers experienced uplifting music, and Pastor Kim Mitchell brought the message that also was preached at New McKendree's High Street Campus and South Campus by lead pastor David Israel. New McKendree at Lake Girardeau is the third campus of the New McKendree United Methodist Church ministry. The new campus is located in west Cape Girardeau County at the corner of Highway 34 and State Highway U. For information, contact Mitchell at 573-243-8487.

Sibling class

A sibling class will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday in the Harrison Room at Southeast Hospital. The class is designed to help children prepare, in a positive way, for the addition of a new family member. The class is geared toward children ages 3 to 9. Class size is limited. Please register online at sehealth.org or by calling 573-331-6190.

Healthy cooking: Healthy pizza party

The Healthy cooking: Healthy pizza party class will meet from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Monday at HealthPoint Cape. Raina Childers, HealthPoint butritional services coordinator, will provide easy recipes for pizza that the whole family can prepare and enjoy. Cost is $3 for HealthPoint members and $5 for nonmembers. Call 573-986-4440 to register.

Preparation for childbirth class

A free preparation for childbirth class will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Saint Francis Medical Center. The class serves as a comprehensive guide to labor signs and stages, pain control options and labor techniques. For location and to register, contact the scheduling department at Saint Francis Medical Center at 573-331-5111.

Grief support group

The grief support group will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at HealthPoint Cape. The support group offers a safe place for adults to come together to share grief following the death of a loved one. Trained facilitators offer educational programs and an opportunity to share and heal. The group offers participants understanding, support and hope. The topic for the September meeting is "The Maze of Loss." For information, call bereavement coordinator Crystal Montgomery at 573-335-6208 or Social Services at 573-651-5549.

I Can Cope cancer support group

The I Can Cope sancer support group will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Saint Francis Cancer Institute. The group offers cancer patients and their families an opportunity to share their concerns with other shaving similar experiences and helps them design ways to cope with the challenges that arise from a cancer diagnosis. For information or to register, contact the Saint Francis Cancer Institute at 573-334-2230.

Tea for mothers and their babies

A free mother-baby tea will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Saint Francis Medical Center. New mothers, with their newborns, will have the opportunity to meet other new mothers, ask questions about breast-feeding, baby care and other postpartum issues. Herbal tea and cookies will be served, and a breast-feeding resource library is available. For information or to register, contact the scheduling center at Saint Francis Medical Center at 573-331-5111.

Men's Health Seminar

A free Men's Health Seminar presented by Saint Francis Medical Center will be at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau. Saint Francis Medical Center urologist Vincenzo Galati will present an informational seminar covering symptoms and treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia and erectile dysfunction. Food and beverages will be provided. For more information or to register, contact Saint Francis Medical Center at 573-331-3996.

Starting Point Informational Meeting

The Starting Point informational meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday at HealthPoint Cape. Starting Point offers a comprehensive, intensive approach to successful health and weight management. It is a medically supervised program for rapid and safe weight loss with skill building that teaches how to keep the weight off.

To learn more, attend the informational meeting or contact dietitian Raina Childers at 573-986-4440.

2013 Fall Coaches Clinic

The 2013 Fall Coaches Clinic presented by Saint Francis Medical Center will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Health and Wellness Center. The clinic is designed to make coaches more aware of current issues and opportunities and help them achieve excellence for their programs as well as keep their athletes safe and healthy.

The clinic is free for all attendees. Coaches, athletic trainers, school principals, school superintendents are all encouraged to attend. For reservations, contact Saint Francis Medical Center at 573-331-3996.

Childbirth Preparation Class

The Childbirth Preparation Class will from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday in the Harrison Room at Southeast Hospital. This class addresses the emotional and physical changes of pregnancy, the normal labor process, common instances requiring intervention, vaginal and caesarean delivery, coping techniques for natural labor and pain control options. This class will be taught by one of the OB nurses on staff at Southeast. Please register online at sehealth.org or by calling 573-331-6190. The class is also available online at sehealth.org/childbirthclass.

Bariatric Support Group

The Bariatric Support Group will meet from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at HealthPoint Cape. If you have undergone or are considering bariatric weight-loss surgery, you are invited to join this free support group. Topics include medical management, meal planning and nutrition, behavior change and motivation, and exercise and fitness.

The September program, "Coping with Changing Body Image After Bariatric Surgery," will be presented by counselor Ken Callis. For more information, contact Raina Childers at 573-986-4440.

Preparation for Childbirth Class

A free preparation for childbirth class will meet from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday at Saint Francis Medical Center. The class serves as a comprehensive guide to labor signs and stages, pain control options and labor techniques. For location and to register, contact the scheduling department at Saint Francis Medical Center at 573-331-5111. Breast-feeding and Infant Care Class

The Breast-feeding and Infant Care class will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday in the Harrison Room at Southeast Hospital. Taught by one of the lactation consultants on staff at Southeast, this class covers aspects of infant care and safety that will be especially valuable to all first-time parents or as a review for those who have already had a baby. Infant feeding will be discussed at length, addressing the special concerns of both breast-feeding and formula feeding. Please register online at sehealth.org or by calling 573-331-6190.

Chicken dinner at Sedgewickville Lutheran Church

Sedgewickville Lutheran Church will host their annual chicken dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 22. The meal consists of fried chicken and all the trimmings. Sedgewickville Lutheran Church is located at the intersection of Routes K and WW.

Southeast Journeys Cancer Support Group

The Southeast Journeys Cancer Support Group will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 24 in the Unity Room at the Southeast Cancer Center. This support group covers educational topics from the American Cancer Society's "I Can Cope" series. The September meeting topic is "What's on Your Mind?" Meetings include a question-and-answer session, and also offer care, support and encouragement for those battling cancer and their families/caregivers. For more information, call 573-519-4754.

Breast-feeding class

A free breast-feeding class will meet from 8:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 28 at Saint Francis Medical Center. This is a must-take class for expecting parents inspired by Mother Nature to breast-feed. Topics are breast physiology, milk production, positioning, diet, pumping and storing breast milk. For information on location and registration, contact the scheduling center at Saint Francis Medical Center at 573-331-5111.

Biker Sunday at Southpoint Church of God

Southpoint Church of God in West Frankfort, Ill., will host the 15th annual Biker Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 29. A complimentary barbecue dinner will follow the service. The church is located two miles south of West Frankfort at 149 State Highway 37. For more information, contact Southpoint Church of God at 618-937-4766 or visit southpointcog.com

Church supper at Immanuel Lutheran Church

Immanuel Lutheran Church will host a church supper at 4 p.m. Sept. 29. The supper will consist of kettle beef, chicken and dumplings and ham. The cost is $9 for adults and $5 for children 6 through 12. Children under 6 eat free. Carryouts will also be available. Immanuel Lutheran Church is located at 496 Route F near Jackson in the Tilsit area. For more information, contact Gary Gholson at 573-243-8582.

Infant Massage Class

The Infant massage class will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 30, at Saint Francis Medical Center. Baby's First Massage class is research-based and designed for parents of healthy newborns, premature babies and babies with altered nervous systems who are at least four weeks old. The class will include demonstrations of the benefits of massage, when and when not to massage and what your baby's different cries mean. For more location or to register, contact Saint Francis Hospital at 573-331-5111.

Run-Ride for Ragan Biathlon

The Run-Ride for Ragan Biathlon is scheduled for 8 a.m. Oct. 5 to aid in the fight against breast cancer. The 5K run and 17-mile bicycle ride will begin and end at the Boardman Pavillion in downtown Cape Girardeau. Proceeds will go to SoutheastHEALTH Foundation and Southeast Cancer Center to help fund mammography services for early detection of breast cancer. The event honors the late Ragan Ward Neilson who died of breast cancer in 2007 at the age of 32. Participants can register online at runrideforragan.com or obtain registration forms at HealthPoint Fitness in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, as well as other locations including Cape Bicycle, Cyclewerx and the Southeast Missouri State University Recreation Center.

2013 Share Walk of Remembrance

The SoutheastHEALTH Foundation's Share Walk of Remembrance will be at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 5 at Cape County Park South Pavilion 20. The one-mile walk supports the Share program of Southeast Hospital, which cares for families who have suffered from a miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death. The Share Walk also gives families, friends and caregivers the opportunity to remember babies that have left our world too soon. For more information, contact the SoutheastHEALTH Foundation at 573-986-6622.