Community briefs 03/08/04

Post M meeting at Cape Elks Lodge

Cape Girardeau Post M of the Travelers Protection Association will hold its annual meeting at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Cape Girardeau Elks Lodge. The members-only meeting is scheduled to consider any changes that should be made in the post's bylaws and to elect new officers. A meal will be served, and some Missouri Division officers are expected to attend. Call 335-9308 for more information.

League holding forum for school board candidates

The League of Women Voters of Southeast Missouri will conduct a forum for Cape Girardeau school board candidates at 7 p.m. March 18 in room 214 at the administration building on Clark Street. The public is welcome to attend and submit questions.

North, South to clash in Sikeston on Saturday

A Civil War re-enactment will open at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Sikeston Depot Museum at 116 W. Malone in Sikeston. The battle begins at 11 a.m. The event is expected to have 250 Civil War re-enactors (Union and Confederate), 10 cannons, 12 infantry units, horse cavalry and mule wagon rides. For more information, call (573) 471-2566 or (573) 481-9967.

Charitable trust makes two donations

Two $700 donations were made by the C.W. Rushing Charitable Trust from the proceeds of the 2003 Captain Woody Rushing Golf Tournament held at Kimbeland Country Club in Jackson. Recipients included the ALS Association and the Alzheimer's Association in support of its Memory Walk.

Kelly kindergarten enrollment, screening set

A kindergarten enrollment/ screening will be held at Kelly Elementary School from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 22 and 23. Call (573) 545-3544 for an appointment.

Lasagna and auction to benefit cancer victim

A lasagna meal and silent auction will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 28 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit to benefit Martha Denson, a breast cancer victim. For those unable to attend, checks may be made payable to Thrivent Charlie 30281 or placed in a church offering envelope at Immanuel Lutheran of Tilsit, Christ Lutheran of Gordonville or Zion United Methodist. Write "Martha Denson" on the envelope. Funds will be matched by Thrivent for Lutherans.

Action agency conducts awareness presentations

Cape Girardeau County community awareness presentations are being conducted by East Missouri Action Agency to familiarize the public with issues such as poverty, family self-sufficiency, available programs through EMAA, and income and labor issues. The presentations are free and include information provided by Kids Count, Census 2000 and the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Call 334-5533 to schedule a presentation.

Volunteers sought for Wappapello LakeVolunteer groups or individuals can adopt a trail or part of one of the five trails at Wappapello Lake to help in basic maintenance or special events. Upcoming events include spring roadside cleanup on April 3. Volunteers donate approximately three hours of their time to help keep the Wappapello Lake area clean. On Disabled Person's Fishing Day, May 8, those who enjoy working with others can help by providing pontoon boats and participating as drivers. Volunteers with talent in crafts, woodcarving, quilting and flint knapping may share their abilities with others through an interpretive program. For more information, call park ranger Rosie Lemons at (573) 222-8562.

Hospital sponsoring Pee Wee Day CampsSoutheast Missouri Hospital will sponsor Pee Wee Day Camps for children ages 2 to 5 in Jackson and Cape Girardeau this month. The first camp will be held from 9 a.m. to noon today at Southeast's Main Street Family Fitness Center, 410 W. Main in Jackson. The next Pee Wee Day Camp will be held from 9 a.m. to noon March 22 at Southeast's Kids Bee Fit location at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, in the Pasta House wing. Certified children's fitness specialist Millie Aufdenberg will lead children in playtime, climbing, crafts and making and eating snacks. For more information or to register, call Main Street Fitness at 243-2211.

Book lecture to be held at Sikeston Depot

A monthly book lecture series begins at 7 p.m. March 15 at the Sikeston Depot Cultural and Historical Center at 116 West Malone in Sikeston. Bonnie Stepenoff, professor of history at Southeast Missouri State University and author of "Thad Snow: A Life of Social Reform in the Missouri Bootheel," will present the biography of this agricultural entrepreneur, social critic and activist. She will also show a short video.

Transit authority chief to speak on cable show

The next guest on SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence TV program "Independently Speaking" will be Jeff Brune, executive director of Cape County Transit Authority in Jackson. The topic will cover what kind of services the authority offers. The program airs on WDKA-TV Channel 49 (Channel 17 on cable) at 5:30 a.m. Sunday and at 7:30 p.m. March 16 and 30 on cable access Channel 5.

-- From staff reports