Community briefs 1/30/06

Miss Valentine's Day Pageant set for Feb. 4

The Miss Valentine's Day Pageant will be held Feb. 4 at the community center in Bernie, Mo. All proceeds will benefit Paige Thomason, a contestant in the Miss Missouri USA 2007 pageant, to be held this December. Discounts are available for preregistered contestants. For more information, contact Thomason at (573) 421-1396. Forms may be picked up at Alyshia's Magical Moments and Kid Stop, Cape Girardeau; Joy's in Sikeston, Mo., and at other surrounding community stores.

American Cancer Society kicks off for Relay for Life

The American Cancer Society will hold a kickoff for Relay for Life of Cape County at 6 p.m. Feb. 7 at the VFW Hall in Cape Girardeau. The event is open to all individuals interested in learning about Relay For Life and becoming involved in the overnight event April 28 and 29 at Cape County Park North. The event mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones and raise money for the fight against cancer. More information is available from the American Cancer Society at 334-9197; the 24-hour help line at (800) ACS-2345 or www.cancer. org.

Grandparents support group meets Feb. 8

Any individual raising their grandchildren or any other relative's children is invited to a 10 a.m. meeting Feb. 8 at the Cape Girardeau County Extension Center, 684 W. Jackson Trail, Jackson. A presentation will be made by Southeast Missouri Hospital nurse Elma Staten. Each meeting includes an educational program followed by sharing and fellowship. For more information, contact the University of Missouri Extension Center at 243-3581.

Cape County FCE sponsors trip to musical

The Cape County FCE clubs are sponsoring a trip to the Fox Theater for the 2 p.m. matinee of "Little Women" on Feb. 25. Lunch at The Blue Owl in Kimmswick, Mo., is on the agenda. Reservation deadline is Feb. 8. For more information, call Margie Swan at (573) 833-6910, Opal Collins at 334-1468 or Mary Klaproth at 243-5426.

-- From staff reports