Community briefs 1/4/04

AARP to meet

The Cape Girardeau County Chapter of AARP #4041 will meet at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

The program, "Senior Learning Opportunities for 2004" will be presented by Beth Mueller, director of the senior learning program at the Hoover Center.

A drawing will be held for door prizes.

Winter pageant set

A winter pageant will be held Jan. 10 at the Morehouse Community Center.

Attire for the pageant will be winter wear, dressy or casual. Girls age divisions will begin at 10:30 a.m. Divisions range up to age 13.

Boys division will begin at 10:30 a.m. for all boys up to age 4.

Crowning will immediately follow age divisions.

For more information or to pre-register, call 471-1838 or 471-3845.

Public Library announces programs

The Cape Girardeau Public Library will begin its winter reading program Jan. 12. The program continues through March 13 and the theme is "Read with someone everyday."

Children of all ages can earn prizes as they read. Upon initial registration participants will receive a book bag, activity book and bookmark. In addition to completing a game board, which requires a total reading time of 450 minutes (about 7 1/2 hours) by the end of the program, participants can earn bonus prizes by checking out books from the library. The program is made possible in part by donations from the Eagles Aerie 3775.

Other library activities include:

Winter Wonderland, which begins at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 22 for children in grades 1 to 3. Stories, crafts, and hot chocolate will be available. If snow is on the ground bring boots for stomping through the winter landscape. Registration is preferred.

Driver safety course offered

The AARP driver safety program will offer classes for older drivers who want to learn about how to compensate for their physical changes.

Classes are eight hours, usually offered in two four-hour sessions. For dates and class locations, contact Robert Harper at 243-2396.

The safe driver program began in 1979 and offers a refresher course for drivers age 50 and older. Participants don't have to be AARP members to enroll in the class. Insurance discounts are available upon certification.

Women in agriculture to meet in Benton

Women who share an interest in farming, gardening, cooking and community activities are welcome to attend an upcoming meeting of Women in Agriculture.

The organization's goal is to educate others about agriculture and to provide an atmosphere of fun, fellowship and support. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at the USDA Office in Benton, Mo. Della Hubbard of Farm Credit Services will speak on crop insurance.

For more information contact Kay Dover at the USDA Center at 545-9027.

-- From staff reports