Community briefs 3-1-07

Salvation Army auction to be held Friday

Doors open at 6 p.m. Friday for the Salvation Army's Annual Men's Club Auction. Items on the auction block have been donated by local businesses. Examples include gift cards and/or certificates to local restaurants, household items, car maintenance certificates, T-shirts and flower arrangements. A concession stand will be available. Auctioneer is L.R. Brandes. Checks or cash accepted at the end of the session.

Baptist church to hold rummage sale Saturday

The First Free Will Baptist Church, 2919 Kage Road in Cape Girardeau, will have a rummage sale in the church fellowship hall beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday. Breakfast and lunch items will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Pastor Vern Gunnels at 275-9913.

Boy Scouts Trade-O-Ree to be held at VFW Hall

The Boy Scout Trade-O-Ree will be held at 4 p.m. Friday at VFW Post 3838, 1049 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. The Trade-O-Ree will continue at 8 a.m. Saturday, with an oral auction taking place at 1 p.m.

Cape Co. Republican Women's Club to meet

The Cape Girardeau County Republican Women's Club will meet at 11:45 a.m. Friday at Dexter Bar-B-Que, 236 S. Broadview St. in Cape Girardeau. The guest speaker will be Lucas Presson, president of the SEMO University Young Republican's group. Presson will update the club on his group's activities. The club will also be finalizing details for the Lincoln Day Celebration Dinner to be held March 10 at the Arena Building. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call Connie Hanner at 450-3550.

Red House Interpretive Center opens for season

The Red House Interpretive Center's 2007 season will begin from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Red House. Highlights of the new season include visits from the Sons of the American Revolution in uniform, Kid's Club activities, performances by the new Fife and Drum Group, the second annual Louis J. Lorimier memorial golf tournament, special guest artists and musicians, the first May Fest Historical Arts and Crafts Festival, the first October Harvest Moon Historical Arts and Crafts Festival, Park Day, African-American Month in June, Libertyfest, Christmas open house. Dates to be announced. For more information or to make a donation, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 335-5421.

Contra dance to be held at Episcopal church

The Cape Friends of Traditional Music and Dance will hold a contra dance from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Christ Episcopal Church, 101 N. Fountain St. in Cape Girardeau. All moves are taught and the dances walked through. Everyone is welcome. No partner, costume or experience is necessary. Donation requested, discounted for dancers to age 16. For more information, call John or Kathy Coffman at 334-4706, Judy Bradley at 334-5289 or John Boyd at 335-7315.

Chaffee Youth League to elect officers Wednesday

A meeting to elect officers for the Chaffee Youth League will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Chaffee City Hall. The Chaffee Youth League oversees the summer baseball and softball programs. Those interested in serving on the teens league board or who want more information call Mitch Dooley at 887-3601.

Central's National Honor Society plans dance

Members of Central High School's National Honor Society will host a Senior Citizens' dance from 7 to 10 p.m. March 9 at the High School Commons in the school at 1000 S. Silver Springs Road in Cape Girardeau. Music will be provided by Manitou. Steve Schaffner, a Manitou band member, is also Central High School's orchestra teacher. The dance is open to the public. Admission is free. Donations accepted and all monies collected will benefit the Cape Girardeau Senior Center at 921 N. Clark Ave. The National Honor Society is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. NHS honors those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and character. The Central High School NHS chapter has 34 members.

Cemetery association to hold work day

The Old Goshen Cemetery Association will hold a work day beginning at 9 a.m. March 10 at the cemetery. Anyone with family or friends buried at Old Goshen is invited to come for a few hours to help with cemetery maintenance. Workers are asked to bring any of the following tools or supplies: garden rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows and pruning shears for landscaping, as well as small buckets, short-bristle brushes and containers of water for cleaning gravestones. For further information, contact Jim Hickam, 243-1690, Cathy Hancock, 243-3742, or Mary Robinson, 243-6512. In case of bad weather, the work day will be March 31.

Stuff an animal to raise funds for Alma Schrader

Alma Schrader Elementary PTA is sponsoring a "Stuff-A-Bear Factory Night" fund-raiser from 5 to 8 p.m. March 16 at the school. Four animal styles between 14 and 18 inches tall, have hidden, one-way, locking zippers and come complete with stuffing, a birth certificate and a wishing star. Outfits are available as well.

-- From staff reports