Community briefs 5/7/06

AARP holds tax volunteer breakfast

AARP Tax-Aide volunteers met for a celebration breakfast at the Drury Lodge recently to recognize volunteers and their efforts in assisting people with the preparation of their federal and state returns. A total of 2,490 people were assisted with tax returns and questions, a 25 percent increase in federal returns filed over the preceding year representing 1,879 volunteer hours. In Missouri, tax centers were operated in Chaffee, Sikeston, Advance, Jackson, Cape Girardeau, Marble Hill, Charleston, Benton and surrounding areas. Lavern Nothdurft was recognized for her many years as area coordinator, instructor and good friend to all volunteers. Her retirement was announced at the breakfast, and Sue Treadway was introduced as the new area coordinator. AARP Tax-Aide is a free tax preparation service provided primarily for the elderly and low-income clients. The service is available to all individuals. It is not available for businesses and for clients with highly complicated returns.

Cape Girardeau County Chapter of AARP meets

The Cape Girardeau County Chapter of AARP 4041 will meet at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday for a tour of and program on the new Nature Center Conservation Building.

Democrat Women's Club meets Tuesday

The Democrat Women's Club will have dinner at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Ponderosa Restaurant. A meeting follows the meal at 7 p.m. Guest Bekki Cook will speak. For more information, call Fay at 651-0702.

Yard sale donations taken at humane society

The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri will hold an annual yard sale opening at 7 a.m. June 1 and 2 at 2536 Boutin Drive. Supporters who need help hauling their donated items should contact Cheryle at 334-5837. Due to limited space, clothing donations should not be dropped off until May 18. This fund-raiser helps with operating expenses, office supplies and animal needs.

Arnsberg Cemetery will hold annual meeting

The Arnsberg Cemetery will hold an annual meeting at 2 p.m. May 20 on cemetery grounds. Attendees should bring lawn chairs. In case of inclement weather, the meeting will be held the following Sunday. History books will be available.

United Way plans annual golf tourney

Registration and lunch for the United Way 20th annual golf tournament begin at 11 a.m. June 1 with a shotgun start at noon. The entry fee includes cart, green fees, lunch and prizes. Register online at www.unitedwayofsemo.org.

-- From staff reports

Club, book store work to benefit not-for-profits

The Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau and Barnes & Noble Booksellers at West Park Mall will partner to raise money for area not-for-profit organizations from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Barnes and Noble will donate a percentage of the sale of books purchased at the local store to the Zonta Club Foundation during that time. Customers will need to present at checkout a Zonta Bookfair voucher, available from any Zonta member or at the bookstore on the day of the event. The Zonta Club will have a Mother's Day card-making station for children of all ages; a 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. story time for toddlers and preschoolers; a Kindermusik class demonstration at 12:30 p.m.; a scrapbooking demonstration at 2 p.m., book signings from 1 to 2 p.m. and a poetry slam at 3:30 p.m. The money generated will be used by the club to benefit many organizations including Safe House for Women, Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity and First Call for Help.

Club seeks Scott City woman of the year

An outstanding woman in the Scott City community is being sought by the Scott City Women's Club for Scott City's annual summerfest. Nominations will be kept secret until awards are presented at the June 2 festival. Nominees may be submitted online at www.scottcitywomensclub.org/womanoftheyear.html under events, or call Susan Palisch at 264-3229. Applications are available at the Scott City Rhodes 101 Stop, Style Stop, Bob's Foodliner and Roth Hardware.

Nursing college donates to VA Medical Center

Students from the Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences (Radiology Technologist Program) visited the VA Medical Center recently and provided donated items and a check for $345 for the Extended Care Unit residents' special lunches.

-- From staff reports