Community digest 06/16/05

Upcoming activities at Trail of Tears State Park

Programs are free and meet at the visitors center unless otherwise noted. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Contact the park at 334-1711 if groups of 10 or more will attend or to check for changes that may have occurred.

* 7 p.m. Friday, "Overlook Discovery Adventure," meets at the Overlook Road gate.

* 10 a.m. Saturday, "Bird Bingo," meets at the Wescoat Shelter; 7 p.m. "Clue Finding Interpreter."

* 7:30 p.m. June 24, "The Rotting Homestead."

* 10 a.m. June 25, "Nature's Fashion," bring a blank colored bandana; 7:30 p.m. "That hurts -- litter-ally!"

* 6:30 p.m. July 1, "Birds and Bees."

* 10 a.m. July 2, "Snakes Alive"; 6:30 p.m., "Trash to Treasure."

* 9:30 a.m. July 3, a cross-country hike through Vancill Hollow Natural Area. Meet at the lower Peewah Trailhead on the Overlook Road. Bring water and wear long pants.

Caring council meets Friday on calendar

The June monthly meeting of the Community Caring Council will be at 7:30 a.m. Friday at the Cape Girardeau School District administrative office, Room 214, 301 N. Clark Ave. Barbara Clements will present the family activities calendar via the council's Web site and guide attendees through its online capabilities.

Jackson concert to help student ambassador

A free concert, "Pickin' in the Park," featuring Rick Irwin and friends with cowboy gospel and country music, will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Jackson Bandshell. Proceeds will benefit Jackson student ambassador Alexis Rhodes for her trip to New Zealand and Australia as part of the People to People program.

Civil War group meets for discussion Sunday

The Cape Civil War Roundtable will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday at Hanover Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau. The speaker will be Paul Arnold, a student who is pursuing a master's degree in history at Southeast Missouri State University. Arnold will discuss the Battle of Champion's Hill. The event is free and open to the public.

Salvation Army serving meals next week

Salvation Army will serve meals from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday at 701 Good Hope St. Everyone is welcome, and there is no cost. All meals include cake or pie. Monday's menu is chicken nuggets, potato wedges, peaches, bread and butter; Tuesday, nachos, refried beans, pears; Wednesday, Polish sausage or hot dogs, sauerkraut, chips, mixed fruit, bread and butter; Thursday, turkey, potatoes and gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls and butter; Friday, chicken noodles, peas, jello with fruit, bread and butter.

Mission work day at Family Resource Center

Those wishing to participate in organizing the Cape Family Resource Center library will meet at 8:30 a.m. June 24 at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson and carpool to the resource center at 1202 South Sprigg St. in Cape Girardeau by 9 a.m. New shelves need to be filled, and children's books need to be labeled.

-- From staff reports