Community digest 08/19/02

Gymnasts flip out for Guinness world records

On Saturday, National Gymnastics Day, gymnasts from Elite Express Gymnastics in Cape Girardeau will join in with thousands of gymnasts from across the United States participating in an effort to set a Guinness World Record for the most people performing cartwheels simultaneously nationwide.

In addition to setting a new record, the event is also a fund raiser for Project Action, an organization that fights juvenile crime and keeps children out of gangs. Each gymnast solicited donations for the group and contributions will also be accepted on-site.

Locally, the event is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park. For more information, call 334-8400.

Nursing student to get disability experience

During a field trip this week to Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, beginning nursing students from Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences will get a hands-on experience of what it is like to be a disabled person. On Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon, 12 students and two instructors will go through the facility using wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and other devices.

"We want our students to have a better awareness of what it is like to live with a disability," said Lisa Moses, RN. "We hope this hands-on experience will allow them to take even better care of their patients."

Cape genealogy society to meet on Aug. 27

JACKSON, Mo. -- An informal meeting of the Cape Girardeau Genealogy Society will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, at the Riverside Regional Library in Jackson, Mo. This will be an open forum meeting concentrating on research. Board members will be on hand to assist novices. The Genealogy Research Room at the Riverside Regional Library is open to the public to use during regular library hours.

Local execs represent rural hospitals in D.C.

WASHINGTON -- Four area executives recently participated in a delegation of hospital representatives who visited Missouri senators and representatives to discuss health care decisions confronting Congress during this legislative session.

Those attending included Steven C. Bjelich, president and chief executive officer of St. Francis Medical Center; Harry Rediger, board chair of St. Francis Medical Center; Ralph Paulding, president and chief executive officer of Perry County Memorial hospital in Perryville; and William Wingerter, Perry County Memorial Hospital board president.

-- From staff reports