Community digest 09/04/01

Cape Girardeau woman marks 104th birthday

Florence Robinson Poe celebrated her 104th birthday Aug. 24. She received well wishes from President Bush and the first lady as well as many phone calls and cards.

Poe was born near Farmington, Mo., then moved to Canalou, Mo., before the town had a name. She now lives with her daughter, Iris Jackson, in Cape Girardeau.

Private arrives for Army duty in Germany

Army Pvt. Michael Birchler has arrived for duty at the Vilseck-Grafenwoehr Military Community in Germany. He is a transportation specialist. Birchler is the son of Scott Birchler of Sparta, Ill., and Sandra Heartling of Perryville, Mo. He is a graduate of Pinckneyville High School in Pinckneyville, Ill.

Jackson girl a finalist in preteen competition

Leigha Wilkerson of Jackson, Mo., daughter of Byron and Renee Wilkerson, was selected as a finalist in the Preteen Missouri Scholarship and Recognition Program, which was to be held Sept. 1-3 at the Capitol Plaza in Jefferson City.

Preteen Missouri is a by-invitation only scholarship and recognition event involving young women 7-12 years of age based on their school academic records, awards, and honors. The program will award over $5,000 in educational bonds, prizes and awards.

Open house today for new classrooms

Scott County Central Schools in Sikeston, Mo., are hosting an open house from 8-11 a.m. today at its Early Learning Center to celebrate the new classroom for the 3- and 4-year-old preschool program. This program is available through the Missouri Preschool Project grant, which is funded by the Missouri Department of Education.

Train Day at Carbondale scheduled for Oct. 27

Carbondale Train Day will be held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Town Square Pavilion in Carbondale, Ill.

Those who would like to sell craft items may register by calling Roxanne Conley at the Carbondale Convention and Tourism Bureau at (800) 526-1500. Booth space is $25.

Also, the Holiday Lights Fair will be from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Dec. 6-9 at the DuQuoin State Fair Grounds Exhibition Hall in DuQuoin, Ill. To register for the craft sale, contact Conley.

Serviceman promoted to higher rank

Michael J. Ritrovato was recently promoted to a private first class in the Marine Corps. He received the promotion while serving at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

He is the son of Tina M. Marlow of Cape Girardeau and Robert A. Ritrovato of Ste. Genevieve.

Service dogs topic of television show

Donna Jacobs of Service Dogs Today will speak about assistance for the disabled during "Independently Speaking." The program airs at 5:30 a.m. Sunday on Channel 49 and at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 and 25.

Jacobs, who is disabled, is assisted by a service dog, Petra. The dog was chosen as the service dog of the year in 1998.

-- From staff reports