Community digest 1/16/03

Book Club to discuss book by SIU professor

The Central High School Book Club will discuss Southern Illinois University professor Kent Haruf's "Plainsong" on Jan. 29. Discussion will be led by Central English teacher Susan Hekmat in the Central High School Library starting at 2:30 p.m.

These hour-long discussions are open to the public. Refreshments will be interactive this month as participants gather around a fondue pot to discuss the characters in "Plainsong." Even those who haven't read the book are welcome to come and listen.

The school book club's discussions for the city-wide read of "All Over but the Shoutin'" written by Rick Bragg will begin in February.

Prayers at Cemetery of the Innocents

The Missouri Right to Life group will hold its annual prayer service at the Cemetery of the Innocents on Siemers Drive in Cape Girardeau at 2 p.m. Sunday.

This event is interdenominational, with a reception of hot chocolate and coffee held afterward at Drury Inn Suites. The service will be held in the lobby of Drury Inn Suites in case of inclement weather. Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel of Cape Girardeau will provide a tent and chairs for the outdoor service.

For more information, call Jeanette Dohogne at 335-0632 or Kathleen Keesee at 334-7298.

Civil War Round Table to meet Sunday

The Cape Girardeau County Chapter of the Civil War Round Table will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Fellowship Room of Hanover Lutheran Church, located at 2949 Perryville Road in Cape Girardeau.

The program's speaker will be Southeast Missouri State University professor Dr. Frank Nickell, discussing "The Unknown Andrew Johnson."

Those interested in historical events surrounding the War Between the States are invited to attend. Guests are welcome. For more information on upcoming scheduled events and/or membership, contact Rob Weeks at 335-8361 or Mike Hahn at 334-1928.

Local Job's Daughters to begin Bee program

Members of Job's Daughters Bethel No. 51 in Cape Girardeau announced the start of a Job's Daughters To Bee program. A get-acquainted open house will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Cape Girardeau Masonic Temple at 2307 Broadway.

This program is designed for 9 to 10 year-old girls who want to belong to a team, develop special skills and talents, and participate in a variety of new things.

For more information, contact Bethel Guardian Janice Beardslee at (573) 545-3213 or Guardian Secretary Christine Beardslee at 335-7964.

SEMO Fair association meets, elects officers

Officers were elected and awards presented during the Southeast Missouri District Fair Asociation's annual meeting held at the end of last year.

James K. Sander and Glen Birk, both of Jackson, and Gary Kight of Advance, Mo., were elected to the association's board of directors, while Pete Poe of Cape Girardeau was elected as president, Marilyn Schott of Jackson as secretary, Chris Weiss of Jackson as treasurer, and Cam Mitchell of Jackson as property custodian. Kight was also elected as vice-president.

Awards for "Volunteer of the Year" were given to Leo Welker as well as Bob and Opal Klaproth, all of Jackson. Glen Birk received the "Lifetime Achievement Award." The Sinn family of Cape Girardeau was named "Fair Family of the Year." Plaques for service to the fair board were given to Edwin Peetz Jr. and Schott.

The 148th annual SEMO District Fair is scheduled for Sept. 6 to 13 at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau.

-- From staff reports