Community digest 1/22/04

Huntington's Disease support group gathers

All are welcome at a support group meeting for those affected by Huntington's Disease at 6:30 p.m. today at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

MS Society planning Valentine's Day luncheon

Invividuals with multiple sclerosis and their partners are invited to "Getting the Jar Open," a Valentine's Day luncheon from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Drury Lodge, Interstate 55 and William Street. Registration deadline is Feb. 13. This program is sponsored by the Regional office of the Gateway Area Chapter. For more information or to register please contact the MS Society at (800) FIGHT MS or e-mail: resourcecenter@gatewaymssociety.org or register online at www.gatewaymssociety.org

SEMO graduate joins the Peace Corps

Edwin L. Blanton III of Ironton, Mo., has accepted a position with the Peace Corps to serve as a Youth and Community Development Worker in the Eastern Caribbean. Blanton is a May 2003 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with an M.S.A. in Public Administration.

Upcoming community dances to feature lessons

Cape Friends of Traditional Music and Dance will host a community dance from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Feb. 28 at the Christ Episcopal Church, 101 N. Fountain. Joe Surdyk will teach and call contra, square and circle dances to live old-time music. All moves are taught and the dance walked through. All welcome. No partner, costume or experience is necessary. A donation is requested. For more information call Judy at 334-5289 or John at 335-7315.

Autism support group forming in Cape area

Concerned individuals or caregivers of those affected by autism are invited to attend a newly-formed autism support group. The first meeting will take place at 7 p.m. today at the Franciscan Room of St. Francis Medical Center. For more information, call Mike at 335-9221.

Family support group meetings scheduled

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Cape Girardeau, in collaboration with the Community Counseling Center, presents free family support group meetings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the last Tuesday of every month at the Community Counseling Center, 402 S. Silver Springs Road. The next meeting is Jan. 27. Call 334-1100 for more information or leave a message at 243-6146.

County Genealogical Society to meet Jan. 27

The Cape Girardeau County Genealogical Society meets at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Riverside Regional Library in Jackson. Dr. Bill Eddleman will present the program for the evening as he shares practical resources on obtaining beneficial information regarding ancestors who fought in the Civil War. The society meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday. Nonmembers are welcome at all meetings. For more information please call Dorothy Rowley at 243-5882. -- From staff reports