Community digest 10/03/01

Reunion in Commerce set for Saturday

The Commerce Reunion will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 6 at the city park in Commerce, Mo. In case of rain, the reunion will be held in the basement of the Methodist Church. Potluck begins at noon.

Results from Scott City Park washer contest

A washer contest was held Sept. 22 at the Scott City Park. First-place winners were Russel Keller of Scott City, Mo., and Van McConnell of Oran, Mo. Second-place winners were Brian Mashek and Kevin Gresham. Third place winners were John McFall and Eric White.

Recycling center to resume normal hours

Cape Girardeau's recycling center drop-off will resume normal operating hours beginning Oct. 15. Normal hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call the Public Works Department at 334-9151.

Wine festival to be held at Celebrations

The Rotary Foundation is holding its 3rd annual Wine Fest from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 15 at Celebrations restaurant in Cape Girardeau. There will be a cold buffet accompanied by international and American wines. Space is limited and reservations are required. Call Celebrations at 334-8330 for reservations. Cost is $25 per person.

Optimists' Spaghetti Day set for Oct. 17

The Cape Girardeau Breakfast Optimist Club has scheduled its 33rd annual Spaghetti Day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Arena Building. Tickets are $5. Tickets for children under 12 years are $2.50. Dessert is extra. Carry-outs will be available. Tickets will be available at the door.

Area libraries receive Gates Foundation grants

The Riverside Regional Library system, based in Jackson, Mo., and the Cape Girardeau Public Library will receive grants for computer equipment and laser printers through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's U.S. Library Program.

Missouri Secretary of State Matt Blunt announced the grants of $35,365 for Riverside and $11,375 for the Cape Girardeau Public Library.

The Riverside system will receive computer equipment for its Jackson, Altenburg, Oran, Perryville and Scott City libraries.

The Cape Girardeau library will receive four computers and a laser printer.

Emerson's mobile office on the road

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's mobile office will make stops next week in several Southeast Missouri cities.

On Oct. 9, the mobile office will at the Scott County Courthouse at Benton from 8:30-9:30 a.m., the Charleston library from noon to 1 p.m. and the city administrative building in East Prairie from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

On Oct. 12, the mobile office will visit city halls in Advance, Oran and Chaffee at 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., respectively.

Kent Library expands hours for archives

Kent Library's special collections and archives have expanded hours this fall, school officials said.

Those sections of Southeast Missouri State University's library, which includes the Rare Book Room, will be open until 9 p.m. each Thursday, except during university breaks and holidays.

SEMO engineering program accredited

The engineering physics program at Southeast Missouri State University has received national accreditation.

The program has been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, the sole accrediting body for engineering programs in the United States.

University officials said students now can obtain an accredited engineering degree at Southeast rather than having to transfer to the University of Missouri-Rolla or some other engineering school.

-- From staff reports