Community digest 11/8/07

Benefit planned for Lou Gehrig's disease patient

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A family fun night and chili supper benefit will be held for Mark Ellison and his family from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Clinton Building in the Sikeston Recreation Complex. Ellison was recently diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. There will be music beginning at 7 p.m., along with face painting, balloon twisting and other activities for children. Attendance for children younger than 3 is free. Tickets may be purchased at First Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, Meyer Supply or a Touch of Class Beauty Shop, all in Sikeston. Call Diane at 979-4554 for more information.

Modern Woodmen announce youth club

The first activity of the new Modern Woodmen of America Youth Service Club is set for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Hanover Lutheran Church meeting room in Cape Girardeau. Children 6 and younger are invited to discover the benefits of membership. Leaders include Kimberly Behring and Jim Stafford. For more information, call Stafford at 651-0030.

Former Legion post commander to speak

Robert Bunn, former Cape Girardeau American Legion Post 63 commander and current resident of the Missouri Veterans Home, will deliver a Veterans Day address at 11:30 a.m. Sunday at the Missouri Veterans Home dining room. Veterans' family members are invited.

East Prairie Christmas pageants set for Nov. 18

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- The 2007 East Prairie Christmas Beauty Pageants, open to girls 21 and younger and boys 4 and younger have been set for 2 p.m. Nov. 18 at the East Prairie High School auditorium. Doors will open at 1:15 p.m. There is an admission charge (children younger than 2 are free of charge). There is an entry fee; deadline is Nov. 17. No entries will be accepted the day of the contest. To register or for more information, call Kandi Staples at 573-649-2702. Entry forms are available at various businesses in East Prairie or online at www.southeastpageants.com.

Chaffee Christmas parade to be held Dec. 1

The Chaffee Chamber of Commerce annual Christmas parade will be at 1 p.m. Dec. 1. The starting point is the Head Start parking lot on North Main Street. The parade will end at the Country C.B. parking lot next to Rhodes 101 on Highway 77. The theme is "A Christmas Story." There will be cash prizes for the top three floats. Refreshments will be offered to all participants at the Country C.B. Building. For more information or to enter, call H.B. Rice at 573-887-3555.

Holiday Home Tour tickets on sale Friday

Tickets for the annual Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri Holiday Home Tour go on sale Friday at the Bank of Missouri Cape Girardeau and Jackson locations, the LFCS office at 2911 Breckenridge Drive, Patrick Furniture at 1140 N. Kingshighway, the Southeast Missouri Hospital gift shop, Sunny Hill Garden Center at 206 N. Kingshighway, and Wanda's Coiffures at 1405 Thomas Drive. The tour will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 1. The price is discounted for advance ticket purchase, but tickets will also be available the day of the tour. This year's tour includes the homes of Becky and John Harding and the Villas-California Homes in Cape Girardeau, and Sandy Heidorn, Mike and Lauren Peters, John and Donna Lichtenegger and Sheila and Bill King in Jackson. For more information, call 334-5866.

Scott City Christmas parade entries needed

School bands, floats, tractors, fire trucks or walkers are being recruited for the Scott City Christmas parade Dec. 2. The event is co-hosted the Scott City Fire Department and the Parks Department. The Parks Department is also looking for displays for the Winter Wonderland drive-through at Scott City Community Park. Interested businesses, groups or organizations may contact the park office at 573-264-2322 before Dec. 2. Entrants are asked to attend a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at city hall or call the park office or the fire department at 573-264-2126.

Southeast Mo. Autism Project holds open house

Judevine Outreach Services' Southeast Missouri Autism Project will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday followed by an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. at 107 S. Broadview St. The public is encouraged to attend and learn about services in Southeast Missouri. For more information, call 339-9300.

-- From staff reports