Community digest 2/18

NARFE Employees of Year to be selected

The National Association of Retired Federal Employees will select an area NARFE Employee of the Year and a Retired Employee of the Year.

James E. McDonald, president of NARFE Chapter 626 in Cape Girardeau, said winners will be recognized at a ceremony Aug. 4.

Genealogy meeting scheduled at library

The Cape Girardeau County Genealogy Society will meet Feb. 26 at Riverside Regional Library in Jackson.

The 7:30 p.m. meeting will be an open forum concentrating on research. Additional information is available by calling Bill Eddleman, 335-1507.

Board members will be on hand to assist novices. The Genealogy Research Room at Riverside Regional Library is open to the public any time during regular library hours.

Marine Corps League social gathering set

The Cpl. Mason O. Yarbrough Detachment of the Marine Corps League will host a social Saturday at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838, 1049 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girar-deau.

The gathering will begin at 7 p.m.

The 57th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima (Feb. 19-March 26, 1945) will be observed. There will be a display of Marine Corps memorabilia. The detachment also will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. at the VFW Hall.

All active and former Marines are invited to attend. Additional information is available by calling Matt McGill, 332-8691.

Volunteers honored at wildlife refuge

Volunteers at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge near Puxico, Mo., were honored recently.

Rich McLean of Puxico was recognized as 2001 Volunteer of the Year for his heavy equipment work in duck and geese habitat.

Matt Inman was honored for most hours as a volunteer, with 375 hours.

Mingo Job Corps was honored for most group volunteer hours. The corps gave more than 500 hours of service.

"Your help is needed at Mingo," said Molly Mehl, public use specialist at the refuge. "People can assist with light maintenance, planting food plots and visitor tours."

Anyone interested may contact Mehl at (573) 222-3589.

'Lord of the Rings' discussion slated

You've read the book. You've seen the movie. Now you have a chance to compare and contrast the two.

All ages are welcome to take part in a discussion about the movie version of "The Lord of the Rings," J. R. R. Tolkien's classic book. The discussion group will meet Feb. 28 at the Cape Girardeau Public Library at 7 p.m.

Additional information is available by calling the library's Youth Services Department at 334-5279.

Doctors and lawyers will play basketball

Doctors and lawyers will meet in a benefit basketball game Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Notre Dame Regional High School gym.

The event benefits the Community Counseling Center, which provides mental health services to children, adults and families in Cape Girardeau, Perry, Ste. Genevieve, Bollinger and Madison counties. Game tickets are $5 for adults and $2.50 for children age 12 and younger. A tailgate party will be held before the game. Tickets for that event are $20 and can be purchased in advance at the Community Counseling Center. Additional information is available by calling 334-1100.

DMA auction to offer variety of items

Clothing from Hecht's, furniture from Hutson's Fine Furniture and gift certificates from a number of merchants are among items that will be on the block Feb. 23 at the Downtown Merchants Association Benefit Auction. The event will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 301 S. Spanish.

"We have a satellite system from Shivelbine's, a $500 pair of glasses from Rhea Optical, savings bonds and a number of other items," said Dionne Hoffmeister, auction coordinator.

A silent auction will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. The live auction will begin at 8 p.m., conducted by Chug's Auction Service.

This year's theme is the Mardi Gras. Guests can expect lots of beads, masks and king cakes, Hoffmeister said.

Tickets are available at many downtown businesses and at the door.

Auction proceeds are used by the DMA for downtown improvement projects.

--From staff reports