Community digest 4/26/04

Remembrance Wall featured at mall

A Remembrance Wall has been established at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, just outside of J.C. Penney by the DDS Relay for Life team. Stars and moons from the American Cancer Society will be posted on the wall until June 5, when the Relay for Life event at Cape County Park North takes place. Moons represent money given in honor of a cancer survivor; stars represent money given in memory of someone who did not survive. The stars and moons are available for purchase at J.C. Penney, Rogers Jewelers, FYE and the Diamond Wireless/Verizon kiosk at the mall. All money raised goes to the American Cancer Society.

Cape Girardeau Public Library sets May events

Registration begins Saturday in the Hirsch Community Room for a series of three intermediate Internet training classes to be held from 11 a.m. to noon (with an optional hour of practice from noon to 1 p.m.) June 8, 15 and 22. The training includes advanced search techniques and advanced use of an e-mail account. Individuals should have an e-mail account, have mastered the use of a mouse and have a basic understanding of the computer and how to access Web sites.

Bilingual storytimes will be offered for children ages 3 to 5 at 10 a.m. Saturday and May 8. Spanish and English will be featured at Saturday's session; German and English at the May 8 session. Accommodations for disabled patrons will be made available upon request.

Morning book discussion meets at 10 a.m. May 14. Book title is "Bingo Night at the Fire Hall" by Barbara Holland. The library will present a safety program at 2 p.m. led by John Myre.

Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale preview will be held from 5 to 6 p.m and will be open to the public from 6 to 8 p.m. May 21 and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 22.

The Poetry Coffee House will focus on Cinco de Mayo and Spanish/Latino poets at 7 p.m. May 24.

The Book Discussion Group will discuss "The Bean Trees" by Barbara Kingsolver at 7 p.m. May 27.

The library will be closed for Memorial Day on May 31.

Historical society plans spring banquet

The Cape Girardeau County Historical Society will hold its spring banquet at 6 p.m. Friday at Zion Lutheran Church, south of Gordonville. The public is invited. RSVP to Margaret Beggs by calling 243-5887. The topic of the program is "The Enemy Among Us: POWS in Missouri During WWII."

Southeast education majors celebrate reading

Members of the Alpha Eta chapter of Kappa Delta Pi at Southeast Missouri State University celebrated reading at the Cape Girardeau Civic Center Boys and Girls Club. Chapter members read Dr. Seuss stories, engaged in one-on-one activities and donated 174 books to the club. Forty-two children each selected two books. Remaining books will be used at the Civic Center's "Power Hour," an after-school homework program. Kappa Delta Pi is a national honor society for education students. The Southeast chapter is composed of students with high grade point averages who are majoring in education.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters plans bowling event

Big Brothers/Big Sisters will be holding their annual fund-raiser Saturday at Jackson Lanes, 304 Monroe St., Jackson. The goal is to raise money for area children to be matched up with Big Brother/Big Sister mentors. To learn more about the event or to start a team, call Meridith White at 651-3374 or (800) 455-1608.

New Hamburg tees off Kow Pasture Klassic

The 19th annual Kow Pasture Klassic tee times begin at 8 a.m. (or earlier if necessary) Saturday at Schindler's Tavern in New Hamburg, Mo. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Missouri Veterans Home and the Kenny Rogers Children's Center. For more information, call Mitch Miller at Kohlfeld Distributing at 243-3931 or call Schindler's at 545-3709 to reserve a tee time.

Genealogical society to meet Tuesday

The Cape Girardeau County Genealogical Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Riverside Regional Library in Jackson. Bollinger County native Lorena Shell Eaker of Church Hill, Tenn., will be present to answer questions on German families from North Carolina that settled in Southeast Missouri. Eaker is a direct descendant of many early settlers in Southeast Missouri and a veteran of 57 years in genealogical research. As an author of four books that provide a wealth of genealogical history for Southeast Missourians, Eaker encourages participants to bring their copies of ancestor charts, family group sheets, Bible records and other legal documents for a period of show and tell after the presentation. Also attending will be Maurice McNeely providing information on the McNeely family. For more information, call Dorothy Rowley at 243-5882.

Egyptian High School presenting spring show

The Egyptian High School fine arts department will present its annual spring festival beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The public is invited. The musical event centers on songs that have entertained generations of Americans.

Softball tournament benefits Relay for Life

To help raise money for the upcoming New Madrid Relay for Life a men's and women's softball tournament will be held Saturday morning at the New Madrid Davis Street Ballpark. Call Angie at (573) 293-6128 or (573) 748-0773 to register by Thursday.

Ferns will provide space for homeless pets

PAWS will hold a Boston Fern sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday at the PAWS Place Adoption Center, 139 E. Vienna St., Anna, Ill. Proceeds from this fund-raiser will support programs and the operation of the adoption center. For more information, call 833-3647.

Talent contest seeking dancers, singers

Heartland Talent is seeking youth talent contestants, ages 6 to 21, for its fourth annual contest held May 7 at the Sikeston Little Theatre. Amateur dancers, singers, comedians, actors and musicians are divided into junior and senior divisions. The contest is sanctioned by the Mid-South Fair, Memphis, Tenn. Winners in each division will receive a large trophy and a cash award. Senior division winners will qualify to compete at the Mid-South Fair this summer. Preregistration is mandatory. For applications and information, call Lisa Boyer at 332-1718 or Marlene Creech at 335-4677. The deadline for entry is Saturday.

-- From staff reports