Community digest 6/24/04

Yard sale raising funds for police, shelter

A half price yard sale fund raiser to benefit the Women's Safe House, the SEMO Network Against Sexual Violence and the Cape Girardeau Police Department is planned from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today through Saturday at 213 N. Russell, Jackson.

Mentoring partnership holding family night

Friends and Family Night with Missouri Mentoring Partnership will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the Southeast Missouri State University Ballroom, located on the fourth floor of the Univesity Center. Missouri Mentoring Partnership participants, businesses, organizations, schools and volunteers will receive awards. Entertainment, food and prizes are part of the celebration. Dr. Mel Gillespie, Southeast Missouri State University assistant to the president for equity issues, and Jeffrey L. McGoy, Shawnee Community College recruiter and academic adviser, will make speeches.

Meal planned in Cape for Truman Day

The annual Truman Day Barbecue will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday at Laborers Hall, 773 Enterprise, Cape Girardeau. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door. Call Cris Edwards at 243-1709, Paul Alee at 243-5350 or Alex Harris at 243-2643. This event is a fund-raising project of the Byrd Township Democrats, the oldest Cape Girardeau County Democratic organization. Proceeds will be used to assist local Democrats running for office and to provide informational booths at local fairs and festivals.

New farmers market opens Saturday

A weekly farmers market will open at 10 a.m. Saturday at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park's main parking lot, directly across from Pier I Imports. All future markets will be held on the main parking lot directly across from Taco Bell. Produce growers are welcome to contact Michele or Joyce for more details at 339-1333.

Run Around Town starts Saturday morning

Participants should meet at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Main Street Pavillion for this year's Run Around Town, sponsored by Southeast Missouri Hospital's Fitness and Wellness staff in cooperation with Old Town Cape. Pre-registration is required for a T-shirt. For more information, call Southeast's Main Street Fitness Center at 243-2211.

Application deadline nears for joining tractor club

The deadline for applications to enter the Second River Hills Antique Tractor Club Adventure is July 1. Deadline is July 15 to register for a dinner and program featuring agricultural journalist Max Armstrong. Call Curt Bronenkant at 788-2759 for more information regarding the adventure or Jackie Wengert at 547-6062 for dinner and program information. The adventure includes a parade leaving Seminary Picnic in Perryville, Mo., at 8:30 a.m. July 31, stopping for lunch at Belgique and heading to Brewer to arrive back at the picnic grounds by approximately by 4 p.m. Dinner will be followed with a presentation at 6 p.m. by Max Armstrong.

Independence Day 5K set in Jackson City Park

Southeast Missouri Hospital's Fitness and Wellness staff and the Jackson Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor an Independence Day 5K beginning at 7:30 a.m July 3 at Jackson City Park. Events include a 1 mile walk/run, a 3.1 mile walk and a 3.1 mile run. Each race will begin and end at the pool, with a turnaround at Jackson Junior High/West Lane. Childcare will be available during the event. Age groups include under 10 to 70 and over and a fee applies. Pre-registration through July 2 will include a T-shirt delivered before the race. Registration on race day also includes a T-shirt, but same-day delivery is not guaranteed. All participants will receive a gift bag. To register, call 243-2211.

Oran sponsoring annual Fourth of July picnic

A family and buffet style dinner will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. July 4 at the Oran Knights of Columbus. The menu includes roast beef, fried chicken, dressing, ham and all the trimmings, drink and dessert. Children under 6 eat free. Other free attractions include western wagon rides from noon to 6 p.m.; a horseshoe tournament and Semo Scaled Auto Racers at 1 p.m.; musical entertainment by Classy Chassy from 3 to 6 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m.; a turtle race at 4 p.m.; kiddie tractor pull at 6 p.m.; dancing with music by Charlie's Music Review from 8 to 11:30 p.m.; and fireworks at 10 p.m. Bingo and games for all ages will also be played throughout the day.

Cape Girardeau Public Library schedules events

Signup for beginner computer training classes will be July 1. The classes will be held August 10, 17 and 24. The adult summer reading program is planned from July 1 to 30. The library will be closed July 5 in observance of Independence Day. Learn the basics of genealogy research and available resources Cape Girardeau County Archives has to offer for research at 7 p.m. on July 6. The first evening Internet classes, a two evening program covering mouse and keyboarding basics, Web site searches and e-mail usage, will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 22 and 29. These free classes are held in the Hirsch Community Room. To register, call 334-5279. Poetry Coffee House themed "Metaphysical Poets" is planned for 7 p.m. on July 26. A presentation on hummingbirds and how to attract them by Bill Eddleman is on tap at 7 p.m. July 27.

Riverside Regional libraries plan events

At the Jackson Branch a pizza party for young adults (age 9 and up) is planned for 2 p.m. today at the Resource Center. A second young adult party is planned for 1:30 p.m. July 18. NASA representative Jackie Wortmann will be making terrariums with participants for the theme "The Planet Earth." Ice cream will also be served. For more information, call Lynn Farrow at 243-8141. Wortmann will also present the program at the Scott City branch at 1:15 p.m. on July 25. That program is limited to the first 25 young adults.

Kaskaskia historic site holding celebration

The 35th annual Independence Day Celebration is planned for 12:30 p.m. July 4 at Kaskaskia Bell State Historic Site on Kaskaskia Island. Take Missouri Highway 51 west to Route H, then north to St. Mary, Mo. and turn east onto the new bridge at the Kaskaskia Bell marker and follow the signs. The patriotic ceremony will include musical selections, as well as speeches and remarks from various area organizations, businesses and mayors of Chester and Perryville, Mo. Organist James Sparks will present 30 minutes of patriotic songs at 2 p.m. in the church.

-- From staff reports