Community digest 8/15/05

Scott County genealogy society to meet Saturday in Benton

The Scott County Historical and Genealogy Society will hold its August meeting on Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Riverside Regional Library in Benton, Mo. This will be a working meeting with time to access the research room. Members will discuss the cemetery updates. All members are requested to attend for a progress report. The society's meetings are open to the public and everyone is welcome.

Jackson Municipal Band gives its last concert of season

The Jackson Municipal Band will perform its final weekly concert Thursday at 8 p.m. at the gazebo on the courthouse lawn. Robyn Hosp will be the special guest. Hosp has performed throughout the midwest as a soloist, in gospel groups and with Mike Dumey in dinner theater productions. She has won local, state, regional and national singing competitions and has CDs available throughout the area. The band's performance will include "Second Suite in F" by Gustav Holst, 1920s hits by Warren Barker and marches by John Phillip Sousa.

SIgn up for Master Gardener classes beginning Sept. 13

The Southeast Missouri Master Gardener Program, sponsored by the University of Missouri Extension, is looking for interested persons who wish to become Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners are adults of all ages who love gardening, have previous gardening experience, and whose mission is "helping others learn to grow." Classes begin Sept. 13. For details, contact Donna Aufdenberg at the Bollinger County Extension office at 304 High St. in Marble Hill, Mo., or call (573) 238-2420 or (800) 238-2420.

Peace coalition requests donations to present speaker

The Southeast Missouri Coalition for Peace and Justice requests help to bring Lila Lipscomb to speak at the Osage Community Centre on Sept. 15. Lipscomb lost her son in Iraq and is now speaking against the war. Together with Cindy Sheehan, who is currently protesting outside President George Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, Lila founded Gold Star Families for Peace. To donate, make checks out to The Southeast Missouri Coalition for Peace and Justice and send to Bob Polack, 326 N. Middle St., Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.

Fund raiser will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters, Old Navy, and Westfield West Park will hold its annual fund raiser at the mall Aug. 26, 27 and 28. Events start at 10 a.m. and continue throughout the afternoon. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri's office in Cape Girardeau served 2,100 children in Cape Girardeau County and Scott City last year and expects to serve 2,300 children in 2005. The organization was founded in 1904 and is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. In 2004 it served more than 220,000 young people, ages five through 18, in 5,000 communities across the country.

Conservation department helps fund firefighting equipment

The Missouri Department of Conservation recently donated $476 to the North Cape Girardeau County Fire Department to reimburse money spent on wildfire supression equipment.

-- From staff reports