Community digest 9/10/07

Cape County AARP chapter meets today

At noon today, the Cape Gir­ar­deau County AARP chapter 4041 will meet at Grace United Methodist Church at the corner of Broadway and Caruthers Avenue. The theme is "fall fun," with members asked to bring salad or dessert. Meat is provided. There will be a door prize drawing.

State, Cape County FCE contest underway

A statewide essay and artwork contest for fourth-grade students, sponsored by the Missouri and Cape Girardeau County FCE, will run until Dec. 31. This year's theme is "Respect." The contest is open to public, private or homeschooled children. For information, contact Marilyn Retherford at 243-8532.

Big Springs reunion planned Saturday

Anyone who attended Big Springs School is invited to a reunion at noon Saturday at Pavilion No. 6 at Jackson City Park. Bring a covered dish. For more information, call James Ross at 243-2157.

Reunion of Mungle family set for Sunday

The Mungle family reunion will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Pavilion No. 6 at Jackson City Park. Bring a basket dinner. Meal is at noon.

Annual poker run takes place Sunday

Lawson's Walking Warriors second annual poker run will be held Sunday, rain or shine. Registration is at 11 a.m.; last vehicle out at noon, and in by 4 p.m. at Minor's Harley-Davidson in Scott City. All motorized vehicles are welcome at this American Diabetes Association benefit. There will be door prizes, a 50/50 drawing, and food and drink. For more information, call Leslie Bruner-Thresher at (573) 649-2928 or 450-8786.

Cape Shrine Club holds 11th annual poker run

The Cape Shrine Club will hold its 11th annual poker run Sept. 23 at the Cape Girardeau downtown parking lot across from Hutson's Fine Furniture. Registration is at 11:30 a.m. and prizes will be awarded at 4 p.m. Proceeds from the fun ride benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children, which provides orthopedic and burn care free to children up to age 18, regardless of the family's ability to pay. Refreshments will be available at the event. There will be a 50/50 drawing and various prizes. Call Ron Clark at 335-1485 for more information.

May Greene School reunion set for Sept. 29

The May Greene School reunion will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m Sept. 29 at Arena Park Shelter No. 1. Food and drinks will be provided. Bring a dessert if you wish. For more information, call Larry Kitchen at 334-8759 or Gary Wren at 837-0247.

Area canines invited to Bark in the Park

The 13th annual Bark in the Park, sponsored by Nestle Purina Pet Care Co., will be held Sept. 29 at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau. Registration is from 9 to 9:50 a.m. The walk starts at 10 a.m. All dogs must be up-to-date on shots and be spayed or neutered. Two area animal clinics, Heartland and Skyview, will be available for microchipping, a low-cost process for getting a lost pet back to its owner. Registration forms can be picked up at the Humane Society, 2536 Boutin Drive in Cape Girardeau or printed from the Web site www.semopets.org. Call the Humane Society at 334-5837 for more information.

Everyone welcome at Oct. 6 contra dance

A contra dance will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Christ Episcopal Church, 101 N. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau. Everyone is welcome. No partner, costume or experience is necessary. All moves are taught and the dances are walked through. There is a reduced donation for student dancers. Music will be provided by Gary Watson on fiddle, Gene King on guitar and Dan Wiethop on banjo. For more information, call John or Kathy Coffman at 334-4706, Judy Bradley at 334-5289, or John Boyd at 335-7315.

Cherokee picnic at Trail of Tears open to public

The Cherokee picnic, open to the public, will begin at 11 a.m. Oct. 27 at Trail of Tears State Park (at the shelter on Greensferry Road near Otahki Memorial). Everyone should bring a covered dish for lunch. The visitor center will be open that day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be storytelling and other activities for children. For more information, contact April Rhodes at 243-4638 or by e-mail at april_Rhodes@yahoo.com or Diana Lawson at dlcat44@yahoo.com.

<B>[--] From staff reports