FORMER RESIDENT HELPS DECORATE WHITE HOUSE

A former Cape Girardeau resident was included among the guests invited to the White House recently for the Pageant of Peace Reception, where Christmas decorations for 1994 were unveiled.

Jack Komis, who now lives in Washington, D.C., helped design some of this year's White House decorations. He attended the reception along with other executives from the Ralph Lauren Corp. who were involved in the decorating.

President and Mrs. Clinton extended the invitations and served as hosts for the event.

"It was a wonderful experience and everyone there was warm and gracious to us," said Komis.

He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kirn of Cape Girardeau.

Komis was raised in Chaffee and graduated from high school there in 1961.

While attending Southeast Missouri State University from 1962-65, he was employed by Rust and Martin in Cape Girardeau.

Komis now works as regional district manager for creative services for the Ralph Lauren Co. and travels the Southeast United States. He is responsible for the creative aspects of the stores in his region.

Several days after attending the White House event, Komis received a color photograph in the mail from Social Secretary Ann Stock, showing him with the Clinton's.