HAPPY NEW YEAR: TIME RUNNING OUT FOR 1995 PARTIES

Those planning to attend one of the area's many public New Year's Eve parties might want to make reservations soon. Otherwise, they might find themselves all dressed up with nowhere to go.

Amy Surman, guest service agent at the Drury Lodge in Cape Girardeau, said the hotel's annual New Year's Eve bash was fully booked weeks ago. Some people, she said, made reservations as early as August.

"This is a pretty big deal. Last year we had a little under 350 people," she said. "This year were looking at 400."

Not only is the party booked, but so is the hotel. In fact, many party-going guests had to be routed to the nearby Hampton Inn for lodging because of the party's popularity.

"When it starts getting a little cold people start thinking about Christmas and New Year's," she said. "We've had a lot of people call in the last week or so, looking for something to do. You hate to turn them away but there's nothing you can do."

Another event which might be wise to plan ahead for is the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway's 10th annual murder mystery train ride.

Reservations for the New Year's Eve ride will be taken as late as Dec. 30, but the sooner made the better. Just prior to Christmas, manager Joyce Baker said over 100 people had already made reservations. The train's maximum capacity is 200.

The train leaves from its Jackson station at 8:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve and will return at 1 a.m. on New Year's Day. Cost is $34.50 plus tax for adults, $29.50 plus tax for children and includes dinner, non-alcoholic champagne and party favors.

The murder mystery will be performed by the Stigerhaus Players of Ste. Genevieve.

"People really get into murder mysteries," Baker said. "They say it is so quiet on the train you can hear a pin drop. That doesn't sound right does it?"

To solve the mystery, groups of four band together to gather clues. While the goal is to solve the crime, teams are also working against each other to win.

"The first rule you learn is never share your clues," Baker said.

The team that solves the mystery gets a $60 gift certificate.

The Scott City Knights of Columbus will hold a dinner and a dance on New Year's Eve, with the meal beginning at 7:30 p.m.

A maximum of 350 tickets will be sold. As of early this week, more than half were gone.

"Most of the time we have been pretty well sold out before that night," said Scott Burger one of the organizers of the event.

If any tickets are left, they will be sold the day of the event but Burger suggests those who wish to go get theirs early.

The price is $22 per person, with admission covering dinner and an open bar. The sound system will be provided by Charlie's Music Revue.

Among other New Year's Eve events open to the public:

-- Perryville American Legion Hall New Year's Eve Dance: The Jerry Ford Orchestra will play from 9 p.m. until 1 p.m. Admission is $12.50 per person and includes party favors and champagne toast at midnight. Cash bar will be available.

-- The Holiday Inn Convention Center: Live band, party favors, champagne for $10 bottle, other drinks normal price. There is no cover, but a prime rib buffet will be served for $13.95 per person. The party begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 1 a.m. Rooms are still available for $106 for double occupancy.

-- River City Yacht Club: Papa Aborigine will play from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m., $10 cover, first come first served.

-- Broussard's: James Skinner's blues band will play from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. No cover.

-- The Clubhouse: sound system from 9 p.m. until 1:30 a.m., appetizer buffet, party favors. Cover is $7 person or $10 per couple.

-- Purple Crackle: Deejay will count down the top hits of 1995, Hors d'oeuvres and party favors will be provided. The party begins at 9 p.m. and ends at 5 a.m. Cover is $8.

-- Jeremiah's: Sound system, party favors and champagne toast at midnight.

-- River's Edge: Video deejay and countdown of Top 10 videos of 1995, party favors and champagne toast, 7 p.m. until close. Cover is $5.

-- Players: Dillagence and Cringing Chicken will play from 7 p.m. until close. Party favors and champagne toast will be provided. Cover is $4.