NEWSPAPER ALUMNI PLAN '99 CONVENTION IN CAPE

The Stars and Stripes Alumni will hold its annual convention in Cape Girardeau next October.

Although the group usually stages the convention in large, metropolitan areas, it chose Southeast Missouri for its next gathering so members can visit the new Stars and Stripes Museum and Library in Bloomfield.

More than 100 members gathered last month in Orlando, Fla., for the group's most recent convention. More than 600 former Stars and Stripes staffers belong to the alumni organization.

Gary Capps, executive director of the museum and library association, said the convention organizers hope attendance will double for next year's convention.

Arrangements for the gathering are still pending.