OCT. 28 DINNER TO BENEFIT CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

A benefit dinner to help kick off the Cape Girardeau public schools' new foundation will be held Oct. 28 at Drury Lodge.

The dinner also will help clear up an outstanding debt of a citizens group promoting the April school election.

The dinner features Chef Hans, who will prepare a Cajun meal. Dennis Marchi of Schnucks said Hans has been in Cape Girardeau before, appearing at Schnucks.

The dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. Decorations, entertainment, serving and hostessing will be provided by students.

Tickets are $25 per person and sponsorship tables cost $300.

David Hahs is acting as treasurer of the event. Tickets may be obtained by calling his office at 335-0187.

Money raised from sales of tickets will be given to the district's new foundation, said Bekki Cook, one of organizers of the dinner.

The Board of Education has said it plans to organize a foundation board to accept charitable gifts to the district.

Money collected from sponsors of the event will be used to pay off a outstanding debt to Tretter-Gorman Inc., the St. Louis marketing and communications firm utilized by a citizens group in promoting the district's failed April ballot measure.