RAIN FAILS TO DAMPEN LABOR DAY ACTIVITIES

The morning rains weren't enough to ruin everyone's Labor Day activities. For most people, the rains just delayed the barbecue, fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans, slaw and dessert until Monday afternoon.

"We would've been out here no matter what the weather," said N.L. Griswold who was enjoying Monday afternoon with friends at Cape County Park North. "We're out here every year. There are a few of us missing, but that's OK."

Griswold of Cape Girardeau and a few friends were cooking and eating as were other groups who had rented shelters for the day at the park. Most of the groups in the park delayed their plans until the rains subsided Monday afternoon.

"I know the group next to us had the shelter reserved for 11 this morning," Griswold said, "But they didn't get out here until after noon."

The Majors and Yount families decided at the last minute to picnic together at Cape County Park South Monday afternoon.

"Another couple did cancel on us because of the weather," said Christy Yount of Cape Girardeau. "But it's nice out here right now."

Hal Majors and his wife, Bonnie, of Cape Girardeau were in the park with two of their children. Grady Yount and his wife, Christy, also had their two children.

In addition to observing Labor Day and enjoying the park, the Majors and Yount families also ate birthday cake. Hal Majors and his 16-year-old son are celebrating their birthdays this week.

Although many groups that planned outdoor activities simply delayed gathering until Monday afternoon, the Horseshoe Lake, Ill., Chamber of Commerce took an attitude of "the show must go on" and moved their annual breakfast and barbecue inside the community center at Olive Branch. The event was planned to be held on the grounds outside the center.

"We had to act quick when it started raining at 3 o'clock this morning," said Bob Burns, a coordinator of the event.

Burns was available to move tables and stands inside in the early morning hours, because he already was there cooking 30 pork shoulders. He started his barbecuing Sunday at 6 p.m. and didn't complete the job until Monday afternoon. "I love doing this," he said.

Despite the morning rains and the afternoon water puddles, the breakfast and barbecue -- a fundraiser for the chamber of commerce -- had a "successful turnout," coordinators said. At least 400 people ate breakfast, lunch or both meals at the community center.

The chamber served up pancakes, sausage and bacon for the Labor Day breakfast. During the afternoon, volunteers grilled hot dogs and polish sausage in addition to the pork shoulders. The proceeds from the meals are slated for new street signs in Olive Branch. "The county and the state won't do it, so we just took it upon ourselves," said Burns.

Throughout the state, the holiday weekend brought traffic accidents on Missouri highways. The Highway Patrol said 10 people were killed in Missouri traffic accidents, including a Puxico man who died Saturday evening.

The patrol said Frank Conner, 21, was killed when his pickup ran off Missouri 51 near Arab in Bollinger County at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

Fourteen people died on Missouri roads during the Labor Day Holiday last year, the patrol said.