SHORTAGE MEANS LOST REVENUE: TEEN CHALLENGE STRAWBERRY CROP BELOW EXPECTATIONS THIS SEASON

A strawberry shortfall means less strawberry shortcake this year for Mid-America Teen Challenge customers.

Crop watchers at the rural Cape Girardeau drug and alcohol rehabilitation center say dry conditions, old plants, weeds and other factors cut the crop by 70 to 80 percent, although there won't be a final tally until the growing season ends next month.

Richard Meyer, Teen Challenge vocational director, said sales could drop by more than $22,000 from last year, when 18,380 quarts sold for $1.75 each. This year, the quarts are $2 each, and Meyer expects to finish with 5,000.

The money is used to support the Christian-based treatment program.

Other area growers are reporting good crops but agree that all-important field conditions are varied.

Charles Stadelbacher of Blueberry Hill Farm, a pick-your-own farm along New Route 51 near Cobden, Ill., said most of his strawberries were good this year. "We had an older field that didn't produce as well," he said.

The strawberry season is in full swing at the Illers Farm near Jackson, Mo., now.

"People start picking about 7:30 each morning," said Joan Illers. Illers, her husband, Don, and their son Chris operate one of more than 40 berry farms that feature pick-your-own operations in Missouri.

A bad crop isn't Teen Challenge's only problem this year. Another budget problem this year is the increase in gasoline prices.

Jack Smart, executive director of Teen Challenge, sent out notes to Teen Challenge supporters this week.

"We just don't have the cash to cover the extra costs for our lawn service," he wrote.

Two years ago, it cost about $475 to fill the center's storage tank of gasoline for mowers and other equipment. It takes almost $700 to fill that same tank today.

"We have increased prices the past two seasons to cover anticipated fuel increases," said Smart. "But the increases have been insufficient since the cost of fuel has jumped more than anticipated."

The lawn service is important to the Teen Challenge ministry because it offers students, who are 17 and older, more access to work opportunities, and it is an important source of income.

Smart wrote that monetary gifts would be accepted by the center to be used in all aspects of the Teen Challenge ministry.

Blueberries look good

The organization's financial recovery also lies in the upcoming blueberry season, which Meyer said should be a good one. "We don't sell as many blueberries," he said. "Strawberries have been our biggest sellers. People seek us out for them."

Those people include John Blackwell of Charleston, Mo.

Blackwell, 90, a retired mail carrier, and his wife, Ruthe, a retired teacher, drove to Cape Girardeau from Charleston to pick up four quarts of Teen Challenge berries Wednesday morning.

"This is our third trip here," he said. "We were too late the last two times, but we got an early start today."

More than 25 people were lined up for berries when the stand opened Wednesday.

"We're limiting purchases to four quarts each person," said Meyer. "In past years, people have bought as many as 40 and 50 quarts at a time."

The Teen Challenge booth will be open Thursday then close for the weekend. Strawberries picked Friday will be used for the annual Strawberry Festival to be held at Teen Challenge from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The festival features a tractor-wagon tour of the site, clowns, puppet show, strawberry shortcake, barbecue and mini-concerts by the Teen Challenge Choir.