Stories from Sunday, May 12, 1991

EAST PRAIRIE -- Orin Andrew Ambrose Jr., 60, of East Prairie died Friday, May 10, 1991, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston following an extended illness. He was born July 19, 1930, in Pensacola, Fla., the son of the late Orin Andrew Ambrose Sr. and Rose Williamson Ambrose...

The challenges facing higher education, both academic and fiscal, are numerous and complex. While strong leadership is critical to meeting these challenges so is a diversity of minds, backgrounds and opinions. At Southeast Missouri State University, the Board of Regents can play an important and active role in bolstering not only this institution but the region and higher education generally. ...

Coming up on May 22 is the second annual awards banquet of the Professional Black Men's Club. The featured speaker will be Governor John Ashcroft. This year, the club has announced a most promising program called "Grow Your Own". As we related in a news story this week, Grow Your Own is an effort to entice young black students into the field of education by interesting them in such a career when they're still in junior high school. ...

While universities are moving through some hard times financially, it might be good to point out that some rewards remain for students with energy and enthusiasm. The description is apt for Marianne Ragins, a senior at Northeast High School in Macon, Ga. Her academic acumen (she will graduate third in her class) and her persistence in researching opportunities and filling out applications have yielded her scholarship offers totaling $258,000...

A new Jake Wells print, featuring a historic theme, will be unveiled during a reception for the Cape Girardeau artist at the River Heritage Museum, 538 Independence, on May 19. "The print will go on public view for the first time at the reception," said Tim Blattner, a spokesman for the River Heritage Mural Association, which is co-sponsoring the reception. "The print will also be the design of a new 40 x 22 foot mural project that the mural association is considering for later this year."...

Southeast Missouri Hospital Medical-Surgical Clinical Nurse Specialist Linda Heitman has received the Barnes Hospital School of Nursing Outstanding Alumni of the Year Award. The award, presented recently at a luncheon held at Barnes' Queeny Tower restaurant, was created in 1985 to recognize past graduates who excel in professional as well as personal endeavors. ...

A banquet honoring the county's foster parents will be held Thursday at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Jackson. The banquet, hosted by the Cape Girardeau County Council on Child Abuse, begins at 6:30 p.m. Keynote speaker will be Terry Pardeck, chair of the social work department at Southeast Missouri State University. The dinner is being paid for by the Cape Girardeau Kiwanis...

A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held Friday at Notre Dame High School in Cape Girardeau. The drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the school's Multipurpose Room at 1912 Ritter Drive. Donors will receive a free t-shirt. The drive is sponsored by the National Honor Society, Pro-life Club and the Red Cross...

New asphalt paving, bridge rehabilitation, and intersection improvements will get under way on Route K, between Interstate 55 at Cape Girardeau and Route 25 at Gordonville, in the near future. "Work should start within the next couple of weeks," said Bob Wilson, resident engineer with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department. "The contractors are awaiting word on the asphalt mix to be used."...

WE HAVE SOMETHING we feel like we need to discuss in Southeast Missouri. It's concerning how other local businesses are handling the gross number of some solicitors. Everyone is calling for a police officer, state patrol, veterans association, drug rehab; the list is numerous, not to mention three phone directories calling for ads. ...

CARTERVILLE, Ill. -- U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard and Illinois Sen. Ralph Dunn have joined forces in efforts to promote a four-lane highway from the Carbondale/Marion area to the St. Louis area. Poshard, a Carterville Democrat said last week he would attempt to include funds for a feasibility study in the federal transportation bill...

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- A pancake breakfast, an auction, live entertainment and arts and crafts will be featured during the sixth annual May Fest, to be held at the Olive Branch Community Center here Saturday, May 18. "The breakfast will be served from 6 to 10 a.m.," said a spokesman of the Horseshoe Lake Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the annual event...

WYATT -- Wallace Franklin Brown, 80, of Wyatt died Friday, May 10, 1991, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born May 23, 1910, in Calvert City, Ken., the son of Brantley Burton and Ida Robert Champion Brown. He lived in Wyatt since 1949 and was a member of the Wyatt Baptist Church. He was employed with Brown Shoe Co. until his retirement in 1967...

SIKESTON - Viola L. Statler, 79, of Sikeston, died Saturday May 11, 1991, at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. She was born Aug. 13, 1911, in Alliance to the late Frank and Etta Robinson Fadler. She was a high school teacher for 45 years, teaching English and journalism from 1952 to 1977...

SCOTT CITY - Bollinger County native Robert W. Sample, of Corona, Calif., died Thursday, May 9, 1991, at Corona Community Hospital. He was 74. Among his survivors are his mother, "Janie" Ferrell of Lutesville and a step-sister, Mary Ann McEwing of Scott City...

CHAFEEE -- Robert A. Baert, 89, of Chaffee died Friday, May 10, 1991, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born June 30, 1901 in Zuiddorpe, Holland, the son of Edwardus and Natalia Colleman Baert. He arrived in the United States with his family March 11, 1911. On July 11, 1942, he married the former Idell Hanners, who survives...

JACKSON -- Warren E. Strait, 76, of 1002 Anna in Jackson died Friday, May 10, 1991, at the Jackson Manor Nursing Home. He was born Feb. 25, 1915 in Ohio, and was married to the former Bonnie Rine, who survives. He was a member of Shawnee Hills Baptist Church in Jackson, and he formerly owned and operated Strait's Appliance in Jackson. He also worked for Moll Electric in Perryville for several years...

Brian C. Harding, 19, of 2929 Bella Vista in Cape Girardeau died Saturday, May 11, 1991 at St. Francis Medical Center after an illness of several months. He was born Oct. 31, 1971 in Belleville, Ill., the son of Paul and Linda Schodroski Harding. Survivors include his father of Orange Vale, Calif., his mother and step-father, Dr. Robert and Linda Sacha of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Bradley LePage of Cape Girardeau; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Hassebrock of Belleville...

ADVANCE -- Larry Bond, 32, of Advance died Saturday, May 11, 1991, at St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis. Funeral arrangements at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance are incomplete.

CHAFFEE -- Edward Eugene Coomer, 46, of Route 2, Chaffee, died Friday May 10, 1991, at his home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance.

BERTRAND -- James D. Brown, 68, of Bertrand died Friday, May 10, 1991, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born July 24,1922 in Lilbourn, the son of Emmett and Mary Kelly Brown. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bertrand, a retired farmer and a U.S. Army veteran of W.W. II...

Graduation caps and gowns are standard wardrobe these days for the Heath-Tipton family of Cape Girardeau. Jane Heath-Tipton graduated from Southeast Missouri State University Saturday with a bachelor of science degree in human environmental studies, with an emphasis in gerontology...

An informal survey of communities in the Midwest shows most of them issue building buildings within about a week of application. Inspection officials from cities in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana and Arkansas were asked how much time generally elapses from when a contractor applies for a small office building permit to when the permit is issued...

(First of two parts) Cape Girardeau building inspectors have the unenviable and often time-consuming task of scrutinizing construction projects to assure their compliance with the city's building codes, often while contending with contractors whose "time is money."...

It was literally a "banner day" for Southeast Missouri State University at Saturday's commencement ceremony in the Show Me Center. Astronaut Linda Godwin, a 1974 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, received a standing ovation when she was introduced to the crowd of about 8,000 at commencement...

Persons in the local building trades are supportive of the BOCA building code but believe city inspectors don't fairly apply it, according to a Southeast Missourian survey conducted last week. Respondents also contended that the length of time it takes to obtain a building permit puts an undue burden on their ability to do work in Cape Girardeau, the survey indicated...

It's time to pick some big, ripe, ruby-red, juicy, sweet strawberries. Area strawberry growers say this year's crop is one of the best, thanks to good weather and growing conditions. Most area growers contacted have started, or will begin picking, strawberries this weekend. They say the quality of the berries is generally excellent...

Two separate vehicle accidents Saturday morning injured five area residents, including two from Bertrand who sustained serious injuries, authorities said. The accidents occurred in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties. The Missouri Highway Patrol at Poplar Bluff reported that James Stacy, 68, and Gladys Stacy, 83, both of Bertrand, were seriously injured Saturday when their vehicle, a 1986 Cadillac driven by James Stacy, crossed into the path of another vehicle...

PERRYVILLE -- Ken Reitz, a former St. Louis Cardinal baseball player, will present a drug-abuse prevention program to Perryville grade school and high school students Monday and Tuesday. Reitz had a promising professional baseball career during the 1970s thwarted by his drug-abuse problems. Since rehabilitation, he has traveled around the country speaking on drug-abuse prevention...

TCI Cablevision of Missouri will offer a free preview of ENCORE, a new all-movie channel, to its Cape Girardeau and Jackson customers beginning June 3. ENCORE features movies from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The channel will be available free of charge through the month of June...

MARBLE HILL - Bollinger County voters Tuesday will choose a new sheriff to replace Januar Peters, who resigned in March after being charged with stealing county funds. Running for the position are Republican Dan Mesey, a part-time investigator with the Bollinger County Sheriff's Department; the department's acting chief deputy, Democrat Kindal Ward; and independent candidate and former Cape Girardeau labor union official Jimmie G. Bollinger...

Southeast Missouri State University will honor its fitness-minded employees when it celebrates National Employee Health and Fitness Day Wednesday. Two events will be held as part of "Wellness Appreciation Day," part of the Wellness Advantage program...

A record of Cape Girardeau's history is written in its homes, buildings and streets. But the record is far from permanent: time, which makes them historically important, also is threatening some of them. Cape Girardeau's Historic Preservation Commission has the task of helping save some of the landmarks and, in turn, helping keep the city's history alive. ...

A robin alighted on the trellised archway, a fat, neatly folded worm in its beak. I sat post-oak-stump still to watch what might be in the offing. "Isn't it too early to have to feed robinettes?" something in me questioned. I hadn't even found a laid-too-soon robin's egg anywhere in my yard, which I nearly always do before hatching and feeding time. ...

The Joint Veterans Council of Cape Girardeau will hold a POW-MIA rally Saturday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838 lake west of Cape Girardeau. Gates will open at noon with festivities beginning at 4 p.m. Guest speakers will address issues of the POW-MIA dilemma and other veteran-related matters...

"My yard is so shady, what can I grow?" One of the most commonly asked questions pertains to shade dominated yards. As new home landscapes mature, the shady places often grow and take over areas that once were sunny. Trees, large shrubs, arbors, fences and walls all cast varying degrees of shade, and in these situations gardeners find their favorite sunloving flowers no longer are dependable performers...

"A Child's Summer: Safety and First-Aid Tips" is the topic of this month's Woman to Woman luncheon. The meeting will be held Thursday in conference rooms A and B of the St. Francis Health and Education Centre. Pediatric Staff Nurse Diane Essner will be the featured speaker. During the program, Essner will focus on common-sense safety tips and first-aid...

Entries are now being accepted for the fourth-annual Miss Riverfest competition next month in Cape Girardeau. About two dozen young women from throughout Missouri and Southern Illinois are expected to compete in the pageant, held in conjunction with Cape Girardeau's annual Riverfest celebration, June 7-8...

Mike Mathes has been appointed assistant sales manager at Van Matre Buick, 511 S. Kingshighway. Mathes has been with the firm five years, and has won "Salesman of the Year" honors five times. He will continue his duties as a salesman. He is a member of the Professional Sales Master Club Elite Group of Buick Salespeople, who have demonstrated outstanding performance in sales professionalism and customer satisfaction...

Missouri, situated in Middle America and inhabited with middle class residents, ranks in the middle compared to its 49 counterparts in a new economic study of the nation. The Corporation for Enterprise Development gave Missouri 2 Cs, a B, and a D in a report card of its economic health. The group utilizes more than 150 standards which are lumped into four graded indexes for the annual report...

Terry Pool, president of Professional Business Systems of Cape Girardeau, has been invited to visit Japan. Pool is one of five dealers invited for the 10-day, all-expense paid trip. They will tour different TEC plants. They have also been invited to offer input into the different products in regards to hardware and software...

MARION, Ill. -- Curtis Wharton has been named general manager for the new Sam's Club, which is under construction here. Sam's Club-Members Only has 178 operations in a 30-state area. Membership is available to selected employment groups. Sam's is named for Sam Walton, founder and chairman of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc...

Lisa Seyer, of Cape Girardeau, a student at Southeast Missouri State University, is recipient of a scholarship award from the Cape Girardeau County Legal Secretaries Association. Seyer, who has a 3.0 grade point average this year, will start her second year this fall...

Brandy Lee Evans, who works in the printing and bindery departments at Kwik-Kopy, 354 S. Silver Springs Road in Cape Girardeau, recently finished second in a state skills contest for offset printing technology. Evans received one of the highest total scores for her skills in offset printing, striping, plate making, and paste-up in the contest held at Central Missouri State University at Warrensburg...

Mike Cossou of Scott City has been named service manager at Cape GMC Pontiac Inc., 755 S. Kingshighway. Cossou has worked at the Cape Girardeau firm 14 years. He was in the warranty claims department prior to being appointed to his present position, and previously served in the parts department...

Boatmen's Bancshares Inc., one of the 40 largest bank holding companies in the U.S., is the largest commercial banking organization in Missouri, operating from more than 200 locations in Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee, including Boatmen's National Bank of Cape Girardeau...

CAIRO, Ill. -- The first phase of a four-part development plan to generate tourism and beef up the Cairo area economy is expected to get under way this year. "It all starts at the former Illinois State Police headquarters, a building located near the entrance of Fort Defiance State Park," said Richard W. Poston, a retired professor at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, who directs a hometown community improvement campaign here called `Operation Enterprise.'...

Ken Weakley, president of K & L Distributing in Cape Girardeau, has been named "Business Person of the Month," for April. The monthly award, designed to recognize individuals who have contributed to the community through their career and civic activity, is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, KTXI and Schnucks...

Marilyn Duncan, an orthopedic nurse at Saint Francis Medical Centers, recently received the hospital's 1991 `Dougie Manthey Nurse of the Year' award. She received her award Monday, which was National Nurses' Day, and the first day of National Nurses Week...

Elwood C. "Woody" Bengoa II and David D. Curry have joined Cape Toyota-Suzuki, 835 S. Kingshighway, in Cape Girardeau. Brad Boyette, general sales manager of the firm, announced the new appointments recently. Bengoa, a native of Metropolis, Ill., is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University...

ATLANTA - United Parcel Service of America Inc. will move its corporate headquarters to suburban Atlanta from Greenwich, Conn., by early next year, a company spokesman said Wednesday. Spokesman Ken Sternad said the high cost of housing in the Greenwich area was the main reason the company decided to move to Atlanta...

Peter Ware of Cape Girardeau has been named area manager at SEMO Rug Doctor Rentals, located in Cape Girardeau. Ware will be servicing accounts for 150 machines, and assisting the owners in expanding in the Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois area...

Delores Ann Knaup of Cape Girardeau, recently completed a continuing education "Teaching Course in Mammography" class in Washington D.C. The course is approved for 20 hours of CME credit by the Medicine University of Missouri and St. Luke's Hospital Institute for Health Education...

Following the trend in the wholesale industrial distributing business, Cape Girardeau Winnelson Co., Walnut and Commercial streets, has added a showroom for its merchandise. The new showroom opened officially last week. "The reason behind adding the showplace is to display our products so the user can see actual products in contrast to ordering them from a catalog," said owner Ken Enke. ...

Belden Jewelers, 183 West Park Mall, Cape Girardeau, will participate in the firm's national sponsorship of the 1991 Special Olympics, to be held July 19-27, in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. Belden, a division of Sterling, Inc., headquartered in Akron, Ohio, will donate 25 cents for every credit application a customer completes through June 30...

NEW YORK -- Fewer help-wanted advertisements appeared in newspapers across the country during March. A survey showed the Help-Wanted Advertising Index at 94 during March, down from 97 in February and from 138 in March of 1990. The March figure is at the lowest level in nearly eight years. The index is based on the volume of job advertising in 51 newspaper...

Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services has added a new service a driving improvement program. The new program, designed by AAA, has been acknowledged by several states, including Missouri, for use for traffic violation point reduction, or insurance premium discount...

Bob and Rob Osborn, owners of Ford's Meat Company, 1225 S. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, said the inspiration for their new business sign came from service station signs mounted on towers along the interstate. Ford's new 10 x 12 foot sign is not mounted on the building but rather atop a 75 foot turret on the property. ...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Julie L. Macke, a native of Cape Girardeau, has received an achievement award from Genesco. Macke, marketing manager for Mitre Sports, a Genesco company, is one of 10 Superior Achievement Recognition Award (SARA) winners presented by the company...

"Labor and Employment Law: Issues for the General Practitioner"will be the subject of a continuing legal education program presented in Cape Girardeau May 31. The program, sponsored by the Missouri Bar will be held at the Drury Lodge, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m...

McAlpine-Youngstown Awning and Window Co. opened recently at 67 Plaza Way in Cape Girardeau. "We provide thermal replacement windows, aluminum and canvas awnings, and patio covers," said David Atkins, who opened a branch operation from the St. Louis-based company...