Stories from Sunday, December 15, 1991

MARBLE HILL -- Herbert Wesbecher of Marble Hill died Friday, Dec. 13, 1991, at the family home. He was 67. He was born in Houston, Ill., on May 17, 1924, the son of John and Rosa Schneider Wesbecher. He married Lucille Daugherty. She survives in Marble Hill...

Robert Maxwell, the British publishing tycoon, was a crook a $1.38 billion (and climbing) crook. Even his son says, "My father was a crook." A month ago, Maxwell's body was found floating off the Canary Islands where he had been cruising on his Trumpian yacht. Was Maxwell pushed, did he stumble or did he jump into the water?...

Warranty deeds issued at the office of Janet Robert, Cape Girardeau County Recorder of Deeds: Rosemary McGee to Roger Dale and Mary C. Smith; Mercantile Bank of Cape Girardeau to Leo E. McElrath III and Carolyn M. McElrath; Donald E. Staples to the Donald E. Staples Trust...

Four years ago I argued that the litmus test of Mikhail Gorbachev's success as leader of the Soviet Union would ultimately come down to how he left power. For it was already clear then, that as a proud communist leader who had been selected and not elected to his leadership position, he could be but a transitional figure in the future of his nation...

The tremendous story that has gone largely untold is the full extent of President Bush's abandonment of Reaganism. On the economic front, Reaganism consisted of a few readily identifiable principles, for each of which Mr. Reagan and his people fought tenaciously. ...

The Christmas for the Elderly holiday campaign now enters the final phases. Gifts for all the elderly individuals featured in the newspaper have been delivered or on the way. The Christmas presents will begin to be delivered this week. Those individuals who are interested in donating fruit baskets or other food items as special treats for the elderly during the holiday, may bring the items in this week...

Southeast Missouri State University has long held the reputation as a school where a high-quality education can be earned for a low cost. In the broad spectrum of higher education institutions, that is still true. However, the cost of running the university is rising and the dynamics of funding the institution are changing. ...

The teacher education program at Southeast Missouri State University has been cited as a national model, according to a report by a commission of state college and university presidents. The report, titled Teach America and released by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) late last month, is an agenda for college and university presidents to improve the teacher education programs on their campuses...

New Beginnings will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Birthright meeting room at 134 S. Park. "Getting Through the Holidays" is the topic for discussion. New Beginnings is a support group for those who are widowed, divorced or separated. The public is also welcome to attend...

When the Navy's aerobatic flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, perform their high-speed maneuvers in the sky over the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport in May, some of the most stringent safety and security measures ever taken at the airport will be in effect...

Clyde Devore Neader, 67, of Pocahontas, Ark., died Tuesday, Dec. 10, 1991, at his home. He was born March 4, 1924, in Cape Girardeau, son of Frank and Nora Devore Neader. He married the former Mildred Masterson. Neader was a boat engineer, and veteran of World War II...

DEXTER -- Terrell Evans, 85, of Las Vegas, Nev., died Wednesday, Dec. 11, 1991, in a hospital there. He was born Aug. 22, 1906, in the Dexter area, son of Randall and Zora Evans. He and Doris Darby were married June 3, 1931, here. Evans was a graduate of the University of Missouri at Rolla. He was an engineer at the Bureau of Mines in Boulder City, Nev. He also learned the family pottery trade from his father, who served two terms as sheriff of Stoddard County...

ANNA, Ill. -- Lee Ann (Polly) Nimmo, 74, of Anna, Ill. died Saturday, Dec. 14, 1991, at Union County Hospital here. She was born Mar. 13, 1917 in Union County, daughter of David and Dezia Grear Hinkle. She was a member of the Big Creek Baptist Church and was retired from Florsheim Shoe Co. in Anna...

SIKESTON -- Allie Belle Neal, 89, of Sikeston died Saturday, Dec. 14, 1991, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. She was born April 13, 1902 in Lamar, Ark., daughter of Robert Zackary and Lula Johnson Hutchins Zackary. She was a member of Blodgett Church of Christ...

SIKESTON -- Ralph E. Francis, 65, of Sikeston, died Dec. Friday, 13, 1991, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born July 13, 1926, in Arcadia, La., son of Wallace Atkins Francis and Jessie Vina Ray Francis. He had worked 20 years for Ray Clinton Construction Co. in Sikeston...

VANDUSER -- Lillian M. Beavers, 81, of Ava, formerly of Vanduser, died Friday, Dec. 13, 1991, at Crestview Health Care in Ava. She was born May 21, 1910, at Bertrand, daughter of William and Elnora Sheets Kenser. She married Woodrow Wilson Beavers Dec. 22, 1933. He died Oct. 31, 1984...

Offices at Southeast Missouri State University will close for the holiday break at 5 p.m. Friday. To help the university meet its energy budget, most campus buildings will remain closed until Jan. 6. The university's Board of Regents approved the conservation measure after the school's state appropriation was reduced by $942,000 on Oct. 1 to help the state finance court-ordered payments for Kansas City school desegregation...

MARBLE HILL -- Richard H. (Grizz) Poli, 44, of Route HC66, Marble Hill, died Friday, Dec. 13, 1991. He was born Sept. 17, 1947 at Detroit, Mich. son of Henry and Ella Poli. He was a veteran of the Navy. He was truck driver, and had lived in Bollinger County seven years...

CHAFFEE -- Reva Mary Martin, 9 2, of Chaffee died at the Chaffee Nursing Center, Highway 77, Chaffee, Friday, Dec. 13, 1991. She was born at Caney Fork, Mo., May 24, 1899, daughter of John Suhr and Ann Crites Suhr. She married Main Martin on Nov. 15, 1919. He preceded her in death on Sept. 24, 1967...

CHAFFEE -- Olivia Rose Graser, 89, of Chaffee, died at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau Friday, Dec. 13, 1991. She was born at Kelso Jan. 9, 1902, daughter of William Joseph DuMay and Sabina Mary Scherer DuMay. She married Frank Graser on April 10, 1922. He preceded her in death on June 2, 1965...

MARBLE HILL - Billy E. Davis, 57, of Jackson, died Friday, Dec. 13, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born near Marquand on May 23, 1934, to William O. and Carmen Cook Davis. Davis is survived by his mother, Carmen, of Jackson; one daughter, Theresa Elfrink, and one grandson, Travis Elfrink, both of Marble Hill...

SIKESTON -- Eula M. Wilson, 82, of Sikeston, died Thursday, Dec. 12, 1991, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. She was born Aug. 11, 1909, in Albuquerque, N.M., daughter of Charles Franklin and Zetta Mae Hill Chapman. She married R.C. Wilson Jan. 17, 1927...

MARQUAND - At the direction of his school board, Marquand-Zion R-VI Superintendent Gerald L. Deardorff has sent a $31,237 bill to Gov. John Ashcroft for expenses incurred in asbestos removal. Deardorff asked that the state reimburse the district. The superintendent noted that as part of the federal court-ordered desegregation plan in Kansas City, the governor had ordered $9 million be diverted to the removal of asbestos in those schools. ...

The Wal-Mart Supercenter on Route K now is more than just an outline: the exterior of the 168,000-square-foot building is nearing completion. The exterior of the Rust & Martin Furniture Store alongside Route K in the Cape Girardeau Centre is also taking on a finished look...

Robert W. Foster, executive vice president of Southeast Missouri State University, issued a challenge to students earning degrees Saturday. "I have a charge to make to you," he said. "You have been exposed to cultural diversity as a student here. You now have an obligation to make a difference wherever your path may lead you. It is your responsibility as an educated person to lead out in this area that is so critical to our national well-being."...

Today is the 200th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights a political compromise drafted to insure personal liberties were protected and the power of the federal government was kept in check. The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the constitution. They were added on Dec. 15, 1791, when Virginia's legislature ratified the amendments...

It's not too late to give: Toybox is extending its toy collection into this week in an effort to collect enough toys for all the boys and girls on the Toybox list. Toybox gifts will be delivered by a team of Jaycee Santas Thursday. While collection of gifts began to pick up at the end of last week, the Toybox is not yet full...

For possibly the first time in the nearly 20 years the city of Cape Girardeau has collected a one-cent sales tax, annual receipts have declined from the previous year. Assistant City Manager Al Stoverink said Wednesday the checks received for 1991 totaled $4,766,562, a drop of almost 1 percent from 1990...

SCOTT CITY -- In his role as a jolly "Rent-a-Santa," Terry Johnston is used to hearing about what children want for Christmas. But, on Friday afternoon, Johnston was able to give a child something more special the gift of life. Johnston, minus his Santa suit, was driving on Main Street in Scott City when he noticed a young woman standing in the road with a baby in her arms...

Fire early Saturday morning caused extensive damage to an apartment-business building in the 600 block of Good Hope. Firefighters were called at 7:06 a.m. to the second floor apartment on the east side of the three-story wood and brick structure located at 621 Good Hope...

Walt Wildman, executive director of the Regional Commerce and Growth Association, is one of 175 people from around the nation invited to witness President Bush's signing of a new highway bill this week. Bush plans to sign the six-year, $151 billion measure Wednesday morning at a construction site in Dallas...

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Jim Watkins of Overland Park, Kan., St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., 3:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, 1991. Name, Joel Matthew. Weight, 8 pounds 5 ounces. Third son. Mrs. Watkins is the former Lisa Eaker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Eaker of Cape Girardeau. She is an air traffic controller at the Kansas City Center in Olathe, Kan. Watkins is supervisor of air route traffic at the center, and is the son of Celia Brown of Buffalo, Mo., and the late Foil Watkins...

Carol's Closet, which features new and used clothing on consignment, has opened at 1020 N. Kingshighway, adjacent to Carol-Cyn's Fashion. "We've expanded our business," said Carol Schwettman, owner of the women's apparel shop, which opened in September 1989. "We're adding another 1,200 square feet of space for the consignment operation. We now occupy Suites B and C at Sunset Towers business building."...

There is glitter in the carpet, angels on the clock shelf, camels coming down the stairs. Christmas! Say it slowly, Christ-mas. Doesn't it sound like a sweet caress? Stop often in the middle of cookie baking, tree trimming, card writing or shopping and whisper to yourself, "Christmas." It quiets the anxious heart...

JACKSON -- War rages on a battlefield at a former factory where friends become enemies and the game is kill or be killed. Urban Conflict, a business that opened just over a month ago, has attracted a loyal following of would-be warriors anxious to shoot their friends in a "paint-ball" skirmish...

The holiday season is alive with tradition Christmas trees, decorated homes, carolers, family gathering and poinsettias. A relatively new tradition is gaining on the poinsettia as the favorite Christmas plant, according to sales reports of holiday plants. This is the amaryllis...

A Southeast Missouri State University associate professor of economics says that recent closings of Brown Shoe Co. in Southeast Missouri will affect Cape Girardeau County slightly by slowing its economic growth rate. Bruce Domazlicky recently designed an economic model of the regional economy to estimate the likely impact of the plant closings. He found that while the loss will be greatest in the home communities of the shoe facilities, Cape Girardeau County will feel a minor effect...

Shawn Parrish of Cape Girardeau has been awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. To earn this highest award in scouting, Parrish earned 28 merit badges and devoted 38 hours completing his service project. With several fellow scouts, Parrish completed his service project of improving the latrines at Elks Lake...

Fourteen faculty research proposals have received funding for the fall 1991 semester from the Grants and Research Funding Committee at Southeast Missouri State University. The committee's goal is to encourage scientific and humanistic research, and literary or artistic projects related to academic or professional disciplines...

An exhibit of quilts will open today at the Southeast Missouri State University Museum. "Artists of the Past, Interpreted Today" is a group of original quilts collected by Betsy Nimock, a St. Louis quilt collector and artist. Nimock collects quilts with strong designs and originality. Many of them are whole, well-preserved quilts that have remained in good condition...

River City Workers of the Blind organization of Cape Girardeau are working with the Bureau for the Blind in Sikeston to purchase toys for blind preschool children. Children who will receive the toys are selected by the bureau and distribution is provided based on need...

ST. LOUIS E. Desmond Lee, chairman of Lee-Rowan Manufacturing Co. with facilities in St. Louis and Jackson, has been inducted into the "Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame" sponsored by the Housewares Club of New England. "Individuals who are inducted into our Hall of Fame are people who have created a product or idea and turned it into a separate industry within the housewares retail segment," said Fred Garmon, chairman of the 60-year-old Housewares Club...

Farmers Group Inc. has donated $1,430 to Southeast Missouri State University to recognize the contributions of several Southeast graduates now working for the insurance company. Leon Wiggs, Farmers Insurance Group agent in Cape Girardeau, and Gregory Ramsey, a Southeast graduate employed in the Farmers Insurance claims office in St. Louis, presented the check to Robert Foster, the university's executive vice president...

Renee Williams was the big door-prize winner during the recent Southeast Missouri State University-Domino's Pizza American Red Cross Blood Drive. Williams will receive seven nights of lodging at Daytona Beach, Fla. A number of door prizes were awarded in a special promotion during the blood drive...

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Companies has unveiled a new earthquake preparedness program for use in Missouri schools. "Movers & Shakers" is a classroom-ready curriculum, says Dan Doran, vice president/public affairs for State Farm, headquartered at Bloomington, Ill. "It is designed to save lives and reduce injuries in the event of an earthquake."...

The Southeast Missourian has been offering a special telephone dating service to its single readers for more than a month. Unveiled Nov. 6, "Talking Personally" is the first local 1-900 service to help singles meet other singles of the opposite sex...

JACKSON -- Super Video Warehouse opened recently at the Main Street Centre in Jackson. "We'll have videos for rent and sale," said owner Jim Maevers. "We'll also have CDs and cassettes." The store, situated in a new, strip shopping center, is open from noon to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, noon to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays...

Ram-Post Personnel Services Inc. has announced that it will start doing business as Personnel Support, a division of Ram-Post Personnel Services. Owner Mike Cochran, who made the announcement, said the change is being made to more accurately reflect the services and support being provided to area businesses...

The Missouri Textile and Apparel Center has been established by the University of Missouri to create jobs in the state's apparel industry. "Our primary goal is to help preserve and create jobs in this industry," said Barbara Froke, associate dean for human environmental sciences extension at the university...

Dr. Robert Kessinger is looking forward to a second trip to Moscow. Kessinger, a Cape Girardeau chiropractor, just returned from a week's mission there. He was invited to Moscow by the Christian Medical Society of Russia to demonstrate the effectiveness of chiropractic procedures on bodily disorders...

ULLIN, Ill. -- Shawnee Community College's Small Business Development Center will host a "Computer Competency" seminar Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the college campus near Ullin. The seminar is designed to acquaint participants with various types of computers and software...

SCOTT CITY -- Mr. B's Waffle Hut and Family Restaurant is now open at Scott City. "We're offering basically the same menu here that we offer at Cape Girardeau," said Basil Barnes. Barnes and his wife, Patricia, are also owners of Mr. B's Waffles and Deli at the Crossroads shopping center, Kingshighway and Independence, in Cape Girardeau...

Scott Van de Ven has joined Schott & Company, certified public accountants, as a staff accountant. Van de Ven, of Cape Girardeau, is a graduate of Central High School. He received a bachelor of science degree in accounting at the University of Missouri-Columbia...

THIS IS TO those who have criticized the gay and lesbian display at the park, which I'm sure was put there with the same Christian spirit as the others. Did you take the time or money to help make the park so beautiful for everyone to enjoy? And, to the mother who didn't know how to explain it to her children, you had better learn because you never know what your children will be when they grow up. So extend love, not hatred, and the world will be a better place for everyone. Thank you...

The 1992 Southeast Missouri Honors Wind Ensemble will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4 in Academic Auditorium on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. The concert is free and open to the public. The ensemble consists of 50 high school students chosen by audition from several hundred young people representing 40 Missouri school districts...