Stories from Thursday, November 12, 1992

Open Letter to Local Pastors: For once and for all, I want to know what the Holy Bible says about God's position on homosexuality and whether it is or isn't sin. About a year ago, I think I asked in another open letter to pastors "what bible are your reading?". But I don't think the response was great, nor very clear about whether churches feel homosexuality is a sin...

JEFFERSON CITY - State Rep. Mary Kasten of Cape Girardeau was elected to a fourth term as secretary of the Missouri House Republican Caucus Tuesday. Kasten, who won her sixth term in the House without opposition last week, received unanimous approval for a fourth term in her leadership position...

Mark Moore was deep into his third set at Broussard's, singing the plangent warning of Cat Stevens' "Wild World." "When's he going to do something happy?" a patron asked Jennifer Walker, the bartender. "That's it, honey," Walker shrugged. She should have known better...

The Regional Arthritis Center at St. Francis is offering a continuing education seminar on "Exercise for Seniors with Arthritis." The program is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 24 at St. Francis Medical Center. Kathy Casteel, registered nurse, of the Regional Arthritis Center, said the program is designed to provide information on how to plan an appropriate exercise program for older people...

Pull out your cowboy hats and dust off your boots for "A Taste of Country," at the fourth annual Southeast Showcase on Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Show Me Center. The event, sponsored by the Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation, will showcase food and beverages from more than 35 local restaurants and vendors. The Showcase features the band Lariat, which will provide a foot-stomping salute of America's most favorite country music...

Cape Girardeau Community Concerts welcomes Jack Morgan and the Russ Morgan Orchestra on Tuesday at Academic Auditorium. Jack Morgan presents "Music in the Morgan Manner," a posthumous tribute to his father, composer Russ Morgan. The orchestra is scheduled to take the stage at 8 p.m...

An anniversary party goes awry with gun shots and car wrecks, cover-ups and lies stemming from a mysterious rumor. Cape Girardeau Central High School's Red Dagger is presenting "Rumors," a comedy by Neil Simon, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the school auditorium...

To the Editor: The question of homosexual morality as expressed in the article "Homosexuality debated on campus" (11/5/92) arises as a result of two misconceptions. The first error deals with absolutes. Homosexuality has come to be viewed by some as an alternate lifestyle to the degree that we have abandoned moral absolutes in society. ...

Open Letter to Boy Scouts and Leaders: On behalf of the hungry of the Cape Girardeau area, I wish to thank you for your efforts to collect food through your "Scouting for Food" Program. Mr. Bob Hoppmann is to be commended for his compassion and organizational talent in leading the Scouts in this annual drive. The Cape Girardeau community is likewise to be thanked for its generosity in responding to this appeal...

In an interview with British television Monday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Edward R. Madigan dryly pointed out the dangerous absurdity of the current trade tensions between the United States and the European community. Responding to a question about how the United States will respond to recent emanations out of France, Madigan said, "That would be like someone else determining American policy by what they think in Michigan ... or Texas."...

The city's Planning and Zoning Commission Wednesday recommended a zoning change that will open the door for a proposed Lowe's Home Center. Lowe's, which is the second largest chain of home centers in the United States, is proposed for a site southeast of Cape Girardeau's Wal-Mart Supercenter, west of Interstate 55...

JACKSON - Before the Cape Girardeau County Commission takes formal action abolishing the county planning department and related ordinances, members of the commission want to make sure nothing will be done to jeopardize coverage under the federal flood insurance program...

An avenue of flags around the entrance to the Missouri Veterans Home was dedicated Wednesday as part of a Veterans Day observance at the home. The project was coordinated by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and includes 35 flags around the circular drive at the main entrance to the home. Flags were donated by U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson and U.S. Sen. Christopher Bond...

The river steamboats Delta Queen, and Mississippi Queen will make one port call each at Cape Girardeau during their 1993 cruise season, a Delta Queen Steamboat Co. official said Wednesday. Meanwhile, the company says it is going to build a third steamboat that's scheduled to go into service on the inland waterways by mid-1994...

The search for a new provost at Southeast Missouri State University is now in the hands of the institution's president, Kala Stroup. Southeast's 13-member search committee late Monday afternoon presented Stroup with a list of strengths and weaknesses of the six finalists for the job...

A student participating in the Southeast Missourian's Newspapers In Education will head to England this spring, winner of an all-expenses-paid trip through Parade magazine's Young Columbus program. The winner will be among 150 youngsters nationwide to win the 10-day educational and cultural trip scheduled for April 13-22...

Most comics an hour late for her performance might have been frazzled, might have had difficulty getting into the rhythm of her act. Instead, Paula Poundstone turned her misfortune into a droll Interstate 55 travelogue. Festus is funny to her. She was late to her rainy Wednesday night performance at Academic Auditorium at Southeast Missouri State University because her plane couldn't land here...

JACKSON -- Jackson School Superintendent Wayne Maupin says planning for the proposed new middle school is progressing well, and a site for the school should be acquired by mid-December. "Right now we're in the process of securing a site," Maupin said. "We're getting close but are still a little way from finalizing everything. The architects are reviewing the site we have in mind. Negotiations are now under way. We do not foresee any problems at this time...

Thirty students from Southeast Missouri State University and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale will get a first-hand look at European businesses next summer. The unique three-hour-credit course features a week of intensive study in the classroom at Southeast and then three weeks of travel in Europe, visiting various businesses and talking with business executives there...

WOLF LAKE, Ill. -- Three people who sought medical treatment after sitting beneath an apparent faulty mercury light during a basketball game at Shawnee High School last week will be reimbursed for their expenses, said the school's principal, John Phillippe...

JACKSON -- Patsy J. Harris, 61, Jackson Route 1, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1992, at her home. She was born April 28, 1931, in Cape Girardeau, son of Everett F. and Alma K. Criag Fitzgerald. She and Lester L. Harris were married June 3, 1950, in Cape Girardeau...

ARBOR -- Lloyd Cox, 91, of Arbor, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1992, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born May 10, 1901, at Arbor, son of William and Mary Elizabeth Odum Cox. He and Myrtle Kidd were married Oct. 4, 1917, at Jackson. She died July 30, 1987...

CHARLESTON -- Della Haynes, 100, of Charleston, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1992, at Sikeston Convalescent Center. She was born Sept. 30, 1892, at Wolf Island, daughter of Van and Mary Fletcher Gray. She and Robert Haynes were married Nov. 10, 1920, at Charleston...

David H. Blakeney Sr., 71, of Gulfport, Miss., died Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1992, in Biloxi, Miss. He was a native of Clarkton, and grew up in Cape Girardeau. Blakeney had lived in Florida, where he was owner of Blakeney and Associates and Holiday Boat Co. of St. Petersburg. He retired as a safety engineer in Biloxi...

WILSON CITY -- Walter Lane Sr., 74, of Wilson City, died Monday, Nov. 9, 1992, at Sells Rest Home in Matthews. He was born Aug. 20, 1918, in Midway, Ala., son of Leondas and Clara Hall Lane. He and Laura Dean were married May 9, 1942. She died Jan. 8, 1988...

Son to Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Hoffman II of Jackson, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 12:33 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1992. Name, Graham Daniel. Weight, 7 pounds 15 ounces. Third child, first son. Mrs. Hoffman is the former Judy Jarrett, daughter of John Jarrett of Delta, and the late Wanda Jarrett. The Hoffmans own Wib's Drive In. He is the son of A.D. and Carmen Hoffman of Jackson...

The Cape Girardeau City Council's Community Investment program is sponsoring its version of winter cleaning Saturday morning in the north Cape Girardeau area. The Block by Block Beautification, borne in July through the efforts of Councilmen Melvin Gateley and Doug Richards, is part of a two-year comprehensive plan to clean up the streets and vacant lots of the city...

Kathy Swan, a member of the Cape Girardeau Board of Education, recently achieved certification through the Missouri School Boards Association's certified board member program. Swan is among 30 school board members from districts throughout the state who achieved the certification. She is the only member of the Cape Girardeau board to achieve the certification...