Stories from Thursday, December 10, 1992

Dear Editor: After seeing the advertisements in the paper regarding "Christmas puppies," I felt compelled to respond to the practice of giving pets as gifts. While this is a truly warm and compassionate notion, especially for lonely individuals, it can also be a disaster. ...

Dear Editor: As I perused the Nov. 22 edition of the Wall Street Journal, the article on Page 16 headlining: "Christian Oppose Homosexual Rights," captured my attention. It would appear that some of the influential representatives of the pulpit have deemed it necessary to interpret religious faction's opinions of the impact of homosexuality on society in the United States. When did the "Christian right" seek out heterosexual consensus on homosexuality? After what battle will they claim victory?...

Dear Editor: For many years during the Christmas holidays, our source of food came from the Salvation Army of Cape Girardeau. Having five children and trying to make it on food stamps was very difficult at times, especially during the holidays. I want to support and encourage the public to support the Salvation Army...

Interpreting public sentiment on any subject is a popular diversion; the opinions available and a few coins will get you a cup of coffee. However, governance requires a bit more precision, a stricter adherence to what is written as opposed to what is supposed, to what is fact as opposed to what is felt. ...

Terry Risko served as library director in Cape Girardeau for 20 months, beginning in December of 1990. He now resides in Clinton Township, Mich. I feel that I need to make a statement for the record concerning my forced resignation as library director of the Cape Girardeau Public Library. When I was hired in December of 1990 by the board of trustees, they indicated that they wanted a change from a less than progressive library that had been in operation for the past 20 years...

The Cape Girardeau Public Works Department will again collect discarded Christmas trees this year, but will impose a $5 fee for the service. But Doug Kaminskey, the city's environmental services coordinator, said residents may drop off their trees at a designated site at the southeast corner of Arena Park for free...

The Senior Citizens Service Fund has a new board of directors, who have already submitted their budget plans for the 1993 fiscal year. The board members are Dr. Shelba Branscum, president; Cecelia Sonderman, vice-president; Robert E. Deneke Sr., treasurer; and Ken Lucy, secretary...

Former state Rep. Marvin E. Proffer, now a lobbyist and fundraiser for Southeast Missouri State University, said Wednesday he talked with Lt. Gov. Mel Carnahan about taking a job in his administration two weeks ago but has not been offered a position...

The list of children depending on Toybox for a merry Christmas this year keeps growing. The list is long: Joshua, dump truck; Kristin, Barbie doll; Jamie, learning toy; Stephen, Ninja Turtles; Nicole, baby doll; Amanda, stuffed animal; Johnny, car; Charles, Batman; Darren, Teddy bear; Adam, trolls; Trent, race cars; Valerie, puzzle; Anthony, remote-controlled car; Tina, toy telephone; Dawn, tape player; Shawn, train set; Benjamin, watch; Andrea, doll house; Marlene, roller skates; Derek, basketball; Kevin, Big Wheel. ...

Wayne Muri, chief engineer of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department, told a Cape Girardeau audience Wednesday night that new state transportation plans will benefit Southeast Missouri. Muri was the guest speaker at Wednesday's Chamber of Commerce Highway Dinner. About 140 people attended the event, which was held at the Drury Lodge...

The Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission Wednesday revised its list of priorities for five-year major street projects in the city. While keeping the Lexington Avenue project and a Sprigg Street extension to the arterial at the top of the list, the commission added construction of a new Hopper Road from Mt. Auburn to Kage Road and improvements to Perryville Road...

The winners of the second annual Holiday of Lights decoration contest were announced on Wednesday by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. More than 60 homes, neighborhoods and businesses entered the contest, sponsored by the Chamber's Beautification Committee...

Those who meet Mrs. K always use the same kind words to describe her sweet, gentle, kind. Never one to complain, Mrs. K says she's glad for her home, her few friends and her health. At age 85, her health is deteriorating. Mrs. K is blind in one eye and the vision in her other eye is poor. She has arthritis and a heart condition...

Members of Cape Girardeau Christian Women's Club will have a "Doll-ightful Dolls" luncheon Monday at Holiday Inn. The event will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Cost is $6.50 per person. A special feature will be dolls from "That's My Baby" by Jean Ann Burke...

Kim Pulley did not look out of place at the head of the small classroom in the Jefferson Elementary School on Wednesday. All eyes - most eyes, anyway - were focused on Pulley as she led the class discussion. When a question was asked, eager hands shot into the air as if the arms to which they were attached were spring loaded...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Funeral service for Harriet Josephine Bush of Collinsville, Ill., formerly of East Prairie, will be held at noon today at Shelby Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Dave Bowden will officiate, with burial in Dogwood Cemetery near here. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. to service time...

SCOTT CITY -- Ernest E. "Bud" Stevens Sr., 69, of Scott City, died Tuesday, Dec. 8, 1992, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born April 17, 1923, in Providence, Ky. He first married Georgia Stidham, and later married Willa Dean James...

NEW WELLS -- Raymond G. Perr, 67, of Jefferson City, died Tuesday, Dec. 8, 1992, at St. Mary's Health Center. He was born June 24, 1925, at New Wells, son of Martin and Louise Burkholz Perr. He and Eula M. Hudson were married Nov. 11, 1942, in Norfolk, Va...

ALTENBURG -- William J. "Bud" Vowels, 44, of Altenburg died Tuesday, Dec. 8, 1992, at his home. He was born Sept. 26, 1948, at St. Charles, the son of William and Helen Dean Vowels, who both survive. On June 28, 1976, he married Carolyn Payne, who survives of the home...

Manuela Erika Gradl, 15, died Tuesday, Dec. 8, 1992 at Children's Hospital in Louisville, Ky. She was born Oct. 22, 1977 to Sgt. Eric and Renate Faris of Ft. Knox, Ky. Her parents survive. Other survivors include: grandparents, Pansy Snowden and Bill Faris, both of Cape Girardeau; great grandparents, Jewell Faris of Cape Girardeau, and Mr. and Mrs. Wente of Amburg, Germany...

SIKESTON -- Elmer Woodrow Zimmerman, 76, of 517 Coleman in Sikeston died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 1992. He was born Oct. 16, 1916, at Rankin, Ill., the son of Richard and Neva Johnson Zimmerman. He was married to Doris Wright, who survives of the home. Other survivors include a daughter, Launa Zimmerman of Sikeston, a sister, Gladys Zimmerman of Champaign, Ill., and a grandchild. A daughter also preceded him in death...

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Drury, 2216 Brookwood, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 5:52 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, 1992. Name, Joshua Monroe. Weight, 8 pounds 5 ounces. First child. Mrs. Drury is the former Karen Tiehes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tiehes, 1948 Briarwood. She is a customer service representative with Concord Printing. Drury is employed at Jim Wilson Co., and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Drury, 2706 Janet...

FARRAR -- William R. Spies, 70, of Farrar died Tuesday, Dec. 8, 1992, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born June 9, 1922, in St. Louis, the son of William and Augusta Dvorak Spies. On July 21, 1943, he married Carole Weiss, who preceded him in death April 14, 1988. He then married Elvira Lorenz on March 31, 1989. She survives of the home...