Stories from Thursday, September 8, 1994

To the editor: I just want to offer an observation: In the Aug. 31 editorial the downward trend of enrollment at Southeast Missouri State University was mentioned. If enrollment is not increasing, why all the feverish desire to keep erecting more buildings?...

To the editor: Over the past several months, the League of Women Voters has followed the debate on health care reform, and, like other Americans, we have had a hard time following all of the issues in the debate. Imagining what form a new national health care system might take, when Congress finally passes some legislation, is even more confusing. ...

When Missouri voters head to the polls Nov. 2 they once again will consider one of the most contentious and bungled measures to come down the pike in a long time. Amendment 6, which would change the Missouri Constitution to allow slot machines on gambling boats, could be the last-ditch effort by gambling companies -- and state officials who covet the promised tax revenue the floating casinos will bring -- to get this matter resolved, at least for a while...

A 3-year-old state mandate that prohibits yard waste from entering landfills offers options Cape Girardeans appear to be aware of. A telling sign that city residents are complying with the yard-waste mandate is the diminished amount found in trash. Cape Girardeau Environmental Services Coordinator Mary Ellen Klein said less yard waste is showing up in trash bags and receptacles today than when the mandate was handed down in 1991...

Contestants in the SEMO District Fair baby beauty contest must register for the event by Saturday. Parents may register in person at the fair board office in the A.C. Brase Arena Building until noon Saturday. They must bring a birth certificate. The contest for baby girls will be held Tuesday and the contest for boys will be held Wednesday. Both events begin at 4:30 p.m. in the R&R Tent...

Members of the Mississippi River Commission will conduct their annual low water inspection of the Mississippi River Monday through Sept. 16. Four public meetings are scheduled aboard the vessel Mississippi so commission members can get feedback. Each meeting will begin at 9 a.m...

The Pointer Sisters have produced an album to celebrate their 20th year in the music business and make a bold statement about the strides women have taken. The title track of "Only Sisters Can Do That" is the band's salute to the contemporary female and a reflection of the band's past accomplishments. "We laid the ground for all the girls in town," said Anita Pointer, alluding to female groups like En Vogue, Wilson Phillips, SWV and Jade...

Although passage of Hancock II would not automatically doom the sale of $250 million in bonds approved by voters last month, it would make them far less attractive because the pool of funds to pay the debt would be greatly reduced. In the case of colleges and universities, choices would focus on the value of new buildings compared to existing services that would have to be cut in favor of funds to pay off the bonds...

Doctors are concerned about the duplication of health-care services and equipment at the two Cape Girardeau hospitals, says a doctor who heads a physicians' organization. The doctor, Gordon W. Eller of Cape Girardeau, is president of the Independent Practice Association, which comprises about 100 area doctors...

Dr. Gary S. Olson will discuss common newborn problems on tonight's "Ask Your Doctor" program. The show airs at 8 p.m. each Thursday on Cape Girardeau cable channel 5. The program features local doctors answering questions from local callers. Martha Muench and Dr. Jean A. Chapman host the show. It is sponsored by St. Francis Medical Center, Southeast Missouri Hospital, Cape Girardeau County Medical Society and channel 5...

September 8, 1994 Dear David, I'm writing from Ashland, Ore., home of the famous Shakespeare festival. DC went out for coffee this morning and returned an hour later with tickets to "Oleanna" and "The Tempest." Guess we're staying, at least until 11 p.m...

OLMSTED, Ill. - The $1.1 billion Olmsted Locks and Dam, a project first proposed more than 30 years ago, is beginning to take shape with construction of the coffer dam, which is about 50 percent complete. Visitors to the area will have an opportunity to view the project Saturday during the annual Olmsted River and Rail Day celebration...

Doctors' Park Surgery wants to be part of a regional physician hospital organization in the making. Ron Witmer, the president of Doctors' Park Surgery, said the center has been working to control medical costs since opening in 1976. The ambulatory surgery center in Cape Girardeau is waiting for word from the forming PHO...

Strategic planning will be discussed Saturday at a meeting of the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents in St. Louis County. The regents will seek to settle on a schedule of open forums to be held in various cities throughout the school's 24-county service area. The forums, part of the school's efforts to develop a strategic plan, tentatively are set to begin Sept. 26 and end the first week of October...

Billy Gene Bahner, 60, 1548 County Road 611, died Tuesday, Sept. 6, 1994, while working near his home. He was born Nov. 26, 1933, in Sedgewickville, son of John E. and Golda Statler Bahner. Bahner was a carpenter with Local 1770. Survivors include two daughters, Tina Bahner of Cape Girardeau, Sheila Bahner of Steamboat Springs, Colo., and two granddaughters...

JACKSON -- Private graveside service for Cassie M. Anderson of Jackson was held Wednesday at Russell Heights Cemetery, with Ben Stafford officiating. Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Anderson, 83, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 1994, at her home...

ANNA, Ill. -- Estella M. Nickles, 96, of Anna, died Tuesday, Sept. 6, 1994, at Abbey of Carbondale Nursing Home. She was born April 20, 1898, daughter of Sidney and Lizzie Belle Ward Goodman. She and Christ E. Nickles were married in Pennsylvania. He died Dec. 26, 1960...

CHAFFEE -- Ruth Irene Bond, 97, of Chaffee, died Tuesday, Sept. 6, 1994, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born July 18, 1897, at Morehouse, daughter of James William and Elizabeth Ann Moye Blaylock. She and Emmett E. Bond were married June 19, 1915. He died Feb. 9, 1960...

PERRYVILLE -- Leva Bishop, 89, formerly of Perryville, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 1994, at Meadowbrook Nursing Home in Buffalo, Mo. She was born Feb. 19, 1905, at Belgique, daughter of Jacob and Carolyn Cureton Vernon. In 1923 she married Joseph D. Bishop, who preceded her in death...

STEELE - An truck inspection by the commercial vehicle division of the highway patrol led to the seizure Wednesday of 100 pounds of processed marijuana and the arrest of two Texas men. Charged with intent to distribute and trafficking in the first degree were Ernesto Reyes, 45, and Jose Hernadez, 23, both of Elsa, Texas. They were taken to the Pemiscot County Jail...

SCOTT CITY -- Jesse William "Dub" Varnon, 56, of Jefferson City, died Tuesday, Sept. 6, 1994, at St. Mary's Health Center in Jefferson City. He was born Jan. 20, 1938, in Cape Girardeau, son of Jesse Anderson and Cleone Laverne Albert Varnon. He and Carol Jean Cole were married Jan. 19, 1960, in St. Louis...

Della Nanatte Gemeinhardt, 94, of the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 1994, at the Lutheran Home. She was born July 22, 1900, at Pocahontas, the daughter of Louis and Nanatte Pfister Reisenbichler. In 1925, she married William Gemeinhardt, who preceded her in death Aug. 23, 1977...

Rosana Buckley Squires, 79, of Cape Girardeau, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 1994, at St. Francis Medical Center. Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

MARBLE HILL -- Bryce R. Fisher, 73, of Marion, formerly of Marble Hill, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 1994, at Park Avenue Health Care Center in Marion. He was owner of Marion Ford Motor Co. Liley Funeral Home at Marble Hill is in charge of arrangements.

Daughter to Bill and Margaret Parrish of Austin, Texas, Seton Hospital there, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, 1994. Name, Ana Christine. Weight, 8 pounds 6 ounces. Fifth child, fourth daughter. Mrs. Parrish is the former Margaret McCrate, daughter of M.G. and Charlotte McCrate, 1252 N. Cape Rock Drive. Parrish is a partner with Jenkens and Gilchrist Law Firm, and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Parrish of Houston, Texas...

Country music artists Aaron Tippin, Janie Fricke and Restless Heart have never been afraid to take a chance. Tippin's third and most recent album underscores that notion. Tippin also feels strongly about being in touch with his audience. "Call Of The Wild" is a collection of emotionally intense testimonials on the themes of hard work, unshakeable devotion and unblinking pride in self and place. Not only did Tippin co-write all of the songs, he also tested them in the field while on tour...

Cape Girardeau's Holidy of Lights will return to the County Park Nov. 23, 1994 through Jan. 3, 1995. The traditional lighting ceremony will take place Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to participate in the Holiday of Lights. There is no charge. Those who participate should complete two forms available at the Arts Council office. One of the forms may be obtained at the County Park office for conact information in case of damage to a display...

The Wolfman Jack's Fabulous '60s Party presented by Oldies 100.7 will come to the Show Me Center Saturday evening, Oct. 22, at 8 p.m. The event will be part of family weekend activities at Southeast Missouri State University. Four of the best known acts of the '60s will be on hand to perform their hits. Gary Lewis and the Playboys, The Shangri-Las, Dennis Yost of the Classics IV, and The Drifters will perform during the '60s Party...

David Stewart, a 37-year-old restaurant manager who embarked on a 1,600-mile walk from Wyoming to Nashville, Tenn., will be in Cape Girardeau Friday, Sept. 9, to sign his book recounting the experience. Stewart will appear at Waldenbooks in Cape to sign copies of his book "Heart and Sole : The Road I Chose." Stewart will be accompanied by his dog, Snicker, his companion during the walk...

An organizational meeting for Southeast Missouri State's 11th New York Theater Tour will take place in the Grauel Building Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in Room 316. Dennis C. Seyer, professor of speech communication and theatre at Southeast Missouri State, will provide information at the meeting. Seyer has experienced all previous 10 New York Theatre tours...

The Gash/Voigt Dance Theatre of St. Louis will hold a workshop and perform original works Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. in the Academic Auditorium at Southeast Missouri State University. There will also be a showing of the Theatre's video "Spirits of the Land" in the Academic Auditorium Sept. 25 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m...

ANNA, Ill. -- The Union County Historical Society will hold its annual flea market Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Anna Fairgrounds. There will be 75 booths of dealers selling antiques, collectibles, crafts and other items. Some dealers will be there by 6 a.m. to set up displays and offer bargains...

ALTENBURG -- The East Perry Community Fair will celebrate its 75th anniversary Sept. 23-24 in Altenburg. The first fair was held Oct. 14, 1919, at Altenburg Public School. Charles Grebing, one of the founding committee members, plans to ride in a special car during the parade...

SCOTT CITY -- Riverside Regional Library here will celebrate the move into its new home at 2106 Main Street with an open house from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 24. New books will be given away and door prizes will be awarded throughout the morning. Children will enjoy clowns making balloon animals and doing face paintings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Plastic book bags will be distributed...

The Cape Girardeau County chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons will hold its annual picnic at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Cape Girardeau County South Park's shelter 20. Participants should bring a covered dish. Beverages and table service will be provided...

CAIRO, Ill -- About 12 years ago Cairo city officials began pondering the fate of a historic building known as the Custom House along the main street through town. Built during the Civil War and first used in 1872, the three-story structure had stood empty since 1975, when the police department moved from it to a building of its own across the street...