Stories from Tuesday, September 13, 1994

Just before Shannon and Jared Ritter go to sleep, mom and dad like to pair up with their children and read a book. Reading in the Ritter house is not only a pleasure, it is a way to unwind at the end of the day for Kenny and Laura Ritter of Cape Girardeau and their daughter Shannon, 5, and son Jared, 2...

Baby Bags for parents with newborns, Toddler Time, Story Hour, a Teen Center, Book Buddies, Reading Is Fundamental and adult programs are all part of the reading enhancement activities at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. "A public library provides information to all ages of people as they go through life," said librarian Elizabeth Ader. "As such, the library is a life-long learning center. The library is here to disseminate and serve all viewpoints."...

Chris McLeod never made it through the 10th grade, but the 16-year-old has his sights set on college. McLeod was expelled from Jackson High School last fall. But in early June, after studying for three weeks in the learning center at the Cape Girardeau Vocational-Technical School, he took the General Educational Development test and passed...

3rd grade through 6th grade Goosebump series by R.L. Stine Scary Story Series by Alvin Schwartz Judy Blume Books Baby-sitter Club for girls 6th, 7th and 8th grade Fear Street Series All-Star Series by Angel Park Soccer Series by Angel Park Sweet Valley High by Kate Williams...

Excitement and anticipation fills the eyes of Becky Peters' 1st grade class at the Jackson Primary Annex when she begins to pass out The Mini Page that is inserted in each Tuesday's edition of the Southeast Missourian. As the 4-page, easily recognized, yellow-paper publication makes its way down the rows of desks, the room fills with "oohhs" and "ahhs" and children pointing out sections of the paper to one another...

JEAN BELL MOSLEY Author and newspaper columnist Jean Bell Mosley lives in Cape Girardeau. Her fifth book, "Seeds on the Wind," will go on sale this month. The book is a collection of vintage columns, written primarily for the Southeast Missourian. Writing, when pursued for a long time, gets to be a way of life. ...

The family that reads together deserves credit for the total effort. In fact, the number of hours a family logs reading is something the Scott City Public Library is encouraging through Nov. 18. The library has started a Read Around the House program to spur families into reading newspapers, books, magazines and periodicals on a daily basis...

At 84, Eloise Moore goes to school every day. Utilizing her lifetime of experience, Moore makes a difference in Sue Duncan's first-grade classroom as a participant in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. "She's wonderful," Duncan said. "She's taken to the position like a duck to water. She's busy, doing whatever I ask her to do. She's so sweet with the students."...

Ellie Knight of Scott City, RSVP director in Scott County for over 20 years and in Cape Girardeau County since 1992, said the program was a method for senior citizens to utilize their lifetime of skills in an intergenerational manner. "Several years back members of the senior population may have felt they didn't have something to share or they felt inadequate," Knight said. "Nowadays, senior citizens might not want to be involved full time, but they still want to make a difference...

Jeff Krantz and his enthusiastic band of Vision 2000 newspaper hawkers will take over the intersection at West End Boulevard and Broadway. Laura Adkisson and her energetic group from Commerce Bank will handle things at the corner of Independence and Mount Auburn Road...

Anita Nall, a teacher at Scott City Elementary School, uses the newspaper in the classroom in a number of ways. "Newspapers In Education (NIE) is a great project," said Nall. "I use it in so many ways here, and it gives students an opportunity to get acquainted with the many parts of the newspaper."...

On Tuesday, more than 200 volunteers will hawk special YELL editions of the Southeast Missourian to benefit youth, education, literacy, and learning programs in the region. Last year, the effort raised more than $19,000. Organizers have set their sights high this year, hoping to generate more than $24,000 on Tuesday...

American Heart Association: $23,205. Conducts research and provides educational material and programs to all residents. American Lung Association: $11,000. Does research and offers educational material and programs to all residents. American Red Cross: $60,000. Provides classes in CPR, first aid, aquatic safety, and other educational programs; conducts blood drives and provides disaster relief...

With a campaign theme of "Open Your Heart," the 1994 Area Wide United Way drive is now under way. Several hundred volunteers are involved in the effort to raise $520,000 that will be used to benefit 26 agencies that serve residents of Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City...

read by joe s. YELL Favorite Book contest winners Seven grade school students have won Six Flags Over Mid-America tickets in the YELL (Youth, Education, Literacy and Learning) Favorite Book Contest. Students from the 4th and 5th grades entered the contest...

Since his earliest campaign speeches as a presidential candidate in 1991, Bill Clinton has spoken passionately about a need for a national service program. Although his original vision, linking virtually all student aid to volunteerism, was deemed too costly by Congress, a miniaturized version of the concept was passed last fall. ...

The author of "New Read Aloud Handbook" and two anthologies of children's stories will speak on reading aloud at the Bridging the Gap parenting conference this spring. Best-selling author Jim Trelease hopes to help motivate children to make books into friend...

The focus this year of Zonta, both locally and internationally, is literacy, says Jane Daume, president of the Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau. Daume, who attended the Zonta International Convention in Detroit, Mich., in July, said one of the goals of Zonta International is that every club promote literacy...

Michael Charek is in his third career, helping out as a literacy volunteer in the Adult Basic Education program at the Cape Girardeau Vocational-Technical School. The 67-year-old Charek usually spends his Monday and Thursday mornings working with literacy students, while his wife works as a volunteer at Southeast Missouri Hospital...

With the sound of roaring motors and crashing cars, about 3,500 fans filled the grandstands at Arena Park for Monday night's Demolition Derby at the 139th SEMO District Fair. The fair officially started Monday with a parade from Capaha Park to the fairground. Starting at 5:30 p.m., the parade lasted almost two hours before the last group of horses made it to the end of the route, which was lined with crowds...

As pressure increases on Secretary of State Judith Moriarty to resign, speculation about possible successors also grows. The ultimate decision rests with Gov. Mel Carnahan, who is among the officials calling on his Moriarty, a fellow Democrat, to resign...

JACKSON -- The leadership will change at Jackson Public Schools next year as School Superintendent Wayne Maupin and Business Manager Howard Alexander plan to announce their retirement at tonight's school board meeting. Maupin is in his 26th year in the Jackson School District. His career in Jackson began when he was a student teacher...

Linda Bloodworth-Thomason predicts the next national issue following health reform will be education reform. Bloodworth-Thomason is a Poplar Bluff native and creator and writer of the hit sitcoms "Designing Women," "Evening Shade" and "Hearts Afire."...

About 70 people packed the Cape Girardeau School Board meeting room Monday night when the board reconvened after their regular meeting to begin dismissal procedures against Donna Thomas, a tenured junior high teacher accused of shooting Cheryl Litzelfelner July 23...

MILLERSVILLE - Two area firefighters were recognized Sunday evening for their service to the Millersville Rural Volunteer Fire Department since it was founded in 1977. Ray Propst was honored as he retired as a firefighter. Approximately 75 people were on hand for the banquet...

Human beings love to collect things: you know, hubcaps, beer cans and, yes, even hair. While historians love to linger over Napoleon's military prowess, it is hair that interests normal folks like Dr. Jean Fichou of Rennes, France. Fichou has a lock of Napoleon's hair, which is easier to find than Yul Brynner's but still considered extremely rare...

Members of the Joint Committee on Legislative Research voted Monday to raise the fiscal note on a proposed constitutional amendment legalizing slot machines and other games of chance on riverboats. Last week the committee determined the state would likely gain at least $13 million in revenues if the amendment was approved by voters...

Most Southeast Missouri legislators feel Secretary of State Judi Moriarty should resign. A Cole County jury found Moriarty guilty early Saturday morning for manipulating election filing paperwork to illegally help her son, Tim Moriarty, file for a Missouri House seat in March...

ANNA, Ill. -- Linda Kay Manus, 52, Anna Route 2, died Sunday, Sept. 11, 1994, at her home. She was born Nov. 5, 1941, in Anna, daughter of Roy "Buck" and Eula G. Penrod Walker. She and Robert G. "Bob" Manus were married July 27, 1991, in Anna. Manus was a mental health technician at Clyde L. Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center here...

DEXTER -- Emma Ireland, 86, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Saturday, Sept. 10, 1994, at Palmview Health Care Center in Port Charlotte. She was born Dec. 25, 1907, in Warden, Ill., daughter of Edward and Emma Fenton Potts. She married Frank A. Ireland Oct. 6, 1924. He died April 5, 1974...

PUXICO -- Kennard Dean Jones, 57, of Puxico, died Sunday, Sept. 11, 1994, at his home. He was born Feb. 28, 1937, at Mingo, son of Ira and Verna Neighbors Jones. He and Gracie Dunning were married Feb. 8, 1958, at Bloomfield. Jones was a timber worker and logger...

WHITEWATER -- Ruby A. Blumenberg, 86, of Whitewater, died Monday, Sept. 12, 1994, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born May 23, 1908, in Whitewater, daughter of Louis and Emma Grebe Schlimme. She and Emil Blumenberg were married Aug. 3, 1927, at Jackson. He died Jan. 2, 1977...

Josephine L. Weber, 80, died Monday, Sept. 12, 1994 at the Fountainbleau Lodge in Cape Girardeau. Ford & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which were incomplete at press time.

ALLENVILLE -- Funeral service for Ivah C. Marks of Oakland, Calif., was held Aug. 30 with the Rev. Louise Hermanson officiating. Marks, 90, died Wednesday, Aug. 24, 1994, in Oakland. She was born Feb. 23, 1904, in Allenville, daughter of Lonnie and Kate Gramlisch Byrnes. She married Virgil Marks, who preceded her in death...

SCOTT CITY -- Basil Franklin Watkins, 68, of Scott City, died Sunday, Sept. 11, 1994, at his home. Amick-Burnett Funeral Home at Scott City is in charge of arrangements.

DEXTER -- Alberta Cornelison, 52, of Paramount, Calif., died Thursday, Sept. 8, 1994, at Suburban Medical Center in Paramount. She was born July 9, 1942, in Waynesboro, Tenn., daughter of Albert and Arel Wilson Fowler. She and Alva R. Cornelison were married June 18, 1957, at Morehouse...

SCOTT CITY -- Louis I. Davidson, 84, of Pine Bluff, Ark., died Monday, Sept. 12, 1994, in a hospital in Little Rock, Ark. He was born Nov. 19, 1910, at Illmo, son of Ike and Myrtle Clark Davidson. He married the former Geneva Clymer. Davidson retired as a conducter with Cotton Belt Railroad. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Jacob Brunch Lodge and Shriners Sahara Temple, all in Pine Bluff...

Son to Michael and Cindy Van de Ven of Plano, Texas, Margot Perot Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas, 8:15 a.m. Monday, Aug. 8, 1994. Name, Garrett Michael. Weight, 8 pounds 10 ounces. Second son. Mrs. Van de Ven is the former Cindy Cox, daughter of Sara Cox of Athens, Texas, and the late William Cox. She is a diagnostician with Plano School District. Van de Ven is director of internal audit with Southwest Airlines. He is the son of Melvin and JoAnn Van de Ven of Cape Girardeau...

MILLERSVILLE -- Mary Riehn, 84, died Monday, Sept. 12, 1994 at her home in Millersville. Funeral arrangements are incomplete, and will be announced by McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee staff's opposition to the proposed expansion of the cardiac catherization laboratory at St. Francis Medical Center is based on state statistics and not those of a Southeast Missouri business group. Both health facilities committee staff and officials at St. Francis agreed on that point Monday, but little else...

Hancock II, the proposed amendment to the Missouri Constitution, is like mercury. Its aim is to let voters approve any hefty increases in government spending in the state that must be paid for with taxes or fees. Like any other plan, Hancock II has its staunch supporters and its avid opponents. The question for voters is what to make of all the claims and counterclaims...

Since his earliest campaign speeches as a presidential candidate in 1991, Bill Clinton has spoken passionately about a need for a national service program. Although his original vision, linking virtually all student aid to volunteerism, was deemed too costly by Congress, a miniaturized version of the concept was passed last fall. ...

The Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Cape Girardeau will host a series of meetings beginning Thursday and featuring evangelist Randy Clark of St. Louis. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. nightly, Thursday through Saturday, at Academic Auditorium, on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University...

Jay Landers, vice president for radio at Fifteen Telecommunications Inc. in Louisville, Ky., has been named the new general manager of KRCU-FM, the National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate at Southeast Missouri State University. The Board of Regents approved the appointment during a meeting in St. Louis last weekend. Landers will begin his duties at the radio station on Oct. 17...

Community leaders were asked who or what got them reading at an early age, about the importance of reading and about how their reading habits have changed over the years. John Fidler, chief executive officer, St. Francis Medical Center: "The Bible influenced me greatly. ...

YELL for Newspapers literacy grants are available to any agency or program that encourages education, literacy or learning. Specifics about when and where to apply for the money will be announced following this year's fund-raising campaign. The grants are each for a one-year period and may be used to start a program or to assist with an existing program. Programs shouldn't be entirely dependent on YELL grants for existence...

Evelyn Stinson had a choice: Get married or seek to obtain her GED. Stinson chose the latter. "If I had gotten married, I probably would have had two kids by now," the 18-year-old Scott City woman said. Instead, she studies four days a week through the Adult Basic Education program at the Cape Girardeau Vocational-Technical School. Her goal is to get a General Educational Development diploma by next August...

Cathy Kapfer hated school, so she decided to become a teacher. "I remember specifically, I was in the fifth-grade," she said. "One long hard day I sat there thinking to myself, `I can teach, and I think I can help kids enjoy learning.'" The realization was remarkable, Kapfer says. ...

Liking children seems to be a prerequisite for school nurses. "I enjoy working with the kids," said Gladys Chambers, a licensed practical nurse who has been the school nurse at Chaffee for 22 years. "Kindergarten kids don't mind seeing me since I don't give shots," Chambers added. "They seem relieved when they learn that."...

Computers can open a new world for children, especially youngsters with disabilities, says Chuck Martin with the Easter Seal Society. A $1,650 grant last year, funded with YELL for Newspaper donations, allowed the local Easter Seals chapter to purchase a new computer and color monitor and start a computer resource center...

TCI Cablevision of Cape Girardeau and Jackson has announced an "Electronic Field Trip" consumer promotion to help raise funds for Cape Girardeau and Jackson School Districts. Customers who sign up for cable or add to their service during the campaign will receive a discount on installation and TCI will donate up to $5 for each installation to the school districts...

Six Cape Girardeau students participated in the 1994 Bootheel Medics Health Professions Camp held in July at Southeast Missouri State University. They were among 24 junior high and high school students from the Bootheel to take part in the week-long camp, sponsored by the university's college of health and human services, the Southeastern Missouri Area Health Education Center, an affiliate of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, St. ...

Joel Sander of Gordonville has received the Hattie Eicholtz Memorial Scholarship to Southeast Missouri State University. The scholarship is given to a freshman who has exhibited above-average academic achievement in high school and who is a direct descendant of a former Southeast Missouri State University student...

The impact of the Hancock II proposal on Missouri's public schools will be the focus of a series of regional meetings to be held by the Missouri School Boards Association, including one at Scott City Public Schools Sept. 22. The program begins at 7 p.m. Missouri School Boards Association opposes Hancock II...

All former Central High School band and orchestra members are being summoned to an alumni night recognition at the Central High football game Thursday. Anyone who performed with either of the groups is encouraged to attend the game. Alumni also will be recognized before the playing of the Alma Mater. The oldest alum will receive a T-shirt and reduced-price tickets for school events. Former musicians need not perform or march...

Delores Heisserer Chambers, formerly of Scott City, has been awarded a doctorate in food marketing and statistics from Kansas State University, Manhattan. While at the university she won second place in the national Institute of Food Technologists' research competition for her research on cheese flavor and was a finalist for the national sensory evaluation research competition for her research on salt taste...

Besides providing classes at the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational Schools, the Adult Basic Education program reaches out to schools in a five-county area in order to provide satellite locations for adults to earn high school diplomas and sharpen literacy skills...

Jennifer Madox is a student at Schultz School. Misty Perkuhn. Collin Giles. By Victoria Ligonis When I was little, I would always love the times Mrs. Janet would read to me. Everyday she would pick an exciting book to read. I enjoyed the way she would go slowly through the pages so that I could see all of the colorful pictures. Mrs. Janet is no longer in this world due to a fatal back injury. But every time I open a book, it's like she is in the room reading to me. It will never be the same...