Stories from Sunday, November 27, 1994

SCOTT CITY -- Harold Miller, 43, of Imperial and formerly of Scott City died Saturday, Nov. 26, 1994, at St. Anthony's Hospital in Arnold. Friends may call from 6-9 p.m. today at the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City. Parish prayers will be at 7:30 p.m. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Scott City, and burial will be in the church cemetery...

Linda Zimmer admires a set of earthenware in a bedroom of her home. Zimmer has been making the unique objects for about six years. An earthenware cow strides across the top of one of two electric kilns in Linda Zimmer's workshop. Earthenware is 'fired' at 2,055 degrees...

As the post-election Republican euphoria and the Democratic shock begin to abate just a little bit, both parties will begin to face up to the political realities of the next two years. The GOP will have to decide whether it wants to veer off to the far right or pursue a more centrist conservatism...

The classified ad is relatively inconspicuous. No fancy writing, no ornate border. "Body piercing," it reads. "Safe, sterile, from the waist up. Sorry, no exceptions." Two phone numbers follow. The curious caller reaches A Different Drummer Tattoo Studio at 405 Broadway. There, Kathy Drury waits with her artillery of needles, antiseptic and jewelry...

Application forms are available at University of Missouri Extension offices for low-cost tree and shrub seed~lings for wildlife and conservation plantings. The Missouri Department of Conservation Seedling Distribution Program operates a forest tree nursery near Licking. ...

Todd Poole stared past a sea of pine trees at William Street, where cars raced past in the drizzle. Mom, dad and the kids weren't stopping to pick out this year's Christmas tree on the Evening Optimists' lot. Instead of loading pines into waiting vehicles, Poole spent most of Saturday morning warming himself by the kerosene heater in a small trailer...

Members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Chapter III will host a Pearl Harbor memorial ceremony at Jackson's Brookside Park Memorial to Veteran's of All Wars Dec. 7 beginning at 11 a.m. The memorial will mark the 53rd anniversary of Japan's sneak attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. ...

Kim Massarro tap dances during the talent segment of the Miss Jackson pageant Nov. 19. The 22-year-old University of Missouri-St. Louis senior was named Miss Jackson. Robin Hosp, host of the afternoon pageants, tried to coax a few words out of a shy Casey Seabaugh...

Organizers with the Jackson Swim Team are excited about their upcoming Holiday Home Tour fund-raiser. The tour is slated to begin at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 4. Four Jackson area homes will be featured on this year's tour, according to Bonnie Poythress, an organizer of the tour. Proceeds from home tour ticket sales go to fund the yearly operating costs of the 50-plus member Jackson Swim Team...

Oak Ridge High School seniors Jason Glueck and Mary McLance have been Oak Ridege students since the start of their school years. They are members of the school's 23 member class of 1995. Sixth grade teacher Jo Ann Hahs is an alumna of Oak Ridge High School and has taught there for 29 years. One her desk is a doll representing Almarinda Minnie Steele, the first student to enroll at Oak ridge in 1874...

The annual Jackson Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Jackson Jaycees, is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 3. This year's theme is "Children's Storybook Christmas" and the parade is set to start at 1:30 p.m. Those wishing to take part in the parade are asked to contact Sherri Smith at 243-3462 or Patti Reisenbichler at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, 243-8131. ...

Reports of the demise of tax-limitation efforts in Missouri are, in Mark Twain's memorable phrase, greatly exaggerated. This is good, because the general concept is much too sound to die with this year's ill-fated effort. In the wake of Amendment 7's overwhelming defeat, a growing chorus of leading organizations and bipartisan political leaders has declared support for drafting and enacting into law a better version of it. ...

There is an interesting phenomenon in the news business when holidays occur: News, it seems, stops. American news outlets tend to scrounge for news during holidays like Thanksgiving. And I don't mean just the day of the holiday. Holidays anymore are stretched out to include weekends, so the Thanksgiving holiday doesn't end until sometime tonight...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Cairo city council member Cordell McGoy and law enforcement officer Phillip Matthews have announced intentions to challenge incumbent mayor James Wilson next spring. Wilson announced earlier he will seek re-election for another four-year term...

When I grow up, I want to be a tailgater at Southeastern Conference football games. I know of no function that offers more excitement than a major game, and the tailgaters are able to participate in the activities with style.The tailgaters arrive on campus in their recreational vehicles that have been cleaned to a high shine. ...

BLOOMFIELD -- Agnes Mary Armes, 98, formerly of Essex, died Friday, Nov. 25, 1994, at Minor Nursing Center at Minor. Armes was born Jan. 24, 1896, near Benton. She married George Alva Armes on Nov. 7, 1915. He preceded her in death on Jan. 20, 1970...

Millicent M. Dean, 82, of Cape Girardeau died Nov. 26, 1994, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel.

DEXTER -- Raymond Valentine, 83, of Malden, died Saturday, Nov. 26, 1994, at Dexter Memorial Hospital. He was born Nov. 2, 1911, in Townley, son of John H. and Ada Palmer Valentine. He and Thelma Armada Vails were married Aug. 29, 1939, at Tallapoosa...

SIKESTON -- Thelma Louise Smith, 80, formerly of Protem died Friday, Nov. 25, 1994, at Sells Rest Home in Matthews where she was a resident. Smith was born Jan. 19, 1914. She married Frank Hardin Smith Jr. who preceded her in death on Nov. 26, 1991...

SCOTT CITY -- Jesse Anderson Varnon, 80, of Scott City died Saturday, Nov. 26, 1994, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Varnon was born Dec. 12, 1913, in Commerce to Samuel and Hattie Hughes Varnon. He married Cleone Laverne Albert in Benton on Oct. 25, 1936. She preceded him in death on Feb. 26, 1979...

Longtime Cape Girardeau educator R.L. Sheets died Nov. 25, 1994, at Southeast Missouri Hospital at the age of 86. He lived at 1316 Dunklin St. and was married to Helen Sheets, who survives. He began his career with the Cape Girardeau Public Schools in 1933 and served continuously for 33 years. He began as principal at Washington School and in 1948 became the principal at Central High School, where he remained for 11 years...

COLUMBIA -- Martha Cushman, 89, a former resident of Cape Girardeau, died Nov. 15, 1994, at Columbia Regional Hospital. She was a resident of Columbia. She was born Oct. 23, 1905, to Edward A. and Susannah Shelton Phillips. She married Thomas H. Cushman on May 28, 1929. Mr. Cushman, a former guidance counselor at Cape Central High School, preceded her in death...

SIKESTON -- Iva Bell Harp, 93, of Sikeston, formerly of Morley, died Friday, Nov. 25, 1994, at her home. Harp was born Aug. 4, 1901 in Piggot, Ark., to Henry Marshall and Louella Jane May Madden Lanning. She married James A. Harp on July 29, 1917 in Morehouse. He preceded her in death on July 17, 1980...

Son to Richard and Connie Copeland, 613 Sycamore, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, 1994. Name, Forrest Dewayne. Weight, 9 pounds 7 ounces. First child. Mrs. Copeland is the former Connie Younger, daughter of Dewayne and Ida Nell Younger of Advance. She is employed at Early Childhood Center. Copeland is a sales representative at Sears. He is the son of Richardson and JoAnn Copeland of Morley and Bob and Wanda Grim of Sikeston...

SIKESTON -- Raymond Smith, 56, of Sikeston died Friday, Nov. 25, 1994, at his home. He was born in Lilbourn on June 6, 1938, to Luther and Opal Turner Smith. He was employed with Drury Inn. Smith is survived by four sons, Scott Allen Smith of Sikeston, Steven Wayne Smith of Jackson and Louis Calvin Smith and Jeffery Dean Smith of East Prairie; a daughter, Kimberly Ann Brockman of Sikeston; a brother, Howard Smith of Sikeston; a sister, Lillie Keasling of Buckeye, Ariz.; Maxine Conley of Sikeston; two stepsons, Gerry Conley of Pocahontas, Ark., and Jeffery Conley of Sikeston; a stepdaughter, Kathy Elliot of Morehouse; 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.. ...

ANNA, Ill. -- Roy Pitts, 68, of Anna, died Saturday, Nov. 26, 1994, at the Union County Hospital. He was born Feb. 13, 1926, in Anna, the son of Oakley and Bessie Harper Pitts. He was married to Dorothy Hinkle at Cobden on March 16, 1952. Pitts was a member of the Landmark Pentecostal Church and was a veteran of World War II...

Giving an elderly person a gift certificate for medicine, food or perhaps taxi rides could turn loneliness and despair into a heartfelt Christmas. The Christmas for the Elderly program has accomplished such a transformation for underprivileged senior citizens for the past nine years. This year the mission is the same: Make a difference for someone who otherwise would do without...

To Karen Byrum and Kim McDowell, Toybox isn't just another project involving the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and Southeast Missourian. Rather, it's a goodwill holiday venture that cuts to the core of what Christmas is all about. "It's my favorite part of Christmas," said McDowell, who coordinates the project for the Southeast Missourian. "It's a reward just to watch these children in need receive someone's gift. You can't help being touched by something like this."...

Upcoming Pheasants (Southeast Zone) Dec. 1-Dec. 12 Deer (muzzleloader) Dec. 3-Dec. 31 Continuing Canada Geese (Middle & South Zones) closes Dec. 4 Deer (archery) closes Dec. 31 Turkey (archery) closes Dec. 31 Ducks & Coots (South Zone) closes Jan. 3...

A lot of outdoor enthusiasts will tell you that they've never been lost, but they have been "turned around" a time or two. I can relate to that. There have been several instances in which I knew exactly where I was ... however, I didn't know the direction of anything else...

660.0 - Lake of the Ozarks 659.2; 0.8 foot below maximum level; no change. 839.0 - Pomme de Terre 841.7; 2.7 feet over maximum level; change missing. 867.0 - Stockton 868.7; 1.7 feet over maximum level; down 0.1. 701.0 - Taneycomo 700.7; 0.3 foot below maximum level; up 0.3...

It is getting quieter. No birds sing in the dawn. The crickets are hushing, one by one. Lawnmowers have been put to winter rest. Neighbor Dick's saw can be heard from time to time as he prepares his winter woodpiles. It is not harsh because it speaks of a fireplace burning brightly and drifting woodsmoke that is pleasing to my nose...

World War II killed more people and destroyed more property than any war in the history of man, but Jay Sproat of Cape Girardeau would participate in a World War II battle every weekend if he had the chance. That might seem unusual because World War II has been over for almost 50 years, but for Sproat and thousands of other war re-enactors, participating in the re-enacting of major battles is an avid hobby...

Parents As Teachers will hold two "Toy Workshops" in December. The first one will be held on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Scott City Elementary School in the art room. Toys will be made for children age birth to 36 months. These toys will be made from items most people have in their homes...

The Area Vietnam Veterans Support Group will have its holiday group dinner today at 5:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall. Meat, bread and soda will be furnished. Prospective members and guests are welcome and please bring a covered dish or dessert according to the number of family you bring...