Stories from Saturday, December 24, 1994

It is an accomplishment worth commendation. The 12th member of the same Cape Girardeau family recently graduated from Southeast Missouri State University. All are the children of Ina and John Essner. The first graduated in 1975. The last, Susan, earned her diploma on Dec. 9. And seven have earned their degrees with honors...

"Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." -- Matthew 2:20-21...

It's tough to get through the holidays with both one's pocketbook and sanity intact. But the American Red Cross encourages longtime and new donors to add one more gift to their lists. This gift, not found in catalogs or stores, takes about an hour to give. Located inside the giver, its value can't be measured in dollars and cents...

While most people gather with their families around a table decked with Christmas centerpieces and red table cloths, Christmas to hundreds of people in the area will be like any other day because they are in jail. There aren't any decorations, presents or special edible treats delivered by family or friends; prisoners don't get those things because of security concerns...

Tandy Thompson took home a turkey and the trimmings for Christmas dinner. She picked out a toy for each of her three children. Without help from the Salvation Army, she said, buying Christmas gifts or food for a holiday meal would have been impossible...

To express appreciation for those who donate blood, the American Red Cross is celebrating January as National Volunteer Blood Donor Month. This national effort recognizes the more than 12 million people who give blood. Donors are asked to celebrate the special time by giving blood now. All types are needed, but type O is particularly low. The next drive will be Wednesday from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Cape Girardeau...

Cape Girardeau may be located in the middle of the United States, but the city doesn't operate in a vacuum. Many local companies are active in international trade and several foreign companies call Cape Girardeau their second home. In May, the city entered into a sister-city agreement with Shaoxing, China. Since that time, three Chinese delegations have visited Cape Girardeau, and one local group traveled to Shaoxing last May...

SIKESTON -- In 1987, Amy Burns acquired a special piece of real estate. With snow on the roof and the soft glow of light inside, the Ramsey Hill House had an undeniable charm. Today, Burns is something of a real estate mogul. Her Snow Village, a miniature ceramic town populated by miniature ceramic people, miniature ceramic pets and even miniature ceramic cows, is a holiday treat for family and friends...

PERRYVILLE -- Thirty-one Perry County property owners have decided to accept a government buyout of residences flooded last year in the Bois Brule Bottoms east of Perryville. "It's been over a year now since the people heard about the buyout," said Kathy Mangels, director of grant administration for the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission...

PERRYVILLE -- Melvin Buerck and his family lived a mile south of Belgique before last year's flood put more than 16 feet of water in their house. Five of those feet were on the second floor. It was the old home place for Buerck, who was reared there and had lived there for more than 40 years. It also was the headquarters for his and his brothers' farming operation...

There she was -- the tired shopper, sitting on the floor leaning against a planter box just outside the J.C. Penney store at West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau. Mary Lou Dell of Oran had been at the mall for three hours by 2 p.m. Friday. She was finally done shopping and looking, she said...

Journalists aren't known for spouting phrases like, "Oh, cabana boy," so many of us have little sidelines to make an extra buck or two. Before you call to tell me you'll take the Bulls over the Pistons to cover the spread, I should tell you that MY little sideline is completely legal. It's making videos. You know, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and such...

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Funeral service for Betty May Jane Bass will be held at 11 a.m. today at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms. B.R. Hollins will officiate, with burial in Anna City Cemetery. Bass, 64, died Thursday, Dec. 22, 1994, at Memorial Hospital. She was born May 30, 1930, in Thebes, daughter of Joseph Franklin and Dorothy Eugena Rolling Bigham. She married Logan Bass, who preceded her in death...

The city will add a snow route but will maintain the same road clearing priorities as last year. Assistant Public Works Director Kevin McMeel said there are a few changes in this year's snow clearing program. The department has added a sixth service zone and another truck with snow removal equipment...

CHARLESTON -- Memorial service for Florence Ellen Crecelius of Tucson, Ariz., will be held at 10 a.n. today at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Tucson. The Rev. Doug Dannavant will officiate. Crecelius, 74, died Thursday, Dec. 22, 1994, at St. Mary's Hospital in Tucson...

Scott County Recorded Dec. 1 to Dec. 9 R.A., Jr., and Amy W. McCord to Darrell E. Steele and Marcia V. Webb. Cornelia D. Shuford to Cathy A. Little. Versatile Home Builders Inc. to Charles and Linda Taylor. David and Nancy Pruitt to Elmer, Jr., and Verna J. Gilliland...

CHARLESTON -- Susan Gale Owens, 35, of Charleston, died Thursday, Dec. 22, 1994, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. She was born July 2, 1959, in Cairo, Ill., daughter of Leonard R. and Hester Hall Pehm. She and Michael David Owens Sr. were married Aug. 12, 1978...

SIKESTON -- Charles E. Webb, 44, of Sikeston, died Thursday, Dec. 22, 1994, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. He was born March 30, 1950, in Cooter, son of Nelson and Ora Mae Webb. He and Gladies Williamson were married Aug. 17, 1975. Webb was a truck driver with Hedrick Concrete Co., and was formerly employed by Sikeston Fire Department...

CHARLESTON -- Funeral service for Glenn C. Ault of Charleston will be held at 11 a.m. today at the United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Richard Combs officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery. McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston is in charge of arrangements...

MARBLE HILL -- Funeral service for John William Troxell of Marble Hill will be held at 10 a.m. today at Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill. The Rev. Fred Ritter will officiate, with burial in Arcadia Valley Memorial Park. Troxell, 88, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 1994, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau...

Two years ago Southeast Missourians awoke to a white Christmas. A year ago, Cape Girardeau had a trace of snow on Christmas. But Mother Nature would have to buck some pretty big odds to produce the white stuff for Christmas Day 1995. Sunny and warm is the forecast of the National Weather Service for Christmas Day throughout most of Missouri. The same is in store for Southern Illinois...

DEXTER -- Walter Landers, 98, of Dexter, died Thursday, Dec. 22, 1994, at Dexter Nursing Center. He was born June 10, 1896, in Lake County, Tenn. He and Thelma Bishop were married Aug. 26, 1915, in Lafe, Ark. She died March 25, 1965. Landers had lived in Dexter since 1922. He was a retired barber, and member of First Baptist Church...

Daughter to Paul and Amy Martin of East Prairie, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 2:40 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, 1994. Name, Mandy Nicole. Weight, 6 pounds 6 ounces. First child. Mrs. Martin is the former Amy Dakin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Dakin of Mounds, Ill. She is employed at D&K Wholesale Drugs in Cairo, Ill. Martin is employed at Havco in Scott City, and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Portwood of East Prairie...

PATTON -- Lily M. Slinkard, 89, of Marquand, died Friday Dec. 23, 1994 at St. Francis Medical Center. She was born at Marble Hill Aug. 14, 1905, the daughter of Amos and Paralee Devault Rhodes. On Nov. 8, 1925 she married Gale Slinkard, who preceded her in death on Nov. 11, 1988...

The Cape Girardeau Central Pool will be open Dec. 26 through Dec. 30 from 1 to 8 p.m. for recreational and lap swimming. Activities at the pool during the holidays include lap swimming, water volleyball, water basketball, diving, playtime on the inflatable hound dog and games in the shallow end of the pool...