Stories from Friday, December 30, 1994

Is my mind playing tricks with me or do the pages of the calendar turn quicker the older I become? Like a cassette tape fast forwarded from the beginning, gaining momentum as it looms from one spool to the other? Or is it that I just become more conscious of all the choices made and unmade? Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I dreamt about running on a beach with sand between my toes?...

Is my mind playing tricks with me or do the pages of the calendar turn quicker the older I become? Like a cassette tape fast forwarded from the beginning, gaining momentum as it looms from one spool to the other? Or is it that I just become more conscious of all the choices made and unmade? Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I dreamt about running on a beach with sand between my toes?...

This is the season of giving -- not just to people we know but to complete strangers. It just seems natural to open our hearts and pocketbooks during this time of year. That's not to say that people don't support dozens upon dozens of charitable causes year-round. But generosity seems more effortless and genuine during the holidays. And it becomes more personal than just writing a check. People tend to roll up their sleeves and personally dig in to help neighbors, and strangers, in need...

MARBLE HILL -- Water in Marble Hill soon will be more sparkling and pleasant for the palate. Administrative assistant David Jackson said city crews hope to begin work on a new pre-treatment water system in the spring. He said residents' complaints about odors and discolorations will soon be a thing of the past...

MARBLE HILL -- The water flowing from faucets in Marble Hill is safe to drink. That assurance comes from Marble Hill's administrative assistant, David Jackson. Residents received letters from the city last week notifying them of problems the water system experienced in October and November...

SIKESTON -- Crime-plagued Sikeston is fighting back by boosting starting salaries for its public safety officers and expanding its force. Part of the expansion includes establishment of a canine unit and allocating a detective to deal solely with drug cases...

Law enforcement officers from several agencies converged Thursday on the Student Recreation Center at Southeast Missouri State University. But their mission wasn't official police business. Officers and young area basketball players were enjoying themselves by participating in "Hoopin' with 5-0 at SEMO."...

The thing about New Year's resolutions is how impractical they are. You never make a resolution to floss twice a day. Instead, you vow to take off 50 pounds in three days. See? Most New Year's resolutions are the off-ramp on the road to failure. You solemnly swear to do things that are outside the realm of reality. If what you proposed to do in the new year weren't so farfetched, you wouldn't need to make a resolution, now would you?...

SIKESTON -- City officials are banking on a law enforcement sales tax to take a bite out of crime and not the city budget. In the meantime, the city has reallocated about $375,000 from other departments' budgets to strengthen the Public Safety Department...

BENTON -- Four new Scott County officials will take over their offices Sunday, following a swearing-in ceremony Saturday at 1 p.m. Eight county officials will join the ceremony at the courthouse in Benton after re-elections. Circuit Judge Anthony Heckemeyer will raise his hand first for the oath of office, beginning a new six-year term...

ADVANCE -- Hilda Eggimann, 89, of Advance, died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 1994, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Jan. 27, 1905, in Dutchtown, daughter of H.W.A. and Lillie Muster Wessell. On Dec. 29, 1929, she married Clarence Eggimann in Gordonville. He died Feb. 16, 1988...

BERTRAND -- Mary Margaret Russell, 76, formerly a resident of Bertrand, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 1994, at the New Madrid County Nursing Center. She was born Nov. 8, 1918, in Bertrand, to George Albert and Martha Teresa Cramer Russell. She had lived in Mississippi County most of her life and was a member of the United Methodist Church in Bertrand...

Clara L. Blaylock, 81, of Cape Girardeau, died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 1994, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born Jan. 10, 1913, in Scott City, daughter of Robert and Louise Kramer Rubel. She married Chester Blaylock Feb. 17, 1929, in West Frankfort, Ill. He survives...

MCCLURE, Ill. -- Marie K. Miller, 82, formerly of McClure, Ill., died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 1994, at Sandalwood Healthcare Center in Wheaton, Ill. She was born Dec. 19, 1912, in Sikeston, daughter of Raymond and Bernice Bradley Barger. She married Homer Miller, who survives...

SIKESTON -- Wesley Sander, 94, of Sikeston, died Dec. 29, 1994. He was born Dec. 16, 1900, in Tilsit, to Frank J. and Martha Bartels Sander. In 1922, he married Linda Macke, who preceded him in death in 1982. Sander was a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University and was a teacher in Southeast Missouri. ...

MARBLE HILL -- Pearl May Foust, 81, of Marble Hill, died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 1994, at St. Francis Medical Center. She was born Oct. 2, 1913, in Poplar Bluff to Cary and Emma Hunziker Foust. Survivors are a brother, Irven R. Foust, Marble Hill, and a number of cousins...

ESSEX -- Reuben D. Lacey, 82, died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 1994, at his home in Essex. He was born May 25, 1912, in Canalou, son of Denver and Early Mae Bohannon Lacey. On Jan. 24, 1970, he married Maxine Eaton in Collinsville, Ill. She survives. Lacey was a former resident of the St. Louis area and lived in Essex for the last 12 years...

ESSEX -- Robert Joseph Adams, 59, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 1994, at the Martin Hills Retirement Village in Essex. He was born Sept. 20, 1935, in Fornfelt, son of Ulen Ester and Mamie Josephine Ebbs Adams. He married Linda Carol Williams in 1953. She died in March 29, 1960...

CRUMP -- William B. McCullough, 73, of Crump died at his home Wednesday, Dec. 28, 1994. He was born July 12, 1921 at Whitewater, the son of Cletus and Mary Brown McCullough. On April 20, 1946, he married the former Virginia Johnson. She survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Linda Bartlow and Susan Gyorvary, both of St. Louis; one brother, Billy McCullough, Medora, Ill.; two sisters, Lillian Riehn, Burfordville, Azallee Dorton, Griffin, Ga.; and three grandchildren...

Virginia Holly Hoblit, 87, of Lancaster, Calif., formerly of Illmo, died Dec. 12, 1994 in Lancaster. She was born Dec. 7, 1907, daughter of Jeremiah and Helen Holly. She moved to Phoenix, Ariz. following the death of her husband, Col. Noel Hoblit, in an aircraft accident in Alaska...

State Rep. Larry Thomason admitted Thursday House Democrats have gotten a bit complacent in recent years, particularly in touting their accomplishments. But in the 1995 session, the Kennett legislator promised that Democrats would be more aggressive in keeping the public informed about their objectives and achievements...

The holiday spirit didn't fade in Cape Girardeau this year. Residents donated about $123,000 to the Salvation Army's Tree of Lights fund-raising campaign. "We will meet our goal," Salvation Army Capt. Elmer Trapp said. The 1994 goal is $125,000. Donations totaled $123,600...

Free clothes are available at the East Missouri Action Agency office in Cape Girardeau. The new clothes closet for the needy, which the agency operates, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1111 Linden St. The closet will handle toys and baby needs -- such as car seats, strollers and cribs -- as well as clothes. The office doesn't make sewing repairs, so only clothing in good condition is accepted...