Stories from Wednesday, July 24, 1996

To the editor: Recent media headlines informed the readers, "Presbyterians to ordain homosexuals." The news story, carried in the print media as well as on television and radio, gave the impression that Presbyterians approved gay and lesbian lifestyles for their church leadership. Well, that's not quite accurate...

The federally funded Center for Disease Control has had its wings clipped by the U.S. House of Representatives. The CDC collects and reports data on countless diseases and other causes of death. These other causes of death include deaths by firearms, said by CDC officials to be implicated in approximately 40,000 deaths annually. Last week, the House voted to strip $2.6 million from CDC funding on the grounds its firearms-tracking was being used subtly to push for gun control...

By an overwhelming vote of 342-67, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Defense of Marriage Act, underlining federal refusal to recognize same-sex marriages. The measure awaits Senate approval (expected prior to adjournment next month), before going to President Clinton, who has said he will sign it into law...

Emily Firebaugh went to bat Tuesday for America's safety net -- Social Security, Medicare and pension plans. The Farmington Democrat took her 8th District congressional campaign to the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau Tuesday afternoon. She toured the facility and spoke with some of the veterans who live there...

The actors are still practicing lines and rehearsing songs for the "Pocahontas and John Smith" play presented by Keyboards and Kindermusik Conservatory. Free performances will be held at 2 and 7 p.m. Friday at the Bethel Assembly of God Church, 1955 Perryville Rd. The show is open to the public and will last about 30 minutes...

Federal Highway Administrator Rodney Slater, Missouri Highways and Transportation Department Chief Engineer Joe Mickes and Kurt Brown of the Illinois Department of Transportation will be in Cape Girardeau Friday to participate in groundbreaking ceremonies for the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge...

For most folks, a dead tree is a hassle -- something to be chopped up and hauled off. To August W. Birk, it's a work of art waiting to happen. The Cape Girardeau plumber-turned-sculptor has been turning stumps into statues since 1984, honing his skills with each one. His latest effort is a Swiss man blowing a Alpine horn, which will be moved to the Dr. John Holcomb home north of Cape Girardeau...

My mother raised me better than this. In our household, we girls learned not to ask or tell the price of anything. We didn't ask people if their engagement rings were real or Diamonique. We didn't brag about the low price of our name-brand clothing...

Organizers of the 1996 Jackson Homecomers event are hopeful that new rides and attractions will boost attendance figures for this year's festival. Sponsors and chairmen from the Jackson American Legion said that specific events, schedules and concessions are "in the planning stages". Homecomers runs from Aug. 13-17...

JACKSON -- The Clabaugh Building downtown is getting more than a new coat of paint this week. Matt Chubboy of Coast to Coast Signs was hard at work painting Jackson's new mural Tuesday morning on the north wall of the building at 102 S. High St. The work should be done by the weekend, said Herb Wickham, a Jackson artist and chairman of the city's mural committee...

JACKSON -- Darrell Hanschen carried his policy manual into the Jackson Board of Education meeting Tuesday like a student would carry books into a classroom. Hanschen and other board members came prepared to work. They had spent the last two weeks reviewing Jackson school policies and how they relate to those outlined by the Missouri School Boards Association...

The Southeast Missourian asked people about their interest in the Centennial Olympics. Holly Black: "I've been watching the gymnastics. I also like seeing the swimming. I've been real impressed so far with what I've seen. I also like to watch the track and field."...

A 4-year-old Dexter girl has been selected as the poster child for the 23rd annual Kenny Rogers Cerebral Palsy Center Charity Walk and Auction. Cheryl Fortner, the daughter of Larry and Glenda Fortner of Dexter, was selected by a committee of center staff members. The walk and auction will be held Oct. 26...

Missourians don't have to go to the polls Aug. 6 to be able to vote in the primary election. They can cast absentee ballots in person or by mail. "For voters who are unable to go to the polls on election day, absentee voting is an option that should be considered," said Secretary of State Bekki Cook...

It took more than one volunteer effort to move a 24-ton caboose from the railroad tracks running through Scott City to its last stop as a tourist center just off Main Street. The caboose was donated to the city by Southern Pacific Railroad and delivered July 13 with just one condition, it had to be removed from the tracks within five days. ...

Although English is the most important language in the civilized world, the intricacies facing foreign translators give us more chuckles than we grant of our own. Yet the interpretations committed by populations other than Americans are scarcely more divergent than ours...

MARBLE HILL -- Florence Stephens, 95, of Marble Hill, died Monday, July 22, 1996, at her home. She was born Jan. 14, 1901, in Greenville, daughter of James Franklin and Mary Virginia Frederick Fox. She and Clifford Earl Stephens were married May 26, 1924. He died May 24, 1991...

FROHNA -- Stephen "Herb" Weber, 33, of Frohna, died Tuesday, July 23, 1996, at DePaul Hospital in Bridgeton. He was born Feb. 15, 1963, in Perryville, son of Elton C. and Evelyn R. Weber. He and Melissa Sue Davidson were married June 27, 1992. Weber was a machinist at Blair Industries in Scott City. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and past president of East Perry Jaycees in Altenburg...

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Randall P. Wright of Farmer City, Ill., Carle Hospital in Urbana, Ill., 5:32 p.m. Monday, July 1, 1996. Name, Bailey Ann. Weight, 7 pounds 7 ounces. First child. Mrs. Wright is the former Deborah Ann Heisserer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Heisserer of Scott City. She is employed at Hayworth Elementary School. Wright is the son of Ruby Wright of Farmer City, and the late Roy Wright. He is employed at Vesivius in Champaign, Ill...

DELTA -- Janet Jaco, 57, of Delta, died Tuesday, July 23, 1996, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Nov. 3, 1938, in Bell City, daughter of William Henry and Virgin Minnie Slinkard White. She and Paul Jaco were married Feb. 14, 1969...

RANDLES -- Marjorie Keys, 54, of Randles died Tuesday, July 23, 1996, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. Arrangements were incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee.

BENTON -- Zeno J. "Sam" Halter, 88, of Benton died Tuesday, July 23, 1996, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Dec. 18, 1907, son of Charles and Emma Schlitt Halter. He and Henrietta Schlosser were married May 9, 1933. Halter was a farmer and member of the St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton, where he resided for many years...

It's the time of year when backyard gardens are producing more than can be eaten in an evening at the dining table. Kitchens beside gravel roads and on busy streets alike are humming with the business of fresh vegetables and fruits being "put up" for days when summertime seems a lifetime away...