Stories from Sunday, June 8, 1997

Warren E. Hearnes, whose remarkable career made him the first Missourian to serve two terms as governor, has retired at age 73 from his job directing legal services for poor people, a position he has held since 1981. In a lifetime of public service, Hearnes went far from his native Mississippi County and made Southeast Missourians proud that one of our own could achieve such renown on the state and national stages...

Well, it's been one year since I took over the Jackson U.S.A. and I've got a new idea I hope you will like. I'm going to try to write a weekly column bringing you headlines from around the globe. You know, news that you might not have read. Some of this news will be serious and some will be odd, but I hope that it will be both informative and fun for you...

A few months ago I listened to a pastor preach a sermon which he titled "Everything I Ever Needed to Know I Learned in Vacation Bible School." As churches throughout the area are preparing for what could be the largest single evangelistic outreach effort of the year for them, I could not stop my mind from wandering back to that sermon title. Just what did I need to know?...

The Jackson Jaycees are once again planning the Jackson Fourth of July celebration to be held in the Jackson City Park. This year's event will feature many of the same activities as years past including a fun run, games and competitions for kids, concessions and of course mud volleyball...

From left, Chara Friese and Raegan Scheper doing finger weaving at the Tsalagi Drop-in Center. More than 150 people attended the Tsalagi drop-in center at the American Legion Hall in Jackson on May 20. There were many activities and participants at the center...

The Trail of Tears State Park staff hope the summer programs will help entice more visitors to the 3,416-acre park this summer. The park that was dedicated in 1954 has a lot to offer people from far and near. The park's summer program runs through August with Fall Color Walks every Saturday in September slated at the park...

25 years ago, 1972 Lee G. Cochran of Jackson was passenger last Thursday in airplane that crash-landed in field three miles north of Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport; although plane was demolished, Cochran, pilot Mike Plank, and two other passengers all escaped without injury; Plank, employee of Air Park South flying service in Springfield, decided to take plane down on Harry E. ...

From left, Pascal Dunod, French developer; Cyntia Austin, listing agent; Stanley and LeDonia Beggs, Pioneer Orchard owners; Brenda Bunch, United National Real Estate broker and sharon Hopkins, sales agent and interpreter, discuss the deal that will keep the Pioneer Orchard operational and bring move development to Jackson...

Officials of the Congregation of the Mission, Midwestern Province, announced major development plans for the approximately 650 acres surrounding their venerable seminary property in Perryville this week. Plans are for multiple uses, among them residential and commercial/retail developments, including a hotel, plus a golf course...

Just when Europe thought it had it right, the French voters came along and messed it all up. The United States and Great Britain held elections with revamped, modernized versions of old parties moving front and center. First, there were the New Democrats of Bill Clinton. Old New Deal, government-activist types were shunted off tot he side. The Clinton New Democrats favored balanced budgets and reduced social programs...

After the most recent session of the Missouri General Assembly, I had a university political science student conduct a telephone survey of 25 citizens, scattered throughout the state, on their knowledge of what the Legislature had accomplished -- and what it had not...

The 1997 session of the General Assembly that ended May 16 was the usual mixed bag. What follows are a few observations on our work product: The major accomplishment of the session was passage of a 3-cent cut in the state sales tax on food. Gov. Mel Carnahan had made this a priority after House Republicans had championed it for three straight years. ...

Dressed in a pink smock, Irene Eaker looks at a small boy's choice of candy bars and gum, types a few numbers in the register and accepts his handful of change with a smile. This is her world, an atmosphere of foil balloons, stuffed animals and flower arrangements...

Southeast Missouri State University is a builder's dream. The university has been "under construction" since 1993 and major construction projects continue to take shape on campus. By the summer of 1998, Southeast will have completed about $40 million worth of construction projects in five years. Private contractors are doing most of the work...

"For most authors, their first novel is autobiographical because you is all you know about." Michael Richey "You need characters that people can identify with. You need characters that are fairly universal so that people can find a reason to stick with them til the end."...

Rep. Gracia Backer said she is happy with the accomplishments made during the Missouri Legislature's recent session. Backer, D-New Bloomfield, is the House Majority Leader and was the guest at a reception and picnic for the Byrd Township Democratic Committee's Truman Day Saturday...

For moms and dads, the best leisure time is a good night's sleep. Parents know all about rush hour. It's that time of day when they rush out the office door so they can pick up their kids before the day-care center closes. Rushing around seems a major part of parenting today, whether it is picking them up at the end of the day or getting them to school in the morning...

Add Blake Ledbetter to the list of players with local ties who were selected in last week's amateur baseball draft. A 1995 Sikeston High School graduate and a former all-state catcher for the Bulldogs, Ledbetter was selected in the 34th round by the Cardinals...

Edward D. Stevens, 53, of Cape Girardeau and formerly of Zalma, died Saturday, June 7, 1997, at the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Sept 2, 1943, in Bardley, Mo., the son of Grover and Eula Williams Stevens. He was a retired merchant...

JEFFERSON CITY -- Hiking enthusiasts have their own day, and the Missouri Department of Conservation has a place for them to celebrate it. In fact, there are dozens of conservation areas around the state where Missourians can observe National Trails Day in the most appropriate way -- by going on day hikes or backpacking trips...

Southeast Missouri State University's Alumni Association of Business Professionals will hold its 5th Annual 4-Person Scramble Golf Tournament June 20. Entry fee is $60 per person, which includes green fee, cart and lunch. Entry fee is $30 for Southeast students currently enrolled in the College of Business...

The 15th Annual Kohlfeld Riverfest Run will be held June 13 at 7:30 p.m. The event, which includes both a 5.25-mile run and 1-mile event, is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. In the 5.25-mile race, a total of $600 in U.S. Savings Bonds will be awarded. Over 100 age group trophies will be awarded and all finishers will receive a ribbon...

You are paddling down an Ozark river with a gentle breeze dancing across your face. The early morning song of a brightly colored warbler catches your attention as you tie on your favorite lure. You get the strange feeling that you are the only person for miles around. The gleam from the water distracts you into wondering if any darters are hiding in that gravel riffle. That is when it hits you. You haven't even cast your line out to fish and you already feel better!...

ANNA, Ill. -- Logan Taylor, 79, of Anna, Ill., died Friday, June 6, 1997, at the Union County Hospital in Anna. He was born April 8, 1918, at Anna, the son of Delbert and Nancy Tolbert Taylor. He and Anna Tolbert in 1938 in Scott City. She preceded him in death on June 30, 1985...

CHAFFEE -- Ralph P. Seyer, 54, of rural Chaffee died Saturday, June 7, 1997, at a family cabin near Chaffee. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Home.

CANALOU -- Leola M. Lumsden, 86, of Canalou died Friday, June 6, 1997, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. She was born Nov. 8, 1910, in Commerce to Charles and Aletha Haney Spalding. On Feb. 12, 1933, she married Nelson Lumsden in Anniston. He survives...

Ruth R. Barnes, 85, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, June 7, 1997, at St. Francis Medical Center. She was born May 30, 1912, at Knottsville, Tenn., the daughter of Joseph Albert and Cecil May King Rudd. She married Dr. Seth Barnes on Oct. 5, 1935, at Marion, Ark. He died June 4, 1982...

Ruby Thomas, 87, of Advance died Friday, June 6, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born Sept. 12, 1909, at Zalma, daughter of Leo and Ida Eaker Slinkard. She married Glen Thomas on Oct. 15, 1927, at Marble Hill. He survives. She was a homemaker and attended Advance United Methodist Church. She was a past member of the United Methodist Women's Club and past member of the Zalma Order of the Eastern Star...

SIKESTON -- Harry Lee Robinett, 79, of Sikeston died Friday, June 6, 1997, at his home. He was born May 30, 1918, in Couch, son of Arthur and Allie Jobe Robinett. He was a farmer and served in the Army in World War II. On Sept. 15, 1943, he married Iris Lynxwiler in Sikeston. She survives...

Anna Elizabeth Essary Wright, 89, formerly of Charleston, died Friday, June 6, 1997 at the Fountainbleau Lodge in Cape Girardeau. She was born Aug. 2, 1907, in Mississippi County, daughter of Thomas "Ress" and Mable Christine Johnson Essary. She and Jacob Merle Wright were married on March 21, 1927. He preceded her in death...

JACKSON -- Funeral service for James "Jim" Davenport of Jackson will be held at 2 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Chapel in Jackson. The Rev. O. David Griffin will officiate, with burial in Russell Heights Cemetery. Visitation was Saturday at the funeral home...

Edward Stevens, 53, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Zalma, died Saturday, June 7, 1997, at Beverly Health and Rehabilitation of Cape Girardeau. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance.

BURFORDVILLE -- Theodore "Ted" Bowers, 86, of Burfordville died Friday, June 6, 1997, at the Heritage Gardens Nursing Home in Jackson. Bowers was born Feb. 25, 1911 at Neelys Landing, son of Henry and Freddie Whittaker Bowers. He and Norma M. "Johnny" Sides were married Feb. 18, 1933. She preceded him in death Aug. 5, 1996...

JACKSON -- Terri R. Bolen, 35, of Jackson, died Saturday, June 7, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Aug. 18, 1961, in Moses Lake, Wash., daughter of John and Nancy George Stinson. She and Kevin Bolen were married Aug. 6, 1983, at Jackson...

WHITEWATER -- James Lee Stovall, 59, died Friday, June 6, 1997 at his home. He was born Dec. 16, 1937 son of Robert and Gladys Morris Stovall. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served from 1958 - 1964. Survivors include a son Randy Lee Stovall of New London; a daughter, Patricia Ann Sible of Dacona, Colo.; four brothers, Robert C. ...

MARBLE HILL -- Nola Back, 88, died Friday, June 6, 1997, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Feb. 23, 1909, near Zalma, daughter of Franklin and Effie Hughey Myers. She and Walter D. Back were married April 21, 1934. He preceded her in death...

ANNA -- Jewell W. Basler, 89, of Saratoga died Thursday, June 5, at her home near Anna. She was born Feb. 11, 1908, at Thompsonville, Ill., daughter of Oscar and Della Ramsey Waller. She and Dennis J. Basler were married July 21, 1930 at Cobden, Ill...

CHAFFEE -- Earlean Orlowski, 96, of Chaffee, died Friday, June 6, 1997, at the Heartland Care and Rehabilitation Center in Cape Girardeau.

ANNA, Ill. -- Afton L. Chamness, 93, of Anna, died Friday, June 6, 1997, at the Union County Hospital in Anna. She was born Jan. 15, 1904, at Goreville, Ill., daughter of John and Savannah Cochran Tripp. She was married to Fred Chamness Dec. 23, 1946, at Piggott, Ark. He preceded her in death Feb. 3, 1986...

Fun in the park attracted nearly 1,000 people Saturday to the Jackson City Park. The Noon Optimist Club sponsored its fifth annual Kids' Day in the Park event, but not without a little extra work from club members. Dixie Moore, club board member, and Bev Nelson, president-elect, said just before the event they found themselves knee-deep in mud and water...

CHAFFEE -- Marietta A. Free, 71, of Chaffee, died Friday, June 6, 1997, at the Chaffee Nursing Center. She was born Aug. 6, 1925, at Chaffee, daughter of Arthur and Marie Elizabeth Lauer Free. Free worked as a secretary for Frisco Railroad in Chaffee and later retired as a secretary for Thorngate Ltd. in Cape Girardeau. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Chaffee...

First Christian Church, Evangelical Church of Christ and Maple United Methodist Church are co-sponsoring a Bible school that will meet Monday through Thursday at First Christian Church, 2411 Abbey Road, off Lexington in Cape Girardeau. Classes will start at 6 each night for children ages 3-4; pre-K and kindergarten; grades 1-2, grades 3-4; and grades 5-6. ...

One nice thing about owning a Conservation Federation of Missouri calendar is that you can keep abreast of all the special events going on all over the state, or at least those that wish to be advertised. Today, it is Sheep and Wool Days at Springfield. Twang of a guitar and buzz of sheep shears seem to be suitable sounds for "Way down in Missouri."...

"On this rock I will build my church," Jesus declared to Simon Peter nearly 2000 years ago. A similar phrase probably crossed the lips of Bishop Joseph Rosati, C.M., on April 30, 1838, when he laid the cornerstone of the original St. Vincent Church in Cape Girardeau...