Stories from Sunday, July 6, 1997

Richard Northcutt is the new associate pastor at New McKendree United Methodist Church. He was a former journalist in Fredericktown and Flat River (now Park Hills). For the past eight years he has been teaching journalism at Northwest Missouri University and Midland College in Freemont, Neb...

New McKendree United Methodist Church pastor Scott Lohse has found his way into a new book written by Elaine Viets. The book, "How to Commit Monogamy," is Viets' fourth book. Some of her other titles include "Viets Guide to Sex, Travel and Anything Else That Will Sell This Book," and "Urban Affairs."...

A marine uniform on display at the Oliver House. Every piece in the collection has a story. Clifton's collection includes old photographs and patches as well. If you haven't received your fill of patriotism this weekend the Oliver House in Jackson has a collection on display that captures the importance of the July 4th holiday...

Fowler completes training Marine Pvt. Charles W. Fowler has completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, Calif. He is a 1991 graduate of Oak Ridge High School and is the son of Thomas Fowler and the late Rosemary Fowler of Old Appleton...

I saw eagles soaring in the sky. They seemed to float lazily, effortlessly in the clear, bright sky over Zion National Park. As if suspended by invisible cords, the large birds arrested my attention. It looked like the eagles were floating on nothing. Of course, they don't really float on nothing. Eagles and other large birds are adept at catching the rising currents of warm air upon which to soar to great heights...

In honor of the Fourth of July weekend we will visit sites that begin with the word "Bang." That's right, you've guessed it we're off to Bangkok, Thailand, Bangladesh and Bangor, Maine. Well, let's start at the Bangkok Post where the headline reads "Japanese men face flesh trade charges." But what gets me is the next line in big bold type: "Caught with fake passports." That's right prostitution will get you a headline, but fake passports merit big bold type...

To the editor: During my freshman year of high school, a boys and girls choir from the school for the blind in St. Louis cam to give a performance. Prior to their performance, they were standing outside on the school grounds waiting to perform. As I looked at this beautiful group of high school students, I felt so sorry for them. They were a beautiful group of students, but they couldn't behold each other's beauty, not even their own, as they were legally blind...

Among people who try to take seriously the business of the state of our public schools, there is always the accusation of being "against public education." This especially is true when you claim, as I have on so many occasions, that too much within our schools and their curricula are being dramatically "dumbed down." I therefore note with interest the following datum from the April survey of the Journal of the American School Board Association: Fully 67 percent of the school board members surveyed nationwide believe the schools have dumbed down the curriculum.. ...

Survey after survey reveals most of us suffer from a depressingly consistent erosion of confidence in our governments, whether located in Washington, Jefferson City or the local city hall. Considering the large number of confidence-shattering events in the last decade, coupled with an environment polluted by diversely motivated critics, this typical-citizen view is not surprising. ...

If you are particularly bored one day, you might want to read transcripts of Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on Supreme Court nominations. There are common aspects to virtually all confirmations. Each hearing typically includes some version of the following hypothetical exchange. (The Senator in question is of a conservative bent, reflecting the general conservative nature of the committee.)...

An overabundance of kindergarten students at Clippard Elementary School is creating headaches and heartaches for parents and administrators alike. For the second year in a row, the school will have at least 17 kindergarteners too many at Clippard. Last year, the students were bused to other elementary schools with lower enrollments...

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education welcomed a familiar face back to the board in June. Former board member Harry Rediger returned to fill out the eight-month unexpired term of Terry Taylor. Taylor resigned after accepting a job transfer to Scottsdale, Ariz...

To the editor: It is a real challenge for me to attempt to put in words my deep appreciation for the thoughtfulness of so many people expressed in the last few days on the occasion of my retirement from Southeast Missouri State University. I joined its faculty and staff in 1965, and for many year SEMO has been a big and rewarding part of my life...

Other than a few people having family picnics, Arena Park was quiet for the second day of the first annual 4th of July Community Picnic. The picnic, sponsored by VFW Post 3838, was advertised to have concessions and kiddie rides all day on Saturday...

The employment scene changes with the seasons. This is the season of travel, tourism, construction and agriculture in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois and state employment reports reflects that, with heavy increases in these categories. Unemployment rates continue to drop -- in Missouri, Illinois and the nation...

A college education isn't cheap, but it remains an affordable option thanks in large part to increased financial aid, officials at two Missouri universities say. The net cost of tuition and fees, and room and board charges at Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri have declined as a percentage of median family income in Missouri in the past 20 years...

From the exotic locales to backyards, from the famous to the guy next door -- the first 114 entries into the local Kodak International Newspaper Snapshot Awards ran the gamut. The panel of local judges had its work cut out for them, said KINSA contest coordinator Joyce Hunter...

I love ties and so do my children. But I recognize that one man's necktie is another man's noose. If you're feeling fit to be tied, maybe you need to spend some time at South Padre Island. This Texas resort community recently made ties taboo, banning man's traditional neckwear...

Law enforcement agencies were out in full force, hoping to hold down the number of drunken drivers and traffic fatalities on roadways and waterways during the long Fourth of July holiday. Extra Missouri Highway Patrol officers patrolled roadways, paying special attention to speed, seat belts and alcohol-related violations, as well as helping motorists...

Cape Girardeau emergency care workers said Fourth of July holiday injuries were at a minimum. St. Francis Medical Center emergency room nurse Linda Kaiser said there were no fireworks injuries reported at the hospital Friday or Saturday. "We saw a few minor fireworks injuries the week before the holiday," Kaiser said. "We had mostly lawn mower-related injuries."...

While the national white-tailed deer population is reported as the highest ever, Cape Girardeau County has maintained a steady deer population. Jeff Beringer, a wildlife biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation, said an estimated 6,700 deer live in Unit 44 which includes most of Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger counties. That amount is about a quarter of what that area can support...

The monthly First Friday Coffee is a "Second Friday Coffee" this month, due to last weekend's Fourth of July holiday. Cape Girardeau Police Chief Rick Hetzel will be guest speaker at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce' First Friday Coffee Friday, to be held Friday, July 11, at the Show Me Center on Southeast Missouri State University campus...

It's not the World Series, but with interleague play starting this year in the regular season for the first time ever in the storied history of Major League Baseball, it almost seems like it. Baseball fans have filled the stadiums to capacity in several matchups between American and National League teams. Attendance is up drastically for these games and the players themselves seem to have gotten into the playoff atmosphere these contests provide...

Don't be jealous, but as you read this, I'm vacationing in sunny Southern California, probably on the beach drinking a cool beverage or two at this very moment. Not that what I do can really be considered work -- covering games and writing articles about interesting people and topics is about as enjoyable as any occupation I can imagine -- but it's always nice to get away for a while...

After 23 games, it looks like the Kohlfeld Capahas have finally found some competition on the baseball diamond. After splitting a twinbill Friday night, the Waterloo (Ill.) Buds split another doubleheader with the Capahas Saturday night with plenty of post-Fourth of July fireworks in the Caps' 13-12 nightcap victory...

The Cape Commerce White Sox and New Madrid set up a showdown in today's championship game of the Firecracker Classic Senior Babe Ruth tournament with victories on Saturday. The host White Sox improved to 2-0 in the tournament with a 5-2 win over Sikeston (1-2)...

Cape Legion Ford & Sons scratched out a sweep of Imperial Friday night at Capaha Field, winning the opener 8-5 in 12 innings before taking the nightcap 8-4. After Ford & Sons scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game, Nathan McGuire appropriately capped the Fourth of July contest with a three-run blast in the 12th for the win...

JEFFERSON CITY -- Spring turkey hunting will take on a more leisurely character in 1998. Turkey management experts with the Missouri Department of Conservation say that means more high-quality hunting experiences for Missourians, but only a slightly larger wild turkey harvest...

What is clearcutting in Missouri? Most people have an image of clearcutting in their mind that is, for the most part, unpleasant. We so often confuse clearcutting, as used by foresters to regenerate forests, with other forms of land treatment. So, what isn't clearcutting?...

PERRYVILLE -- Ruth Anna Hayden, 77, died Saturday, July 5, 1997, at Perry County Hospital. She was born Sept. 26, 1919 at Silver Lake the daughter of Joseph and Ann B. Robinson Nation. She married Chalmer Hayden on Sept. 20, 1941 in Claryville. He survives...

Ora Helen Berry, 76, died Saturday, July 5, 1997, at Beverly Health and Rehab Center in Cape Girardeau. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel of Cape Girardeau.

JEFFERSON CITY -- Louise Walker Russell, 90, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Friday, July 4, 1997, at her home in Jefferson City. She was born May 14, 1907, at St. Louis, daughter of William Ernest and Sherma Eleanor McPheeters Walker. She married Dr. Joseph Pease Russell on Sept. 22, 1929, at Hammond, Ind. He preceded her in death...

CULLMAN, Ala. -- Service for Sandra Gail Derby was held Thursday, July 3, 1997, at Raley-McCracken Funeral Home Chapel in Cullman, Ala. Derby, 45, died June 30, 1997. She was born July 21, 1951, daughter of Joe and Carlyn Schlegel Welch. The parents survive...

Leana F. Essner, 77, of Cape Girardeau, died Friday, July 4, 1997, at St. Francis Medical Center. She was born Sept. 28, 1919, at Kelso, the daughter of Adam and Alvina Urhahn Felter. She and Anthony P. Essner were married Nov. 14, 1945 in Benton. He preceded her in death...

Prince Moxley, 78, of Wyatt died Friday, July 4, 1997, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. He was born Sept. 18, 1918, in Senath, son of Ernest and Pearl Shown Moxley. He married Dorothy Mulkey on Aug. 13, 1941. She survives. He was a landowner and retired farmer. ...

Scott County Land Transactions Robert Hampton to George and Joann Poley; Michael and Alice Swain to Michael and Alice Swain; Wesley and Lana Taylor to Pete and Kim Kluesner and Chris Kern; Herman and Ruby Hughes to Bryan and Jennifer Doyen; Potashnick Energy Services Inc. to Daniel and Brenda Dumey...

VIENNA, Ill. -- Edith M. Peeler, 86, of Vienna, formerly of Dongola, died Saturday, July 5, 1997, at Hillview Healthcare Center in Vienna. She was married to the late Teddy Peeler. Friends may call at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna...

Herbert F. Sago Sr., 79, of Cape Girardeau, died Tuesday, July 1, 1997, at the Beverly Health and Rehab Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Sept. 1, 1917 in Pocahontas, Ark. He married Agnes L. Biri. She preceded him in death. Sago was a veteran of U.S. Navy in World War II and the Korean War. He was a machinist...

Six people were injured in separate accidents in Bollinger County Saturday. Terry Hendrix, 17, of Sturdivant, and Crystal Gunn, 15, of Lowndes, were admitted to the intensive-care unit of St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau following the afternoon accident on Route C two miles east of Arab...

1900 - 1910 PRELUDE Things were shaping up for my arrival. The ice cream cone and the hot dog had been invented at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Mo.! Grandpa and Grandma Bell were there to witness the event. An old photo shows them in one of Henry Ford's newest contraptions, Grandpa at the steering wheel which was on the right, Grandma on the left with a stern expression as if she wasn't sure of this peculiar vehicle that needed no horses to pull it. ...

Jean Bell Mosley posed for this photo in the early 1950s. Jean Bell Mosley in the late 1940s. Mosley played basketball for Doe Run High School in the early 1930s. Mosley after graduating from her high school class in 1931. Mosley's grandparents, Stephen and Josephine Bell, as they appeared in the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis...

The Cape Girardeau County Chapter of American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) will meet at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Grace United Methodist Church, Broadway and Caruthers. A social to celebrate Independence Day will be held. Entertainment will be presented by two Panamanian students from Southeast Missouri State University...