Stories from Sunday, July 27, 1997

Is it real or a painting by artist Keith Birdsong? That's a question many of the 350 Continuum V convention goers might have asked Saturday. Birdsong, 38, of Muskogee, Okla., has created Star Trek artwork for book covers, numbered collector's plates, postage stamps and first day covers. Among his paintings are realistic Star Trek character portraits...

Pastor at Jackson Church of the Nazarene Water in Israel is very scarce. We're told that an hour's water over Niagara Falls would be enough to supply all the state of Israel for one full year. There are only two rivers is Israel. One, of course, is a very popular river that is known as the Jordan River. Then there is another small river around Tel Aviv that's really nothing more than a creek...

The Kids Day Out program offered by New McKendree United Methodist Church gave 21 kids a chance to play, make crafts and play in water at the Jackson City Park on Wednesday. The morning was filled with crafts, bike riding and fun with water. Among the different crafts the children participated in making, sand sculpturing was the most fun for the children, Lin Lohse, a co-teacher of the program for 2-5 year-old children, said...

Missions, dilemmas and strategy are a big part of the "Star Trek, The Next Generation" game. By B. Ray Owen Southeast Missourian A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, evil forces ruled with great destructive power. Galaxy wars raged. Missions, strategy and dilemmas were everyday occurrences...

Sunday July 27 Millersville Rural Fire Protection District will be celebrating their 20th year reunion of the fire service with a dedication of a new fire station in Burfordsville and picnic at Bollinger Mill State Park. The festivities begin at 2 p.m. at the new station across from the old Burfordsville school...

1972 25 years ago An unidentified picketer, picketed the Charmin Paper Products Co. plant expansion site. He was protesting the laying off of six Cape Girardeau County union members. Approximately 200 members of Laborers Local 282 refused to cross the one-man picket line to work...

Five years ago, the state of Missouri implemented a major program for highway and bridge improvements called the 15-year plan. It was incompetently drafted. its authors failed even to account for the effects of inflation. Last year, when Gov. Mel Carnahan created a study panel called the Total Transportation Commission, many assumed the body's main unstated mission would be to create political cover for a fresh start...

The Missouri National Guard Provisional Company I while encamped in Nevada, Mo., in the early 1900s. From left are Ray Miller, who later became a partner with Sherman Cracraft in the Cracraft-Miller Furniture Co. in Jackson, Mr. Ed Seabaugh who had a monumnet works in Jackson and Mr. Vera G. Taylor who was a plumber in Jackson. Mr. Taylor is wearing the uniform of an officer. Photo submitted by Bernard Schaper...

No one should better know the importance of choosing one's enemies than Missouri's leading political figure in the nation's capital, House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt. While still a young, ambitious politician, Gephardt served on the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, where he espoused the "secession" of his hometown from the remainder of the state. ...

Against my will and better judgment, I am growing fond of the Republican majority in Congress. I'm a sucker for a good comedy act. We were treated to a stunning exhibition of Republican slapstick during the past week, when a group of conservatives, borrowing tactics from the Keystone Kops, tried to depose Newt Gingrich, the Don Corleone of the party. They failed, of course...

Speaker Newt Gingrich has survived, for now, an abortive attempted coup against his leadership of the U.S. House and especially aimed at his leadership of the Republican conference. Amid all the confusion, differing stories and conspiring, the House majority caucus has done a pretty good imitation of the Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight...

In pursuit of what's deemed as worthy objectives, decent people often pave the way for tyranny. The process usually begins by the piecemeal destruction of the foundations of liberty: private property, rule of law, voluntary exchange and limited government. Those basic rights often stand in the way of do-gooders' objectives...

Let us imagine that a prominent American evangelist held a prayer meeting at which he called upon God to kill his enemies and suggested that his followers might wish to help the Almighty achieve that objective. Not much time would elapse before he would be denounced in every newspaper and magazine and by everyone with access to a microphone and a TV camera. There could be serious legal implications, especially if he was taken at his word and people were killed...

WASHINGTON -- When it comes to campaign finance reform, there is growing agreement that less may do more. The backers of major bills, whether newcomers to the fight or battle-scarred veterans, are paring down their proposals in hopes of outmaneuvering the opponents in both parties who have stymied more ambitious cleanup efforts for more than a decade...

Traveling in West Virginia last week, I had occasion to meet a young man who works for the state legislature. He spoke for many, it seems, when he described himself as a "skeptic" about all things political. Cynicism is in fashion. And there is little question that the current occupant of the White House contributes to it. Polls unfailingly show that voters think the president's behavior is a) wrong and b) par for the course...

The Jackson Ministerial Alliance operates a food pantry that is housed in Cox Memorial Hall at New McKendree United Methodist Church, 225 S. High St., in Jackson. The pantry is operated by volunteers from churches within the Alliance five days a week. The hours of the pantry are 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. and serves the Jackson area...

Caisa Pope traded her everyday clothes for a period costume Saturday as a group of Mormon Church members observed the group's sesquicentennial celebration of Mormon Pioneers during a special event held at the trail of Tears State Park. It was 150 years ago this week that the Mormon Pioneers entered Salt Lake Valley on travels from communities in Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri...

By Sam Blackwell Bill Lewis says he knows how Jesus felt. "Everybody's coming in for the last supper." That's because Wimpy's, a Cape Girardeau institution for 55 years, will serve its last hamburger Wednesday. The day will close a chapter in many Cape Girardeans histories, leaving only memories of a place and time not unlike those depicted in the film "American Graffiti."...

Hot enough for you? Exiting an air-conditioned building may feel like walking into a blast furnace. The topic of many conversations this week has been the hot, humid weather. Although weather experts said this is normal for this time of year, there may be some relief in sight...

Impersonating an officer is a crime, and now, state and federal authorities are looking for illegitimate solicitors pretending to represent public safety organizations. The Federal Trade Commission is teaming up with state attorneys general to crackdown on a crime they call "badge fraud," whiuch occurs when people supposedly representing agencies like the Missouri Sheriffs' Association or State Troopers Association call and solicit donations...

SUMMARY: Burgers and fries for everyone during a special "so long to Wimpy's" party. By B. Ray Owen As "regulars" of Wimpy's mourned the passing of Cape Girardeau's longest-known hamburger heaven, they also recounted the good times spent at the poplar restaurant, and wondered "where they would go from Wimpy's."...

Today starts the final week of the local Kodak International Newspaper Snapshot Awards. Entries are pouring in at an impressive rate, said Joyce Hunter, KINSA coordinator at the Southeast Missourian. She expects nearly 1,000 photographs will be entered in all...

If you live in Spain, you can expect the stork to deliver your baby. Over there, the long-necked birds are a protected species. Storks have invaded Malpartida De Caceres, a village of 2,500. You'd think there would be more people than that, what with all those storks around...

PERRYVILLE -- Rep. Jo An Emerson wants a better levee system for the Bois Brule Levee District. "I am confident that we can come up with a plan that will protect Perry County and its residents for generations to come," she said during a tour of the levee with members of the local levee district...

(in Sikeston) Wednesday's Results (Game 1) Sikeston 3, Van Buren 2 (Game 2): Chaffee 10, Poplar Bluff 4 (Game 3): Dunklin Co. 9, Jackson 3 (Game 4): Sikeston 3, Cape Ford & Sons 2 Thursday's Results (Game 6): Jackson 13, Poplar Bluff 1 (8 inn.), P. Bluff eliminated...

Marquis Walker bucked the odds last year to earn a spot as a rookie in the National Football League. And the former Southeast Missouri State University standout doesn't plan on being bitten by any kind of sophomore jinx. Walker, a cornerback, is currently taking part in his second St. Louis Rams' training camp in Macomb, Ill...

Although his team is struggling, former Southeast Missouri State University standout Kelvin "Earthquake" Anderson is off to another solid start with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. Heading into a Saturday road game, Anderson was the leading rusher for the 1-3 Stampeders with 232 yards on 54 carries (4.2 average). He had also caught five passes for 55 yards and scored two touchdowns, his 12 points tying him for second-most on the team...

Summary: There has certainly been plenty to watch for local baseball fans. Fans of local amateur baseball must be salivating at what is being offered to them at this time of the year. No less than four post-season tournaments -- including state and regional events -- either were played over the weekend or will be played later this week...

Searing temperatures may not be the ideal playing condition for golfers, but Jaycees Municipal Golf Course greens superintendent Randy Lueder welcomes the scorching heat of July and August. While other courses struggle to keep their bent grass greens from burning up, the Bermuda greens and fairways of Jaycees are rounding into their best condition of the year...

A Cape Girardeau man was arrested for firing shots with a rifle at 1:52 a.m. Saturday. Will Hodges Woods, 32, 519 S. Pacific, was arrested for allegedly firing shots with a rifle at a residence located at the corner of Good Hope and Middle streets. Patrolman Dan Seger, one of the officers at the scene, said Woods was apparently running through at field in the 200 block of South Middle firing shots...

The Rev. Merideth DEXTER -- The Rev. Dallas L. Merideth Sr., 69, of Fisk died at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis Friday, July 25, 1997. He was born at Hurricane Mills, Tenn., July 28, 1927, son of John Richard Merideth and Ethel Baker Merideth. He lived in Illinois 42 years, moving to Fisk in 1994 after retiring from Engel Tool & Die in St. Louis, where he worked 39 years...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Beulah Wilburn, 85, of East Prairie died Friday, July 25, 1997, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center after an extended illness. She was born Nov. 7, 1911, in New Madrid County, daughter of Louis and Nora Hinton Wilburn. Wilburn was the owner and operator of the Model Beauty Shop in East Prairie and a member of the First Church of God...

Evelyn McClard BLOOMFIELD -- Evelyn Crystal McClard, 77, of Delta died Friday, July 25, 1997, at Dexter Memorial Hospital. She was born Aug. 21, 1919, at Aquilla, Mo., daughter of William Rolle Capps and Alpha Cox Capps. She married Byron Joseph Long in 1937. He preceded her in death. She married Armond Curtis in 1949. He preceded her in death. In 1951, she married Samuel Andrew McClard. He preceded her in death...

WITH FLAG Roy Jennings Roy Virgil Jennings, 65, of rural Advance, died at Lucy Lee Health Care Center in Poplar Bluff, Friday, July 25, 1997. He was born in Pike Town, Mo., Oct. 24, 1934, son of Clarence C. Jennings and Alta Lee Fowler Jennings. He was a veteran of the Army. He had worked at Inland Shoe, International Hat and Golden Cat. He was a member of the New Life Tabernacle Pentecostal Church in Bell City...

NEEDS FLAG. James Wilson Lewis James Wilson Lewis, 78, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, July 26, 1997, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born Sept. 23, 1918, in Marion, Ill., the son of Phillip and Ethel Putnam Lewis. He first married Amanda "Dixie" English. She preceded him in death. He married Laura Crews in 1966 in Cape Girardeau. She survives...

Kathryn Hanney ANNA, Ill. -- Kathryn E. Dillman Hanney, 51, of Anna died Friday, July 25, 1997, at Union County Hospital in Anna. She was born Aug. 1, 1945, in Cairo, Ill., the daughter of Loren and Emma Webb Ferguson Dillman. She was a member of Anna Heights Baptist Church and the Anna Moose Ladies Auxiliary and past president of Anna VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She was an activity director for Kel-Tech Management Co. in Anna...

Donald E. Hammond MILL CREEK, Ill. -- Donald E. Hammond, 54, of Mill Creek died Friday, July 25, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo.. He was born March 6, 1943, in DuQuoin, Ill., the son of John Thomas and Mary L. Lang Hammond. He married Leona M. Hammond of Anna. She survives...

SCOTT CITY -- Georgia Alice Shaw, 69, died, Friday, July 25, 1997, at her home. She was born March 13, 1928 in Rockview daughter of Guy Grandvil and Eliza Isabelle Mills Smith. She and H.R. Shaw were married Oct. 19, 1991, in Scott City. He survives...

BERTRAND -- Charles Edward Loflin, 88, of Bertrand died Friday July 25, 1997, at the Miner Nursing Facility. He was born Sept. 25, 1908, in East Prairie, a son of Clarence and Nancy Jane Woods Loflin. He and Irene Linebaugh were married July 5, 1930. She preceded him in death...

Jack Smoot, historic site administrator at Bollinger Mill State Historic Site in Burfordville, stood inside the covered bridge which is closed to the public. exterior covered bridge: The 140-foot covered bridge at Burfordville has been closed to vehicular traffic since the mid-1980s...

Another log structure, as big as the one with the fireplace which was now our kitchen, was about 20 feet west of the house. What this was in former years, who knows? We used it as a smokehouse. Every year at hog-butchering time, the middlins' (bacon slabs) were salted and placed to cure on a wide shelf at the rear of the building. ...