Stories from Saturday, February 14, 1998

David Schaffner is pastor of St. John's United Church of Christ west of Fruitland. He works full time as a credit manager for Jim Wilson Co. in Cape Girardeau. When David Schaffner preached his very first sermon, he didn't think he would be able to finish it...

The Rev. Grant F.C. Gillard was born and raised in Albert Lea, Minn. He graduated from Iowa State University in Ames in 1981 with a bachelor of science degree in animal science and agricultural economics. He received his master of divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., in 1987. He and his wife Nancy were associate pastors at White Clay Creek Presbyterian Church in Newark, Del., from 1987 until they moved to Jackson in December 1993...

A Valentine's Day card is nice, a bouquet of flowers is charming and a fancy dinner with all the trimmings will make a girl's head spin. But a true labor of love -- well, that's a unique and lasting expression that says "I love you" better than any words...

Cape Girardeau police Cpl. Barry Hovis was shocked at how easy it was for teen-agers to buy alcohol and cigarettes in the city. But a 16-year-old who bought alcohol and cigarettes wasn't a bit surprised. In fact, the girl said she was more surprised when a couple convenience store clerks wouldn't sell...

James Michael King and Susan Denise Harrison are getting married on Valentine's Day for a good reason. "The all-star break was last weekend," said Harrison, referring with humor to her husband-to-be's love affair with sports and especially the Los Angeles Lakers...

A room filled with red and pink hearts in observance of Valentine's Day set the scene for a message of compassion at the Community Caring Council's ninth annual conference Friday. About 200 people attended the conference at Drury Lodge. The Community Caring Council was developed 10 years ago primarily through efforts of state Rep. Mary Kasten...

CAIRO, Ill. -- U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard, a Democratic candidate for Illinois governor, addressed a crowd of well-wishers during a campaign appearance in Cairo Friday. Poshard, 52, of Marion said he feels great. Poshard suffered a dizzy spell while exercising in the House gym Tuesday. He spent the night in a hospital, and doctors detected what he described a "harmless irregular heartbeat"...

Common courtesy has gotten to be not so common in our society anymore. Gestures that once were accepted as a given -- like when a man would stand back and allow a lady to pass -- are now the exception rather than the rule. And phrases like "yes ma'am" and "no sir" are disappearing from our conversations, except when uttered by aging baby boomers and the occasional Generation X'er...

Merchants annually plan projects to keep the downtown Cape Girardeau area looking good and running smooth. "One of the main projects on schedule now is to replace some Christmas lighting," said Judith Ann Lang, president of the Downtown Merchants Association. "And, we're looking at some other projects."...

PERRYVILLE -- After 12 years, Karl Klaus is ready to retire as Perry County's presiding commissioner. Klaus' term ends Dec. 31, and when filing opens for the August primary, his name won't be on the ballot. Klaus, 48, and County Clerk Randy Taylor came to county government at the same time...

There are a lot of issues on Perry County's April ballot, but voters will only find two contested races when they head to the polls. In Ward 1 in Perryville, incumbent Roger Prost faces challenger William D. Richardet. And in Longtown, three people are running for two seats on the Board of Trustees: Wilbert Hacker, Roy Lohman and Darrell Tanz...

To the editor: Thanks to the efforts of hundreds of grass-roots organizations, Congress in last year's session rejected the American Heritage Area Act. This bill would have authorized Congress to designate vast areas of the country such as Perry, Ste. ...

Cape Girardeau's Safe Communities will make taxi rides a little safer for children. The group donated 10 child safety seats to Kelly Transportation for use in its taxis. The donation didn't stop there. Program members will train the Kelly workers on proper installation and use of the seats...

Cape Girardeau's Youth Advisory Council was established in part to be a learning experience for teen-agers interested in the government process. These aspiring leaders seem to be learning some meaningful lessons these days. The teen council backed down from a controversial measure to make underage possession of tobacco a crime. ...

To the editor: So President Clinton says we have a surplus. He says we should give it to Social Security. I think it should go to Social Security under one stipulation: Quit borrowing from the Social Security fund. For anyone who doesn't know, about all that's left in there now are IOUs...

To the editor: I applaud the Southeast Missourian's stance on teen-age smoking. The criminalization of smoking is just another example of government's increasing determination to restrict our personal freedom. Surprisingly, there is legislation in Congress that is very similar to what is occurring here in Cape Girardeau. ...

To the editor: Most every taxpayer has noticed the recent focus by Congress on bringing about reform of the Internal Revenue Service. The House passed a bill prior to adjourning, and the Senate will take up legislation early this year. A key change that should be brought to light is a provision championed by U.S. ...

Olympics opening was disappointing CALL ME spoiled. We live in America, I guess. We were watched the opening of the Olympics. What a disappointed. Here we saw such a fantastic opening in Atlanta, and they called this fantastic. Go figure. Parker's commentary is appreciated...

Administrators, faculty and students at May Greene Elementary School turned out for an all-school salute to a beloved member of their family Friday. Guest of honor Homer Turner was surprised by all the fuss on his behalf. Students sang, cheered and showed off their jump-roping skills for Turner, who after working 13 years as the school's custodian is retiring this year...

Circuit Judge Anthony J. Heckemeyer hopes to unseat U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson this fall. The Sikeston Democrat is expected to announce his candidacy for Congress at a press conference at 1 p.m. Feb. 23 in his courtroom at Benton. Heckemeyer announced earlier that he was considering running for the Emerson's 8th District seat...

Norwegian composer Geir Knutson and Dr. Robert Gifford, music professor at Southeast Missouri State University, will be the featured guests Sunday on KRCU's "Going Public." The program will air at 3 p.m. on 90.9 FM, the region's public radio station. Topics will include the march that Knutson composed for the city of Cape Girardeau and his visit to the city...

Anita Eby, admissions counselor at Southeast Missouri State University, has been named the school's director of alumni services. Eby will replace Jane Stacy, who was promoted last fall to the position of director of development. Eby will assume her new duties in May...

Calvert White might be playing his final home game in a Southeast Missouri State University uniform tonight. He couldn't think of a better opponent to face in his last regular-season contest at the Show Me Center than Murray State's high-flying Racers, who lead the Ohio Valley Conference and have been the league's dominant team over the past decade...

Brian Ellitt did all he could to help usher Sikeston to its first SEMO Conference victory, but Travis Williamson's sharp shooting in the clutch clipped his effort. Williamson, a 5-foot-10 junior guard, scored six of his 19 points in the final 2:20, and Cape Girardeau Central won its homecoming game 68-65 Friday night. The game was Central's last of the regular season at Tiger Fieldhouse...

JACKSON -- If Friday night's battle for the SEMO Conference boys basketball title between Jackson and New Madrid County Central was a fight, the officials would have stopped it in the first round. New Madrid beat Jackson to every punch early, scoring the game's first 14 points. But the Indians continued to fight back, cutting the lead to two points in the second quarter, before New Madrid finally pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 62-47 victory...

Southeast Missouri State University basketball coach Gary Garner realizes what type of superlative performance it will take if the Indians have any hopes of upsetting Murray State tonight. "We've definitely got to step it up a notch and play our best game of the season," he said...

ST. PETERS -- Cape Central's Jason Owen will make a bid for at least one state championship today when the Missouri State Swimming and Diving Meet moves into the finals. During Friday's preliminaries, Owen earned the second seed for today's finals in both the 200 freestyle (1:44.96) and 500 freestyle (4:41.80). Both were career-best times for Owen...

OXFORD, Miss. -- Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team lost a late lead Friday afternoon as the Indians dropped their season opener 7-4 to host Mississippi. The Indians, after falling behind 2-0 in the first inning, scored three in the seventh to go ahead 3-2...

Daughter to Roger Lee and Malysha Dawn Hefflinger of Grassy, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 1:28 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, 1998. Name, Christen Raenae Hattie. Weight, 7 pounds. Second child, first daughter. Mrs. Hefflinger is the former Malysha Harper, daughter of Beth and Steven Dillingham of Chaffee and Anthony Harper of Drakesboro, Ky. Hefflinger is the son of August and Shirley Hefflinger of Grassy. He is employed at Gilster-Mary Lee in Perryville...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Fannie Wissinger, 83, of Cairo died Friday, Feb. 13, 1998, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She was born April 1, 1914, in Cairo, daughter of Emile and Fannie Schlamer Axelson. She married Lloyd Pete Wissinger, who preceded her in death...

JACKSON -- Charles Albert Adams, 90, of Jackson died Thursday, Feb. 12, 1998, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Friends may call at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson from 4-8 p.m. Sunday. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with Msgr. Edward Eftink officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery at Perryville...

COBDEN, Ill. -- Zelma Ica "Boss" Aldridge, 91, of Cobden died Thursday, Feb. 12, 1998, at her home. She was born Feb. 17, 1906, in rural Cobden, daughter of William and Rebecca Caraker Lasley. She and John Aldridge were married May 14, 1927. He died in 1982...

SCOTT CITY -- Funeral service for Ruby Ethel Keeling of Scott City will be held at 2 p.m. today at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City. Burial will be in Crestwood Memorial Gardens in Flint, Mich. Friends may call at the chapel after 1 p.m. Keeling, 92, died Thursday, Feb. 12, 1998, at her home...

SIKESTON -- Onis H. Learue, 78, of Sikeston died Thursday, Feb. 12, 1998, at his home. He was born Feb. 2, 1920, in Steele, son of Jonn Asa and Annie Mack Gardner Learue. He and Virginia D. Harper were married June 26, 1945, at Benton. Learue was co-owner and operator of Learue-McKinnie Big Star Store at Miner for 20 years. He was a member and deacon of Bement Baptist Church, and member of Missouri American Legion...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Marilyn Dillow Fuller, 62, of Bunker Hill, formerly of Jonesboro, died Friday, Feb. 13, 1998, at Memorial Hospital in Staunton. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Crain Funeral Home in Anna. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Dr. Kent E. Keller, 61, of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., formerly of Jonesboro, died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 1998. He was the son of Floye E. and Alice Keller. Keller was a graduate of the University of Chicago and Washington University Medical School in St. Louis. He practiced medicine in LaCrosse, Wis., before retiring to Florida...

FARMINGTON -- Corinne Pearl Clifton, 97, of Farmington died Friday, Feb. 13, 1998, at Fleur De Lis Nursing Center. She was born May 28, 1900, at Yount in Perry County, daughter of Foster and Lee Ann Counts Mercer. She married John Clifton, who died March 13, 1964...

Martha H. Jones, 83, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Feb. 13, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete at Ford & Sons Funeral Home.