Stories from Sunday, March 8, 1998

(This is the story of Beulah Dee and her Beanie Baby habit that took over her life. The names have been changed to protect the innocent) At first, I said to myself, "hey that's cute I'll buy one." Then I noticed all the other people buying one and I realized what if this is the last chance I have to purchase a Beanie Baby...

The pace is picking up at the capitol. We are now spending mornings and afternoons on the house floor in legislative debate. We are still trying to finish committee hearings between sessions with most of the hearings being held at night. House Bill 1750, which I introduced, was heard in the Consumer Protection Committee requiring telemarketers to identify themselves on a caller ID system when making a call. ...

It's that time of year again. College basketball is wrapping up its 1997-98 season. Tonight, the last of 64 teams will be selected for the Tournament. The word "Tournament" doesn't quite capture the flavor and energy of this event. "March Madness" is much more appropriate. ...

25 years ago, 1973 Somewhat embarrassed St. Louis County police officer has made arrangements to retrieve his gun, after he accidentally lost it while searching car and it was turned up about two hours later in same car by Cape Girardeau County sheriff's deputies; occupants of car were unaware gun was lost in car...

More than 150 people packed into the Zion United Methodist Church last Sunday morning to celebrate 150 years and to hear the message from Bishop Ann B. Sherer. Sherer gave the message entitled, "Settling for Less," and told the faithful gathered that Christians are called to do more and not settle for less...

Wednesday's announcement stunned pretty much everyone in the statehouse: Lt. Gov. Roger Wilson wouldn't be running for governor in 2000 after all. Something about spending more time with his family, weighed against time and money concerns, as in the incessant fund-raising chase necessary to achieving high office. ...

I WAS just reading your On the Street column from Monday's Missourian. I agree wholeheartedly with four of the five people. The Supreme Court has ruled in all of its wisdom to allow stopping presumedly innocent people for sobriety checkpoints as long as they do so in a random manner. ...

Campaigns and elections that occur in even numbered years when we're not choosing a president and a governor are called "off-year" because they signify events that rarely attract much public attention. This is one of those years. But even in off-year elections, we select no fewer than 191 men and women who will help determine the future directions taken by governments in Jefferson City and Washington...

A coalition modestly calling itself Missouri Voters for Clean Elections is attempting to pass an initiative that would begin publicly financed election campaigns. They have in mind election campaigns for the General Assembly and all statewide offices. ...

Congressional Republicans are pushing ahead with plans to sunset the federal tax code by a date certain. The latest version sets that date for Dec. 31, 2001, and is sponsored by Republican Sens. Tim Hutchinson of Arkansas and Sam Brownback of Kansas. ...

To the editor: When I was 20-something, I recall being bored by the old duffers who yearned for the good old days. Now I'm 53 and find myself craving for the way things used to be. Nowhere is this desire stronger than in my practice of medicine. As a newborn specialist, I've had to become familiar with the conditions imposed by managed care. ...

Dr. Kimberly Barrett, dean of students at Southeast Missouri State University, will discuss her role at the school and university students of the 1990s, on KRCU's "Going Public" show Sunday. The program airs at 3 p.m. on the region's public radio station, 90.9 FM...

Lack of transportation and adequate child care act as barriers to welfare recipients seeking gainful employment. This is according to the preliminary findings of a community analysis recently completed by Boston consulting firm Mt. Auburn Associates...

Tom Neumeyer looks forward to the day Akil's BBQ comes crashing down. The now-empty and dilapidated building at 325 William, just across from Indian Park, is one of three slated for demolition this spring. Neumeyer, a Cape Girardeau City Councilman, worries the old building is a hazard for children who play in the park...

Cape Girardeau residents can start casting their votes for the winner of the city flag contest Tuesday. A panel of five judges is working to narrow the entries received to five semi-finalists for the official city flag contest, said Melvin Gateley, one of the contest coordinators...

MILLERSVILLE -- The scene is picturesque. Travelers on County Road 351 drive through a canopy of trees to an 88-year-old bridge that crosses the Little Whitewater River. But the historic span in Cape Girardeau County is slated to be dismantled when a new bridge is built across the river later this year...

Once upon a midnight dreary as I pondered weak and weary, only one thought came into my mind -- will my children go to sleep? It's funny. When we're kids, we can't stand to take naps. When we're parents, we crave them. For parents, getting that Saturday afternoon nap is every bit as precious as winning the state lottery. Maybe more so...

That Murray State's Racers dominated Ohio Valley Conference basketball this season is really no surprise to anybody who saw the extremely talented Racers play. What will probably come as a surprise to most people is if the Racers don't at least give somebody a major scare -- if not even win a game -- in the NCAA Tournament...

ST. LOUIS -- Need directions to Columbia? The Jackson High girls basketball team should be able to help. For the fourth year in a row, the Lady Indians are headed to the Class 4A Final Four at the Hearnes Center in Columbia. Jackson earned the trip Saturday evening with a 48-34 Class 4A quarterfinal victory over Cor Jesu Academy in the Mark Twain Building on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis...

To simply say Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team had some fun Saturday afternoon would be a big understatement. The Indians had a real blast -- courtesy of a blasting they gave Murray State in a doubleheader to open the Ohio Valley Conference season...

SEARCY, Ark. -- Southeast Missouri State University's women's tennis team saw its dual-match record fall to 1-1 as host Harding (Ark.) prevailed 5-4 here Friday afternoon. The Otahkians won three of the six singles matches. Victories were by No. 1 Izabela Slowikowska (6-1, 6-1), No. 4 Brigitte Stotter (6-1, 7-6) and No. 5 Michelle Gruber (6-4, 6-0)...

Southeast Missouri State University's women's gymnastics team turned in another season-high score Saturday night as the Otahkians rolled to a dual-meet victory over Centenary College. The Otahkians finished with a 193.225 total in action at Houck Field House as they improved their season record to 6-3, including a 5-0 home mark. Centenary scored 179.300...

A SEMO South Babe Ruth baseball meeting will be held March 23 at 7 p.m. at Scott City High School, room 9. Coaches interested in having their teams play in this area should attend. For more information, call Phyllis Spinks at 264-3411.

A young but promising Cape Girardeau Central High girls swimming team will hit the water for its first meet Tuesday when the Lady Tigers open the 1998 season at Parkway Central. The Lady Tigers, 13th at the state meet and 8-7 in duals last year, have just two seniors but coach Dayna Powell is optimistic about another strong season...

The Cape Youth Baseball League will hold registration on two more upcoming dates at the Venture Courtyard at West Park Mall. Signing dates and times: March 12, 6-9 p.m.; March 14, noon-5 p.m. Registration is for youths ages 7-18. Cost is $45 for 12 and younger and $55 for 13 and older...

Signups for the 1998 Girls Softball/Tee Ball season will be held March 21 and March 28 at Jackson City Hall. Registration hours for both days will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration fee is $30 per player. Checks should be made payable to Jackson Girls Softball League...

The Scott City Youth League will hold registration March 12 from 5-8 p.m. in the Scott City Elementary gym. Another registration will be held March 21 from 8 a.m.-noon in the Scott City High School cafeteria. For more information, call Phyllis Spinks at 264-3411...

The 23rd annual men's slowpitch softball tournament will be held in Murphysboro, Ill., April 18-19. The tournament, which will benefit the Southern Illinois Special Olympics, has a double-elimination format. Entry fee is $100 and deadline is April 14...

Southern Missouri Christian School in Poplar Bluff will hold two slow-pitch softball tournaments in the coming weeks. A women's tournament will be held April 4 at Whitely Park. The entry fee is $80 plus two green dot softballs. A men's tournament will be held May 2 at Hillcrest Park. The entry fee is $80 plus two blue dot softballs...

Would you believe that Missouri was once a vast savannah? Most folks would picture an African plain with lions and zebra roaming the grassy hills looking for the occasional tree for shade from the oppressive heat. Africa does not have the market on savannah though...

Dennis Jordan, 38, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, March 6, 1998, at Cameron. He was born Aug. 20, 1958, in St. Louis County, son of Joseph L. Jordan and Bonnie M. West. He married Beverly Cooper on Aug. 26, 1978, at Perry County. He is survived by his wife of Cape Girardeau, his father of Perryville; two sons, Timothy and Thomas Jordan, both of Cape Girardeau; two brothers, Gary Jordan of Missouri and Jimmy Jordan of Tennessee; three sisters, Sandy Rivers, Donna Jordan and Pat Jordan, all of Missouri; and a grandchild.. ...

COBDEN, Ill. -- Genevieve H. Wiseman, 66, of Cobden died Friday, March 6, 1998, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale. She was born Feb. 10, 1932, in Tours, France, daughter of Emile Joseph and Fernando Dubos Nique. She married Billie D. Wiseman on July 3, 1956, at Tours. He died Jan. 16, 1998...

CANALOU -- John Hickman, 73, of Route 1, Canalou, died Friday, March 6, 1998, at his home. He was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Philadelphia, Miss., son of Enochs and Melinda Bell Hickman. He married Margaret Lewis on July 4, 1947, at Philadelphia. She died May 23, 1992...

PORTAGEVILLE -- Mary Lou Campbell, 70, of Portageville died Friday, March 6, 1998, at her home. She was born April 30, 1927, at Russiville, Ark., daughter of Lena and Robert Stout. She married William Allen Campbell on April 5, 1941, at Osceola, Ark. He died April 27, 1995...

BENTON -- Margaret E. Bom, 91, of Benton died Saturday, March 7, 1998, at Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in Cape Girardeau. Funeral arrangements are pending at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton.

SCOTT CITY -- Lloyd Franklin Dunn, 76, of Scott City died Friday, March 6, 1998, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born July 4, 1921, at Thebes, Ill., son of Clyde Franklin and Ida Mae Mosher Dunn. He married Geraldine Gottlob on Oct. 6, 1943, at Cape Girardeau. She survives...

CHAFFEE -- Eugene Ourth, 78, of Highway 77, Chaffee, died Saturday, March 7, 1998, at Chaffee Nursing Center. He was born Feb. 8, 1920, at Portageville, son of Jacob and Josephine Blattel Ourth. He had lived in Chaffee since 1925 and attended St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Chaffee, where he was a member of the men's club. He was a retired sander and had worked for Sports Specialty Shoe Factory in Chaffee...

DUTCHTOWN -- Edith Avery, 74, of Dutchtown died Friday, Feb. 6, 1998, at her home. She was born Dec. 20, 1923, in Jackson, the daughter of Edward and Grace Looney Drum. She married John C. Avery Oct. 2, 1940, in Cape Girardeau. He survives. She was a homemaker and member of the Methodist Church...

LEOPOLD -- Sylvester T. Engelen, 57, of Leopold died Friday, March 6, 1998, at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He was born Feb. 11, 1941, at Leopold, son of Paul and Mary Bueter Engelen. On Aug. 25, 1963, he married Catherine Landewee at Leopold...

Koeller family members, from left, David, Jeffrey and Rebecca looked through the Koeller's Family Operations Manual that helps family members keep track of their chores and each other. Jessica Payne, left, a friend of the Koeller family, attended services at St. Paul Lutheran Church with Koeller family members, from left, Amanda, Jeffrey, Jeremy, David, Rebecca, Martha, Stan, Jacob and Jessica...

Jean Bell Mosley's new autobiography, "For Most of the Century," is only available in serialized form in the Southeast Missourian. REturn each week for her continuing story. In the midst of all the war turmoil, Grandpa died. He had lived alone for about ten years after Grandma's death, in the little house in Doe Run about a quarter of a mile from us. ...