Stories from Saturday, June 13, 1998

Although each has their own stories to tell, Wendi Foy Green, Jennifer Hendrix and Deborah Schnelle of Sierra realize that God has given their tales meaning. The group tells the "Story of Life" on their latest album. Sierra will perform in concert Sunday at 7 p.m. at Lynwood Baptist Church...

The Stephen Ministry group works with residents of the Missouri Veterans' Home in Cape Girardeau. Charlotte Hecht just couldn't get the words to the song out of her head. The chorus, "I've heard you calling and I will go where you lead. I will hold your people in my heart," didn't escape her memory for nearly a week...

Southeast Missouri State University's executive vice president plans to stay at the school rather than consider a possible job with the University of Missouri system. Executive vice president Dr. Ken Dobbins has withdrawn his candidacy for the position of vice president of finance and administration for the four-campus University of Missouri system. Dobbins was one of three finalists for the job...

Early Friday evening, Jerra Huston was saying that preparations for Riverfest have never gone as smoothly as they have this year. "We're wondering what's going to go wrong," the Riverfest board president said. Before 9 p.m., the lightning of an approaching storm cell purported to carry 65 mph wind gusts was flickering in the skies above Riverfest. Riverfest organizers shut the bands down and patrons began heading for their cars...

Schedule of events Today 10:30 a.m. -- Visit with Barney, Family Area. 11-11 p.m. -- Downtown Merchants Association Bunge Run, Main Street. 11 a.m. -- Super Saturday, Family Area. noon -- Manitou, Broadway Stage; Kelly King, Jeremiah's Stage; Brent & Christy Horton, Port Cape Stage...

Train traffic through Southeast Missouri will triple through the end of June as tracks undergo repairs. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad trains usually run from Springfield, Mo., to Jonesboro, Ark., and on to Memphis, Tenn. Tracks along that route are scheduled for major repairs, so trains are being rerouted from Springfield to St. Louis and on to Memphis, said Richard Graviett of the railroad...

Good Humor-Breyers Ice Cream will hold a grand opening for its new, 200,000-square-foot plant in the new Sikeston Business and Technology Park next week. On hand will be Gov. Mel Carnahan; Good Humor-Breyers president Eric Walsh; and Richard A. Goldstein, president and chief executive officer of Unilever United States Inc., which owns Good Humor-Breyers...

CHARLESTON -- Construction of a state prison in Charleston could begin in mid-September if plans proceed on schedule. The town was one of two in Missouri designated last for new prisons. Communities across the state submitted proposals for the two prisons. Licking also was selected...

Being involved in the media in a town the size of Cape Girardeau means I've become very recognizable to people. Even though my mug's not scaring babies first thing in the morning and my voice isn't causing freak motor vehicle accidents on major thoroughfares, people seem to recognize me when they see me...

To the editor: Congress in its wisdom in 1996 authorized dairy farmers to market their milk through regional dairy compacts. It reasoned that milk production and pricing were local issues and that the dairy industry in a local region would be better able to balance the interests of producers, processors and consumers. Congress also wanted to assure the continued viability of dairy farming while assuring consumers of an adequate supply of locally produced pure and wholesome milk...

Residents of St. Louis can pretty well take major problems, such as the sale of Monsanto, in stride. But when Mark McGwire has back problems, civic chaos ensues. Everyone knows predicting the weather is an art. But no one seems to know whether it's found in studying atmospheric conditions or asking Uncle Clem if his lumbago is acting up...

I was recently called to testify before the National Gambling Impact Study Commission and present information about the social impact of gambling in Missouri. Established by Congress, this nine-member commission is charged with the responsibility of studying the rapid growth of legalized gambling in America. It is scheduled to issue its recommendations by June 1999...

For workers at the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri, one of the best parts of the job is to place an animal in a loving home. The sight of a puppy or kitty leaving in the arms of a snuggling child is gratifying. Those images of happy adoptions must help workers through the stark realities...

The Easter Seals Early Childhood Center has embraced a new concept. It will close its traditional facility at 316 S. Plaza Way in late July and move to the former Early Childhood Center at 1912 Broadway. The new center will combine services for both special needs children and those who are not handicapped...

Flag Day ceremonies will be held Sunday in Cape Girardeau and Jackson. In Cape Girardeau, the American Legion will hold a flag retirement ceremony at 1:30 p.m. at the Missouri Veterans' Home. The ceremony is open to the public. Individuals with torn or faded flags that need to be destroyed may take the flags to the Veterans' Home or call the American Legion at 335-0305...

The 16th Annual Kohlfeld Riverfest Run turned into a welcoming party for a couple of out-of-towners Friday night in downtown Cape Girardeau. Kevin Wheeler, newly located to the area, and Pamela Campbell of Sedalia, Ill., came away with $100 savings bonds for winning the overall titles in the 5.25-mile road race. Wheeler won the men's title in a time of 29:47. Campbell led the women with a 34:19 clocking...

Ballwin, Paducah, Ky. and rain were the winners Friday as the first annual Capaha Classic American Legion baseball tournament got under way in Cape Girardeau. Paducah, a perennial American Legion powerhouse, knocked off Chaffee 10-3 at Central High School and Ballwin held off Festus 9-8 at Capaha Field...

KENNETT -- SEMO Bank Cape Junior Legion opened district play Friday, splitting a doubleheader with Kennett. SEMO Bank won the opener 17-7 and dropped the nightcap 8-3. SEMO Bank (3-7) banged out 18 hits in the opener, including three home runs. Richard Harrison belted a grand slam and Mark Fisher and Matt Bollinger each hit two-run shots. Fisher finished with four hits, as did Ty Fidler. Rick Davis added three hits...

KELSO -- Two host fast-pitch teams came away with shutout victories Friday on the opening night of action in the Kelso Klassic Invitational Tournament. Kelso Kwik Stop beat Last Stop Trailblazers 6-0 and in a huge blowout Kelso Travelers pounded Tri-State Travelers 23-0 in five innings...

SCOTT CITY -- Scott City High School recently honored Lance Amick as Mr. Ram for the 1997-98 school year and Amy O'Brien as Miss Ram. The honors were based on sports derived from lettering, sports honors and grade point average. Amick, a junior, played varsity football, basketball, track and baseball. He was all-conference in baseball and was a member of the Rams 4x200 and 4x100 relays that went to state...

Twin sons adopted by David and Sherri Owens of St. Louis, formerly of Cape Girardeau. Caleb and Clayton were born Oct. 19, 1997. Mrs. Owens is the daughter of Bob and Virginia Dolle of Cape Girardeau. She is a teacher in Rockwood School District in St. Louis. Owens is the son of Helen Owens of Cape Girardeau, and the late Cecil and Veneta Owens. He is a regional sales manager with Doskocil Corp...

BLOOMFIELD -- Paul Lee, 84, of Bloomfield died Thursday, June 11, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Feb. 20, 1914, at Bloomfield, son of Charles and Maude Cook Lee. He and Stella Hester were married April 1, 1933. She died April 22, 1995...

SIKESTON -- Funeral for Jessie Blalack of Sikeston will be held at 1 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. Rev. Kelley Grubbs will officiate, with burial in Dexter Cemetery at Dexter. Friends may call at the chapel from 11 a.m. to service time. Blalack, 83, died Thursday, June 11, 1998, at Sikeston Convalescent Center...

MCCLURE, Ill. -- Georgia C. Lovell, 76, of McClure died Friday, June 12, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Loyd M. "Jack" Harmon, a Columbia resident who graduated from Cape Central High School and Southeast Missouri State University, died Friday, June 12, 1998, in Columbia. He was 71. He was born Nov.. 23, 1926, on a farm near Coffeyville, Kan., son of Loyd Albert and Margaret Kathryn Wood Harmon. He married Patsy Baker on Feb. 23, 1952. She survives...

POPLAR BLUFF -- Louis "Brownie" Brown, a former resident of Dexter, died Friday, June 12, 1998, at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. He was 81. He was born July 16, 1916, son of James I. and Lottie Evelyn Dillard Brown. He married Emma Lorene Griffy Dec. 9, 1946, in Piggott, Ark. He moved to Poplar Bluff in 1985...

FROHNA -- Marie E. Schoenherr of Frohna died Friday, June 12, 1998, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was 84. She was born June 28, 1913, daughter of Theodore and Rosa Schulmeister Boyer. She married Elmer P. Schoenherr Feb. 16, 1935. He died March 4, 1996...

BLOOMFIELD -- Funeral for Mary Alice Williamson of Bloomfield will be held at 2 p.m. today at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter. Lonnie Clubb will officiate, with burial in Hagy Cemetery at Dexter. Williamson, 60, died Thursday, June 11, 1998, at her home...

McCLURE, Ill. -- Funeral for Mary Lou Kaufman of McClure will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Chapel in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The Rev. Greg Morrison will officiate, with burial in Lindsey Cemetery. Friends may call at the chapel from 4-8 p.m. today...

Ben Heatley, 86. of Cape Girardeau died Friday, June 12, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was born Oct. 31, 1911, at Dutchtown, son of Cornelius Lynn and Elizabeth Butler Heatley. He and Evelyn Sandlin were married June 6, 1940, in Cape Girardeau...

Orlie N. Grubb, 82, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, June 11, 1998, at Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Services. He was born Jan. 11, 1916, at Essex, son of Clarence and Pearl Wallace Grubb. He first married Almeta Grubb, who died June 20, 1986. He and Rose Linebarger were married Aug. 13, 1988, at Jackson...

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. -- Graveside service for Barbara McCowen of West Frankfort will be held at 11 a.m. today at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park. Crain Funeral Home Pleasant Grove Chapel is in charge of arrangements. There is no visitation. McCowen, 69, died Thursday, June 11, 1998, at St. Joseph Hospital...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Elmer W. Shreve, 74, of East Prairie died Thursday, June 11, 1998, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born July 11, 1923, in Mason, Mich., son of Walter Issac and Beatrice Thelma Sanders Shreve. Shreve was a retired dairy farmer. He was a member of St. James Village General Baptist Church. He formerly lived in Villa Ridge and Murphysboro, Ill...

CHARLESTON -- Gladys Josephine Ketchum, 87, of Charleston died Friday, June 12, 1998, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. She was born Oct. 5, 1910, in West Point, daughter of Will and Sally Gray Perry. She and Jack S. Ketchum were married Jan. 27, 1934. He died May 9, 1995...

BLOOMFIELD -- Don Ross, 71, of Bloomfield died Friday, June 12, 1998. Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

SCOTT CITY -- William Henry Zimmerman, 97, of Scott City died Friday, June 12, 1998, at the Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

When First Baptist Church committed to building a home with Habitat for Humanity in Cape Girardeau, even the children wanted to get involved. They'll get their chance during Vacation Bible School June 22-26. Registration is still available by calling the church at 334-9691. The event begins at 9 a.m. each day and runs until noon...