Stories from Saturday, June 27, 1998

Nine-year-old Brittney Wiedeman studdied the Bible at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church during vacation Bible school. Lori Pleimann remembers lessons and songs she learned as a child at Vacation Bible School, but it was nothing like the Vacation Bible Schools her children Amanda, 7, and Molly, 3, attend at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church...

A Virginia man is investigating the possibility that a UFO crashed near Cape Girardeau in 1941. "That would be six years before Roswell," said James Westwood of Centreville, Va., referring to the 1947 incident in which the government allegedly recovered and then covered up a UFO crash in New Mexico. "That would put Cape Girardeau County on the UFO map." he said...

People need to take extra precautions in the sweltering heat that has gripped the region. With temperatures reaching in the mid- and high-90s and heat indexes of 105 degrees, a heat advisory has been issued through the weekend. Temperatures are expected to remain in the mid-90s through at least Monday...

Except perhaps for a few quizzical vegetarians, most people don't consider grass -- even eastern gamma grass -- toothsome. But for the cattle at Southeast Missouri State University's demonstration farm, the eastern gamma grass tastes "better than chocolate ice cream," joked Bill Ellis, farm director and Southeast agriculture professor...

Recent legislation passed in Congress could bring more than $29 million to Southeast Missouri for water and flood-control projects. Both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have approved versions of the Energy and Water Appropriations Act to provide the Corps of Engineers with a general construction budget of $3.97 billion during fiscal year 1999. Upon reconciliation of the two bills, the final version will be sent to President Clinton for his signature...

I knew having a fall baby wouldn't make for the most comfortable pregnancy this summer, but I never expected the degree of suffering I would have to endure. There's nothing like Mother Nature to help a woman to shed her inhibitions and forget her concerns about what others think. I can personally attest to this because Mother Nature, that witty girl, hit me with a double-whammy this summer: Hot, humid weather and the expectation of a baby not due until mid-November...

YOU FOLKS from Jackson, I know you have a complaint about baseball. We in Cape Girardeau have the very same complaint. There is no difference. I do know this, they do work with all the kids, and they tell them a lot of the mistakes they do, but you never hear them talk about their own sons' mistakes. I know you are right. There are boys on the team who can outplay the coach's son, but they don't play them that way. I know how you feel...

Forget Monica for a moment or two. Let's see what is going on in the real world. Iran: There is a tinge of moderation in Iran. The Iranians beat the United States in the World Cup soccer match. Iranian athletes and American athletes engaged in sportsmanlike competition, and the world didn't come to an end. The Iranian people celebrated their victory and didn't kick us around with any Great Satan language...

Fires are burning around the globe -- literally -- and environmentalists are wringing their hands. They are concerned that the planet's ecosystem is being altered so drastically that calamity is all but certain. Blame is being laid on El Nino and Central American farmers and lightning, a curious group of collaborators...

Vi Keys has touched so many people is so many good ways over the years that it is no wonder her friends and fans were happy to celebrate her 40 years of musical life in Cape Girardeau. Hundreds of happy folks have enjoyed her musical meanderings each Sunday at the Holiday Inn in Cape Girardeau, where brunch and Vi's piano playing make for a perfect outing...

To the editor: The the Speak Out caller of "Sports has much to offer students": When you comment about band, it is evident you do not know all the facts. In regard to having three band directors, this year's eighth-grade band had 108 members. That figures out to 26 students per director. ...

Considering the 90-degree heat and stifling humidity Friday night at Capaha Field, McDowell Capahas starting pitcher Richie Phillips hardly had visions of completing all nine innings against the Saline County (Ill.) Monarchs. "No," Phillips said with a wry smile following the Capahas 12-3 win, "not at all."...

JACKSON -- The Cape SEMO Bank Junior Legion pounded Jackson in a doubleheader completed late Thursday night. SEMO Bank won the first game 13-1 in five innings and the nightcap 18-0 which was also ended early. Cape's record now stands at 15-10 overall and 11-2 in district games...

LILBOURN -- A Lilbourn woman was injured Friday afternoon after her vehicle struck another on Route D. Shirley Goodson, 56, was transported to Missouri Delta Medical Center with moderate injuries after the accident, which happened a half-mile south of Lilbourn...

SCOTT CITY -- James Moore, 74, of Scott City died Friday, June 26, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City is in charge of arrangements.

COBDEN, Ill. -- George L. Peterman, 75, of Carbondale died suddenly Friday, June 26, 1998, at his home. Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Cobden is in charge of arrangements.

Graveside service for Leona May Jones of Cape Girardeau will be held at 11 a.m. today at St. Mary's Cemetery, with the Rev. Randy Tochtrop officiating. Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel from 9-10:45 a.m. Jones, 74, died Thursday, June 25, 1998, at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Louis...

Paul James Hadley, 64, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, June 25, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

CHAFFEE -- Pearl K. Dysinger, 84, of Chaffee died Friday, June 26, 1998, at Chaffee Nursing Center. She was born Nov. 7, 1913, at Perkins, daughter of Oscar David and Minnie Ellen Driskell Kittle. She and Delmar Dave Dysinger were married Aug. 8, 1930. He died March 2, 1973,...

ORAN -- Wilma June Pfefferkorn, 81, of Oran died Friday, June 26, 1998, at St. Joseph Hospital in Breese, Ill. She was born Feb. 22, 1917, at Chaffee, daughter of Adam John and Lula Unnerstall Halter. She and Raymond Joseph Pfefferkorn were married July 5, 1940. He died March 29, 1965...

As I write this I have two birthdays in mind. The first one is my newest son, Brandon's birthday June 22. I don't want to brag too much, but he was 8 lb. 10 oz. and 21 inches long. Everyone thinks he is as cute as his big brother Blake, 3. And many thing Blake favors me. Every dad wants to hear that!...