Stories from Wednesday, November 18, 1998

The Griffins have planted other Christmas trees after the holiday season, from left:1992, 1993 and 1996. In the summer, it's a joy to look over your landscape and see an evergreen tree that drowns you in a flood of cherished family memories of a Christmas past. ...

Missouri should take the tobacco deal worked out between states' attorneys general and tobacco companies, two Republican lawmakers said Tuesday. "I think we need to settle: Take the money and run," said state Rep. Patrick Naeger, R-Perryville. U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft, R-Mo., said the state should sign onto the $206 billion settlement because it offers major gains in efforts to reduce tobacco use by young people...

A 7-year-old boy who was riding his bicycle on the wrong side of the road was injured Tuesday morning when he was struck by a vehicle. Shane Michael Emmonds of 22 S. Hanover was riding his bicycle to Franklin School when he was struck by a truck driven by Stanley Wicks of 121 N. West End Boulevard...

A group of local counselors learned a new approach for dealing with at-risk families and children during a program developed at Boys Town. Three trainers from the Omaha, Neb., agency spent two days with the 69 counselors talking about techniques to help families set and achieve goals and ways to promote family independence...

6:30 p.m. today Superintendent's office Reports Superintendent's report. -- Capital projects. Principals reports. Report on MSBA/MASA fall conference. Unfinished business -- MSBA policy updates. New business -- Assessment of Title I program. -- High school/middle school intercom system...

CHARLES STIVER took exception with a claim made by syndicated columnist Donald Kaul. Stiver stipulated some one-time slave owners treated newly freed slaves well. Gee, Mr. Stiver, that's really comforting and condescending and disgusting. ONE OF the most hypocritical things I have ever heard is don't kill them on Sunday because that's a holy day. ...

With the holiday season fast approaching, we will once again be blessed in our community with our usual number of fun and enriching cultural and entertainment events. On Nov. 29 at 5 p.m. it's the annual DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS CHRISTMAS PARADE OF LIGHTS -- always a festive evening, especially for the children...

The state formula that funds public education in Missouri is complicated. Few people outside of school administrators, bureaucrats who work with it directly and some legislators can fully explain it. It's no wonder that a public hearing on the formula recently drew a sparse audience. Dr. John A. Jones, research and salary director for the Missouri State Teachers Association, provided some insight on the mechanics of this complex issue...

Last Saturday, Boy Scouts hung 38,000 white bags on front doors throughout the region. Scouts are hoping that people fill those bags with canned food and leave them back on their doorsteps this Saturday. It's all part of the annual Scouting for Food drive that stocks area food banks in preparation of the cold weather and holiday season...

To the editor: It would seem that Southeast Missouri State University would have more of its students' concerns in mind than it does, concerns like the quality of educational materials. I was recently assigned a research paper which should have been relatively simple to research and for which I was forced to go to a public library for information. ...

To the editor: The Baha'i community of Cape Girardeau wishes to inform your readers that members of our faith in Iran are still being arrested and killed. On Oct. 1, the U.S. State Department confirmed the execution of two Baha'is in the city of Mashad. The men, imprisoned sine 1997, were engaged only in religious teaching, not political activities...

To the editor: I would like to thank my supporters and citizens of the 160th District for the opportunity to serve as your state representative for the past four years. We have made great progress in our community lately, and it is important that we keep that momentum. There was crucial state funding being considered for our district which may not be in jeopardy if our community as a whole does not rally around our new representative and provide him with much-needed support...

Stamps are going up a penny to 33 cents for the millions of letters, birthday cards and other first-class mail Americans send every day. The cost of mailing magazines, newspapers and packages will go up, but some businesses can save on mailing costs, said Mike Keefe, Cape Girardeau postmaster...

Maj. Joyce Gauthier started planning Thanksgiving Dinner early, because she'll have plenty of guests to feed. Gauthier basted eight turkeys Tuesday and will cook at least 32 before the week is finished so that the more than 600 guests for Thanksgiving dinner at the Salvation Army are fed...

Work on a $1.5 million project to expand a section of Broadway from two to four lanes is expected to begin next summer, according to city officials. Under the plan, Broadway will be upgraded to four lanes from Clark Avenue to Perry Avenue, a distance of about a half-mile. Separate left turn lanes will also be added at major intersections...

The American Cancer Society encourages smokers to kick the habit at least on Thursday: the Great American Smokeout. Over the past two decades the focus of the Smokeout has evolved from helping adults quit smoking to helping children and teen-agers avoid starting...

It was time to admit that we'd broken down our mattress. Sure, I'd like to think that only a passionate marriage could cause a mattress purchased in the fall of 1995 to be broken down by the fall of 1998, but that's just not true. That mattress was a gift from my in-laws. My mother-in-law tried to talk us into a queen size in a good brand, but we felt guilty asking a relative who'd already been so generous to spend that much more money. We took a bottom-of-the-line double...

After a difficult season we went to Carbondale to play our final game against Southern Illinois. The Salukis are a team whose season has mirrored ours. They played several teams down to the wire only to come up on the short end of the score. We lost to SIU 34-7 in simply ugly fashion. Our execution was at times extremely sharp and at times non-existent. It appears that a few people jumped on the bus to finish the season and not to win the game...

PEORIA, Ill. -- Bradley University's basketball team has been pretty invincible in Carver Arena over the years, winning 64 of its last 74 games played there. And now Southeast Missouri State University can be added to the Braves' home victim list. Bradley hung on for a 49-47 victory Tuesday night in front of 8,465 fans...

The Notre Dame High School boys and girls varsity basketball teamswill conduct their annual soup scrimmage Friday, Nov. 20, at 6:30 p.m. The cost of admission will be a can of food that will be given to the needy during the holiday season.

The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department is organizing its second annual Rams trip for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. Cost is $42 a person, which include ticket and transportation. To reserve a spot, call 335-5421.

Southeast Missouri's softball team has added three players for the team of 2000 as pitcher Renee Mueller, shortstop Jenny Doehring and first baseman/designated hitter Delania Talili all signed letters of intent. Mueller is currently a senior at Johnston City High School in Johnston City, Ill. ...

Southeast's Jackie Derwort has been named the OVC Defensive Player of the Week in volleyball this past week. Derwort had six blocks and 14 digs in wins over Tennessee-Martin and Murray State last week. She also had 16 digs and a block in a non-conference match with Arkansas State...

SIKESTON -- Ruby S. Gray, 74, of Sikeston died Monday, Nov. 16, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Oct. 25, 1924, in Agra, Okla., daughter of David C. and Leona E. Smith Chesmore. She and Derris M. Gray were married April 12, 1942, at Poe. He died Sept. 8, 1998...

GORDONVILLE -- Laura Caroline Grossheider, 90, of Gordonville died Monday, Nov. 16, 1998, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born March 17, 1908, at Dutchtown, daughter of Alvin and Clara Siemers Feuerhahn. She and Robert F. Grossheider were married June 10, 1928. He died March 18, 1970...

Son to Kathryn Fawn Coomer of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 9:31 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1998. Name, Sheth Donald Shimoda. Weight, 6 pounds 6 ounces. Second son. Miss Coomer is the daughter of William E. Coomer and Judith M. Coomer of Cape Girardeau...

PERRYVILLE -- Leslie J. "Les" Schindler, 80, of Perryville died Monday, Nov. 16, 1998, at Perry County Memorial Hospital. He was born Jan. 1, 1918, in Perry County, son of Hubert B. and Ida Mertz Schindler. He and Iva Lee Elder were married July 26, 1941, at Perryville...

JACKSON -- E. Elizabeth Bowers, 89, of Jackson died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born April 2, 1909, in Oak Ridge, daughter of the Rev. O.A. and Blanche Goodson Bowers. Bowers was a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church, and friendship member of its Mary Martha Circle. She was formerly active in United Methodist Women at Potosi and Marvin Park churches...

ESSEX -- Charles W. Houchins, 78, of Essex died Monday, Nov. 16, 1998, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born Feb. 23, 1920, at Clarkton, son of William T. and Grace Bond Houchins. He and Tennie L. Tate were married May 3, 1941, at Gideon...

CAMPBELL -- Wayne W. Bilderback, 67, of Campbell died Monday, Nov. 16, 1998, at Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott, Ark. He was born Aug. 3, 1931, at Gray Ridge, son of Ira and Ruth Jane Kinder Bilderback. He and Bonnie Hughes were married March 19, 1949, in Piggott...

The Cape Girardeau Road Runners and the Southeast Missourian are sponsoring a one mile run/walk Nov. 29, just prior to the start of the annual Parade of Lights. The run benefits Toybox. The run starts at 4:55 p.m., five minutes before the start of the parade, and follows the parade route from Capaha Park to Main Street. Adults, children, families and student groups may run or walk the race...

JACKSON -- Little Miss Snowball contestant Mary Bauer received two third-place medals in the Ice Skating Institute World Figure Skating Championships last summer. Miss Holly participant Emily Lewis has pen pals in Ireland, Australia and South Africa. Miss Christmas entrant Sierra Ma-Rae Jones tutored disabled students at her school in sign language. And Miss Jackson hopefuls Jana Mahurin and Gina Vermillion are both dancers for the St. Louis Ambush professional soccer team...

The Southeast Missourian asked children at Jackson Primary Annex, "Who do you think is beautiful?" Jacob Mattingly: "Bethany, my sister. She's 9 years old. She wears dresses." Rachel Williamson: "My mom. She wears pretty earrings and necklaces." Michael Gentry: "My grandma. She's got pretty hair, and she wears earrings that look like pineapples."...

The West Park Mall and the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 27 at the mall in Cape Girardeau. T-shirts will be given to all donors. All blood types are needed, but type O is particularly needed. Type O is the most common blood type and is used in 52 percent of all surgeries. Since only 46 percent of the population has type O blood, these donors are asked to give blood more frequently...