Stories from Wednesday, March 10, 1999

The shrub on the left is ready for planting. The one on the right has to be cleaned first, if it's going to flourish. Lately, I've been asked the same question everywhere I go. "Is it time to plant yet?" I think cabin fever has taken its toll on most people. Sure it's time to plant trees and shrubs. I do think I would hold off on tomatoes...

To the editor: I am writing about something that has bothered me for quite some time but really bothers me now even more. As you know, they are working on the Mississippi River bridge, and rightly so. I am proud they are checking the bridge so often and working to keep it open...

A Cape Girardeau native will get a close-up eye view of life on the presidential campaign trail. Jack Oliver, a key GOP fund raiser among grass-roots conservatives, has signed on with Texas Gov. George W. Bush, who recently announced he is considering a run for the White House, the same position held by his father...

What can society do with high school dropouts who have no interest in going to school? Many of these young men and women are on a fast track to low-paying jobs or, even worse, a life of crime. Enter Camp Clark near Nevada, Mo., on the western edge of the state...

I was in Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., last Saturday thru Wednesday. Traveling gives you perspective on life. I didn't think I had time for this trip, but the desert flight and drive changed my mind. Eighty-four-degree weather versus the 30-degree weather I left and clear visibility with beautiful mountain backgrounds told me I needed to slow down and enjoy the cactus...

THE ITALIANS seem to feel justified in demanding money for the awful gondola accident, but to blame Captain Ashby and his crew for that would be like blaming modern-day Italians for their country's atrocious acts in World War II. Tragedy happens, and knowing that 20 innocent people were killed is punishment for the crew. The United States just cannot pay for all the trouble in the world. We just can't...

The Area Wide United Way appreciates all volunteers, and to recognize them, the United Way is now accepting nominations for its April 21 Volunteer Recognition Awards program. The program is being underwritten by Ameritech in Cape Girardeau. "We have to appreciate the value of the volunteer," said Nancy Jernigan, executive director of the Area Wide United Way. "We want to do this in front of the whole community."...

To the editor: We will go to the polls April 6 to vote on Proposition B, the right to carry concealed weapons. I am concerned that many citizens who have never owned a gun or have never had a reason to use one may be swayed against the proposition by opponents who are using scare tactics for whatever reason. ...

SCOTT CITY -- In a small but organized office just past the copy machine, the city administrator quietly awaits the next question. After seven months on the job, Erika Glock is ready to answer questions and make a few observations about the town she now calls home...

Radio listeners across the region helped raise $62,000 for St. Jude's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., during a 12-hour radio-thon Tuesday. Listeners to KEZS/K103 participated in the "Country Cares for St. Jude's Kids" fund-raising event for the children's hospital. Callers offered donations ranging from $5 to $500...

After four decades, Barbie still looks as good as ever, but then it's tough to top a doll with an almost limitless wardrobe. Since the doll debuted in 1959, more than 1 billion Barbies have been sold in 140 countries. Placed head to toe, that's enough to circle the globe seven times...

Americans wouldn't be celebrating their freedoms without the sacrifices of hundreds of soldiers, many of whom guarded the skies over the nation. Connecting those heroes with airplanes became a simple task that turned into a theme for the 1999 Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival. "Heroes and Legends: An Aerial Tribute to U.S. Veterans" will be the focus of the three-day show...

Cape Girardeau school board hopefuls expressed a desire for open lines of communication between the board and public and increased parental involvement in the school system during a voters forum held at Southeast Missouri State University Tuesday night...

The arthritis diagnosis was a little depressing, but the Brooke Shields X-ray pose made me feel downright sexy! The one time my HMO-assigned doctor spends more than 30 seconds with me, it's to deliver some really lousy news. My knees snap, crackle and pop because the fluid separating the joints is gone. It's called arthritis...

Notre Dame and East Carter are like bickering third cousins who see each other once a year. Call it the annual sectional reunion. For the third straight year, the Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Redbirds will scrap for the opportunity to advance to the Class 2A Quarterfinals...

The Oran boys and Scott County Central girls will both look to continue their playoff march tonight when Class 1A sectional basketball games are held at Poplar Bluff High School. Oran will play Thayer at 6:30 p.m. while Scott Central will face Couch at 8:15...

Tonight Kelly will find out exactly how far it has come over the past month. After losing by 19 points to Portageville 26 days ago the surging Hawks will put their momentum to the test when they take on the Bulldogs at 6:30 at Cape Central's Tiger Fieldhouse in a Class 2A sectional game...

Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball coach Gary Garner said nobody has contacted him about the vacant coaching position at St. Louis University -- and that he is extremely happy at Southeast, where he just completed his second season...

A native of Canada with a solid coaching background has been named to start up the new women's soccer program at Southeast Missouri State University. Heather Nelson, head coach at Florida State the past four seasons, was announced Tuesday as Southeast's first women's soccer coach...

ST. LOUIS -- Cape Central's girls swim team opened its 1999 season Tuesday with a narrow 96-89 victory over Parkway Central. Central didn't ensure victory until the final event as the quartet of Jennifer Freeze, Jean Maguire, Laura Canupp and Grace Freeman placed first in the 400 freestyle relay (4:08.52)...

Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team will try to avenge a recent loss and also extend its current winning streak in a battle of Indians today. Southeast and Arkansas State -- both known as the Indians -- will square off in a 3 p.m. single game at Capaha Field...

The fifth annual Delta Alumni Basketball Tournament will be held April 10-11 at the Delta High School gym. For entry forms, contact Diane Horn at (573) 794-2905 or Tory Smith at (573) 794-0256.

The 1999 Spring Golf Clinic has been rescheduled due to inclement weather. The clinic, for beginners, will be held on three consecutive Tuesdays, beginning March 23. Clinic fee is $60. For more information, contact Arena Park Golf at 332-0862.

The Scott City Park and Recreation Department will conduct its Youth League registration on March 15 and March 20 at Scott City High School. Registration will be held from 4-8 p.m. on March 15 and 8-11 a.m. on March 20. The league is open to youths ages 6 to 18. Applications for coaches will also be available...

JACKSON -- Penny McCormick rolled a 776-handicap total to post a 22-pin victory in the Cape Girardeau Women's Bowling Association 58th annual Handicap Tournament held this past weekend at Jackson Lanes. With a 630 scratch score and 146 handicap, McCormick outdistanced Janis Burford and Debbie Wehmeyer, who both had higher scratch totals but finished tied at 754...

SCOTT CITY -- Jewell Flowers, 89, of Scott City died Tuesday, March 9, 1999, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

John Roland Sharp, 49, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, March 9, 1999, at his home after an extended illness. He was born Dec. 5, 1949, in Joplin. He was the son of Ronald and Nadine Morrison Sharp. He married Mary Sue Hogan Aug. 21, 1979, in Cincinnati, Ohio...

Harley A. Anderson, 87, of Caruthersville died Tuesday, March 9, 1999, at Pemiscot Memorial Health Systems in Hayti. He was born March 1, 1912, in Hayti, son of Daniel and Mattie Smitherton Anderson. He married Ardella Jenkins on Sept. 4, 1934, at Caruthersville...

DEXTER -- Vivien L. Lovell, 99, of Dexter died Monday, March 8, 1999, at Fountainbleau Lodge in Cape Girardeau. She was born Jan. 9, 1900, in Guthrie County, Iowa, daughter of Wilse L. and Lucy Bower Lambert. She and John Jackson Lovell were married Feb. 24, 1919, in Omaha, Neb. He died Jan. 15, 1982...

CHARLESTON -- Cherita Lynn Simmons, 29, of Charleston died Friday, March 5, 1999, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. She was born Feb. 22, 1970, at Hayti, daughter of Leroy and Annie Mae Simmons Reed. Simmons was a 1988 graduate of New Madrid Central High School. She was a member of Mercy Seat Baptist Church...

MOUND CITY, Ill. -- Funeral service for Margaret June Stout of Metropolis will be held at 1 p.m. today at Barkett Funeral Home in Mound City. The Rev. Terry Cathey will officiate. Burial will be in Beechwood Cemetery at Mounds. Friends may call at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until service time...

Private graveside service for Tristan John and Connor Travis Schaefer was held Tuesday at St. Mary's Cemetery. The twins were born Monday, March 1, 1999, in Aurora, Ill., sons of Geoffrey and Valerie C. Holland Schaefer of Mooseheart, Ill., and formerly of Cape Girardeau...

ANNA, Ill. -- Robert W. Sweitzer, 88, of Anna died Tuesday, March 9, 1999, at City Care Center. He was born March 2, 1911, at Cobden, son of John and Sophia Vitt Sweitzer. He and Bemis Fuller were married April 21, 1934, in Belleville. Sweitzer was a retired carpenter and farmer. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cobden...

BERNIE -- D.K. McCarty, 83, of Bernie died Monday, March 8, 1999, at Dexter Memorial Hospital in Dexter. He was born Feb. 6, 1916, at Lavalle, son of Charles H. and Myrtle Bell Trammell McCarty. He and Ruth Hazel Hobgood were married Jan. 9, 1943. McCarty was a shipping clerk at IXL Handle Factory in Bernie, retiring in 1981. ...

CHARLESTON -- Nathaniel Armstrong Sr., 72, of Charleston died Friday, March 5, 1999, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born March 11, 1926, at Wyatt, son of James and Lurende Armstrong. He and Dorothy Marie Tucker were married Aug. 7, 1949...

Daughter to Douglas and Angela Poindexter of St. Charles, St. Joseph Hospital there, 5:20 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 1999. Name, Emma Joan. Weight, 8 pounds 2 ounces. First child. Mrs. Poindexter is the former Angela James, daughter of Robert and Marie James of Cape Girardeau. Poindexter is the son of Wayne Poindexter of St. Charles, and the late Joan Poindexter. Mr. and Mrs. Poindexter are physical education teachers at Jefferson Middle School in St. Charles...

McCLURE, Ill. -- Pearl Margaret Odegard, 80, of McClure died Tuesday, March 9, 1999, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She was born Aug. 16, 1918, at Geneva, daughter of Benjamin and Cora Bagbesby Hunsaker. She and Alvin T. Odegard were married Sept. 21, 1943, in Los Angeles, Calif. He died Dec. 13, 1982...

DEXTER -- Jackie Clinton Skiles, 27, of Dexter died Tuesday, March 8, 1999, at Dexter Memorial Hospital. He was born Dec. 4, 1971, in St. Louis, son of George Michael and Linda Sue Trotter Skiles. He and Dorris Francine Roos were married Jan. 3, 1997, at Bloomfield...

Two staples of Irish life -- beef and Guinness, the stout, dark ale -- come together in this richly flavored stew. If you don't have Guinness, any dark beer or ale can be used. This "one-pot" dish can be made ahead of time, and an overnight stay in the fridge doesn't hurt the flavor one bit ... it may even improve it! Pappy Mays could remember his mother cooking this stew in a hanging pot in their fireplace...

If your sweet tooth has not been tugging at you, it will after reading this week's Recipe Swap. Bread pudding with a variety of sauces and desserts using cake mix as the main ingredient are the featured recipes we have to share with you. Last week we had a request for a Amaretto Sauce recipe for bread pudding. Alma Evettes of Cape Girardeau sent in her favorite recipes that can easily be prepared in the microwave...