Stories from Monday, March 29, 1999

Karlin Bohnert, a native of Oak Ridge, has been named associate vice president of information systems liaison for marketing and multi-channel with management of Nationwide Insurance Co., division of property and casualty operations. Bohnert was information systems director for merchandising and specialty division of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., before joining Nationwide in April 1997...

Auffenberg Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge Inc. of Cape Girardeau has earned Chrysler Corp.'s "Five-Star" designation. The Five-Star designation is the highest honor a Chrysler dealer can achieve. The program is designed to encourage dealers to continually examine and re-evaluate the way to they do business...

The monthly First Friday Coffee becomes a "Second Friday" event in April. The first Friday in April falls on Good Friday. The coffee, sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, will be held Friday, April 9, at 7:30 a.m. at the Show Me Center...

The Quinstate Community Development Forum will be held at the Executive Inn Riverfront Hotel in Paducah, Ky., April 8 and 9. "The Rivers, The Towns, The Farms" will be the theme of the annual two-day conference. The Quinstate Forum is an annual gathering of citizens and business and educational leaders from Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas...

Melissa Walters, Mary Heisserer and Kay Waller, all of Cape Girardeau, and Julie Wehmeyer of Chicago, beauty consultants with Mary Kay Cosmetics, have achieved star consultant status. The four were honored by Jana Jateff, senior sales director with Mary Kay, at an areawide meeting at Carbondale, Ill...

A 106,500-square-foot manufacturing facility is on the sale block at Sikeston. Chicago-based Benj. E. Sherman & Sons Auction Services Group has been appointed to sell the manufacturing and office facility at 104 Keystone Drive at auction in April. Two on-site inspection dates have already been held with the final inspection date Wednesday...

The Casino Queen paid out 95 percent of the money dropped into its slots in 1998. The Queen at East St. Louis, Ill., features slot machines in demoninations from a nickel to $100. Second on the "loosest slots" list in the St. Louis area was Players Island at Riverport of Maryland Heights, at 94.8 percent. Harrah's, a joint venture partner of Players at Riverport, was third, with the annual payout of 94.7 percent...

ST. LOUIS -- Anheuser-Busch Co. is testing to see how well its beer will sell in plastic bottles, the world's largest brewer said. Budweiser and Bud Light are being sold in 16-ounce plastic bottles in Dallas and Phoenix. Anheuser-Busch sold beer in plastic bottles in New York last summer...

JACKSON -- Huber Hall has a new look and new name. The new Heartland Banquet Hall, formerly Huber Hall, has undergone extensive renovations, designed to provide more services, said Nick Huber. "The hall can accommodate up to 200 persons," said Huber. The new food-serving area offers the convenience of smorgasbord-style serving, separate from the seating area...

Need a push mower? How about a small boat motor? Or an oriental rug? You can find it, and more, at a yard sale somewhere. Yard sale mania has long been in existence in Southeast Missouri and the nation. People spend hours pricing and preparing "stuff" for a Friday or Saturday sale, and others awake before daylight to take advantage of any bargains...

Lee D. Dahringer, a native Cape Girardeau, has accepted the position of dean at West Virginia University's College of Business and Economics at Morgantown, W.Va. Dahringer, dean of Butler University's College of Administration at Indianapolis, Ind., will become dean at the West Virginia school July 1, according to an announcement last week by Provost Gerald Lane...

Jill Obergoenner-Prince of Cape Girardeau has joined Studio Design Salon, 229 S. Broadview, in Cape Girardeau as a hairstylist. Obergoenner-Prince is a graduate of Stage One The Hair School in Cape Girardeau. She offers a number of services -- hair cuts, styling, perms, color and manicures...

Jane Harte, a senior travel counselor with AAA Travel Agency, 1903 Broadway, has become a Hong Kong tourist specialist, after graduating from the Hong Kong specialist program and educational program for travel agents., Hart earned the Hong Kong specialist status after she completed a three-part study course and exam...

Dr. John L. Sheets of Cape Girardeau has been elevated to fellowship status by the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the highest honor bestowed by the dental group involved in oral implantology. Fellow nominees come from two sources -- those who have significantly contributed to the art and science of oral implantoloyg, or through a fellowship program stressing efforts in education, research and actual clinical experience...

Darrin Sides, a Cape Girardeau native, has joined 84 Lumber Co., at Lexington Park, Md., as a manager trainee. Sides is living in Lusby, Md. 84 Lumber, headquartered at Eighty Four, Pa., was founded in 1956 with a single store. The chain has 386 stores in 30 states...

A group of American elk roamed a field on a Cape Girardeau elk farm. Missouri has more than 70 elk breeders in the state. Now is a good time to start an elk herd. Missouri is the home of a multimillion-dollar elk industry, with more than 70 elk breeders, and prices of breeding stock is in a down cycle now...

This "Financial Focus" column is prepared by Edward Jones Investments, headquartered in St. Louis. Jones includes branches throughout the nation, including Cape Girardeau and Jackson. The market's performance over the past several years has led some investors to expect exceptional returns. The key words here are "expect" and exceptional...

Mississippi Lime Co., a manufacturer of crushed stone and high calcium lime at Ste. Genevieve, has been honored for creative application and quality design by the Consulting Engineers Council of Missouri for its support facilities and a vertical kiln...

Bryan Crain of Crain Funeral Homes in Southern Illinois has been appointed to the Illinois Cemetery and Funeral Home Association board of directors. Crain was appointed to the state position during the association's semiannual meeting.

Jim L. Byrd, president and chief executive officer of Pilot House Inc. of Cape Girardeau, is included in the National Register's "Who's Who in Executives and Professionals" in its Millennium Edition. Byrd is owner of the Pilot House Restaurant.

Young scientists from Southeast Missouri will put their skills to the test this week as they compete at the 43rd annual Southeast Missouri Regional Science Fair. Judging will take place Tuesday at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Cape Girardeau. Exhibits are open to the public from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday. An awards ceremony will be held Thursday evening. Scholarships and prizes will be awarded...

Proposition B supporters say it's about time that the good guys get guns. The measure on Missouri's April 6 ballot would allow the state's adult residents to carry concealed guns, provided that they meet certain requirements and pay the permit fee. Supporters say law-abiding citizens need the opportunity to protect themselves and their families...

Armed and dangerous. Proposition B opponents say that's what could happen if Missouri allows its residents to carry concealed weapons. Proposition B, the measure that would legalize the carrying of concealed weapons, is on the April 6 ballot. It takes a simple majority for passage...

Glenn Graham calls the new Perry Park Center amazing. In fact, he thinks all of Perry County is pretty amazing. Graham is president of the Perry County Multi-Purpose Center Commission, a group overseeing development of the park complex. The Perry Park Center opens May 1. Following a short ceremony, the door will open and the facility will be open for all county residents to use, free of charge, May 1 and 2...

The fate of unwanted pets is known by all but faced by few. The silent class is in possession of a grim reality. Sometimes the reality ends at 2536 Boutin Drive -- the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri. The society accepts pets or unwanted animals on a no-questions-asked, 24-hour basis...

The Cape Area Habitat for Humanity handed over the keys to its ninth home in Cape Girardeau Sunday afternoon at a dedication service. Vaniasn Green and her three children are the proud owners of the home at 45 Green Acres Drive. Cape area Habitat board members, guests and the new owners were on hand for the dedication ceremony Sunday...

After six weeks of praying for police officers' and firefighters' safety and well-being, the prayer patrol children of LaCroix United Methodist Church finally met their heroes Sunday afternoon. The children had been praying the safety of each officer they were paired with, said program coordinator Marsha Edwards...

A proposal to implement a 50-cent monthly fee on wireless telephone users to upgrade 911 emergency-telephone systems so that they can handle wireless phone calls more efficiently will be put to a statewide vote on April 6. It will be on ballots as Proposition A...

To date, Missouri has 17 state symbols, but a fruit isn't among them. State Rep. Patrick Naeger of Perryville wants to make the apple the official fruit of Missouri. It's a logical choice: In 1997, the state produced 39 million pounds of commercial apples, making apples the state's top fruit crop just ahead of peaches. And in 1995, the most recent year that has been tallied, Missouri ranked 22nd among states in apple production...

To the editor: I urge everyone to vote against Proposition B. I don't like the though that anyone I meet could have a concealed gun. Don't we conceal enough from each other now? Honesty is not a part of our lifestyle. We can't see into each other's minds, nor can we see into the future. It is concealed from us who might jump to a conclusion that his life is in danger. It is concealed from us who might, in the future, become a criminal or be touched by insanity...

To the editor: Some people believe that by strapping on a gun they will be safe from violence. In reality, some people will be putting their life on the line, because they will have this false feeling of safety. I'm calling it a false feeling, because does anyone who has given any real thought to the possible consequences really think people with as little as 12 hours of training with a gun will be ready to take on a real criminal?...

To the editor: The concealed-weapon proposal we're voting on in April is such an outlandish idea that I probably don't need to become agitated about its possible passage. If gunfighting is such fun, why do I see on the TV news SWAT teams arriving in great numbers to settle high-risk domestic disputes? Why are they wearing helmets and bulletproof vests? Why are the crouched behind cars and trees? I assume it's because they know their work isn't fun and games...

I WOULD like to Speak Out about proper wedding etiquette and common courtesy. I attended a very elaborate wedding and reception at Christmastime. I bought a very expensive wedding gift for which I have not received a thank-you note. I would like to say that this is improper etiquette and improper manners. ...

Mark Hogan, Southeast Missouri State University's baseball coach, savored his 500th managerial victory Saturday. The following afternoon, Hogan's heroes notched an important, well-fashioned triumph, a 5-2 win over Ohio Valley Conference adversary Eastern Illinois at Capaha Park. But Hogan viewed the final innings of victory No. 501 from afar...

Elbert F. Johnson, 93, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, March 28, 1999, at the Lutheran Home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Funeral Home.

Wanda Geraldene Penn, 67, of Morley died Saturday, March 27, 1999, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Jan. 8, 1932, in Pulaski County in Illinois, daughter of Roy and Lucy Casper Lackey. She and David Penn Jr. were married Feb. 24, 1965. She was a homemaker...

Paul Joseph Dowdy, 72, of Sikeston died Saturday, March 27, 1999, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. He was born March 22, 1927, at Sikeston, son of Obra E. and Margie Beaird Dowdy. He married Louise Clemons on Sept. 25, 1946. Dowdy was a farmer and worked for several years as a foreman at Caprico Inc. in Sikeston...

Viola B. Holtkamp, 83, of Jackson died Saturday, March 27, 1999, at Cushing Memorial Hospital in Leavenworth, Kan. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau.

Eurcie Lee Hager, 82, formerly of Scott City, died Sunday, March 28, 1999, at New Life Hospice in Cleveland, Ohio. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

Anna Lee Pyle, 83, formerly of Scott City, died Sunday, March 28, 1999, at her home in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

Marvin J. Nenninger, 91, died Friday, March 26, 1999, at Heartland Care Rehab Center. He was born June 9, 1907, son of John Henry and Sevilla Frueh Nenninger. He and Opal Dawson were married March 29, 1937, at Cape Girardeau. Nenninger was employed by the Tip-Top Bread Co. for 30 years. He also played in several local bands: Pop Crites Orchestra, The Melodians and The Rhythmaires...