Stories from Friday, May 7, 1999

Brain tumors do not discriminate as they occur in people of all ages. They are statistically more likely to occur, however, in two age groups --- children under age 15 and older adults. Metastatic brain tumors (tumors that have originated from another part of the body and which have spread to the brain) are much more common in adults...

Sam Hahs and Molly Hahs portrayed "people cars" as bicyclists made traffic decisions on the skills course. Dick Schaefer of the Evening Optimist Club adjusted a bicycle helmet for Lia Beckett. The Cape Girardeau Safe Communities Program provided free helmets for children who needed them...

Southeast Missouri Hospital's Jackson Outreach Services will offer Healthcare Provider CPR and American Red Cross First Aid courses Saturday in the community room at Main Street Fitness in Jackson. The Healthcare Provider CPR course will be held 8 a.m. to noon and will include lecture material, audio-visuals, hands-on activities and a test. Participants will receive American Heart Association completion cards after course requirements have been fulfilled...

Young people who want to learn proper babysitting techniques and basic child care are invited to take part in Southeast Missouri Hospital's Super Sitter Class held 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the hospital's Harrison Room. The course helps prepare youngsters for possible babysitting responsibilities. The course also helps participants understand the emotional and developmental needs of infants, toddlers and elementary school age children...

A program designed to help women ages 35 and over learn strategies for coping with menopause will be held 7-8 p.m. Monday in the Generations Family Resource Center at Southeast Missouri Hospital. "Learning How to Cope with Changes During 'The Change'" features Delores McDowell, RN, FNP, MSN. She will address concerns such as irregular heartbeat, dry skin, brittle nails and bones, memory lapses and weight shifts...

The 1999 Annual Multiple Sclerosis Teleconference will be held 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Francis Medical Center. It will be held in the Rehabilitation Services Department, conference room E. Dr. M. Shakil will be speaking on "Making Treatment Decisions .. It's Your Call."...

The Missouri Department of Health and the American Diabetes Association will conduct a diabetes workshop Thursday in Sikeston at the Best Western Hotel. This is the fifth in a series of workshops to be held around the state to update health care professionals and citizens about diabetes care and coverage in Missouri...

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is currently seeking applications from people who would like to volunteer for a week as counselors at the MDA summer camp in Rocky Mount. Volunteers act as companions to children or teenagers with neuromuscular diseases during the camp session to be held June 6-11. ...

To the editor: Where does the patient's right to accurate and reasonable treatment end and the doctor's liability begin? A close relative had a root canal done. The root canal was not done correctly. One of the tooth's canals was not thoroughly cleaned out, causing infection to set in which subsequently spread to the roots of the tooth in front of it. This has necessitated the need for another root canal on what had been a healthy tooth...

To the editor: I have been going to school functions at different schools in Cape Girardeau for 22 years, and I have always been frustrated by the rudeness shown by adults attending these functions who sit and visit during the programs. In the beginning years, it was just one or two groups who whispered throughout the program except perhaps when their child was performing. More often than not, these same people fussed at their children for being noisy...

To the editor: I remember reading all the stories on methamphetamine in the paper, hearing them talk about it on TV and thinking how full of it they were and how they did not know what they were talking about. It's ironic that I even remember joking about it with my friends. ...

To the editor: With all of this tragedy, destruction and mayhem running rampant through America's schools in recent years, I believe it would be constructive and uplifting to offer the youths a little salve for their tribulations in the form of a statement of unconditional acceptance. It seems as though most of the deadly acts of violence are being administered by outcasts, the socially disenfranchised, the poor souls who are pushed aside by popular opinion to the unloved fringes...

More than a quarter of a century ago, a native of Delhi, India, came to the United States to study soybeans, a food staple that continues to grow in importance around the world in meeting the food needs of 5 billion people. Eventually, Dr. Sam Anand wound up at the Delta Research Center operated by the University of Missouri in Portageville. Over 19 years, Dr. Anand has developed several new varieties of soybean. The last, in 1998, was named for him and was a top producer in national testing...

The Missouri House has approved a plan to increase the necessary majority for statewide initiative issues to two-thirds from the current and historic simple majority of 50 percent plus 1. If this bill gets serious consideration from the Senate, the proposed change would be presented to voters...

A woman's risk of hip fracture is equal to her combined risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer. Fifty percent of people suffering a hip fracture will never walk again. Hip fracture is also likely to lead to other serious medical conditions, including heart attack, stroke or cancer...

It has been more than two years since Cape Girardeau County had a confirmed case of rabies, but animal owners still need to make sure their pets are protected against the usually fatal disease. That was the message at Thursday's annual rabies clinic in Cape Girardeau...

Business and emergency calls to the Cape Girardeau Police Department were interrupted temporarily Thursday morning after telephone lines were accidentally cut by construction workers. Direct communication to the police department was unavailable for nearly two hours after construction workers installing sewer lines outside the police department cut an underground telephone cable. Police officials said the accident occurred just after 8 a.m...

The majority of banks in the United States are doing well in their preparations for Y2K and 2000. As of March 31, every bank nationwide has been reviewed twice by the Federal Reserve and other regulators, mostly with good results. "No one can say there won't be glitches," said William Poole, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. "But we feel confident that the nation's financial system will be prepared for the century rollover."...

Southeast Missouri State University's new fountain bubbled over Thursday with soap suds, the victim of a prank. But members of the Sigma Nu fraternity took it all in stride as they spent the day lounging in the cool water to raise money for the victims of the Columbine High School shooting in Littleton, Colo...

Dressed in his stars-and-stripes baseball cap, World War II veteran Herb Nance doesn't fit the description of a war protester. But he and many other local veterans have no use for the battle in the Balkans. They don't like President Clinton and they don't think the United States should be bombing Yugoslavia...

Both sons plan to be in Missouri in July. Are two expert empty-nesters ready for the challenge? Many of you, like my wife and I, emptied our nests so long ago we've forgotten what it's like to have children in the house. Sure, some of you have replaced your kids with grandkids. That's not the same. When grandkids get cranky, you send them home. When your own kids were growing up and got cranky, you had to live with them...

Prayer is personal and powerful. Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III and his family have seen its effect on their lives. Before a crowd of 700 at the Mayors' Prayer Breakfast Thursday, Spradling related a story about his family and how they were affected by the community's prayers...

A wedding present from a bridegroom to his bride on April 25, 1876, highlights an exhibit of quilts at the Show-Me Quilts show this weekend. Quilts will be displayed, judged, appraised and sold from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Plaza Way Community Center in Cape Girardeau...

With an American flag whipping in the breeze and the sound of traffic whizzing by, some 50 people gathered at noon Thursday on the steps of City Hall to take time out for prayer. The group was one of thousands across the nation who met in observance of the National Day of Prayer. The theme was "Light the nation with prayer."...

Cub Scouts and boys interested in Scouting may enroll for the "Longhorns to Locomotives" Adventure Day Camps, being held this summer at four locations. The week-long camp is for registered Cub Scouts and Tiger Cubs graduating from first through fourth grades. Boys interested in joining Scouting may call the Boy Scout Service Center...

Six Southeast Missouri State University alumni will receive the school's Young Alumni Merit Awards and will be honored during spring commencement exercises on May 15 at 2 p.m. in the Show Me Center. Each award is presented by an academic college at Southeast to honor a distinguished young alumna or alumnus...

Four educators were recognized by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Thursday for their efforts to share knowledge with students. David Giles, Pam Dumey, Bonnie Matzat and Dr. Ann Puryear Scheer all were recognized at the Educators of the Year banquet held at the Drury Lodge. ...

The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department will teach area children about fishing during the annual "Youth Catch and Release Day." The event will be held May 15 at Capaha Lagoon from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Children from age 1 to 12 can participate...

The Southeast Missouri State University chapter of Sigma Pi Kappa honor society for historic preservation recognized renovations made to a historic fraternity house. The award was presented Thursday to the university's facilities management department and Sigma Nu fraternity for renovations made to the fraternity house, originally known as the Shivelbine House...

Dr. Paul Keys, dean of the college of health and human services at Southeast Missouri State University, has resigned from the board of directors of Southeast Missouri Weed and Seed Inc. Keys' resignation took effect at the last meeting in April. The board hopes to have another member added soon...

Four Southeast Missouri students and Readers Theatre group won medals at the state speech and debate championships. The Missouri State High School Activities Association-sponsored event, held each spring at the University of Missouri-Columbia, hosts top speech and forensic winners from across the state. First place competitors advance to national competition...

Thursday, a woman who bought a reproduction of a French chair asked Charlie Kent's opinion of reupholstering with an animal print. He approved. "In my mind there are no real rules," Kent says. "And if there were I wouldn't want to live by them." The 36-year-old Kent is the proprietor of Curious Goods, a new store at 612 Broadway. Formerly a display designer at Rust & Martin, Kent has always wanted to open a shop based in his eclectic views of design...

SCOTT CITY -- Dismissing unspecified allegations against Scott City High basketball coach Derek McCord as "unfounded rumors," the Scott City R-I Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to extend McCord's contract as head coach. The board emerged at 10:45 Thursday night to unveil its decision after a closed session of more than an hour and a half. ...

If the SEMO Conference track meet at Jackson High School were the Kentucky Derby, Cape Girardeau Central's boys and girls teams would be the overwhelming, can't-miss betting choice. But there are a couple of Charismatic teams -- namely Jackson's girls and Poplar Bluff's boys -- who will be chasing the Tigers...

Cape Central senior Grace Freeman did everything she could to try to win her final home high school meet Thursday. The Lady Tigers were trailing by eight points heading into the meet's final event, the 400 freestyle relay. Central needed their two teams to finish 1-2 in the event. First place was already in the bank...

BENTON -- New Madrid County Central pitched around Kelly's power hitters Thursday and they paid for it. The Hawks' seven-through-nine hitters combined for seven hits and six RBIs as Kelley (15-3) downed NMCC 11-6. No. 9 hitter Vince Elkins was particularly productive, going 4-for-4 with a double and four runs batted in...

SIKESTON -- Aldain Watkins, 84, of Sikeston died Wednesday, May 5, 1999, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. She was born Aug. 9, 1914, in Big Sandy, Tenn., daughter of Arville and Dora Goodman Barnes. She and Clymouth Watkins were married June 29, 1930, in Big Sandy, Tenn...

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Funeral for Lillie Bierbaum of Olive Branch will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms. The Rev. Jimmy Keller will officiate. Burial will be in Beechwood Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. today...

SIKESTON -- Seth Robert "Bob" Rowe, 88, of Sikeston died Wednesday, May 5, 1999, at his home. He was born Feb. 16, 1911, at Charleston, son of Seth R. and Nita Wharry Rowe. He and Betty Simpson were married Oct. 5, 1940, in Sikeston. She died Nov. 11, 1985...

JACKSON -- Alberta Marie "Bert" Cole, 75, of Jackson died Wednesday, May 5, 1999, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Aug. 19, 1923, in St. Louis, daughter of Martin L. and Tessie Kynion Tilley. She and Henry R. Cole were married Feb. 16, 1951, in Osceola, Ark...

JACKSON -- Mildred Rebecca Vandeven, 86, of Jackson died Thursday, May 6, 1999, at the home of a daughter near Jackson. She was born June 23, 1912, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Frank and Nora Vangilder Heuschober. She first married Alvin G. Phillips Dec. 8, 1933, in Cape Girardeau. He died Dec. 14, 1986. She and George J. Vandeven were married in 1988. He died Nov. 23, 1994...

Funeral for Frank L. Snider Jr. of Cape Girardeau will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel. The Revs. John Gregory and Earl Statler will officiate. Burial will be in Lorimier Cemetery. Friends may call at the chapel from 4:30-8 p.m today. A Masonic service will be held at 7...

MATTHEWS -- Alice Pauline Deane, 96, of Matthews died Wednesday, May 5, 1999, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. She was born Feb. 8, 1903, at Matthews, daughter of George Franklin and Amanda Jane Barnhart Deane. Deane was a teacher at Matthews, Kennett and Kewanee Schools. She was a lifelong resident of Matthews, and member of Matthews Methodist Church...

Foy Blissette, 95, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, May 6, 1999, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Son to Daniel Shawn and Tonda Tyrine Cook of Jackson, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 7:27 a.m. Wednesday, April 28, 1999. Name, Nathan Daniel. Weight, 6 pounds 9 ounces. Second child, first son. Mrs. Cook is the former Tonda Terry, daughter of David and RaeMonda Wells of Jackson. She is a first grade teacher at Jackson Public Schools. Cook is the son of Danny and Debbie Cook of Jackson. He is vice president of Bank of Missouri in Cape Girardeau...

MARBLE HILL -- Wynton `Pete' Isom, 73, of Marble Hill died Thursday, May 6, 1999, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was a retired barber. Arrangements are incomplete at Liley Funeral home in Marble Hill.

CAIRO, Ill. -- Lillian Maria Sasseen, 88, of Cairo died Thursday, May 6, 1999, at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Ky. She was born July 8, 1910, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., the daughter of Tom and Rosa Bess Moore. She was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Cairo...

Former U.S. senator Paul Simon will deliver the commencement address at Southeast Missouri State University on May 15. Degrees will be conferred on 900 undergraduates and 91 graduate students during the spring commencement ceremony, scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Show Me Center...