Stories from Wednesday, May 12, 1999

To the editor: It is always interesting to see how people use Jesus for their own point of view. Michael Shea was right in saying that Christians should act more like Christ, because that is what the word "Christian" means: to be Christlike. Was Peter Kinder out of line for standing up for what he thinks is right? Jesus himself was obviously not afraid to stand up for what he thought was right as he ran the money changers out of his father's temple (Matthew 26:12-17). ...

THIS LADY became my neighbor about a year ago. There's no end to what she does for me. She cares and there is not enough ways to say thank you to her, not only me but she wants her family to have the best. After teaching school all day, she still finds things to do for other people...

Lilbourn is a rural community of 1,370 smack in the middle of New Madrid County. Most residents would agree it's a nice place to live. But this week, the town is overflowing with extra kindness thanks to efforts of a growing number of residents who have signed up as Random Acts of Kindness Week participants...

Lynwood Baptist Church Girl Scout Troop 215 Brianna Lueders of Jackson Cape Central High School's Consumer Education Class Cape County Health and Wellness Diagnostic Center Aaron Ratcliff of Cape Girardeau Shannon Ratcliff of Cape Girardeau Mr. and Mrs. George Graham of Cape Girardeau...

With her police volunteer vest folded over one arm, Roslind Vogel takes a pile of reports almost eight inches high with her free hand and walks back to the Cape Girardeau Police Department records room to spend the next four hours typing. "When you get a volunteer coming to the police, they usually want to do something exciting," says Vogel, who has put in over 280 hours performing police clerical dirty work. "When they find out they'll be typing and filing, their interest fades."...

I WOULD like to know why SEMO needs the space at Wildwood for offices when they've going to have all the extra room if they get the River Campus put in. I think the president's home is a historic, wonderful place and shouldn't be wasted on office space...

According to the latest estimate, Missouri's 15-year road plan can be financed if every motorist sells his car, sends the money to Jefferson City and walks to work. Can you remember how, when you were a kid, you hated the braggart who claimed to have the most money? Nowadays we elect him to public office...

To the editor: David Limbaugh's commentary in the April 28 Southeast Missourian regarding the Columbine massacre in Littleton, Colo., was surely the most honest and truest from a religious standpoint of any suggested solution yet. His descriptive words of students being captured by the spiritual reality of evil -- and his fine suggestion of the only means to restore respect for life is to turn to God, the author of life -- was by far the only perfect solution...

State Rep. Mary Kasten will retire from public office when her term ends Dec. 31, 2000. The 70-year-old Republican from Cape Girardeau was first elected in 1982. Her decision not to run will certainly spur interest among both Republicans and Democrats...

A group of local firefighters, police officers, public works employees and volunteers gathered in recent weeks to discuss preparation for a tornado. Those assembled heard a gripping tale of a Texas county hit by the worst disaster in its history. A category F-5 -- the worst -- tornado leveled parts of Jarrell, Texas, on May 27, 1997, leaving 30 dead and dozens injured...

I helped raise some of my best critics. Here's a letter from my daughter, Penny, that merits a broader audience. Dear Dad, I was shocked to see something printed in the May 1 Southeast Missourian newspaper that I wanted to bring to your attention. The article was located in the Religion section, and the story was entitled "Modern paganism." It was a full-page article that continued on another page filled with three colored pictures and a featured satanic symbol in the headline. ...

It is a job description that aptly describes the task: Get a complete count of Cape Girardeau residents for the 2000 Census. Fourteen people, including two city staff members, a councilman and the mayor, met Tuesday afternoon to talk about a complete count for the census...

FREDERICKTOWN -- The disaster recovery center here will close today. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Missouri State Emergency Management Agency opened the center at the National Guard Armory April 27 to offer help to victims of severe storms and flash flooding in Fredericktown and Madison County in early April...

Ann Morales' picnic at Trail of Tears State Park wasn't anything like she had planned. But opportunities for kindness have a way of sneaking up on people when they least expect it. This week, kind deeds are rampant in the region as thousands participate in Random Acts of Kindness Week...

Two Southeast Missouri residents received awards at The International Science and Engineering Fair last week in Philadelphia John David Walls of Steele was one of seven teachers to win the Intel Excellence in Teaching Award for outstanding accomplishments as a science educator. Walls is a teacher at South Pemiscot High School in Steele...

Editor's Note: Columnist Heidi Nieland is taking a month-long writing sabbatical. During her break, the Southeast Missourian is publishing favorite past columns. This column was originally published May 5, 1995. Yes, I'm married. Even I don't believe it. Every so often, I look down at my genuine Diamonelle and plain gold band to remind myself of the vows I took a week ago yesterday...

Board of Education Meeting Wednesday, May 12, 1999 High School Library 7:30 p.m. Action Items: -- Appoint applicant to fill Board of Education vacancy -- Approval of Assurance Statement - Special Education -- Approve resolution of support for Direct Check proposal by Sen. Bond and Sen. Ashcroft...

Southbound traffic on U.S. 61 at the Interstate 55 overpass in South Cape Girardeau has been reduced to one-lane traffic to make deck repairs. The repairs are being made on the Business Loop U.S. 61-1-55 overpass at mile-marker 91. Repairs are expected to be completed some time Friday, weather permitting, said Charlotte Butler, Missouri Department of Transportation customer service spokesperson...

The Cape Girardeau Central High School choirs will present a pop concert at 7 p.m. Friday at the Central High auditorium. The fund-raising concert features many solos and special acts, all of popular tunes. The choirs will perform popular songs of the past century in a collection called "Encore: The Music of Our Times."...

Mahi Nagamine, left, and her husband, Masaki Nagamine, wrestling fans from Australia, got to meet wrestler Curt Hennig before the World Championship Wrestling event at the Show Me Center Tuesday night. Australia resident "Mac" Nagamine waited until the last minute to tell his bride of one month that their honeymoon in America would include stops in Tampa, Fla., and Cape Girardeau to attend professional wrestling matches...

JACKSON -- Dr. Ron Anderson, incoming superintendent of Jackson schools, ended a two-day visit to the district by attending a Board of Education meeting Tuesday night. Anderson's visit was designed to get him acquainted with staff, students and the community. Besides visiting with faculty and administrators Monday and Tuesday, he also attended a Rotary Club luncheon and was the featured guest at a Community Teachers Association public forum...

JACKSON -- Superintendent Dr. Howard Jones Tuesday night updated the Jackson Board of Education on efforts to increase school safety. Jones made the report in response to recent rumors of a bomb threat in the district. The rumors were widespread and completely unfounded but resulted in some 700 absences throughout the district, he said...

CAIRO, Ill. -- A retirement roast will be held to honor Waymon Butler Jr. at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Cavalier Club in Cairo, Ill. All friends are invited to attend. Butler, principal at Meridian Elementary School, is retiring after 34 years as an educator and school administrator. He has served Meridian school District as an elementary teacher, athletic coach, driver's education teacher, assistant principal and principal of both the high school and elementary school...

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce surpassed its goal of 60 new members during a one-day membership blitz Tuesday, and shoved its membership past the 1,230 mark. "We signed 47 new members," said Linda Minner, special-projects director for the chamber. The early count included only paid memberships...

Get 20th win. Check. Complete season sweep of SEMO Conference. Check. Get No. 5 hitter Wes Steele and starting pitcher Mark Ostendorf back on track. Check, check. Notre Dame (20-3, 8-0) moved closer to completing a season-long list of things to do Tuesday with a convincing 10-1 win over cross-town rival Cape Central. The only chores left unresolved are a district championship and a run at the state title. District action begins next Monday...

Saint Louis University has not had an impressive baseball season. But something about Southeast Missouri State University's Indians must bring out the best in the Billikens. Back on April 20, the Billikens rallied to beat the visiting Indians 9-7. And Tuesday night at Capaha Field, SLU once again gave Southeast fits before the Indians squeezed out a 6-5 victory in front of more than 300 fans...

SCOTT CITY -- Lucas Ward's run-scoring single in the seventh inning lifted Scott City High's baseball team to a dramatic 8-7 win over Kelly. Kelly led 5-0 after two innings and 7-5 in the seventh. "It was a great win for us," said Scott City coach Mike Umfleet. "It's nice to finally come back and win a game."...

The McDowell Capahas baseball team will hold tryouts Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Capaha Field. For more information, call 334-7327.

Jackson Sr. Babe Ruth baseball will hold a tryout May 15 from 1-4 p.m. at Legion Field in Jackson City Park. The tryout is for ages 16 to 18.

Cape Central High basketball coach Brett Reutzel will be conducting basketball camps for boys entering grades 3-9 in the second and third weeks of June. The camps, which will run every weekday except Tuesdays from June 7-18, will cost $30 per participant...

MOUNDS, Ill. -- Kenneth A. Lentz, 71, of Mounds died Tuesday at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born July 17, 1927, at Elco, son of Joseph Henry Lentz Sr. and Cecile C. Gaskill. On March 17, 1950, he married to Betty Ann Russell in Mounds. She survives...

MARBLE HILL -- Carrie Louise Campbell, 75, of Marble Hill died Monday, May 10, 1999, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born April 21, 1924, at Arriba, Colo., daughter of Herman and Maggie McCallum Brunke. She was a registered nurse, starting her career at the Osteopathic Hospital in Cape Girardeau and later working in several of the nursing homes in the area. She was a member of the Irene Hamm Lodge 563 and a member of The Truth Church...

BENTON -- Kimberly S. Schweer, 41, of Benton died Saturday, May 1, 1999, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. She was born April 5, 1958, at Sikeston, daughter of JoAnn Matz Schweer. Schweer was employed by Missouri Division of Family Services nine years. She formerly worked at Judevine Autism Center in Cape Girardeau...

JACKSON -- JerLee Eggimann, 60, of Jackson died Tuesday, May 11, 1999, at her home. McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.

BROWNWOOD -- Jerry Allen DeGroot, 46, of Brownwood died Monday, May 10, 1999, at his home. He was born June 10, 1952, at Bernie, son of John E. and Doris Williams DeGroot. He and Theresa Speichinger were married April 21, 1978, at Indian Grove. DeGroot retired as an electrician at NSC in Cape Girardeau. He was formerly of Oak Ridge...

Son to Richard Ralph and Kristi Marie Mueller of Altenburg, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 3:18 p.m. Tuesday, May 4, 1999. Name, Aaron Lee. Weight, 6 pounds 11 ounces. Third child, second son. Mrs. Mueller is the former Kristi Koeberl, daughter of Cindy Koeberl of Altenburg and Kenneth and Carol Koeberl of Perryville. ...

CHARLESTON -- Dozens of area law enforcement agency members gathered at Charleston City Hall on Monday to celebrate the appointment of Charleston's new police chief, Richard Couch. Couch, a former Sikeston DPS officer, and Scott County Sheriff's deputy, was hired to head Charleston's Department of Public Safety, replacing former chief, Mike Seibert. Seibert resigned to accept a job that would allow him to be nearer his parents...

JACKSON -- Carolyn L. Wade, 64, of Jackson died Monday, May 10, 1999, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Visitation will be from noon to 1 Saturday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson. Funeral will follow at 1.

Angel food cake has to be one of America's favorite cakes. There is no end to the possibilities of how this dessert can be served. My dear cousin Helen Poirot of Nashville, Ill., will soon find this out. She received a square angel food cake pan as a gift for Mother's Day and now needs recipes to use her new pan. ...

"What's in a name?" asks Romeo, gazing upon Juliet on her balcony. Apparently plenty, as any lexicographer will tell you. Dr. Peter Hilty, who for years taught English at Southeast Missouri State University, observes that words come from somewhere. "The outright creation of a word is rare," he says, and this is certainly true when it comes to words about food...

It doesn't matter if it were strawberry or blackberry season -- "berry pickin' time" was not one of my childhood's shining moments. I was a disgraceful strawberry picker who ate more than I picked. After all was said and done, I would be given the task of carrying the small, filled baskets from the patch to the field office so they could be counted and crated...