Stories from Friday, August 20, 1999

To the editor: (With credit to Elgar Macey): The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks he's a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving. ...

To the editor: St. Louis Muny Opera still ranks at the top as outstanding entertainment. The 1999 summer in Forest Park, marking the Muny's 81st season, certainly supports this claim, especially the final show, "Meet Me in St. Louis." The music, acting, sets, costumes and choreography were superb...

All the things you would expect to find at a town fair are readily available at this year's edition of Homecomers, the annual Jackson get-together featuring food, fun, contests -- and, most importantly, an opportunity for a family outing and neighborly socializing...

This week, the campus of Southeast Missouri State University looks like a beehive as students start making their annual fall appearance. From all reports, this promises to be a good school year for Southeast. Residential units on campus are nearly full, which indicates there will be an increase in enrollment once that process is completed in a few weeks...

Sports goggles are recommended to protect children's eyes when playing or swimming. The school year is nearing and for some children entering the sixth grade, it is not uncommon to see students showing up with new glasses. In fact about 10 percent of children between the ages of one and 12 need to wear glasses. But often the signs of vision problems go undetected...

The blood that circulates through the vascular system of our bodies is oxygen-rich and carries a variety of nutrients necessary to sustain our health. However, when blood escapes the vascular system either due to trauma or a spontaneously ruptured blood vessel it does not have such wonderful qualities and attributes. Extravasated blood (blood outside the vascular system) may be very irritating to the surrounding body tissues causing swelling and damage...

Repayment of interest on bonds to pay for improvements at Center Junction will be guaranteed by developer Jim Drury under a contract Drury plans to sign with local governments. Drury will commit to paying up to $1 million if sales tax revenues from commercial development of his property at the interchange do not come up to projections...

SCOTT CITY -- For some farmers, the drought could be a blessing. It may lead to higher prices for farm products, says Dean Kleckner, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. "Prices have picked up a little bit in the last few weeks," Kleckner said during a visit Thursday morning to the Midwest Grain & Barge Co. at the Southeast Missouri Regional Port near Scott City...

The complexion of Cape Girardeau streets changes almost daily. What is blocked one day is open the next, and what is open one day is blocked the next. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Orange cones won't be a permanent fixture in the city. Most of the inconvenience to motorists downtown have been the result of the city sewer overflow projects, which are designed to separate the sewer lines and storm drains. ...

Fetal alcohol syndrome is the No. 1 cause of mental retardation in the United States today, according to one of the nation's top experts on FAS. "That's good and bad," said Dr. Kenneth L. Jones, one of the researchers who helped identify the birth defect seen in children of women who drink alcohol during pregnancy...

The Cape Girardeau Area Safe Kids Coalition wants to help children get from home to school and back again as safely as possible. The local organization is part of a national campaign that works to prevent unintentional injury for children ages 14 and under...

There are two fairs and one centennial celebration that hold special memories for me. Want to hear about them? Everywhere you turn, there's a fair. Homecomers is going full blast in downtown Jackson right now. The SEMO District Fair -- the oldest fair in Missouri -- is coming up next month. The Missouri and Illinois state fairs are choosing the best pickled corn relish and the finest ewes...

KENNETT -- The Kennett Public School Board lowered the tax rate levy to $3.21 for each $100 assessed valuation at a recent meeting. "This is a penny less than last year," said superintendent George Byers. Sam A. Winn, Associates Architectural Services, had his extension agreement extended until December 4, 2000. The firm has extensively studied the facilities and included proposed renovation needs, educational specificiatons and other information...

MOUNDS, Ill. -- A 16-year-old Dongola youth sustained serious injuries Thursday afternoon when the vehicle he was riding in ran into the median on I-57 just south of Mounds. Matthew Bone was taken by helicopter to St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau after the 3 p.m. accident...

NEW MADRID -- At the end of the month, New Madrid County residents will have a new county official. The appointment of a county auditor is an unexpected addition to the county's budget, and not entirely welcomed. The additional county post is the result of a law approved this spring by the Missouri Legislature. ...

It probably should come as no surprise that Bobby Brune looked so comfortable when he was thrust into the role of Southeast Missouri State University's No. 1 quarterback about halfway into his redshirt freshman season last year. After all, Brune has practically been raised on Southeast football, with two older brothers, his father and grandfather all having played for the Indians...

Last year was an especially strong one for area high school softball teams. While Kelly had its usual standout season as the Lady Hawks won their 13th straight district title and advanced to the Class 2A state quarterfinals, Cape Girardeau Central, Jackson and Perryville also turned in banner campaigns...

Robert Arnold Ward, 56, of Cape Girardeau, died Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was born in Cape Girardeau May 15, 1943, the son of Leroy and Norma Ruebel Ward. He had worked as a cab driver for Kelley Transportation for more than 33 years...

Richard Gregory Schaefer, 78, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999, at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis. He was born Oct. 15, 1920, in Dutchtown, son of Jacob and Emma Schwepker Schaefer. He married Mabel Hunze on Sept. 20, 1991. He worked as an electrician for Ameren UE from 1954 until his retirement in 1985...

SIKESTON -- Kenneth Ray Warren, 53, of Sikeston died Wednesday Aug. 18, 1999, in Sikeston. Born Feb. 6, 1946, at McDougal, Ark., he was the son of Ruth Warren Shelton. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era. He was employed by Wisconsin Express Lines Inc. as an overland truck driver. He was a Baptist. He was a member of American Legion Post No. 114, VFW Post No. 3174, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 3319 and Elks Lodge No. 2319...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Kenneth Bruce Larkins, 47, of East Prairie, died Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999, in Dorena. He was born Sept. 28, 1951, in Dorena, son of Bruce Yuell and Anabelle Harrell Larkins. He and Melinda Kemp were married Dec. 14, 1983. Larkins was a farmer and a member of Full Gospel Church in East Prairie...

CHARLESTON -- Charles Larry Weakley, 58, of Charleston, died Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999 at his residence. He was born Feb. 20, 1941, son of Charles Walter and Mary Virginia Ledbetter Weakley. He and Donna Neff were married January 1988. Weakley was a 1961 graduate of Charleston High School. ...

MOREHOUSE -- Leonard Melvin "Slim" Rodgers, 77, a lifelong resident of Morehouse, died Thursday Aug. 19, 1999, at his home. Born Jan. 27, 1922, in Morley, he was the son of Dennis and Opal Disbennett Rodgers. He was married to Virginia Sloan in Piggott, Ark. She died Sept. 30, 1977...

JACKSON -- Carl Leon Ford, 68, of Jackson, died Thursday Aug. 19, 1999 at his home. He was born July 6, 1931 to George and Ethel Wyatt Ford. He was married to Delores Revelle July 25, 1952 and later married Betty Stovall June 17, 1977. An avid fisherman, Ford worked as a truck driver most of his life. He also was a member of the Teamsters Union...

Jerry L. Hente, 64, of Sarasota, Calif., formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999, at his home. He was 64 years old. Born Aug. 29, 1934, in Cape Girardeau, he was the son of Milton and Hazel Penny Hente. He was of the Catholic faith and had served on the Sarasota County Commission from 1980-1988...