Stories from Wednesday, October 20, 1999

High-nitrogen lawn food ingredients. It felt sooooo good to walk in the rain two weeks go. What was even more satisfying was watching Mother Nature take a long-needed shower. Dust and grime was rinsed from oak and hickory leaves and returned to the soil where it belonged. I saw dull and dingy marigold petals begin to sparkle as if were spring. But the most magical change was that brown lawns began to turn green within just a few short hours after the rain started...

A new millennium doesn't come around every day. So why treat this New Year's Eve like all the others? Organizers of the gala Y2K Eve Party at the Show Me Center are planning an evening to remember, and there's still time to reserve a spot. Almost half of the 1,000 tickets have been reserved for the Show Me Center. The party is open to the public, and it promises to be a mega-celebration...

When it came time for the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce to honor its top of the industry of the year recently, the choice seemed a natural. Procter & Gamble Paper Products Co. is the area's largest employer and is in the midst of a major expansion. What made the selection all the more noteworthy was the fact that it was a repeat performance. P&G joined Lone Star Industries Inc. as the only manufacturers to be twice honored with the award...

IT APPEARS that Ashcroft and Bond's true characters have been exposed. Ashcroft knew that Bond would need political cover to vote against the appointment of Judge White. Ashcroft solicited the police chiefs first for a negative reaction and was refused. ...

To the editor: In his Oct. 17 column, Missouri's premier pessimist, Jack Stapleton, cited the steps the nation is taking toward the demise of democracy as predicted by our second president, John Adams. Though I'm sure Mr. Stapleton refers to the United States as a democracy in a generic sense, technically it is not. ...

To the editor: I read with great interest Donna Bedwell's excellent article on changes in railroading in Southeast Missouri. She mentioned that no one she talked to could tell her the reason that when a railroad crew reaches its maximum number of hours of service it is called "hogging." Perhaps I can add some insight...

JEFFERSON CITY -- The Missouri Public Service Commission Tuesday gave the go ahead to an exchange of territory between AmerenUE and Ozark Border Electric Cooperative. Both utilities hope to consolidate their service areas through the exchange, which will affect parts of 11 Southeast Missouri counties. The commission's approval had been expected...

Deer hunters can help feed the hungry through programs established to provide meat for food pantries and charitable organizations. Hunters can donate all or part of their deer to Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger or the Missouri Share the Harvest programs...

Southeast Missouri State University spent $5 million to expand its Student Recreation Center. Don Dickerson, president of the school's Board of Regents, says it was money well spent. "I think it is very attractive to students and prospective students," he said...

The problem arose when The Other Half and I discovered we define a "clean toilet" much differently. I'm not sure how the division of housework duties is decided in other marriages. In ours, it started out pretty simple. I did all the cooking, cleaning and laundry. The Other Half was in charge of alphabetizing his CD collection and waxing his car...

SCOTT CITY -- A two-story house was destroyed and one girl received minor burns in a fire that occurred early Tuesday, the Scott City Fire Department said. The fire started about 3 a.m. in a first-floor bedroom of the house at 1515 Mary St., said Fire Chief Jay Cassout...

Eating a meal at a restaurant Thursday can help raise money for the Area Wide United Way through the second annual Restaurants Organized for Charity. On Thursday, participating restaurants in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City will donate a percentage of sales generated through coupons or a flat contribution to the United Way. The Area Wide United Way supports 25 local agencies...

If you're a speed reader, beware. The days are dwindling for you to check out and read books from the Cape Girardeau Public Library, which is scheduled to close for two weeks for a remodeling project. The library will close Oct. 30 and reopen Nov. 15 with a new coat of paint on its walls, new carpet and new lighting...

The Southeast Missouri State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble will present a concert Thursday billed as "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue." The concert is scheduled for 8 p.m. in Academic Auditorium. General admission is $5. Tickets for senior citizens and students are $3. University faculty, staff and students will be admitted free with a valid I.D...

Dr. Ray Pierotti, evolutionary biologist and associate professor at the University of Kansas, will lecture at Southeast Missouri State University on Nov. 4. Pierotti will present a lecture titled, "The Links Between Traditional Native American Knowledge and Western Scientific Thought."...

Bruce R. Austin of Charleston has been appointed senior grand marshal of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri. The appointment places him on the board of directors for the Masonic Children's Foundation. Austin has received his Scottish Rite Degrees, 32nd Degree Knight Commander, 33rd Degree Inspector General Honorary. ...

Entry forms are available for the 2000 Miss Missouri Outdoors Pageant, which will be held Oct. 30 at Garrison's Campground in Steelville. The contest is open to girls ages 15-20. For entry forms, mail a request with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Ashely Battles, 100 Adams Drive, Dexter 63841...

The Wild West Rendezvous will be held this weekend at the Black Diamond Ranch near Alto Pass, Ill. There will be old west skits and reenactments by trappers, traders, artisans and military from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 23 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 24...

The 600 block of Broadway will remain closed until Thursday morning instead of reopening today as planned. Work on the city's sewer separation project has taken longer than originally expected for this project, said Mark Skinner, superintendent of the public works water division...

The third annual Chef's Auction Oct. 23 at the Osage Community Center will raise money for the March of Dimes. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction of items from businesses and restaurants like theme baskets, gift certificates and entertainment packages. ...

The Salvation Army will host Meals with Friends Monday through Friday at 701 Good Hope St. Serving is from 4:30-6 p.m. each night. Everyone is welcome to come and eat the hot meals at no cost. The menu: Monday: Chili with beans or vegetable soup, mixed fruit, crackers, cake or pie...

Mike Smythe, who hosts the morning "Business Break" segments on KFVS-TV Channel 12, will speak Oct. 28 at the Tri-State Advertising and Marketing Professionals meeting. The meeting will be held at noon at the Party Room at the University Center on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University...

Sixteen percent more household appliances and refuse was hauled to Cape Girardeau's transfer station last week than in the previous Fall Clean Up weeks. Cape Girardeau residents who cleaned out their attics, basements and garages were able to haul the refuse free of charge to the city's transfer station. About 84 percent more loads were collected last week than are collected in an average week, said Solid Waste Coordinator Pam Sander...

And to think that Annette Slattery originally had not even thought about going to college. What a loss that would have been to the coaching profession in general and Cape Girardeau Central High School in particular. Explained Slattery, a St. Louis native, of her decision to attend Southeast Missouri State University back in the 1970s:...

On Sunday morning, the day after our 34-13 loss at Indiana State that dropped our record to 0-7, I ran into Ron Herr at Schnucks. Always gracious, Ron was more encouraging than I deserved. He made a statement inferring that the current season was indeed a `trial by fire' and that it would assuredly be followed by larger and entirely more positive experiences, as in his own life...

Southeast Missouri State University's women's soccer team put an impressive cap on the home schedule of the program's inaugural season. The Otahkians created all kinds of solid scoring chances and posted a 3-1 victory over Tennessee-Martin in front of about 225 fans at Houck Stadium Tuesday night...

Cape Girardeau Central High's girls tennis team has a lot to be proud of this season. The Lady Tigers won their fifth-straight district title this year. And despite narrowly missing out on a chance to go to the Class 4A sectional team finals with a loss to Ladue last Friday, Cape Central will still send three players to the state individual championships held at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield...

OFALLON -- Notre Dame hit the crossbar three times, but was unable to net a goal Tuesday in a thrilling 1-0 double-overtime loss to St. Dominic in the semifinals of the St. Dominic Soccer Tournament. Although Notre Dame (16-4-1) had the better scoring opportunities in regulation, St. Dominic netted the game's lone goal four minutes into the second overtime...

Injuries last year kept Bill Logan from once again proving that he is one of the top duathletes in the world for his age group. But a healthy Logan made his mark last weekend when he finished fifth in the 55-59 age division of the World Duathlon Championships held in Charlotte, N.C...

Rick Rankin recorded his first hole-in-one Tuesday at Bent Creek Golf Course in Jackson. Rankin used a 7-wood to ace the No. 15, a 177-yard par 3. He was playing with Jim Wills, Perry Sheeley and Jim Kuehn.

Gary Marchi of St. Louis recorded his first hole-in-one Tuesday while playing at the Cape Girardeau Country Club. Marchi, who was playing with his brother Dennis, used a 7-iron to ace the No. 11, 140-yard hole.

CAIRO, Ill. -- Beatrice W. Hilboldt, 84, of Cairo died Tuesday, Oct. 19, 1999, in Cape Girardeau, Mo., following an extended illness. She was born June 26, 1915, in Nashville, Tenn., daughter of Joseph Wilson and Katie Owen Hooper White. She and Hugh Spangler Hilboldt were married March 16, 1949. He died in February 1961...

MARBLE HILL -- Helen G. Scott, 98, of Marble Hill died Monday, Oct. 18, 1999, at Eldercare of Marble Hill. She was born Sept. 22, 1901, near Glen Allen, daughter of Robert Luke and Nellie McGregor Vance. She and Carl B. Scott were married June 6, 1924. He died Feb. 1, 1988...

PERRYVILLE -- Robert J. Campbell, 68, of Perryville died Tuesday, Oct. 19, 1999, at Perry County Memorial Hospital. He was born Feb. 19, 1931, at Kaskaskia Island, Ill., son of Joseph S. and Catherine Primo Campbell. Campbell was a retired welder. Survivors include four brothers, John Campbell of St. Marys, Rolland Campbell of Chester, Ill., Darrel Campbell of House Springs, Quentin Campbell of Perryville; and a sister, Jannet Munson of Pevely...

Estel L. Rhodes, 79, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Oct. 18, 1999, at the Lutheran Home. She was born Jan. 29, 1920, at Crump, daughter of Elbert and Ruby Proffer. She and Milford Mayo Rhodes were married Oct. 9, 1937. He died Feb. 11, 1999. Rhodes was a lifelong member of Bethlehem General Baptist Church at Crump...

McCLURE, Ill. -- Funeral Mass for Stephen George Raible of McClure will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Msgr. Richard Rolwing will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Friends may call at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Chapel in Cape Girardeau from 4-8 p.m. today...

Graveside service for Ella Emma Schlegel of Cape Girardeau will be held at 10 a.m. today at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery. Dr. Larry Gallamore will officiate. There is no visitation. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Schlegel, 92, died Monday, Oct. 18, 1999, at the Lutheran Home...

Mildred Wilson Kerr, 91, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Oct. 18, 1999, at Ratliff Care Center. She was born April 12, 1908, at Charleston, daughter of Oscar and Myrtle F. Maynard Doughty. She first married John M. Wilson in August 1927. He died April 17, 1958. She later married William F. Kerr Nov. 21, 1964. He died April 15, 1968...

SIKESTON -- Funeral for Terry Collins of Sikeston will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Ponder Funeral Home. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 5 p.m. today. Collins, 51, died Monday, Oct. 18, 1999, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau...

SIKESTON -- Hershel Lee Riggs, 83, of Sikeston died Sunday, Oct. 17, 1999, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. He was born July 8, 1916, in Cotton Plant, Ark., son of Timothy and Clara Quinn Riggs. He married Ruby Chandler, who died in 1945. He later married Mattie L. Woods Sept. 26, 1946...

SIKESTON -- Dawn Thurston, 28, of Sikeston died Tuesday, Oct. 19, 1999, in Sikeston. Ponder Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

COBDEN, Ill. -- Frances Josephine Merideth, 93, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Monday, Oct. 18, 1999, at West Ridge Care Center in Cedar Rapids. She had formerly lived in Carbondale and Cobden, Ill. She was born June 16, 1931, in East St. Louis, Ill., daughter of Fred and Mary Sweitzer Basler. She and Dr. John A. Merideth were married June 16, 1931, in East St. Louis. He preceded her in death...

PERRYVILLE -- Earl Boswell, 78, of Perryville, formerly of Cahokia, Ill., died Monday, Oct. 18, 1999, at his home. He was born Aug. 30, 1921, in Kennett, son of Nick and Ella Goddard Boswell. He and Naomi M. Davis were married. She survives. He was retired from Complete Auto Transit in St. Louis. He was a member of Teamster's Local 604 of St. Louis, American Legion Post 784 of Cahokia. He was a former member of the Centreville Men's Club...

JACKSON: Mr. David Wayne Cook, age 37, died Monday, October 18, 1999 as the result of a construction accident in Jackson, Missouri. David was born July 10, 1962 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the son of Emmett and Betty Wright Cook. His father preceded him in death February 24, 1980. David graduated from Jackson High School in 1980 and immediately started his working career...

Carl E. Martin Jr., 51, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Oct. 18, 1999, at St. Francis Medical Center. He was born May 10, 1948, in Fort Bragg, N.C., son of Carl and Martha Mannen Martin Sr. He and Rita Jones were married Sept. 19, 1985, in Aurora, Ill...

As a college freshman in 1969 in Nashville, Tenn., money was a prime concern. Hard as it is to imagine today, jobs for teens were few. For that reason I considered myself to among the extremely luck when I went to work for Castner Knotts as a floor model and general what-ever-else...

It's chili time! I hope you saw the chili cook-off contest announcement in Sunday's paper. It should be a very interesting cook-off, because everyone makes their chili a little different. I hope many of you will enter by sending in your best chili recipe. ...