Stories from Wednesday, February 2, 2000

Snow spooked me from the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce annual banquet last Friday night, but not 500-plus people who attended the event (the snow stopped about 7 p.m.). Two of my favorite people received awards: J. RONALD FISCHER received the RUSH H. LIMBAUGH Award. His impressive list of service to this community was shared by DAVID LIMBAUGH. (Limbaugh recently had his newspaper column picked up by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch after favorable reader response followed a trial run)...

To the editor: So many people in this community worked and gave to make it a happier Christmas for their less fortunate neighbors that any attempt to list them might result in some embarrassing omissions: First, the media who do such an excellent job telling the public about the work of the Salvation Army. There were men and women members of service clubs who served long hours manning our Christmas kettles and the individuals who also rang...

St. Francis Medical Center is taking a close look at offering obstetrics again. The news should come as no surprise to the community. When merger talks between St. Francis and Southeast Missouri Hospital ended last year, Cape Girardeau's two hospitals went back to full-blown competition...

A deadly fungus has claimed the lives of at least five Southeast Missouri residents in recent years. The Missouri Department of Health and the national Centers for Disease Control is trying to raise awareness. This heightened publicity only makes sense...

To the editor: After watching the Republican and then the Democratic presidential debates on CNN, I turned to ABC to watch "Nightline" to see what Ted Koppel had to say. It was a show about Al Gore. Ted said Gore had just come into New Hampshire off a "huge victory" in Iowa. Excuse me, but 1,269 total Democratic votes for the whole state of Iowa is a huge victory? Granted, Bill Bradley only had 698 total Democratic votes in Iowa, but this was not a huge victory...

For Those About to Rock, I Salute You: by Jaysen Buterin "YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"-Some guy behind me at the Def Leppard concert. There is an event that is of such a magnitude that it can unify every type of person. ...

by Phil Denson When was the last time you were able to listen to an album all the way through? From beginning to end, every song? You know the list, Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of The Moon," The Beatles' "Abbey Road" and the Cars' (self titled) to name a few. There's more, but not many. Well the list just got longer...

"Cell" Outs: by David Coleman Technology is a good thing. It brings advances in medicine, transportation, and communication. However, some people abuse technology at the worst times. A perfect example, cellular phones. A ringing cellular phone is to a conversation, what a ringing doorbell is to sex--an inexcusable interruption...

The Enduring Legend of Butch and Sundance: by Bill Zellmer The only thing more enduring about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid than the Paul Newman-Robert Redford movie, which seems to resurface monthly on television, is the legend itself, which historians continue to try and sort out...

Each issue OFF! highlights a local person who has achieved success in his/her field. This edition features Robert "Giff" Gifford of Cape Girardeau. THE STATS: Age: 30 (by two days). Status: single Giff is the new Studio Manager for Riverside Recording. ...

Taste of Mardi Gras: by Reuben Romaine With an impending trip to the Big Easy for this years Mardi Gras celebration on our calendar. I figured I'd cover two Cajun Classics one here in the City of Roses, and one in the Crescent City. BROUSSARD'S It's only fitting that Cape should be the home to one of the most authentic cajun/creole down home eateries outside of New Orleans. Both cities were founded by French Settlers...

One night last summer my roommate "Glitter" and I were just sittin' around and decided to fire up the computer. We started hopping in some chattrooms and finally stopped on one that didn't seem too lame. We started talking to some guys in there and when we were getting ready to leave, we traded e-mails...

by Melissa Riddell When I first decided to create OFF! I spent a lot of time picking the brains of people around Cape. I discovered that one of the biggest promoters of the Downtown Riverfront area was also an extremely gifted musician. Knowing Chuck McGinty and his wife, Laura, socially from various community projects we have all been involved with, I was pleased when I learned I would be interviewing him for this issue...

JACKSON -- Rodney Bollinger oversees planning and zoning for the city of Jackson like Dirty Harry, making sure everybody lives by the rules. In his heart he's more like Roger Ebert. During the late 1990s, Bollinger was a movie reviewer for publications in Carbondale, Ill., and Jackson. ...

Is spring on its way? Girardeau George, the region's best-known weather-forecasting groundhog, will be at his familiar spot along Route W this Groundhog Day, keeping close watch on the skies. Motorists traveling Route W between Kingshighway and the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri shelter this morning may see the hairy little rodent scampering about the field that surrounds his home...

A federal judge has dismissed Southeast Missouri State University professor Dean Monahan's lawsuit against the school. Monahan, an English associate professor, asked Judge Thomas C. Mummert III to dismiss his lawsuit against the school's Board of Regents without prejudice. The legal move would allow Monahan to raise the same issues should he decide to take the school to court again...

A local committee is cruising ahead with efforts to develop a coordinated, public transportation system to serve Cape Girardeau County. The Cape Girardeau County Commission appointed the five-member committee last fall to explore suggestions made by a previous ad hoc transportation committee. That committee recommended last March that the county commission establish a transit authority to coordinate transportation services for the public...

Will the wonders of science never cease? There's now a company producing squirt guns that launch glow-in-the-dark ammo made using duplicated luminescent genes from jellyfish. According to an Associated Press story, Prolume, a partnership of doctors and scientists, hopes to raise enough money from the sale of this novelty item to underwrite more serious pursuits, such as using the glowing genes to identify cancerous tumors or detect nerve gas...

Gov. Mel Carnahan has reappointed Bonita Stepenoff of Cape Girardeau to the Missouri State Historical Records Advisory Board. Stepenoff, 50, is an associate professor of history and coordinator of the Historic Preservation Program at Southeast Missouri State University...

Qualifying women can take an active role in their future health while assisting in an upcoming study to find ways to decrease the occurrence of breast cancer in future generations. Area women who are at high risk for developing breast cancer my be eligible to participate in the STAR (study of tamoxifen and raloxifene) Project. ...

CHARLESTON -- A $35,750 grant through the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Value-Added Grant Program has been approved to determine the feasibility of an ethanol plant in Southeast Missouri. "The next step is to get the feasibility study going," said Tim Schnakenberg, agronomy specialist and program director for the Mississippi County University Outreach and Extension Center...

POPLAR BLUFF -- One of two men accused of breaking into a Cape Girardeau apartment last July, attacking a man with a hammer and then taking turns raping the man's girlfriend, was found guilty Tuesday, the Cape Girardeau County prosecutor said. Shondale Tipler, 20, was found guilty of forcible rape, a felony that carries a punishment of 10 to 30 years in prison or a life sentence, Prosecutor Morley Swingle said...

A man was arrested and another is being sought by Cape Girardeau police in an armed robbery that took place Sunday. Police said Tuesday that Travis B. Wade, 40, of 612 Koch St., had been arrested for his alleged role in threatening and attacking a man with a knife before robbing him. He was arrested by police about 10:20 p.m. on Monday...

Ken Bryan says Cape Girardeau County needs a "compassionate" public administrator. He thinks he's the right man for the job. The Cape Girardeau man is the second Republican to announce his candidacy. Phyllis Schwab of Jackson also plans to file for the post. Public Administrator John Ferguson has announced he won't seek re-election...

Cape Central's football team will not meet Jackson for a district championship any time soon. That's because Cape Central got the official word Tuesday that it has been dropped down a class in football, from 5A to 4A. Central's district will consist of Perryville, Farmington and Sikeston, Kitchen said. Last year, the 5A district included Jackson, Poplar Bluff and Vianney...

SCOTT CITY -- Scott City High's Rams took the court for the first time Tuesday night as the state's top-ranked Class 2A boys basketball team. If the Rams felt the pressure of trying to live up to their lofty status, it sure didn't show. Seeing their first action since the most recent state poll -- the one that had Scott City at the top of the list for the first time in school history -- was released, the Rams put on a virtual clinic in rolling past visiting Malden 90-58...

We have just completed a successful four-game homestand and it feels good to be 16-3 overall and 9-1 and in first place in the OVC. I thought our fans played a key role in the four wins at the Show Me Center. For the four games, we averaged over 5,400 fans and everyone really seemed to be in the games...

In a poll released Tuesday, the Southeast Missouri State baseball team was picked to finish fourth in the OVC preseason poll by the league's head coaches. The Indians finished the 1999 season with a record of 27-27 and a 15-7, second-place finish in the OVC...

CHARLESTON -- After suffering two straight one-point losses, Jackson High boys basketball coach Steve Burk figured it was about time some good fortune struck the Indians. Burk got his wish Tuesday night as Jackson squeezed out a one-point victory by slipping past host Charleston 62-61...

Virginia LaFont, 88, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000, at Delmar Garden in Chesterfield. She was born Nov. 21, 1911, at Gideon, daughter of Sam and Fannie Harris. She and Harry L. LaFont were married April 13, 1930, at Caruthersville. He died March 20, 1995...

SIKESTON -- Rose Cecil, 71, of Sikeston died Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. She was born Jan. 28, 1929, in Chicago, daughter of Carmen and Margaret Esposito Paulo Sr. Cecil had been a beautician and sold cosmetics. Survivors include two brothers, Andrew Paulo of Chicago, Carmen Paulo Jr. of Schaumberg, Ill.; four sisters, Marie Tomaso of Buffalo Grove, Ill., Ann Donofrio, Antoinette Bagnole and Camille Fontano, all of Chicago; and a friend, Lonnie McWhirter of Sikeston...

ULLIN, Ill. -- Ramsie Nicole Nale, the infant daughter of Clint and Michelle Nale of Ullin, died at birth Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale. Arrangements are incomplete at Crain Funeral Home in Ullin.

MALDEN -- Funeral for Paul Gene Peridore of Malden will be held at 2 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston. Cecil Adams will officiate. Burial will be in Matthews Cemetery, with rites conducted by Missouri Military Honor Guard. Peridore, 57, died Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, at Hampton House Residential Care Center...

Nina Rosetta GroJean, 86, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, at Ratliff Care Center. She was born July 30, 1913, at Orrick, daughter of William Harvey and Retta Mae Yates Covey. She and Vincent D. GroJean were married March 15, 1963, in Kansas City. He preceded her in death...

Graveside service for Grace Price of Cape Girardeau will be held at 11 a.m. today at Fairmount Cemetery. The Rev. Cy Smith will officiate. There is no visitation. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Price, 86, died Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, at Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Services of Cape Girardeau...

Daughter to Carmelia Lynn Hudson of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 4:45 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, 2000. Name, Sierra Lynn. Weight, 8 pounds 8 1/2 ounces. First child. Ms. Hudson is the daughter of Eloise Hudson and James Hudson of Cape Girardeau. She is a student at Lincoln University...

ADVANCE -- Willene Joy Hammack, 85, of Advance died Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Sept. 18, 1914, in Bell City, daughter of Ora and Topsy Hisaw Overbey. She and Dan Hammack were married in December 1938 at Brownwood. He died in October 1981...

ORAN -- Joe F. Harrison, 61, of Oran died Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, at Perryoaks Manor in Perryville. He was born Sept. 8, 1938, in Belmont, Miss., son of Wallace and Ressie Thrasher Harrison. He and Frances Mae Cook were married April 23, 1966. She died Dec. 21, 1986...

KARNAK, Ill. -- Donald L. Steele, 72, of St. Charles, Ill., formerly of Cypress, died Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, at Belnor Community Hospital in Geneva. Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak is in charge of arrangements.

Walter Arnold Hartje, 69, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Belleville, Ill., died Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000, at St. Louis University Medical Center. He was born June 24, 1930, in Chester, Ill., son of Louis and Esther Herberts Hartje. Mr. Hartje worked at International Shoe Co. 45 years. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and its Men's Club in Cape Girardeau, American Legion Post 58 in Belleville, and St. Louis ISCO Luncheon Club...

PERRYVILLE -- Larry L. "Doc" Weibrecht, 54, of Perryville died Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, at his home. He was born Jan. 21, 1946, in Perry County, son of Harry and Lenora Lintner Weibrecht. He and Patricia Peer were married March 25, 1972. Weibrecht was a truck driver at Gilster-Mary Lee. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and American Legion Post 133. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War...

As I walked a sun soaked beach recently, a fond memory returned to me. It was thoughts of one of the most unusual pets that anyone had ever had the pleasure of knowing. On a hot afternoon in 1967, a good friend brought me a surprise from Florida. Their he sat in a small bowl of salt water with a flat rock for company. ...

Recently the British Tea Council enlisted a panel of tea lovers to travel incognito aboard more than 30 of the world's major airlines. After being tutored in the methods of professional tea tasting, the panel members logged in over 300,000 miles on air routes all over the world, assessing in-flight tea service along the way. The results revealed that British airlines serve a better cup of tea than their foreign counterparts...

After not having very much mail over the holiday, we have excellent responses today from recent requests for recipes. We are still looking for the perfect oatmeal cookie recipe, but other than that I think requests are up to date. Last week we had a request for recipes using cardamom and Beau Monde spices. One of our faithful Recipe Swap readers has shared an entire collection of recipes using cardamom. We also had a recipe shared for the Beau Monde request. Let's get right to those...