Stories from Sunday, February 13, 2000

Life will be a little bit safer for both Jackson Fire Rescue personnel and for Jackson area residents. The Fire Rescue Unit was recently able to purchase the thermal imaging camera it had been seeking to buy for some time. Wal-Mart Supercenter Manager Rick Boyd presented a check for the final $1,500 toward the $11,000 camera Monday. Department personnel indicated the camera had already been used on one flu fire...

The Jackson High School Choral Department will be hosting an "Alumni Showcase Concert" Feb. 27 at 3 p.m., in the auditorium. The concert will feature some of the school's former singers and musicians who have gone on to use their musical talents as a profession...

Maybe local youngsters won't be willing to trade a Mark McGwire and a Sammy Sosa for a Darrell Sievers rookie card. If the youngsters became aware of who Sievers and his fellow officers are, though, and feel comfortable talking with them, the battle will have been won...

Versatile skills have led to Jackson High School juniors Maggie Martin and Stacy Gambill being selected to the 2000 Missouri Fine Arts Academy. The three-week residential summer program will be held at Southwest Missouri State University June 11-July 1, with more than 200 of the state's most talented high school students...

Cast members looked on as Cherie (Fawna Gillette Jones) performed "That Old Black Magic" during a rehearsal of "Bus Stop." Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans Although Jackson personnel is limited to behind-the-scenes work in the River City Players' rendition of William Inge's "Bus Stop" this weekend, the performance is well worth the drive to the Cape Girardeau Riverfront...

For the state of Missouri, there was both good news and bad in details of President Clinton's budget. Both varieties were on display inside the defense budget. Bad news focused on the budget's omission of any new orders for Boeing's St. Louis-built F-15 fighter. On the good side, the Pentagon is asking for 42 FA-18E Super Hornet fighters, long a mainstay of American naval power. Boeing also builds the Hornet...

Members of the 2000 Basketball Homecoming Court were (from left) Peter Ressler, Kelly Niswonger, Josh Tomlin, Lindsey Meyr, Michael Wilson (standing in for Adam Wachter), Valerie Harter, King Adam Morris, Queen Gretchen King, Josh Pfefferkorn, Megan Kuntze, Greg Schwab, Wendy Blankenship, Nathan Brown and Autumn Clardy...

By Willie Stamp, Millersville As I travel down life's highway, I want to check my list. To make sure every things okay, And there's nothing that I've missed. Did I do a good deed today? Did I lend a helping hand? Did I watch what I say, As not to hurt my fellow man?...

By Cindy J. Heisserer, Jackson When does greed take effect? When should it be our dreams that we neglect? Where should the line be drawn? Do we pack our hopes away like they're gone? Is it that we're afraid to take risks? Afraid of burning the candle down to its wick?...

By Loretta Briscoe-Mize, Cape Girardeau I captured a bird, today, today, I captured a bird, Hooray! Hooray! I brought him inside where he took to the air, I covered my head as he sped past the chair. He flew in the cornbread that Grandma was makin' She screamed, "Get that bird away from my bakin'"...

The Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center will be celebrating ACTE Week (Association for Career and Technical Education) during the week of Feb. 13-19. A key event of the week will feature an important national award presentation from the United States Department of Education to the Career Center's Adult Basic Education program. Dr. Dan Steska, Superintendent of Cape Public Schools, will be accepting the award on behalf of ABE and the Cape Girardeau School District...

Colonel Harland Sanders was still delivering his "finger-lickin' good" slogan for Kentucky Fried Chicken when the Harris family sold its first drumstick. Family patriarch Lloyd Harris opened one of Missouri's first KFC operations Sept. 1, 1965 in Cape Girardeau. The family ran 13 stores before trimming the number to five in recent years...

Everyone who wants to make it against the law to criticize a politician within 60 days of an election should vote for Arizona Sen. John McCain for president. Is that too harsh? No. That's a key part of campaign-finance reform, right there in the McCain-Feingold bill that was, thankfully, defeated by senators who understand your freedoms as an American far better than does John McCain...

Some readers may not be familiar with a game known as "Twenty Questions.". Even though "Twenty Questions" no longer graces our video screens, a version of it returns every time an election campaign is launched wherein voters are asked to identify the candidate who wants to be our next president, senator, governor or legislator...

Now we know what politicians will do with something Washington calls a "budget surplus." Last month, President Bill Clinton used the annual nationwide television forum that is the State of the Union Address to announce a veritable orgy of new spending initiatives...

I'M READING about the famous Mel Hancock tax-cut amendment. I know a lot of people who didn't even cash the check. They just carried it around to show others and laugh about it. It didn't help the working class of people at all. All it helped were the rich. So you can just laugh about your famous Hancock refund...

"WHEREAS, the Future Business Leaders of America encourages students to develop character; prepare for useful citizenship, and foster patriotism; develop leadership skills; learn the value of community responsibility; strengthen self-confidence; develop an understanding of American Enterprise; and facilitate the transition from school to work...

25 years ago, 1975 County Court Thursday heard new proposal from city of Cape Girardeau in continuing jail site controversy; Cape Girardeau would like county to build joint jail facility with city on South Sprigg Street property, where new Cape Girardeau jail is planned; Presiding Judge Ervin Hobbs and Associate Judge Edwin W. ...

Chopsticks proved challenging for Jan Guth's students -- as well as faculty members. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans Points of interest at the Chinese New Year festivities included information on types of government, geography and other lessons. Principal Stan Siler tries to figure out a seven-piece Tan-Gram puzzle...

'The whole glory of writing lies in the fact that it forces us out of ourselves and into the lives of others.' --- Sherwood Anderson Thirty-three Jackson High School students roam the halls, sporting club t-shirts stamped with this quote, designed by club member Jessica Latimer. These 33, with the addition of one teacher sponsor Mrs. Terri Fisher-Reed, comprise the Quill and Scroll Writing Club of Jackson High School. Focusing on enhancement of writing skills, the group meets monthly...

I can't stress enough how correct the mayor is when it comes to the importance of the 2000 census. Actually I was going to write this article pushing the census, but he beat me to it, so I'll just have to reiterate his message. This census will determine our school funding and economic development possibilities for the next 10 years. Let's make sure they have accurate numbers because we all count...

One comics survey respondent probably summed it up best: "I can't imagine life without Peanuts.'" You spoke. We listened. We're keeping "Classic Peanuts," the best of the strips drawn over the years by Charles Schulz. The Southeast Missourian published a comics survey Jan. 23. The entries quickly poured in nearly 420 in all. Not bad, considering we ran the survey form only once...

SIKESTON -- "How to Lose Your Farm in Ten Easy Lessons and Cope With It!" Robert "Bob" Hitt Neill, a former Mississippi farmer, will touch on a serious topic in a humorous way here next weekend during the 10th annual Rural Restoration Conference, to be held at the Best Western Coach House...

Have you ever tried building bridges from Lincoln logs? What about making a race car suitable for the track based on a design reached by democratic vote? Cape Girardeau city employees scramble in outer space after their space ship crash lands on the moon. During a team training exercise, employees must decide which of 15 items is most crucial to their survival. Every decision must be reached by consensus among the group...

A red wave washed over the Show Me Center Saturday and appeared in everything from stickers on clothing to painted torsos as fans arrived in record numbers to show support for the Southeast Missouri State Indians in their battle against the Racers of Murray State...

I'm all for ringing in the new year, but this is ridiculous. Our children have difficulty getting going in the morning. More precisely, they're comatose when the sun comes up. Getting Becca and Bailey out of bed is no easy task. Announcing the new day just doesn't work...

Two people were injured in separate accidents on Southeast Missouri highways, according to reports Friday from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Edwin Huffman, 85, of Hayti was injured Thursday when he attempted to back his car onto Missouri Route D at the intersection of Route U in Pemiscot County...

A Southeast Missouri State University search committee has chosen five finalists for provost. They are Dr. Terrel Rhodes, special assistant to the provost for assessment at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte; Dr. Gordon Nelson, dean of the College of Science and Liberal Arts at Florida Institute of Technology; Dr. ...

The Showdown at the Show Me Center turned out to be more like a private party for Murray State's Racers and a few hundred of their fans. In front of the largest crowd to ever watch a basketball game at the Show Me Center -- and a national television audience on ESPN2 -- the Racers took control from start to finish Saturday afternoon and rolled to a 77-60 victory...

Murray State's resounding 77-60 victory over Southeast Missouri State University Saturday definitely put the Racers squarely in the Ohio Valley Conference driver's seat. But both coaches were quick to point out following the game at the Show Me Center that the league race is still far from over...

Before this basketball season started, many Ohio Valley Conference observers thought Murray State could potentially be head and shoulders above everybody else in the league. After all, the Racers returned four starters -- including arguably two of the league's top three players -- from last season's squad that won its 11th OVC title in 12 years...

For the second straight game, Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team saw a spirited rally fall a bit short as visiting Murray State posted a 66-55 win Saturday afternoon. The Otahkians, whose had a late rally was snuffed out by Tennessee-Martin Thursday night, suffered their fifth straight loss as they fell to 8-15 overall and 5-10 in Ohio Valley Conference play...

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- For the second straight day, Southeast Missouri State's baseball team left the tying run on base in the ninth inning against the Arkansas Razorbacks, this time losing 3-1on Saturday. Southeast (0-2) trailed 3-0 going into the ninth inning and after the first two batters recorded outs, the Indians put together a rally...

HAYTI -- Scott City High boys basketball coach Derek McCord counted on an extremely tough game Saturday as his top-ranked Class 2A team battled host Hayti. And that's exactly what the Rams got as they pulled away late to squeeze out a hard-fought 66-59 victory...

ST. LOUIS -- Jackson turned in a big performance Saturday during Class 4A sectional wrestling competition held at Parkway South High School. Seven of the Indians' eight sectional qualifiers finished in the top four to advance to the state tournament, which will begin Thursday in Columbia...

The Cape Girardeau Youth Baseball League will hold signups on three upcoming dates at the Westfield Shopping Center (formerly West Park Mall). The signup dates and times are: Sunday, March 12, 1-4 p.m.; Thursday, March 16, 6-9 p.m.;Saturday, March 18, noon-4 p.m...

The Jackson Boys League will hold its 2000 baseball signups on three upcoming dates at the Jackson City Hall Community Room. The signup dates and times: Saturday, Feb. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 27, 1-4 p.m.; Thursday, March 2, 6-9 p.m. The Community Room, on the third floor, is located on the Missouri Street side of Jackson City Hall...

A SEMO South Babe Ruth meeting will be held Feb. 17 at Scott City High School at 6:30 p.m. Surrounding cities interested in playing in this league should attend. For more information, contact Phyllis Spinks at 264-3411 or 264-2303.

Kelly High School and Scott City have waged some epic battles in the past and Tuesday night's clash was apparently no exception. Scott City, ranked No. 1 in Class 2A, entered the game as a heavy favorite, but Kelly gave the Rams all they could handle...

Applications to become a coach in the Scott City Youth League are available at City Hall. Those interested in becoming a coach should attend the coaches meeting at 7 p.m., Feb. 17 at the City Hall. The Scott City Youth League is also offereing the opportunity to advertise at the ballpark. For more information, contact an officer or board member of the league...

The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department is conducting registration for its spring aquatic programs. Classes offered will include: Learn to Swim, Lifeguard Training, Water Safety Instructor and Aqua Aerobics. Classes will begin in March. For more information, call the Parks & Recreation Department at 335- 5421 or the Central Municipal Pool at 335-4040...

The Jackson Optimist Youth Soccer Association will sponsor a beginner referee instruction class for persons 14 year or older. Instruction will include 16 hours of classroom work plus a certification test. Any participant who passes the test will be encouraged to register with the United States Soccer Federation...

The Scott City Park Board will hold its 15th annual Scott City Alumni Basketball Tournament at Scott City High School April 7-9. Rosters may be picked up from City Hall and must be returned by March 22. For more information, call the Scott City Park office at 264-3411...

Esther Mae Harty, 74, formerly of Scott City, died Friday, Feb. 11, 2000, at Genesis Medical Center in Davenport, Iowa. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

SIKESTON -- Floyd King, 80, a former resident of Dudley and Poplar Bluff, died Friday, Feb. 11, 2000, at Hunter Acres Caring Center in Sikeston. He was born Sept. 13, 1919, in Fagus, son of Frank and Effie Patterson King. He was retired from General Motors and served in the U.S. Army...

Ada Anna Roussell, 84, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Feb. 11, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center. She was born Nov. 26, 1915, in Kelso, daughter of Leo and Louise Rosa Diebold Dohogne. She and George R. Roussell were married on Oct. 27, 1956, at Cape Giraruate of Central High School, she was a member of the Daughters of Isabella and the VFW Post 3838 Auxiliary. She was secretary-treasurer of the State Women's Bowling Association...

KARNAK, Ill. -- Minnie Helmig Bishop, 101, of Karnak died Friday, Feb. 11, 2000, at her home. She was born June 15, 1898, in Johnson County, Ill., daughter of Harmon and Molly Housewright Helmig. She was a member of the Karnak United Methodist Church for 87 years and was the church's last surviving charter member...

BARLOW, Ky. -- Juanita Phillips, 87, of Barlow, Ky., died Friday, Feb. 11, 2000, at her home. She was born Dec. 7, 1912, daughter of Thomas and Rosa Dunning Smothers. She resided for 40 years in Cairo, Ill., where she was head housekeeper for the Cairo Hotel. She lived in Paducah and Barlow for the past 12 years...

The origins of Valentine's Day, like the origins of so many other Euro-American holidays, date back to ancient Rome. Feb. 15 (about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox) was the beginning of the annual fertility festival in Rome in honor of the god Lupercus. Besides celebrating the renewal of plant and animal life, it was a celebration of sensual pleasure, a time to meet and court a prospective mate...

EGYPT MILLS -- Mr. and Mrs. Lester Fornkohl of Egypt Mills celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a family dinner. Fornkohl and the former Barbara Moore were married Jan. 24, 1950, in Osceola, Ark. The couple has two sons and daughters-in-law, Eldon and Patricia Fornkohl and Kenneth and Sharon Fornkohl, all of Egypt Mills...

JACKSON -- Leona Pauline Cook and Royal W. Mueller were married Nov. 20, 1999, at St. Paul Lutheran Church. The Rev. David Johnson performed the double ring ceremony. Matron of honor was Donna Brewer of Perryville, daughter of the groom. Junior bridesmaid was Ashley McLemore of Jackson, niece of the bride...

JACKSON -- St. Paul Lutheran Church was the setting Sept. 4, 1999, for the wedding of Cara Sue Myer and Timothy Dean Walker. The Rev. David Johnson performed the double ring ceremony. Organist was Lois Fehrmann and soloist was Mary Brown. The former Miss Myer is the daughter of Dolores Myer of Jackson, and the late Bob Myer. The groom is the son of Alma Walker of Stanley, N.C., and the late Gilmer Walker...

First Baptist Church in Chaffee was the setting Nov. 13, 1999, for the wedding of Glenda Jean Bigham and Barry Ray Sadler. The Rev. John Davis performed the ceremony. Soloist was Debbie Sadler of Chaffee. The bride is the daughter of Helen Bigham of Cape Girardeau. The groom is the son of Carol Jobe of Cape Girardeau and Jackie Sadler of Chaffee...

TAMMS, Ill. -- Kenneth and Joanna Adams of Tamms have announced the engagement of their daughter, Janice L. Adams, to Mark Todd, both of Cape Girardeau, Mo. He is the son of Charles and Nancy Todd of Jackson, Mo. Adams is a graduate of Shawnee College. She is employed at M&W Packaging in Cape Girardeau...

Mr. and Mrs. William Bartlett of Cape Girardeau have announced the engagement of their daughter, Susan Leigh Bartlett, to Mark Robert Domyan. He is the son of Karen Domyan of Millstadt, Ill., and Robert Domyan of St. Charles. Bartlett received a bachelor of science degree in mass communication from Southeast Missouri State University in 1997. She is a team leader with The Trane Co. in St. Louis...

Kenneth Mallory of Mary Esther, Fla., and Bonnie Eudy of Cape Girardeau have announced the engagement of their daughter, Angelia Kaye Mallory, to Craig Edward Schuessler. He is the son of Charles and June Schuessler of Uniontown. Mallory is a 1996 graduate of Jackson High School. She is employed in the buying office at Buchheit Inc. in Biehle...

Mr. and Mrs. Wally Lage of Cape Girardeau have announced the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Ann Lage, to Jason Shaffer. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Shaffer of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Lage received a degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University in 1998. She is employed by Linn-Mar School District in Cedar Rapids...

Lisa Ann Cichalewski and James Joseph Haycraft were married July 31, 1999, at Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church in Mascoutah, Ill. The Rev. Jerry Hartlein performed the double ring ceremony. Lectors were Katie Goodlet, sister of the groom, and Sally Powell. Offertory gifts were presented by Mr. and Mrs. George Somma of Denver, Colo., grandparents of the groom. Vocalist was Christi Morfick...

Mr. and Mrs. James H. Sears Jr. of Greenwood, S.C., have announced the engagement of their daughter, Angela Suzanne Sears, to Peter Benjamin Shoger of Abbeville, S.C., and formerly of Cape Girardeau. He is the son of the Rev. and Mrs. Thomas C. Shoger of Lakeland, Fla...

JACKSON -- Evelyn Oxley of Jackson has announced the engagement of her daughter, Heather Nicole Oxley, to Joseph Andrew Grojean, both of Cape Girardeau. He is the son of Faye and Scottie Powell of Cape Girardeau and Dale and Donna Fort of Paragould, Ark. Oxley is also the daughter of the late Terry Oxley...

JACKSON -- Stan and Peggy Huber of Jackson have announced the engagement of their daughter, Tera Jean Huber, to Chadwick Shawn Ramsey. He is the son of Bill and Barbara Ramsey of Jackson. Huber is a 1998 graduate of Jackson High School. Ramsey is a 1996 graduate of Jackson High School. He is employed at ARI...

JACKSON -- Deborah Jean King and Kenneth Robert Rodrigues of Turlock, Calif., have announced their engagement. She is formerly of Jackson and worked for the state of Missouri. King is the daughter of Richard and Betty Swanson of Denair, Calif. Rodrigues is the son of Kenneth Rodrigues of Modesto, Calif...

ORAN -- Donald and Paula Bouge of Oran have announced the engagement of their daughter, Jami Leigh Bouge, to Steven Williamsen. He is the son of David and Debrah Williamsen of Marshall. Bouge attended Johnson County Community College. She is an assistant for Certified Financial Planner in Prairie Village, Kan...

When it was time to purchase valentines and get them in the mail, there was a snow on the ground, the sidewalk and driveway were slick and my gait was somewhat wobbly. So I missed that annual adventure. "Shoot, I can still make valentines," I said. So, from basket and box, even an old barrel, I sought the makings...

JACKSON -- Cletus and Sue Uhrhan of Jackson have announced the engagement of their daughter, Erin Elizabeth Uhrhan, to Kevin Dean Cline, both of Springfield. He is the son of James and Betsy Cline of Mexico, Mo. Uhrhan received a degree in elementary education from Southwest Missouri State University. She is a teacher's aide at Strafford School District, and a daycare worker at Round the Clock Kids...

The lattice-enclosed swing on the back patio offers a private area with a great view of nearby woods. The spacious, eat-in kitchen boasts lots of oak cabinets for plenty of storage area. Large rooms, a well-thought out floor plan plus a fantastic view will put this Carolewood home at the top of your want list. From the front porch of the home's hilltop location, enjoy a breathtaking unobstructed view of the countryside...