Stories from Sunday, August 19, 2001

The Starcatchers Community Theatre held auditions recently at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce meeting room. Performers of all ages and abilities were called upon and are being sought for the tentative performance date of Sept. 22. The performance of the Starcatchers Theatre Review will represent dancers, vocalists, actors, actresses, musicians, dramatic-poem-prose readers, gymnasts, music interpreters, comedians, speakers and all kinds of performers in a talent showcase...

On Aug. 11, the Jackson Public Library awarded educational toys and books to readers who participated in the summer reading program and read at least 20 books. After reading 20 books, children's names were automatically entered for a prizes. When participants read another 20 books, they were entered again, increasing their chances of winning...

The Honey Bear Day Care at 213 N. Georgia recently held its annual Carnival Day. "This is a day I invite all grandparents, siblings and friends to visit and enjoy themselves," said Pam Adams, owner. Adams provides a jumpasaurus, wading pools, games and food that day...

The Riverside Regional Library's annual meeting will be at 2 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Riverside Regional Library in Jackson. The meeting will feature local author Lisa M. Simmons, a women's self-defense specialist of Goju Kyu, Tae Kwon Do and boxing. Simmons has had several short stories and anecdotes published in Catholic Digest, Parent Life, The Family, The Gem and the Mirror...

Family: My immediate family consists of my wife, Chas, and my little 9-month-old boy, Luke. Job: I'm a mailman for the U.S. Postal Service. What do you like most about the area? It's a close-knit town with friendly people. Favorite food: Steak and seafood...

As of Aug. 11, there are two evening slots available for the no-cost computer courses at the Jackson South Elementary School, beginning Sept. 11. The daytime slots were filled within a week. This is the first time a program such as this has been made available to the public. Based upon the program's success, it may be offered again...

Here in Southeast Missouri where spring comes a little sooner and the winters are a little less gloomy than what I'm accustomed to, the telltale signs of autumn are upon us. Oh, worshippers of the sun, face it, summer has had its day. You may be in denial, but leaves have started to appear on the ground where there once were none...

This is my Father's world! This is my Father's farm! My Father called me in one day. "I have to go on a business trip. I'll be gone for some time. While I'm gone, I'm putting you in charge of this section of my farm. Two fields need to be plowed, disked and planted. ...

Jackson Area Project Charlie Facilitators Group met to promote the goals of the organization, being the same as those of the nationally recognized Project Charlie Drug Prevention Program. The group's purpose is to promote abstinence for school-age students and inhibit the development of drug abuse...

On Tuesday, Aug. 7, 5-year-old Danielle Greable had a 10 a.m. appointment at Hair Works in Jackson. It is the first time she cut the back of her hair, ever. This was no ordinary appointment for Danielle or her mother, Kim. Last November Kim Greable had made an appointment at Great Clips for Hair in Cape Girardeau. It was there she learned about the Locks of Love program...

Majhon Phillips, 13, sings opera, has taken piano lessons for about nine years and has recently begun learning to play the hammered dulcimer. She aspires to make music a career and ultimately receive her doctorate in music. Enabling her to pursue these goals, she desires to begin college at age 15. She would like to study music at either Boston Conservatory or Julliard. Her second favorite subject is mathematics...

"MoDOT plans administrative cuts; $160 million will be redirected to roads and bridges over five years," read the headline over an Associated Press dispatch week before last. The trim, said to be spread over the next five budget years, comes as Missouri Department of Transportation planners look for ways to cut costs just as other state departments are being asked to do because of a softening economy and diminished growth in state revenue...

THE "PLAYING God" argument against stem-cell research is just ridiculous. By this argument we should abandon all doctors, hospitals and pills. There would be no emergency crews to rescue you after a car accident, no radiation therapy for cancer, no firefighters to save your house from a blaze. We play God every day of our lives, and stem-cell research is just another way we try to prolong our life here on Earth...

Here are excerpts from a statement scheduled to be delivered this afternoon in St. Louis by Tim Daniels, director of the soon-to-open St. Louis Academies. I have been working since last winter with a group of African American church leaders and activists, of which Daniels is a leader, who plan to open eight new charter schools...

KENNETT, Mo. -- It has always been difficult to understand why so many partisan proponents profess such enduring love for America's political-party system while devoting far greater energy to disparaging those who believe differently. I know the obvious answers to that conundrum, for they are offered as excuses every time some screaming partisan hack feverishly explains that we Americans thrive on debate, argument and strong beliefs, and they have a point. Up to a point...

More than 20 family planning clinics across Missouri receive both state and federal dollars. Providers had thought they must pick one or the other. Federal law requires the clinics to give information about abortion to women who ask for it. State law bars clinics from sharing such information...

State Rep. Rod Jetton said he's gotten used to people asking him, "Hey, did you walk here?" The Republican from Marble Hill recently completed a nine-day, 255-mile trek from Jackson to Jefferson City to bring attention to the area's highway needs. But he drove Saturday to the sixth annual Republican rally dubbed "Old-fashioned Family Picnic," hosted by U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson at the Osage Center in Cape Girardeau...

Before the street crews came, Debbie Klipfel could zip straight out East Rodney Drive and get to her job at the mall in no time. Not anymore. "Now I have to zigzag all around," said the 38-year-old Cape Girardeau resident. "And no sooner do I think I can go one way, they've started something else and I have to backtrack again."...

Former Cape Girardeau County public administrator John Ferguson insists he isn't holding out on the county when it comes to turning over cases to his successor. A list supplied by Ferguson's attorney, John Layton, shows that the former public administrator has filed final paperwork with the circuit court in 47 of 101 cases he had at the year's beginning. In five other cases, the clients have died, the document shows...

JACKSON, Mo. -- The 20-classroom addition at R.O. Hawkins Junior High may not have enough teachers to fill it if Jackson School District's budget situation doesn't improve. Superintendent Ron Anderson said the financial strain that would have been eased by a tax increase won't go away, but don't look for a tax issue to re-appear on the November ballot. The district is trying to regroup from the Aug. 7 loss on a 25-cent per $100 assessed valuation ballot issue...

Wednesday will be a Kodak moment. Bailey's starting kindergarten, one of those major rungs in the ladders of our lives. Our 5-year-old can't wait to get started. We toured her kindergarten classroom the other day. She hugged her teacher and transferred her school supplies from her backpack to her school desk...

Daniel Harris, 4, had little to say about a south Cape Girardeau block party Saturday. He was too busy biting into a slice of watermelon at the celebration at Fort D Park. But his mother, Jean Harris, had plenty to say about the Healthy Families 2002 Community Block Party at the corner of Ranney and Locust...

The tenth annual Slamfest, host of the ultimate street-ball tournament in Southeast Missouri, got off to a roaring start on Saturday. Although the defending champion St. Louis Sixers failed to make an appearance, there was no lack of closely contested games and high-flying excitement as 15 teams battled throughout the day...

Until being barely edged out by Tennessee Tech during the 2000-2001 school year, Southeast Missouri State University had won the Ohio Valley Conference Women's All-Sports Trophy an unprecedented six consecutive times. That's pretty heady stuff for an athletic program that has been on the NCAA Division I-AA level -- and a member of the OVC -- for only a decade...

ENID, Okla. -- The Chaffee Medicap Pharmacy American Legion baseball squad finally ran into some problems here Saturday night during the eight-team Mid-South Regional Tournament. Not that it mattered, however. Chaffee entered the game against host Enid, Okla., having already clinched the top seed in its four-team pool by virtue of victories Thursday and Friday. ...

Local high school softball teams will look to continue their recent string of impressive seasons this fall. Last year was a particularly strong one for area squads as four of the seven won district championships, led by Kelly, which remarkably captured its 15th consecutive district title and finished third in the Class 2A state tournament...

Cape Girardeau Central hopes to bounce back while Jackson and Charleston will shoot for continued success during the 2001 area high school girls tennis season. Central entered last year having won 50 straight dual matches and four straight Class 4A district titles, but the Lady Tigers plummeted to a 1-10 record...

ABBEVILLE, La. -- Despite falling into the loser's bracket after its first game, the New Hamburg Heat 16-year-old girls softball squad was able to nab a third-place finish in the 10-team Babe Ruth World Series that ended Saturday. The Heat went 4-4 in the tournament overall, including 2-2 in bracket play after they had also been 2-2 to advance out of pool play...

Southeast Missouri State University's football team had its final dress rehearsal of the preseason Saturday afternoon as the Indians held a 90-minute scrimmage -- complete with officials -- in front of about 150 fans at Houck Stadium. So, what were coach Tim Billings' impressions after his squad's second and last scrimmage prior to the Sept. 1 opener at Division I-A Eastern Michigan?...

Former Cape Girardeau resident Karen James Rosenburg was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Missouri State Women's Bowling Association. Rosenburg, who has lived in Rolla, Mo., for the past 14 years, has three sanctioned 300 games to her credit and a high series of 814. In 1985, she bowled a 298 game, the highest game at that time in the Cape Girardeau Women's Bowling Association...

ANNA, Ill. -- Lovena Smith Bevil, 86, of Anna did Friday, Aug. 17, 2001, at the Monticello House in Jackson, Mo. She was born July 5, 1915, at Buncombe, Ill., a daughter of William R. and Rosa Ellen Pruitt Smith. She and Robert L. Bevil were married Dec. 20, 1933, at Cobden, Ill. He died Jan. 2, 1988...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Maxine Howard Taylor, 78, of Charleston died Friday, Aug. 17, 2001, at the Balfour Retirement Community in Louisville, Colo. She was born Jan. 20, 1923, at Oran, daughter of Emery J. and Clara Edith Kinder Howard. She lived most of her life in Charleston, where she was a member of the United Methodist Church. She attended Southeast Missouri State University and then taught in Charleston rural schools until her retirement...

CLARKTON, Mo. -- Robert Owen Allen, 83, of Clarkton died Friday, Aug. 17, 2001, at Three Rivers Healthcare South in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was born on April 22, 1918, at Hickman, Ky., son of Thomas and Mamie Wells Allen. He was a past member of the Clarkton City Council, and the city's police department and housing authority board. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Clarkton...

KARNAK, Ill. -- Herman Meyers, 89, of Karnak died Saturday, Aug. 18, 2001, at Southgate Health Care Center in Metropolis, Ill. Arrangements are under the direction of Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak.

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Earl Ray Storie, 66, of Corning, Ark., and formerly of Sullivan, Mo., died Saturday, Aug. 18, 2001, at his home following a lengthy illness. He was born June 16, 1935, at St. Louis, son of Earl C. and Katherine Hudson Storie. He and Ann Crutchfield were married April 18, 1971...

Ann C. Nolan, 79, of Houston, Texas, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Friday, Aug. 17, 2001, at Houston Northwest Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ford and Sons Funeral Home.

COBDEN, Ill. -- Amanda Paige Flamm, 11, of Cobden died Friday, Aug. 17, 2001, at St. Louis Children's Hospital. She was born Nov. 18, 1989, daughter of Kenneth Brian and Dianne Spiller Flamm. Flamm was a sixth-grade student at Cobden Elementary School, where she was on the basketball team and played in the band. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cobden...

Billy D. Schumer, 61, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Aug. 17, 2001, at his home. He was born July 22, 1940, at Perryville, Mo., son of Walter and Margaret DeClerk Schumer. He worked at Sabreliner for 30 years. Survivors include a son, David A. Schumer of St. Mary's, Mo.; a daughter, Christina Schumer of Cape Girardeau; and two brothers, Melbourne and Othmar Schumer, both of Perryville...

ESSEX, Mo. -- Marie Newell, 83, of Essex died Friday, Aug. 17, 2001, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo. She was born May 1, 1918, in Piggott, Ark., a daughter of James Newton and Ada Rickman Cobb. She and Ray Newell were married May 6, 1988, in Poplar Bluff, Mo...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Kenneth Paul "K.P." Bright, 71, of Sikeston died Friday, Aug. 17, 2001, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center. He was born Jan. 7, 1930 in Lexington, Tenn., a son of John Henry and Rowena White Bright. He was a member of the Vanduser Baptist Church and a self-employed farmer for more than 50 years. In addition to farming, he operated cotton gins in Crowder, Mo., and Matthews, Mo., for 42 years...

While doing research for a story on gender equity regarding Southeast Missouri State University athletics, I came across some intriguing figures about scholarships that will no doubt be of interest to readers -- and also just might surprise some folks...

Edward Enderle gets pretty serious about his Euchre game and doesn't let much break his concentration. There isn't any small talk at the table where he plays with his son Leon, Blendine Westrich and Mary Menz. Only few words are uttered and "pass" is most often spoken as the players wait for someone to throw out a card...

I strained to see the ER doctor. I could hear clearly what he was saying: "You broke your hip! It will require surgery." What a firm, crisp economy of words! I fluttered around in my brain for a like word-thrift reply as I felt he was awaiting one. My first thought was to say, with a paucity of words, and a touch of facetiousness, "May I have a second opinion?" But it didn't seem time to introduce any smidgen of levity. ...

ALTENBURG, Mo. -- Kimberly Kay Mitchell and Benjamin George Hunt announce their engagement. She is the daughter of Arthur and Roberta Donley of Harrisburg, Ill. Hunt is the son of Norman and Mary Hunt of Altenburg. Mitchell is office manager at Syntrax Innovations in Cape Girardeau...

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- Linda Kaye Hood of Scott City announces the engagement of her daughter, Shannon Hood, to Keith Urhahn. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Urhahn of Oran, Mo. Hood attended Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss., and Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. She is a certified diamontologist at Kay Jewelers in Cape Girardeau...

Kirby and Jana Warren of Piqua, Ohio, announce the engagement of their daughter, Kasey Dyan Warren of Cape Girardeau, to Russell Scott Hitt. He is the son of Gerald and Donna Hitt of Jackson, Mo. Warren is a 1994 graduate of Piqua High School, received a bachelor of arts degree in speech communications from Miami University in 1997, and is a 1997 graduate of Focus on the Family Institute. She is director of student ministries at La Croix United Methodist Church...

Jane Raines of Cape Girardeau and Garry Pirch of Theodosia, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Gina Elizabeth Pirch, to Brian Thomas Matysik. He is the son of Thomas and Janet Matysik of Swansea, Ill. Pirch is a 1998 graduate of Central High School. She expects to receive a bachelor's degree in social services from Southeast Missouri State University in December 2002. She is employed at the Lutheran Home...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Ivan and Kathlyn Bidewell of Albuquerque, N.M., recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Originally from Bollinger County, the Bidewells were married July 19, 1936, in Jackson. Bidewell received a master's degree from the University of Iowa. ...

Mr. and Mrs. Leon Lefler of Cape Girardeau celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a family dinner at the home of his mother, Virginia Lefler of Arnold, Mo. Lefler and Shirley Traudt were married Aug. 12, 1961, at Longwood Baptist Church in St. Louis, by the Rev. Fisher...

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- David A. and Elizabeth Doria of Scott City announce the engagement of their daughter, Sara Dalaine Doria, to Chad Aaron St.Mary. He is the son of Gay St.Mary-Williams of Scott City. St.Mary is a self-employed website designer. A Sept. 8 wedding is planned at Charleston First Assembly of God Church...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Immaculate Conception Catholic Church was the setting June 16, 2001, for the wedding of Michele Renee Millham and Matthew Scott Rubel. The Rev. J. Friedel performed the double ring ceremony. Organist was Geri Beussink of Jackson, and soloist was Mike Renick of Cape Girardeau...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Nicole Dawn Fritsche and Adam Ryan Burger were married June 9, 2001, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. The Rev. Matthew Marks performed the double ring ceremony. Organist was Allyn Steffens, and soloists were Michelle Spooler and Christie Steffens...

Kelli Denise Underwood and Eric Lloyd Hasty were united in marriage May 26, 2001, at Lynwood Baptist Church. The Revs. Derek Staples and Kim Ferguson performed the double ring ceremony. Pianist was Shane Steck, violinist was Casey Cook, guitarist was Chip Sepulvado, and soloists were Jamie Becker, Casie Janet, and Sepulvado, all of Cape Girardeau...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Christina Ann Fields and Laird Sloan Abbott exchanged vows April 21, 2001, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Msgr. Edward Eftink performed the double ring ceremony. Accompanist was Catherine Martin; handbell music was by Steve and Theresa Baugh, cousins of the bride; harpist was Emily Bertrand; and cantor/vocalist was Beth Baugh, cousin of the bride, all of Jackson...

Kelley Dawn Rodgers and Dustin Ray Snider were married June 2, 2001, at Red Star Baptist Church. The Rev. Jim Matthews performed the double ring ceremony. Organist was Donna Taylor and pianist was Kendal Heeb, both of Morley, Mo.; trumpeter was Josh Lamar and vocalist was Connie Aufdenberg, both of Cape Girardeau...

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. -- Black Civil War soldiers buried in unmarked graves near Murphysboro had been forgotten, even by their descendants. "I didn't know anything about it," said Earlene Sanders, a 75-year-old descendant of these Civil War veterans. "I knew the names, but not that they'd fought in the Civil War."...