Stories from Friday, September 4, 1992

To the Editor: The paper you are holding in your hands came off the back of a truck. So did the clothes on your back and the food you ate today. Trucking has been my life and I am proud of it. Lately, some people have been saying some untrue things about the trucking industry. ...

As the full impact of the natural disasters in Florida and Louisiana are being realized, one uplifting aspect of the hurricane aftermath is the good will Americans have shown for other Americans. We are similarly inspired this time each year by the largess of people in this region who extend a helping hand to others through the Area Wide United Way. ...

Cape Girardeau resident Yvonne Ketcham said Thursday she agreed to be a plaintiff in a suit challenging the validity of term-limit petitions because she opposes term limits and believes there is a responsibility to see that the signatures were gathered in compliance with the law...

The Cape Girardeau Senior Center hopes to host a big New Year's Eve bash at their new building. Preliminary work has begun at the new site and construction should begin immediately, officials with the senior center said Thursday. If all goes well, the building will be finished in about four months...

For Brad LePage, the last week of summer vacation was spent watching his best friend get "slimed" and riding roller coasters until his parents were ready to drop in short, a kid's dream vacation. But it was even more special because most of the attractions at Florida's Disney World where Brad and his family vacationed are handicapped accessible, making it easier for him to get around in his wheelchair...

SIKESTON -- University of Missouri System President George Russell said Thursday that higher admissions standards will eventually increase enrollment in the University of Missouri system. Russell was in Sikeston Thursday to explain more stringent freshman admissions requirements that will be implemented throughout the four-campus University of Missouri system in 1997...

GRAND TOWER, Ill. -- The Shawnee Trio of Southern Illinois will be singing "oldies but goodies" Saturday at the Senior Citizens Center at DuQuoin State Fair. The programs will be from 11-11:30 a.m. and 1-1:30 p.m. Following the last program, a contemporary gospel sing will be held by the group's pianist, Mary Jones of Grand Tower, and the Jones Family Singers...

CAIRO, Ill. -- A special Civil War exhibit, including a desk used by Gen. U.S. Grant here during the Civil War, will be on display at the 120-year-old Custom House this weekend in preparation for a visit by the Princeton University Civil War College...

The Glenn House in Cape Girardeau will host an old-fashioned tea party Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. A variety of Victorian foods will be served and Victorian poetry will be read. "The Glenns were well-known entertainers in the city," said John Bry, Glenn House director. "It's fitting that we're having one again."...

A long-awaited project to erect a fence for Old Lorimier Cemetery began this week with SEMO Fence Co. installing the chain-link portion of the fence. Erection of the fence coincides with the Cape Girardeau City Council's expected action next week to make the 150-year-old cemetery the city's first designated local historic landmark...

ULLIN, Ill. -- Funeral service for Oscar Harland Gaskill, Ullin Route 1, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Jones Funeral Chapel in Tamms. The Rev. Greg Forbus will officiate, with burial in St. John's Cemetery near Dongola. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6-9 tonight...

CHAFFEE -- Paul R. Varble, 75, of Chaffee, died Thursday, Sept. 3, 1992, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Aug. 17, 1917, in Wayne County, son of Alfred Poe and Fannie Bell Jones Varble. He and Eileen Neal Wondel were married Oct. 1, 1949...

McCLURE, Ill. Frank Raymond Widdows, 81, of Paducah, Ky., formerly of McClure, died Thursday, Sept. 3, 1992, at the home of a daughter in Paducah. He was born March 17, 1911, in New Madrid, Co., son of Claude and Florence Turner Widdows. He and Opal Wren were married Sept. 23, 1939, at Charleston...

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Steven Mirly, 1954 David, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 3:34 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, 1992. Name, Bethany Rae. Weight, 7 pounds 7 ounces. First child. Mrs. Mirly is the former Tonia Ates, daughter of Steven Ates of Jackson, and Linda and Stanley Mower of McClure, Ill. She is video manager at Fun Flicks. Mirly is employed at Schnucks, and is the son of James and Marilyn Mirly of Cape Girardeau...

The September meeting of the Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission has been changed to 5:30 p.m., Sept. 16. Because of the Labor Day holiday, the Cape Girardeau City Council will meet Wednesday the planning and zoning commission's regular meeting date and the commission will meet the following week...

LEOPOLD -- Hazel Florence Allen, 89, of Leopold, died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1992, at her home. She was born Feb. 6, 1903, at Doe Run, daughter of J.D. and Florence Curtis Huff. She married Maple William Allen July 26, 1924. He died Feb. 18, 1977. Allen was a member of Pendleton United Baptist Church at Doe Run...

Lottie L. Lowery, 82, 522 Good Hope, died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1992, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born July 31, 1910, at Crowder, daughter of S.W. and Mary Wright Whitesell. She married Lester Lowery in 1933 at Benton. He died Feb. 25, 1975...

Reservations for the annual fall dinner for new Southeast Missouri State University faculty members will be held at the University Center Ballroom on the university campus Sept. 11. The annual event, which starts at 6 p.m., is hosted by the Faculty Dames of the university...

JACKSON -- Warrant deeds issued at the office of Janet Robert, Cape Girardeau County recorder of deeds: Christopher Michael and Barbara Kay Ford to Cecil E. and Frances E. Trickey; Melissa L. Hillhouse and Michael J. Josue to Paul A. and Karen R. Bohnert; the Madlyn B. Nagel Trust to Kevin L. Bohnert...