Community briefs 8/3/06

Nature Center holds free educator open house

The Cape Girardeau Conservation Campus Nature Center will hold a free educator open house from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. The Southeast Explorer Mobile Learning Center will be there from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by an exhibit and presentation on stars and constellations from Jackie Wortman from the NASA Education Resource Center. Programs include background information, lesson plans and free items for educators. The programs will cover the Discovery Trunk program, aquatic investigation, mammals and reptiles. For information, call Bridget Jackson at 290-5858.

Moores, Davenports, Stroders, Criddles reunite

The Stroder, Criddle, Moore, Davenport family reunion will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Jackson Knights of Columbus Hall. There will be a potluck lunch. Call Donna Brewer at 243-8880 for more information.

SEMO Iris Society to hold auction Sunday

The SEMO Iris Society will hold a rhizome auction at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Cape Girardeau VFW Hall. Hybrid iris rhizomes will be available for a small fee. For information, call Nancy Elliott at 238-3087 or Charles Pickett at 334-1232.

Library to be closed for computer upgrade

The Cape Girardeau Public Library will be closed Monday to work on updating its circulation system. The library reopens Tuesday, but the new system will not be operational until Wednesday. The new Web-based portal will be more versatile and easier to use. A grant of $42,089 from the federal institute of museum and library services will pay for 50 percent of the cost of the new system.

-- From staff reports

Jackson Shoe Factory reunion to be held

The annual reunion for all former employees of the Jackson Shoe Factory will begin at 3 p.m. Aug. 12. The meal begins at 4 p.m.; Dutch treat. For more information, call 243-8028.

Fluegge family to hold reunion

The descendants of Wilhelm and Caroline Wedekind Fluegge will have a family reunion beginning with a basket dinner at noon on Aug. 13 at Immanuel Lutheran Church Parish Hall, 496 State Highway F in Jackson (near Tilsit). Drinks and table service will be provided. Photos will be taken at 1 p.m. Relatives are encouraged to bring family updates, old pictures and memories to share.

Grant writing workshop to be held at polytech building

Instruction on the basics of grant writing along with answers to questions some experienced grant writers may have will be available in a workshop held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 17 in Room 202 (computer lab) of the Polytechnical College at Southeast Missouri State University. Participants will save their work to disk and take it home. Workshop is sponsored by the Office of Extended Continuing Education and Sol de Oro Publication and Consultation Services. A fee applies. For more information or to register, call Regina Tucker at 450-2346 or email regina.soldeoro@hotmail.com

Farrow reunion to be held Aug. 20

The Farrow reunion will be held at 10 a.m. on Aug. 20 with an old time basket dinner at Cape County Park North Pavillion No. 8. Watch for signs. For more information, call Linda Barber at 824-5504.

Boys and Girls Club to hold auction

The third annual benefit auction for the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Girardeau, "Reaching for the Stars," will open its doors at 6 p.m. Aug. 25 at the VFW Hall, 1049 North Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. Catering will be provided by Dexter BBQ. Call 335-7141 for more information.