Community digest 8/7/03

Jackson High School alumni extend reunion

The Jackson High School alumni reunion of Aug. 15 for 1926 to 1956 classes will continue sharing memories at noon Aug. 16 at Jackson City Park shelter No. 6. The shelter is up the hill from the park entrance on North High and Park Streets. Bring your own refreshments for an extended reunion.

Former Cape resident celebrates 90 years

Elsie Hale celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends in Jacksonsville, Fla., on July 26. Her previous residence of 2216 N. Sprigg St. in Cape Girardeau was Hale's family home for more than 60 years. She currently lives in a retirement center in Hollywood, Fla.

Hale was a longtime member of the Red Star Baptist Church and was employed by the County Area Agency on Aging before moving to Hollywood.

Assisting farmers and ranchers with disabilities

The next guest on "Independently Speaking" will be Brad Marsh, Missouri AgrAbility Program Coordinator with Services for Independent Living Center (SIL) in Columbia, Mo. He will speak on assistive technology for agricultural farmers and ranchers with disabilities. The program will air at 5:30 a.m. Sunday on WDKA-TV 49 (Channel 17 on cable) and at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Aug. 12 and 26 on Cable Access Channel 5.

New, updated Cape street maps available

Cape Girardeau's Division of Planning Services has just released a new, updated city street map which includes all new streets added in city subdivisions or otherwise constructed since February 2001, when the last map was issued.

Copies of the map are available for 50 cents each from the Customer Service Office at City Hall, first floor, and at the Chamber of Commerce, 1267 N. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau.

Emerson's mobile office scheduled for local visits

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's mobile office will visit Aug. 14 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Marble Hill Library and from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce. The Mobile Office serves as a comprehensive constituent resource regarding the federal government.

AARP driving course dates scheduled

An AARP driving course, lasting approximately four hours per day, is given in two separate sessions over a two-day period. You must attend both days to be awarded a certificate of completion. The classes take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 12 and 15 at Southeast Missouri Hospital Room 101.

For more information, contact instructor Robert W. Harper at 243-2396.

Jackson Senior Center garage sale successful

The Jackson Senior Center's annual garage sale was a big success. Leftovers were donated to the Revival Center in Jackson.

The center offers "Our Pace" stretching exercises beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 15. The instructor is Marilee Roethemeyer, a licensed physical therapist and registered nurse.

Volunteer spotlight

Esther Nobus was born and raised on a farm near Jackson. She now lives in town with her husband, Ed. They have four daughters; three sons deceased; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Nobus first volunteered in 1991 delivering meals by car to 20 to 25 shut-ins. She now helps serve one or two days a week.

Her hobbies include crocheting and working in the garden. Nobus sings in the Emanuel United Church of Christ choir where she is also the treasurer.

Mary Marshall is a volunteer dishwasher who also helps with bingo. She and her husband, Tom, moved here from St. Louis; he passed away in 2001. Marshall has two sons, two daughters and a granddaughter who lives in Oklahoma. Marshall's hobbies include fishing, camping, dancing, bingo and visiting her great-grandchildren.

Bikers for Babies ride to aid March of Dimes

The Bikers for Babies ride, a March of Dimes fundraiser, will begin at 11 a.m. Aug. 16 at River Eagle Distributing on Rust Avenue. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. A silent auction of many donated items includes gift certificates from local restaurants and a raffle for a Budweiser Electric Guitar. Tickets are also being sold for a statewide raffle of a 100th Anniversary Harley Davidson. You can help the March of Dimes achieve this goal!

For more information, to donate or to register early, please contact Colin Patterson at 335-7717.

Friedrich family reunion to be held in Jackson

Descendants of the Jacob and Marguarita Friedrich family will hold a reunion from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 17 at Delmonico's, Jackson. Bring photos, antiques or news clipppings of interest to the reunion.

Sedgewickville Fun Fest scheduled for late August

From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30 in Downtown Sedgewickville, Mo. a fun fest will include a menu of barbecue pork steak, bratwurst, hot dogs, soda, lemonade, iced tea; a mule jump; a sand volleyball tournament (sign up at 11 a.m.); horse shoe pitch tournament (sign up at noon) and a kiddie tractor pull at 3 p.m.

Proceeds will be used to complete the new community building. Not respoonsible for accidents. For more information call 866-2268.

-- From staff reports