Early childhood seminar to be held Saturday

The 2003 Early Childhood Seminar will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Dempster Hall at Southeast Missouri State University. This year's seminar is called "Sometimes It Takes a Little Magic."

Keynote speaker Jeannie Williams will share the story of Walt Disney.

Lunch and break-out sessions will follow the address.

The event, sponsored by Child Care Resource and Referral of Southeast Missouri and Success By 6 of Cape Girardeau, has a limited number of parent scholarships available for parents to attend. For more information call (573) 290-5595 or (800) 811-1127, extension 3.

Program offers to take DNA samples of children

The DNA LifePrint Child Safety Program will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 20 at Brennecke Chevrolet, 700 E. Jackson Blvd., Jackson.

DNA samples are taken by rubbing the inside of a child's cheek for several seconds with an applicator that is inserted into a fixation solution. The child's DNA is captured and preserved for more than 80 years. Parents are handed the DNA sample. The only record of the visit is handed to the parent. No records are kept on file by the sponsor.

For more information, call the National DNA LifePrint toll-free at (866) DNA-KITS or Brennecke Chevrolet at 243-3521.

Parents group to meet, hold dinner, go to fair

Parents Without Partners will hold a meeting/orientation from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Riverside Regional Library in Jackson. The meeting is open to the public.

The group will have an Amigo Dinner to welcome new members at a private home in Jackson from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday.

The group will meet at the entrance to the Arena building at 1 p.m. Sunday to take the children to the SEMO District Fair in Cape. Children ride for free.

Women's club first fall meeting scheduled

The Cape Girardeau County Republican Women's Club will hold its first fall meeting beginning with lunch at 11:45 a.m. Friday at the Grecian Steak House in Cape Girardeau.

The club's September guest speaker is House Majority Floor Leader Jason Crowell, who will give a legislative update on the upcoming veto session. House Speaker Catherine Hanaway is in town that day and has been invited to attend the meeting.

Additional scheduled dates include, Oct. 3, Nov. 7, Dec. 5, Jan. 9, Feb. 6, March 5, April 2, May 7.

Dinner for retired federal employees scheduled

The annual National Association of Retired Federal Employees dinner will be at noon Wednesday at the Grecian Steak House in Cape Girardeau. The featured speaker will be state Rep. Jason Crowell. Visitors of other state districts also will attend. All NARFE members and prospective members are urged to attend.

Brown family reunion to be held at county park

Descendants of John G. and Elizabeth (Jenkins) Brown Sr. will enjoy a family-style dinner at noon Sept. 21 at Cape Girardeau County Park pavilion 7. Bring a basket dinner, beverages, table service, lawn chairs, old pictures and memories to share. Pictures will be taken shortly after lunch.

For more information, call Diane Runnels at 243-5306 or e-mail dianer@clas.net.

Crites, Bollinger reunion scheduled for Sept. 14

The Crites and Bollinger reunion will be held at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Post Oak Church (Highway 72, south of Meadow Heights High School). Bring a covered dish and a chair.

Oktoberfest and Volksmarch in Jackson

The second annual Volksmarch is slated for 9 a.m. Sept. 20 at Rocky Holler.

The Oktoberfest, scheduled for Sept. 27 at the Bavarian Halle, offers many opportunities to get involved. Those interested in sponsorship may call the Jackson Chamber of Commerce at 243-8131.-- From staff reports