VFW art and essay contests coming up

Patriot's Pen, an essay contest sponsored by VFW Post 3838 and the Ladies Auxiliary, is open to students in grades 7 or 8 who attend public, private, parochial or home school. The theme is "My Commitment to America's Future." Contestants are not required to read their entry during the judging. Entries must be original. Length should be 300 to 400 words and 3 to 5 minutes on audio cassette tape. They can be typed or computer generated with no color art or pictures. Do not write your name, city, state or school within the essay; they will be numbered to ensure anonymity. Deadline is Nov. 1. Entries should be submitted to Judy Biester, (573) 794-2146.

Young American Creative Patriotic Arts Awards contest entries must be on paper or canvas and be submitted to the Ladies Auxiliary by March 29, 2004. Your teacher's signature must be on the entry. Art must have been created during the 2003 to 2004 school year. Eligible students must attend school in the state they present entry in, should be in grades 9 to 12 and are limited to one submission. Art should be no smaller than 8 x 10" and no larger than 12 x 24" without mat. Completed entry forms should be attached to the back of entries. If the American flag is used it must conform to federal flag codes. For details and more information contact Judy Biester.

Oran fire station to thank community with event

A "Thanks To Our Community" event will be held by the firefighters Oct. 4. at the fire station on Railroad Street at Greer, south of Highway W in Oran. Food and beverages will be served at no charge from 1 to 2 p.m. followed by a brief program including the blessing of the newly acquired fire truck. Rides will be offered following the program until 4 p.m. For more information, contact assistant chief Bob Stokes at (573) 262-3190 or chaplain John Harth at (573) 262-3210.

Emerson's Mobile Office to arrive Monday

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's mobile office, which began traveling the roads of Southern Missouri in 1997, makes one scheduled stop in all 28 counties monthly. Mobile office director Darren Lingle will be able to answer the public's questions and write down constitutent concerns from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday at the Fredericktown Chamber of Commerce and from 3 to 4 p.m. Sept. 25 at County Administration Building in Perryville.

Arts fund donates to counseling center

The Heartland Arts Fund has awarded a $5,000 grant to the Community Counseling Center Foundation for this year's production of "The Nutcracker Ballet" performed by Minnesota Ballet Inc. The ballet will be held at the Southeast Missouri State University Academic Auditorium, Dec. 18, 19 and 20 with three public performances and two performances for area school children. The Heartland Arts Fund is a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance funded by the National Endowment of the Arts with additional contributions from Arts Midwest and foundations, corporations and individuals throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.

House of Hope to give block party Saturday

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the House of Hope, 1000 Ranney in Cape Girardeau, the first Septemberfest Block Party will be held. Free food and drinks will be available along with live music and entertainment. For more information contact Luther Bonds at 332-4907 or e-mail lutherbonds@hotmail.com.

Bell City High School reunion set for Sept. 27

At 3 p.m. Sept. 27 a high school reunion will be held at the Bell City Community Building in Bell City, Mo. All former students and graduates are invited. There is a cost for the meal. Call Dewey Pry at (573) 624-8833 for reservations.

St. Denis Parish has cookbooks on sale now

The St. Denis Family Cookbooks have arrived. Parishoners from the St. Denis Parish at Benton, Mo., have submitted about 750 recipes for the new edition. If you would like a copy, please call Diane Urhahn at (573) 545-3361, Janet Vetter at (573) 545-3665 or Jolene Felter at (573) 545-3772. The cookbooks are available at Diebold Orchards in Benton, Hilltop Creations in New Hamburg, Mo., and Union Planters bank in Oran, Mo.

Southeast university schedules events

Southeast Missouri State University's family weekend will take place on campus from Friday and Saturday.

Family weekend events are as follows:

Sept. 19 activities:

3 to 5 p.m.: study abroad programs

4 to 6 p.m.: opening reception of "Discovery: Paintings of the Lewis and Clark Trail" at the University Museum

Sept. 20 activities:

9 to 10 a.m.: study abroad programs in Dempster Hall

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: open forum and reception at the University Center

4:30 to 6 p.m.: tailgate party

6 p.m.: football game, Southeast vs. Southwest Missouri State University at Houck Stadium followed by comedy hypnotist in the University Center

Sept. 21 activities

9:30 a.m.: family weekend brunch at the University Center

11 a.m.: open air mass at Academic Terraces

Show Me Day events planned for Saturday:

10 a.m.: Registration

10:30 a.m.: Presentation by director of admission and enrollment at the Show Me Center, followed by an academic fair in the Student Recreation Center featuring displays of the university's various academic departments. Campus tours will be available after the fair.

1:30-3:30 p.m.: A Student Life Fair will be held in the Towers' Lounge. Prospective students can learn about the organizations, clubs and activities available on campus.

For more information, call 651-2590.

Jackson FBLA to hold benefit auction Nov. 1

The Jackson Future Business Leaders of America will hold its fourth annual benefit auction at 5 p.m. Nov. 1 at Jackson High School's old gymnasium. They will be accepting donations until a few days before the auction. The event will be catered by Tractor's Classic American Grill.

Proceeds will offset the cost of attending the national leadership conferences, chapter travel expenses and community service projects. For more information contact FBLA advisor Becky Riney or auction executive chair Justin Gibbs at 243-9513 or e-mail justingibbs14@ hotmail.com

The Jackson FBLA will also hold a youth dance for grades 6-8 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Jackson High School Multipurpose Gymnasium. There is an admission cost. Jackson FBLA parents and advisers will chaperone. Music and concessions will be served for a nominal cost. For more information contact Riney at 243-9513.

Annual Sewing Reunion planned for Sept. 28

The 32nd annual Sewing Reunion will be held at noon Sept. 28 at Trinity Lutheran Church Parish Hall in Friedheim, Mo. Meat will be catered. Families should bring vegetables, salads, desserts and their own tableware.

Cape Girardeau Public Library events planned

At 10 a.m. Monday -- Toddler Time will be held for children ages 18 months to two years.

At 10 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday -- Story Time will be held for children ages 3 to 5.

The library will hold a book discussion group at 7 p.m. Sept. 25. The title is "Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper -- Case Closed" by Patricia Cornwell. Ask for a copy of the book at the reference desk.

Nitsch family reunion to be held Sunday

Descendants of Wentzel and Sophia Nitsch will hold their annual family reunion at noon Sunday with a basket dinner in Jackson City Park, Pavilion 6. Bring lawn chairs and eating utensils. For more information call 243-5797.

Mason to receive 50 year pin today

Brother Lloyd K. (Doc) Johnson of Sedgewickville, Mo., will receive his 50 year pin today at Westview 103 at Millersville. A covered dish meal will be held at 6:30 p.m. Ladies are invited. The regular meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. For more information call (573) 243-6838.

Parents group to attend Altenburg Fair

At 2 p.m. Saturday Parents Without Partners will attend the Altenburg Fair.

-- From staff reports