Community digest 8/16/07

Neighborhood group to meet at Osage Centre

The Neighborhood Connections group will meet at 5:30 p.m. today at the Osage Community Centre. Note the change of venue from the regular meeting place. There will be a joint meeting with the planning and zoning commission and the city council to review a comprehensive plan. Those needing transportation should call Joan Jones at 651-4567.

Cape library to have Mo. State Fair exhibit

A newly designed version of a popular Missouri State Archives exhibit, "Ticket to the Past: The First 25 Years of the Missouri State Fair," will be at the Cape Girardeau Public Library during August and September. Topics highlighted include the development of the fairgrounds, the fair's role in celebrating Missouri's centennial and the influence of World War I on life in Missouri homes and agriculture.

First Cars for Kids show to be held at Arena Park

Cars for Kids, an open show for cars, trucks, motorcycles and antique tractors, will begin with a preshow get-together from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and will continue at 8 a.m. Saturday for registration at Arena Park. Registration ends at noon; the show continues until 6 p.m. All of the $25-per-vehicle registration fee will be distributed among St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Hunting for a Cure, Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, Easter Seals, Shriners Hospital for Children and United Cerebral Palsy.

PWP to hold silent auction at dance

In conjunction with the Parents Without Partners dance Saturday, a silent auction will be held to continue to sponsor educational and recreational activities for children and grandchildren of single parents and to fund community service projects that benefit area children. Doors open at 6 p.m. at the VFW Hall on North Kingshighway for the auction, followed by the dance at 8 p.m., with music by "Let's Dance" sound system. The theme for the dance this month is "Hawaiian Luau."

Civil War Roundtable to meet Sunday

The Cape Civil War Roundtable will meet at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Hanover Lutheran Church, 2949 Perryville Road in Cape Girardeau. The speaker will be Jay Manus of Anna, Ill., who will give a presentation on "Ironclads on the Missouri." It will be the first time this particular Civil War topic has been covered. Note the starting time is earlier this month.

Post M holds last picnic of the season Saturday

Cape Girardeau Post M of the Travelers Protective Association (TPA) will hold its last picnic of the season at 6 p.m. Saturday at Cape County Park shelter No. 8. A potluck meal, games for the adults and children and special recognition of four members who have been with the post for 50 years are on the agenda.

Advance High School to hold banquet

Knights of Columbus Hall doors will open at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 1 for the Advance High School banquet; dinner will be at 6 p.m. Anyone who attended Advance High School is invited. Honor classes are 1937, 1947, 1957, 1967, 1977, 1987, 1997 and 2007; special tables will be reserved for you and your guests. There will be no alcoholic beverages. Catering is provided by Ziegler's of Benton, Mo. RSVP as soon as possible (even if planning to pay at the door). Meals will be ordered only for those who RSVP. Contact Nancy Moroni Ashcraft, 4204 Highway 77, Benton, Mo., 63736, or at llashcraft@clas.net with reservation information (including maiden name and year of graduation).

Cape Jaycees hold 15th annual barbecue fest

The Cape Barbecue Fest will hold the annual showmanship competition from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 24 at Arena Park. Four teams will compete for this title. Judging will begin at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 25. More than 50 certified Kansas City Barbeque Society School judges will be on hand to judge the meat. Awards and prizes will be announced at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

-- From staff reports