TOTAL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY IN MISSOURI UP 4 PERCENT

Total construction activity in Missouri was up 4 percent in May, and up 2 percent for the year.

The F.W. Dodge Division of McGraw-Hill, an authority on the construction market, reported total construction for June at $589,127,000, up from the $568,722,000 totals for June 1994.

Nonresidential construction in the state during the month, which includes commercial, manufacturing and other buildings not designed for shelter was reported at $272,352,000, up 43 percent from the $190,435,000 figures of June 1994.

Residential construction for the month was $240,736,000, down 7 percent from the $257,514,000 in June 1994.

Nonbuilding construction, which includes streets, highways, bridges, river and harbor developments, airports and a few other projects, was reported at $76,039,000 for June, down 37 percent from the $120,773,000 during the same month a year ago.

Total construction for the first six months was up 2 percent. Overall totals for the first six months were $2.9 billion, compared to $2.8 billion a year ago. Nonresidential construction for the first half of the year was reported at $1.2 billion, up 25 percent from the $978 million for the same period a year ago; residential construction was reported at $1.1 billion, down 16 percent from the $1.3 billion of 1994; and nonbuilding was reported at $535 million, 5 percent more than the $510 million of a year ago.

SABERLINER WINS SEVEN-YEAR CONTRACT WITH AIR FORCE

Sabreliner Corp. has won a contract to inspect, support and maintain business jets for the Air Force.

The work will be done at Sabreliner's Midcoast Aviation subsidiary at St. Louis Downtown-Parks Airport in Cahokia. Sabreliner also has a facility at Perryville.

The seven-year contract is worth more than $200 million and should add 60 jobs.

The company will be handling 21 to 24 Gulfstream planes the Air Force bought to transport generals. The luxury business jets cost between $25 and $430 million.

ERA REALTY ASSOCIATES UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

Electronic Realty Associates, also known as ERA Real Estate, has been bought by Richard Schlott, a 28-year veteran of the real estate industry.

Schlott, who has been in the real estate industry since 1967, built an independent real estate company in Metro New York to $7 billion in annual sales. He sold the company to another franchise and remained on board as chief executive officer until November 1993.

ERA is one of the country's largest real estate franchise companies. The ERA network has more than 2,500 offices located the United States, including ERA Cape Realty in Cape Girardeau. Each office is independently owned and operated.

PRUDENTIAL AGENCY EARNES PRESIDENT'S TROPHY

The Prudential's St. Charles Agency, with offices in Cape Girardeau and Poplar Bluff, has earned The President's Trophy from Prudential.

Allen Phillips is manager of the St. Charles Insurance Agency in Cape Girardeau, and Craig Taylor is manager of the office in Poplar Bluff.

The award is given based on commitment to clients and service.

THE WAY BOOKSTORE OFFERS NEW CHERISHED TEDDIES LINE

The Way Christian books and gift store in Jackson is offering a new line of collectible figurines called Cherished Teddies.

Cherished Teddies are made by Enesco, the same company that makes Precious Moments.

The 3- to 4-inch teddy bears come dressed in different outfits and have different sayings, similar to Precious Moments.

Joyce Ross, owner of The Way, said this is the charter year for the Cherished Teddies collectors' club.

"They have become very collectible," she said. "This is the first year, and a lot of people want to get in on that charter year."

Ross and Judy Leist are owners of the store.

CONTEST LOOKS FOR IMITATION OF HEY CULLIGAN MAN SLOGAN

Culligan International and local dealerships are looking for the best imitation of the Culligan Lady, who bellows "Hey Culligan Man!" in a squeaky, singsong voice.

Contestants are asked to call the contest line 1-800-748-PURE any time in August and mimic the Culligan Lady's distinctive delivery. The 50 people with the best impersonations will win Culligan drinking water filters.

"People love to imitate the Culligan Lady anyway, so we thought we might as well have some fun with it," said Gary Heuer, dealer in the Cape Girardeau and Poplar Bluff areas.