Stories from Tuesday, November 20, 2007

SIKESTON - W.J. DeKriek, W.C. Hoover, Bob Lewis, C.D. Matthews III and Joe McCord were in St. Louis last week where they were members of the Herman Mauch Memorial Class, taking 32nd Scottish Rites degrees. Matthews was elected vice president of the class of 392 Masons...

"Rocking the boat" needs to save his preaching for the gullible. The Bible doesn't provide "proof" of anything, any more than the Koran or any other "Holy" book based on faith. For some people, the Bible is the only book they've ever read. Sounds like that may be the case with "Rocking." When I recalled the old saying about the devil quoting scripture to suit his purpose, I never claimed that was in the Bible. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU--The Sikeston Bulldogs junior varsity basketball team advanced to the semi-finals in the Notre Dame Invitational, by winning Monday night against the Poplar Bluff Mules by a score of 47-38. The Bulldogs were led by Corey Porter, who had 19 points and eight rebounds, and Niquavious Dixon, who had 11 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals...

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs jumped out to a good start on the 2007-2008 season on Monday night, as they defeated Saxony Lady Crusaders 50-17 at the Sikeston Field House. "It feels good to get the first one," Sikeston head coach Homer Jackson said. "One of our keys tonight, was to demonstrate to the people coming in, who paid to watch us play, the things that we've been working so hard at doing."...

NEW MADRID -- The New Madrid County Central Lady Eagles basketball team started their season flying high Monday night as the soared over Senath- Hornersville 67-33. "I was pretty pleased with our performance in tonight's game," said NMCC head coach David Crockett. "It was just the first game of the season and we've got a long way to go but I believe we can build on this for the rest of the year."...

Back in the day of the old St. Louis Globe-Democrat, we would laugh about their habit-by-design of writing three or four articles each year called "Bootheel Bashing." Actually the articles - in my opinion - were to point a finger at some of the ugly aspects of our region of the state thereby making the city of St. Louis look a bit better. Perhaps that was not their aim but you'll never convince me...

MATTHEWS - Pallbearers for services to be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Buel Curtis, 84, who died Nov. 18, 2007, will be: Stanley Curtis, Todd Curtis, James Curtis Erickson, Jeffrey Michael Erickson, Rick Leifheit and Shawn Torres...

SIKESTON -- Valerie Rae Dalton Greer, 52, died Nov. 20, 2007, at her home. Born Aug. 20, 1955, in Dexter, daughter of Vernon "Buck" Dalton of Pocahontas, Ark., and Helen Maxine Dalton of Sikeston, she had been a security guard at Fleming and a manager at Rhodes 101...

BLOOMFIELD -- Norman Richard Cruse, 64, died Nov. 20, 2007, at his home. Born Dec. 16, 1942, in Vanduser, son of the late Charles A. and Verna Mae Miller, he had lived all his life in Stoddard County. He was a retired farmhand and carpenter. Survivors include: one son, Donald Cruse of Sikeston; and several nieces and nephews...

SIKESTON -- Gladys L. Hilterbrand, 81, died Nov. 20, 2007, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born March 23, 1926, in Harviell, she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sikeston. On July 19, 1948, she married Clarence Hilterbrand who survives of the home...

SIKESTON - Thelma Lucy, 91, of Sikeston and formerly of Kewanee, passed from this life at home, surrounded by family, on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007. She was born Oct. 7, 1916, in Rombauer, daughter of Robert Elijah and Nancy McGowan Emerson. On Oct. 23, 1936, she married Leroy "Ted" Lucy in Kennett. He preceded her in death on Feb. 18, 1993...

EAST PRAIRIE - Clyde Richard Wallace, 77, died at 3 a.m. Nov. 20, 2007, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. Arrangements are incomplete with Shelby Funeral Home of East Prairie.

DEXTER - Evelyn Hutchcraft, 98, died Nov. 19, 2007, at the Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center in Dexter. Arrangements are incomplete with the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

MINER -- Ruth Coffey, 89, formerly of Dexter, died Nov. 20, 2007, at the Miner Nursing Center. Born April 4, 1918, at Essex, to the late Jesse and Lura Wilson Brown, she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dexter and a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star. She was the former bookkeeper and co-owner with her husband of the Midwest Auto Store, Coffey Brother's Oil Distributorship, Coffey's Jack Spratt Store and Coffey's Restaurant in Parma...

DEXTER -- Ruth Esther Mayer, 76, died Nov. 19, 2007. Born Dec. 10, 1930, in Frisco, daughter of Carter P. and Esther M. Smith Worley, she was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Dexter. She served as the first woman elder of the congregation and actively participated in The Missouri Festival of Sharing for more than 20 years. ...

WILLOW SPRINGS - Mary Mansfield, formerly of East Prairie, died Nov. 19, 2007, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete with Shelby Funeral Home of East Prairie.

SIKESTON -- The Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority has sold its first properties for redevelopment. LCRA officials opened bids on 12 properties Nov. 7, according to David Ziegenhorn, chairman of the LCRA commission. "The LCRA voted to accept or reject each of the bids on Nov. ...

SIKESTON -- While many shoppers are gearing up for in-store bargains this holiday season, other shoppers are searching for online deals. Lynn Caines of Sikeston estimates she will do 60 percent of her Christmas shopping online this year. "It's very convenient," Caines said about online shopping. "I can actually go through a whole department store and only have to specify to what I'm looking for instead of fighting the crowds or driving there. They even comparison shop for you."...

Robert Buckley of Freeman Concrete spreads concrete for the skateboard pad at the Sikeston Sports Complex Monday morning. The 50-by-80 foot pad will hold several items for the area skateboarders to use.

SIKESTON -- In just three days, Black Friday will mark the unofficial start of the holiday shopping rush. For the next month, shoppers will be in full force looking for gifts, as well as doing their regular shopping. And there will also be some grinches out, looking to take money or items from other shoppers...