Stories from Sunday, July 20, 2008

SIKESTON -- Sixteen hours of training have been completed and four, sometimes apprehensive, more times eager, volunteers have begun saying "yes" to requests for friendly visitors in the communities in which they live. Linda Hamra of Sikeston, Amy Hastings of Gideon, Lana Gilwater of Cape Girardeau and Laura Holloway of Lilbourn spent several days together honing skills they will use in providing support and assistance to patients and families receiving hospice care...

SIKESTON -- Jo Rand has been named Confluent Technology Group's May employee of the month. Rand is in the accounting department responsible for accounts receivable as well as any other item we pass her way. "She is a highly dependable employee with an exceptional work ethic," said the news release. "She is well liked by customers, vendors and employees. She is truly an asset to Confluent Technology Group. She consistently goes above a beyond to help anyone that needs assistance."...

Susie's Bake Shop & Restaurant, 112 E. Center St., was recognized as the Sikeston Area Chambers of Commerce's Spirit Award winner for the month of June. Pictured with the award is owner Susie Kenedy.

SIKESTON -- Beginning this Wednesday, July 23, Sikeston-Miner will be invaded with Trike Bikes! These three wheeled motorcycle aficionados are coming to Sikeston-Miner for their very first TRI Rally, something organizers hope to make an annual event!...

Lance Wessling, owner and artist of Skin City Tattoo, recently cut the ground opening ribbon. The business is located at 2105 E. Malone. Skin City Tattoo is open from noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. ...

SIKESTON -- Scarlett Brittany Loomas and Shaun Darrell Hanschen were united in marriage during a 5 p.m. ceremony Sept. 15, 2007, at Pleasant Presbyterian Church in Fruitland. The bride is the daughter of Mr. Thomas E. Loomas Jr. and Ms. Linda K. Loomas of East Prairie. She is the granddaughter of Mr. Thomas E. Loomas of East Prairie and the late Mrs. Almeta Loomas and Mrs. Beatrice Tripp of East Prairie and the late Mr. Carnell Tripp...

SIKESTON -- Jeni Leigh Butler and Joshua Robert Dowdy were united in marriage during a 2 p.m. ceremony June 21, 2008, at The Enchanted Holmes in Dexter. Jack Burns officiated. Parents of the bride are Linda Curtis and Robert Curtis of Sikeston and the late James Butler. The bridegroom is the son of Debbie Hafford of Vanduser...

PORTAGEVILLE -- Laura Jane Stevens and Stephen Brian Pointer Jr. were united in marriage during a May 24, 2008, wedding at First Baptist Church in Hayti. The Rev. Jim Thomason, uncle of the bride, officiated. The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Gene Stevens of Portageville. The bridegroom is the son of Stephen Pointer Sr. of Reeds Spring and Tammy Pointer of Ponce de Leon...

SIKESTON -- Mr. and Mrs. Lester Wright of Sikeston have announced the engagement of their son, Matt Wright, to Rachel Sundermeyer, daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Richard Sundermeyer of Topeka, Kan. The future bride graduated in 2001 from MidAmerica Nazarene University and in 2005 from Rockhurst University. She is a pricing analyst at United Healthcare in Brentwood, Tenn...

SIKESTON -- Lyman F. Dale celebrated his 100th birthday with about 65 family members and friends from five states June 21 at the First Baptist Church in Sikeston. Dale was born June 23, 1908. An 80-plus-year member of the First Baptist Church where he started the church basketball league, he has also been a member of the AF&AM Masons in Sikeston for over 60 years...

60 years ago July 20, 1948 SIKESTON - A daughter named Mary E. was born July 6 to Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Pinnar of Sikeston. She was the fourth child. 40 years ago July 19, 1968 NEW MADRID - Talent show winners for 4-H Clubs of New Madrid County at the annual Achievement Day Fair, held last night in the New Madrid High School, were the Shamrock Leprechauns, a singing group from Portageville. ...

60 years ago July 20, 1948 SIKESTON - A daughter named Mary E. was born July 6 to Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Pinnar of Sikeston. She was the fourth child. 40 years ago July 19, 1968 NEW MADRID - Talent show winners for 4-H Clubs of New Madrid County at the annual Achievement Day Fair, held last night in the New Madrid High School, were the Shamrock Leprechauns, a singing group from Portageville. ...

Someday, future Sikeston residents will look back on this week as an important turning point in the history of this community. The announcement of a new industry here is not just welcome news, it's the type of news that can jettison a community to a higher quality of life...

CHICAGO -- The first-ever Double Duty Classic took place at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago on July 7, with one of the Sikeston Bulldogs very own taking part in the historic event. Vince Howard, who played outfield for the Bulldogs this past season, was on the East All-Stars roster during the celebration which was in honor of the history of Negro League baseball in Chicago. ...

CHAFFEE -- The Sikeston 12-year-old all-star team kept their state hopes alive Friday afternoon after knocking out the NEMO Dawgs of Kirksville 10-0 in the Cal Ripken State Tournament. "We played a lot better this game than the last one," said Sikeston head coach Phil Black, in reference of their 10-5 first round loss to Cape Girardeau on Thursday. "We kind of gave that one away with errors and not making plays...

SIKESTON - Summer is a time when American Red Cross blood supplies are low -- meaning the number of blood drives in the area is high. Freida Cardwell, blood donor coordinator for the American Red Cross, said the low supply is for two reasons: People are busier in the summer with less time to donate blood, but there are also more accidents where blood is needed. "There is more of a need with less giving," she said...

SIKESTON -- A fire destroyed a home Friday afternoon in Sikeston. According to Sikeston Department of Public Safety Fire Division officials, a call was received at 4:40 p.m. stating a house was on fire at the corner of Dorothy and Delmar streets in Sikeston. Fire Stations No. 1 and No. 2, along with several off-duty personnel responded to the residence located at 415 Dorothy. No injuries were reported...

SIKESTON -- It is bad policy to speak ill of the dead -- or embarrass their family. Accordingly, the city of Sikeston is making an effort to avoid including deceased individuals on this year's published list of those with delinquent city personal property taxes...

SIKESTON -- If it disrupts traffic for a few days, so be it. The benefits of the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo far outweigh any disadvantages, community organization leaders say. The 56th Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo is set for Aug. 6-9, and each year the event attracts more than 40,000 people to Sikeston. Online ticket sales indicate visitors come from surrounding states and others including New Jersey, Utah, Idaho and Alaska, said 2008 Rodeo Chair Ron Payne...

SIKESTON -- If you haven't made your way to www.standard-democrat.com to view the newly launched Web site, it's something you should put on your to-do list. You'll still find local coverage including news, sports, obituaries and other records, opinion, business and lifestyles. And now, we'll offer breaking news and updates through the day on important issues...

SIKESTON -- It was 4 o'clock on a sunny -- and hot --July day when Graycen Beardslee arrived at her grandmother's store in Miner. Covered from head to toe in clothing and accessories to protect her skin from ultraviolet light, Graycen entered the building where she could remove her specially made hood with a plastic face cover, a pair of gloves and jacket...