Speech Faculty

The old Speech Department

I have had two wonderful days on campus to open Homecoming week!  Yesterday I went to the brunch I host for retired faculty and staff and we took group pictures of departments!  One was the speech department and they said I had earned a place there!  So I got in!

Later I went out to the visitation for Ginny Cayse and the girls seemed thrilled that I had come!  Saw so many of the old First Baptist gang!

Brunch for retired faculty and staff

Had a wonderful brunch this morning at Wehking with the place packed out!  It was fun to see people greeting their former colleagues!  And departments getting together for photos!  I even stood in with the speech department!

Among the group being honored was willie Redmond, Linda Burns and Jim Riley!  Nearly 100 attended!

International Homecoming

What a great night with international students🍏. We taught them some cheers, the alma mater and what Homecoming is.  Trudy Lee, semo cheerleaders and Jay Wolz led them in the work.

So much fun and hilarity!

Lucas Presson

I love Lucas Presson!  I don't agree with him on politics but he worked for me as a student and we learned to avoid sand traps of conversation!   

We still go out for breakfast on Saturday once a month at My Daddy's and we talk marketing and fun!   Today was the day ! Does anyone know what geo tracking and social media marketing are?    I love Lucas.  

The things they never told me about growing old!

First, that it would happen to almost  everyone who managed to avoid car wrecks, disease or falls!  Second, it's not a big thing if old people would reach out to embrace it and realize that it was okay for them to forget stuff, have everyone around them become mindful that they were growing old in what might be construed as condescending ways and they, themselves, would laugh at their own antics.   So what if I can't remember what day it is or what happened five years ago at this time, or whether some professor is dead or whether the fact that my back hurts is normal for me.   Hey, I have to make the use of every day now!

By the way, I can remember a lot more than I think I can.  It just takes a little longer.  And I have learned to fake it much better until I remember.  I am so grateful for the memory I have.   Is today Friday?

Miss Vada Smart, Campus School teacher

I opened the newspaper today to learn of the death of Vada Smart, retired member of the Campus School faculty--taught all of my children and taught them well as did all the other members of the faculty and Mr. Ed Gilbert, principal.   Each of the teachers was unique--there would never be anyone like Imogene Webb in art!   How lucky we were to be connected with the University and be able to enrol our kids with other faculty kids in Campus school.   PTA was not a choice for parents; it was a command decision!

If any teacher thought that she needed to speak to me about a problem, it was done and I was told how to resolve that problem in the proper way.   Since Vada went to the same church I did, there was some leeway but I have heard her correct the children, including mine, in the church.  And they needed it, I am sure.

So Vada and Millie Ragsdale and Imogene and Ms. Adams and Ms. Sheets and all the rest, you gave your life to your profession.  Aren't we the lucky ones!

Vada Smart

Thursday, September 25, 2014

seMissourian.com

Vada Smart, 100, of Cape Girardeau passed away Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, at Chateau Girardeau.
She was born Oct. 7, 1913, in Piggott, Arkansas, to William Holens and Edith Eron Hickman Smart.
Vada received a bachelor's degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University and a master's degree from Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee. She was a dedicated educator nine years in Campbell, Missouri, eight years in Kennett, Missouri, 25 years at the former Campus School, and retired as professor emerita from Southeast in 1979.
She was a member of First Baptist Church, the Missouri State Teachers Association, Retired Teachers Association, Omega Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma and PEO Sisterhood.
Survivors include a brother, Glen (Patricia) Smart of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Freeda Ricks of O'Fallon, Missouri; nephews, Michael (Emily) Smart of Cape Girardeau and Phillip Smart of Maryland; and two great-nieces, Megan and Allison.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Doyle Smart.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mike Shupert officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Campbell.
Memorial contributions can be sent to the Alzheimer's Association.
Online condolences may be shared at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Thought for the Day

Getting back in the real world

I would not make a good invalid!  After four days of fighting a bug, depression from a medicine given to make me sleep and staying in, I was ready to get out!  Mark came by and we went to medicine shop to make a complaint on the medicine. ( which has now been incinerated by police department) and I got a flu shot!  I came home, walked over to see my neighbor,  Tammy, and then Matt Porter came over and we went to pick up Lu and got utensils from Walmart and house decorations from Trees and Trend!

Yes, we ate at Applebee's!  I like living in the normal real world!

It's a better day arising!

I am feeling much better!  The achiness and depression have lifted and I am so bored with talking to myself!  Thanks to all for your concern and caring!   Now I am ready to get back into the land of living and laughing!

Dealing with death and family depression

I have been dealing with a flu bug for four days, a sleep medicine which is a depressant when it hits my insides and a weariness of unceasing family problems!  Yesterday was my limit and I blurted stuff out to anyone who might give me some peace!  Last night Harriett and Joan both called and said the same thing:  "You and your family have been on sadness overload!  You have had 8 deaths in five years and then dealt with the aftermath  of estates and legalities!  No one has escaped the pain!  Stop dwelling in the pain and seize joy wherever you can find it!"  And they added, ". Get over it by not talking to anyone about it!  Let it go!"  It's called acceptance!   And they are right!

Headlines today

What a brick !  Rebuilding Redhawks stun no. 3 Southeastern Louisiana 24-23 !

I have survived

I am seldom down in the bed sick but I had a bug knock me for a loop!  How do chronically ill people keep their spirits up?  I was depressed, took everything hard and personal and felt so sorry for myself! What a big baby I really am!

But I am dressed and ready to heal the wounds today!  Heather is coming to work today and she has more to deal with everyday than I did with two days of sickness..and she doesn't mind telling me I'm a damn lucky person!  Her mother has been an invalid for years!

Feeling better today

Don't want to catch that  "24 hour bug" again!  It knocked me out!  But I am up and dressed today!  

No more to say!

Went to party sick with diarrhea

Retirement party for Lana Richmond last night!  I went even though I had been sick all afternoon at my stomach!  Glad I went although I paid the price when I got home and all morning today!

I don't care!  I will get over it !

The Staff Mentality

I always loved the feeling of staff when I worked...and I always worked!  Some of them I could hardly take in large doses but in small doses, I could take them all!

I miss the daily camaraderie of gossip!  And laughter and the feeling that we were together in the mess!   I heard that Susan Burton is retiring and I think of all the times we spent together!    Wish you well Susan!  You have kept the place from falling apart!

Virginia Hoehn is 95

Yesterday I had a meeting with Marcie Lawson at Sikeston about the Xmas party we are having for the children in pediatrics.  Then, as a surprise, Mark drove me to Malden and we knocked at Virginia Hoehns door!  Had a wonderful visit!  She is still at home and does well.  She said that Steve can't understand her but Jeff and Karen come by every day!

VA is a remarkable woman.

Jim Stacy's 49th birthday

Yea!  It is today!  Hope you have a wonderful birthday!  You think I am far away but I am right beside you ....where I will always be!   love, Mom

Neumeyer Book

Last night Joan Gohn , Judy Brown and I went to the Glenn House for a presentation of Tom Neumeyer' new book on old and new Cape Girardeau!  Tom's mother, Mary, ran the Democratic Headquarters when Warren ran for Governor And now his daughter, Karel Edgar takes care of my yard! It is a lovely book  and I am sorry that there were so few people who came!

Slept the clock around

I am getting old!  After going to St. Louis two days in a row I came home and slept the clock around!  I do not regret my tiredness!  Yesterday  Trudy Lee and

I went to see my old friends, Steve and Joan Newman, and we took them to lunch at Hendels Market in Florissant!  Steve has Parkinson's and we took our time and I am so happy that I did not cancel!  They came down for my 75th birthday and loved it!  My picture is on their mantel so that they "remember to pray for me everyday!"   It shamed me to think that I thought about canceling because I was tired!

Went to st Louis last night for Se Salutes

Went to Ces and Judy's last night for a program I started 14 years ago!  It was wonderful to see my old gang:  Mike Gohn, John Hessel, Terry Benassi, and Beth Dunphy!  And Joe Torissi!

Headed to St Louis for dinner today

Much to do and read before I go!  Visited with Annie and Allen yesterday and they are getting thru this!  I worry about Layne!  She had a birthday yesterday, has been sick this week and she and Jennie and Mike Finnegan all celebrated their birthdays together each year!  That was a blow to lose her grandmother and dad in one month!

Seems like old times

Went out to eat last night with Wendell and Wanda Wyatt last night, long time teacher at Campus School and it was so good to remember those old times!  Sometimes it helps to think of people like Ed Gilbert who just did their job everyday!

It was a different world!

Bierk and Beach

Busy day with decorating, eating out and doing interview, then going to Gordonville with John Bierk to eat and all he'll breaks out with Mary Ann Kellerman.  Long story!  Les Cochran is coming in to sell his book and People are uncomfortable about it for me!  They suddenly realize that when the dust clears, I will still be here!   The truth is what Cochran does is of no consequence to me in the end!   I don't plan to attend and I want no part of any decision!  Yuck!

So I enjoyed the night with John and the pics of the beach house!  I do not choose to live in any ones prolonged drama!  Do your worst, Les!  You can't catch me up in your drama web!

A change of pace

Had a great day yesterday!  Went out to eat with Bev Hickam for lunch and ran into Jayne Schrader and the Gentrys and the Winsteads!  Then, because of the Fair, and Matt taking international students to the Fair, Sandy Moore and I got the night off from cooking and we went to Bella!    Looking forward to a busy week --I will be in St Louis two days this week and my schedule is crammed!  Everybody should be so lucky!

Friendship

Last night Joan Gohn and I went to eat and sat out with the noise and good food that is Pilot House!  It felt so good!  We have trAveled the world together and there is no need to fake anything out!  

I wanted her to see the hand painted gourds she gives me for Christmas on my decorated porch!  We talked about serious stuff and ended up laughing about it!  She makes me see the insanity of trying to fix siblings and says that is not in our job description!

Everyone should have a friend like Joan!

The Cooper Connection

This connection was formed to carry on the ministry of the Cooper Family - from AB Cooper memorial meals at the Baptist Student Center to Missouri Delta Medical Center (Mama Cooper's Wall, ministry to pediatrics), six scholarships at the University in honor and memory of members of our family, and a hospitality ministry to the retired faculty and staff at Southeast. In addition, we also help sponsor an incoming doctor at Missouri Delta, a memorial gift to the Southeast Surgery Ward, and an inventory specialist at the Hearnes Museum in Charleston.

"You should spend your life doing things that will outlast it" - Reverend A.B. Cooper

Tired before I even start today

Did too much yesterday and paid for it,  could not turn the brain off!  Will I learn from it today? He'll, no!  I will get up and drag until I don't think of anything but the work result!  And I'm serious!  I still think about the vegetables sitting in wheel chairs when I visited in nursing home last week!

Bruce Skinner told me yesterday that when he was a student here that "Jane Stacy was the one you went to when you wanted something done".  I want to maintain my reputation when I am 76!  Thanks Bruce for your words!

Whew!

I started early today and never stopped!  Coffee with Mark Hogan and noon meeting with Bruce Slinkard and lunch and work on Bsc brochure and on and on!  But the list is going down and my energy is on the ebb tonight!

Jennie Cooper's Birthday

Today would have been my sister, Jennie Cooper's birthday!  Her special brand will never be forgotten by those of us who knew her and loved her!

Common courtesy

Common courtesy is mission and ministry!  It is a part of life that we often fling away as "fluff" but when you are invested in it until it becomes an integral part of your soul, you can't experience the true joy of daily living .  It's a bond I choose to embrace!

I take pride in being a part of peoples lives ...as individuals!  Whether it is saying thank you to people at the nursing home with a tray of fruit for taking care of my sister? For greeting my old friend Lee Exler who helped me put on Homecoming each year or by donating an exercise bike to students at BSC!  There are so many ways to show courtesy!

Labor Day: 2014

Hey I went to bed tuckered out!  Lu came and helped me clean my pantry downstairs and we filled the garbage can with expired canned goods and set out all screen doors which were taken in ten.minutes.    Debbie came. She gave me a dye job, face waxing and hair do!  

So I am ready to face the world this week' and feeling good!  Summer is over and bring on the week '. And Lynn Stacy is doing good!

A chapel service at end of day

It has been a strange day!  Stayed in with a stomach bug until I could drink no more hot tea!  Then made up mind that I was going to stay on schedule and I did !

Went to Bsc and to chapel and dinner!  Helped put out the food which I was not ready to eat and I visited with the music dean and the Robinsons and Betty? Age four and mother from China !

Good  day and talked to Sara and 

Jim when they called!