Overheard

Culver’s restaurants and Oreo cookies have merged products to serve up an Oreo frozen custard sandwich. The dealmakers say this is a first – a new way “to tempt our guests’ taste buds.” The sandwich hits Culver’s menu July 14, and stores are recommended to sell the Oreo sandwiches for $1.99 each. Also coming to Culver’s this summer are Oreo sundaes, mixers and cakes.

Breech School’s Pat on the Back

Drury University’s Breech School of Business Administration has been reaffirmed of its accreditation by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. The ACBSP presented the school with a certificate of accreditation June 22 at the association’s annual conference in New Orleans. “This is a validation of the exceptional faculty, staff and students in the Breech School, as well as the remarkable support we receive from the Springfield business community,” Breech School chair and Director Robert Wyatt said in a news release. ACBSP’s ratification of accreditation covers a 10-year period, during which the Breech School must continually submit quality reports.

Billion-dollar Board

St. Louis-based Missouri Foundation for Health is accepting applications through Aug. 22 from individuals seeking nomination to its board of directors. Five board positions are available each year, and members serve three-year terms without pay. Directors govern MFH’s efforts to provide funding to nonprofit organizations that help improve the health of the state’s uninsured, underinsured and underserved residents. Its 15-member board manages $1.3 billion in assets and distributes $60 million in grants annually. MFH says it is the largest nongovernmental funding source of community health activities in the state and the second largest health care conversion foundation in the country. To receive an application or to review eligibility guidelines, visit www.mffh.org or call (800) 655-5560.

Know a Nursing Home Resident?

The Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is seeking volunteers to ensure that nursing home residents receive the care offered under the program. About 300 volunteers visit nursing home residents weekly to help them solve problems, inform them of their rights and in some cases, speak on their behalves. The state estimates there are 55,000 residents in Missouri’s nursing homes. For information on becoming a volunteer ombudsman, which requires 18 hours of training, call (800) 309-3282 or visit www.dhss.mo.gov/ombudsman.

Flat Employment

Missouri’s seasonally adjusted payroll employment was unchanged in May at 2.79 million jobs, the state Department of Economic Development said in June. Springfield employment grew by 400 jobs to 204,900, and Joplin picked up 300 jobs for a total of 81,000. Kansas City gained 4,500 jobs for a total of 1.02 million; and St. Louis gained 9,600 jobs for a total of 1.36 million, the DED reported. Sectors with gains included health care and social assistance, up 1,500 jobs; government, up 1,800 jobs; and durable goods manufacturing, up 600 jobs. The largest loss was in professional and business services, down 2,700 jobs. Missouri’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6 percent in May, compared to 5.2 percent in April.