Sometimes you just need a little comfort food. As a downtown business owner, I usually have less time to cook and more need for comfort. That's why I was delighted to find The Corner Grocery Store! This small neighborhood grocer serves hot plate lunches, soups, and sandwiches along with snacks and staples. The shop's owners Mary and Robert Gentry are two of my most favorite people in the world.

About a year and a half ago, Mary told me that she was considering doing some dessert items for the store and may start selling them at the newly established Cape Riverfront Market. I thought this was a splendid idea as Mary and Robert are amazing cooks - their lasagna, chicken n' dumplings, potato soup, fried chicken, and, of course, the world's best grilled cheese are unbeatable. So, on the first market day, I was sure to stop by their booth to try her handcrafted Kentucky bourbon balls (which by the way came from an old Gentry only family recipe). The first bite was wow, totally incredible! I ended up buying a four-pack of these little delights and gobbled them down in about 20 minutes.

Mary and Robert didn't just stop at bourbon balls though. Over the next few months, they went on to develop more gourmet chocolate - peanut butter delights, chocolate covered pretzel sticks, peppermint patties, and several others. They even held a candy tasting back in August. I found that these sweet treats were not only great snacks, but the perfect refreshment for parties in store and holiday gifts.

So, if you are looking for a great idea for holiday entertaining, please go see the Gentry's at The Corner Grocery Store to order candy for your party. If you are ordering two dozen or more, please book your order at least a week in advance as each one is made with gourmet craftsmanship.

Photos are courtesy of Arevalo Photography

This post is written by guest blogger, Kevin Taylor, Historic Preservation student at Southeast Missouri State University.

October is almost over, but Oktoberfest is still going strong in people's minds. When talking about great style craft beer and downtown Cape, Broadway Biergarten is the place to go.

Broadway Biergarten is cut from a different cloth when talking about bars. Being a student, I had never experienced such a unique style of bar. Their goal is not just to make money on the drinks, but to educate their consumers on the different beers that are available. As a college student, I can understand the hesitation of shelling out $16 for a case of craft beer. Broadway Biergarten serves craft beer so that the consumer has a chance to experience them as they should be without spending a lot of money.

"The main focus is trying a great beer, and the conversation that's had there. If you focus on those two things, then you have a good beer hall," said Rob Foeste, owner of Broadway Biergarten.

A lot of people are put off by craft beers because they will have a bad experience with one and then categorize the others into the same group. I myself fell into this category. Foeste says "You may not like Guinness, but that doesn't mean that you don't like stout beers." Styles of beer can vary a lot even in their own category (like stouts or bocks).

I have also been a victim of frozen mugs, and the throught process of the "the colder the beer, the better" is false. Craft beer isn't meant to be served as cold as possible, but to be served chilled. This is where glassware comes into the picture. If a beer is too cold, it could ruin the taste of the beer. The first picture below is just one of many glasses that Broadway Biergarten uses to serve beer. The narrow part towards the bottom is designed so that you can keep your hand there but not warm up the beer.

"Every beer is supposed to be poured out, event if they don't know it," Foeste said. Beer is supposed to be served in glassware. Much of the taste of the beer comes from its smell, just like everything else. If you can't smell the beer while you are drinking it, then its presentation is wrong.

Another great attribute that the business has going for it is the historic structure that it's located in. When asked what made the building so perfect for Broadway Biergarten, Foeste mentioned the original tin ceiling, the immaculate brickwork, and the exposed brick on the inside were all a perfect match for what he wanted. Being a Historic Preservation major, I love that Rob is an advocate of historic buildings. This is just another example of how old historic buildings can be repurposed for success in downtown districts, such as Old Town Cape.

Foeste invites you to stop by and check out the establishment and enjoy a beer, or two. And take my word that you'll have a high quality experience and enjoy your time there.

This post is written by guest blogger, Christy Mershon, Assistant Director of Extended and Continuing Education at Southeast Missouri State University.

As October 31st looms closer, a subtle change creeps across the land. An unnatural chill haunts the air and darkness falls too quickly...

Yep, it's October. The Pumpkin Spice cappuccinos are back at Rhodes and kids can practically smell candy in the air. For me, October is jam-packed with ghostly tales, spectral science and Homecoming happenings. What, you may ask is my occupation? As much as I like the title "Jill of all Trades"...my actual job is coordinating non-credit and community-based programming at Southeast Missouri State University.

So, how does a nerdy naysayer turn into a walking dictionary or Cape's weird macabre occurrences? It all started when budget cuts forced my division to become self-supported. In layman's terms that meant I suddenly found myself having to hustle to find ways to make workshops profitable...in our region that can be quite a challenge. I began searching across the country to see how colleagues in similar situations were managing tough economic times and a pattern began to emerge: ghosts, spooks, specters. If it was creepy, schools were selling it and (much to my surprise) people were signing up for non-credit workshops (and even college courses) in record numbers. Never one to let the grass grow under my feet, I dove headfirst into researching the possibilities for haunted tours in Cape Girardeau.

What I found was astonishing. Did you know that Cape has been visited by some of the most famous parapsychologists and paranormal investigators in the country? If you've seen the movie The Exorcist or the recent blockbuster The Conjuring, then you will know that Ed and Lorraine Warren were involved in some of the most documented cases of the 20th century...including a house right here just blocks from the river. Who knew? From haunted graveyards to tales of gruesome murder, eerie natural disasters, spook lights, poltergeists, spectral soldiers and even UFO's - Cape's history read like a Stephen King novel. In fact, I found so much information that it became overwhelming.

Thank goodness for Tom Neumeyer and Dr. Frank Nickell - both of whom shared their wealth of collected history and folklore. In 2007, Tom became my partner in crime when we introduced the Haunted Downtown Walking Tour. Together we have walked miles and introduced hundreds of people to the rich, wonderful and occasinally bone-chilling history of downtown Cape Girardeau.

So, at this point, I know what you are thinking...tell us about these ghosts! Hahaha (evil laugh) to that I say "Join me on the tour!" Seriously guys, a girl has to make a living and your tour fees help us provide community based programming like our free Halloween Science Night event which serves over a thousand children and their parents each year. Afraid it won't be worth your time and money? I recently helped a colleague, Dr. Joel Rhodes, with his book "Haunted Cape Girardeau: Where the River Turns a Thousand Chilling Tales." Dr. Rhodes wrote this about Old Town Cape:

Business ventures occupying the historic storefronts, banks and public buildings have changed over the years...yet ghost stories persist. Visit virtually any boutique, coffee shop or restaurant in the older parts of the district and you may hear unique stories of phantom customers or otherwordly tenants. Sometimes, these ghost stories have been known to play out before an unsuspecting patron's very eyes.

Old Town Cape is layered with history. If you close your eyes on a dark October night it isn't hard to see it, to feel it, even to smell it. Take a deep breath. Is that cigar smoke...funny there isn't anyone on the sidewalk...or maybe it's the sooty smell of a coal powered locomotive that hasn't run for nearly a century. Was that the neigh of a horse or the rustle of silk...did you see a flash of something white inside that closed storefront? Surely it's just your mind playing tricks on you!

This post is written by guest blogger, Cammie, a four legged furry friend, with the help of her owner, Lisa Rogers.

Hi, my name is Cammie and I'm a Border Collie living in Cape Girardeau. I like to go for walks, play ball, chase squirrels, eat rawhides and go swimming. My mom and dad say that I'm spoiled, but that's crazy talk. However, I do feel spoiled when they take me to my very favorite place, Mississippi Mutts.

Mississippi Muttss is a store located at 1231 Broadway in downtown Cape that's just for me and my furry friends. I'm always so excited to see Sherry, the owner, and her coworkers Barb and Kayla. They always pet me and let me sample some of the yummy treats baked right there in the store. My favorite treats are Cheez Yips, Mutter Butters, Peanut Butter Barkers, Cheese Quackers and Sweet Potato Paws. Come to think of of, I've never had a treat from there that I didn't like...

They even make birthday cakes there and have a lot of flavors. Those cakes are whisker lickin' good too! The other day when we were there, my mom and dad thought I was distracted playing ball, like I usually am, but I overheard them ordering my brithday cake. They ordered me a pumpkin cake with vanilla icing. I can hardly wait until my birthday now! I'll have to share my cake with my sister, Allie, but she deserves some.

Back in May my mom and dad rescued a mutt that was in rough shape. When we picked her up, Allie was covered in ticks and very dirty. The staff at Mississippi Mutts stayed open late just so we could give her a bath in one of their doggie bath tubs. Allie now likes Mississippi Mutts as much as I do! She likes to chew on some of the stuff they have for us dogs to play with while I play with the ball.

I'm really thankful that us dogs have Mississippi Mutts. They have everything a dog could ever want or need. They also do a lot of fundraisers for the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri and hold obedience classes on Monday nights. If you haven't stopped by, you're missing out on the fun!

If you have attended Southeast Missouri State University between 1920 and now, you are familiar with the week of fun and spirit-filled events, also known as Homecoming, which is just around the corner!

Homecoming has been a proud tradition since the early 1920s because it allows students, alumni and members of the community to celebrate their Southeast pride. This year the celebration week kicks off on October 21 and involves several activities including a Yard Art competition, Southeast Spirit Day, Field Day, a Spirit Rally, Decades Day, a Talent Show and, most importantly, the parade and football game. Along the way, you'll also find class reunions, parties, dinners and so much more.

Chris Dzurick, Vice President of the Homecoming planning committee, says that "Homecoming is a unique opportunity for Southeast students to showcase their spirit through a week of competition and activities. For decades, we have made a lasting impression on this campus through the creation of events such as the Spirit Rally and parade down Broadway. This year, Southeast students will be 'Honoring Tradition, Inspiring Success' as the decades of Southeast history come to live again."

The highlight of Homecoming is the annual parade that will be held on October 26 which will start in Capaha Park and proceed down Broadway to Main Street. The theme for this year's parade is 'Decades' and floats are custom-designed and built around the theme by students themselves, primarily Greek fraternities and sororities and several community organizations.

"We normally put in over 1000 hours of work towards Homecoming every year. This year our float theme is the 1980s and we have decided to feature classic 80's video games ilke PacMan, Frogger and Super Mario on our float. Homecoming week is always stressful and busy, but in the end it is all worth .it," said Cami Frew, member of Gamma Sigma Sigma.

Many students along with their friends and families also participate in a tailgate party before the football game and, of course, attend the game itself. The Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks will take on the Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Houck Stadium at 1 p.m. on October 26. So, get our your red and black apparel and make plans to be there to show your support and help the Redhawks bring home a winner!

This post is written by guest blogger, Kyleigh Baliva, manager of Pastimes Antiques and Music Director of Vintage Now Fashion Show.

On Tuesday, October 22, the 4th Annual Vintage Now Fashion Show fundraiser will be held with the proceeds benefiting the local Safe House for Women. Deb Maevers, owner of Pastimes Antiques, is the founder/director of the show and has been showing women how to wear vintage, NOW - by mixing vintage garments with modern pieces. 40 models will walk this year's "Great Gatsby" themed show at the The Venue with two fashion segments: "Just for Fun, Old Sport" and "Jazz Age Glamour." Attendees are welcome to dress up that night and can expect a lot of fringe, sequence and flapper music.

What they might not expect is the special guest speaker, Jacque Waller's sister. With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it's only appropriate that Cheryl Brennecke explain the story "Jacque Waller: A Life Cut Short...A Sister's Story." Even though coverage of this local tragedy has somewhat halted, her memory will be kept alive and shared that night. And hopefully someone in the audience will be inspired to use the Safe House's resources themselves or encourage someone they know to get help that might prevent another tragic event.

The doors will open at 6 p.m. with the runway show starting at 7 p.m. A silent auction will also be held with a variety of items that have been doanted by businesses and organizations in the community. Everyone attending will receive a complimentary drink and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Don't wait until the night of the event to get your tickets! They are available at Pastimes Antiques (45 N. Main) or online at www.vintagenowfashionshow.com. You can keep up with all of the excitement leading up to the event by following the Vintage Now Facebook page. For more information or if you have questions, please call 573-332-8882.

"Can't repeat the past...of course you can!" Well, especially when it comes to VintageNOW fashion.

This post is written by guest blogger, Laurie Everett, owner of Annie Laurie's Antiques.

My name is Laurie Everett, and I am a picker. Being an antique dealer is something that runs through my blood, it is part of my DNA and often takes over my thoughts. Like most addictions I have my triggers: auctions, estate sales, thrift stores, yard sales, rummage sales, junk yards and dumpsters. You would think that I lived through the depression because I see value in most items and I have difficulties just throwing things away. There are piles - piles that need to go to the recycling center, piles that need to be donated, piles that need to be sorted. The number one question that I get from my customers at Annie Laurie's Antiques is, "Where do you get all of this stuff?" I used to travel as far as Destin, Florida to find wares for the shop, but what I have learned is that some of the best things that I have ever found are right here in the Midwest.

The second question that is most commonly asked is, "What types of items are you looking for to buy?" This is a tough one to answer, because I look for all sorts of things. I often say that I look for retro/vintage items from the 50s, 60s and 70s, but there is a fine line between what is cool from these eras and what is still just stuff from grannie's attic. I also covet items from the 1920s Art Deco. These items are hard to find, but they are still out there. When it boils down to it, I look for anything funky, cool, weird, unusual and just plain rad! I even bought a vintage car once at a yard sale.

Take a look below at some pictures of my normal daily life and why I love it. I hope you enjoy!

As women, there is a point in your life when "girls night out" begins to mean something different. For me, it happened in my late 20s when going out with girls meant having a relaxing evening to reconnect with friends, have a glass of wine, and chill out for a little while. This became increasingly important as our lives became more complex - some friends were getting married, having kids, or moving up the corporate ladder. We had to make time for ourselves and just relax with friends just to catch up on each others lives.

While living in Fort Worth and Chicago, my gal-pals and I had endless possibilities - tapas night, an evening of facials and cocktails, cooking classes, charity shopping events, etc. And that is why I created Girls & Pearls Night! Local women can have a glamourous evening and do something to support downtown Cape. Our concept is simple - throw an event where women can have a cupcake and cocktail while shopping for pearls and jewelry with 10% of the sales that evening to benefit Old Town Cape. You needn't be a beader or designer to attend, it's open to everyone. Ladies can shop for themselves or get a head start on the holidays with the gift of a beautiful custom designed pearl bracelet or necklace or vintage earrings. Friends, shopping, cupcakes and cocktails...what more could you ask for!

If you are interested in attending this fun event, please RSVP via our Facebook event where you can also find updates on the event. I look forward to seeing everyone at Sloan + Themis.

Have you noticed that downtown Cape has a new "look" to it? I'm not talking about the streetscape, but rather the pink elements and decorations that many business owners are adding to their store for the month of October in support of Pink Up Cape.

Pink Up Cape was launched in 2010 by Saint Francis Medical Center to raise breast cancer awareness in Southeast Missouri. The campaign runs concurrently with Breast Cancer Awareness every October and encourages the community to support the cause by doing just what our downtown businesses are doing - pinking up their spaces!

Laurie Everett of Annie Laurie's Antiques gave Zsa Zsa a pink makeover. She is currently sporting a hot pink wig along with a black and pink leotard, but Laurie mentioned that she will be sporting several different pink outfits throughout the month. Laurie believes that Pink Up Cape is important because we need to come together as a community to care about and support those who can't provide this exam for themselves.

Kyleigh Baliva and her mother Deb Maevers, owners of Pastimes Antiques, also chose to participate by pinking up one of their display windows at the store. According to the two, window displays are a big part of what their store is about and they want to show support for the community through Pink Up Cape. They have partnered with their dealers to display different types of pink merchandise that is for sale.

Other downtown businesses including The Bank of Missouri, Southeast Missourian and rustmedia are also participating with decorations such as flags and ribbons. I expect that more businesses will continue to add to the "look" throughout the month of October, so keep your eye out!

All of the funds raised during Pink Up Cape benefit Dig for Life, a series of fundraisers that educate women in the region about the importance of early breast cancer detection through regular mammography screenings. The fundraiser was started by Cindy Gannon, the Southeast Missouri State University women's volleyball coach, in 2002 after breast cancer claimed her mother's life. Each $100 that is raised provides a free mammogram for a Cape Girardeau woman who cannot afford the important screening. Dig for Life has provided more than 400 free mammograms each year to date.