As the anniversary of the dedication of the Mississippi River Tales Mural continues to approach, we want to give another peak into what this landmark means to panel sponsor Kent Zickfield of Zickfield's Jewelry & Gifts. Kent paid tribute to his father's legacy by sponsoring the section from 1880 titled 'The Coming of the Railroad'.

"My dad, William August Zickfield, started what would eventually become our family business, Zickfield’s Jewelry & Gifts, in 1939, right here along this river. He was an integral part of the downtown business scene for many years. Making it through the initial startup phase back in the early 1940’s, during the height of World War II and on the heels of the great depression, was quite a feat. He knew downtown Cape Girardeau was where he needed to be.

"Upon his passing while I was still in college, I took the business reins and, along with my mother, started the family tradition. Many of the main business principles my dad taught me are still in practice at Zickfield’s today. As my kids are becoming more involved and I see their vision and passion for what our family has built, it makes me incredibly proud.

"When this opportunity arose to sponsor a portion of the floodwall mural, it seemed the perfect tribute to my dad for the many contributions he gave to downtown.  I chose this section because the conductor that’s prominently featured along the right side of the mural is holding a pocket watch, an iconic symbol of this time period and an accessory we’ve helped supply since our store’s inception. It was also the prefect location. In the old days, downtown merchants could purchase a spot in the parking lot at the corner of Water and Themis Streets. My dad’s spot was in the very front corner; the corner that almost directly faces this section of the flood wall. This mural captures the history of our community, a history that runs deep within the Zickfield family. I couldn’t think of a better tribute."

This post was co-written by guest blogger Kent Zickfield and Christa Zickfield, Old Town Cape Project Manager.

As crazy as it is to believe, it has already been almost 10 years since we dedicated the Mississippi River Tales Mural. This landmark attracts people from around the area who are interested in art, the river, our history and heritage, and serves as a landmark for our downtown. A celebration coordinated by the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau and Old Town Cape is set for Thursday, July 30, at 2pm to commemorate the anniversary and celebrate everything it has brought to the community. This event is open to the public, so please plan to join us.

Did you know there are 25 panels that make up this mural? Each section depicts a significant event in Cape Girardeau's history, dating back to 900's when the Native Americans explored our area. To help cover the monumental cost of planning for and creating this masterpiece, sponsorships of each panel were offered to the public. Our community rallied around this effort and all 25 were sponsored.

Jim and Teresa Maurer stepped up to the plate when the sponsorship opportunity presented itself. Their sponsored section depicts a scene from the flood of 1927. Read below to find out why they decided to invest in this project and what the mural means to them.

"We wanted to be a part of it, and the sponsorship of a downtown mural seemed a very fitting opportunity. Apparently the rest of the community agreed because there were only a few panels left by the time we decided to definitely participate. But what a commemoration of an event that shaped our community – The Big Flood of 1927.

"We love the details that helped make up this section. From the flapper dresses and period-specific vehicle, to the marking of the actual water level with the fish swimming at the bottom. It’s such a historic moment of our past that’s beautifully captured, this was the prefect section.

"We often drive down Water Street and observe people studying the panels, and I am again reminded of the unique history - told in the panels on the flood wall - that Cape Girardeau has given us. We have the origins, growth, successes and heartaches of the history of Cape Girardeau told in pictorial fashion all along the flood wall. The wall is a legacy to all the people who have lived, are living and who will be living in Cape Girardeau."

This post was co-written by guest blogger Teresa Maurer and Christa Zickfield, Old Town Cape Project Manager.

In the small business world, lots of ‘jobs’ make up everyday life for business owners. Not only are these individuals the face of the organization, they also have to clean the floors, balance the check book, keep up with inventory, provide an excellent level of customer service, answer the phones, change the tape in the cash register, do some marketing… We could keep going. While these ‘jobs’ are necessary to keep a business going, some owners take things a step further.

According to Merriam-Webster, a duty is ‘something you must do because it is morally right’. Charlie Bertrand embodies this.

If you head to the Spanish Street area around 8:30-9am, chances are you’ll catch Charlie on the sidewalks and in the street donning his green apron with a broom in hand. As the owner and manager of two downtown businesses for the past 11 years, Spanish Street Mercantile/Cape’s Cream of the Crust and Broadway Market & Loft, as well as being a downtown resident, he understands how important it is to keep the outside of his properties looking as good as the insides.

It takes about 45 minutes to an hour for him to cover his territory, which is more than just in front of his store. He walks up to Broadway, checks out the Broadway and Spanish Street intersection, then heads down the block to make sure Minglewood Brewery’s sidewalk is looking nice. From there he heads back down Spanish St all the way to Independence, takes a short detour up Independence then makes his way back to his establishment.

Why do this? Why spend this much time cleaning up other people’s trash in such a big area? ‘It is my duty as a downtown business owner to do my part in helping make the entire area inviting for visitors,’ commented Charlie. ‘If I do it every morning, it’s not such a big task.’

‘We, as a collective group of downtown business owners, have to pull together on a daily basis to keep our area looking nice.’

Sweeping up empty soda cups and cigarette litter does seem like a ‘dirty job’, but Charlie commented that he actually enjoys this time. ‘I get to talk to everyone, experience the ‘downtown way of life’ and, for the most part, the weather is beautiful.’

While walking along his route, we turned the corner at Broadway and Spanish Streets and it was then that I realized why he does what he does. The sun was painting a gorgeous picture on the water of the Mississippi and our downtown was gleaming with excitement and beauty. Charlie turned to me and said, ‘Do you see that? Old Town Cape is one of the prettiest spots along the entire river and I get to be a part of this.’

Thank you, Charlie, and all the downtown business owners who do their part in helping make our area a beautiful destination for people to live, work and play. We truly are one of the greatest downtowns in the nation!

Thursday evening, February 19, friends, volunteers, board and committee members of Old Town Cape gathered in the Event Center at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau for an evening of fun and to make some well-deserved recognitions. This annual spectacle helps raise awareness of what this organization is all about, highlights some of the downtown happenings of the year prior and looks forward to the excitement of the coming year. At this year’s Annual Dinner, we did just that!

Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, one of our main event sponsors, always helps pull together a fantastic event. Dinner started with a lovely beet and mandarin orange salad, which, I learned, is a work of art in itself. Each salad was adorned with cucumber slices in a specific arrangement. When the salads were set, the cucumbers had to be at particular positions in the place setting. Little details like this really make the event over-the-top! After salad came a mouth-watering entrée of beef marsala with crimini mushrooms and crispy sesame chicken with asian pesto. Perfectly manicured carrots adorned each plate and made for a stunning presentation. Last, but certainly not least, individual Chinese takeout boxes were brought out that housed two chocolate covered strawberries, glistening with shimmery gold dust. If you weren’t able to make it, you definitely missed a spectacular dinner!

The Isle does have a beautiful Event Center, but the help of volunteers Teresa Maurer and Sally Suchman, owner of Muriel’s Garden, the space was transformed into an elegant venue. Towering centerpieces of painted branches nestled in eifel tower vases gave each table dramatic personality. The black and silver color scheme kept the palette very clean and professional.  A lighted ice sculpture, generously donated by Mark Dirnberger, owner of Bella Italia, helped give prominence to the stage and awards area. Low lighting and soft dinner music added to the warm ambiance. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect setting to honor the achievements of some of our most dedicated volunteers.

Speaking of honors, we presented four recognitions during the main program. While our organization is overflowing with talent, dedication and love from some of the best volunteers around, a handful of them stood out for their accomplishments in 2014.

Did you know Old Town Cape sponsors two scholarships? Well, now you know. The primary funding source for both allotments sprouts from the tender loving care that Bill Dunn pours into Old Town Cape’s Scholarship Garden. It seems only fitting to honor the one who helps sustain this offering by renaming the Old Town Cape Scholarship to the Old Town Cape William Dunn Scholarship. Volunteer for us and you never know what kind of recognition you may receive!

If you were as skeptical as we were about the future of the ‘Old Federal Building’ at 339 Broadway, things didn’t look good. They didn’t look good until Janus Development Group swooped in and transformed what was once a white elephant property into a booming hub of commerce and creativity. Since they purchased the building in May 2014, critical structural and cosmetic upgrades have transformed this historic structure into a vibrant opportunity for 13 businesses. Have you heard of Codefi, Cape Girardeau’s first co-working community? They call this building home, along with a group of attorney’s, several photographers, and other specialized retail and professional entities. The excitement these changes have brought to the building are now spilling over and spurring development around the building as well. We couldn’t think of a better fit for the Adaptive Use recognition than Janus Development Group.

When you think of an excellent downtown business, probably an established retail outlet or one of our awesome restaurants comes to mind. While we do have some exceptional businesses that fall under these categories, this year’s Business Excellence Award went to a slightly different recipient. Thomas R. Higgins Accounting, LLC has thrived in downtown for more than 30 years. Tom Higgins, owner, has immersed himself and his business in all things downtown by being involved in several of our organizational committees, staying active in downtown development, his ownership and revitalization of one of downtown’s ‘old buildings’, by offering his business services to a host of area groups and entities, by being one of the first board members of our organization and serving his post for fifteen years. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to everything Tom and TRH Accounting has contributed to downtown, Old Town Cape and our community. Job well done, sir!

What does it mean to be a visionary? Someone who is dedicated, committed, a leader, someone who helps develop opportunities – what it takes to earn the Charles L. Hutson Visionary Award. This individual is someone who is immersed in what they’re passionate about, often leaving a lasting impact on the groups and entities they support – the basis of our Volunteer of the Year Award. For only the second time ever, we have combined these to honor the efforts of one special volunteer, James D. (Jim) Maurer. Jim has been involved with the Discovery Playhouse from the very beginning. He and his wife Teresa are major supporters and organizers of Christmas in Old Town Cape. Jim has served on our Board of Directors and numerous committees for six years. After that, he became Chairman of the Downtown Cape Girardeau Community Improvement District steering committee and worked tirelessly for four years establishing the district, services and funding. Jim has embraced what it means to love and nurture our downtown, and we are truly blessed to have him as an advocate and ambassador for our organization.

We welcomed two new board members:
                            
Trae Bertrand – Bertrand Law Firm            Emilie Stephens – Annie-Em’s at Home

The evening was perfect! A great dinner, a great venue, a fantastic group of attendees and some well-deserved recognitions. We are incredibly lucky to have such a fantastic team of supporters and volunteers. 2015 is sure to be fantastic with such dedication and support!

Thank you to our wonderful event sponsors:

     

With the recent decision to bring the annual Fourth of July fireworks display back to downtown Cape Girardeau, we thought it a pertinent time to discuss the beneficial impacts that events such as this have on the downtown area.  

 

The list of events taking place downtown during a given period is lofty, and includes the fireworks display, Tunes at Twilight, First Friday, Parade of Lights, and The River Tales Classic Car Show…among many others. These events have the capacity to draw thousands of people (local and regional) into the Old Town Cape area that might not have otherwise visited. When combined with the areas multitude of retail, dining, and entertainment options, it’s an obvious winning situation for downtown merchants of every variety.

 

A recent study conducted by The Maine Center for Economic Policy examined a cities’ economic impacts when comparing local versus chain stores. The city of Portland, ME that was chosen has a population of just over sixty-six thousand people, which is comparable in nature to the Cape Girardeau and Jackson regional area. They analyzed data collected from 28 locally owned retail businesses, along with corporate filings for a representative national chain. The researchers found,

 

“That every $100 spent at locally owned businesses contributes an additional $58 to the local economy.  By comparison, $100 spent at a chain store in Portland yields just $33 in local economic impact.”

The study concluded,

 

“That if residents of the region were to shift 10 percent of their spending from chains to locally owned businesses, it would generate $127 million in additional local economic activity and 874 new jobs.”

 

Cape Girardeau is obviously not Portland, ME, but even if we were to assume a fraction of the benefits they found, we can come to the conclusion that local spending and events are a winning combination for Cape Girardeau. This is why we as downtown merchants, of every variety, should feel the need to champion events such as our recent fireworks display, while also applauding those who chose to patronize local retailers while in attendance.  Of utmost importance though, is to come to realization that events such as these can come to a close at a moment’s notice without support from the local community. We don’t like to imagine a downtown free from the sounds of an acoustic guitar at Tunes at Twilight, the uproar of a hot rod revving its engine during the car shows, or seeing the first set of Christmas lights parading down Broadway. We certainly hope that everyone in our area feels the same!

This post was contributed to by Steven Amrhein, Intern at Old Town Cape.

Visitors to downtown Cape Girardeau will be in for a treat when they tour the Glenn House this summer that is currently undergoing a renovation process. The Glenn House, established in 1883, sees over 2,000 guests annually, with 75% of those coming from out of town. This past week we were invited to look behind the scenes on what work is being done to the house in order to sustain it for public tours and events in the future. Tom Grantham, president of The Historical Associate of Greater Cape Girardeau, was kind enough to walk us through the process and give us a tour of the house to make it realistic.

The Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau kicked off a Capital Campaign in 2013 with a list of repairs that were needed in order to keep the 130 year old house in good condition for the next 130 years. The campaign was designed as a way to raise money over the next 3 to 4 years while fixing things along the way including the front porch that was redone in early 2013 and projects that still need to be completed in the future - wash house walls, second floor porch, exterior paint and tuck-pointing, etc.

So, back in November, Tom and his wife, Donna, began the next project as part of the campaign which involved renovating three of the upstairs bedrooms and the hallway. The work got off to somewhat of a rocky start, though, as they began the three month search (that they only thought would take a couple of weeks!) for wallpaper to match the authentic Victorian colors and patterns that were present in the bedrooms. They began by looking through hundreds of books at local vendors, but had no luck. Then, the search moved online and they brought in Mary Ann Kellerman of the Kellerman Foundation for Historic Preservation with hopes that she would have some expertise to share and insight on where they could find the wallpaper. By working together, the three of them finally came across an online retailer, Bradbury & Bradbury Wallpaper, that sells patterns from the 1800s.

Once the wallpaper hunt was over, they began the physical labor. On January 10, Teen Challenge assisted in moving the furniture out of the bedrooms to the first floor. It then took a week just to strip the wallpaper and they found some interesting messages on the walls behind the old wallpaper when doing so (pictures below)! A few days later, the plaster process began and lasted approximately two weeks before volunteers began priming and painting. Once the wallpaper arrived, they began applying it but it took a week to completely only one room - talk about intricate work! Tom is still awaiting the arrival of wallpaper for the third bedroom, but in the meantime Teen Challenge has begun moving furniture back upstairs into the two completed bedrooms and hallway.

When asked about the amount of help from the community in this process, Tom explained that "Some volunteers have a background in history, but most simply have a passion for sharing heritage and the integrity of the house. We are extremely thankful for their work and are always looking for more people to get involved."

While leaving the elegant house, we noticed names engraved in bricks that lined the arbor pathway back to the carriage house. We inquired about this with Tom and he explained that the bricks are just one of the unprecedented ways for people to support the Glenn House. However, they can also give through estate planning, an annual membership, hosting private events, and taking group tours. If you are interested in helping, visit their website or send an email to info@glennhouse.org. We strongly encourage you to take a tour of the renovated hours - you're sure to be in awe, we certainly were!

This post is written by guest blogger, Janey Radford, Old Town Cape Development & Resources Coordinator.

Until last year, I considered myself a big supporter of Old Town Cape. I mean, after all, I went to their events. I followed them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. I shared their posts, and whenever I ran into staff, I always told them what a good job they were doing. Sound familiar?

Last January, I accepted the position as Development and Resources Coordinator for OTC. In a Main Street world, the two biggest resources are funding and volunteers. Managing these resources take up the better part of most days for me.

While receiving my OTC "education," a new image of "supporting" Old Town Cape began to emerge. I learned how an office staff of two with a couple of student workers managed to pull off so many events successfully every year. They have A LOT of volunteers! From the Board of Directors, the 4 point committees, and event subcommittees, there are over 100 volunteers that carry out the work of downtown revitalization. Almost 60 of those volunteers are involved year round. THAT is how we get things done!

I am not a stranger to the not for profit world, and am used to maximizing resources, leveraging, and always trying to get the most bang for our buck. Even so, I was impressed with what Old Town Cape has accomplished with its limited resources. Many individuals, organizations and businesses invest already, but with almost 4,500 residents and over 300 businesses in downtown alone, there is potential for so much more.

Dedication, hard work, and A LOT of volunteers can only take us so far. Funding is necessary for any not for profit organization. Oh. You didn't know we were a non profit? Those aforementioned resources? VITAL. Making the magic that is downtown takes dollars. And the magic is important. "Downtown is the most visible indicator of community pride" - Missouri Main Street.

Knowing what you know now, do you consider yourself a supporter of Old Town Cape? Want to know what to do about it? Click. Invest. Today. Or call me - it's my job :).

This post is written by Caitlin Schlichting, Interactive Marketing Specialist & Web Developer for The Bank of Missouri.

As a sponsor for Old Town Cape, we at The Bank of Missouri feel that it is important to support downtown and all that the staff does to revitalize it. We understand that everyone can't give financially, which is why we've come up with a way that you can help us help downtown Cape.

ICBA (Independence Community Bankers of America) is currently hosting a Main Street Holiday photo contest as part of their shop local campaign. They invited community bankers from across the country to submit a photo of the downtown in their community and received hundreds of entries.

The photo that we submitted of downtown Cape was taken by bank associate Chad Johnson and portrays a night time view of Main Street decorated for the holidays with the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge in the background - sounds pretty neat, huh? We were thrilled to find out that the photo made it all the way to the Top 5 finalists, but now we need your help in making in #1.

Please vote by liking the photo in the ICBA "Main Street Holidays Top 5 Photo Entries" photo album on Facebook (http://on.fb.me/1bURvgl). You have to be sure to open the photo and click "like" underneath the caption for the vote to count. Voting ends at 8 a.m. on Friday, December 20 and the photo with the most "likes" will win $300. If the photo of downtown Cape wins, we will of course donate it to Old Town Cape. So we need your vote to show everyone that Cape Girardeau has the best downtown - hands down!

The Bank of Missouri is proud to support local businesses and is grateful for this opportunity to draw national attention to Old Town Cape. Happy voting!

Take your cap off and salute our troops! When I was younger I always looked forward to Veterans Day because I knew that it meant I got to have a 3-day weekend. Okay, so maybe I still look forward to it for that perk but as I have gotten older I have learned to appreciate those who have served and honored our country more.

In downtown Cape, there is no lack of men and women who have fought to protect our freedom. What's more exciting is that the veterans that I interviewed served in different branches of the military. Allow me to introduce you to a few of them.

Dru Reeves, owner of Horizon Screen Printing, has served in the U.S. Army Reserves and Missouri National Guard since 1987 and is still active today. Reeves is a Sergeant First Class (E-7) and he has held three positions during those 26 years including a 54B Nuclear Biological Chemical Specialist, a 12B Combat Engineer, a 92F Petroleum Supply Specialist and his current job is a Petroleum Supply Instructor. He says that serving in the military has given him both the ability to train others and develop employee and customer relationships, both of which are important in running a small business.

Laurie Everett from Annie Laurie's Antiques took away different skills from her job as Military Police in the U.S. Army from 1999 to 2003 that have aided her in being a small business owner. She learned that you have to push yourself beyond any possible limit. Everett said that "being a business owner is often about endurance and perseverance and that is often what you are up against when you own your own business - you work long, hard hours and in spite of obstacles and setbacks, you never give up."

Tom Meyer learned a different lesson by serving as a Seabee, Engineer and Equipment Operator in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1972. The Seabee's motto was "Can Do" and he was trained to adapt to what he has on hand and not what is always available. At his business, Exit Realty, he is always adapting to the business environment.

Cathy Davis of Reruns served in the U.S. Army from 1974 to 1977. She attended 91B Basic Combat Medical Training and went on to be a 91D Operating Room Specialist. She said that the most important skills that she learned from serving are discipline and organization. Davis said "I now believe that you can do anything you set your mind to - mainly because if you couldn't do something in the Army, you had to find a way to do it or change jobs." She credits these skills to her success as a small business owner today.

How do you spend Veterans Day? With family and friends? Having a special dinner? Remembering those who have served? The veterans that I spoke with mainly just look at is as another day. Although a couple of them do catch up with old friends or participate in Veterans Day events. No matter how you spend it, be sure to thank a veteran for their service to our country - not only on this day but every day.

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!