Fall is a beautiful time to get outside and enjoy all that the season has to offer. Whether you prefer to get out in nature, or to stay in the city explore the shops and attractions downtown, now is the time to get out of the house before winter weather makes it difficult.

With the leaves changing and a cool breeze blowing through almost every sunny day, fall is also a great time to take photos or get portraits. Family portraits for Christmas cards and photo albums look great when surrounded by bright fall colors and seniors in almost every high school choose this time to get their senior photos done.

Downtown Cape Girardeau is host to a multitude of fantastic photographers who specialize in everything from weddings to newborns, meeting any needs you may have for photos this fall. These photographers take photos in beautiful and scenic locations all around the cape area.

Katie Blattel, of Katie Blattel Photography at 221 Independence St., specializes in newborns and high school seniors. Throughout her career she’s done almost every kind of photography there is, but she says that newborns and seniors will always be her favorites. She enjoys doing newborn sessions in her studio, judging which props and backdrops would fit best with each child’s personality and look. When she photographs seniors, she likes to take them outside into more natural settings. With her high school senior sessions, she decides which locations and setting, urban or rural, to use based on the clients preferences, personalities and style. Though there are many fantastic places in the area to take portrait photos, Blattel says that her favorite is the yellow doors at Port Cape, which add the perfect pop of color to any senior photo.

Shannon Duggan Photography, located at 42 N. Main St., mostly sticks to wedding and engagement photos and portraits of high school seniors; however, she likes to build a relationship with her clients and many of them return for anniversary photos, newborn sessions, and family portraits. Duggan will meet her clients in her office space, which she shares with Annie-Em’s At Home, but prefers to get outside and utilize natural light for her shoots. Annie-Em’s At Home does a lot of styling for Duggan’s shoots, providing furniture and props to give a unique style and feel to every session. Although she travels all over the Midwest for wedding shoots, Duggan says that she loves working in Cape Girardeau because it offers, as she says, the best of both worlds. It has beautiful locations both in the city and on the backroads just outside city limits, perfect for capturing the mood for any shoot. She can take a photo of groomsmen on certain streets downtown for an edgier city look, then drive a few minutes outside of the city to a beautiful backroad location to give a bride a softer, more natural styled photo.  Her favorite location in downtown Cape to take portrait clients is an ivy covered wall at Annie Laurie’s Antiques, which offers a beautiful and unique backdrop for any occasion.

It's officially summer, which means it's Mississippi Riverboat Season! Talk about Americana at its finest - beautiful, majestic riverboats docking in our picturesque downtown with calliope music drifting through the breeze. We've welcomed these vessels to our downtown for decades now and, for some, heading to the water to take in the excitement has become a tradition.

For the majority of recent history, two riverboats, the American Queen and the Queen of the Mississippi, have made downtown a stop along their journey. New for 2015, we now have an additional boat to welcome as American Eagle has joined in the route for the first time.

According to American Cruise Lines, 'The brand new American Eagle has design elements reminiscent of an earlier time on the river coupled with a surprising assortment of modern luxuries. Spacious staterooms, fine furnishings, and private balconies are among the welcoming features which make the American Eagle comparable to your favorite world class hotels. Much like its sister ship, the Queen of the Mississippi, this new boat will raise the standard for river cruising in the United States.'

'Queen of the Mississippi delivers an experience unlike any other riverboat. Launched in 2012 and modeled after traditional Victorian-style riverboats of the late 1800s, she was the first paddlewheeler built for the Mississippi River in nearly 20 years. Queen of the Mississippi offers passengers modern amenities and comforts including large staterooms with private balconies, hotel-style bathrooms, complimentary room service, WiFi, and more,' highlights American Cruise Lines.

'Transporting guests back in time in the most elegant fashion, the experience aboard Queen of the Mississippi is a seamless blend of old and new. Beneath her historic décor, gleaming woodwork and brass fixtures is a framework of modern cruise ship technology that provides passengers with the most comfortable and upscale vacation imaginable on the Mississippi River.'


The American Queen Steamboat Company is incredibly proud of its star ship, the American Queen. Being the largest steamboat ever built, they've packed quite an experience inside this floating fortress. 'Although filled with today’s modern amenities, her rooms and accommodations display all the opulence of the American Victorian era. Glistening woodwork, fresh flowers and antiques adorn her interior spaces. While on board, you can select a volume from the vast collection in the Mark Twain Gallery, the boat’s library. Or enjoy a sing-along in the Main Deck Lounge, and then tap your toes to a lavish show in the two-deck-tall Grand Saloon, the most elegant showplace on the river.'

Check out the following schedule and see when you can be a part of the excitement.

July 2nd	American Queen	8am-5pm	Cancelled due to high water
July 6th	American Queen	8am-5pm	Cancelled due to high water
July 15th	Queen of the Mississippi	9:15am-noon	Cancelled due to high water
July 17th	American Queen	10am-5pm	Cancelled due to high water
July 19th	Queen of the Mississippi	9:15am-noon	Cancelled due to high water
July 30th	Queen of the Mississippi	9:15am-noon
July 31	American Queen	Noon-5pm
Aug 18th	American  Eagle	9am-noon
Sept 14th	Queen of the Mississippi	9:15am-noon
Sept 23rd	Queen of the Mississippi	2:15pm
Oct 14th	American Queen	8am-1pm

Please note this schedule is tentative and determined by the weather, river levels and currents. We will try to keep you updated as information changes and becomes available. 

Stacy Dohogne-Lane, Public Relations Director for the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, has worked closely with the riverboat companies for several years. When the opportunity presented itself last year for her to board one of these beautiful boats, she couldn't pass it up. "I love looking out at our bend of the Mississippi River, and watching the river change throughout the year as it rises and falls," Stacy commented. "It isn't everyday you get to see Cape Girardeau from the river and not the other way around! The American Queen was in town at the end of July last year and I had some business to attend to with the folks on board, so I jumped at the chance to snap a few pictures of our river city from a different perspective."

These riverboats are a part of the eclectic canvas that makes up our downtown culture and just one of the many reasons we're one of the greatest downtowns in the nation. Check out Stacy's photos below, we know you'll enjoy them, and plan to head downtown throughout the summer to catch one of the dockings. See you soon!

This post was written by guest blogger, Alyssa Basler, Intern at Old Town Cape.

Southeast Missouri State University will celebrate its second annual community River Campus Summer Arts Festival this Saturday, June 20. “Seussical” the musical will be capping the day with a performance at 7:30pm. Last year’s festival had a record attendance with more than 1,200. This year’s event will feature live music, dance, visual art displays, theatrical performances, an art walk, magic, hands-on family-friendly art expression activities, museum exhibitions, and Plein Art Painting. The festival is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free and open to all ages.

The music line-up has grown extensively since last year. The entertainment will run continually throughout the day featuring the Suzuki players, magician Rob Huff, Mr. Saxophone, Steve Schaffner, Jazz Trio 440’s, the Jerry Ford Combo and Barefoot on Sunday. Children’s activities will be available all day as well, including face painting and hands on activities in the kids’ art tent. The Avenue of Art competition will be back again with a new special category for creating Dr. Seuss art. Additionally, artists of all ages can participate in creating chalk art, with Craig Thomas composing a piece for the festival. Art booths will include demonstrations and art for sale. Ceramics students will demonstrate their craft, and printmaking students will offer a workshop. Students from the Southeast Department of Art and multiple professional artists will have art booths available. In the southwest parking lot, the Southeast Explorer mobile museum will showcase a United States history exhibit and the River City Rodders will display antique and hot rod cars. Bart Williams of the Southeast Department of Theatre and Dance, will present a stage combat exhibition of Quarterstaff fighting outdoors in the Seminary Quad. The River City Players will perform “Sleuth” by Anthony Shaffer.  There will be numerous dance and theater performances, demonstrations, and workshops throughout the day. See SEMO's website for more information.

The all-day event will close with a performance of “Seussical” the musical at 7:30 p.m. in the Wendy Kurka Rust Flexible Theatre. “Seussical” is a musical comedy based on numerous Dr. Seuss books. The musical is written by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens.  It is a comedy that will be enjoyed by the entire family. Tickets may be purchased by contacting the River Campus Box Office, located in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,  calling (573) 651-2265 or by visiting www.RiverCampusEvents.com. Additional performances will include June 18-19, 25- 27 at 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. matinees on June 21, 27 and 28, and a special 10 a.m. performance on June 26.  Get tickets now, seats are filling up quickly!

We, at Old Town Cape, are happy to get the opportunity to work with Southeast Missouri State University campuses on events such as this one. It is partnerships like these that help further opportunities for the University and Downtown and offer a variety of activities for the community to take part in.

This post was written by guest blogger, Alyssa Basler, intern at Old Town Cape.

This post was written by guest blogger, Cheyenne French, student at Southeast Missouri State University

Shopping for that special man in your life isn’t as difficult as you think. If you find yourself in the Downtown Cape area and have an itch to check some people off your Christmas list, you’re in luck! This area is home to some of the best cuisine, entertainment and shopping experiences around. Not to mention its historic background adding to the allure. Shopping for a man has never been easier once you see what these shops have to offer.

Start with some downtown restaurants, such as Broussard’s (for your Cajun lover) or Bella Italia (to satisfy your guy’s Italian craving), to kick-start your shopping spree off right. Port Cape (did someone say excellent BBQ?), Cup n’ Cork and Dynamite Coffee (who doesn’t need a good cup of coffee to start their day off right?), El Sol (Mexican!) and Katy O’Ferrell’s Publick House (your local Irish pub) help add to the diverse dining scene. Don’t forget Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill on Main St for the sports lover in your family. The Corner Grocery & Gourmet Chocolates is a hidden gem for the sweets lover in your life. Stop in to get him some Kentucky Bourbon Balls, homemade fudge and delicious turtles. Yum! Knock more people off your list and pick up an extra gift card or two for any food lovers you may know.

Gaming Grounds, located on Broadway, has tons of lightly used games for guys of any age. You can even rent the place out for parties or buy him an hour or two of gaming time in the store. They also sell gaming accessories for an awesome price. Gaming Grounds is a must stop for any gamer in your life.

Maybe you need a gift for the more sophisticated man; one who cherishes things from the heart. Any of the downtown antique stores would be the perfect place to start. Sure, you hear the word “antiques” and think of some old cameras or ceramics, right? Wrong! These places have TONS of treasures for guys young and old. You can find vintage watches and belts, high-quality ink pen sets and vintage tools, or trinkets to hang in their man cave.

If man cave accessories are what he’s looking for, step over to Hutson’s Fine Furniture for a selection of furnishings and décor that’s never ending. If you’ve been searching for the perfect recliner to be his easy chair, you’re in luck. Does he need a new desk for his home office? Hutson’s is the place to shop. With a wide variety of all sorts of furniture including recliners, tables, clocks, rugs, mattresses and even fireplaces, Hutson’s has you covered.

If you’re feeling extra nice, take a look inside Grass Roots BMW Motorcycle for some excellent gift ideas. A shiny new motorcycle under the tree is sure to bring a smile to his face, but if that’s a little out of your realm, they also have apparel and accessories, parts and everything your cycle lover can dream of. While in the area, stop in Lattitudes Fair Trade Store where you'll find tasty coffee blends, handmade soaps and lotions, beautiful wine racks and other furnishings, to name a few. We can't even begin to detail what it means to be 'fair trade', so stop in and see how your purchases make a difference for those in need.

All these locations are a hop, skip, and a jump away. So take advantage of the beautiful city you live in and shop locally. Keep your main street alive and well by finding the perfect gift right in your very own neighborhood. Shop local in Downtown Cape Girardeau for all of the men on your list this Christmas!

This listing is not comprehensive of all the Downtown Cape offerings for men. Please check out all shopping outlets for unique ideas.

                             

This post is written by guest blogger, Lydia Ness, Student Worker at Old Town Cape.

A few weeks ago some of my friends and I made the decision to spend our Friday night checking out Tunes at Twilight. So, after work we packed our lawn chairs, picnic basket full of cheese and fruit, and a bottle of wine and headed down to the Common Pleas Courthouse Gazebo in downtown Cape.

We arrived around 6:45 and I was immediately blown away - people of all ages, including couples, families and friends filled the lawn surrounding the gazebo. It was clear to me that this event was loved by many and it was sure to be a great night! We scoped out a spot near a large shade tree, planted our chairs and got ready for Coles Whalen, a Tunes at Twilight regular, to take the stage. Whalen is from Denver, CO and has toured all over the country with big names such Pat Benatar, Joan Jett and Kellie Pickler. A few minutes later she took the stage and I immediately fell in love.

My friends and I cracked open the wine and got out the snacks and settled in for a nice, relaxing evening. As I sat there, I thought to myself that this very moment is the reason I love downtown. The weather and atmosphere was perfect, the crowd was fun, and Whalen was just as good as I expected her to be.

I also couldn't help but to think of how perfect of an example of Placemaking this is. Old Town Cape has been really strategic in creating and designing places downtown for people to go and has transformed the area into a destination. Tunes at Twilight is a creative event that invites and encourages people to enjoy all that downtown Cape has to offer. I learned that many people visit the downtown shops and restaurants before or after the event and we did just that once the concert was over. We took the short walk to Broadway Biergarten to grab some dinner and drinks before ending the night.

I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a Friday night that was as relaxing as this one was. I was fortunate enough to spend it with great friends while enjoying excellent music. If you haven't had the chance to check out Tunes at Twilight, I highly encourage you to do so! Wil Maring is the performer scheduled for tonight, but there are two more spring concerts after this one and the fall season will begin on August 15. For more information about this event, click here.

This post was contributed to by Claire Bruce, owner of Sloan + Themis.

The bond between a mother and her child is indescribable. But, what about the bond between mothers and daughters in business...together? In celebration of Mother's Day, here's what it's like to share that indescribable bond in both life and business while working as a mom-daughter team in downtown Cape.

Pastimes Antiques - Deb Maevers and Kyleigh Baliva

"This whole store wouldn't have been in my wildest dream. But, us working together? It's been fun. I would enjoy working with her whether she was daughter or not," says Deb , owner of Pastimes Antiques when asked about working with her daughter, Kyleigh.

Deb and Kyleigh have worked together on several ambitious projects. Not only does the mother-daughter team manage one of downtown's largest antique stores, they've embarked on the Vintage Now Fashion Show. Vintage Now, started in 2009, is an annual fundraiser that brings together their love of vintage fashion and helping women via the local safe house.

Both ladies bring their own energy and specialties to the business, which add to their favorite parts of working with one another. "We can be silly together and make fun things," says Kyleigh.

Kyleigh said they can be put into any situation and are able to know what the other is thinking. In the business of vintage and antique wares, one never knows exactly what may come through the door. The pair prepares well together to handle anything and everything as a team, right down to reading each other's minds according to Deb. "I do some things before I know she wants me to do it," said Kyleigh.

Deb and Kyleigh's relationship has grown even closer having worked together since 2003. Deb's extensive work with interior design has been passed down to Kyleigh over the last several years. "I used to do all the windows, and now mostly she does them all. She's become a great window display artist," said Deb.

Time spent together working at Pastimes is invaluable to both ladies. Catching up with one another is easier at the store, providing an opportunity that otherwise may not be as easy to come by. "She's my best friend; I don't know what I would do without her," said Deb.

Stash - Jill and Emily Hoehne

In fall 2012, downtowners got some new neighbors when mother-daughter team Jill and Emily Hoehne opened Stash on Main Street. With a mix of brightly colored frocks and hip accessories, the boutique was an instant hit.

"It was always my dream to open a shop, and the stars aligned to make it happen," said Emily. Emily has managed retail shops in the St. Louis area for several years before returning to the Cape Girardeau area to earn her degree. Around the time Emily graduated, Jill had the opportunity to retire, then both mother and daughter were able to start a new adventure together.

The Hoehnes found that taking turns was key in making it all work. They worked together designing and building the shop. From scouting out vintage accents, constructing displays, refinishing tables, and hanging and steaming clothes, mother and daughter shared tasks and business decisions. Today, they still distribute the workload 50/50 in the store. Emily is the planner and the buyer who travels several times a year to market in Los Angeles and Dallas. Outgoing Jill has found her strength in styling and helping find the perfect look. "I love meeting all the new people and learning their stores, what their likes and dislikes are," said Jill.

Not only have the Hoehnes made a big impact on Cape's fashion scene, downtown has made an impact on their family. If you have every shopped at Stash, you know it is truly a family business. In one of the dressing rooms hangs a photo of Jill's mother, who provides shoppers with inspiration for grace and elegance. Emily also often brings her son to work. "I like that my son, Adrik, can see people working hard and succeeding. It teaches him the value of a dollar," said Emily. Recently Adrik even raised money for his school by making bracelets and selling them at Stash. Business savvy definitely runs in the Hoehne family.

Did you know that there are over 100 pieces of public art in Cape Girardeau? And that 85 of those pieces are located downtown? Our community is full of art in many ways, shapes and forms and it thrives off of the many talents that the local artists bring. In fact, come April 4th, two local artists will each have sculptures in the city's first ever Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit: On Broadway.

Before we go further, however, let's rewind time a bit. Two years ago, a group of community members from the City of Cape Girardeau, Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, Old Town Cape, and the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce came together to form the Public Art Committee. This group worked to develop a public art policy to give framework and guidelines on how public art would be managed. Following City Council approval of the policy, the effort to host an outdoor exhibition began. Pretty cool, huh?

In August of last year, the committee released a prospectus to invited artists with the hope that the project would increase the number of arts-related activities within the region and provide an additional revitalization strategy for Old Town Cape. Proposals for consideration from the artists were due in October and the jurying process culminated in mid-November. The exhibit was juried by Tom Stancliffe, Professor of Art at the University of Northern Iowa, who has exceptional experience in creating sculptures, jurying exhibitions, and assisting communities in arts development strategies.

The two sculptures I mentioned earlier along with five others will be unveiled at a special reception kick-off event at 6 p.m. on April 4 at the Vasterling Suites Courtyard (Broadway & Fountain) and you're invited! Remarks will be given by Stancliffe and committee members and appetizers will be provided by Port Cape Girardeau. Following the reception, I encourage you to walk Broadway to view the pieces that will be in place for one year - you won't be disappointed!

The pieces are as follows:

'Splintering' by Beth Nybeck (Kansas City, MO)

'Quill' by Dan Perry (Waterloo, IA)

'Natures Quintet' by Stephanie Sailer (Swisher, IA)

'Lineage' by Ben Pierce (Cape Girardeau, MO)

'Victoria' by Chris Wubbena (Cape Girardeau, MO)

'Home Spun' by Andy Arvantes (Chicago, IL)

'Immigrants' by Mike Baue (West Chicago, IL)

For more information on the exhibit, visit the Cape Girardeau Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit website or Facebook page. I'll see you on the 4th!

This post is written by guest blogger, Jen Schwent, Student Worker at Old Town Cape.

It's that time of the year again and Christmas is upon us. Last year, I was fortunate enough to be able to take my son to Old Town Cape's Downtown Christmas Open House, and it was a Christmas memory I will forever remember.

James was six months old at the time, so I wasn't sure how meeting Santa for the first time was going to go. However, I was surprised to find out that he loved Santa, especially playing with his soft beard. He was able to get a free picture taken with Santa and was also there in time to see the one and only 6 foot elf! We had plans to ride in the carriage pulled by horses, but he fell asleep right before we got in line so I didn't wake him.

It was cold last year, but we were bundled up and got to enjoy all of the sites and shops. We both loved different pieces of it. My son liked the cookies and snacks that were offered at some of the downtown businesses along with the carolers along Main Street. One group even dressed up in clothing from the early twentieth century - it was so cool! And I enjoyed getting all of my Christmas shopping done. Many of the businesses offered specials and since I don't do "Black Friday," it was nice to still get deals. The gifts that I purchased were so unique and had more character than if I would've shopped at big box stores.

My little guy was too young last year to enjoy the crafts at Santa's Workshop, so I'm looking forward to taking him to enjoy those this year, and of course ride in the carriage. The Downtown Christmas Open House was great and it has become a tradition for our family. If you haven't ever been, I strongly encourage you to head downtown to the Riverfront area next Friday (Dec. 13) between 5 and 9 p.m. to enjoy the free event!

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

Living downtown is a culture within itself. The riverfront, the nightlife, and the restaurants are all part of the excitement. This is my business, but it is also where we live. My shop is Annie Laurie's Antiques and I share the loft dwelling with my husband, our son and our two pets.

We live on Broadway and often times eat, sleep and breathe downtown. We could very easily not have to leave the downtown for days at a time. This is our dog, Lex, and we can often be found walking around with various parts of downtown. This picture was taken at a historic building across from the Federal Building. When in bloom, there are many green areas on our leisurely strolls.


Have I mentioned that there is some amazing art downtown? I love the metal midcentury piece on the outside of this building.


I also enjoy a good parade and many of them travel down Broadway. Here are some pictures from the past two Southeast Homecoming parades. They are so much fun!


One of my favorite shops is The Plant Lady. Her shop is loaded with all types of plants for all seasons. You never know what surprises you may find.


My absolute favorite part of living downtown is the Cape Riverfront Market. There is a great satisfaction that comes with eating fresh local food. I could easily do all of my grocery shopping there during the market season. Here are some items that I picked up this summer.


I often use the backdrop of the downtown for various photo shoots for the shop. This picture was taken in the fountain by the courthouse.


Our family pictures were even taken by the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge.


I love a great auction. I attended one recently that was held at The Salvation Army right here in downtown. It doesn't get much better than that.


Right across the street is Baisch and Skinner where I get a lot of flowers and greenery for the shop. It is only open to dealers, but it is so great to have them four blocks from where I live. They are a great resource for my design jobs and events.


If I'm having one of my many allergies or just need to get a prescription filled, I always go to Broadway Prescription Shop. They do deliver, but I'm only one block away.


Most recently I attended a CASA Speakeasy Soiree at the Port Cape Girardeau Yacht Club. It is the perfect place for a worthy cause.


So, if you ever ask me what there is to do in downtown Cape, my question back to you will be what's not to do in downtown Cape? See you there!

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