Written by Guest Blogger Alyssa Phares, Cape Girardeau Convention & Visitors Bureau and President of the Cape Girardeau Historic Preservation Commission

This blog series is presented through a partnership between the Historic Preservation Commission of Cape Girardeau, the Historic Preservation Program at Southeast Missouri State University, and Old Town Cape.

Located at 805 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, the Broadway Theatre, a National Register of Historic Places property, stands vacant. The Broadway Theatre is significant in that it has contributed to Cape Girardeau’s entertainment and recreational history. The Broadway Theatre is the older of the two remaining historic theatres in Cape Girardeau and is the only surviving one from the silent film and vaudeville eras.

Some would say I am theatre obsessed. But really, it is this theatre that has me wrapped around its finger. I believe strongly in the power of historic preservation and community development. Community theatres provide and still provide a sense of place, a reason to interact socially and in the past they served as a recreational center for members and visitors. The Broadway Theatre was a part of Cape Girardeau’s community fabric from the time it was built in 1921 until it closed its doors for the first time in 1960. During its heyday the Broadway theatre offered a wide variety of entertainments such as style reviews, operettas, concerts, and various community organization activities.

Restoration of the historic Broadway Theatre would be a worthy and fitting project downtown revitalization project in Cape Girardeau. The potential value of a restored Broadway Theatre to Cape Girardeau’s social and cultural scene also cannot be overlooked. As in decades past the theatre could once again become the place to meet friends and be seen out in the community. A vibrant restored theatre brings a bit of big city feel to the smaller community.

 Patrons of the theatre could take their business to the Broadway Corridor for dining, shopping and leisurely strolls before and after events. The theatre could complement the recently built River Campus facility at Southeast Missouri State University and become a draw for heritage tourism.  Picture a lit-up marquee on a tree-lined Broadway avenue, pulsing with light, advertising the interesting events taking place within. It is for all of these reasons that This Place Matters to Cape Girardeau.

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!

Walk up to Belair Bar & Grill on Spanish Street on a Wednesday evening and you'll notice the place is not only buzzing, but it's been taken over by runners. People stretching by the stage, knotting their laces on patio chairs and catching up with jovial conversations are all the norm. The group meets at Belair at 6:30 and runs a 4 mile loop throughout downtown ending back at Belair for food and socializing. We usually put together about five or six tables and all enjoy food and drinks together after the run. Belair also offers our group special deals on the food which is most appreciated! Anyone is invited to join any of the runs (no matter your pace), and one of my favorite things about the group is the wide variety of awesome people I've met while participating.

I personally started running last summer after a friend invited me to try the social run at Belair. Being a newbie to running (and really to working out in general), I wasn't so sure I was cut out for this group. After one run, though, my fears were shed.

I discovered the whole point of social run was to run together... of course there were people running at different paces and speeds, but ultimately no one was to be left alone. If you see someone running by themselves you either slow down or speed up so they're not alone. Starting out I ran about 1 mile with the group and then would take a shortcut back to Belair.

Everyone in the group was so encouraging. About the third or fourth time I showed up, one of the men in the group confidently told me that I was running 2 miles that day without stopping. I laughed because I had just started running 1 mile without stopping. More committed and convinced than I was, he ran beside me the whole way giving me advice and encouragement, and through the huffs and puffs I made it to 2 miles. The feeling of accomplishment was so nice, and the camaraderie by which I accomplished it was even more uplifting. As any social runner could tell you, the stories of friendship and camaraderie are so abundant!

The group is led by local running experts, Bryan and Kim Kelpe who together own and operate Missouri Running Company. About once a month they will invite out athletic brand reps or have a special demonstration before the social run that benefit runners such as tips and tricks for running at night, and every once in awhile there are even door prizes! Woop! Woop!

Come and see what it's all about. I've been running for close to a year now, and am still near the back of the pack; but no one ever makes me feel inferior. Everyone is genuinely encouraging. It's all about being active and just giving your best effort. Whether your mile is 14 minutes or 6 minutes, you will benefit from time well spent with others, and I promise you'll leave with lifted spirits. See you next Wednesday at 6:30 at Belair!