2014 - The Year in Photos

Snow blankets Broadway for a wintery scene, Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 4, 2014. A winter storm warning remains in effect for Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Mississippi, New Madrid, Perry, Ripley, Scott, Stoddard and Wayne Counties until 6 a.m. Wednesday. (Laura Simon)

Week-old Berkshire piglets, Monday afternoon, May 19, 2014, at Brian Strickland and Luke Aufdenberg's Oak Ridge pig farm. (Laura Simon)

Members of the Scott City, Cape Girardeau and New Hamburg-Benton-Commerce fire departments work to extinguish a house fire at 729 Grove Street in Scott City, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014. (Laura Simon)

The Budweiser Clydesdales make an appearance at The Hope Theraputic Horsemanship Center in Perryville, Missouri, Friday, June 20, 2014. (Laura Simon)

Lightning strikes over the Mississippi River near downtown Cape Girardeau Thursday night, April 3, 2014. A strong line of thunderstorms pushed through the area Thursday night. (Laura Simon)

A bike rack on Spanish Street frames the Common Pleas Courthouse on Monday, March 3, 2014 in Cape Girardeau. The city got 2 to 3 inches of snow overnight. (Fred Lynch)

With classes canceled for the rest of the week due to icy conditions at Southeast Missouri State University, some students still ventured outdoors Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014 to face the elements. One student had a minor mishap on her way to the car. (Fred Lynch)

Creighton Edmundson, left, and Wiley Edmundson paddle their cardboard boat, Creighton and Wiley University, through a slalom Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014 during the cardboard boat races held at the Student Aquatic Center of Southeast Missouri State University. (Fred Lynch)

A bicyclist rides underneath the high-line operation training by the Cape Girardeau Fire Department's technical rescue team Wednesday, July 16, 2014 on the Cape LaCroix Recreational Trail in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

Texas Tebow, a 3-year-old buck whitetail deer, relaxes Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at the Rattlesnake Ridge Whitetails farm near Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

Legan Moore displays her pumpkin art at the homecoming game for Southeast Missouri State University on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 at Houck Stadium. (Fred Lynch)

Contestants face the judges in the Little Mister and Miss Firecracker pageant during the Fourth of July celebration Friday, July 4, 2014 at Jackson City Park. (Fred Lynch)

Earl Amelunke of Gordonville guides a plow behind his black Persian mule team Saturday, April 19, 2014 during the 10th annual Ol' Fashion Plow Day at Barks' Plantation near Glenallen, Mo. (Fred Lynch)

Rachel Theall, professor of chemistry at Southeast Missouri State University, walks down Broadway dressed as the periodic table of elements for the homecoming parade Saturday morning, Oct. 4, 2014. (Glenn Landberg)

Jimmy Ward hand-feeds his alpacas some treats Thursday at his Marble Hill, Missouri, farm. (Glenn Landberg)

John Dodd works his way up a trail on a fat bike at Klaus Park in Jackson Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014. (Glenn Landberg)

Perryville's Pablo Mattingly consoles a Soldan International Studies player after the Class 2 state championship Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014 in Blue Springs, Missouri. (Glenn Landberg)

Joe Crader helps his partner by unclogging the juice drain in a grape-stomping contest Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014 at Hemman Winery in Brazeau, Missouri. (Fred Lynch)

Matt Johnston, a Purple Heart Marine veteran battling stage-4 lung cancer, is escorted by Jason Wray through the throng of family, friends and volunteers who came to welcome Johnston back to his renovated house Sunday, July 13, 2014 in Scott City, Missouri. (Fred Lynch)

Santino Marani, left, as Hawkman, Tammy Marani as Hawkgirl, Ashley Bayles as Black Widow and Scott Bayles as Iron Man pose at Cape Comic Con on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at the Arena Building. (Fred Lynch)

Capahas catcher Chase Simmons tags out Riverdogs runner Cord Sheehy with a throw from left fielder Alex Heuring during the fifth inning of the first game Sunday, July 20, 2014 at Capaha Field. Sheehy tried to score from second base on a hit by Spencer Sander. (Fred Lynch)

Harold Stone hits a BirdieBall as Danny Essner, left, Tom Meyer, Kasie Essner and Bob Stone watch at the First-Ever Ninth Annual Louis J. Lorimier Memorial World-Famous Downtown Golf Tournament on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014 in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

Justin Wissmann with Langston Masonry & Construction grinds out joints in the brick wall of the old Kage School in preparation for tuckpointing on Monday, March 24, 2014 in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

Adam Hinton of Cape Girardeau calls a contra dance as partners dance to "Parmesan" during Chance Dance Weekend on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014 at the American Legion in Cape Girardeau. The event was sponsored by Cape Friends of Traditional Music and Dance. (Fred Lynch)

Bruce, an Alaskan malamute owned by Katie Krodinger, seems to enjoy receiving a dog wash by Riley Price, left, Isabella Haushahn and Ashley Mann, right, at a fundraiser for the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks Equestrian Team on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at Mississippi Mutts in Cape Girardeau. The team washed 20 dogs and raised about $500. (Fred Lynch)

Dave Holzerland of Washington starts up his 1935 Indian Four for the Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014 in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

The Rev. Tom Kiefer begins the first Mass since the renovation of St. Mary Cathedral on Sunday, April 13, 2014 in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

Scott City's Becky Burger reacts after striking out to end the Class 1 state semifinal softball game, which Kennett won 4-1, Friday, May 16, 2014 at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Mo. (Fred Lynch)

The Band Perry, with siblings Reid Perry on bass guitar, Neil Perry on mandolin and lead vocalist Kimberly Perry, performs Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 at the Show Me Center. (Fred Lynch)

Ann Kinsey, left, with Madi, a shepherd-retriever mix, Mike Holloway with Mollie, a vizsla, and Marcy Hamann with Bo, a labradoodle, enjoy Doggy Swim Day Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014 at Cape Splash. The event drew a record 244 dogs, at $5 each raising $1,220 for the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Foundation. (Fred Lynch)

St. Pius' Christina Hovatter sends the final penalty kick past Saxony Lutheran's Grace Mirly in a shoot-out to win the Class 1 District 1 championship game Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at Saxony Lutheran High School. (Fred Lynch)

Dr. Dan Cotner directs the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band in Henry Fillmore's "His Honor," on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at the Capaha Park band shell. Mayor Harry Rediger, who was introduced as the guest director for the first concert of the season, announced he wanted to forgo the honor this year, and to present the baton to Cotner in recognition of the trombonist's 75 years with the municipal band. (Fred Lynch)

Southeast Missouri State coach Tom Matukewicz shouts to his players in the game with Southern Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 in Carbondale, Ill. (Fred Lynch)

Jackson Christmas parade Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014 in Jackson. (Fred Lynch)

Jackson Junior Legion's Triston Thele is congratulated by a teammate after delivering the game-winning hit against Eureka in the championship game of the Junior American Legion state tournament Saturday, July 26, 2014 at Legion Field in Jackson. (Fred Lynch)

Southeast Missouri State football player Ron Coleman looks back at director of athletics Mark Alnutt as they begin to "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" along Normal Avenue on Monday, April 7, 2014 in Cape Girardeau. Male student representatives of campus groups walked in high heels from Kent Library to Pacific Avenue, south to Broadway and north on Henderson Avenue back to the library. Hundreds of students joined in the walk in conjunction with Greek Week as part of The International Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence. (Fred Lynch)

Jay Knudtson and his wife, Cindy, arrive for the premier of "Gone Girl" Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014 at Cape West 14 Cine in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

SEMO Pirates catcher Logan Carter grabs a bunted ball by the Riverbend Ducks during the third inning of their first-round game of the Senior Babe Ruth state tournament Thursday, July 10, 2014 in Charleston, Mo. (Fred Lynch)

John Yallaly tosses a wreath into the Mississippi River at the annual American Legion Post 63 Pearl Harbor observance Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014 in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

Keaton Fitzgerald directs Scott County Sgt. Barry Morgan to give him ten pushups after the deputy was unable to show Fitzgerald his challenge coin at a Dream Factory send-off party for Fitzgerald on Sunday, June 29, 2014 in Benton, Missouri. (Fred Lynch)

Cape Splash is a popular place to beat the heat Monday, June 16, 2014 in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

"Sound Effects" begins the first act of Spring Into Dance presented by the Department of Theatre and Dance at Southeast Missouri State University on Thursday, April 10, 2014 at Bedell Performance Hall on the River Campus. Shows continue tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. (Fred Lynch)

Southeast Missouri State's Ryan McCrum watches his PAT scored after his team's first touchdown against Jacksonville State during the first quarter Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014 at Houck Stadium. (Fred Lynch)

Families listen to the Southeast Missouri State University percussion ensemble Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014 at Bedell Performance Hall on the River Campus. (Fred Lynch)

St. Vincent's Alexana Koishor, left, Kellie L'Hote and Bailey McKinney lift the first-place plaque with their teammates after defeating Leopold in the Class 1 District 3 championship game Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014 in Perryville, Missouri. (Fred Lynch)

Fireworks light up the sky over the Mississippi River behind the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge at the close of the Spirit of America program Friday, July 4, 2014 in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

A crewman with Missouri Valley Glass of St. Charles, Mo. seals a new window pane Thursday, March 20, 2014 at the 13th floor on the west side of the KFVS12 building, 310 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. Two more panes will be replaced on the top floor, and all windows of the tower will be resealed in the next few weeks. (Fred Lynch)

Autumn Bollinger of Jackson watches a yellow-bellied water snake as it takes its weekly meal of 30 minnows Thursday, March 20, 2014 at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. Volunteers and staff at the center showed visitors at the Feeding Frenzy how they keep their hungry reptiles, amphibians and fish happy. (Fred Lynch)

Rowdy Redhawk makes the rounds at the Southeast Missouri State men's basketball game with Missouri State Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014 at the Show Me Center. (Fred Lynch)

Melvin Gateley praises the people of Cape Girardeau for their vision as he wraps up the groundbreaking ceremony Monday, March 17, 2014 for the Melvin Gateley Vision 2000 Garden at Murtaugh Park on South Main Street in downtown Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

Southeast Missouri State's Derek Gibson is congratulated by teammates on his way back to the dugout after his grand-slam home run against SIUE in the eighth inning Sunday, April 6, 2014 at Capaha Field. (Fred Lynch)

Southeast Missouri State's Nino Johnson dunks while hanging on the rim, for which he was called for a technical foul, in the closing seconds of double overtime against Murray State on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at the Show Me Center. (Fred Lynch)

A week-old Grant's zebra filly stands with its mother Sunday, May 11, 2014 at Lazy L Safari Park near Cape Girardeau. The Grant's zebra is the smallest of six subspecies of the plains zebra of eastern and southern Africa. (Fred Lynch)

Central running back Braion Owens, right, celebrates with quarterback Peyton Montgomery after Owens scored the second touchdown against Affton during the first quarter of the Class 4 state quarterfinal Friday, Nov. 14, 2014 in Affton, Missouri. (Fred Lynch)

Jeff Pulley rides his motorcycle in the Christmas Parade of Lights Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014 on Broadway in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

Redhawks fans compete in a limbo contest during halftime of the Southeast Missouri State vs. Saint Louis women's basketball game Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Show Me Center. (Fred Lynch)

Frank Hasty of West Frankfort, Ill. directs cars into the parking lot for the annual Easter sunrise service Sunday, April 20, 2014 at Bald Knob Cross of Peace near Alto Pass, Ill. (Fred Lynch)

Team members from Sam's Club splash into Lake Boutin during the Polar Plunge benefit for Special Olympics Missouri on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014 at Trail of Tears State Park. More pictures are in a gallery at semissourian.com. (Fred Lynch)

Staicie Hill helps volunteers from Pi Kappa Alpha, Kory Hamill, left, and Alex Cole, with some painting Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

Kelly football players, from left, Ethan Faires, Brenton James, Austin Eskew and Houston Graham, bring jersey #14 to the coin toss in memory of their teammate, Kaden Robert, before their first varsity game with East Prairie on Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 in East Prairie, Missouri. (Fred Lynch)

The petitioners stand for the national anthem during a naturalization ceremony Friday, May 2, 2014 at the Rush H. Limbaugh Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

A cat rests in an inclosure at Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary on July 29. (Glenn Landberg)

A cameraman gets help from a friend as the sun peaks through the storm Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014 at Houck Stadium. (Glenn Landberg)

Poplar Bluff's Gracie King looks to third base after tagging out Perryville's Macey Hall Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014 in Kelso city park. Perryville Wins 4-2 in the first round of the Notre Dame Softballfest tournament. (Glenn Landberg)

Gene Gillispie judges the 4-H poultry, rabbit and guinea pig competition in the poultry tent Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014 at the SEMO District Fair. Gillispie as been judging competitions like this since 1966. (Glenn Landberg)

Members of Grand Funk Railroad jam during their show at the SEMO District Fair Thursday, Sept 11, 2014 at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau. (Glenn Landberg)

Jack Conklin looks over a 1916 Fairbanks Morse 25 HP engine he co-owns with Tim Conklin as part of the antique tractor display at the SEMO District Fair Friday, Sept. 12, 2014. (Glenn Landberg)

Jackson's high school soccer coach, Zack Walton works to lick whip cream off his face after completing the Nolan Weber Believers 5k and Fun Run in Jackson Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014. Participants could donate money to childhood cancer and receive a plate full of whip cream to plant on someone. (Glenn Landberg)

Tyrique Lockridge, 8, gets a cheetah painted on his face by ZuVonda Richardson at the block party hosted by the Cape Leaders Alliance Partnership held. The event was held at the corner of Hanover St. and Cousin St. in Cape Girardeau Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014. (Glenn Landberg)

Mule-jumping contest takes place at the East Perry Community Fair in Altenburg Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014. (Glenn Landberg)

Taleeya Hemphill, 6, pulls a Shovelnose Sturgeon from a pool stocked with fish and turtles native to the Mississippi River. The Day on the River event hosted by the Missouri Department of Conservation was held at the river walk in downtown Cape Girardeau Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014. (Glenn Landberg)

Dusha Cecil, a parent liaison at Cape Central High School, practices a dance routine Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014 with other faculty members for Friday's pep assembly during homecoming week. (Glenn Landberg)

Central's Peyton Montgomery outruns Jackson's Ethan Isakson in the first quarter Friday, Sept. 26, 2014 at Cape Central. (Glenn Landberg)

Notre Dame's Lydia Goodson spikes the ball against a wall of Perryville players in the first set Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014 in Perryville. (Glenn Landberg)

Perryville's Brooke Hogard celebrates with her teammates after winning the third set in their match against Notre Dame Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014 in Perryville. (Glenn Landberg)

Portageville's Taylor Tiffany takes a moment after winning the Class 2 District 1 Championship against Kelly Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014 in Puxico, Missouri. (Glenn Landberg)

Jackson's Preston Hobeck helps teammate Brandon Simpher tie his hood on during a chilly game against Seckman Friday, Oct. 10, 2014 in Jackson. (Glenn Landberg)

John Dennis Anderson reads a passage from William Faulkner's novel "Pylon" during his Chautauqua performance at Southeast Missouri State University Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014. Anderson impersonates Faulkner while delivering a monologue and answers questions. (Glenn Landberg)

Guy Green, a mechanic at Cycle Werx leads a pack of fat bike riders up a trail during a group ride at Klaus Park in Jackson Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014. (Glenn Landberg)

Perryville's Eann Bergman scores the winning goal with a header in the first half of the Class 2 District 1 championship against St. Pius X Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014 in Festus, Missouri. (Glenn Landberg)

Perryville's Matthew Moran, right, hugs teammate Luke Schlichting after winning the Class 2 quarterfinal over John Burroughs Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014 in Perryville. (Glenn Landberg)

Veteran Ivan Lee places a call to his friend he served with in World War II and Korea at his home in Jackson Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014. (Glenn Landberg)

Brynna Bockhorst, Cape Central mascot, wears the tiger suit Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014 in downtown Cape Girardeau. Bockhorst is a junior at Cape Central High School and has been the mascot for 5 years. (Glenn Landberg)

Nix Coppock, Notre Dame High School mascot wears the Pawz the Bulldog suit in downtown Cape Girardeau Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014. (Glenn Landberg)

Carrie Bell and Jeff Dye laugh with other participants during a graduation speech from the 32nd Judicial Circuit Adult Drug Court program Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014 at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse in Jackson. (Glenn Landberg)

Snow falls on Perryville fans watching the final moments of the Class 2 state championship against Soldan International Studies Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014 in Blue Springs, Missouri. (Glenn Landberg)

Jennifer Jones laughs with her soon to be adopted foster daughter on a bench outside the Common Pleas Courthouse in downtown Cape Girardeau Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014. (Glenn Landberg)

Chris Casey shows his son Ethan, 6, the live models in the windows of Pastimes Antiques during Old Town Cape's annual Downtown Christmas Open House Friday, Dec. 5, 2014. (Glenn Landberg)

Central's Nikylus Thompson, center, and his teammates celebrate after winning the Class 4 semifinal game against St. Charles West Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 in St. Charles, Missouri. (Glenn Landberg)

Central players have their final practice Friday, Nov. 30, 2014 before making their way to the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis for the Class 4 state championship. (Glenn Landberg)

Central players line up before taking to the field in the Class 4 state championship against Webb City Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. (Glenn Landberg)

Randy Koehler helps his son, Joshua sight in his rifle on property their family owns in Cape Girardeau County Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014. (Glenn Landberg)

Jim Austin an Army Veteran and American Legion Rider with chapter 369 rolls up an American flag after a wreath laying ceremony at Saint Denis Cemetery in Benton, Missouri Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. (Glenn Landberg)

Dogs soak up the sun and warm temperature Saturday afternoon, Feb. 22, 2014, at Dogtown in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Herb Anderson sits with his two-year-old yellow labrador retriever, Beemer, at Dogtown dog park in Kiwanis Park, Wednesday, April 30, 2014. Between Anderson and his wife, Beemer gets to visit the dog park around five times a week. (Laura Simon)

Louis Keena and his dog Roy, looks out over the Rafter K Rodeo grounds, Monday, March 10, 2014, in Puxico, Mo. (Laura Simon)

Chip and Nancy Janet (Laura Simon)

Fred and Helen Moyers (Laura Simon)

Buck McNeely poses for a photo inside his home office, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (Laura Simon)

A view of motorists traveling on Broadway is obstructed by an icy rearview mirror, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

A gentleman that goes by the name "Long Wolf" smiles as he is caught by the camera walking through a wintery mix along Broadway, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

The American flag whips in the wind as a winter storm descends on the area, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Street and building lights illuminate ice on a windshiled, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, in downtown Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Local artist Craig Thomas works to salvage an original ink on paper sketch from his friend Mark Haper's house, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014. Harper's Cape Girardeau house along with a large collection of his original artwork, prints and artwork from other artists were damaged in a fire early Wednesday morning. A lot of the pieces were wet, frozen and singed. (Laura Simon)

Harrison Ayers rolls down a snow and ice covered hillside off of Hopper Road as his father, Van, watches in the background, Monday, March 3, 2014, in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Jerry Siemers visits with one of many calves at his Cape Girardeau dairy farm, Tuesday, March 4, 2014. (Laura Simon)

One of Jerry Siemers' heifers gives him a kiss at his Cape Girardeau dairy farm, Tuesday, March 4, 2014. (Laura Simon)

Farm cats raid buckets of fresh warm milk meant for the calves dinner, Tuesday, March 4, 2014. (Laura Simon)

Lusaka, a three-year-old Columbian red tailed boa constrictor, sticks her tongue out for the camera, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Lusaka, who is around seven feet long, was going for a stroll in the sun with her owner. (Laura Simon)

Chris Wubbena stands near his sculpture "Victoria", after it's installation at the Vasterling Suites Courtyard Wednesday afternoon, April 2, 2014, in Cape Girardeau. The sculpture, which stands at the corner of Fountain Street and Broadway, is the first of seven to be installed along the Broadway Corridor as part of a year-long exhibit. The sculptures will be unveiled at a public reception at 6 p.m. April 4 at the Vasterling Suites Courtyard. (Laura Simon)

J.P. Ballhoo holds a bouquet of balloons to hand out to prize winners, Wednesday, April 9, 2014, during the Kelly Miller Circus at Jackson City Park. (Laura Simon)

Lamount "The Human Volcano" uses his mouth to extinguish flames, Wednesday, April 9, 2014, during the Kelly Miller Circus at Jackson City Park. The circus featured animals such as tigers, elephants, dogs, camels, pygmy goats and llamas. (Laura Simon)

The Kelly Miller Circus, Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at Jackson City Park. (Laura Simon)

Uncle Sam, a llama, performs with the Kelly Miller Circus, Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at Jackson City Park. (Laura Simon)

Participants in the Color Me Cape 5K are sprayed with orange powder at the first color station on Good Hope Street, Saturday, April 12, 2014, in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Participants in the Color Me Cape 5K are sprayed with yellow powder at the second color station on Frederick Street, Saturday, April 12, 2014, in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Lexie Grossius reveals a blue smile after spraying participants in the Color Me Cape 5K with blue powder at the final color station on Main Street, Saturday, April 12, 2014, in downtown Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Henry "Hank" Gerecke, 93, looks down at a portrait of his late father, Henry Gerecke, Wednesday, April 23, 2014, inside his Cape Girardeau home. Gerecke's father, a Lutheran minister and Army chaplain during WWII, ministered the 21 Nazis leaders awaiting trial at Nuremburg, Germany. (Laura Simon)

Ben Reihn of Perryville, Mo. sips a beverage at Outlaw Off-Road Park, Saturday, April 26, 2014, during the 3rd annual Crawlin For A Cause. All proceeds from the event benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (Laura Simon)

People play in the mud for a cause at Outlaw Off-Road Park, Saturday, April 26, 2014, during the 3rd annual Crawlin For A Cause. All proceeds from the event benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (Laura Simon)

People play in the mud for a cause at Outlaw Off-Road Park, Saturday, April 26, 2014, during the 3rd annual Crawlin For A Cause. All proceeds from the event benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (Laura Simon)

Hazel Jackson, 83, sits in her Cape Girardeau home, Wednesday, May 7, 2014. Jackson, who is mother to 20 children, has filled her home with photos of her children, grandchildren and other family members. (Laura Simon)

Brian Strickland holds a one-day-old piglet, Monday afternoon, May 19, 2014, at his Oak Ridge pig farm he runs with his business partner Luke Aufdenberg. (Laura Simon)

Wild Bill, a Berkshire boar, stands in the pasture Monday afternoon, May 19, 2014, at Brian Strickland and Luke Aufdenberg's Oak Ridge pig farm. (Laura Simon)

Larry Herron, with Missouri Military Funeral Honors, stands with his bugle in Lorimer Cemetery, Wednesday, May 21, 2014, in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Light shines into the interior of McLain's Chapel through a hole in the ceiling, Wednesday, May 28, 2014. (Laura Simon)

U.S Navy veteran Tom Elfrink, 89, sits in the recreation room of the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, Thursday, June 5, 2014. (Laura Simon)

Six-year-old Izaac Pursley smiles after shooting to the bottom of a slide at Capaha Park, Thursday, June 5, 2014. Izaac was born with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism. (Laura Simon)

Six-year-old Izaac Pursley ventures across the swinging bridge at Capaha Park, Thursday, June 5, 2014. (Laura Simon)

Izaac Pursley, cracks up as his father, Dr. Greg Pursley, tickles him while having their photo taken along with Sheree, left, and Evee-Kay, Thursday, June 5, 2014, at Capaha Park. Izaac was born with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism. (Laura Simon)

Dennis Knepp braids Sparky's mane for the Budweiser Clydesdale's demonstration at The Hope Theraputic Horsemanship Center in Perryville, Missouri, Friday, June 20, 2014. (Laura Simon)

The Budweiser Clydesdales make an appearance at The Hope Theraputic Horsemanship Center in Perryville, Missouri, Friday, June 20, 2014. (Laura Simon)

The Budweiser Clydesdales make an appearance at The Hope Theraputic Horsemanship Center in Perryville, Missouri, Friday, June 20, 2014. (Laura Simon)

A visitor looks over The Wall That Heals, Friday, June 20, 2014, in Perryville, Mo. The traveling wall is a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and will be in Perryville through Sunday. (Laura Simon)

A visitor looks over The Wall That Heals, Friday, June 20, 2014, in Perryville, Mo. The traveling wall is a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and will be in Perryville through Sunday. (Laura Simon)

People line the sidewalks as old-time horse drawn carriages head down High Street in Jackson, Saturday, July 5, 2014, during the Bicentennial Wagon Trail Parade. (Laura Simon)

People line the sidewalks as old-time horse drawn carriages head down High Street in Jackson, Saturday, July 5, 2014, during the Bicentennial Wagon Trail Parade. (Laura Simon)

Chris Hrabik works on welding together a brew stand for a friend of his inside his Sedgewickville shop. Ten years ago an auto accident left a then 18-year-old Hrabik, a quadriplegic. Now, Hrabik uses his welding skills to create custom works for his business, Apple Creek Metal Works, and races his custom Subaru Impreza rally car. (Laura Simon)

Chris Hrabik with his Subaru Impreza rally race car at Cape Girardeau's Riverfront Market. Ten years ago an auto accident left a then 18-year-old Hrabik, a quadriplegic. Now, Hrabik uses his welding skills to create custom pieces for his business, Apple Creek Metal Works, and races his custom Subaru Impreza rally car. (Laura Simon)

Volunteers work on a surprise home makeover for Matthew Johnston, Friday, July 10, 2014, in Scott City, Missouri. (Laura Simon)

Ciara Jobelman, left, and Kate Gilbert splash each other with the water in the Civil War memorial fountain on the lawn of the Common Pleas Courthouse, Monday, July 14, 2014. The girls and their friends, members of Alpha Xi Delta sorority, were having their photos taken at places around downtown Cape Girardeau just for fun. Each girl was asked to wear pink for the photos. (Laura Simon)

Levi Lingle of Cobden, Illinois, moves half pecks of Red Haven peaches to the front of his trailer for restocking his booth at the Cape Farmers Market, Thursday, July 17, 2014. Lingle's parents and grandparents started growing peaches in the early 1900's, and he continues the family trade to this day. (Laura Simon)

David Landewee circles the perimeter of his house as firefighters from Delta, Scott City, Chaffee and New Hamburg/Benton/Commerce battle the fire engulfing his house off County Road 204 in Scott County Wednesday afternoon, July 23, 2014. (Laura Simon)

Doug Sutterfield with Delta Fire Protection District refills the water reserve as firefighters from Delta, Scott City, Chaffee and New Hamburg/Benton/Commerce battle a house fire off County Road 204 in Scott County Wednesday afternoon, July 23, 2014. (Laura Simon)

A horse wrangler prepares his lasso during the steer wrestling competition, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, during the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. (Laura Simon)

Brandy Johnson, right, gives her son, Tres, 10, a peck on the cheek as his "Nana", Delia Johnson hugs him on his other side, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau. Tres was diagnosed with diprosopus, which is more commonly called cranial duplication. Tres suffers from over 100 seizures a day due to his condition. (Laura Simon)

Storm clouds roll through Cape Girardeau, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014. (Laura Simon)

Kelly's Brenton James(34) and Dalton Huffman(12) carry Kaden Robert's jersey onto the field at the beginning of the Hawks' home opener against Crystal City, Friday, Aug. 29, 2014, in Benton. (Laura Simon)

Kaden Robert's jersey number 14 sprawls across the center of Lambert Field as Kelly captains Dalton Huffman, left, Carlos Escobar, Ethan Faires and Maurice Davis meet Crystal City's captains at the beginning of the Hawks' home opener, Friday, Aug. 29, 2014, in Benton. (Laura Simon)

Five-year-old Marshall Pullen stretches after being awakened by his mother Stephanie, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, or AT/RT tumor, in July 2012. After undergoing a resection to remove the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant, Pullen is currently cancer free. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week. (Laura Simon)

Marshall Pullen, 5, smiles, as he waits for his physical therapy session with his mother, Setphanie, right, and nurse, Angie Perry, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week. (Laura Simon)

Marshall Pullen, 5, holds his mother, Stephanie's hand as he undergoes physical therapy, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen does three repetitions with each of his legs, lifting 25 pounds each time. Pullen was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, or AT/RT tumor, in July 2012. After undergoing a resection to remove the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant, Pullen is currently cancer free. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week. (Laura Simon)

Five-year-old Marshall Pullen looks up from the Curious George book he had been reading with his speech therapist, Misty Tilmon, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, or AT/RT tumor, in July 2012. After undergoing a resection to remove the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant, Pullen is currently cancer free. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week. (Laura Simon)

Marshall Pullen, 5, gives a thumbs-up as he swings with his speech therapist Misty Tilmon, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Pullen receives physical, speech and occupational therapy from the center is Sikeston three times a week. (Laura Simon)

John Pritchard, left, Chris Gate, center, row as Paddy Broughton works as the coxswain of the Thames skiff after departing the Red Star Access in Cape Girardeau, Thursday morning, Sept. 25, 2014. The skiff was made in a boat yard just outside Windsor, England. Skiffs are used for recreational, work and racing on the River Thames. Pritchard and Gate are from the United Kingdom, and Broughton is from Australia. The trio were heading to Thompson Bend on Thursday. Pritchard started the journey down the Mississippi River on Aug. 2 at Lake Itasca, Minnesota, and expects to reach New Orleans, Louisiana on October 25. The trip is to raise one-million dollars for Right to Play. Right to Play is a global organization that improves academic performance by using games as a tool for fostering physical, social and cognitive development and for education. You can follow Pritchard's journey and donate at www.mississippimillion.com (Laura Simon)

Ashley Hampton, an intern with the Family Counseling Center, Inc., takes a selfie with Spooky, an 11-year-old Pomeranian mix during the Human Society of Southeast Missouri's picnic to celebrate the first year success of PUPS, Puppies Uniting People Successfully. The program has people that are on probation, parole or completing substance abuse programs, come out to the shelter and work with animals. (Laura Simon)

Bobby Zoellner pats his paint horse, Chula, on her head after saddling her up for a ride on the Peewah Trail at Trail of Tears State Park, Monday afternoon, Oct. 20, 2014. Zoellner and his friend Peggy Stanz were taking advantage of the nice fall weather while it lasts. Mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid-60's are expected for the rest of the week. (Laura Simon)

Corey Bedwell begins filling a custom butterfly tattoo on his sister, Brandy Bedwell, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014, at A Different Drummer Tattoo Studio in Cape Girardeau. Bedwell has been a tattoo artist for around four years. "I just always enjoyed art," said Bedwell, "and then I started getting tattoos." He got started when the tattoo studio was looking for somebody to train as a new artist. "I am luck enough to do it for a living," Bedwell said of his career. (Laura Simon)

Tommy James' profile details his love of tattoos. When asked about his decision to tattoo his face, he simply states, "I wanted to." James has lost count of the number of tattoos he has, but it is "probably 60." He has been getting tattoos "since I was old enough to legally get them." "Tattoos are self expression on the skin," James said. "It's art." (Laura Simon)

David Patterson stands with his camera and weather radio in hand at one of his favorite weather watching spots in Southern Illinois, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014. (Laura Simon)

Crystal Wagner sits in front of her installation, "Immersion", Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, inside the Crisp Museum on the River Campus of Southeast Missouri State University. (Laura Simon)

Southeast Missouri State University's Jarekious Bradley poses for a photo before the Redhawks basketball practice, Monday, Nov. 10, 2014, at the Show Me Center. (Laura Simon)

The wind picks up the ears of Boris, a bich-poo, as his owner, Alex Allen, warms him in her coat after he was done playing in the snow at Dog Town in Kiwanis Park, Monday, Nov. 17, 2014. The region received the first snowfall of the season Sunday evening into Monday morning. (Laura Simon)

Ten-week-old bluetick coonhound puppies play with Mady Newell, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, at Triple N Coonhounds in Zalma, Missouri. (Laura Simon)

Glenda Zink, who lost her husband, Dr. Jim Zink, to Alzheimer's two years ago, continues her participation in a caregivers support group. (Laura Simon)

Southeast Missouri State University student, Kimisha Robinson, leads a group of student protesters in front of Kent Library, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014. The students gathered after last night's grand jury decision to not indict Officer Darren Wilson for the Aug. shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. (Laura Simon)

Kenneth Schwab looks up from his Thanksgiving Day meal, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, at the Salvation Army in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Steve Meier gets some love from his horses, Vince, left, and Betty, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, at Meier Horse Shoe Pines in Jackson. (Laura Simon)

Steve Meier walks his horses, Vince, left, and Betty, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, at Meier Horse Shoe Pines in Jackson. (Laura Simon)

Children meet Santa Claus at West Park Mall, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014. (Laura Simon)

Members of the Scott City, Cape Girardeau and New Hamburg-Benton-Commerce fire departments work to extinguish a house fire at 729 Grove Street in Scott City, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014. (Laura Simon)

Elliot Adams with the Scott City Fire Department works to extinguish a fire at 729 Grove Street in Scott City, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014. The Cape Girardeau Fire Department and New Hamburg-Benton-Commerce Volunteer Fire Department assisted with the blaze. (Laura Simon)

(Laura Simon)

Sophie checks out the selection of baked goods at Mississippi Mutts in Cape Girardeau, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014. (Laura Simon)

Customers sit at a window table, Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, during the grand opening of The Bar in downtown Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Alto Vinyards (Laura Simon)

Alto Vinyards (Laura Simon)

Veronica and Steve Baetje stand among the Saanen goats they raise at their Bloomsdale, Missouri farm, Baetje Farms, LLC. (Laura Simon)

Fancy, an Arabian mare and therapy horse at The Hope Center in Perryville, Missouri. (Laura Simon)

Diablo waves his tail at The Hope Center in Perryville, Missouri. (Laura Simon)