Downtown winners

Downtown Cape Girardeau continues to enjoy a sense of rejuvenation, thanks to committed business and property owners along with major investments such as Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus, the soon-to-be-completed federal courthouse and a new office building. Several such efforts received special recognition this week at the Old Town Cape annual dinner:n Robert and Kaye Hamblin, for the restoration of their home on Themis Street, received the first Judith Ann Crow Residential Historic Preservation Award.

* Dennis "Doc" Cain, for his support of downtown events and projects, received the Charles L. Hutson Visionary Award.

* Roger and Judith Anne Lang, for their restoration of the Lang Jewelers building on Main Street, received the John Boardman Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation Award.

* Concord Publishing House, for its renovation of the Southeast Missourian building on Broadway, received the Preservation of Heritage award.

Each of these award-winning efforts have moved the historic downtown area toward the goals fostered by Old Town Cape. For those who have made such important contributions to the overall betterment of our community, we say thank you.