Holiday cheer

Each year the folks at Hutson's Fine Furniture help make Christmas in downtown Cape Girardeau extra special. Viewing their meticulously crafted window display has become a holiday tradition for so many families. This year the model trains run through a replica streetscape of downtown Cape Girardeau.

The store's float in the annual Christmas Parade of Lights invariably pleases the crowds, as did this year's version spouting snow. Dave Hutson, in antlerish headdress, buzzed the parade route on a three-wheeler distributing candy to the expectant hordes of children.

In the week leading up to the parade and unveiling of the window, Hutson's is a crush of Christmas preparations, as if selling furniture were their hobby. In addition, the store is the collection point for the turkeys and all the other goodies that go into the Salvation Army's Thanksgiving Day dinner. Bless them.

Other businesses are serious about dressing up for the holidays as well. Southeast Missouri Hospital looks like a landing strip for Santa Claus, and the fountain at Saint Francis Medical Center appears to be spewing white light. The office at Nip Kelley Trucking, 41 N. Sprigg St. in Cape Girardeau, is ablaze with red and white lights outlining the forms of ornaments, stars and reindeer.

The Southeast Missourian's own decorations and the new wreaths on lamp posts in the downtown area add to the holiday atmosphere.

Here's to all who proclaim the Christmas spirit in any way.