Welcome to Fall: The Pavement Ends Roundup of History and Hiking Events

Horse Creek Trail, Alexander County, Illinois

Now that we've reached the first full day of autumn, we're entering prime time for hiking adventures, community festivals, cemetery walks, and other special events scheduled to take advantage of this brief period of nice weather before we encounter the Polar Vortex again.

Here's a roundup of events during the next couple months that have piqued my interest:

Quilt Tour

Sat. Sept. 26 @ 9 AM-4 PM and Sun. Sept. 27 @ Noon-4 PM
Cape Girardeau and Jackson

Four historic sites are participating in a quilt tour both Saturday and Sunday: the Glenn House in Cape, the Red House Interpretive Center in Cape, the Oliver House in Jackson, and the Cape Girardeau County History Center in Jackson. In addition, on Saturday, St. Andrew Lutheran Church will host a Quilt-R's Market. Tickets are $5 for individual venues or $10 for a "super ticket" to all.

Info: http://www.semoevents.com/events/4313

First-Ever Tenth Annual Louis J. Lorimier Memorial World Famous Downtown Golf Tournament & All You Can Eat Catfish Buffet

Sun. Sept. 27 @ 1 PM
Common Pleas Courthouse Gazebo, Cape Girardeau

This year marks the 10th installment of the downtown golf tournament inspired by Joe Sullivan's newspaper columns. The event is a fundraiser for the Red House Interpretive Center.

Info: http://cityofcapegirardeau.org/Parks/Red-House-Interpretive-Center.aspx

Kaye Hamblin: "Early Development of SEMO"

Sat. Oct. 3 @ 11 AM
Cape River Heritage Museum, Cape Girardeau

Kaye Hamblin, the author of the book "Finding Julia: The Early Development of Southeast Missouri" will present a program as part of the Cape River Heritage Museum speaker series.

Info: http://www.semoevents.com/events/2461

Living History Day at 1848 Thebes Courthouse

Sat. Oct. 3 @ 2 PM and 4 PM
Thebes, Illinois

Actors will portray historical figures at the Thebes Courthouse and during a walk to the Old Thebes Cemetery.

Info: http://www.thebescourthouse.com

Snake Road Guided Walk

Sat. Oct. 3, 2015 @ Noon
LaRue-Pine Hills, Illinois

Scott Ballard of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will lead a guided hike of the Snake Road during the fall "Snake Migration." The hike starts at Winter's Pond at the north end of the Snake Road: take Highway 3 to Muddy Levee Road and drive to the bluffs.

Flyer: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3854448.pdf

Annual Fete de l'Automne

Sun. Oct. 4 @ 11 AM-5 PM
Washington County, Missouri

The Old Mines Area Historical Society presents this annual festival of French culture, cuisine, and music at a place called Fertile, Missouri.

Info: http://omahs.weebly.com/annual-fecircte.html

River-to-River Trail Society Hike: Cedar Bluff to Bork Falls

Sat. Oct. 10 @ 10 AM
Johnson County, Illinois

Bob Mulcahy leads this first hike of the fall season for the River-to-River Trail Society. Meet at 10 AM at the Goreville City Park.

Their news release provides these details: "All hikes are open to the public free of charge. Most hikes are of at least moderate difficulty, intended for people in good health who have done some walking. Boots or sturdy shoes and a walking stick are highly recommended. Hikers should bring their own water and a snack. No dogs, please."

Info: http://massacbeeswax.com/2015/09/09/river-to-river-hikes-fall/

Saxon Lutheran Memorial Fall Festival

Sat. Oct. 10 @ 9 AM - 4 PM
Frohna, Missouri

This annual festival and fundraiser for the Saxon Lutheran Memorial features demonstrations of "blacksmithing; apple butter cooking; candle dipping; basket weaving; cross-cut sawing; woodworking; rope making; and other skills let you put your hands on history and be a pioneer."

Info: https://www.visitmo.com/saxon-lutheran-memorial-35th-annual-fall-festival.aspx

River-to-River Trail Society Hike: Benham Ridge to Herod Bluff

Sat. Oct. 17 @ 10 AM
Pope County, Illinois

Meet at 10 AM at Herod Post Office.

Info: http://massacbeeswax.com/2015/09/09/river-to-river-hikes-fall/

2015 Missouri Preservation Conference: "The Past and Future of Preservation"

Wed. Oct. 21 - Fri. Oct. 23
Cape Girardeau

This three-day conference comes to Cape Girardeau and features a jam-packed schedule of speakers, workshops, bus tours, and other events. The conference will be headquartered on the 4th floor of the University Center on the SEMO campus.

I'll be presenting at the very first session on Wednesday about Joseph Lansman, the man who built Cape Girardeau brick by brick. (And who built the 1850s handball court that the university tore down... brick by brick.)

Info: http://www.preservemo.org

Cape Girardeau County Historical Society Banquet

Sat. Oct. 24 @ 6 PM
Ray's of Kelso Banquet Center, Cape Girardeau

The Cape Girardeau County Historical Society is bringing back the tradition of hosting an annual banquet and fundraiser. Dr. Frank Nickell will be the keynote speaker. Tickets and information are available at the History Center in Jackson on the courthouse square or by calling 573-979-5170.

Kincaid Mounds Archaeology Field Day

Sat. Oct. 24
Kincaid Mounds Historic Site near Brookport, Illinois

This annual event will feature exhibits, presentations, and a walking tour including information on recent excavations at this Mississippian Culture site.

Info: http://www.kincaidmounds.com/news.htm

River-to-River Trail Society Hike: Pine Hollow

Sat. Oct. 24 @ 10 AM
Pope County, Illinois

Meet at Dixon Springs State Park at the rear parking lot by shelter number 2.

Info: http://massacbeeswax.com/2015/09/09/river-to-river-hikes-fall/

Wildflower Walk at Atwood Ridge

Sat. Oct. 24 @ 11 AM
Atwood Ridge, Union County, Illinois

Chris Benda leads this hike and workshop for identifying wildflowers. The event flyer states, "All of the hikes will last up to 4 hours. No previous experience is necessary. Reservations are not required but are encouraged. The hikes will be limited to the first 20 participants. To reserve your spot for any of the hikes, contact Chris Benda at botanizer@gmail.com ."

Info: http://massacbeeswax.com/2015/07/07/wildflower-walks-shawnee-national-forest/

Flyer: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3846230.pdf

Wildflower Walk at Lusk Creek

Sun. Oct. 25 @ 1 PM
Lusk Creek Canyon Wilderness, Pope County, Illinois

Chris Benda leads another hike and workshop for identifying wildflowers.

Info: http://massacbeeswax.com/2015/07/07/wildflower-walks-shawnee-national-forest/

Flyer: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3846230.pdf

River-to-River Trail Society Hike: Grindstaff Hollow and Hurricane Bluff

Sat. Oct. 31 @ 10 AM
Gallatin County, Illinois

This morning hike on the day of Halloween starts at High Knob near Garden of the Gods.

Info: http://massacbeeswax.com/2015/09/09/river-to-river-hikes-fall/

Special Halloween River-to-River Trail Society Hike: Max Creek Vortex

Sat. Oct. 31 @ 5:30 PM
Johnson County, Illinois

This special Halloween night hike ventures into the "Max Creek Vortex", a place long rumored for its spooky happenings. Meet at Tunnel Hill School on US 45 at 5:30 PM.

Info: http://massacbeeswax.com/2015/09/09/river-to-river-hikes-fall/

Bollinger Mill Cemetery Walk

Sat. Oct. 31 @ 9 AM
Bollinger Mill State Historic Site, Burfordville

Learn about the members of the Bollinger family buried in a plot on the hill above Bollinger Mill. The program is free but requires pre-registration.

Info: https://mostateparks.com/event/62425/fall-cemetery-walk

River-to-River Trail Society Hike: Bell Smith Springs

Sat. Nov. 7 @ 10 AM
Pope County, Illinois

Meet at the main Bell Smith Springs parking lot.

Info: http://massacbeeswax.com/2015/09/09/river-to-river-hikes-fall/

River-to-River Trail Society Hike: Horse Creek Trail

Sat. Nov. 14 @ 10:30 AM
Alexander County, Illinois

Kelly Pearson of the U.S. Forest Service will lead this hike in the hills across the river from Cape Girardeau. Meet at Mill Creek Village Park on Highway 127 south of Jonesboro at 10:30 AM.

Info: http://massacbeeswax.com/2015/09/09/river-to-river-hikes-fall/

"An 1814 Evening Dessert Table" at the Byrd House

Sat. Nov. 21, Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, and Dec. 19
Stephen Byrd House near Jackson

Enjoy dessert at a stone house from ca. 1820 as a famous historical figure drops by. Tickets will be available for five Saturdays during the holiday season at 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM. I'll be helping out as the narrator, but I'm not at liberty to divulge the identity of the mystery guest.

Info: http://thebyrdhouse1820.com

River-to-River Trail Society Hike: Crest Trail

Sat. Nov. 28 @ 10 AM
Saline County, Illinois

The final scheduled hike on the River-to-River Trail Society's fall calendar starts at the Tecumseh Statue at Glen Jones Lake in the Saline County Fish & Wildlife Area.

Info: http://massacbeeswax.com/2015/09/09/river-to-river-hikes-fall/