ARTifacts 10/7/11

Ste. Genevieve celebrates its heritage

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- Ste. Genevieve will host its annual Rural Heritage Day on Oct. 22. The celebration will include an array of activities designed to turn back the clock. Among the highlights will be demonstrations of blacksmithing, soap making, threshing, apple cider and apple butter production, sugarcane pressing, sorghum cooking, beekeeping, trapping and fur tanning, tatting and quilting. Antique farm equipment will be on parade, then displayed and demonstrated throughout the event. There will be down-home music, a period fashion demonstration and show, a pumpkin pie contest and a "Spirit Reunion" at historic Memorial Cemetery featuring actors portraying some of the town's most prominent early citizens. Old-fashioned food will be available at event headquarters on St. Mary's Road. Because the activities are spread throughout the community, free horse- and antique tractor-drawn shuttles will carry passengers to the sites. For more information, call 800-373-7007 or 573-883-7097.

Sikeston Depot Museum holds program

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Depot Museum's latest program is "Family Night at the Museum." It will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, with the theme of "Harvest Festival." The evening will include pumpkin carving, a coloring contest, live music, a harvest exhibit by the Scott County Women in Agriculture, plus storytelling of the history of All Saints Day and the jack-o'-lantern. "Family Night" has a come-and-go format and is free. The only requirement is children must be accompanied by parents or guardian. In addition, the 27th annual Bootheel Regional Judged Art Show is the featured art exhibit at the museum through October. For more information, go to sikestondepotmuseum.com.

Ironton hosts Mountain Music Fest

IRONTON, Mo. -- This year's Fall Mountain Music Festival is set for Oct. 21 through 23 on the grounds of the Iron County Courthouse in Ironton. Entertainment will be not only three days of bluegrass, country and gospel music but also a Sunday afternoon of Civil War music and artisan demonstrations. The activities will be held in conjunction with Arcadia Valley High School's annual Fall Festival, which is noted for having the longest continually running parade in Missouri -- 85 years. After the parade, visitors can view the floats at the Iron County Courthouse. In addition to the music, vendors and crafters, there will be a variety of wares and food for purchase, quilting and spinning booths, buggy rides, horseback rides and a miniature train ride for children. There will also be an area set up for pickers, so musicians are being encouraged to bring their instruments. For the schedule of events or more information, visit mountainmusicfestival.net.

Charleston fall festival features organist

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- As part of the Charleston Society for the Arts Fall Festival, organist John T. Webb will present a concert at 7:15 p.m. Oct. 22 in the sanctuary of the United Methodist Church, 1700 E. Marshall St., in Charleston. The concert will be performed in honor of the late Sister Helen Rolwing, O.S.U., who Webb knew from his years in the local chapter of the American Guild of Organists. The Charleston native is the organist for Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Fishers, Ind., and sings in the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and Chamber Choir. He will be performing on a Wicks pipe organ that was installed under the supervision of the late Cam Newlon, also a Charleston native.

-- From staff reports