Artifacts 9/16/05

Sesame Street Live coming to Cape Girardeau

The Sesame Street Live touring show "Out of This World!" will come to the Show Me Center at 7 p.m. Wednesday and at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday. For more information, call 651-5000.

Art show raises money for hurricane relief

Local artist Kristopher Naeger, who spent the last three months as an artist in New Orleans, will hold a benefit art show today from 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Riverview Room in Buckner Brewing Co. The show, called "Periods of Transition," will feature drawings, prints and paintings by Naeger, with 30 percent of sales going to benefit the Real People Help organization for Katrina relief. Donations will also be accepted. For more information, call Naeger at (573) 382-7357. For more information on Real People Help, call Maria at 335-9149.

Commerce Floodfest starts next week

COMMERCE, Mo. -- The Commerce Floodfest will take place Sept. 23 to 25 in historic Commerce, located on the Mississippi River in Scott County. The festival features yard sales, food, beauty pageants, games, karaoke contests and musical entertainment. For more information, call (573) 264-3900.

Bear and cougar program rescheduled

The Cape Girardeau Conservation Campus has rescheduled its program on Missouri's bears and cougars for Oct. 6 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the campus nature center. Dave Hamilton, a resource scientist with the Missouri Department of Conservation, will speak in a presentation separating fact from fiction concerning the animals. The program is free for ages 12 through adult, but registration is required by calling (573) 290-5566.

Mingo Refuge holding special events for autumn

PUXICO, Mo. -- On Sept. 24, Mingo National Wildlife Refuge invites people of all ages to celebrate National Public Lands Day at the refuge. The day allows groups and individuals to take part in the upkeep on the natural resources at the refuge, starting at 8 a.m. in the Refuge Visitor Center parking lot. The Auto Tour Route will be open throughout November and October from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day for fall sightseeing. In-season hunting opportunities are also available in the fall. For more information, call (573) 222-3589.

Sikeston Depot Museum featuring toy trains

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Depot Museum will feature D&R Classic Toy Train Layouts Saturday through Oct. 2, with special demonstrations on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Special demonstration tours can be scheduled for school groups and organizations. For more information, call (573) 481-9967.

Fort Kaskaskia holding annual music festival

ELLIS GROVE, Ill. -- The 16th annual Fort Kaskasia Traditional Music Festival will be held on Sept. 24 and 25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site. The festival headliner will be George Portz and his Friends of Bluegrass Band, playing with other Cajun, bluegrass, country and Irish musical acts and country cloggers. For more information, call (618) 632-1384.

Publisher seeking ghost stories for book

ATHENS, Ga. -- Hill Street Press, an Athens-based book publisher, is seeking ghost stories from people living in the region along the Mississippi River for an upcoming book scheduled for publication in 2006. Stories can be set in any location, but should ideally be corroborated by several individuals over the years, well-written and thoroughly told. They should be from 750 to 2,500 words, and photos are encouraged. For more information log on to www.hillstreetpress.com/Ghost.html.

-- From staff reports