3,500 VISIT HOME & GARDEN SHOW

The savory smell of cooking beef greeted the estimated 3,500 visitors to the 15th annual Southeast Missouri Home Builders Association Home & Garden Show Friday.

Visitors to the Show Me Center could head up the stairs to find local members of the SEMO Chapter of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association preparing several cuts of beef to taste. They also could see a new feature for the show this year -- quilts on display by the River Heritage Quilters' Guild, along with those from two traveling national exhibits.

The main part of the arena was filled with more than 100 exhibits relating to making a home a better place to live. Company representatives greeted visitors and offered information on their products and services.

Eileen Meier of rural Jackson, who helped organize the local beef promotion, said it is giving about 60 area cattle-raisers recognition and helping show consumers the versatility and economy of beef.

As part of today's program, five Missouri women will participate in the State Beef Cook-Off at 1 p.m. Meier said she was pleased that this statewide event was part of this year's show.

Corena Miller of Chaffee, president of the quilters' guild and co-owner of The Sewing Basket in Cape Girardeau, said the quilt exhibit "lets people know what we do." Some of the 83 members in the guild from Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Sikeston, Marble Hill and Chaffee will be demonstrating their craft throughout the weekend.

"Quilting is very much part of our heritage and we're still doing it today," Miller said. "We think it's fun and we'll talk to anyone who's interested."

Ken Eftink, development services coordinator for the city of Cape Girardeau, was talking to visitors at the city's display, which included maps of the flood-control project and Lexington Avenue extension. Participating in the display are representatives from inspections, the visitors' bureau and the water department.

Terry and Karen Ashby of Cape Girardeau said they have visited the show for several years. They always have a remodeling "wish list," she said.

"We're looking for some new ideas in home furnishings," Karen Ashby said. "They change pretty quickly and this way we get to see them all in one spot."

Dave Reiminger, president of the SEMO Home Builders, which is sponsoring the event, said he was pleased with Friday's turnout and the variety of the show.

The show continues today from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $2.50 per person with children age 12 and under free.