Bollinger County scenic drive on course for this weekend

The 16th annual Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive has scheduled events in Bollinger County for Saturday and Sunday.

* 10 to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, The Cat Ranch Art Guild, formed in memory of area artist Tom Runnels, will hold demonstrations and art/craft shows. Runnels' prints and books will be for sale. Guild member Chief Paul White Eagle and his Cherokee tribe will display paintings, baskets, pottery, flutes, weaving and native art.

* 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, dinosaur, fossil and historical exhibits at the Bollinger County Museum of Natural History. For information on events and activities, call (573) 238-1174.

* 8:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, one of Marble Hill's oldest business buildings, the Wicecarver Store, will be open. Built in 1893 of local handmade bricks, the store is across from Bollinger County Courthouse. The Presbyterian Church of Bollinger County will be sponsoring displays and items for sale during the drive, including homemade quilts.

* 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, the Massey Log House, built in 1869, and a one-room schoolhouse will be open. They are close to the Wicecarver Store.

For more information on the scenic drive, call the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 777-0068. Other areas to visit include Altenburg, Brazeau, Burfordville, Cape Girardeau, Commerce, Frohna, Jackson, Leopold, Oak Ridge, Old Appleton and Pocahontas. Brochures are available with maps for the entire 150 mile drive.