BUILDERS TO HOLD HOME, GARDEN SHOW

With spring-like temperatures in the area over the past two weeks, people are out looking at home and garden supplies.

Thousands more are expected to look further when one of the biggest home and garden shows in the area gets under way the final day of this month.

SEMO Home Builders President Dave Reiminger said the people come out for this show.

SEMO Home Builders, sponsor of the home & garden show, drew more than 11,000 people last year. The show, at the Show Me Center March 31 and April 1 and 2, is expecting more people this year.

"Bigger and Better" is the theme for the 1995 show.

In addition to more than 175 exhibit booths of home building and remodeling, people can watch some of the state's best amateur cooks at work, preparing their entries for the Missouri State Beef Cook-Off, sponsored by the SEMO Missouri Cattlewomen's Association.

Another new feature this year will be a regional quilt exhibit with more than 40 quilts on display, including two traveling displays, which will showcase quilts of many materials, styles, themes and sizes.

Visitors may also attend a number of seminars conducted throughout the show, including such topics as lawn preparations, spring planting, care of tropical and indoor plants and swimming pools.

Louie the Lighting Bug will be on hand to present seminars for the youngsters.

There's something for everyone, Reiminger said.

Some 176 booths will occupy space on the main floor of the Show Me Center. Other booths will be on the mezzanine, along with the quilt displays. The beef cook off will also be held on the mezzanine.

The show is a mecca for people considering new homes, remodeling or additions, Reiminger said. Exhibitors financial institutions, building centers and supply outlets, furniture dealers, cabinet and appliance dealers, carpet dealers, paint and glass dealers and lawn and garden supply companies.

This marks the 15th year for the annual extravaganza, which started at the Arena Building in 1981 with about 50 booths. About 5,000 people attended the shows during its early years. In recent years the attendance has ranged from 8,000 to 11,000.

Recipes ranging from Greek pita pizza to farmer's market sirloin sandwiches will be prepared during the beef cook off. Five contestants, selected from around the state, will prepare their recipes from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Show visitors can sample award-winning beef recipes throughout the weekend.

The winner of the cook-off here receives more than $1,000 in money and prizes and will have an chance to compete in the National Beef Cook Off, to be held in September in Little Rock, Ark.

The five contestants and their recipes for the Cape Girardeau show are Jacqueline Giunta of Kansas City, with her beef stir-fry over Ramen noodles; Lorraine Walmann of Gladstone, with her beef steaks Jamaica with tomato chutney; Marie Walls of Rolla, with her Greek pita pizza; Peggy Creed of Florissant, with her beef and endive salad, a dish which includes deli roast beef; and, Carol Amos of St. Louis, with her farmer's market sirloin sandwich with red onions, bell peppers and green beans.

The five contestants were selected from previous regional contests.

The regional quilt display will include a traveling display from Silver Dollar City, the Springs Industries-Springmaid Fabric display, and the Pilgrim-Roy display.

The Cape Girardeau River Heritage Quilters' Guild will demonstrate the art of quilting throughout the weekend.

AT A GLANCE

HOME & GARDEN SHOW

Where: Show Me Center.

When: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 31; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 1; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 2.

Cost: $2.50 for adults; children 12 and under free.

Parking: Show Me Center parking lot.