Cape Executives Club changes names, looks

Ever heard of a club where you didn't have to do anything except pay your dues, show up and enjoy yourself? It does exist.

The Cape Girardeau Dinner Club has been doing just that since 1951.

"The organization is devoted to the better acquaintance of front-ranking business professional men and women with outstanding figures of world government, industry, finance, business and science," said Judith Anne Lang, dinner club secretary.

Originating as the Cape Girardeau Executives Club, this local group was a late addition to the "knife and fork" club movement of the ending 19th and early 20th century. The knife and fork club concept was born in 1898 when a group of Kansas City, Mo., men informally met with the president of an eastern university who was stopping off on his way west. The evening proved to be so enjoyable that the men decided to meet again.

After meeting several times, the group formed the Knife and Fork Club of Kansas City. The idea took hold and eventually became a nationwide phenomenon.

Name change

The local club changed its name in September to attract and accommodate a more diverse membership, according to Lang, as it is not just for executives anymore. Members hail mostly from Cape Girardeau, though a few travel from surrounding communities such as Jackson, Oran, Mo., Chaffee, Mo., and Benton, Mo.

When the Cape Girardeau club was founded, organizers limited membership to 150, probably due to a simple matter of space constraints, Lang said. Letters of regret were sent to those whose application came in after the 150 mark, including such prominent local names as H.O. Grauel, Rush H. Limbaugh Sr., R.E.L. Lamkin Jr., John T. Lamkin and Alfred Hirsch.

Potential members were put on a waiting list and usually able to join the club later. According to Lang, John Lamkin has been a member of the club for 50 years, longer than any other member. Dues, now $40 per year, cost $10 when he joined.

"The membership list is really a who's-who list of Cape Girardeau," Lang said. "These people have buildings named after them."

The club was formerly made up of all men, however, it now consists of both genders, including single participants and married couples, according to Lang. And though the membership still numbers between 100 and 150, it is getting older and dwindling due to busy schedules. The average age of the group is 65.

Enjoying friendship

"The Cape Girardeau Dinner Club is for people who would enjoy a good meal, an interesting speaker or entertainment for the evening, and the friendship of others," Lang said. "There are no committees. It really exists just for these people to get together once a month to listen to these speakers."

The guest speaker for the club's 7 p.m. meeting next Thursday at the Drury Lodge is Gerard Murray, a British investigative consultant and former detective with Scotland Yard. Murray worked for the Metropolitan Police (New Scotland Yard) from 1961 to 1993. During this time he was personally involved with terrorist explosions, incidents concerning the queen and breaches of security at Buckingham Palace, the attempted kidnapping of Princess Anne, and the Pope's visit to England.

Inaugural officers of the local social club were: Dr. Walter W. Parker, president; James A. Finch Jr., vice-president; and J.E. Himmelberger, secretary. Jack Himmelberger ran the club for 42 years, according to Lang.

Dinner club meals cost $9.75 per plate, and members only pay for meals they attend. The club meets six times per year during fall, winter and spring and is currently accepting membership applications. For more information, contact Lang at 334-9509.

jgosche@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133