CAPE GIRARDEAU AND STE. GENEVIEVE FEATURE DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS WALKS

Evelyn Boardman is starting a new Christmas tradition in downtown Cape Girardeau a downtown Christmas Walk.

"We have received good response to the idea," said Boardman, who has long been a booster of the downtown area. "We can make the area brim with holiday cheer."

The walk has been scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 6.

"Ste. Genevieve annually hosts a two-day Christmas Walk with very positive results," said Boardman. "I think this is something that will build into a tradition here."

Boardman said the fact that Chrisman's and Hecht's will automatically be open for their holiday hours anyway, "gives us an anchor to start with, and Chuck McGinty has already agreed to play Christmas carols on his outdoor speaker."

Another big plus, said Boardman, is the fact that Heartland Antique Emporium is open every Sunday afternoon. "I have noticed some good traffic there," she said, "especially the past few weeks.

"The feeling that I have about such an afternoon walk is one of all stores being decorated, heavily scented with Christmas fragrances, and lot of candles lit and twinkling lights."

Some of the downtown businesses will offer punch and cookies, and some will offer registrations for a Christmas drawing give-a-way, she said.

A free concert will be held at 3 p.m. Dec. 6 in St. Vincent's Church sponsored by the SEMO Arts Council. Also open will be the Gallery St. Avit with a collection of area artists' artwork and sculptures.

Gallery 100 will open its Jim Parker exhibit Saturday afternoon, said Boardman. Twenty-four of Parkers's stitchery creations will be presented in a one-man show Dec. 6-18 at Gallery 100, with the reception for the show from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 6.

"Two other events in the city will attract visitors to town," said Boardman. Dickins' "Christmas Carol" will be presented at 2 p.m. at the Show Me Center and an antique doll-collecting exhibit will be open from 2-4 p.m. at the Southeast Missouri State University Museum.

The opening reception is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. in the University Museum Gallery.

The exhibit will remain on display through Dec. 23 and will reopen from Jan. 4-28. The

museum will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 3 for the holidays. Weekday hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, plans have been completed for the annual Country Christmas Walk at Ste. Genevieve Dec. 5 and 6, featuring a tree-lighting ceremony Saturday at 6:15 p.m., candlelight tours of two French colonial homes Saturday and the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Ste. Genevieve antique and specialty shops will offer complimentary refreshments and an array of gifts, collectibles, crafts, foods and Christmas items.

Each historic tour home the Linden and Guibourd-Valle houses will be distinctively decorated.

Bell-ringers and local musicians will present a Christmas program Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. at the Catholic Church.