CAPE GIRARDEAU FLORIST JOINS CAMPAIGN TO ENCOURAGE NEIGHBORLINESS WITH ROSES

If all goes as planned, 2,000 Cape Girardeau area residents will receive roses from friends and strangers Wednesday.

Knaup Floral, 838 William, will be giving away dozens of roses in all different colors beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday. The idea is for people to pick up a dozen, keep one for themselves and give the others to 11 different people.

Through the flowers, people are expected to make new friends or renew old acquaintances.

"We just want to promote people getting along," said Knaup manager Kathy Landewee. "It's kind of a thank-you to the citizens of Cape."

An FTD florist in Jackson, Miss., started the Good Neighbor Day rose tradition in 1994. She felt challenged to prove that roses don't just symbolize love and friendship, that they can help create new friendships and strengthen loving relationships.

Today, more than 200 florists participate in the event. Knaup will give out the flowers while supplies last.