CASINO WON'T CURTAIL RIVER RITUALS

Leisurely strolls along the Riverfront Park area aren't likely to be interrupted by the emergence of a gambling casino in Cape Girardeau.

At least as much could be discerned from those who were drawn to the banks of the Mississippi on near idyllic weather conditions Sunday.

"It's not going to change the scenery that much that I would stay away," said Clarence Schade, who has been taking slow walks along the Mississippi for 35 years.

"I've been coming down here for a long time," said Schade. "I used to take excursions on the river long before there was a flood wall here. That kind of a habit isn't going to stop just because there will be a casino. I think people just adapt to that kind of thing."

Elva and Wilbur Henrich viewed the river from Cape Girardeau with the curious eye of a sightseer.

"We're from Clara City, Minn.," said Wilbur Henrich. "I don't think gambling will keep people from doing what they like to do on a nice day. There's three casinos in Minneapolis along the Mississippi and they haven't changed activity much. In fact it looks like there are more people walking around there now than ever. Some of the people come all the way from Canada."

The Henrichs were taking in the peaceful scenery before they headed to Perryville to volunteer their services to flood victims.

"I was just wondering how high the water got over the summer," said Wilbur Henrich, casting a glance at the flood wall. "I bet that was something to see. The flood started where we're from."

Mark Elfrink, who works for the Cape Parks and Recreation Department as a maintenance man, indicated he will continue to walk along the river after a casino is here.

"It won't change the way I look at the river," he said. "I think it's something that will be good for the town and it'll probably make the area look a little better."

Passing time along the river is a ritual Glenda Bollinger passed on to her daughter, Peggy. Now Peggy is passing it on to her nephew, Cory Simmons.

"He likes to throw rocks into the river," said Peggy Bollinger. "I haven't really thought much about whether a casino on the river would change our walks. If we don't like it, we'll just find some other place along the river where Cory can still throw rocks and we like the scenery."

Said Glenda, "I like to come here a couple of times a month when the weather is nice. I've been doing it for several years. It's a nice way to spend a part of the day."