Dedication ceremony Sept. 20 will celebrate renovation of Missouri Wall of Fame mural

The River Heritage Mural Association invites the public to a special dedication ceremony at 5 p.m. Sept. 20 at Hutson's Fine Furniture parking lot in historic downtown Cape Girardeau.

The ceremony will celebrate the recently completed renovation to the Missouri Wall of Fame Mural. Featured speakers are Carole Buck, widow of Hall of Fame Cardinal broadcaster Jack Buck, and astronaut Linda Godwin, a Cape Gir­ar­deau native.

Other speakers will include Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson and Mural Association president Tim Blattner.

Well-known Missourians

Buck and Godwin are just two of 46 famous individuals depicted on the Missouri Wall of Fame Mural. The people featured on the mural were either born in Missouri or achieved fame while living in the state.

The mural was originally designed by Cape Girardeau artist and native resident Margaret Randol Dement. The recently completed renovation project was conceptualized and spearheaded by Chicago muralist Thomas Melvin, who also painted the Mississippi River Tales Mural on the floodwall along Water Street in downtown Cape Girardeau.

Featured speakers

Blattner encouraged people from the Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois area to attend this free ceremony, noting, "this is a wonderful opportunity to not only celebrate the mural renovation, but to hear the thoughts of two remarkable women.

"Carole Buck will offer comments regarding her late husband. Anyone that grew up in the Midwest remembers Jack Buck with fondness. He was the voice of the St. Louis Cardinals. And regarding Dr. Linda Godwin, let me just say that in today's society there is a definite need for positive role models for our young people, boys and girls alike. Dr. Linda Godwin is just such a person."

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133