GLENN HOUSE PREPARES TO OPEN SEASON ON SATURDAY

The annual season opener for the historic Glenn House coincides this year with the Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive Saturday and Sunday.

The Glenn House will be open from 1-4 p.m. each day. In addition to a tour of the house at 325 S. Spanish guests will receive "Sweet Treats for a Sweet Day."

The homemade cookie and punch reception is the first of a series of special events planned by the Glenn House, said Mary Russell, a volunteer who is helping organize the events.

For the remainder of the summer, the Glenn House will be open Thursdays through Sundays from 1-4 p.m. each day. Russell said a docent or tour guide is on duty each of these days. In addition, she said, special tours can be scheduled. School groups may tour free.

While many visitors tour the house during the Christmas holiday season, Russell said summer is busy also, especially for bus tours and other vacationers. To encourage other visitors, the Glenn House has been working with the city's Convention Visitors Bureau to promote monthly events.

For May, a Mother's Day Historic Home Progressive Dinner is planned. Five historic homes are features during the five course meal. The May 7 dinner is limited to 40 people. Tickets are $25 per person.

Houses on the tour are:

-- 14 Morgan Oak; Cliff and Lynette Shirrell live in this three story brick Mansard style built in 1889 by William Wheeler, a New Orleans riverboat captain, as a summer home.

-- 303 S. Spanish; Charles and Adele Kupchella have a three story brick Victorian style home with leaded and stained glass windows.

-- 222 Good Hope; Cletus and Peggy Winchester live in a two story Georgian style home that was once owned by the owner and operators of the first brick factory in Cape Girardeau. It was built in the mid 1800s.

-- 25 S. Lorimier; The Olive Branch Bed & Breakfast is owned by Tom and Terri Neumeyer and is an example of the Craftman style bungalow. Built in 1910, the house features oak wainscoting inside along with oak floors. Outside is a wide front and side veranda.

-- 325 S. Spanish; Owned by the Historical Association the Glenn House was built in 1883.

The houses are within walking distance and Russell said she hopes to have the pathway lit by ice candles. Hosts will be dressed in period costume. Tickets are available by call Russell at 335-1594.

In June, Russell said, a display of old photographs and photographic equipment is planned. In addition, a dads will be admitted free June 19 in honor of Father's Day.

Russell said the special events are designed to draw additional people to the Glenn House.

"Everything here is done by volunteers and through donations," she said.

A project is under way now to repair both the front and back porches at the Glenn House.

The back porch is currently propped up, Russell said. "That's as far as the money has gone." She said the front porch is also in need of repairs.

"Every function we do, the money goes directly to that," she said.