MCCULLEY ENJOYS ROLE AS 'WELCOME LADY'

Newcomers to Jackson and the surrounding area need not feel alone. The Welcome Neighbor program exists, to help the new arrival feel at home.

For 15 years Melinda McCulley has been "The Welcome Lady" in Jackson, Cape Girardeau and Scott City.

"I try to see as many as l can, but I don't catch everybody," McCulley said. "The main thing is, we want to make them feel at home."

Going mainly by word of mouth, tips and referrals by Chambers of Commerce and others, McCulley and her two volunteers, Pat Robert and Genie Kremer, hit between 30 and 50 newcomers per month, between the three communities.

"The busy time of the year is March to October," McCulley said. "We could easily see 50 per month."

"Since I've been doing this 15 years, I've built up a network of people," McCulley explained. "I get a lot of messages from neighbors, people from jobs, etc. I'm even liable to stop somebody with Indiana plates or something and ask if they've just moved here. Churches and large businesses are good to call me when they have new people."

The service is sponsored by the participating professionals and retailers, whose "goodies" stuff McCulley's welcome basket.

The packet of gifts includes area maps, tornado and earthquake information, real estate tax information, brochures for tourist cites, information on churches and hospitals and numerous coupons from local businesses.

"I also answer a lot of questions, like where things are, how to sign children up for soccer, etc.," she said.

She and her helpers can also tell about newcomers groups that meet, offering groups for golfers, bridge players, a play group for women with young children and a supper club for couples.

The service is for those who have moved from 30 miles away or further.

"I enjoy helping the people feel at home," McCulley said. "And they appreciate the goodies so much and the information. It helps them make friends and feel like they're part of the community."

Robert and Kremer both live in Cape, but are not limited to assisting McCulley there. Both have ventured into Scott City and Jackson as well.

"They're the perfect welcome ladies," McCulley said. "I wish I could clone them. They're wonderful. They can answer any questions and have plenty of time to spend with the folks. I'm hoping to get a retired person soon in Jackson."

The job is basically full-time for McCulley, who also helps her husband run Sunshine Villa, an assisted living facility in Scott City. She depends on friends and neighbors -- or the new arrivals themselves -- to let her know where her services are needed.

"Just call us if you run into someone new," she urged. "We hate to miss people."