NEW DOWNTOWN ORNAMENTS AVAILABLE

Frost is yet to visit the pumpkin patch, and Thanksgiving turkeys still look like they're on a diet, but it's beginning to look a little like Christmas in some stores already.

Artificial Christmas trees, light fixtures in the shapes of reindeer and trees, holiday villages and tree ornaments are beginning to show up on store shelves.

Along with the Christmas decorations already on display are the Downtown Merchants Association's (DMA) special edition Christmas ornaments, which are now available in a number of downtown stores.

"We received the ornaments this week," said Judith Anne Lang, owner of Judith Anne's gift shop, a member of the Downtown Merchants Association, and coordinator of the annual ornament project. "They're in the process of being delivered to stores, and are now available."

This year's special edition ornament features Academic Hall, which has been a fixture on the Southeast Missouri State University landscape for more than 90 years.

The 1998 ornament is being presented in conjunction with the university's 125th anniversary, said Lang.

Construction on Academic Hall started in 1903 and was completed in 1905. It replaced the ornate old Normal School Building which had been erected in 1875, two years after the school had been established in 1873.

"The ornaments look great," said Lang.

This year's order was doubled, added Lang. Some 2,000 ornaments were ordered.

Ideas for future ornaments are welcome.

"We'll continue looking for other ideas for the future," Lang said. "We'll consider anything that depicts Cape Girardeau. We want to offer something new and unique every year."

A share of the proceeds will be donated to the university for the River Campus planned at St. Vincent's Seminary. The university pledged to raise $8.9 million for the new campus.

Academic Hall is the third design for the downtown ornament. The first, in 1996, was a hand-painted engraving of the Common Pleas Courthouse and clock. Last year's ornament featured the Mississippi River Bridge.

This year's ornament is available with a special stand and gift box.

The DMA will use its share of the proceeds to refurbish Christmas decorations.

The ornaments are currently on sale at several locations -- C.P. McGinty Jewelers Inc., Jason Jewelers-Ervin's Metalsmith's Inc., Lane Jewelers, Zickfield Jewelers & Gemologist, Judith Ann's Gift Shop, all Hecht's stores, Hutson Furniture, In The Wine Cellar, Kids Wear Again, Madder Rose Antique Mall, Shivelbine's, Stev-Mark Inc., Touch of Grace and Ye Olde House.