Old Town Cape honors Don Greenwood, others

Presenting the Charles L. Hutson award to Don Greenwood, Dave Hutson went off-script, having Greenwood kneel on the stage to be "knighted" with a beer bottle because, in Hutson's words, "this son-of-a-b**** has deserved this award a long time."

Old Town Cape honored Greenwood and others during its annual awards dinner Thursday night at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau.

Greenwood, Hutson continued, is to many people an essential character in the downtown Cape milieu -- a local artist who lives, works, eats and even plays bongos downtown.

Greenwood was instrumental in bringing several of the town's murals to fruition, and his design work can be seen in the signage of Broussard's, Pagliai's and others. His involvement with Old Town Cape began with the group's inception.

Greenwood began his acceptance remarks by thanking individuals who also have helped the downtown area thrive but said there were too many to name.

Award winners and presenters pose after Old Town Cape's annual awards dinner at the Isle Casino Cape Girardeau Thursday, Feb. 23.Tyler Graef

"What can I say?" he said. "Thank you."

In another surprise, a marching band paraded through the crowd as Kent and Vicki Zickfield were recognized for their 25 years of work with the Parade of Lights.

"Don't underestimate people with an idea," Zickfield said.

Matt McDonald was named volunteer of the year for his work on Old Town Cape's Organization Committee.

McDonald, who also serves as co-pastor for City Church on Broadway, established the "Block Captain" program, which helps foster a sense of community among businesses. In presenting the award, Old Town Cape executive director Marla Mills said McDonald exemplified the mindset that makes a volunteer.

"Someone who thinks beyond their tasks," Mills said. "We are grateful [McDonald's] mission brought him to Cape."

The pet professionals at Mississippi Mutts on Broadway took home the Business Excellence award not only for their work as a pet store, but for their charitable work as well.

The business recently hosted a fundraiser that generated more than $5,000 for the Cape Girardeau Police Department. They are organizing the "Mardi Paws" pet parade, which also will raise money for charity.

"We consider them paw-sitively family," Bo Kleman said in presenting the award.

The Judith Ann Crow Residential Historic Rehabilitation award went to Jason Coalter and Dustin Richardson of Centurion Development LLC for their efforts to make the building at 232 Good Hope St. livable again. The building sits in the Courthouse-Seminary Historic District.

Jon K. Rust, Rex Rust and Gary Rust II of the Southeast Missourian, Rust Communications and rustmedia were honored with the John Boardman Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation award for the renovation of 325 Broadway.

Originally built in 1964 as a savings-and-loan association, the building now houses the Rust Center for Media, a collaborative hub for the Southeast Missourian, rustmedia and Southeast Missouri State University.

As the festivities drew to a close, Old Town Cape president Dawn Dauer honored outgoing board members Laurie Everett of Annie Laurie's and Donna Denson of the Southeast Missourian. She then welcomed Chris Foeste of Big River Communications and Rex Rust of the Southeast Missourian and rustmedia as they joined Old Town Cape as new board members.

After congratulating the award winners again -- especially "the downtown knight" -- she encouraged others to volunteer.

"We did," she said. "And it's worked out pretty well for us."

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627

Pertinent address:

Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau, Mo.