May 2, 2020

Photos of the Month — April 2020

As life continues during the COVID-19 pandemic, here's a look at the best images our photojournalists captured while covering the pandemic and other stories in April 2020.

Jacob Wiegand and Ben Matthews

Gail Lowrance of Cape Girardeau waves to a passerby while taking a portrait Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at her apartment in Cape Girardeau. Lowrance started staying at home March 16. She's taken drives, but said she hasn't been around others or gone out shopping. "It's been difficult, you know, not being around friends," Lowrance said. "Family adjustments, that's hard." She said she was originally supposed to fly to California to see her grandson, but the trip got canceled. Her daughter is expecting twins in Tennessee, and she said she'll likely miss the delivery. "It's our obligation, and it's the least we can do," Lowrance said about staying at home. "I think it's the right thing to do, and I rely on the experts to tell me because that's not my decision to make."

Wanda Choate takes a photo on her phone while parked next to Margaret Tallent, bottom right, as they await the start of First Baptist Jackson's drive-in Easter service Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Jackson.

First Baptist Jackson senior pastor Troy Richards delivers a sermon to more than 50 vehicles in attendance at the church's drive-in service held Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Jackson.

While the church remained closed, one churchgoer sat outside of St. Mary's Cathedral to pray the rosary Monday, April 13, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. The prayer asked to remain anonymous, but said her actions were "a non-violent protest against everything going on" as she prayed for the health of all.

A tree is in bloom as Alana Vasquez, originally of El Paso, Illinois, and now Cape Girardeau, goes for a walk with the dog, Figgy, on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, along Broadway Street at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau.

Jefferson Elementary special education teacher Ashley Carter and her daughters, from left, Cora, 3; Maebry, 6; and Mila, 7, have their picture taken by Jefferson Elementary kindergarten teacher Bailey Kralemann for a "virtual fashion show" Thursday, April 16, 2020, at the Cape Girardeau school. Families who came through the food distribution line at the school could have their picture taken there, but those who didn't could post a picture on the school's Facebook feed. Principal Leigh Ragsdale said all the footage would be complied into a video to be shared. Ragsdale said the school typically does a fall and spring fashion show. "Even though we've been doing things every single day through the food line -- crafts, academic packets -- this is just something to add a little bit of flare, and a little zest and a little life, you know, because we can kind of just get so bored and stir crazy and this is just something for our kids to look forward to," Ragsdale said. She said they were "following all the rules" and social distancing.

Main Street Station owner Ron Taylor provides free meals outside of his shop Thursday, April 16, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. Taylor said he began providing the meals in mid-March and has since served more than 400 people.

On his 90th birthday, Paul L. Essner of Benton, Missouri, and his wife Bert Essner watch a parade celebrating Paul's birthday Saturday, April 18, 2020, outside St. Denis Catholic School in Benton, Missouri. Betty Essner of Benton, Paul's daughter-in-law, said they had planned to have a 90th birthday party and open house for Paul at the St. Denis parish center. But when the gathering was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was decided to have a parade instead. "It's a little sad," Betty said of the change in plans. "We were really looking forward to having everybody together because we're a big family and we're spread out." Numerous vehicles and their occupants paraded for about 15 minutes past where Paul and Bert were seated.

Ashley Freed of Scott City, Missouri, (middle) receives a pizza from Carly Howell of Cape Girardeau near Freed's son Vincent Freed, 5, during a free pizza event Saturday, April 18, 2020, outside First Baptist Church in Scott City.

Tracy Foster of Sikeston, Missouri, shops from her vehicle while assisted by April (who declined to provide her last name) of Cobden, Illinois, during Jackson's drive-through farmers market Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at St. Louis Iron Mountain train depot in Jackson. Market customers were able to do their shopping without leaving their vehicles.

Members of a newly formed online group to produce face masks pose for a photo while following recommended guidelines for social distancing Tuesday, April 21, 2020, outside of RE/MAX Plus Realty in Cape Girardeau. Group members pictured, from left, are Amanda Evans, Wendy Link, Shari McConnell, Melissa Glover, Wendy Flynn, Janelle Tingle, Shelly Stone, Lisa Sanchez and Hillary Corjos.

Charles Youngerman tapes off access to a swing set in Indian Park on Thursday, April 2, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. On Wednesday, the city announced it would be closing all public playgrounds, athletic courts, and other public gathering areas.

From left, Charles Youngerman and Chris Siebert tape off access to a playground slide Thursday, April 2, 2020, at Indian Park in Cape Girardeau.

Petals of a flower are seen Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at Pinecrest Azalea Gardens in Cape Girardeau County.

A bee goes from flower to flower Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at Pinecrest Azalea Gardens in Cape Girardeau County.

Dividers separate the post office counter areas used by U.S. Postal Service workers and customers as postal clerk Scott Roscovius, left, speaks on the phone while working with lead clerk Patrick Hoffman on Thursday, April 23, 2020, at the post office on Frederick Street in Cape Girardeau.

The Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau is seen after fire damaged the building Friday, April 24, 2020, at 298 N. West End Blvd. in Cape Girardeau.

Jenni Heisserer and Trevor Kroenung didn't let the COVID-19 pandemic change the date they had set for their wedding. They simply downsized. With only their parents and a few select others in physical attendance, the couple exchanged rings and entered their union April 25 at the Scott County home of bridesmaid Brittany Felter, who also officiated the service. "It's just the day that we picked, and we wanted one thing to stay the same really," Jenni (Heisserer) Kroenung said. After the service, more celebrating took place indoors followed by the taking of pictures outside by the hillside and nearby pond. "It was so perfect to me," Jenni said after the wedding. "Obviously I got a little emotional. ... At the end of the day, I got to marry the man of my dreams." Pictured here: Trevor Kroenung and Jenni (Heisserer) Kroenung share a kiss while celebrating indoors shortly after being married Saturday, April 25, 2020, in Scott County, Missouri.

Jenni Heisserer, originally of Scott City, Missouri, and now Cape Girardeau, and Trevor Kroenung of Cape Girardeau hold hands during their wedding ceremony officiated by Brittany Felter of Scott City on Saturday, April 25, 2020, in Scott County, Missouri.

Angel Heisserer, mother of bride Jenni Heisserer, holds up a phone featuring Jenni's brother Jordan Heisserer via FaceTime during Jenni's wedding Saturday, April 25, 2020, in Scott County, Missouri.

Jenni (Heisserer) Kroenung and Trevor Kroenung have wedding pictures taken by photographer Crockette McColl of Cape Girardeau on Saturday, April 25, 2020, in Scott County, Missouri.

A sign bearing a message of unity stands above a pile of ashes and burnt debris Sunday, April 26, 2020, at the Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau. 

Missouri National Guard 1221st Transportation Company members Pfc. Andrew Fuwell, left, and Spc. Jason Cooper carry bagged meals to a vehicle on Monday, April 27, 2020, at Blanchard Elementary School in Cape Girardeau.

Caution tape hangs on playground equipment Thursday, April 2, 2020, at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau. On Wednesday afternoon, it was announced parts of City of Cape Girardeau parks were closed to protect against COVID-19 spread. The closures include playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts, the skate park, dog park, FitZone and other gathering areas.

Becky Wichern, a math teacher and cheer coach at Saxony Lutheran High School, holds a sign for the school's 2020 seniors during a drive through "senior stroll" Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at the school in Jackson. School principal Mark Ruark said seniors were able to pick up their caps and gowns along with a few other gifts during the event. Although the dates are tentative, Ruark said school's prom and graduation are reschedule for June 6 and 7 respectively. He said the 64 students in the 2020 senior class make it the largest in the school's history.

Jennifer Ifland of Portageville, Missouri, smiles at her boyfriend Justin Pruitt of Sikeston, Missouri, as they share a hammock Thursday, April 30, 2020, at Kiwanis Park in Cape Girardeau.

Volunteers carry food to be loaded into vehicles during drive-true only mobile food pantry Saturday, April 4, 2020, at New McKendree United Methodist Church's south campus in Jackson. Event coordinator Sandy Hastings of Jackson said she believes there was enough food for 200 people at the pantry which was held in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. People utilizing the food pantry stayed in their vehicles and volunteers loaded the food. Justin Mann, digital media specialist with Southeast Missouri Food Bank, said the pantry was sponsored by the food bank, New McKendree United Methodist Church's south campus and SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties. "This coronavirus, COVID-19, has displaced so many workers who aren't considered essential, so to speak. So, you know, they're out of jobs, they're out of money," Mann said. "They've got to somehow get food on the table. And this is where we come in, where we can help..."

Siblings, from left, Asher Robinson, 3; Tiana Bowman; Talia Bowman, 15; and Bethani Robinson, 6; pose for a portrait Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at their Cape Girardeau home. Their mother Becki Robinson has been working from her Cape Girardeau home and four of her children have been home as well. One of her daughters is a student at Maryville University in St. Louis and another goes to Cape Central High School, but both are now at home for classes. "Neither one of them have been out in public for weeks. I mean we'll leave the house like to take a walk around our neighborhood, but as far as them going to stores or going anywhere, they haven't done it. And that's the same for my 6-year-old and 3-year-old," Robinson said.

Nell Holcomb teacher's aide Baylee Rowland (left) and Nell Holcomb fourth-grade teacher Laura Seyer, both of Jackson, handle meals for students Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at Nell Holcomb R-IV School District in Cape Girardeau. District superintendent Bleau Deckerd said meals, consisting of lunch for that day and breakfast for the following day, are being delivered Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He said all of the students are eligible to receive the meals.

Annistyn "Anni" Bridges, 4, shares a moment with the dog, Nash, while taking a portrait Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at their Cape Girardeau home. Heather Bridges, originally of Benton, Missouri, and now Cape Girardeau, has been working full time while staying at home with her 4-year-old daughter Annistyn "Anni" Bridges. "We have been here for the past, I think three weeks is when I started working from home," Bridges said Wednesday. "We're making it work, but definitely trying to be as organized as possible with me getting my work done and her, we're doing pre-k from home. ... It's been interesting and we're taking it a day at a time."

From left: Tyler Johnson of Charleston, Illinois; Kevin Weber of Cape Girardeau; Shawn Spies of Chaffee, Missouri; and Adam Howell of Scott City, Missouri, (in construction vehicle) install a sculpture Thursday, April 9, 2020, at Broadway and North Pacific Street in Cape Girardeau. Johnson said his father, James K. Johnson of Charleston, created the piece. The 2020 Cape Girardeau Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, managed by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, consists of sculptures along Broadway Street and runs from this April through April 2021.

Worshipers flock to Bald Knob Cross of Peace most years for the annual Easter sunrise service, but not during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there were a few people at the cross, located in Alto Pass, Illinois, to conduct the service and share it with the masses. Teresa Gilbert, executive director of Bald Knob Cross of Peace, said WSIL-TV live streamed and broadcast the service. "It's just been an amazing experience watching everybody pull together," Gilbert said. "Not one of us could have done it by ourselves." Pictured here: Victoria Bittle, 17, of Cobden, Illinois, rings a bell at the beginning of the Easter sunrise service Sunday, April 12, 2020, at Bald Knob Cross of Peace in Alto Pass, Illinois. Gilbert said it's a tradition to start the service by ringing the old church bell.

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As life continues during the COVID-19 pandemic, here's a look at the best images our photojournalists captured while covering the pandemic and other stories in April 2020.

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