RANDOL AGAIN WILL HEAD C&V BUREAU

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Narvol Randol Jr. was re-elected chairman of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau during a meeting of the bureau's advisory board Wednesday.

Other officers selected at the session, held at Jeremiah's Restaurant in downtown Cape Girardeau, were David Ross, vice chairman, and Beverly Estes, secretary.

The advisory board also approved fund requests from the St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railway at Jackson for brochures and from the Southeast Missouri State University Athletic Department for assistance with the SEmotion Relays to be held in April. Board members also heard an update on the Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive to be held in Southeast Missouri in late April.

Dr. Frank Nickell of Southeast Missouri State University's Center for Regional History discussed the scenic and historic routes selected for the 131-mile drive through an area which includes Cape Girardeau, Marble Hill, Patton, Biehle, Frohna and Altenburg, Fruitland, Neelys Landing, Trail of Tears and other places.

"This event is patterned after the Spoon Valley Drive in Illinois, which attracts as many as 50,000 people each year," said Nickell. "Several events are scheduled at communities along the route."

Events include a black-power shoot, to be held at Trail of Tears; a Civil War Encampment in the Marble Hill area; a working mill at Burfordville, a working steam train at Jackson; and a re-enactment of Don Louis Lorimier's 18th century founding of a community on the banks of the Mississippi River.

"Art and crafts and food stands will be located throughout the 131-mile tour," said Nickell. "This is a time of year when visitors can expect to see the dogwoods, and the azaleas."

Nickell added that booklets would be available at the three starting points Cape Girardeau Waterfront, Junction 51/34 at Marble Hill, and Biehle exit, Interstate 55 describing the route, events, and other information.

"This will be an opportunity for visitors to see the beauty and history of Southeast Missouri," said Nickell.

Marvin Rosengarten and Richard McDuffie appeared at the bureau's meeting to explain a request for funding for the SEmotion relays.

"The relays usually mean from $600,000 to $750,00 to the community's economy," said Rosengarten. "We have from 800 to 1,100 participants, plus coaches, officials and families. This means a tremendous impact on meals, hotels, shopping and service stations in the area."

Rosengarten explained that the relays had lost a portion of its funding because of a change in the sponsorship of the River Classic Basketball Tournament, held at the Show Me Center each year.

"Mike Kohlfeld was one of the big relays sponsors," said Rosengarten. "But, this year he will be joining Capital Bank to fund our Division I basketball tournament here. We have to pick up the slack to keep our relays on a growth pattern as we approach the Division I status."

The advisory board approved the $3,250 request, on a one-year commitment.

The steam train brochure request was for 50,000 new brochures, at a cost of $1,937.50.

Lyn Muzzy, director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, was in Cincinnati, Ohio this week attending the National Motorcoach Network Marketplace. Following that meeting, he will participate in the Jefferson Lines Tour & Travel Marketplace at Des Moines, Iowa.

Laurel Adkisson of the bureau, was in Jefferson City Wednesday meeting with a group of nurses to discuss the Missouri Nurses Association, which will hold a convention here in October.

In other staff news, Cathy Crites reported that a tour guide training course was in its fourth week, and that eight people were attending the Friday sessions.