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NewsJanuary 18, 1991

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Southeast Missouri is one of the most diverse regions in the state if not the nation with its geography, ethnic background and agriculture. Its fall colors can rival those of Vermont. On top of that, the region is historical and has the Mississippi River, the country's most written about physical feature and most fascinating visitor attraction...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Southeast Missouri is one of the most diverse regions in the state if not the nation with its geography, ethnic background and agriculture.

Its fall colors can rival those of Vermont. On top of that, the region is historical and has the Mississippi River, the country's most written about physical feature and most fascinating visitor attraction.

So says Dr. Frank Nickell, the director of the Center for Regional History and Cultural Heritage at Southeast Missouri State University.

Nickell addressed about 40 people Thursday night at a meeting of the Regional Commerce and Growth Association. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn.

Nickell spoke about the region in connection with a two-day area scenic drive that is being organized by the center. The drive, known as The Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive, will be held for the first time during the weekend of April 27-28.

The drive is intended to showcase the region.

"What we're doing here is experimenting a bit," Nickell said. "We're going to try something; see if it works. We think it has a chance and we think it should be fun."

The drive will cover 131 miles, starting in Cape Girardeau and winding through Trail of Tears State Park and communities west and north of the city. Featured along the way will be crafts, food and special activities.

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Several thousand people could make the drive, Nickell said. Organizers are advertising the drive in magazines such as Midwest Motorist and hoping to attract people from St. Louis to Memphis, Tenn.

One of the attractions will be a Civil War campsite, which is being coordinated by Jeff Shrader, a Southeast student from Quincy, Ill., who appears in the recently released movie "Dances With Wolves." Nickell said the 19-year-old historical preservation student, who is a Civil War re-enactor, also appeared in the movie "Glory."

Nickell said as many as 400 re-enactors may come to the campsite, which will be located east of Marble Hill.

Nickell showed an illustration of the type of signs that would be put up to mark the drive route. The illustration depicted a black riverboat pilot wheel on a light-blue background, with the words "Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive" written on the wheel. Positioned inside the wheel was a dogwood blossom.

"It's just catchy enough and if it works, perhaps we can identify it as a historical route and leave the signs up," Nickell said.

The entire project is expected to cost about $7,000 and will be covered through advertising and craft-booth rentals.

Prior to Nickell's presentation, RCGA Executive Director Walt Wildman told the gathering he had just returned from Washington, D.C. Wildman said he went to Washington last week to lobby for the Interstate 66 project.

While he was there, Wildman said, he met with highway officials, congressmen, and personnel with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Three other people went with him on the trip, he said.

Wildman said government protocol kept him from discussing details, but he said the trip had gone well.

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