RIVER VALLEY SCENIC DRIVE TO SHOWCASE CULTURE, CUISINE

There is a reward for taking in the entire 131-mile route of the Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive : a sumptuous smorgasbord of history, culture and cuisine.

One would have the opportunity to sample sorghum cake, old-fashioned barbecue, a vista of azealas, ride a steam train, roam the Black Forest or simply study a lengthy array of historical buildings.

The self-conducted tour, scheduled for April 23-24, is coordinated by the Center for Regional History at Southeast Missouri State University.

More than 12 villages and towns are participating in the event to showcase the region's diverse culture and history. Participants in the tour may enter the designated route at one of three points : the north entry of Old Appleton I-55, the south entry at Cape Girardeau Business Loop I-55 or the west entry at the junction of Missouri 51 and 34 at Marble Hill.

Maps and booklets describing the communities, sites and activities along the route will be available at these locations.

Towns to be featured include Cape Girardeau, Pocahontas, Oak Ridge, Altenburg, Old Appleton, Apple Creek, Friedheim, Marquand, Burfordville, Marble Hill, Perryville, Patton, Sedgewickville, Jackson, Brazeau and Wittenberg.

Side trips may also be taken to unusual and interesting sites such as Penzel's Azalea Farm, the Black Forest German villages and Rocky Holler USA.

Visitors can expect to see dogwoods, azaleas, antiques, quilts, living history demonstrations and a route lined with crafts, food and friendly folks.

In Frohna, participants may visit the Saxon Lutheran Memorial and browse through the gift shop and museum. Frohna will host an historic contest at 2 p.m. April 23 at the Saxon Lutheran Church.

Judging will be conducted at 2 p.m. Participants must enter a minimum of 10 cookies, a complete recipe of ingredients and a description of the preparation process. Cookies must be displayed on ceramic or china plates and be covered with clear, plastic wrap.

Recipes must be at least 50 years old. Three $25 prizes will be awarded for the most historic cookie, the tastiest cookie, and the prettiest cookie. Any resident of the region may enter the contest. No entry fee is required.

In Brazeau, a community of 60, residents will conduct tours of the local Presbyterian Church, organized in 1817, and tours of "The Academy" school, established in 1855, will also be offered. Crafts, homemade treats and lunch will be available at the General Store.

In Altenburg, polish sausage, sauerkraut and coffee cake will be served. In addition, tours of the church, museum and Concordia Log College and Seminary will be offered.

East of Altenburg participants will find the virtual ghost town of Wittenberg. South of town, they may visit Tower Rock, one of the more interesting features in the Mississippi River.

Known to the Indians and to all river men since the 17th century, Catholic priests planted a cross on top of the rock in 1698 to mark the arrival of Christianity in the region.

In Perryville, home of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, the city will feature numerous tours of its four museums, the restored sanctuary and grotto, the Perry County Museum, the restored Faherty House, built in 1831, and the historic and picturesque Perry County Courthouse, which was built in 1904.

In Oak Ridge, the featured stop will be the Penzel's Azalea Farm, which comprises 49 acres of rolling hills with more than 3,000 multi-colored azaleas, dogwoods and flowering bulbs along with a heavy canopy of tall pine trees. Other Oak Ridge items that define the region are vintage linens, quilts, thimbles and sewing equipment, all of which will be on display. Tours of the school and church will be available.

Friedheim will offer tours of the 136-year-old Trinity Lutheran Church.

Visitors to Sedgewickville may browse through the Sedgewickville Lutheran Church, which will be open with foods and crafts. Tours of city hall will also be available.

In Patton, a quilt show will take place April 23 at the Meadow Heights School. A tour of the Elsie Wilfong House will also be offered.

Just south of Patton, participants may visit the Hide-A-Way Barbeque Restaurant where barbecue, sorghum cake, Ozark Mill Beans with cornbread pies, and cinnamon rolls will be featured.

In Marquand, a pig roast is planned for noon April 23 at the Volunteer Fire Department. Tours of a restored log house, a hotel and an inn are also available.

In Burfordville, participants may tour the Bollinger Mill or Covered Bridge with with a strolling dulcimer player. The Bollinger Mill and Covered Bridge date back to 1799 and are state historic sites.

In Marble Hill, participants may stroll through an antique car show featuring several classic cars or tour the Massey Log House, Wicecarver's Store or Tom Runnels' Cat Ranch. A chicken and dumpling dinner will be held April 23 at the Senior Citizen's Center and a concert will be held April 24 at the courthouse.

In Jackson one of the tour stops will be the Oliver House, where tours of the historic house and demonstrations will be offered. Tours of the Old McKendree Chapel will also be available. Short rides through the Missouri countryside will be available at the St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad, a steam train based in Jackson.

While in Jackson, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy an old-fashioned fiddler's contest April 23 at the Little Old Opry.

Rocky Holler USA, located off of I-55 at the Fruitland-Jackson exit, will feature a working blacksmith, miniature golf and fishing. Participants are also given the opportunity to pan for gold. The Missouri Department of Conservation will host an open house at the Cape Girardeau North County Park throughout the weekend.

Just west of the Cape Girardeau County Park at the Elk's Lake, the Zenon River Brigade, a dedicated group of re-enactors will present a "living history encampment" representing frontier life in 1795. Demonsttrations of skills required for survival during the early settlement days of the Cape Girardeau area will provide visitors with a unique learning experience.

The Black Forest, an 1,100-acre tract of hardwood forest, will feature many craftsmen, demonstrators and musicians. Experienced Civil War re-enactors will establish a camp that reflects what life waas like during America's great tragedy.

Drive participants might want to consider stopping at Trail of Tears State Park, north of Cape, which commemorates the tragic relocation of the Cherokee in 1838 and 1839.

The park features a visitor interpretation center which illustrates the plant and animal life of the park, as well as the history of the relocation.

A kettle-cooked beef dinner will be held April 24 at St. John's Evangelical Church in Pocahontas with 140 quilts on display.

In connection with the drive and to encourage appreciation of the spring beauty of Southeast Missouri, a photography contest will take place. Prizes will be awarded for the best color prints or slides taken by amateur and professional photographers on the days of the drive.

For more information call the Center for Regional History at 651-2555.