SHOWCASE TO RECREATE SOUNDS OF `FABULOUS 40s'

The "Fabulous Forties" will be recreated in Cape Girardeau when the Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation hosts its annual Southeast Showcase in November.

The event, to be held at the Show Me Center on Southeast Missouri State University campus Nov. 11 will include special recognition of area veterans, and a swinging salute to the boogie-woogie music of the 1940s.

Last year, more than 35 area restaurants and vendors offered their finest fare for sampling by more than 1,300 showcase guests. The 1992 gala raised about $32,000 for patient care development at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

Carol Sparkman and Kerrye Foley are co-chairpersons for Showcase `93.

Foundation executive director Charles Stotz said plans for this year's events include displays of military memorabilia from conflicts as early as the Spanish-American War to Desert Storm.

"The date of the event Veterans Day affords an excellent opportunity to combine a wonderful evening with a special thank you to all the men and women who have served our country," said Stotz.

Tickets for Showcase will go on sale soon, said Stotz. Ticket information is now available by contacting the Foundation office, 651-5510.

The musical highlight of the event will be the big band sound of the Benny Goodman Orchestra.

As a tribute to the "King of Swing," the Benny Goodman Orchestra will feature the big band, swing and pop tunes of the 1930s and 1940s. The orchestra recreates the sounds that made Goodman an American music legend.

The 1992 Showcase event received an award at the National Society for Fund Raising Executives and the Association for Health Care Philanthropy Conference, held at Wichita during the summer. The Showcase was honored in the special events category.

"The Showcase recognition belongs to everyone who assisted with the event," said Stotz. "It is truly a community event and our thanks go to the many communities who make Showcase possible each year restaurants and other food and beverage vendors, sponsor businesses, Foundation volunteers and the 1,000-plus hospital friends who make the evening a success."