'WELCOME NEIGHBORS,' WELCOMING PROGRAM FOR NEW AREA RESIDENTS

Melinda McCulley has been welcoming new residents to the area for more than a dozen years.

McCulley and her helpers -- Pat Robert and Genie Kremer of Cape Girardeau, and Ginny Jones of Jackson -- call on new families in the Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City areas, to "welcome" them to town.

"I've been involved in a welcoming program the past 15 years," said McCulley. "We present new families with a `goodie' basket, which includes a map of the community, voter-registration information and a list of things to do. Food, dry cleaning and other coupons are included in the basket, along with information on churches, hospitals, parks, recreational activities and tourist information.

"Welcome Neighbors," sponsored by participating professionals and retailers, whose "goodies" stuff McCulley's welcome basket, was established three years ago.

"We try to see as many new families as we can -- 25 to 50 a month," said McCulley. "We receive referrals from the Chambers of Commerce, neighbors, the Newcomers Club and others."