CAPE GIRARDEAU HAS PRODUCED MANY OUTSTANDING FIGURES

Is it the strong work ethic to be found here in the Cape Girardeau area? Or is it the fine educational facilities of which Cape Girardeau has long boasted? Is there a special drive to succeed among people of this community? Perhaps it is a bit of all these, and more besides. These questions are prompted by the Southeast Missourian's Dec. 4 story on the numerous former Cape Girardeans who have achieved fame and fortune in a remarkable variety of careers.

The incredible impact of Rush Limbaugh III on the national media scene, and indeed on the course of events nationally, has given to Cape Girardeau a place on the map that never really existed before. Millions have heard of Cape Girardeau because of him. But the point of the articles was that several dozen nationally or regionally prominent figures called Cape Girardeau home at one time or another.

The names are impressive and bespeak an amazingly diverse range of accomplishments that are even more so: R.B. Potashnick and Jess Stacy. Russell Dearmont and the Drury brothers. Jerry McNeely and Jean Bell Mosley. Gus Margraf and Billy Swan and Gen. Seth McKee.

More than a few have changed the course of events, or the way Americans live their lives. Consider, to take just one impressive example, the remarkable career of C. Virginia Eicholtz, a member of the Class of 1929 at Southeast Missouri Teachers College. In an era not known for celebrating the advancement of women in the business world, Miss Eicholtz achieved much as an executive at Dow Chemical. Upon her retirement in 1972, she held more than 40 patents, including many for new products. The egg-shaped plastic container for hosiery is one of her many credits.

Reviewing these impressive stories serves as a reminder of several important truths. One is the fact that a single individual can make a huge difference. Another is the vital work done by our educators. What great works remain to be done by one or more of the bright young minds currently toiling in our local educational institutions? It is exciting to think about. The lives of these people ought to serve as inspiration to all our young people.