Century of service, commitment to the future

This is a day of celebration for the Southeast Missourian, and the festivities will last for another year. Today -- Oct. 3, 2004 -- is the 100th anniversary of the Southeast Missourian.

Over the years, the Southeast Missourian has worked hard to make Cape Girardeau and the region it serves a better place in so many ways. That commitment was fostered by the Naeter brothers who started the Southeast Missourian. You can learn much more about the Naeters and their devotion to Southeast Missouri in the special centennial sections.

The Southeast Missourian's history is rich and full. Its contributions to the community, readers and advertisers are a legacy of service and journalistic integrity.

During this centennial year, the focus of the newspaper also is on the future. The expectations and hopes of the Rust family are firmly rooted in the past 100 years. Today's special milestone is also a launching pad for a newspaper whose vitality and passion for excellence are turning all eyes forward to serving the needs of its stakeholders for many years to come.

Over the next 12 months, our readers and advertisers will have several opportunities to join in the festivities of our centennial. We applaud the thousands of readers and all the businesses that have been so faithful and loyal to their daily newspaper.

Our intent for the long term is to produce a daily newspaper of the highest quality -- in content, printing and distribution -- that will maintain the trust and support that the Southeast Missourian has enjoyed since 1904.

With all of its remarkable history, the Southeast Missourian eagerly anticipates the excitement and potential of the future.