Chosen merchants can be proud

Bollinger, Cape Girardeau and Scott counties can be proud of their representation in the Best of Missouri Market this weekend at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis.

Each year, a committee invites various businesses from across the state to display their wares at the two-day event attended by about 30,000 people.

This year's invitees from this area are Cape Girardeau's My Daddy's Cheesecake -- the name says it all -- and Showme Fresh Farms, which produces hydroponic vegetables.

Mary Jane Moyers of Marble Hill will display her Touch From the Heart pottery.

And Ruth Andre of Blodgett will showcase the wares from her Wild Pony Baskets.

Of course, this area has so much more locals would consider to be the best Missouri has to offer. We can all enjoy those merchants year-round while they await invitations to the annual Best of Missouri Market, which brings appropriate credit and exposure to the rest of the state.