Editorials

Several area bands will come together Tuesday, Oct. 3, as part of the 79th annual Jackson Band Festival. There are a dozen high school marching bands from throughout the region participating, including: Chaffee Marching Red Devil Band, Scott City Marching Rams, Kelly Marching Hawks, Cape Central Marching Tigers and Jackson Chiefs Band. The Southeast Missouri State University marching band is also set to perform...

If August means back to school and October truly heralds the arrival of cooler weather, September in Southeast Missouri is the time for family events. Two of the largest annual draws in the region didn't disappoint. SEMO District Fair kicked off with its annual parade on Sept. ...

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." — 1 Peter 4:10 Earlier this month, St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in Cape Girardeau celebrated its 160th anniversary. In itself, that's a testament to generations of leaders and members of the congregation seeing the church through thick and thin...

In the movie "For Love of the Game", the fictional character Billy Chapel, played by Kevin Costner, is an aging hurler who finds himself pitching a perfect game at Yankee Stadium. Late in the game, famed broadcaster Vin Scully says: "And you know, Steve, you get the feeling that Billy Chapel isn't pitching against left handers, he isn't pitching against pinch hitters, he isn't pitching against the Yankees. ...

"The squeaky wheel gets the grease." Maryann "Miki" Gudermuth, 74, passed away Sept. 6, 2023. Her legacy of advocacy for those with disabilities will live on. Miki's story starts long ago when she was a baby, 9 months old. Diagnosed with polio, she spent most of her childhood years in a Shriners hospital, undergoing various surgeries on her hips, legs and feet. ...

There are many organizations in Southeast Missouri and across the state doing good work, helping whomever they can, however they can. Not many, though, trace their lineage to post-Civil War America. Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri, which marked its Cape Girardeau location's 50th anniversary Sept. ...

Did you know projects such as Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center, Discovery Playhouse, Shipyard Music Festival, Cape Catfish and many others got their start or aligned with project ideas from Leadership Cape? The seven-month leadership development program hosted by the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce features team projects each year, and many of the amenities we enjoy in Cape Girardeau were once ideas pitched by leaders in this program...

If two days of fantastic music, good food and drink and even activities for the little ones -- all in a convenient location -- sound like a good time, Shipyard Music Festival will be the place to be next weekend. The fifth installment of the festival, presented by Century Casino of Cape Girardeau and organized by The Scout and rustmedia, will kick off at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, and crank up again at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 on the casino grounds at 777 N. Main St...

Some might identify them as pillars of their communities -- building, improving, expanding. Others might recognize them as behind-the-scenes organizers -- the folks who get things done without regard to who gets the credit. We call them Difference Makers...

If you like cool cars and motorcycles, there are a couple of events that should be on radar this month. The Motorcycle Cannonball is scheduled to stop Tuesday, Sept. 12, in Cape Girardeau. The public can stop by the John Boardman Pavilion on South Main Street from 4 to 6:30 p.m. ...

There may be no bigger, better slice of Americana in Southeast Missouri than the annual SEMO District Fair. With something for youngsters, the young at heart and all ages in between, the weeklong event beckons everyone. Midway rides and games and food galore! Exhibits ranging from agricultural products to home goods. ...

Nothing matches the pageantry, tradition and energy of college football. From setting up a tailgate hours before kickoff to reuniting with old friends, gamedays are special. A buzz is in the air. It's palpable. When a marching band's drum corp cranks up for the alma mater ... well, there's nothing like it...

There's no shortage of need in this area. However, we have some pretty incredible organizations doing important work assisting people in various ways. From feeding the hungry to helping children read to mentoring children through Scouts, there are many not-for-profits, all of which depend on monetary and volunteer support, doing good in Southeast Missouri...

(Editor's note: The following is an updated version of our annual Labor Day editorial.) When it comes to the reasons for Monday's Labor Day holiday, the U.S. Department of Labor offers a good historical review. The first Labor Day celebration was in New York City in 1882 and organized by the Central Labor Union. ...

Even without the storybook ending, the 2023 Babe Ruth World Series held earlier this month at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau was a resounding success. That one of the local teams, Southeast Tropics, won the title is the icing on top. Southeast Missouri is home to lots of sports activities, from the gridiron to the pitch, court to tee box, but the diamond is this region's crown jewel. ...

The 2023 Babe Ruth World Series at Capaha Park featured players from around the world and competitive baseball at a high level. Unfortunately, a bit of controversy cast a shadow over the proceedings. Six members of the Alabama Rawdogs, a storied program based in Mobile, Alabama -- defending champions, no less -- were found to be ineligible for the tournament. ...

A tornado can be devastating. It can wipe away homes. Crumple vehicles into balls of metal. End lives in seconds. But then it's gone. As quickly as it came, the twister leaves, and rebuilding begins. A flood can be devastating, too, but it's different. ...

Area students are heading back to the classroom. And while the temperature outside still feels like summer, the calendar says we turn the page to a new sports season. Cue the "Friday Night Lights" montage. This Friday, area teams will kick off their 2023 seasons. ...

Fun and fellowship will collide with valuable health screenings and information at The Best Years Active Living Expo on Wednesday, Aug. 23. The event, presented by Saint Francis Healthcare System, will include health screenings, mammograms and a workshop on cancer prevention. PC Medical Centers will sponsor a discussion on avoiding joint surgery...

Feel that? No, not the pleasant cool evenings of this week, a (likely) false promise that fall is just around the corner. We're speaking of the energy, excitement and enthusiasm that comes with the beginning of each school year. Public and private schools in the area have begun classes or will in coming days...

Cape Girardeau's Danny Essner was recognized last month as the Volunteer of the Year by Missouri Main Street Connection Inc., a statewide not-for-profit focused on preservation-based economic development. If you've been in the area for any length of time, there's a good chance you know Essner, have worked with him on a community project or benefited from his efforts. ...

Reasonable people sometimes disagree. That scenario is playing out in Cape Girardeau as a group of local developers is asking for significant incentives to redevelop West Park Mall, and some in the city's business community question the requested amount...

There's a significant event taking place in Cape Girardeau next week. The Babe Ruth World Series for 16- to 18-year-old players will be held in Cape Girardeau. The week-long tournament features some of the top teams and players in the world, including: China, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, Aruba, Missouri, Indiana, Alabama, California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Virginia and Washington state...

Every community has their marquee events. For Sikeston, Missouri, there are few that come close to the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. The annual bull-riding, calf-roping and music-listening affair kicks off Wednesday, Aug. 9, and will continue through Saturday evening, Aug. 12...

There are many ways to serve your community. Not-for-profits. Church groups. Civic clubs. Even running for public office. Additionally, there's an opportunity some may not have previously considered: Serving on a local government board or commission...

Southeast Missourians love their baseball, and the Cape Catfish have not disappointed this year. In the first half of the Prospect League season, the Catfish rolled to not only a sizable Prairie Land Division lead but also a percentage-points lead over all other teams, with a blistering 22-6 record...