From ages 3 to 103

We are anxiously awaiting, as I write this article, the arrival of our 3-year-old grandson Cameron from Dallas.

Our daughter Michelle and Cameron will be spending a week with us in Cape Girardeau as his dad goes on to a class reunion in Illinois.

Our first thoughts were of what we could do to keep an active and very knowledgeable 3-year-old from cosmopolitan Dallas busy and satisfied for a complete week in Cape Girardeau. We found, as we penciled a schedule, that it was easy to accomplish in our beautiful and active city of Cape Girardeau.

* Cape Splash is a "must do" on our list. This continues to be a great addition to our city and great family fun. I feel there may need to be a second trip to this venue.

* Discovery Playhouse on Broadway will be a stop on Monday. Fran and I have toured this exciting children's facility several times but only as adults. This time we will enjoy time there and experience a 3-year-old's joy and enthusiasm.

* Le Bounce is a Cameron request. This new venue is getting lots of action. We will definitely spend time at the "bounce house" and probably enjoy lunch there following this adventure.

* Cameron loves animals, so next on our "to do" list is the animal park. This is a venue that I have driven by several times but never visited. I am sure that we will all really enjoy this adventure with the many animals within the park.

* We plan to take an educational tour through the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center in the Cape County Park. All residents and visitors are able to enjoy this facility thanks to the dedicated work of past presiding commissioner Gene Huckstep.

* The week would not be complete without the experience of the children's wing of our new expanded Cape Girardeau Public Library. I am anxious to see Cameron's reaction to the many educational opportunities available at the library.

* We will plan a trip to the Jones Heritage Ranch for breakfast on Saturday where in an outdoor setting he can enjoy a breakfast and also experience farm animals and poultry in the wild and close-up. We have, by the way, also enjoyed this setting often on a leisurely Saturday morning.

* We will in our spare time take in a requested movie, picnic in one of our beautiful parks, feed the ducks at Capaha Park, etc.

It is amazing that there are so many opportunities here in the Cape Girardeau area for someone as young as 3.

Entertainment opportunities abound for citizens and visitors of all ages from 3 to 103, be it in sports from youth to Division I athletic events, arts and culture from the River Campus to the River City Players, many musical events, history reflecting back to the Civil War through forts/homes/museums, excellent shopping areas, active retirement complexes and senior centers, and many others that would satisfy everyone's personal interests.

I encourage our citizens to reach out and enjoy Cape Girardeau as we continue to entice and invite visitors and tourists to our area.

Harry E. Rediger is the mayor of Cape Girardeau.