LETTERS: PEOPLE MAKE CAPE GREAT PLACE TO LIVE

To the editor:

I was so surprised when I was called to the podium to receive the Rush H. Limbaugh, Sr. award Friday night that I didn't know what to say. I was simply overwhelmed. Now that I have had time to reflect, I would like to make a few additional comments.

Every year the Chamber grows stronger because of the experienced leadership that we have enjoyed, beginning with Bob Hendrix and continuing now with John Mehner. Of all the organizations I have supported, the Chamber of Commerce ranks very high on the list. The very first community event I attended in 1985 was the Chamber's First Friday Coffee. I have enjoyed being on the Chamber's board of directors and participating in its monthly meetings. I would encourage everyone to be involved with the Chamber, because it strives to make the community a better place to live and work. It is no accident the Cape Chamber is the third largest Chamber in the state.

There are many men and women who have given their time, effort and money to improve Cape Girardeau. Brick by brick, they have added to the infrastructure of Cape Girardeau, creating a better way of life for everyone in the community. We have so many great things happening to our community: a great school system including Cape Girardeau and Jackson public and private schools, Notre Dame and Southeast Missouri State University; two great hospitals; exploding industry with the addition of the Procter & Gamble and Biokyowa plants; and overall construction at an all-time high. All these factors brings jobs and new opportunities to our community.

The Rush H. Limbaugh Sr. Award bestowed upon me belongs to my family, Schnucks Food & Drug and its Cape Girardeau associates. Without their active support and encouragement I would not have been standing in front of almost 800 people accepting this prestigious award. To be included with the past recipients -- Rush H. Limbaugh Sr., Oscar Hirsch, Howard C. Tooke, Harry Rediger, Charlie Hutson, Joe Gambill, Narvol Randol, Hugh Logan and Gene Huckstep -- is a truly honorable experience. These individuals have dedicated their lives to making Cape Girardeau a better place to raise our families and to helping build the cornerstone to the next millennium.

I will never forget that, when I accepted my assignment to Cape Girardeau in 1985, Ed Schnuck said: "It is the philosophy of our company to always give back to the community what the community has given to the company." I tried to take those words to heart.

I really appreciate the recognition this award has granted me, but like I said at the podium Friday night, Cape Girardeau is a great place to live because of the people who make up this community.

DENNIS MARCHI

Cape Girardeau