Making new neighborhood friends

To the editor:

Thank you for your helpful coverage and editorial comments about the new Neighborhood Connection in the downtown area of Cape Girardeau. Our first gathering at Mae Greene Garden was well-attended by interested residents and business owners. Recently we gathered again to hear Sgt. Rick Schmidt of the police department speak about the Neighborhood Watch program. We agreed we would help Southeast Missourian employees pick up litter today. We discussed more ideas as to what this group might do.

Our next meeting at Christ Episcopal Church at Themis and Fountain streets is scheduled for 7 p.m. today. This will be our time to agree on goals and the strategies we want to use to meet those goals.

Our efforts have been aided by many good people and businesses. Save-A-Lot fed us June 2. Shivelbine's furnished a microphone. The police department brought the DARE car. The fire department had a fire engine there. Red Letter Communications made our sign. Ellen Dillon clowned for us. And your paper furnished fliers to help get out the word.

We are excited about the friendships being forged and the support we can provided one another. We are thankful for the interest and support being shown for this neighborhood.

JOAN JONES and the Rev. BOB TOWNER, Neighborhood Connection Committee, Cape Girardeau