TAKING PRIDE IN THE PEOPLE AND PLACES OF OUR REGION

Perhaps the best indicator of where we're headed, is an examination of where we've been. That's what the Southeast Missourian tries to do each year on the pages of its Progress edition.

This year's 62-page edition has a decided business bent.

The 55 stories and more than 80 photographs reflect a wide range of businesses throughout the region and the people behind them. The stories also show how these businesses impact our lives.

Six colorful sections target government, education, business, recreation, health, area communities, finance, construction, real estate, and industry.

One story examines the boom of local restaurants in the last five years. Another chronicles the success story of an at-home entrepreneur. Articles look at the business of school reform, the economic impact of schools in a community, and school districts' contributions to local economies.

The impact of the new Mississippi River bridge is explored, as well as the business of recycling. Area wineries, movie theaters, and even the recreation boom reflect the importance people place on being away from work. The business of a good night's sleep is examined, including a look at local Bed & Breakfast operations and the motels. Did you know there are more than seven B&Bs now operating in the area?

Stories about area construction and real estate reflect the robust growth in Cape Girardeau and the region. Construction totals for 1993 were the second best in the history of Cape Girardeau. But it's not limited to commercial achievements. One article examines the number of huge homes popping up in town -- many with over 2,000 square feet. Another looks at area church expansions and construction.

Other stories focus on the largest employers of the region, including Southeast Missouri State University, Procter & Gamble, St. Francis Medical Center, Southeast Missouri Hospital, Dana Corporation, Lee-Rowan and Blair Industries.

Medical growth is also evident at the local hospitals and physician offices. The business of blood collections are also important to the region. In Cape County alone last year, 90 drives were held. In the Missouri-Illinois region last year, 275,000 units of blood were collected.

But more than the businesses themselves, we've tried to look at the people behind them. It takes grit and determination to make a business work, and the region is home to countless success stories.

Take the Dana Corp. for example, which was named industry of the year by the Cape Chamber of Commerce last year. Last year the company's 217 workers made more than 6,000 suggestions on how to improve efficiency in the workplace. Nearly 95 percent of those suggestions were implemented.

In addition to a look back at the past year, this edition truly reflects future progress. It tells of expansions and plans for continued growth and development in the region. In a day when bad news often grabs the headlines, this edition focuses on all the good news around us -- good news that we may overlook every day.

This edition reflects more than six weeks of reporting, photography, editing and production. It also takes advantage of the latest state-of-the-art computer technology. This technology has allowed a greater number of color photographs, and sharper black and white images.

As we went back through the finished product, we felt real pride in the people and places that make our region unique. We hope you will share these good feelings as you read today's Progress '94.