SIKESTON - This whirlwind job gets a little blustery from time to time, but I love it. And I love the places it takes me, the people I meet and the appreciation it has given me for Southeast Missouri.
We visited several group leaders this past weekend in Branson. These leaders are all looking for somewhere unique to take their clients, some place where life is a little different from the norm.
Well, here in Sikeston and Miner, we are just that! We are as different and unique as they come, and that's great. It sure helps when we are selling the cities of Sikeston and Miner. All we have to do is tell these leaders, when visitors sit down to dinner here, they have to keep their heads-up for it's not unusual to see flying food at Lamberts Café. Waiters stroll through the aisles yelling "hot rolls" then fling those hot, steamy delights to customers.
Another unique place is the SEMO Ag Museum and Granny's Antiques. One of the many unusual items here is a casket that was rescued from the mighty Mississippi not once but twice.
The story is the casket floated up from flood waters in 1927 then again in 1937. Today, this poor fellow has found a more permanent resting place and his casket is anchored in Granny's museum, along with so many other interesting items from our past.
We also tell the tour operators about the other antique shops in our area that visitors find interesting.
With the arrival of fall weather, those stopping in Southeast Missouri will find corn mazes and pumpkin patches. Donnie and Shelia Beggs are working diligently and will have theirs ready for our visitors by the end of this month.
Our Sikeston Depot is another very interesting place we tell the tour operators about. The contents in the gallery change monthly and often times houses items from other museums, such as the Yesterday's Tomorrow's exhibit from the Smithsonian or the exhibit of artwork from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Museum from Colorado Springs, Colo.
We don't stop with just the unique activities in Sikeston and Miner area when we talk with tour operators about what there is to see. Also we promote events in the surrounding areas, such as the Dogwood Azalea Festival in Charleston, the Sweet Corn Festival in East Prairie or the candlelight tours and open house tours in New Madrid.
There are so many fascinating places to visit here in Southeast Missouri. We let them know that all they need to do is call us and we will put together an itinerary for them and their clients.
If readers have something unique or unusual for guests and visitors to the area, call the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 471-6362.