By Dr. Isabel Warner
From October 3rd to 4th the MOST Legislative Policy Fellows traveled to Cape Girardeau to meet with legislators and partners. Fellows held a Meet & Greet at the Cape Girardeau Public Library, which celebrated its recognition as the 2024 Missouri Library of the Year later that same day. Fellows attended the ceremony and took a tour of the library facilities with Library Director Katie Earnhart, admiring the unique architecture designed to reflect the river and landscape in the Cape, the community event and study spaces, and resources that contributed to the library’s achievement.
“I really enjoyed engaging in conversations with state representatives and organizations working in Cape Girardeau,” said Dr. Maryluz Hoyos E. “I gained a better understanding of issues that matter to their community, and it made me excited for the opportunity to serve as a resource through our Science Notes.”
Fellows enjoyed Cape Girardeau BBQ at TrueQue, pastries from Bon Bon’s, and coffee from Red Banner while visiting. They took time to visit the Crisp Museum at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) to learn more about local history and visit the exhibition on Thomas Mangelsen’s wildlife photography. Finally, it wouldn’t be a trip to Cape without a visit to Cape Rock Park!
Dr. Isabel Warner remarked that “I love a good library, so I appreciated getting the tour and seeing all the cool spaces and programs available at the Cape Library. The Crisp museum’s exhibit on the southeast region’s participation in the Civil War was really something – both the local knowledge and history and all the artifacts that were donated, like a grisly surgery kit.”
