Hey y'all, heeeeeey. This is your friendly, weekly reminder to get out, look around, and love where you live.
Elk-tober
🎵🎶The Oooooozarks are aliiiiiiive, with the sound of bugling🎶🎵
Friday, I met a regional planner with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) who passed along a tip too good not to share: the elk at Peck Ranch Conservation Area are BUGLING (ie, singing love songs), and you can live the experience from the comfort of your car on a self-guided Elk Driving Tour.
I usually like to "test drive" an adventure before sending you out into the big, scary world, but I’m breaking the rule again because this is time-sensitive. (And, call me crazy, but I feel pretty confident about trusting an MDC staff recommendation on this one.) The window’s closing fast on frisky elk hollerin'. Though some elk may bugle through early November.
Go on then, burn some rubber. With a little luck and patience, you might catch this ancient Missouri autumn soundtrack echoing across the Ozark hills.
Just a ~2.5-hour drive from the Cape area.
Didja know?
Elk are as native to Missouri as John Goodman.
But by the late 1800s, they had mostly disappeared from the state due to unregulated hunting and widespread habitat loss. The Missouri Department of Conservation said, "Wouldn't it be kinda cool to bring those dudes back home?" and they began a restoration effort in 2011. They released elk into the Ozark hills of Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties, where today you'll find a steadily growing herd adjusting back to life in MO - grazing on Casey's breakfast pizza and running tornado drills.
New Madrid’s Restless Courthouse
For those who are just tuning in: All October, we’re swapping our usual historic destinations for local lore.
From KRCU’s Archives (2015; originally aired in 2010), a haunting bit of Bootheel history. On Christmas Eve, 1933, two drifters, Eddie Gayman and Roy Hamilton, tried to rob a gas station outside New Madrid. The attempt went sideways, and attendant Arthur Cashin was killed. Caught by a local posse, the men were offered a plea deal: life in prison (rather than the noose) if they pled guilty. They agreed, but when the verdict came down, the same judge who offered leniency sentenced them to hang.
The gallows went up just a few blocks from the jail, and the entire town turned out to watch. As legend goes, something went terribly wrong that day. "The executioners may have been drinking...It took them [Gayman and Hamilton] quite a long time to die."
The New Madrid County Courthouse, where they were betrayed and condemned, is still said to bear their presence. Custodians and staff have reported phantom footsteps, whispers, and the uneasy feeling that someone else is there, so much so that some custodians have refused to work in the building alone.
Source: KRCU Archives (2015; originally aired in 2010), “Ghosts of the Mississippi: The Executioners May Have Been Drinking” by Jacob McCleland & Joel Rhodes, with interviews from Christina McWaters.
Try This
For those who are keeping score at home, this is the 3rd pizza place I'm going to recommend in 3 months. BUT I LOVE MADE FROM SCRATCH PIZZA SO LAY OFF ME, GREG.
Encore Pizzeria + Kitchen is a young, cool college-town spot. They've ditched the usual reclaimed-wood-and-mason-jar look to lean urban and a little punk. They're giving off "This is where you stop after a late night out in Chicago." YES, I'VE BEEN TO CHICAGO, GREG.
If you're already heading to Cape this weekend to check out one of the billion events going on, check 'er oot. The hot honey pepperoni took one whole layer of ice off my cold, dead heart. Highly recommended.
For each event, you’ll find more info at the link.
*Because these events are upcoming, they have not been vetted. That would require a time machine, and we don't have the funds. Party at your own discretion.
This Weekend’s Happenings
Fri, Oct 24
Trick or Treat Night at Bollinger Mill State Historic Site, Burfordville, MO - Explore Bollinger Mill after dark, OoOoOo. She'll be decked out for Halloween. Trick-or-treating, and self-guided tours. The Ichabod Crane bridge will provide the eerie atmosphere. 6-7:30pm. Free.
Bare Bones Ghost Tour, Cape Girardeau, MO - The Glenn House opens its doors for one final ghost tour of the season. "No theatrics, just chilling stories, creaking floors, and the uneasy question of whether you’re truly alone." Tours every 30 minutes from 7-10pm. $10.
Southeast Missouri Symphony ft. Marika Bournaki, Cape Girardeau, MO - The Symphony launches its 25th season with Juilliard-trained pianist, Marika Bournaki, dubbed “the Celine Dion of classical” by The Huffington Post. 7:30pm at River Campus Bedell Hall. Tickets $26-30.
Carbondale Halloween Homecoming Music Street Festival, Carbondale, IL - A massive night of music, food, and Halloween fun. Two stages, local vendors, food trucks, carnival games, and a costume contest. 3-10pm. Free.
Wine & Witches, Makanda, IL - I think this is a concert at a winery where you're encouraged to cosplay a witch, and the proceeds benefit a library. I feel seen. 6-10pm. $30. 21+ only.
Sat, Oct 25
Riverfront Fall Festival*, Cape Girardeau, MO - Ah, Autumn on the Mississippi. Stroll Water Street and Riverfront Park to the sound of live music, with a brew from the biergarten, while browsing craft vendors with river views and historic downtown sparkle. 11am-6pm. Free admission. (Sponsored)
Punktoberfest, Cape Girardeau, MO - Loud guitars & local beers. Ebb and Flow turns into a punk playground on this glorious autumn evening. Gates 3 PM, Show 4 PM, $12.
Mystic Market, Cape Girardeau, MO - Crystals, tarot, tattoos, etc. at this metaphysical market. Vendors, classes, food, and more at the Drury Plaza Hotel Conference Center. 10am-5pm.
Fall Local Author Fair, Cape Girardeau, MO - Meet local writers, and learn more about their books and the writing process. Just don't ask them, "Where do you get your ideas?" I've heard writers don't like that. 1-3:30pm. Free; registration recommended.
Déjà Vu Spirit Reunion, Ste. Genevieve, MO - Missouri’s oldest cemetery comes to life by lantern light as locals in period dress share stories of early settlers. Nothing spooky. No teenagers in costumes hiding behind tombstones to jump out and scare you. 4:30-7pm. $10 adults, $5 students, kids 5 & under free.
Rural Heritage Day, Ste. Genevieve, MO - Come see how the county’s earliest rural settlers got merde done. Live demos and old-time crafts from the 1700s to 1900s. 10am-4pm.
Nosferatu with Live Orchestra, Ste. Genevieve, MO - The 1922 silent horror classic comes alive at The Orris with a live 7-piece orchestra, moody lighting, and creeping shadows. 7pm. $25. 18+ event. Tickets here.
Elks Fall SxS Poker Run, Ste. Genevieve, MO - More backroads for a good cause. $20 per vehicle, $5 per poker hand. Registration 10am, ride 11am.
Apple Butter Festival, Kimmswick, MO - Kimmswick’s biggest weekend of the year. Live music, food vendors, crafts, and enough apple butter to last til the fall of mankind. Wink, wink, preppers. Browse hundreds of local booths. 10am–5pm. Free.
Spooktacular Glow Ride, Kelso, MO - A Halloween-themed benefit ride. Dress up your UTV, Jeep, ATV, truck, or car for prizes, drawings, and skeletal fun. Registration 3-4pm. Ride leaves at 4. $10 per person.
Scott City PTO Fall Festival, Scott City, MO - Small-town fall fun. Live music, games, costume and pie contests, vendors, and a haunted hallway hosted by the Art Club. 4-8pm. You can find other things to do in town here.
Maggie Rose Benefit Concert, Sikeston, MO - Catch GRAMMY-nominated artist Maggie Rose under the stars at the rodeo grounds. Gates open at 5, show starts at 6. Tickets start at $25, kids under 10 free.
The Velvet Hour: A Victorian Gathering, Anna, IL - Vintage cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, palm readings, ghost stories, and fire dancing by candlelight, all set in a Victorian-era home. 5-8pm. $25. Victorian or gothic attire encouraged.
Arts and Crap Carnival, Carbondale, IL - You know I had to put this in here. "Do you like cool art and cool crap?" It's a thrift shop parking lot carnival of weird and wonderful. Artists, resellers, food trucks, clowns, magicians, live music, and a giant tortoise named Bongo. 10am-7pm. Free.
Guided Trail Hike at Ferne Clyffe, Goreville, IL - The River to River Trail Society is leading a 7-mile moderate loop through Johnson County’s waterfalls and bluffs. Free and open to the public. Requirements: Boots, water, and good knees.
Confluence Music Festival, Paducah, KY - The inaugural mini-festival at the meeting of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers brings live music to downtown Paducah.
Sun, Oct 26
Halloween Matinee, Sikeston, MO - The Ghost and Mr. Chicken will be showing free at Malone Park Center for the Arts. Don Knotts in a Halloween movie? Yes, please. 2pm. Rated G; kids must be with an adult.
Howl-o-Ween at the Glenn House, Cape Girardeau, MO - Dog and human costume contests, s’mores by the fire, pup treats, and a pet-themed movie. 5:30-8:30pm.
Mystic Market, Cape Girardeau, MO - Day two of mystical mayhem.
Southeast Missouri Symphony Chamber Music Series: Marika Bournaki, Cape Girardeau, MO - She's back. Marika Bournaki returns for an afternoon of solo and chamber music with SEMO faculty Dr. Han and Dr. Hopkins. 3pm at Shuck Recital Hall, River Campus. Tickets $15.75–19.25.
The American Dream, Cape Girardeau, MO - Historian Dr. Joel Rhodes explores the meaning and evolution of “The American Dream” as part of the From Colonies to Cape Girardeau: 250 Years of Independence series. 2-4pm at Kellerman-Lorimier Hall. Free.
Apple Butter Festival, Kimmswick, MO - Day two of the sweet chaos! There will be kangaroos, Irish wolfhounds, and log splitters. I'm not creative enough to make that up, even if I wanted to. 10am-5pm. Free.
Want your event in Backroad Weekly?
With so much going on, we can’t include everything. We hand-select picks that match the mission, and include events from all over the area to encourage you to explore towns you don’t usually visit. If you’re looking for more in Cape or Carbondale, here are some more sources: The Southeast Missourian, the Missouri Department of Conservation, The Scout, KFVS12, Southern Illinois Tourism, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and Southernmostillinois.com.
In lieu of my local book recommendation this week:
To the serial day trippers and trail rats - Are you put off by all the things that go into owning and maintaining a concealed firearm, EVEN THOUGH you watch enough Discovery ID to know there are a butt-ton of weirdos out there?
Spicy eye glitter has entered the chat.* Better than nothing 🤷♀️. At least that's what I tell myself.
Be careful out there on the roads and trails. Remember to always tell someone where you're going and your approximate arrival time. Your cat doesn't count.
*If you buy pepper spray through the above link, Backroad Weekly may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Most box stores also carry pepper spray, now. If you know a locally-owned store that sells it, hit reply and let me know so I can recommend them!
October is an event-filled month! In the last few issues, we've been trimming down the other sections to make more room for events. What do you think? Less blah blah blah and more events? Or you miss the blah blah blah?
Your feedback helps us improve the newsletter. Do not be alarmed when the poll opens in another window. That's normal internet behavior. You're probably more scared of it than it is of you.
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WORD SCRAMBLE ANSWER: COVERED BRIDGE
I cheated and lied a little in the clue...apparently, the bridge in Washington Irving's short story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," was not covered. The covered bridge imagery is a product of pop culture - Disney & Tim Burton.
Seeing Is Believing
We're working our little Backroad butts off over here on Facebook and Instagram to show you the places we write about. Follow us to put a face to the destination.
Know a business that’s looking for fresh, local ways to get their name out there? Tell them about Backroad Weekly!
I’m looking for one or two community-minded businesses that want to reach locals, and join the movement to prove there’s plenty to do (and love) in/near Southeast Missouri.
Discounted launch prices will run until the end of the year. Tell your business-owning buddies to contact hi@backroadweekly.com.
Welp, (*slaps knees), we better get goin'. Thanks again to our sponsor, VisitCape.
Catch you down the road.
Caitlan Hester
Publisher, Backroad Weekly
