Cape's hospitality

The warm-hearted generosity of Cape Girardeau is being praised in the northwest corner of Missouri.

When 400 fans, cheerleaders and band members from the Maryville, Mo., area were on their way home a few days ago after cheering on the football team from Northwest Missouri State University, they learned that last week's ice storm had left the highways too dangerous to travel. That same storm also left most of Northwest Missouri, including Maryville, without power for several days.

Without a planned overnight stay for the trip home, the 400 Bearcat fans had no hotel reservations. But quick communication between the two universities soon resolved the situation. Southeast Missouri State University opened the student recreation center. The Red Cross brought cots and blankets. Schnucks and Rhodes 101 provided breakfast. Red Cross volunteers and university staff members pitched in to see that the unexpected guests were comfortable and taken care of.

The fans had been in Florence, Ala., where the Bearcats played in the NCAA Division II championship game against Valdosta State University. The Maryville team lost -- it was their third championship game in as many years. But the fans were rejuvenated by the fantastic hospitality they found in Cape Girardeau.

All of us can take pride in how quickly and efficiently the university and the Red Cross responded to an urgent need. And we invite all of our Maryville guests to come back and spend a spell. The welcome mat is out year-round.