Palin greeted guests, ate cookies at Cape hotel

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin greeted other guests and ate some of "Grandma Mary's" chocolate chip cookies as she arrived Wednesday night at the Holiday Inn Express in Cape Girardeau, the hotel's general manager said Thursday.

Palin arrived in Cape Girardeau shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday, flying in to Cape Girardeau Regional Airport from a rally in Jeffersonville, Ind. Despite the long day, when she arrived "she looked great, very fresh and excited to be here," General Manager Karla Clifton said.

At that time of the evening, there are snacks out for guests and a "cookie hostess," said Mary Spell, who is known as "Grandma Mary." When Palin arrived, Clifton said, Spell told Palin she baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies just for her.

Palin "said that sounds great," Clifton said.

The other guests of the hotel were understanding of the need for extra security overnight and in the morning, said John Echimovich, director of hotel operations for Midamerica Hotels.

"Nobody seemed upset by it at all," he said.

The hotel was told Sunday to expect Palin later in the week. To make Palin comfortable, Clifton said, her room was stocked with diet sodas and Atkins bars. Palin likes diet Dr Pepper, she said, while husband Todd Palin seems to prefer diet colas.

"We were really proud to be her host hotel," Echimovich said.

While at the hotel, Palin did not venture out, they said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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