NEW PARK DIRECTOR IN SCOTT CITY PREPARES

SCOTT CITY -- For years, Phyllis Spinks has been planning baseball tournaments, helping with youth league registration, and even working in concession stands during her children's ball games.

But she never thought those experiences would lead to a full-time job.

"I've been volunteering to do this sort of thing ever since I can remember," Spinks said. "I guess it just came naturally for me."

Spinks, a mother of four and wife of a little league coach, replaced Penny Wingerter as Parks and Recreation Director in Scott City. Wingerter left early this year to work for the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department.

Spinks said she is currently gearing up for the fall recreation season, which includes the start of mens' basketball, women's volleyball, aerobics and the closing of the pool.

In addition, the parks department is sponsoring a fireworks display Sept. 1. Spinks explained the fireworks were originally scheduled during the Scott City Mid-Summer Festival, which was held during the last weekend in June.

A fire at the city's industrial park during the night the fireworks were planned required all area firefighters, and the display was canceled.

"I think a lot of people were disappointed," Spinks said. "We couldn't keep (the fireworks) forever. We discussed a lot of options and decided to launch them off for the public."

The fireworks will be launched at 9 p.m. from the park near the tennis courts, she said.

Spinks began working for the parks department in April part-time. Only recently was she made park director.

She said taking over the job was not as tough as she imagined it might be.

"With the system that Penny left and help from (Park Superintendent) Bud Holder and the Park Board, the job has gone relatively well," she said.

"Plus I get a lot of help and support from my husband," she said.

Her biggest challenge so far, she said, has been organizing 24 baseball teams for a youth league baseball tournament held earlier this month.

"I have been involved with the youth league for eight years as a volunteer, so I already knew a lot about it," she said.

Spinks' children range in age from six to 13. She has lived in Scott City for 18 years and is a native of Cape Girardeau. Her husband, Gary, is a native of Scott City, she said.

Spinks said she feels the park system in Scott City is a good one.

"We must have a good system here because more and more people are coming here every year," she said.

"More people rent the pavilions in the park for things like company picnics and there seems to be more people from out of town who visit."