Letter to the Editor

Your View 10/15: SMARTS' Hunter

Wednesday, October 15, 2003

Last year, Mrs. Mary Lynn Crader approached the SMARTS board of directors about bringing a local resident back home to perform for our area. After a short discussion, the board members wholeheartedly agreed that Hunter Moore and his talents would be a wonderful choice to share with the community.

Hunter's first performance of the day was at the St. Francis Xavier grade school, which was successful. Then, two additional workshop/performances at the Sikeston Middle School under the direction of Altha Robinson and Ed Cowen, and then on to the Junior and Senior High School Choir, under the direction of Nora Fuchs. On day two, Hunter traveled to the Charleston Junior High and performed classroom workshops in Rebecca Gentry's class. After school, Hunter did a live interview with Reid Howell at the KYMO radio station in East Prairie. On day three, Hunter drove down to New Madrid County Central High School and performed two concerts in the high school auditorium. Choir Director Judy Henry was responsible for the arrangements of the concerts and all of the students benefited from Hunter's performance.

Day four in the Bootheel offered a concert for the community at the Malone Avenue Grill in Sikeston. Hunter sang songs from all three of his CDs. The lyrics from the album "Delta Moon" are familiar to residents from this area with words like:

"I grew up on Bonus Hill.

Daddy got the house on the GI bill,

Just down wind from the Cottonseed Oil Mill.

That was Bonus Hill.

Pulled my own weight since I was small.

Folks work hard here or not at all.

Grew up quick as I recall,

Living here still."

His words touched many hearts and souls. Hunter ended his week on Sunday by singing at the First United Methodist Church with the praise team, Salvation Well.

SMARTS' patrons for Hunter Moore's performances are as follows: First State Security Bank, The Bank of New Madrid, Noranda and Malone Avenue Grill. SMARTS appreciates Mary Lynn Crader for her expertise, Lee Ann Beck and Carolyn Harris for their publicity efforts and to the staff at the Standard Democrat, especially Jill Bock and Leonna Essner for their help.

The week of October 13-17, Michael McClure, muralist, will be painting the second installation of the historical time line mural in downtown Sikeston on the east wall of Craftmasters on Center Street.

Sikeston Missouri Arts, Inc. (SMARTS) is a non-profit arts council and needs donations to help keep the arts alive and vibrant in our community. The SMARTS office is located on the corner of Front Street and Kingshighway in downtown Sikeston. We are always looking for excited, willing people of all ages to help us keep the arts in our community.

Thank you.

Terri Matthews, administrator, Sikeston, Missouri Arts Inc.