December 23, 2014

Pictures of the Past #91

G.D. Fronabarger left the Missourian boxes and boxes of negatives. What he didn't leave were IDs for them. Pictures of the Past features some of Frony's images we've partially identified. We're hoping you can help fill in the blanks. Contact librarian Sharon Sanders at ssanders@semissourian.com, if you recognize a place or a face. Mystery Galleries may still be viewed on our History Page, http://www.semissourian.com/history/

Dramatized in 1957 by the first grade at Franklin School, the Christmas story was told by the youngsters in a pre-Christmas school program. Angels, in the background, from the left, are Kay Godwin, Deronda Barnes and Debbie Voges. Others in the cast, from the left, are Larry Downs, who gave the Christmas prayer; Jane McGinty, narrator; Frederick Turton, Billy Vancil and Bobby Jackson, wise men; Elizabeth Kratz, who was Mary; Billy Eaton, who played the part of Joseph; Charles Holt, Kenny Seabaugh and Drue Johnson, shepherds; Thomas Decker and Debbie Wright, announcers.

Dec. 21, 1960 Southeast Missourian. Santa with his filled pack and "fillings" for the next round, which will include Caramel Nut Logs, are shown here. Santa is John Rauh, and Mrs. Louise Rauh is the artist with the needle, and the candy maker who turns out all of the niceties that go to their friends at each Yuletide season. Playing Santa Claus has become a year-round hobby with the Rauhs. Last December they called on 57 children and shut-ins, and this year’s list has as many names, perhaps more. Mr. Rauh does not wear a false face, only theatrical makeup, wig and beard. This realism makes for a more successful portrayal. (G.D. Fronabarger/Southeast Missourian archive)

Dec. 20, 1963 Southeast Missourian State College students portrayed principals in the nativity story in a live presentation Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights on the Baptist Student Union grounds. At left, Herbert Busch and Everett Farrell of St. Louis and Walter Howard of Puxico hold out the Wise Men's gifts. Toby Davis and Betty Keesee, both of Cape Girardeau, are in the roles of Joseph and Mary. Shepherds are Michael Parker of Dexter and Jerry Bouse of Bourbon. (G.D. Fronabarger/Southeast Missourian archive)

Frony snapped this picture of people shopping on Main Street in downtown Cape Girardeau. The year is unclear.

Dec. 21, 1953 Southeast Missourian. Packages at the Cape Girardeau post office are piled high and filled so much space they left only small aisles for clerks to work. This view, made early today, shows Paul Hanf, Bob Taylor, Layton Keller and Calvin Vogelsang, clerks, wrestling with the deluging Christmas rush. (G.D. Fronabarger/Southeast Missourian archive)

A crowd greeted Santa Claus after the jolly old gent stepped out of a helicopter at Town Plaza Shopping Center in Cape Girardeau. The picture was made by G.D. Fronabarger in the early 1960s.

Children lined up to see Santa Claus at Town Plaza in Cape Girardeau, during the early 1960s, in this picture taken by G.D. Fronabarger. Thad Bullock is standing at far right. He was the owner of Bullock's Piano Salon in the Arcade at the Town Plaza beginning in 1963 after moving his store from Broadway. Town Plaza opened in 1960.

Feb. 6, 1962 Southeast Missourian. Dredging of the Capaha Park Lagoon began Monday. Considerable headway was made in removing the muck and refuse that has collected on the bottom since the last renovation a number of years ago. The dragline operator in the picture is engaged in dredging a small channel on the west side. Fish in the lake will be stored here until the project is completed. Some culling is to be done. Viewing the operation are members of the Exchange Club, which sparked the program and is working with the city. From left are Bill Hampton, Joe Krueger, club president and project co-chairman, Henry Hazel, Park Commissioner J.W. McBride, Paul Blattner, John Eggimann and Fred Elfrank, project co-chairman. (G.D. Fronabarger/Southeast Missourian archive) Commissioner J.W. McBride related at City Council meeting that lowering water had revealed a 35-pound buffalo and another weighing between 16 and 17 pounds. The big fish was caught and taken to public works department headquarters where it was dressed.

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G.D. Fronabarger left the Missourian boxes and boxes of negatives. What he didn't leave were IDs for them. Pictures of the Past features some of Frony's images we've partially identified. We're hoping you can help fill in the blanks. Contact librarian Sharon Sanders at ssanders@semissourian.com, if you recognize a place or a face. Mystery Galleries may still be viewed on our History Page, http://www.semissourian.com/history/

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