Out of the past 1/2/03

10 years ago: Jan. 2, 1993

John David Crites, member of Boy Scout Troop 5, has earned rank of Eagle; to attain Boy Scouting's highest rank, Crites earned 28 merit badges and devoted 54 hours to completing service project; his service project was done at Trail of Tears State Park and consisted of clearing designated area at park entrance.

New Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurant will open in Cape Girardeau this month; construction is under way on restaurant building near Interstate 55 behind Victorian Inn; full-service restaurant and gift shop will be featured.

25 years ago: Jan. 2, 1978

Southeast Missouri State University's Board of Regents will meet in special closed session Thursday to discuss variety of issues related to athletic facilities, particularly future of Houck Stadium; Dr. Robert E. Leestamper, university president, says that long-discussed plans for multipurpose building will also be talked about in conjunction with plans for stadium.

Rae Jean Lewandowski, outreach librarian at Cape Girardeau Public Library, has resigned effective Jan. 14 to accept position of public service librarian at Thomas Jefferson Library System in Jefferson City.

50 years ago: Jan. 2, 1953

As it has for number of years, December broke all city records for total receipts and tax collections, final report compiled by city clerk Verna Lee Landis shows; total December collections from all sources amounted to $113,223.78, or $15,987.69 more than last year's record-breaking total.

Sale of their 3-year-old, one-story brick warehouse building at 521 Good Hope and plans for remodeling apartments over their 2 N. Main building for warehouse space are announced by Glenn and Lynn Hutson.

75 years ago: Jan. 2, 1928

The Rev. A. Mendenhall began his pastorate at First Christian Church Sunday, delivering two strong sermons that were in keeping with the day -- New Year.

Five fires, two of them resulting in heavy damage and all caused by attempts of Girardeans to keep warm in extreme cold, caused damage estimated in excess of $10,000 over weekend; fighting fires in sub-zero weather, firemen were handicapped as pumping equipment on one motor truck was wrecked, while that on another was frozen; water in hose and nozzles was also frozen in number of instances, when it was allowed to remain for only short time.

-- Sharon K. Sanders