Out of the past 1/8/03

10 years ago: Jan. 8, 1993

Delta -- Patch job on crumbling west wall at Delta High School should begin today, weather permitting; but replacing fallen bricks provides only temporary solution to aged building's problem, says superintendent Larry Beshears.

Southeast Missouri State University will establish minority mentor program next fall to recruit academically talented minority students; university plans to offer 10 beginning freshmen students work-study arrangement in which they would receive $1,000 each for 1993-94 academic year in exchange for working in various university departments.

25 years ago: Jan. 8, 1978

About 400 people tour Southeast Missouri Hospital during its open house held in observance of institution's 50th anniversary; tours are conducted by staff guides throughout hospital, which has undergone extensive renovation in past five years; entire facility is basically new throughout as result of five-year development plan.

Lutesville -- Graham Pallet and Lumber Co. is heavily damaged by wind-driven fire; Bollinger County Civil Defense, with help from Lutesville and Greenville fire departments, keeps fire from destroying large building which houses operation and manages to save about $150,000 worth of machinery.

50 years ago: Jan. 8, 1953

Rain came, as predicted, but mounting temperatures overnight enabled Cape Girardeau to escape freeze that was expected to accompany precipitation; overnight rain amounted to .91 inch.

Three National Guardsmen from Cape Girardeau and one from Kelso will form color guard to represent 140th Infantry, Missouri National Guard, in inaugural parade for governor-elect Phil M. Donnelly at Jefferson City Monday; men are Sgt. Jack C. Brown, M-Sgt. Francis A. Grojean and M-Sgt. Billy R. Smith, all of Cape Girardeau, and Sgt. Norman J. Burger of Kelso; Capt. Narvol Randol says men were selected on basis of height, experience and appearance.

75 years ago: Jan. 8, 1928

More than 5,000 people from Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri visited new Southeast Missouri Hospital, at its formal opening in afternoon and evening; every room in building is open for inspection, complete and ready to receive patients on Tuesday.

Building committee of Christ Evangelical Church, at annual meeting of church in afternoon, reports that members of congregation will be called upon within next few weeks for their subscriptions to building fund; minimum fund of $35,000 is set for campaign, agreement being that if this sum isn't reached by pledges, those who pledge won't be held responsible for their subscriptions.

-- Sharon K. Sanders