Out of the past 10/25/02

10 years ago: Oct. 25, 1992

Grace United Methodist Church congregation celebrates its 140th birthday, as well as Foundation Sunday, by "hugging the church"; members literally "hug" church, surrounding edifice with arms outstretched while tower bells chime and people pray and sing; Grace church was founded in 1852 by German-speaking Methodists, and for first 70 years, worship services were conducted in German.

The Rev. Phillip A. Campbell is Fall Mission Festival speaker at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson; his theme is "Tell It Boldly That Jesus Is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever"; Campbell is on staff of church's Commission on Black Ministry.

25 years ago: Oct. 25, 1977

Cape Girardeau Jaycees yesterday voted to formally approve lease arrangement between organization and city of Cape Girardeau for lease of golf course property off Perryville Road; under bylaws of Jaycees, disposition of property requires vote of entire membership; in September group approved basic terms of 25-year lease.

Cape Girardeau Board of Education gives final approval to operations agreement for swimming pool to be built on school property and operated jointly by school district and city; agreement, which has already been approved by city council, is for 50 years, beginning with date construction commences.

50 years ago: Oct. 25, 1952

Trees are being removed at rear of St. Francis Hospital to make way for construction of 22-car parking lot for doctors; lot will be on southeast corner of intersection of two alleys behind hospital, affording entrances from Pacific, Ellis and Morgan Oak streets; it is believed that by diverting doctors' cars to lot, more space will be available for patients and visitors on streets around hospital.

Tremendous influx of soybeans to marketing points in Southeast Missouri has knocked base from under price and has bulged warehouses to their capacity; this week price dropped from $2.70 a bushel to $2.50 yesterday, nickel under government loan price of $2.55.

75 years ago: Oct. 25, 1927

Two high officials of Missouri Pacific railway system arrive in Cape Girardeau late in afternoon to present to business men at dinner-meeting tonight plans of company for extending its lines here; if proposal is given approval, it is planned to start campaign at once to secure small amount of money which will be needed to procure right of way for railroad between Cape Girardeau and Thebes bridge, where it will connect with Missouri Pacific main line.

Southeast Missouri Hospital will soon be ready for occupancy, says contractor A.H. Gerhardt; only about two weeks are required to complete painting and install fixtures; hospital officials intend to occupy facility by Thanksgiving.

- Sharon K. Sanders