Out of the past 12/14/01

10 years ago: Dec. 14, 1991

Robert W. Foster, executive vice president of Southeast Missouri State University, issues challenge to students earning degrees from Southeast to make difference in whatever path they choose; Foster, who is retiring this month, delivers commencement address in afternoon at Show Me Center; there are 451 undergraduates and 28 graduate students in winter commencement ceremony.

For possibly first time in nearly 20 years city of Cape Girardeau has collected one-cent sales tax, annual receipts have declined from previous year; checks received for 1991 totaled $4,766,572, drop of almost 1 percent from 1990.

25 years ago: Dec. 14, 1976

Sixty-day trial period in which no fees will be charged for parking in multi-level garage at Southeast Missouri Hospital is approved by executive committee of Board of Trustees; employees will be asked to use lower two levels, leaving upper levels free for visitors and family members during hospital hours.

Producing outdoor drama at site in area isn't far-fetched idea, members of group exploring the possibility learn; Mark Sumner, director of Institute for Outdoor Drama at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, meets with group and visits several possible locations; idea was originally suggested as means of increasing tourism in Cape Girardeau-Jackson area.

50 years ago: Dec. 14, 1951

Spirited contest for votes is shaping up over election of member to Board of Supervisors of Little River Drainage District; five-year term of H.I. Himmelberger of Cape Girardeau is expiring, and it is understand that his name will be placed in nomination for re-election; prominent landowner and cotton planter will also be nominated for post, but his name hasn't been made public.

Albert M. Spradling Jr., Cape Girardeau city attorney, is most likely choice of Democratic party leaders for state senate position relinquished last week by D.W. Gilmore of Benton; John Hux, Sikeston landowner and implement dealer, withdraws his name for consideration; while others are also seeking post, it is thought that Hux and Spradling have substantial edge.

75 years ago: Dec. 14, 1926

Sub-freezing weather, descending on Cape Girardeau with little warning, finds several needy families in city without sufficient clothing for themselves or coal for their homes; Salvation Army is working to supply their needs.

Charles Myers, new proprietor of De Luxe Confectionery at 819 Broadway, announces he will give $5 to person submitting new name to be selected for business; all suggestions must be turned in by Dec. 24.

- Sharon K. Sanders