Out of the past 12/24/08

25 years ago: Dec. 24, 1983

West Park Lanes is set to open Monday on Silver Springs Road; the 40,000-square-foot facility, a project of Drury Industries, is equipped with 24 lanes and is expected to have 40 lanes when the need arises.

Town Plaza Cinema 5 is observing its 10th anniversary with a number of special events, including free passes to be given away weekly; the cinema opened its doors Dec. 23, 1973; motion pictures featured at the time were "American Graffiti" and "Jonathan Livingston Seagull."

50 years ago: Dec. 24, 1958

The Salvation Army Tree of Lights fund goes over the top when contributions reach a total of $2,632, $132 above its goal; because of this generosity, 330 families will enjoy a complete meal on Christmas Day, while the children will also have a bit of candy and a toy or two.

Prospects for a white Christmas in Cape Girardeau are dim; Christmas Day is expected to be warmer than today, with a high of about 48 degrees; fair skies are forecast; on Christmas last year, there was a steady downpour of rain through much of the day.

75 years ago: Dec. 24, 1933

A pageant, "The Christmas Star," is presented in the evening at First Baptist Church; the pageant has two leading parts, which are taken by Lenora Kasten and Mary Barber; in addition, 200 children from the primary, beginners and junior departments take part.

Instead of the usual Sunday night service at the Presbyterian Church, the Presbyterian Auxiliary and the Sunday school present a program; the pageant has the usual leading parts, plus two choirs furnishing music.

100 years ago: Dec. 24, 1908

A free performance will be given at the Lyric Theater tomorrow afternoon for all the children of Cape Girardeau; it will be a dandy way for the children to spend part of Christmas.

The boats have deserted the Mississippi River; the Saltillo turned back up the Ohio to Paducah, Ky., after reaching Cairo, Ill., and the Lee liners have remained at Memphis, Tenn; low water caused their retirement; it will probably be February before the welcome whistle is heard here again.

— Sharon K. Sanders