Out of the past 12/24/09

25 years ago: Dec. 24, 1984

Cape Girardeau Central High School plans to initiate a new program to recognize exemplary student attitude; the Student of the Month award will include a certificate and the student's picture on display in the main lobby trophy case.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce voted unanimously at a recent meeting to support the repeal of the blue law prohibiting stores to open on Sundays; two petitions are now being circulated in the Sikeston area -- one in Scott County and one in New Madrid County -- asking for the issue to be placed before voters.

50 years ago: Dec. 24, 1959

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services are scheduled for local churches; at Christ Episcopal Church, a children's candlelight service is held this afternoon, followed by a Christmas party and an all-church carol sing at 11 p.m.; midnight Masses are celebrated at all three Catholic churches in Cape Girardeau.

Holiday traffic moves over Southeast Missouri highways in ever-increasing numbers, largely traveling south out of the St. Louis area as families seek to join each other for Christmas Eve and Friday's holiday.

75 years ago: Dec. 24, 1934

Christmas may be white in Cape Girardeau; a cold wave sweeps toward Southeast Missouri, and weather forecasters predict freezing rain may turn into snow.

Two hundred and fourteen families applied for baskets of food, toys and clothing through the Salvation Army this holiday season; it is the largest number of requests for Christmas baskets in the history of the Army's service in Cape Girardeau.

100 years ago: Dec. 24, 1909

A.S. Duckworth of Cape Girardeau is preparing to make another trip to Japan in the interest of the big Chicago lumber concern with which he is connected; he will leave for Chicago on New Year's Day and will sail from San Francisco on Jan. 7.

John Scivally and family are in Cape Girardeau from Manilla, Ark., to spend the Christmas holiday with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. D.M. Scivally.

-- Sharon K. Sanders