Out of the past 12/25/11

25 years ago: Dec. 25, 1986

The Salvation Army distributed more than 625 Christmas food baskets to needy families in Cape Girardeau this week; along with the food items, the baskets included toys for children.

A tradition since 1945, the university's Christmas tournament will kick off tomorrow at Houck Field House; Notre Dame is seeded first, followed by Charleston and Scott County Central.

50 years ago: Dec. 25, 1961

For the second consecutive year, Girardeans enjoy a white Christmas; snow covers the ground after falling early yesterday; overhead, the sun glistens, matching the moods of many gathered around family tables for the holiday.

St. Vincent's Catholic and Trinity Lutheran churches were filled for Christmas midnight services and report fairly good attendance at today's services; at St. Mary'Cathedral, the congregation fills the church, many standing, others turned away.

75 years ago: Dec. 25, 1936

Baskets, filled with food and toys, were distributed to 210 needy Cape Girardeau families by the Salvation Army yesterday; in addition, another 100 Christmas baskets were sent to other needy families by the American Legion, Boy Scouts, churches, PEO, Central High School and individuals.

Tennis is played and baseball talked about on a day borrowed from spring; with the temperature hovering around 60 degrees, Girardeans find topcoats and Christmas furs as useless as snowballs in July.

100 years ago: Dec. 25, 1911

Dr. Ivan Lee Holt of the Provident Association, aided by professor H.S. Moore of the Normal School, drove about town nearly all day yesterday, looking up the families where there was a chance to extend Christmas cheer to those who otherwise may have been overlooked; the association provided for 20 families, and many poor children were made happy by its ministrations.

The telephone office is a busy place, receiving many packages of candy and other tokens from residents who appreciate the courteous treatment provided by the "central girls."

-- Sharon K. Sanders