Out of the past 12/28/02

10 years ago: Dec. 28, 1992

Pair of small earthquakes rattled Southeast Missouri early yesterday, shaking residents awake but apparently causing no damage; first quake occurred at 4:13 a.m. and measured 3.5 on Richter scale.

Jackson -- Cape Girardeau County, already heralded for its financial stability in tight economic times, will come through 1992 in even stronger condition; that means county's capital trust account balance -- fund for emergencies and capital improvements -- will top $3 million, employees will receive about 5.5 percent pay increase, and county's financial outlook continues to look bright.

25 years ago: Dec. 28, 1977

Dr. David A. Strand, vice president for institutional development of Southeast Missouri State University, has been named to administrative position at Illinois State University at Normal.

Official request that city council primary election be conducted on Feb. 7 was presented to County Clerk Rusby C. Crites yesterday by Cape Girardeau City Clerk Verna Lee Landis; four names will appear on ballot: John T. Green, Novella S. Noland, John M. Isbell and Paul W. Stehr.

50 years ago: Dec. 28, 1952

George G. Arkebauer, former choir director at Trinity Lutheran Church and past member of Trinity School faculty, is in national news spotlight as he prepares with his Defiance (Ohio) College Choir to sing in Inauguration Day ceremonies on Jan 20, when Dwight D. Eisenhower steps to rostrum to take presidential oath of office.

Longtown -- John Abernathy, who lives alone and likes it, refusing to be pampered by relatives, celebrates his 104th birthday at his home; still able to be about, Abernathy's main difficulty is poor eyesight.

75 years ago: Dec. 28, 1927

In order to call attention to federal government of needs of people of Southeast Missouri as result of flood conditions along St. Francis River, there will be important meeting of residents of this district within next few days at some convenient place; meeting likely will be called by James A. Finch, chairman of St. Francis and Black River Commission; those who are fostering movement aren't satisfied with recent report made by Army engineers to War Department regarding flood control.

Geraldine Tallent, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Tallent of Cape Girardeau, who teaches at St. Joseph, Mo., has gone to Havana, Cuba, to spend Christmas with her sister, Mrs. Henry W. Felt, formerly Miss Georgia Rose Tallent.

-- Sharon K. Sanders