Out of the past 12/30/03

10 years ago: Dec. 30, 1993

Members of Cape Girardeau school board say they want to get moving on building plan, even if it means putting plans for middle school on back burner; board last night discussed possibility of asking voters to approve construction of new elementary school and addition to Jefferson School.

Civic and fraternal groups that sponsor bingo games say they fear new state bingo tax will mean cutbacks in donations to local charities.

25 years ago: Dec. 30, 1978

James A. Finch Jr., former Cape Girardeau lawyer who rose to one of state's top positions -- seat on Missouri Supreme Court -- will step down from that post this weekend; Finch, 71, has reached state's mandatory retirement age.

Notre Dame Bulldogs' upset bid falls short when they drop 52-45 decision to Central High Tigers for championship of University High Christmas Tournament.

50 years ago: Dec. 30, 1953

Midwest Dairy Co. plant at Poplar Bluff, Mo., is destroyed by fire at 4 a.m. with loss estimated at more than $20,000, but official at division offices in Cape Girardeau says there will be no disruption of service.

Seventeen Missourians were among Army and Air Force personnel who returned yesterday from Far East, including A-3c John Files of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Cpl. Ben S. Eulinberg of Jackson and Cpl. Clifford C. Newman of Campbell, Mo.

75 years ago: Dec. 30, 1928

Unusual service is presented in evening at Centenary Methodist Church; event is known as "The Night of a Thousand Candles"; 500 lighted candles are lighted and then extinguished, with 1,000 more candles then lighted to symbolize passing of old year and coming of new.

Evening service at Evangelical Church has been called off because of numerous other services at the holiday season and because of illness in pastor's family.

-- Sharon K. Sanders