Out of the past 12/31/08

25 years ago: Dec. 31, 1983

The congregation of Cape Bible Chapel holds a Watch Night service in its new chapel at Mount Auburn and Kage roads.

A miniature replica of a southern Bavarian village is again on display for the holiday season at St. Mary's Cathedral; built last year to recognize the German heritage of the church parishioners, improvements to the village this year include platforms of varying heights that raise the background and lend more depth to the scene.

50 years ago: Dec. 31, 1958

For the year, construction trades completed the largest amount of building construction in Cape Girardeau history, $7,088,153 total in written city permits; among those permits were several churches: Grace Methodist Church, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Southside Baptist Church and First Baptist Church.

New Year's Eve revelers are warned that freezing rain, snow and sleet, forecast for the Cape Girardeau for the last three days, should arrive tonight.

75 years ago: Dec. 31, 1933

Midnight worship services and watch parties, which have been common in past years, are in vogue again this season; New Year's observances are held at Christ Evangelical Church, First English Evangelical Lutheran Church, Centenary Methodist Church and the Salvation Army barracks.

Not satisfied with carting away a quantity of merchandise, thieves who break into the Blue Hole Barbecue Stand on South Sprigg Street vandalize the place; they make a thorough job of it, stealing virtually all of the cigarettes, beer, pork, bread and candy bars, and then tossing about the contents of dozens of bottles of milk.

100 years ago: Dec. 31, 1908

Lena Rodenmayer last evening gave a ball and kitchen shower in honor of Edith Brucher, who is soon to wed; those present were Yelka Wolters, Susie Wolters, Lizzie Haman, Martha Haman, Edith Brucher, Nettie Beckman, Pauline Beckman, W.C. Rodenmayer and Mrs. M.E. Foster.

Tomorrow, New Year's Day, Mrs. W.H. Harrison and Mrs. L.J. Albert Jr. will keep open house, following the time-honored custom observed by a number of Cape Girardeau's families.

— Sharon K. Sanders