Out of the past 12/4/02

10 years ago: Dec. 4, 1992

Long-standing dispute over city's motel and restaurant tax apparently will be resolved as part of parks and recreation proposal approved recently by city council; one of proponents of project, Bob Hahn of Mid-America Hotels, claimed earlier this year that company would drop its lawsuit against city if proposal was approved; he repeated pledge at council's Nov. 16 meeting.

Bungee jumping has come to Cape Girardeau; St. Louis Bungy, Midwest's oldest bungee business, will be at Big Al's nightclub, 610 S. Kingshighway, this evening and Saturday; thrill seekers will have opportunity to plunge from platform 125 feet in air while attached to nothing but giant rubber band.

25 years ago: Dec. 4, 1977

Chaffee - First United Methodist Church of Chaffee, which was organized in tent by 12 members in 1905, celebrates retirement of its building indebtedness of $198,634 with note-burning ceremony; Bishop Robert Goodrich of St. Louis delivers sermon and conducts dedication ceremony; church has membership of 260.

Delta - First Baptist Church of Delta dedicates new building complex with special afternoon services; Elwood Rilley, who is member of Church Planning Department of Missouri Baptist Convention, speaks during morning worship.

50 years ago: Dec. 4, 1952

As always in time of traffic congestion, sloping wharf on Water street is being used by many for parking during Christmas shopping rush; police warn against this practice, saying it would be easy for car to slide into Mississippi River; in fact, car slides into stream on average of once a year; at least two people have lost their lives as result.

Despite customary November slump, period when builders become wary of winter weather, Cape Girardeau building construction passed million-and-a-half dollar mark for year last month.

75 years ago: Dec. 4, 1927

Women of Third Methodist Church are making plans to aid in paying of debt on church parsonage; Ladies' Aid Society will hold cake sale Dec. 13, with profits to go toward liquidation of debt; in addition, ladies have devised another unique fund-raiser; everyone attending "Overall Party" Dec. 13 at church will be expected to bring penny for each inch of their waist measure.

Bishop F.F. Johnson, head of Episcopal Church in Missouri, delivers sermon at Christ Episcopal Church in morning and confirms class of five, four adults and one child; church auditorium is filled for serve, as is always the case when Johnson speaks here.

-- Sharon K. Sanders