Out of the past 2/23/11

25 years ago: Feb. 23, 1986

John M. Harth, son of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Harth of Mendota, Ill., will be ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau by Bishop John Leibrecht on Wednesday at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Peterstown, Mo.; Harth is a former news anchor for KFVS-TV in Cape Girardeau.

The Rev. and Mrs. William Petrillo of Messiah Lutheran Church in Aledo, Ill., are special guests at services at St. Mark Lutheran Church; the Rev. Petrillo served as pastor of St. Mark's from 1969 to 1973.

50 years ago: Feb. 23, 1961

Wimpy's Skyway Restaurant, in the terminal building at Municipal Airport, is being expanded, three months after it opened; formerly able to seat only 12 people, the new Skyway will have seating for 25 people.

Workers have started remaking the base of the war memorial in Courthouse Park; some shrubs have been removed, and a circular metal base has been taken off the fountain.

75 years ago: Feb. 23, 1936

Continuing his "Home and Home Folks" series of sermons, Dr. H.H. McGinty, pastor of First Baptist Church, preaches on "How to Be Happy Though Married -- Husbands."

Albert J. Wallmann Friday sold his 95-acre farm near New Bethel Church in Shawnee Township to Robert E. Unger, who paid for it in cash; this tract is part of the historic Balden farm, where at one time there was a community.

100 years ago: Feb. 23, 1911

The Frisco special, which has been making a trip over the lines with a party of eminent men in the interest of agricultural education, is scheduled to reach Cape Girardeau this evening; there will be speeches by several of the gentlemen at the Normal School auditorium; Josephine, the famous champion cow, will be brought along on the train.

The Benton Society captured the debate loving cup last night, defeating the Webster orators in the annual event; debating for and against a constitutional amendment allowing Congress to pass an income tax were Rush Limbaugh, Howard Roberts and Chester Peck for the Bentons; the Websters were A. Vest Abernathy, H. Loyd Bowman and O. Jerome Ferguson.

-- Sharon K. Sanders