Out of the past 3/17/04

10 years ago: March 17, 1994

World Cup Figure Skating Show is presented in evening at Show Me Center; two of skaters -- Frank Sweiding and Anita Hartshorn -- thrilled local skaters when they elected to practice for performance yesterday at Cape Girardeau's ice skating rink, signing autographs and chatting with young fans.

Former secretary of education William Bennett is scheduled to speak March 25 at Rose Theatre at Southeast Missouri State University; College Republicans are sponsoring Bennett's appearance.

25 years ago: March 17, 1979

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Group of Southeast Missouri state legislators met this week with officials of several counties to dispute claims made by Gov. Joseph P. Teasdale that funds for repair of county roads damaged by harsh winter won't be available in foreseeable future.

Dr. G. Keith Deimund, local dentist, has been appointed county crusade chairman of American Cancer Society; he has been associated with society since 1968 and was crusade chairman in 1973.

50 years ago: March 17, 1954

Embankment on west side of Kingshighway across from intersection of Old Jackson Road and north of new Sinclair service station is being leveled; Gilbert Masters of Jackson is contractor in charge of bulldozing and dirt removal work; dirt is being removed to provide long view from highway of new station.

DEXTER, Mo. -- School officials will dip into district's accumulated balances and keep their fingers crossed that legislature will do something a year from now to offset $14,000 the district lost by governor's veto of special legislative appropriation last summer; board of education has decided against asking increase in tax levy to offset loss in state aid.

75 years ago: March 17, 1929

Judge J.F. Winters of Cape Girardeau has been elected business manager of Centenary United Methodist Church; he is first person to hold an office of this kind in Cape Girardeau.

New walnut pews have been installed at Trinity Lutheran Church, and regular Sunday services are held in church auditorium; pews are artistic and conform to architecture of church interior.

-- Sharon K. Sanders