Out of the past 3/17/07

25 years ago: March 17, 1982

Motions, motions to amend those motions, and heated words over proposed cost-saving measures stretched yesterday's Cape Girardeau school board meeting into one of the longest and one of the most fruitless; two issues, both related to a package which school officials say the district must adopt to maintain its fiscal integrity, met unusual defeat when put before the board for a vote.

Members of the Cape Girardeau Lions Club flip flapjacks at the 44th annual Pancake Day held at the Arena Building.

50 years ago: March 17, 1957

Lutherans who are organizing a new congregation in Cape Girardeau select the name St. Andrew Lutheran Church; other names considered are St. John, Faith and Hope.

The Rev. Thomas D. Hill of New Orleans accepts the pastorate of Red Star Baptist Church and will move his family to Cape Girardeau in early April to take over his new duties.

75 years ago: March 17, 1932

Fire believed to have originated from a lightning bolt destroys the Oak Ridge school building with a loss estimated at $25,000; the fire is discovered at 3 a.m. by E.C. Drum, president of the school board, and the Rev. A.H. Dace, pastor of the Baptist Church, who reside across the street from the two-story brick structure.

A rainstorm of near cloudburst proportions swept Cape Girardeau and the district last night, flooding streets, streams and practically tying up traffic in this vicinity; the basement of the Hotel Marquette was flooded, and some water leaked into the basement of the H&H Building; safety plugs prevented water from entering the basement of the Hotel Idan-Ha.

100 years ago: March 17, 1907

For a week or more, an expert has been installing the electrical and gas fixtures in the Elks' new clubhouse, and the work is about complete; Saturday evening, the lights were turned on for the first time and quite a crowd of Elks was present to view the magnificent home by lamp light.

Haarig is to have a post office; postmaster E.W. Flentge receives orders to open a branch office at 630 Good Hope St.

-- Sharon K. Sanders