Out of the past 5/11/03

10 years ago: May 11, 1993

Proposed 27-cent increase in schools' building fund levy rejected by voters last month may go back on ballot in fall; Cape Girardeau Schools superintendent Neyland Clark says vote could occur in October or November; levy would increase school's building maintenance fund from about $200,000 annually to $750,000 annually.

Citizens committee formed last year to study recreation needs in Cape Girardeau is recommending that more activities and programs be available for young and old; committee also says city needs to improve access to city parks and recreation programs, particularly for southside residents.

25 years ago: May 11, 1978

Six civic organizations have projects planned as Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's Spring Alive Campaign comes alive Sunday throughout city to encourage residents by example to spruce up their environment; participating in day's activities will be International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades Local 1292, Methodist Men's Club, DeMolay Club, Boys Baseball League, Boy Scouts Shawnee District, and Elks; participants will beautify, restore and clean up around variety of public places.

Paul E. Wichern family of Jackson Route 1 has been selected Farm Family of Year by Farmers Home Administration of Cape Girardeau and Perry counties; family consists of Mr. and Mrs. Wichern and three sons, Mark, Jeffery and David, and daughter, Christina.

50 years ago: May 11, 1953

Program of recreation for Cape Girardeau's youth during summer months and decision to seek additional legal interpretation of law regarding Municipal Park Board are among large number of business items considered at morning meeting of city council; it is noted that last year city appropriated $1,500 to carry out recreation program.

Winter-long accumulation of city's rubbish will be hauled away by street and park department trucks tomorrow and Wednesday in annual municipal clean-up campaign.

75 years ago: May 11, 1928

Twenty refrigerator railroad cars have been ordered to carry Cape Girardeau County strawberries to market; if present prospects are fulfilled, cars will be needed, says W.C. Blair, secretary of Cape Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association; berries will be loaded at Frisco freight depot and shipped through Ozark Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association.

County highway engineer R.R. Bedwell has exchanged his residence on Mary Street in Jackson for 82.5 acres of farmland formerly owned by J.W. Daugherty, southwest of Jackson; new owner of Bedwell home has acquired it for investment purposes only and won't occupy it.

-- Sharon K. Sanders