Out of the past 5/12/02

10 years ago: May 12, 1992

Proponents of recreational trail portion of Cape LaCroix Creek flood-control project have again raised concerns that trail is being compromised; while project is proceeding as planned, park board members and others interested in trial have questioned why hiking and biking path is narrowed at underpasses at Independence and Route K.

Jackson - Jackson Board of Education discusses possibility of resubmitting 35-cent operating tax levy proposal that was defeated by voters last month; if tax levy proposal is to be placed on August ballot, school board must make decision at its June 9 meeting.

25 years ago: May 12, 1977

Representatives of Small Business Administration sets up office in Arena Building to begin processing applications for loans to pay for damages sustained in March 27 flash flood; loans are available to both residential and business property owners; they carry low 6 5/8 percent interest rate with pay-back time of up to 30 years. Appointment by Joseph P. Teasdale of James Estes to Board of Regents of Southeast Missouri State University and Robert A. Dempster to University Board of Curators has been approved by Missouri Senate; Estes, 1955 graduate of Southeast, is president of Saveway Oil Co.; Dempster is from Sikeston, where he is active in many civic and business affairs.

50 years ago: May 12, 1952

Mayor Manning Greer and Dr. W.A. Fingal, Negro physician of Cairo, Ill., were principal speakers at first meeting of Civic Forum organization of Cape Girardeau Negroes at St. James A.M.E. Church; Commissioners J.W. McBride and Roy Smith also attended; Greer pledged his interest and cooperation in helping Negroes of the city.

Culminating citywide contest in which hundreds of boys took part, finals of marble tournament, sponsored by Civic 500, were held Sunday afternoon at Capaha Park; crowned as city champion was Bobby Zimmerman of Washington School, who entered competition as representative of 10 to 12 year-old group.

75 years ago: May 12, 1927

Even larger crowd of women is in attendance for this afternoon's Home-Making Show, sponsored by The Missourian, than yesterday; crowd is estimated at over 1,200, with 70 women of Cane Creek, Burfordville, Oak Ridge and Roberts School House Home-Making clubs getting special recognition; conducting school is Mrs. Edna Riggs Crabtree.

With Board of Regents pledged to definite retrenchment policy for next two years, President Joseph A. Serena of Cape Girardeau Teachers College announces that trimming of expenses will be extended to every department of college to prevent a deficit; board has decided to temporarily eliminate five instructors, rather than make general reduction in salaries, the only other alternative; it was also decided that improvement of Houck athletic field must await more opportune time.

- Sharon K. Sanders