Out of the past 5/20/03

10 years ago: May 20, 1992

Deactivation of 1138th Combat Engineer Battalion at Jefferson Barracks in South St. Louis County Sept. 30 will mean additional manpower and equipment for 1140th Combat Engineer Battalion and its four line companies in Southeast Missouri.

Decked out in hard hat and safety goggles, Kala Stroup, Southeast Missouri State University president, delivered first blow during ceremonial "wall bashing" at campus dormitory yesterday.

25 years ago: May 20, 1978

Cape Girardeau is among stops this summer of river-going American Wind Symphony Orchestra of Pittsburgh, Pa.; barge, Point Counterpoint II, which carries 45-piece orchestra, theater and studios where potters and poets ply their trades, will dock at Mississippi River front July 20 through 22.

Altenburg, Mo. -- Display and operation of antique farm equipment is focal point of "Old Timer's Day" at East Perry Community Fairgrounds in Altenburg, sponsored by East Perry County Jaycees.

50 years ago: May 20, 1952

Free bridge "without any lug on it at all" when final revenue bond is paid off in two or three years is being demanded by Retail Merchants Association; move for unencumbered commerce on bridge came yesterday on motion that was unanimously approved; motion asked that traffic span be made free "as soon as possible."

Commencement exercises are held in evening for College High School and John S. Cobb High School; professor Homer R. Bolen, head of science department at State College, delivers address to 27 College High graduates; J.N. Freeman, professor of agriculture at Lincoln University, addresses 15 graduates at Cobb School.

75 years ago: May 20, 1928

Baccalaureate service, marking opening of 55th annual commencement of Teachers College, is held in morning at college auditorium; president Joseph A. Serena, adhering to precedent adopted several years ago, delivers the address; most Cape Girardeau churches suspend morning services to allow members to attend college event.

After much sacrifice and work, members of Emmanuel Evangelical Church congregation dedicates its handsome new church building with appropriate ceremonies and in presence of throng, which crowds auditorium the entire day; the Rev. S.D. Press, president of Missouri district of synod, delivers principal address.

-- Sharon K. Sanders