Out of the past 5/22/02

10 years ago: May 22, 1992

Vicki and Todd Lantz plan to open Cape Town Safari, drive-through animal park and petting zoo next month; they hope to have exotic animal park open June 10, with grand opening scheduled for July 4 weekend; site is old 5-H Ranch, owned by Vicki Lantz's father, Dave Hale, who has been in exotic animal business for more than two decades.

U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Sr. gave sound argument last night for philanthropic contributions to higher education: The alternative is more federal control over a university; Limbaugh was featured speaker at Southeast Missouri State University Foundation's Copper Dome Dinner at Show Me Center.

25 years ago: May 22, 1977

Dr. Martin J. Neeb, manager of Lutheran Television of International Lutheran Laymen's League, is special "Mission Sunday" speaker at St. Andrew Lutheran Church; Neeb directs weekly television program of Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, "This Is the Life."

Despite its quiet appearance, Cape Girardeau is in state of siege as members of National Guard and Cape Girardeau Police Department stage emergency drill; snipers barricaded in Municipal Airport building clash with local police and National Guard, resulting in five simulated deaths; Lorimier School is occupied by dissidents and several bomb threats are reported.

50 years ago: May 22, 1952

Maurice T. Dunklin, veteran of Army Air Force in World War II and insurance salesman, has been elected commander of Louis K. Juden Post of American Legion, position he will assume with other new officers at beginning of organization year Oct. 1; other post officers elected were: First vice commander, Harold E. Carr; second vice commander, Tom Cooper; adjutant, Robert J. Earley; finance officer, Alfred Westrich; sergeant-at-arms, Dennis Penrod; chaplain, Norman Ueleke; historian, Jack Lail, and judge advocate, Stephen Limbaugh.

Exterior of 113-year-old Ellis-Wathen Ranney house, 501 N. Main, is being renovated at cost of $2,000 by owner, Mrs. Albert Berger of St. Louis, formerly of Cape Girardeau; Berger hopes to sell mansion either to private owner for use as showplace or to some organization for preservation as historic site; slave labor built house in 1839.

75 years ago: May 22, 1927

Congregations in Cape Girardeau unite in suspending their morning worship services in deference to baccalaureate exercises for graduating class of Teachers College; following custom of long standing, Ministerial Alliance agreed to suspend service during morning hour in all churches so that members may attend college exercises; Dr. Joseph A. Serena, president of college, delivers sermon.

The Rev. E. Moenig, who for past 28 years has been in charge of Catholic parish at New Hamburg, has been transferred to Taos in Osage County; he will be succeeded by the Rev. H.J. Eggimann, who for past five years has been pastor at Jackson.

-- Sharon K. Sanders