Out of the past 5/30/10

25 years ago: May 30, 1985

Nate Crowden, a standout on the Oran team that leads the SEMO Fast-Pitch Softball League, had things going his way during last night's doubleheader; in the nightcap, Crowden hurled a perfect game against Scott City for a 9-0 win; Crowden had two hits in each game, including a home run.

Central High student Karie Hall and her international relations teacher, Barbara Woody, are headed for Brussels as guests of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; Hall is one of three nationwide winners of a NATO essay contest and open book test.

50 years ago: May 30, 1960

Memorial services for the dead of all the nation's wars and the annual St. Vincent's Parish Picnic mark an otherwise uneventful Memorial Day holiday in Cape Girardeau; the Knights of Columbus ceremonies are held on the high promontory of Cape Rock overlooking the Mississippi River, into which a wreath is dropped by a low-flying airplane in tribute to the war dead.

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- An estimated 3,000 anglers were on hand at midnight Saturday for the opening of Lake Tywappity; a siren sounded to mark the opening of the new lake.

75 years ago: May 30, 1935

Although there is no formal program marking the occasion, it having been held on Sunday, Cape Girardeau observes Memorial Day with a partial suspension of business.

A checkup of the salary schedule for 97 white public school instructors shows that first-year male teachers receive more pay than veteran women teachers; the nine teachers at John S. Cobb School aren't under the same pay schedule; annual pay for that staff ranges from $585 to $1,305.

100 years ago: May 30, 1910

Decoration Day. Participants in the public program gather at Courthouse Park and then parade to Lorimier Cemetery, the school children and the Sixth Regiment Band leading the way; the graves are decorated and, after an address by J.H. Doris, a firing squad salutes the dead.

The declamatory contest for the Regents Medal, held in the Normal School auditorium in the evening, is won by Rush H. Limbaugh of Jackson, a member of the Benton Society; Limbaugh wins on his earnestness, losing himself completely in the message he delivers.

-- Sharon K. Sanders