Out of the past 5/8/04

10 years ago: May 8, 1994

Mother's Day is celebrated at several Cape Girardeau churches; at Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church, moms receive 11-by-14-inch color scripture art suitable for framing; at First Baptist Church, Preschool Weekend is planned, with special parent/ child dedication service during morning worship.

Year after Senate Bill 380 changed way Missouri public schools are funded, area school administrators say they can live with legislation; but new legislation designed to "clean up" SB-380 could have greater impact than original measure.

25 years ago: May 8, 1979

City of Cape Girardeau is tentatively planning to seek bids next month on construction of new fire station to serve city's main business districts, say city officials.

Concepts of pairing elementary schools to even out enrollment and transferring kindergarten children from Alma Schrader School if necessary win approval of school board; also at meeting, board endorses idea of Parent-Student-Teacher Organization for Central High School as proposed by pupils there.

50 years ago: May 8, 1954

Cape Girardeau's Community Industrial Development Fund, raised in two parts, first in 1949 and second last fall, now has total assets of $183,250.

These are anxious days for Southeast Missouri cotton farmers; with practically entire crop in, frost hit it last week, and cool weather -- bane of cotton's existence -- has hung on ever since.

75 years ago: May 8, 1929

Fire, originating in room in basement, severely damages Oakenwold, palatial country residence of Julia M. Peironnet in North Cape Girardeau on Bend Road; damage to building, which is virtually ruined, and to furnishings is expected to exceed $40,000.

In perhaps most auspicious public celebration and tribute to education in history of Cape Girardeau, 2,000 former pupils and friends gathered last night at Houck Field House to honor May Greene for her 50 years as public school teacher here.

-- Sharon K. Sanders