10 years ago: Sept. 7, 1993

Tents and carnival rides arrive today; fences and ticket booths went up over weekend; transformation of Arena Park into SEMO District Fairgrounds has begun; 138th annual fair begins Sunday.

Southeast Missouri State University Foundation will move ahead with plans to operate Cape Girardeau and Jackson license fee offices, university and foundation officials say; announcement follows two-hour, closed-door meeting of foundation's board of directors, some of whom had expressed concern about their executive committee's decision to accept offer from Gov. Mel Carnahan.

25 years ago: Sept. 7, 1978

Cape County Cable TV's request for changes in its franchise was greeted last night with withering barrage of questions by Councilman Howard C. Tooke; atmosphere of meeting became so charged that cable representatives never finished their presentation; it is company's contention on several of eight proposed changes submitted that they have no other choice, that changes are mandated by Federal Communications Commission.

Next move on question of paving Cape Rock Drive from Perryville Road to north city limits is up to property owners; city council yesterday set $17 per front foot as cost of property owners for project; council said that figure was made possible by Cape Special Road District's participation pledge of $3 per front foot.

50 years ago: Sept. 7, 1953

Labor Day.

Cape Girardeau has clear weather for its annual celebration of Labor Day, which features two public picnics and street parade; large crowds flock to picnics held at Capaha Park and at Knights of Columbus Hall and grounds; Capaha Park picnic and parade are sponsored jointly by 15 C.I.O. and A.F. of L. labor unions.

The Rev. Wilbert H. Koenig, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, is elected pastoral adviser for Missouri District of Walther League, which ends its three-day convention at Cape Girardeau today; new president for group is Ralph Villhard of Jackson; Charlene Saul of Cape Girardeau is secretary; 295 Leaguers from throughout state took part in convention, held at Hotel Marquette.

75 years ago: Sept. 7, 1928

Total of 2,674 pupils have been enrolled in Cape Girardeau Public Schools, says superintendent John A. Whiteford; enrollment figures secured from Trinity Lutheran parochial school and from St. Mary's High School and parochial school bring total to 3,156, while figure from St. Vincent's School isn't available; it is estimated that total enrollment will be near 3,300.

Rock ballast is being placed on subgrade of Illinois approach to Mississippi River traffic bridge in preparation to receive amiesite topping with which approach roadway will be surfaced; work is expected to be completed within next few days.

-- Sharon K. Sanders