10 years ago: Sept. 18, 1993

Ste. Genevieve, Mo. -- About 300 weary residents, tired of fighting floodwaters for weeks on end, relax together at Ste. Genevieve High School football field; group of residents organized county-wide picnic to thank those who aided the flood fight; hundreds of residents, volunteers, National Guardsmen and members of Coast Guard worked tirelessly to erect floodwall, barricading majority of community from encroaching Mississippi River.

Amid fall-like temperatures, 138th edition of SEMO District Fair wraps up with antique tractor pull in morning and country singer Collin Ray performing at grandstand in evening.

25 years ago: Sept. 18, 1978

City manager W.G. Lawley doesn't want to ban use of Twin Trees Park by Southeast Missouri State University student groups, but that is one action he could take if behavior of individuals attending social functions there doesn't improve.

Bumper crowd at SEMO District Fair Saturday brought final attendance tally to 70,623 for five-day event; sellout crowd Tuesday and Saturday nights for grandstand shows was boost in attendance department, says Earl James, fair board treasurer.

50 years ago: Sept. 18, 1953

More champions are crowned in livestock classes yesterday in final day of judging at SEMO District Fair, and today's crowd, observing Jackson and Cape Girardeau County Day, again moves into grounds in second major attraction day of fair; this evening, VFW Benefit Horse Show and Roxyette Summer Follies, showing in separate places on grounds, will be presented for last time.

More than 8,800 square yards of main runway at municipal airport will be rebuilt under $10,000 improvement project starting Monday, says Rush H. Limbaugh Jr., secretary of city's airport board.

75 years ago: Sept. 18, 1928

The 70th renewal of Cape Fair gets under way at Fairground Park under ideal weather conditions; day is fair, and oppressive heat is absent; today is "School Day," and thousands of public and private school children under college age are admitted to fairgrounds free.

City officials say that reported remonstrance against paving of Lorimier street with amiesite hasn't been filed with city clerk, and they aren't sure that such a step will be taken; one official says he is sure majority of property owners from north end of Lorimier to Independence are in favor of paving, and he doubts if majority of signatures could be secured on petition for entire street.

-- Sharon K. Sanders