25 years ago: Aug. 23, 1985

The Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents has approved the taking of bids on a key portion of a $4.8 million boiler project; the power plant plans call for a "fluidized bed boiler," capable of producing 50,000 pounds of steam per hour.

A major donation by May Stores Foundation Inc. has put a bit of Christmas spirit into a holiday project that will raise funds for the Women's Center and Safe House; the foundation donates $1,000 to the "Festival of Trees," a November gala that will feature Christmas trees decorated by area organizations and businesses.

50 years ago: Aug. 23, 1960

Cape Girardeau firemen, members of Local 1984 of the Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters, confronted the city council yesterday with a request to pass an ordinance increasing their pay on a length-of-service basis, or in the alternative to face an initiative election in November.

The Cape County Historical Society has approached the city council with a proposal to develop Fort A, the Civil War bastion at the east end of Bellevue Street, into a scenic turnaround overlooking the Mississippi River.

75 years ago: Aug. 23, 1935

A squad of 118 youths who will do Civilian Conservation Corps duty are recruited here and will leave tomorrow for training at Troy, Mo., after which they will be transferred to a camp in Minnesota; 13 of the men are from Cape Girardeau County; the largest contingent -- 53 -- is from Scott County.

Police officer Pink Niswonger has been assigned to patrol the Red Star suburb; Emory Stovall has been hired to supplement the force.

100 years ago: Aug. 23, 1910

The drought is broken in the morning by one of the worst storms in many months; the rain falls heavily, and a regular gale comes from the northeast, blowing down trees, signboards, unroofing buildings and knocking down fencing.

Dr. W.J. Miller of St. Louis, formerly a Cape Girardeau County resident, arrives here on the steamer Savannah; he's in town for the big Homecomers doings at Jackson.

Featured in "Men of Affairs" is J.W. Varner.

-- Sharon K. Sanders