25 years ago: March 8, 1987

The new Activities Center at First Baptist Church was dedicated last Sunday; the center includes a multipurpose game room and snack area, gymnasium and track, racquetball court, roller-skating area, fitness room for weight training and aerobic workouts, whirlpool and full locker room facilities.

Bruce Masterson, pastor of Word of Life Outreach in East Cape Girardeau, Ill., was recently awarded the Young Religious Leader of the Year Award by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees.

50 years ago: March 8, 1962

A second application to operate a package liquor store in Cape Girardeau is made to the city council after discovery yesterday that a license is available; the latest applicant is Albert J. Buchheit; he also applies for a liquor-by-the-drink license, but none is available.

Jackson contractor Eugene McDowell announces plans to begin construction tomorrow on a 24-unit motel on Morgan Oak Street, near the traffic bridge; McDowell, who will be owner and operator of the motel, says it will be on the north side of Morgan Oak, between South Fountain and South Spanish streets.

75 years ago: March 8, 1937

A survey is being made of areas served by the CCC camps in Southeast Missouri to determine the advisability of having bird shelters constructed along the drainage districts in this section; as dikes along the ditches are cleared, shelter birds have used are destroyed.

Dormeyer's Pharmacy has secured a permit from the office of the city engineer to install a neon electric sign at Broadway and Fountain Street; the sign, to be 4 1/2 feet long, will cost about $100.

100 years ago: March 8, 1912

In order to accommodate the delegates and others who will attend the Republican convention in Jackson tomorrow, the Houck railroad will make a special rate of 50 cents for the round trip.

Nick Lacroix, the pioneer moving-picture man of Cape Girardeau and at present proprietor of a pool room on Main Street, has decided to get back into his favorite business and will open a moving-picture show in the store room just north of First National Bank.

-- Sharon K. Sanders