Out of the past 12/10/02

10 years ago: Dec. 10, 1992

City's planning and zoning commission last night revised its list of priorities for five-year major street projects; while keeping Lexington Avenue project and Sprigg Street extension to the arterial at top of list, commission adds construction of new Hopper Road from Mount Auburn to Kage Road and improvements to Perryville Road.

Robert Dickemper, senior vice president of administration of Southwestern Bell Corp., has been named chairman of Southeast Missouri State University Foundation Board; Dickemper, who will serve two-year term, is fifth chairman in board's history; he replaces Judy Wilferth, whose term has expired.

25 years ago: Dec. 10, 1977

After 25 years with Cape Girardeau Fire Department -- last 13 as fire inspector -- Warren H. Strack will retire Wednesday to life of travel and fishing; Strack joined department Oct. 14, 1952, and was appointed fire inspector in May 1964.

Dr. John E. King, professor and chairman of Department of Higher Education at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, will be commencement speaker tomorrow, when nearly 400 students graduate from Southeast Missouri State University; commencement exercises will be held in afternoon at Houck Field House.

50 years ago: Dec. 10, 1952

Seattle -- Sixty-six Missourians are scheduled to arrive from Far East aboard Marine Phoenix, which is carrying 3,049 rotation troops; they include Cpl. Lonxia Gannon of Parma, Cpl. Clinton L. Massa of Lutesville, Pfc. Harry W. Minney of Sikeston, Sgt. Bobby E. Smith of Hornersville and Pfc. Frederick C. Schmidt of Cape Girardeau.

Chaffee -- Jae Hopkins has received "Certificate of meritorious Achievement in Sciences," awarded jointly by American Metals Association and National Science Teachers Association to best science students of United States and Canada; he is son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hopkins.

75 years ago: Dec. 10, 1927

New York Fashion Shop, 29 N. Main, Cape Girardeau's newest ready-to-wear store, formally opens in morning; it is fashioned after shops of Eastern cities and will carry line of women's clothing selected to meet needs of smaller Midwestern city; Phillip Feinberg, owner and proprietor of firm, has spent nearly $7,000 in remodeling store.

Date for formal opening of new Southeast Missouri Hospital hasn't been definitely set, pending arrival of surgical equipment, which is due Monday; contractor has practically finished his work at building and will be ready to move out within few days.

- Sharon K. Sanders