The Way We Were

15 Years Ago

1997 – A 20-member committee began a study on the needs and problems in Vandalia School District facilities.
Rachel Engel, the reigning Miss Fayette County Fair, was competing in the Miss Illinois County Fair pageant in Springfield.
About seven years after the Fayette County Board agreed to begin setting monies aside for such a project, the current board voted to begin work on an addition to the county courthouse and improvements to the existing building.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Morgan of Vandalia were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

20 Years Ago

1993 – City officials and Illinois Power representatives were meeting to formulate a marketing plan for the city.
The city of St. Elmo was moving city hall from the 100 block of West Fourth Street to the building at 411 W. Main St. that formerly housed Billy Boy’s Restaurant.
The Lady Vandals defeated Pana in double overtime to win the Pana Regional.
Curtis Schwarm became the all-time scoring leader at Brownstown High School as he scored 40 points in the Bombers’ 69-62 win over Mulberry Grove. Schwarm’s total of 1,640 eclipsed the record of 1,622 established by Dave Miller from 1962-66
Lodge 111 of the Fraternal Order of Police won a grievance filed against the city of Vandalia, meaning that the city would be required to have at least two officers on duty at all times.
A 1971 Dodge Charger,  owned by Mike Sahr of Vandalia,  was featured on the cover of the national magazine, "Mopar Action."
Howard Peters, director of the Illinois Department of Corrections, was the featured speaker at the Lincoln Day Dinner held by the Fayette County Republican Central Committee.
Floyd and Doris Elam of Vandalia were celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary.

25 Years Ago

1988 – St. Elmo won its first regional title in 15 years, defeating Kinmundy-Alma. The Eagles then defeated Gillespie in the first round of the IHSA Sectional Tournament at Vandalia.
Kevin Maxey was given honorable mention recognition on the Associated Press; Class A Illinois High School basketball team.
Marilyn Hawkey was crowned Valentine's Day queen at Farina LaGrove High School.
The Kent Hoffman family was chosen to represent Illinois in the All-American Parade at Walt Disney World in Florida.

35 Years Ago

1978 – Phyllis Schafly spoke to a group of Vandalians on behalf of the anit-ERA candidates.
Robert Provines received the Master Farmer Award from Prairie Farmer magazine.
Mr. and Mrs. George Bieber bought the Hotel Evans corner, announcing plans to build a restaurant.
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Harrison purchased the Corner Market from Mr. and Mrs. Dale Akeman.
James Walker, a Vandalia native, was to receive his doctor of ministry degree and was pastoring in Varna.
Winners of the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award were Cindy Snow of Ramsey, Penny Parkison of Brownstown, Greg Baumann of Vandalia, Beverly Brandt of St. Peter and Lori Belden of St. Elmo.
    
45 Years Ago

1968 – Van Tran Electric started its third addition since opening its plant in Vandalia.
By order of the city’s police committee, dogs were not allowed to run free within the city limits of Vandalia.
Jan Johnston was elected president of the Evans Public Library Board.
Five fires occurred over the weekend in St. Elmo.
The Vandalia Junior High School lightweights, coached by Bill Schultz, won the IESA District Tournament.

55 Years Ago

1958 – More than 200 people attended a Democratic potluck.
About 175 Lions Club members and farmers attended the club’s Farmers’ Night Banquet.
The Loogootee Post Office was robbed.
Suzie Bennett signed up to join the Women’s Air Force. She left for St. Louis and subsequently reported to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
Maxine Baggett won the high school prize given by the American Legion Auxiliary for the Americanic essay contest. The grade school winner was Jimmy Smith.
Leo Rush, a rural mail carrier working out of the St. Elmo Post Office, retired after 40 years.