Area News

Twenty-four members and three guests traveled to Litchfield to the Chinatown Restaurant for the monthly ExxonMobil Annuitants luncheon and meeting on Thursday, April 28.
Following the pledge to the flag, Brock Fisher gave the meal prayer.
After the meal, President Dean Black, opened the meeting with a welcome to all present, especially those who had not attended for sometime due to various reasons.
Guests present were Stacey Langston, and Kenneth and Angela Hagen. The secretary/treasurer report was given, and approved as read.

Birthday Celebration
The family of Mary Harpster hosted an 80th birthday party for her on Saturday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church basement.

An open house for Matthew Dillon Connell will be held from 2-4 p.m. this Sunday at the home of Dr. Don and Phyllis Rames, 620 N. Seventh St., Vandalia. Connell will be leaving for Navy basic training.

There were a lot of stories shared at the Ponderosa Steakhouse at noon on Monday, May 2, when former telephone operators, linemen and guests who worked for Illinois Bell attended their fourth annual luncheon.
After the meal, everyone introduced themselves and told when and where they worked.
Gloria Ledbetter read some humorous quotes.
Donna Chrisman read a poem that was written by Mary Dewald.
In the poem, Dewald recalls her days as an operator and later as a commercial employee. She had been with Illinois Bell for 25 years.