Columns

Mayor Ricky Gottman recently declared Monday, June 18, as a day that Vandalia will commemorate to remember the men who served in the War of 1812.
The War of 1812 was actually a continuation of the Revolutionary War fought some 40 years earlier.
Although America won the day in 1776, the British weren’t done, and organized with the Indians in Canada to keep the fire against the Americans burning.
In Illinois, Territorial Gov. Ninian Edwards was charged with protecting the settlers throughout the territory.

15 Years Ago

1997 – With power outages in the summer a possibility, Mayor Sandra Leidner was wanting the city of Vandalia to develop an emergency plan.
At the Vandalia City Council meeting, it was reported that the city's sewer odor problem appeared to be on the mend.
Victor and Betty Hill of Van-dalia, and Alva and Maxine Lovall of Vandalia were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversaries. Bill and Marie Durbin were celebrating their 40th anniversary.

15 Years Ago

1997 – Shane Graumenz and Susan Koonce were crowned king and queen at the Vandalia Community High School prom.
Acting on a request from the Fayette County Soil & Water Conservation District, the South Central School District was initiating participation in the Outdoor Classroom program. Members of the Science Club and Future Farmers of America were planting grasses and trees on land west of Interstate 57.

I was among those who eagerly awaited the publication of Brenda Protz’s "Images of America" pictorial history book of Vandalia several years ago. Many of the pictures in the book were just what Brenda had hoped for – one-of-a-kind, unpublished photographs.