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Today's Opinions

  • The Way We Were Nov. 24

    15 Years Ago

    1996 – The newly formed Fayette County Habitat for Humanity purchased a lot in the 1400 block of West Madison Street in Vandalia for its first home.
    Rob Thompson of Vandalia joined the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy.

    20 Years Ago

    1991 – Vandalia Attorney Rod Irvin was appointed to the Fayette County public defender post.
    Births – Greg Adam to Mr. and Mrs. Randy Buckley of Vandalia; Matthew William to Mr. and Mrs. Brian Holaday of Vandalia.

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  • Beck family forged friendship with Indians

    My thoughts this week have turned to the upcoming Thanksgiving celebration.
    In addition to the turkey-baking and pumpkin pie-making, my thoughts also turned backward to past celebrations with our family over the past 60 years.
    In the Beck family story, preserved by George Beck, is found the earliest account of a feast of thanksgiving in Fayette County stretching back to the year 1816.

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  • Happy Thanksgiving!

    Each year, Thanksgiving offers us a choice. Do we truly give thanks? Or do we simply go through the holiday motions?
    It’s easy to put things on autopilot – gathering with family, gorging ourselves on holiday goodies and lounging in front of endless football games?
    But does that really move us in directions that this uniquely American holiday should? Do we ever consider those things for which we should be deeply thankful? If not, how can we move ourselves in that direction?

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  • Banks of the Okaw-Nov. 17, 2011

    In last week’s Mystery Banks Photo were: Members of the All-Star game of the St. Elmo and Brownstown Little League in 1968 or 1969. They are:
    Front Row: Mike Sluder, St. Elmo; David Miley, St. Elmo; and Marty Watson, St. Elmo.
    Second Row: Forrest Claypool, St. Elmo; Denny Koonce, St. Elmo; Marty Haslett, St. Elmo; and Terry Spain, St. Elmo.
    Back Row: Coach Leo Haslett, Wesley Sparr, St. Elmo; Doyle Powell, Brownstown; David Williams, St. Elmo; Kris Klitzing, Brownstown; and Coach Max Watson.

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  • Letter to the Editor

    Editor:
    Is it true that the work programs were taken away from the prisoners at Vandalia Correctional Center? The prisoners are supposed to be there for rehabilitation. It seems that a good work ethic would be a good part of that rehabilitation. My guess is that the prisoners would be more content, easier to handle and sure to learn many things if the work programs were put into place.

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  • The Way We Were-Nov. 17, 2011

    15 Years Ago

    1996 – Kelly McGinnis, a Greenville man charged with the August murder of a Greenville attorney, pleaded guilty to “firing the second of two shots.” A sentencing hearing was to be held at a later date.
    Senior Vandalia linebacker Shane Graumenz was named to the Illinois High School Association’s Class 3A All-State football team.
    Fred Willms Sr. received his 50-year Masonic pin.

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  • Dr. Morey was county's first trained doctor

    In last week’s column, I wrote about the family of Dr. John Frederick Aubery, who served as a surgeon during the Revolution.

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  • Adermann deserving of thanks for 37 years with VVFD

    You know how on some mornings, it’s tough to roll out of bed and get ready for work? Imagine being awakened in the middle of the night, jumping out of bed, and getting dressed and ready to work in a matter of minutes.
    Then, doing that time and time again, even in the dead of winter, for 37 years.
    That’s the life that Merle Adermann led as a member of the Vandalia Volunteer Fire Department, with his last 19 years of service to the community being as the chief of the department.

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