VANDALIA – The Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site, the oldest surviving capitol building in Illinois, will host public candlelight tours the evening of Saturday, Dec. 9 as part of the site’s annual Christmas open house.   Visitors will find the building illuminated by more than 150 candles and trimmed with holiday decorations.   The festivities…

  State Representative Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) hosted a dedication ceremony on November 13, 2023 for the family of St. Elmo native Bruce Williams who died twenty-five years ago in 1998 while on helicopter maneuvers in the California Sequoia National Forest. Held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7676 located at 320 W.…

  Many families are facing financial hardships and will have difficulty putting gifts under the tree. Recognizing that every child deserves to feel the joy of Christmas, Blind Society and Copper Penny will be sponsoring an ANGEL TREE for youth in need.  Please visit Blind Society or Copper Penny, in Vandalia across from the Statehouse,…

A new Christmas tradition looks to be bigger  – and brighter – this year. Olde Tyme Christmas Presents: A Festival of Lights will officially kick off its second season’s greetings with the first weekend in December. The official event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2, where special guests Santa and Mrs. Claus will be…