The Way We Were-March 31, 2011
15 Years Ago
1996 – A little more than 200 people took advantage of a hazardous home waste collection program offered at South Central FS in Vandalia.
Clint Benhoff and Tim Worker of Ramsey were on the baseball squad at Lake Land College.
Mr. and Mrs. Dale Nattier of Patoka were making plans to celebrate their 60th anniversary.
The Rev. James Fackler, pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in Vandalia and Zion Lutheran Church in Loogootee, carried the cross to lead the “Stations of the Cross” devotional march through downtown Vandalia.
20 Years Ago
1991 – Brian Kern of Vandalia won most valuable honors at the Newton Classic All-Star Game.
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Stein celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in St. Elmo.
The building on West Randolph Street, which formerly housed the Johnson, Stephens & Shinkle Shoe Co., was under various stages of demolition.
The First United Methodist Church in St. Elmo sustained considerable damage from a fire in the overflow room of the sanctuary.
25 Years Ago
1986 – The Vandalia City Council adopted a resolution to participate in the Illinois Certified Cities Program.
A large crowd attended a lecture given by Astronaut Steven Nagel at Vandalia Community High School. Nagel was the pilot of the space shuttle Challenger three months before its fatal mission.
Vandalia Community High School teacher and coach Donna (Lay) Hughey and her husband were asked to play softball and baseball in Sweden and Finland on Athletes in Action teams in the summer.
35 Years Ago
1976 – The Vandalia City Council was considering changes in the operation of the parking lot at Fifth and Johnson streets.
To induce Tri Star to come to Vandalia, the city council agreed to issue revenue bonds of up to $425,000.
The Ramsey Lions Club’s Community Sale brought in $70,000. That was $11,000 more than the previous year.
A potluck meal was held to honor Rose Bertram, who retired after 24 years at Kroger.
Mr. and Mrs. Leo Carrico of Vandalia celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this week. Mr. and Mrs. Sammy Garrison were celebrating their 25th anniversary.
Cathy Farley, daughter of Russell and Erma Farley, graduated from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in St. Louis.
45 Years Ago
1966 – Farmers and Merchants Bank purchased the Tanner property to improve a drive-in facility.
Ervin Wangrow was the county chairman of the Fayette County American Cancer Society Drive.
An architect’s sketch of the new Vandalia Junior High School was unveiled this week.
Major Kermit Coleman was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel by the U.S. Air Force. His wife is the former Jacqueline Gerkin, a native of Vandalia.
The Vandalia Band Parents elected Melvin Donnelley president.
55 Years Ago
1956 – More than 200 people attended a regional Odd Fellows meeting in Vandalia.
Fayette County Hospital planned to open the hospital annex for chronic care on May 1.
Bill Beabout was elected president of the Epsilon Nu chapter of Alpha Tau Omega at Monmouth College.
65 Years Ago
1946 – A fire at Burtschi Garage this week caused damage to the structure estimated at $30,000.
O.F. Patterson of Elgin was employed as superintendent of the St. Elmo School District.
The U.S. War Department declared Capt. Jack Ort dead.
75 Years Ago
1936 – The factory addition and Barkley Funeral Home were about ready for occupancy.
A county-wide meeting of school people attracted about 350 people.
A fire destroyed half a block in St. Elmo. Firefighters from Vandalia, Brownstown and Altamont aided St. Elmo firemen. Damage was estimated at $25,000.