The Way We Were-Dec. 15, 2011

15 Years Ago

1996 – The Fayette County Board was considering a resolution that would require inmates in the county jail to help pay their own medical expenses.
The Vandalia wrestling team captured the title of the Civic Memorial Tournament for the second straight year.
Everett and Paula Sasse were planning to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, and Forrest “Shaner” and Cleta Lutz of Mulberry Grove were celebrating their 65th anniversary.
The Fayette County Board was still hoping to put before county residents at the April 1997 election a bond issue to help fund much-needed courthouse improvements.

20 Years Ago

1992 – The Brownstown Bombers claimed the championship trophy, and St. Elmo took second in the St. Elmo Holiday Tournament.
To fill the position left open due to the retirement of Joe Ross, South Central School District chose William “Bill” Walters to take over as superintendent.

25 Years Ago

1987 – Barbara Littlejohn won $1,000 in the “Grand Christmas” drawing sponsored by Vandalia retailers.
The Vandalia Chamber of Commerce was seeking to promote Vandalia’s history. To do so, Dale Timmermann of the chamber spoke to the city council about forming a Tourism Council and instituting a 3 percent local hotel operation tax.
Trenton Wesclin won the Vandalia Holiday Tournament. Tim Locum of Flora was MVP, and Vandalia’s Sean Leckrone was on the all-tournament team. Vandalia’s cheerleaders won the cheerleading award.
35 Years Ago

1977 – Andrew Kuncl, 10-month-old grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mills, posed for The Leader-Union’s “Happy New Year” picture.
Vandalia and Nokomis were scheduled to play in the basketball tournament finals.
All Vandalia places of business were planning January clearance sales, with some offering drastic reductions.
It took an entire page of the paper this week to list the prizes awaiting the first baby in 1977 – gifts from area merchants.
The Harold Buchanans of rural Mulberry Grove planned to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 8.
Gene’s I.U. Food Store was severely damaged by fire Tuesday afternoon.
Traffic lights were installed at the intersection of U.S. Route 51 and Van Tran in Vandalia at an estimated cost of $94,684.

45 Years Ago

1967 – Snow missed the Vandalia area as winter began. Coldest reading for the week was 19 on Friday and Tuesday.
Prisoners were transferred to the city jail until welders could repair damage caused when there was an attempted jail break at the county jail.
Curry’s Antique Shop near Brownstown burned early Thursday.
An on-the-job training program for 720 persons in the five counties served by CEFS Inc. was approved, along with a grant of $235,731 from United States Department of Labor.  
Dana McCormick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Murvil McCormick, was crowned queen of the 1966 Brownstown High School Homecoming on Friday night.
Births – a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Barenfanger, Vandalia; twin daughters to Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Lehr, Vandalia, on Christmas morning.
Mary Catanzaro hosted a bridal shower at The Little Brick House for bride-elect Sandy Snyder.
Children at Jefferson School presented a songfest in the school cafeteria before a large crowd of parents and patrons of the school.
Saturday morning, Dec. 24, Sharon Mueller and Susan Koehler of Ramsey hosted a holiday party for a number of their former classmates and their children in the Mueller home in Ramsey.
Editorials and letters to the editor were already publicizing the Illinois Sesquicentennial to be held in Vandalia in June 1967.
Lawrenceville beat Vandalia, 98-52, Wednesday night in the opening game of the Mattoon Holiday Tournament.

55 Years Ago

1957 – Winners in the Christmas lighting contest were: I.J. Pasley, first; Gordon Luster, second; Burr Hackelman, third; and Richard Brannon, fourth.
Cathy Bayles reigned as queen of the Brownstown homecoming.
Greenburg employees remembered 60 members and fathers on Christmas.
The Rev. Merill Hershberger, pastor of First Christian Church, was serving on a committee in Springfield, which is proposing   legislation against drunken drivers.
Bob Lingle and his orchestra played for the Fireman’s Ball on New Year’s Eve.

65 Years Ago

1947 – The McKinley Glee Club sang “Chorus In The Skies,” under the direction of Mrs. Porter Simcox in First Presbyterian Church on Wednesday evening.
Bitzer Motors completed the new building and held an open house on Dec. 28. Luther Hall was manager.
Santa landed his airplane Monday and entertained 1,000 Fayette County children assembled along Gallatin Street.
The Christmas Story was told in tableaux last Thursday night in the LaVerne Deal home for the Sodalitan Class of First Baptist Church.
Births – a son to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hobler, Greenville; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick Schilling, Vandalia; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Elam, Shafter Township; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Lee Goodbrake, Vandalia.
Santa Claus and his reindeer, red rosebuds and rose nut cups made festive the Dawson Tea Room for the Junior Woman’s Club’s annual Christmas party.
The Rev. Henry Neal christened the following children on Sunday: Rameo Ireland, Robert Stombaugh and Betsy Brannon.
About 150 attended the Lions Club’s Christmas party for children in I.O.O.F. hall lodge room on Monday evening.
Vandals lost 45-29 to Centralia. John Lester's shoulder was dislocated during the game Saturday night. Litchfield won by a score of 46-40 over Vandalia on Friday night.
“Religion” was the theme of the Vandalia Woman’s Club’s Christmas meeting on Monday at the American Legion Home. VCHS thespians, under the direction of Elizabeth Upchurch, presented “This Sign Unto You.”

75 Years Ago

1937 – Mary Wagner presented the Vandalia Public Library with $1,000 in memory of her daughter, Lauretta Wagner.
Four inches of snow fell Friday night, making roads hazardous.
Births – a son to Mr. and Mrs. Nova McCaslin, Carson Township; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Breen Bolt, Ramsey.
The annual Christmas party for Ford Co. was held at 1:30 p.m., Dec. 24 at the plant. Decorations were evident, along with 150 well-filled baskets and a bonus of one week’s pay.