The Way We Were
15 Years Ago
1997 – The Brownstown Board of Education approved a new two-year contract with the Brownstown Education Association.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Chandler of Ramsey and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Lay of rural Ramsey were celebrating their 50th anniversaries.
Fire gutted the building at 611 W. Orchard St. that housed businesses and apartments. Damage was estimated at $250,000.
Long-time Vandalia attorney Bob Burnside was named grand marshal of the Vandalia Lions Club’s Halloween parade.
Unable to find a building for the purpose, the Vandalia Jaycees canceled this year’s haunted house.
20 Years Ago
1992 – Dave and Dianne Verner and their son. Kirk, opened Archway Skydiving Centre at Vandalia Airport and began serving as the fixed-base operators of the airport.
Kevin Barber, a Minnesota native, was hired as the superintendent of the Brownstown Agronomy Research Center.
The collection drive for Fayette County Caring & Sharing got under way.
Capital Cable announced that cable TV rates for Vandalia residents were increasing on Jan. 1. Basic cable was increasing from $18.60 to $19, and the additional fee for extended basic was increasing from $2.40 to $3.
The Fayette County Board recommended that ESDA Coordinator John Adermann rescind his decision to terminate the ESDA secretary position.
25 Years Ago
1987 – Sixteen area high school seniors were honored by Soroptimist International of Vandalia at its Youth Appreciation Banquet.
L. Ray Radliff was appointed president and chief executive officer of First National Bank of Vandalia.
Vandalia received grants for water improvements and a new boat launch on the north side of Vandalia Lake.
Dale “Pete” Burnam announced that on Jan. 1, he would be retiring from FS after 40 years, 21 as manager of Vandalia’s facility.
35 Years Ago
1977 – Vandalia firefighters battled a blaze at Brooke Hi-Lanes in Vandalia. A considerable amount of cleanup was required.
Teenage drinking was discussed at length by the Vandalia City Council.
Darryl Tjaden and Dan Barenfanger were appointed to the Vandalia Plan Commission.
Vandalia Rotary Club members Jack Metivier, Jerry McDowell and Paul Walther erected a sign designating the Vandalia Woman’s Club’s Little Red Caboose as the Vandalia headquarters for Santa Claus.
A reception was held to honor Mr. and Mrs. Morris Beabout on their 50th wedding anniversary.
45 Years Ago
1967 – The Vandalia City Council advised that funds could be made available for remodeling of city hall.
John Wood raised 30 wild turkeys that he planned to release in an effort to restock their once native habitat.
With Bess Tedrick officiating as president, Crawford-Hale American Legion Unit- 95 Auxiliary allowed $400 in donations to various groups.
The Vandalia Rotary Club provided a free Christmas movie for children at Liberty Theater.
The St. Elmo Board of Education was considering the addition of baseball to the high school athletic program.
55 Years Ago
1957 – Jane Gesell was crowned homecoming queen at LaGrove High School in Farina.
A broken rail was blamed for the derailment of 10 Pennsylvania Railroad freight cars in downtown Vandalia.
Central School cheerleaders were LoAnn Willett, Kay Etcheson, Cindy Harris and Sharon Clayton.
Dessie Turner was installed as worthy matron of Melrose Chapter No. 243 of Order of the Eastern Star. Wayne Brannon was installed as worthy patron.
Several hundred people turned out for the Vandalia car dealers’ $300 give-away. Winners were Jim Wentworth, Bernard Crone and David Allen Stewart.
65 Years Ago
1947 – Because of a tremendous electrical shortage, Illinois Power deemed it advisable to install an electric substation in Vandalia.
Children’s Book Week was observed at Evans Public Library. Librarian was Mildred Murray.
Lyle Ellicott, a Vandalia Community High School junior, was elected president of Student Council district.
Twenty-seven World War II veterans joined the American Legion enmasse in a ceremony at the Legion Home.
75 Years Ago
1937 – Robert Russell Carter, Leslie Eugene Smail and William Franklin White joined the U.S. Navy.
Joe Moulton gave Haley Chapel a load of corn to help pay the church’s debt. The women of the church shucked 55 bushels of corn, selling it for 37.5 cents per bushel. The fundraiser netted $22.36.
The vast building program at the Illinois State Penal Farm in Vandalia was completed making it one of the most modern institutions in the United States.