The Way We Were

25 Years Ago

1989 –  The University of Illinois mascot, Chief Illiniwek, visited Jefferson School students who were honored for good behavior.
Vandalia had six Illinois State Scholars – Sid Smith, Tammy Green, Christy England, Jeff Scott, Beth Herrington and Angie Harmeier.
The community Resource Center moved to its new location on North Eighth Street in Vandalia.

30 Years Ago

1984 – Mayor Neil Donnals announced that he would be running for re-election in the spring.
Republican Harold Bauman and Gary Hannagan were elected chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the Fayette County Board of Supervisors.
County officers State’s Attorney Don Sheafor, Coroner Howard May and Circuit Clerk Marsha Wodtka were sworn into office on Monday.
More than $11,000 was collected toward the $32,875 goal of the United Fund campaign.
Mulberry Grove homecoming queen candidates were Dena Koontz, Carla Sugg, Teresa Blankenship, Tammy Stich, Mary Lehn, Jan Scott, Lori Sugg and Kim Cooper.
Fayette County residents witnessed the arrival of winter Wednesday, when the temperature dropped and a couple of inches of snow fell.
The Fayette County Farm Bureau celebrated 50 years at its annual meeting last week. Forrest Meseke was president, Don Busse, secretary, and Gerald Forehand, treasurer.
The Fayette County Community Chorus, sponsored by the Fayette County Cultural Arts Association, presented “A Christmas Suite” Sunday afternoon in the VCHS gym. Ken Manning was the director of the choir. The St. James Lutheran Church bell choir performed before the chorus’ presentation.
Senior Tammy Hagy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Hagy, was named the Brownstown High School homecoming queen. Shawn Ritchey escorted her.

40 Years Ago

1974 – Members of Jefferson third grade brought toys, which were auctioned off to raise $20 for the United Fund. Harold Landes and Tornie Womack were co-county chairmen.
Snow, which began falling Saturday evening, dumped 2½ inches in this area. A chilly 11 degrees was the low for the past week.
Bill Culbertson was named most valuable player after posting a 29-3 record and qualifying for the state wrestling tournament.
1975 automobile licenses went on sale at both Vandalia banks on Monday.
Carol Curry of Decatur, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Schmid of Shobonier, was recently named a certified professional secretary.
Senior citizens needing transportation to the doctor, dentist or shopping were to be taken care of with the scheduling of the new mini van.

50 Years Ago

1964 – Serving on the committee for the Newcomers Christmas dance were Mrs. Jack Barnes, Mrs. Danny Oberlink, Mrs. Richard Miller, Mrs. Al Hipsher, Mrs. Bill Schaller (chairman), Mrs. Bob Silvest, Mrs. Dave Leavenworth, Mrs. Al Bolin, Mrs. Dick Bremer and Mrs. Graynard Hardebeck.
An inch of snow fell here Saturday.
On Thursday night, Dec.10, Vandalia merchants made it possible for men to shop without their wives or others for whom they wished to purchase Christmas gifts.
Bombers of Brownstown rolled over Stewardson, 60-48; St. Elmo Eagles lost to Cowden 57-43; Ramsey beat Sandoval 61-59.
Deer season in Fayette County closed Saturday, with 20 having been killed during the last three days.
Lance Webb, bishop of the Methodist Church, Illinois area, was to have spoken at Vandalia First Methodist Church on Sunday.
First National Bank of Vandalia offered a new checking service for patrons of 65 years and over.
Dycus Oil announced major expansion plans with construction of a truck stop and restaurant complex.
Mr. and Mrs. William Eadie Jr. and their daughter, Matilda, drove to Chicago on Saturday night to hear their daughter and sister, Kay Sue Eadie Nagle of Homewood, sing the leading soprano role in “King David,” a symphonic psalm, in Chicago Heights on Sunday.

60 Years Ago

1954 – Mr. and Mrs. Henry Flitz and family planned to leave for Germany in the near future. Mrs. Flitz was formerly Elynor Stapp.
Vandalia streets were decorated for the yuletide season. Downtown merchants and Chamber of Commerce cooperated in the project.
Mother singers made three appearances in two weeks singing for Cameo Club, Vandalia Historical Society and the three Vandalia grade schools.
Kenneth Muma of Vandalia purchased Swarm Hardware in St. Elmo this week.
Seven prizes for house lighting at Christmas time were to be determined during the week of Dec. 19 and awarded the week of Christmas.
Brownstown cheerleaders were Sue Ann Dowell, Joanne Bartimus, Loretta Pruitt, Sara Hopkins and Key Doll Lipscomb.
Mattix whistled 20 points through the nets for St. Elmo to win 51-49 over Altamont Friday.

70 Years Ago

1944 – Steve Southwell began his first term as coroner and Paul Houck his first term as circuit clerk on Dec. 4.
Jerry James celebrated his 10th birthday anniversary by entertaining 14 classmates at a 6 p.m. dinner on Nov. 30.
Louise Smith presided and Dotty Freeman read “The Christmas Story” at a group meeting of Methodist Youth Fellowship in Brownstown on Monday night.
Marjorie Yarbrough, Marian Hyle and Margaret Oberg were elected cheerleaders for Vandalia High School.