The Way We Were
30 Years Ago
1989 – The Fayette County Agronomy Day program drew 140 farmers.
Five people filed nominating petitions for mayor: Rich Walker, Herb Walker, Jim Horn, Robert E. Carroll and Everett R. Jarrett.
Debra Sue Logsdon was appointed Vernon postmaster.
Tom Long was named manager of the Vandalia Kroger Store.
St. Elmo’s eighth grade basketball team won its regional basketball tournament, beating Altamont, 47-31, in the IJHSAA finals.
35 Years Ago
1984 – People interested in the formation of the Rural Ramsey Area Fire Association discussed the group’s proposed bylaws in a meeting at the Ramsey Elementary School. Claude Willis was chairman of the bylaws committee.
The Knights of Columbus at Mother of Dolors Catholic Church took trainees at FAYCO Enterprises to JR’s Lanes Saturday for an evening of bowling.
Hooks Inc., an Indiana-based firm that has drug stores throughout the Midwest, took over the lease for the first floor of the building that formerly housed the P.N. Hirsch and Dollar General retail stores, and will open a store in Vandalia sometime this year.
Vandalia Motor Sales Inc. planned extensive expansion work and planned to hire about eight new employees.
The new 1984 officers of Friends of the Evans Public Library were: Paulette Kelly, president; Millie Hall, vice president; Ann Emerick, treasurer; and Linda Kelly, historian and RIF chairman.
Linda Taggert of Vandalia was named the “Friend of Education” for December by the Vandalia Unit Teachers Association.
Icy roads were the topic of conversation at Evergreen Outreach on Monday.
45 Years Ago
1974 – St. Louis Pencil Co. moved its headquarters to Vandalia from St. Louis. The office is located in the Almar Plant building on Coles Street, with Lois Wiss as office staff.
An outbreak of what was apparently a type of virus was taking its toll at Vandalia High School. Absenteeism reached a peak of 25 percent this week.
Crane Packing Co.’s second plant was nearing completion. It was thought it might open as early as next week.
Allen TV & Appliances, 515 W. Gallatin St., held a grand opening first year celebration Friday, Feb. 1.
State Rep. Don Brummet was speaker for the annual Jaycees banquet Saturday at Robbins.
55 Years Ago
1964 – Harry G. (Shorty) Hartmen retired Friday after 39 years with Illinois Bell Telephone Co.
Marion Kirkpatrick, who on Oct. 7 assumed charge of mail when a train storage car caught fire and rushed it to the local office, where it was sorted, was presented with an award for service beyond the call of duty Tuesday.
An overflow crowd attended the dedication of the remodeled St. James Lutheran sanctuary Sunday morning.
One-fourth inch hailstones fell during a storm on Friday at the FAA station, Vandalia Airport.
Sam Smail was selected as the county’s Outstanding Farmer of the Year by Vandalia civic organizations.
65 Years Ago
1954 – The Gustavus choir was presented to the public in a concert at First Methodist Church Tuesday night, under the auspices of the St. James Lutherans. Wicks Pipe Organ Co. of Highland entertained the choir at dinner that evening and conducted a tour of the organ factory.
Gilbert Ragsdale instructed students at Central Junior High School as to proper ways of displaying the American flag.
Carolyn Hamblin won The Leader’s essay writing contest with her essay “To Each His Home.”
A committee consisting of Clayton Beery, Don Brummett, Mrs. Ray Parker, Mrs. Les Finley and Mrs. Edward Mills met with the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the possibility of the Chamber’s forming or including a Citizen’s Committee in its organization.
Vandals beat Carlinville by a score of 48-37 on Saturday and Greenville, 42-27, on Friday night.