The Way We Were

30 Years Ago

1990 – A minor earthquake measuring between 3.4 and 4.0 on the Richter Scale woke many Fayette County residents from their sleep.
VI Enterprises closed its hat manufacturing plant in Vandalia.
About 450 teens attended Teen Aid V at First Baptist Church in Vandalia.

35 Years Ago

1985 – About 70 people turned out to “Meet the Candidates” who were running for city offices in Vandalia.
Vandalia Inn asked the Vandalia City Council that dancing be allowed in privately owned establishments that sell alcohol.
A St. Louis physicians’ group was to begin proving full-time emergency room coverage at Fayette County Hospital in April. The board of directors entered into a two-year contract with National Emergency Services.
Vandalia won its ninth straight regional title by beating Altamont, 88-70. Tom Dooley scored 28 points, Mike Ehrat added 20 and John Bernhardt finished with 16 for the Vandals.
ESDA Director Eldon Dugan said two new sirens had been ordered for the city. One was to replace the one that burned out during severe weather the previous year. The sirens were to be placed near Brockway Plastics Co. and Jefferson School. The siren on Fillmore Street was to be moved to the roof of city hall.
Julius “Sonny” Banal was hired to fill a vacancy on the Vandalia Police Department.
In the Vandalia Sectional, the Vandals defeated Trenton Wesclin, 67-65, in two overtimes. Tom Dooley, who scored 30 points, made two free throws with 0:00 showing in the second overtime to win the game. Vandalia had trailed by six points with one minute left in regulation.

45 Years Ago

1975 – A new Citizens Band radio tower was installed at Vandalia City Hall this week, to be used in conjunction with the regular police radios. The CB unit was also to have been hooked in with Civil Defense and was to be used mainly in emergencies.
Claims against Fayette County for livestock killed by dogs during the past year totaled $2,255.
Research work on the Vandalia Statehouse was completed and construction on the building was to have begun around July 1. An amount of $150,800 had been appropriated for reconstruction and rebuilding. It was hoped that the work would be completed before the 1976 Bicentennial.
Sunshine had been a welcome change during most of the past week, although some snow flurries were recorded over the weekend.
A mini-van helped senior citizens of Fayette County retain their independence. It made regular runs weekly over the county, taking senior citizens to the doctor, to the grocery stores, etc.
Vandalia Implement held its grand opening Friday and Saturday, March 7-8. They had a western band, refreshments, free prizes, free movies and super discounts.

55 Years Ago

1965 – A group of 26 Vandalia stores agreed Tuesday to stay open Friday nights until 9 p.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
More than 5½ inches of snow fell this week.
Pruitt’s basket gave the Vandals a 56-54 win over St. Paul Vikings in first-round games at the regional tournament here Tuesday night.
Vandalia Jaycees named Darrell Potter an Outstanding Farmer.
With Jan Johnston president of Vandalia Newcomers Club and Mary Cochrane as chairman, the Charity Ball was scheduled for May.
Twenty-two partners of 8&40 enjoyed the hospitality of Jean Stanberry Tuesday night.
Barbara Atchley succeeded Mary Evans as president of the Vandalia Band Parents Association.
St. Elmo High School Band had received new uniforms. Charles Davis, drum major, had a uniform especially made to coordinate with the uniforms of the members.
Bill Robinson, Brownstown, was chosen Sectional Farmer of the year at Carlyle, Feb. 17.

65 Years Ago

1955 – Gale Alcorn, who was being assisted by Vandalia Shriners to walk again, was honored at a birthday party in the Masonic Temple on Tuesday night.
Lowell Brazel, Lynn Hites and Larry Peyton graduated from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts Friday night.
Vandals were cold at the hoop, losing 67-44 to the Hiltoppers.
FFA Vandalia held the annual corporation contest Feb. 28. Freshmen winner was David Schmid, second-place winner was Gary Crawford and third-place winner, Mike Mason. Upper class winners were first place, Louis Greenwood; second place, Joe Prosise; and third place, Errol Grishman.

75 Years Ago

1945 – The War Department on Feb. 22, said in a release as to civilians liberated recently by the Yanks to Santo Tomas, Japanese prison camp, Manilla, included the name of Mrs. Ruby Lockart, sister-in-law of Mrs. Julius Lape.
Judge J.T. Bullington declared the Fillmore Community High School to be a valid school district.
Vandalia won, 62-35, over Altamont. Ramsey won, 48-24, over Coffeen in the regional tournament here Tuesday night.
Vandalia edged out Centralia, 53-51, here Saturday night.
Collinsville beat Vandalia, 59-46, Friday night.
The Marathon Co. sponsored a contest with a prize of “gasoline without cost the rest of your life.”
Dr. E.W. Farthing, Ramsey, sold his drug store to Gerald Humphrey, who took possession on March 1.

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1974 – County DAR winners were: Nancy Stine, Brownstown; Ruth Etta Mills, St. Elmo; Carol Ann Kruenegel, Vandalia; and Theresa Travis, LaGrove.
Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Isbell were delighted to have all seven of their children home for Christmas.
Leora Sluder and Larry Coughlin, representing the Boosters Club, presented St. Elmo Board of Education with a check for $250, final payment on a whirlpool bath.
Eight evenly matched teams competed in Vandalia’s Holiday Tournament: Dieterich, LaGrove, Nokomis, Oblong, Vandalia, Gillespie and Casey.
50 Years Ago
1964 – Carl A. Janett of Belleville, and Frank A. Reed of Clinton were presented their 50-year membership cards by Worshipful Master Morris Beabout on Monday night at Temperance Lodge No. 16 A.F. & A.M., Vandalia.
Since the city council adopted a housing project, 50 units were anticipated.
Temperatures for the week ranged from a low of 30 degrees to a high of 53 degrees – unusual for Christmas week.
Bertram Foehley was named director of Civil Defense work in Vandalia.
Fayette County Hospital received three-year accreditation.
National honors came to Crane Packing Co. of Morton Grove and Vandalia when the firm received the John C. Caaler award for its major contribution toward more efficient and effective operation of plants in the chemical processing industries.
Vandalia was included in the communities judged to have top-rated voluntary vehicle safety check programs throughout Illinois 1964. William Brown and Mayor Michel received the plaques on behalf of sponsoring Vandalia Lions Club and the city, respectively.
Mr. and Mrs. Neil Donnals entertained at a family Christmas dinner in their new home on Sunday.
60 Years Ago
1954 – Sherrill Blankenship of St. Elmo received the tractor given away by Brown Implement of Brownstown on Saturday.
Queen of 1954 Princess Peggy Christmas party was little Sidney Burgess, in the absence of her mother, who was accorded that title by fellow employees. Tillie Nimmo was retiring queen.
Gene Boley was re-elected president of Fayette County Fair Board.
The Vandalia Historical Society honored descendants of Old Capitol Day at a tea in the Blue Room at Evans Hotel, Dec. 19.
The John U. Metzger Home was awarded first place in the Christmas Home Lighting Contest.
Phil Craycroft and Harold Hartwick were injured fighting a fire.
Bertha Peterson retired after 17 years with Illinois Public Aid Commission.
Homer Britton, head of the shipping department at Princess Peggy, turned over a large box of toys to Glen Scholes, commander of American Legion’s distribution to needy families for Christmas.
The Rev. William Henderson, pastor of Vandalia First Methodist Church, christened DeWayne Walton on Christmas Sunday.

70 Years Ago
1944 – Fayette County was $125,000 short of its E bond quota of $403,000. The school children solicited from house to house.
A furnace explosion caused nearly $2,000 worth of damage to the Dick McWhirter residence and contents on North Fourth Street on Thursday night.
Vandalia won 48-21 over Litchfield; Cisne beat Farina, 37-27; Champaign defeated Vandalia, 45-33; and Vandalia defeated Collinsville, 46-47.
The following organizations celebrated Christmas with parties this week: Friendly Circle Club, Court House Girls, T.E.L. Class, Silver Star Class, Lions Club, Bonsoir Club, B.T.U. Class, Dorcas Class, Parish Daughters, Methodist Choir, B.W.C., Kalupian Class, Mission Study Circle and Woman’s Bible Class.
The Vandalia’s Women’s Club sponsored a Christmas party and buffet turkey dinner at Evans Youth Center for husbands or friends as quests.