The Way We Were
25 Years Ago
1995 – Fayette County farmers received some timely rain.
The city of Vandalia was stepping up efforts to rid the city of eyesores such as dilapidated buildings.
Illinois Power announced that it was closing its Vandalia office.
Mr. and Mrs. Lavern Williams of Vandalia were planning to celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary.
Kevin Kavanaugh, who left the position of assistant state’s attorney position in December for other interests in Chicago, returned to his former position.
Vandalia native Dr. Robert Shively was a team physician for the St. Louis Rams.
Harold and Betty Mosley of Vandalia were planning to celebrate their 50th anniversary.
Overcup Baptist Church south of Bluff City held a dedication ceremony for its new building.
30 Years Ago
1990 – Former resident Sean Leckrone was the repeat winner of the Walt Leidner Invitational Golf Tournament, formerly known as the Vandalia Men’s Open Golf Tournament.
A new stained glass window was being installed at First Presbyterian Church of Vandalia.
FAYCO Enterprises celebrated its 15th year of operations.
35 Years Ago
1985 – Doris Benefiel, probation/juvenile officer in Fayette County, launched efforts to organize a rape crisis center in Fayette County.
The Rev. Gene Costa was the new priest at Mother of Dolors Catholic Church.
Terry Martin of Hamel won the Vandalia Open Golf Tournament. Tom Brown of Vandalia finished first in Class A.
County 4-H’ers named state fair delegates were Kathy Elam, Michelle Austin, Jeremy Sapp, Maria Noffke, Sara Portz, Laura Sanders, Jeremy Hopper, Julie Godbersen, Beverly Godbersen, Sharia Halford and Stacy Filer.
Gary Cecil was named executive director of FAYCO Enterprises.
Ramsey residents geared up for the Ramsey Summer Festival.
45 Years Ago
1975 – Harold Landes painted a silhouette of a Model T on his garage door. It carried the actual license from 1925.
Bob Spanton resigned as band director of Vandalia schools.
Funds were being sought for 213 housing units in Vandalia between Fillmore and Coles streets by the Paul Peiper Construction Co. of Jacksonville.
The six-year eyesore at the corner of Gallatin and Fourth streets was eliminated this week when Vandalia Civic Advancement Association, an arm of the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce, purchased from the Lincoln Corp. of Centralia the northwest corner lot. On March 3, 1969, a fire destroyed the Evans Hotel and a mass of ruble remained.
John Merriman made a hole-in-one Saturday on the No. 9 hole at Vandalia Country Club.
55 Years Ago
1965 – Erwin Wangrow, chairman of the American Cancer Crusade, reported that the quota was exceeded by $2,241. He credited it to the work of William Simmons, drive chairman.
Vandalia prepared for the annual crow shoot to be held here over the weekend.
First National Bank in Vandalia was making big plans for its 100th anniversary week of Aug. 9-14.
Fourteen youths from the New Testament Church of Christ, Mulberry Grove, attended the Webster Grove Bible Camp at McCormick Creek State Park, Spencer, Ind.
Almost all places of business in Vandalia staged Red Tag Days on Friday and Saturday at the suggestion of Vandalia Retail Merchants Association.
Forbes Lake State Park opened this year. An aerial view appeared in this week’s edition. It lies only a few miles outside the southeastern part of Fayette County.
65 Years Ago
1955 – The Vandalois this year was dedicated to William E. Wells, principal of VCHS.
The Vandalia City Council approved a half-cent tax for the city.
John Daniels, who won the National Plowing Contest in September, was to have participated in the World Plowing Contest at Uppsala, Sweden, on Oct. 7.
Harold Pummill graduated from Parks College of Aeronautics Technology of St. Louis University.
The Vandalia Board of Education went on record as favoring a class of educable mentally retarded children.
75 Years Ago
1945 – Superintendent G. Kenneth Greer announced 35 vacancies in the rural schools of Fayette County.
More than $400 worth of beef, pork and cash were looted from the Frozen Foods Locker plant.
Harry (Shorty) Hartman was transferred to the Alton office of the Illinois Bell Telephone Co.
A large ad appeared in the issue which carried a city ordinance to the effect that “To all men and women in the City of Vandalia — No person shall in any public place or place open to the public in view in a state of nudity or in any indecent or lewd dress, etc.” Any person found guilty of violating the ordinance was to have been fined not to exceed $25 for each offense.
Vandalia Public Library received a gift of $25 from Vandalia Women’s Club for the purchase of new books.
Bailey Bros. Circus was billed for Vandalia.
City Park Director Floyd Staff reported daily use of the tennis courts and practice games for softball fans.
The Pentecostal Church began broadcasting over station WLRS Sunday morning Aug. 5.
85 Years Ago
1935 – The most important matter handled by the Vandalia
City Council in the Monday night meeting was the passing of the annual appropriation ordinance totaling $53,350, which was $2,700 less than the year before.
It was estimated that 1,000 cars and approximately 5,000 people were at the band concert at the softball diamond Thursday night. George Whiteman was directing the band.
Johnson, Stephens and Shinkle Shoe Factory was nosed out in the ninth by Collinsville. Score was 2-1.
Charles R. Rummell took over the management of the Shell Service Station at the end of North Fifth Street.
Approximately 125 attended the first 4-H Club county picnic here.
Monday night, starting at 9:12 p.m. and continuing for 10 minutes, people all over the United States had an opportunity to witness the first complete eclipse of the moon since 1927.