The Way We Were
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25 Years Ago
1995 – At its annual meeting, officers of Historical Vandalia agreed to send out letters to organizations, letting them know that the group operating the Fayette County Museum was gaining tax-exempt status. This would allow organizations to make deductions that were tax-deductible.
The Vandalia City Council approved an agreement with Illinois Power through which IP would replace 440 mercury vapor bulbs in Vandalia street lights with brighter, high-pressure sodium bulbs.
Vandalia athletes Todd Hale, Michael Mabry and David Graumenz advanced to the state wrestling tournament.
Friends of the Old State Capitol, the support group of the Vandalia Statehouse, donated a new copy machine to the Statehouse.
Herb Woolsey of Woolsey Brothers Farm Supply in Vandalia was trained by the Agricultural Retailers Association to be an ambassador in the association’s “Food for Thought” program.
Vandalia Community High School officials were considering leaving the Mid-State Conference and joining the six-team South Central Conference.
30 Years Ago
1990 – The Vandalia City Council approved a 2-percent hotel/motel tax to help fund local tourism efforts.
School administrators rehired by the Vandalia School District were: Larry Bennett, superintendent; Jeff Endres, business manager/treasurer; Bob McAllister, Bill LaDage, Gale Meseke, Don Holtcamp and Rod Deem, building principals; and Darrell Fesser, Okaw Area Vocational Center director.
Vandalia upset top-seeded South Central, 72-62, in the semifinals of the St. Elmo Regional Tournament behind Jimmy Joe Pruett’s 23 points.
Mindy Adams was crowned homecoming queen at Patoka High School.
35 Years Ago
1985 – John Anderson won the 185-pound weight class at the Vandalia Sectional Wrestling Tournament and advanced to the state finals.
Brad Snow, a fifth-grader, won the Mulberry Grove spelling bee.
Four of 28 quality assurance standards at Fayette County Hospital were being violated several times, according to Administrator Darrell Pile.
Ice and snow made driving hazardous and closed schools in Fayette County.
The VCHS Pep Band was chosen to play for the Boys’ Class A State Basketball Tournament at the Assembly Hall in Champaign.
45 Years Ago
1975 – Jerry Beabout was named to Vandalia School Board to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of Gail Barenfanger.
Three places of business had recently changed ownership: Gordon Luster sold his interest in the Monument Works to the Cocagne Brothers; West End Greenhouse, owned by Nadine Martin and Frances Simmons, was sold to Scott and Donna Luellen; and JoAnn Rothe Implement to Dean Johnson.
The goal for the heart fund drive in Fayette County this year was $3,400. Dan Michel, sheriff of Fayette County, was serving his second year as chairman of the drive.
55 Years Ago
1965 – The city of Vandalia officials’ pay scale was increased. The mayor’s salary was increased from $1,200 to $1,800. City clerk’s salary of $4,220 annually remained the same.
Construction on the new maximum-security building at Illinois State Farm was initiated recently. Clayton King was warden and Cecil C. Clausen, assistant warden.
Because of his having served the Brownstown School Board as president for two years and in many capacities for several years, Thureal Harre was presented with a lifetime PTA membership.
Vandalia Lake project bids were opened Tuesday night. Low bid was $594,510. A total of 29 bids were received.
Adele Stewart, who underwent open-heart surgery at Barnes Hospital in St Louis on Jan. 17, returned home Feb. 15.
Ramsey won, 63-50, over Beecher City Tuesday night. Brownstown beat St. Elmo, 54-44, Tuesday night, with George Feezel pumping in 24 points. Brownstown lightweight grade team beat Vandalia, 61-21, in the finals of the Beecher City tournament, Monday night. Coach Delbert Maroon used eight players in the winning effort.
Warren B. Terry, a native of Vandalia, who was president of the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Fort Worth, Ind., recently purchased the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Works of Lexington, Ky., at a public auction for a stated $3.5 million. In November Terry had purchased Coca-Cola plants in Danville, Mount Sterling, Richmond and Somerset, Ky. He was vice president and member of the board of directors of the San Jose, Calif., Coca-Cola Bottling Co., which about this time purchased the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Santa Cruz, Calif. He also served as manager of the Quaker State Coca-Cola Bottling Co. in Pittsburgh.
65 Years Ago
1955 – John Senik, former factory head here, died in Hematite, Mo.
Vandalia churches cooperated in a World Day of Prayer.
Wallace Ward Lash, Loogootee, was fatally injured when his car hit a culvert Tuesday.
Junior Vandals won over Nokomis and over Assumption in the first two games of I.E.S.A. tournament at Stonington.
Harry Craycroft, Charles Evans, Frank Denny and Dr. C.D. Washburn were the four charter members of the Vandalia Rotary Club who had held the continued membership for the 25 years of the club’s organization in Vandalia. Harold Newton was president of the club in 1955.
Nada Jo Binnion won the essay contest sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. Nancy Myers was second.
75 Years Ago
1945 – The Vandals saddled the Kincaid Ponies with a 44-41 loss; they won, 45-13, over Litchfield.
The Micks lost their final game in the Centralia Tournament to Centralia with a score of 27-12.
Cecil Metzger accepted a position as chemist for Lebon Co., makers of Mulehide in Wilmington.
Paul Schmette was declared dead by the War Department. Killed in action – L.H. Foley, Vandalia.
85 Years Ago
1935 – The Shell Station at Seventh Street and St. Louis Avenue was robbed Tuesday night.
The Vandalia City Council granted the American Legion the right to sponsor the Pearson’s Carnival.
The embalmers and funeral directors of the 14th district met here. Henry Hunter was president.
The Vandals were beaten 47-34 by Hillsboro.
The high school girls glee club gave a recital in the high school gymnasium. Admission was 10 cents. Elizabeth Drysdale directed and Marilyn Welker accompanied and rendered two solos. Marianna McKnight was president; Elaine Bost, librarian; and Leona Wollerman, stage manager.
January’s 2.20-inch precipitation, combined with spring-like weather, aided in getting the construction of the new post office under way.