New historical books are in

By Editor | June 5, 2019 |

The historical books published as a part of Vandalia’s 200th birthday celebration are now available.
City Administrator LaTisha Paslay announced at Monday’s city council meeting that copies of “Vandalia’s Bicentennial 1819-2019” became available at the beginning of this week.

While some copies of the book were sold in advance, the book can now be purchased at city hall of Iya’s and Friends across the street.
The cost is $35.
Paslay also ran through plans for the Bicentennial Celebration next week, which gets under way on Thursday with the showing of “Grease” on the Statehouse lawn and an Escape Room.
The celebration continues through Sunday, with the traditional Grande Levée offerings and special activities throughout the four days.
Those include a Little Mr. and Miss Pageant, parade, Civil War re-enactment, historical home tours, musical entertainment.
It winds down on Sunday with a community church service and community picnic.
Also at Monday’s meeting:
• Mayor Rick Gottman announced annual disbursements from the Ruemmelin Fund and Old Capitol Foundation.
The Ruemmelin grants are: $5,000 for the city’s beautification committee; $5,000 for city cemeteries; and $4,000 for the bicentennial committee.
The Old Capitol Fund awarded $5,000 to the beautification committee, and awards from the Hazel Simma Kelly Foundation are: $3,500, beautification committee; $3,432, cemetery for a new mower; $45,914.50, Vandalia Volunteer Fire Department; and $65,000, Mother of Dolors section of Vandalia’s cemeteries.
• The council approved a temporary liquor license that will allow the Vandalia Moose Lodge to sell alcohol on Saturday’s Bicentennial Celebration.
Gottman said that beer sales will be allowed only in the area where bands are performing, the First National Bank parking lot.
• The council voted to vacate an alley between the curve at Orchard Street and Seventh Street, as requested by Kyle Barker.
Barker and his wife, Sheeba, plan to relocate and expand their business, Shimoji Coffee, at that site, moving from its current location on Gochenour Street.
• The council approved the purchase of a Dodge Ram 1500 4×4 truck from Hosick Motors for $25,663, the cost after an $18,200 discount was applied to the $43,600 sticker figure.
That was one of four bids received from the city, three from Hosick Motors and one from Arthur Young Inc.
• The council approved the transfer of Vandalia Lake Lot No. 76 from the city to Scott and Amanda VonBurg of Vandalia.