The Way We Were
20 Years Ago
1993 – The Fayette County Board approved a six-month contract for Emergency Services & Disaster Agency Coordinator John Adermann, despite objections that Adermann voiced about the new pact. Adermann opposed the stipulation that the ESDA vehicle be kept at the county jail and used for business purposes only. The new contract also included a 11-point list of guidelines, one of which stipulated that all ESDA volunteers had to be screened and approved by the board’s ESDA committee.
There was some talk about disbanding the Mid-State Conference, as a result of interest by Pana and Shelbyville to relocate in the Okaw Valley Conference.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency sent the city of Vandalia a check to cover work the city had done to address a leaking gas tank at the city garage on West Randolph Street. But the check was only for $7,698, while the city had already spent about $213,000.
Cara Kelly, administrator of the Fayette County Health Department, was appointed to Illinois’ new State Board of Health by Gov. Jim Edgar.
Shanon B. Sellers, 25, of rural Mulberry Grove, was hired as a patrol officer by the city of Vandalia. Her hiring brought the number of city officers up to eight.
Casey Hord of St. Elmo signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Millikin University in Decatur.
South Central High School senior Stacy Oertwig was selected for the James Millikin Scholars honors program at Millikin University.
25 Years Ago
1988 – Linda Murray of Altamont was hired as program director of “The Sky’s the Limit” teen center in Vandalia.
A St. Elmo man serving jail time for residential burglary, Terry Branham, escaped from Fayette County Hospital, where he had been a patient for about a week.
John Adermann was named coordinator of the Fayette County Emergency Services & Disaster Agency.
Vandalia’s baseball team took first place in the Cumberland Tournament, and Vandal Robert Garrison was named the tourney’s MVP.
35 Years Ago
1978 – Charlotte Peters of Channel 5 TV in St. Louis was emcee for a fashion show held by Soroptimist International of Vandalia.
James Hocker, administrator of Fayette County Hospital, announced the appointments of Joyce Mathis to the lab staff and Jack Ferguson to controller.
Phil Stock, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stock of Farina, was cited for grade achievement at the University of Illinois.
Gene Schwarm, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Schwarm of Loogootee, was a member of the University of Illinois’ top livestock judging team.
Tammy Towler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Towler of Patoka, won the district spelling bee sponsored by the St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
After 43 years of teaching, Alenia McCord announced that she was retiring.
Rich Rames, son of Dr. and Mrs. Don Rames of Vandalia and the top rebounder on the Millikin University basketball team, was named to the academic all-state team.
45 Years Ago
1968 – Paul Lude, who recently retired as manager of Vandalia’s A&P store, was named manager of the new Ben Franklin store here.
The Rev. Robert Simpson arrived in Vandalia on Monday to assume the pastorate of First Christian Church.
Glen “Bud” Hodson was elected chairman of the Fayette County Board of Supervisors. He succeeded Hillard Heather. Jesse Sefton was named to the head the county’s board of review.
55 Years Ago
1958 – A twister left a path of damage near Mulberry Grove.
Goldie Ritter was installed as president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Vandalia councilmen ordered Vandalia bars to close at midnight.
Gerald Hamilton was installed as commander of the Old Capital Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Floyd Staff was named summer recreation director by the Vandalia Park Board. He succeeded his brother, Jim.