Back in the Day––Dec. 27, 2017
10 YEARS AGO
Jan. 1, 2008
Happy New Year wishes were made to the community from Flesor’s Candy Kitchen and Sav-Mor Pharmacy.
A Bloom Above and Beyond announced its coloring contest winners. Winners were 2-year-old Anabell Stevens, 3-year-old Maddie Stahler, 5-year-old Emma Zimmer, 7-year-old Kyle Zimmer, and 9-year-old Isaac Walters.
The Hillard Agency/Pekin Insurance helped make troops overseas holidays brighter. They held a holiday sales contest and donated USO phone cards for every life insurance application they received. Over 1,300 phone cards were sent to troops by Pekin Insurance.
The Warriors lost to Monticello by one point and Neoga by 6 at the Holiday Hoopla, but triumphed over Tri-Point and Blue Ridge. The Lady Warriors took second place at the tournament.
20 YEARS AGO
Dec. 30, 1997
The Methodist Music Makers and Bullfrogs and Butterflies joined forces with a Christmas Eve service presentation at the United Methodist Church.
The Board of Education discussed athletic code revisions that would outline whether co-curricular activities should fall under the same guidelines as athletics. A committee was put together to study changes to the athletic code.
The Tuscola High School cheerleaders won an award for best uniforms at the central Illinois cheerleading competition in Decatur.
The Chamber of Commerce announced Bruce Wood as the first place winner of the Christmas home decorating contest. His home lit up several surrounding blocks.
The Tuscola Warriors boys’ basketball team took fourth place in the St. Joe Tournament.
Wishes were made for a Happy New Year from First State Bank, Dixie, Illini FS, and Cooper Motel. Proud Mary’s had a New Year’s Eve party featuring Sweet Fannie Adams with giveaways, food, and drink specials.
30 YEARS AGO
Dec. 31, 1987
Catherine Kellogg hosted her annual potluck luncheon for the Early Morning unit of HEA. Fourteen members were present.
Lady Warriors won 45-26 against Villa Grove. Mentionable players were Kim Sievers for 12 points and Summer Holmes for 11 points. Elizabeth Spomer hit a 15-foot buzzer shot for a JV victory against Shiloh.
Mrs. Moore’s seventh grade class won first place in the Chamber of Commerce classroom decorating contest.
Tuscola School District added new bus routes to the south side of Route 36. Meadowview, Southland Acres, and Hillcrest children first through eighth grade began to be transported by bus service.
Edward Jones reported CD rates between 7% and 9%. This was for 6 month to 7 year CD’s with a $5,000 to $20,000 minimum deposit. A special rate for first time home buyers was a fixed 9 ? % offered by the Hillard Agency.
40 YEARS AGO
Dec. 20, 1977
The tractor drive continued to Champaign promoting the strike for prices equal to parity. Everett Biddle, Ron Winn, Darrell Moore, and C.R. Nichols were four local farmers who were joining the drive.
Two Tuscola students, Pam Greninger and Emma Rahn, were selected for the All-State High School chorus.
Reduced rates for long distance phone calls were offered for the holidays. Also, the federal excise tax on phone calls were dropped to 4 percent as part of the annual rate reduction.
Merry Christmas wishes to the community were made by The First National Bank, Douglas County Officials, Tuscola Township Officials, Tuscola Trucker’s Home, Corner Grocery, Dixie Cream Donuts, Tuscola Auto Body, Huber & Sloan, Tuscola Milk Co., Douglas County Insurance, Wymore Welding, Lloyd Oil Company, Weber Electric, Gould Bus Service, Douglas Transit, Snyder Roofing, Ace Ambulance Service, The Spinning Wheel, Myers Meat Market, USI, Liga’s, First Federal Savings & Loan, Roger’s Florist, The Pharmacy, and of course, The Tuscola Journal, among many more.
50 YEARS AGO
Dec. 28, 1967
“Christmas Fire Destroys 3 Buildings” was the headline on the front page. The Strand Theatre, the Furste building, and Montgomery Ward were already on fire by the time the firemen arrived, five minutes after the first call went out. There was damage far in excess of $150,000 caused by the fire that resulted from faulty wiring. Mutual Aid came from USI, Arcola, Pesotum, and Camargo. Chief Dennis Dietrich and his crew, along with the crews from the surrounding communities were truly heroes that day. They suffered from blistered faces, and were not dismissed until Christmas morning. Luckily, no deaths or severe injuries were reported. If not for them, the entire business district would have been lost.
The mayor and city officials, 1st National Bank, Dr. A.B. Baker, Jay R. North Furniture, Duensing’s, Tuscola Lumber, Allison Radio, Carpenter’s, and Mills Pharmacy all wished the community peace, happiness, health, and good wishes in the New Year.