Back in the Day: Dec. 19, 2018
10 YEARS AGO
Dec. 23, 2008
The official portrait of the Douglas County Board was taken prior to the December meeting. The portrait included: State’s Attorney Kevin Nolan, District 3 member Marlene Lincoln, District 2 member Bibby Appleby, County Clerk Jim Ingram, District 5 member Don Munson, District 7 member Tom Glenn, District 6 member Chuck Knox, District 1 member Chob Edmundson, and District 4 member Randy Bergeson.
The Douglas County Gobblers chapter of the National Wild Turkey Foundation made a donation to the SAM Food Pantry. Those on hand for the presentation were NWTF members Rachel Wright, James Taylor, Dirk Cornwell, Scott Branca, and Jake Groves and SAM volunteer Betsy Stuerke.
Twelve Tuscola-area children received gifts via the Cops For Kids program, which had its debut year in Tuscola.
The Tuscola boys’ basketball team and Coach David Hess had one early Christmas present as they left the St. Joe Leader Classic in style by upending Clinton 50-47 in the consolation bracket.
20 YEARS AGO
Dec. 22, 1998
Parkview subdivision was aglow Sunday evening as residents lined their driveways, yards, and sidewalks with luminaries. This had become a neighborhood tradition and hundreds of visitors passed through each year.
Dick Lake had spent most of his 76 years working with his hands, building houses, furniture, even an ultralight plane. The longtime Tuscola resident, who lived in part of the year in Wyoming, had turned his considerable talents into fashioning wood toys.
Navy Airman Seth R. Jeffers, son of Doug and Donna Jeffers of Tuscola, was scheduled to spend the holidays deployed to Okinawa, Japan, with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines.
East Prairie sixth grader Chelsey Kelly’s artistic endeavors earned her a first place finish in the Lions Club District IE Peace Poster contest.
Two former Tuscola cross country stars were chosen as the most valuable performers for the Illinois Wesleyan University cross country teams. Becky Wetzel was bestowed the honor for the women’s team, and Frank Tarantino shared the honor for the men’s team with teammate Mark Kevan.
30 YEARS AGO
Dec. 20, 1988
Attending the installation of officers at the Tuscola Masonic Lodge No. 332 were Lawrence Ingrum, Earl Pendergrass, Jerry Emrick, James Lamb, Herman Harshbarger, Roy Hopkins, Kenneth Nelson, Wayne Pickens, William Gower, Arnold Hutchens, Gene Williams, Charles Crowder, and Robert Mauck.
For the first time anyone could remember, Clarence Synder, former mayor of Tuscola, was at a loss for words. Synder had recently resigned as mayor to pursue a teaching career in Georgia. He was surprised as he walked into the restaurant he owned in downtown Tuscola for 11 years where a surprise party and “roast” of Snyder took place.
Coach Kerry Kincaid’s Warriors won their seventh game in eight starts at Arthur with little difficulty. The Warriors shot .555, making 39 of 70 shots.
40 YEARS AGO
Dec. 21, 1978
Gene Williams was elected worship master of the Tuscola Masonic Blue Lodge 332 AF & AM. Other officers included Earl Pendergrass, Ed Schell, Ron Wood, James Koenig, Randy Jividen, J.H. Wakefield, Bill Wood, Robert Rhodes, Charles Crowder, Mike Wood, Robert Thomas, and Roy C. Hopkins.
Coach Gene Murray’s Warriors gave notice that they were not conceding victory to anyone, even the Okaw leaders, however, despite a last minute attempt at a game winning shot, Tuscola fell to St. Teresa 58-59.
The Tuscola National Bank Christmas Club beef drawing came to end when Santa assisted Sue Snyder and Jean Brown with drawing the winners who included: Charles W. Brewer, Dorothy Brimm, Edward J. Kennedy, Donna Vaughn, Elmo Pearson, Helen Sanderson, Ronnie Stabler, and Rosa Dumas.
50 YEARS AGO
Dec. 19, 1968
Dr. Maude Taylor, 97, was presented with a corsage b Mrs. Delbert Davis for being the eldest lady attending the senior citizens’ Christmas party, which was held in the county’s senior residents’ honor at the community building. About 150 senior residents attended.
First customers at he Christmas Bazaar snack bar were Mrs. Dorothy Frye and Mrs. Ralph Allen. Mrs. Gaylord Gates was on the serving committee for the Jarman Hospital Auxiliary.
The membership of the Tuscola Police Auxiliary, by a unanimous vote, agreed to dissolve the association at special meeting, and they further voted to donate al cash assets to the Tuscola Youth Center.
Mark Seip paced the Tuscola Warriors to their fourth victory in as many tries by scoring 34 points in a 72-50 victory in Arthur.