Back in the Day – March 20, 2019
10 YEARS AGO
March 24, 2009
North Ward teachers Cindy Surma and Ron O’Hearn performed as Hannah Montana and Billy Ray Cyrus during the teacher talent show that was held in celebration of students who reached their reading goals.
East Prairie eighth grader Dustin Clough won first place for his catapult in the junior high level competition at the U of I engineering open house
The Warrior baseball season kicked off with a bang as they trampled Westville in a slaughter-rule opening day game with a score of 12-2. The Warriors softball season started off strong, as well, with an opening day win of 6-3 over Villa Grove.
20 YEARS AGO
March 23, 1999
The Tuscola Woman’s Club hosted a luncheon for St. Patrick’s Day of corned beef and cabbage at the Methodist church. The servers included Catherine Kellogg, Mary K. Kalmar, Phyllis Burris, Carol McCarty, JoAnne Grimm, Shirley Quinn, Wilma Keigley, Darlene Weisener, Betty Leonard, Linda Middleton, Maurine Flenniken, Gaila Ross, Brenda Knight, Barb Wills, Beverly Cheek, Maurine Jewsbury, and Helen Lee.
A miscalculation by a tanker truck filling an underground tank at Tuscola’s Fuel Mart resulted in a 200-gallon diesel spill at the station. Tuscola firefighters spent two and a half hours on the scene, absorbing and cleaning up the spill.
The United State’s Achievement Academy announced that Ryan Bonner was named a United State’s National Award winner in science. The very prestigious award recognizes less than 10 percent of all American high school students. Bonner was nominated by Robert Griffith, a teacher at East Prairie. He will appear in the United State’s Achievement Academy Official Yearbook, which is published nationally.
30 YEARS AGO
March 21, 1989
Principal Mike Damler announced those students who had perfect attendance through the fourth six weeks at Tuscola High School. Those students included: Freshmen- Dawn Barnett, Kendra Blaudow, Angie Gaines, Tangie Rahe, Shelby Rahn, Jamey Russell, and Michelle Swihart. Sophomores- Michael Allen, Doug Cottle, Jason Hunt, Scott Michener, Doug Nofftz, Mike Taylor, Travis Truitt, and April Dallas. Juniors- John Daugherty, Thayne Lust, Killy Waugh, Nikki Alexander, Christy Capie, Kris McCarty, and Jennifer Plaszczynski. Senior- Chana Allen.
Design winners from the Pinewood Derby races held at the Nunn Memorial Scout Building in Tuscola were Darin Rich- first place, Chris Schweighart- second place, Joe Schweighart- third place. The cars were judged by Tuscola Senior Patrolman Rich Lamb, Deputy Terry Lane and Mayor Dan Kleiss.
Tuscola Senior Citizens met with 54 members and 24 guests. The guest entertainment for the group was the “Sunshine Guys and Gals” from Little Hall on the Prairie in Murdock. Dorothy Otto and Charlotte Richards were winners of some decorated Easter hats that were displayed and modeled. The group was served refreshments by Clifford and Dorothy Williams, Kate Albin, and Charlotte Richards.
40 YEARS AGO
March 22, 1979
Raymond Lee Jr. was named alumnus of the month for March by the University of Illinois College of Law. Lee earned his law degree from of the U of I in 1952.
Arthur attorney John Rutledge was elected as president of the Douglas County Bar Association. Other officers were Darrell S. Price, secretary, and Robert Crossman, treasurer.
Jill Holden was selected as Girls State representative by the American Legion Auxiliary.
Patients at Jarman Hospital received carnations on St. Patrick’s Day thanks to the efforts of Beta Sigma Chi and Tuscola Rotary members.
50 YEARS AGO
March 13, 1969
There were 20 Tuscola students who received a first division rating at the District Grade School Music Contest held in Mattoon. Those students were Debby Merritt, Bruce Dunlevy, Randy Frye, Susan Gibson, Luanne Ford, Patty Bissey, Cheryl Redman, Steve Murphy, Jim Snider, Sally Kresin, Lyn Cross, Phil Jordan, Barbara Volk, David Halleck, Jeri Wills, Mike Weaver, Mike Fortney, Terri Weber, Jeff Romine, and Kathy Romine.
Captain Charles V. Davis Jr., was a member of the 6100th Support Wing at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan, that has earned the U.S. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. The Pacific Air Forces unit was cited for nine years of accident-free flying, support of Southeast Asia Operations, and maintaining good community relations with the Japanese people. They were also commended for exceeding Department of Defense standards in aircraft maintenance, administrative airlift for the Fifth Air Force and for outstanding operation of housing areas. Captain Davis will wear the distinctive service ribbon to mark his affiliation with the unit.