Back in the Day — Sept. 11, 2019
10 YEARS AGO
Sept. 16, 2009
The 2009 TCHS Homecoming king candidates were Josh Scribner, Christian Lehmann, Matt Pflum, Jordon Baird and Jerrod Baird. Queen candidates were Kelsey Conner, Taylor Tuner, Emily Groves, Anna Frye and Kierstin Bratten.
Three Tuscola alumni were to be inducted into the TCHS Hall of Fame. Those nominated were Loren Blaases, class of 1949; Andrea Huber, class of 1977; and Patti Lincoln Waters, class of 1949.
Brenten Douglas was hospitalized with a rare blood disorder that made his platelet count go to dangerously low levels. He was in better spirits when members of his favorite football team showed up to give him support. Members of the Tuscola Warrior football team made a visit to him at Carle hospital where he was staying. Those members included Jordon Baird, Gunnar Edwards, Jerrod Baird, Jack Leonard, TJ Onstott, Philip Meyer, Christian Lehmann, Chase Little, Kobly Clough, Josh Brookins, Chance Little, Kyle Miller, and Caleb Wilson.
Attendants for TCHS Homecoming included freshmen Maddison Frerichs and Austin Sexson, sophomores Dan Kneipp and Rachel Craddock, and juniors Lindsay Troike and Trace Quinn.
20 years ago
Sept. 14, 1999
The Tuscola Fire Department raised $4,210 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in this year’s Fill The Boot campaign, the highest amount raised by any area department.
Dan Kelly of Tuscola was re-elected commander of the Tuscola VFW Post 10009.
The top 5 finishers in the Ironhorse $1,000,000 shootout were Chuck Jones, Mark Lawhead, Dan Ray, Gene Linzi, and Sean Sinclair. The winning shot by Jones landed just 12 feet, 5 inches from the pin 158 yards away.
The Tuscola Warriors passed their first test of the 1999 football season with a 37-15 win over South Piatt. Junior Quarterback Jeff Damler had the best night of his varsity career, passing for 196 yards and five touchdowns.
30 YEARS AGO
Sept. 12, 1989
The Tuscola school district was welcoming two new teachers to its fold, Jennie Quinn Cox as a kindergarten teacher and Jim Rohl as the TCHS vocational agriculture teacher.
Jennie Garth, formerly of Tuscola and now living in California, would be appearing in the NBC Monday Night Movie called “A Brand New Life.” Also starring in the movie would be Barbara Eden (I Dream of Jeannie) and Don Murray (Knots Landing).
Coach Larry Bienias’ Warriors continued to prove they were a force to be reckoned with, dropping the Villa Grove Blue Devils 22-0. A steady downpour throughout the first half did little to thwart Tuscola’s offense or defense. Brian Hatfield paced the offense with 105 yards rushing on 15 carries.
40 YEARS AGO
Sept. 13, 1979
Tuscola Methodists were celebrating the observation of their 121st year in town, having been founded in 1858.
Twenty-nine-year-old Ross Baker of Michigan was selected as the director of nursing at Jarman Memorial Hospital in Tuscola.
Pvt. Kenneth D. Hogue, son of Donald Hogue of Indiana and Irma Bailey of Tuscola, recently completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Ga. The training included weapons qualifications, squad tactics, patrolling, landmine warfare, field communications, and combat operations.
It was the perfect season opener for the TCHS football team. The line blocked, the backs ran and everything went right as the Warriors coasted to a 33-0 victory over Casey Friday night. QB Steven Kalmar had nine completions on 11 attempts for 107 yards.
50 YEARS AGO
Sept. 11, 1969
The 3.6 million bushel inland export terminal built in Tuscola by Cargill was scheduled to go into operation on Oct. 10, according to company officials. The facility would include three 1-million bushel storage bins and the elevator proper, which has a 600,000-bushel capacity.
An explosion and fire completely destroyed the new $8,000 trailer home of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Garner at approximately 2:30 a.m. Friday. The Garners had planned to move into the trailer in the coming weekend.
Mrs. George (Pat) Chapman of Tuscola completed a sweep of the professional women’s division of the Illinois Archery Association by winning all three state titles. Mrs. Chapman won the state tournament held at Sycamore, the state target title held at Fox Valley Country Club in North Aurora, and the state broadhead round held at Aurora.