Back in the Day (11-13-19)
10 years ago
November 18, 2009
Harold and Mary Goeken of Tuscola were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary with an open house at the Ag Center. Harold and Mary were married in Pekin on November 19, 1949 by Rev. Arno Zimmerman.
Sixteen new members were inducted into the TCHS National Honor Society on November 11. Those inducted include Pat Yoakum, Stephanie Swaney, Olivia Morris, Claudia Christy, Sydney Bickers, Thomas VanDeventer, Taylor Turner, Lindsay Troike, Lydia Swinford, Hannah Leese, Katelyn Haake, Timothy Smith, Anthony Morrison, Chase Little, Chris Ransom, and Michael Elder.
The North Ward K-Kids, under the direction of the Tuscola Kiwanis Club and teacher/sponsor Beth Linstead, spent Saturday, November 7 raking leaves for community members who were unable to do the chore themselves.
The Old Navy store at Tanger Outlet Center graciously donated $1,000 worth of winter coats, hats, gloves, and additional school supplies to the Tuscola and Villa Grove school districts.
20 years ago
November 16, 1999
Tom Stephenson was reelected president of the Tuscola school board for the third time. Serving as vice president would be Steve Wetzel, and secretary’s duties went to Dave Lietz.
The Tuscola school system had recently launched a Web site (www.tuscola.k12.il.us), a work in progress that would contain school assignments, school information and calendar of events and more.
Tara Holmes, age 22, daughter of Terry and Harriet Holmes of Tuscola, was a semi-finalist in the upcoming Miss Illinois USA Pageant taking place November 26-28 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Schaumburg.
Tuscola VFW Post 10009 commander Dan Kelly was on of several speakers to take the podium during a Veterans Day assembly at the TCHS gymnasium.
The Tuscola Warriors saw their 1999 football season come to a close Saturday afternoon with a 32-14 loss to Unity in the quarterfinals of the IHSA playoffs, before a crowd of 2,651.
30 years ago
November 14, 1989
A tax referendum that would have provided $440,000 in additional revenue for Jarman Hospital failed by about 400 votes, meaning the county’s only hospital had about six months to live.
Tuscola City Council granted $25,000 to the Tuscola Community Development Corp. to help subsidize an unspecified land purchase for an industrial project. Mayor Dan Kleiss would only say the land purchase did not involve the proposed outlet mall.
The Tuscola school district elected officers for the coming year, with Al Borries to serves as president, Wally Wax as vice president, and Dana Bishop as secretary.
Earning MVP honors at the TCHS fall sports awards night were Sarah Coatney and Elizabeth Spomer sharing the designation for volleyball, and Brian Hatfield earning the hardware for football.
40 years ago
November 13, 1979
Tuscola City Council decided to further study an agreement with owners of Hillcrest subdivision to maintain streets and sewers in exchange for a right-of-way through the subdivision.
Tuscola National Bank recently mailed out Christmas Club checks totaling $153,215.50 to 517 Christmas Club members.
Harlan “Hop” Conner and Pat Cummings were recently presented awards for their vigilance in faithfully raising the flag at every Warrior home game for the last 25 years.
50 years ago
November 20, 1969
William Burress of Tuscola was honored recently by Tuscola Ambucs for his part in the rescue of a Pesotum youth at USI Chemicals pool. The boy had struck his head while diving at the pool and apparently drowned before he was pulled from the pool by lifeguards Linda Pugh and Joe Jacobs. Burress then performed mouth to mouth resuscitation for 15 minutes before the boy began to show signs of life.
Republican W.A. Bozarth announced his candidacy on the primary ballot for nomination as superintendent of the Douglas County Education Service Region. The Tuscola resident was formerly superintendent at Newman.
Other election candidates included Sheriff Gene Miller entering the primary for county treasurer, Joe Schweighart running for county sheriff, and Frieda Morris seeking re-election as county clerk.