Back in the Day 5-6-20
10 years ago
May 12, 2010
Mollie Kresin was named the May Rotary Student of the month. She had a 3.814 GPA and was ranked 12th in her class. Kresin is the daughter of Kenny and Tammy Kresin. During her time at TCHS, Mollie was involved in FFA, 4-H, NHS, Scholastic Bowl, and pep band.
William “Bill” Bailey, City Council Alderman for Ward 1, submitted his official resignation to the council. Bailey’s resignation was due to work obligations requiring him to be out of state.
Tuscola’s E.J. “Army” Armstrong was accompanied by Villa Grove’s Chuck Knox for the privilege of participating in an Honor Flight for WWII veterans to the WWII memorial on April 27.
Tuscola postal carriers and Kiwanis members teamed up to ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ on May 8. Tuscola residents were asked to leave donations of non-perishable foods and household supplies to be collected for the SAM Food Pantry.
North Ward first and second-graders dressed in their pirate best to delight audience members in the annual spring concert entitled “How To Be A Pirate In Seven Easy Songs”.
20 years ago
May 9, 2000
Tuscola firefighters were called to an early morning fire at the home of Bill and Rosie Ragland at 600 Enterprise St. The blaze, which did considerable damage to the lower level of the home, was believed to have originated near the clothes dryer. Neighbor Scott Kibler came to the Raglands’ aid, assisting Rosie and granddaughter Keisha out of the burning building.
TCHS junior honor students who were recent luncheon guests of the Tuscola Rotary Club included Steve Pangburn, Valerie Donnals, Matt McCumber, Justin Quick, Jared Blaudow, Jeff Damler, and Shane Pangburn.
Tuscola educators Mike Damler, Maureen Bergeson and Sandy Simpson were recognized for their outstanding contributions in the education field by being among those receiving Education Is the Key awards.
Tuscola discus throwers who set personal best records at the recent Premier Meet were Beau Wilson (142-1), Kacey O’Brien (110-3), and Jenna Wienke (126-3) Asif Azhar also finished first in the long jump with a personal best 21-5 leap.
The Warriors used the bats and right arm of senior Dan Bridge to defeat the Cerro Gordo Broncos 11-2. Bridge recorded his second double-digit strikeout while tossing a four-hitter.
30 years ago
May 8, 1990
Wilma Redden was installed president of the Tuscola Woman’s Club at the May luncheon held May 5 at Kaskaskia Country Club.
Mike Snider of Tuscola, a delivery driver for UPS; was recognized recently by the company for completing 10 years without an accident.
TNB president Bill McCarthy recently presented certificates of appreciation to employees Jane Robinson and Cheryl Bozarth on the occasion of their 15-year and 10-year anniversary date.
Shelby Best, Kendra Blaudow, Chris Rogers and Marcy McCartney were members of the 400, 800, and 1600-meter relay teams. The Lady Warriors finished second in the 400 relay and were conference champions in the 800 and 1600 relays.
40 years ago
May 6, 1980
A record 221 entries participated in the Cystic Fibrosis Bike-A-Thon held Saturday at Ervin Park, according to co-chairpersons Barb Utterback and Colleen Bean. The young cyclists pedaled a total of 5,725 miles in eight hours, with pledges totaling over $7,000.
A Rotarian from England chose to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the international Rotary with a walking trip from New York to San Francisco. Michael Harding began his journey March 29 and by Wed., April 30 had found his way to Tuscola, where he would stay overnight in the home of Tuscola Rotary president Emmerson Moore before continuing on his trek.
Mr. and Mrs. Glen Nihiser of Tuscola observed their 25th wedding anniversary April 23, 1980. They are the parents of three children: Mrs. Robin Moody of Tuscola, Bob of Champaign, and Richie at home.
Popularity of the Roaring ‘20s Days co-sponsored by Ben Franklin, Tuscola IGA, and the Spinning Wheel stores could not be denied, as over 2,000 people gathered for the paper plate toss. Bags of paper plates; each which was marked by a super-buy bargain, were thrown from the roofs of participating businesses.
Coal production at two Douglas County coal mines during March was 251,152 tons, and the two mines currently had 757 employees on the payroll.
The Tuscola Warrior baseball team, led by pitcher Mark Oakley, recorded a 10-2 victory over Decatur St. Teresa, the first win by a TCHS sports team over the Bulldogs this season.
50 years ago
May 14, 1970
Sheriff Gene Miller was recommending residents keep their homes locked at all times and belongings put away out of sight, with the advent of a rash of burglaries in Douglas County that showed no signs of stopping.
Tuscola resident Roy Franklin, age 55, was killed instantly when a semi-trailer he was repairing exploded, causing the tire rim to strike him in the head. Mr. Franklin was working alone at the time at Bissey’s DX station.
Members of the Tuscola Woman’s Club honored recently on the occasion of their 50-year membership anniversary included Mrs. Raymond Reeder, Mrs. Plum Winn, and Mrs. Gener Maloney.
Depth was the key to success in the 1970 OVC track and field meet held Tuesday night at Unity. Coach Gene Murray’s Warriors won only four events but scored in every event but the pole vault, for a grand total of 60 points. Runner-up team Sullivan had 48 points.