Back in the Day 7-22-20
10 years ago
July 28, 2010
The Hillard Agency celebrated 50 years in buisness, beginning in 1960 when George Hillard opened the Main Street location in Tuscola.
ARTCo’s summer musical, HONK!, showcased on the main stage at the Tuscola Community Building July 29-31. The show, starring Allison Hemmer as the ugly duckling, taught the value of family love, the importance of accepting, and being accepted for who you are regardless of appearance.
Tuscola 1 girls softball team, comprised of Erin Weaver, Hannah Scribner, Erin Walker, Clarisa Phillips, Katie O’Hearn, Keli Adkisson, Hannah Burton, Rachel Ransom, Kaela Miller, Jenna Jacobs, and Nicole Mannen, finished their season with a softball league championship and a 14-2 final record.
Aeropostale clothing store opened at the Tanger Outlet Center on July 23.
Bruce McNary, followed closely by Mark Geiler, was the top finisher at the Kaskaskia Country Club’s golf tournament held July 10-11 and July 17-18 in Arcola.
20 years ago
July 25, 2000
Royalty of all ages were crowned last week at the Moultrie-Douglas County Fair. Jenny Gensler of Tuscola was named the 2000 fair queen, Kayelene Zeimet of Lovington was named Little Miss, Michael Strader of Hindsboro, and Junior Miss was Gina Stoerger.
Charles and Mary Breen of Tuscola celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with a family dinner at their home. A mass was celebrated in honor of the occasion on July 23 at 40 Martyrs Catholic Church. The Breens were the parents of eight children, 21 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.
First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust named Tom Chamberlain its community banking manager in Tuscola.
The Tuscola 10-year-old All-Star team included Aaron Kincaid, Jacob Scribner, Caleb Bone, Tyler Carter, Jerad Barr, Josh Nichols, Travis Surma, Dane Winn, John Wienke, Blake Bassett, and Matthew Whittington.
30 years ago
July 24, 1990
Earl Pendergrass announced his impending retirement from First National Bank & Trust Company of Douglas County after 18 years with the company. Perndergrass currently served as vice president and assistant trust officer.
Construction of the Northrup King soybean production plant was about two weeks behind schedule, due to weather-related delays, making the anticipated opening date October 15, 1990.
Vernon and Sondra Billman of rural Tolono were pleased to announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter Cynthia to Darrel “Chip” Haake, a native of West Chicago. The couple were planning an October 6, 1990 wedding.
Showing off hard-earned hardware were William Hawk, Arnold Dean, Chuck Martin, Denny Cruzan, and Hank Groves. The Tuscola contingent won three heats in the Demolition Derby at the Moultrie-County Fair.
40 years ago
July 22, 1980
Miss Arcola Lisa Ashley was crowned queen of the 1980 Moultrie-Douglas County Fair. Runner-up was Miss Atwood Kristine Wallace.
Tuscola United Methodist Church was the setting for the June 7 wedding of Laura Smith, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robert R. Smith of Tuscola, and Steven Laley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Laley of Tuscola.
Ribbon cutting ceremonies on July 16 marked the opening of the new Huck’s Convenient Store of Route 36 in Tuscola. On hand for the occasion were Huck’s manager Karen Sharp, Mayor Chris Hill, Miss Tuscola Linda Bartley, Huck’s district supervisor Terry Smith, Harold Scheu, Bill McCarty, Dean Edar, Dr. Robert Smith, Janice Davis, Ronnie Earl, Mary Fonner, and Dennis Dietrich.
Approximately 50 prizes were given at the annual Okaw-Illini golf outing held last week at Kaskaskia Country Club. E.J. Ascherman won closest to the pin, and Mike Carroll was recognized for having hit the most balls out of bounds. Jim Michaels had the longest drive, and Rudy Burgner was credited with the high gross score.
50 years ago
July 30, 1970
The newest queen to wear the Miss Moultrie-Douglas County Fair crown was Kathy Foley of Lovington, and Debra Edwards of Arcola was named first runner-up.
A new and rather unusual buisness was being formed in Tuscola, the G&J Security Systems by owners John Larson and G.L. Goodpasture. Electronic burglar alarms and detectors for fire, smoke, biolder, and/or mechanical failure were their products.
Miss Virginia Lincoln of Villa Grove and Mr. Boyd Henderson of Tuscola were united in marriage on Sunday, July 12 at 4 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tuscola. Following a wedding trip to the Wisconsin Dells, the couple were making their home on Eastview Drive in Tuscola.
The first “sludge train” 36 tank cars carrying 20,000 gallons each, was unloaded near the Douglas-Coles county line, south of Arcola on Route 45. A 35-acre pit, approximately six feet deep would be used for the sludge storage.
The Senior Division All-Stars advanced to the LaSalle Regional of the national Little League tourney by defeating Lawrenceville 11-1 Friday at Lawrenceville.