Back in the Day 1-27-21
Ten years ago
February 2, 2011
The Downtown Diner officially opened for business at 125 West Sale Street in downtown Tuscola. Owners Tara Reed and Danielle Vollmer partnered up to bring back a mom-and-pop type of place to go for good, old-fashioned comfort food in a clean environment.
Fred McDonald closed his County-Realtors real estate office in Tuscola after 18 years in business.
This year’s Warrior Babes included John Turner, Kolby Clough, Dylan Stewart, Jared Hall, Chase Little, Trace Quinn, Jud Wienke, Jack Leonard, Brett Clifton, Blake Stokes, Pat Yoakum, Chris Ransom, Austin Masuga, and Kyle Miller.
East Prairie Spelling Bee winners included first place David Manselle (8th grade), second place Jessica Kittle (6th grade), third place Rachel Watson (6th grade), and alternative Marc Davis (6th grade).
Mayor Dan Kleiss thanked and congratulated sewer department worker Dwayne Van Cleave for his 15 years of employment with the City of Tuscola.
Lady Warriors Lindsay Troike and Olivia Morris were honored during the senior night basketball game.
Twenty years ago
January 30, 2001
The City of Tuscola was now the owner of the Massie building, located at 109 W. Pembroke, former site of the Grab-It-Here grocery store. City officials accepted a deed in lieu of foreclosure for the property, which belonged to Ed Massie.
It was going to be business as usual at Ironhorse Golf Course, according to Tuscola National Bank representatives, who took possession of the 18-hole course on Jan. 22. TNB said the course would be open for the coming golf season and all clubhouse bookings would be honored.
WCIA Channel 3 personalities Robert Reese and Gabrielle Martin were broadcasting live from the Amishland “big red barn” Jan. 25, with Amishland Country Villages one of the businesses highlighted in the “Our Town Tuscola” series.
The Tuscola Warriors picked up their second tournament championship of the 2000-2001 basketball season when they defeated the Oakland Oaks 40-38 to win the LOVC tournament at Tuscola High School. The Warriors swept through the tournet in three games, defeating Bement 74-36 and Villa Grove by a score of 88-60 before facing Oakland in the title game.
Thirty years ago
January 29, 1991
The Meridian Conference high schools extended an invitation to Tuscola High School to join the conference for football only, effective in 1993, according to TCHS Principal Mike Damler. Those schools included Assumption, Illiopolis, Maroa-Forsyth, Moweaqua, Macon, and Bethany.
Tuscola City Council members passed a resolution to hire Evans & Froehlich Lawyers of Champaign to begin the process of issuing the city’s Tax Increment Financing bonds.
Tuscola’s oldest living resident, Ernest Jolley, celebrated his 104th birthday on Monday, Jan. 28, 1991. Jolley was born Jan. 18, 1887 near La Place, a son of John and Jane Jolley.
Led by Kendra Blaudow’s 22 points and Amy Baird’s 14 rebounds, the Lady Warriors posted a 55-38 road victory over host Effingham Hearts. Tuscola’s JV squad was not as fortunate, coming out of the losing end of a 28-27 overtime contest.
Tuscola High School welcomed the Atwood-Hammond Rajahs to town Friday night and sent them home with a barn-burner of a loss in a 65-63 game. Chris Spencer poured in 27 points with 9-of-16 shooting and led the team with seven rebounds.
Forty years ago
February 3, 1981
Fire damage to the former Martin nursing home in Tuscola was estimated at an excess of $100,000 by fire Chief Dennis Dietrich. The 20-room structure, an historical landmark, was thought to have caught on fire due to an overloaded electrical circuit on the first floor.
Officers elected to three-year terms for Tuscola Community Development Corporation included Bill McCarty, president; Amos Albritton, vice president; Barb Wills, secretary; and Dick Parker, treasurer.
Mayor Chris Hill proclaimed Feb. 1-7, 1981 “Nunn Memorial Scout Building Week” in Tuscola. The week’s activities would be capped by a chili supper to raise funds for the building.
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyds Kresin of Tuscola would be the guests of honor at an open house reception marking the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple’s children, Larry Kresin and Betty Reynolds, were hosting the event.
The Tuscola Warriors trimmed their turnovers and made their free throws like they never had before, but wound up losing a 65-58 decision to a Sullivan ball club that had lost five games in a row and won only four previously.
Fifty years ago
January 28, 1971
Miss America Phyllis George captured the hearts of 4,000 Douglas County residents with her charm, wit and personality when she made an appearance at the Tuscola Auto Show. A Sunday brunch in her honor was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Red Proffitt.
Tuscola’s four auto dealers proclaimed the 1971 Tuscola Auto Show a huge success, estimating attendance at 6,000 guests who looked at over 50 model cars on display.
Gene Murray was awarded a contract by the Tuscola school district to coach baseball, and it was reported 93 boys had indicated an interest in trying out for the team.
A second-half comeback by the visiting Tuscola Warriors gave them a hard fought 63-58 win over host Arcola Purple Riders Friday night. In the first six minutes of play, Tuscola had seven turnovers, and had missed 11 layups by the end of the third quarter.