Back in the Day 3-10-21
Ten years ago
March 16, 2011
Seven young ladies hoping to wear the Miss Tuscola crown for 2011 were competing in the March 26 pageant this year. Contestants included Natasha Martin, Kylie Amick, Katie Haake, Kayce Patton, Emma Comerford, and Rachel Craddock.
TCHS Principal Kyle Ransom was suspended with pay for the remainder of the year at the March 14 special school board meeting, citing “failure to discipline students consistent with the student rules and athletic code, approving faculty/staff vacation requests not granted by collective bargaining agreement or applicable board policies, and insubordination in his communications with the board regarding administrative decisions.”
Tuscola High School’s ‘Grease’ production breaks attendance records with over 225 people in the audience for each of the five performances.
The East Prairie Hornets eighth grade volleyball team earned a historic trip to sectionals following a weekend win against St. Joe. The season ended at sectionals with a 25-22 loss against Watseka.
Cub Scout Pack 80 Pinewood Derby winners included first place Matthew Bennett, second place Bryce Simpson, third place Donovan Chester, fourth place Spencer Elder, fifth place Josh Dyer and sixth place Aiden Beachy.
Twenty years ago
March 13, 2001
The Tuscola community was mourning the death of Dr. John Cunningham, who died March 7, 2001, at the age of 82. Dr. Cunningham was a highly regarded practicing physician in Tuscola for 50 years.
City officials were concerned about ongoing vandalism at the Festival Corner gazebo and in various spots throughout Ervin Park.
Charles and Frances Bechtel of Tuscola were planning an open house celebration to mark their anniversary. The couple was married March 23, 1941 in Farmington, Mo., and were the proud parents of seven children, nine grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.
TCHS students who were recognized as MVPs at the winter sports award banquet included Cara Chaplin for girls basketball, Erica Hall for cheerleading, Jessica Baird for prm, and all varsity seniors were deemed MVP for the boys basketball team.
Thirty years ago
March 12, 1991
Plans for a possible Tuscola Mall were progressing, with Tuscola Mills Outlets floated as a possible name for the development.
Tuscola resident Suzie Huber had the great pleasure of recently traveling to Europe to see her daughter, Andrea, perform the role of Rosalinde in “Die Fledermaus” at the State Opera House in Klagenfurt, Austria.
Plans were underway for the ABC Auxiliary style show being held in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce’s Miss Tuscola pageant. The theme for this year’s show would be “Rock Around the Clock” and Linda Damler would serve as mistress of ceremonies.
TCHS boys basketball players taking home hardware from the winter sports banquet were Chris Spencer, Rebound Award; Mike Taylor, co-Most Improved; Andrew Lincoln, Free Throw Award; Brent Washburn, co-Most Improved; and Tim Smith, MVP. Girls basketball award winners included Kendra Blaudow, MVP and Free Throw Award; Jamey Russell, Defensive Award; and Amy Baird, Most Improved.
Forty years ago
March 17, 1981
Three men were seeking the nod from Tuscola voters to serve as mayor of the Douglas County seat. They included Ray Carlson, Clarence Snyder and James Wood.
Newly-elected Secretary of State Jim Edgar was in Tuscola recently to speak at the Douglas County Republicans annual spring dinner. He said one of his top priorities would be getting drunken drivers off Illinois roads.
This year’s Jarman Hospital Auxiliary officers were Sally Doud, president; Jan Houser, vice president; Barbara Deem, secretary; and Betty Carlson, treasurer.
Two Tuscola Warrior basketball players–sophomore center John Murray and senior forward Steve Kalmar–were named to the All-Okaw Valley Conference Second Team.
Fifty years ago
March 11, 1971
John Smith was elected president of the Tuscola Chamber of Commerce, and serving with him the coming year would be Mitchell Cohen as vice president, Tom Hawkins as secretary, and Dr. Morris Galey as treasurer.
Twelve members of the Johann Strauss Ensemble for the Vienna Symphony Orchestra toured the The Journal (formerly the Tuscola Review) office Friday following lunch at Williams Cafe. The ensemble was enroute from an appearance in Ottawa, Ill. to Washington, Ind.
Harry Little, new owner of Hotel Douglas, announced the downstairs dining room and cocktail lounge would be officially open for business starting Saturday of this week.
The sensational second-half shooting of Jon Surma and Doug Dietrich placed Tuscola in the finals of its own regional tournament against Mattoon, and caused district winner Findlay to suffer the third defeat of the season. Surma had 30 points and Dietrich pumped in 28 to lift the Warriors to an 81-71 defeat of Findlay, after trailing 38-32 at the half.