Back in the Day 3-24-21
Ten years ago
March 30, 2011
Newly crowned queens at the 2011 Miss Tuscola Pageant included Miss Tuscola Rachel Craddock, Junior Miss Lauren Moss, and Little Miss Dakota Messer.
Due to retirement and a limited pool of applicants, the Tuscola Board of Education regretfully cut the industrial arts program for the 2011-12 school year.
Bill and Jean Jones celebrated their 80th birthdays at the end of March with a private family dinner.
The 2011 Warrior varsity softball team included Taylor Carter, Erin Walker, Lexi Rogers, Carman Comerford, Madison Frerichs, Amber Miller, Kati Ponder, Sammi Kohlbecker, Sarah McCrory, Taylor Kauffman, Audrey Mooney, Kelsey Cleland, and Samantha Ledbetter.
The 2011 Warrior varsity baseball team included James Knight, Nolan Walsh, Cameron Westjohn, Trace Quinn, Chance Little, Chase Little, Jacob Barr, Cole Stanfield, Cody Shelmadine, Philip Meyer, Dan Yoakum, Pat Yoakum, Kyle Miller, Dillon Hoel, T.J. Onstott, and Josh Brookins.
North Ward Principal Ann Lamkey announced her retirement for the end of the 2011-12 school year.
Twenty years ago
March 27, 2001
The Korean War Veterans Association national board held its annual meeting and dinner in Tuscola over the weekend.
Cast and crew members were hard at work rehearsing for this week’s opening of the TCHS spring musical “Guys and Dolls.” Performances would be taking place on the stage at North Ward elementary school.
Bruce McNary, who served as assistant pro at Ironhorse Golf Course from 1997 to 1999, was returning to take the position of resident pro after spending a season as assistant pro at the Peoria Country Club.
The TCHS Warrior baseball team got off to a good start with a 5-3 win over Danville Schlarman and a 19-10 victory over Salt Fork.
Thirty years ago
March 26, 1991
Some 250 children were not disappointed last Saturday morning when the Easter Bunny appeared to help with Easter egg hunt festivities at Ervin Park. The Chamber-sponsored event included Chamber president Kent McGillen as the Easter Bunny’s number-one helper.
Area residents showed their support for American troops in Operation Desert Storm by bringing flags and ribbons and attending the Tuscola Victory March and Rally on March 23. The event was sponsored by the Douglas County Explorers.
High winds late Friday night caused damage to two barns and a fence on the Wayne Steven farm east of Tuscola. Large pieces of debris were scattered as far away as Interstate 57.
New directors recently installed at the annual meeting of the Douglas County Farm Bureau were John Pflum of Tuscola Township, Steve Prosser of Bowdre Township, and Larry Harbaugh of Newman Township.
Forty years ago
March 31, 1981
Dr. Morris Galey announced he had recently purchased the optometric practice of Dr. A.B. Baker, and would be incorporating it into his already established practice on South Main Street.
Tuscola farmer Don Rentschler defied the odds by winning not once, but twice in a Ford Affordability Sweepstakes. He had two winning entry blanks, which netted him a total of $400 cash, with local Ford dealer Ned Ferguson presenting him with his winnings.
The local Daughters of the American Revolution’s 1980-81 yearbook won the red-white-and-blue national ribbon for Outstanding Yearbook, the Illinois gold ribbon for Use of Theme, and the Illinois blue ribbon for Outstanding Yearbook.
Bob Scott was the new TCHS boys track team coach, and he was being assisted by Bruce Nofftz. The fledgling coach was pleased to have 30 boys turn out for the 1981 track and field season.
Fifty years ago
March 25, 1971
A search of an abandoned car by police revealed the ingredients for a homemade incendiary device, along with a map of Tuscola. The car was reported abandoned at John’s Mobile Gas Station at Route 36 and Niles Avenue.
Three registrations were announced at the Tuscola School Board meeting–Winifred Storzun, fourth-grade teacher at South Ward; William Justice, East Prairie teacher; and Dixie Stonecipher, East Prairie librarian. Deanna Duncan was hired as TCHS PR instructor and GAA for a yearly salary of $7,600.
Tuscola’s Jon Surma led balloting by Okaw Valley Conference basketball coaches in the selection of an All-State Okaw First Team. He received 165 votes, the maximum possible. Warrior Dave Snyder made the All-Okaw Second Team.