Days Gone By In Staunton
November 10, 2021
Stories from the files of the Staunton Star-Times in years gone by.
Thursday, August 11, 1966 -- REDIKULUS DAYS BRING BIG CROWDS -- The annual "Redikulus Days" promotion, sponsored by the Staunton Jaycee Chapter in cooperation with local stores, were attended by large crowds on Friday and Saturday of last week. Local merchants displayed many "Redikulus" bargains on the sidewalks in front of their places of business, as well as reductions on the prices of merchandise in the stores. The bargains were eagerly sought by the throngs which roamed through the business district on both days.
The Jaycee Chapter had arranged for other attractions, among them being a fish and barbecue stand, pony rides, and street dances on Friday and Saturday evenings, with Dennis Bortko, his younger brother Mike, and two members of the "Johnny and His Liberties" band furnishing the music. Dennis plans to organize his own band, and should be successful, judging from the reception the combo received.
Many of the merchants and their employes entered into the spirit of the promotion and wore "redikulus" costumes.
The prizes offered by the Jaycee Chapter were awarded Saturday night, with children of Jaycee members drawing the names of the winners as follows: Ed Rothgangel, Zebco rod and reel; Dorothy Gaudi, Motorola clock radio; Gloria Anschutz, 20-inch Huffy mower, and Michele Pirok, Motorola color television. Pamela Aossey of Gillespie won the Norge washer, and Margaret Bauer the Norge dryer offered by Leroy Bierbaum's Appliance Center.
PARTICIPATED IN SPORTS JAMBOREE FINALS -- Janie Horton participated in the eleventh annual finals of the Illinois Junior Sports Jamboree held last weekend in Granite City, sponsored locally by the Staunton Jaycee Chapter.
Registration was held Thursday evening and a box lunch and dance was enjoyed. Friday morning the contestants paraded through the downtown area of Granite City, and an opening ceremony was held at the high school track. The field and track events were held during the afternoon hours, with 374 boys and girls, ages 10 through 15 years from 159 cities throughout Illinois, competing. Twelve contestants took part in each event. Janie finished seventh in the broad jump, and in the preliminaries of the dash event she finished fourth due to a bad start and failed to qualify for the finals. However, she deserves much credit for her efforts against such strong competition.
The Staunton contingent stayed for the Friday evening dance, the Saturday morning finals, and the presentation ceremony, which was attended by Gov. Otto Kerner of Illinois, John A. Troike, Illinois Youth Commission Chairman, and by Wayne Kern, Illinois State Jaycee President. Each of the contestants went through the winners' arch and received a trophy.
Bob Sherfy, chairman for the local Jaycee Chapter, was prevented from attending because he had to work.
HUNDREDS OF NEW READERS ADDED TO STAR-TIMES LIST -- The special "Redikulus Days" offer of a $1.00 reduction on new or renewal subscriptions to the Staunton Star-Times attracted a large number of persons in Staunton and vicinity, and the office staff was extremely busy on Friday and Saturday, writing receipts and entering changes of dates on the file cards. A goodly number of new subscriptions were added, and we welcome them to the "family" of readers. The net result was that circulation of the Star-Times now has attained a new high, and reaches just about 90% of the families in this trade area.
Making address stencils for the new subscribers and changing the expiration dates of those who renewed, represents a huge task, and it is possible that it will take several weeks before all of the dates are changed. We hope that the subscribers will be patient and allow a reasonable time if the old expiration dates are still on the address label. It is possible that some mistakes were made in the rush, and if the date on a subscriber's paper has not been advanced by the first week in September, please call the Star-Times office.
POWER POLE SNAPPED IN AUTO ACCIDENT -- An auto driven by Aaron H. Campbell of Gillespie, with Charles Campbell and Norman Campbell also of that city as passengers, apparently went out of control about 4:00 o'clock Saturday morning near the corner of East North and Edwardsville streets and crashed into a power pole at the side of the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wolf, and also damaged the fence on the west side of the home. The three were taken to the Community Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries.
The auto was headed north at the time of the accident. Patrolman Arthur Smiddy gave the driver a ticket for destruction of property. It is reported that there was no insurance on the auto.
VANDAL DAMAGES BUILDING AT RECREATION PARK SUNDAY EVENING -- A building at the local Recreation Park which houses the refreshment stand and rest rooms was damaged Sunday evening at approximately 7:30 o'clock. According to witnesses, an "old black Chevy fast-back" repeatedly drove into the west wall caving it in. A local resident gave chase as the car sped away, but lost it south of Staunton when the chase became too dangerous.
Local police are conducting an investigation and ask that anyone having any information which may help in the apprehension of the person responsible for this damage contact them.
Thursday, August 18, 1966
Staunton Unit Schools Open Tuesday, Aug. 30 -- School begins for the Staunton Unit faculty on August 25th. Teachers new to the unit will meet on Thursday, August 25th. All teachers will meet for workshops on August 26th and 29th.
Freshmen will report to school at 9:00 a. m.. Monday, August 29th. All students will report at 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, August 30th, and school will be dismissed at 12 noon. The first full day of school is Wednesday, August 3lst.
Buses will not operate Monday, August 29th, but will operate Tuesday and thereafter.
Students should have their registration fee the first day they are present. Fees are $10. $25 for high school students plus $2.00 for girls enrolled in home economics. This includes $1.25 deposit on locks which will be refunded at the end of the year and $2.00 student insurance while at the school.
Elementary students fees are $9.00 which includes $7.00 for textbooks and $2.00 for student insurance which is optional.
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