By Dorothy Jerse
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
1998
• U.S. Auto Club officials cancelled the Action Track Nationals, the last event on the 1998 card at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds. Later, the Red Hill Raceway at Sumner, Ill., picked up the dates for USAC sprints and UMP modified competition.
• The consulting firm of Almont Associates Inc. said the city was correct in closing two fire stations, but it should add a new firehouse south of Interstate 70. Bill Reed was the Terre Haute Fire Chief.
• Ted Kaperak won the Spaghetti Open tournament at Mathews Park. Greg Kluesner, Bob Kyle, Russ Campbell and Tom Bekkering all tied for second place.
• Kenneth Coleman was named “Volunteer of the Year” by the National Organization for Victims Assistance. He had become a director of Protect the Innocent for Parke, Fountain, Montgomery and Warren counties 11 years before.
• The Vigo County School Corp. sponsored its first “Party on the Pavement” on the administration parking lot. Entertainment was provided by Randy Beard.
1983
• Kirby D. Smith, Republican candidate for mayor opposing Mayor P. Pete Chalos, began his series of Neighborhood Walks to talk with residents about problems in the city.
• Civilian Conservation Corps alumni staged a reunion at Shakamak State Park. The event marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the CCC in 1933 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. The program employed thousands of young people to help conserve the nation’s deteriorating natural resources at the height of the Great Depression.
• Hospice of the Wabash Valley Inc. was launched to help terminally ill patients and their loved ones. Dr. Roberto Cantillo was the medical director and Jacquelyn Fox the agency director.
• Bill Wolfe, native of Clinton and WBAK-TV graphic designer, was named art director for Ideas Inc. according to general manager Nick Telezyn.
• Dean Branson, real estate administrator in the Terre Haute Redevelopment Department, issued orders for the razing of 23 structures in the city.
• Plans called for the Meis Corporate offices to move into the former Schulte High School building in 1984.
1958
• Ralph E. Llewellyn was awarded a service appreciation plaque for his untiring service to conservation by the Indiana Division of the Izaak Walton League at its 36th annual convention banquet at the Terre Haute House. The local chapter clubhouse was located in Cloverdale.
• Registration was open for daytime and evening classes at the Terre Haute Commercial College on the third floor of the Tune Building, Fifth St.reet and Wabash Avenue.
• A 6-2 vote by members of the City Council permitted the fluoridation of water ordinance to become law, thus erasing Mayor Ralph Tucker’s veto of the controversial measure.
• The First Unitarian Universalist Society resumed regular Sunday morning services in the meeting house at 800 S. Center St. Rev. Donald Thompson was the minister and Mrs. Otis Aggert the religious education director.
• The Terre Haute Franchised Automobile Dealers announced a plan of action to reduce theft of hubcaps by offering to etch the hubcaps with the owner’s license number when the car was brought in for service.
