Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years
Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years
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by Tom Emery This year, Illinois library users will celebrate a milestone, the 150th anniversary of the Public Library Act. The act, which was signed on March 7, 1872, created the tax-supported, free-usage public libraries that Illinoisans know today. The act revolutionized statewide library usage, and remains a standard by which libraries are governed today. Gov. John M. Palmer signed the act into law, a move that was likely influenced by his love of reading and education. Accounts of Palmer’s life repeatedly refer to books, and he taught scho...
Thursday, December 1, 1966 -- REORGANIZATION OF S & L MOTOR PARTS -- At a recent reorganization of the S & L Motor Parts, Inc., whose principal office is in Staunton, some changes were made in the supervisory designations, Vincent J. McKay, who has been president and general manager of the firm, announces the following changes: Vincent J. McKay, president; Robert L. McKay, vice president; Reynold Voyles, secretary; Rudy Preloger, treasurer; Otto E. Fey, general manager; Robert L. McKay, stock control manager; Walter Belcher, sales manager, and...
Over the last two years schools, along with everyone else, have navigated territories that have not been experienced in our lifetime. While global pandemics are not new in history the context of each has brought its own unique challenges. Most recently, in Illinois, we have watched a battle unfold between various groups that traditionally are all working towards the same end. A great deal of that battle has centered on who is in control of schools. Last night, just before midnight, the Illinois Appellate Court for the 4th District spoke to...
Fond blast from the past I have a bad case of spring fever and can't wait for baseball season to start. Kittenball was a summer staple in Staunton. The Marty & Millie's team played at the old ballpark pavilion across from the Fireman's Park. There was an old brick grill in one end of the pavilion and Mr. and Mrs. Haase grilled the best burgers. We would pick up all of the empty beer bottles and when we had a case full, Mr. Haase would pay us a nickel. The members of this team and their families were all like family. It sure was a wonderful way...
Issue of Feb. 20, 1997 John P. Skuta (86) of Staunton died Feb. 16 at his home. Walter J. Stemploski (90) of Staunton died Feb. 14 at Community Memorial Hospital. Joseph E. “Huck” Healey (85) of Livingston died Feb. 12 at DePaul Health Center in St. Louis. Elmer A. Frioli (72) of Staunton died Feb. 17 at Community Memorial Hospital. Joseph M. Cerutti (88) of Gillespie died Feb. 13 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville. Issue of Feb. 21, 2007 The new Cub Scout Pack 34 was formed with the Knights of Columbus as sponsor. Pack 33 was spons...
By: Jill Pertler “In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes.” - Benjamin Franklin Ben was a smart guy, but I’d like to add one item to his list: grief. Death is nearly, almost always accompanied by grief; it is a third certainty in our world. Last week I wrote advice for those grieving. Today the advice is for those helping another through a loss. When you love someone who is grieving: Please don’t avoid me. Don’t walk in the other direction when we both find ourselves on aisle five at the super store. If you see me, I see you,...
This week's Looking Back photo shows the 1950 Staunton Terriers basketball team. Front Row: (L to R) Jim Bond, Marvin Stein, Loyal Coalson, Jim Furtkamp, Stan Witherbee, Bill Sherfy, Dick Scheller and Kenneth Monschein; 2nd row: Jim Makula, Dick Haase, Jim Courtney, Bill Sturm, Ralph Sawyer, Donald Sterns, Jim Vesper; 3rd row: Bob Snell, Don Sminchak, Dick Yaeger, Wendall Harness, Don Fisher, Coach Woodrow Norris; Back row: Jim McLaughlin, Morris McHugh, Jim Boster, Alvin Varwig, Dean Gares,...
Bonnie S. Zirkelbach, 59, of Benld, Ill., died at her residence on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. She was born April 5, 1962, in Wood River, to Loran and Altie (Peters) Wallace. She married James G. Zirkelbach on July 10, 1995, in Carlinville. She was a homemaker. She is survived by her husband, James Zirkelbach of Benld; daughters, Hilary Thomas of Benld, Lindsay (Chris) Young of Benld, Melissa Zirkelbach of Benld; grandchildren, Hailey Young, Carter Young, Blake Middleton, Marria Middleton, Kennedi Isaacs; brothers, Darrell (Lynn) Wallace of...
Persons are considered innocent until proven guilty. In criminal actions, the person has been charged by a law enforcement agency but is entitled to a hearing or trial to argue his innocence. Marriage license Alyse Stewart, Carlinville; Devon Fix, Carlinville Divorces Rachel S. Coleson, Shipman; Kenneth D. Coleson, Shipman LaDonna Brown, Bunker Hill; Jack Brown, Bunker Hill Court • Marlon J. Gray, 20, of Decatur, faces two felony charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding and was cited for unlawful possession of cannabis by driver, improper l...
"Young Mr. Lincoln" (1939) was playing at the Temple Theater in Staunton when this photo was taken. It is one of the souvenir postcards that was sold in local stores, and there are many copies of it still around. The Labor Temple was built in 1913 and the theater was added later. Labor meetings and community events were held there for many years. The theater showed movies nightly for much of its existence – many of them double features. Later it ran single features on the weekend only. The T...
Thursday, November 10, 1966 -- MASON TURKEY DINNER DREW MANY -- The annual family style turkey dinner, sponsored by the three Masonic bodies in our city. Staunton Lodge No. 177, A.F.&A.M., Staunton Chapter No. 616, Order of Eastern Star, and Staunton Chapter No. 227, Royal Arch Masons, was a pleasing success, and was attended by a large number of people from Staunton and surrounding towns. A total of 1,378 dinners were served, including 300 carry-outs. The officers and members of the three organizations extend sincere thanks to everyone who...
By: Jill Pertler About a month after I lost my husband, I put together a tutorial of sorts for what to do (and not to do) when someone you love is grieving. It’s been over a year since then and in that time I’ve gained myriad knowledge about the grief process. (Yeah me!) Losing is a part of loving and loving is a part of life so I think this is knowledge we all can use, whether we are helping someone through grief, we are grieving ourselves or both. This information was too much for one column, so I’ve put together advice for those who are g...
We would appreciate use of your old photos for our Looking Back feature. Email your picture and the information you have to: [email protected]. We need a high resolution JPG. We'll be able to tell you right away if your picture will work, and we'll answer your email as soon as we can to let you know. If you have a photograph, just bring it in to the Star-Times office at 108 West Main Street to be scanned. We can scan it while you wait. We are looking for local landmarks, events, organizations or groups that have a wide appeal or...
Issue of Feb. 13, 1997 Mayor Wayne Heinemeyer appointed a recycling committee in an effort to keep recycling in Staunton. Rebecca Miller and Corey Painter were married Dec. 7, 1996, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton. Robin Campbell and J. Matthew Niemeyer were married June 15, 1996, in Gillespie. Wilbert and Angelina (Castagna) Brown, former Staunton residents, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 26. J. Eleanora Stiegemeier (70) of Staunton died Feb. 7 at Community Memorial Hospital. Helen L. Streubel (85) of Godfrey, formerly...
The latest surge in COVID-19 cases is easing across Illinois and other parts of the Midwest, but the arguments around wearing masks to curb the spread of the virus rage on. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced Feb. 9 the state’s indoor mask mandate in most public places will be lifted at the end of the month, but will remain in place for schools for the time being. Some school districts across the state have taken the matter into their own hands, filing a lawsuit saying local boards of education should have the say on whether to require k...
Pete Cignetti's Tavern was located at the corner of Route 4 and Prairie Street, the present location of Staunton Car Wash. Pete is pictured in his car with his daughter, Frances, standing alongside. The business advertises Hyde Park Beer on the windows along with 5-cent ice cream cones, hamburgers, all kinds of sandwiches, and barbecue lunches.This picture was probably taken in the late 1950s....
Thursday, October 27, 1966 -- ISSUES WARNING ON RABIES IN WILD ANIMALS-- Dr. R.J. Taft, Staunton veterinarian, has submitted the following item which should be heeded by everyone: "Health authorities have become increasingly alarmed about the tremendous increase of rabies in wild animals. The main culprit of these is the skunk. "There have been incidences of pet skunks being purchased from pet shops, fur farms, and simply being found in the wilderness. Many of these died and were confirmed as rabies by laboratory diagnosis. Many people were...
Issue of Feb. 6, 1997 City officials warned residents about the dangers of walking on the frozen Staunton Reservoir. A daughter was born to Jeff and Donna (Coalson) Augustine of rural Livingston on Jan. 28. A daughter was born to Eric and Gina (Bellm) Moss of Livingston on Jan. 25. Rev. Mary Anna Vidakovich, pastor of Staunton United Methodist Church, and Nigel deForrest-Pearce were married Jan. 25 in Baldwin City, Kan. Alfred G. Hinz (88) of Mt. Olive died Jan. 28 at Heritage Manor of Litchfield. Elsie Violet Overby (95) of Mt. Olive died...
By Tom Emery A current television commercial for a well-known tequila brand depicts Abraham Lincoln, holding a drink and partying with other past celebrities. In reality, Lincoln had little use for the stuff. Lincoln rarely drank liquor, and spoke out strongly on the ill effects of alcohol in society. Friends and relatives all marveled at his dislike for drink, from his younger days all the way to the White House. It was an era when Americans drank freely, and many historians have written that “whiskey flowed like water.” One source rep...
By: Jill Pertler In the last year, I’ve been working on appreciation. Appreciating the big things. Appreciating the small things. Appreciating what I have and what I am. As part of that, I’ve been practicing appreciation of one of the most basic, most taken for granted and one of the most awesome things we all possess. Our body. In developing an appreciation for my own body and all the things it does, I attempt to contemplate the different systems, organs and the multitude of tasks that happen every second of every day without my even giv...
Thursday, October 27, 1966 -- A GLIMPSE INTO STAUNTON'S PAST-- Otto Hiffman, one of Staunton's senior citizens, brought in a clipping to the Star-Times recently, taken from an issue of the paper dated October 2, 1930. The clipping contained some interesting information about the early days of Staunton, jotted down by the late Armin C Kurz, then editor and publisher of the Star-Times, in an interview with the late Charles F. Hackman, one of the pioneer residents, who founded the furniture business now conducted by R.A. "Dick" Russell, his...
