Published: September 06, 2008 04:05 pm            

LOOKING BACK: 1958: Marathon advertises ‘free heating oil in case of sickness or accident’

TERRE HAUTE — Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.



1998

n Two Vigo County commissioners, William J. Decker and C. Joseph Anderson Jr., suggested the formation of a task force to look at combining the Terre Haute and Vigo County departments of building inspection, weights and measures, parks and the 911 system dispatch centers. Commissioner P. James Diehl opposed the idea.

n A new clubhouse was open at Geneva Hills Golf Course, owned and operated by Dan and Patt Shaw outside of Clinton.

n United Way of the Wabash Valley launched the 1998 fundraising campaign with a goal of $2.3 million. Sam Borden, campaign chairman, said the year’s theme “33 and Me” reflected the 33 local agencies supported by the United Way.

n John Roshel won the 1998 President’s Cup in the golf tournament at the Country Club of Terre Haute.

n Hello Dollers Doll Club hosted a Doll and Bear Show and Sale at Garfield’s Restaurant and Pub banquet center in Honey Creek Mall.

n Daniel P. McGinley resigned as executive director of both the Gibault School for Boys and the Gibault Foundation Inc.

1983

n The YWCA fundraiser “Dance Down the Boulevard” featured aerobic dancers dancing the mile from Fruitridge Avenue to the Meis store at Meadows Center. Jane Madison was the YWCA dance director.

n United Way of the Wabash Valley kicked off its 1983 campaign. Chairman Eston “Bud” Perry reported that more than 14 percent of the $1 million goal had been raised, the bulk of which was a gift from the CBS Foundation.

n Blood Products Inc. announced it would move to 417 Wabash Ave. from the Odd Fellows building, which had been condemned by the city the previous January.

n Vigo County’s Tourism Commission won the bid to bring the Elks State Bowling Tournament to Terre Haute for three winter weekends in 1984.

n The 11th Oktoberfest, a two-weekend event at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds sponsored by the German Oberlandler Club, featured bands from Clinton, Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis. The 37-piece Mittelbuch Brass Band from Germany provided the grand finale. Mittelbuch band members were made “honorary Terre Hauteans” by Mayor P. Pete Chalos.

1958

n Eighty members of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce began a four-day campaign to enlist 100 new members. Jack R. King, general chairman, said the project is “a full-scale frontal attack on apathy, procrastination and civic indifference.”

n Arnold Thorsen, general manager, Terre Haute Works, Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co., received a U.S. Treasury award for his able chairmanship of the drive to increase the sale of U.S. Savings Bonds through the payroll savings plan.

n Marathon advertised “free heating oil in case of sickness or accident.” Local authorized dealers included Glenn R. Maurer, C. “Jim” Spence & Son, Harold E. Barnes and Roy M. Wheat.

n Mrs. Ray Black and Mrs. Jack Stark served as co-chairwomen for the annual Beta Sigma Phi City Council benefit fashion-bridge at the Terre Haute House. Nine Terre Haute chapters with an active membership of 200 participated to raise funds for cerebral palsy.

n The Vigo County Republican Women’s Club sponsored a picnic at the Ute Oven, Deming Park, in honor of Mrs. Cecil M. Harden of Covington, representative in Congress from the 6th Indiana District.

        

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