The Vandalia Leader

06/28/2024

DON'T FORGET ⚠If you want to see an awesome show, stop by Vandalia Area Fairgrounds this Saturday for the Xcaliber Truck & Tractor Pull! ⚠

06/27/2024

👀🚜 Don't forget to stop at the Tom Culwell Memorial Tractor Pull this Friday! 🚜👀

06/27/2024

Resilience and Community: The Bingo Fundraiser for Jason Bostic and Leslie Dahl

By Brandie Gay

Saturday, June 16th, the community came together once again to help Jason Bostic and Leslie Dahl.
https://www.vandalialeader.com/?p=800

06/27/2024

New Miss Missouri’s Teen crowned
MEXICO, Mo.—The 15th Miss Missouri’s Teen is Bridget Caldwell of Florissant.

After a grueling week of rehearsals, appearances, and preliminary competition, a judge’s panel narrowed a field of 24 down to 12 then to 5 and finally a new Miss Missouri’s Teen.
https://www.vandalialeader.com/?p=797

06/27/2024

Vandalia’s 150 celebration mural
If you are wondering what is going on here, the Vandalia Area Historical Society is going to have a mural painted on this wall. Work has begun to clean up and prep the wall. Watch as the process continues to move forward. Just another way the VAHS is helping to spruce up Vandalia for the town’s 150th celebration!
https://www.vandalialeader.com/?p=794

06/25/2024

Stay alert!

06/20/2024

⚠If you want to see an awesome show, stop by Vandalia Area Fairgrounds June 29th for the Xcaliber Truck & Tractor Pull! ⚠

06/20/2024

Section of Main Street to close next week
The City of Vandalia notified citizens that portions of Main Street would be closed next week.

According to a news release the city said beginning the week of June 24, a section of Main Street—from E. State Street to E. Washington Street would be closed.
https://www.vandalialeader.com/?p=790

06/20/2024

Zambia corn-growing project showing increasing yields in Africa
By Stan Schwartz

Eric Dolbeare said the help local farmers provided to small farmers in Zambia has grown over the six years the project has been in operation.
https://www.vandalialeader.com/?p=787

06/20/2024

Missouri education package establishes long-time priorities, stomping smaller bills
Just two education bills passed out of Missouri’s legislature this year out of 338 proposals, a result of a ‘fine-tuned’ negotiation

By Annelise Hanshaw
Missouri Independent

During Missouri’s 2024 legislative session, 338 bills addressing education were filed: a mix of proposals to change curriculum, increase funding, boost oversight and others.
https://www.vandalialeader.com/?p=784

06/18/2024

👀🚜 Don't forget to stop at the Tom Culwell Memorial Tractor Pull Friday, June 28th! 🚜👀

06/17/2024

06/16/2024

06/06/2024

Shaw sworn in during council meeting

Because he could not make the April Vandalia City Council meeting, Larry Shaw was sworn in during the Tuesday, May 14 Vandalia City Council meeting.

After the swearing in, which was done by City Clerk Brandie Gay, the Council approved the agenda for the meeting.
https://www.vandalialeader.com/?p=760

06/06/2024

It’s the music that matters
Back 40 Bluegrass Festival fills the air with song

By Stan Schwartz

Once the rain had finally moved out of the area, the Back 40 Bluegrass Festival took on a more vibrant atmosphere.

The festival was born out of one family’s love for Bluegrass music and their love for their son, who enjoys playing Bluegrass music. Darrell Turnbull began playing when he was just 12 years old.
https://www.vandalialeader.com/?p=757

06/06/2024

Jace Gay finishes 2nd behind NASCAR’s Ken Schrader
By Brandie Gay

Moberly, Mo.—Under the bright lights of Moberly Motorsports Park, where the roar of engines and the cheer of the crowd blend into the night sky, Trophy Tuesday was the highlight of the week.
https://www.vandalialeader.com/?p=754

06/06/2024

Yard sale Friday, June 7! 4pm- ?
Halfway between farber and Vandalia off PP
38753 Audrain Rd 564
Vandalia MO 63382
Prices will be listed on items at the sale but open to offers
Lots of different items, some listed below
7 drawer wood dresser
Red upholstered chair, cat friendly
Sleeper sofa
9 drawer wood dresser
TV, dvd player and dvds- can sell separately or bundle
Baby girl clothes, 3 mo to 3T
Baby gear (jumperoo, bumbo, blankets, bedside bassinet, etc)
Some kitchen ware (casseroles, two working crockpots, etc)
Patio furniture
Waders
Traps
And much much more!

06/01/2024

05/30/2024

Local couple work to reopen Vandalia Lanes
By Stan Schwartz

Wayne Baker and his wife, Janice, are closing on buying the Vandalia bowling alley, Vandalia Lanes, at the end of this month.

Wayne said they were planning on signing the papers at the end of May, talking full ownership of the business. Vandalia Lanes has been closed since the previous owner shuttered the business earlier this year.
https://www.vandalialeader.com/?p=750

05/30/2024

The first buildings in Vandalia were built in 1870
The first two buildings (possibly three) were erected in 1870 by the 56-year-old McPike who, by this time, had acquired the name “Uncle Aaron.” One of the earliest commercial structures was a hotel erected in Block 22 on the same corner as the current Beacon of Hope Church (former Methodist Church) located at 302 and 304 West Washington. The structure faced south and was a basic two-story structure with eight rooms, large windows and a wide spanning two-story porch located on the front. This hotel was managed by Martin Collins, the town’s first carpenter. McPike’s insight to build this type of structure early in the town’s development was a key point in its future expansion. With this hotel, travelers would be warmly welcomed with accommodations and good food, served up with a dose of encouragement to settle in this soon-to-be boom town.
https://www.vandalialeader.com/?p=747

05/30/2024

Jonesburg native competes for Miss Missouri crown
MEXICO, Mo.—Miss Missouri candidates from across the state, their pageant directors and families will travel to the heart of Missouri June 9 to kick off a week filled with rehearsals, talent performances, interviews, and evening gowns at Missouri Military Academy.
https://www.vandalialeader.com/?p=744

05/23/2024

District Champs!
Van-Far Indians bring home the title
The Van-Far Indians won the District Title Tuesday, May 15 in their game against the Sturgeon Bulldogs.
https://www.vandalialeader.com/?p=739

05/23/2024

Vandalia History
It is not a tale of dates, data and events. It is a tale of the human experience...

CITY HISTORY

THE 1800S

The Vision…

Four rugged horsemen rode out of the east and drew rein in the midst of a vast, open, lonely prairie at a spot far removed from unfailing water sources. A place where rattlesnakes and biting green flies were prominent and prairie grasses were as tall as their horses, a barren place where pioneers would not settle. Other men had ridden across that same prairie with only a glance of contempt, including Ulysses S. Grant, who said this land was “uninhabitable.”
https://www.vandalialeader.com/?p=736

05/23/2024

Couple start ranch as an equine educational destination
By Stan Schwartz

When Tamitha and Tom Ague were still living in New London, Mo., on 5 acres, two years ago, a horse became available. It was Christmastime, Tamitha recalled, and Tom had texted her a photo of Snickers, a 20-year old registered Rocky Mountain mare. Tamitha grew up with horses and this would be a good start to getting back into riding.
https://www.vandalialeader.com/?p=732

05/23/2024

11th annual service at Cancer Memorial Park brings survivors together
By Stan Schwartz

Sunday evening as the cooling shade draped across the Cancer Memorial Park on the square in downtown Bowling Green, a group of about two dozen people gathered to hear stories of victory and stories of sorrow.
https://www.vandalialeader.com/?p=729