By Woodrow Polston
Members of the Vandalia Area Historical Society met on Saturday at the Charlene Teague Genealogy Center to continue planning for the 2024 sesquicentennial celebration. It was announced during the meeting that submissions for the official sesquicentennial logo contest were considered after the Feb. 1 deadline. First, second and third place winners were chosen and will be presented with prizes and recognition in March. The $150 for the 150th celebration fundraiser has had 13 donations and an official form has been shared with members who will print copies and distribute throughout the community. Discussion was had about other fundraising efforts including the possibility of selling merchandise during the 2023 Prairie Days event. There was also discussion about doing an online auction to sell duplicate items at the museum such as yearbooks and miscellaneous pieces that are not on exhibit. A contact at the school has also offered to produce products that would be ideal for fundraising via auction. President Vicki Wright requested that the contact be invited to the next meeting in March. The Sesquicentennial event will be on Aug. 10, 2024, and Sept. 28, 2024. The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:30 a.m.