Where were you in 1978?

Seems like yesterday, '78 that is, so when we looked in the Wapella.com archives 32 years ago in search of some old-timey material related to the Clinton Nuclear Plant, this old dusty still shines, a top list of conversation starters at Wapella establishments from the olden times.

7) That Bea Arthur has to wear a lot of makeup *not* to be a beautiful women. She really hides her candle under a bushel basket.

6) You ever think about robbing a bank? I know some of the security guards in Chestnut and they are not all they are cracked up to be

5) There is no way the Little River Band could top their hit Reminiscing, never. (Only to be eclipsed by the 1981 Ballad "Take it easy on me")

4) That Loni Anderson is a fox. But the girl that plays Bailey is better looking

3) If the Cubs could have re-signed George Mitterwald, I would like their chances a little better.

2) M*A*S*H could survive without Wayne Rogers, but they could never replace the great McLean Stevenson.

1) I could sure go for one of those hot dogs on the rotisserie. I wonder how long those things have been in there (Also #1 in 1979)

Let's have a little something for Pernell Roberts, May 18, 1928 – January 24, 2010, one of the most affable actors in Hollywood. Thanks for the good times Adam Cartwright, or Trapper John MD, for making it look easy.

Wapella Welcomes A New Toohill with a Trifecta

Layne Ranae Toohill born 09/09/09 to Joe Toohill and Ashlee Leake. Layne was born 8 lb 4 oz. She is the 11th grandchild of Pat (and the late) Sue Toohill.

More Toohills are always a welcome sight in Wapella!

image Mt. Carantuohill, the highest peak in Ireland.

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Richard Cundiff

Richard “Dick” Cundiff, 83, of Heyworth died Saturday (Jan. 30, 2010) at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal.

His funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Wapella. Burial will be in Longpoint Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, Heyworth. Memorial gifts may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation; St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Wapella; or Advocate BroMenn Hospice.

Richard was born April 30, 1926, in New Haven, Ky., to Austin and Selma Whalen Cundiff. He married Wanda Slayback Cundiff on May 7, 1949, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Wapella. She survives.

Also surviving are a son, Rick (Nancy) Cundiff, Bloomington; three brothers, Thomas Cundiff, Springfield; Emmett (Doris) Cundiff, Clinton; and Frank Cundiff, California; four grandchildren, Carrie (Mike) Lee, Normal; Maggie Cundiff, Orlando, Fla.; Kellie Cundiff, Chicago; and Randy Tomera, Bloomington; two great-granddaughters, Abbie and Katie Lee; and two nephews, David Slayback and David Rousey, Heyworth, whom he was instrumental in raising.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister.

Richard attended Wapella High School and Illinois State Normal University.

He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for 38 years.

He loved sports, fishing, the Fighting Illini, stamp collecting and his family.

Richard Cundiff had a terrific knowledge of sports both as a participant and a spectator, and is regarded as one of the greatest athletes in Wildcat History. A gentleman, Richard Cundiff could cheer for one team without begrudging an opponent. Richard traveled with both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs and was well known among each team's organization including personal friendships with Cardinal Great Lou Brock and Cub and White Sox great Ron Santo.

Richard carried on the long Wildcat tradition of assigning multiple near non-sequitur nicknames to his friends and collected many of them for himself, enjoying a colorful description as well as being able to deliver and take a good joke. He never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

All flags half mast please for WWII Army AIr Corp Veteran, Richard Cundiff

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Richard Cundiff

It is with great sorrow that we report the news that Richard Cundiff has died. Dick Cundiff was one of the all time great Wildcats, his home team in Wapella. In addition Richard was a great supporter and resident of much renown in Heyworth, where he lived for many years.

He is survived by his wife Wanda and many other friends and family members.

RIP Richard

RIP JD Salinger

Yeah, he wrote a great book and some really fine short stories. Then he became sort of like Orson Wells without the Gallo commercials. JD Salinger, author of The Catcher in the Rye has died at age 91.



But enough about Salinger, leave the man his privacy. Wapella has more than enough JD's to go around. I have counted up to 20 and just getting going. Any one have any extra JD's to toss around? Wapella demands it's JD's.

If Paulina Porizkova Were the Girl then....

Here's another quiz for you all. Back in 1978, the Cars had a hit (or did they) with My Best Friends Girl (as in the accompanying video). How high did it get up the charts? What else was ahead of it or behind it as the case may be? What song does it generate from?

This may be the best song of 1978, unless I am outvoted by the Board, I am going with it.

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Wayne Blake

Gerald Wayne Blake, age 88, a long time Wapella resident, passed away at Manor Court Nursing Home in Clinton, surrounded by his loving family at 12:35 p.m. January 16, 2010.

Friends may call the Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday. Services are set for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton. J. Kent Hickerson will officiate. Interment will follow at Oak Park Cemetery, Clinton with Military Honors.

Gerald Wayne was born in Alta, Iowa on November 3, 1921, a son of James Blake and Florence (Long) Blake. He married Ada Welch on April 3, 1948 in Clinton, Illinois. She survives.

Also surviving are: three daughters: Elaine (Richard) White, of Reddick, IL; Phyllis (Tom) Cyrulik, of Clinton, IL; Sheri (Roger) Knoy, of Clinton, IL; two sisters: Bonnie Watts, of Alta, IA; Coraleen Hale, of Maroa, IL; two brothers: Oscar Blake, of Traverse, FL; Troy (Clara) Blake, of Wapella, IL.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.

Grandfather of eight, Great-grandfather of nine, Great-great grandfather of four.

Wayne retired from FS fertilizer in Wapella, IL and was a member of the Wapella Fire for 53 years. Wayne was a veteran of World War II and was stationed in Alaska. Wayne enjoyed being with his family and friends and will be greatly missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wapella, Clinton or Kenney Fire Departments or First Christian Church, Clinton.

All Flags Half Mast for WW2 Veteran, Wayne Blake.

Help Out in Haiti

Nothing gets Wapella going like a disaster, and there sure is one in Haiti right now. My buddy from St. Louis, Paul Dubuque with his family started a hospital down there a few years ago and it is still going strong. They are in need right now.

Far be it from me to tell you what to do with your money, but here is a good point, there are worse places to give money to than a group of Doctors trying to do disaster relief in Haiti. If you want to give a few pieces of eight, have at it, these guys are as good as anyone at putting your money to work for charity.

Click here to donate to Sacred Heart Hospital (Hopital Sacre Coeur, for those who went to Mitchi Tucker's French). Your First Communion money will be used to help the sick and the poor.

Merci!

And a caribbean shanty to ease the pain.

Happy Birthday EEP!

Call the Fire Brigade, EEP is Turning 37 (can it be ?) today. A member of the fabled Wapella Board of Historians, EEP's hobbies include bare-knuckle boxing, smooth jazz, and flat black drag racing.

Here's Buck and Don saluting EEP and his family vacation to Orlando with a Tiger by the Tail.

Cat Mother Rock and Roll Medley

These guys aren't that original, but they do play some rock and roll. I think they played the beer garden at the Wapella Tap in 1988 or so.

Tough question, who produced their 1968 album The Street Giveth... and the Street Taketh Away?

Easy question, are they wearing costumes or those the clothes they showed up with?