How Time Flies for August 23, 2008:

100 years ago

Aug. 23, 1908: From the Saybrook Gazette: R.F. "Dick" Chainey of Saybrook has an old drum from the Garfield campaign of 1880. He says it needs a new coat of varnish but fears re-varnishing would destroy the rich tone it has developed over the years.

75 years ago

Aug. 23, 1933: Sign of the times: the newspaper ran a list of delinquent property taxpayers (as it still does). With eight columns to a page, the list was ten pages long. The list encompassed all of McLean County, including Bloomington-Normal.

50 years ago

Aug. 23, 1958: The rented home of Mr. and Mrs. James Embry of Barnes burned down. Towanda Fire Chief Wayne Young said the blaze was discovered about 1:30 p.m. Firemen could save only the washing machine and a few tools. A Bloomington woman owns the house.

25 years ago

Aug. 23, 1983: The Franklin Park neighbors who want to save the brick streets are cool to contributing money for the work. The city surveyed 123 of them on the idea of forming a special taxing district. Of the 47 who responded, 42 were against the idea.