Looking Back

By Arline Adamsick

The Crete Record: March 22, 1973

“Board Hears Attitudes on Year-Round School”

“Considerably more parents were in favor of the 45-15 plan for year-round school following a presentation on the subject than had been in favor before they learned more about it. That was one of the attitude changes to come from a recent workshop held at Hickory Schools, as reported by Dr. Larry Beckley to the 201-U School Board Monday night.

“The report was the latest in a series begun in January 1972 to explore the various aspects of the 45-15 plan as it might apply to the Crete-Monee School District. The workshop was held for invited representatives of each school in the district – parents, teachers, and administrators. An attitude survey was taken before and after the presentation.

“The final question on the survey dealt with the fact district growth in student population will require a change in operations. A choice of six alternatives was offered, including split shifts, extended day, open campus, 45-15 year-round, four quarter plan with 60 days per quarter and students attending three-quarters each year, or larger class sizes.

“Forty-five percent of the parents favored the 45-15 plan before learning more about it, with 59 percent in favor afterwards. The figures for teachers were 69 percent in favor before and 91 percent in favor after, while 62 percent of administrators were in favor before and 89 percent after.

“Among the most frequently expressed parental concerns have been: Can we maintain the quality of education on 45-15? Space needs in the district are not yet critical, especially with the new junior high being planned; Will work opportunities diminish for high school students; and what efforts will be made to gauge community support for year-round school?

“Asked whether some other alternative could be offered, such as building construction, Superintendent Dr. John Savage responded that more construction is not an alternative, since the district will not have sufficient bonding power for more buildings after the new junior high is built.

“Kenton Viers commented that people still are not convinced of the need for a drastic change in the school calendar. Dr. Beckley agreed but pointed out it is better to plan now than later when the need is so apparent the school district cannot catch up.”

“Shoplifter Reported at Schweer’s Store”

“Shoplifters took advantage of a quick opportunity to steal merchandise last week from Schweer Appliances on Main Street. While acting as registrar, Mrs. Emma Schweer was busy registering a new voter, when a young man, who had been examining merchandise in the front of the store, suddenly went out the door in a great hurry.

“After checking, Mrs. Schweer discovered a lady’s Sunbeam electric shaver and a large batter-operated lantern were missing. Frank Ray, of the Crete Paint Store located across the street, informed Mrs. Schweer he noticed a young man run down the street and jump into a station wagon at about the time of the robbery. Ray told her he appeared to be carrying some large object as he ran.”

The Beecher Herald: March 22, 1973

Still discussing a junior college district…

According to the article: “All school districts, which are not part of a junior college district, can join a district before July 1. This can be done in two ways: (1) two-thirds of the registered voters can petition to join a particular junior college, or (2) 500 registered voters can sign a petition to have an election to determine if the Beecher School District should become part of a junior college district.

“A school district must have a contiguous boundary with a district that already belongs to a junior college district. This means, at the present time, Beecher School District voters could petition to join either the Kankakee Junior College or Prairie State Junior College. However, if the Peotone School District would join the Joliet Junior College District, it then would be legal for Beecher also to join the Joliet Junior College District.

“If the people of the Beecher School District do not make a choice before July 1, the Beecher School District Board could make a resolution asking to join a Junior College District. The Junior College District also would have to pass a resolution accepting the district. If either the people of Beecher or the school board take no action, the State Junior College Board will place Beecher in a junior college district.

“If the people of Beecher voted not to be a part of a junior college district, then the school district would have to pay out-of-district fees for every junior college student who resides in the Beecher School District.

“It should be pointed out the Junior College Board has the final say in what junior college district Beecher would be placed. However, the College Board usually abides by the wishes of the citizens.

At the Holiday Theatre: “Across 110^th Street,” featuring Anthony Quinn and Anthony Franciosa.

The Peotone Vedette: March 23, 1973

“Illinois Central Train Derails in Peotone”

“The disaster Peotone village officials and many residents had been fearing very nearly occurred at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, as 16 cars of a southbound Illinois Central freight train derailed just south of Wilmington Road.

“Had the cars jumped the track north of the village, they could have hit Bennett Industries or possibly the Peotone Farmers Elevator, or just a short distance back up the track, the Standard Oil bulk plant. Fortunately, the cars jumped the track south of the village and, although there was considerable damage, there were no injuries.

“According to Frank Malloy of the Illinois Central, there were nine cars containing auto parts, one car transport full of new cars, one car full of granulated cattle salt, and four empty cars. The railroad estimated damage to the cars, track, etc., at $91,700, but there was no immediate estimate on damage to any of the contents.

“Peotone Police had two men on duty all night, as train crews worked to clear the wreckage. Trains began moving slowly through the area at approximately 10 a.m. yesterday morning. Officials hoped to have both tracks clear later in the afternoon.

“Although railroad officials could not immediately determine the cause of the accident, Police Chief Thomas Ivanoff said it appeared the cars left the track near the Standard bulk plant but stayed upright until they got just south of the Wilmington Road crossing.

“As far back as May 14, 1971, village officials have been in contact with the Illinois Central and the Interstate Commerce Commission concerning the condition of the railroad’s roadbed through the village.

“There have been two other derailments in or near the village. The first occurred April 23, 1966, when seven cars of a northbound IC freight derailed just after it passed over the Main Street crossing. There were no injuries in the accident.

“Probably the worst derailment occurred in June of the same year, when a passenger train carrying more than 300 passengers left the tracks approximately three-quarters of a mile north of Peotone. The 12-car train was the Green Diamond, bound for Chicago from St. Louis. Seven cars at the end of the train were derailed, with the last four being completely off the tracks. Passengers on the train included 266 youngsters from junior high schools, with 16 of them taken to area hospitals. The remaining 290 passengers were taken to the Atrium at the Will County Fairgrounds in school buses.”

The Manteno News: March 22, 1973

“Village Board Makes Referrals on Two Additions”

“Manteno’s Village Board on Monday evening made two referrals of newly planned subdivisions at opposite ends of the village. A plat for a 22-lot subdivision at the south edge of Manteno, to be known as Wright Estates, was referred to the Plan Commission for its recommendation. The referral to the Environmental Protection Agency of the plans for an 18-lot addition to the north end of the village also was approved by the board.

“Arnold Ludwig appeared at the meeting, with 27 employees, to ask village protection against any possible overt interference with construction on an addition to his factory. He indicated he had been personally threatened and was concerned about the dangers of possible sabotage. The board acknowledged its duty to give police protection to the factory and all its personnel.

“The board voted to authorize the expenditure of $2,500 to the development of Merchants’ Court Park, $1,500 to the development of W.R. Hendrickson Park, and to withhold further funds on the development of Lucille Thies Park until the drainage problems were solved at that park.”

Found this in the classifieds that week: At the Meadowview Theatre in Kankakee, “Held over – second week – “Pete and Tillie,” starring Walter Matthau, Carol Burnett, and Geraldine Page (nominated for best supporting actress)

At the Town Cinema, “Carry on Doctor” and “Carry on Camping,” both R rated comedies were featured.

Manteno Foods was celebrating its ninth anniversary with these sales: Coke – eight 16-oz bottles/69¢; two super-size bars of Zest soap – 39¢; Jay’s Potato Chips – 10 oz. package for 49¢; Good Luck Margarine – three for $1; Brooks Hot Chili Beans – three 22 oz. cans for $1; five pounds of red or white grapefruit – 69¢; three rolls of Scot jumbo towels $1; and seven 10-1/2 oz. cans of Campbell’s vegetable soup for $1.

*****

Have a great week, it’s officially spring, and Life is Good!!