Looking Back

By Arline Adamsick

The Beecher Herald: October 7, 1973

“Village to Provide Crossing Guards”

“Action taken at the village board meeting Monday night included adopting a resolution to provide three school crossing guards and amending an existing ordinance to reduce the vehicle sticker fee for senior citizens to $1.

“After a lengthy discussion about funding the school patrol project and expressions of concern about other crossing areas in the village, which also could be considered dangerous, the board decided to initiate the program.

“Guards will be posted at Indiana Avenue and Rt. 1, Miller Street and the high school drive, and Penfield and Catalpa or Maxwell Streets for the half hour periods before and after school. They also plan to provide guards at the highway during the noon hours, when the grade school youngsters cross to eat lunch at Dari-Lite. The safety committee was authorized to interview applicants for the job.

“While the board believes this will provide safe crossing areas for the most dangerous through streets in town, they expressed concern for the youngsters crossing Oak Park Avenue on their way to Zion Lutheran School. It was pointed out the school has a safety patrol, which is doing a good job of handling the crossing traffic. However, the board will look at the possibility of making the Penfield-Oak Park intersection a four-way stop to slow down traffic in that area.”

What a popular and charming destination, and Beecher senior citizens were on their way – probably to enjoy the marvelous cinnamon buns for which the Milk Pail was so famous. At the time, my family and I were living only about two miles from the complex and often enjoyed those marvelous buns! They were a real treat, in fact, I still can almost taste them, and I still have a soup tureen that was purchased at the Hager Pottery Warehouse. Ahh, such memories…

“Trip to Pottery Set for Beecher Senior Citizens”

“The senior citizens of the Beecher area will leave by bus from the Community Hall promptly at 8:30 a.m. October 17, to travel to Hager Pottery in Dundee, with lunch at the Milk Pail.”

“Sign of the Times”

“From the Lucedate, Mississippi, George County Times: ‘A sign in the window of a Grand Island, Nebraska, butcher advertises T-bone for 59 cents a pound. But in smaller letters at the bottom, it says, ‘With Meat, $2.06 a pound.’”

“Kirk Douglas to Appear at PF Plaza”

“Many 24-year-old females would enjoy a visit from movie star Kirk Douglas as a birthday present. Park Forest Plaza is 24 years old this month and whether it’s female or not, Douglas will pay a visit. With his wife, Anne, Douglas will be at the Plaza Clocktower stage Thursday, October 11, at 7 p.m. Douglas will talk about his new film, ‘Scalawag,’ whose Midwest premier October 18 at the Plaza’s Holiday Theatre will be a benefit performance of the local Big Brothers program. There is no charge for Douglas’ appearance at the Plaza.”

The Peotone Vedette: October 12, 1973

“Village Board Ok’s Two Subdivision Plans”

“Two long pending development plans were approved by the Peotone Village Board Tuesday night: One for 14 lots in Peotone Manor and the other for 11 lots in Walnut Bluff. In both cases, the approval was for the first unit in a larger planned subdivision. Land in Peotone Manor is owned by Paul Rathje and is being developed by Chuck Bruti. A letter from the plan commission gave its approval to the subdivision plans, with certain limitations.

“Chief hang-up to prior approval of the plans was the objection of farmers in the area that water from the development would flow westward onto their farms. The plan commission noted that (because of a planned retention pond) the water would be no more than the present flow.

“‘However,’ the letter noted, ‘when more lots than these are to be presented for approval, the developers must present a plan for the additional lots. This plan must show a method of disposing of further water so as not to flow southward, as water from the above 14 lots will flow. It was thought the flow from additional lots will empty into a retaining pond to the east.’

“Plans for the Walnut Bluff development of Ralph Yunker and Ken Pearson also were accepted, based on the recommendation of the plan commission. Drainage of water from the first 11 lots will remain on property owned by the developers. They already have their EPA water and sewer permits.”

It was time for Homecoming…

“Parade, Game, Dance Highlight Homecoming”

“The Peotone High School Blue Devils will entertain the Momence Redskins this Saturday at 2 p.m. The varsity game will be preceded by the sophomore game beginning at noon. The Homecoming Parade will be a 5 p.m., beginning at the high school and ending at the Bowling Alley. Rain date for the parade is 10 a.m. on Saturday. The Homecoming Dance will be held from 7-10 p.m. Saturday evening at the Atrium. Time of the dance has been moved up one hour to avoid conflict with the Fireman’s Dance, which will be held later in the evening at the Atrium.” Fifty years ago, the Atrium really was a busy place on Saturday nights!

The Manteno News: October 11, 1973

“Highway Store is Now Jerry’s Bi-Rite”

“Manteno’s grocery-store-on-the-highway has changed hands and is now independently owned by a husband and wife team well-steeped in grocery management. Jerry and Karen Reingardt came to Manteno from Westmont, where for the past two-and-a-half years they were in partnership with Keith Selk in operating an independent grocery store.

“Jerry was born and reared on a large dairy farm near Hinckley in DeKalb County. Active in baseball, basketball, and band, he graduated from Hinckley High School. Northern Illinois University claimed him for three years before he joined the Rudy’s Supermarket staff in Aurora, where he spent another three-year period. He was made manager of the meat market in the Danville Rudy’s store for the following three years before being transferred to manage the meat market at Rudy’s Joliet east store.

“Jerry’s Bi-Rite Grocery is the culmination of a longtime dream of the Reingardts. Mr. Reingardt had hoped to own and operate such a store ever since he was in high school.

“Mrs. Reingardt was born and attended both elementary and high school in Weston, West Virginia. She went on to the University of West Virginia, transferred to NIU, and there met her future husband. After a 27-day courtship, the couple was married in February 1965. They are the parents of Benjamin, who is four, and Aaron – two.

“Eager to please their Manteno customers, Jerry and Karen are continuing their long-time policy of giving service and satisfaction to the best of their abilities. The grand opening of their first family business begins today, and the Reingardts extend a cordial welcome to all to visit their newly cleaned and stocked store.”

On sale during their Grand Opening that week were: Whole chickens – 39¢/lb.; country-style chicken breasts – 69¢/lb.; Oscar Mayer bacon – $1.19/lb.; Jonathan apples – 59¢/3 lbs.; Meadow Gold 2% milk – 49¢/half gallon; and an eight-pack of 7-Up – 49¢, plus deposit. In addition to free gifts and merchandise, the store also was giving away two free bikes.

And this thought…“Wisdom may come with age, but so often death arrives first.” Thomaston, Georgia, “Times”; and “Some people speak from experience. Others, from experience, don’t speak.” Great Lakes, Illinois, “Antenna.”

The Crete Record: October 11, 1973

–File photo.

“Crete Pharmacy Thwarts Future Theft Attempts”

“Following a recent burglary, the owners of the Crete Pharmacy on Main Street have installed a new Certified Sonic System, which will thwart any future attempts of burglary of the store’s merchandise. The system, which detects any movement in the store, no matter what method of entry is used, is hooked up directly to the Crete Police Station and is in effect at present.”

“Ordinance Requested to Control Parking”

“A recommendation concerning the parking of commercial vehicles was agreed upon by the Crete Village Board Monday night at their regular meeting. Trustee Ed Newton, with his committee, recommended the overnight parking of all commercial vehicles be prohibited on all village streets and in residential areas. The board requested Attorney Wallace Solum draw up such an ordinance to be presented at the next regular meeting of the board on Monday, October 22.

“Other vehicles also came into the discussion when the sad story of the current police cars was told. The police department owns two cars, one a ’72 and the other a ’73 Dodge, both of which have needed many repairs in the past few months. The ’72 model was scheduled to be replaced as soon as the new models are all in dealers’ showrooms. However, Trustee Wendall Regnier asked the board to consider replacing both vehicles this year.

“According to Police Chief Richard Lueder, new brakes have had to be installed on the ’73 car and more than $700 has been put into repairs for that car. Lueder said he personally does not believe it runs as smoothly as the older car. While he cannot anticipate what part of the car might fail next, he is worried about its condition with the winter months coming up. Regnier told the board there have been times when both cars were laid up at the same time, necessitating the use of a third car owned jointly by Crete, Beecher, and Monee

“After hearing this, the board authorized issuing an emergency appropriation to allocate a sum of money from the Civil Defense Fund to contribute toward the purchase of a second squad car. They then authorized the request for bids for two cars, subject to the passage of the emergency appropriation.”

How about this sale at Roberts Shoes in South Chicago Heights…Women’s suede boots, regularly $9.97 were on sale for $3.97? There also was quite the sale on steel-toed shoes and boots, ranging from $13 to $17.

At the Sauk Trail Drive-In: “They Call Me Trinity” and “Trinity Is Still My Name.”

*****

Have a wonderful week and enjoy this really cool fall weather – for some of us – it feels very, very, very good!!!! It also seems it’s time to bring some of those tender plants – like basil – inside for a night or two. Fall really is here – Life is Good!!!