Looking Back

By Arline Adamsick

The Peotone Vedette: July 28, 1972

“Village Board Considers Land Annexation Problems”

“Paul Rathje was at Tuesday night’s village board meeting to question the board’s philosophy concerning annexing additional land to the village. Rathje specifically questioned the board’s apparent favorable outlook concerning 17 acres of land east of the village, which was proposed at their last meeting to be annexed as R-2 (multiple family dwellings).

“If I understand the situation correctly, Rathje said, the sewerage treatment plant will not be able to handle the development of land already within the village limits, while Mayor Howard Scrivens reiterated his statements of the past saying he would personally rather see homes built and not apartments.

“Board member Robert Cross, who was not at the last board meeting said, ‘I, for one, don’t feel we should annex 17 acres strictly for R-2. We’ll get enough apartments later.’

“Trustee Harris Koehn agreed but pointed out the board’s main concern in annexation of additional land was control of developments near the village. It is better to have these developments annexed to the village than to have the same land developed outside the corporate limits, where we have no control.

“The major stumbling block, of course, to any future development in the village is the verdict from the state EPA that the present sewerage treatment plant is only capable of handling an additional 550 to 600 people. At the very least, the board agreed it would be only fair to spread this limited sewage treatment capacity evenly among the developers in the village.

“Along these same lines, the board spent some time comparing the fees for building permits, sewer hookups, etc., with those charges in surrounding towns. The comparisons showed the fees charged in Peotone were considerably lower than those charged in other towns, and the matter is to be looked into further.”

“Village Stops Pickup of Tree Branches, Brush”

“The Peotone Village Board announced Tuesday night that under no circumstances will the village pick up tree branches or brush. The board said it was plain and simple – they just don’t have any place to dispose of the material. The board has an application pending with the state for a burn permit, but as of Tuesday night there had been no action taken. In a later development, the village received a letter from Attorney General William Scott stating he had recommended a variance be granted to the village for their burn permit. The matter now goes back to the State Pollution Control Agency.”

The Manteno News: July 27, 1972

Gov. Richard Ogilvie signed the lease whereby the Village of Manteno acquired the right to take over and operate the 45-acre nine-hole golf course at the south end of Manteno State Hospital’s campus. Arrangements were made through the offices of Senator Edward McBroom. In addition to Gov. Ogilvie and Sen. McBroom, those at the signing included Gerald Jarvis – village president, Merle Broom – past president of the Manteno Chamber, and John Collier – superintendent of the State Hospital.

According to the agreement… “Manteno has agreed to maintain the nine-hole course for 20 years, with an option for an additional 20 years, in exchange for a token rental of $1 per year. The village will be permitted to install any facilities it deems necessary for the operation of the golf course, as long as they are not private.

“The agreement was praised by McBroom as an excellent example of governmental cooperation in the public interest. The senator declared, ‘Manteno will get a much-needed recreational facility, the state will be rid of a white elephant, and hospital patients able to use the course will be brought into contact with the community.’

“The golf course was built 13 years ago for the exclusive use of patients and employees at the hospital. Since 1969, however, the population of the institution has dropped, and the average patient age increased.

“As an offshoot of Gov. Ogilvie’s drive to get patients out of large institutions and into more home-like smaller area centers, McBroom said Manteno residents will be playing golf more often. The course had fallen into disuse as patients moved away, and it was no longer worth the money needed for its upkeep.”

Those residents who were freshening up their homes could get a great deal on paint at Manteno True Value Hardware. Tru-Test Supreme exterior latex or oil base house paint, regularly $8.98 a gallon, was on sale at two gallons for $13.

It seems there might have been a common theme traveling down Rt. 50. Peotone acted on this matter previously, and now Manteno was making sure its residents knew… “Introduction of storm waters or surface waters into the sanitary sewer system of the Village of Manteno is prohibited as of August 1, 1972. So, watch the runoff from gutters and sump pumps!! The penalty for not complying is a minimum fine of $25 or not more than $100 for each violation.”

Remember the fun you had at the plethora of ice cream socials offered during the summers? The United Presbyterian Church was hosting one Friday, July 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. For a single donation of 50¢, one could enjoy a lovely summer evening, and even a beverage was included.

Bought any eggs lately? I got some last week, and they were around 16¢ per egg – on sale. Back in 1972, an individual egg was only 3¢. Stay tuned – waiting to see what corn on the cob is going for in 1972 – so far, no mention of a sale, but it is a little early!! Currently, it seems to be selling for 50¢ an ear!!!

The Beecher Herald: July 27, 1972

“Plan to Build Hospital in Park Forest South”

“Announcement last week of plans for the location of a branch of Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center and School in Park Forest South has brought years of planning for a health facility in the south suburban area to within reach. Revelation of the plan, by Dr. James Campbell, president of the medical center, came at a brunch hosted last Thursday by the Service League of Governors General Health Services.

“The proposed facility, which will be a teaching hospital, as well as a health care center of 200 beds, will depend on community commitment of $4 million. Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s will provide $8 million for what ultimately will be a $12 million medical facility. Lewis Manilow, who previously had pledged property in Park Forest South for such a facility, noted ‘definite plans for a medical complex have long been awaited. We are delighted our association will be with Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s.’

“The 40-acre site donated by Manilow is north of Stuenkel Road, adjacent to Governors State University’s campus, and just east of the Illinois Central line.

“Adding that Schaumburg also will receive a medical facility, he said the two communities were selected based on need, as well as on community desire, land commitment, and pledges for financing. He also noted the two new hospitals can be completed in from three-to-five years, depending upon how quickly funds are raised.

“Funds will come not only from community commitment, but also from such hospital construction grants as Hill-Burton and mental health funds, Health, Education and Welfare monies, and federal New Town grants. In selecting Park Forest South as a location, Campbell also noted the promise of a planned community, as well as the proximity of Governors State University. The Park Forest South facility will be of a new type designed to provide out-patient care, as well as hospitalization for acute diseases. Its design will enable future expansion.”

The Great Midwest Fair was at Balmoral Park July 25 – 30 and was advertised as the world’s largest midway – bigger and better than Riverview. They also had some famous entertainment provided in the free grandstand shows, including, Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, Ray Price and Don Rice III, The Statler Brothers and James Darren, plus Dawn and Donna Fargo. Fair admission was $2.50, children six-12 were $1.50, with kids under six free.

The Crete Record: July 27, 1972

“Money Cuts Sought by School Board”

“Tightening the belt and finding new ways to cut costs without endangering education offered students in District 201-U kept the school board busy until well after midnight on Monday evening.

“Among the many problems was the denial by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction of the proposal to drop seniors from the physical education program. According to a letter from Richard Small, Director II, Recognition and Supervision, the request was denied because of the onsite evaluation of the existing facilities and program, as a physical education consultant from the OSPI had visited the Crete-Monee facilities during the latter part of the school year.

“This year, there will be 40-to-50 students in each physical education class, and lockers must be shared. Dr. John Savage, district superintendent, advanced the hope students and personnel would have patience and understanding if the state office remains adamant in its decision.

“School Board President Edward Epstein declared this will handicap all students in the high school, and we should not accept the decision without an argument. He recommended Dr. Savage get state representatives back and make an issue of it. Jerry Rice suggested a consultant from the curriculum section of the state office come out, in addition to the physical education consultant, and agreed with Epstein’s statement that this is severely handicapping education. Dr. Savage will get in touch with Small once again.”

“The inevitable happened Saturday night when fire erupted in a mountain of dead trees piled just south of Renzi’s White Horse Tavern on Dixie Highway around 10 p.m. Crete Township Fire Department was assisted at the blaze by the Crete Fire Department, each fielding three units. Tankers shuttled back and forth refilling with water to quench the stubborn fire. The trees are diseased elms cut and dumped there during several years by B.R. Winemiller Tree Service. They now amount to twin piles, each about 10 feet high and nearly a block long. The property also is waist-high in weeds, heavily wooded, and adjacent to Queen’s Estates Trailer Park.” Sounds like a bit of an eye-sore, in addition to being a hazard.

Sauk Trail Drive -In: “Marooned,” with Gregory Peck, and “Valdez is Coming,” with Burt Lancaster.

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Have a wonderful week and don’t forget downtown Peotone will be buzzing on Saturday with the annual Car Show! Life is Good!!!