Looking Back

By Arline Adamsick

The Manteno News: October 12, 1972

“Village Board Holds Two Special Meetings”

“Manteno’s Village Board did double duty this past week, as they held two special meetings in four days, even working on a holiday.

“Last Thursday evening, the board met to consider the village role in the proposed Manteno Municipal Golf Course. Several representatives of the Chamber of Commerce were present, and village officials were sympathetic to the need for financing the project.

“But, after receiving the opinion from village attorney Patrick Power that revenue bonds were the only avenue of municipal financing, Chamber members decided the quickest approach was via private capital and decided to pursue this route.

“Harold Jacobs moved that a rider be added to the village insurance policy to cover the golf course property, and the motion was unanimously approved.

“Chief Sneed announced that during the period until Halloween, villagers could call the village hall directly between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. He indicated police would be dispatched from the village hall directly, and it would not be necessary to call the county sheriff’s office to have the message relayed, as is the situation at other times. Chief Sneed also indicated that, in his opinion, there is a difference between a Halloween prank and criminal damage to property, which would be prosecuted in adult or juvenile court.

“In Monday night’s meeting, Tom Flatland of Howard Voss Associates, presented the sewer bond issue proposals to the board, giving them a preview of presentations to follow in the community.”

Don’t hear much about this fall event anymore, but it was very popular 50-60 years ago…

“Manteno Pioneers Hold Hayrack Ride”

“Approximately 40 members of the Manteno Pioneers 4-H Cub enjoyed a hayrack ride and wiener roast at the home of Bill Kannberg last Saturday night. During the short business meeting, the president appointed a committee to plan the Christmas party. New members this year are Alan Sangler, Noel Burke, Fred LeSage, Holly and Deanine Hupe, Tony and Eric Wilkey, and Tom, Greg, and David LaMore.”

At Kasco Foods: Pork chops – 79¢/lb.; country-style spareribs – 68¢/lb.; Sealtest ice cream – 69¢/half gallon; yellow onions – 39¢/3-lb. bag; cabbage – 9¢/lb.; and Meadowmoor cottage cheese – 59¢/2-lb. container.

The Beecher Herald: October 12, 1972

“Beecher School Board Hears Several Reports”

“At the meeting on Monday, the board of education adopted a resolution stating the Health and Safety Code work has been completed at the high school. Jack Keller reported the Health-Safety work presently on-going at the elementary school is progressing well and with the least inconvenience to students and faculty. Half of the roofing repair work also is completed. This work has not progressed as rapidly as anticipated, partly due to inclement weather.

“Supt. Keller advised the board the assessed valuation for the school district is $19,870,473. This is an increase of $1,800,000. Our levy for funds with a legal limit was based upon anticipating approximately $20,000,000, so our district should receive the money levied for next year at its September meeting.

“He also reported outside mercury lights had been installed at the elementary school. Several of the existing outside fixtures have been moved to gain maximum lighting. One mercury light is being installed on the east side of the bus garage. It also was necessary to install a new smokestack at the elementary school, as the old one had holes in it. The cost of this project was $995.

“A new state project for helping gifted students has been submitted for approval. If accepted, Beecher schools should receive $1,300 every year for three years. The first year will be spent in training teachers, identification of gifted students, and preparing materials for them. Five-or-six teachers will be selected by outside sources, based upon their interest and ability to work with gifted students with whom they will work individually during the second year of the project. These teachers also will work with the entire staff during the second year so that they, in turn, will be able to help the gifted students during the third year of the project.

“The school district also should receive approximately $6,000 this school year from the state for vocational education. The reimbursement is based upon the type of courses offered and the number of students enrolled in approved courses.”

Ever give it a thought about how one’s water meter is read? Most of us just receive a bill in the mail, and that’s the end of it! Back in the day, meters were located inside the homes, and the meter reader needed to access the house to get a reading. Therefore, the paper published a schedule, so homeowners could inform the village if they were not going to be home during that period. How things have changed.

Fall traditionally features many bazaars and church suppers, and Beecher, in 1972, was no different. Included in the many activities going on were: AMVETS – fish fry, a Halloween Dance, Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast, a Poultry Party; St. John’s Women’s Guild – a luncheon at the Community Hall; Peotone Firemen – their annual dance at the Atrium; St. John UCC – a bazaar; St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Grant Park – a Turkey Supper; and the Village of Goodenow was holding their annual Fall Festival. All but the Poultry Party provided a fun activity for October.

The Crete Record: October 12, 1972

“Crete, Steger Boards Have Meeting of Minds”

“Trustees of the Crete and Steger Village Boards held an amicable meeting on Thursday, October 5, to discuss a variety of mutual concerns, foremost of them being annexation to the Sanitary District of Bloom Township.

“While specifics remain to be worked out by the full boards of both communities, there was general agreement Crete is ready to seek annexation, and Steger will have to annex eventually. The Steger board is apparently split on whether to seek annexation now.

“Before making a definite decision regarding annexation at this time, the Steger board will await a comprehensive engineering report on its plant. Although the engineering firm to make the study has yet to be selected, the board expects to have a report within a month.

“Pending a meeting of the entire board of trustees from each village, those present tentatively agreed to offer a lump sum token contribution from each village in lieu of the Sanitary District’s current requirement of a $300 per family unit annexation fee. Such a fee, if enforced, would mean an expenditure of approximately $300,000 from Crete and about $700,000 from Steger. The lump sum offer would be contingent on a final ruling by the Steger board to go for annexation now.

“Working in favor of a much-reduced entrance fee is the fact the state has been encouraging large sanitary districts because of their efficiency and economy, rather than many small sewerage treatment plants, each requiring full time operators.

“It would be impossible for either municipality to come up with their share of the anticipated $1,000,000 annexation fee from corporate funds and almost unenforceable to obtain such a contribution from every single homeowner or apartment dweller, especially in view of the large numbers of retirees on fixed incomes in both villages.

“Crete has been on notice for nearly three years that its sewerage disposal plant does not meet the EPA requirements, and the EPA has placed a stop on all building in the village that would require new sewer lines. The sole exemption is in Swiss Valley, where connection is to the small new plant there.”

Sauk Trail Drive-In: “Company of Killers,” with Van Johnson and Ray Milland, plus Clint Eastwood in “Joe Kidd.”

The Peotone Vedette: October 13, 1972

“Board Hears Plans for Storm Sewer Project”

“The Peotone Village Board moved a step closer Tuesday night to completing plans for installation of storm sewers in the remaining part of the village not yet covered.

“Village engineer James Mulford presented plans for completing the project in two phases. The first phase would cover the southeast section of the village, including the main trunk line at an estimated cost of $487,840. The second phase would cover the remaining portion of the village east of the railroad at an estimated cost of $217,830.

“Mulford said the system was being designed to handle a two-inch rainfall in one hour. He pointed out the new system would have a capacity of 90-cubic-feet per second at the outlet. This compares to the present capacity of the sanitary sewer of 17-cubic-feet per second at the outlet.

“‘As you can see,’ Mulford said, ‘taking this much additional water out of the sanitary sewer system and putting it in a storm sewer will virtually eliminate storm water backing up into basements through the sanitary sewer system.’

“On the advice of the village attorney and the village engineer, the board will attempt to have a financial consultant present for their next meeting to assist with the financial planning. The project will be funded with a combination of general obligation bonds and water-sewer revenue bonds.

“If, after further consultation with village advisors, the plans still prove feasible, village residents would be asked to vote on the proposal through a bond issue.”

The Blue Devil football team traveled to Elgin and in a game against Elgin Academy, and they brought home a win, 35-8.

*****

That’s it for now and another wonderful fall week to celebrate – including Peotone’s Homecoming festivities. Do you have your pumpkins, yet? Life is Good!! Oh, just a thought: Does anyone else in Peotone have the company of black squirrels in their neighborhood? Can’t say for sure if it’s more than one, but there is at least one very healthy little guy scampering around my yard. Believe me, you can’t miss them!!!