Looking Back

By Arline Adamsick

The Manteno News: November 30, 1972

“It’s Election Time Again – This Time for High School Homecoming Queen”

“Five Manteno High School girls are vying for the title of Homecoming Queen, to reign over the homecoming basketball game and semi-formal dance on December 15. Nominated by the M Cub to the Homecoming Court are seniors Diana Harman, Peggy Brust, Noemi Gomez, and juniors Robin Stegle and Diane Baker.

“Each girl has placed containers in various business locations in which residents may place money for the candidate of their choice. Each girl also has business managers, who are collecting money on behalf of their candidate. The girl who is credited with the most money serves as queen, while the other four will be members of her court.

“This year’s Homecoming format has been changed slightly from earlier years, as the dance will follow the Homecoming game between Manteno and St. Anne on Friday, instead of being held on Saturday. The dance also will be semi-formal instead of formal. The various school clubs will, as in the past, create their individual decorations following a sport theme.”

I know things have changed in 50 years, but this is quite dramatic. Just last week, I was grocery shopping and pot roast, on sale, was more than $6 a pound. In the November 30, 1972, edition of the paper, Kasco Foods had pot roast on sale for 69¢ a pound. Basically, everything else in that ad should show similar comparisons…Bread – 18¢/1 lb. loaf; half gallon ice cream – 47¢; and Hills Brothers Coffee – $1.49 for a two-lb. can.

It wasn’t just food that showed such a vast range of prices from present times, but gifts for the holidays also were included, such as: a Sunbeam blender, Hamilton Beach electric knife, GE electric can opener, or a Mirromatic electric frying pan – your choice $14.88. A Corning Ware electric 10-cup percolater was $19.99, while a B-D utility Jig Saw was only $9.99.

“What? No French?”

“Secretary of State John Lewis announced that “Rules of the Road” booklets in Spanish, Polish, German, and Italian are being distributed to all drivers license examining stations throughout the state. Secretary of State Lewis stated each station will have copies of all four foreign language editions by December 1. Lewis said the new editions will enable foreign speaking residents to study the “Rules of the Road” in their own language before attempting to obtain an Illinois driver’s license.

The Beecher Herald: November 30, 1972

“Village Christmas Tree to Be Decorated Sunday”

“A reminder: All who will help decorate the village tree for the Christmas season are asked to meet at the “Beecher Herald” office at 1 p.m., this Sunday, December 3. Many helpers make this a fun project. If only a few people show up, there is apt to be grumbling about the fact that the same few end up doing the job every year. Coffee and a light lunch will be served in the “Beecher Herald” office by a group of lady volunteers.”

“Bobcats Drop First Two Games to C-M, Lemont”

“By Jim Baker

“The Bobcat cagers were out muscled by their opponents last Tuesday night, as they lost to the Crete-Monee Warriors by the score of 72-61. However, at the end of the first quarter, the Cats were down 18-13. The second quarter was a little different as the Bobcats closed the gap and went into the locker room at half time trailing 31-29. The fearless Bobcats, though, were as tame as kittens in the third quarter, scoring only nine points, while Crete ripped the nets for 20. The Bobcats outscored the Warriors the fourth quarter but still fell short. The main difference in the game was at the free-throw line. Crete-Monee hit 10-of-20, while the Bobcats hit only 17-of-38.

“It was the same story for the varsity Tuesday against Lemont. The Bobcats ran into a bigger team and lost the game, 72-55. The Bobcats looked like they were out to win the first half, as the two teams battled to a 32-32 tie. However, the Cats, once again, ran into the third quarter blues as they scored only six points to Lemont’s 21. The entire second half the Bobcats couldn’t buy a bucket. But, as the saying goes, ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.’”

“Salvation Army Volunteers to Collect December 9”

“Volunteers will be collecting for the Salvation Army on Saturday, December 9, with the traditional kettles at the Beecher Post Office and Farmers State Bank. This gives area residents an opportunity to help spread holiday cheer to the less fortunate through the Salvation Army programs.”

Claude’s Country TV in Grant Park was having a giant sale on TVs – and just in time for holiday viewing. A four-channel sound Motorola console was on sale for $629.95, with trade-in. It included one-year in-home service, a two-year guarantee on the picture tube, and a one-year guarantee on other parts. A Motorola Quasar II works in a drawer color TV was $495.95, with trade-in. The store also was giving away a free turkey with each color TV purchase.

The Peotone Vedette: December 1, 1972

“Blue Devil Wrestlers Win Turkey Tourney Crown”

“The Peotone Blue Devils captured the championship of Peotone’s second annual Turkey Wrestling Tourney on Saturday in a photo finish. The championship was not decided until the final bout of the night. Four teams had a shot at the title going into the final round. The Blue Devils won the title with 89 points, followed by Dwight with 86, Minooka – 79, and Gardner-South Wilmington – 73. Clifton Central had 56, Providence 39, Manteno 38, and Illiana Christian 27.

“Mike Mausehund, a 105-pound junior, Brad Dralle, a 138-pound junior, and Randy Murray, a 145-pound senior, all captured individual championships for Peotone. Gary Zybak, a 185-pound senior, was the only second place winner for the Blue Devils.”

Team members included: Gail Miller, Mary Dietz, Linda Bock, Carol Krapf, Randy Murray, Brent Benner, Mike Mausehund, Don Thurman, John Abell, Brad Dralle, Curt Mort, Gary Mausehund, Bill Mort, Gary Zybak, Mike Oliver, and Bob Arseneau. The team’s coach was John Young.

“Devils Bow to Gilman; Home Opener Tonight”

“First game jitters caused the Peotone Blue Devils to play some erratic first quarter basketball Tuesday night in the season opener. The Devils lost the contest, 55-48.

“The Owls took an early lead and held at 16-8 advantage at the first break. Peotone only connected on four of 14 attempts from the field. The Devils shooting in the second quarter was even worse than the first, as they could only manage three field goals in 14 tries. Gilman increased their margin by one point, taking a 27-18 lead into the locker room at the half.

“The Blue Devils pressure defense was the only thing that kept them close in the first half. That same defense and a full court zone press enabled the Devils to narrow the Owls margin to two points at the end of the third quarter, but the Owls came back in the final period to win 55-48.

“The Blue Devils will play their first home game of the season when they host the Clifton Central Comets in a KVC conference game on December 1.”

Good news for JJC students…

“Governors State Accepts Credits from Joliet Junior College”

“The counseling department at Joliet Junior College received word that Governors State University accepts, without question, the general education credits earned at JJC. All students graduating from JJC, with an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree, are considered to have completed the general education requirements of Governors State. It also was noted that all credits earned at JJC are transferable to GSU, so long as the student’s major area of emphasis does not change.”

The Crete Record: November 30, 1972

A headline no paper wants to print, and no reader wants to read…

“Await Autopsy Report on Death of Student”

“The cause of death of Diana Biggerstaff, Crete-Monee High School student, who died after fainting in gym class last Tuesday, is still unknown. Although an autopsy was conducted, it may be weeks before an inquest is held and the report released from the Cook County Coroner’s Office. That office is reportedly several weeks behind in their work, due to the recent IC train crash that took so many lives. The death of the 15-year-old Crete girl came under Cook County jurisdiction because she was pronounced dead at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights.

“A sophomore, Diana was in her third period physical education class when she fainted. The group had been having a classroom activity for the first portion of the period and had just moved onto the gym floor and divided into groups for their first physical activity. Two teachers gave her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and she was covered with blankets and towels.

“‘The teachers did everything they possibly could until the ambulance arrived,’ said Russel Hunt, principal of the school.

“The Crete Fire Department inhalator squad was called to the scene, and she was given oxygen and taken immediately to the emergency room at St. James Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

“Diana had fainted in gym class once before, about two weeks previously, after which she was taken to the family doctor for a complete physical. All tests, including an electroencephalogram, proved negative, and she had permission to participate in all physical activities.”

Scout Troop 132 was going camping in Nappanee, Indiana, that weekend. Would you like to be camping at this time of year???? It seems that “being prepared” also applied to winter camping accommodations…

“The Scouts will be eating in restaurants, going on a ‘coon hunt, and sleeping in a barn or other out-building on a farm. Canteens, flashlights, and warm clothing will be needed. The Scouts will have no guns on the supervised ‘coon hunt. An old fashioned coon hunt is a part of rural Indiana tradition.”

Life is Good!!! Have a great week!!!