Looking Back

By Arline Adamsick

The Manteno News: December 7, 1972

“Car Hits School Bus; No Injuries”

“A car driven by Brian Schaffer collided with the rear of a Manteno school bus, operated by Mrs. Charles Baker on Monday afternoon. Mrs. Baker had stopped to discharge passengers, and Schaffer apparently was unable to stop because of icy roads.

“The bus sustained very little damage, while the car had extensive damage. The Kankakee Sheriff’s Department investigated the accident and issued tickets to Schaffer for being unlicensed and driving too fast for conditions. There were no injuries reported.”

“Manteno Chamber to Sponsor Christmas Decorating Contest”

“The Manteno Community Chamber of Commerce has announced it again will sponsor the Christmas home decorating contest for area residents. Three awards will be given for the best all-around decorations, with emphasis placed on originality and uniqueness. First prize is $25, second – $15, and third – $10.

“The contest is open to all residents of Manteno and Rockville Townships. Homes in Manteno will be judged in a tour by out-of-town judges. However, residents outside the village limits wishing to compete will be required to phone the request to “The Manteno News.”

“Entering its fourth year, the contest was won twice by Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Bringelson, and last year by Mr. and Mrs. Artel St. Aubin. Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Cochran were second and Mr. and Mrs. John Shreffler third.”

These were the sport headlines that week: “Panthers Beat Reddick,” “Varsity Drops Close Contest to Momence at Manteno Gym,” “Manteno Tops Mazon in Wrestling, 30-24,” “Panthers Top Gardner by Narrow Margin,” and “Frosh-Soph Team Wins Game from Momence, 53-35.”

Wolohan Lumber Company was holding their Grand Opening December 7 – 9, with free gifts, prizes, refreshments, and daily fix-up clinics. The ad stated more than $1,000 in prizes would be given away. What was on sale at their grand opening? Well, everything, it seems, including the kitchen sink, which regularly was $26 and then on sale for $19.95. Paneling was on sale, as well as Bradford water heaters, drywall, kitchen and bathroom carpeting, paint, plus storm windows and doors.

It also was time to select that perfect Christmas tree. Rabideau’s Christmas Trees, in Bonfield, were charging $4 for a tree up to 10 feet. Those above the 10-foot mark were a dollar more. What a deal – can’t get a bunch of boughs for that today!!

On sale at Manteno Foods were: Del Monte Catsup – five for $1 (though I believe Del Monte spells it ketchup.; Country Delight 2% milk – 79¢; rump roast or round steak – 98¢/lb.; crinkle cut fries – 10¢/12-oz. pkg.; and Del Monte tomato juice – three cans (46 oz.) for $1.

The Crete Record: December 7, 1972

“Pomeroy Panned, Still on Job”

“Despite the jeers and catcalls of more than a hundred angry tax protestors and the concerted efforts by Democrat members of the county board to fire him on Monday, Supervisor of Assessments Oren Pomeroy remained on the job this week, with two more years to run on his four-year contract.

“It is that contract that appears to be the only obstacle to firing the man whom many blame for single handedly causing the current tax debacle in Will County. Some Republicans have indicated they think he is being made a scapegoat, but others declare they would willingly force his ouster, if a legal way could be found to do it.

“To that end, the board, last month, sent John Oster’s Taxation Committee the task of making an inquiry into the whole problem, with a view to possibly finding legal means to fire Pomeroy.

“The only valid method of getting rid of Pomeroy, put forth so far, would be to abolish the office, but in that case the state would require a referendum to do so and establish a Board of Supervisors of Assessments instead.”

“Oster presented a resolution extending the term of the Board of Review until the third Monday in June, if necessary, to complete their review of the assessments, which passed unanimously.

“In further discussion, Mrs. Hartley attempted to speak up, but Chairman Hassert would not allow her to interrupt the meeting. The audience then took up a loud chant of ‘let her talk,’ throwing the room into an uproar.

“Hassert wielded his gavel, calling for ‘Quiet or I’ll clear the room. Behave yourselves and act like adults, not screaming meemies,’ he said. The furor subsided only temporarily.

“The motion to hear regular business first, then the taxpayers, carried by a 14-13 vote, and the visitors spent another hour or two waiting to be heard. Many had no chairs and were not mollified when it was explained most of the extra chairs were in use upstairs by people waiting to pay their taxes under protest.

“When Mrs. Hartley and her supporters gained the floor, much of the discussion was a repetition of what took place at the November board meeting. Mrs. Hartley concluded her presentation with a statement she had presented to the Board of Review with 500 cases of actual error, not questions of opinion, on the part of Pomeroy. The crowd departed with the promise they would be back for the next board meeting to ‘remind you of what you are doing to us.’”

The Peotone Vedette: December 8, 1972

Considering today’s prices, isn’t this headline refreshing? Believe it or not, despite the increase in grocery prices, we’re still at a lower percentage than we were years ago. I know, it’s hard to believe, though it may not be by much!!

“Food Is a Bargain”

“The percentage of income you spend on food is decreasing says George Young, Will County Associate Extension Advisor. In 1930, the average family spent 24 percent; in 1960, 20 percent, but today it’s only 16.3 percent, Young explained.

“To really appreciate the economy of food in the United States, compare our percentage with those in other parts of the world. Latin Americans spend 22-to-46 percent of their incomes for food, Western Europeans spend 22-to-37 percent, and Eastern Europeans spend 40-to-55 percent. It costs Africans 25-to-60 percent and Asians 25-to-50 percent.”

“Bennett’s Honors Employees for Long Service”

“Bennett Industries honored six more employees this week for 25 years of service. They are Miss Arlene Cann and Mrs. Howard Carstens of Peotone, both in the structural division office; Mrs. William Patterson of Bourbonnais, and E. (Dick) LaRoche of the structural fabricating division, and Miss Viola Albers, a machine operator in the Peotone plastic division, both of Peotone. A 25-year watch was presented to Phil Imholz, a former Peotone resident, now plant superintendent of Bennett’s Alta Loma, California, facility.”

“Millions of Mini-Lights”

“An estimated 300,000 kilowatts of power will be needed to brighten homes, streets, and stores with Christmas lighting in Chicago and northern Illinois this year, according to Commonwealth Edison. That amount of electricity can turn on about 20 million 7-1/2 watt bulbs plus upwards of 300 million mini-lights, normally rated at about ½ watt each or less.”

Plus, there was good news on the basketball court…“Blue Devils Top Central in First Conference Game”

“The Peotone Blue Devils came from behind Friday night to defeat the Clifton Central Comets, 63-59, in the first Kankakee Valley Conference game of the season.”

The Beecher Herald: December 7, 1972

“Seventy-nine-year-old Fred Sheming occupied the only other seat as “BREEZIE” owner Carl Unger of Downers Grove went for a ride in the open cockpit-type plane recently. Fred reported it was a thrilling ride! Unger built the plane, which he houses in Martin Von Alven’s hangar southwest of Beecher. Von Alven is busily building a similar type of plane – a Skybolt.”

As a follow-up, apparently enough volunteers arrived to decorate the village’s Christmas tree, despite chilly weather. There seemed to be good attendance in the picture, which featured an unidentified man in a bucket lift decorating those tippy-top branches. There also was another group picture of volunteers enjoying the lunch provided for those who braved the cold to get the job done!

At the Holiday Theatre in Park Forest, it was “The Godfather.”

“Bobcats Stop Irish; Bow to Dragons”

“By Jim Baker

“The Bobcat varsity won their first conference game of the season last Friday night, as they defeated the McNamara Irish, 51-46. The Bobcats, once again the smaller of the two teams, used their speed and aggressive defense to make up the height deficit.

“The Cats brought the crowd to their feet, when they used their fast break and took a 13-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the fast break slowed down to a mere trot, with the Irish taking a 22-20 lead at halftime.

“The Bobcats, who have gained notoriety for their poor third quarters, came out fighting and regained the lead, 36-32. The mighty Bobcat defense also held the Irish in the fourth quarter, as McNamara could do no better than finishing five points behind the Bobcats.

“The Bobcats traveled to Grant Park on Tuesday to play the Dragons in a non-conference battle. The Cats were out hustled by the Dragons, as they lost, 69-52. The Bobcats committed 29 turnovers, plus many mental mistakes. The Cats also were outscored by 15 points from the free throw line.”

*****

It’s another week closer to Christmas, and don’t forget to put “Christmas in the Village” on your calendars for this weekend’s holiday fun. Even though this is the longest period for Advent, four full weeks, it seems the days are just flying by. As of this writing, I still have several yard flags that picture pumpkins rather than Christmas trees and snow. Also noticed one fall wreath and bow that still need to be grabbed before the Holiday Police come knocking!!! Have a great week – Life is Good!!