Looking Back

By Arline Adamsick

Fifty years ago, the area was certainly planning for expansion…

The Beecher Herald: February 8, 1973

“Toepfer Tells Board of Proposed Development”

“Before hearing routine committee reports at the village board meeting Monday night, Mayor Leroy Buck recognized Thomas Toepfer, who explained to the board he had a contract with James Churchill to purchase 92 acres west of town. He wants to get the feeling of the village board regarding the development of the property before he goes to great engineering expense on the project. He expressed the desire to meet with the school board, planning commission and board members to discuss the matters of contributions toward schools, the cost of water and sewer tap-ins, etc.

“The village engineer explained he is in the process of estimating the cost of expanding the sewage disposal system, but the project is not completed at this time. The matter of possible problems that might arise with additions on the storm sewer brought the comment from Toepfer that he would probably run a new storm sewer line. He asked about the capacity of the sewage disposal plant and was told it was designed for a population of 3,000 and, with the planned developments on the north and south edges of the village, this would probably bring the load up to maximum capacity.

“Toepfer explained his development plans call for a five-year program, and he would like an understanding so when development starts it can continue. He was asked about the possibility of homes not selling, creating an undesirable condition of having a collection of empty houses. He said his plan calls for putting up model homes and then building only homes already sold. He doesn’t plan to put in houses, and then try to sell them. He hopes to build between 30 and 35 the first year. He added he is no newcomer to the construction scene – he has been a builder for 23 years. The board agreed to try to set up a meeting as soon as possible involving the aforementioned boards, the village attorney, and engineer.”

“Kay Wehling Wins DAR Award”

“The students in the senior class and the faculty of Beecher High School have selected Miss Kay Wehling as this year’s Daughter of the American Revolution. Kay, 17, is a senior a Beecher High School and has been very active in her four years of attendance. She was class president her sophomore, junior, and senior years; president of the FHA for two years; and a member of the National Honor Society her junior and senior years. The FFA selected Kay as their 1973- ‘74 Sweetheart. Outside of school, Kay is secretary of the local Walther League.

The Peotone Vedette: February 9, 1973

“Russell Printing Company Sells Commercial Division”

“Russell Printing Company, this week, announced the sale of its commercial printing division to Kenneth D.  Pennington. Russell Printing will continue to publish and print seven area newspapers, having sold only that portion of the business that produces individual and specifically ordered printed supplies, such as envelopes, letterheads, tickets, and forms.

“The owner and operator of the new business, to be known as Pennington Printing, is no stranger to the Peotone area. He has been employed by Russell Printing Company for the past eight years, with the exception of a four-year tour of duty with the United States Air Force. He never was completely separated from the printing during those four years, having worked in print shops in Florida, California, and in Vietnam. Before moving to Illinois, he was employed by Standard Printing Company in Celina, Ohio.

“Pennington hopes to be able to offer the area a complete line of commercial printing service, with no job considered too big or too small. He incorporated several additional pieces of equipment into the operation to aid him in reaching this goal.

“Pennington, his wife, Paula, and their daughters, Lisa – five and Rachel six months, reside at 441 South Second Street in Peotone. Mrs. Pennington is employed by Dr. James March, DDS.

“The business will continue to be in the north end of the building now occupied by Russell Printing Company. As in the past, orders still may be placed and picked up at any of the Russell Printing Company offices in Beecher, Crete, Monee, Manhattan, Park Forest South, and Steger.”

Mercy, how things have changed…

Talk about “ancient history.” It was not that long ago my young adult grandson was asking about these “funny family pictures” he was rummaging through. I had no clue what he was talking about until he texted me a picture of the mysterious photos – slides!!!

“Peotone Township Library Has Slide Projector Available”

“The Peotone Library recently obtained a slide projector. This projector is for use by the people of the community to look at art slides the library owns. The projector holds 36 slides, which is a great improvement over the old one slide viewer. The library has a collection of some 600 slides, which can be viewed as a real art show.”

Remember when jump rope teams performed at basketball game intermissions…

“The jump rope team from Peotone High School has been invited to provide halftime entertainment at the Chicago Bulls game in the Chicago Stadium on Friday, February 16. The routine will be done to the music of ‘I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing,’ by the New Seekers, and will include a large heart and musical note formations. Members of the team are: LuAnn Uthe, Sue Christensen, Cindy Knickrehm, Debbie Koehn, Cheryl Carstens, May Phelan, Dorothy Krapf, Terri Couch, Donnal Smith, Diane Kuhn, Arlene Kuse, Mary Robbins, Noreen Stubblefield, Cindy Seng, Colleen Tully, Kemm Janney, Connie Brunner, Janet Tamblyn, Joan Fox, and Liz Shaw. The team’s advisor is Allice Warning.”

The Manteno News: February 8, 1973

“EPA Acknowledges Village Progress”

“Manteno’s Village Board learned at its Monday meeting the Environmental Protection Agency had acknowledged receipt of the village’s notification of right-of-way acquisition and of referendum results in its application for funds for the new sewer plant, and noted these would advance local priority.

“Plan Commission Chairman Virgil Guimond discussed with the board the proposed annexation of an area north of Edgefield Manor by Russell Thompson, with a proposed multi-family and residential zoning.

“A petition for rezoning for the Clara Flatt property was referred to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a hearing as required by ordinance.

“The board also voted to authorize the drafting of a construction contract with the golf course contractor and the drafting of an ordinance appointing the committee to supervise the golf course and to authorize the execution of the contract with the construction company.”

“Terry Harris, Parmley Weir Purchase Eddy’s Lounge from Cyriers”

“An established Manteno business changed hands last week, as Terry Harris and Parmley Weir purchased Eddy’s Lounge and Restaurant from Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Cyrier. The new owners announced they would be open Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and closed on Sundays.

“Lunch will be served daily, except Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner will be served every evening except Sunday, from 5 to 10 p.m. A banquet room is available for meetings or parties.” (Did they close briefly in the afternoons????)

“Mantenoans Wear POW Bracelets”

“Monday’s list of the Prisoners of War to be released, which was printed in a Chicago newspaper, carried special significance for some residents. Several Mantenoans are among the thousands of persons who have been wearing bracelets, which bear the name of a POW or a MIA (missing in action).

“Wearing the name of a man on your wrist, a man you know is being held by the enemy, brings a feeling of closeness and personal concern to the wearer. It was with gladness in their hearts that Linda Hartman, Bruce Senesac, Robin Stegle, Vickie Clemans, and Diane Rathje found the names on their bracelets among those on Monday’s list.

“When they purchased the bracelets, money was earmarked to work for the release of the POWs and MIAs, and the wearers agreed to leave the bracelets on their wrists until the men were released or accounted for.”

The Crete Record: February 8, 1973

“201-U Board OK’s Sale of Old Monee School”

“A resolution selling the old Monee School to the Village of Monee was formally approved by the 201-U Board of Education Monday night, paving the way for transfer of the property.

“The Monee Village Board already had adopted an ordinance authorizing the purchase. School attorneys advised a referendum would not be necessary, if both boards took these necessary actions.

“All that remains is for the village to pay off the remainder of the 10-year lease agreement (now in its sixth year) and pay the legal fees involved. Rental under the agreement has been $1,200 a year.

“Ironically, the only other interest shown in the building came to light later in the meeting when a letter was read from the legal firm of McGrane, Perozzi, Steller, Meeking, and Gerardi, saying they had a client interested in making a bid on the structure.

“Since the Village of Monee already had exercised its option to buy, the school board agreed they could not pursue the matter of a possible other purchaser.”

“Bears Ready for Whiz Kids”

“The Chicago Bears in action against the ‘Whiz Kids’ will be the attraction on Wednesday, February 14, at the Warrior Dome of Crete-Monee High School. The game to be played will be basketball – they say.

“Among the members of the Bears’ basketball team, labeled ‘The Pros Basketball All Stars,’ will be former Bear Gayle Sayers, plus Doug Buffone, Willie Holman, Glen Holloway, Jim Seymour, Earl Thomas, Don Shy, and Bobby Douglas.”

Scheduled to play for the Whiz Kids were: Don Seehausen, Larry Ferguson, Carl Slager, Dick Moutvic, Ben Folely, Marv Johnson, Ron Baker, Steve Suzic, Randy Dunlap, Bob Evans, Tom Krischunas, Pete Krischunas, Kevin Haseman, Brian Boettger, Evan Knight, Randy Eckoff, Mandy Parker, Bill Gurtler, Corky Matthias, Henry Reid, G.E. Smith, John Bruggeman, and Dick Bone.

Whiz Kids water girls were Marilyn Bostrom, Betty Dunlap, and Jean Gurtler.

That’s it for this week. Life is Good and stay warm, though the weatherman seems to be cooperating this week – no more zero or below readings for now!