Looking Back

By Arline Adamsick

The Crete Record: April 5, 1973

It seems like the school district always was making news, one way or another…

“Approve Split Shift Schedule for CMHS”

“A hopefully temporary split shift schedule for 1973 – ’74 at Crete-Monee High School was approved by the 201-U Board of Education Monday night after considerable discussion. Board members made clear they are not altogether happy with any split shift proposal but considered this the best way out of an enrollment bind.

“Figures shown the board on September enrollment for the past three years revealed the dilemma. In a building where capacity is 1,500, enrollment for 1970 was 1,463; for 1971 – 1,590, and for 1972 – 1,728. Projected enrollment for 1973 is 1,901.

“It was explained the 1,500 rated capacity is based on 100 percent efficiency, which is not always possible, given varied enrollments. It also doesn’t consider there are physical education facilities for only 1,400 students. Although the ‘off-campus’ program helped to alleviate overcrowding this year, this feature would not help with 200 additional students expected next year, so will be discontinued.

“The split shift schedule is built around eleven 50-minute periods. Juniors and seniors will be schedule in periods  one – five, from 7:30 to 11:56 a.m., and freshmen and sophomores will attend the afternoon periods seven – 11, from 1:06 to 5:32 p.m.

“In the middle, there will be a slightly longer sixth period, from noon to 1:02 p.m. During this ‘swing’ period, a variety of courses, which usually are scheduled as singles will be available to all students. Sixth hour classes will meet four days a week in the longer time slot, equaling five ‘normal’ periods. One hour per week ,this period will be used for club meetings and other extracurricular activities.

“All students will be required to enroll in no less than five classes (four courses, plus P.E.), and no more than six classes. Outdoor athletic team practices for freshmen and sophomores ordinarily will be scheduled during the mornings and in the afternoon for juniors and seniors. Some indoor sports may have to be scheduled to practice after school hours.

“No hot lunch program will be operated, since the school day will begin or end at noon for students. The original lunchroom, now known as the Little Theatre, will be available to staff and students who want to carry their lunch, with coffee and milk vending machines available.

“When asked about the problem of fitting in extra-curricular activities, the superintendent agreed the extra-curricular program will not be curtailed, but it may be slightly more difficult to get into the schedule.”

The Beecher Herald: April 5, 1973

In this week’s paper, the headlines were all about the impending school board election on April 14, with voting taking place in the high school Ag department.

“Five to Seek Two School Board Seats”

By Roger Schoenwald

“Five citizens are competing for two positions in the April 14 school board election. Mrs. Betty Johnson, Bill Sewell, and Eugene Waldvogel were running against incumbents Gilbert Lange and Bill Herlitz.”

Mrs. Johnson, though running for the first time for the Beecher School Board, had been active in school affairs before moving to Beecher – particularly in Chicago, where she also was employed as a legal secretary.

“She is running for the board because ‘I have always been civic minded and feel a woman’s point of view is needed on the board.’ Mrs. Johnson said she wants to ‘open the lines of communication and truly be a representative of the people for the welfare of the children and the taxpayer.’”

Bill Sewell, a real estate agent for the Chicago area Marathon Oil Company, had extensive college experience and taught school for two years.

“Sewell is running for the school board because he is interested in children and would like to see the school system expanded, in terms of an enlarged staff and curriculum. When asked about the growth in population in the schools, Seewell said, ‘It’s only a matter of time before we have to expand the grade school and high school.’ Although he favored building a junior high school, Sewell wanted to see the Beecher schools become more centralized.

“Eugene Waldvogel said he is running because the board ‘could use changes and needs someone younger’ to serve. He would also like to see more community involvement with the board.

“Waldvogel is chairman of the Citizen’s Advisory Board. He said, as representatives of the people, the school board should concur with their findings. If elected, Waldvogel said he will work for an expanded vocational program and pointed out his desire to see Beecher join the Kankakee Career Center.”

Incumbent Gilbert Lange had served on the board for one year, having been appointed to fill the vacancy left by Fred Von Alven. Lange was a farmer and installer of lightning protection systems.

“Lange is seeking re-election because he feels the board ‘has a good working relationship that should be continued.’ He also said that, ‘by having children in school, your life revolves around the school and its activities.’ Lange declared his greatest concern is to provide Beecher students with a basic education. ‘Beecher has an excellent school system, and our graduates have been very successful.’

“Running for a fourth term, Bill Herlitz is seeking re-election because he would like to continue improving the quality of education in the Beecher schools. Herlitz said he would like to see more student involvement in the sports program and also see the intramural program expanded.

“Herlitz said the immediate problem facing the board is the classroom situation at the grade school, noting the school will be over-crowded in one-to-two years, and he sees the eventual building of a junior high school.”

At the Holiday Theatre: “Cabaret,” which had won eight Academy Awards.

The Peotone Vedette: April 6, 1973

These tips are just as good today as they were 50 years ago and, as I finish this article, we are scheduled to have some pretty hefty storms coming our way…

“Tornado Season Ahead: Red Cross Gives Safety Tips”

“Spring traditionally is tornado season, but knowledge of a few safety rules will enable you to survive such a disaster, when it occurs, according to the American Red Cross.

“James Schneider, disaster preparedness and relief chairman for the Mid-American Chapter of the Red Cross said this week ‘While tornadoes may occur in any state, most strike in the Midwest and the South, in the peak months of April, May, and June.

“Schneider went on to list these safety rules as precautions against death and injury in tornadoes: Always pay close attention to and be guided by the tornado warnings of the National Weather Service. ‘Tornado Watch’ means tornadoes are expected to develop, while ‘Tornado Warning’ means a tornado was sighted. Persons close to the storm should take cover immediately. Those farther away should be prepared to take cover if threatening conditions approach.

Continuing, when a tornado approaches, seek inside shelter immediately, preferably in a cellar, basement, underground excavation, or steel-framed or concrete-reinforced building. Stay away from windows: In office buildings, factories, and schools, go to an interior hallway on the lowest floor or to a designated shelter area. If the building is not re-enforced construction, go quickly to the closest building that is re-enforced, or to an open depression in the ground and lie flat. Avoid auditoriums and gyms or other structures with wide, free-span roofs.

“Curtains should be drawn and blinds lowered to minimize danger from flying glass. In homes without basements, seek shelter under heavy furniture in the center part of the house on the lowest floor, in a small room, or closet, if possible. Keep windows open on the side of the house away from the storm (Currently not advised) but stay away from them. Basements provide the greatest safety, but don’t seek shelter in basement areas immediately under heavy appliances on the floor above. In a mobile home, do not stay inside when a tornado is approaching. These dwellings are particularly vulnerable to destructive winds.

“Plan ahead so you know where to seek shelter in a nearby sturdy building or a ditch, culvert, or ravine. Anywhere outside in open country, when there is no time to find suitable shelter, lie face down in the nearest depression and use arms to protect your head. If driving in an open area and you sight a tornado, turn off at a right angle to the storm’s direction.”

According to the National Weather Service in 2023, it recommends people put as many walls as possible between themselves and the outside, avoiding windows at all cost. Don’t wait until you hear it to seek shelter. Use helmets to protect your head, and cushion yourself with pillows, blankets, and heavy coats. Also, if caught in a tornado while driving, don’t take shelter under a highway underpass, as it’s the perfect place for winds to increase, due to a tunneling effect. Please check the National Weather Service’s online information for additional help.

The Manteno News: April 5, 1973

That week’s paper featured candidates for Manteno Village Clerk, including Mary Fortin, Gerald (Jerry) Hildebrandt, who was the incumbent, and Judith Kisiel.

“Terry Beutien, Manteno Police Department, is among 32 officers from 23 departments who recently completed a six-week Basic Law Enforcement Course at the new Northeast Illinois facility of the University of Illinois Division of University Extension’s Police Training Institute. The facility is in leased quarters at Illinois Benedictine College in Lisle.”

… As We See It …

From April 1917

“In 1917, as some remember, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress, on the second, to declare war existed between this nation and Germany. On the sixth, Congress met in special session and declared war to exist; this sealed the fate of the German monarchy.

“Wilson acted because the German Imperial Government had served notice on all nations earlier that it would enforce a total blockade of England and all ports in western Europe controlled by the Allies. Had that blockade succeeded, the Central powers would have won the carnage that was the First World War. Russia had surrendered to them in 1917.

“It was Germany’s last chance to win, and she took it. But unrestricted submarine warfare so repulsed the U.S. public, a wave of sentiment against Germany swept the country. America’s young men enthusiastically went off to war to make the world safe for democracy. More than 50 years later, the world is still not safe for democracy – and the Germany produced by the defeat in 1918 turned out to be much more destructive and tragic than the Kaiser’s Germany.” …And what do you think of the world’s condition right now, another 50 years later…Still not very peaceful, right????

*****

Here’s wishing you a very Happy Easter and Passover!! Life is Good and stay safe – it’s spring, and turbulent weather is more common than not!