Looking Back

By Arline Adamsick

The Peotone Vedette: May 25, 1973

“File Petition to Form Peotone Library District”

“At a recent board meeting the trustees of the Peotone Township Library voted to increase the area now served by the library by forming a district library.

“A petition asking the court to set an election date to form a Peotone Public Library District was filed May 18, in the Will County Circuit Court. There are 165 signatures on the petition signed by residents of the townships of Peotone, Green Garden, Will, and Wilton. By law, 100 signatures are required for filing a petition seeking formation of a library district under the Illinois Public Library District Act. If the court consents to the petition, a date will be set for voters in the defined area to decide for or against the proposition.

“The new library district would include most of School District 207-U not now served by a public library. This territory would annex Green Garden, Wilton, and the west two-thirds of Will Townships to the present Peotone Township Library.

“The library was started in 1934 as a project of the Peotone Senior and Junior Woman’s Clubs and was operated on a volunteer basis until 1937, when it was established as a township library by the voters of Peotone Township.

“A recent service is the acceptance, at no charge, of a Peotone Library card by 196 libraries in the state, including the Chicago Public, Park Forest, Joliet, and Kankakee libraries.”

“McFadden Sells Controlling Interest in Peotone Bank”

“G.W. McFadden announced he has signed a contract with Albert A. Payne, a prominent banker on the southwest side of Chicago, under which he and his family have agreed to sell control of Peotone State Bank to Payne. The transaction will be closed in early September. The officers and employees now operating the bank will continue in their various capacities until that time.

“Payne has signified his desired that all bank directors, officers, and employees remain with the bank. It is anticipated Payne will become chairman of the board and McFadden vice chairman. Fred W. Tibbetts, who is presently executive vice president, will become president. McFadden has agreed to remain with the bank for a period of five years.

“Peotone State Bank, under its new chairman, will continue to render service to its customers in the same manner as in the past. Payne is an experienced banker and is a substantial stockholder of Alsip Bank, Mount Greenwood Bank, and a bank to be opened in Tinley Park in August.

“It is the sincere desire of the board of directors, officers, and employees of Peotone State Bank that the customers of the bank will continue the cordial relationship that has existed for so many years.”

The Beecher Herald: May 24, 1973

It was May, and here were the front page headlines…

“Baccalaureate Service at High School Sunday,” “Zion Lutheran School Graduation Service May 30,” “Zion Lutheran School Holds Recognition Banquet,” and “Beecher Elementary School to Promote 60 Thursday.” Now, that pretty much sums up the normal flow of seasonal news.

“A graduation service for the eighth grade and kindergarten students will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Wednesday, May 30, beginning at 7 p.m. Pastor Paul Mueller of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Kankakee, will be the guest speaker, with Pastor Armin Gottberg as the liturgist.

“Dawn Storbeck has been chosen as Class Salutatorian and Chuck Waterman is the Class Valedictorian for the Zion Lutheran School 1873 graduating class.” Yep, it said 1873!!

“Board Defers Decision on Part-Time Choral Teacher”

“By Roger Schoenwald

“At the continued board of education meeting last Monday night, the board once again deferred action on the proposal to hire a half-time teacher for the choral department.

“At the May 14 meeting, board members were undecided on whether to cut the choral program down or hire the half-time teacher. Action was deferred to the continued meeting so the board members could study the proposal. However, the item came up on the agenda too late last Monday night to reach a decision.

“In other action, Board President Herman Fisher issued new ground rules for citizens attending the meeting. Citizens who wish to address the board now will be able to do so only upon recognition from the chair. Fisher welcomed the interest in the meeting but issued the ground rules to allow for a more orderly conduct of the meeting.”

“Jane Brown Injured when Struck by Car”

“Jane Brown, 15, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Brown, Beecher, remains in St. James Hospital, Chicago Heights, following an accident, which occurred late Thursday afternoon, May 17. She was crossing Indiana Avenue in front of her home, when she was struck by a car driven by Mrs. Robert Adams, also of Beecher.

“Patrolman Donald Stluka reported witnesses said the girl ran out from behind a parked truck when the eastbound Adams car struck her. She flew onto the hood of the car and struck her head on the windshield, witnesses reported. No ticket was issued.

“In a conversation with the girl’s father on Wednesday, we were informed she is still undergoing tests to determine if there was a brain concussion. She has a broken leg and multiple abrasions and bruises but, hopefully, will return home later this week.”

For those looking forward to the Memorial Day weekend, here were some suggestions for the opening of the summer travel season: Windmill Island City Park in Holland, Michigan; Springfield; Brown County State Park in Indiana; Devil’s Lake State Park in Baraboo, Wisconsin; and Greenfield Village, in Dearborn, Michigan.

The Crete Record: May 24, 1973

Did you somehow think that maybe the residents of Crete-Monee District 200-U might be coming closer to a decision on how to handle the influx of potential students? Well, think again, they’re still discussing even more alternatives, including:

• Split Shifts: Advantages included doubling available space, keeping same calendar, simplified scheduling, can be done in individual buildings without affecting others; Disadvantages – reduces length of school day; negatively affects extra-curricular activities; increases transportation costs; reduces flexibility and class choices; beginning/ending times detrimental for elementary students.
• Four Quarters: Advantages – increases space by one third; increases high school student options, increases flexibility or scheduling, 180 days attendance; spreads transportation over 12 months, while reducing number of buses needed; full utilization of buildings; expands teacher employment opportunities; and reduces construction costs. Disadvantages – quarter of students would have three-month winter vacation; greater wear and tear on materials/equipment; affect eligibility for extra-curricular activities; air conditioning would be necessary; and higher maintenance costs.
• Five Quarters: Advantages – same as for those of the four-quarter plan except would increase space by one quarter rather than one third. Disadvantages also are the same except one/fifth of students would have a nine-week winter vacation instead of three winter months.
• 45-15: Advantages – Increases space by one/third; increases student options; spreads vacation time around the year; 180 days student attendance; spreads transportation over 12 months and reduces the number of buses needed; makes full utilization of buildings, expands employment opportunities for teachers; and reduces construction costs; Disadvantages – change in calendar, vacation schedules, coordination with other bodies, such as parts and recreation; more wear and tear on materials and equipment; increased air conditioning and maintenance costs.
• Extending School Day but Keep Traditional Calendar: Advantage – slightly enlarging the capacity of the secondary schools, but not feasible for elementary and would increase transportation costs.
• Renting Space: “Several options were considered regarding rental space. If Governors State University space were rented, it would have the advantage of housing 1,378 elementary students, 1,062 junior high students, or 927 high school students. Disadvantages of renting space currently occupied by GSU are its extremely high cost, inadequacy of the building, and the fact that it would take extensive remodeling to meet fire safety code regulations. Colleges and universities do not have to meet the same stringent fire safety regulations required of elementary and secondary schools. Further disadvantages would be the lack of eating facilities and increased transportation.”

The Manteno News: May 24, 1973

“Plan Commission to Consider Plan for 600 Apartments on East Side”

“Plans for the development of approximately 80 apartments of identical size were revealed Monday evening to the village board by developers from Chicago’s south suburbs. Frank Skore and Lewis D. Terbush, the developers, had previously indicated they held an option to purchase the 25 acres on Manteno east side that had previously been zoned for apartments, provided they received permission from the village for their plans.

“Trustees suggested they develop their plans and submit them, which was done at Monday’s meeting. President Jacobs referred the design to the plan commission for its recommendation. The proposed development is in two phases.

“Phase one would contain 186 units, with 31 one-bedroom and 155 two-bedroom units. Phase two would have a total of 498 one- and two-bedroom units. The plan commission is expected to make its recommendations by the next board meeting on June 4.”

On sale at Kasco Foods: Whole fryers – 43¢/lb.; Sealtest ice cream – 69¢/half gal.; Rainbow hotdog or hamburger buns – 4 for $1; Kraft BBQ sauce – 29¢/18 oz.; Jiffy cake or frosting mix – 9¢; Wilderness strawberry or blueberry No. 2 can – 45¢; Oscar Mayer bacon – 99¢/lb.; Cornish hens – 69¢ each; tube tomatoes – 3 for $1; and spareribs – 79¢/lb.

*****

Have a wonderful week. It’s Memorial Day weekend – so do a bit of remembering! It’s graduation, so do a bit of celebrating! And don’t forget to just take some time to relax and enjoy the beginning of summer!!! Life is Good!!!