Looking Back

Hope you enjoy this graphic which was in all the issues Thanksgiving week in 1973. Stay tuned for more as the Christmas Season gets underway. These were my favorite issues when I was a kid! –File photo.

By Arline Adamsick

The Manteno News: November 21, 1073

“Village Board Receives Report from Consulting Engineer”

“Consulting Engineer John McCabe of Warren-Van Praag Engineers met with the Manteno Village Board on Monday evening and explained the study recently completed on regional planning with the state hospital. The report, without recommendations, was an engineering feasibility study on the use of the hospital sewer plant by the village.

“It was approved for submission to the E.P.A. in Springfield for their further recommendations. McCabe also explained the infiltration survey and noted his firm planned to start this in December, and it would take about six months. Mayor Harold Jacobs reported on the meeting of village officials with the E.P.A. in Springfield, specifically with Lavern Hudson, director of the Warranty Board.

“Several suggestions were received to help promote local development, and the board representatives discussed the plans for an interceptor sewer on the west side of the village.”

“Illinois Gross Product Greater than Most Nations of World Today”

“If Illinois were an independent nation instead of a state, it would be the 15^th largest nation on earth, as measured by its gross product. The United States, of course, has the largest Gross National Product of any country – $1.1 trillion, twice that of the Soviet Union.

“Illinois’ Gross State Product was $45.9 billion. The other nations and states with larger GNPs or GSPs than Illinois were (in billions of dollars): Japan – $279.5; West Germany – $242.5; France – $186; Britain – $151.6; Italy – $111.5; Canada – $98; New York State – $97.4; California – $84; People’s Republic of China – $82.5; India – $59; Poland – $52; and Texas – $49.5.”

“Free College”

“Until December 1, the U.S. Army is accepting applications for $1,000 scholarships, to be given high school students who meet requirements and are willing to serve four years after graduation from college. Since this scholarship pays all tuition, textbooks, and lab fees, plus an allowance to students of $100 for 10 months, this is a satisfactory means of attending college for some who otherwise would not be able to do so.

“The military services offer various scholarship programs, with the Army program mentioned above being an additional offering this year. Practically all of these service scholarships are for four full years – something those facing a financial crunch can consider in planning their education.”

According to this headline – “Mrs. Donald Dahler Bowls in $100,000 Brunswick Open Tournament” – Manteno had one special bowler.

“Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Reynolds of Chebanse and Mrs. Donald Dahler of Manteno bowled in the $100,000 Brunswick Tournament on Sunday, November 18, at Glendale Heights. The local bowlers teamed with professional bowlers Dick Battista, Lou Scalia, and Don Helling, and each of the local bowlers received a No.8583 bowling ball for participation.”

The Crete Record: November 22, 1973

At the Holiday Theatre: “American Graffiti” was the feature, with “Charlotte’s Web” as a matinee on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

“Hold Joint Meeting on Bloom Annexation”

“The village boards of Crete and Steger met together last Wednesday evening to begin planning for their annexation election to the Sanitary District of Bloom Township. The vote is tentatively scheduled for next April.

“Crete Trustees have passed a resolution to share costs of a public information presentation with Steger. Steger attorney Frank Burkey indicated he would recommend the Steger Trustees pass a similar measure as soon as a dollar figure is incorporated into the resolution. Steger Trustees already have agreed, in principle, to the cost sharing idea.

“Burkey enumerated a number of reasons why the proposed annexation should be passed and emphasized residents will be raising only 20 percent of the cost of the project, the remaining 80 percent to come from state and federal sources.

“‘We’re getting a bargain basement deal, and we’d be foolish not to go for it,’ he said.

“He also pointed out both villages are under fire from the Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade their treatment facilities. Bond attorneys, who must approve all municipal issues, have agreed revenue bonds for the project are salable.

“The annexation proposal is high on the priority list for a state grant and could go higher, Burkey observed. He said the project was credited with eliminating only two existing plants, when in fact it would eliminate seven smaller, outmoded treatment facilities. The point also was made Steger’s report from Harza Engineering said, in essence, Steger has a choice of spending $2 million to update its present plant or saving $145,000 by eliminating it.”

Apparently, even years ago – politicians made a lifetime career of political office, read on…

“Arends to Quit”

“U. S. Rep. Leslie C. Arends has announced he will not be a candidate for re-election in 1974. The veteran legislator soon will embark on his 40^th year in the House of Representatives and had been mentioned as a possible successor to Republican Leader Gerald Ford. He has been the Republican Whip in the house, the number two party post since 1943, when reapportionment placed his Melvin home in the new 15^th District.”

The Beecher Herald: November 22, 1973

“IJCB Staff Recommends Prairie State Annexation”

“By Roger Schoenwald”

“The Illinois Junior College Board staff at its meeting last Friday in Springfield recommended Beecher be placed in the Prairie State College District against the wishes of the residents and a resolution by the school board to be annexed to the Kankakee Community College District. The staff will present its recommendations to the full board on December 14 at the Bismarck Hotel in Chicago.

“Staff members presented their junior college district map to the Illinois Association of School Boards Convention last weekend. When questioned by District 200-U Supt. Jack Keller, they said the recommendation was made for Prairie State because the district would be balanced in terms of assessed valuation and geographical area with other junior college districts with the addition of Beecher. Also in the past, a majority of Beecher students chose Prairie State, and the geographical location of Beecher was closest to PSC.

“Keller told staff members the decision is unusual, because the board has never gone against the wishes of the people and a resolution by the local board of education. An election was not held because the people did not want to limit their choice to one school as required. The response to an unofficial public opinion poll showed the following: 479 voters favored annexation to Kankakee Community College, 240 favored Joliet Junior College, and 164 favored Prairie State.

“Keller told the Herald several avenues of reaction are open to the public, with the most immediate being a large turnout of concerned citizens favoring Kankakee at the December meeting of the IJCB, to persuade the board to rule against the staff recommendation.

“One area that needs to be cleared up is why Fred Wellman, chairman of the IJCB, told the Kankakee Daily Journal, after its Springfield meeting last week, that a straw vote of the area residents showed a preference for Prairie State College.”

Sometimes you have to wonder – what are people thinking?

“Hunting from Car Illegal, Dangerous”

“There have been several calls to the Beecher Herald office concerning hunters who are shooting pheasants from the car. We are informed the game warden and several Will County deputies are working in the area in unmarked cars to eliminate the problem of poaching. Anyone seeing this illegal hunting taking place is urged to call the Sheriff’s Office and report it. To refresh one’s memory concerning the law: No loaded or uncased gun may be carried in the car, and shooting must take place at least 200 yards from the roadway, residence, or outbuildings.”

The Peotone Vedette: November 23, 1973

“Board OK’s Trip Change to California”

“The Peotone School Board Monday night debated whether to approve a change in the destination of the senior class trip this year, finally giving their sanction to a southern California trek. The decision was difficult because members of the senior class were almost evenly divided between New Orleans and southern California for destinations, according to a straw poll conducted by Sally Daum and Randy Fleck and their committee.

“The group had previously sought board support to explore other locales than Washington, D.C., which has been the site of the senior trip for many years. Many of the seniors already had seen Washington, and they wanted to try a different kind of trip. Board members expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that only 16 percent of the seniors’ parents responded to a questionnaire about the trip mailed to their homes.

“Board member Conor Shaw said there should be three criteria for any senior trip: 1. It ought to be educational; 2. At least one third of the class ought to go; and 3. The itinerary should be acceptable to the chaperones.

“The motion by Dr. James March and seconded by Gilbert Fox to allow the California trip included Shaw’s provisions. The students are to firm up the itinerary and bring it to the board for final approval. Trip prices are based on 30 students going and could fluctuate, depending on the exact number who finally make the excursion.”

Buy any postage stamps lately…

“New 10 Cent Stamp Due in January”

“The U.S. Postal Service has announced the design of a new 10 cent denomination stamp. It is one of three, which will be issued for use when proposed new postal rates go into effect on January 5, according to Walter Unzeitig, of the South Suburban Sectional Center. The new 10 cent stamp features crossed American flags. The two flags depicted are the present 50-star flag and the original 13-star flag. Use of the 13-star flag is a salute to the bicentennial of the American Revolution, coming in 1976.”

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It’s here – wishing all of you a most Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving and hope it’s very special for you all!! Life is Good!!!