By Arline Adamsick
The Manteno News: August 16, 1973
Here was something new for Illinois residents…
“Pre-printed Renewal License Applications Must Be Used”
“Pre-printed renewal applications mailed from the Secretary of State’s office should be used when ordering or purchasing 1974 license plates, Secretary Michael J. Howlett announced August 9.
“‘These renewal notices are pre-printed by computer for the convenience of registered car owners,’ Howlett said. ‘With more than 4.5 million plates issued in 1973 and the total growing every year, marked speed-up of processing and entry of license date is a necessity.’
“Applications for 1974 now are being mailed in advance of the September 30 reassignment deadline. Secretary Howlett advises motorists receiving pre-printed applications that any incorrect information must be corrected on the pre-printed form, even if the application does not cover the vehicle you are now driving. Howlett is emphasizing field applications are no longer optional if renewal notices are lost or destroyed.
“Since pre-printed forms are required, the applicant would need to apply for a duplicate by writing to the Secretary of State for a ‘Request for license plate renewal application.’ This white form is not a duplicate application. It is mailed to the Secretary with correct information to request a duplicate.”
Other happenings in Manteno that week included a middle school band concert at Manteno State Hospital; MHS Class of 1968 held their fifth-year reunion; Timothy Salzman was accepted as a student at Wheaton College, for the fall; Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio, on Schuyler in Kankakee, was hosting a 25th anniversary open house; and the Manteno Golf League was holding a banquet at Minne Monesse.
“Interested in ‘Back to the Land’ Movement? See Illinois Amish Country Near Arcola”
“Many young Americans are eager to join the ‘back to the land’ movement. Their idea is that only when people renew their sense of where their food comes from, their sense of the simple life of sunshine, fresh air, fresh fruit and vegetables, and physical labor that makes it easy to sleep at night, only then will people retain the full sense of how good life can really be. Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden Pond” is a basic text for the movement, and they believe the old people who want to have suburban homes and ulcers are welcome to them. It’s the simple life, the new idea, that has won them over.
“But then it’s not such a new idea. The Amish of Central Illinois have been living that kind of life for more than a 100 years, just a few miles west of Arcola. Their grandparents before them, and their grandparents before them, on back for 400 years, the Amish have dedicated themselves to peaceful lives in rural areas, almost all of them farming, wearing simple clothes, still using horses and buggies, and enjoying plain homes painted in white.”
The article continues with a great promotion for the Rockome Gardens Amish theme park, in Arcola…anyone still care to visit?
The Crete Record: August 16, 1973
“Full Report Heard on Sanitary Problems”
“A concise report, explaining the many phases and questions on the sanitary sewers of both Crete and Steger, was given to members of the Crete Village Board when it met August 13. Village Attorney Wallace Solum had been asked by Gary Harmon of the Water Pollution Control Service of the IEPA to ‘take the initiative’ on behalf of both villages to bring a feasible sanitation program to fruition.
“Solum explained, at the meeting, that new trustees in Steger and new mayor Louis Sherman had not been aware of the sanitation problems until recently. Mayor Sherman told Solum nothing dealing with the issue had been mentioned in the campaign. The attorney hopes this report may get everyone on the Steger Board of Trustees to understand the issues before ‘kicking around the alternative of annexing to the Metropolitan District of Greater Chicago.’
“Solum expressed hope the results of their having the report will be favorable. He believed Steger is beginning to take active steps, and he ‘can do no more now than to inform.’ He also stressed he thinks attempting to join the Metropolitan District of Greater Chicago is futile. He heard the suggestion the metropolitan system could give service on a contract basis, but stated, ‘I’m of the opinion they can’t do this. It isn’t legal.’”
“Cigarette Smugglers Arrested by State”
“‘Two Chicago area men were arrested and their cars seized by Illinois Department of Revenue Investigators in the first vehicle confiscations undertaken in the department’s new get-tough policy to stop cigarette smugglers,’ Robert Allphin, state revenue director, announced. ‘We plan to continue to hit cigarette tax cheaters where it hurts by seizing the vehicles they use to break the law.’
“Under the Illinois Cigarette Tax Act, there are no provisions for returning cars confiscated by the state for illegal transportation of unstamped cigarettes into Illinois. Allphin said the state loses $25 million a year from tax cheaters, who bring unstamped cigarettes into Illinois from neighboring states where the cigarette tax is lower.”
The Peotone Vedette: August 17, 1973
“Clarence Cann Honored on 87th Birthday”
“Family and friends gathered at the Peotone American Legion on Friday, August 10, to celebrate with Clarence ‘Grandpa’ Cann on his 87th birthday. A lifelong resident of the Peotone area, Cann is the son of one of the early pioneers of Will Township. The family was well known for breeding registered shorthorn cattle, a tradition Cann has continued with the help of his son, Clyde. He retired from farming in 1942 and moved to Peotone, but his retirement has been far from complete. Many days since that time have been spent helping on the farm, now occupied by his son.
“Since moving to the village, he has managed to keep himself busy. He served on the Board of Directors of the Peotone Farmers Elevator for 42 years, acting as secretary for that same length of time. He retired from the board several years ago. He has devoted much of his time as a Director of the Will County Fair Association, somewhere near 40 years. He acted as president of that board from 1950 to 1963 and is still very active at fair time, not only with his duties as a director, but as an exhibitor, as well. During the 70 years of the fair, Cann has failed to exhibit cattle during only six of those years.
“A great believer in the old saying ‘the best way to kill time is to work it to death,’ his days are spent in his huge garden, as well as keeping his home in order. He is the father of two daughters, Mrs. Orvel Hamann of Grant Park, and Mrs. Ruth Knipple, who died in 1964, and his son, Clyde. He has nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His wife, Grace, died in 1969.”
“Eatinger Auto Parts Are Softball Champs”
“When the dust settled after final rounds of tournament play, Eatinger Auto Parts not only had their first place in the American Division, they also took the tournament. In a late season rally, Russell Printing, who had been cellar dwellers in regular play, walked off with second place in the tournament. Cozy Corner, leaders in the National Division, took third place in the tourney. A special note of appreciation is due Richard Benson for donating his services as umpire all season.”
At the movies: Sauk Trail Drive-In was hosting an all-night show with five movies – “Equinox,” “Big Jake,” “Chatos Land,” “Tickle Me,” and “Jenny,” on Friday, August 17. Starting on Saturday, the drive-in was featuring “The Poseidon Adventure” and “Culpepper Cattle Company.” “Pippi Longstocking” was at the Holiday.
The Beecher Herald: August 16, 1973
“To Hire Auxiliary Police from Outside Village Limits”
“Ordinance 452 was adopted by village board members at their meeting Monday night. This amends Ordinance 431, which stated auxiliary policemen must reside within the village limits. As Trustee Robert Williamson remarked: ‘Apparently we don’t have an untapped source of men living in Beecher who are willing to serve in this capacity, so we will have to go to the nearest source to secure the men we need.’ Other changes in the ordinance included the specification auxiliary police wear an identification different than that of the regular police, with the design selected by the Chief.”
“Beecher School District Joins Area Career Center”
“By Roger Schoenwald
“In a 4-1 decision, the Beecher Board of Education decided last Monday to join the Kankakee Regional Career Center. Beecher joins other area towns at the center, which offers expanded vocational education for Beecher students.
“The center will be attended by juniors and seniors only. At a meeting last Thursday, Supt. Jack Keller and Board President Herman Fisher were offered entry to the center on two conditions. The first stipulated that in this first year, Beecher students will only be able to attend classes that have openings in them.
“Next year, District 200-U will become a full member of the center at a cost of approximately $27,000. Money for the center will come from the building fund. The cost this year for the district will be approximately $400 per student, with each student attending two hours per day. The students either will attend in the morning or the afternoon. Supt. Keller said about 10 students have an immediate interest in the center.
“Board member Leslie Heldt voted against the move because he said the amount of money being spent for the center will prove to be a burden on the district in years to come. He said with the future building referendum that will need to be passed by the residents, Beecher could expand its own vocational program and, in the main, save money.”
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Happy mid-August! Are you ready for the fair and school to begin? Even fall mums are beginning to make an appearance in stores. Have a great week – Life is Good!!