By Arline Adamsick
The Manteno News: November 8, 1973
We’ve been talking about local turkey dinners for the past several weeks, and here is an accounting of one – just imagine the preparation involved…
“Record Attendance at St. Joseph Parish annual Turkey Dinner”
“A record crowd of about 1,300 patrons consumed 39 turkeys at the annual St. Joseph’s Turkey Dinner on Sunday afternoon. Three gallons of olives, eight cases of sweet potatoes, 448 pounds of white potatoes, 90 dozen rolls, 81 pumpkin pies, and 50 apple pies were among the huge quantities of food consumed. An afghan donated by Rose Boudreau was won by Ed Pasternak of Beecher.”
More and more people were becoming aware of the culture’s lack of handicap accessibility in public places…
“Operation Access Was Success Says Women Helping Others”
“Operation Access, sponsored by the Manteno Women Helping Others organization on Saturday of last week, went well according to Madalyn Kepner, who headed the activity along with Ruth Ann Curl. Most business places were entered by persons in wheelchairs. The purpose of the operation was to find any barriers to access for handicapped persons. Club members received a communication from Gov. Daniel Walker, who conveyed his best wishes on the project.
“American Legion Post 755 to Observe Veterans’ Day Sunday”
“Manteno Legionnaires will observe Veterans’ Day on Sunday, November 11. To give all Mantenoans a chance to participate in the observance, the usual 11 o’clock ceremony at the plaque in Legion Park has been delayed until 12:15 p.m.
“Frank Klipp, Americanism Chairman for the Legion, stated, ‘We are hopeful everyone will attend church and then will come to the Memorial Plaque for the ceremony.’ Following the park ceremony, a roast beef dinner will be served at the Legion Home for all Legionnaires, Auxiliary members, and their families.
“Once known as Armistice Day, the national holiday commemorated the end of WW I, on November 11, 1918. Following WW II, sentiment grew for the day to be a tribute to veterans of all wars. A Congressional resolution was passed and signed into law in 1954. Congress changed the national observance of Veterans’ Day in 1968 to the fourth Monday in October. Many states, including our own, by legislation or proclamation, hold to the traditional date.”
As a side note, President Ford signed an act moving the observance of Veterans’ Day back to the original November 11 date in 1978.
The Crete Record: November 8, 1973
How old is the Crete Library – well, it appears to be in existence about 60 years according to this article…
“Crete Public Library to Celebrate 10th Anniversary”
“The Crete Public Library will mark two special events during the week of November 11 through 18 – National Children’s Book Week and the 10th anniversary of the library.”
Activities for the week included expanded hours, an adult arts and crafts program, pre-school and kindergarten story hour, plus the showing of a film for children in first – sixth grades. The week culminated with an open house on Sunday afternoon.
Showing at the Sauk Trail Drive-In: “M*A*S*H,” plus “Little Blue.” At the Holiday Theatre, “Bang the Drum Slowly” was featured.
And the schools were at it again…
“CMEA Prepares for Fight on Curriculum”
“Opening shots were fired Monday night in what appears to be a battle starting between the CMEA and the 201-U Administration concerning curriculum. Among recommendations recently made by Supt. Dr. John Savage, in two memos for ‘discussion only,’ were to all outside experts to develop curriculum for the district. The memos or ‘position papers’ had been distributed to the board, administrators, and department heads since the start of the school year.
“CMEA, in its paper presented Monday night to the board, stated it believed these papers display a lack of confidence in and belittle the efforts of those teachers and administrators who have worked on curriculum development and evaluation.
“The CMEA says, ‘The superintendent appears unwilling to grant any degree of expertise to those, who by virtue of their working in 201-U, would seem to be in a position to best know the wants and needs of the community.”
This headline says it all…
“Bumps Will Become Humps, Says 201-U School Board”
“Making bumps into humps was the decision of the 201-U School Board when it met Monday night The board learned that of the 18 original bumps placed on Sangamon Street to slow traffic, most have broken down. If all partial bumps and those between parking lot entrances and exits were removed only three would remain.
“With complaints from bus drivers, teachers, and parents fresh in the minds of the board, as well as the problems of removing snow in the area, the board decided to eliminate all but four of the bumps – and make those four into humps, at an expense of between $35 and $40. The humps will be placed at the north and south ends of the 201-U owned road, with two more humps placed in the middle of the area.”
The Beecher Herald: November 8,1973
“Senior Citizens to Have Use of Community Building”
“The Community Building in Beecher will be open the third Tuesday of each month from noon until 4 p.m. for senior citizens of the Beecher area, who may come to the hall to enjoy playing cards, knitting, exchanging ideas, or just visiting. Coffee and cake or cookies will be served.
“This announcement was made at the October meeting of the Senior Citizens of the Beecher Area by Margaret Soucie. She urged members and friends to take advantage of having a meeting place such as this and added, if enough are interested, eventually it is hoped arrangements can be made to have lessons in crafts, etc.”
And it’s still up and running to help furry friends…
“Humane Society to Open Shelter”
“The South Suburban Humane Society will soon open the doors of their shelter at 1103 West End Avenue in Chicago Heights. Up until this time, the society did not have their own facilities to house unwanted animals, and they were kept in ‘foster’ homes throughout the south suburban area.
“Now at last, due to generous contributions received from various people, the society’s wish for their own building soon will be realized. Last year, according to Mrs. Fran Vallone of Crete, one of the society’s representatives, half of the dog owners contacted in the Crete area responded with cash donations for the future shelter. The University of Illinois contributed enough cages to house 60 animals, and a $1,500 cash donation was received from a very generous person who wished to remain anonymous.
“In addition, three area veterinarians have consented to donate medical services, two hours a week each, to the shelter, including Dr. John Troxell of Homewood, Dr. Robert Mitchell of Steger, and Dr. Robert Dodson of South Holland.
“There are still several needs that must be filled, however, before the shelter will be able to operate successfully. Volunteers are needed to answer phones, help with fundraising projects and membership, and help place pets in homes. The shelter also needs lamps, chairs, a microscope, and sterilizer to furnish the building. Mrs. Vallone stated a truck for transporting the animals is also a ‘must.’”
The Peotone Vedette: November 9, 1973
Is 57 Years a Long Time? Guess it depends…
I still can remember watching the Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians Christmas specials on TV. My favorite part included the appearance of a real sleigh and horses on stage – at least I think it was Fred Waring.
“For 57 years someone, somewhere, has been writing about Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. This year is no exception, for Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians are coming to the Auditorium Theatre on November 17 for another concert performance by the famed choral and orchestral group.
“When you are 17, Fred’s age when he organized the Pennsylvanians, 57 years is a long time. When you are 73, which he is today, 57 years seem as a jet-powered kaleidoscope of memorable events – the great radio and TV shows for Old Gold, Ford, Chesterfield, and General Electric – Rosemary and Priscilla Lane, Paul Douglas, Robert Shaw, plus many other starts including the Shawnee Press, the Youth Workshop, the Waring blender, the Shawnee Inn and Golf Club, and other ventures.
“It has been a fast and wonderful 57 years, crammed with excitement and accomplishment. To Fred Waring, the past 57 years have been a very short time, a preparation for tomorrow with another horizon always waiting. The Pennsylvanians are always new, always vital, always young to Fred Waring.
“They are young, too, as with the exception of two cast member – the McClintocks who are 73 – the average age of the rest of the Pennsylvanians is about 21. With Fred Waring and All New Young Pennsylvanians, the Fred Waring Show is the music of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.”
Remember “Saturday Night Specials?”
“Saturday Night Is Not Special Anymore”
“Firearm legislation, which has an impact on this state, was recently passed into law. For 10 years, ever since the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, persons from all walks of life in Illinois have been urging the banning of sales of certain types of firearms and the adoption of new laws dealing with a crime in which a firearm is used.
“In 1968, Congress placed into the federal statute books a law banning the importing of ‘Saturday Night Specials,’ however, they still are being manufactured in the nation. Beginning February 21, 1974, a new Illinois statute will prohibit the sale of ‘Saturday Night Specials,’ defined as any handgun which melts or deforms at less than 800 degrees Fahrenheit. That definition was written into law because, generally, low-quality guns are made of pressed steel fillings, zinc alloys, and other non-homogenous metals that melt at relatively low temperatures. These guns, which sell for $15-to-$30, constitute one-fourth or more of illegal guns confiscated by local police departments.”
*****
Well, are you still eating Halloween candy, or did you have a good number of very hardy trick-or-treaters this year? At the beginning of trick-or-treat in Peotone, it was almost white-out conditions, but you could still witness the hardiest souls out and about gathering their loot. It also was surprising the snow was still on the ground the next day, along with lots, and lots, and lots of leaves still clinging to the trees. One would have thought, with all that wind, there wouldn’t have been one leaf left on any tree. Guess the leaves were as hardy as the trick-or-treaters!!!! Have a great week, and Life is Good!!!