Looking Back - The Vedette (2024)

By Arline Adamsick

The Peotone Vedette: August 2, 1974

Here were the headlines for the August 2 edition of The Peotone Vedette: “Hank Williams Jr. to Star in 1974 Will County Fair,” “Register for School August 15-16 in 207-U,” and “Caucus to Fill Quigley Seat.”

Regarding the Quigley seat on the Will County Board…”Wayne Lehnert, who last month was appointed to fill the vacancy on the Will County Board left by the death of Marvin Quigley, now faces a caucus of precinct committeemen in order to keep the seat.

“County Clerk Clara Hartley Woodard said this week she will select a weekday evening before the end of August for the caucus. The closed caucus (for committeemen only, rather than the public) is being held on the advice of the State’s Attorney, Mrs. Woodard said.

“The controversial appointment of Lehnert to the seat was made by the Will County Board July 10 amidst considerable dissent over the length of his term. Lehnert, a Republican, would bring the GOP majority on the board to 17, over 11 Democrats. Quigley was a Democrat.

“Board Chairman Roy Hassert insisted Lehnert’s term should last until November 1976, when Quigley’s would have expired. However, State’s Attorney Martin Rudman had ruled the term should be only until the next county election, which is in November of 1974, but it is scheduled only for Districts, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and not District 6, which Lehnert would represent.

“The Will County Democratic Central Committee has threatened legal action if the special caucus isn’t held and if the county board doesn’t honor the candidate then elected in November. District 6 encompasses Florence, Channahon, Custer, Peotone, Reed, and Wilmington Townships.”

“Hank Williams…The Will County Fair Board announced Hank Williams Jr. will be the star attraction at this year’s Will County Fair, which is scheduled to open a five-day run August 21, at the fairgrounds in Peotone.

“Sharing the spotlight with him will be The Cheatin’ Hearts with Merle Kilgore and ‘Whitey’ Ford, the legendary Duke of Paducah. He will bring his show to the grandstand on Saturday, August 24, for two performances at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sandwiched between their acts will be the Arky Swingers Square Dancers.”

The article went on and noted other scheduled fair attractions that year, including: Garden tractor pull, tractor pulling contest, greased pig contest, pony hitch and junior performance classes, demolition derby for men and for women, the ever-popular baby show, and a livestock parade of blue ribbon winners.

Just a note on prices: Gate admission was $1, with grandstand admission $1 on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, or $2 on Saturday and Sunday.

The Beecher Herald: August 1, 1974

At the Sauk Trail Drive-In, it was George C. Scott and Stacy Keach in “The New Centurions,” plus “Buster and Billie,” while the Holiday was featuring Mel Brooks’ “Blazing Saddles.”

Thou shalt not contaminate they neighbor’s garden…”Warn of Herbicide Drift onto Gardens”

“The following excerpt from ‘Insect, Weed, and Plant Disease Survey Bulletin’ from the University of Illinois will be of interest to the farmers in the area.

“‘Thou shalt respect the garden of another’ (including your wife’s), ‘because that garden doth give much personal satisfaction and benefit to thy neighbor’ – especially when food prices are so high.

“Herbicides, such as Lorox, applied pre-emergence can have a post-emergence effect if they drift to your neighbor’s garden, which was planted earlier. The contact effect of paraquat drift can spot, speckle, or kill nearby plants. Some herbicides may wash onto a garden downhill from your field. However, the major problem is from 2,4-D. Tomatoes, grapes, and red bud trees are especially sensitive.

“Can produce be eaten from a garden damaged by herbicide drift? Even very small amounts of 2,4-D may cause profound effects on plants. And small amounts of a herbicide with relatively low toxicity may not necessarily present a serious health hazard. But unless the herbicide is registered for that crop and a tolerance has been set for a given level of herbicide in that crop, we cannot recommend eating it.

“Don’t ignore human nature and psychology. A neighbor who eats something affected by your herbicide might develop a headache or a sore toe from a completely unrelated cause, but what do you think they will think caused it? So be a good neighbor. Keep the herbicide on the targeted area.”

“Historic Landmark Survey Lists Will County Sites”

“The Illinois Historical Landmarks Survey recently released an interim report on landmarks of special historical importance. Field survey for the report was conducted under the auspices of the Illinois Department of Conservation.

“Sites in Eastern Will County include one in Peotone, two in Beecher, and two in Monee. The Rathje Windmill at 427 W. Corning Avenue (even though the article says 500 E. Corning), Peotone, dates back to 1870. It was used as a gristmill until 1920, but the vanes (blades) were removed earlier.

“In Beecher, a two-story frame hotel known as ‘Fannie’s – Beecher Hotel’ is at Gould and Penfield Streets. It was erected prior to 1870. Also in Beecher is the Wars Memorial at Reed and Penfield, erected in 1924 for veterans of U.S. wars.

“The stone building at Court and Eastgate in Monee was believed to be built around 1850. The rural frame church that is St. Boniface, at Main and Middlepoint, was built in 1867 and recently underwent a face-lifting.”

The Manteno News: August 1, 1974

“Cindy Collier Named Homecoming Queen”

“Despite the unavailability of the traditional carnival, the Manteno American Legion Homecoming drew good crowds on each of its three evenings last weekend. Under the guidance of Co-chairmen Joe LaGesse and Bill Mansfield, games, dancing, and other activities kept area residents busy and happy. The women with their able committee members served fish dinners on Friday, a barbecue on Saturday, and chicken dinners on Sunday.

“The New Liberty dance band proved popular both Friday and Sunday nights, when young people of all ages turned out in great numbers.

“The Kiddie Parade on Saturday evening again was one of the Homecoming highlights. Winners in the various categories were: Floats – Teen Center, first; Firemen’s Auxiliary, second; and Sportsman’s Auxiliary, third; Group entries – New Liberty, first; South Poplar, second; and South Walnut, third; Comedy, Beverly Hillbillies, first, and clown Lisa Crouse, second.

“More than 3,000 tickets were sold to determine the Homecoming Queen, which was awarded to Cindy Collier by the ticket-holders who contributed to both the Legion and MHS Senior Class funds.

“Drawings each night saw $850 being awarded to three lucky winners. On Friday, Dan Jacobs was the recipient of the $100 award. On Saturday, Mrs. Josephine Putman, of Kankakee, won $250, and Mrs. Edna Gallion was the big winner in the $500 drawing on Sunday.

At Jerry’s Bi-Rite Food Store: Ground beef, spareribs, or chuck steak – 79¢ lb.; a gallon of milk- 99¢; four-roll pkg. of bathroom tissue – 39¢; homegrown sweet corn 79¢ doz.; and a pound package of M&M’s $1.09.

From the Manteno Foods ad: California cantaloupes – 3/$1; round or Swiss steak – $1.29; standing rump roast – $1.09; Country Delight skim milk – 57¢ half gallon; frozen Banquet pies – 4/$1; and a 3 lb. can Folger’s coffee – $3.09.

The Crete Record: August 1, 1974

Here’s a follow-up from a previous edition…”Residents Support Medical Facility”

“Approximately 100 residents of south suburban communities filled the conference room of Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet Tuesday evening to witness a 26-minute presentation before the executive board of the Will-Grundy-Kankakee Comprehensive Health Planning Council of Joliet.

“Making the presentation in favor of the development of a regional medical facility in Park Forest South were officials from Park Forest, Park Forest South, and the Service League of Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center.

“As a result of the meeting, the comprehensive planning group, a ‘B’ agency, has agreed to review Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s proposal for a medical center in Park Forest South as soon as the hospital has supplied additional information concerning seven major items supporting the need for the facility.

“The ‘B’ agency, which is part of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, gave the Rush proposal an unfavorable review last September. The negative review also led to denial of the application for funds from both Hill-Burton and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“Planning Council Board Chairman John Rogers said the review would be conducted in an expeditious manner once material from Rush is received. According to a hospital official, the material would be sent within a week.”

“Lakefront Festival August 17-25 Features Variety of Events”

“Chicago’s lakefront will become a stage August 17-25 when annual Lakefront Festival activities are held in the parks and on the waterfront. This year, the festivities will be even more lavish than usual. Music, dance, parades, water thrills, national sporting competition, fireworks, circus acts, all on a grand scale, will entertain visitors.”

Here is a list of some of the featured attractions in 1974: Polka and Square Dancing festivals at Buckingham Fountain; drum and bugle corps concerts; a rock concert; King Neptune Parade, Veterans of Foreign Wars Parade, and a Chicago River Parade; Cypress Gardens Water Ski Show; an art fair; concerts in the Grant Park Bandshell, plus everyone’s favorite “Venetian Night,” featuring a parade of decorated yachts, the Cypress Gardens troupe, and fireworks over Lake Michigan! The article also mentioned visitors could take in the recent opening of the observation deck on the 103rd floor of the world’s tallest building – the Sears Tower. Admission was only $1.50.

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Welcome to August – though how in the world did we get here so quickly? Seems like just yesterday we were congratulating graduates and talking about big summer plans. Now, it’s all about back-to-school supplies and the Will County Fair.

Sometimes living in a small town necessarily means a few inconveniences, but it definitely has its benefits – in more than one way!!!! I’m reminded of that quite often and, most recently, with the water main break in front of my property on July 25. I can’t thank neighbors and friends enough for their concern and kind assistance to make sure all was well at my home!!!! God Bless you all – it means more than I can properly say!!! You’re the best, and Life definitely is Good!!!!