:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/454LYCRW7FHXXE7SOQG4AZX3J4.jpg)
1924 – 100 Years Ago
Last night was another night of slip, slide and skid for those driving automobiles, and several machines were in the ditches during the evening. Bentley’s garage yesterday afternoon went out after a machine that had four wheels broken as it skidded off the pavement into the ditch. A taxicab and a touring car came together at First and Lincoln Highway during the morning, but on account of the slippery pavement both machines skidded around in a circle and not even a fender was damaged.
Banks of DeKalb have made a special effort to secure a quantity of new currency of all denominations, and gold coins as well, which are often used by many people as Christmas gifts. It is understood that gold is not as plentiful as it was a few years ago, but by placing a requisition several weeks ahead, many of the institutions are able to get a certain amount in gold. The banks also have secured a number of folders suitable for currency and coin gifts, which are furnished to their patrons.
Fire Chief M. H. McEvoy and Louis Moulton spent some time yesterday giving attention to the lights and wire on the big tree that graces the Elks lawn. Many of the lights have not been burning of late, and it was found that some of the wiring was faulty. After this had been repaired by the chief and his helper, the tree was again well lighted last night and delighted many of the little folks.
Travelers between DeKalb and Sycamore that appreciate the work that good Samaritans have done to relieve the danger of driving with the auto. At the C. M. & G. crossing, cinders have been sprinkled on both sides of the track so that autoists having to come to a sudden stop will not slip and slide into the ditch. At the Electric Park turn, cinders have also been sprinkled on the pavement, while in DeKalb the Fourth street intersection has received a fair allowance of cinders.
After much difficulty experienced when the wagon on which the tree was loaded broke, the Izaak Walton tree donated to the public park was replanted yesterday. The tree, which has been standing in the front yard at the Frank Sterns home, will be one of the most beautiful at the park.
1949– 75 Years Ago
Funds to make possible a merry Christmas for those who are apt to be overlooked on the special day of the year, can be contributed in the Salvation Army kettle. The traditional kettle has been erected on the Lincoln Highway near the Memorial Clock and there are members of the DeKalb corps on duty there during the store hours, keeping the bell ringing and calling attention to the fact that Christmas can be made merrier by giving to others.
Alpha Sigma Alpha, social sorority at the Northern Illinois State Teachers College, is sponsoring a carol sing on Sunday evening, Dec. 18, with the hospitals to be visited as well as touring about the city.
Mrs. Julia Hoenicke, 736 Glidden Avenue was thrilled when she received a package from a niece which contained a small Christmas tree from the Alps in Austria. The tree brought with it many memories as it came from a section where Mrs. Hoenicke used to hike nearly 50 years ago before coming to this country. Mrs. Hoenicke has never returned since coming to the States. The tree, which is about 11 inches high, arrived in top shape, being fresh and green and having roots. Mrs. Hoenicke has potted the tree and is hoping that it will live as she plans to place it in the yard next spring.
Listening to a couple of gals conversing around the courthouse the other day, one was struck by the utility of trying to cover up the question of age in a town as small as Sycamore. Discussing another woman, they tracked down her age by matching her up with the people that she had gone to school with and the pals she had when a young lady. You might just as well admit your age.
Santa Claus arrived in DeKalb early this afternoon and has set up headquarters where he will greet his young friends each afternoon and evening until Christmas Eve. His headquarters are at the Gordon-Clark show rooms at 146 North Fourth street. A decorated Christmas tree was set up and everything was made ready for the arrival of Santa this afternoon.
Charles Leese, 28, is employed as a patrolman on the DeKalb police department at this time, starting his duties the first of the week. Leese, a veteran of World War II was one of the 14 who recently took the police examination.
1974 – 50 Years Ago
The first community Christmas tree in decades now brightens Cortland, thanks to the efforts of the Cortland Lions Club which erected and decorated the towering pine.
Community Access Cable 8 airs a week-long television series, “Billie the Brownie,” starting at 6 tonight on cable channel 8. The series is aimed at younger set and will lead up to a live Santa Claus call-in program Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. “Billie the Brownie” stars Valerie Salmons and other local talent including the singing duo of Tammy and Toby.
Of all the libraries at Northern Illinois University, one of the most fascinating is the Davis Hall Map Library. The library was established in September of 1965 and was officially opened in February 1996, in Davis Hall. The library includes about 127,000 maps, 700 aerial photographs and a reference collection of geographic and geological books. The collection of photographs provides a complete aerial coverage of DeKalb County for the years of 1954 through 1964.
Members of International Association of Machinists Local 930 will vote Monday at 2 p.m. on the latest contract proposal hammered out early this morning after a 15-hour bargaining session with Barber-Greene Co., representatives. The machinists have been on strike at the local Barber-Greene Co. since Sept. 15.
1999 - 25 Years Ago
Students have never been more motivated to crack open a book. Teachers at Littlejohn Elementary School challenged students on Nov. 1 to read 2,000 books by the year 2000. But they didn’t stop once they reached their goal. Instead, the 420 students read 10,595 books in just six weeks, and celebrated their reading success with a “chain march” Thursday. Parents had to sign a slip verifying that the student actually read a book. For each book that was read, a four-inch paper chain was made with the student’s name on it.
Some music students who graduated from DeKalb High School say they are at a disadvantage now that they are taking music courses at Northern Illinois University. District officials argue they are improving DeKalb’s school music program as fast as they can with the money they have.
A New Year’s project that became a lesson in generosity started out with the single penny. Fifth-grade teachers Page Pavelich and Sherrie Martin led their 51 students at Shabbona Elementary School in a challenge to raise 2,000 pennies to celebrate the first year of the next century.
Compiled by Sue Breese