Days Gone By In Staunton

Thursday, September 29, 1966 -- FINALIST FOR U OF I HOMECOMING QUEEN -- Miss Donna Yakos, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Yakos of Staunton, a junior student at the University of Illinois, Urbana, has been named as one of the ten finalists in the 56th annual U of I homecoming queen contest. The finalists were picked from a field of more than 70 contestants, the preliminary judging being held last week. The queen and the members of her court will be chosen by a vote of the faculty and students next Tuesday and Wednesday.

The young lady receiving the most votes will be Miss Illinois, and the first runner-up will be named Miss Stanford in honor of the Fighting Illini's opponent at the homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 22, at Memorial Stadium. The remaining eight finalists will compose the queen's court.

Miss Illinois will be caped at the pep rally on Thursday, Oct. 20, and crowned in ceremonies at the homecoming football game.

Donna's many friends in Staunton and vicinity extend congratulations on her preferment, and are sure that she would make an attractive queen.

Bulldog Band to Participate in V-P Parade -- Marshall Cloyd informed us shortly before press time that he had received the final word concerning the Marching Bulldog's participation in the Veiled Prophet Parade. The nationally famous high school band is one of nine high school bands invited to participate Saturday night.

The floats this year will represent sports events and the Bulldogs are scheduled to march between floats 8 and 9.

Due to this performance the high school band will be unable to be present for the Quincy- Staunton football game and the grade school band will march at halftime.

The parade is scheduled to be televised over Channel 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Plan League for Girls' Basketball -- A group of girls in this area is trying to organize a basketball league this winter. They have enlisted the aid of Paul "Pop" Meyer who has had much experience in that field.

Any girls, from 15 years of age and upwards, who are interested, please send your name, address and age to the secretary, Mick Derganc, 1002 South Madison, Gillespie, Ill.., or call 839-3458 after 5:30 o'clock.

It is intended to have four or more teams, all of whom will be starting from scratch, so that none will be outclassed. The services of some capable young men who have played high school or college basketball are needed to act as coaches and referees. All games will be played under men's rules.

Mr. Meyer has been very successful in forming girls' leagues in the past, and has organized an international association which is still functioning. He is now a resident of Gillespie and will assist in making a good league in this area if sufficient interest is manifested.

ZIP Code Week to be celebrated -- Residents in Staunton will be offered an opportunity to ZIP Code their mailing lists during October, Postmaster Wm. H. Fey announced today.

Letter carriers will deliver "no postage needed" cards to each of the city's 216 business stops and 1,699 residential delivery stops beginning October 10, the postmaster said. The cards will have blanks for addresses used most often, but for which individuals do not know the proper ZIP Codes.

The project will be a feature of ZIP Code Week, to be celebrated locally. Throughout the nation 95,000,000 of the cards will be delivered.

"This is a good time to get the ZIP Codes missing from your lists, Postmaster Fey noted. "This Christmas, ZIP Code will be as important as shopping and mailing early for the efficient and on-time delivery of the record-breaking avalanche of mail expected in the pre-holiday weeks."

After filling in the street number, city and state, the cards are to be mailed back to the postmaster. Post office personnel will add the proper ZIP Codes and return the cards to the sender.

It has been found that about half the population is using ZIP Code. Of the remaining half who are not, 80 percent said the reason was that they did not know the ZIP Codes for the people to whom they write.

Only addresses, not names of correspondents, should be listed on the cards, the postmaster said. ZIP Codes represent delivery areas for the postal service, not individuals.

Thursday, October 6, 1966 -- WORDEN MAN STABBED IN BACK SUNDAY MORNING -- Robert Hodge, aged 21, of Worden, was taken to the Community Memorial Hospital early Sunday morning suffering a stab wound in his back, reportedly inflicted as a result of an altercation which had started about midnight in Sally's Tavern on South Union street.

According to reports, Hodge, with three companions, John Fleming and Dan Burnett, both of Livingston, and Dan Dooley of Worden, had left the tavern because of an argument which had developed there with three young men from Litchfield. Patrolman Walter Beyer had been notified by telephone at about 12:10 o'clock, and he called Chief of Police William Bechem for assistance. In the meantime, Hodge had gone to the home of his grandfather on South Elm street, and was about to enter when, according to police reports, a voice called out, "This is for you!" and Hodge was stabbed in the back. The assailant left the knife in the victim's back and fled, the act being committed before the police could arrive. Hodge's companions took him to the Community Memorial Hospital for treatment, which he was reported to be in satisfactory condition.

FISH ARRIVE FOR DERBY -- Tubs of fish were emptied into the lake at the Progressive Associated Grocers warehouse recently with Senator Bill Lyons and a representative of the Illinois Department of Conservation on hand to watch the process.

The fish were secured for a "fishing derby" to be sponsored by the Staunton Lions Club on Saturday, October 13. The event is open to boys and girls of Staunton. The age limit is up to and including eighth graders. Prizes will be awarded and refreshments served.

In order to participate children are asked to register at the Heinz & Braido Shoe Store or at Jim Rhoads Barber Shop. Only hook and line equipment (no casting, spinning or fly) will be allowed. All entrants must furnish their own equipment and bait.