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Private transportation was sought since there was no gas allotment
for athletic events. The athletic department of the school and
members of the team made an appeal to the fathers of team members
as well as any other sports minded people to volunteer to drive for
just one trip. Twenty-two hopefuls showed up for the first organized
practice. Of this group there were five lettermen. They were
Delbert Schneider, Paul Ryan, Art Babler, Robert Schmetter, and Mark
Fritz. Two of the lettermen were out temporarily because of
scarlet fever. They were Paul Ryan and Robert Schmetter. They did not
see action until later in the season.
November brought news that the Illinois Central Railroad
would construct a new depot located on the west side of the tracks.
It would be completed in January of 1943.
To help further the war effort the Boy Scouts visited all homes
in the village and collected old clocks. Thirty-five alarm clocks
were collected and sold to Mr. Wischoff, the jewler. They
collected $7.55 for their days work.
Japan launched their fourth attempt to take the Solomon Islands.
The president signed legislation lowering the draft to eighteen.
Coffee rationing went into effect in November 1942. One
pound every five weeks was allowed for every person who was fifteen
years or older. This worked out to one cup per day per person. In
a household where childreen fifteen or older do not drink coffee, the
grownups were allowed their portion.
Doris Judd and Lester Fredrickson were married.
To honor Pearl Harbor Day, a complete blackout was ordered. There
were only minor violations in Belleville. There was a light left on in