Feb. 19: J. W. Van Doren, who has been in the jewelry business here in Minonk for the past 46 years, has sold out to Howard J. Palmer. Mr. Van Doren started business in this city on Feb. 13, 1896. He built up an extensive business. He was watch inspector for the Illinois Central railroad company and years ago had to make a monthly personal trip over the lines to inspect the trainmen's watches.
According to the provisions of the will of the late R. B. Stoddard, grain dealer, who died Feb. 8, the elevator on the Illinois Central railroad right of way was left to John H. Leffers and the elevator on the Santa Fe railroad to Dean McCully. They have formed a partnership and will continue to conduct business under the firm name of Leffers and McCully.
1,167 Woodford County men registered in the third selective service sigh-up. The other two sign-ups were in other areas of the country. 160 local men added their names to the role for the nation's armed forces. The Monday registration was the first wartime draft here since the First World War.
Monday, February 23, has been set as the date for the start of the religious survey in Minonk under the sponsorship of the Ministerial Association. This will mark the first such census to be taken in the community in several years.
Feb. 26: Films of the first large scale victories scored by the United States fleet in their recent attacks on the Japanese held Marshall and Gilbert Islands in the South Pacific will be showing in the RKO news reel at the Minonk Theatre on Sunday and Monday.
Lions Club is organized in this city. Forty-four business and professional men have signed up and before charter night, it is expected that the number will have reached fifty.
Women are asked to knit sleeveless sweaters for the Red Cross to be sent to the men in the armed forces of the United States. Minonk's quota is set at 106 sweaters.
Clerks of all county elementary school boards will make a survey of people living in their districts preparatory to the start of sugar rationing. This count is to include everyone in the immediate family as well as relatives, roomers, boarders or hired help living under the same roof.
March 5: The Minonk Cheese Factory is now making more than 5,000 pounds of cheese a day and over 1,000 pounds of butter each week.
Arthur Zivney, the progressive owner, is one of the largest cheese manufacturers in Illinois.
Minonk Cagers entered semi-final play in the regional tournament at Wenoa by trouncing the Lacon quintet by a 49 to 19 count.
March 12: With curb work along Fifth Street complete, WPA crews have now moved their operations to the south block on Chestnut Street where curb and sidewalk work is in progress.
Tire and car rationing is having its effect on automobile registration in the state of Illinois, with nearly one million less vehicles registered this year as compared to last.
March 19: Over 60 attended the FFA father and son banquet Tuesday.
April 2: Fulfilling their part of a two year union agreement, the Sutton mine will continue operations throughout the summer instead of closing for a four month period in early April as has been the custom in the past.
On Monday Grampp and Sons produce house took in a total of 12,510 dozen eggs to hit a new high for the month of March.
April 9: Work is underway at the Chocolate Ship preparatory to installation of a new 12 foot lunch counter and new kitchen facilities, together with other minor changes.
While a few farmers have their oats in, most of them have been held up due to the wet condition of the fields.
Staff Sgt. George Doblesky of Minonk now stationed with the 94th Pursuit Squadron at Long Beach, Calif., has sent information that motion pictures of his unit will soon be shown in Pathe and universal news reels and also widely read photo magazines. The occasion for the photography was the return of Col. Eddie Rickenbacker, World War I flying ace, to his old squadron, the 94th.