September 18, 1947Wilmettes 75th Anniversary 1872-1947109905 Ridge road which is the present |stration of telephone company ser-were blown in and glass littered thehome of the Wilmette Health Center. IVillage Got PhoneviceHOT. The wind was still high. on Palm Sunday, 1920, when* a death-dealing tornado tore intoThe cornice of the building wasUp until 1937 finances hadService in 1892eightorn away; the exchange roof wast southern and mid-westernbeen one of the largest prob-bulged by the blasts; and to add tostates.lems of the Health Center and(Continued from page 6)the turmoil, parts of other struc-duringIt was about 12:50 oclock in the- this year they became aStill "booming", the number oftures in town were blown againstbeneficiarye of the Communitytelephones doubled in 1898 with theChestWarillmy eattfeternoon when the storm hitthe brick central office with terrify-. The telephone central of-. Eye clinics for childrenaddition of another 27 subscribers,ing force. The operators remainedandfice was in its path. Suddenly, in adults were also openedand a new telephone line was estab-at their positions.duringthe midst of the screeching wind this year.lished to Kenilworth. The followingand rain, a blinding flash of light-Quickly on Jobi year brought the count of subscrib-ning made every heart in the tele-Telephone linemen, and equipmentIn 1941, the first meeting of theers to 92, and during 1899, automaticphone operating room skip a beat;and building men were on the jobre-organized board of the Healthsignaling equipment was providedand the electric power, which ringsbefore the wind had died. Calls con-Center was held with a member-for party-line customers and anothertship increased from 10 to 18 mem-exchange cable was added.Wheit customers telephone, was gone.tinued to pour into the telephoneh no repairman in the building,office at more than twice the normalbers. The new board members wereit was up to Miss Veronica Sester-rate these were emergency calls.drawnServes 9,300 Subscribers from the representativehenn, who was in charge of thegroupA company report of the event and voted upon by that group,By 1937, there were more thancentral office, to pull the switcheseach board member being electedO.BOO telephones in Wilmette fromwhicsaid, "... There were no murmursh would start the auxiliaryfor(from our people), and everyone, al- a term of three years each andwhich approximately 29.000 callspower motors.rotationthough nervous and anxious about of six members each year.were placed each day. Last month,At present the membership of (hethe more than 120 central officeShoweredthe condition of their relatives, re- With Glassboard has been reduced to 15 mem-jfirls served 9,300 subscribers. EachAmained cheerful."s she was returning from thebers with a rotation of five mem-day, an average of 35,000 calls werelower floor where the power equip-bers each year.placed in Wilmette.ment was located, Miss SesterhennEARLY FRANCHISES* ih *Wiihin the next 90 days, anotherwas showered with glass from aBesides having1 a very finenew section of switchboard will bebroken window at the stair landing.WFilimrsett tgas franchise on record ine was granted to the North-dental office, the Wilmetteiidded W Wilmettes telephone office.The tornado had struck the building.Healtwestern Gas, Light, and Coke com-h Center has an examina-The office is located at 725 TwelfthInjured slightly by the glass, she re-pany in October, 1895. First elec-tion room for well baby elinios.street. E. G. Retry is manager forturned to the operating room andtric franchise it is believed wasa larffe waiting room which in-the Illinois Bell Telephone company.found her staff still at the swclndcs a play corner for theWilmettawarded to the Evanston Electrice saw a dramatic demon-diotcwh-boards completing calls. WinsIlluminating company in 1903.small children, a, loan closetwhich includes equipment forthe home care of the sick, thisequipment having been madepossible by contribution fromthe various village organi-zations.* * *The staff of the Wilmette HealthCenter includes five dentists, oneA. HANNA INC.pediatrician, one opthamologist, afull time clerk-dental technician,and a full time nurse-director.952 SPANISH COURTThe eligibility for services fromthe Health Center is determined byWILMETTEthe director on a scheduled basis ofincome in comparison to the sizeof the family and whether or notthat income supplies only the essen-tials but does not provide for medi-cal care or dentistry for the child-fen, or for prolonged illness.y The full purpose of the Wilmettehealth center is:1. To maintain infant, dental, eye,A WORD OF APPRECIATIONand immunization clinics and suchother clinics as may be required inthe public interest.Over twenty-five years of serving you is,2. To conduct a program of healthwe believe, an enviable record, and ourtducation and community nursing.3. To co-operate with the healththoughts go out ai this time in apprecia-authorities of Wilmette and NewTrier township.tion to our many patrons, both old andThis program is made possible bythe contributions to the Wilmettenew, who have helped to make this recordcommunity chest.possible. Our desire is to render thequality and service that will warrant yourcontinued patronage for many years tocome.DIRECTOR Mrs. VirginiaPhilip is the director of theWilmette health center, 905Ridge road. The organizationdates back nearly 30 years.