The Daily Herald from Chicago, Illinois • Page 13

THE HERALD Tuesday, July 20, 1971 Section 2 Court Reporting: Cool Career For Calm People by ELEANOR RIVES To be a good secretary, most secretarial schools agree that a shorthand of at least 100 words per minute should be mastered. To be a good legal secretary, a speed of 140 words per minute Is more like it. To be a certified court reporter, one must pass a 200 word per minute state test. And you can't be a court reporter without being certified. Mrs.

Helen Davidson, a widow and resident of Des Plaines for more than six years, has been a court reporter for 11 years. She is assigned to courts in Arlington Heights, Evanston, Skokie and sometimes Winnetka by the Circuit Court of Cook County, Second Municipal District Helen has always been fascinated by law and the legal process. Before she became a court reporter, she was personal secretary to Federal Judge Philip L. Sullivan for three years until his death. THE LEGAL BACKGROUND and experience she gained with him helped her breeze through court reporter school (in Chicago) in nine months instead of the usual two to three years (with summers included).

Also to her credit was three and a half years' education in Northwestern University's School of Commerce. "There's more to court reporting than just taking notes and transcribing," she said. "You must learn not only legal terms and vocabulary but be familiar with medical information, congressional records, literary dictation, jury charges, convention work even engineering terms." Through a quirk of fate, she now works under Judge Harold W. Sullivan, presiding judge for the Second District and nephew of her first Judge Sullivan. MRS.

DAVIDSON is a Gregg penwri- ter, as opposed to a machine writer. She not only records all spoken words but makes notes of such actions as nodding to someone, pointing, handing something over. As a court reporter, she works five days in court each week. She covers traffic court, criminal misdemeanors, criminal felony court, and, if the assistant state's attorney requests it, she may be summoned to a jury trial. In the Arlington Heights Village Hall, a typical day in felony court, where it is required that a court reporter be present, begins when court convenes at 9 a.m.

Cases from Arlington Heights, Wheeling, Rolling Meadows and Buffalo Grove are handled. First call is for people who request continuance of their cases. If granted, new dates are set for them. Next is the beginning of the "trial call," beginning with those who plead "not guilty." Non- jury trials follow. There may be one or two recesses during the day depending on how full the schedule is.

"ON FELONY days, we just keep working until we're finished, no matter how long it takes. There are often prisoners from the county jail present and they must be taken back," said Helen. "It's all very serious work," she added. "You see much grief and hardship, so many people in trouble. I used to take it all home with me, but I've learned to leave it in the courtroom." Mrs.

Davidson takes it all home in notes, however, and spends hours transcribing but not everything, only what is requested. She saves her notes for seven years. The most tragic event she witnessed in the course of her career was the death of Burton Coleman (Arlington Heights' "blind who stepped out of the courtroom while it was in session, collapsed in a back room with Helen beside him, and died shortly after. IS COURT REPORTING a good field for a woman? "I love court work," said Helen. "Every day is a new challenge.

It's my life work and I certainly intend to continue. "Salary is unlimited for a young, ambitious girl willing to put in extra hours weekends, evenings at home, sometimes staying in court after five. It's an excellent field; most court reporters are women." If you are considering this field as a career, she suggests you ask yourself these questions: Am I a calm person? Do I have nerves of steel? Do I stay mentally alert? Can I work under pressure, sometimes for hours at a stretch? "When you are a court reporter," said Helen, "you have to LIVE court reporting." MRS. EMIL FICK, nationally accredited flower show judge, left, discusses principles of design for an arrangement with Mrs. Dale Stephens, center, and Mrs.

V. J. Mastandrea of the Buffalo Grove Garden Club at a recent meeting. Mrs. Pick critiqued arrangements made by members and demonstrated arrangements from the schedule for the club's Aug.

8 flower show. Show information is available from Mrs. Stephens, club president, 537-0362. EVERY DAY is a challenge when you are a court reporter, according to Mrs. Helen Davidson of Des Plaines, who is a Gregg penwriter for the Second Municipal District of the Cook County Circuit Court.

Suburban Living ESPECIALLY FOR THE Birth Notes The Home Line by Dorothy Ritz Dear Dorothy: Washed and dried, large seasoning bottles make excellent container for sugar to be sprinkled on cnnkies, cereal, cole slaw, and such They also make adding glitter to Christmas gifts so much easier and neater Dear Dorothy: I have a friend who has a completely closed pantry. As she lives near water there is a constant musty smell which is driving her frantic. Can you suggest anything 1 --Sheila R. Maybe she can air it out regularly with an electri? fan If it's not too large a room, she can hang a bag of activated ch c'nal and it will absorb every odor in tin plare Another idea in this type of situation Is to use one of the long electric dehiunidificrs which not only dries air but keeps circulating it. These do a wonderful job in closets where there isn't nuieh circulation and keep valuable clothes and shoes from deteriorating Oorothy: I have two white enamel pans, the outsides are like new, but the tnsides have turned brown Is there a remedy? --Lisa B.

Mix one part chlorine bleach to four parts water. Fill the pot with this solution, then bring slowly to a boil or soak overnight. Rinse. Dear Dorothy When a button has been torn off a garment, leaving a hole, sew the button securely to a bit of tape. Then push the button up through the hole, leaving the loose ends of tape on the underside to be sewn to the garment.

--Mrs. Caroline Smith. Thanks' You've come up with one of the best "how-to-do-its" we've had in months. Dear Dorothy: Noticed a lipstick stain on one of my good linen napkins. A quick rub with the handy pumice soap and the stain disappeared.

It's a remarkable household aid. --Laura G. Agree the strange thing about this soap is that even though it is a powerful scrubbing agent, it seems delicate when used on the hands. ii Dear Dorothy: I notice that a reader used chewing tobacco to protect the felt area inside the piano and that she had no more trouble with insects eating these felts. We were told to put four ounces of paradichlorobenzene crystals in a muslin bag inside the piano case and keep the case closed.

So far, several years later, we have not been annoyed with any insects. Mrs. Wm. Johnson. (Mrs.

Ritz welcomes questions and hints. If a personal reply is required, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Write to Dorothy Ritz in care of Suburban Living, Paddock Publications, Box 280, Arlington Heights, 111. 60006.) LaLeche Meets Jn Buffalo Grove La Leche League of Buffalo Grove- Wheeling will hold the second session of a four-part series on "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" at 8:30 p.m. tomorrow in the home of Mrs.

Robert P. McParland, 293 Terrace Place, (Strathmore) Buffalo Grove. Overcoming difficulties of breastfeeding will be the topic, led by Mrs. Daniel Duffy. Interested persons may attend.

Membership is not required. Additional information may be had by calling Mrs. McParland, 537-7745, or Mrs. Michael Murray, 541-46J1. Second Home In New Role Longer weekends and vacations, better highways and increased population pressures are several reasons for the dramatic changes in the function of second homes.

What used to be considered a weekend cabin or a vacation home often serves now as a primary residence, with a smaller townhouse or apartment used as a weekday home. Other second homes assume full-time duty after retirement or are rented out when not occupied by the owner. Some features in traditional vacation 'homes continue to be a boon, easy care being one of the most important. Rugged exterior and interior surfaces, long-lived floors and decks and innovative outdoor amenities, all of western woods, add immeasurably to carefree enjoyment. For a new 24-page richly illustrated "Second Homes" book, with drawings and floor plans of 18 designs and several options, send $1 to Western Wood Products Dept.

542-P, Yeon Portland, Ore. 97204. BPW Board Meets The Mount Prospect Chapter of The Business and Professional Women's Club held its first board meeting of the 1971-72 season Monday evening, July 12, at the Arlington Park Towers Hotel. Presiding was the newly elected president, Marian Baker. The session was devoted to formulating plans for the club's activities and programs in the forthcoming year which are designed to promote the role of women in today's business world.

Lullabies Are Their Rock Music NORTHWEST COMMUNITY Deborah Lynn Bedard is the first child for Mr. and Mrs. Dell E. Bedard, 1216 S. i 1 Arlington Heights.

Deborah weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces at birth July 12. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Nancy Romano of Wonder Lake, 111., and Mr. and Mrs.

Adelard Bedard of Elk Grove Village. The baby's paternal great grandfather is Mr. Adelard Bedard Sr. of Elk Grove Village. Allison Nicole Ankeny weighed 7 pounds ounces when she arrived July 12.

She is the first child for Mr. and Mrs. Darrel J. Ankeny, 856 Bryn Mawr, Bartlett. Grandparens are Mr.

and Mrs. Jamie Nichols of Newton, and Mrs. Leah J. Ankeny xf Seattle, Wash. LUTHERAN GENERAL.

Lisa Lorena Drewes was a July 1 arrival for Mr. and Mrs. Donald W. 321 E. Foster, Arlington Heights.

Grandparents of the 6 pound 10 ounce baby are Mr. and Mrs. Allen Piske of Arlington Heights and Mr. and Mrs. Murray Rogers of Park Ridge.

Geoffrey Aaron Byrne is a brother for Thomas F. Byrne III and a son for Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Byrne 3705 Wilke Road, Rolling Meadows.

Geoffrey weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces when he was born July 1. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Steve Forgacs of Bourbonnais, 111., and Mr. and Mrs.

Thomas F. Byrne of Chicago. Julie Carol Dillon weighed 6 pounds 9 ounces when she arrivee July 4. She joins a sister Laura, Wz. Parents are Mr.

and Mrs. Thomas E. Dillon, 508 Fairview, Mount Prospect. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs.

Jack Cutchin of Park Ridge and Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Dillon of Chicago. Gina Lynn Ott is the first child for Mr. and Mrs.

Dale S. Ott, 122 W. Hellen, Palatine. She arrived July 5 and weighed 6 pounds 4 ounces. Grandparents are Mr.

and Mrs. Leo A. Lentini of Palatine and Mr. and Mrs. James Ott of Wonewoc, Wis.

Various Group Sessions Available At Forest Special growth sessions for such individual groups as married couples, families, adolescents and single persons will begin at Forest Hospital, 555 Wilson Lane, Des Plaines. The purpose of these sessions is to help each person experience maximum sett- awareness to improve his ability to communicate and encourage all levels of relations with one another. The group sessions will be conducted by the social therapist staff, according to Dr. Robert Willford, executive director of the Forest Hospital Postgraduate Center for Mental Health, which sponsors the series. Each group will meet once a week, Monday through Friday, from 7 p.m.

to 9 p.m. for 10 weeks. Married couples will meet on Tuesday; family groups on Thursday, adolescents on Wednesday and mixed groups on Monday. Sessions will begin as each group enrollment is filled. The cost for the session is married couples, $15 per couple; family group, $5 for each member of the family; adolescent, $10; mixed group, $10 per participant.

All sessions will be held at Forest. Additional information may be obtained by caUing 827-8811. William Alan Bonebrake was a July 7 arrival for Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J.

Bonebrake, 2310 Eastmen, Rolling Meadows. The 8 pound 4V 2 ounce baby joins Deborah, 7, and Randy, 16 months. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Axel Nelson of Skokie and Dr.

and Mrs. Harold Bonebrake of Chicago. Robert Anthony Ferguson joins a sister Rachele Ann in the Robert B. Ferguson household, 1208 Robert Drive, Mount Prospect. The baby weighed 8 pounds ounce when he was born July 8.

Mr. and Mrs. Karl Anthony of Dane, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ferguson of Dallas City, 111., are the grandparents.

Movie Roundup ARLINGTON Arlington Heights 2552125 "The Anderson Tapes" CATLOW Barrington 381-0777 Suite" CINEMA Mount Prospect 392-7070 "Love Story" (GP) DES PLAINES Des Plaines 824-5253 "Doctor's Wives" and "The Virgin awl the Gypsy" GOLD MILL Niles 296-4500 -Theatre 1: "Love Story" Theatre 2: "Willy Wonka The Chocolate Factory" (G) PROSPECT Mount Prospect Jake" (G) RANDHURST CINEMA Randhurst Center 392-9393 "Willy Wonka The Chocolate Factory" (G) THUNDERBIRD Hoffman Estates 894-6000 "Summer of "42" (R) WILLOW CREEK Palatine 358-1155 Out" (GP).