THE MCHENRY "Serving The Chain-O-Lakes Region Since 1875" Volume 89 -- No. 14 -- 3 Sections McHENHY, ILLINOIS, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 1963 18 Pages -- 10c Per Copy School Districts Referendums .Response to the new Zip code since its inception a few weeks ago is said to have been most encouraging, according to Postmaster LeRoy Smith. One good example of the value of using the new code concerned mail which found its way to the wife of City Carrier Alex Justen, who received a card with the proper street address and zip code, but containing the city of Chicago, rather than McHenry. On arrival in Chicago, the postal employee evidently found that he had no street as marked on the address, so checked the Zip code number and sent the card on to McHenry. Editorial comment in another county paper urges city aid on construction of sidewalks, which under ordinance is the responsibility of the new property owner. The primary purpose is to provide greater safety in some areas where children must otherwise walk down the road to school this fall. If the situation is anything like McHenry, the youngsters will be much happier as it is, in spite of the hazard. In McHenry, where . sidewalk is plentiful, we recall so well the Edgebrook and -• Junior high children walking three and four abreast down Center street unaware that the thoroughfare was made for cars. ' It's one good reason for folks in that part of town to look with no great pleasure to the start of the school term. A look at one Of our Twice Told Tales column qf fifty years ago" gives 'us a chuckle as we find that history continues to repeat itself. At present we seem to be in between controversy over the propriety of the latest dance steps, but another is sure to come along soon to add fuel to the discussion. And it seems that it was ever so. Back fifty years ago a very popular fellow named "Stubby" Smith managed a dance hall bearing his name at Johnsburg. His popularity became even greater as he took a stand against what were described as the "latest freak dances." Manager Smith placed a sign which read: "No tango, turkey trot or bear cat dances allowed in this hall." The newspaper writer, in making comment on his action, editorialized that it was a disgrace in those modern times, when folks considered themselves so far advanced in knowledge, that such low and immoral dances were indulged in. He' lamented the fact that seldom did one see good waltzes, two steps and other clean dances. And now what will follow the twist and the bossa nova? Those of us residing in the suburban area have long been the subjects of jokes in which we are featured as weary homemakers v/hose houses are the target of unending swarms of unwelcome city company who "want to get away from it all in the country." Pools have proved a big attraction, but the situation seems really out of hand when a simple fish pool draws crowds of uninvited guests. We have tried the strongest hints, but they go unheeded. Our "company" this summer has included mere acquaintances and1 absolute strangers who have left, still unidentified, only to return another day -- or night. We made our first acquaintance during vacation when we looked from the window one morning to find a huge dog splashing in the pool. The next day he was joined by a friend, and in the intervening weeks there have been a variety of breeds attracted to this rather large recreational area which the real estate ads might enhance with the recommendation: On water, ample trees and flower garden. Of course, by this time they have splashed out much of the water, the level is low and the water lilies are scattered about the lawn where these canine pets have unwittingly carried them as they huri-ied away. Flowers surrounding the pool Red Devils State Champions Two'cScJash roup at >>.'ho rnphirr-ii I n-.ss s >(,-»•«*• m <'oni|w't sri.on last »»uuUa> at iLhe otatfe fau° ground* tu Mcliemj » Iteu Devil* Urought home the Governor's trophy and $1,000 first prize money for winning first place among senior drum and bugle corps. Before a crowd of about 15,- 000 last Sunday, the Red Devils, sponsored by V.F.W. Post, No. 4600, won the coveted Governor's trophy and the senior drum and bugle corps championship over an imposing list of entries. With Bob Freund as commander, the local unit took the title away from the Kewanee Black Knights, who placed third with a score of 67.7. The Red Devils' score of 71.4 won first place over the second place Maywood Rebels, who scored 68. The local corps now has sixty-five members since merging, about two and one-half months ago with the Skokie Indians, a Legion-sponsored group. Rehearsals are usually held mid-way between the two cities, many times at the V.F.W. post headquarters in Mount Prospect. When entering Veterans, of Foreign Wars competition, the corps will wear the Red Devils uniforms and use their name. When entering Legion-sponsored contests, members will use the Skokie Indians uniforms and go under that name. At the state fair, another first place local corps were the Lakemoor Scouts, also representing the V.F.W. Post, No. 4600. They won first place in the boys' drill team category. The! Viscounts color guard, sponsored by the American Legion and Auxiliary, Post 491, won third place in the junior color guard competition. Supervisors Make Study Of Various Methods To Increase Court Space Four persons were, treated for injuries sustained in a twocar accident Sunday night about 7:45 o'clock at the intersection of Rt. 31 and Idyll Dell K>ad. Carol A. Schaffer of 3613 W. Waukegan road, McHenry, was cited by county sheriffs deputies for failure to yield the right-of-way when her auto collided with another driven by Earl I. Tessendorf of 908 S. Rt. 31, also of McHenry. Authorities said Miss Schaffer was southbound when she approached the intersection, and could not remember whether or not she had her turn signal on. She was unaware that her car turned to the left, tout Tessendorf said that her vehicle travelled into the path of his car. Although he veered to the' other side, he was unable to avoid the collision. Miss Schaffer and two passengers, Betty J. Smith and Debra Smith, 3 years old, of 3907 W. John street, McHenry, were taken to McHenry hospital for treatment, while Mrs. Esther Tessendorf, a passenger in the other car, was taken to Memorial hospital, Woodstock. KATHRYN CONWAY FOUND DEAD IN HOME WEDNESDAY Most of the afternoon session of the county board of supervisors on Tuesday of this week was devoted to discussion of the proposed addition to the court house. The supervisors talked of the revamping of the court system which will take place when the Blue Ballot goes into effect next year, and the need for more space in some departments. It was noted that the circuit clerk would be taking over added duties requiring more room. Any expenditure in this regard will come, not from a referendum but out of the general fund, and it was estimated that the building program would require about $150,000. There is an anticipated balance of $100,000 in that fund as of Nov. 30, 1963, the end of the board's fiscal year. Supervisor Harley Mackeben suggested that' Judge Thomas OPENINGS FOR NEW FIREMEN IN COMPANY I A spokesman for the McHenry Township Fire Protection District said this week that there are openings for new firemen in Company 1, located in the city of McHenry. Applications are now available and may be secured from any firemen or from the secretary, Hilary Rodenkirch, 1209 N. Park street. Anyone over the age of 21 is eligible to apply, and should do so before the deadline of Sept. 1. DEANERY MODERATOR Rev. Fr. Eugene C. Baumhofer, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic church, has been selected to be deanery moderator for the McHenry County Deanery, DCCW. REGISTER FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS LATE IN AUGUST Students in the McHenry public schools will be interested to learn that registration days have been scheduled. Monday, Aug. 26, will be the date for some sophomores, all juniors and all seniors to register, and Tuesday, Aug. 27, has been set aside for all freshmen and some sophomores. A complete schedule will appear in next week's issue. New students who have not taken part in the testing program will do so on Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 9:30 a.m. Identification pictures will be taken on the days of registration. Registration of grade school pupils will be held all day Wednesday, Aug. 28. A bus schedule has been arranged to bring students to the school each hour from 9 o'clock in the morning until 2 in the afternoon. School will start for all freshmen high school students and all grade pupils on Tuesdav afternoon, Sept. 3. Mrs. Kathryn Conway, 75, of 1614 N. Parte street, McHenry, died unexpectedly, apparently of a heart attack, late Wednesday morning, Aug. 14. A daughter, Mrs. Marian Winters, of Grayslake had talked to her mother a few hours before and she seemed to be in good health. When Mrs. Winters went to the home at 11:30, she found her mother slumped on the floor, the telephone receiver off the hook. Mrs. Winters called her husband, Gerald, who was in the car, and he administered mouth to mouth breathing, but to no avail. Members of the fire department were also called, but it was determined that she had been dead about forty-five minutes. Mrs. Conway, a native of McHenry, was born on the Knox homestead south of McHenry between Rt. 31 and Bar- (Continued on Page 8) APPROVE ZONING CHANGE TO BUILD NEW SUBDIVISION At the meeting of the board of supervisors last Tuesday, members approved a zoning request permitting development of land on the north side of Lincoln road, a half mile east of Johnsburg road, as a single family residential subdivision. The former classification was "F" farming, and in the future it will be classified "R" residence district. Petitioners were Peter M. and Martha Schaeffer and the Sellinger Construction Co. The change in zoning will permit a private stable, a private swimming pool and cabana area for the use of owners of property in the subdivision. Issues In Week Ahead Elections are scheduled in two local school districts within the next week, affecting the future educational facilities offered hundreds of families over a period of the next few years. Voters in Johnsburg's District 12 will decide proposals for a new school building in a bond issue totalling $525,000, as well as an increase in the tax rate for educational purposes. In Harrison's District 36, voters are asked to support a proposed increase in the rates for education and for transportation. Former Police Chief Is Dead John B. Wirtz, 83, McHenry chief of police for several years during the 'thirties, died in (Continued on Page 8) (Continued on Page 8) HOLLY PALMBACH CROWNED LITTLE MISS PEANUT OVER FORTY-FIVE BEAUTIES IN KIWANIS CONTEST " ; : - .. / ' I Pert and pretty as a queen should be is Holly Palmbach, 6 years old, who was crowned Little Miss Peanut in competition with forty-five young ladies at the Legion home Tuesday evening of this week. At left is Margaret Ann Olsen, second runner-up, and at right, Maureen Mc- Cormack, first runner-up. The contest was sponsored by the McHenry and Wonder Lake Kiwanis clubs. peanjaL" six-ypar- Palmbkch--of-- 3802 Because she is/"cute as a r-old Holly W. Clover avenue (Edgebrook Heights) has been named Little Miss Peanut, representing the Kiwanis clubs of McHenry and Wonder Lake. The selection was made by Dr. and Mrs. Brandeau and Mrs. Edna Domrese at the Legion home Tuesday evening, Aug. 13. ** Holly narrowly won over Maureen McCormack, 2202 W. Country Lane (Eastwood Manor) and Margaret Ann Olsen, 2901 N. Spring road (Mc- Cuilom Lake). Others aspiring (Continned on Pag* 8) City Council Proceedings The City Council held a special meeting Monday night to act on problems needing immediate attention. Following a meeting and inspection of the disposal plant, a representative of the Illinois State Water Board advised that the City would be required to install larger motors and (Continued m Pace 8) TWO SCHOOL ELECTION ISSUES (AN EDITORI Within the next week, voters in two neighboring school districts will go to the polls for important elections deciding the future educational facilities to be offered many hundreds of students. To the north, Johnsburg's District 12 will vote on a $525,000 building bond issue for erection ot a new school, as well as an increase in the annual tax rate for educational purposes. The need for additional space is evident in the light of facts made known through an extensive survey into future growth. From a small enrollment thirteen years ago, the number of pupils has grown to 500 at the present time, and a projected growth based on an enrollment increase of 60 each year indicates a need for seven additional classrooms within a three-year period. To the question of why a new site was chosen for another school, the answers are numerous and varied. One involves the necessity for condemnation of land surrounding the present structure if an addition were» made there. Also, the present site is below the size recommended by the state even for the present 500 pupils, to say nothing of future needs. Cost is an important consideration since an addition to the present building could not be made through a separate wing, and both the heating and disposal facilities are now at capacity. Transportation is another factor, as the present school is not in the heart of the heaviest enrollment area. The educational tax rate increase proposal is intended- to meet the many needs of this growing enrollment and to improve the school's curriculum. For the immediate future, space is no problem at neighboring Harrison district, but lack of sufficient funds for operation of the school has provided the board with reason for economical discussion and planning. At present, the district has a deficit of $17,000, with no means of getting on a sound financial basis except through an increase in the tax rate. Through a proposed raise in the educational fund, the board hopes to realize about that amount of money, plus some over $6,000 through a rate increase for transportation purposes. No major changes in the curriculum are anticipated, but it is hoped that the present standard of educat(o» may be continued through favorable response jt© the tax rate increases. One of the most difficult positions in any community in this era of heavy population growth is that of the school board member. He must have knowledge of the many phases of education and existing problems in his district, and there are some who expect him to be clairvoyant where the future is concerned. He must provide the best in modem education for youth of the community and do it in the most economical way. Having watched with interest the long studies made by the men and women who comprise the boards of Johnsburg and Harrison districts, it is our opinion that in asking the support of voters next week, they are acting in the best interest of their communities and the children they represent. JOHN B. WIRTZ Memorial hospital, Woodstock, early Tuesday morning, Aug. 13, where he had been confined for fifteen days. Mi Wirtz served the city department in the days when policemen walked their beat to patrol a quiet, country community. In addition to his police work, Mr. Wirtz was also a skilled mechanic. He was born Nov. 10, 1879, in Chicago, and moved to McHenry forty years ago. The family lived at 1619 N. Riverside Drive. His affiliations included membership in St. Nicholas court. Catholic Order of Foresters, in Chicago and St. Patrick's Holy Name society. Mr. Wirtz was married for sixty-two years to his wife, Magdalena, who survives. He also leaves three daughters Mrs. Madeline Meyers of Pi takee, Mrs. Catherine Thorn) > son and Mrs. Betty Cain of McHenry; four sons, Anthony, Fred, Al. and Francis; nineteen grandchildren and ten greatgrandchildren; and a sister, Mary Hagenbach of Pomona, Calif. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Marie Miller, in 1962, a son, John, in 1929 and another son, Bernard, in infancy. The body rests at the George R. Justen & Son funeral home until 9:30 o'clock Friday morning, when a funeral mass will be sung at St. Patrick's Catholic church. Burial will be in the church" cemetery. Harrison Voting Voters in Harrison District 36 will go to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 20, in one precinct, the Harrison school building. The hours will be from noon to 10 p.m. A PTA-sponsored community meeting is being held next Monday night, on the eve of the election in the school district's second attempt to pass a tax referendum. This is the last in a series of smaller meetings staged by the Harrison school board to acquaint the public with the district's financial plight. All qualified community voters are urged to attend the Aug. 19 PTA meeting that starts at 8:30 p.m. in the school. A resident who can legally vote is one who makes Wonder Lake his permanent home, who lives in the school district, and who meets all other qualifications of a voter. Summer residents cannot legally vote in the Harrison district. Challenge Voting Day. Ted Wielock attended the last Board meeting to challenge the Tuesday voting day, which was selected rather than the usual Saturday to minimize confusion that might exist with respect to summer residents. He asserted the board did not trust Wonder L;ike residents. This was embatically denied by the board. Che April voting record ws, however, some summer iidents did vote here, alugh their legal homes are ewhere. Atty. Francis G. ;gins has volunteered to ist at the polls should quests of residency arise. Community leaders attendthe meetings were asked urge their friends and .. ghbors to vote. In addito the PTA-sponsored community meeting, a Citizens Referendum Committee for Better Education is working for passage of the referendum. The hoped for result is a massive, favorable vote at the polls. Absentee ballots are availcontinued on Page 8) lokMboif Electtsft The Johnsburg election will be held Saturday Aug. 17, in two precincts. For the first, the polling place will be 2117 W. Church, Johnsburg, for the territory outside the village of Sunnyside, and the second, the Sunnyside Village hall, for those living within the limits ot Sunnyside. Voting will take {dace between noon and 7 o'clock tethe evening. The Johnsburg Public School Citizens' committee, is a group of thirty-six citizens of the district who have studied the total school situation and made recommendations in the areas of curriculum, population, building and finance. Earlier articles presented information on population projections for several years hence, showing that the Public school enrollment could double by 1968-69. A study of the building showed every available class room being put to use, including basement rooms. State Recommendations While the building committee recognized the need for additional space, they deemed it highly impractical to add on to the existing school. In compliance with state recommendations, the population and building committees emphasized the need at this time for a second school site and building. After considering the offerings of other schools which send stu* dents to McHenry high school, the curriculum committee found deficiencies in the areas of foreign language, art, home arts, industrial arts and instrumental music. A state curriculum study team visiting Johnsburg School verified these findings and urgently recommended that provisions be made for a central library and science laboratory. The finance committee determined that there was more than sufficient bonding power available for construction of recommended facilities. Bate Comparisons To provide teachers and operating expenses for a new building, an educational referendum of 21 cents is proposed. --f. . (Continued on Page 8) New "Citizens" , /' &.»_ '//• j *>• V%|ij »/• , f v* ' "AK- ff 1 , i charming fawns made their s t«<•» into this world sometime early last Sunday morning, boj-n to • Peggy, the pet doe belonging to Edward Thennes and kept in an enclosure at 904 Front street, McHenry. The new arrivals have been named Joe and Josie. Peggy was cap- * tured by the use of a tranquilizer gun two years ago next fall near Waterford, Wis. She has adjusted nicely td urban living -- and also to a pet Beagle dog named "Judge", who shares quarters with her. The fawns and their mother should prove a real attraction during tha i holiday &ason. v .