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x, ; » 6 / "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1975* Volume 91 -- No. 46 -- 3 Sections THURSDAY. MARCH 10. 1966. McHENRY, ILLINOIS 20 Pages -- 10c Copy The value of placing a zip code number on all mail had added proof this past week in a letter which had its origin in Copenhagen, Denmark, and found its way to McHenry in spite of the fact that no city or state was named. A sister of Jeppe Jepsen sent the letter, apparently forgetting to place on the envelope this vital information. However, she had remembered t h e a d d r e s s , S p r i n g G r o v e Road, and the zip code number. Mr. Jepsen received the let- • ter in good time. A return letter to Denmark contained the incompletely addressed envelppe, along with a word of praise for a postal system which had been compared unfavorably with that of Denmark during 'a recent visit by Mr. Jepsen to his native country. Now that we are law abiding citizens, with seat belts installed, the tune changes. For several years the praises of the belts were forthcoming from every side, and it was considered careless to drive around town without being securely fastened in. With the March 1 deadline for installation in the past, we are adjusting, with some difficulty, to these uncomfortable gadgets which add Anything but beauty to a car. In the meantime, everyone tells us of efforts to rescind the law, and quotes from seat belt manufacturers are to the effect that they really aren't the height of safety precaution so long claimed for them. Now, they say, we must be equipped with something resembling a football helmet and be strapped in at the shoulders. We were always under the impression that driving a car had some pleasurable aspects connected with it, in addition to just getting some place. If we may add a humble opinion to the many other suggestions being made, it would" be that some concentrated effort be made to conduct a massive driver education program rather than re-make the cars. When it becomes necessary to build a car that will withstand impact with a cement wal'. while we are behind the wheel in the torture jackets of the medieval age, Isn't it just about time we took the modern auto out of the class of a pleasure car? The gigantic problem of education increases by the year, not only for the normal child but particularly in the area of providing for those in need of special education. It is difficult to believe the fact that one out of every ten school age children is physically or mentally handicapped. The demands of these young j>eople arc complicated by the scattering of the handicapped outside metropolitan areas. As we continue to make plans for th" growing needs of normal < hildrcn from kindergarten through college, there c annot be forgotten the 48,600 blind or with limited vision, the 24:;,000 crippled and the 1,117,- 800 mentally retarded, only a portion of the total of 4,847,850 handicapped school children in Illinois. Most of us are unaware of the increasing number in our own growing community who are in need of special education services. Anyone with time on his hands might gain more in satisfaction than he gives in effort through an offer to assist local programs which benefit the less fortunate. Mark Twain's well known remark. "Everybody t-dks about llie weather, but nobqdy does anything about it", ^ seems doomed for obsoleteness. Modern science is alreadv doing something about it--and hopes to do more. » In the meantime, we can't help but wonder at the necessity this wity make for a re- I vised conversational pattern. iThat favorite pastime of wonldering what tomorrow will i bring in the way of weather Pmay sometime be taken away. We will know exactly whether the sun will shine. It appears already that the day may be coming and soon - when man will have much greater control over the weather. Some of this control has already been achieved, although it isn't often used. Right now, man can inc rease rainfall from certain kinds of clouds by at least 10 per cent. i (Continued on Tngc 8) COUNOL ACTS TO RECLASSIFY LOTS ON MILISTREAM DRIVE As recommended by the Zoning Board of Appeals following the hearing on a petition of Delphin Freund, as successor trustee, and Albert R. Horn, Jr., the City Council passed an amendment to the zoning ordinance Monday night to reclassify lots on Millstream Drive to permit construction of multiple dwelling units. Plans submitted at the hearing' call for construction of an eight-apartment building west of the . present apartment building on Boor^e Creek. As a buffer, a duplex will be constructed between the new apartment building and the "R-3" single unit dwelling area. It is further stipulated, that a 20' sideline be established on the west side of the duplex building. Clean-Up Week The council designated the week of Monday, May 2, to Saturday, May 7, as Clean Up Week in the city. The McHenry Chamber of Commerce will join hands with the city in urging an all-out effort on the part of both business and_residcntial owners and tenants? City trucks will remove containers placed on the curb, but point out that no garbage, ashes or items of excessive weight will be hauled. It is hoped that a coooperative effort will not only beautify the city but greatly reduce fire hazards. The thought is also advanced that a clean city promotes general, good health. ZONING HEARINGS SCHEDULED W McHENRY AREA Two zoning hearings of interest in this area are scheduled for late March. The first is a petition by Durrell Everding, asking a change of classification from farming district to a conditional use to permit a ski slope, swimming pool, restaurant and lunch room and also an ice skating pond and ski school. The property is located in Burton township on Rt. 12, south of Sunset road. The hearing will' be" held Wednesday, March 23, at 3 p.m. in the town hall of Spring Grove. A second petition has been filed for Albert H. Ahrens, Jr., for a zoning reclassification in Kent Acres, requesting a change from R-l to B1 business district. This; second hearing will be held Wednesday, March 30, at 8 p.m. in the city hall of McHenry. Michael Ritthaler, 8-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ritthaler of Birchwood, McHenry, suffered a possible skull fracture in a fall at his home Tuesday evening. ANNUAL COLOR GUARD CONTEST SET FOR MARCH 27 The sixth annual "On Guard" Color Guard contest will take place at the McHenry high school on Sunday^ March 27, at 1:30 p.m. and will feature some of the outstanding midwest color guards. The Militaires from Fremont, Ohio, and possibly the Eaglettes, from Sandusky, Ohio, as well as the Algonquin Indians, the Racine Scouts and Chicago Cavaliers will be among the contenders. This show is sponsored by the Viscounts, Parents association and profits will be used for transportation by the Viscount Color Guard during the season. The Viscount Color Guard, sponsored by the American Legion Post 491 auxiliary, took home a second place trophy on Sunday, March 6, in a very close contest in Gurnee sponsored by the Scarlet Knights. The Racine Scouts took first place with a score of 88.55. The Viscounts had 87.9 and the Des Plaines Corsairs were third vvith 84.4. Trophies were awarded to the top three places. The Knownames placed ninth with eighteen guards competing. This Saturday the Viscounts and Knownames will compete in a contest in_, Racine sponsored by the Rafcine Scouts. On Sunday they will be in Bensenville, at a show put on by the St. Alexis Vikings. PTA COUNCIL TO BE INFORMED ON COLLEGE EFFORT The McHenry County Council of of the P.T.A. will meet Alden-Hebron high school Thursday, March 17, at 8 clock. Carl Skinner, secretary the Junior college committee, will be guest speaker, bringing members up to date on steps being taken to bring such an educational institution to the area. This is a fine opportunity for interested persons to hear a brief summary of information accumulated on the subject thus far. BLOOD DONORS NEEDED Blood Jdnnors are sought for Valgene Patula, who was severely burned ten days ago when gas fumes ignited as he was working on his car in the family garage at 1308 W. May street, Sunnyside. A blood bank has been established at Memorial hospital, Woodstock. An appointment by donors may be made by calling 338-2500. PROPOSE VALLEY HI EXPANSION ALAN CASEY BOUND OVER TO GRAND JURY On a charge of aggravated assault, Alan Casey of 1617 Indian Ridge drive, operator of Casey's Resort, was bound over to the grand jury last Monday following his appearance before Magistrate Cha rles Smith in Branch I court. Casey's arrest was made late in January after he was accused of shooting Joseph Bicek, 28, of Riverdale drive, McHenry, a former employee, at the residence of Vincent Lombardi in Sunnyside. Bicek was hospitalizecT as the result of injuries. Casey was released on payment of $3,000 bond. Another charge against Casey for theft was dismissed Monday in Branch court. He had been accused of taking furniture from a model home in Whispering Hills subdivision and his arrest followed a complaint of Ladd Enterprises. JUNIOR COLLEGE MEETING The next meeting of the Junior College association will be at the Marengo high school on Tuesday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. This is NOT a closed meeting. All citizens interested in a junior college for the area are urged to attend. Flames Rout Father, Sons Two young lads and their father were routed from the home at 5003 W. Fountain lane about 1:30 p.m. Sunday when a fire which broke out in the kitchen engulfed the house. Charles Kingston and his sons, Bradley, 8, and Ronny, 6, were playing with model cars in the bedroom of the home owned by Mr. and Mrs. George Haines, parfents-in-law of Mr. Kingston. Mr. and Mrs. Haines were in Wonder Lake tending the service station the operate. While the three were in the bedroom, they smelled smoke and opened the door to find the kitchen in flames. Since the phone was in the kitchen and could not be reached, they dashed out the door and ran to ihe home of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Schmidt. , Mrs! Schmidt summoned the fire department, members of which answered the call, bringing three pieces of equipment. Fire chief Ed Justen called the McCullom Lake police and Chief Earl Murray and Officer Ken Loesch responded. The two officers closed the street to all .traffic except emergencies. According to Fire Chief Justen, about S4.000 worth of damage was done to the home. Nine Candidal Present Recommendation For County Home Covering Five Years if " II A Assistant Supervisors Tom Hueman n, left, and Charles "Chuck" Weingart, right, are shown with Supervisor Walter Dean of M cHenry as they discussed current business during Tuesday's March meeting of the co unty board. C. W. WEBER SELECTED FOR LYRIC CHORUS Offices upp At March 15 Meeting The McHenry Township Republican Women's club hopes to take some of the guesssing out of casting a vote n€f?tt June 14 through its latest project. McHenry residents will be given the opportunity to meet, hear and question candidates for State Senator and State Representative at a candidates' meeting at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. March 15, at the Community Methodist church. Since there are six seeking the Senate nomination, and three for State Representative, the entire evening will be de-. voted to these two offices. Those appearing will be: For State Senate, 32nd district, A. B. McConnell, Wood stock, George Lindbcrg and Louis Goosens, Crystal Lake, Norman Geary, Grayslake, Karl Berning, Deerfield, and Joe Wolfe, Wauconda; for State Representative, 33rd district, Jfeke^LeVesque, McHenry, Jack Hill, Dundee, and Carl Pape, Belvidere. Question Period The gentlemen will answer questions following their presentations. Mrs. Grant Ernest will announce dates for study groups, which are being sponsored by the Republican Women's club. The study groups are open to men and women, with material furnished by the club. On April 19, county candidates will be presented for voters' consideration. Refreshments will be served at the close of the meeting. The public is cordially invited to attend. C. William "Bill" Weber of 1703 North avenue, Lakeland Park, received notification last Friday afternoon that he had been accepted as a member of the regular chorus of the Chicago Lyric Opera company. He will sign a contract for the 1966 season which opens in October and continues through December. The young McHenry singer sang before Maestro oLepore in an auditorium in the Civic Opera building in Chicago the previous week. His selection was "Lacalunia" from "The Barber of Seville". As a member of the regular chorus, he will rehearse three nights weekly % In recent years he has entertained music lovers with his fine bass voice as a member of the McHenry Choral Club and St. Patrick's church choir. "Bill" attended McHenry high school, served in the Navy, and is at present employed by the McHenry post office, delivering mail in the Cooney Heights and Lakeland Park areas. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl N. Weber, he is married to the former Nancy Krenz of Crystal Lake. They have four children. «©» Support the Red Cross drive for funds which takes place in March. 'lit Charged Burglary Leonard Wright of 3706 W. Ann street, McHenry, will answer three counts of burglary when he appears in Branch I court on March 14. He has been held in county jail under $15,000 bond. Wright's arrest was made last Saturday by county deputies following complaints by three McHenry county auto dealers. The local man is charged with breaking a window to gain entrance to the east side of Seibel Motors on Dec. 9 and taking $100 in currency and several small items. At Fury Motors, he is charged with entering Lthe building on the .rear and taking $59 in currency "on Dec. 7. The third charge originated in Crystal Lake with the Jim D a n c a O l d s m o b i l e , w h i c h Wright is charged with entering on Dec. 13 by crawling through an opening made by removing an exhaust fan. He is accused of taking an undetermined amount of money from a cigarette machine. A statement given by another man arrested on the same charges implicated Wright. GRASS FIRE Firemen were called out to extinguish a grass fire in Huemann's subdivision about 10:30 Wednesday morning. TWENTIETH CENTURY PROGRESS IN McHENRY The long, long time from May to December" referred to in the well known h rie of a modern song, although somewhat revised in meaning, is most evident in above pictures. The picture on the leit was taken sometime between 1907 and 1910 at the McHenry telephone exchange located in the Sim oil SiolTel br.ildiug at the corner ol Main and Front streets (now the L&L apartment building). The other is the modern telephone complex located in the Illinois Bell company's building at l.'lll N. Court street, McHenry. Shown is Edward Hcyward, switchman for twenty-five years with the company. The older picture was given to the Plaindealer by Chester Goodman, who secured it from E. V. McAllister, Main st reet druggist prior to the days of the late Walter Vogt and Glenn Wattles. It shows, from left, Bertha Wolf Mertes, Esther Miller McAndrews, Anna Knox Winkleman, Lena Stoffel, Elsie Wolf Nelson. Theresa Barbian Shales and Florence Granger Alexander. Only two are alive today, Elsie Nelson, who resides in Elgin and Florence Alenander of Hebron. In these early years, the telephone office was located in a portion of the main lloor of the Stoffel building. A grocery store operated by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bohlander occupied another part. Through the years, switchboard service was provided in McHenry until late l!>r>S. when the new dial central service oll'ice was dedicated and all switchboard service was transferred to Woodstock. A sampling of the long history of one of the public services taken for granted this year of 1966, iu vividly portrayed in the above pictures, s h o w i n g the tremendous growth and progress of the telephone business during the last half century. A toll station was installed in McHenry on July 17, 1897, on the premises of Simon Stoffel. A year later, after a vigorous canvass, the Chicago Telephone Co. began to provide exchange service in McHenry through a forty-line mises of-1.. H. Owen on Green street. Just ten days later, another was established in the Stoffel building, Front and Main street. An 1898 report of the company stated: "In October 11 i<- exchange was removed to 1h< switchljonrd located in the pre-i general store of Simon: SiolTel, thus securing better service and a wide awake and popular manager." It is assumed the two exchanges were consolidated in October of that year. 18!M) Competition About the same time, the Me. Henry County Telephone company obtained permission to opt^-aie an independent exchange and vigorous competition continued through .1899. I'y the closing days of l'.KJii, stations in service in McHenry totalled I'.Mi (tive on one-parly iines, five on Iwo-party lines. US on lour party lines, S7 on farmer lines and one on an extension). One night operator in the years immediately following V.U3 recalled sleeping on a cot in the office, so infrequent were the calls. Mounting expenses and the need to cope with them occu-. pied much of the discussion of the county board last Tuesday. A proposed building plan, with estimated costs, was presented to the board at its March meeting by Administrator Howard H. Nehlig of Valley Hi county home. The detailed report contained an account of present conditions and what may be expected by 1970, along with his recommendations for the next five years. Prefacing his plans with circumstances which will effect the future of Valley Hi, he stressed the importance of Medicare. He quoted Harold O. Swank, superintendent of the Illinois Department of Public Aid, who stated, "If you have any empty beds in your county home, they will be full after Jan....1/1967. If they are now full, there will be many more wanting them" Mr. Nehlig cited Valley Hi as the oldest medical institution in McHenry County, having served in the various fields throughout its eighty-one years Its future, he added, can be answered only by the board of supervisors. Proposed Plan The administrator then set about explaining, in the report, his proposed plan for their consideration. His goal is (Continued on Page 8) IITN (Continued on Fnge 8) John Harden, 21, Within Four Weeks Of Leaving Country Just four weeks before he was scheduled to leave Vict Nam, an Island Lake soldier, Sp-4 John Merrill Harden, 21, lost his life in battle. A member of the 101st Airborne division. he was killed last Friday during a search-and-destroy operation about thirty-f i v e miles north of Saigon. The young serviceman's parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Harden of Rt. 1, Barrington, received the news from the Defense department Monday. They reside in Fox River Valley Gardens, a mile southwest of Island Lake, for several years. Enlisted In 1963 Harden was born in Oak Park in 1945. He enlisted in September of 1963, following graduation from Wauconda high school. Survivors besides his parents are a brother, Daniel, 17, and a sister. Betty; also the paternal grandmother, Mrs. Marie Harden, of Redondo Beach. Calif. Funeral arrangements are pending arrival of the body, which Island Lake funeral directors said might be within the next week. Last rites will be held at the Community Congregational church, Island Lake. Harden's death is the third of a McHenry county resident in Viet Nam during the present conflict. First to die was Pfc. Lester Becker. 23, of Dunham township. Harvard, who died twelve days after he was wounded last November. The second was Sidney Elyea, 21, of Woodstock, who was killed last month while guarding a radar outpost near Pleiku.