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And What About March 20? Driver Flees On Foot After Success Marks Student Goal Crash; Two Charges Filed Take the enthusiasm of 320 young people, add to it the leadership of forty-five faculty members and the backing of 3,500 Spectators and you have a recipe for success. It was just this combination at last weekend's volleyball tparathon that realized in the neighborhood of $1,500 with which students at McHenry's two high school campuses plan to buy advertising space and time to tell their story, which is simply, "Save Our Schools". But money is just the product with which these young people hope to realize their ultimate goal, which is to pass a referendum March 20 that would raise the maximum educational rate in District 156 by .40. Only by doing so can they retain many of - the educational services the board says must otherwise be cut from the curriculum. The students were en­ couraged by comments made bv some of the spectators at the marathon. Terry Beno, a senior who with his sister, Rae Dee, headed the publicity committee for the long tourney, spoke with enthusiasm of the response of some who told him they had changed their mind in favor of the referendum. The marathon, which set a national record, received both Associated Press and United Press publicity. The 320 students involved played in East campus gymnasium in three-hour shifts. When they weren't active, they enjoyed food served by other students, a service headed by Betsy Althoff. During the night, they rested in sleeping bags, either in the cafeteria or the girls' gym- There was constant super­ vision by forty-five faculty members, with surveillance day and night by a police of­ ficer. The young people hastened to say, with justifiable pride, there was not even a hint of trouble, and the most serious mishaps were a pulled ligament and calluses, the result of some energetic volleyball. Fred Kusch, faculty supervisor, set some kind of record in his own right by remaining on the scene forty- six out of the forty-eight hours the marathon was in progress. He was assisted by Rick Brcwn, senior, and Alex Thomas, sophomore, student chairmen. The three, assisted (Continued on page 16) Daniel E. Guthrie, 2716 Old Oak road, McHenry, was charged with driving while license is suspended or revoked and for leaving the scene of a property damage accident following a two-car accident Saturday morning about 12:45 a.m. at the intersection of Stilling Blvd. and Grandview . drive, Huemann's subdivision, north of McHenry. John S. Iwanski of 603 Mineral Springs, McHenry, stated he was stopped at the intersection waiting for the Guthrie car to pass when suddenly the car turned toward Iwanski's auto and sideswiped it. Guthrie turned off his car lights and continued on. Iwanski followed, and as they approached the curve on Stilling Blvd., Guthrie lost control of his car, ran into a driveway, damaged 15 feet of white board fence and hit a tree before he came to a stop. Leaving his auto Guthrie ripped off the license plates and started to run away. When Iwanski told him to stop, Guthrie put his hand into his pocket and told him he had a gun, and that Iwanski had better not try to stop him. The fleeing man then ran in a northerly direction. A passenger in the Guthrie car, Harry K. Larsen, of 2505 N. Ringwood road, McHenry, verified Iwanski's account of the accident. He said they both started to run from the accident (Continued on page 16) THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CH AIN-O-LA KE S REGION SINCE 1875" ;EnBaO VOLUME 96 NUMBER 12 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1971 20 PAGES TEN CENTS District 156 Vote Saturday, March 20 Parochial School In Teacher, Salary Study "It's Irish I am and they don't "Tis a great day for the Irish - "This brood is some responsi-comeprouder than this pooch", but oh, the morning after"! bility, but Pm up to the task." The St. John school board, in regular meeting last week, discussed the procurement of teachers for the coming year and setting salaries for the 1971-72 school year. A letter was read from Johnsburg School District 12 school board in answer to St. John's school board request, stating that as soon as a new gym becomes available, St. John's dual enrollment children will be offered physical education at the public school. Also discussed were the improvements still necessary for the new learning center. Additional book cases need to be built and installed. Another matter of im­ portance concerns a standing athletic committee to work in coordination with the Home and School association to handle all athletic activities of the school. Release Juveniles To Parents After Motoring Spree While on routine patrol last Thursday evening about 10:30, deputies observed an auto driving into a service station at the intersection of Routes 31 and 12 in Richmond, without headlights. They found the car was being driven *.y a juvenile and ac­ companied by another juvenile, both from Milwaukee, Wis. Investigation revealed that the two youths had run away from Milwaukee and the vehicle they were driving had been reported (Continued on page 16) Harrison Board Seeks Active Participation Now that we are firmly en­ trenched in the business of off- date celebrations honoring some of our country's illustrious sons, they have sprung a brand new one at us for consideration. Somehow we get the feeling that regardless of what we think, this in­ novation, too, will take its rightful (?) olace among the heritage we will leave to future generations. The subject is metrication, which in itself is formidable and sets us on edge. The fact that It concerns changes that have a mathematical con­ notation is the clincher, for we had considerable difficulty in learning even the basics «f this cbhiptfex* offering of our educational system. Any change in the absolute minimum requirements which we have retained is un­ thinkable. Now what they are proposing has to do with converting to the metric system of weights and measures. They tell us we would quickly adjust to a one liter bottle of milk being equal to about a quart; to two kilograms of roast beef being the equivalent to four and a half pounds; and to gasoline measured in liters and car speeds regulated in kilometers (they tell us one kilometer equals six-tenths of a mile.) Backers of the new system say the average housewife and the average motorist could cope with these. Apparently we are not average, for just the thought of the many con­ versions necessary reminds us of preparing for a trip abroad without an interpreter. We understand the final report in Congress will dispel myths and misunderstandings which have delayed adoption of the metric system for the 180 years which have passed since Thomas Jefferson first made the recommendation. Our problem is not with myths or misunderstandings, it is with the lack of an indefinable something which puts higher mathematics at an unat­ tainable level of achievement. We vote to postpone action for another 180 years. K.A.F. The board of education of Harrison school, Wonder Lake, announces that petitions for candidacy for the board for three-year terms will still be accepted at the school office through March 19. While several petitions are being processed by candidates, the board seeks more active participation by those in­ terested in their schools and willing to put in the long hours of deliberation necessary to keep the school's standards high. Dr. S.L. Ruggero, board president and a candidate for reelection, stated, "School districts are hard pressed to find the resources to meet the jriswg coats, of aducatioe. Only tlimugh wtiely representative board of education can we hope *n meet this challenge and provide a quality education". Set Benefit Firemen's Dance For Late In May Tom Michelsen, chairman for the annual dance sponsored by Co. 1 of the McHenry Township Fire Protection district, announced at last week's meeting that it would be held Saturday, May 29, at the V.F.W. clubhouse. Members will soon be going door-to-door to solicit the support of the residents for this annual fund raising event. Hal Harris was elected to permanent membership after serving his required probationary period. Gary Arn&strong, who has been a member of Company One for the past several years, sub­ mitted his resignation because he is moving from the state. It was accepted with regret by the membership. There are openings for membership for men over age 21 who would be available during the day time hours. Those interested may request an application by writing to the Secretary, Firemen of Company One, 3610 W. Elm street, McHenry. St. Patrick's Greetings Next Saturday, March 20, voters in High School District 156 will go to the polls to ex­ press themselves on a proposal which would raise the maximum annual tax rate for the educational fund to 1.32 per cent. The present rate is .92 per cent. The approximate amount of educational taxes extendible under the maximum rate now in force is $939,000, whereas under the proposed increased rate it would be $1,300,000. Voting will take place from 10 a.m. until 7 o'clock in five precinct polling places. They are as follows: 1, McHenry high school building, East campus, boys' gymnasium entrance; 2, fire house, Lakemoor; 3, Beach house, McCullom Lake; 4, Johnsburg District 12 elementary school building; and 5, Harrison school building, District 36, Wonder Lake. Only registered persons may vote, and must do so in the election precinct in which they reside. At this time, the districUhas spent all of the tax meiftey allocated for the operation of the high schools for the 1970-71 school year. Anticipation warrants are now necessary to finance the operation of the schools until tax money is received. The board of District 156 has listed a projected budget deficit of $340,000 this year, a condition which is made more serious because of the repeal of the personal property tax, which will cost the district $280,000 over the next two years. When the unfavorable financial condition was an­ ticipated last fall, the board asked approval of a tax referendum, which was defeated by a 5 to 1 margin. Committed to operate within a balanced budget, the board said to reduce expenditures to a level that will not exceed the anticipated revenue for 1971-72 will require cuts in excess of $600,000 from this year's budget. Recently, an­ nouncement was made of cutbacks in the educational program which will definitely be necessary if the referendum -fails to win support. On a home with a total tax bill of $600, the average increase if the proposal passes has been estimated at about $48. Easter Plans Told By C of C Retail Group The Easter season would hardly be complete in McHenry without life-size bunnies making their way through city streets to distribute eggs to the children. The Retail committee of the Chamber of Commerce took action last week to assure that the promotion of recent years will be continued in the days preceding Easter. The bunnies will be evident in all business sections, as they have in recent years, making the season one to be anticipated by the youngsters. Details will be announced at a later date. The committee also recommended that merchants close for business from noon to 3 p.m. on Good Friday. Signs to that effect will be printed and made available to merchants. All work on the installation of welcome signs at each of the main highway entrances to the city was announced. Even before the Easter holiday, plans have been started for the 1971 Christmas parade, which will be under the direction of Frank Colomer. "Even so, sometimes a mother needs to get away from it all"! In spite of her masculine monicker, this gentle Irish Golden Labrador Retriever is a lady--and she has eleven smallfry who loudly testify at meal time that "This is mama". Clancy and her brood are members of the Tom Kelly family of 5313 W. Lake "Shore drive, Wonder Lake, but Mrs. Kelly hopes not for long. This beautiful canine family is the Plaindealer's St. Patrick's greeting to its readers. Mrs. Kelly would gladly go even farther and present the puppies as St. Patrick's gifts as long as they last. (PLAINDEALER PHOTOS) Name Easter Seal Child; Open Drive YMCA Spring Training Two Unoccupied Homes Starts Next The spring program sched­ ule of the Lake Region YMCA is now available to all inter­ ested persons. A mailing was started Friday, March 5, to residents in the YMCA's ser­ vice area of Algonquin Cary, Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Huntley, Island Lake, Lake- in-the-Hills, Lakemoor, Lake- Saturday wood, McHenry, Oakwood, Ridgefield, Wonder Lake and Woodstock. Schedules will also be distributed to many of the school age youth. The schedule contains programs for youth, teen-agers and adults. The spring quarter will be­ gin March 20 and conclude on (Continued on page 16) Gutted Over Weekend Two fires last weekend, both in unoccupied houses in the McHenry area, resulted in losses running well in excess of $5,000. The most serious occurred at 7:50 Saturday evening when flames broke out in a home at 907 Sauk trail, Oakhurst, owned by Louie Sandra of Chicago. Tom Voase, who resides at 912 S. Totem, discovered the blaze and turned in the alarm, which was answered by members of Companies I and III. The house had been unoc­ cupied for several weeks but persons were seen on the grounds recently. (Continued on page 16) Kevin Orr, 2% years old, is the 1971 McHenry County Easter Seals child. This winsome son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Orr, Algonquin, is a twin and a victim of a birth defecf that is being overcome with the help of physical therapy treatments. The 1971 Easter Seals campaign is underway now, and you're in­ vited to participate with your gift. (DON PEASLEY PHOTO) When you are two years old, can't walk and can't get around, a friend such as Bill Cooke is mighty welcome! Kevin Orr, now 2Vfc, demonstrates the declaration that the Easter Seals Therapy (Continued on page 16) * . . \