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> Mataion) Chcddat Pack Baskets For The Needy Smiles light up the faces of Martha Dignan, Tom Kennedy and Ila llogan as they undertake the task of filling baskets for the needy in the McHenry area for Christmas distribution. Mrs. Dignan, left, is chairman of Children and Youth Welfare for the American Legion auxiliary, and Mrs. llogan is senior vice-president of the V.F.W. auxiliary. PLAINDEALER PHOTO Murin* and Meanderin are Christmas shopping hardly need to be told that one by one, the nickel goodies of life have disappeared. Five-and-ten-cent stores are a misnomer if we ever heard one. The five-cent ice cream cone lingered until a few years ago. The nickel hot dog disappeared earlier. Five-cent street car and bus rides are memories of the distant past. One can still buy a pack of gum for a nickel -- but not for long. One of the leading Chicago companies says it will phase out its nickel packs, to be replaced by a ten-cent pack (seven sticks) which will become the standard size. The company spokesman hastens to say that the change doesn't really represent an average price increase since some already sell the five-stick pack for a dime. But history shows that these will probably go up to fifteen cents, while the lowest-cost pack will be a dime. Progress continues to be wonderful! PACK CHRISTMAS BASKETS Food for Christmas baskets and toys for needy children are asked by Johnsburg Post, No. 1313, American Legion. The collection point is Tomasello's baseftient, Johnsburg, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18 and 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. Nine local organizations are uniting efforts to assure that needy families in the McHenry area will have a merrier Christmas. They are filling baskets for more than fifty families. Spearheading the project are the Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts and their auxiliary units. They are being assisted by the Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, Moose and Ladies of the Moose. Fifty-four families are being interviewed in person by members of these organizations to determine the number of persons in the family, their ages, sizes and needs. There are known to be at least 147 children among those who will share in the generosity of the community. Most needed items are canned goods, toys, clothing and cash donations. Mrs. Martha Dignan, chairman for the American Legion auxiliary, was especially impressed with the fact that not one family in­ terviewed this year had turned down the offer of providing assistance. She said that in previous years, some persons contacted indicated they were doing well and asked that the donation be given to someone in greater need. Baskets will be packed in the Legion clubhouse, Ringwood road, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. next Sunday, Dec. 19. Persons wishing to contribute may do so at this time. District 15 Studies Special Education Bouquets are welcome at any time of year, but a kind word at Christmas seems to make the season perfect. Mr. and Mrs. Leon Shermach of Chicago sent the following letter this week which warmed the cockles of our heart. "Thank you for the newsy paper that was sent to us without fail during the past year. We are summer residents of McCullom Lake since 1953 and have enjoyed the warmth and friendliness of all the people. This has been our second home and^now we are hopeful that we can make this our permanent home in the near future. Again we thank you for )a}\ the pleasure we receive^ from your newspaper". This kind of people make McHenry a nicer place in which to live! K.A.F. The problem of an an­ ticipated $60,000 deficit in the Special Education fund was tackled by the board of Con­ solidated School District 15 in meeting Tuesday night. Business Manager William Landis cited changing state requirements for this program, adding that it would be necessary to budget differently for this necessary expenditure next July. Landis also pointed to the increasing desire for private placement of students in the Special Education category. He emphasized that the school cannot pay outside the district for facilities which are offered locally. He noted that the district pays $600 for the education of each Special Education child a year, the remainder to be paid by the state up to an amount of $2,000. A study will be made to determine if some classes now held outside the community (Continued on page 19) Home Lighting Displays To Be Judged Dec. 22 Less than a week remains for McHenry area residents to enter the annual home lighting contest sponsored by the McHenry Chamber of Com­ merce. Judging will be the night of Wednesday, Dec. 22, starting about 7 p.m. In charge of selecting the best displays will be Mike Brown, who is chairman of the contest and president-elect of the C. of C.; also Mrs. Diane Walsh, Charles Fuhler and Ormel Prust. First place winners will be named in three categories, Colorful, Original and Amusing. Each will receive a 11X14, framed color print of the display. Coupons to be used to enter appear elsewhere in this issue. They should be sent to Mike Brown, 1313 N. Riverside drive, McHenry. Make Search For Impersonator Of Polceman Deputies investigated the complaint of a motorist last Saturday who said that while driving on Route 31, north of McCullom Lake road, McHenry, he was stopped by another vehicle at about 5:30 p.m. The driver identified himself as a police officer and displayed a badge. The officer accused the motorist of a traffic offense and said that he had called for police cars. However, no police cars arrived at the scene. The identity of the offender is not known. However, a description of his vehicle was obtained and further in­ vestigation is being made. McHenry Tops Coroner Deaths McHenry was far ahead of all county communities in the number of deaths which required an investigation during the past year. This was revealed in the annual report of Coroner Theron J. Ehorn made to the county board on Tuesday. McHenry deaths totaled 101, compared to 32 for Woodstock, (Continued dh page 19) Arrest Three Men Saturday On Narcotics Charges Three men were arrested Saturday night and charged with narcotics complaints. Curtis A. Hodar of 1411 W. Sigwalt street, Arlington Heights, owner of the car, was charged with possession of controlled substance and possession of a hypodermic syringe. His bond was set at $4,000 and a court date set for Dec. 20. Also charged were Steven L. Peterson, 216 Somerset lane, Arlington Heights, possession of cannabis (marijuana), bond set at $1,500, court date Dec. 20, and Gary A. Mathis, Route 1, Lake Zurich, possession of controlled sub­ stance, bond set at $1,000, court date, Dec. 20. Last Saturday night while working an intelligence sur­ veillance in the Fox River Grove area where suspicious activities had been discovered, deputies observed an auto which they routinely checked out on the computer network in the sheriff's office. A report gave information that the auto had been stolen in Chicago. When confirmation was received, the auto containing three occupants was being driven on Ski Hill drive, Fox River Grove With the assistance of the Cary and Fox River Grove police departments, the auto was stopped. In searching the three occupants the various articles of narcotics were found. Trade Show Idea Explored By City Chamber Much of the Chamber of Commerce" board meeting Tuesday noon was devoted to the possibility of holding a retail and industrial exhibit in the manner of a trade show. A representative of the Ben- senville C. of CJ. was present to explain the operation of such an undertaking. The meeting was attended by newly elected board members, who will assume office in January. They are Duane Haak, J.C. Walker, Dave Benrud, James Lennon, Frank Klaus and Rick Lane. Suffers Fatal Disease Bleak Holiday Faces Stricken Boy TONY SCHIFFERDECKER There is little reason to believe that Christmas will be a happy day in the William Whitaker home at 811 W. B r o a d w a y , P i s t a k e e Highlands. But it might be a bit brighter if Mrs. Whitaker's 12- year-old son, Tony Schif- ferdecker, is able to come home from the hospital. The blonde, freckled, likable Tony has been confined to Children's Memorial hospital, Chicago, for the past three weeks. Although the young man realizes his illness is serious, he is unaware it is a fatal disease. Tony has lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph glands which has affected the boy's kidneys. As the condition is arrested, Mrs. Whitaker brightens in the thought that her son may be able to return home for the holidays. When he became ill earlier this fall, doctors thought Tony was suffering from a virus infection. However, when treatment and hospitalization failed to improve the condition, he was taken to the Chicago hospital, where his parents learned that he was suffering from cancer. X-rays, blood transfusions and tests have proved costly, and looking into the future can be frightening. But Mrs. Whitaker has little time to be concerned with this problem. She is busy making three trips weekly to Chicago to be at Tony's bedside. /His mother is encouraged by tfm-fact that he is more com­ fortable and abl^ to walk around the hospital room. He even talks and jokes oc casionally, she adds, with a momentary enthusiasm in her voice. One of those most closely touched by Tony's illness is his brother, Patrick, 9, who looks to his big brother as someone very special. He joins the family in resolving that Tony will receive the Christmas gift he has wanted all his life -- a gun. They realize he may never use it, but Mrs. Whitaker is firm in her determination to see that her son gets his wish. Tony would enjoy receiving cards from readers, but Mrs. Whitaker prefers that they be sent to the McHenry home address rather than the hospital. They may be the very thing that will cheer the youngster and assure that he reaches the outer limits of the "three months to three years" of life expectancy estimated by doctors. THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CH A IN-O-LA KE S REGION SINCE 1875 J -- VOLUME 96 NUMBER 40 FRIDAY, DECEMBEW17, 1971/ 20 PAGES TEN CENTS Study Zoning Requests Makes Guilty Plea Charrey Murder Manslaughter In an unexpected move Wednesday morning, Dec. 15, Martha L. Charrey of McHenry pleaded guilty to a charge of voluntary manslaughter. She is accused of the May 23, 1971, murder of her husband, Peter Charrey. Voluntary manslaughter is defined as "done in the heat of passion". The courtroom drama opened with a short conference between Mrs. Charrey, her attorney, Public Defender Joseph Gitlin, State's Attorney William Cowlin and Judge Carroll for the purpose of discussing a possible plea. In making her guilty plea, Mrs Charrey waived her right to be indicted by the Grand jury. She expressed herself as willing to proceed on the in­ formation which was filed against her, known as "In­ formation on Voluntary Manslaughter". Asked to present evidence which would have been given if a trial had been held, Cowlin said that although she was informed of her right to remain silent, Mrs. Charrey indicated a desire to talk. He said she explained that her husband was having an affair with another woman and that she had written a letter in which she disclosed her intention to leave home. Continuing her account of the series of events leading up to the murder, Mrs. Charrey told him she went to Green Bay, Wis., to "think things over". Enroute home, she en­ countered her husband and the other woman also returning from Wisconsin. Upon her arrival in McHenry, Mrs. Charrey said she preceded her husband into the home, took a gun and shot him as he entered. (Continued on page 19) A variety of business came before the December meeting of the McHenry county board of supervisors Tuesday, not the least of which was a discussion of zoning in various areas. After arguments pro and con were presented, the board decided to send back to the zoning committee for further study, a proposal to establish a new six-plat section in Spojnia 6 camp at McCullom Lake. Opponents contended that the zoning should be withheld because the main road leading into the subdivision from Ringwood road fails to meet township standards. An opinion of the Attorney General has stated that in the case of such subdivisions, platted many years ago, developers cannot be forced to improve these roads. At this point, Assistant Supervisor Tom Huemaun of McHenry expressed himself against permitting the platting of lots on unimproved roads. County Supt. of Highways Rackow said many calls had been received regarding repairing and plowing of private roads into subdivisions. He stressed that the law does not permit work on these roads either by the county or town­ ship. After further discussion, a vote of 14 to 10 sent the Spojnia request back to committee for further study. A report of the Zoning committee which would require that all modular type homes, prefabs, etc., must be ap­ proved by the B.O.C. association before the county will consider them for ac­ ceptance, won approval. Also approved was the committee recommendation not to issue permits to B.K.T. Enterprises in Claremont Hills subdivision, north of McHenry, until all roads leading to the houses on which permits have been requested have been properly covered with a 10-inch gravel base. The stipulation was requested by Road Commissioner Clarence Regner of McHenry township. No action was taken, but it was revealed that the com­ mittee had discussed the possibility of requiring tur­ nabouts for property fronting on Lincoln road. A motion was made and accepted, referring to the Fees and Salary committee a discussion over a proposal to increase the per diem rate for supervisors and to raise the salary of the county board chairman. Action resulted after a failure to agree on an in­ crease from $25 to $35 for the per diem rate. Action must be taken by May 1 if any change is to be made. The Public Buildings com­ mittee revealed its review of three appraisals on the cour­ thouse properties with the Woodstock city manager, James Lincoln. A copy of each of the ap­ praisals was submitted to the city. It was recommended that information be used in executive session by the Council until the actual sales price is agreed on between the Council and the Building committee of the board. The board approved an in­ surance payment in the amount of $50,002, with contracts ap­ proved for the combinations of three companies, American & Foreign Insurance company, Pacific Indemnity company and Northwestern National Insurance company. (Continued on page 19) Vote "No More Tax Dollars" Harrison Extends Holiday Season Use Of Gymnasium At the Dec. 7 meeting of the Harrison school board, members approved extended use of the gym in a supervised program for Saturdays and holiday periods. The program will begin Saturday, Dec. 18, and will include three days of Christmas vacation and three days at spring vacation. A decision was made to close off, as inexpensively as possible, the stage area in the gym. The board discussed the cost of replacing the stage with bleachers and the necessity of having a movable stage plat­ form. A final decision has been delayed. After a finance committee report, the board decided to delay any request for more tax dollars for at least a year. It was felt that it is necessary to make sure the district is getting the most for its money now. In asking the superintendent for his views, he said the most important and immediate change will be that for the first time in four years, im­ provements in educational programing will have to be delayed. The board agreed to the purchase of a compactor and authorized the superintendent to purchase the best of the two on trial. Approval was given for an application to participate in the 1971-72 Title II program in the amount of $866.73. Specific assistance was asked in the purchase of a prepared film strip, cassette or record programs; study prints and other areas as designated by teachers. The board was notified by the Harrison Teachers association that it has affiliated with the Illinois Education association and the National Education association. James Golden, now ad­ ministrative assistant, has been appointed upper grade principal. Parents Welcome \ Christmas Gift All dressed up and a new Christmas present for the family! Mrs. Robert Peterson, McHenry. prepares to take her new baby, Scott, home to her husband and their four adopted children, dressed in a Christmas stoc king made by the auxiliary members to McHenry hospital. It's an annual tradition for auxiliary members to prov ide the attractive holiday garment each Christmas season. With Mrs Peterson and Scott is Mrs. Janet Terry, R.N., head nurse in the obstetrical department.