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p. 15 0 THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER W ' S E R V I N G T H E C H A I N - O - L A K E S P E G I O N S I N C E 1 6 7 5 VOLUME 99 NUMBER 39 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1974 2 SECTIONS - 26 PAGES Leonard Albano, Educational superintendent for the Secretary of State's office, left, and Barney Grabiec, program organizer, A sizable number of volun­ teers from the McHenry Senior Citizens club gathered at the city hall two days last week to attend training classes on "Rules of the Road; review course. They were instructed by Leonard Albano and Barney Graviec, representatives of Secretary of State Michael J. Howlett's office. The purpose of the course is to train senior citizens to help other older Americans perform successfully when taking their driver license renewal tests. A large number of these senior citizens remain active and have shown a desire to retain their licenses as long as they are physically and mentally capable to drive safely. Statistics prove that many of them, who are good drivers, fail their renewal written tests because they have failed to keep up with changes and become fearful. During a recent year, 33 per cent of the elderly drivers were shown to have failed the tests, although they proved to be good, safe drivers. Representatives from McHenry, Crystal Lake, Marengo and Woodstock met for the start of classes Dec. 11, when Kenneth Bowsher, president of the local Senior Citizens club, was appointed coordinator. Additional volunteers were present the following day when the six-hour course opened. During this session, City Police Officer Robert Zujewski conducted a question and an­ swer period which proved in­ formative and helpful. The "Rules of the Road" review course offers in­ structions to help these senior citizens become informed on current rules, it prepares them for the general written examination, road sign test and offers a pre-vision test that will indicate whether or not they can pass the official test. This program will be ex­ panded throughout the state, offering a number of unique features. Individual senior citizens' organizations send volunteers to attend the two-day training session conducted by the office of the secretary of state. Those completing the training course become qualified instructors to teach the course both to elderly drivers and pedestrians in their own communities. The course is free of charge, and instructors teach without pay The state office will con­ stantly provide instructional materials to classes offered anywhere in Illinois. It is ex­ pected that the program may save the state money since many older drivers now must take the renewal test several times. Volunteers who met Dec. 11 and 12 in McHenry have now completed their course and are ready to help others. Classes will meet for three sessions, one each week for three weeks. The time and place will be announced as soon as registrations are completed. Musin' and Meanderin' We confess to a very real enjoyment in the arrival of Christmas cards. They are something special to us, and particularly when they contain an especially choice verse or a small personal note. We look forward each year to the first Musin' and Meanderin' card - always from Elmer "Biff" Meyer and his wife, down Chicago way. It is always one to remember, to peek at and to enjoy occasionally during the next twelve months. This year's stand-up card shows a delightful rag doll and a verse to match: "What is a wish? A wish is a secret want for something very special. It is kept in the heart next to dreams and memories, and once in a while, when the time is just right -- you let someone special know it s there. Wishing you all you're wishing for". Our Christmas spirit has been firmly established, and as we glance occasionally at the card, we know it is here to stay. In the same spirit we recall a conversation with a beloved old high school administrator whose stern demeanor belied a warm heart. He was retired and we were visiting him during the holiday season. His eyes lighted up as he almost reluctantly admitted that one of his greatest joys at Christmas time was to open a card with even a small but personal message. None of us is so very dif­ ferent. If we remember that, the spirit of the season may appear before volunteer senior citizens gathered for instruction in a driver training school. The meeting was held in the city hall. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD It is suggested that persons attend classes not more than sixty days prior to the date set for their driver renewal examination. President Kenneth Bowsher is coordinator for this area and can be contacted for further information. He is particularly interested at this time in hearing from persons who have licenses expiring early in 1975. New Democratic com mitteemen have been ap­ pointed in two McHenry township precincts. John Colomer of 2013 Church Street, Johnsburg, was named committeeman in Precinct 4. Ron Trampe of 2614 N. Sterling is the new Democratic com­ mitteeman in Precinct 21. The appointments were made by County Chairman Thomas Hanahan. (Continued on page 17) May A giant step in improving the quality of water in Lake Mathews, a part of the Chain O'Lakes in Pistaqua Heights, has also provided the com­ munity with a problem. An aeration system was installed in the lake last August which residents of the area call their first ray of hope for eventual control of Chain 0' Lakes pollution. However, during the winter freeze, the circulation of air will create open water along the aeration path which ex­ tends some 600 feet into the lake midwav between the shores. Paul Berg, president of the Pistaqua Heights Improvement association, said as a precautionary measure fluorescent warning signs and markers will be posted on the lake and along its shores. Whatever other steps that are possible also be taken to notify the membership of the open water danger. Last summer 600 feet of plastic tubing was laid along the ground and steel nuts were threaded onto the tubing by children and adults of the community. Then a flotilla of boats and volunteers laid the Homicide Found In Victim Home travel very surely and directly, via Uncle Sam's postage stamp, into the heart of a friend. The merry mood of Christ­ mas was evident at the McHenry Country club last week when the Plaindealer staff gathered for their annual holiday party. The number of years of service in putting together the newspaper would have been staggering if one had taken the time to count. Four long time employees brought the total to near 100, which is incredible in an era of "here today and gone tomorrow" business relations. Maybe the parties have something to do with keeping employees on the job. They are super, and bring out the best in folks who occasionally exhibit their worst during working hours. That unmentionable game (which is now legal if not ad­ vertised) kept everyone alert after a huge repast that compounded the problem of inches around the waist line which come naturally at Christmas time. The prizes were literally out-of-this-world, or at least out-of touch for us, but it was good to hear the squeals of the lucky ones. All in all, we can't recall a more pleasant evening. It sent us back to the desk the next day with an early New Year resolution. All work and no play makes the editor dull. We must spice up the routine with more parties! KAF Eighty-one-year-old Michael N. Miller of Spring Grove was found murdered in his trailer Thursday afternoon, Dec, 12, by a nephew, George P. Blake, of 3018 N. Richmond road, McHenry. Blake had gone to the trailer, which is located along Route 12, with some food for Miller. He found the victim lying across the bed with a stab wound in his chest. McHenry County Sheriff Arthur Tyrrell told reporters, "From the size of the puncture wound, Miller was apparently stabbed once with a pocket knife. The weapon has not been found." According to Tyrrell, Miller had been dead about a day and a half when the body was discovered. Investigation conducted by the Detective division of the sheriff's department revealed that Miller, whom Tyrrell described as "a hermit," lived in the trailer located on his property. He rented the use of his land by the day to transients from surrounding areas, including Chicago. Investigation is continuing by the Detective division under Capt. Robert Madsen and Lt. George Hendle. Top Ranking Students Named At Two Schools Top honor rolls have been announced by both McHenry West campus and Marian Central high schools. Seniors with a 4.0 rating at West are Karen Biggs, William Brogan, Sandra Clark, Bill Damiani, Keith Durkin, Liz Fenske, Debbie Freund, Denise Higgins, Evelyn Krysiak, Carol Leighty, Catherine Mueller, Linda Randall, Lee Snyder and Charlene Weingart. Highest ranking juniors are Fern Brody, Julie Condon, Cindy Landin, Calinda Leonard, Bryan O'Neill, and Gregory Thornton. From Marian high school, senior top students include, from McHenry, Dave Bolger, Mary Catenzaro, Michael Miller,' Lisa Huemann and Raymond Steege; junior, Timothy Frenzer; sophomores, James McDonough, Joan Sandall, Sharon Schaefer, Judy Johnson and Laura Bell; fresh­ men, Kim Rich, Wendy Wohnrade, Lisa Erjavec, Deborah Suchor, Jane Zim- (Continued on page 17) Holiday Deadlines The Plaindealer will be published for delivery Tuesday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 27, Christmas week. For this reason deadlines will be set ahead. " Display Advertising Deadlines -- Noon Friday, December 20, and Monday, December 23. General News Deadlines --2:00 p.m. Friday, December 20. and Monday, December 23. Correspondents' Deadlines -- Noon Thursday, December 19, and Monday, December 23. Classified Display Advertising ~ 4.00 p.m. Friday, December 20, and noon Tuesday, December 24. tubing, weighted by the nuts to • keep it at the bottom in a rtiidpoint line between the shores of Lake Mathews. The tubing is connected to a compressor, run by a one horsepower engine, by a 300- foot feeder line, joined in a "T" assembly to the perforated "tubing. Compressed air pumped into the tubing releases tiny, controlled bubbles of air which rise slowly to the surface, bringing bottom water and sludge to the sur­ face, where they can be dissolved. Funds for the project came from annual dues collected by the association from each of the fifty to sixty homes within the subdivision. Aside from the hazard to snowmobilers, there is ex­ pected to be a benefit from the open channel because some piers piay be spared ice damage. Officers for the McHenry County Fair association include, from left, Jack Hayes Woodstock treasurer; Charles Weingart, McHenry, president; Lyle Given, Woodstock, vice-president; and Jim ro~' ̂ secretaI*y Thp> were elected at the annual meeting in mid-December. The 1975 fair starts Wednesday, July 30. (DON PEASLEY PHOTOGRAPHY) Water Improvement System / Prove Snowmobile Hazard The weather outside was frigid, with the ground blanketed by the season's first big snowfall. Inside the McHenry County Farm Bureau building, plans were afoot for one, of the year's big events, a warm weather event that is held the first week in August each year. Those looking beyond the wintry blasts were persons attending the McHenry County Fair association annual meeting recently, where some major decisions were made to assure another outstanding fair. With the 1974 fair the biggest in terms of attendance, entries and general applause, the fair board and association mem­ bers will be pressed hard to improve their public offering in 1975. Dates for the 1975 fair will be July 30 through Aug. 3, with some changes in the major attractions that have become a familiar pattern to veteran fair-goers. One major achievement was the adoption of new by-laws which had been revised and updated by a committee composed of Bill Tammeus, Stuart Wells, A.B. McConnell and Dick Walrath. Part of the changes involved clarification of election of directors and their terms of office. A quorum for the board meetings was changed from twelve to eight members. Guests heard a discussion on possible presentation of a major dog show at the fairgrounds when Robert Adolphus, Woodstock, discussed activities of the Fox Valley Kennel club. He ex­ plained the club is seeking a better place to hold its shows and he said several McHenry county residents are interested in forming a county organization. The membership voted to have Adolphus meet with the officers and to have them report back on what might be worked out that is mutually beneficial. Following election of directors, annual meeting participants elected Charles Weingart, McHenry, president; Lyle Given, Woodstock, vice- president; Jim Pedersen, Crystal Lake, secretary, and Jack Hayes, Woodstock, treasurer. Weingart begins his sixth full year as president. Given is a new officer, succeeding Everett Hunter who submitted his resignation both aS an of­ ficer and as a director. He said he is leading a new small engines 4-H club and has had a big response of aspiring members. Hayes has been on the board nine years, several of them as treasurer. Pedersen is serving his sixth year on the board, his fourth as secretary. One new board member was elected. Mrs. Maynard Mc* Cullough, Harvard, was elected a director-at-large, along with Robert Schoenbeck, Hebron, and El wood Davis, Woodstock. Jack Hayes, who has been a director at large, was elected the Dorr township director, succeeding Lyle Luedtke. Reelected along with Hayes, Schoenbeck and Lyle Given,' Greenwood; Dorothy Schultz, Grafton; Les Finder, Marengo; • Brad Scott, Richmond, and Floyd Griebel, Riley. Name Senator To Position On Fox Commissbn Illinois Senate President William C. Harris, R-Pontiac, has announced he has ap­ pointed Senator Jack Schaffer, R-Cary, to a position on the new Chain of Lakes-Fox River commission. (Continued on page 17) Christmas Card Design Winner Supt. Richard Swantz of High School District 156 presents checks to winners in the 1974 Christmas card design contest. From left, are Susan Wickenkamp, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Wickenkamp of 4316 W, Clearview, winner of first prize of $25; Linda Freund, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Freund of 3713 W. Lee street, $15 winner of second prise, and Scott 8ilscr, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Silzer of 5308 N. Ridgeway road, Ring wood, Ulird place winner of $10. Susan and Scott are sophomores, Linda Is a junior. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Name Democratic Committeemen In McHenry Precincts License Test Help For Local Senior Citizens Youth Dies Reelect Weingart President By Hanging In Jail Cell Nineteen-year-old John Rozani of 84 Cedar drive, Crystal Lake, was found dead in his ceil at McHenry county jail about 12:10 a.m. Dec. 11. Jailer Allen Fann was making a routine jail inspection when he found Rozani suspended from the overhead bars by a torn bedsheet Deputies on duty at the jail attempted to revive Rozani but all efforts failed. When Coroner Theron Ehorn arrived, the body was removed to the county morgue. Rozani was being held on charges of forgery and violation of probation. Discuss Possible Change In Fair Plans At Annual Meet •i