I \ Prepare For Ham Dinner A little practice never hurt toy undertaking, and that's the philosophy used by members of McHenry Rotary club as they prepare to serve their annual ham dinner. The date is Sunday, Oct it, at the VFW clubhouse in McHenry. Final preparations are being concluded by the club. In the kitchen, above, are three of the five committee members, from left, Bob Adams, Chairman Phil Bartman and Hank Fleming. Other members are Fred Meyer and Don Doherty. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Cattle Sale Ends Era On display as it has been so many times in its lifetime Is one of the handsome Herefords sold during Monday's auction at the Northern Pump farms dispersal sale held at Valley unit. This massive animal brought $11,000, highest of the day before noon, but later, the Gibson Land & Cattle company of Comanch, Texas, paid $25,000 for a herd bull. A full page of pictures appears elsewhere in this issue. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Musin' And Meanderin Conduct Charges Follow Two Unrelated Incidents The Picture Is Gone.... Only The Frame Remains When Mrs. Brad Scott, wife of the Northern Pump Farms manager, termed this week's dispersal sale as "an emotional time", she was stating something felt by rtiany. For if the Scotts find the end of this almost quarto- century undertaking a difficult experience, they are not alone. , At a time when urban sprawl has selected the McHenry community for one of its targets, the presence of this expansive, rural enterprise has been a treasured possession. The 2,000 choice Herefords provided an assurance that amidst housing developments and a steadily increasing population, here was one last pastoral barrier which could not be penetrated. The year 1954, when Northern Pump came into being locally, is a long time ago. Anyone under 23 and newer residents of the community will not have known when thesfe magnificent cattle were not grazing ine (Hie of the pastures extending from north of McHenry to Richmond. Too seldom did we fully appreciate the idyllic setting that was ours to enjoy. From time to time, McHenry shared the pride of farm operators in the honors bestowed, all of a high level. Grand championships were more the rule than the exception. Unfortunately, the economic climate of today has ruled many big farm operations like Northern Pump as poor business. If it is a sign of the times, it is regrettable. Four exciting sale days this week brought buyers from throughout the U.S.A. and abroad to Valley ujiit for impressive bidding. But like the excitement of a hit stage play, the curtain finally came down Thursday. Unlike the theatre, much deserved applause was subdued and any tears that welled were repressed. When the curtain did fall, there lay 3,000 acres of empty land. The impressive sight of hardy Herefords that gave life to a picture framed by miles of fencing was gone. The Northern Pump operation will soon become just a memory. Among others, we will long cherish that memory and be indebted to those who made it possible. KAF Hilltop Open House, Book Fair Oct. 19-20 Two local men were arrested for disorderly conduct resulting from a pair of unrelated in cidents in recent days. Dermis Summerkamp of 7604 South drive, Wonder Lake, was charged with disorderly con duct following a disturbance at the intersection of E. Wonder Lake road and Hancock drive, Wonder Lake. According to the police report, when an officer arrived at the scene, Summerkamp became verbally abusive and acted in a threatening manner, resulting in his arrest. He was released on twenty- five dollar bond. The second incident occurred Monday night and ended with the arrest of William Kroske of 708 W. Peter street, McHenry, for disorderly conduct. Like Summerkamp, he was released on twenty-five dollar bond. Kroske's arrest resulted (Continued on page 8) Thursday afternoon, another chapter in the rich history of the McHenry area ended, as the last of 2,000 head of cattle was sold by Northern Pump farms. The four-day sale, which began Monday, marked the end of twenty-three years of cattle operation for Northern Pump farms in the community. Northern Pump encompasses twelve farms, stretching from McCullom Lake to Richmond. The 3,000 acres of land has not been sold, and remains the property of J.B. Hawley Jr., who resides in Minneapolis, Minn. Plans regarding the future use of the land are not definite. Leaf Pickup Starts In City Next Thursday The city of McHenry has announced that leaf pickup will start Thursday, Oct. 20, and continue until all are collected. Leaves only should be placed in bags on the curb. No shrubbery clippings or tree limbs will be taken, as well as no garbage. If bags are found to contain anything except leaves, they will be left at the curb. Leaves collected will be placed on a farm and used for bedding, which prevents any items but leaves from being taken. Candy Day Money To Aid Needy Of Area « The twenty-fifth Annual Lions Candy Day for the Blind and Sight Conservation is a time of hope, of sharing, and of promise. This year's Candy day will be held in McHenry and (Continued on page 8) District 15 Boundary Line Change Major School Problem The problem of enrollment growth and the necessity to change boundary lines was the major problem to face the board of Grade School District 15 in session Tuesday night. After an exchange of ideas and much discussion, it was decided to make further study before any action is taken. The problem became acute in the last year due to the Hilltop school will have an open house next Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the school gymnasium. Beginning with a short business meeting, Mrs. Cheryl Weber, Parent Teacher organization president, will introduce the following officers and committee chairmen for the 1977-78 school year: Mrs. Wyn Cain, vice-president; Mrs. Barb Novak, secretary; Mrs. Shari Jobst, treasurer; Mrs. Carolyn Rasmussen, director; Mrs. Mary Kay Coonrad, teacher representative; Mrs. Carol Schmalz, membership; Mrs. Nancy Larson, publicity; Mrs. June Sullivan, room representative; and Mrs. Sue Paoineau. program. John Nilles, school principal, will introduce members of the school staff. Following the meeting, parents will have an opportunity to meet the teachers and visit the (Continued on page 8) Shores President Named To Planning Commission Saturday. She was named by an assemblage of ninety-six mayors and presidents of local . governments from throughout northeastern Illinois. There are 260 municipalities included in the NIPC jurisdiction and twenty-five serve on the commission. Local government heads gather every four years to name five members. "NIPC is the regional com prehensive planning agency for local goveran ents in this part of the state. It provides professional services to the communities and also screens most government requests for federal funding. The main office is in Chicago, with other offices in each » ; . ~ Rose Lillegard, president of the village of McHenry Shores, was one of five municipality heads to be elected to the Northern Illinois Planning commission (NIPC) last ' --h>- ' >• .*•* --43881$ II. dramatic housing growth in the Fox Ridge area and projections of continued growth on the west side of Crystal Lake road to Bull Valley road. Because of this situation, the administration recommended the adoption of the Crystal Lake road as an intra-district attendance boundary line between Valley View-Parkland schools' attendance areas on the west and Edgebrook- McHenry Junior high school attendance on the east. It was also recommended that children now attending a building inconsistent with this attendance boundary change be permitted to continue at their present school until through the fifth or eighth grade. The present boundary line dividing the attendance areas is the railroad tracks on the north side of Rt. 120 and Boone Creek bridge on the south side. Until the Fox Ridge area development, no southward projection of the Boone Creek line was necessary as the Whispering Oaks area provided vary few children. After seeking more in- formation and definite data, the (Continued on page 8) according to Mrs. Brad Scott, whose husband manages Northern Pump operations. Mrs. Scott did not indicate whether or not the land would be sold at a later date, or if the land will be used to grow crops oh next year. She also said she didn't know what will become of the eighteen fulltime employees who worked on the farm. What is certain is that the head of cattle, which are famous throughout the country, are now gone. The Northern Pump herd was started in 1951 in Minneapolis. Scott has been the manager of the herd since the beginning. In 1952, the cattle were moved to a ranch near Colorado Springs, Colo. In 1954, the Hickory Creek farms in McHenry were pur chased from Frank Howard, and 800 of the best cows and heifers from the Mill Iron ranch in Texas were acquired to stock the Illinois farm. Since 1954, Northern Pump cattle have won numerous state and national awards. Just one example of the farm's ex cellence is that in twenty years of competition in the National Western show, Northern Pump bulls have won two grand champion loads, two reserve champion loads, five first place loads, and sixteen second place loads. The actual number of buyers who attended the dispersal sale during the week is difficult to obtain, since numerous spectators filled the arena as well as buyers. However, on Monday, there were buyers from seventeen states and Canada, and Tuesday, there were buyers from Italy. Besides attracting buyers, the sale also drew represen tatives from the cattle industry throughout the country. Among the guests were Roger Stuber, president of the American Hereford association, and H.H. Dickenson, executive vice- president of the same group. How much money is involved in the sale? The Cattle Texas, sihgle animal, paying $25,000 for a herd bull. Monday, buyers paid a total of $303,585 for Northern Pump animals, with the average price being $1,129 per lot. A "lot" can be either one animal alone or a cow and a calf together. Mrs. Scott stated that her husband estimated the total sale would be in excess of $1 million, noting that the "beef cattle business has not been good for several years." The breakdown on the types of animals sold included 800 cows, most with calves, sixteen herd bulls, 314 bred and heifers, and 190 herd prospects and range bulls. In commenting on the sale, Mrs. Scott admitted that "it is an emotional time." (Continued on page 8) v mucn money is mvoivea sale? The Gitaon Land * ; company of Comanch, i, paid the most for any District 1M Saturday, Oct a tajn.toTpjn. McCuOotnLafce Residents Rise To Action Will Lily Lake Survive? Will Lily Lake live or die? That question was considered when State Senators Jack Schaffer (R. Cary) and Karl Beming (R. Deerfield) marine biologist Harvey Brown and Larry Sanders of the Illinois Division of Water Resources spoke before 113 people at the Lakemoor municipal building Tuesday, Oct. 11. The discussion focused on the chief problems and where to find solutions for keeping the lake alive. Deep concern was expressed for where the water in the lake went. Removal of the muck was considered to be important in making the rapidly depleting body of water usable. The! senators suggested making a determination as to whether Lily lake is public or private. They also suggested an effort be made to learn whether or not it is being illegally drained. Residents were urged to find out what funding, if any, might be available for restoration. " It was generally conceded that water is becoming more and more a critical resource. Senator Schaffer noted, "We may soon be needing small lakes for drinking water, so it is imperative that any body of water be studied in order to preserve it for the next generation of users". With this observation, the next meeting was set for Oct. 25 at the Lakemoor municipal building, when working committees wfll be formed to determine whether residents are willing to spend the time and energy needed to assure that Lily Lake lives. VOLUME 102 NUMBER 22 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1977 2 SECTIONS 24 PAGES 20' (Persons desiring voting results may call the central administration office, 385-7210, late Saturday night. A recorded message will also give results throughout the night and Sunday). Voters in Grade School District 15 will be asked to go to the polls Saturday, Oct. 15, and vote for increases in two im portant funds. One proposal will be to in crease the Education fund tax rate from $1.38 to $1.78 per $100 assessed valuation. The other calls for an increase in the Operation, Building and Maintenance fund tax rate from twenty-five cents to thirty-five cents. Voting will take place bet ween the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at two local precinct polling places. Precinct 1 is for all residents living-east of the Fox river. The polling place is Hilltop school, 2615 W. Lincoln road. Precinct 2 is for all residents who live west of the Fox river. The polling place is McHenry Junior high school, 3711 W. Kane avenue. On a home with an assessed equalized valuation of $10,000 (actual valuation $30,000) the cost would be $50 a year with passage of the referendum. The district bases its need for the additional money on a comparison of revenue and expenditure increases in the two funds between 1968 and 1977. In the Education fund the revenue increase has amounted to 84 percent compared to a 98 percent increase in ex penditure. In the Operation, Building and Maintenance fund, the revenue increase has been 78 percent and the ex penditure increase, 138 per cent. Thief Ready For Winter Season With Snowblower Perhaps in preparation for the upcoming winter season, someone stole a snowblower from a McHenry resident over the weekend, with police still searching for the thief. The snowblower was owned by Raymond Tatge of 220 Nippersink, McHenry, and was stored in a shed on his property at the time it was stolen. He discovered the theft Monday morning, after having been away for the weekend. Also stolen over the weekend was a 12 hp. lawn tractor, which was owned by Russell Terrien of 5413 Circle drive in McHenry. He reported the theft Monday evening, stating to police that sometime Sunday night, the lawn tractor was stolen from (Continued on page 8) THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LA KE S REGION SINCE 187S Council Leaders Plan Homecoming Officers of the MCHS Student Council and members are largely responsible for the many activities associated with homecoming, held this year Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 13-15. Advisor Jack Tierney, center, is shown, from left with Patty Harker, vice-president; Kathy Ahern, president; Ann Snyder, treasurer; and Lynn Lupo, secretary. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD