Musin' And Meanderin They held the dedication of the new Pearl street bridge Sunday. With a sharp wind cutting the flesh, brevity was, of necessity, the order of the day. In fact, so brief was the ceremony that we almost • completely missed it although the clock at the corner of Green and Elm street read 2:01 as we made our way to the dedication scene. Now that the occasion is history, we are well a war? that many who followed the con troversy over tearing down the old versus building the new, are awaiting some word. --If we were to give a rave reviie and say this was just what we wanted in our Christmas stocking, we would be betraying all those people who worked along with us for almost a year to save the old structure for renovation. It would also be/dishonest. If we wejper to be critical at this point; it would indicate poor sportsmanship. The bridge is in place, it will serve the motoring public, and we plan to use it. We hasten to point out that the inadvertent announcement of the opening for Sunday, Dec. 18, was not our devious plot to keep people away. Somehow, calendars became confused at city hall and the outcome was a news release scheduling the opening one week later than it actually occurred. But now the bridge has ex perienced its first travel, and in the years to come will provide a service to motorists much as (Continued on page 16) Will McHenry high school students be attending classes in two four-year campuses in the fall of 1978? That question came before the District 156 board last week . and the answer should be forth coming within the next few months. Following a lengthy discussion and a report covering the administration position regarding the .feasibility of such a change, Supt. Robert Swartzloff was allowed to pursue a period of study on the matter. He asked, and received, permission to study the matter further between now and Jan. 5, when vacation ends. After that time students would be asked what campus they would like to attend. Course registration would take place as originally scheduled, from Jan. 5 through Feb. 15. From that date to March 15, a definite program would be agreed upon. Discussion of the feasibility of two four-year high schools followed two weeks of meetings among three groups, the Ad ministrative council, depart ment coordinators and the Administrative cabinet. The consensus was in support of moving to two four-year high schools, but opinion was divided on when the change should be implemented. After much deliberation, the recommendation was to make a decision at this time to move toward putting the plan into, operation beginning next year. The proposal was to register students for course selections utilizing the current Other First Dqy Filings Three Seek Clerk Office Members of the color guard of the American Legion Post 491 make their way across the bridge to officially open the structure. Also among the first to cross were city officials and the 40 et 8 Locomotive, led by Bernie Matchen. STAFF PHOTOS-WAYNE GAYLORD Between seventy-five and 100 persons braved cold winds Sunday afternoon to participate in the dedication of the new Pearl street bridge. It was believed the crowd was smaller than might have been expected either due to the severe weather or conflicting dates in the invitations and pre- dedication publicity sent out. The Rev. Father Edmund Petit, pastor of St. Patrick Catholic church, gave the in vocation preceding the ceremony. Very brief messages were given by Mayor Joseph Stanek, Township Road Commissioner Clarence Regner, Supervisor Walter Dean and County Board Chairman Richard Klemm. The focus of their remarks was on the importance of work that can be accomplished through the cooperative efforts of governmental units. Adding color to the event was the appearance of the county 40-8 Locomotive, for which With the opening date for filing petitions Monday of this week, three persons indicated their desire to fill the seat of county clerk which will be left, vacant by the decision of veteran office holder .Vernon Kays, not to seek reelection. One of the three is a woman, Rosemary Azzaro of Wood stock, who has worked in the clerk's office for many years. Also a candidate is Walter Dean of McHenry, township supervisor and former chairman of the McHenry County board. The third is Cal Skinner, Sr., of Crystal Lake, a member of the County board. All are Republicans. Edward W. Hall of Wood stock has filed for the GOP nomination as regional (Continued on page 16) ' Details Unclear On Mishap Sending Two To Hospital (Continued on page 16} Two Wonder Lake residents were injured in a collision on E. Wonder Lake road, at 9 p.m. Dec. 8, according to the McHenry County Sheriff's department. Thomas R. Whitman, 9017 Sunset drive, and Edward W. Deener, 7405 E. Wooded Shore drive, were transported by the Wonder Lake Rescue unit to McHenry hospital. Both were treated and released, according to hospital authorities. Neither driver could remember what happened according to what they told deputies. Deener's car was found crossways in the middle of the road near Wonder Woods drive, and the Whitman auto was found in the east ditch. From evidence, both vehicles were across the center line when they met. Damage to each was estimated at over $1,000. A rear end collision was reported at 2:05 p.m. Dec. 8 on Pitzen road when a driver swerved into a parked car to avoid an oncoming school bus. Scott R. Shulda, 502 W. Bald Knob, McHenry, lold deputies that he was driving north slowly and as he came around the curve he saw a car driven by William C. Richards, 809 N. Lillian street, McHenry, parked at the roadside and a school bus southbound in the other lane. Shulda said he braked and slid into the rear of the Richards car. No injuries were reported. Damage to the Shulda car was estimated at $150 and to the Richards vehicle, $400. (Continued on page 16} c u r r i c u l u m r e f l e c t i n g modifications and revisions that will be approved at the Dec. 20 business meeting. During the discussion, President James Althoff asked if the administration had ap proached the citizens' advisory council for an opinion and learned it had not. Member Edward Neumann felt this was not necessary. "They were named to do a job in saving $800,000", he pointed out, "and that job is done". Althoff persisted as made the observation that, the committee had submitted different educational plans. Neumann then asked for a vote to accept the proposal of Swartzloff as presented, but this was defeated. - The latter then suggested he contact members of the committee before the Dec. 20 board meeting so their reaction could be obtained. Member Catherine Alvary questioned whether Special Education children would be placed on one or both cam puses, a question that has not yet been decided. David Benrud said his opinion was that there should be one campus for two schools, which would reduce ad> ministrative costs. But Benrud also expressed the belief that even under the 2-2 program school personnel should be able to arrange for a continuity of programs. Henry Nell felt it might be wise to sell the administration building and locate the ad ministrative offices in one of the two schools. To further reduce costs, he said he noted the. cost of counseling in the high schools was the .same as that for teaching Math. Nell asked why this situation existed and said he felt counseling cuts should be made. He also agreed wifli Benrud on reducing ad ministrative costs. HOLIDAY SECTION The Friday, Dec. 16 issue of the Plaindealer will include a special section with last minute gift suggestions from McHenry area merchants. The section also will contain Letters to Santa written by local youngsters, - Change Location Of December Recycling Due to the need for parking space for Christmas shoppers, the third Saturday recycling drive location for December will be changed from the traditional Market Place corner to the north parking lot at West campus high school. Citizens are asked to pass this word on to families accustomed to bringing their newspapers. bottles, aluminum products and all-steel cans to the recycling drive each month. In January the drive will return to the Market Place. Members of the En vironmental Science classes from West campus high school will be providing labor the day of the drive. Saturday, Dec. 17. (Continued on page 16} MCHS Schedules Gala Snowball Excitement reigns on both McHenry high school campuses as students prepare for their winter Snowball. Sponsored by the Student Council, it will be held at West campus gym Saturday, Dec. 17, at 8 p rqi, Tickets will be available at thd door. „ -i Ruling over the dance will be a king and queen, who will be crowned at 10 p.m. I I Students shown here wees selected for the winter court. Entire classes voted for cap* didates, including five girls and five boys from each. Next week the freshmen and sophomores will vote for the girl and boy the class wants for their at' tendants. In the meantime, juniors and seniors will vote for the junior winter king and queen. Freshmen and sophomore attendants will be announced Friday .Dec. 16, in school. $TAFF PHOTO* WAYNIS GAYLORD Dedicate New Bridge Hold Hearings In Annexation * HI Wit • THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1075 One feature of the pre- annexation agreement with the village calls for WLRT to donate 35 acres on Nippersink creek at the northeast corner of Thompson , and Wondermere road to the village. This would be done in lieu cas^ developer donations to the village for parks, schools, etc. The choice of development of the 35-acre plot would rest with the village board of trustees, who need only comply with a stipulation that the village establish and maintain a beach on the site; build and maintain a road for access to the beach; and allow residents of the area proposed in the annexation to use the beach for a period of ten years. The beach would provide access to Wonder Lake for the annexed area. Under the proposal, with the beach owned by the village and developed with public finds, it would be available for public use, with is an issue that con cerns many residents of Sunrise Ridge. Use of the lake. is presently limited to residents of property in fourteen subdivisions which were established when the lake came into being and owned by WLRT. Since then, the lake has been sold to the Master Properties association, which at this time owns the lake bed and Wonder Lake dam. M a s t e r P r o p e r t i e s association consists of the f o u r t e e n a s s o c i a t i o n s representing the fourteen subdivisions on the lake. The Plan commission will now conduct public hearings on the proposed agreement as it concerns the requested zoning for the land and the proposed plats for its development. Although the public hearing opened Dec. 7, it was recessed until Dec. 14 at 8 p.m., also at the Kaiser home. At this time VOLUME 102 NUMBER 39 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1977 2 SECTIONS 24 PAGES 20' A hearing on a petition for the annexation of 151 acres to the village of Sunrise Ridge, on the west side of Wonder Lake, was recessed last week until Jan. 25. At this time it is anticipated the recommendation of the Plan commission may be available and the public hearing concerning the p r o p o s e d a n n e x a t i o n agreement will be continued. The presentation for an nexation was made by Wonder Lake Realty Trust (WLRT) Attorney Dan Curran of Woodstock at the Eugene Kaiser home, 8056 Dorr road, Sunrise Ridge. It was the first request for annexation to this village, which became in corporated in the fall of 1974. McHenry township; and Mayor Joseph Stanek. Looking on, at right, are Father Edmund Petit, pastor of St Patrick Catholic church, who gave the benediction; and Police chief Kenneth Espey. The petition asks the an nexation of 112 acres of un developed land on the south west corner of Thompson and Wondemere road to be zoned R- 1 residential and 5 acres along Thompson road to be zoned B-l business. the commission will begin accepting evidence in the hearing. Church Choirs Give Christmas Cantata Dec. 18 "Specially for Shepherds" is a contemporary Christmas c a n t a t a c o m p o s e d a n d arranged by Ralph Carmichael that the four choirs of the First United Methodist church will present Sunday, Dec. 18, during the morning worship hours of 9:30 and 11 a.m. The music includes solo roles by the. main characters of the Christmas drama, such as Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth and the shepherds. The choirs are under the direction of Bill Toalson, John Leighty and Ed Wittrock add the accompanists are Lynne Sobczak, Eloise Leighty and Carl Kohrt. Select Winter Court For MCHS 0 Fred Meyer, left, superintendent of public works for the city of McHenry, holds part of the ribbon which has just been cut to open the new Pearl street bridge. In center are Richard Klemm, chairman of the McHenry County board; Clarence Regner, township road commissioner; Walter Dean, supervisor for JUNIORS gr* Junior members of the winter court are, from left, front row, Karen SsuaUas, Nancy. Preston, Patti_£ondon, Lisa Jackson and Jan 8tetter; standing, Ren Freund, Rick Beck,:Brett Thorns, Scott Dixon andl Tim Frantz. > • •