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11 vy THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CHAIN-O LAKES REGION S INCE 1875 \ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1981 1 SECTION 22 PAGES 25' Hospital Psychiatric Program At Capacity The inpatient psychiatric program at Memorial Hospital for McHenry County at Woodstock is being used to capacity and is a financial success, coordinator Robert Lesser indicated in his report of the initial three months of operation to th<s Planning and Management board of the McHenry County Mental Health board Dec. 2. The program, established effective Sept. l by a contract with the Mental Health board for active treatment of acute medical psychiatric conditions in adults, has 47 admissions so far. After November, following 39 discharges, it continues with eight patients, its present capacity. Lesser explained that the program was to provide for emergency care needs of persons for acute conditions rather than for those with chronic conditions. Presently, the patients are admitted with the medical surgical patients in the wards, but are presently all contained on one floor. Lesser said this provided a more effective setting for group therapy. He noted that some patients had been admitted with problems more severe than they could cope with in this open setting and they consequently were transferred to other hospitals with secure facilities. He added that if their unit had a special care (seclusion) room for the needs of a person who could be a danger to self or to others, they probably could have handled the cases transferred. He listed two recent examples of clients transferred as unmanageable. Admitting is presently screening persons so that beds are furnished only to applicants with whose problems they can deal, Lesser added. Lesser attributed the program's success to a dedicated and committed staff which includes psychiatric nurses and mental health technicians for 24- hour care. The technicians hired must have a four-year B.S. degree in mental health. It was difficult to locate qualified persons at first, but the staffing now seems adequate. Because the program is in the open with patients in with the medical surgical wards, a good relationship with the rest of the hospital staff has developed which results in cooperation on both sides. Lesser noted. Lesser notes that, as with most hospitals, they are handling no in­ voluntary admissions, only voluntary or informal. He explained, in answer to a question by Dennis Smith, executive director of the Mental Health board, that a voluntary patient signs in while an informal one merely gives verbal assent to treatment and can request discharge at any time. The release of a voluntary patient must be approved by the staff. The facilities at Memorial include a day activities area, and therapy sessions are held in a hospital owned building across the street. Lesser said the program has five therapy groups, two of them formal and three informal. Under the guidance of a psychiatrist, an activities occupational therapist, and a psychiatric social worker furnished by the Family Ser­ vices and Community Mental Health center, the patients set goals, work toward and review them each day. The program includes a "quite structured day," which the patients seem to prefer, Lesser claimed. The patients abide by the rules and even observe the restrictions on when and where to smoke. Lesser cited the statistics ac­ cumulated for the first three months: average stay of 9.6 days compared with the average for the state of 17 days, three readmissions after discharge, 62 percent occupancy with an average daily census of 4.9. This is expected to (Continued on page 20) Homicide Charge In Zelvis Death A Carpentersville man has been charged with reckless homicide in connection with the traffic death of a 22- year-old McHenry woman last Sep­ tember. A McHenry County Grand jury returned the indictment against George E. Walker, 21, of 14 Oxford road, Carpentersville, earlier this week in 19th Judicial Circuit court, Woodstock. The charges stated that on Sept. 14, Walker, while under the influence of alcohol, was driving south on Route 31 (Continued on page 20) Blood Drive Dec. 7 At Lutheran Church Page 17 Winter Preparedness Week December 6-12 Page 5 Legislative Fears Christmas has a different meaning for each of us, but there can be no denying that toys rate No. 1 on almost every child's list. Today, toys have gone computer like the world around them. We're labeling them as "educational", and so they are, just like the electric top was in 1903. It was advertised in a wish book as "in­ structive as well as amusing". There's a magical fascination with toys, especially at this time of year. And while they reflect children's dreams and desires, they also mirror the history of our country, even to its heros and heroines. There won't be many who remember the year 1899, but it was then that youngsters were offered a battleship bank that looked like the U.S.S. Maine. That was the warship destroyed in Havana Harbor during the Spanish- American war. Then there was the Teddy Roosevelt era. Youngsters kept pace with the times with a "Rough Riders" chime toy in honor of his historic charge up San Juan Hill. Dolls, the toy of toys, more than any others have reflected existing styles and fads. |^In the early 1900s, they had the popular long curly and bushy hair style. •By 1935 the rage was the Shirley Temple doll, modeled after the "nation's sweetheart". . Dolls with real hair and "eyes that sleep" were the choice of the 'thirties. Miss Pigtail sold for only a dollar. And a solid oak children's dining set for late afternoon tea parties was one of the more expensive gifts at $5.95. Even as late as 1933, toy offerings - and maybe Jife in general - were a lot simpler. Advertised that year were a box of blocks, a rocking horse, jumbo wood beads and a horse shoe game, j. Our neighbor, a 4-year-old, was ' talking as long ago as early November (Continued on page 20) SHAW MEDIA NEWS SERVICE Three federal judges approved the redisricting proposal presented by Democratic House Leader Michael Madigan, of Chicago. The proposal meets an election requirement which calls for a reduction in the number of legislative districts from 24 to 22. The proposal will cause some representatives, who were for­ merly secure in their positions, to fear the loss of their jobs. Under the proposed plan, Rep. Robert McClory, R-Lake Bluff, would be moved to the new 10th district, leaving behind much of his political power base. This could become a crucial point if 10th district legislator John E. Porter runs against McClory. The proposed plan would move Porter to the new 9th district, where the Democratic Rep. Sidney Yates has strong support. Porter may decide to change residency in order to challenge McClory. (Continued on page 20) March Primary Dec. 7 Opens Filing Period Petitions for nomination for the March 16, 1982 primary election are now available at the office of Rosemary Azzaro, county clerk, 2200 North Seminary avenue, Woodstock, for the offices of county clerk, treasurer, sheriff, superintendent of Educational Service Region and County board members. Eight will be nominated for each party for each of the three County board districts. Also, precinct committeemen for each party will be elected. The first day to file petitions in the office of county clerk is Monday, Dec. 7, and the last day to file petitions is Monday, Dec. 14, at 5 p.m. Petitions may be filed by mail, to be received no earlier than the opening of the office on the first day of filing at 8:30 a.m., and no later than 5 p.m. on the last day of the filing period. Also, they may be filed in person, by the (Continued on page 20) Seek Distinguished Graduates The District 156 Distinguished Graduates committee is still seeking nominations for the McHenry high school Distinguished Graduates award. Nominations will be accepted until Tuesday, Dec. 15. Completed forms must be sent to Norb Wolter, District 156 Administration office, 3926 W. Main street, McHenry. As of Wednesday, Dec. 2, 10 nomination forms had been returned for consideration by the committee. The committee is hopeful that ad­ ditional nominations will be received by the deadline date. Persons wishing to nominate in­ dividuals for this award must complete a form for each graduate nominated. Upon receiving the completed nomination forms and requested biographical information, the com­ mittee made up of staff, students, alumni and community representatives will decide which nominees will receive recognition as distinguished graduates. Musicians Host Masterpieces The West campus music department will host two Christmas specials. On Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m., the annual madrigal dinner entitled "Christmas 1581" will take place in the school cafeteria. The dinner will include the traditional olde English food, such as roast beef, wassail bowl, Yorkshire pudding, and cherries jubilee. Performers will include the madrigal singers, wenches, brass, and recorders. Traditional 15th and 16th century carols will be performed. A talented cast has been selected to present Gian Carlo Menotti's Christmas opera, "Amahl and the Night Visitors". Leads are taken by Jonathan Beckler, front, as Amahl; Mary Higgins, the mother; and in back, Greg Boyd. Balthazar; Jeff Cook, Kasper; and Doug Maris, Melchior. Mary Lynn Thornton and Laura Hoff are the pianists. Performances will be Dec. 12 at 8:30 p.m. and Dec. 13 at 3:30 p.m. in the West campus auditorium. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Immediately following the dinner, the popular Gian Carlo Menotti opera, "Amahl and the Night Visitors", will be presented. Starring in the role of Amahl is Jonathan Beckler. Mary Higgins will play the role of the mother, and Doug Maris, Greg Boyd, and Jeff Cook will be cast as the three kings. There will be separate admissions for the two performances; however, a special advanced combination ticket is available. The same two Christmas master­ pieces will again be performed Dec. 13, with the dinner beginning at 1:30, and the opera at approximately 3:30 p.m. The public is invited, and reser­ vations may be obtained by calling the West campus school office. Both productions will be directed by John Leighty, and the opera will in­ clude the production staff of Charles Popp, and George Cina. FREE TV Guide In Today's Edition VOLUME 106 NUMBER 37 Tree Trimming Dec. 5 City ihgaii ceremony in., Pearl street park heralds the opening of McHenry's "Home for the Holidays" seasonal celebrations Saturday, Dec. 5. Areat school children are reminded to brin^their homemade ornaments and tree trims for the event which begins at 3 p.m. and concludes at dusk when ** Mayor Joseph Stanek lights the shimmering tree. Favorite carols will add to the festive occasion as McHenry Girl Scouts perform a series of Christmas songs, and the KinderCare kids present holiday songs of the very young set. Pretty elves, Debbie Poteracki, Erin Mullen and Jane Sorling, will be on hand to help trim the tree or assist visitors, and hot cheeelate, coffee, and doughnuts will provide ample refresh­ ments for a frosty afternoon. In the true spirit of the season, Toys for Tots will be collected at the park that day throughout the tree trimming and until the event concludes. All toys collected at the Toys for Tots booth will be distributed in the McHenry area, said Liz Nolan, alderman and chairman of Toys for Tots collection. Anyone bringing in a toy in good con­ dition for this holiday campaign to make a Christmas for those less for­ tunate, will receive a free hot chocolate. Children who bring an or­ nament for the tree trimming will be given a coupon for a free sandwich at a local restaurant. The city of McHenry and the Chamber of Commerce have planned several special events to be held on the three Saturdays before Christmas. Santa Claus will arrive Dec. 12, and will be in the park from 1 to 3 p.m.; A skate, sled, toboggan exchange is scheduled Dec. 19, and a home decorating contest, Dec 20. SISTER ANDREELLA DIES Sister M. Andreella, 81, in charge of music for about 40 years at St. Mary's church, McHenry, died at the nuns' retirement home at Campbellsport, Wis., early Thursday, Dec. 3. /ni | • ri Mike Reid, a member of the City of McHenry crew, finishes placing f , #7 C f 777 fl C ^ f /Tf T* Christmas star on the band shell in the Pearl street park. Looking on, in ft'# I/O «/##•> \A/<J KJ €/ v«/» center below, is John Szekeris, who made the star and gave it to the city, and his sons, Matthew, 4, and Gregory, 7. In back are Dick Weber, superintendent of Public Works, and Fran Olsen, executive director of the McHenry Chamber of Commerce. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD For City Park New Map Prompts (