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X, McHenry amdealer Wednesday December 28, 1983 Number 41 Volume 108 1 Section 24 Pages 25! Bird watching becomes tradition of December ST AFP FHOTO-WA VMf CAVIORO ___ ^--r -- Carl Behnke is shown answering the noisy calls for food issued by Hrnm fl5inn tn HPClV 5° ̂ the hundreds of ducks on the Fox river. Canisters llClllU tv/ UvClIV soliciting donations for corn for the feeding program are in several McHenry places of business. Given impetus by. record low December temperatures and phone call* to "help the ducks", canisters have been placed in numerous McHenry stores. They will be used to collect buy food to sustain tht col known for her humane activities in behalf of animals, started the winter feeding program 10 years ago at the request of local residents interested in the welfare of the duck population. Will the wintance of tha art at Valley VI Dorothy Hollander, long local stores. All money collected is used to buy corn. The ducks are fed at various "feeding stations" along the Fox River. The amount, of corn used depends upon the number of *twrlr° and the severity >nH teacher at Valley View School, length of the winter cold, she and the students designed Organizations and clubs are and made the canisters. invited to help the funding of a Each year they are placed in project that helps to feed ducks. geese and other wild migratory birds that stop here and enhance the beauty of the community. The program is funded solely through contributions. Checks or caA should lit designated tP the Feed the Ducks campaign and addressed to the IffCHenry Savings & Loan, 1209 N. Green declining. by Donna Bertulis Dawn approaches in the eastern sky, signaling the start of another cold winter morning. Across a dense, wooded field roams a specimen of a truly rare species: the two-footed, muffler- bedecked, binocular-equipped fan of ornithology. Braving the -2 degree weather, 28 McHenry County residents spent the day from dawn to dusk Dec. 17 counting birds. It's the biggest birding event of the year for the McHenry County Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society: the Christmas Bird Count. Most people would think these hobbyists are a little bit crazy to spend the busy Christmas season on such a field trip. "In weather like we had Saturday, sometimes I think we're crazy too," said Barbara Meding of McHenry, president of the local chapter. "But it's fun. Part of the interest is because you know the results will be used for a good cause. You're not just counting for the heck of it." Similar counts are taken all over North and Central America during the period of Dec. 17 - Jan 2. The statistics recorded from about 1,500 groups are compiled by the National Audubon Society and published in the journal "American Birds". This activity is much more important than a simple head count, explains Ms. Meding. "The totals from the counts help determine local, state and national bird populations, in­ cluding trends and migration 'hfHrtlwg their own' which Street, McHenry. City leaders look at need for hotel by Donna Bertulis Although city experts consider McHenry to be not only a thriving, but prospering community, they all agree that it is lacking one important tiling: a hotel. "I would say that right now, a hotel is the number one thing on the minds of the EDC," stated William Bolger, director of development for the McHenry Area Economic Development Commission. A recent citizens survey, done by the EDC, showed that most citizens of this community feel the same way. Fifty percent of those surveyed felt that McHenry did need a hotel. The survey further questioned the population, finding that 26 percent of those asked said they would use hotel facilities at least once a year, for guests who could not be accommodated in their homes. Many representatives from the McHenry business and industrial sector said they would use a hotel for business visitors, and for conferences and other large business meetings. TCie survey does not even take into consideration the many travelers arriving in McHenry or traveling through it to take advantage of the area's many tourism and recreational qualities. "Often we get phone calls for recommended overnight accommodations," comments Fran Olsen, director of the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce. "We tell them that, unfortunately, we have none here in town. They respond, 'We're not looking for a big place, just a nice, clean room'. We have to answer, 'You don't understand. There are no accommodations right here in the city."' Local accommodations do exist in Crystal Lake, where several motels are already operating. A major diain motel has just opened in "that city. Other communities nearby, with equal or less population, also have some form of accommodations, including Woodstock and Richmond. Bolger, presently and formerly an alderman, stated that the city council has "always been encouraging" hotel developers to consider McHenry. "There was never any discouragement by anyone on the administration while I've been on the council," he said. So why isn't there a hotel or motel in the city? Over the years, there have been many "nibbles", explained Bolger, but probably the single greatest factor that has been working against McHenry is its road system. "Historically, hotels, particularly chains, want to build on a major highway. Route 120 has a lot of traffic, but mostly local traffic." Route 14 has certainly worked to the benefit of Crystal Lake and Woodstock, he said.X^ When the major highway FAP 420 was planned, the Holiday Inns chain purchased 10 acres of land near McCullom Lake Road and Rt. 120. The highway plan has been put on the back burner and the developers are interested in selling the land, said Bolger. About 12 years ago, Ramada Inns had an option to buy some property in the city. According to Bolger, the plan fell through because "the numbers didn't work." But recent developments in the city of McHenry are causing the cards to be stacked in their favor. Sewer improvements and the development of the Northern Illinois Medical Center (new McHenry Hospital) at Route 31 and Bull Valley Road, are creating some excellent sites for a major hotel or motel. With the help of the EDC, McHenry is now actively encouraging developers to build a hotel here. Members of the EDC are confident that their efforts will soon be rewarded. "We get that feeling that the growth will be to the south and the west," stated the EDC director. "There is choice land around the new hospital, although the price is steep." Two developers are now looking at property adjacent to the new hospital for a resort motel, said Bolger. "They feel the hospital will be a big enough draw. They will get hospital visitors, as well as highway traffic. Also, Bull Valley Road will probably be extended across the Fox River, which will bring more and more traffic through there. It will be desirable enough so they can make a profit." Recently, the EDC has seen a - notable rise in the number of "serious inquiries" they receive, regarding hotel-motel property. McHenry now has enough to offer a potential hotel developer, that it may have room to be a little picky. "Obviously, I would like a chain motel (to be built here), with banquet facilities and a restaurant," said Bolger. "But it's kind of like the 'chicken and the egg' theory. We want to get .the facilities to attract the big chains, but how long can we wait?" Judging from the EDC and information it has been receiving, McHenry won't have to wait long. "Each year looks better," said Bolger. "I'm very encouraged. I feel that within five years, it's almost a sure thing." The bird count was started 86 years ago by a New York City doctor, who wanted to draw public attention to patching birds, aside from "hunting purposes. The National Audubon Society sponsored the finst of­ ficial Christmas count 22'years ago. The McHenry County Chapter has been participating ever since. "The day is long, and we get cold and tired, but it is fun for the comradeship and friendly competition between teams," said the chapter president. "It helps us learn about birds and how to help them survive in a changing world." McHenry County's 28 bird - count participants were divided into eight teams, each assigned to a specific section of a "count area" - a huge circle with a 15- mile diameter. Ms. Meding's group included three other McHenry area residents, Dwight Dick of Crystal Lake; Tony Stumbris, McHenry resident, and his teenage daughter, Jennifer. Although persons of all ages are members of the Audubon society, it takes a well-trained eye to spot the hundreds of different species of birds which inhabit the state. The count area includes both land and water. Bird watchers must seek out the birds on water, on the ground, in trees and on the wing. Often the male of a species has distinct colorings, shape and markings which are different from the female, making it twice as difficult to identify the birds on sight. "Basically, you learn from getting out there, and observing from the field,rr says Ms. Meding. "Most people who do it are self-trained. It gets easier once you start going out." Each team works from a sheet which lists all types of birds which may be seen in this area. At the close of the day, all the teams in the chapter meet and simply total their findings. watchers keep from counting a bird more than once. Ms. Meding admits the Audubon Society's method is not 100 percent accurate, but when you use the same procedure year after year, they get close to the same results. "Many of the birds here now do not travel for great distan­ ces," she explained. "Each team has its own specific area to Continued on page 3 23 below brings few emergencies In spite of the extremely cold temperatures over the Christmas holiday weekend, only minor inconveniences occurred in the McHenry area. John Shay, director of the McHenry County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, Woodstock, said the ther­ mometer dipped to 23 degrees below zero at 5:05 a.m. Dec. 24. The wind chill factor was a chilling 81 degrees below. Commonwealth Edison reported a line down on Lincoln Koad, in the Woodlawn Park area Friday night. The power outage affected the com­ munities of Lakemoor, East­ wood Manor, Johnsburg, Pistakee Highlands and several others for about an houl\ The extreme cold tightened the wire and a strong wind caused it to snap. Otherwise, the only emergency calls were from a few homes where there was no fuel, according to Shay. One Dies in two-car crash One person was killed and two people were seriously injured Friday night following a two-car collision on Route 12, near Spring Grove. Mrs. Alan Case, 83, of Lone Rock, WI, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision. At 7:28 p.m.jDec. 23, McHenry County Sheriff's Police and Spring Grove Fire and Rescue units responded to a report of an accident on Route 12, west of Sherwood Forest Drive, Spring A look inside:.. , i • Circuit Breaker Deadline NIMC Prenatal Series Regular features Obituaries Twice Told Tales New classified number Page 2 Page 5 Page 22 Page 8 344-4800 Lively races indicated in March election By Cliff Ward Shaw Free Press News Media The filing period for can­ didates for county offices ended last week and a number of hopefuls from both parties will campaign for seats for District 2 on the McHenry County Board. Seven Republicans will seek four nominations from their party's voters on Marojf2ft^n the district, as will six Democrats. District 2 Republican in­ cumbents seeking reelection include McHenry residents Thomas Huemann, Ed Buss and Dean C. Cunat. Republican challengers are McHenry residents David M. Benrud and Paul Fidler and Paul Goben of Cary. The field is rounded out by William Fitzgerald of Wonder Lake. County board Chairman Clint Claypool announced he will not seek reelection. District .2 Democratic can­ didates include Carol Sek, county Democratic Party chief Monty Yates, Ray Bujak, Steve Schneider and Patricia Milbratz, all of McHenry. James Malott of Crystal Lake is also seeking the Democratic nod. Four candidates will be elected from each of the three county board districts. In District 1, Republicans seeking one of four spots include incumbents George W. "Bill" Hubbard of Crystal Lake, Steven Moore of Cary, and John A. Murphy and Robert Vorisek, both of Fox River Grove. GOP challengers are Raymond G. Bangert Jr., the Algonquin village president, and Crystal Lake resident William H. Russell. Continued on page 3 Grove, where four people were involved in a collision. Additional help was requested from the Richmond Fire Department and Johnsburg Rescue Squad. Janet K. Calhoun, 31, of 105 N- Third St., Libertyville, was driving east on Route 12 when a westbound vehicle crossed the center line and crashed into her car. Mrs. Case was a passenger in the Calhoun vehicle. The driver of the westbound vehicle was Dennis N. Deisenroth. 25, 1106 Willow, Lake Villa. Deisenroth and the Calhouns were taken to the emergency room of McHenry Hospital. The Calhouns were flown to St. Anthony's Hospital, Rockford, by Lifeline helicopter. A spokesman at St. Anthony's Hospital listed Chris Calhoun in fair condition and his wife, Janet, in critical condition Tuesday morning. Deisenroth was listed in good condition. McHenry County Sheriffs Police said the investigation into the fatal collision was con­ tinuing.