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Dick Peterson PAGE 3 - PLAINDEALER - FRIDAY, AUGUST 3,19*4 - One man's weed patch is anothers 'wildlife area' We've got this weed patch at home; and, no, wiseguy, I'm not talking about our garden, which often is confused with your standard, home-grown weed patch. The garden is easily distinguishable from the weed patch. The garden has distinct rows of consumable vegetation among a carpet of thousands of small weeds. The weed patch is nature gene amuck. Half of our property is weed patch. I don't know if it ever was a lawn, but it was mowed once or twice a year at one time. Being a mowing opponent, a lawnmower blade will never strike the weed patch. The patch is about a half acre in size, and the weeds in it are simply extraordinary. Some get to be the size of small trees, others are in dense clumps that you can't possibly walk through. Huge thistles abound, but there are a lot of pretty flowers in there year around. The weed patch is so intense that your common dandelion won't take to seed in it. If we lived in town, people would complain about our weed patch. Neighbors would call the police or mayor, telling them that something has to be done about those Petersons and that weed patch of theirs. The police would dispatch an officer and he would tell us to do something about the weed patch, which is in violation of some obscure noxious weed ordinance. Then it would be mowed under threat of court action. Being that we live in the country, no one cares. At least no one has said anything. So, we can have a weed patch, which is probably too harsh a description of the area. I'm a city boy by birth; anything that isn't lawn, garden or farm is weed. Over the past year, I have been trying to train myself (the resident wildlife manager) to call it a natural, grassy wildlife area. I'd like to call it a prairie, but I don't think it's big enough. If I were Laura Ingalls Wilder and wrote a book about life on our acre and a half, it would be called, "Little House in the Littler Prairie." That would be reaching for a homey title. I'm sure Michael Landon would have nothing to do with its television serialization. I've grown quite fond of our natural, grassy wildlife area. For one thing, I don't have to mow it. And throughout the year, different weed flowers come into bloom. It's a whole lot more pretty than our browning lawn. It's great to be able to appreciate a weed. Also, I've heard that wildlife likes, weed patches. I've been waiting for that first herd of deer to call the weed patch its home. I suppose that's kind of naive. I doubt a bunch of deer would hang around our weed patch. It's on a busy curve, and they probably think I own a gun. I haven't seen a single deer in it yet. As a matter of fact, I haven't seen a single fur-bearing animal in it yet. But, the birds like it, which is better than nothing. We've got at least six kinds of birds around home, and the weed itch is directly responsible for one. There are robins, blacKbinls, Ved-wing blackbird#;* little "yellow ones, aM long-legged ones. You oan see I'm no or­ nithologist. The robins live in the trees, the sparrows live in the dryer vent, the blackbirds are transients, and I don't know where the yellow ones and long-legged ones live. The red-wing blackbirds live in the weed patch. > The red-wing blackbirds seem to thrive in the weed( patch. Actually, they have become quite possessive of the plot. It seems as though we have deeded the property to them. You can't go within 10 feet of it without them raising a "you're trespassing" stink. If you go in it, they circle overhead and make vicious-sounding bird noises. And sometimes they get darn close to your head. Were these birds extras in Alfred Hitchcock's movie? I was brought up to think birds were timid animals, "The Birds" and the geese that live down the road not­ withstanding. When they circle and dive at my head, I'm more timid than they. That's for the birds. Maybe that is why the deer herd hasn't settled there. I know deer are timid animals, even more timid than me. Such problems we wildlife managers must face. Letting nature take its course isn't as easy as it sounds. More contest results given from Fiesta Day activities Further results of various competitions at the McHenry Fiesta Days have recently been announced. BIG WHEELS RACE A total of 222 participants raced at the Petersen Park facilities. Winners were: Girls, three years old: first, Melissa Dick; second, Becky Haines; third, Julie Systma. Boys, three years old: first, Joshua Nobilio; second Christopher^* Haisma; third, Timmy Brusek. Girls, four years old: first, Abby Christensen; second, Lindsey Weeczarek; third, Katy Zid. Boys, four years old: first, Brian Moen; second, Scott Benes; third, Dane Clark. Girls, five years old: first, Jessica Mann; second Kelley Schiller; third, Tara Davidson. Boys, five years old: first, Ryan Mercure; second, Billy Day; third, Kyle Frost. BIKE DECORATING CON­ TEST A total of 47 children par­ ticipated in the contest, which was held prior to the Grand Finale Parade. Winners, by age category, were as follows: Best Seasonal: Six and under: first, Tommy Olson; second, Brittany Beyer. Seven and eight: first, Skip Taylor; second, Lisa Mayer. Nine and 10: first, Diane Coles; second, Erika Richards. Eleven and 12: first, Angela Coles, second, Holly Soprych. Most Humorous: Six and under: first, Ian Beyer; second, Joey Daurio. Seven and eight: first, Jana Shroeder; second, Erin Narski. Nine and 10: first, Jennifer Montressor; second, Wendy Gardner and Margo Schneider. Eleven and 12: first, Chris Soprych. •I ART IN THE PARK Following is a list of artists who were given Awards of Excellence at this year's Art in the Park. . , Susan Blue-Galloway, pottery. Wayne Herrich, pottery. Blanche Ferguson, dry brush water colors. Tony Reinwald, pastels. Ed Hammerstein, water colors. Elizabeth Franek, weaving. Don Nedobech, water color* cartoons. ' Local residents are listed among talent show finalists Several McHenry area residents are included in the names of finalists for the Friday night McHenry County Fair Talent Contest, as announced by Bill Tammeus, general chair­ man. After witnessing the auditions last weekend and studying the lineup of talent in three classes, Tammeus said the 20th annual program promises to be the most outstanding in the history of the fair. Junior competition will begin at 6 p.m., Senior competition at 7:30 p.m. and Adult competition at 9 p.m., all in Hansen Pavilion. First prize winners in the Junior and Senior divisions will ad­ vance to the national finals to be held in Springfield this winter in conjuction with the Association of Illinois County Fairs' annual meeting. BAMMI ride to arrive here on August 8 A 450-mile bike ride, with about 500 participants, will pass through this area on Monday, August 6. The Bicycle Across the Magnificent Miles of Illinois ride,(BAMMI), is being held to raise money for the Chicago Lung Association and the Illinois Credit Unkto Votftdatioi* The start of the ride is August 5 at Buckingham Fountain in Chicago and it will continue to Quincy on August 12. This is the first year in BAMMI's history that northern Illinois has been included in the bicycling route. The Echlin Midwest Federal Credit Union, of Brake Parts Co. in McHenry, is sponsoring a rest stop at Hunter Country Club, Richmond between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. on August 6. As the ride proceeds, The McHenry County Schools Federal Credit Union will put on a luncheon for the riders at Woodstock City Park. They are expected to arrive between noon and 3 p.m., also August 6. SPORT FANS... I BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW trought to you by Phil Ooffling Did you know that only one athlete in history ever won gold medals in Four con­ secutive Olympics?...The only person ever to do that was Al Oerter of the United States...He won the gold medal in the discus in the Olympics of 1956, '60, '64 and 68. * * It's hard to believe, but the game of Tug of War was once an Olympic sport and was con tested in the Summer Olym­ pics...Tug of War was held in the 1900, 1904, 1908, 1912 and 1920 Olympics...The U.S. won the gold medal in Tug of War in the 1904 Olympics. * * How tough is it for a rookie to win a home run champion­ ship in big league baseball?.,.Only 2 rookies have ever won the home run title in either major league in this century-Ralph Kiner, who led the National League in homers in 1946, and Al Rosen who led the American League in homers in 1950. »et you is the now is tne best time to buy a new automobile. And now's the best time to see Keith Leathers, Linda Wigman or myself for an automobile loan WELCOME WAGON HAS USEFUL GIFTS AND HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR YOU... ALL FREE. JUST ENGAGED? NEW PARENT? MOVED? My visit's a friendly way to get answers to where-to-find questions about our town and available goods and services. Local stores are anxious to help too and have gifts for you when you visit them. •3966 • 385-7980 WAS YOUR PICTURE IN THE PAPER? Reprints of any photo which appeared in the McHenry Plaindealer and taken by our staff are available at modest prices. All are black and white. NON SUBSCRIBER SUBSCRIBER 5 x 7 - *3.50 *6.00 8x10 -*6.00 *10.00 Order Yours Today! ALLOW 7 DAYS FOR PROCESSING McHENRY PLAINDEALER 3812 West Elm Street Phone 385-0170 Junior Division entries are Jill Coxhead, Crystal Lake, vocal; Kenneth Lindow, Marengo, vocal; Lauren Flynn, Cary, piano; Brady and Brett Genz, Harvard, comedy; Kelly Hyland, McHenry, violin; Heather Adelphia and Amy Reinhard, Woodstock, vocal; Peter Myers, Woodstock, piano, and Anne Johnsos, Woodstock. Senior division entries are Linda LeBoida, Huntley, dance; Carole Schirmer, Marengo, vocal; Robert Kerina, McHenry, impressionist; Chris Halda, Woodstock, vocal; Ken Whitman, Crystal Lake, magician; Alison Paige Peterson, Woodstock, dance; Jim Blank and Dale Anderson, Huntley, vocal; Kate Wester, Johnsburg, comedy vocal; Patrick Schumacher, Wood­ stock, piano; and The Andee Band, leadsinger Andee Norton, Wonder Lake, band. Adult * division entries are Diane Meier, Crystal Lake, piano; George Boddy, Cary, instrumental vocal; Larry Lagerhausen, Woodstock, vocal; T.J. Beard, Woodstock, impressionist; Compulsive Reaction Trio-Nickie Crawford, Mary Howe and Kathy Erickson, Wonder Lake, vocal; Alex Roberts, Woodstock, vocal, and Bruce Berger, Spring Grove, vocal. '4 STEAK HOUSE Join us for an evening at the old BALL PARK MONDAY-AUG. 6 See the Chicago White Sox vs. the Milwaukee Brewers at Milwaukee Stadium s1500 PER PERSON includes Game ticket, Bus and refreshments on the Bus. Bus will leave Andres Parking Lot at 5PM 11106 RT 12, RICHMOND >•̂ 5 For Information •or Reservations: ' (815) 678-2671 Intoducing MARLINE LARSEN to the staff of the CLIPPERS HAIRSTYLING SALON 344-5930-McHenry 5101 W.Elm(Rt. 120) BACK-TO-SCHOOL HAIRCUT SPECIAL $5.00 Aug. 7 thru Aug. 31 For children 12 & under Good with Marlene only MARLKNKS I.VhRYDA'l 1.0* I'RK l> PKRMS '2V00 MEN'SCL'I-'7.00 I.ADIKS I'RICISION 111 'H (K) St'.N ( II SHAMPOO* SI-l-'VOO OUR OWN HOME GROWN SWEETCORN HraHl NOW PER EAR SEEDLESS GREEN CRAPES 69c LB. M5-30T4 3* OPEN 7 (AcroM I HOMEGROWN GREEN BEANS w BUSHEL r^f WE HAVE SUPER SWEET r^f INDIANA CANTELOPE DON T MISS GREAT PRICES ON THESE FAVORITES •PEPPERS •CUCUMBERS •PICKLES 'QUALITY PRODUCE FROM THE FARM TO YOU' ] We're Here For You. We're Friendly People So Helpful In Many Ways. ISL-IC McHENRY S A V I N G S "We're Here For You' 1209 North Green Street Mi Hen.y 815 3*5 3000 I OS 20 Main Street Richmond I IS 6/8 206 I 10402 North Vine Street (Huntley Center o» Rout* 4// Muiitely 312 669 3333 ••a ihwtour * (MiuM. • • oV|i«< SAvift lHOuai tOOumlul )0| im Mwnda, I f«.dy r tWsinly I OOp't > M, M.o,,Ol • OOom »c lOOpm Clot«4 Mrtdntido Deposit • WHO© OOOt V lid •S] i