, / w :x -A. "Serving The Cliain-0-L*kes Region Since 1875" i -V . •!>' ~ Volume 85 -- No. 34 -- 2 Sections Musih*; and McHENRY, ILLINOIS, TUESDAY. DECEMBER 22, 1959 16 Pages-- 10c Per Copy As we look from afar at sbrightly lighted Edgebfbok Heights on tjiese pre-Christmas evenings, we can't help but cofitrast its festive appearance with the wind-swept havoc of another evening in the not too distant past when tornado damage made one wonder if the community would ever again ha^ea normal appearance. The- Christmas decorations are among the most numerous and brightest in the area, testifying to the spirit of the subdivision's residents. It is* a good feeling to knowthat even the fufy of the ele$ ments can't keep our townsfolk from developing the greatest holiday spirit w,e have seen displayed in this part of the s£te. . The growing community df McHenry prepar&s^ipr the observance of another Christmas on Fridaly of this week, while some of us who are classified as "natives" recall the many changes through the years. We remember the time when, as youngsters, we never saw alighted tree until Christmas ETC. It wasn't hard then to convince us that Santa had brought it, complete with ornaments, on his trip from the North Pole. And the corner Santas and Santa's helpers were unheard of, at least in a very small city like ours. Television hadn't made its appearance as an entertainment medium, so there \4fc*en't so many questions for moms and dads to answer concerning (he fat man in the red I. sutt- A dollar went a lot farther then. We remember the first year we were entrusted with . as much as two or three dollars to go Christmas shopping at Erickson's general m e r c h a n d i s e s t o r e o n t h e «>rner of Main and Front reek It was one of life's biggest moments for a 9- year-old. The gifts we bought seem impractical now, but maybe the old-fashioned appearing doilies for sofas and chairs, which were our favorite of all purchases, really were in vogue at the ftme. The interesting thing was t* great number of items that could be bought for a mini- ^mum of money. We were too young to note the expressions on the faces of our family as they opened the gifts. It. was enough for us -- and maybe for those who loved us -- that there had been given a maximum amount of thought in their selection. There isn't much time for iembering in the hectic days before Christmas, as we wonder whether Dec. 24 will find us ready for the festivities. While we watch youngsters of a t e n d e r a g e s h o p w i t h t h e know-how of an adult, we can't help but be convinced thai thoy have progressed considerably since our own childhood. But we also think they must missing that certain something which is only peculiar ' to the naivete of a child. The c o m p a r a t i v e s e r e n i t y o f t h e past made it possibk^for us to hold onto this Vonde{ful period Jfor a longer time, fo?- which we are most grateful. With all its changes, the glorious sei.sori of Christmas remains the same in at least one way -- the - most important Wky of all. On Christmas Eve and Christmas, day, young and old alike will gather in gre; t numbers in the church of their choice to honor the Christ Child on the anniversary of His birth. Times may chanqe the secular observance of the day. but ." it is a pleasant and comfort- ' able feeling to know that noff^ ng can change its. religious significance. You can't find better neighbors than we have at the Plaindealer. •' - We arrived at work Monday morning to find a gift of a beautifully baked coffee cake, but alas, no coffee. As our, mail carrier arrived, he sympathized with us as we told the sad cof- ' fife story, and generously offered to get some. We politely refused since this is his busy ! season. Five minutes later, a young boy arrived with a tall can containing enough coffee to keep fouf ladies awake through t,he morning work period. • - - * & - - - (.Continued on Page 7) f> Al1 rWne HUNDREDS TO ATTEND XMAS RITES 1NAREA Christ Child To Be Honored By Many Faiths McHenry area churches are busy this week preparing for the services which hundreds will attend in observance of Christmas. " St. Mary's Catholic The solemn midnight mass at St. Mary's Catholic church will be preceded by an organ prelude by Sister Mary Andreelja, playing "The Shepherd's Watch" by Cyre de Brant. A choral prelude will be given by the senior choir. Offerings of the choir include "Adeste Fideles," arranged by Novello, "Glory to God in the Highest" by Pergolesi, "O Holy NignV"" by Adams, "Transeamus" by Schnabel, "The Birthday of a King" by Neidlinger, "And There Were Shepherds" and "Silent Nigh-"' by Wilson, as well as the pastorale. an organ solo. The proper of the Mass will l>e by Tozer: Mass in Honor of Our Lady by Owen da Silva; Credo from "Nativity of the Child" by Dobbelsteen O. Praem; offertory "frodie" by Korman and "Angels We Have .Heard on High" as the faithful leave the church at the closc of the Mass.' There will be other high Masses, the second at 8 o'clock, sung by the children^ choir, and the third at 9:3b, sung by the senior choir. Low masses will be at 6:30, 7, 9, 10:45 and noon. Confessions will be heard at 3 afrtT7\p.m. Tuesday, at 7 p.m. ednesdiav and from 2 to 4 o'clock Thursday. St. Patrick's Catholic St. Patrick's Catholic church will have five Masses on Christmas Day in addition to the Midnight Mass. The latter will be preceded by carols, including "Silent Night", "Joy to the World'*, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "Birthday of a King", all sung by the adult choir, with Mary Ann Wegener as soloist. The choir will sing "Christmas Carol" mass ,by Korman. and at the offertory will render "Adeste Fideles". The children's choir will sing the 10 o'clock high Mass, and there will be low Masses at 7, 8, 9 and 11:30 o'clock. At St. Patrick's, confessions will be heard from 4 to 5 and from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday. Community Methodist The religious observance of Christmas will reach its climax for members and friends of the Community Methodist church on Christmas Eve with the traditional candle-lighting serv i c e o f r e - c o n s e c r a t i o n . T h e Christmas story will be refold by means of carols and Hd'ip- Jure readings. The senior choir, under Ih-< direction of Glen Welly, will sing "As Lately We W/itehed' and "Baby Sleeping in ft Midi ger" at the first service itml M r s . B e t t y M a r t i n w i l l M M : "O Holy Night" at the wciiiut Rev. George W. M/irtin v* I 1 ' speak on the theme: "Jf t'hiint had not come." Families w i I h young children are Invited In attend the 8" o'clock mm'vuv as there will he a nurM»r> for their convenience. The second service will start at 11 p m. Visitors are welcome, Zion Evangelical Lutheran The junior-senior department of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Sunday School will present its Christmas program on Thursday, Dec. 24, at 7:30 p.m. A candle-lighting service wil1 be held on Christmas Eve at 11:30 p.m. On Christmas Day there will be only one service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Dec. 27. services will (Continued on Page 7) Mi SINCE THE ANGELS SANG "PEACE ON EARTH, GOOD WILL TO ALL MEN"... SINCE THE WISE MEN CAME TO WORSHIP A HOLY BABE . .. SINCE THE THREE KINGS PRESENTED HIM WITH GOLD, AND FRANK-INCENSE AND MYRRH . . . EVER SINCE THAT FIRST BLESSED CHRISTMAS MORE THAN 2,000 YEARS AGO, THIS HAS BEEN A SEASON OF JOY AND HOPE FOR ALL MANKIND. MAY THE STORY OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS BRING TO US WONDER AND JOY ANEW, AND MAY HIS MESSAGE, HEARD AGAIN IN SONG AND STORY, GIVE TO ALL OF US THE GREAT GIFTS OF SPIRITUAL HAPPINESS AND ETERNAL PROMISE. * NEED OF m ISSUE FOR ERECTION CNEW SCHOOL IN DISTRICT il SEEN BY BOARD X O T I C E Most . McHenry stores wiir remain open until 9 'p.m. this week until Thursday. Christmas Eve, when they will close at G p.m. MiimIm I" 'I t nl|*Ull(|ttl«'M Mt'luntl I lit I1<<1HM<1I 'il 1111111 Mil') KM "tHi WWI'K ll'iit u in n III 1 ill h i 111 n|ii<ii>< next J*r|ilnu! 1 one l oom* \s III, Ih1 H'lWii fur nnulf» *ch(>ol |iu|nik 1 neImit 1 dm Kduehroolc, li.iju- lliith 1,11 ntliiiiii U, Lily l . « k . t i . n l 1 h e n e w H i l l t o p M'huul mi l.ineoln Un«d (Pistakee Hnyi t<»r which excavation hit* been started. What the board also learned, a hit unhappily, was that the present enrollment in the public grade schools of the district will completely fill fiftyseveh of these rooms. Based on a conservative estimate of the number of new pupils who are expected-to be moving into the area in the meantime, the administration is certain that Sept. 1 will find at least another two of the four unoccupied rooms fiLled. Study Need A study of the situation res u l t e d i n a d e c i s i o n o f t h e board that another bond issue for erection of a new school will be necessary next spring. The amount' of the issue will bo determined after conferenc-, ,i'n with the architect. Voters in District 15 will go to the polls to express themselves in this regard at the same time ' that they vote on board members in April. The location of the propose! new school has been selepted if the "public expresses approval of the move. It is the Anderson property on Rt. 120, west of the city at the top of Sherman hill. ' | The school would serve mainly the communities of McCullom Lake, Lakeland Park and Wonder View, thus eliminating the long bus trip td bring pu-1 pil^ of these communities into! the city schools. * Award Contract At the December meeting, t h e b o a r d o p e n e d b i d s f o r structural steel for tffe new| Hilltop school, the location of which was selected for i much' the same reason, to serve the' communities » of Hunterville Park, Woodlawn Park, Eastwood Manor, etc. Low bidder, with a figure • (Continued on Page 7)' NEW OFFICERS OF JUNIOR CHAMBER . LOOK AHEAD TO '60 Newly elected president of the McHenry Junior Chamber of Commerce, Jack E. Yount, and other officers are looking ahead to 1960 as a year of progress for this new organization. Elected earlier this month to serve with Yount were Roland Herrmann, vice-president; Robert Svoboda, treasurer;' .and Boyd Dowel!, secretary. Directors are George CrosS, Jim Anderson, William Neuman. Richard Zieman and Michael Yount. Charter night dance will be held Jan. 21 at the Wing, 'n Fin club. / ~ Kiddies' Color Page Is Offered In This Issue A special Christmas treat in this issue of the Plaindealer is an entire page devoted to pictures for the kiddies to color. The page show's jolly Santa Claus in many poses as he prepares for the tremendous task of providing thousands of youngsters with gifts on Christmas Eve. The page should provide amusement for the kiddies! while mother prepares for the holiday. It was announced this week that the Illinois corn crp£ set a new i^ecord high in 1959. Mrs. Nick Weingart Loses Life When Struck By Car In Tragic. Pre-Hol iday Accident New Year's Issue To Be Published Dec. 30 The New Year's issue of the Plaindealer will be published one day ezMy, on Wednesday, Dec. 30, soHhat both city ancf-rural readers will receive the paper before the holiday. The deadline for display advertising will be Monday noon; for (classified advertising, Tm^sday morning at 10 o'clock; and for general news, 4 o'clock Monday afternoon. FIRE LEAVES FAMILY WITHOUT HOME CHRISTMAS rrank Babarskys Escape Injury As -Flames Spread The garage and a big portion of the home of Frank Babarsky at Sunnyside Estates was destroyed by fire early Monday evening. Firemen from McHenry and Johnsburg, and the Johns burg rescue squad were called to the scene and worked for several hours to save some of the residence and to prevent nearby homes from being damaged. : Firenjen found in the garage an oxygen tank, the top of which had Jbeen blown off, and an acetylene welding outfit. While the cause of the confla- (Continued on Page 7) Mental Health Open Meeting On Thursday, Jan. 7, at & p.m., there will be an open meeting of the McHenry Count y A s s o c i a t i o n f o r M e n t a l Health at the Central School auditorium, 131 Paddock street, Crystal Lake. All members and other residents of McHenry county who are interested in efforts to combat this, problem of mental ill health in the community, are invited to aK tend. f Speakers will include Judgi James H. Cooney, president of the board of direct<5rs^of the Mental Health Center for McHenry County, Dr. Lee Gladstone. vice-president; Stanley H. Blumberg, administrative director of the center; and an additional speaker who will be announced in the near future. Hold Two Men For Burglary .« Two young men, Burns, 19, of Wonder Lake"and Ralph D'Angelo, 21, of Chicago are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on a charge of burglary of Ryder's Standard station at Wonder^ Center last Saturday morning. Both were "imported to have admitted their part. • " A former employee of the station was driving by about 2:30 in the morning, and in the headlights of his car saw someone moving about inside. He drove argund the block and as he went by a second time two cars, which he recognized, were driving away. Constable George Gutzmaa was notified and later both tht^ sheriff's office and the state police joined in the search. The two youths had returned to Wonder Lake from Chicago about 6 p.m. and were immediately picked up by authorities. None of the items missing from the station were found in their car, but they were reported to have admitted the burglary. Mr. Ryder reported five tires, eleven batteries, three innertubes, sets of booster cables and about thirty-five dollars in cash missing. In all, the items had a wholesale value of about $652. RIAMFSnODE m DFATH OF ADAM PRESSLER Resort Owner Found Dead Near Bar Last Sunday Adam Pressler, 54, was found shot to death behind the bar he operated at Burton's Bridge shortly after noon Sunday, -Dec. 20. A verdict of suicide was determined by a coroner's jury at the inquest held Monday night." According to a report at the sheriff's office, he was found by his wife, Frances, who assisted in the operation of the business, known as the Pressler Resort Tavern. Mrs. Pressler is reported to have told authorities that she and her husband were in the living room,-just off the tavern, shortly before -the accident. She went to the bar to wait on a customer and was joined by her husband. \ Later, sheo returned to the living room and her husband in a tragic pre-holiday traffic accident, Mrs.t Nick Weingart, 73, was killed when struck by a car as she crossed the four-lane highway on Elm R°bef^--street at the park street crosswalk. The accident occurred about 5:15 Friday night, Dec. 18, as traffic moved quickly during this busy hour. According to McHenry police, who investigated^. Mrs. Weingart was walking north across the street on the way to her home on the corner of Elm and Park. She had just gone to mail Christmas cards in a mail box directly across from her residence. Two cars were enroute west on the highway when Charles Johnson of Rt. 1, Wonder Lak°, driving in the center, westbound lane, saw Mrs. Weingart in time to apply the brakes. The other veh cle, driven by Allen S. Gore, 20. of Burton's Bridge, was travelling in the outer lane, and struck her as she walked into the path of the car. & Mrs. Weingart was taken to McHenry hospital, where she wa£ pronounced dead. Hold inquest A coroner's jury returned a verdict of accidental death at the inquest held Saturday morning. Mary Weber, '73, was born Jan. 24, 1886, near McHenry, a daughter of Hubert and Catherine Weber. She was married in 1907 to Nick Weingart, who died just before the couple would have observed their golden wedding anniversary. Mrs. Weingart was in good health and remained active, as she had always been, in «*the work of the organizations to which . she belonged. Sbi was a member of the Women's Catholic Order of Foresters, the Christian Mothers, R.N.A., and Legion auxiliary. Her primary interest, however, had always been in her home and family. Much of her life was devoted to the interests of her children, but her generous nature also extended to help others in her family and a large circle of friends. She is survived by two sons, Alfred and pharles; three daughters. Catherine Mikkelsen oi Woodstock, Elvera Nye and Marion Anderson of McHenry; six grandchildren; two sisters, Gertrude R. Weber of . McHenry and Elizabeth Smith ol Johnsburg: two brothers. Henry G. Weber and Joseph IL Weber of McHenry. The body rested *at the (Continued on Page 7) (Continued on Page 7) POLICEf OFFICERS EXTEND GREETINGS Kotalik Studio Photo Greeting everyone with a happy smile are members of McHenry's police force, all of whom are putting forth every effort during the holiday season, to assure the city a safe and happy Christmas and New Year's Day. Pictured, from left to right, are John Behrendt. William Pearson, Richard Clark. John Weichmann, Chief Joseph Grobel. Bart Yegge, Richard Lemker, Kenneth Espey and Ed. Tussev. ^ d . Behrendt, Tussey and Lemker are radio and desk men. their employment having been , approved recently by the City Council to give better service in answering- calls at the station. The Plaindealer joins the community in extending congratulations to these men for, Iheir year 'found effort to rtiake McHenry a place .ill of us nre proud to call home. f 0