- - - ' ' ' : Mt ! ' "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1878" t-----i -- No. 44-- 3 Se c t ions McHENRY, ILLINOIS, THURSDAY, MARCH 12,1964 (.$sr ;:>i CITY COUNCIL TO STUDY BAND .-^(TT^ vv]?F" EARLY FILINGS INDICATE SCHOOL BOARD CONTESTS It took a preview glance at So I Hear's column this week to remind us that St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner. As Co-Worker Marie "Sullivan" Yegge keeps reminding, the half of us that's Irish doesn't show Up often enough. The green streak down the side of our front page should remind even the non-Irish that the big day falls in the week ahead! Progress is being accomplished slowly but surely on the addition to McHenry's public library. It is progress Watched with interest and enthusiasm as a good example of the - old adage that "Anything worthwhile is worth waiting for." Because the library was started so many years ago and struggled under the most disheartening conditions© for go long, the community has Come to feel as It should -- that thlft Is each person's ' individual project. • There has been only one Question to come our way, and that is the concern of residents outside the city limits with a desire that this become a district library. In talking to library board members this week, we learn that this very thing is their intention in the future. However, the fact that the library Was organized within the municipality -- and faced with the innumerable complications of legal procedure in. all such endeavors -- the board decided to proceed first to establish the library, within the city, and as "sobh^as' feasible thereafter call a referendum to extend the boundaries. At present, those residing tiutside the municipality pay only one dollar a year for the privilege of using the library. This is as little as one tenth as much as some other city libraries in the area charge. ^There is always a possibility that some day before it becomes a district, this annual fee may be raised so that folks outside the city are paying an amount equivalent to the taxes of McHenry residents for its support. At present, however, the fee is at a minimum. Board members have already investigated the procedure of converting from a city to a district and have found that in other places the transition has been accomplished smoothly, to the satisfaction of all. When ours becomes a district library, of course, the financial burden will be borrie by all members equally. iSBlll Improvement Of New Subdivision Is Undertaken Mrs. Florence Svoboda of the Veterans of Foreign Wars auxiliary is shown presenting a medal to Mykell* Freund, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Vernon Freund of Park street, first prize winner in the auxiliary-sponsored essay contest based on the theme, "The Foreign Student in America-- An Opportunity For Friendship." Others from left to rigHt, are Howard Brody of Bull Valley, second place; and Bruce DoMoto of River Road and Daniel Lange of Idyll Dell Road, tied for third. The awards -- $15, $10. and $5 for the first three places -- were presented at a meeting of the auxiliary held last Monday evening. There have been those who deplored the demise of the little red schoolhouse on the grounds that the pupil of forty and fifty years ago learned their A, B, C's equally- as well in old fashioned surroundings as their counterpart • today amidst {he luxury of modern educational aids. A comparison of. penmanship and grammar of the two generations might well prove the point, although advancement'in the sciences ahd related subiects Would certainly b6 disputed. Surely the reason fqr. Success a half century ago was not because of the drab and uncpmfortable surroundings, but probably because the basics of readin' and writip' w$re learned in small classes,.where the teacher had sufficient time to gjve special attention and encouragement to the Slow learner. Modern methods of learning to read, often blamed as "new fangled" by the old timers, would doubtless have earned the same results, if not better, under the same condi tions years ago. The fact remains that we have a generation of poor readers, as evidenced by the emoloyment of a full time reading specialist in the local schools next fall. It has long been known that grades in every subject are dependent, to a large part, on the abil ity of a student to read and comprehend. Apparently grade school classes, large in comparison with many years ago, have not always permitted the personal help needed by some pupils. Schools today seem to bo aware of this fact and are making a special effort to MARCH 1 HSf - REGISTRATION DAYTOYOTE Local Registrars » To Serve Public Through Monday Monday, March 16, is the last day on which to register to vote in the April 14 primary election. The office of Earl R. Walsh at 3429 W. Elm street, McHenry, will be open from now through that date to provide this service, as will the facilir ties offered by other local registrars. County Clerk Vernon W. Kays announced this week that his office in Woodstock will be open-Saturday, March 14, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to register voters. Local registrars In the McHenry area include Emma B. Pyritz of 5218 W. Fountain Lane, McCullom Lake; John Brosky of 3805 W. Timothy Lane, Edgebrook Heights; Marilyn J. Van Zevern of 5611 N. Meadow Lane, Pistakee Highlands; Cletus Stewart Mayer of 5710 N. Fox Lake Road, Pistakee Highlands; Irma E. Gunther of 4216 N. Riverview Drive, Sunnyside; Carol A. Kennebeck of 4209 N. Dennis Blvd., Sunnyside; Dorothy Miller of 3709 W. Clover Street, McHenry; John Thomas Licastro of 1603 North Avenue, Lakeland Park, McHenry; Bonnie F. Meyers of 2406 W. Johnsburg Road ; Eloise A. McCafferty of 7808 Oakwood Drive, Wonder Lake; Lois L. Weber of 1218 Bay road, McHenry; and Kathryn P. Vacula of 4420 E. Wonder Lake Drive, Wonder Lake; Jaycees Assist Jaycees will aid voter registration on. March 14 in the foyer of the McHenry State Bank from 9:30 to 2 p.m. Because of a new law passed by the last General Assembly of the state, it is also necessary to be registered to vote in school elections, effective this spring. Registration for these elections may be made with the same registrars listed above, and must be done twenty-eight days prior to the elections on April 11. However, voters must sign affidavits at the polls on the day of school elections, whereas their names are checked in another manner for the primary. VANDALS CAUSE MUCH DAMAGE IN SUBDIVISION Vandals seem to be playing favorites in centering their attention on the Country Club subdivision. At least six families have reported serious damage or theft; SUB well as numerous reports of such items as mail boxes knocked over or damaged. At one home, an outdoor light fixture was destroyed, causing about $40 damage, with the glass scattered across the road. Nearby, a light pole and some fencing were torn down. In at least one plac& a garage was entered and articles stolen. At this same home, the name on the mail box was torn off. Other damage included defacing: signs of caution to drivers ahd Speed signs. Fire Breaks Out In Delivery Truck There was excitement in the Legion parking lot Monday morning when a truck caught afire and began to burn. A Stewart Infra-Red sandwich truck had just pulled into the lot-. to make a delivery at the Legion home when a broken gas line caused fire to break out. Only the motor was damaged. Members of Company 2 at Johnsburg were called to the Adeline Albert home at 401 Ringwood road, Piatakee Highlands, about 2:30 Tuesday morning when the family smelled smoke. A burner on an electric range had been left on, and the smoke was caused by a kettle which started to burn. Support the Easter Seal Drive. Supt. of Public works Fred Meyer is busy constructing two scale models of band shells, which will be presented to the City Council next Monday evening for study. The Council has placed high on its list of improvements, a band shell for the city park. Weekly summer concerts have gained in popularity in recent years, and with the increase in population during the vacation season, the city has strongly considered erection of the shell for the near future. However, no diefinite action has been taken. Council members will study the plans of Mr. Meyer and are expected to come to some decision very soon. In other work by city employees, new picnic tables and benches are under construction this winter, to improve the park cluring the summer. Improve Property A general cleaning up of brush and old trees has been evident in the property extending for three blocks south, between Kane and Grove avenues, from Front street to the North Western railroad tracks. Carl Johnson of Chicago, owner of the property known ^as Meadow Lane subdivision, has had contact with Supt. Meyer and it was .generally agreed that the property could be greatly improved by removal of .the underbrush. ^JMtfiough no plans" have been stated for immediate use of the land, it is expected that it will be subdivided at some future date. It seems that not only county, state and national tondidates will be drawing voters this spring. From early filings for the board of School District 156, it seems that there will be a lively race for the three positions open. On the first day of filing, the three incumbents, Donald Howard, Carl J. Neiss and George M. Freund, signified their intention of seeking re-election. Since that time, two more names have been added, those of Dr. Leslie Krieger of 501 Hill road, Kent Acres, and Dr. Raymond Watkins of Wonder Lake. In Consolidated District 15, only the three present office holders have filed, Dr. Peter Griesbach, Thomas Lawson and Henry F. Nell, Jr. McHe: Hurt In Fall in TOWNSHIP GOP COMMITTEE MAKES GOVERNOR CHOICE .r ol Study Program District 15 Pauls Tax Collection Reaches $6,496 Camp Lewis, a Girl Scout camp of the Glenview Council, located in the area of Lake Defiance, was the scene of vandalism in recent days. Two cabins were broken into, one ransacked. correct the situation. In this day of an exploding population, parents can certainly do their part by giving assistance to their children in lower grades. K.A.F. McHenry received $6,496.87 as its< share of sales of tax collections in December, based on November tax liability. The collections represented a tax of one-half per cent on retail sales. The city was topped by Crystal Lake, which took a big rise from $8,723.02 to $10,- 267.07 and Woodstock from $7,406.78 to $8,132.84. McHenry's increase was from a figure of $6,186.64 the month previous. Other cities and villages received the following amounts: Algonquin $2,282.17 Cary 1,479.62 Fox River Grove .. 762.05 Harvard 4,016.86 Huntley 984.16 Hebron 344.76 Island Lake 356.80 Lakemoor 98.49 Marengo 12,516.86 Richmond 753.13 Sunnyside 45.00 The county received $9,671.96 for the same month. This included collections outside municipalities. Attend Assessor Workshop Among those who attended the sixth annual workshop for the Illinois Assessing Officials, held at the Hotel Pere Marquette in Peoria, were Mr. and Mrs. Paul Doherty of Nunda; Eva Bacon of McHenry; Jim Moriooli of Dorr and Henry Siegineier of Algonquin. An expanded summer school program for younger students of the McHenry area is in prospect for the three vacation months. This was revealed last Monday evening after the board of School District 15 took action to approve a new reading program and a more extensive general summer program. The reading course results from what Jthe board feels is one of its most successful projects to date, namely, special assistance provided for pupils with reading difficulties. Miss Nancy J. Nichols was employed last fall to serve both Districts 15 and 156. However, it became apparent recently that she could not give enough time to those in need of help in all the schools where assistance w&s needed. For this reason, tjhe board of District 15 voted Monday evening to employ Miss Nichols full time next year. Previously, District 156 agreed that here, too, there would be need for a full time teacher in this field another year. The general summer school program also won approval Monday evening, with the cost to be shared by parents and the board of education. In the past, this program has consisted of individual help along the various lines of study which the young people needed most. This will probably be the procedure again, except in the case of reading help, where small classes may be formed. About sixty young people toqk part in the 1963 summer program. For the first time, the board The McHenry Township Republican Central committee, headed by John Licastro of Lakeland Park, voted unanimously to endorse William J. Scott for Governor. The overwhelming and spontaneous endorsement occurred during a breakfast meeting of that group last Sunday at the McHenry Country club. Of the seventeen township committeemen, fifteen were present to cast their votes for Scott. Two members of the committee were out of state^ According to Chairman Licastro, the Central committee weighed the qualifications and the platforms of the two leading. gubernatorial candidates and chose to throw their support behind Scott. Joe Frett, commonly known as 'Mr. Republican" in this area, was named co-ordinator for McHenry township and leads the efforts in behalf of Mr. Scott. CLUB PRO¥lDES MUSIC REPERTORY FOR CITY LIBRARY A kind fate saved Edwin Borter of 3709 W. Ann street, McHenry, from serious injury when he fell from a steel struc ture at the site of construction for the McHenry CliniC last Thursday afternoon. Borter, father of five, slipped on some ice which formed on the steel following the previous night's storm, and somersaulted as he fell about 30 feet. The McHenry businessman, a partner in McHenry County Steel Erectors, was inspecting work of his men when the accident occurred. He landed on his neck and shoulder on some dirt, snow and straw, but at no time was unconscious. A -stretcher was not "immediately available arid: it Was some time before Borter was carried into the hospital. He had the fifth vertebra in his neck fractured and his neck was placed in a brace. There were no other injuries with the exception of one toe. The Borter family moved to Edgebrook subdivision just a year ago from Round Lake. For New Conclude Voter Service Series MOTOR FUEL PAYMENT McHenry county has been allotted $23,720 as its share of the Motor Fuel, Tax paid into the state Treasury. Concluding its series of three "voter service" programs, the McHenry Township Republican Women's club on Monday, March 16, will present Republican candidates for county office, as well as McHenry Township committeeman candidates. The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Methodist church, McHenry. The candidates will receive equal time, and questions from the audience will be accepted. Mrs. Robert Orgler, first vice-president, announced that to date, the following candidates have sent letters of acceptance and will appear: Clerk of the Circuit Court, Margaret O'Neil; State's Attorney, Richard Cross, Robert J. Leali and Bernard V. Narusis; County Coroner, Theron J. Ehorn; County Auditor, Calvin L. Skinner and Committeeman, Albert Adams, Precinct 15. The club's opening voter service program was an explanation of party structure and importance of a primary vote, presented by Raymond Chan, vice-president of Republican Workshops in Illinois. The second was a joint presentation (with Algonquin township Republican Women's club and the McHenry County Young Republican candidates for state office. A total of twentyseven candidates spoke at the Crystal Lake high school auditorium on Sunday. These included candidates for every state office on the ballot. The meeting will be open to the public, as were the two previously. Anyone requiring transportation or more information is invited to phone Mrs. Thomas Davis, club president, or Mrs. Robert Orgler, first vice-president. Refreshments will be served by members of Precinct 11, 12 and 13. :amily Leaves Wonder Among African "Mies wM (Continued on Page 8) The new addition to the McHenry public library will be enriched by the foundation for a fine musical repertory as the result of action taken by the McHenry Choral club last Monday evening. The group voted unanimously to donate $100 of the proceeds of their annual May concert to purchase musical editions for a special section of the library. The club, now in its twentythird year, has previously donated on one or two occasions to the library, as well as to other worthwhile programs, and has purchased a choral standard and spotlight for the high school. Their theme for the May program will be "Waters of the World," featuring life in the era of the show boat. A beautiful, large reproduction of one of these early crafts, constructed by a club member, Norbert Mauch, will provide an attractive background for such popular selections as "Make Believe" and "Old Man River." Also included on the committee in charge of special staging are other club members, Officers LeRoy Hiller and* Ray Jensen, and Franklin Oakley, scenic de- 1 signer *for a TV station. -1 ,/,'Tf 'n'ti THE ROBERT REPKES Color Guard Plsc@s High In Compeiiiion In one of the most exciting contests of the year, McHenry's Viscount color guard, the Vi- Kettes, competed in the Starlites color guard contest in Cudahy, Wis., last Sunday. The older girls placed second with a score of 89.65, just behind the Mariners with a score of 90.1. There were ten Class "A" guards appearing and those from McHehry who witnessed the show expressed pride in the performance of the local unit. c The ViKettes, feeder group to the Viscounts, placed fifth in competition with thirteen other guards in Group "B". A farewell service was held recently at the Wonder Lake Bible church, honoring Rev. and Mrs. Robert Repke and their two small daughters, who have left their residence at 6420 Greenwood road to take up missionary duties in Southern Rhodesia. After coming to the final stages of planning for their missionary work, and with their departure a reality, the church took this opportunity to bid them farewell. Many will r remember Rev. Repke's work for ten years with the soil Conservation department of the ccunty. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Repke of Ringwood, he attended Wheaton college, Trin- (Contlnued on Page 8J The groundwork toward construction of a new court ; for McHenry county was laid • during Tuesday'3 meeting of the board of supervisors. At ' tlie conclusion of the news-filled March m e e t^i-n McHehry Township Supervisor Walter Dean enthusiastically remarked that in his opinion the day's J accomplishments marked beginning of a ifine. program toward the goal of thousands . new court house. . .< V'./l .t On the recommendation of £ committee of board members^•} a resolution was passed to es- | tablish a public building , com? mission to proceed with plan* | along that line. The vote was nineteen in favor and six opposed. Local supervisors ; ity favor were Walter Dean, Charles Weingart and Edward Buss,: with Thomas Huemann opposed. C Within the next ninety days, it will be the duty of the chairman of the board, .with; boa^f f approval, to select residents of the county to serve on the, new commission. ,• It will be the duty of this group to investigate one o£ more possible sites,, which, must win a two-thirds majority ap« proval of the supervisors. ^^ - The commission will operate under the guidance of state sta? ~ tutes. It is expected that if the procedure is similar to that of other areas operating under the same system, the commission will work with committees, of the county board oil various' procedures. Revenue Bonds Money for the new . court house will be raised through revenue bonds to be retired in. twenty years. The commission will be in charge of erection of the building and will lease space to county offices and municipalities or semi-municipalities. Earnings from the various offices, plus a. sufficient amount in the general fund will pay for • the rental expenses, and at the end of twenty yews and the bond retirement, the court house will be the property of the county. Commission members willl, carry out their duties withbut * compensation. Some of the opposition was based on a preference that $400,000 in the general fund be used for an additioiuto th*^exv isting structure. There was also* the question of how.much~aut-» hority the countyboardh'woitld have under the new commission system. •' » Act On Variations A resolution was. passed, with one dissenting vote, that of Edward Buss of McHenry, regarding action on variations by the zoning board of appeals. Whereas previously this group .could act on variations, under "the new ruling they must recommend to the board of supervisors that they either allow gr^ dggy such variations. «Z * The resolution was in keeping with a gradual revamping of the zoning ordinance from time to time. It was pointed. pu|t that a suggestion for action of this type was first recommended back in 1957 by the County Bar association. Of interest locally wag a jitii* animous vote of the board turning down a request of L,add Enterprises for a variation of lot size in order to establish a retirement subdivision between Whispering Hills and Pistakee Highlands. The present lot sitfo minimum is 21,000 square feet and the petitioner asked this to be changed to 12,000 square feet. • State Opposition 1 Members of the board stated that opposition was not to a retirement subdivision but to the fact that the board would have no jurisdiction over this subdivision in the future, when th@ property might be sold. ^ , A resolution was passed and will be sent to the family of the/ late Raymond Lush, supervlidp from Chemung township, dosepfi Shields of Harvard resigned from his position as a membflp of the zoning board when he w# ' appointed by the town board # auditors of Chomung to fill tlig (Continued « Page ! . ,t f ."!< fTJ • j .. * -> ' i, ' --1b1' i- .