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Wk < 15C Q THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER ^ SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKE S REGION SINCE 1875 15 *? VOLUME 98 NUMBER 98 FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1974 20 PAGES FIFTEEN CENTS Parade, Drum Corps Magic Among Festival Features IP JgSpSs jWflHi'.iil iij!™««!iMSii K i t * Return Students To District Review SEDOM Problems Pretty Donna Hnmann, Miss McHenry, sits high atop the City of McHenry float as she extends a welcome to attend annual Marine Festival activities Sunday, July 14. Events will be climaxed by a colorful parade during the afternoon and Drum Corps Magic at night. The same float, with some changes, captured a first place trophy in Woodstock's V-J day parade last Sunday. Carrying out the theme, "McHenry proudly swinging with the youth", the float featured a Sesame street scene with Big Bird and Cookie Monster. Also part of the attractive setting were a picnic table, pool and children in a swing. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Festival Events SQUARE DANCING JULY 12 CITY PARK 7:30 p.m. MY 13 SIDEWALK SALE BUSINESS DISTRICTS 9a.m.-5:3© BIKE PARADE GREEN STREET 3 p . m . JULY 14 PARADE THROUGH CITY « . .2p.m. (Parade starts at Rt. 31 and Main street, travels east on Main to East campus, then north on Green to Elm street. At this point the marchers will turn east to Riverside drive, then north to the city beach and left to disband at the citv park.) • JAYCEE CHICKEN BARBECUE CITY PARK .11 a.m.-6 p.m. WATER SKI SHOW CITY BEACH 4-5 p.m. DRUM CORPS MAGIC McCRACKEN FIELD 7:15 p.m. Expect Thousands To View Sunday Ski Show F o l l o w i n g S a t u r d a y ' s Sidewalk day sale, local residents and visitors will enjoy the finest parade Sunday, July 14, the McHenry Chamber of Commerce has sponsored to date. There will be fine music, precision marching units, clever young baton units, beautiful girls on especially designed floats and many more attractions. This year's Marine Festival queen, Miss Donna Humann, will ride and lead the second division of the parade. Probably one reason the Marine Festival parade has . proved so popular is the number of beautiful floats. The committee is indebted to the m a n y b u s i n e s s f i r m s a n d organizations that make this possible. On Saturday, July 6, the committee had registered twenty-eight floats, and it is expected there will be more entries before the closing date. There will be trophies for floats in three different categories, as well as marching units and baton groups. The parade will be led by the massed colors of both McHenry American Legion Post 491 and VFW Post' 4600 and their auxiliaries. Following the colors will be the United States Navy band and then officials of the city of McHenry, township, county and state. Fire department units and rescue squads will kick off the parade at 1:40 p.m. and will be followed by the McHenry Shriners mini-bike units at 1:50. Tlie balance of the parade will start at 2 p.m. Drum corps participating in the evening drum corps magic will also be in the parade in the afternoon. Leading the second division will be the home corps, the McHenry Viscounts. In the other divisions will be the international girls' champion 'corps from Madison, Wis., the Capitolaires; the national girls' champion corps from Audubon, New Jersey, the Bon-Bons; the 1973 state champion corps from Rockford, the Phantom Regiment; the Pioneers drum corps from Milwaukee, Wis., the Knights from Geneseo, 111., and the ever popular corps from DesPlaines, the Cavaliers. McCracken field on Kane avenue will be the scene of the fifteenth annual Drum Corps Magic show, Sunday night, July 14. It will start promptly at 7 p.m. The Viscounts will be on exhibition that evening. The two championship girls' corps will put on exhibitions that will be crowd pleasers. Prize money totaling nearly $3,000 will be awarded to the corps. Trophies won by floats and other units during the parade will be awarded during the show at McCracken field. Thousands are expected to line the shores of the Fox river in McHenry Sunday afternoon, July 14, to see the talented Wonder Lake Ski club present the annual Marine Festival water ski shpw. The event is scheduled fon^^o'clock, just following the parade. Twenty members, including both young men and women, have planhed a spectacular show which will consist of fourteen acts. They include a five-girl welcoming; ski jump with 360 degree turji by Andy Hansen; five-man barefoot team; amazing trick jumping; barefoot sand start and graceful ballets. The club also features flying over-size kite tricks which have been very popular with crowds in recent years. Ski club participants performing are Ron Simczak, Jim Fitzgerald, Steve Gerhardt, Jeff Gerhardt, Roger Hansen, Andy Hansen, Joey Hansen, Rick Berndt, Tom Mathews, Jay Young, Jerry Brault, Shelby Switzer, Ruth Mathews, Kathy Lavin, Debbie Berndt, Bunny Berndt, Cindy Coumbe, Kim Karlson, Norreen Mitchell and Marie Switzer. The exact location of this show will be the McHenry city beach on Riverside drive. It is one of the highlights of Sunday's entertainment offered free by the McHenry Area-Chamber of Commerce. Musin' and Meanderin' McHenry's most important week of the year is now in progress, and the traditional high temperatures of July are convincing evidence that the vacation season is in full swing. The festival doesn't just happen each year about mid­ summer. It is the culmination of many weeks of back-of-the- scenes planning and work. What the public does not know - - and what some business people fail to appreciate - is the fact that some of the moving forces behind the Dig festival are the same individuals each year. The sidewalk sale next Saturday never fails to draw large crowds to the business areas. There are some unusually fine offers in many stores, and the fun of meeting old acquaintances and making new friends seems to be just as important as the money saved on sale items. Another attraction is the innovative window display contest which this year should express a wide variety of ideas since the theme suggests only that "McHenry is..." Some of us have lived in McHenry a lifetime, and our loyalty tells us that it is a combination of many fine things which spell out very clearly what a hometown should really* be McHenry welcomes visitors with its m a n y r e c r e a t i o n a l opportunities. At the same time it retains the flavor of a small community that becomes increasingly important to everyone in an era of fast rising populations and overcrowding McHenry is not immune to problems In fact, as it continues to grow, they will multiply. But those of us who love the community have confidence that aaswers will be provided by those in positions of leadership who share our loyalties, our concerns and our goals. There are these men and women in our midst whose efforts are most often without recognition. Some of these efforts will be evident this weekend. They will be manifested in the colorful Sunday parade, in the exciting ski show and in Drum Corps Magic. Each year we hear the question asked, "What does Marine Festival Week net McHenry?" For the mercenary individual, there is no satisfactory answer, for these special days put few extra dollars into the coffers of any individual merchant. And for the sponsoring Chamber of Commerce, any money derived (business contributions, concession stands and Drum Corps Magic) is used to defray expenses of the various corps, to provide a trip for the queen, and for other costs involved in such a large undertaking. What does the festival net McHenry? From a monetary standpoint, not very much. Viewing the festival as an undertaking that requires cooperation, effort and enthusiasm, it is invaluable No community gains so much as on those occasions when individuals band together in a spirit of accomplishment Visitors see us at our best and home town residents have that wonderful satisfaction that comes in knowing their neighbors have the ability to work together for a common purpose In the Marine Festival that purpose is fun Tomorrow it may be something more serious. The important thing is that the spirit of leadership and teamwork is present. K A F Developer Contributions To Schools Before County Board The long debated issue of whether or not developers should make contributions to school districts may have its anxiously awaited answer at next month's meeting of the McHenry County board. After considerable discussion at last Tuesday's county meeting, the board approved a motion that will appoint a committee to meet with school district representatives and developers regarding these donations. A report is due for the board at its August meeting. The general discussion of contributions came about as the result of a petition asking for an amendment of the county zoning ordinance for reclassification of certain property near Woodstock trom "F" farming to "E" estate district. Among the objectors was Roy Dooley, who testified for Woodstock School District 200. He expressed concern about the development of any more acreage because of the possible impact it would have on the school district In making its recom mendation to the County board, the zoning board of appeals recommended that the petition should be granted and the property be reclassified. A second recommendation was that the County board stipulate that negotiations be made with the respective school districts as to possible contributions by the developer. It was County Board Member Edward Buss of McHenry who expressed his reluctance to approve the petition. He said he was of the opinion that specific regulations should be used, Buss noted;that factories also bring more families into a school district, although indirectly, and they are not petitioned to make donations. It was the expressed feeling that the zoning board was passing its problems on to the County board to make recommendations. Since there is no present law that requires a developer to make a donation, the County board voted Tuesday on Buss' motion, which passed by a vote of 14 to 8. All McHenry area members were in approval of the new committee. With its passage, the board will consider information given to it as a result of the committee, school district and developers' meeting. Gerald Boos of Elgin, district representative on the RTA board, appeared at this week's meeting to discuss progress to date. He told members the proposed budget would approximate $180,000,000. Boos explained that he expected between twenty-five and thirty persons would be interviewed for the position of executive chairman. He said there is a hope that an independent member may be selected rather than someone who might be under the influence of Cook county. The representative noted that at this time there is a deficit in the Elgin public service of $2 per person in comparison with Chicago, which has almost $13. Boos said some board members would like to know why such a large difference exists in the two deficits (Continued on page 9) Livestock Auction Promises To Be County Fair Highlight POST PARKING AREAS To eliminate congestion in the city park area Sunday, police will post signs indicating parking on only one side of the street Offkers ask cooperation throughout the day, until the water ski show Excitement heightens when the McHenry County Fair Livestock judging is completed and exhibitors look ahead to the annual 4-H and FFA livestock auction. This event provides an opportunity for McHenry county 4-H and FFA members who have exhibited in the 4-H and Junior show to display sheep, swine ant?beef animals The widespread support of this event by businesses, industries, civic groups and individuals adds to the appeal The McHenry County Fair opens Wednesday, July 31, and livestock judging begins the first day The 4-H and FFA livestock auction is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug 3, at the Don Hanson pavilion This year's auction committee includes Jim Book, Gene Meyer and Lloyd Getzelman. Many other men in the county assist, working through the McHenry County Livestock F e e d e r s a s s o c i a t i o n . Auctioneering this year will be Gene Fredrick, Bill Russel and Gordon Stade The auction is a chance to buy quality meats and to help young men and women who raise these steers, lambs and barrows. Quality of freezing facilities--and with local locker plants willing to cooperate-- many persons buy an animal with the idea of obTThning a freezer full of meat with known quality and at a favorable price. Many people have home freezers; others use the locker facilities in their home communities The financial problems of the Special Education District of McHenry County were cause for much discussion by the board of School District 15 Tuesday night. Supt Robert Boos made an extensive review of suggested solutions made at the June 19 SEDOM board of directors' special meeting. At that time Robert Bright of Wonder Lake, chairman of the SEDOM Executive board Finance committee, outlined some of the reasons for the financial problems encountered. He also presented recommendations of the board which, from board members' viewpoint, would alleviate the current flash flow problem. The recommendations were as follows: 1 -- Create a building operation fund with an annual assessment of $2 per student to cover the costs (non­ reimbursable cost increase to District 15 of $6,000); 2 -- Increase the amount of $1 per student to the annual assessment for central administrative costs (non­ reimbursable cost increase to the district of $3,000). Each member district board of education, through its representative on the SEDOM board, will be asked to vote on these proposals at the regular August meeting. Supt Boos expressed some concerns in regard to the SEDOM program. He stressed the importance of considerably strengthening controls by the Executive board so that no reoccurence of the existing financial conditions is possible. He also expressed his opinion that the Executive board must assure its member districts that a gre&t deal more information will be delivered to them in a far better organized fashion. Another area of concern lies in billing member districts. Dr. Boos stated that SEDOM administration must bill member districts for programs, personnel and transportation costs in a manner that represents actual rather than average costs. The local administrator also said he believes the SEDOM Executive board should consider the inequity of raising additionall revenue through i n c r e a s e d g e n e r a l assessments. He pointed to this Three Business Firm Burglaries Investigated DEPUTY INJURED Deputy Sheriff Larry Fortin, 34, of Woodstock was seriously injured Wednesday morning about 7:30 when the car he was driving was hit by a Chicago Northwestern commuter train on Streit road, near Harvard at an unmarked crossing. Fortin's car was sheared in half by the impact and he was thrown from the vehicle. He was taken to Harvard hospital. Fortin's condition was reported stabilized Thursday morning. Deputies investigated a burglary at the B&E Drive-In, 7402 Hancock drive, Wonder Lake, Sunday morning about 2 o'clock. A passing motorist observed someone in the building and drove into the parking lot, where it was observed that the front door glass had been broken. Two youths were seen running from the rear of the building into a nearby field. Inspection revealed coin boxes had been pried from a pool table and a pinball machine. Both were emptied. An attempt was made to empty another box but it failed. The amount of money taken was not immediately determined and investigation is continuing by county officials. The Plum Nellie tavern at 7909 Route 12, Solon Mills, was burglarized sometime early Tuesday morning. The building had been entered by prying open a door The offender pried open a cigarette vending machine, a juke box and three amusement machines, taking an undetermined amount of change from the coin boxes. Also taken were four cartons of (Continued on page 9) practice as most unfair to districts such as McHenry High School District 156 wihich have very few students attending SEDOM classes. He believes revenue requests should be based on pupil participation as much as possible. The board was in accord with the suggestion that the Parkland school special education class for junior high school age young people could be brought within the acthfe control of District 15 since nine of this district's students were a part of that program. In addition, the primary class currently located at Hilltop (Continued on page y> McHenry Man Drowns Wednesday Cliff Everett Wilson, Jr., 23, of 4505 W. Ponca, McHenry, drowned in the waters of Lake Michigan early Wednesday morning, July 10. The body was recovered by scuba divers about ten hours later. Mr. Wilson was fishing alone on the Commonwealth Edison pier in Waukegan. Later, he decided to wade a distance in the water and evidently went too far. Other fishermen saw him slip beneath the surface and return once, then disappear again. Police called scuba divers to the scene and they continued throughout the day to locate the body. So strong was the undercurrent that one of the divers described it as "a miracle" that the body was found so soon. Family members said the young man was able to swiai but was not expert in the sport. The accident victim was born Nov. 6, 1950, in Woodstock. He (Contiuueu un page 9) Crowd At Teen Dance i A crowd estimated at between NO and 7M - most of them teen-agers - gathered la Um ciiy Wednesday sight for the first of three evening programs offered In connection with Marine Festival Week. There was little dancing until late in the evening, but the young people relaxed and leemsd t| thoroughly enjoy the 1974 music of the Elysian Fields jazz-rock band. Good weather prevailed, the evening was chalked up as a success. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYUMIO