JENNIFER GIB80N _ THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER '•n** "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 187S VOLUME 102 NUMBER 33 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22,, 1977 1 SECTION 16 PAGES 20' Santa Parade Nov. 25 SHARON SNOW MATTHEW HOPP Welcome Holiday Season County Board Studies Needs For Courthouse Office Space Modern little Pilgrims enjoy a good meal while they battle a windy November day. The scene is the parking area at Montini Primary center, where first graders gather as they do each year to commemorate the first Thanksgiving with treats of their own making. commemorate uie nrsi * B STAFF PHOTOS-WAYNE GAYLORD Just like the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Mass., the first grade students at Montini Primary center spent much time preparing for their. "feast" this past week and then ate outdoors in true "first Thanksgiving" style. The youngsters worked on this project under the direction of their teachers, Tim HarriSon and Mrs. Judith Irwin, as a combination of Social studies and Religion classes. In working on understanding the spiritual meaning behind the Thanksgiving holiday, the boys and girls also learned the hardship and suffering endured by the Puritans in the early years of their settlement. Demands for office space in the McHenry county cour thouse "are obvious and our committee has written department heads to give their nettls for offices and storage," Ross Kitchen, Marengo, member of the McHenry County board, said this week. Kitchen was elaborating on information presented at last week's McHenry County board meeting in the Public Safety committee report where Sheriff Arthur Tyrrell told that committee of his department's need for additional space. The Public Safety com mittee, headed by Ron Morris, Harvard, decided to inquire about additional office and storage space needs, and the committee Kitchen chairs--the Courthouse Operations com mittee--has undertaken the survey since it has the prime responsibility to inform the board of problems of depart ments within the courthouse. The new courthouse was occupied in late 1972 and early 1973 and the increased growth in the county has accelerated space requirements in some departments. Kitchen said the Sheriff's department has "expanded more rapidly than most." He revealed county employees are building four offices in Room 101 on the lower level for the Sheriff department's Safety Traffic Enforcement program, a specialized program where personnel will concentrate on high accident areas in an effort to reduce accidents, lessen injuries and save lives. Kitchen said the decision to move the Court Services department into the former church near the courthouse Learning that a Pilgrim child's working day was filled with endless chores merely to maintain survival, the students also baked bread for their re creation of the first T h a n k s g i v i n g , m a d e homemade pumpkin butter, helped bake cookies, did weaving projects and will soon be making candles to conclude their studies on early colonial life. * As they ate their hot turkey soup and sampled their own cooking attempts, all agreed that life in the "good old days" wasn't so easy...but it was fun to pretend to have been part of it. Sign New College President When the board of trustees for McHenry County college met in regular session last week, the first order of business was the signing of a contract between the board and Dr. Robert G. Harris, new president of the college. Terms of the contract included a yearly salary of $25,000 ex tending through June 30, 1979. Dr. Harris expressed his ap preciation to the board and stated the contract was very acceptable. Dr. Harris and his wife, Marie, will be moving to the area in the next few weeks. The board commented that although no date has been set. a reception for the Harrises will be held as soon as possible for all college district residents. Gerald Smith, chairman of the board, Woodstock, said, "On behalf of the entire board of trustees, the MCC ad ministration and staff, and the taxpayers of the college district. I would like to thank John Garrett for the load he carried as chief executive officer during this interim "period.." Garrett expressed appreciation to the Board for (Continued on page 13) Musin9 And Meanderin 12-Year-Old Escapes Unhurt When Hit By Local Driver ; IKe surprise decision of the h^h school board Tuesday to rescind action calling for an Educational fund tax rate in crease referendum in December was undoubtedly greeted with enthusiasm thnwfhout the district. In fact, sMM folks might even consider ft a timely Thanksgiving gift. ' The truth is that however you look at it, the taxes of McHenry property owners are going to go up, effective with the 1978 tax bills/That's a fact even though the majority of voters trounced thettd for a rate increase in both grade and high school districts last month. • But in the spirit of the season. let's think of the board action as something nice that happened to brighten the turkey holiday. To those who are nutrition nuts, this could be one of the few blessings of the November feast if we are inclined to follow the suggestions of at least one noted dietitian. To get our attention, she points to the Thanksgiving dinner as having all the elements of a well balanced meal. Then she throws the barbs that pierce thinly veiled willpower. She suggests that the traditional fare -- turkey, ham, duck, homemade bread and all (Contin led on page 13) A 12-year-old bicycle rider apparently escaped injury Nov. 16 when her 'cycle was struck by a van driven by a McHenry man on Roberts road, south of Island Lake, at 4:35 p.m. Investigators said the bike rider. Christine J. Prignits, 307 Juniper. Island Lake, was riding near Porten road, and, according to her statement, heard a vehicle approaching from behind her. She tried =to swing over into the other lane to let the van pass, but her bike was struck on the rear tire. Frank G. Hunsaker. 512 S. Emerald lane. McHenry. told deputies that he saw the bike swing across the lane in front of him but couldn't stop in time to miss it. The girl insisted she wasn't hurt treatment. and refused Set Rescue 50 Benefit Snowmobilers of the McHenry area will ride over fifty miles through the county in the third annual RESCUE 50 Marathon Jan. 15. Proceeds raised by pledges from about 100 snowmobile drivers will be donated to the Johnsburg and McHenry Aria Rescue squads in appreciation for their fine service provided to the com munity. Sponsored by the Harmony Snowmobile club, with other area clubs who assisted in the past, the drive will commence at 9 a.m. from the American lessened space pressures , on some departments. Court personnel are less crowded than before. "Because of crowding, people in the building are trying to be conservative. Our building superintendent, Vern (Continued on page 13) Proof that the Christmas holiday season is at hand comes each year with the Santa Claus parade through the city. This year the colorful event is scheduled Friday, Nov. 25. The line of march will assemble at the Market Place shopping area at 6:30 p.m. It will include Santa, Rudolph, Frosty, the Snowman and the Cinnamon Bear. Also featured will be McHenry's new prince and princess, who will have been selected as this issue of the Plaindealer goes to press. The parade will make its way to the Crystal Lake road, then proceed up Main street to Third, north to Waukegan and east to the Green street triangle, where it will stop so Santa can light the huge Christmas tree at 7 p.m. Carols will be sung and the new prince and princess will be accorded special honors. The parade will then continue up Green street to Elm, turn right to Riverside drive and turn north to Pearl street and the city park. There, Santa will be ready to listen to children's Christmas requests. (Continued on page 13) A Fox Lake resident wrecked (Continued on page 13> Legion grounds and proceed over scenic trails reaching to the state line at Hebron. Further information may be obtained by calling HSC president Ed Elk or Roy Roadman. The event in 1977 raised over $5,000 in pledges from ninety-. one snowmobile riders and their donors, which was presented to both area squads. Spectators again will see a long, colorful parade of snowmobilers helping their community. Hi Folks! It's the Holiday Season Just a little early, but for pretty Lisa Jessap, 8, it's never too soon to get into the Christmas spirit/The 1978 Winter Princess of McHenry wiU relinquish her crown to a new title-holder when the city officially welcomes the season Friday evening, Nov. t8, with a parade through the business districts. All dressed aa aid ready to cooperate in heralding Christmas, 1977,11 Mr. Snowman. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD