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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER Toll Evader Warning Numerous Violations% Page 8 Jaycees Plan Art Auction Benefit For Disabled Page 22 Safety First On Halloween Trick Or Treaters Page 20 THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER 'SERVING THE CHA1N-0-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 VOLUME 107 NUMBER 26 Alida Wirtz Woman Of Year "A good mother - a good mother-in- law - a good neighbor, good cam- panion, good buddy in every way I can think of'.. Those words of description were included in a nomination of Alida Wirtz for Woman of the Year. For these and other, very important "I don't know where the summer went!" As Halloween and the approach of a return to standard time nears, the statement is echoed in every gathering and on every street corner. It is no wonder reminiscence is such a popular pastime - everyon* ;ms to be reaching out to hold on to something of today. When that becomes impossible, the next best thing is to grab onto something in the memory of yesterday. Tomorrow comes too quickly. In a newspaper office where deadlines make it imperative that we look ahead at least several days, time seems to pass even more quickly. Holidays must be plann^I for weeks in advance. Suddenly they appear on the calendar and are gone, only to necessitate more planning. 'fhis is especially true at year aid, when the turkey dinner is hardly off the table when Santa Claus walks in tb£ door. While the quick passage of days and (Continued on page 22) reasons, a committee from the sponsoring McHenry Business & Professional Women' club selected her for the honor for the year 1962. In being chosen for the title, Bis. Wirtz becomes the ninth McHenry woman to be so recognized since 1974. More than 50 members and guests attended the dinner Monday evening*. Oct. 25, including some past presidents of the club and past Woman of the Year honorees. As chairman; of the selection committee, Mrs. Lester (Betty) Smith introduced the surprised honored guest, who announced that for the first time in her life she was speechless. She was presented with a plaque denoting her designation as Woman of the Year, and a spray of silk roses. One of the most important among her many endeavors was her devotion to the McHenry Public library board, which she served for 30 years. She was that board's president and also treasurer. From its beginning, Ms. Wirtz has been active in the organization of FISH (Friends In Service Here). Presently she is its public relations chairman. Girl Scouts was another interest of this long time McHenry resident who also was praised by one nominator as her choice for Woman of the Year because of her "poise, graciousness and humility". For many years she was a diligent worker for this organization of girls, and in its beginning contributed the perseverance and leadership so greatly needed to assure success. Other interests have included the Mothers' club, of which she was one of the founders, now known as the McHenry Women's club. 27, 1982 1 SECTION 24 PAGES 25' tunty Alternative School Placed In Jeopardy A surprised and happy Alida Wirtz, shown at right, receives plaque and spray of roses from Ms. Lester (Betty) Smith moments.after Ms. Wirtz was named Woman of the Year by the McHenry Business & Professional Women's club. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD She is a member of St. Patrick's church, and has been active on church organization committees. Born in Chicago, Alida Freund Wirtz has spent most of her life in McHenry. While attending high school locally, she met her future husband, A. J. (Tony) Wirtz. Busily engaged in alterationsJ^ tbe family business, McGee's Men's store for many years, aftir his death she added to her responsibilities when she became owner and president. She also was bookkeeper for the business for a number of years. Among speakers Monday evening, were Lillian Bolger, Myrtle Procter. Maurie Taylor and June Stuart, all of (Continued en page 22) The Alternative High School program, formerly located in McHenry, faces a doubtful future, according to discussion at a recent meeting of the McHenry County Mental Health board which aids in funding this unit. As board members pondered the allocation of the 4 percent cut in the mental health service budget, a proposal was made by Dennis Smith, executive director of the 706 board, that $14,000 of the cut be against the $15,000 originally allocated by the board to this program. Smith noted that the alternative school's representives had com­ plained that this reduction would jeopardize other grants from private sources which require secure local funding as an indication of community support. Smith noted also that the registration for the school, which is designed to serve youths who drop out of high school for various reason, has dropped to three and it should be at least 25 to be workable. He suggested that this program "is no longer viable" and that they could use this 706 money elsewhere. Smith reported that the Youth Service bureau had for the time being taken aver the ad- Survey For City's Future Trick-or-treaters won't be the only people going door to door this weekend in McHenry. Volunteers from the McHenry Jaycees and the Illinois Bell Pioneers will be seeking information that will be used to direct the future of McHenry. They will be doing this through home interviews. A total of 400 residents within the tily HMWeWWtfy wffl be questioned in this random survey. Information will be tabulated by the McHenry County college computer department through special community service arrangements. The commission feels the few minutes given by each resident questioned will assure success in this critical evaluation of McHenry. ministration of the alternative school finances. Assistant director of the 706 board, AnnPatla, advised that she had been told by the alternative school representative that they were con­ sidering a sliding scale of tuition payments based on income, which could increase the enrollment by six. But the population which is served by this school is also afflicted by low income, a factor believed to con­ tribute to the problem of the young people who are forced out of regular high schools. Ms. Patla said the grant from the Burs ted foundation, which is the mainstay of the school, would only be possible with the 706 money. The teacher for the year has already been hired, she noted. Smith added that the loss of the CETA money has been crucial to the alternative school program. He said they need $90,000 to survive. Smith recalled that he had never been able to sell the "alternative" program to the school districts from which the kids had been expelled. He asked, "Is it appropriate for the 706 board to support what is a school responsibility?" He maintained that this school wasn't specifically a mental health activity. Halloween Party Follows Hours Of Tricks-Or-Treats Police Chief George Pasenelli has established hours for youngsters to trick or treat on Halloween, Sunday, Oct. 31. At the same time, the Department of Parks and Recreation announced plans for the annual city party. Trick or treat hours are from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday. The chief advised parents to accompany the youngsters where possible, stay in known neigh­ borhoods and know who the children will trick or treat. The Police chief also urged residents to put out coins for the youngsters instead of candy. "It's cheaper and it's safer," Pasenelli commented. Party planners promise that spooks, goblins, ghosts and witches will be watching over all those who attend the annual city Halloween party. They are encouraged to come as their favorite characters whether scary, cute, funny or original, and join in the costume contest to be held at Parklajnd Junior high school, located at the intersection of Elm street and Ringwood road. Festivities, which will include games, contests and movies, start at 6- p.m., at the end of trick or treating. Further information may be ob­ tained from the Department of Parks and Recreation, 344-3300. Roof Renovation At School by James Blum Renovating the roof at McHenry Junior high was the main topic of discussion^ at the last District 15 business meeting. According to the school board's architect, Terry Ernst of Crystal Lake, the roofing system at the Junior high building is "receding from the drains, shriveling and wrinkling. What we want to do is come in with an elastic membrane which will move with the roof." According to Business Manager Bill Landis, 90 percent of the junior high school's roof needs renovating. The board had received bids for the roof work Oct. 6. Gerald Bunting, a member of the school board and a practicing ar­ chitect, asked Ernst, "We're in the midst of an energy audit. How does this roofing work fit in?" , "We want to get the roof up to an R- rating of 18. Building up insulation at (Continued on pogo22) • ' : - \ Fight Opens Against Alcohol-Drug Abuse From a two-day workshop held in mid-October, there is optimism that sufficient interest has been generated to make headway in combatting alcohol and drug abuse in McHenry county. Priorities to move forward on a concerted campaign have been developed. The priorities are being sorted out and evaluated following extensive discussions and participation by a broad cross section of community leaders in such areas as education, social services, law enforcement and county government, Ann Hughes, Woodstock, workshop chairman, has explained. The 140 participants are striving to develop policies which will link the major components of the community in combatting the unfortunate effects associated with the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Social service participants, for example, listed the need to provide programs for parents, teachers, and students to help identify, deal with and-or prevent drug problems as deserving top priority in their area of responsibility. Peer counseling by social service agencies ranked almost as high. Law enforcement personnel pointed out the importance of having a trained juvenile officer to serve as a liaison with school administrators, and they recommend the required referral of first offenders and their families to social service agencies "for education, treatment, and follow-up." They also advocate the required completion of a drug-alcohol treat­ ment or education program as a condition of sentencing or probation. School administrative personnel said a policy stating that "possession, distribution and use of alcohol and other drugs shall not be permitted on school property" deserves high priority. They also advocate "counseling and other positive alterations" in addition to punishment as ongoing policy. They agree cooperation between school and law enforcement administrators is essential, and advocate a specific educational-preventative curriculum designed for grade and high school students concerning alcohol and drug abuse. Health care participants chose the need for a written policy specifying steps to be taken with school, social service and law enforcement people in a drug-alcohol incident with youths under 21 as a top priority item. Community education as to the signs and symptom of alcohol-drug abuse and emergency steps to follow through for such problems also merits top priority in the view of the health care specialists. "Drug-alcohol education for all medical personnel" was urged as well as local inpatient treatments programs for counseling and detoxification for users and their families. Mrs. Hughes said participants agreed that parents should be in­ formed of the ramifications of alcohol- drug abuse and involved in rehabilitation and treatment. Because of the enthusiastic par­ ticipation and progress made in (Continued on page 22) McHenry Residents Die In Two Crashes With light from the equipment truck of the McHenry Township Fire department, Rescue squad members prepare to extricate LeRoy H. Marshall, of 3017 Pleasant, McHenry, as fire fighters assist and others stand by with charged hose lines. According to Illinois State police, Elgin, Marshall was driving west on Route 120, near Chapel Hill road, when he apparently fell asleep at the wheel of his car. Hie car traveled off the road and crashed into a utility pole, breaking it. The McHenry Area Rescue squad transported Marshall to McHenry hospital where he was examined and treated for injuries. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD One man was killed and three other people injured early last Saturday morning in a three-car collision on Johnsburg road, between Riverside drive and Spring Grove road. Terry L. Wetzel, 38, of 2321 Fair- view, McHenry, was pronounced dead on arrival at McHenry hospital, where he was taken by the Johnsburg Rescue squad. Also injured in the accident were the driver of the second auto, Diana L. Sande, of 3017 Scott, McHenry; a passenger, Darlene T. Heliios, of 2206 Cfystal Lake road, Cary; and the driver of the third vehicle, William C. Hovseth, 706 Pheasant, McHenry. All were transported to McHenry hospital. According to McHenry County Sheriffs police, Wetzel was driving east on Johnsburg road when his pickup truck crossed the center line and crashed head-on into the car driven by Ms. Sande. The impact spun the Sande auto and the truck con­ tinued eastward to strike the Hovseth vehicle. The accident occurred at 2:20 a.m. Oct. 23. Cynthia Murphy, 29, of Totem Trail, McHenry, mother of two young children, was one of three persons killed when the car in which she was riding crashed into a tree in the early hours of Thursday, Oct. 21. Todd Hoffman, 21, of Vernon Hills, the driver, and Rita Sullivan, 27, of Wauconda, a passenger, also died in the crash. All were declared dead on arrival at Good Shepherd hospital, Barrington. The victims were returning from a bridal shower when the accident occurred on Route 12, south of Quentin road, in Palatine township. Mrs. Murphy was employed as a bookkeeper for Murphy Auto Parts, Wauconda. Besides her husband, David, she is survived by two children, Lottie and (Continued on page 22)