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' • McHenry Hitchhiker Robs Motorist Sunday Kenneth Shoulders of 802 W. Friendly avfenue, McHenry, was charged with robbery following an incident Sunday morning about 1 o'clock. The arrest took place after Steven Mink of 63 S. Chicago avenue, Mundelein, told county authorities he had picked up a hitchhiker on Route 176, near St. Thomas Catholic church, Crystal Lake, after midnight Saturday. Shoulders, the hit­ chhiker, asked for a ride to Route 31 and then later decided to continue on with Mink to River road. When they reached that location, Shoulders gestured with his right hand in his pocket and told Mink he had a pistol and to do as he was told. Mink was ordered to turn right on Dowell road and as they ap­ proached a vacant area, he was told to stop the car. Mink was forced to leave the auto and was told to empty his pockets. He was allowed to keep his wallet after about $7 was taken from it and ordered to start walking. As Shoulders drove away in the auto, Mink ran across a field to a residence and notified county police. Investigation began and Mink's car was found aban­ doned on Dowell road near Darrell road An Island Lake police officer who was enroute to the scene to assist, found Shoulders walking on Darrell road. It was determined Shoulders had no weapon in his possession but he was charged with robbery. His bond was set at $r>.ooo. Split Votes Approve School Programs Two important areas of discussion ended in 5-1 ap­ proval votes for school programs when the board of High School District 156 met Tuesday night. One related to school policy on smoking at East campus, and the other to extending approval to continue plans for the McHenry County Area Career center. In both votes, Board President James Althoff ex­ pressed a negative position. Phil Bartmann was absent and all other members voted approval. The motion on the smoking issue provides that the 90-day trial policy presently in effect at East campus be continued until the end of the 1974-75 school year, and that a re- evaluation of the policy be made prior to the start of the 1975-76 school year. It was pointed out that identification card with signature must be worn in the smoking areas. All of these cards, according to East Campus Principal Gary Fields, have been verified. The principal pointed out that the matter has been thoroughly studied for the last eighteen months. During the past ninety days, during the trial pefriod, the East campus Parent Ad­ visory council spent much time researching and discussing the topic of student smoking. The last two council meetings, he said, have at­ tracted more than forty-five adults each. Although the council endorsed the recom­ mended policy at its Jan. 23 meeting, he acknowledged the vote was not unanimous. Fields revealed other survey results which disclosed that students and school employees at East support the concept of a smoking area as a more feasible attempt to deal with what was described as "a serious problem". The policy governing student smoking includes the following regulations: 1-Students will not be penalized for smoking tobacco before or after regular school hours outside of the building. Parent permission is not required. 2-Smoking of tobacco for students with parent per­ mission will be allowed during lunch mods only in an outside ^ restricted area. This area will be located between the Driver Education simulator and the school building. 3-Parent permission will require the parent to take full responsibility for a youngster f.who has permission to smoke at school. 4-Any first or second ^violation of this polity will result in an automatic five day out-of-school suspension. A third violation during the same school year will result in a five- day suspension and a recom­ mendation of expulsion to the board of education. 5-A violation is any act of smoking in the building Any smoking that occurs outside of the building during school hours by students without parent permission is a violation. For those with permission, smoking outside of the area is also a violation. (Smoking is defined as any | ;ct of actually smoking tobacco, holding a lit or unlit ( Continued Or. Page 16 ) THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 VOLUME 99 NUMBER 54 FRIDAY, FEBRAURY 7, 1975 18 PAGES Seven Without Home Blaze Destroys Lakemoor Residence Wheeling Man Dies In Flaming Cab Of Truck A Wheeling man, Dfcniel T. Ulrich, 32, of 931 Blaze trail, was killed when the semi- tanker he was driving, which was loaded with 7,800 gallons of gasoline, overturned and caught fire. The accident oc­ curred on Route 14 at Dunham road, northwest of Woodstock, about 10:30 Tuesday night. When deputies arrived at the scene they were informed there was a man in the cab of the truck. Because of the fire, they were unable to get within 150 feet of the vehicle. Fire was erupting from the center Of the tanker and streams o? fire stretched about 150 yards both east and west due to spilled gasoline. The Woodstock Rural Fire department was dispatched to the scene and additional assistance was summoned from Woodstock city, Crystal Lake and Harvard fire departments. Rescue squads from Woodstock and Harvard also responded. The gasoline, which flowed into a north road ditch, blazed fiercely and was not brought under control until about 12:45, Wednesday morning. At that time, the Woodstock Rescue squad found and removed the remains of the driver to the McHenry county morgue. He was pronounced dead on arrival aft. 1 a.m. by McHenry County Coroner Theron Ehorn. Exact cause of the accident was not determined and is under investigation by the McHenry County Accident Investigation unit. From evidence available, it appeared the tanker was west-bound on Route 14 and for an unknown reason, left the roadway on the north edge, rolled over and ignited. Approximately 100 to 200 yards of asphalt roadway was damaged on Route 14 due to the excessive heat of the blaze. The highway was closed between Dimmel and Deep Cut roads until 7 a m, Wednesday mor­ ning while state highway crews worked to make the road passable. About 2,000 gallons of gasoline were flushed into a ditch by the fire departments and then foamed down. Three truckloads of sand were brought to the scene by the state highway department and used to cover the gasoline in the ditch. Commonwealth Edison crews were also called out when a utility pole caught fire and interrupted electrical service in the area. No estimates of damage were available. Members of the three McHenry fire companies responded and remained on the scene two hours to bring the blaze under control. There was no immediate estimate of damage. All contents of the home were destroyed. Immediately, as the family found temporary homes with friends in Lakemoor, plans were set forth to take up a collection. Clothing is needed for the mother, who wears size 12- 14, three boys, 3,9 and 12, and girls, 14 and 16. The Lakemoor municipal building, 234 W. Rand road, will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for anyone wishing to contribute clothing, furniture, etc. Those wishing items to be picked up by truck during the same hours should call 385-1117 , 385-2744 or 385-7859. Fire swept through the Rita Burton residence, 128 S. Lake Shore, Lakemoor, early Tuesday evening, Feb. 4, and left the family of six children homeless. Mrs. Burton and her 18-year-old son, Tom, were away when the fire broke out. Two boys, 9 and 11 years old, found flames in a main floor bedroom after being attracted to that area when they smelled smoke. After an unsuccessful effort to extinguish the blaze, the five children turned in an alarm and hurried to safety. Fire Chief Glenn Peterson said the blaze apparently started in the basement area, under a staircase, and spread upward. The children were on the main floor of the one and one-half story home watching television at the time. When firemen arrived, the home was completely enveloped in flames. Excellent Program Awaits C of C Members February 11 An interesting program is * store owners as they concern promised when the McHenry shoplifting. Area Chamber of Commerce At this week's board meeting. holds its first quarterly general two new members were an- membership meeting Tuesday, nounced to fill vacancies. They Feb. 11. A social hour at 6:30 are Dr. Robert Peterson and will be followed by 7:30 dinner Dan Schmitt. at the Long Horn Steak House, With eighty-one members, Lakemoor. the Chamber is conducting its Featured speaker will be a annual membership drive. It representative of the Illinois was disclosed that $2,000 is Chamber of Commerce. An needed to meet this year's unusually fine film purchased budget. Board members are by the IV^cHenry C. of C. also contacting those in arrears in will be shown, entitled "The their payment. Day Business Stood Still". A guest at the Tuesday Police Chief Kenneth Espey meeting, Dr. William Ryan of and Lt. Robert Kranz will be Crystal Lake, explained in present to speak on the rights of detail the March referendum Lakeland Park Asks East End Access Road A delegation of people from Lakeland Park Ward 4 ad­ dressed the City Council Monday night and asked that an access road be constructed for the east end of Lakeland Park. Alderman Laverne Hromec spoke in behalf of the group and pointed out that motor fuel tax money is available for this project, as well as revenue sharing funds. ' 'This road has been talked about for twenty-one years," Alderman Hromec said, "in fact since the subdivision has been in existence." Various city officials have been talking about it for years but nothing is ever done, she complained. She felt the road should get top priority because of the length of time it has been under consideration. "We would like to have the city start now and pursue it," she em­ phasized. • Walther Schaedel, Jr., of 1613 N. Pleasant, a member of the group, presented a drawing of the proposed access road which would connect Industrial drive with Central .street. He emphasized the "human life factor and safety aspect"' not only to Lakeland Park residents but also to members of the fire, rescue and police departments who service the area. He presented facts and figures regarding time that request for an Educational tax rate increase for McHenry County college. Dr. Ryan is a member of the college board of trustees. Chamber board members listened with interest and then voted to recommend a favorable vote on the issue. The week of July 6-13 was established as Marine Festival week, with the parade and Drum Corps Magic on the thirteenth. This date was selected because the Chamber learned that it was favorable to obtain several highly rated corps for the evening show An innovation in the alternoon program may be boat races on could be saved by use of this access road in getting emergency units into the northeastern part of the sub­ division. Lloyd Wagner of 2006 N. Oak, pointed out that when the Meadow lane bridge over the creek is impassable, it takes even longer to get to the east end of the area. He also mentioned an in­ cident in 1959 when he and his neighbors fought a house fire near his home with snow because it took the fire departmeni twenjy minutes to find the location. Alderman George Harker, chairman of the Street and Sidewalk committee, explained the river, although details are not available at this time. Bonnie Gaza was placed in charge of the spring dinner dance to be held May 17 Tentative dates of May 3 and 4 were set for the annual Trade Fair, under the guidance of Winn Phillips and Ken Sheridan. The board learned that the Illinois C. of C. is sponsoring discussion groups this month. They are focusing attention on the Chamber's concern over current state legislation and its effect on business. The two discussions in this area are Feb. 14, in Rockford, and Feb. 19 in Evanston. Interested persons may call the Chamber office for further information. It was pointed out to the board that some civic- organizations within the city ( Continued On Page 16 ) that he had turned down an earlier request for an access road in that location because he didn't think the city could af­ ford it as far as 1975 was con­ cerned. "It wasn't my intention to convey the impression that I was flatly turning the proposal down forever," Harker said. Alderman Hromec said she understood that but "this matter has been talked, into the ground for years and the same thing is happening again," she argued "We found money when we needed to enlarge city hall. We found money for the park and we unquestionably will find money for the addition to the library, for recon­ struction of the old bridge and for an increase in the police department. Again, this seems to be shoved by the wayside," she reiterated. Mayor Joseph Stanek ( Continued On Page 16 ) Liquor Charges Filed Against Three Motorists When Deputy Sheriff John Bognar stopped an auto on Wegner road at Highland drive near Lily Lake Sunday evening for defective mufflers, he saw a quantity of 22 caliber am- mumlionvjn the vehicle. Fur­ ther inspection revealed a canister of mace, a billy club and open liquor also in the car, resulting in the arrest of the driver, Luther Mercer of 134 Eagle Point road, Fox Lake. Mercer was charged with unlawful use of weapons, possession of ammunition without a firearm owners identification card, tran­ sporting open liquor in a motor vehicle and defective exhaust Bond was set at $3,075. His passenger, Edgar Poe of the same address was arrested for open liquor in a motor vehicle. His bond was set at $50. Both are to appear in court Feb 20. Leonard Johnson of 3620 Hamlin road, McHenry, was arrested Friday night for transporting open liquor in a motor vehicle. He is to appear in court Feb. 10. The arrest was made after deputies on routine patrol stopped Johnson's auto on Route 120 because no license plates were displayed. In­ spection revealed the license plates had been applied for; however, open liquor was spotted in the vehicle. Make Choice Of "Fiddler" For Spring Musical The directors of the all-school musical at McHenry high school have announced that this year's spring musical will be "Fiddler On The Roof," Broadway's longest running play. Casting has not been completed but auditions have begun and will continue through this week. Among the familiar songs are "Sunrise, Sunset", Tradition" and "Do You Love Me?". Vv The directors are: Marguerite Vandagriff, director; John Leighty, musical director; Lou Whitaker, choreographer, and Charles Popp, technical director. As word of the selection of "Fiddler" has circulated, everyone agreed that another excellent choice had been made. Expectations for this production are high and the students are strongly sup­ porting this selection. Dates for the play are April 24, 25, 26 and 27. Driver Hurt, Several Ticketed In Crashes John E. Paddock, 3012 W Lincoln road, McHenry, was ticketed for improper lane usage after his car went out of control and hit a utility pole on Crystal Lake road, just south of Main street. The one-car ac­ cident occurred Saturday night about 11:45. Paddock told city police he didn't know how the accident happened He received injuries in the mishap and was taken to the hospital by the McHenry Rescue squad Harold C. Bowlin of 4802 W Shore drive, McHenry, was ticketed for following too closely after the school bus he was driving, hit the rear of another car Friday afternoon Katherine A Baseley of 1613 N. Riverside drive, McHenry, was east-bound on Kane and had stopped in a line of traffic when contact was made to the rear of her car by the bus. Bowlin said traffic started to move slowly and he looked in the rear view mirror to watch the children on the bus when contact took place. No one was injured in the mishap. City police cited Gary W. Brand of 2904 Hickory drive, McHenry, for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident following a two-car collision Sunday morning at 920 Front street According to police, Robert A Cartmill of 1755 Kingston circle, Carpentersville, was waiting to make a left turn into a parking lot when he was hit from behind by Brand's vehicle A three-car collision at the corner of Front and Elm streets ( Continued On Page 16 ) Firemen from the three McHenry fire companies fought a blaze i that destroyed the home of the Burton family, S. Lake Shore drive, Lakemoor, at 6:30 Tuesday evening. In photo directly above, a Company III fireman stands on ladder to assist another, who enters the burning residence equipped with a fresh air pack which attaches to a mask. Photo at right shows other firemen at work on back and side of home. A refrigerator was dragged outside, but all other contents were destroyed. STAFF PHOTOS-WAYNE GAYLORD So you want to be a newspaper editor? Or at least a reporter? Exciting, you say! Days filled with checking on manhunts, covering unusual incidents, visiting with celebrities, and enjoying gobs of invitations here and there. In a year's time a few of every one of these things puts the frosting on the cake. But more often than not there are experiences like ours last Thursday morning which should explain how we spend a good part of a typical day. There was a fire the previous afternoon, and as press time approached it seemed the prudent thing to check it out. A minor matter, we thought. Had we realized the deviltries that were to surround our quest for knowledge, Morpheus would not so pleasantly have sum­ moned us for a good night's sleep Wednesday. Sta^t at the top, we thought, as our fingers deftly dialed the fire chief. "Not here", the girl at the other end of the line said politely. Thereupon - she assured us she would try to reach him by radio. No luck! An hour passed and the tensions of press time pushed us on. Another call brought us in contact with a fireman who had befriended us in past emergencies. He was willing again but not able. Work had beckoned to him and he missed the fi!^. Another fireman was not in his office when we called, and a third just wasn't talking. "Sorry", he said, "I'd like to help but I shouldn't be giving out details." From here we went closer to the fire scene by calling the home of the village president. A family member answered and said she would like to help us out but she knew the name of only one fireman. However, she did know the name of the village clerk, and that knowledge brightened our day--momentarily. The clerk was a pleasant lady and eager to assist with the names of two firemen in that area. One, she knew worked nights and was usually available at the time we were calling (10:45 ja.m.); the other at one time worked nights and ( Continued On Page 16 )