The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

. . . a n d l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o s e r v i n g y o u faster and better from our new location now being constructed 1% miles North of McHenry on Rte. 31. We plan to be in by Christmas, depending on such things as -interest rates, strikes, weather and material availability. We are moving ahead with the same attention to quality workmanship and personal concern that has always been part of . . . WATER-WELLS "•"> PUMPS UP TO 20 H.P. PUMPS IN STOCK McHenry County Well & 4913 McCullom Lake Rd., 385-5252 Pump Co. McHenry, III. AUGUST 6, 1975 • PLAINDE ALER CENTENNIAL EDITION PAGE 6 (Continued from page 5) This building is now known as the L&L apartments on the northeast corner of Main and Front streets. In 1922 the first carnival was held and has since continued together with a 4th of July fireworks display, to be one of the Highlights of the entire stir !^er season. Profits from p< • • carnivals were earmarked for community projects, purchase of a fire truck, street lighting and many other civic functions too numerous to mention. The post moved ever forward, never forgetting the reasons for its organizing, service to God, Community, State and Nation. World War II was soon upon the veterans and absorbed much of the energies of the post. The end of World War II saw a large influx of new members. The meetings were held on Green street in the Regner building. At this time Post 491 was actively involved in various projects to help and serve the World War II veterans. Within a short period of time the Green street property was purchased with the idea of sometime erecting a post home. In 1948, construction finally got started and Post 491 emerged into a grand and glorious monument to the veteran^of McHenry and a real tribute to the national organization McHenry Post 491 continued to grow and at all limes was a leader in civic affairs, sponsoring many groups.. To mention a few, they were Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts. Girl Scouts, American Legion baseball and in the middle of 1950 organized the Sons of* the American Legion. Out of the latter group came the Viscounts drum and bugle corps which in 1961 won the state and national championship S A L. Drum and Bugle Corps title One of the leading organizations within the post is the Kifle squad. Organized in the early 1950's with its original purpose being to bury the dead (military funerals) and to participate in parades, this group has quickly mushroomed into one of the most active groups in the Legion. It must be mentioned that since its beginning over 90 percent of its members have been post officers and the rest have at least been chairmen of various post activities. In 1965, after completion of the sale of the post property on Green street, the post purchased a beautiful piece of property on Ringwood road and began construction of a new and modern post home. It has become a meeting place for almost every civic, business and social group in the entire area, and one of the finest contributions to the growth of the city of McHenry. As a service organization, McHenry Post 491 looks back w ith pride and reverence at the many years of growth and at its pipmhors who made the American Legion what it is today. In every year since 1919, there have been outstanding men who have sacrificed their time and have given of themselves wholeheartedly for the cause of the American legion. The history of the Legion was made by all its members. Legion Auxiliary Sets Mark Of Fine Service On July 13, 1945, some McHenry ladies and a small group of members of the McHehry American Legion met in the Legion hall for the purpose of organizing an auxiliary unit to McHenry Post No. 491." On Aug. 16, 1945, the following officers were elected: President, Catherine Weber; £irst vice-president, Minnie Green; second vice-president, Margaret Smith; secretary, Lura Yanda; treasurer, Eva Bacon; historian, Mary Page; President's Thanks chaplain, Gertrude Weber; sergeant-^t-arms, Laura Smith, and assistant sergeant- at-arms. Barbara Weber. It was decided at that meeting to hold the auxiliary meetings on the third Monday of each month. At the Sept. 17, 1945, meeting, with fifty-six paid up members, it was decided to inscribe these members' names on the charter. In 1971, the McHenry unit ranked sixth in the state, in membership, with 850 units in the department. Through the years the most important program has been Rehabilitation. Members have sewed carpet rags, made hankies, baked homemade cookies, entertained, brought magazines and books, clothing, toiletries, Christmas gifts. Easter gifts, donated wheel chairs, etc. to veteran patients at Downey and Elgin hospitals. They have also brought these veterans to the post home for dinners and entertainment. They gave Christmas presents to veterans' children and have expanded that program to provide Christmas gifts and food baskets to all needy children in the program under a Child Welfare program. Through the Americanism program the auxiliary has donated flags to the many schools in the area, churches and civic organizations. Americanism Essay contests are held every year and donations are made to all department Americanism projects. Members also march in Memorial day parades, Marine Festival day parades, and participate in the Veterans day program, held each year. With the Community Service program, members donate to and sponsor Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops; sponsor the Viscount Drum & Bugle corps, w h o i n 1 9 6 1 , w o n t h e S A L . championship at the national convention in Denver; sponsor the Viscount Color Guard, who won the American Legion Color Guard Illinois State cham­ pionship for two years in a row • serve luncheons each week to the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs and monthly serve dinners to the Lions club. They (cater dinners for wedding receptions, anniversary parties, Christmas parties and serve funeral dinners. They also participate in Cancer and Red Cross and Heart fund drives, sell tags for Salvation Army Donut day, work at the local hospital as volunteers and aid in other community projects. Many members have been McHenry County council of­ ficers and presidents. Some have been District 11 officers and presidents and also have been department chairmen. ^ The local unit has purchased tables and chairs for the dining room, purchased a new freezer, refrigerator, meat slicer, potato masher, and kitchen equipment for our new post home. It purchased the drapes, rug for the stage, furniture for the powder,room, and donated toward the equipment shed and new driveway. The auxiliary also purchased hospital beds, wheel chairs and walkers for the use of our disabled mem­ bers and their families. In October of 1970 it was^very proud to participate in the fiftieth anniversary of the McHenry Post and the twenty-^ fifth anniversary of the McHenry unit to honor all charter members. Music In McHenry-1975 Stage Band In Performance McHENRYST/ Music has been flourishing in McHenry since far back in the last century. In the 1920's, the city band was directed by Walter N. Sears of Barrington, who also was school music director. Later directors included Paul R. Yanda, Stanley Vycital, John Leighty, and at the present time, Robert Freund. In recent years the format iEBAND of the summer weekly concerts has changed and it is now known as the McHenry stage band. Featuring popular music of today and yesterday, these fine musicians play to large audiences during June and July. 27 Years In Business . OUTSTANDING SERVICE - William Green, past commander of Legion Post 491, McHenry, presents John Dreymiller with certificate in appreciation for the unusual and outstanding service he provided veterans in carrying out his duties as service officer. The late Mr. Dreymiller also was at one time commander of the Mary Ann Pyles of McHenry holds the "President's Thanks and Certificate of Honorable Service" award which was presented to her grandfather, Pvt. Edmund Noonan, who served with Co. A, 141st Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. The presentation was made Dec. 15, 1864. It was signed by President Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Mr. Noonan also is the grandfather of Allen Noonan, Jr., of Crystal Lake and Anthony Noonan of McHenry. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD FRED MATTHESIUS