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THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "Serving The Chain-O-Lakes Region Since 1875" Volume 84 -- No. 49 -- 3 Sections McHENRY, ILLINOIS, THURSDAY. APRIL 9, 1959 22 Pages -- 10c Per Copy SCHOOL ELECTIONS NEXT SATURDAY We wish the 50 per cent of the drivers who have learned the rules would inform the oth- "erflSO percent that just turnin^ on a left turn signal at a stop-and-go light doesn't give the right to turn in front , of traffic proceeding in a straight line. Such incidents, repeated every day at the coiner of Green and Elm, must have given other drivers potential ulcers also. LeROY SMITH ELECTED SUPERVISOR Avimmers should be happy to iearn thait the fund containing contributions to buy a patrol boat for the Fox river has exceeded $1,300 to date. A total of $3,200 is the goal of the McHenry County Deputy Sheriff's association. Probably the people most unhappy with the plan for a patrol to discourage wild driving of motorboats will be the drivei^ themsetves, who have on a number of occasions included in their "sport" of riding the practice of trying to see how close they could come to swimmers without actually snagging their bathing suits. The association hopes to buy an 18-foot inboard cruiser vvhich would operate from Pistakee Bay down -as far as Algcnouin. A small outboard and trffler are also in their plans to aid them in trouble spots. It is estimated that the cost of fuel will be about ten or twelve cents a day. which will C0me out of the regular appropriation. For the present, it is expected that an experienced deputy and a volunteer will be assigned to water patrol duty, which would eliminate-: the problem of special salaries. With the Fox river being used to a greater degree each year for travel and Recreation, the project is one which is gaining in popularity. The sponsoring organization would be happy to see that interest extend to the point of reaching in the pocketbook and giving a donation to the cause. V We're glad the friends who invite us to dinner have such splendid cooks. Last Monday noon we were guests of the McHenry Kiwanis club at their weekly meeting, and thoroughly enjoyed the repast, as well sis the short but interesting program presented. We have ijpade a bid to become a member. K.A.F. ELECT OFFICERS . OF CLEAN STREAMS GROUP ON MAY 5 " Progress was noted in reports made at a meeting of the McHenry County Clean Streams Committee, held at tlj^ Junior high school in Mc- HSriry Tuesday evening of this week. One special note of progress was at Pistakee Highlands. The committee is busy on a dye test in the area, on the east side of the river, which (Continued on page 8) A. ADAMS AMD W. DEAN NAMED TO ASSISTANT ?0STS IN ONE OF TOWNSHIP'S BIGfiEST VOTES In one of the biggest votes ever recorded in a McHenry township election, LeRoy Smith emerged winner in a spirited race for supervisor over Michael Schaefer. Smith, who has held the post of assistant supervisor for the past eight years, polled a total of 1.962 votes in the nine McHem-y precincts and Schaefer received 1,406. Carried along to victory with Smith were two members of the People's Party, Albert Adams of Johnsburg and Walter Dean of Wonder Lake, who' become the new assistant supervisors. Their total votes were 1,611 and 1,591, respectively. The other two candidates, running on the Independent party ticket with Schaefer, were James Althoff with 1,- 565 votes and Carl Hallstrom with 1,513. Charles "Chuck" Miller, running without opposition for office of highway commissioner, a post he has held for the past twelve years, polled 2,222 votes as high vote getter. He ran on the Independent ticket. The only other candidates besides Miller who were past office holders in the township were Smith and Hallstrom. The former decided to run for the supervisor position when Math Schmitt, long holder of that office, decided not to be a candidate. Hallstrom has served for eight years as an assistant - S I p e j v i a s s R , v . . . Pre&nct Voting Voting in the nine precincts was as follows: Smith: 1, 121; 2, 414; 3, 293; 4, 281; 5, 325; 6, 143; 7, 248; 8, 38; 9, 99. Schaefer: 1. 114; 2, 169; 3, 103; 4, 387; 5, 184; 6, 59; 7, 160; 8, 120; 9, 110. Adams: 1, 92; 2, 308; 3, 247; 4, 373; 5, 199; 6, 121; 7, 1§3; 8, 21; 9, 87. • . Dean: 1, 100; 2. 279; 3, 193; 4. 245; 5, 371; 6, 106; 7, 178; 8, 49; 9, 70. Hallstrom: 1, 141; 2, 231; 3, 118; 4, 304; 5^279; 6, 65; 7, 193; 8, 133; 9, 109. Althoff: 1, 126; 2. 264; 3. 149; 4, 330; 5, 171; 6, 78; 7, 208; 8, 112; 9, 127. Miller: 1, 167; 2. 384; 3, 209; 4, 441; 5. 235; 6, 114; 7. 280; 8, 144; 9, 148. Other Township Races Other townships, too, showed considerable interest in their candidates. In Riley, August Ruth was re-elected supervisor over Joe Getty by a vote of 156 to 146. In Dunham, Earl Thomas defeated the incumbent Carl Wittmus, 228 to 106. Wittmus has long held the supervisor post in his township. At Woodstock, T. F. Nolan, was re - elected over Russell Reid, 676 to 415. A spirited race took place at Algonquin, where George Janak was re-elected with a vote of 1,889. Irvin Kvidera ran sec- Moose To Honor Grade Athletes This (Thursday) evening, April 9, at 7:30 o'clock,members of Junior High, St. Mary's, St. Patrick's Harrison and Johnsburg grade school basketball teams will be honored by the Moose lodge, No. 691, of McHenry at a banquet to be held at the high school. Earl R. Walsh will act as master of ceremonies, and Gov. Win Hagberg of the Moose will give the address of welcome. The invocation will be given by Rev. William Collins of St. Patrick's Catholic church, and the benediction by Rev. George Martin of the Community Methodlpt church. The presentation of trophies will be made by Mr. Hagberg to the bo§k selected by their teams as most valuable. Varsity Basketball (Qoach Cliff Fulton of the high" school will give the main address of the evening. Another highlight of the evening will be the showing of a movie on the 1958 Illinois state basketball game. Coaches of the various teams are as follows: Edward Sobotkiewicz, Junior high; James Doran, St. Mary's; James Busch, St. Patrick's; James Van Bosch, Johnsburg; Charles Cuda, Harrison. The banquet is an annual afdesigned topromote an--interest in athletics and good sportsmanship on the part of these young boys. (Cbntinu&d on page 8) HONORED AT BANQUET Kotalik Studio Photo A highlight of the annual Rotary sports banquet, held last Thursday evening in the high school cafeteria, was the presenilation of honor awards. Shown is Chuck Peterson, Rotary president; William Hutchinson, wrestling coach; Dan Baldino, winner of the wrestling award; Cliff Fulton, varsity basketball coacfh; Joihn Steinbach, winner of the basketball award for the highest percentage of free throws; and Doug Mills, director of athletics at the University of Illinois, who was guest speaker. Register For Fall Classes Because of the increasing enrollment in McHenry schools, it is difficult to plan wisely for September classes unless parents make a special effort to register in advance for both kindergarten classes and first grade next fall. Kindergarten registration will be held Friday, April 24, froifri 9 a.m. to 11:30 avm. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the kindergarten building at 202 W. Waukegan street. Children must be 5 years old on or before Dec. 1, and a legal birth certificate is necessary for registration. A three dollar charge for supplies used during the year must also be paid that day. Parents are asked not to bring children when registering. The first grade registration will take place on the same day ;md at the same hours. The place will be the Edgebrook school office. Children must be 6 years old on or before Dec. 1, and for first graders, as for kindergarten, a legal birth certificate is necessary. Supplies used by the first grade will be purchased in the fall. Only those not attending kindergarten are to register April 24. Parents are asked not to bring . children when registering. Ed's Rent-All New Type Of Business A new type of business, Ed's Rent-A 11, opened last week at 701 Front street, operated by Edward Thennes. The store, which is open six and one-half days a week, carries all types of rental items, including a wide variety of tools tnd equipment for the house, yard and garden. CAPPED AT WESLEY Eighty-nine student nurses, among them Mary Lynn Murphy of McHenry. received nursing caps from Chicago Wesley Memorial hospital school of nursing in a candlelight ceremony at Thorne hall on Friday night, April 3. SEEK SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERSHIP WivSU IT -'I: i \Vvr|> • EDWIN WITTROCK JAN15 WEISS MARGARBT HAUG On Saturday, April 11, voters in all local school districts will go to the polls to select the men and women who will serve as board members for three-year terms. In only one of the two McHenry districts. Consolidated District 15. is a contest evident. Margaret Haug seeks re-election and two others are also in the race, Jane Weiss and Edwin Wittrock. Mr. Wittrock lives with his wife, Irene, a daughter, Cheryl, 12, and a son, Chris, 6, at Orchard Heights. They have been McHenry residents for seven years. A layout draftsman for the Hough company in Libertyville, Mr. Wittrock is a graduate of Steinmetz high school in Chicago and attended Northwestern university, where he took evening courses in engineering. He and Mrs. Wittrock have been co-vice-presidents of the P.T.A. for the past three years. Jane Weiss, a resident of McHenry for almost seven years, resides at 202 Country Club Drive with her husband, Howard, and two sons, Eric, 6, and Kevin, 3. Mrs. Weiss is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, taught for a year and a half, and is now dofng substitute teaching in the McHenry grade and high schools and in rural schools in the area. She is also taking a correspondence course in education from the University of Minnesota. She is beginning a year of service for the Community P.T.A. as its secretary. Margaret Haug, a nineteen-year resident of McHenry, has completed nine years on the board of education of District 15. Mrs. Haug is a resident of Shalimar, whore she lives with her husband, Walter. She has two sons, Larry of Mount Prospect and Robert, a junior in the local high school; alSo two grandchildren. Mrs. Haug attended the public schools of Chicago and is a graduate of Carl Schurz high school. She is employed as a bookkeeper for the Kent Corp., and is active as a member of the P.T.A. PARK DISTRICT ELECTION Saturday, May 2, has been set officially as the date for the election on the proposed River Valley Park district. Any organization or group of individuals desiring more information on the proposed district is asked to call Edward Thennes or Mrs. William Bolger, who will arrange to have an informed person speak before the group. FISHERMEN RESCUED Three fishermen were rescued by members of the Fox Lake .fire department last Sunday after they had clung to. their overturned boat for more than an hour in Long Lake. TAX COLLECTION FOR FEBRUARY TOTALS $28,829 Tax collections from municipalities in the county in February, based on January sales, totalled $170,620.50 according to a report from the state revenue department. There were 1,382 retailers in the county with 177 in Woodstock ranking highest and Crystal Lake second with 156. Collections included Woodstock. $29,700.14: Crystal Lake, $33,265.55; McHenry, $28,- 829.08; Ring wood, $251.71; Spring Grove, $624.50: Wondoi Lake. $1,156.91; Johnsburg, $623.91; Island Lake, $362.93; Lakemoor, $302.82. THE PARKING PROBLEM Two relatively unimportant occasions for considering the subject of traffic and parking in McHenry have given rise to renewed thought on a problem which grows each day as the population increases. It is a problem which will become more acute when we welcome summer visitors to our area for the vacation season. The great increase in traffic generally, combined with heavy shopping over the Easter weekend, was the first indication of what is ahead this summer. Remarks made by Paul Oppermann of the Northeastern Illinois Metropolitan Area Planning commission at last week's Chamber of Commerce dinner provided further food for thought on the subject. Actually, the thinking process has continued for some time. Now it seems that some type of action is a necessity for the very, near future if McHenry merchants are to keep ahead of farsighted outsiders with an eye on the future of the area as a mecca for business development. Mr. Oppermann's words concerning the growing popularity of shopping centers -- chiefly because of their friodem buildings and parking facilities -- have been heard before, but each time they should grow more important to those who would be most seriously affected by them. The problem has been studied for some time by the city of McHenry. The Council has looked into the possibility of providing for parking in the rear of store buildings, but this is mostly irfcome property, privately owned, which is not available. Other answers to the problem have often proved unrewarding when an unexpected "fly in the ointment" has prevented carrying through the idea. The most recent plan, a cooperative effort of the city, business men and Legion post, scheduled to have its start on April 15, calls for extensive work to provide parking for eighty-eight cars in the north part of the Legion lot on Green street, with access to the street by , pedestrians. This is certainly a step in the right direction and will help to alleviate the problem in this section of the city for the immediate future. Certainly the action is being taken at an opportune time, for if McHenry should be selected as the site for a shopping center, there would be little reason for solving the problem. In fact, there would be little problem left to solve. Only the interest of folks who are determined to do something about it now will keep us from being caught in a modern version of "locking the barn after the horse is stolen". TWO NAMED 10 HEAD McHENRY CANCERJUW Solicit Only In Residential Sections Of City Mrs. Albert Barbian and Mrs. Fred Rogers have been named co - chairmen of the 1959 cancer drive for the city of McHenry. The campaign for funds opened this (Thursday) morning and will continue throughout the month. Workers gathered for coffee and rolls, after which they began on a house to house drive. All solicitation will be in the residential section. Business people will not be contacted except at their home. The county fund goal has been set at $11,000, higher than the previous goal by $1,000. The 1958 $10,000 goal was met and it is expected that with the progress being made in the fight against cancer, similar response will be forthcoming this yea i'. Recently, a* kick-off dinner for township chairmen was held in Woodstock, after which plans were completed for the April campaign. Besides the McHenry cochairmen, others include Mrs. Herbert Brossman of Lakemoor and Mrs. Henry McCanless of Greenwood. McHenry's share of the county goal is $600, but volunteer workers assisting the co-chair- CONTESTS EVIDENT IN TWO OF FOUR ELECTIONS; POLLS OPEN NOON TO 1 P.M. IN VARIOUS PRECINCTS ESCAPE INJURIES IN THREE-CAR CRASH MONDAY Two drivers were taken to the McHenry hospital and released after examination as the result Of a three-car collision which occurred Monday evening of this week. They were Margaret- Hendee of Lakeland Park and John Ficken, Jr., of Rt. 4, McHenry. According to information given to state police by Mrs. Hendee she was driving west on Rt. 120 and signalled for a right turn into the subdivision when she noticed a car close behind her. As she hurried to make the turn, the second auto, driven by Ficken, swung to the center line to avoid striking her car. In doing so, he hit the rear of her car and his own spun sideways into the easthound lane, where it was struck by an auto driven by Ronald Howard of 302 John street, McHenry, who was giving east. The accident o<Swrred about 8:20 o'clock: FIREMEN GIVE WARNING ON GRASS FIEES The spring temperatures of this week resulted in headaches for members of the fire department, who were kept especially busy on Sunday and Monday, Grass fires were reported at Pistakee Bay, on Ridge road in Bull Valley, at the V.F.W. park. Holiday Hills and at Cooper's farm on Rt. 120. All re^idfiolg,.of Jhe_district are urged by firemen to be careful, as tickets will be given for any violation of the fire ordinance which calls for a fine or jail sentence for anyone found to have wilfully started a fire which goes out of control and necessitates the calling of the fire department. Firemen of Station 2 at Johnsburg were called to the Earl Peterson home on Regner road this week when a furnace motor burned out. (Continued on page 8) McHENRY PARISH WILL PRESENT MUSICAL SHOW "Showboat Serenade," a musical variety show in two acts, written and produced by Father Harold Nilges, will be presented Sunday, April 19, and Tuesday, April 21, at 8 p.m. at St. Mary's auditorium in McHenry. A chorus of sixty voices will sing such favorites as "Kentucky Babe," "Stephen Foster Fantasy" "Dry Bones," "Old Man River", "When the Saints Come Marchin' In", "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", "Make Believe". "It's a Grand Night for Singing". "Look for the Silver Lining" and "Over the Rainbow." A cast of more than 100 will combine their talents to present the evening of entertainment. The part of Alicia, the tiny negro child, will be played by six-year old Bonnie Welter. The role of Cornelius. Alicia's brother, will be played by Ronald Parks, who will also sing "He's Got the Whole World in (Continued on page 8) Saturday, April 11, will be a busy day for the great number of persons interested in the activities of the various school districts in and around McHenry. In two of them, contests are scheduled. District 156 The election for members of High School District 156 promises to be relatively quiet, with only two candidates running-- for the same number of positidns on the board. Both men, Fred Marks and Arthur Stilling, are present office holders. Voting will take place in six precincts as follows: Precinct 1, Community high school, boys' gym entrance; 2, Charm House, Lakemoor; 3, Beach House, McCullom Lake; 4, Siinnyside Community hall; 5, Johnsburg public school; 6, Harrison school. Wonder Lake. The polls for this election, as in all of the others, will be open from noon until 7 p.m. District 15 In Grade School District 15, more activity is anticipated, with three candidates seeking office and only two positions to be filled. Margaret L. Haug is the only incumbent, completing nine years on the board and seeking another term. Wilfred Blake's decision not to seek another term created a vacaancy which must be filled. •? The other two office seekers are Edwin C. Wittrock and Jane Weiss, both of whom are candidates for the first time. Voting in District 15 will be in four precincts: 1, Community high school, boys' gym entrance; 2, Charm House, Lakemoor; 3, Beach House, McCullom Lake; 4, Frederic Amour residence,'"ISlaria LSKC Special Proposal The election of board members is not the only interest of voters in District 15. They will also be asked to vote on two other propositions, one concerning a proposed bond issue for the erection of additional classrooms, the other a proposal to raise the educational tax rate. Because of a tremendous increase in the number of pupils in the grade school, even since last September, the board decided, after much consideration, that it must ask the public to approve the issuance of $400,- 000 school site and building bonds. The mdney would be used for constructing ah addition to the existing Junior high school, constructing a new elementary school building on a site to be acquired, and purchasing three additional school sites. The exact cost to the taxpayer, if the proposal passes, cannot be stated definitely. However, based on an anticipated assessed valuation of about $40,000,000 for the district, it would cost about fifty cents per $1,000 valuation. This would mean that a property owner with an assessed valuation of $6,000 would pay three dollars each year for the duration of the bonds. The proposal regarding the raising of the annual tax rate for the educational fund from .96 to 1.17 is necessary because the increased enrollment makes it necessary to plan for more teachers next year. While only a part of that increase is expected to be needed next year, (Continued on page 8) "SHOWBOAT SERENADE" CAST Against a colorful and appropriate background, members of the cast of "Showboat Serenade," a musical variety show written and produced by Rev. Fr. Harold Nilges of St. Mary's parish, are shown at rehearsal. A sixty-voice choir and soloists will be featured in the spring entertainment, which will be presented two nights, Sunday, April 19, and Tuesday, April 21, at 8 p.m. at St. Mary's auditorium. CANCER DRIVE OPENS TODAY IN CITY