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

r . C McHenry Plaindealer "Serving The Chain-O-Likes Region Since 1875* lume 84 -- No. 52 -- 3 Sections McHENRY, ILLINOIS. THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1959 22 Pages -- 10c Per Copy ' As we look forward to next Monday's dedication of Mc- J^nry's new post office, we can't help but wish that some of the men who were instrumental in making the community's biggest business such a success' ful undertaking couldn't be here to share the pride of those who continue to do such an outstanding job. We are thinking, particularly, of the late Elmer Freund, Jigeph C. Holly and Walter wttlsh, all former postmasters who have left us within little more than a year's time. We remember others, too-- older men who would have iJounted the dedication program amorig their most memorable experiences. They were the late Eber Bassett, Simon Stoffel and Joseph W. Freund. wlu> also contributed much to history of the local office station. They will miss a big day In the history ot the city's post . office next Monday, but there will be many folks who \^ill remember their part In making: the day possible. A very interesting and elaborate program for the Viennese Opera Ball has come to our attgetion, given recently at the T^tldorf-Astoria in New York, c o m m e m o rating Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal, "Der Rosenkavalier". Of special interest on the ball program was a section devoted to the Richard Strauss concert, including a scene from the opera, with one of the leading foles sung by Lorenzo Alvary, noted baritone, who is a broth- «kof Dr. George Alvary of McHenry. & Mr. Alvary, a singer with the Metropolitan Opera company, has visited in McHenry a number of times when on tour with the company. Maybe it's the typical spring weather and the anticipation that April showers will bring May flowers--or maybe it's the tat .that posies, will be especially popular with the approach of Mother's day. At any rate, almost everyone's interest is growing in flowers, especially the rose, which has long had a prominent place in the lives of almost everyone in this big world. Now that spring has started green thumbs itching, the most celebrated member of the fami£, known as the 'queen of flowers", will be getting royal treatment in gardens everywhere. This is only natural, for roses account for more than 50 per cent of the value of all cut flowers sold in the United States. " Both saints and sinners have claimed the rose for their own. The Christmas rose is said to have first sprung up at the feet a shepherd's daughter who had no gift to present to the Christ Child. On the other hand, Cleopatra is said to have !fcovered the floor of her palace with roses a foot and a half deep when she entertained Mark Anthony. Even Eve reportedly chose a white rosebud to take with her when she was banished from the Garden of Eden. <9 Most of us will be content to Just enjoy the flower as It Iron's In our garden, or Watch mothers wear It proud ly on "their" day. K.A.F. O. K. APPROPRIATION* Gov. William , G. Stratton last week approved House Bill 1^9, by Representatives Mc- Vnnell. Manning and Pollack, which makes an appropriation of $135,000 to the Department of Public Works and Buildings for construction of a lock and facilities at McHenry dam on the Fox river. The bill becomes law immediately. DEDICATE NEW POST OFFICE MAY 4 IMPRESSIVE PROGRAM PUNNED MONDAY; DIRECTOR R. J. JUSTUS WILL ADDRESS CROWD AT 2 P.M. Next Sunday. May 3, will be observed as 4-H Sunday. Monday, May 4, will be a morable day for the McHenry ^post office and for the city itself. On that day, at .2 o'clock in the afternoon, the new, spacious office which handles the postal needs of 27,382 patrons will be dedicated in an impressive ceremony to be held on an improvised stage constructed in front of the office at 104 N. Green street. A block of Green street, between Elm and Pearl, will be closed during the program. A beautiful flag which preiously was flown over the Post Office department in Washington, D. C., has been presented to the local office for use on dedication day and thereafter. It was accompanied by a letter of congratulations from* Arthur E. Summerfield, postmaster general. The parade preceding the program will start at the high school, headed by the McHenry high school band, directed by Paul R. Yanda. Other marching units will include the color guards of the Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars auxiliary units and of the Legion post, V.F.W. post, Legion auxiliary members, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. The program will open with a welcome by Postmaster Ray McGee, after which John E. Looze, dedication chairman, will act as master of ceremonies. The invocation will be given by Rev. Fr. Edward C. Coakley of St. Patrick's Catholic church. Address Crowd Mr. Looze will introduce special guests and officials, with Rep. Elmer J. Hoffman, representative for the 14th district of the state, speaking to the assembled crowd. The dedication address will be made by Robert J. Justus, regional director of the postal department. Justus, whose thirty - nine years in the postal service has given him experience in all facets of the field, was literally born into post office work. His father was postmaster at Warren, 111., during his boyhood and his first job was substitute clerk in 1920 under his dad. He worked his way through Northwestern university with Evanston post office employment. During the years to follow at Evanston he was clerk, night foreman and assistant postmaster. Postmaster General Summerfield named him Chicago regional operations manager in 1954 and he became director of the region in 1955. As the band plays the national anthem, Mr. Justus will present the flag to Mr. McGee. The benediction will be given by Rev. John O. Mclntyre of Faith Presbyterian church, after which there will be an open house and coffee hour. Since 1935, the post office has been served by E. Ray McGee as postmaster. He is proud to be able to give service in a rapidly expanding business which has had some of the city's most prominent citizens as postmasters in its 117-year history. The city's first postmaster in 1841 was Horace Long, followed by such well known men as Archelaus Siar, Hermon N. Owen, Willard F. Coleman, Richard Bishop, Frederick G. Mayes, John C. Smith, Harman S. Gregory, John C. Smith, David S. Smith. John M. Smith, James B. Perry. Chester V. Stevens. Miss Jessie M. Wightman, Jay Vaji Slyke (founder of the Plaindealer) Oliver N. Owen, Albert Snow. Rollin Waite, Joseph C. Holl.v, Joseph W. Freund, Thomas J. Walsh. Nicholas F. Steilen and Walter J. Walsh. Local Children Conduct Seder The fifth annual community children's Passover Seder held by the Jewish Studies Group of McHenry County on April 23 in Crystal Lake was enjoyed by a large group of adults and children. Those attending were from McHenry, Woodstock, Crystal Lake, Lakeland Park, Ingleside, Chicago and Seattle, Wash. Conducting the service were ^Michael and Eileen Cooper and Evan and Lorna Gladstone of McHenry, Dennis Karmel of Lilymoor, Gregory Friedman and Danny Fein of Crystal Lake, Mark Miyashiro of Woodstock and Tom and Toby Gurwitz of Ingleside. Plans are now under way for the fourth annual "old barn" rummage sale to be held in mid - July at Gladstone's barn on Rt. 31, McHenry. COUNTY BOARD PREPARES FOR BUSY YEAR New Assessed Value Revealed To Be $341*000,000 (Continued on page 8) APPEAR ON PROGRAM This is the Northwestern glee club, members of which will entertain at the second annual style revue to be presented by the women's auxiliary of the McHenry hospital on May 13. Details concerning the revue and program appear elsewhere in this issmC There was no busier place in McHenry county last Tuesday than the meeting room of the board of supervisors. Of special interest to local residents was a resolution by McHenry's newly elected supervisor, LeRoy Smith, approved by the board extending the forbidden parking area along East River road southeasterly from its present. £nd|ijgsfQr a distance of bne milfe,~6*fe«?tive immediately. Signs will tie posted within the next week. Also at the request of Mr. Smith, 30 MPH speed limits signs will be posted from a point near Snug Harbor on East River road to the city limits. Chairman Harley Mackeben re-elected to that post for the fourth time, welcomed new members of the board and proceeded to point out the many problems which face the group in the months ahead. Need For Planning One of these is the need for higher standards for building and zoning and planning for the future. He pointed out that there are now 27,000 lots available for building in the county, and at an average of 3 persons per house, this could mean a doubling of the population. He continued to state that the garbage disposal problem is serious and must be solved either at the local or county level. County buildings, he pointed out. are overcrowded in regard to storage of records, and this, too, poses a problem. He announced that starting Thursday, work will begin on a workable dollar budget to be completed by September. The toll road committee, upon request of the board of supervisors. will make an investigation of the possibility of interchange at Rt. 47 and the tollway. The committee has indicated thfct it is in favor of such a movejf a traffic survey shows need for it. Pay Raise Considerable discussion took place on a proposal to raise the pay of all supervisors to $15 per meeting under a new law signed by the governor. The proposal was defeated 15 to 9, with McHenry township representatives voting no. Another motion to raise the pay of hold-over supervisors to $12 (new supervisors receive this amount under law) was approved. Harvey Biggers and Frank Wendt were named to the new grand jury, and Carl Hallstrom and Herbert Perry were put on the supplemental panel. Mr. Mackeben gave a resume of the tremendous amount of work done by the board of review in recent, months. Land Use Some interesting information came from Supervisor Stanley Cornue, who revealed that land use in the county includes 58 per cent rural and 42 per cent urban, not counting residences in the rural territory, which brings the figures much closer than indicated on first glimpse". (Continued on page 8) POSTAL EMPLOYEES SERVE PUBLIC Kotalik Studio Photo Frank Gende, superintendent of mails at the McHenry post office, looks on as employees sort mail in the new office at 104 N. Green street. The beautiful and spacious edifice will be dedicated in a program scheduled for 2 p.m. next Monday, May 4. FIREMEN HAVE ANOTHER BUSY WEEK IN AREA Local firemen had another busy week, but this time their calls were not for grass fires. Last Thursday, they hurried to the Farmers Co-op. on Waukegan road when a belt on a grinder burned. There was no other damage. They were called to the Chester Howe farm on Rt. 120, west of the city, about 7 o'clock that evening by a neighbor who reported a corn crib on fire. However, when members of the department arrived on the scene, they found it was not the crib burning but only something Mr. Howe was burning in the field. About 2 o'clock Friday mornanswered a "tJaH'from Pistakee Highlands, where a chair in a home was found smouldering. Mrs. Dorothy Rodarmel col- Expect 500 Tents Of Scouts At Annual Spring Camporee Over 500 tents, bunched in some forty groups, will dot the hills of Veterans' Acres at Crystal Lake the first week in May when the Kishwaukee district, Boy Scouts of America, of the Blackhawk Area council, hold their annual spring camporee. The theme of the outing will be built around the fabulous feats of the legendary Paul Bunyan. Special emphasis will be placed on sound camping techniques and pioneering problems. The program will be conducted as the last several vamporees, by the explorer in the !Explorer posts in the district. ing. Station 2 stJohnrtnjrajifc wifi wo«temarahiP» construction projects, campsite problems, a special council fire ceremony, open to the public on Saturday night, and a mass lapsed from shock and smoke pancake breakfast in the Bun after carrying the chair from the house. She was taken to McHenry hospital by the rescue squad. Women's Club Closes Season A luncheon at 1 o'clock on May 8 at the Chapel Hill Country club will close the season of the McHenry Women's club. Mrs. R. M, Fleming and Mrs. George Stilling, co-chairmen, promise one of the most outstanding programs of the year and have planned a fine menu. ANN VARESE including both meat and fish. Mrs. Vaughn Jones, program chairman, has secured Ann Varese, who will do bits from "Oh, What a Wonderful Wedding" by Patrick Dennis, au- (Continued on page 8) yanesque tradition -- Sunday morning after church services. The only departure froih tradition will be the use of charcoal for cooking because of the shortage of wood at the cami site. YOUTHS INJURED Two Wonder Lake youths, Roger Reinne, 19, and George Smith, 19, suffered injuries when the car in which they were riding went out of control on a sharp curve on the Pistakee Bay blacktop road last Saturday morning. Reinke suffered a fractured leg. cuts and bruises, while Smith escaped with hand lacerations. SCHOOL REGISTRATION There will be pre-registration of all kindergarten and first grade pupils at Johnsburg public school May 11, 12 and 13, from 9 a.m. to noon. Children registering for kindergarten must be 5 years old by Dec. 1, 1959, and for first grade must be 6 by Dec. 1, 1959. Registration must include a birth certificate. CHURCH SUPPER The Friendship guild of Zion Lutheran church, Route 120 west, is sponsoring a spaghetti supper Sunday, May 3. from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the door and children under 5 are admitted free of charge. Elmer Miller and wifce of New Lennox, Miss Mary K. Sehmttt and Mr. and Mrs. Robert McCulla of Barrington visited Mr. and Mrs. Robert Green on Sunday. The Park District Vote On Saturday, May 2, voters in the McHenry Fire Protection district will go to the polls to express them* selves on the proposed River Valley Park district to serve the recreational needs of the area. Mutih time and effort has been put forth on the establishment of the district by men and women whose only interest in the project is their concern for the community and its future progress. Even the men who will serve as park board commissioners are offering their services without compensation, so that McHenry may be able to offer needed recreational facilities as the area grows. One of the most important reasons for asking support in establishing a district at this time is that land suitable for such purposes is becoming more difficult to acquireeach year. It will be of little value, even with the support of every voter, to establish a district at a later date when it is impossible to secure the necessary property. The park district program may proceed at any pace deemed best by the commissioners, acting on the desires of the public to be served. The committee hopes at this time merely to take the first steps toward creating a district. PLAMS PROGRESS FOE FIESTA DAY NEXT SUMMER The monthly meeting of the board of directors of the McHenry Chamber of Commerce was held Tuesday noon of this week, at which time Fiesta Day co-chairmen Dr. John Goetschel and Joe Kuna reported on a meeting of their committee. The board was informed by Dr. Goetschel that the special summer activity would again be called Fiesta Day, featuring "Drum and Bugle Magic". The C of C has voted to spend up to $300, for promoting, the day by balloonad^efTrslhg. The balloons will be sold by the var ious organizations participating. William Pries, chairman of the retail committee, reported on the new promotion days, which were recently approved in addition to annual Dollar Days. They will be held May 22 and 23. The Chamber is sponsoring tne dedication of the new post office on May. 4. COUNCIL CAPSULE The City Council of McHenry convened for the annual meeting Monday night and cleared up many items before starting a new year. Reports of the treasurer, collector and clerk reflected increased activity in all departments as the city continues to grow. All current bills were paid to date besides setting up reserve and depreciation funds in the water and sewer department as per agreements when revenue bonds were issued to enlarge the disposal plant. Alderman Robert C. Newkirk, attending his final meeting, was highly commended by the mayor and members of the council for his sound judgement while a member of the council. Harry Conway, newly elected alderman of the second ward, took his oath of office and took part in a special meeting after adjournment of the annual meeting. Alcoholic beverage licenses were approved at the special meeting with some changes. Hans Behnke has leased from John A. "Pa" Thennes, who operated a tavern for many years. Robert Chrisman will operate the tavern previously licensed to Harry Phoenix, who did not apply for renewal. CLEAN STREAMS MEETING The McHenry County Clean Streams committee will hold its next meeting Tuesday, May 5, at the V.F.W. clubhouse at 8 p.m. FIREMEN'S DANCE The fourth«annual firemen's dance sponsored by Station I will be held, starting at 9 p.m., on May 29 at tffe Legion home. There will be round and square dancing. RESIDENTS OF TOWNSHIP FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT TO VOTE ON PARK AND COMMISSIONERS COUNTY RECORDS FIRST DROWNING OF YEAR SUNDAY A Fox River* Grove woman,* Mrs. Gertrude Cheney, 68, became the county's first drowning victim of 1959 when she was found dead in a small lake on the Hardy estates Sunday afternoon. :. Mrs. Cheney, who resided on IVfladow Hill road, near Fox River Grove, left home to take a walk about 3 p.m. When she failed to return, her daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Widhelm, reported her absence and a search was begun in the area where she frequently walked. Members of the sheriff's office found the body in the private lake aboiff 12 feet from a pier. It is beliKed she accidentally fell in the water. Mrs. Cheney had resided at Fox River Grove for about twenty-five years. Two daughters and eight grandchildren survive. Services were held st 3 o'clock Wednesday trom St. James Episcopal church, Dundee, with burial in Evergreen cemetery, Barrington. Elect Eleanor Foley To Head Principals' Ass'n. Mrs. Eleanor Foley has been elected president of the Mc- Henry County Elementary' School Principals^ association, held last week. Named to office with her were Merle Thomas of Harrison school, Wonder Lake, vice;president; Reno Bertellotti of McHenry Junior high, secretary; Milton Deri* of District 10, Woodstock, p r o g r a m c h a i r m a n f o r t Wo years. Mr. Derr will be principal at the Cary school next year. The assembled group heard several fine speakers from the University of Wisconsin speak on "Primary Grouping." SINGERSGIVE^ MAY PROGRAM THIS WEEKEND Feature Music From Opereitas, New Stage Play A concertized version of Bizet's opera, "Carmen," popular selections from the stage play, "Lil' Abner", and scenes from Victor Herbert's "The Red Mill" and "Sweetheart's" will be featured on the annual spring program of the McHenry Choral ,club. The fortyfive singers will give their presentation in the high school auditorium at 8:15 o'clock on Daisy Mae (Mary Ann Wegener) and Lil' Abner (Tom Russell) in a scene from the popular stage play. Saturday and Sunday evenings, May 2 and 3. Following the excerpts from "Carmen", the chorus will pay tribute to well known composers by offering "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes". "Romany Life", "To The Land of My Own Romance", March of the Musketeers" and "Tribute to Romberg". Lil' Abner and Daisy Mae, in the persons of Tom Russell and Mary Ann Wegener, and Mammy and Pappy Yokum. portrayed by Ferol Tomlinson and Dan Malone, and Marry in' Sam. plaved by Art Mueller, along with their many comic strip friends, will take the audience to Dogpatch to enact a typical day in the life of the mountain folks. The scene will shift to the (Continued on page 8) Next Saturday, May 2, the long awaited election on the proposed River Valley Park district will be held. There will be just one polling place, the fire house on Elm street, where voters will cast their ballots between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. The election is for residents of the McHenry township Fire Protection district. To reduce election expenses, the county, which is assuming the cost, asked that only one polling place be set up. Entrance" will be made on the east side of the building, and those driving are asked not to park in front of the station doors. Voters will not only be asked to vote on establishment of the park district but also on five men to serve, without compensation, as commissioners. The names of six will appear on the ballot, Ralph Bennett of Riverside Drive, Ernest Useman of Country Club subdivision, Heniy M. Nell of Sunnyside, Edward Thennes of McHenry. Lynn Stuart of Eastwood Manor and Ray Cynowa of Lakemoor. Anyone desiring a ride to the polls may call McHenry 1000 and it will be provided. Look To Future The steering committee, which has worked for the past three months on details necessary to bring the park district issue to a vote, feels strongly that cost of maintaining a district is small in comparison with the price-- which cannot be measured in money alone--of juvenile delinquency. They hope that in years to come. McHenry may be able to provide, through the park district, recreational facilities for people of all ages. Just how soon, or how greatly, the park program will be expanded will await the decision of the commissioners, who will act on the desires of the public to be served. In addition to the regular athletic activities usually associated with such a program, a reminder Is given that art, music, etc., may pb$_ included.,,JTishing tournaments, airplane races, box cai races, chess, checkers, and similar activities are also included often in a park program. Men who are running for commissioner have expressed their desire to work with the Illinois Association of Park Districts, local school boards, the planning commission and other civic groups so that they may best serve the area. Last week, Wauconda voters approved a park district for that community. Those most interested locally hope for similar approval at the polls next Saturday. Among organizations which recently approved the district, as well as giving a financial donation, was the V.F.W. auxiliary. TWENTY-FOUR WIN PLACE ON "A" HONOR ROLL Twenty-four M.C.H.S. students won a place on the "A" honor roll for the last quarter. Seniors are Dick Antonson, Charlene Freund, Sandy Monahan, Tom Olsen, Ron Smith and Julia Sunde; juniors. Robert Friebig, Judy Hans, Karen K r a ' o w e t z , D a n i e l S o m p e l , Beverly Spohr and Karen Thompson; sophomores, Dorothy" Adams, Anita Barger, Nancy Buckner, Kathryn Curran, Sherry Evans, Dona Peterson. Alan Rietesel. Marlene Schroeder and Sandi Stetson; freshmen, Cameron Clark, James Hutchinson, Peggy Marchi. V i r g i n i a P e t e r s o n , J o h n n y Smith and Sharon Thiel. GIVE EATINGS OF MUSICIANS IN STATE CONTEST . Evan Gladstone, Judy Palmbach, Ronald Vycital and Dian > C h o b o t , c l a r i n e t i s t s . J a m e s Hans, saxophonist, and Ricky Burns, trombonist, and a clarinet duet by Judy Palmbach and Diane Chobot won top ratings in the Junior high school state music contest held at Wilmington, 111., last weekend, sponsored by the Illinois Grade School Band association. Second place winners were Nancy Lockwoocl. clarinetist; Arthur Olsen. Ricky Piatt, James Benson and Vincent Weyland. cornefists. » All contesta.'is had previously won first pi;ice in the district contest. The flute duet (Lois May and Joan Olson) entered in the high school state contest ti*e previous weekend in Rock Island, received tho only top rating in that event "Excellent" ratings (Continued on page 8)