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THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "Serving The Chain-O-Lakes Region Since 1875" Volume 85 -- No. 31 -- 3 Sections McHENRY, ILLINOIS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1959 20 Pages -- 10c Per Copy I'ltlh?' * ' ^ I Je have taken a ride through other nearby cities on recent evenings and have^yet to findone equal to McHenry in a display of Christmas lighting. There is every reason to be proud of local business men and city officials for the fine job they have done to instill the spirit of the season in all . The first holiday home dec-* oration to come to our attention was the huge page of the calendar, showing the month of December, on display in front of the Edward Thennes residence on Green street. Bright green numbers on a red a n d w h i t e b a c k g r o u n d , s u r rounded with evergreen boughs caci be easily read by day or night. If anyone loses count of the date in the busy days ahead, just drive by the Thennes residence and get straightened out. It has long been known that some folks will do almost anything to attract attention, and sometimes our animal and feathered friends show a like tendAcy. For instance, there was the cocky bantam rooster that slyly managed to get under the hood of a car belonging to Pauline Schaefer as it was parked at her home on Crystal Lake road. No one was aware of it until George Worts drove the car into McHenry Last week to take care of a few minor re- I®rs. It was only . when the car was on the hoist and the hood lifted that the frustrated rooster spread his wings and took off for the - environment of the wide opeh' spaced which he was accustomed. - . We have had no report on how it feels to ride next to t)ic motor for a mile and a Quarter. Only a little banin rooster knows andhe's. not talking! ' , Plan Contest For Pool Fund The swimming pool committee has announced a contest whereby all solicitors for the pool fund have an opportunity to make themselves" the owner of a five-year charter membership. Details may be secured from any committee member. This week, the committee listed several organizations which have already contributed to the fund, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, McHenry Kiwanis, Lakeland Park Worrlen's club, Democratic Women's club, Social Bridge club and McHenry Choral club. Other groups have expressed interest in the project and signified their intention lof making a donation as the fund grows. The committee members, who feel that the pool is now assured, are hopeful that these organizations make their contribution soon so that definite plans may be formulated. RAY McGEE CITED FOR MERITORIOUS AND LONG SERVICE Retiring Postmaster Ray Mc- Gee was guest of honor at a testimonial dinner given by employees of the McHenry post office, held at the Wing 'n Fin lodge on Wednesday evening of last week. Of special interest to the assembled guests was a letter of commendation from Robert Justus, regional director, which was read, and a certificate of meritorious service sent from Postmaster General Summerfield. Mr. McGee was presented with a set of luggage and his wife was given a corsage. The new acting postmaster, James Hettermann, received a desk pen as a welcome gift. Among the guests were Postal Inspector Elmer Black and " 1 cWtlnued otiPfiige % BRIGHTEN McHENRY Photo by Kotalijc Little Colleen Doherty proudly pushes the button which lights the noel and Christmas candles, the j candy canes and toy soldiers which will brighten McHenry this holiday season. Looking on are Colleen's father, Donald Doherty, at left, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and Mayor George P. Freund. The C. of C. and the city council aij» uniting to finance the five-year plan of lighting designed ,tO make McHenry one of the brightest cities in northern Illinois this Christmas season. PAUL GERASCH, BUSINESS MAN 27 YEARS, DIES Paul E. Gerasch, 59, for many years a business man in McHenry, died early on Tuesday, Dec. 1, in St. TTierese hospital, Waukegan, where he had been confined for less than a day. Although he had been in poor health in recent weeks, his death was unexpected. He was born Feb. 20, 1900, in Minnesota, and for the past twenty-seven years had been in the plumbing-contracting business in McHenry. The deceased was a member of the Holy Name society and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Survivors include the widow, Mathilda (Tillie); three chil- Conttnued on Page 5 We heard this story about a tactful husband on the Thanksgiving holiday. His wife was carrying the beautifully browned turkey into'the dining room, and in doing so she dropped it. The meat rolled off the platter and slid along the floor to the wall. ^Fhe man of the house spoke up calmly: "My dear, just pick it up and carry it back to the "^kitchen, then bring in the other turkey." Friends of Vivian Bolger Eastman will be interested in an article which appeared in The Naperville Sun concerning her husband, Dr. Richard Eastman, of North Central college, -W&perville. The item describes Jiim as "a personable professor who is a popular teacher and highly respected". Dr. Eastman is a professor in the English department of the school, which "he and others are trying to build into One of the strongest 'ljttle college' departments in the state." i(jpld time musicians recalled earlier days of McHenry's municipal band with the passing of Henry Schaffer last week. Mr. Schaffer might well have betn ipeferred to as "Mister Bandsman", so greatly did he contribute to the musical life of the community for many years. In the early days of the century, and continuing into the 'thirties, he held with pride, m&t chair in the trombone section of the city band. It was only with advanced years that he gave up this favorite hobby, but his interest in music remained. There are a good many of "us who won't soon forget "being shown a thing or two" by this veteran who could keep up with the youngest momber a parade. Our memories were made richer because of him. When motor difficulty prevented us from moving our car from the street late one recent evening, we found our police department most understanding and helpful. It is a most comfortable feeling to know these men are ready and ^jfciting to assisl Ln an emergency. K. A. F. VETS TO ELECT OFFICERS New officers of the McHenry S**Barracks of the Veterans of World War I of the U.S.A. will be named Thursday evening, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m. at Legion home. MS6R SERMON AT IMPRESSIVE SERVICE FOR MARIAN CEHTMl Ml SCHOOL The Right Rev. Msgr. Joseph Wagner, superintendent of schools in the diocese of Joliet, will preach the dedication sermon at the Solemn Pontifical Mass to be offered by His Excellency, Loras T. Lane, D.D., Bishop of Rockford, on the occasion of the dedication rites for the new Marian Central Catholic high school, McHenry county's new institution of Catholic secondary education. Pastors and assistant pastors of the county will assist Bishop Lane in the dedication ceremonies and at the Pontifical Mass immediately following. Joseph Grimm, member of the Marian faculty, will be in charge of the schola of ten Marian students who will sing all the psalms and versicles proper to the dedication ceremony itself. This ceremony is scheduled to take place within the academic area of the school at 3:40 p.m. Meanwhile, the Marian glee club, under the direction of Sister M. Amadeus, C.S.C., will offer a group of numbers to the assembled students, parents! and many supporters and | friends of Marian already assembled in the spacious gymnasium, waiting to assist at the Pontifical Mass. Selections prepared for this time are Schuetky's "Emitte Spiritum", the Eighteenth Century "Pilgrimage Hymn to the Blessed Virgin", the Louvain melody of the "Adoro Te", Whitford's "Praise The Lord", and The Marian Central Anthem, a composition of Sister M. Amadeus. Mass aft 4 P.M. The Pontifical Mass is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. The glee club and student body will sing the Mass for the second Sunday in Advent, while the entire glee club will sing Ravanello's "Magnificat" as the offertory motet. The Mass will be followed by the ringing of the "Te Deum", the church's joyous hymn of thanksgiving. Following the Mass, the public is invited to make a visitation of the school. Marian students, under the guidance of Sister M. Alberta, C.S.C., w i l l e s c o r t a l l v i s i t o r s a n d point out salient features in the modern and functional building. Sister M. Pauline, C.S.C., will direct the reception in the cafeteria, which will follow the tour of the school. Matt Zachari, the school McHENRY POLICE JOIN STATE-WIDE SAFETY CAMPAIGN Police Chief Joseph Grobel said today his department will cooperate fully in the statewide traffic safety campaign being conducted during December by the State Traffic Safety division. Chief Grobel added that he has ordered his men to redouble their efforts during the month to arrest traffic violators who endanger the lives and property of others. The state-wide traffic safety program for December is called "Project Salad" -- standing for the initials in Save-A-Life- A-Day. If the project is successful, there will be one life saved from traffic accidents each day of the month. This means there must be at least 31 fewer traffic deaths this month than in December, 1958, when 208 persons died in Illinois traffic mishaps. Chief Grobel said his department will place special emphasis this month on violations involving speeding, disregarding stop signs or failure to yield right of way. "These three violations are the leading causes of the needless traffic deaths in Illinois," he added. AREA REPRESENTED AT ADMINSTRATOR. BOARD CONVENTION Continued on Page 5 " More than 3,000 school board members and administrators from throughout Illinois, among them a number from McHenry. rrtet in Chicago for three days last week at the annual convention of the Illinois Association of School Boards and the Illinois Association of School Administrators. Attending from this area were Supt. Carl Buckner, Assistant Supt. M. L. Schoenholtz, Mrs. Margaret Haug, Mrs. Naomi Meyer, Mrs. Lois Peterson and Harold Vaupell of District 15 and Mrs. Maxine Lichty, Dr. R H. Watkins and Supt. Mj F. Thomas of Harrison district. The delegates considered such problems as school revenue, judging the quality of our schools, requirements of a high school diploma, problems facing small and larger schools, i and special guidance programs. MANY HUNTIM6 VIOLATIONS IN AREA REPORTS Violators Face Heavy Fines On Conviction James Vavra of the state conservation department told members of the Plaindealer staff Tuesday afternoon that numerous violations had been reported regarding illegal hunting in the area. Two D e s P l a i n e s hunters were apprehended for having two hen pheasants in their possession after hunting on the Leroy Clark farm near Woodstock Sunday. When questioned concerning four mallard duc^they had shot, they told yayra the birds had been ^vrefuted the story. < ^ ;f%" In the McHenry) vicinity, three Bensenville meii were arrested for having one hen pheasant in their possession, four Chicagoans were apprehended for the same offense, and also one Elmwood Park hunter. Their cases come up next Saturday before a Judge in Cary. Fines for the offense run from $100 to $300. Vavra reported another incident which occurred near Chemung when a deer was found, covered with corn stalks. The person responsible evidently hid the animal with the intention of returning for it, then decided against the move. Conviction of shooting the doe might have resulted in a six-month jail sentence. Other Violations Three Fox Lake youths have been held on a charge of killing ten mallard ducks on the Markow farm on the Johnsburg blacktop. A complaint was signed by Sheriff Melvi Griebel. ----- Three Kenosha hunters were fined $100 and $10 costs by a justice of the peace Saturday on a charge of illegal killing two deer found in their possession. HOLD ANNUAL IMMUNIZATION CUNIC DEC. M Schedules Set Up To Meet Needs Of Many Hundreds The annual immunization clinic which is conducted by the health department of the McHenry Schools is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 8 and 9, 1959. Notices of individual students' immunization "status have been sent hom$ with approximately 1,800 students, and parents are urged to return the notices to the schools stating their desires. The immunization clinic which is conducted annually includes screening all students' health record from kindergarteh through the eighth grade to determine individual needs. Boosters, which include the combination of dipht h e r i a, whooping cough and tetanus, wijl be given at Edgebrook and Lahdmark schools on Tuesday, Dec. 8, and small pox vaccinations will be given on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at Edgebrook, Landmark and St. Mary's schools. The recommended schedule of immunization as prepared by the Division of Preventative Medicine of the Department of Public Health, Springfield, recommends: "Boosters every four years. Re-vaccinations recommended every three years". Notices Sent Home Parents of students attending kindergarten afternoon sessions will kindly observe the notices sent home with students stating time and place to bring children for the immunizations. Mrs. Pauline Pries and Mrs. Irma Rockstead, school nurses who are employed by the board of education, are conducting the immense program, and will be assisted by local physicians, members of the PTA health committee and registered Lad Of 8 Saved From Drowning A near miracle which gave a mother of six children special reason for\ thanksgiving last week, spareak^the life of one of her . sons. 1\ The lad was Tomr% Schmidt age 8. one of six boys of Mrs. Opal Schmidt of Lilymoor, who was widowed just two years ago. The boy was walking across the partially frozen lake near his home about 4:30 Tuesday afternoon, on his way the store to shop for his thcr. The thin ice gave 'way affd Tommy fell into the cold water about 150 feet from shore. His cries for help were heard by Ronnie Fuhler, 14, and Robert Wijas, 17, who for a moment thought the boy was teasing. Even so, they decided to investigate and found the frightened youngster clinging to a piece of ice which had broken away. As Robert attempted to reach him, Ronnie ran to surrmon Roy H. Miller of McHenry, who was in the neighborhood. Miller and young Wijas found a row boat which had been left on shore, and hurriedly gathered boards to serve as oars and to break the ice. They reached the lad just as he was about to disappear under the thin layer of ice to which he had been clinging. , In the meantime, the Mr- Henry fire department was summoned. They arrived in time to wrap the boy in blankets and treat him for shock before he was removed to McHenry hospital. He was able to return home later in the evening. commi X" Jt It is only through the assistance of school principals and faithful teachers that such a program can be undertaken, and all parents are urged to cooperate fully. HOLD INQUEST NEXT FRIDAY IN CONNELLY DEATH Harry J. Connelly, 72, a summer resident of this community for forty years and a permanent resident of Woodlawn Park for the past five years, died in Memorial hospital, Woodstock, Nov. 24. Since death followed less than three weeks after an auto accident in which he was involved, an inquest is scheduled this week Friday at the Peter M. Justen funeral home. The Connelly car and another driven by L. D. Winkle of Crystal Lake collided on Crys- Lake road, near Cooney Heights, on Nov. 9, after which Connelly was admitted to the hospital. He was released last week Tuesday and re-admitted the following day. T h e d e c e a s e d , a r e t i r e d jeweler, was born Nov. 30, continued on Page 5 Continued on Page 5 A Letter To Shoppers "Dear Fellow Shopper: "Another holiday season has rolled around, and uppermost in your mind, as in mine, must be the problem of selecting a gift for a growing list of family and friends. "Having been instilled with the Christmas spirit earlier than most folks, we decided to have a look at McHenry's stores--not just the attractive windows but the shelves which contain a bigger stock of merchandise than we have ever seen before. "We looked at a number of items, Compared prices on similar items we had seen advertised in metropolitan area stores, and found that not only did they compare favorably but in many cases were considerably lower. "A closer look told us that the quality was tops--the kind you would be proud to give and happy to receive. "After we arrived home, elated over the wonderful gift selection we could tell you about, we began to think of other advantages besides the merchandise itself. "We realized suddenly that shopping just a short distance from home prevented the worry over inclement weather and icy roads on the clay it might be most convenient to shop. We realized, too, that there would be a big saving on physical "wear and tear" since we would be avoiding the jostling crowds of the pre-Christmas weeks in a large city. "We were convinced--but then we thought of one last reason for shopping at home. We remembered the many ways McHenry had progressed in the past year, and recalled that it was largely the business man was responsible. Certainly he can continue only if he» receives cooperation, and when this cooperation is of mutual benefit, how can we refuse? "We hope to meet YOU in our McHenry stores in the weeks ahead. "Sincerely, "An Early Shopper" PLAN COMMISSION AND CITY OFFICIALS STUDY PRELIMINARY * DRAFT CONCERNING FUTURE GROWTH COUNTY MINISTERS ASK PARTICIPATION IN NEW PROGRAM Post Office Gives Suggestions For Mailing This Holiday Season With the approach of the h o l i d a y s e a s o n , p r o b a b l y t h e busiest place in McHenry in the weeks ahead will be the post office. For the benefit of the thousands who will be mailing during this period, Acting Postmaster James Hetterman;i has released information which should be of interest to the public. Unsealed cards without writing, other than your name, may be mailed for three cents, A preliminary draft of the b a c k g r o u n d f o r p l a n n i n g t h e growth of the city of McHenry was presented at a meeting in the city hall last week to acquaint various officials with the progress made at this point in securing information that will be used in the comprehensive plan. The meeting was attended by the local plan commission, Mayor Freund, members of the City Council, Township Supervisor LeRoy Smith and Earl R. Walsh, city clerk. McHenry's plan commission consists of LeRoy Olsen, president; Donald Doherty, secretary; Mayor George P. Freund, Donald E. Johnson, Royal Beinier and Alderman Charles D. Brown and Theodore S. Pitzen. These men meet regularly in the interests of guiding the orderly growth of our city. The report was presented by the firm of Stanton and Rockwell, consultants with whom the City Council entered into contract for the purpose of preparing an overall plan. P r o j e c t i o n o f p o p u l a t i o n growth appeared too conservative to the assembled group and will be given further study. Future Role Of City Another portion of tne report that may be modified is as follows: "It appears that the role of McHenry will continue to be that which it has served in the immediate past. The role is primarily that of a residential community and also that of a shopping centei for a large peripheral trading area". Since the time of the survey McHenry has been reasonably assured that two industrial plants will locate in the city. The report shows an average number of thirty-three .dwelling units constructed in the last five years. A total of 317 Residents of Lakeland Park dwelling units were added to An invitation to "join the world's largest Bible reading c l a s s - ' h a s b e e n i s s u e d t h i s week by the Rev. John Paul Eddy, publicity director of the eounty-wfae SEE program of the McHenry County Ministers' association.-rniis jgroup includes Christians acrbsfs the globe who will join in the sixteenth annual world-wide Bible reading program, sponsored by the American Bible society. Lists of Scripture selections, in bookmark form, to be read d a i l y f r o m T h a n k s g i v i n g through Christmas are available -now. Over 60 million copies of the world-wide Bible reading bookmarks have been distributed all over the world, and one of the primary values of this inspirational effort is that every year it introduces to the Bible new thousands who never before have read it. Begun in 1943 by the request of an unknown Marine on Guadalcanal for a Bibiereading fellowship with his family, in this country, the world-wide effort has had significance of joining Christians^ o f v a r i o u s n a t i o n a l i t i e s a n d races in reading the same Bible text. Churches in this community will distribute the bookmarks. Continued on Page 5 Lakeland Park Club Sponsors Snow Ball and their friends are eagerly anticipating the annual Snow Ball dance, which will be held Saturday evening, Dec. 5, at the Legion home in McHenry. The event, which attracts large crowds each holiday season, is sponsored by the Women's club of Lakeland Park. but they cannot be forwarded or returned if undeliverable as (PM/flDA! IIR addressed. Those bearing the j ^EjIvIIML mLUD letter rate of postage, four cents, can be forwarded or returned. All sealed cards and those containing writing" must bear the letter rate. Post office patrons are urged to buy stamps in advance and place them on cards and letters before putting them in t h e b o x f o r c o l l e c t i o n . T h e postal regulations require that rural patrons stamp all greet- A large crowd is expected ing cards and letter mail dur- j at this year's holiday program WILL PRESENT XMAS PROGRAM Swimming Pool Fund Benefits From Proceeds ing the month of December. Carriers have a supply of stamps they will sell on their routes. Including the postal delivery zone number, if known, will expedite delivery to the addressee. Separate Cards Further assistance can be given postal employees by separating cards for local and out-of-town delivery. When they are ready to be mailed, tie them in bundles with all addresses faced the same way. Labels 14-A and 14-B are supplied without charge for your c o n v e n i e n c e i n l a b e l i n g t h e bundles. If you are not supplied with these, you may use slips of paper on which you have written "all for local delivery" or "all for out of town delivery." Those mailing packages are urged to select a sturdy conto be given by the McHenry Choral club, with proceeds to benefit the swimming pool fund. The program will be presented in the high school auditorium Saturday and Sunday evenings, Dec. 5 and 6, at 8:15 o'clock. The program is centered on the theme "Musical Christmas Cards", with appropriate backgrounds provided for "The Musical Tree", "The Carolers", "The Spirit of Christmas", "Holiday Fun" and Christmas Reverence. Forty-eight members w>ll open the program as they sing holiday greetings from their human Christmas tree, resplendent with a myriad of lights and tinsel, and topped by a lighted angel ornament. Their concluding numbers will pay tribute to the real spirit of the season with "Carol Brothers Carol" by the men's chorus, as well as Randall tainer and wrap packages in j Thompson's "Alleluia" and good heavy paper and tie withj Handel's "For Unto Us A Child cord or strong twine so that they will reach their destination in good condition. Write or print the address on one side only and place a return address in the upper, left hand corner. A card may be placed inside the parcel containing name and address. A letter may be enclosed in the package if it is marked on the outside "first class mail enclosed" and Is Born" and "The Hallelujah Chorus" from the Christmas Messiah. As the human tree is formed, the following numbers will be sung: "We Wish You A Merry Christmas", "Christmas Candles" and "Christmas Was Meant For Children" by the chorus; "An Old Fashioned Tree" by Tom Russell and "Christmas Candles" by Merthe housing inventory since 1950, to bring the existing total to 981. The remainder of the trading area contained 2,860 dwellings. The report further stated that one of the facts about McHenry which strikes the visitor on his first visit is the extensive shopping area «~" areas as contrasted to the relatively few large residential sections of the city. The fact that McHenry's shopping area embraces a large area outside the city limits is brought out in a table showing that McHenry in 1959 contains 3.9 percent of the McHenry county population, yet the merchants of McHenry handle 15.6 percent of the total retail receipts. Study Shopping Habits The report indicates that on the average the resident within the "McHenry Trading Area" spends approximately 50 percent of his total household expenditures within the "McHenry Shopping Areas". A detailed report indicates that far too much money is spent outside of McHenry for certain items. The report will no doubt draw some study on the part of the Chamber of Commerce and individual business establishments. Drastic changes in McHenry are indicated as the consulta n t s p r o j e c t t h e g r o w t h through the year 1975. Readjustment of land uses and other problems must be met to assure that this future market uses McHenry facilities. Thus, as McHenry moves forward, the plan commission members strive to set a pattern of growth which will prevent mistakes and confusion. Reports will follow as the work progresses. pay the rate for the letter vin Loper. plus the parcel post charge. Carolers Featured Keep Approaches Clean A group of old fashioned car- All postal patrons are urged j rijers will appear in a street to keep the approach to mail j scene to offer a medley which boxes clear of snow and other i will feature Irene Keim and obstructions. j Irma Blomgren as soloists, folf If large parcels are expected, i lowed by the chorus singing patrons are asked to advise j "Low, How A Rose E'er COUNTY DAIRY DAY McHenry county dairy day will be held Friday, Dec. 18, at Woodstock. Major theme of the day will be a method of retiring the tools (pitch forks, scoop shovels, etc.) which now move 500.000,000 pounds of feed annually on county dairy farms. U FTCHTTI .CHRISTMAS SEALS carriers whether the parcels are to be left outside the box, whether you will meet them to accept packages, or whether j Dorothy Hollander in "The you will call for them at the j Christmas Spirit", the women's Blooming" and "Beautiful Savior". JThe lighter section features (Continued On Page Five) Continued on Page .> & CtlRISTMAS x ukHTIN I