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15* JJ THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER " tF' "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 15 VOLUME 98 NUMBER 43 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1973 16 PAGES FIFTEEN CENTS The Miracle Of Christinas Larry Morris, It. is shown unpacking household items to be placed in the family's new home, while his 15-year-old brother, Gerry, carries boxes inside. On the door can be seen a small red new home. TTTir , symbolic of the family's biggest Christmas gilt--a STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD "It must have been an act of received many calls but were God". That was the way Mrs. bewildered when the responses Irma Oberhuber of 2613 brought no one, tp view the Drucker lane put it after sftg^^fioWie. * '" -«*^V - and her husband, Alfons, 'I^cneSfafTfiT I read of their rented a house they own to the (the Morrises) plight", Mrs. Christmas 1973 was: ....Learning to build spirit amidst relative darkness and finding that with a little effort and determination it can be done. ....Endless lines of thirsty vehicles, called family cars, pulling up at local service stations to avert an empty tank on the holiday morning. ....Santa Claus moving out, bag and baggage, Dec. 26 and taking with him that beautiful wreath that adorned the park too briefly. We can understand the Sudden disappearance of Mr. Claus, but the removal of all semblance of the holiday before Christmas was 24 hours behind was not to our liking. To us, it suggests that once the commercialism is at an end, the spirit is gone. Ours is not, and we would hope another year might find our community not so eager to relinquish all memories of the one season of the year when we try to push into the back of our minds some of the problems that beset us the rest of the year. ...Wonderful surprises, from the welcome notes on Christ- mas cards to some thoughtful rilmembrance wrapped carefully with ribbon and love. ....The pandemonium of Christmas Eve. Finding with some embarrassment that we've ripped open someone else's gift and admired the contents, only to have to give it to its rightful owner. ... Finding out once again that no one, no place, has a Christmas party quite like the one held at the Plaindealer office. Gifts galore ~ hearty humor - snappy satire - sumptuous sweets -- abundant appetites -- palatable pastries and personal poetry. The work of Bookkeeper Mary Miller, this year's contribution to poetry put a new twist to "The Night Before Christmas" and a clever one at that. The originality of this ode to the boss' Christmas gift may someday claim its own fame. ...The beauty of a church filled with poinsettia plants. But more important, pews filled with people -- people humbled in the presence of a Child Who inspires them as He has others for almost 2,000 years. ....The beauty of all those hearts filled with love and concern for others. Probably more than in any Christmas season within remembrance, they gave from their abun­ dance to those for whom 1973 was less kind. ....An oil shortage, possible (Continued on page J6) Harold Morris family last Friday. Mrs. Morris expressed it another way. She said, "We'll make a go of it now. I'm as tickled as can be". The happy ending to this Christmas story had its start in a feature story that appeared on Page I of the Friday, Dec. 21, issue of the Plaindealer. It was the final appeal for housing for the Morris family of nine before the children would be taken from them temporarily by the court. Mrs. Oberhuber said she and her husband read the article when the newspaper arrived Friday. She was touched by the plight of the family. "I asked God to show me the way", she said with emotion. Mrs. Oberhuber explained that the house had recently been remodeled and advertised for rent. She and her husband Oberhuber continued. After a brief period of decision making by the couple, she picked up the phone and called Mrs. Morris to offer the residence. Enthusiasm was reflected in the latter's voice as she described their new home. It has two bedrooms and another room that can be converted. Both the front room and dining room are carpeted, some of the walls have paneling and there are large cupboards. There is a full basement. "It's fantastic", commented Mrs. Morris as she added that the house has forced air heat. The residence from which they were to be evicted was heated only by a single space heater with no fan. With a grateful heart, Mrs. Morris was quick to say that the Oberhubers are true Christian people who told her thev couldn't see a familv being put out of their home, un­ satisfactory as it was. The first plea of the Morris family went out last Septertltfier when the home they rented at' 301 S. Venice, Lakemoor, was condemned by the McHenry County Health department. Since that time matters went from bad to worse until welfare agencies were unable to give them any encouragement. Only Mrs. Morris failed to give up hope. Realizing that unless suitable housing could be found, her children would be taken by the court, she asked for a second plea for help through the newspaper. Time was short as another court order would have sent them into the street the day after Christmas. Mr. Morris is partially disabled and spends most of the day in bed, where oxygen equipment is available at all times. Because of his condition, and the fact that four of the seven children are only 4, 6, 7, and 8 years old Mrs. Morris is unable to leave home to find work. A faulty septic system in the rented home was cause for the oblem to come to the at- Uon of authorities last fall when neighbors complained. Now the situation has been remedied by a new septic system, but the owner took the matter to court and the family was asked to leave. To make matters worse, Mrs. Morris said she learned recently that the Welfare department would not ask for an emergency family assistance request of $150 for rental. As things stand, the Morrises receive an allowance of $97 per month, a flat grant. It was at this point that Mrs. Morris commented with a determination which has characterized her throughout the past few months, "We'll make a go of it". She had said in the week prior to the holiday that the family would be happy to forget gifts this year if only they could obtain housing. Her story appealed for a miracle of Christmas. Mrs. Morris believes it has come to pass. Homes Of Vacationing Families Burglarized The homes of two vacationing residents of William street in Whispering Hills were burglarized last weekend. The home of Raymond Nordyke of 4707 N. William, was com­ pletely ransacked but it could not be determined what was taken until the owners arrive to take inventory. George Pfaffenberger's home at 4814 N. William, was entered and thoroughly searched. A complete list of missing items cannot be made until owners arrive home but it was determined that a stereo radio with detachable speakers, a 22 caliber bolt action rifle and an engraved cigarette lighter were missing. The summer home of Cecelia Willett at 310 Waverly, Spring Grove was entered and ran­ sacked recently. Taken from the home were a colored television set, a reel-to-reel recorder, a clock radio and food and liquor. Conrad Zwik of 4408 W. Lake Shore' drive, Wonder Lake, arrived at his summer home Sunday and discovered that the front door had been pried open. Missing from the premises were a television set and a radio-record player com­ bination set. The incident oc­ curred sometime within the past three weeks. Avert Fire Damage In Home Incident Saturday A fire which started in the basement of the home of Dr. Benjamin Miller, 1614 Rich­ mond road, Saturday afternoon resulted in mostly smoke damage. Fire Chief Glenn Peterson learned that the fire started around a toymaker in which plastic is melted to make forms. It was on a table, on top of some papers. With the melting process taking place, the family went to the upper floor for the evening meal at 5:45. Soon the home's alarm sounded and family members found dense smoke in the basement area. Christmas Lights - All Lights Go Off An estimated 10,000 persons were in darkness for about five hours Wednesday, Dec. 26, in the Woodstock, Bull Valley and Ridgefield areas. The cause was a fire that destroyed one of two major transformers in a Commonwealth Edison com­ pany substation on Dean street road, south of Woodstock. The 5 a.m. fire completely destroyed the substation's No. 1 transformer and caused the No. 2 transformer to stop func­ tioning until crews could restore its operation. A portable replacement (Continued on page 16) Criminal Justice Plan New NIPC Responsibility Undecided The Northeastern Illinois- Planning commission (NIPC) has postponed action on an invitation from the Illinois Law Enforcement commission (ILEC) to assume regional criminal justice planning responsibilities for the counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will. By deferring action until its Jan. 17 quarterly meeting, NIPC in effect provided a month for discussions with ILEC and the existing local criminal justice planning agencies. The ILEC proposal would consolidate criminal justice planning with other social and physical planning on a region- wide basis. Previously, the criminal justice planning responsibility within the five counties has been shared by the Lake-McHenry Law En­ forcement commission, the DuPage County Law En­ forcement commission, and the Region Four Law Enforcement commission. ILEC at one time had ap­ proximately eighty local planning regions, explained David Fogel., ILEC executive director. So far, these have been merged into tw&nty local advisory commissions. Further regionalization of the five counties surrounding Cook county can and must be ac complished with or without NIPC, Fogel said. NIPC was offered the job because it was established by the Illinois General Assembly to serve a comprehensive planning purpose, Fogel said. Fogel urged NIPC to submit an application for a $245,000 annual planning grant im­ mediately, so that ILEC can process the grant by the Feb. 28 cut-off date for previous fun­ ding arrangements. NIPC commissioners, however, decided to delay their decision to apply until after the Jan. 17 meeting. NIPC staff will use the Three Liquor Charges Filed Against Two Area Drivers Lillian G. Rodgers of 211 Fern drive, Island Lake, was charged with driving while intoxicated after her car ran off the road and rolled over. The Se-car accident occurred last iday evening about 11:15 on Route 31, near Idyll Dell road, south of McHenry. Ms. Rodgers stated she was south-bound on the highway and made no further statement. However, witnesses traveling in the Crystal Lake emergency ambulance told officers they were north-bound on the high­ way when they saw the south­ bound Rodgers vehicle swerve from one side of the road to the other, cross in front of their unit, hit a snowbank and roll over. David H. Ewing of 8017 Widoff road, Wonder Lake, was arrested for driving while in­ toxicated last Saturday after he was observed traveling in an erratic manner on Wonder Lake road. Open liquor was also found in his auto, resulting in an additional charge of transporting open liquor in a motor vehicle. Bond was set at $500 with court appearance scheduled for Jan. 8. Daniel J. Dreyer of 2401 Villa lane, McHenry, was taken to McHenry hospital by the Rescue squad following a one- car accident last Friday night on River road, 1M> miles north of Lily Lake road, east of McHenry. Dreyer stated his car was forced off the road by another vehicle while he was north­ bound on River road. He was unable to give a detailed description of the offending vehicle. Many Indictments Returned By Jury To Judge Cooney The Grand jury met last week and returned the following indictments to Circuit Court Judge James H. Cooney: Louis John Link and John Sears Kay, both of 200 Pauline, Crystal Lake, burglary and theft over $150 involving property of Jack S. Segal at 3208 Stillhill road, McHenry; James McKinney, Jr., and Robert E. Callek, Jr., no ad- dresses available, unlawful possession of cannabis; Richard W. Kahler of Belvidere, involuntary man­ slaughter and driving while intoxicated in that he was operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and struck a car driven by Joe H. Matlock of Woodstock on Jan. 9, 1973, causing his death; Thomas J. Hausher and Carl Jerome Quam (no addresses available), possession of cannabis, possession of con- t r o l l e d s u b s t a n c e (methaqualone), possession of a controlled substance (am­ phetamine) and possession of controlled substance (LSD). Hausher also indicted for delivery of cannabis and delivery of a controlled sub­ stance; Roger A. Stiller, Jr., and Ann L. Simon, both of McHenry, possession of cannabis; Eugene Rayfield, Jr., no address available, theft over $150; Kenneth A. Roberts, 855 Coventry lane, Crystal Lake, burglary and theft under $150; Larry Mack Mahana, 7704 Newbold, Cary, unlawful possession of a controlled substance (phencyclidine) and possession of a controlled substance (dalmane); Timothy G. Wilson, 7511 Manor road, Crystal Lake, burglary and theft over $150; Kenneth Rairie, 4112 Crystal Lake road, McHenry, two counts of theft over $150 and one count of theft under $150 in connection with the theft of items from Althoff, Industries; Suzanne Kay Joosten, also known as Mrs. Rick Farr, 1215 Jewett sweet, Woodstock, delivery of cannabis; Arthur L. Koch, Route 2, Clinton, Wis., burglary, theft and criminal damage to property involving a building in Alden; also indicted for theft under $150 and criminal damage to property involving a building in Harvard. Farmers Benefit From Productivity Tax Base Farmers can have their farm land (over 10 acres) taxes according to its productivity instead of its "fair market value" but action is needed at once since the deadline to file for the possible tax break for 1974 taxes is Dec. 31. McHenry County Farm Bureau has been instrumental in working with Willard Hogge, Supervisor of Assessments, to establish what is called the dual assessment program. Forms are available at the Farm Bureau building where Larry Harris, executive secretary, can help explain details of this procedure to farmers. Harris said the forms are also available at the Supervisor of Assessment office in the new courthouse on Route 47 north of Woodstock and from the township supervisors. Hogge has explained the program and the procedure to the township tax assessors. Land which is in the Soil Bank is considered being used for agricultural purposes so it qualifies for this productivity assessment, what brought this dual assessment need about is the fact that some land ad­ jacent to farms in parts of (Continued on page 16) Rescue Squad Saves Dogs From Drowning Tuesday The McHenry Rescue squad performed a rescue mission beyond its regular duties on Christmas. Members were called to save two dogs adrift on chunks of ice on the Fox river, just north of the Rt. 120 bridge. One dog (Continued on page 16) Set Early Deadlines On New Year Holiday Because of the New Year holiday falling next week Tuesday, Plaindealer deadlines will be moved ahead for the first issue, which will be published Monday, Dec. 31, rather than Wednesday. General news will be accepted until 10 o'clock Friday, Dec. 28, display advertising until noon that day and classified advertising until 4 p.m. Columnists for the first issue that week should have copy turned in no later than noon on Friday. coming month to explore the possibilities of: - utilizing existing advisory committees on law en­ forcement and criminal justice in each county, and organizing a regionwide advisory panel of experts; - hiring the qualified staff- members of the existing local agencies to provide NIPC with an experienced criminal justice department, including field personnel to work with county officials; - continuing the projects of existing agencies; and -- seeking maximum local involvement in regional criminal justice planning m Display Art O f Canister Making Miss Alice Clark, left, librarian at Valley View school, and Don Neubauer, Art instructor, show Denise Parenti, a fifth grader, how to make the clever duck canisters which will be placed in McHenry stores to collect funds for a winter feeding program. Mrs. Dorothy Hollander, a teacher at Valley View, answered an appeal made by the Plaindealer and spread her own enthusiasm to youngsters and faculty members alike. The program will get under way soon after classes resume next week and hopefully will appeal to the generous instincts of enough people to assure that the ducks are fed through (he coldest part of winter. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLOR'