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\ Accideijts Take Lives Of Four Over Weekend A tragic accident claimed the life of a former McHenry resident Thursday afternoon. Harold W. Freund, 5307 May avenue, Richmond, died after apparently falling into a con­ crete hamper at the Thelen Sand & Gravel pit, Rt. 176, Antioch, where he worked. According to Lake County Sheriff's police, workers at the pit started looking for Mr. Freund when he could not be found at the pit. Co-workers noticed that the door to the concrete hamper was open, which indicated that someone was working in or cleaning the chute. A worker reportedly discovered the body of Mr. Freund inside the chute. According to police reports, rescue crews had to cut into the chute in an attempt to free the body. The Lake County Coroner's office pronounced Mr. Freund dead and listed the cause of death as asphyxiation due to inhalation of powdered cement which was in the chute. A young Johnsburg woman was killed and two people critically injured in a head-on crash on Route 120, between Thompson and Greenwood roads, early Sunday morning. Francine B. May, 20, 2203 W. Johnsburg road, was pronounced dead on arrival at Memorial hospital in Wood­ stock, where she was taken after the accident which oc­ curred at 1:55 a.m. According to police, in­ vestigation revealed that the vehicle Ms. May was driving was traveling westbound on Route 120, when it crossed into the eastbound lane and struck an eastbound vehicle being driven by Roger A. Polidori, 37, of Mundelein. Polidori was taken to McHenry hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. Sandra Polidori, a passenger in her husband's car, was transported to Memorial hospital in Woodstock, where she was also listed in critical condition. Mrs. Polidori told police she could not remember anything about the accident except that she and her husband had been heading home from Harvard. A witness to the accident told sheriff's police that just shortly before the collision, the westbound May vehicle, traveling at a high rate of speed, had forced his eastbound vehicle and the vehicle behind him off the road just west of Thompson road. Further investigation into the accident is being conducted by the Sheriff's department ac­ cident investigation division. A twenty-one year-old Wonder Lake man drowned after apparently falling out of the boat in w|iich he was riding Sunday afternoon. According to Lake County Sheriff's police, Steven Youngquist, 4803 E. Lake Shore drive, Wonder Lake, was boating with two of his friends, when he reportedly stood up on the rear of the boat, lost his balance and fell overboard. The two others in the boat told police that Mr. Youngquist failed to come up after falling into the water. A passing driver notified the Lake County Boat patrol of the accident at 12:45 p.m. It oc­ curred on Pistakee Lake, just south of the Route 12 bridge. The Fox Lake Rescue squad was notified and began, dragging operations at 1 p.m. They discovered the body one- half hour later Larry Fuhrer, 72, a former Wonder Lake businessman, died in an auto accident last Friday at Clearwater, Fla. No details were available at press time. A Niles man was injured after being thrown from a boat on Pistakee Lake Sunday af­ ternoon. According to police, Martin (Continued on page 19) Raimondi and his two passengers, Mark S. Loconti and Bruce R. Laconti, were transported to McHenry hospital by the McHenry Rescue squad for treatment of their injuries. At right, Rescue squad members administer first aid to one jof the injured men. Raimondi was ticketed for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident by Sheriffs police. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Three Chicago men were injured when the car in which they were riding (shown above) struck two parked vehicles on River road Saturday afternoon. Police report that the car, driven by Michael A. Raimondi, Chicago, rounded a curve at an excessive rate of speed and struck a parked car (pictured at far left) belonging to the Aetna Insurance company of Chicago, and a parked truck (shown, upper left) belonging to Steven M. Clements of Palatine. With promises from RTA officials that "it's only the beginning for McHenry county," the first Regional Transportation Authority bus route for the county began operating Monday. Westbound Route 806 arrived at McHenry city hall at 6:12 a.m. to pick up passengers heading for Crystal Lake, while eastbound 806 arrived at 6:50 a.m. to pick up those interested in traveling to Johnsburg or Fox Lake. A special charter bus arrived at city hall at 11:15 to carry RTA and city officials to Crystal Lake where a luncheon and formal ceremony an­ nouncing the start of the route were held. Leo Cusick, Chief Operations officer for the RTA, told those at the luncheon that the RTA was 120 to 130 percent ahead of last year's projection* 'for McHenry county. "People in this area make noise," said Cusick, "so it's necessary that we work hard to accomplish goals to satisfy them." County Board President Musin* And Meander in' Once again our family, business office and social life will be torn asunder by holiday confusion. The federal Memorial day holiday is scheduled for Monday, May 29, while Illinois recognizes Tuesday, May 30. The majority of manufac­ turing, retail, service and banking facilities will honor Monday, while McHenry schools will go the popular route by observing both days as a holiday. Our veterans in McHenry have been celebrating Memorial day on May 30 for years and have no intention of changing. They're scheduling the customary parade and memorial services Tuesday morning. Going along with them is the Department of Public Aid in Woodstock. Bus and train schedules will be divided. For most Regional Transportation Authority- funded bus and commuter rail carriers, the holiday schedules will be in effect Monday. However, one bus service outside the McHenry com­ munity will operate on its regular schedule Monday and observe the holiday Tuesday. Congress saw fit to return Veterans day to Nov. 11 but shows no signs of weakening on Memorial day as a Monday holiday. The Illinois State Chamber of Commerce has asked if the state General Assembly couldn't be persuaded to give in on this one for an even trade. Most of us don't really care who gives in or what is even, just so we can all celebrate together at one time. . We can't remember a year when wp haven't watched the Memorial day parade in McHenry. In fact, each spring about this time we look at the lilac bushes and wonder if they will hold their delicate blooms until they can be gathered into bouquets for children to carry. This year, with a free day Monday, we expect to be deeply involved Tuesday morning in the work of press time in the newspaper office. We will miss watching the veterans and loyal marchers who pay tribute each year to the memory of men and women to whom we are all so deeply indebted. Often we realize we are living in a crazy, mixed up world, but never more than times like this when an entire community is unable to celebrate an occasion that so richly deserves to be commemorated. KAF Richard Klemm welcomed the RTA to the county, but insisted that everyone is still suspicious. "We've been very negative toward the RTA," said Klemm, "and we are still very suspicious of it." Klemm continued by saying that the county is vitally con­ cerned with transportation in the area and asked that the RTA board listen to the county's requests for more transportation. RTA Board Chairman Milton Pikarsky spoke of the need to incorporate the RTA's planned dial-a-ride system. "Now that we have the busses, we need to make sure the people can get to the busses," he said. RTA officials expressed optimism that dial-a-ride service could be initiated throughout the county by the end of this year. Van Sells, the RTA Regional Affairs director for McHenry county, announced that the other four bus routes in the county would be operating by June 5. Award Winner For Alcoholism Program "Worts Transit in McHenry has the contract for the routes between Woodstock and McHenry and between Harvard and Crystal Lake," said Mrs. Sells, "and is shooting for the June 5 target date." When all routes are in operation, it will be possible to travel anywhere in the county on RTA bus routes. Mayor Stanek was the guest speaker at the Crystal Lake train station, where a ribbon- cutting marked the com­ mencement of the bus route. "I was an opponent of the RTA in the beginning and worked actively to defeat it," recalled Stanek. "But today is a sweet day, because the com­ mencement of this service is the beginning of the link bet­ ween the great cities of this county." - Stanek asked that McHenry county now be considered a full partner in the RTA and receive maximum benefits. Arrest Three In Disturbance At Local Party Sheriff's police arrested a young Wonder Lake man and three Chicago men following a disturbance at a party in Wonder Lake Saturday evening. According to police, deputies responded to the report of a loud party at 7319 Backbay in Wonder Lake at 7:45 p.m. and requested those at the party to turn down the loud music. One of those present resented the request and allegedly began striking at the officers. Police report that other men (Continued on page 19) Robert A. deVito, right, presents the Francis J. Gerty award to Lee Gladstone, M.D. at the twenty-ninth annual Mental Health luncheon. Robert A. deVito, director, Illinois Department of Mental Health, presented the Francis J. Gerty award to the Alcoholism Treatment program of Northwestern Memorial hospital's Institute of Psychiatry at the twenty-ninth annual Mental Health lun­ cheon, held May 17 at the Bismarck hotel in Chicago. Governor James R. Thompson delivered the keynote address. It was accepted by Dr. Lee Gladstone of Chicago and McHenry The award is presented by the Illinois Department ofv Mental Health and Develop­ mental Disabilities for out­ standing programs in the state which provide care and treatment for persons who are mentally ill, developmentally disabled or who are abusers of drugs or alcohol. The awards have helped stimulate interest in the upgrading of mental health, developmental disabilities and substance (Continued on page 19) RTA Chairman Milton Pikarsky, third from left, and McHenry Mayor Joe Stanek and McHenry Shores Village President Rose Lillegard cut the ribbon (above) announcing the beginning of RTA bus route 806 in McHenry county. The ribbon-cutting was held at the Crystal Lake commuter station and was attended by many RTA and county officials. Pictured above assisting with the ribbon cutting are, from left to right, County Highway Superintendent Jim Rakow, RTA Director Richard Newland, Pikarsky, Stanek, Ms. Set Early Deadlines For Holiday Issue Because of the Memorial day observance Monday, May 29, deadlines for the first issue of the Plaindealer will need to be set ahead one day. Classified advertising will be accepted until 4 p.m. Friday, May 26. Display advertising and general news will be accepted until noon the same day. Columnists will need to have material submitted by Thursday noon. Twenty-Four From Area County College Graduates McHenry, Wonder Lake and Spring Grove listed large numbers of graduates to participate in McHenry County college's ninth commencement held this past week. Although graduation requirements may be com­ pleted during any semester, the graduation ceremony is con­ ducted once each year at the close of the spring semester. The 1977-78 graduates were addressed by fellow graduates, Johnsburg Students RTA Top Essay Winners Two McHenry young people have been named county winners in the 1978 National Transportation day essay contest for fifth graders. That announcement was made by the Regional Transportation Authority at the National Transportation day luncheon held in the Hyatt Regency hotel, Chicago, last Friday. Lisa Matulka, Spring Grove road, received a $50 savings bond and a trophy as winner of a second place. Third place winner Was Jim Tatro, McHenry, who received a $25 savings bond and a trophy. First .place winner was Denise Randolph of Cary. More than 12,000 entries from the entire six-county RTA region were received. The theme of the essay contest was, "How Public Transportation Helps Conserve Energy". Lisa expressed her thoughts on the RTA this way: "We have more and more people each day (Continued on page 19) Barbara Marie Mahoney, Cary, "MCC A Good Place To Grow"; Susan E. Looper, Crystal Lake, "MCC As Our Foundation and Our Friend"; and Olive M. (Continued on page 19) Urge Float Entries For Fiesta Parade At 2 p.m. Sunday, July 30, the first line of marchers will step off into the biggest parade in McHenry's history. Floats, color guard units, twirling units, horse troops, and eight top name drum corps units will be among the groups that follow. If any group or organization would like to participate in this memorable event, an ap­ plication should be filled out and returned. An application form appears on Page 17. MCHENRY PLAINDEALER SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1978 1 SECTION 22 PAGES 20' Initiate Bus Routes VOLUME 102 NUMBER 85 "Only The Beginning" THE Request For Estate Zoning Set For May 25 A petition has been filed for hearing before the McHenry County Zoning Board of Ap­ peals by Petitioners Willard and Iris Thiel, and Hadley and Marilyn Watson for an amendment to the McHenry county zoning ordinance from "F" Farming to "E-2" Estate district. The property contains 1 53 acres and is located in Wonder Lake, on the northeast side of Barnard Mill road in McHenry and Richmond townships. The hearing on this petition will be held May 25. at 2 p.m. at the McHenry city hall. 1111 North Green street, McHenry, at which time ail those who may be interested may appear and be heard • X a i--J •< Lillegard, Harold Benoy, president of Lakewood Village, and Leo Cusick, Chief Operations officer for the RTA. (Below) Pikarsky speaks to those in attendance at the luncheon held in Crystal Lake prior to the ribbon-cutting. Pikarsky spoke of the need for transportation systems in McHenry to be increased to allow people in the area to use them. STAFF PHOTOS-WAYNE GAYLORD