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rV'Wy • • - * • , • ' « ' • ; • • ? > . ' : , v'dHPPB| '• •: ••': i ' ;VfF "•'?'*}>'> . • • . ' • • • : . ' • • • • ' • - • • . : . . • ; ' > \ : r - 1 . • ' ,., • "• •:&•• a u <•• . ; •*• • - • w- •• •: ••• ; • ,• -V , ; . „ » - • : . - • v .«•• ^ "SERVING fHE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE-*f875" . . • ' - • . y' : ~ • •. . - • ! • »• • ;.'/•• • ••*" : , r ; .'•"• • • v / v * • • ' : - V VODUME 104 NUMBER 44 w:--. , / 9toarb Winning ihtospaptr Illinois Press Association Newspaper Contest FRIDAY. DECEMBER 28 1979 1 SECTIONS 20 PAGES 20' r. sr~«S& \Zl m K«**l Spirit f It was the spirit of Christmas just a few days ago. Now it it the spirit of a new year and a new decade. I on the hillside north of Crystal Lake, a former J student quietly but persistently works toward a i established forhersefr eight years ago. It's a goal igoitude that consumes all the hours of the day --devote to leisure. Jeannette Reed Gacek, her husband, Edward, a mail cairtsr, end four children ranging in ages from 10 to 15, reside at 6308 E. Hillside road, which intersects with Crystal Lake road. At this time of year the spacious yard also contains a towering, 20-foot Santa that is lighted at night, and a spacious hut that accommodates 20 children. But this is only a start "Santa just continues into Easter", Mrs. Gacek said in a matter-of-fact tone that indicates the scope of her project In between there are hayrides, Halloween pumpkin parties and all of the other extras that the average youngster and some oldsters take for granted.But these very special treats are not for the average but for very special people themselves. The treats the Gaceks provide come from a deep conviction that those less fortunate should also have the advantage of "extras". And so they spend every penny of extra money, together with contributions from business people and individuals, to make this possible. As an example, Edward Gacek hit it rich on the Illinois state lottery last year, but the rich lasted only long enough for the family to give priority to the projects which would receive that money. The decision was the usual one -- on the handicapped, die retarded, and oldsters in need. The 20-foot Santa in their yard was a donation, made of fibr was could take its honofed place The nearby hut was assembled by Gacek himself from 40 pieces he acquired. Mrs. Gacek, otherwise known as Santa for several weeks each year, wears an original design suit by a New York costume company. It's a copy of the one Biig Crosby wore in his famous movie. Asked if she looked authentic in her costume, Mrs. Gacek replied with a chuckle, "Probably the most authentic you've ever seen and I don't need padding". "I solicit all year for gifts for children and the elderly",' she continued as she recalled the beginning of her project. The fanflly lived at Island Lake and as a small girl she remembers how her father, a newspaper distributor for the old Herald and Examiner* used to take gifts to orphanages. That was a time so long ago, she recalls, that Rt 12 was just a gravel road. As she continues the family tradition, 178 children at the SEDOM center were 6n her list for gifts this past week. "We can't wrap all of the things we give away", she noted, "but thev are placed neatly in red-striped bags." Her year'round needs include new stuffed toys, water fascination * tovs. coloring books and like items for children, and hand cream, powder, etc., for oldsters. Last Saturday at noon she served lunch to 30 young' people - all handicapped or retarded. "Many of my best memories are wrapped around McHenry", Mrs.Gacek recalls. She still enjoys going to the state dam at moments when life's problems weigh heavily. There she spends time in meditation. Other recollections are her days as a student at Landmark, Edgebrook and Junior high, after which she was transferred with others in her community to the Wauconda school system. • And what are the future goals of the Gaceks? Nothing less than a petting zoo. And gigantic as her dream may appear, those who know Edward and Jeannette Gacek have no doubt but that it will be fulfilled. Santa's a big man, bat nowhere is he bigger than on the lawn of the Edward Gacek residence at Hillside road, north of Crystal Lake. Here, Jeannette Gacek (the lifesise Santa waving at left), a former McHenry area resident, and her family provide a Christmas atmosphere year 'ramd for hundreds of handicapped and retarded youngsters and for oldsters who have no one to give them special attention. The sign that appears above Santa's hot bears the message that is the philosophy of the entire family. School Ponders Use : ' * .. "fv . . . Of Campus For Circus The prospect of elephants and lions and tigers caused board members of MCHS school district to go "Oh my!" as they tabled a Chamber of Commerce request for use of West campus vacant land for a fund raising circus that would be scheduled June 20. A decision was deferred from the Dec. 18 meeting until the Jan. 15 meeting and Phil Bartmann, Chamber representative, will relay the board of education's reservations about the proposal. As Bartmann explained the Chamber's request, he said the circus would require level area of about 600 by 600 feet with a 400-foot length morning and schedule two shows, one in the afternoon and and one in the evening and would accommodate about 4,000 people at each performance. The entire company and equipment would be gone by the next day, he said. Board members noted that the area south of the south parking lot would probably be adequate and both parking lots of the school would be available for use. Others pointed out that if the attendance would be as anticipated, the 360 parking spaces would not be enough and vehicles would be parked on adjacent roads and nearby streets Concern was also expressed that people would tramp through the yards of residences on Kensington drive which back up to the proposed circus sil£. Th? board wanted some assurance lhat the Chamber could secure this area. Edward Neumann, Jr., board president, noted that acceding to this request could be precedent setting and also there was no fee for such use provided in school regulations. He wanted board members to consider what would be fair com­ pensation to the district. He emphasized (hat following such use, the board would want the area back "in near its original state." Board member Paul Nitz asked if there is any justification for the use of public land to raise "private funds". Bartmann claimed that the Chamber is actually non­ profit and that the funds raised are applied to public benefit items, noting the annual Santa Claus visit and other Chamber projects besides its regular staff costs. The board then considered a resolution to authorize the use for the circus for a fee of (Continued on page 18) Former McHenry Youth Dies In Head-On Crash , *: • < As the holiday issues of the Plaindealer come off the press too quickly to allow for the luxury of musin' or meanderin', the end of another year approaches. On our desk is a personally delivered Christmas card from Clyde Blackwell, the puppet man. True to style, it has been constructed to pop up on opening, disclosing a cheery Santa face and his Ho! Ho! Ho! Close by are other cards sent by friends we have come to know , through the newspaper -- friends who make this the rewarding business it is. And there are other remembrances from co-workers and people we have worked with through the year. We would heartily disagree with those who say Christmas is of little worth if the spirit doesn't last. As long as humans exist, their imperfections will be evident. It is good that even though the occasions are brief, there are times when our hearts open wide in a spirit that gives us en­ couragement in the knowledge of our humane capabilities. Now, we look ahead to a new year and a new decade. Even before resolutions begin to take form, there is concern for the approaching night of celebration. For those closest to what celebration can mean, it is a sobering thought. A young man of 17. lost his liife just prior to the Christmas holiday, possibly because another driver thought he could drink and drive - or because he didn't think at all. - A co-worker spent the pre- holiday week in the hospital and the other driver was blamed for having open liquor in the car. A large Illinois' medical center predicts that on New Year's day, millions of Americans will wake up with a mild form of Alcohol with­ drawal syndrome. They'll probably call it a hangover. The center also contends that every New Year's eve party-goer with a drink in his hand knows how that liquor is going to make him feel. It is the 'why' that the center continues to explain. What we think is im­ portant is not so much what the drinker knows before he drinks, or even that he learns why. Remembering the 17-year-old boy who never returned home to spend Christmas with his parents and seven brothers and sisters, it would seem more important that the party-goer make his first resolution not to drive if he drinks. KAF County General Fund In Deficit Spending While the General fund of McHenry county govern­ ment remains in the black because of a surplus, deficit spending during the past year gave reason for con­ cern on the part of County board members meeting last week. Receipts totalled $6,309,788 against $6,737,449.04 in ex­ penditures. The yearly report of Valley Hi Nursing home listed a deficit spending of $146,359.27. A total of $734,130.84 was received in income but there were ex­ penditures amounting to $880,490.11. As the discussion over Valley Hi was held, there was a repeat of urgings made at the November meeting calling for a general freeze on hiring. But Lou Anne Majewski cautioned that such a con­ servative practice could not be used at Valley Hi. Ms. Majewski pointed out that because even aides must be trained, and because of the nature of the work in caring for the sick, it was necessary to have knowledgeable personnel available. Chairman Klemm, in speaking of the job freeze, suggested that with the exception of Valley Hi there might be delays instituted in hiring, particularly during seasonal slow periods in certain departments. William Morefield, director of Valley Hi home, stressed the need for training for his employees. A report of the Tran­ sportation committee was approved, including the expenditure of $55,000 for work on the Chapel Hill road bridge over the Fox river. (Continued on page 18) Kevin Murphy, 17-year-old grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Carl N. Weber of McHenry, was killed last Friday evening, Dec. 21, when his car was struck head-on near Kent, Wash. The second driver was arrested for investigation of negligent homicide. , The accider^oceurred while Kevin ftais enroute home from working at a service station. His auto burst into flames and identification was im­ possible except through medical records. The Murphy family resided in McHenry for several years, during which time Kevin attended Johnsburg grade school and McHenry high school. He would have graduated from KEVIN MURPHY a Kent, Wash., high school next June. Besides his parents, Thomas and Joan (Weber) Murphy, he is survived by seven brothers and sisters In last Friday night's collision on Elm street, near the Market Place shopping center, three people were injured Marian T. Dannehy of Wonder Lake was driving west on Route 120 when her car met with another auto in a head-on collision. The driver of the other car was Lazaro Gomez of Woodstock, who was (ravelling east at the time of the collision. Ms. Dannehy and . a passenger in her car, Helen S. Smith, also of Wonder Lake, were taken to McHenry hospital by the McHenry Rescue squad, where they are listed in satisfactory condition. Gomez was also ,,jlaken (o McHenry hospital but he was later transferred to Victory (Continued on page 18) <3 A drawing in the office of the Board of Elections in Springfield at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 26, gave McHenry Mayor Joseph Stanek top spot ota that ' the~ballot for representative in the district primary. 33rd in Legislative the March Second place as a result of that drawing goes to Walter Dean of McHenry; third to Maxine Wymore of Wood­ stock; fourth to Richard Klemm, Crystal Lake; fifth to Ronald Szymanski, W. Dundee; and sixth to Richard C. Burnidge, Elgin, who presently holds the post on an appointment following the death of Rep. R. Bruce Waddell. In advance, it was an­ nounced that those who appeared in Springfield to file before the opening of the office would be considered "first". From this list the drawing was made to determine placement on the ballot. There are eleven can­ didates for the vacancy. Voters may name three choiceS.with each receiving a vote, of may vote for one or two. Voting for only one gives that candidate three votes, Voting for two gives him one and one-half. The Hostages Brian Gilbert, Kristen Gath and Kevin Plastina in their second grade classroom at Edgebrook school, giving ample consideration to what they will say In their letters to the hostages in Iran. The students joined others in McHenry and throughout the country In letting the hostages know they are not forgotten during the holiday season. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD The following are some of the letters written by the students: „ . » "Dear Hostages: "My name is Brian Gilbert. I hope you get home soon. I know it's boring, it's boring for me too. I hope you are home for Christmas. I am 7 years old. "Brian Gilbert" "Dear Hostages: "I hope you get home soon. My name is Christine Roper. I am 8 years old. Do you like the king there? I sure hope so. I like you. 'Merry Christmas Hostages "Christine Roper" (Continued on page 18)