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>ard is concerned, we here." Diamond said. Observe Catholic Schools Week Specia l Mont in i Program Page 17 Weekly Wildlife Series S t a r t s F e b . 8 P a g e 8 A Party For The President At Ringwood School THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER FREE TV Guide In Today's Edition The Chinese celebrate the year of the chicken, or the snake, or what- have-you. It never occurred to us until last weekend that we are pushing toward a title for our own zany year, which hereafter shall be known as the Year of the Cops. It started shortly after the begin­ ning of the new year, and in spite of our protests that "this is the end", they continue to be part of our life. Sometimes this is good; sometimes it is not. Actually, the "encounter with the emblems" had its start one warm, late fall evening. The carelessness of a guest in locking a door with the key inside the house made it necessary to enlist the assistance of one of McHenry's finest. A boost through a window provided some flurry in the neighborhood for fear we were being robbed, but resulted in no further problem. This was followed quickly at the start of the new year by unfortunate encounters of the unpleasant kind with officers from the Prairie Grove and Richmond police departments. We had promised to push this to the farthest recesses of our mind lest the entire year be spoiled. However, a chance meeting with a short- tempered, civilian driver one dark evening made forgetting impossible and encouraged recent police memories to be even more bitter. But January was almost at an end. Certainly when it's time to turn the page on the calendar it should be possible to turn thoughts to the good things that would befall us. For some reason we failed to con­ sider human frailty of mind that makes it possible to do stupid things. It happened again Saturday night. Returning from dinner with four others, we drove to a friend's home to celebrate a birthday. After cautioning them to lock the car doors, we did the same, then piled gifts, camera, etc., into our arms. When it became ap­ parent all would not fit, we put down the purse and camera and emerged from the car to join the festivities. The key was in the purse. The purse was inside the car. "Police time again", shouted one of the guests as our woeful story un­ folded. And so it was that in the midst of a snow squall we stood as the officer patiently inserted some bit of magic into the door to get us into operation again. We had hoped that on the other side of town, far from home, the of­ ficer might not recognize us, but our faith in fantasy proved false. "Aren't you from the newspaper office"? he queried. "I enjoyed reading your articles about the police". At this point we entered into an em­ barrassing and inane conversation which was part apology for having to (Continued on pag* 16) VOLUME 107 NUMBER 55 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1983 1 SECTION 20 PAGES 25 , J § 1 , . . . Recess Zoning Hearing For More Testimony J by Anthony Oliver Seeking a zoning change from B-l business to the more intensive B-3 classification, a meeting Thursday night of the McHenry Zoning Board of Appeals was recessed to allow further testimony. The property concerned is an 80 x 170 foot lot (approximate) on Route 120 east of and adjacent to Long John Silver's restaurant. The property is technically one lot belonging to Long John Silver, Inc., which has started subdivision proceedings before the Plan commission. The petitioner, Roger Feldman, Highland Park, will purchase the property if both zoning and sub­ division requests are successful. He will then sell the property to Merlin Muffler, Inc., a chain muffler com­ pany similar to Midas. Attorney Sam Diamond, McHenry, told the McHenry ZBA the B-3 zoning was the proper zoning for a muffler shop, according to the McHenry or­ dinance. In response to a question from ZBA member Annie Mae Cuda, the proposed muffler shop would benefit the city and surrounding properties. He said the improvement of the property with a building would induce other property values to go up and Consider Fund Source For Dam SHAW MEDIA NEWS SERVICE With the very real threat of the state breaching the Wonder Lake dam if necessary repairs are not made, the Wonder Lake Master Property Owners association began considering raising funds for the project by means of a special service tax area. Illinois Department of Tran­ sportation officials were not satisfied with the progress being made and sent consultant Ralph Fisher to meet with Master association officials and hurry them along. The association must raise the $400,000 to $500,000 necessary to fortify the embankment by Jan. 1, 1986. Gabions, wire baskets filled with rock and riprap (broken concrete), will be used to protect the em­ bankment from eroding during a severe flood. Repairs must be completed by Jan. 1, 1988. Failure to do so means the dam will be breached, and the $125,600 spent so far on engineering surveys and replacing the sluice gates will (Continued on pogo 18) generate more in real estate and sales taxes. The ZBA requested more in­ formation on just how the property would be subdivided, which even­ tually led to the recess. The eastern­ most driveway to Long John Silver overlaps the proposed subdivision boundary and board members were interested in how this would be handled. Diamond commented that if the purchaser, Merlin Muffler, Inc., can live with the drive as it exists or ex­ pand it as a common drive, then an easement would probably be granted. "If the purchaser can't live with it, then there will either be no drive-in or no deal," Diamond said. Feldman commented that negotiations were under way between Long John Silver, Inc., and the pur­ chaser. "Why isn't Long John Silver, Inc., represented here?" queried ZBA Chairman James Fouse. "If the board is concerned, we can have them here," Diamond said. He noted that the Long John Silver, Inc., was also involved in the Plan com­ mission hearings for subdivision of the parcel. Those hep.rings will ad­ dress questions of ingress, traffic, etc., in more detail. Harold Krieger, representing Merlin Muffler, Inc., said the building would be similar to the establishment in Crystal Lake. The construction would be 40 x 60 feet and have four bays, a waiting room and restrooms for the operation. He noted that business was a while-you-wait type of operation and would only be storing cars overnight in the event of special problems. In response to concerns of objectors Fred and Irene Bykowski, 138 Rand road, Lakemoor, who own a vacant lot adjacent to the petitioner's property on the east side, Krieger said all of the company's muffler shops have "containerized garbage" which is picked up on a regular basis. He noted that engines would be run long enough to get the cars in and out of the bays. When the season is at its peak, the business is expected to handle about 30 cars a day. "This kind of traffic, when you consider the hours of operation is not that much," he said. "A typical McDonald's has several hundred cars during a lunch hour." He added that all of the shops had rules for operation to "maintain the standards of the chain." Board members expressed concern that the building might not fit if built so the bays faced north (Route 120». Krieger cornminented that the company would like the building to face north, but added it was not necessary. The meeting was recessed to Feb 10 at 7 p.m. at city- hall Ask To Lease Lift Vehicle For the past six months the McHenry Township board has been negotiating with the Regional Transportation Authority for the lease of a lift-equipped vehicle in early 1984. A meeting for public comments on the proposal has been called for Friday, Feb. 18, at 8 p.m. in the township building at 3703 N. Richmond road. Supervisor Albert Adams said the vehicle would provide a service similar to Dial-A-Ride, ac­ commodating senior citizens and handicapped first. If space permits, others could use the service. The application may be viewed at the township office, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Written (Comments regarding the application should be submitted to the township prior to the meeting in order to be placed in the record of the meeting They can be submitted to the Regional Tran­ sportation Authority. Paratransit Department, 300 N State street. Room 915. Chicago, til 60620, by March 3. K A WATERY GARAGED--Four men work to free a car from the pond in Eastwood Manor, near 2302 Manor lane, McHenry. No details were available at press time Thursday as to just how the car got into the pond or who was driving the auto. Details are expected from McHenry Countv Sheriff's police. STAFF PHOTQ--WAYNK GAYLORD Ringwood school students (upper left) Chris Schnulle, Stefanie Freund, Chris Donat and Amanda Scott sign a birthday greeting for President Ronald Reagan. Lower left, Jason Evenson, Michael Berezowski and Lisa Baumbach blow up balloons in preparation for the Friday birthday celebration. Below, Nicole Glomp lights a candle which represents President Reagan's 72nd birthday. Right, Mike Santistevan counts out jelly beans, one of the President's favorite treats, into a tray of cups held by Lori Clements. More pictures appear on page 19 of this issue. STAFF PHOTOS-WAYNE GAYLORD February 6, is the birthday of President Ronald Reagan, and among the celebrants will be 150 students and teachers of first grade classes at Ringwood school. The youngsters are well aware of the responsibilities of the president and realize they cannot expect him to attend, but this will not detract from the spirit of the occasion. The invitation was ex­ Priority, Personal and Con­ fidential. The Grams themselves con­ tained the signatures of the btudents and their teachers. A map was included "just in case the president found time to at­ tend". Promptly at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon, the children will enter the party room, now being decorated with a variety of " S E R V I N G T H E C H A I N - 0 - L A K E S R E G I O N S I N C E 1 8 7 5 " A large envelope carrying Happy Grams was addressed to the White house. Above the ad­ dress was a smiling face and the words: Birthday Greetings - Top pictures of the celebrant which they found in magazines and newspapers. They will sing patriotic songs, along with the Happy Birthday tune, as 72 candles burn. The mother of one of the students has baked a cake large enough to share among the guests. Favors at each place will include a postcard of the American Eagle, a patriotic pencil decorated with the tended and the celebration will be held. The idea originated with Ferol M. Tomlinson, Learning center director at Ringwood school, as citizenship training offered in a party setting. "Pledge of Allegiance", and a small pin stating that each student is a Junior American Citizen. Of course, there will be a small cup of jelly beans at each place. A 'lesson' will be given when Principal Kim Perkins speaks about the president's birthplace in Illinois and about the three former presidents who share February as their birthday The letter of invitation, sigtied by the principal, -concludes: "You' are cordially invited to attend this party it your busy schedule would permit. It will be a memorable event lor these children - even more so if you were to attend! Enjoy many more Happy Birthdays". month. He will also explain the importance of the office of president