The Huntley Farmside

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The Hmitlev Farmside
35 cents
Thursday, August 6,1998
A Press Publications newspaper a/ serving the Huntley community
Volume 37 Issue 69
nioto by Steve Brosinski
Brian Marlowe tests the consistency of grain that was ground in the basement of the feed store that was built in the 1890s as a flour mill. He is the grandson of Helen Marlowe and the late Henry Marlowe, who founded Marlowe Feed and Hatchery in Huntley in 1943.
Marlowe still feeding Huntley's livestock
Steve Brosinski
Press Publications
Not much has changed since Marlowe Feed and Hatchery first opened up their business over a half-century ago.
Though the grain is no longer brought to the 2(X) dairy farms that once surrounded the Huntley area, large batches of grain are still mixed in the giant 2 1/2-ton machines. Horse farms and hous- •ing developments have replaced the acres of dairy farms.
But in the 1930s, the late Henry Marlowe was busy sell¬ ing feed out of his car, when he wasn't in a School District 158
classroom teaching agriculture. Marlowe, who was the district's first "ag" teacher, was also an entrepreneur.
Henry's widow, Helen Marlowe, said she remembers when her husband started the business as apart-time job.
"He started testing the butter- fat in the cows and took orders for feed," Helen said. "It was pretty much all dairy around here. Farms were close together, and everyone was a dairy."
Marlowe first moved his feed business into a small office in the same building that is now home of the Huntley Farmside at 11801 W. Main Street, and
later leased space in the building now occupied by the American Legion on Woodstock Street.
Then in 1943, the family business prospered enough so the Marlowes could buy a shut¬ tered 1890s flour mill located at 11011 S. Route 47, where the business now sits.
The Marlowes started a hatchery in the basement of their home and expanded the operation on Route 47. The hatchery is closed up, but an assortment of chicks, including DeKalb bla!ck, brown and amber ones, are available, ranging in price from 49 to 88 cents, see Marlowe—page 2
School District 158 counts down to vital referendums
Steve Brosinski
Press Publications
In three months, voters will be casting ballots to decide the fate of two pro¬ posed elementary schools for School District 158.
School Superintendent J.R. Hartley said the rapid enrollment within the district requires more classroom space.
"One of the biggest prob¬ lems in the School District is that we are growing at 20 per¬ cent a year and we have to find funds before we are at capacity," Hartley said. "Frankly, I don't know how we will get all the students in. This year, we are very tight, but we do. have a little room."
By the 1999-2000 school year. Hartley said schools will have no extra room.
The proposed referen¬ dums calls for passage of two $9 million general oblig¬ ation bonds to construct new schools at the Harmony Road Campus and on Reed Road. Each school could hold 800 students.
Hartley said the School Board wants to limit the debt service to 75 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. If vot¬ ers approve the referendum. Hartley said the rate of 71 cents may climb to 75 cents.
"We are talking about a very minimal increase in the tax levy," he said.
In four years, enrollment has doubled from 850 to
"One of the biggest problems in the School District is that we are growing at 20 percent a year and we have to find funds before we are at capacity. Frankly, I don't know how we will get all the students in."
J.R. Hartley
Superintendent, School District 158
1,700 students. Another 400 students are expected to attend district schools this fall.
"We have a very volatile situation," he said. "You never know what will hap¬ pen with enrollment."
Due to lack of space at the Huntley Campus, there are now 20 classrooms in two temporary buildings.
While the district is uncertain of the passage of the referendum, officials are also unsure of state funding
see Referendums—page 2
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