The Huntley Farmside

              Inside • Memorial Day photos 1999 high school graduation special seciion
35 cents
The HimtleY Famiside
Thursday, June 3,1999
A Press Publications newspaper ar serving the Huntley community
Volume 39, Issue 8
Big, enthusiastic crowd attends holiday festivities
Steve Brosinski
Press Publications
For two teenagers, the Memorial Day ceremony at the Huntley Cemetery taught lessons in history and patrio¬ tism.
Perched on top of a tree limb, Travers Smith and Robbie Paulsen, both 13, listened intently as the commander of the Huntley American Legion told about a soldier who was killed in Vietnam from an enemy mortar.
"I thought it was a good speech," Paulsen said. "I liked the part about the guy who died in Vietnam."
Post Commander George Lesch told how 20-year-old Danny Flynn died May 25, 1968, almost 100 years from the first Memorial Day (then called Declaration Day). Since Hynn's death, a Massachusetts' middle school annually writes letters of encouragement to Flynn's moth¬ er.
The ceremony was a somber ending to a joyous parade from the town square, down Church Street, across Dean Street and over to the cemetery. Police Chief Randy Walters estimated a crowd of about 6(X)-plus filled the lawn across from the ceme¬ tery, making this possibly the largest turnout ever.
Walters, a Vietnam veteran, said he was encouraged to see the strong showing of public support.
"It's a time to remember how you fought for your country," he said.
Bob Eckman,. former post commander and parade organiz¬ er, said this may be his lasL
Kate GaUiett (left), 1998 Miss Huntley, makes her last official appear¬ ance with Krista Jurs, 1999 Miss Huntley, in her first official appearance at Monday's Huntley Memorial Day parade.
"We're getting bigger every year," Eckman said, adding that no one seems to know how long the parade has been around.
Eckman said he always looks forward to the firing squad por¬ tion of the ceremony, though there is usually some doubt about whether enough volun¬ teers will show up for a 21-gun salute. On Monday, eight volun¬ teers fired three volleys, or a 24- gun salute.
Leading the parade. Village President James Dhamer waved to the crowd in a squad car, while the 36-member Huntley High School Marching Band played patriotic tunes at the rear. In between, more than a dozen civic and non-profit groups either marched or drove in vin¬ tage vehicles.
Participants included the TLC Preschool and Kinder¬ garten, Boy Scout Troop 167, Brownie Troop 80, representa¬ tives of the 24 teams of Huntley Youth Baseball and a classic 1929 Mack truck loaded with members of the Huntley 4-H Club.
This was the first public appearance for Krista Jurs as the 1999 Miss Huntley.
"It's very exciting," she said.
In some spots along the route, marchers almost outnumbered bystanders. But that was fine for the dozens of willing children racing to grab pieces of bubble gum and hard candy tossed their way.
"It's fim, but sometimes it's dangerous," quipped Carl Drap-
see Holiday-^iaee 2
Park District gears up for busy summer
Steve Brosinski
Press Publications
The Huntley Park District staff expects huge interest in summer programs.
Recreation Director Bet¬ sey Warrington said the dis¬ trict has taken in about an additional $30,000 in pro- -gram fees this year.
"We've added more staff and maxed out of facility space. The schools have been cooperative, but they are running out of space too," Warrington said.
School is out June 7 and the district is offering a wide range of summer programs for pre-school and school- age children.
Popular 10-week camps include sports, cheerleading, baseball skills, soccer and a week-long all sports camp.
About 85 children have already signed up.
Pre-school camps are open for children ages 3-5; school-grade for youth in kindergarten to fifth grade; and middle school for those ages 6-8.
Throughout the season, day care is available for non- pre-school campers from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
While recreation staff is gearing up for a busy camp¬ ing season, administrators
"We've added
more staff and
maxed out of
facility space.
The schools have
been cooperative,
but they are
running out of
space too."
Betsey Warrington
Recreation director, Huntley Park District
are planning on opening up two parks in subdivisions.
In spring, a 12-acre park will be ready for activity at Southwind and a 6-acre park will be open at Winged Point. The Park District received both parcels through developers' land donation, in addition to funding to maintain the areas.
Meanwhile, the district is still negotiating the purchase of the 42-acre Sun Valley Farm on Main Street. War¬ rington said the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has pledged a $400,000 matching grant for the purchase.