The Huntley Farmside

              Town Picnic pictures — see inside Board Minutes — see inside
35 cents
The HimtileY Farmside
T]iursday,July^2^1998_
A Press Publications newspaper ai/ serving the Huntley community
Volume 37 Issue 64
Fun in the sun
Annual town picnic brings community together
Steve Brosinski
Press Publications
You could tell summer is offi¬ cially here in Huntley, not because of the calendar, but because of the traffic jams in front of Deicke Park on Sunday.
From the foot-long hotdogs to the sand volleyball games, hundreds of residents flocked to the annual town picnic.
Standing with two friends in front of a barbecue grill covered with roasting corn, Rob Tegel said he was there to satisfy appetites and raise money.
"This is our way of saying thanks to the people who were so generous in the past," said Tegel, whose 4-year-old son Eric suffers from cystic fibrosis.
All the proceeds from the estimated 600-700 ears of com go directly towards research of the disease, he said.
"It's a good cause. That's why we're dealing with the heat. This is a lot easier than what my son is going through."
Event organizer Betsey Warrington of the Huntley Park District said the hot weather forecasted for the weekend could have affected the turnout.
"We're always happy to see so many people come out," Warrington said. "We're going to try real hard to keep this small town atmosphere as the town grows."
Perhaps Police Chief Randy Walters had the best idea when he volunteered for a stint in the dunk tank.
"It feels good," said the chief, after taking a dip in the 300-gal- lon plastic tub. "If the sun came out it would even be better."
The   Huntley   Firefighters'
A
Photo by Steve Brosinski
Eric Pfaff, 7, smothers his face in ice cream as he races to win the ice cream eating contest.
Association sponsored the dunk tank to raise funds for a smoke trailer, firefighter Jason Scohlquist said. For $1, contes¬ tants had three chances to toss a ball and hit the target.
At the petting zoo, three- year-old Ross Bratthauer was visiting from Elgin with his par¬ ents, Deb and Scott.
"I remember working the Penny Corral" when I worked at the Harris Bank," said Deb, a 1977 graduate of Huntley High School.
The Bratthauers are planning to move back to Huntley, she
said.
"My folks own a farm and it will be nice to get back in the Huntley School District," she said.
Business was brisk at Bern Jilek's craft booth.
"Nice breeze and a nice shady spot," said Jilek, who was relaxing behind the large oak tree in front of the Park District office.
A group hovered around the "Spin the Turtle" game for a chance at winning $20. And
see Picnic—^page 2
Supporters hopeful of increased support for Woodstock Street repairs
Steve Brosinski
Press Publications
Efforts to find alternative funding for the reconstruc¬ tion of brick-paved Woodstock Street are getting more support, a resident saiid.
Donna Britton, of Woodstock Street, said local and state officials may be getting more involved in obtaining federal road funds. /Britton said a village trustee told her she plans to contact two state legislators about the possibility of getting fed¬ eral funds.
At the same time, Britton said residents are still con¬ sidering a separate fund-rais¬ er.
"I hope it is successful. We've been calling down- state for years, and now Susan Lamb is making con¬ tact with Rep. Michael Brown and Sen. Dick Klemm," Britton said.
The Village Board will open bids July 9 on three contract proposals: to pave the street with asphalt, re¬ brick a portion of the street, or re-brick the entire street.
Officials previously said the village would offer to spend up to $150,000 on the project. Estimates to re-brick the early 20th century street range from $300,000 to $600,000.
Britton said state restric¬ tions and uncertainty on the project have prevented orga¬ nizers from forming a not- for-profit  fund-raiser.  The
"I hope it is successful. We've been
calling
downstate for
years, and now
Susan Lamb is
making contact
with Rep.
Michael Brown
and Sen. Dick
Klemm."
Donna Britton
Woodstock Street resident
group must incorporate and agree to use any money raised strictly for the recon¬ struction of Woodstock Street.
And if the village decides to asphalt instead of re-brick the street, then all the money would have to be retumed.
"We can't be certain that the money will go towards the project," she said.
Woodstock Street was the main highway in Huntley, until Route 47 was built. Britton said there are senior citizens living in Huntley who helped lay the original brick.