The Huntley Farmside

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Thursday, April 29,1999
The HimtileY Farmside
Z 29.1999 A Press Publications newspaper ar serving the Huntley comnnunitv '
Volume 39, Issue 3
'Mayor' resting comfortably at home after surgeries
Steve Brosinski
Press Publications Sidelined with an illness, Yil- lage President James Dhamer now has time to catch up on the Zane Grey westerns he loves to read.
Dhamer is recovering at home from a bout with intestinal bleeding and two recent surg¬ eries. Two weeks ago, surgeons at Centegra Hospital in Wood¬ stock removed blockages in two carotid arteries in his neck. Plaque clogged one artery 75
percent and another 95 percent.
The 69-year-old "mayor" said he's feeling better and plans on coming back to work in a few weeks.
"I was in the office today a couple of times," Dhamer said Monday, adding that he plans on attending village business later this week.
From his home, Dhamer said he's had time to do two favorite pasttimes—reading novels and betting on the horses. He is a former member of the Thor¬ oughbred and Quarter Horse
"One of my police officers said he
couldn't get into the street because of all
the move-ins. I think it's great. I'm
happy for them."
James Dhamer
Village president, commenting on the grand opening of Sun City
Associations and a big fan of horse racing.
'There are a lot of good hors¬ es   at  Churchill  Downs  this
Student slides into second as first female on team
Jennifer Hull
Press Publications
According to Sheyenne Rodriguez, a junior at Huntley High School, Ijeing the first girl on the baseball team is not real¬ ly that big of a deal.
The 17-year-old, who played softball for awhile, is a self-pro¬ fessed "baseball nut." She decided to try out for the team to see if she could do it.
She had to try out and meet the rules just like anybody else, said Bill Hunter, Huntley's base¬ ball coach.
"We did not have to change any mles for^her to get on the team," he said. "She proved her¬ self."
Rodriguez plays second base and occasionally right field for the varsity team. This is her first year at Huntley, although she has lived in the town for some¬ time. Her first two years of high school, she went to boarding school in Indiana.
She thought making the team
would be harder, she said.
"I'm really shy," she said. "I didn't know if they expected me to be some great player."
Rodriguez beUeves she can keep up with her teammates. "I can keep up with the. guys if I know the situation."
Hunter said that the "guys are just as hard on her as the other people" and that she fits right in. 'The guys have accepted her. It's [a girl playing baseball is] nothing new."
H.e did have to remind the players to watch what they said, "but it's the same with a team of girls."
Rodriguez said she hasn't had any problems with her team¬ mates. Some of the other teams have laughed, but there have been no rude conmients.
Once word got around the school that Rodriguez had joined the baseball team, she said everyone knew her. Some of the teachers said, "Good for you" and a female student told
"We did not have
to change any
rules for her to get
on the team. She
proved herself."
Bill Hunter
Huntley High School baseball coach
her that she was going to join the football team next year.
Rodriguez said she joined the team to try something new, but personally hopes to keep play¬ ing.
"If I try my hardest, maybe in my dreams I'll play in college," she said.
Which may be possible. Women are already playing in the minor leagues.
"At some point, girls will catch up to guys in baseball," Hunter said.
week," said Dhamer, who three weeks ago picked two of three winners at a track in Miami. "I make more money on the horses
than playing the lottery."
Resting at home also means Dhamer and his wife^ Shirley, have more time to spend togeth¬ er.
"She never used to see me. I used to kiss her good bye in the moming and didn't see her until I got home," Dhamer said, who has been married for 42 years.
Dhamer said he appreciates the many get well cards well- wishers have sent to him. Doc¬ tors told him to expect a full recovery and he should have to
see Mayor—page 2
Photo by Pat Kolle
Sheyenne Rodriguez, a junior at Huntley High School, works on her passes at a recent practice. She is the first girl to play for Huntley's base¬ ball team.
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