The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

V..'; • ..: '.' • • ^, • - ••...'• V f. ;•• • "' -• ^ ^15. % Plaindsoler - Mon. Dec. 23, 1968s. ;> ' %$m:. Robin Lives in What's a robin doing on a Christmas card? More familiar as a harbinger of spring,^bobbing along with a fat worm in - his mouth, the robin is nevertheless a centuries-old Christmas symbol. And one of the earliest Christmas cards, a 100-year-old English greeting, features an illustration of a robin on a snowbank. Because legend says the robin played a vitial part in the first Christmas, Yuletide dec- ^ orations and cards have longf celebrated the cheery tedbreast. This year's crop of Christmas cards included an assortment of robin designs, -many depicting the bird at the manger scene. One card published for this year featured a Retelling of the robin legend, reports Mrs. Jeannette Lee, design director for Hallmark cards. According to the legend, the Holy Family was not alone in Yule Greens For Festivit)! From the welcoming wreath oh the door to the Christmas tree glowing with lights and bedecked with packages, from the cheery poinsettia plant on the mantel or table to the sprig of mistletoe with its promises of kisses and laughter, greens and plants set the scene for holiday enjoyment. Many of the greens now used for Christmas decorations once adorned pagan rites, and were credited by the ancients with certain mystical powers and virtues. , Today, using greens has become holiday custom, regardless of religious or symbolic significance. 67-MAT PAGE 27 ANTIQUE CHRISTMAS CARD INSPIRED BY robin legend was _____ designed by Jonathan King in London in 1867. The robin wears a " red vest because- he fanned the embers of the stable fire, to keep J^JlstlctOC the Christ Child warm, legend says. The well-preserved greeting, a century-old this year, is from the Hallmark Historical Collection. Among other restrictions, no toys or dolls may be manufactured for safe or brought into this state for sale if they are highly flammable, as flammability is measured by standards specified in the new legislation. . •"••.'-••Kir Hie law states that toys and dolls are deemed to be dangerous in the hands of children "if such toy or doll burns with a self-sustained flame at a greater than 1/10 of an inch per second rate" when subjected to the test prescribed. Tests also are provided in the law for fabrics, wearing apparel, bedding and doll accessories to determine whether they are dangerous to persons wearing or using them. Textiles are classified as subject to "normal flammability*' if the "time of flame spread" is 3% seconds or more, TOY FLAMMABILITY LAW KEEPS HOLIDAY SAFER Dreaming of a "safe" Christmas? • Titan, accordingtothe Illinois State Bar association, you can be more confident than ever that your dreams will come true. Last year, the ISBA notes, the Illinois State Legislature passed a law known as the Flammable Fabrics and Toys Act, which sets limits on the flammability of certain toys, dolls and fabrics. Since the law was not effective until Jan. 1, 1968, it is being subjected to its first broad test this Christmas shopping season. , 1 f or subject to ««rapidand intense burning" if the time of flame spread is less than 3& seconds. Exemptions are provided for toys normally used by older children when the potential danger, is well known. Chemistry sets are specifically mentioned in the law as being exempt, along with balsa wood model airplanes and other toys "which by the only use for which made do not constitute a flammable danger to children." Hie State F|re Marshal is charged with administration of the law and with such inspections and analyses of toys, dolls and other materials as may bej necessary to. ensure enforce-1 merit. \j Violation of the law, either j in ihe form of an unlawful tran- j saction or a false guarantee*! carries a penalty of not more1 than $5,000 fine, or i© to one year imprisonment, or both. A federal law also sets certain minimum standards for product safely and reliability*, Inquiries concerning that law j or complaints should be addressed to the National Commission on Products Safety* 1016 16th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. taking refuge in the stable at warm. Ever since, the robin Carrying in Straw Bethlehem. Perched on a has worn a red vest, symbolizrafter, a small brown robin ing his gift. watched as the three Magi pre- As a Christmas symbol, the sented their gifts to the new- robin embodies the spirit of oweaen born Chrisy5mid The robin seemed to under- in gave a precious gift, and I stand that something won- he gave it at the cost of perdrous was happening. After sonal sacrifice. Thus the rob- . , . „ . ... the departure of the Magi, in's gift suggests the deeper Christmas straw is a tradiwhen the Holy Family was meaning -- the giving of one's Jlon ratherthan a modern cusasleep, the robin noticed that self --^ the legend notes. torn, Swedish people still make straw and wooden figures to Straw is a traditional part of Christmas celebrations in in probable rememgiving. Like the Magi, the rob- Xn^wa^ftrawfn'X manger. While 'carrying in the the stable fire was dying. Only a few coals smoldered. In a- valiant attempt to revive the flickering embers, the Log Had Charms \ J hang on their Christmas trees. Pioneers looked forward to Iii ancient Germany, the the day when they could have the seems to be to be able to cook and eat outdoors. robin swooped down to fan the WjS„ meals indoors. Now, the goal : fire. "Christbrand." One belief held r «• _. ^ i.,. , that if the charred log was "ovabove the coals, he placed in a cornbin, it would flapped his wings, fanning the act as a charm to ward off , embers to life. As the fire mice. v | burned brighter, flames singed if the weather turned ' »Li .r ^, breast, scorching stormy, the Christbrand was t his brown feathers a brilliant quickly brought back to the fre~®01"- .. . _ . fire. While it burned, supersti- | Through the night he fan- tion said, the house was safe fined the fire to keep the Child from lightning. Ancient followers of the Druid religion were the first to regard mistletoe as a sacred plant, say the editors of The New Book of Knowledge. They supposed it to have panacean virtues in warding off everything from witches to disease. Each year, about the time Christmas is celebrated today, there was a ceremonial rite in which Druid priests, using a golden sickle, cut the mistletoe leaves from the "sacred oak" and distributed them amongst the people. The Saxons also valued this plant; they were the first to call it mistletoe. To them, mistletoe symbolized everlasting peace. V"\ fi •WWWXWWVWIIWIW-, i Mere's to you, out good ^ friends and patrons ... our sincere appreciation for the privilege of serving yolk and best wishes for a happy holiday season. McHenry Welding Service 2912 W. Route 120, McHenry 385-4929 i$i §: Z/imes change ... but the warmth of th& Christmas spirit lives oil forever. Enduring, too, is the gratitude we feel for the privilege of serving May your Holidays be happy £?s always been our pleasure to serve you, thanks to your loyalty and good will. We hope that your holiday season will be spent joyously in the company of those you hold dear. Merry Christmas! Krause News Agpnty 3321 W. Elm, McHenry. 385-4015 Honn: Mon., Tues., Fri. . 9.*00 . 5:00 Wed. & Thurs. - 9:00 • 7:00 Sat. 9:00 to noon Come in or register by phone. Call anytime 24 hro. a day. A counselor will be available to assist you. •K WIDE Bcoft PERSONNEL. INC. May you enjoy peace of mind. May your soul be gladdened by the Spirit of Christmas. Mill Inn 7511 Barnard Mill Rd. Wonder Lake MRlSTMAfS MEETINGS A joyous, old fashioned Noel to you! You're delightful to deal with the whole year long. Smitty's Sinclair 3602 W. Elm McHenry 385-9803 235 Benton St. Woodstock, 111. 3 other locations to serve you. DesPlalttes 298-5021 Hillside 449.80*0 Lombard 629-6770 We're taking this opportunity to say.. "Hello" and to thank our customers for their patronage. Have a merry Christmas! CAREY Appliance 1241 N. Green St. 385-5500 McHenry WISA^OUJOIJ • Have a happy holiday, and accept our pleased thanks! Agatha Gifts & Candies 1242 N Green 5t. McHenry, Illinois lay the true, deep meaning of Christmas fill the season with love and joy for you and yours. The Pin Curl Beauty Shop 1330 N. Riverside Drive, McHenry CTmgtma# May the Christ Child born in Bethlehem so many years ago bring His message of Peace and Good Will into every heart on this joyful Christmas Day. Adams iros. Repair serv. Next to V. F. W. 385-0783 3004 W. Route 120 McHenry Richard *Clmmers 1208 N. Green St. 385-1712 McHenr^ e'd like to extend to you the sincerest and heartiest "Thanks" and good wishes for this bright and sparkling season. May your holiday be full of joy. Gies 8h®e» & Shoe Repair 1307 N. Riverside Dr. 385-2801 cCC-<tlL«t we |om Santa's Yuletide Riverside Retail Outlet * 1402 N. Riverside Dr. 385-5900 song, wishing you a Happy Holiday season and expressing sincere thanks -fqr your patronage. and Juvenile Shop 3706 W. Elm St. McHenry, 111. .*\\V Our warmest { thanks to you,; with the wish t that this, merry season' will bring \ with it a > s l e i g h - f u l l of: joys and brightl [ Christmas Cheer. ) Angela's Sunset Inn One Mije North of Waoconda old Route 12 * as ring out with notes of good cheer to you and yours this Christmas season. You've brought us a happy year, through your patronage and good will. Our deepest appreciation is yours,