F Service Keepin' Healthy Now that Thanksgiving is over, many of us have begun our Christmas shopping in earnest. Although a lot of people complain that the Christmas holiday has become too commercialized, the giving of gifts is a way to express our love for others-and small childrep are often the primary recipients of our gifts. Slopping for toys can be a lot of fun far an adi»U. But, when you are selecting a toy, try to remember that some toys, no matter how cute or clever they may seem to you or me, are not safe for small children. Fortunately, safe toys are more plentiful than ever, but we who purchase them must still use some judgment regarding the possible hazard to a small child. What kinds of toys should you avoid? What kinds are safe? The Illinois Department of Public Health has a few guidelines that may help you select safe toys for the children in your life. When shopping for toys, look for those that have smooth, rounded edges. A child can easily be cut by the sharp edges on some toys. Purchase dolls or stuffed animals that have eyes sewn on instead of attached with sharp prongs. Eyes attached with prongs are easy to remove and swallow. Also avoid buying stuffed animals that have sharp wires in the ears or tails. These wires often poke through the material, and can injure a child. And do not give a child a doll with sharp, pointed pins in her hair. Another suggestion is to stay away from those toys that have small parts which are exposed or easy for a child to remove. Children can easily swallow these small parts, or insert them into an far or nostril. Other types of toys you should not give to small children include those which contain darts, arrows or other missiles that can be thrown or shot at someone. Electrical toys, especially those which heat up, and toys made of glass or brittle plastic are also hazardous in the hands of small children. According to health officials, the ideal safe toy: (a) is too large to swallow; (b) has smooth, round edges; (c) has no exposed straight pins, sharp wires or nails; (d) has no detachable parts that can lodge in a child's windpipe, ear or nostril; and (e) has no elec trical component, especially one that generates heat. So, even though you have a million things to do during the holidays and your time is limited, remember that toys are expressions of love-choose them with care! If you want more information about hazardous toys, contact your local health department, or write to Illinois Department of Public Health, Product Safety Program,) 535 West Jefferson, Springfield, 111. 62761. County Woman Namod Officer WoNaro Group Mrs. Cynthia Bock, 327 South Madison street, Woodstock, has been elected secretary of District II, Illinois Welfare association. Her term will run from January 1, 1978 to Jan. 1, 1980. District II includes Kane, Kendall, Lake, DuPage and Will counties. Mrs. Bock is an employee of the Illinois Department of Public Aid in McHenry county. Poison Jellyfish When a jellyfish is pulled from the sea and left on the beach, it shrivels and dies. But its poison survives. Thus, long afterward, any bather who steps on the dead animal is likely to suffer painful SPECIAL OFFER TO * ORGANIZATIONS * CHURCH GROUPS * BUSINESSES * CLUBS * SORORITIES * MANUFACTURERS anyone planning ADULT OR CHILDREN CHRISTMAS PARTIES OBTAIN EXTRA SAVINGS -d/* TAX EXEMPT DISCOUNTS Com* Into Hornsby's and ask for tho managor. Ho will per sonally givo you a doal and holp you select and order your gilts. Don't forget to bring your state sales tax exemption number if your organization has ono. HOURS: DAILY f TIL 9 SUNDAY It TIL 4 HORNSBYS ^ f a m i l y c c n r e r s XT. 47 A COUNTRY CLUBRD., WOODSTOCK, II. LAND OF LINCOLN 1978 19 ILLINOIS 78 Available Now 1978 AUTO LICENSE PLATES at Our Auto License Center I The First National Bank of McHenry offers a license plate service effective December 1, 1977 thru February 15, 1978. You must have your pre-printed form from the State of Illinois in order to purchase your 1978 license plates. (Service Charge $2.00) The wide-awake bank makes it all so easy. THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK Of McHENRY 3814 West Etai Stmt* McHenry, Illinois 385-5400 Spring Grove EvaFreund 675-2135 Women's Club EVERYONE 18 A QUEEN - Competing for honors as Suffolk queen at the North American Livestock exposition In Louisville, Ky„ were several pretty ladies from across America. Pictured here, left to right, are KUn Kantlehner of McHenry; Debbie Black of A veils, Pa.;Linda Scholti of Alexandria, Mo.; and Linda Heldman of Btaffton, Ohio. The girls were participating mthe Suffolk annual meeting in November. The action came daring the fourth annul North American Livestock Exposition Nov. 5-19. Some 10,000 head of the nation's top cattle, sheep, quarter horses and swine were on hand in Louisville to compete for more than $200,000 in premiums and awards. To Decorate Town Square Members of the Lotus Country Women's club held their annual Thanksgiving party at town hall Wednesday, Nov. 16. The opening prayer was said by Marilyn Heckman and a delicious buffet luncheon was served. The meeting was conducted by Kay Smith and roll call showed a membership of thirty present and eight guests. The club has purchased new drapes «for the hall and Christmas decorations fill the flower boxes outside. The club's next project will be helping with Christmas decorations for the town square. Motions were made and passed that donations be made to Valley Hi and Indian and V e t e r a n a f f a i r s . Acknowledgment was received from Nippersink District Library for a donation. An invitation was read from the community improvement chairman to attend a workshop Dec. 5 at 1 p.m. at Crystal Point mall, Crystal Lake. Alice Weber was chosen woman of the month for November and the club voted to sponsor Nancy Smith, daughter of Leo and Kay Smith in the "Miss Fox Lake" contest. Annual reports to Fourth District will be due Feb. 15. All «nembers who volunteered to help on these reports, please contact Chairman Kay Smith for more information. The Christmas party will be held at Orsolini's Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 12 noon. There will be a luncheon, gift exchange, revealing of Secret Pal and a program. Everyone is asked to bring one or two grocery items. Baskets of groceries will be delivered to the needy for Christmas. To make reser vations before Dec. 12, call Kay Kelly. A flower demonstration was greatly enjoyed by all mem bers. GROUP PARTY Members of the Christian Mothers society held their regular meeting in St. Peter's hall Thursday, Nov. 17. A prayer and pledge of allegiance opened the meeting. A donation to Valley Hi was approved. One hundred and thirty-five mothers and daughters enjoyed a breakfast served them by the men of the parish Oct. 30. SECTION 2 - Members were reminded that more groceries are needed to make up Christmas baskets for the needy. Help is needed to wrap and label boxes for Catholic charities Nov. 30, also to help clean the church and prepare for Christmas Dec. 14 at 9 a.m. The Christmas party will be Dec. 8, Mass at 7 p.m. followed by potluck, program and gift exchange. Cake and coffee were served and a program on flower arrangements was given. CLUB MEETS Agnes May entertained members of her club Thursday afternoon, Nov. 17. Cards were played following a dessert lunch. Prize winners were Eva Freund and Nora Klaus. The club's Christmas dinner will be held at the home of Nora Klaus in Fox Lake Dec. 15 at 12 noon. PAGE 1 . PLA1NDEALER - WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 30. 1977 i • have a niea weekend upgrade something by JOSEPH COOLS staff psychologist from tha Family Sonrica and Mantal Haattti Clinic of McHtnry County -- (Editor's note: This is another in a series of especially written articles for McHenry county readers. Joseph Cools is a psychologist on the Family Service & Community Mental Health center staff. This article is "Coping - Being a Hospital Patient") Many people who have the experience of being in a hospital, especially for an extended period of time, have some complaints in common. Most often heard complaints are feelings of loneliness, feeling of being ignored by the doctors or nursing staff and feeling that their personal feelings of discomfort and pain are not being attended to properly. Some patients feel that they are not getting their "money's worth"-that the hospital is a very expensive place with poor service. There are two reasons why this is not a valid com plaint: First, the hospital is not a hotel and there is no room service. Second, the patient is often unaware of the services that are being provided. For instance, a seemingly simple blood test drawn by a technician includes twelve separate analyses of the blood that are studied by the doctor. Periodic checks of progress are made and charted by both the doctor and the nursing staff. What the patient usually is feeling is a sense of boredom and loneliness that is inherent in being bedridden. Personal services, however, can be attended to. particularly by volunteer staff who are very willing to run errands or simply sit and talk. Also, it has been shown that the more the patient is willing to do for himself, the less he is bothered by boredom or even pain. There are, of course, limitations imposed by the physician on the amount of activity permitted, but if the patient is willing to do all of the personal activities within these limitations, he will invariably feel better both physically and emotionally. A hospital stay is seldom an enjoyable exper ience . Knowledge of the system and an attitude of cooperation will make the stay less onerous. One th ing remains in comprehensible about the hospital: why do those hospital gowns have to be open in the back?