PAGE 11 -PLAINDEALER - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1978 Letters To "Gopher" (For C.B. Owners) For answers to specific questions writ* (do not call) "The Gopher", in core of McHenry Plaindeoler, 381 i W. Elm Street, McHenry. (It has been called to my attention that many C.B.'ers have questions that they would like to have answers for and asked if I would be willing to. start a weekly article for just this purpose. Please, if you have a question you wish an swered, write it and send it to "The Gopher," c-o the McHenry Plaindealer. Do not phone. I will try my best to answer or get an answer from someone who knows). "The Gopher" "D/par 'Gopher,' I. called on Channel 9 and didn't get a "react." Why? "Camera man" "Well, 'Camera Man,' one reason could have been HOW you were calling. When calling for help on Channel 9, it is most important that you specify the county you are in. Therefore, did you say - "Break 9 for McHenry county react"? Another reason could have been you forgot to turn your squelch all the way up to noise level - you didn't hear the React base trying to answer you. Another helpful hint for you the next time you call on Channel 9 is to give some idea where you're at. Such as: "Break 9 for McHenry County React. We have an accident on Thompson road and 120." . This way the React base can turn his beams toward you to make better contact. React is out there, but we are suffering from the atmospheric condition called 'skip.' Signals you send out are being erratically bounced rather than following a straight line - that's why a California React will hear your call loud and clear, and a McHenry County React will just barely be able to, pick you out. I advise you to be sure to specify who you want and where you are at React will break their backs to try to help you r Senior Hot Line { (Written under the auspices of Lieutenant Governor Dave O'Neal) With the Christmas season approaching, we have these suggestions for dealing with door-to-door salesmen. Q Should I buy from a door- to-door salesperson9 A To answer this question, you must ask yourself several other questions first: Do I really need this item" Can I easily afford it?' Could I buy it somewhere else for less money0 There are several ad vantages of shopping at home First, if you have trouble getting around, it is more convenient for the salesperson to come to you He may bring a wider selection of merchandise from which to choose. You may also have the option of paying later for the mer chandise you buy But, there are certain disadvantages An important consideration is where you can go to get the product fixed if it breaks down In all probability, you will never see the salesperson again By buying from out-of-town people, you are also depffhng your town's merchants of your business. Above all, you may end up paying for merchandise which you are to receive later If it doesn't come, will you know where to go for satisfaction" The salesperson will have your money so he probably doesn't know or doesn't care if you don't get what you paid for Evaluate these pros and cons for yourself and decide what you will do Remember, there are reputable firms which sell t h r o u g h d o o r - t o - d o o r salespeople y What happens if I sign a contract7 A The best advice to remember when you sign a contract is this: You are bound by that contract and you must live up to your end of the bargain. Make sure that all blanks are filled in before signing and that you receive a copy. There are certain ex ceptions to this rule, but make sure they apply to your situation before signing the contract. If the salesperson comes to your home without you asking him to, and sells you something that costs more than $25, he must also tell you about your right under state law This law says that under these circumstances, you have three business days to cancel the agreement. Q What should I do if I suspect a salesperson is fraudulent" A If the person uses high- pressure tactics, you don't want to deal with him. Tell him you would like to think about his offer and ask him to come back the next day. If he refuses to come back for a sale, you know he will never come back if you have problems with your product Again, if he refuses, you don't want to deal with him In either case, call the police immediately, and contact the Attorney General's office Your prompt action could save other people from being gypped By waiting even one day to report, the person could be hundreds of miles away in a different state. Write or call us at Lieutenant Governor Dave O'Neal's Senior Action centers at 160 North LaSalle street, Chicago. Illinois 60601. or 3 West Old Town mall, Springfield, Illinois 62701, with questions or concerns about any government agency or programs This column will be covering the many questions senior citizens may have on various subjects Call statewide: toll free 800- 252-6565 Metropolitan Chicago: 312-793-3333 I.n JOSI I'll COOI.S ^lil 11 /'s ! ( //<>/< news from the Family Service and Mental He*"h Clinic of McHenry 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 and Community Mental Health Center staff This ar ticle is "Coping - How Parents Use Children Following a Divorce") Following a divorce, some parents will continue the strife that preceded the divorce through custody battles or fights over visiting privileges This is usually done under the guise of being "in the best in terests of the child." In reality, however, the best interests of the child are usually ignored as the child becomes the ultimate weapon that parents use against each other. Parents may put the child in the impossible position of asking him or her to make a choice as to whom the child would rather live with Custody- is an adult decision, especially when younger children are involved and, while the decision must be shared with the children, it cannot be made by them Children want the marriage to continue and want to live with both parents They must not be forced to choose their favorite After the custody issue has been settled, many parents will question the child about the other parent, particularly about the dating of the other parent. In addition, it is common to attack the other through the child, by such statements as, "Tell your mother I hope she's happy now that she keeps me in the poorhouse because of the money she demands " There is seldom justification for putting the child in the position of having to make loyalty choices. Most parents would agree with this, but it is very difficult not to subtly encourage children to make loyalty choices, particularly when there is a great deal of bitterness between the parents The custodial parent may feel very hurt that the child appears to react more positively to the parent that does none of the "work." yet gets all of the gratification. Since it is difficult not to convey this feeling to the child, the child can end up feeling guilty for having a good time. Such children should be taught that it is normal to have such feelings and should also be taught the reasons why such restrictions have to be placed on them Next Personality Change Following Head Injury Edltof'B Quote Book An unaspiring per son always com plains. There is no end to his complaints. He bitterly complains even when the bless ings of opportunity knock at his very <*oor' Sri Chinmoy 'St for fashion fIqin CrystcH Inkp miT WRAP UP CHRISTMAS WISHES HERE. tLd s/ t frV-/" Ll-V- ' m c*° re* v 'A% /f-yr-.F-' Even that man who has everything can always use more famous name fashions from Spiess, 1. Qiana dress shirt by Arrow. Handsome "Kent" style with chest pocket. Machine washable and dryable or hand washable, great for the traveling man. White, blue or ecru. 14Va-17, 17.50. 2. Arrow striped dress shirt in machine washable and dryable polyester and cotton blend. Blue, tan, grey or brown, 14!/2-17, 16.00. 3. Golf sweater by Jersild with full sleeves for comfortable action or lounging Machine washable and dryable 100% orlon. Blue, beige, rust, S-M-L-XL, 21.00. 4. Arrow 100% acrylic knit sport shirt in winter white with blue or beige stripings in several styles, machine washable and dryable, S-M-L-XL, 15.00. 5. Cable knit orlon, acrylic sweater by Jantzen is machine washable and dryable. Natural, light blue or beige, S-M-L-XL, 27.00. 6. Robe and pajamas by Weldon in machine washable and dryable polyester and cotton blend. Contrasting piping trim. Wine, brown or blue. Pajamas in A-B-C-D, 14.00 Matching robe in A-B-C-D, $16.00. 7.Cotton flannel sport shirt in brown, blue or red plaids, 7-button front with matching pockets. S-M-L-XL, 14.00. MEN'S FURNISHINGS, ELGIN AND CRYSTAL LAKE \ / 1 Christmas BUDGET PLAN . no down payment . no carrying charge Pay i Jan 'i fet) i Ma' '9?9 FOR SPIESS CHARGE CUSTOMERS ELGIN FREE PARKING Ticket validates first 2 hours uppei deck Elgin Plaza Parking Direct entry into Spiess thru enclosed ra 1 \ V \y"} 1 - / A' A' 1 .. ••-- 'l V ".sy t CRYSTAL LAKE FREE PARKING Convenient tree parking lor 2300 cars at Crystal Point Mali JANE PAGE, PERSONAL SHOPPER • For Elgin store .an tier at 741 4300 For McHenry County store call he' at Crystal take 455 3600 77