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

SECTION 2 - PAGF 6 - PLAINDEALER - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1,1978 JrTLfc?MONEY UlriE SHOPPER By John E. Miller, President, The Money Shops Buying A Used Car? Observe State History Week Your old car 's reached the end of the line. It seems to be spending more time with the mechanic than with you. Maybe your family has dis­ covered that it needs another car to meet all the transport­ ation demands A new car would be nice but you don't feel l ike spending that kind of money. You decide to buy a used car Where do you start ̂ Before you go running to dealerships or scurrying after newspaper ads, sit down and make a list of requirements You'll want to consider what the car will be used for, who will 'be driving it , and pick out a price range. It 's a good idea to get the whole family together and discuss the situ ation This is a major purchase that everyone will use at one time or another After discussing what the car will be used for. draw up a list of other requirements such as air conditioning, stand ard or automatic transmission, size Then pick out several models and look them over The second way of shop ping for a used car is to go to a dealership There's a danger in doing this though By not defining what you want, you could wind up with a lot more car than you need or buy something that doesn't really fi t your needs. Consider what you want and define your pur­ chase before you go shop ping Where's the best place to buy a used car? There are advantages and disadvantages both with a dealer or a private party. Both may operate on the principle of "Let the buyer beware " It 's up to you to protect your interests so you're not cheated If you decide to purchase through a dealer, pick a reliable one with a solid reputation The prices might be a li t t le higher but you will get a warranty and service agreement, something that pri vate parties or other dealers can't offer. If you have picked a brand and model, go to a new car dealer who carries that line. There will be a larger selection and his service department will be able to do any repair work When shopping, be suspi cious A used car might be for sale because the owner knows it needs repairs In spect the car thoroughly and ask about its service record If you're at a dealer, ask if you can get in touch with the former owner to find out more about the car. If the dealer hems and haws, be careful, you could have a lemon on your hands. After you've picked out a car, test drive it . Take it out on the street and check it Doeg it accelerate smoothly9 Can you shift the gears readily? Do the brakes grab too soon or are you pushing your foot to the floorboard9 If you can, take the car to a mechanic or a diagnostic center and have it checked. If a dealer or private party won't permit that, take with you someone who knows something about cars Don't be afraid to ask questions, and be persistent. Look at the physical ap pearance of the car Are there any parts rusted through9 Is all the glass intact or is i t cracked or broken9 Are there any dents in i t? Is the interior clean9 A repainted car or re done interior may be a tipoff that the car was a taxi or po­ lice vehicle. Steer clear. Check the odometer for mileage. Be suspicious if i t seems unusual­ ly low. Remember, the average car is driven between 10,000 and 12,000 miles a year After you have picked out a car and are satisfied, check the price against the Blue Book for Used Cars. If you.are buying from a dealer, keep in mind that prices will probably run higher than the Blue Book listing You might do some comparative shopping on prices at another dealer. How are you going to pay for your car9 If you have the cash on hand and can afford- to, by all means pay cash. Make sure that you have some * savings left to cover emer gencies. Banks- are a source for auto loans, but obtaining used car loans is sometimes difficult Most banks will not make loans for vehicles that are more than two or three years old The length of t ime to repay the loan is sometimes shorter because of the car 's age. Shop around and try to find the best interest rate and time period- There are other sources for auto loans. You may want to check with a consumer finance company Since loan compa­ nies are in business strictly to lend money, they generally are more eager to make loans than banks They will consider a credit history but will take a greater risk if you can show that you are paying off debts and are responsible. A loan company will also be more willing to make a loan on an older model car In comparing a bank and a loan company, you'll see that the interest rates differ. A consumer loan company charges a higher interest rate in some cases because the money lent is borrowed from another source. Christmas Brings The Shoplifter With another Christmas season under way. stores across the na­ tion have hired armed guards, chained down merchandise, and put to use microwave detectors, silent alarms, television cameras ancl two-way dressing room mtfrors Many cities and states are mounting publicity campaigns against shoplifting and tightening laws and courtroom procedures Christmas time is the busy season for shoplifters, when stores do thirty percent of their annual business A commerce Department official says that stores across the country spend four bill ion a year for guards and security systems The FBI calls shoplifting the fastest larcencv in the country It used to be mostly poor people, but the spreading problem of shoplifting has spread among doctors, lawyers, children ministers and these as well as four million like them are caught each year stealing millions of dollars worth of g(H>ds It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord. -Psalms 92:1. Stating that "not only can the past help us project the future' but "in the hope that we will preserve today's record for future generations," Gov. James R. Thompson has proclaimed Nov. 26 through Dec. 3 Illinois History week and Dec. 3 Illinois Statehood day. Dec. 3. 1978, will be the 160th anniversary of the date Illinois entered the Union. To help stimulate interest in Illinois History week, the Illinois State Historical society is distributing ten recorded "Minutes of History" to ap­ proximately 100 radio stations What Muhammad Ali, Natalie Wood and Helen Hayes have in common with about 2.2 million other Americans? They are all l imited edition plate collec­ tors who buy, sell and cherish the most widely traded form of art in the world. Two major events will unite plate collectors from east to west this fall . The World Plate Collectors ' Fair in New York City late in September turns the Statler- Hilton into one expansive display of plate art . In October, plate collectors ' attention focuses on the West Coast and the Limited Edition Artists ' Fair in the Seattle Center, Seattle, Washington. At both events, collectors will gather to view new plate editions, meet artists who have translated their talents to this medium "in the round," and learn more about plate collecting as an investment --what to look for and how to buv. Limited edition plates are collected, traded and treas­ ured for both artistic merits and potential appreciation. Currently there are almost 1,000 major limited edition collector 's plate series, with most issue prices ranging from about $20 to slightly over $200. Themes portrayed by collector 's plates range from classic 's such as Michelangelo and Renoir reproductions to the famous Charles Schultz comic figure, Snoopy. One of the most versatile artistic mediums, the plates are created in a number of materials including ivory alabaster, copper, wood, and most delicate, fine bone chinas and porcelains. It all started in Denmark with the very first collector 's throughout the state. The ten "Minutes" are part of a series produced and narrated by Frank Beaman of WBBM. Chicago, with a grant from the Illinois Humanities council. The entire series was broadcast over WBBM earlier this year. In addition, the society will provide a copy of the gover­ nor's proclamation and a 16 inch x 24 inch poster free of charge to anyone writing "Illinois History week". Old State Capitol, Springfield 62706. The state's official celebration of 'Illinois Statehood day" will take place plate ever produced,"Behind the Frozen Window," issued by Bing & Grondahl at Christmastime in 1895. Available for about 50^ 83 years ago, i t is valued to­ day at over $3,000. Although most collector 's plates do not appreciate quite so dramatically, many increase in value from year to year, depending upon the supply and demand factor. Plate collectors come in all sizes, ages and sexes. Whether they are doctors, accountants, homemakers, millionaires or nine-to-five wage-earners --and whether they collect for pride of ownership, artistic merit or investment purposes--they share the excitement of the world's most traded art . Current or prospective plate collectors who cannot attend the fairs in New York or Seattle, can arrange for a "private showing" of these original artworks in their home--by browsing through the 1978 BRADFORD BOOK OF COLLECTOR'S PLATES. Every major collector 's plate being traded in the market is represented in full- color in this miniature gal­ lery of plate art . For a free brochure, "History of Plate Collec­ ting," including tips on how to start a collection, write to The Bradford Exchange, Dept. DJE, 9333 North Milwaukee Avenue, Niles, Il l inois 60648. in the Old State capitol, Springfield, Dec. 3, from 5 until 8 p.m. The celebration will take the form of a candlelight tour of the building with refreshments, readings, and music from "The Abraham Lincoln Songbook" by the New Hutchinson Family Singers from the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign. directed by James Hurt. The celebration, sponsored bv the Illinois State Historical library and society and the Illinois Special Events com­ mission. is free and open to the public. Wassail Bowl Is Old Favorite 14 very small baking apples 3 bottles (12 ounces each! ale l« cup firmly packed brown sugar 2 three-inch pieces stick cinnamon 1 teaspoon whole cloves '-i teaspoon ground ginger 3 to 4 whole allspice 1 four-inch strip orange peel, without white membrane 2 cups Cream Sherry 1 Place apples ir. a shallow pan Bake in a moderate oven (375 degrees! 20 minutes, or just until tender i Do not core, do not add water l 2 Heat I pint ale in a large saucepan with sugar, cin namon, cloves, ginger, allspice and orange peel, sini mer 10 minutes 3 Gradually add remaining 2 pints of ale and sherry, bring to boiling, lower heat, sim mer 5 minutes 4 Pour wassail into punch bowl over some of the baked ap pies Add remaining apples when there is room in the punch bowl Serve hot Four teen '2 cup servings Hol iday Mirac le The mirac le of the ho l idays i s everywhere -- in the faces of bedazz led chi ldren , in the f lame of a candle , the beauty of a u rea th and in the s t ree t s tha t g l i t t e r wi th fes t i re l igh t We are reminded again and again tha t th i s i s the season of love and compass ion , of good wi l l and f r iendship and a l so a t ime to hope and to pray , to savor l i fe and g ive thanks tha t we are l i v ing in i t m wmm* /mKlj FAVOR! < •*. Mi' * \< m When you start a new subscription to THE McHENRY PLAINDEALER You will receive, with each new subscription to the Plaindealer, a beautifully fitted playing card case. Made of simulated leather and fitted with 2 decks of playing cards and a score sheet tablet. The cards are decorated with Western Scenes in full color. GET YOURS TODAY 1 YR. SUBSCRIPTION to the McHENRY PLAINDEALER In McHenry County $12.00 Outside McHenry County $17.00 Save $8.80 over newsstand price n IT MAKES A GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT. McHENRY PLAINDEALER 3812 W* Elm Street THE SUBAUw BRAT mn a prmi. BRATOR MINI-BRAT. YOU UICKY DEVI.? The Subaru Brat Sweepstakes could be your green light to barrels of fun Because you cfould have the great luck of winning our most devilish car the Brat Or a gas powered mini Brat go-cart It's really easy to enter for a chance at one of three Brats Your participating dealer has all the details and entry blanks To participate you just have to fill one out from Nov 1 thru Jan 31 And licensed drivers aren't the only ones entitled to fun Kids can get in the running for mini-Brats All they need is the signature of . a parent or guardian on their entry blank It s their chance at those terrific little bright colored go-carts The Subaru Brat Sweepstakes You and your kid could make a clean sweep it pdM't ipdt ng S .r.jfo Outers, • Wr.'X,,' Uta^ ' . . i jriy w^r/i . ino ann r>tej r»* id^ S*eeps!d*f*. end Mn V Hes»d*ms of')n.o 'tidy fea'-rt 'w" <1eiaii'-. t>v v.jffTi it.no i se'« addressed stamped to SUBAMu cAVf-FP$TAKf S PC1 Bt AiM Nf BMASH A f The Lake Region Sports Car Club will officiate at Europa Motor's two Mini-Brat drawings to be held: DEC. 15,1978 & JAN. 31,1979 EUROPA MOTORS K I K. 120 '/t MII.K EAST OF M< IIK.NRY PHONIC 385-0700 -- -• "SINCE I TJJTLLLI """ 1 P L A T E C O L L E C T O R S G A T H E R A T F A I R S McHenry, Illinois