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letters to the Editor Public Pulse I"1* "oind»ol«f imltn »h« public to ut« thlt Hill column o* on tiprcttion of »h«ir vitwion subjects of general intoroit in our community. Our only rtqunt It thot »h« writer* gi«• - signature. full addrett and phone numb*r Wo atk too. •hot ono individual not writ* on tho tamo tub|oct mora than onco oach month. rotorvo tho right to delete any matoriol which wo contidor libolout or In objoctionablo tatto.) Effort To Hold Health Care Costs PAGE 5 - PI.AINDEALKR - FRIDAY. MAY 4, 1979 "Editor: "On April 26 my wife and I watched the Phil Donahue show. The subject of the show was Ron Irwin's law suit against the McHenry school system for- its lack of a challenging enough program for his gifted child, Tommy. "We have a child in the first grade. She was determined to be gifted while in kindergarten. She was then put in a gifted program and is still in a progressive gifted program. The gifted program is now new; however, new methods and procedures are being developed each year. "We encourage our child to do more work at home but do not push work on her. We are aware that teachers cannot give special attention to each child all day long. "Mr. Irwin's suit implies that the McHenry school system is inadequate. My wife and I are very pleased with the school system. We feel that they have dedicated teachers who are striving for the educational advancement of each child. "We feel that parents must help in the education of their own children. It is our opinion that Mr. Irwin's law suit is in no way going to be beneficial to his son. Mr. Irwin, being a lawyer, should realize that we as STAMPS & STORIES The adoption of adhesive stamps in 1847 for use as prepayment of postage was one of the single most impor­ tant improvements in the his­ tory of the Postal Service in America. Prior to the issuance of the first stamps, letters accepted by postmasters for dispatch were marked "Paid" by means of pen and ink or hand stamps of various designs. Such letters usually contained the town postmark and the date of mailing. To facilitate the handling of mail, some postmasters provided special stamps or other devices for use on letters as evidence of the prepayment of postage. These local stamps became known as "Postmas­ ters' Provisionals." On January 1, 1856, the use of adhesive stamps issued, by the Government became mandatory, and it wasn't long afterward that the hobby of stamp collecting was born. America's first adhesive postage stamps, issued on July 1, 1847, featured a por­ trait of Benjamin Franklin on a five-cent stamp and one of George Washington, from a painting by Stuart, on a 10- center. The stamp honoring Frank­ lin was dark brown, and that featuring Washington was black. Since those first two post­ age stamps were issued in 1847, Franklin and Washing­ ton have appeared on more U.S. stamps than any other persons. parents should work with our school system to better it, not against it. "There was no one on the Phil Donahue show to defend our school system. This letter is our way of showing our support. "Respectfully, "John and Edie Rourke" PET TREAT "Dear Editor: "What can be done by ac­ cident can be improved upon with intent. So I'll share my brainstorm - free pet food. "I was simmering chicken for some concoction in my pressure cooker one day when much to my chagrin, the bones disintegrated. It was left in too long. "But the next time I had fried chicken (turkey will do too), as an experiment I scooped up the debris after dinner was done, added the leftover vegetables (or you might start from scratch and incorporate the peels), filled the pot one-half full with water, put the pressure gauge on 15, let it simmer away a half hour, then let cool to remove the gauge. Then I applied finger pressure to the bones. "They pulverized (any that don't respond, discard) and combined. For added nutrition you might consider including boiled rice, cooked noodles, spaghetti or macaroni, breadstuffs, or an egg or so. And for free, you've got good nutrition instead of garbage. "And what's more, the pets love it! "Or, if you feel like playing more messy-less, use the blender.. "Have fun! "In sincerity, "Evelyn Gustafson "7111 N. Oak Street "Wonder Lake" A nationwide effort to contain health care costs will be the focus of activities at Memorial Hospital for McHenry County as staff members and patients observe National Hospital week, beginning Sunday. The public is aware of pressures that force up the costs of health care, and those who provide health care ser­ vices are equally aware of the urgency to contain those costs, said A. Kenneth Peterson, interim administrator at the county-wide hospital serving Woodstock and surrounding communities. "The nation's 7,000 hospitals have joined in Voluntary Ef­ fort, a program to contain health care costs while maintaining the high quality of American health care," he said. Theme for this year's National Hospital week May 6- 12 is "The Voluntary Effort, it's working for you". Emphasis is on how health providers and health consumers can work together to hold down health care costs. Included in this coalition to trim a segment of the economy that take 15 percent of the national income are organizations representing hospitals, doctors, health care suppliers and manufacturers, insurance carriers, business, labor and consumers. The Voluntary Effort program is guided by a National Steering committee. While the major emphasis concerns hospital savings, other parts of the VE program are designed to achieve savings in other areas of health care delivery, such as ambulatory care costs, capital ex­ penditures and insurance practices. At Memorial hospital, department heads cite ways cost containment has been put into effect, dating as far back as 1973 when the first energy crisis erupted. Peterson gave a recent example. "The hospital needed a second portable X-ray unit as a back-up unit. We purchased an excellent used one for $16,000. A new one costs $27,000" Marie deGreef, head dietitian at Memorial hospital, has a big challenge because her department is responsible for a significant evervdav budget commitment. She listed action that ranges from insignificance to major savings. "We have changed suppliers for one of our products. This saves $80 to $100 a month. We talk with suppliers and find out when specials will be offered." Last week, she learned from a supplier that the price on turkeys will be reduced four cents a pound soon. "We'll buy ahead, store some in the freezer and take advantage of the savings. Yes, we'll have left-over turkey, but the way we're able to prepare it, no one will know," she smiled. "When lettuce reached a dollar a pound we substituted except when the patient's doctor asked it be served. We substituted cabbage, put salads on parsley and didn't make lettuce available in the cafeteria We substituted in- steadL^-v /'AC^Easter time the price on han^ isHisually up so we an­ ticipate this and buy well ahead. Then after Easter the price usually goes down, and when it drops enough we'll make our purchase." Miss deGreef told another way she is able to help contain food costs. "We maintain contact with suppliers, and we buy in quantity when values are good. We have their cooperation to store supplies for us and then we draw on those supplies. " Cost containment in the food department requires constant monitoring, watching forecasts, planning ahead, and good cooperation by employees in our department", she con­ cluded. Gil Sather, administrative assistant who specializes in accounting, is keenly aware of costs. A certified public ac­ countant, Sather knows several steps that have been taken or are being taken to contain costs. "We're working with the phone company right now to make better use of our facilities and lessen our expenses in this way. One way will be a direct line to Crystal Lake, McHenry and other communities when we make many calls. "We've joined a buying group through the Illinois Hospital association last October to purchase our medical supplies at a substantial saving. Eighteen per cent of our budget goes for supplies so this does effect a significant cost con­ tainment," Sather sum­ marized. A new model hot water heater has been put in to replace a unit, and Sather figures this will result in a 10-15 percent savings in related heating expenses compared with the worn out unit. -> --U»- *&&& TA Some think placing stupefy the fish. horse chestnuts in the water will Last General Meeting For "Remember When" The last general meeting of T & C's "Remember When", sponsored by St. Patrick's church, will be held Monday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the parish hall, 3500 W. Washington. All committee and room chair­ persons must be in attendance because last minute details are to be finalized at this meeing At this time, there is a desperate need of a workers' R & R chairperson, folk banjo and-or fiddler players, plus both male and female singers. Also, if anyone can loan a piano for use during T & C's weekends of June 15-16 and 22- 23, call Russ Hopp or Loren Schiera. Are You Getting Your Monies Worth? Coll us for customized occounting service designed to fit your needs. •SMALL DUSINESS • PERSONAL ACCOUNTS •LARGE BUSINESS •CORPORATIONS •CONSULTATIONS CALL NOWIWE ARE ANXIOUS TO SERVE YOU! YEGGE ACCOUNTING and Business Service 385-7957 WITH THIS COUPON FOUR FREE DONUTS DUNKIN' 1 WITH THE PURCHASE OF ONE DOZEN LIMIT 8 FREE DONUTS PER CUSTOMER ONLY ONE COUPON PER CUSTOMER Good Only May 3 - May 15 4504 W. Rte. 120, McHenry, Illinois Tire$tone Whitewalls Now at Blackwall Prices! $ 22 A78-13 5 RIB DESIGN WHITEWALL (or blackwall) Plus $1.62 F.E.T. and old tire Smooth riding polyester cord Firestone Deluxe Champion Whitewalls (or blackwalls) 6.00-12, 5.60-13 P155/80D-13, 6.00-13 B78-13, C78-13 5.60-15 B, C, D78-14 6.00-15L, 6.85S-15 $25 $1.44 to $1.56 F.E.T. *27 $1.58 to $1.91 F.E.T. $29 $1.70 to $1.93 F.E.T. E78-14, F78-14 $33 $2.10 to $2.22 F.E.T. G78-14.15 H78-14 $2.88 to $2.61 F.E.T. *37 H78-15, L78-15 $2.66 to $2.96 F.E.T. $40 ALL PRICES PLUS TAX AND OLD TIRE • 4005 W. Rte. 120 McHenry, III. 385-2323 DEAL WITH THE PRO S' McHENRY FIRESTONE, INC. \ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I J WEATHER BY PHONE FREE From McHenry and Wonder Lake 344-3100 Latest McHenry County Weather FORMAL WEAR RENTALS for ALL OCCASIONS bell § SImI . . . . I k t f w ( j M , f W . 12J4 N. Green Si.. McHenry -ma FRI-SAT-SIIN MAY 4-5-6 Lawn and Garden Tractors Seven power sizes -- 10 to 19 9 hp Triple-safety starting. Color-coded controls. Fiberglass hood. Variety of implements available 10% OFF SALE John Deere Lawn & Garden Tractors DURING OPEN HOUSE MAY 4th, 5th, 6th SWING INTO SPRING FREE REFRESHMENTS DON'T MISS IT! 2103 W. RT. 120 McHENRY 385-0434 McHenry CITG0 Quik Mart SAVORY BRAND FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE WE NOW FEATURE A FULL ftHOCERT LIMEt $1 ALL TIME POTATO CHIPS 9 OZ. BOX WE HAVE A VARIETY OF TOMBSTONE PIZZA AT SPECIAL PRICES! STOP 4 SAVE! ALL 8 PACK SODA *b& $149 Ss 8-16 OZ. BOTTLES I PLUS DEP. PEPSI COKE 7 UP RC & MORE! 79 31 STYROFOAM CUPS 51 COUNT 77 $029 gMLQn n THRIST KING® BATHROOM TISS 4 ROLL PACK! 1691 EACH TRASH CAN LINERS 52 COUNT WORK GLOVES BROWN JERSEY 19 PAIR Quik Mart McHenry $298 OPEN M0N THRU FRI 6 10 SAT & SUN 7 10 4502 W. RTE. 120 *1 PRICES GOOD FRI. THRU MON. MAY 4-7 ALL ITEMS PLUS TAX