Courtship Way Back When BIRTHS The Valentine Valentine's day, named for a saint and sacred to lovers, was once celebrated by a young man asking tbe first lady be encountered in the morning - and he made sure to meet a certain lady - to be his valentine; if she consented he acted as her escort throughout the day', bought her sweetmeats, and entertained her attentively. As an offshoot of this custom decorated letters and poems were sent to ask a lady (or a gentleman) to be one's valentine. At first these were always of one's own devising. Then the stationers provided embossed, paper-lace-edged sheets to write them on. They took the form of hearts. They bore emblems of doves, cupids and flowers. Finally, about a century and a half ago, stock valentines were printed to save the lazy swain the trouble of making them. There were even comic valentines to send in fun or malice. Guessing the sender was not always too difficult! The Parlor Sofa Even in the face of the record it seems hardly possible that this piece of furniture played so im portant a part in bringing young people together! Its horsehair covering -- to judge from examples which survive - was ill adapted to hold a sitter more than a minute before he began to slide. Its rosewood curves bore no correspondence whatsoever to those of the human body. Yet almost every young couple between 1856 and 1880 spent many a dreamy session on one, further hampered by hoopskirts, bustles, and tight military uniforms. The sofa was presumed to allow seclusion, standing as it did in a room generally cold, stuffy, and shut up. Lucky were the lovers who were left alone there. Young brothers crept in and had to be bribed to leave. Mother might find it good for a change to come into the parlor to knit, father to read. Like as not, when a young man visited, the parlor became a center of family activity. Even if it were to the family's advantage to have "the question popped," curiosity drew it in. The Buggy Ride With the incidence of the buggy ride we come almost to the horseless carriage and the modern era, its customs of courtship so much at variance with those of the past. The buggy ride had manifest dangers for a young woman, no less real than those of a ride in a Celebrate The International Month Of The Potato I Evaryday LOW PRICES on popular Vitamin E 400 l.U. ONLY $2» l.U. «S» Vitamin C 500 mg IQITallH SMTaMctoHP1 THER-A-VITE M Compan to andSA/EI 100 Tablets MEGA II Our bmt formula 60 Capsules TIMED RELEA8E STRESS 600 With IRON A HNC added. Compart to Stress Tnt SM* SAVE! $ 3 8 5 60 Tsblets PLENAVITES Vttamina ft RMnarala Compare to Sup* Phnmmina* and S&Ei $3«* 160 isettts Vitamin C S.R. 1HS as. tl TsMsts wjSmiftC IW WJi I Mi tsfctot I d M H *2" Super B Complex USTaMato 6 km pfasUwr B Complex with C tl M Bm aMI C* I't •lAalHM «2" R One TaMat Daily W* tS* TaMsto foe yoaf jmHy gum foevsvis •rltklrea. 29S USMVfS.1l. horseless carriage. In the first place, chaperones could not go along because It was understood that there was no room for them. Then the vehicle might meet with an accident. The horse might run away or lose a shoe so that one could be stranded on a lonely country road. Buggy rides were not only hazardous, they were very popular. A young man who could get possession of a horse and buggy - not every family owned one; they were something of a luxury - knew that he had gone a good way toward making his reputation as a gay Lothario. From such a young man, bold, enterprising, a driver of mettled horseflesh, what might not be expected? It was a high-spirited, self- reliant young woman who mustered courage to go out with him. Language of Flowers Hill's Manual states, "A very charming and in teresting method of com municating thought is by the aid of flowers, their language and sentiment being understood by the parties who present.them." Yet it may be doubted whether a courtship was ever so carried to com pletion, for the vocabulary was necessarily limited to blossoms in season; a lover searching for just the right word might have had to delay a year to say it with flowers. There were of course certain common , garden f a v o r i t e s g e n e r a l l y available: foret-me-not with a message in its name, roses with a variety of tender meaning (save the yellow, which signified waning love), and ivy, always on hand even in dead of winter, expressing a desire for matrimony. But would it not have been a rare lover who had patience for this sort of thing? Certainly the messages in the pages of a floral dictionary were not to be preferred to those spoken in a soft voice in the arms of one's beloved! The bouquet of significance was merely a lover's fragrant aid. Gary and Jacqueline Cheeney, 104 Chilians drive, Spring Grove, became parents of their second daughter Jan. 31. Jessica Marie was born at McHenry hospital and weighed 6 lb. 8 oe. She has a slater Melody. The infant's grandparents are Eula I. Curell of North Branch, Mich, and Don and Betty Chesney of Rolling Meadows. Bradley Russell is the name chosen by Douglas and Carol Toussalnt, 5207 Hampshire lane, McHenry, for their third son. The baby boy arrived at McHenry hospital Jan. 30, weighing 8 lb. 6 oz. He was eagerly awaited at home by two brothers, 13-year-old Mike and Eric, age nine. Gladys Schuringa of Crystal Lake is the maternal grandmother. The paternal grandmother is Almyra Toussalnt of McHenry. Lawrence and Judith Fergen, 2510 Michael street, Wonder Lake, announce the birth of their second child on Jan. 30. Ravelle Anastasia was born at McHenry hospital and weighed seven pounds. She has a sister Chelsea. Maternal grand parents are Mr. and Mrs. C. Bruce Lachel of Crystal Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth P. Fergen of McHenry are the paternal grandparents. A son was born Jan. 29 to William G. and Mart L. Mueller, 3709 Fillmore road, McHenry, and they named him Jason Henry. The 7 lb. 9 oz. baby boy entered the world at McHenry hospital. He was welcomed home by brothers, Marshall, age three and three quarters, and 18-mpnth old Brandon. Maternal grandparents are Henry and Mary Ann Tapaninen of McHenry. Bill and June Mueller of McHenry are the paternal grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kann, 5217 Patton drive, Wonder Lake, announce the birth of their first child. Bret Michael was born Jan. 28 at McHenry hospital and weighed 7 lb. 2 oz. Maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Ball of Lake Zurich, 111. Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick Kann of Arlington Heights, 111. are the paternal grandparents. Jesse Michael is the name chosen by Todd Michael and Marilyn Ann Goldman, 254 Hickory drive, Crystal Lake, for their second child. baby boy arrived at McHenry hospital Jan. 28, and weighed 9 lb. 4 oz. He has a sister April Ann. Maternal grandparents are Ralph and Bernadette Jacobson of Ringwood, 111. Ray and Bonnie Goldman of Crystal Lake, 111. are the paternal grandparents. Donald William III is the name chosen by Don and Sue Harer, 7425 Cedar drive, Wonder Lake, for their first child. The 9 lb. 2 oz. baby boy was born at McHenry hospital Jan. 27. Maternal grandparents are Martin and Jean Potter of Rolling Meadows, 111. Donald and Bernice Harer of Wheeling, 111. are the paternal grand parents. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. LaVarra, 8924 Acorn Path, Wonder Lake, announce the birth of their first child on Jan. 22. Stefanie Ann was born at McHenry hospital and weighed 5 lb. 14 oz. Marion Nelson of McHenry is the infant's maternal PAGE 3 • PLAINDEALER - WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY IS. 1982 T h e g r a n d m o t h e r . P a t e r n a l T M O I I A M T P H D g r a n d p a r e n t s a r e M r . a n d 1 r U " Mrs. Daniel LaVarra, also of FOOD McHenry. •yOOUlOCNOOK HOSPITAL NOTES WOODSTOCK Admissions: Leonard Prohm, Mrs. Laura Jo Lennon, Dennis Taylor and Mrs. Alvina Pilat, all of McHenry; Baby Holly Chevopulos, Norbert Sauers and Mrs. Maria Kat- zenberger, all of Wonder Lake. HARVARD Admission: Kathryn Riha of McHenry. Impossible Bacon Pie 12 slices bacon, crisply fried and crumbled 1 cup shredded natural Swiss cheese (about 4 ounces) Vi cup chopped onion 2 cups milk 1 cup Bisquick baking mix 4 eggs V* teaspoon salt • '/, teaspoon pepper Heat oven to 400°. Lightly grease pie plate, 10 x 1 Vi inches. Sprinkle bacon, cheese and onion in pie plate. Beat remain ing ingredients until smooth, IS seconds in blender on high speed or 1 minute with hand beater. Pour into pie plate. Bake until golden brown and knife inserted halfway between •For a thicker, richer soup, center and edge comes out add a handful of oatmeal when clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let you start the simmering proc- stand 5 minutes before cutting, ess. The oatmeal adds taste, Refrigerate any remaining pie. texture and volume; plus, it's ® servings. low in calories. General Mills Inc. Tips On Shopping For Valentine's Day Flowers February Is Potato Lover's Month, and this year the event honors the international status of the potato. To celebrate, here's a recipe for traditional Norwegian lefse. . Lefse is a delicious way to warm up a cold February morn ing or end a hearty winter dinner. It looks like a crepe, but it's made with potatoes which add lots of vitamins and min erals. One medium potato supplies 35% of the U.S. RDA of vitamin C, 20% of vitamin B, and 10% of iron and niacin. Serve lefse with butter and sugar or your favorite fruit filling. POTATO LEFSE 2 cups plain mashed potatoes % teaspoon salt Z tablespoons milk Flour 1 tablespoon melted butter Vegetable oil or margarine In large bowl, mix potatoes, milk, butter and salt. Mix in % cup of flour. Knead briefly on lightly floured board, adding flour to make a non-sticky dough. Divide into 12 equal balls; roll each on a lightly floured board into a circle about 7 inches in diameter. Lightly oil a heavy skillet or crepe pan; set over medium heat. Cook one at a time, until lightly browned, about 1 minute on each side; stack. Serve hot, buttered, or filled.. Lefse may be prepared in advance, carefully wrapped and frozen. Makes 1 dozen. BEN FRRNKLIN 1 2 5 0 N G R F F N S T M r H E N R Y 3 8 5 - 0 8 0 6 That "parched corn" that the American Indians of fered to the New England Colonists was in reality of tbday's all-time favor ites--popcorn. In fact, it is said the Indians brought it to the first Thanksgiving feast. Valentine's day, Feb. 14, the most romantic occasion of the year, is coming up soon and Richard E. Daudelin, president of a cooperatively-owned floral wire and membership service, has these tips for those planning to give flowers to their Valentines. Order early. Valentine's day falls when the weather is bad in many parts of the country, which can affect both the growing and shipping of flowers. Remember, too, that the holiday is on a Sunday in 1962 so one won't be able to pick up flowers on the way home from work. Give the florist an alter nate choice when sending flowers out-of-town. Because of the weather and demand, some flowers may not be available or not in prime condition in some parts of the country. Consult the florist for advice. Let the budget be the guide. Romance is pricelss but florists can provide floral Valentines for any budget, from just a few flowers, or even a single bloom, to elaborate Give a Gift of Gold Choose a gift for your Valentine from Steffon's „ fine selection of Rings,/ Pendants, Earrings & much, much more. Valentine's Day is the perfect time to give someone the long-lasting gift of a membership in Steffon's Earring Club. Call or stop in for details. bouquets. Red flowers are in great demand. But Valentine flowers can be any color and the florist will be happy to decorate the gift so it con veys a message. Make them last. Most flower gifts come. with in structions on how to care for them. Bouquets should be watered daily with tepid water and kept away from temperature extremes. Drafts are bad and so is the top of the TV set, which gives off heat even when it's not turned on. For a specific question about caring for a floral gift, one should consult the florist. 1212 N.GREEN ST. MCHENRY, IL. 365-6070 oMoWte'A tuilllii SPECIAL VALENTINE SUNDAY BRUNCH With A Strolling Violinist W a Pregnant RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED 815-385-8899 (Formerly Crescent Bay Landing) 3309N. Chapel Hill Rd, McHenry WINTER HOURS: Open for Lunch Mon. thru Fri. Closed Mon. & Tues. Night for Dinner ton JffTTTTmMMk. tvJ&DM T\0 ̂C W&cV nfu W <1 >Sv... • •. : >• *;' - \ •- 5-n 42