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

Make Decorated Home Fire-Safe PAGE 3 - PLAINDEALER - WEDNESDAY, DEC EM BE II22, 1982 Whether you celebrate Christmas or Chanukah, the proper use of decorations is crucial to a safe holiday season, according to the National Safety Council. "Damaged or worn light strings, a dry tree, overloaded circuits, and candles left unattended add up to serious fire risks," Larry Yale, a Council safety specialist, said. When selecting a natural tree, try and find a fresh one, he said. A fresh tree has a deep green color and a strong pine scent. If many needles fall off when the butt of the tree is tapped on the ground, it's too dry. Keep the tree outside until you are ready to decorate it. Yale said that when setting up a tree, cut off about two inches of the trunk and mount it in a sturdy, water- holding stand with wide-spread legs for stability. Place the tree in a location away from fireplaces, radiators, stoves or any other source By Area Expert of heat. The tree should be kept watered the entire time it's inside. When the tree's needles begin to fall off in large quantities, dispose of it. This is a sign that the tree's dangerously dry, he said. Persons who purchase an artificial plastic tree should select one that has been tested and labeled as fire resistant, Yale said. Metal trees don't present a fire hazard in themselves; however, they can be the source of a shock hazard if electric lights are attached to them. Sharp metal edges may cut or damage the cord of lights. To avoid this danger, he suggested persons use colored spotlights beside a metal tree. "Use only strings of lights that have been tested for safety," he said. "These can be identified by the UL mark from Underwriters Laboratories." Each year before using, check each set of lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, and loose connections. Never use indoor lights outside. Yale warned that overloading a circuit with too many lights could cause a fire. He also recommended that persons turn off all lights when they leave the house or retire for the , evening. For safety sake, flame retardant paper or plastic ornaments are generally recommended for all holiday decorations, he said. Avoid placing breakable ornaments or or­ naments with small detachable parts on lower branches of trees or where small children or pets can reach and possibly swallow them. Yale said that lighted candles should never be used on a tree or near flammables. If Chanukah candles are placed in the windows, be careful to position the Menora to avoid contact with curtains. BIRTHS Seminar On Holiday Drinking Dr. Lee Gladstone, of Cherry Valley road, Bull Valley, director of the Alcoholism Treatment program at Martha Washington hospital, presented the public with an early Christmas gift Dec. 14 when he con­ ducted a seminar on holiday drinking. "This is the time of y^ar I call .amateur night," Dr. Gladstone said, "because it seems like the holidays / provide some sort of excuse every evening for ordinarily temperate people to drink far more than they normally do~or should." The fact that it is traditionally a time for feasting and merrymaking, Dr. Gladstone said, should not be an excuse for excessive consumption of alcohol. "The physical damage you do to your system by drinking too much is just as real at Christmas time as any other time," Dr. Gladstone pointed out, "and the danger from alcohol- related accidents, especially automobile accidents, doesn't take a break for the holidays. Far from it. 'Amateur night' too often ends in an accident-related tragedy." Martha Washington hospital has one of the oldest alcoholism treatment programs in the midwest. Dr. Gladstone, who recently came to Martha Washington from Nor­ thwestern Memorial hospital, is a nationally recognized expert on alcohol and chemical dependency, and their treatment. In order to carry his message on holiday drinking to as many people as possible, Dr. Gladstone's audience was comprised of representatives from Chicago's leading employers and hospital facilities. In. addition to pointing out the dang&? inherent in holiday drinking, Dr. Gladstone and his colleagues had several tips for enjoying the holidays wihtout being a Scrooge. Among them were: Always serve food with your holiday drinks, even if it's only a snack. It will help slow the rate with which the body absorbs alcohol, and also provides, your guests with something to do other than drink. ...Control the rate at which you drink-about one drink per hour. This allows your body to process the alcohol in your bloodstream. ...Set yourself a limit before you start holiday drinking, and stick to it. Don't let the excuse "it's the holidays" serve as your excuse of alcohol abuse. And remember, if you select a three-drink limit, that means a three hour party. Don't let the limit change the rate at which you drink. ...Don't force alcohol on your guests, or on yourself. Have non­ alcoholic beverages available. ..Don't rely on coffee, or anything else, to "sober up" before traveling. Only time will produce sobriety once the alcohol is in your bloodstream. ...If you, or a friend, has, in spite of everything, had too much to drink, don't drive. "The winter holidays are meant to be a time of celebration," Dr. Glad­ stone said. "By following these simple rules you can keep them a Jbyous occasion this year, and in the years to come." James and Cynthia Hurck Ingleside became parents of second child and first son on D Timothy Scott was born at Shepherd hospital, Barrington, weighed 5 lbs. 12 oz. He has a si Stacey Jtenee, age five. Mate: grandparents are Mr. and Richard Houle of Ingleside. Mr. Mrs. Robert Hurckes of McHenry the paternal grandparents. Darrell and Deborah Marsh of McHenry announce the birth of their first child on Dec. 4. The 5 lbs. 9 oz. baby girl, named Nicole Marie, was born at Good Shepherd hospital, Barrington. Maternal grandparents are Randell Skelton and Sandra Skelton of McHenry. Patricia Church of Crystal Lake is the paternal grandmother. Terry Bavetz of McHenry gave birth to an 8 lbs. llVfe oz. baby boy, at Good Shepherd hospital, Barrington, on Dec. 1, and named him Phillip Anton. Maternal grandparents are John and Barb Bavetz of McHenry. A girl, Andrea Marie, was born Nov. 28 to Eric and Erika Wales of McHenry. The 7 lbs. 10 oz. infant entered the world at Good Shepherd hospital, Barrington and was welcomed home by Danielle, age nine and 17-month old Stuart. Maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. N. Schoemann of Wheeling. Mr. and Mrs. J. Wales of Wheeling are the paternal grandparents. Ryan Charles Rudolph is the name chosen by Nancy and Timothy Redden of McHenry for their first child. The 8 lbs 7 oz. baby boy was born at Good Shepherd hospital on Nov. 26. Maternal grandparents are Rosel and Rudolph Brunhoefer of Mortpn Grove. Dolores and Charles Redden of Crestwood are the paternal grand­ parents. David and Gena Stilling of Crystal Lake announce the birth ot their firsf^ child on Nov. 26. Jessica Marie arrived at Good Shepherd hospital, barrington, weighing 6 lbs. 5 oz. Maternal grandparents are Walter and Jacqueline Price of Wonder Lake. James and Katherine Stilling of McHenry are the paternal grand­ parents. Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Brenner, Jr., 1709 Acorn Path, Wonder Lake, were vX)lessed with twin boys on Nov. 15. - "Weighing in at McHenry hospital was Keepin' Healthy by Mary Richards May you have a happy holiday season, and may all your wishes be granted; May you receive many kisses under the mistletoe, and may your children not eat the berries; May Santa Claus be generous, and may all the toys be safe; May your Christmas tree glow with warmth, and may it stay moist so as not to catch fire; May your holiday turkey be savory to the palate, and may it be well done so as not to cause sickness. The above traditional holiday wish of the Illinois Department of Public Health may seem like a strange message at first reading, but every , wish is a sincere one. The traditional Christmas plant, mistletoe, is beautiful but its berries are toxic. If eaten, this symbol of love can be deadly. One or two berries are enough to cause severe poisoning or even death in a child. So if you are using mistletoe to decorate your home for the holidays, place it well out of the reach of small children who like to put everything in their mouths. The state health department hopes that Santa, and other gift givers, bring your small children toys that are safe - toys that are too large to swallow; have smooth, rounded edges, have no straight pins, sharp wires or nails; and have no detachable parts that can seven-pound Adam Christopher, and Nicholas Peter, 6 lbs. 4 oz. Maternal' 4 grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Donald Merritt of Carmi, 111. and Mr. " and Mrs. Leonard Spencer of Wonder « Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Bren­ ner, Sr. of Wonder Lake are the • paternal grandparents. Great- , grandparents are Sherman and Mary - Spencer of Wonder Lake. Mr. and • Mrs. Byron Sowers of Hebron, for- - merly of Ringwood, are the infants' . great-great-grandparents. -- lodge in a child's windpipe, ears or>*. nostrils. State health experts advise that,*-*- when choosing a live Christmas tree,*^" you should lift it to feel its weight. IC*V it's good and heavy, that indicates it is-ZK full of sap and will stay fresh an moist longer. It helps to saw a*»*« diagonal cut one or two inches up from>** the bottom of the trunk, and keep the^~« tree in water. Sawing a diagonal piece^ \ off the trunk will expose new woot£» that will absorb more moisture into-t -« the tree. Check the tree stand every** I* day and replace the water that hasC-% evaporated. Finally, just a word of caution if you>*« are serving turkey or other fowl for-*^ your holiday dinner. Be sure the bir<fc«*« is well done. Each year, many people^** are stricken by salmonella infections from eating undercooked, or "pink"*v% poultry. Thorough cooking will/jyj prevent such a mishap, so in the rusfr>~* of your holiday preparations, don't '+* undercook the turkey. May these holiday hints add to your _ •% enjoyment of the season, and may the*I« new year tind you keepin' healthy. HOSPITAL NOTES • * - r < WOODSTOCK Admissions: Mrs. April Stewart ancKX Mary Pat Storm, both of McHenry£«y Jason Mikeska and Debra Franzone,*v£ both of Wonder Lake. HARVARD Admission: Joseph Groell ok£v Wonder Lake. Vvfo-frnrfrnrS'nr &=* SPECIAL ANGEL You can easily make a very beautiful angel for your treetop. 1) Use a plastic bottle for the body. 2) A styrofoam ball becomes the head. Paint the facial features on the ball. Fine, yellow baby yarn can be glued on for hair. 3) Fold round, 8 inch doilies in half for the angel robe and for its wings. Your special angel is personalized for your family ; no one else will have one with the exact expression^yours has! MONEY MANAGEMENT IS IMPORTANT For many Americans, the New Year may bring only a con­ tinuance of what can only be described as "hard times." The year now departing brought many families, for the first time, to know economic hardship and unem­ ployment. January 1983 is certain to bring to many the realization that holiday spending far outstripped an already strained family budget. The stage could be set for serious financial picture should be charted on paper - old debts, new ex­ penditures, monthly payments, anticipated i n c o m e . O n c e everything is down in black and white, family members should sit down and discuss priorities. Sacrifices may become necessary and, if so, they are easier made when all the members of the family are thoroughly familiar with the family's financial situation, , CHRISTMAS CONE-CUPS Kids love to eat cupcakes and they love to bake them, too. For a fun, delicious treat, let them help you place flat-bottomed ice cream cones on a cookie sheet and spoon cake batter into them until they are half full. Bake them in a slow oven. The cone cakes can be eaten plain or ice them; stick a cherry on top, make designs with silver cake decorating balls, or sprinkle them with colored sugar. Cone-cakes are great for taking on car trips, also, because there will be no litter from cup­ cake liners. Still in Doubt? Let Them Choose Their Own With a Spurgeon's Gift Certificate . . . A Perfect Stocking Stuffer! L DATE N? 75645 FOR. AT FIVE AND_ spury eon's NO/OO DOLLARS $ 5™ WITH BEST WISHES FROM. © © © © © © © © © THIS CHRISTMAS A GIFT OF GOOD , GIVE HEALTH Just Like Kelli Ketchum ™ Off Harvard Who Lost 81 Pounds \if To Someone You Love WITH NUTRI SYSTEM PLUS... PUT A SMALLER WOMAN OR MAN UNDER YOUR TREE WITH A NUTRI/SYSTEM GIFT COUPON! Sign up for a }/t v0fF your rjp Nutri/System program at the jjf Crystal Lake Confer by 12/28/82 ana bocomo oligiblo to win a rm, combination TV/AM/FM radio. Our Holiday drawing will take place Dec. 31,1982. Over 500 Centers Nationwide © ©©©©©© nutri/system weight loss medical centers •» • . -K a --soypoM ruL10 CA*D C"KISTMAS! °N«NY lilllii U tliru Cen""r '992 Present this r«rC^°Ses fo * h ' c ° P o n a n d . W r ° P cn r9*d ,he h* fining '° - ' ' <-enfer *"d CH _ coupon 6 • , © © © © © © CRYSTAL LAKE 4911 RTE. 31, SUITE B COLLEGE HILL PROFESSIONAL BUILDING © - 815.459*9050 (9 om-7 pm) 815-459-4400 Before 9 am or after 7 pm At people vary, to do their weight lottet. I ;:Pfe * Pre-January Clearance Sale Oil Now!! •RECLINERS •DINING ROOM SETS •LAMPS *BEDROOM SETS •LIVING ROOM SETS • ACCENT PIECES •SLEEPERS •PIUS MANY MORE ITEMS ©! UJ "The Store That Caret To Save You Money" Decorator Pieces FREE SET-UP LAYAWAY AND DELIVERY AVAILABLE IttcltKIIKY Homme ftiirnifchiiwx ^ « 385-8200 4618W. RTE. 120 McHENRY, ILLINOIS HOURS: MON t FRI 9-9 TUES.. WED., THURS • SAT 9-4, SUN 12-5 I <