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Pag* 56---Shaw/Fra* Prtu MMM Group. Inc. 1984 Fair Gukte Your Cooling System Specialists For All Your Cooling System Noods 3006 W. ROUTE 120. McHENRY. ILLINOIS (S15)3S5-07t3 Fair features Carnival fun a Skinner family tradition 920 Front Street (Route 31). McHenry &mtam @MaDe: By Kurt Begalka Shaw Free Press Media Maurice Skinner, 87. remembers when a traveling carnival was the focal point of a town. "There was nothing to do," Skinner said. There were no televisions or car stereos. Star Wars took place at the top of a Ferris wheel, not on a movie screen. Times have changed, but Skinner is WW 344-2260 still an integral part of Skinner's Amusements in Crystal Lake, The company will enter its Uth season at the McHenry County Fair this year. It is strictly a family operation, ac­ cording to daughter-in-law Pat Skin­ ner. She and her husband, Doug, and several other family members have worked to turn a one-ride novelty into a thriving business. Doug Skinner, Jr., represents the fourth generation. George Skinner got into the amuse­ ment business in 1909 after losing an arm to a piece of farm machinery. He bought a steam-powered merry-go^ round and climbed aboard the band­ wagon. His two sons grew up around a carnival. Maurice has been in the business since 1916. The Skinners operate within a 40-mile radius. Their main events are the McHenry, Lake, Boone, Ogle and Whiteside county fairs -- the "nor­ thern zone." Concessions and games are run by independents, Pat Skinner said. The Skinners run operate and maintain the rides. Skinner's owns 25 rides, ranging from the traditional Tilt-O-Whirl to the Zipper -- a 56-foot ride that emulates its name. All machinery is covered by several million dollars in liability insurance. Skinner said. The insurance company contracts for its own inspections, in addition to regular maintenance. "We're doing the best we can," she said. Skinner is convinced, for the number of people served, rides are extremely safe. "When an accident occurs on the freeway do you shut the freeway down?" Skinner said she believes mobile carnivals are safer than fixed amuse­ ment parks, such as Great America in Gurnee. Rides are broken down, assembled and tested frequently. Skinner said they own one Ferris wheel that's 12 years old. "They can last indefinitely," she said. "Everything is replaceable." Rides are manufactured across the country and overseas in France, Ger­ many and Italy. The Scrambler is HOMEOFTHE "WIZZARD" COMPUTERIZED ENGRAVER Fast - Precise £ Spec*ataed Eng»av«ngs CAPS Mi T-SHIRT TRANSFERS -- N»Se*v Charge -- \stvw wng a trap* "Xims Process' whcfc pwrts aw and letters wto a a matt* Ui&s You oesjgt can be tnw* * a* bnfcart cotos EVERY BOOK IN PRINT IS AS CLOSE AS YOUR PHONE (815) 338-3940 America's Finest Service Bookstore LORA AND WALLY GRIGG BOOKSELLERS IN WOODSTOCK 113 South Benton on tlte Beautiful Woodstock Square The Bookstore With An International Reputation For Scivice TROPHIES PLAQUES DESK SETS