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SECTION 3 - PAGE 6 -*PLA1ISDEALER-HER AM), WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12.19S4 State parks ideal for winter activities Persons who enjoy cross country skiing, snowmobiling, hunting, skating, sledding, or bird watching, will enjoy the many offerings at Illinois state parks, according to Ray Norbut, chief* of the Conservation Department's Division of Public Lands. For cross country skiers there is a wide variety of activities. Jubilee College State Park, Big Hiver State Forest, Illinois- Michigan Canal State Trail, and Silver Springs State Park are just a few of the 28 sites offering cross country skiing trails, "Many of our parks have ski rentals," Norbut noted. Special events for skiers include a Winter Wilderness Weekend Jan. 12 and,13 at Starved Rock State Park. The guided tour will take skiers past the park's ice falls. On Feb. 2 and 3 another guided tour will be given so skiers can enjoy both Starved Rock and Matthiessen state parks. Tours during both weekend events leave the visitors center at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day. Snowmobiling is another popular winter sport for many niinoisansi___!!Hennepin Canal offers^sriowmobiling 24 hours a day ^nd contains more than 100 miles of trails," Norbut added that DOC enforces a four-inch packed snow requirement for snowmobiling. "People must stay in the designated areas which in some places is a trail, another a field, or in another a non-essential road. Each site has different snowmobiling rules." After a hard day of snowmobiling many parks offer warming houses to recover from the cold. "Warming station facilities are for people who have been out in the cold and need a break," Norbut explained. "They have toilet facilities and many have concessionaires." Norbut added that people are welcome to bring their own coffee and just warm up. "Normally they are open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., but each site sets its own hours." Since each site is different, it is best to call ahead, Norbut said. Some persons may be in­ terested in photography or just observing some of Illinois' wildlife. "Winter is a good time to see native Illinois animals-- anything from rabbits to bald eagles, geese, ducks, and a lot of deer," Norbut said. When the snow isn't quite deep enough but the weather is freezing, ice skating maybe enjoyed. With over 32,000 acres of water on Illinois public lands,' chances are good for finding a smooth skating spot near home. For the adventuresome, winter camping areas are available. "Some of the facilities often need to be closed so pipes won't freeze," Norbut said. "The outdoor camping experience is certainly good in the parks. The outdoors is a vast learning center. A huge schoolroom year around." Although facilities such as showers may be closed, all campgrounds are open year round. "When we have to close certain facilities the cam­ pground c lass i f ica t ion automatically changes to reflect the facility closures," he ex­ plained. "For example, a Class A campsite would be changed to a Class B site. Naturally, the prices are adjusted as well." Ice fishing is another ad­ venturesome sport available for winter users. This, coupled with the many hunting possibilities, keep sportsmen busy. ^ After a long day at the park, rest at one of the many lodges across the state. "We offer a nice variety of lodges for good dining, such as Starved Rock, or health club and pool facilities, such as Illinois Beach," Norbut said. He also noted thfct Giant City, Pere Marquette and White Pines Forest state parks all offer excellent lodging and dining facilities year round. When preparing for these visits persons should be aware of the extremes in Illinois weather. "We want people to be aware of the chill factor in­ volved," Norbut said. "I would advise them to take part in the snowmobiling and hunter safety courses we hold. Naturally they should be properly dressed and have a good map of the area," Norbut added. "Each season provides beauty. It's important to remember that each site has it's own personality in the winter," Norbut said. Persons planning to snowmobile or cross-country ski on state-managed lands this winter, should get copies of the Conservation Department's Cross-Country Ski Guide and Snowmobiling in Illinois brochures before the snowy weather sets in. Single copies of both publications are free upon request from the Department of Conservation's Regional Offices at Sterling, Spring Grove, Champaign, Alton and Benton, or by writir£ the Department of Conservation, Lands and Historic Sites, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, n 2706. The Cross-Country Ski Guide lists 26 trails located at sites throughout the northern two- thirds of the state, notes their length and difficulty, and lists facilities available (winter camping, concessions, ski rentals, etc.) at each site. In addition, the publication offers some tips on keeping warm during a winter outing and 10 common sense safety rules for cross-country skiers. Snowmobiling in Illinois: State Trails and Regulations details state regulations regarding snowmobile equip­ ment, registration and operation. Detailed descriptions of 21 snowmobile trails, ranging from a few miles up to 44 miles in length, also are provided. Length of the trails, hours they are open to snowmobilers and a description of the terrain are included in each trail summary. Both publications are published by the Conservation Department's Bureau of Lands and Historic Sites. Display by horticulture students now at mall Horticulture students from McHenry County College have designed and put together a visual Christmas greeting for area residents that can be viewed now through Christinas in the Crystal Point Mall. The Christmas floral display features white chrysanthemums and multi-colored poinsettias highlighting an original metal sculpture by welding instructor Ralph Fidler. All plants incorporated intojthe design were grown in MCC's greenhouses and are being main­ tained by members of Dick York's class in Understanding Landscape Plans and Dale Rathjen 's Greenhouse Management students. Available At rv . . I i I I | i Th»Fol lowing Plamdealer Herold Location* •WHITE HEN PANTRY •BELL LIQUORS •BOLCERS DRUGSTORE •OSCO DRUGS •JEWEL •HORNSBY'S •KAREN £ GINNY'S •LIQUOR MART •McHENRY HOSPITAL •FOOD MART •NORTHWEST TRAIN •ISLAND FOODS •CONVENIENT FOOD •COUNTRY CUPBOARD •SULLIVAN FOODS •UNION '76 •COLE PHARMACY •COAST TO COAST •SUNNYSIDE GAS t QUICK MART •JtLGAS •ACE HARDWARE •LAKEVIEW FOODS •SUNNYSIDE FOODS •LITTLE STORE •SUNRISE GROCERY •DEBBIE'S GENERAL STORE •VILLAGE MARKET •McHENRY DRUG • J ft R FOOD MART Swathe. WWcf (JRLSIM/IS Orvis ̂ Crystal Point ITloB 8 5 3 4 EROSION It is estimated that 40 percent of Illinois' farmland suffers from excessive erosion. In an effort to address the problem of soil erosion on Illinois acreage, the Illinois Department of Agriculture has set a goal of reaching "T" bv the year 2000. "T" is the soil loss tolerance level of an acre of land. On most Illinois cropland the T value is between three and five tons of soil per acre per year. When soil erosion exceeds mis T value, soil is being lost so fast that its natural productivity is being dimished. Even the hardest| to please on your gift list should be delighted with a whole Mall from which to choose a perfect gift! (i *000 MO«TKWMT mOMWAY c»«t*l IAK(. HINOtt *00" (tit) ayoor* it mo» ta\POAO! 4SJ0099 egoist o\n FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE Weekend babysitting is available 6 to 9 on Fridays and ail day Saturday and Sunday! Crystal Point moll ROUTE 14 ui Mala Street, Crystal Laki, Moo.-Fri., 10 to 9*Sat., 10 to 7*Sn., 10 to 6 Free Gift with Napier Jewelry purchase at Spiess. Charge it! We welcome your Spiess Charge, Visa, MasterCard & American Express. With any Napier purchase of 15.00 or more, receive a free velveteen jewelry box while quantities last. for Christmas SPRING HILL CRYSTAL LAKE ST. CHARLES Just the way it's always been. Only better! « • STORE HOURS Mon. Sat., Dec. 10 IT, 9:30-9:30 Sun., Dec. 16. 10:--1 6:00 Mori. Sat., Dec. 17 2.?. 9:30 9:30 GRAND RE-OPENING McHENRY STORE ONLY VM B§