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- ) V Page 14 NORTHWEST HERALD Section B Thursday. September 12,1915 Regional Superstition is synonymous with being a traitor. It's considered bad luck to have 13 at a meal or have 13 people living in one house. In buildings, 13 floors are a no-ri6, which is why some skip directly to 14 or have a floor named 12A. The ship H.M.S. Friday, on which construction began on a Friday, set sail on a Friday and was never seen again, which might be why ocean liners prefer to wait until after midnight on Friday the 13th before leaving the dbck. "Everyone is superstitious in some kind of way. Most internal control persons still have their moments of doubt," Popovich said. In her book "Knock on Wood," Carole Potter writes that 12 witches are needed for a meeting. Toss in Satan, and you have good old 13. In French Lick Springs, Ind., it's been decreed that ail black cats wear bells on Friday the 13th. There have also been umpteen "Friday the 13th" mad slasher movies set at - that's right, folks -- Camp Crystal Lake. Elgin resident Lloyd Veal isn't taking any chances Fridav. "Oh, yeah, I'm going to stay in the house, definitely," said Veal, who considers himself"very superstitious." "Crack a mirror, walk under a ladder, worst is sweeping me with a broom. That's bad luck and you'll go to jail. I'll spit on it. Black cats? Stay away from them," Veal added. Not all local residents share Veal's belief in superstitions. "No, I don't think so. It (Friday the 13th) doesn't bother me. The only time I worry about walking under a ladder is if someone's on if and may drop something on me," said Crystal Lake's A1 Ehrke. Cary residents Renee Brolin and Curt Fetzner won't take any extra precautions Friday. "I was 13 on Friday the 13th, so I don't believe in it at all," Fetzner said. (Continued from page IB) "Not me. No. None at all. I just don't believe in it Of course (some of my friends do), but they haven't talked about it lately," Brolin added. Throughout history, the number 13 has actually been looked upon favorably at times. Composer Richard Wagner had 13 letters in his name, was born in 1813, and penned 13 operas. Stevie Wonder sold millions of records singing about superstitions. The Seal of the United States has 13 stars and bars, the eagle has 13 tail feathers and holds 13 darts and 13 olives, and "E Pluribus Unum" has 13 letters. The U.S. is still around after being in business for 209 years. There's even a group designed to spit Friday the 13th squarely in the tape. - ' ~ •* i - • 1,1 ' - j - The National Society of 13 Against Superstition, Prejudice and Fear, organized in 1946, meets each Friday the 13th and ends lunch by breaking mirrors and spilling salt. Black cats, by the way, are welcome. For people like Popovich, Friday the 13th -- the first since July, 1984 -- will be just another day of work. But what if a black cat decides to cross his path? _--, "No, no, I'd like to believe I'm not superstitious, but on the other hand, why chance it?" he said with a laugh. ' j The Metivier family of Crystal Lake is really tempting any bad luck Friday the 13tti might bring. "Well, I'm superstitious enough to know it'll be the 13th Fff3ay/but I don't think of myself as superstitious," Susan Metivier said. "We have two black cats, so I don't plan on Friday being different than any other day." ^N. "They (the felines) always seem to be in the way," chimed in her 9- year-old daughter, Sarah. 1 "Now you did it," her mother laughed, "Now we'll really have to ^watchitFrida^ Diet demands change as one grows older Chemical dependency center observes first anniversary Described by Robert Kajdan as "the first place to go to obtain help for alcohol-related problems," the First Step Center at Memorial Hospital had good reason to celebrate its first anniversary recently. During the first year, the First Step Center had more than 250 patients, and Kajdan said one of the finest compliments came when over half the former patients attended the first anniversary of the First Step Center. "It shows their appreciation for the program," he Said. ~ " ~ The First Step Center for Chemical Dependency received its "first step" name during the first anniversary planning. "The First Step involves accepting that one is powerless to overcome alcoholism and other drugs without help," said Kajdan. "Life is unmanageable without conquering the hold of alcohol and other drugs. "They know we have a 24-hour Friendship Line, and they also tell their friends when they find someone looking for help in the struggle against this disease." The 24-hour Friendship Line phone number is (815) 338-8448. During the first anniversary program, Kajdan unveiled a painting that will hang in the First Step Center lobby. Painted by Me Henry artisi Chariene Mueller, it depicts a person walking from darkness to the light. Darkness represents the disease of alcohol, Kajdan explained. "The light represents recovery and a turning over of one's life to a power greater than one's self." , , \ Quit smoking clinic slated It's never too soon to quit smok­ ing and Sherman Hospital in Elgin can help. Sherman Hospital's Quit Smoking Clinic will be held Oct. 7, 8, 9, 10, 14 and 21, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the hospital. The clinic is sponsored by Sher­ man Hospital in cooperation with the American Cancer Society, the Illinois Heart Association and the Lung Association. The objective of the clinic is to provide the methods, motivation and support necessary to quit smoking for good. The clinic is conducted by Sherman Hospital personnel and by successful quitters who unders­ tand the difficulty and anxiety of kicking the habit. Advance registration and fee are necessary. For more informa­ tion or to register, call Sherman Hospital, (312) 888-8772. No one has found a fountain of youth, either in Florida or a friiit bowl. Though there are many people who claim certain fruits, vitamins and vegetables slow the aging pro­ cess, learned researchers say no. But according to dieticians at Me­ morial Hospital in Woodstock, di­ etary and nutritional changes do take place with age and it's impor­ tant for older men and women to be aware of the changes. "For many people, eating be­ comes less satisfying and less enjoy­ able," said Dee Budelier, R.D. and director of nutrition services. "The tastebuds lose their sharpness with age, so foods don't taste as good as they used to. Eating becomes less of a social occasion, and limited fi­ nances might prevent some people eating out or buying expensive meats and fresh fruits." The results, Budelier said, are that many older people eat less and less often. They may not be getting balanced nutrition. The need for good nutrition is no less important in old age than in youth. Though the need for some nutrients diminishes with age, the need for others increases. Post­ menopausal women, for example, typically need less iron than youn­ ger women, but they need more calcium. Budelier summarized the impor­ tance of other common nutrients for older Americans: Protein -- Older Americans need it as much as their young counter­ parts, but dentures or lack of money might keep some older persons from eating meats, fish and poultry, the common sources of protein. Cottage cheese and eggs are softer forms of protein. Vitamin C -- It's as important in old age as ever. Vitamin C promotes healthy skin, teeth and bones. It aids healing and resistance to infection. Vitamin A -- The elderly need it, but it does nothing to promote long life or make hair and skin look youn­ ger. Dark green and yellow vegeta­ bles are good sources. Vitamin D and Calcium -- These come together in milk and are both important to the diet of the older person. Calcium strengthens bones land wards off osteoporosis. Many doctors recommend calcium supple­ ments for women, especially if they do not drink much milk or eat dairy products. Supplements for vitamin D might also be warranted if one drinks no milk and gets little sunlight. B-complex vitamins -- These in­ clude thiamin, niacin and riboflavin and are often claimed to be cures for forgetfulness and hot flashes. These vitamins are necessary, but supple­ ments are probably not necessary for most people. Vitamin E -- Said to increase the sex drive, vitamin E has attracted many advocates. Such claims are unproven. Natural sources of vita­ min E include margarine, whole- grain breads and cereals, nuts and liver. "Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) for vitamins are targeted for average healthy persons and may not always apply to older persons," Budelier said, "but RDA's may be all an older person has to go by when evaluating daily diet. As a rule, older persons need the same nutrition as younger folks. Dietary dangers in old age do not stem from changing nutritional requirements, but from changing appetites." Memorial Hospitals Nutrition Services Department offers outpa­ tient diet counseling with registered dieticians who can help persons of any age meet their nutritional re­ quirements. For more information, call (815) $38-2500, ext. 256. ^chaffer supports lottery funds for local schools Observing the first anniversary of the First Step Center at Memorial Hospital, Woodstock, Robert Kajdan, program director, said more than 250 patients were treated during the first year. "Life is unmanageable without conquering the hold of alcohol and other drugs," he said, "and the First Step Center provides an opportunity to accept that one is powerless to overcome drugs without help." profits into the Common School Fund. Previously, the proceeds were placed in the state's general fund, from which the appropriations for schools are paid. , "The new law tops off the educa­ tion reform program approved earli­ er this year," Schaffer said. "Now we are headed in the right direction, with new expectations for school dis­ tricts, teachers, administrators and students, $402 million in new money Extension adviser Sager taking leave of absence McHenry County agriculture ex­ tension adviser Brian Sager is on study leave until May 23,1986. Sager has been the agriculture ad­ viser in McHenry Couhty for four and a half years. During those years he has been active on the agricultur­ al scene in McHenry County, provid­ ing educational programs and activ­ ities such as Ag Days '83 and '84. Working with commodity groups, cooperating with other county agri­ culture professionals, providing pro­ grams for 4-H and other youth as w%p| as answering day-to-day re­ quests for ag information were among the adviser's varied duties. Interested in the International Ex­ tension Program since he was an IFYE to Costa Rica, Sager has cho­ sen to pursue his PhD in Internation­ al Extension Programs at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. During Sager's absence, the Mc­ Henry County Extension dffice will continue to provide residents with objective, research-based informa­ tion. Filling in for Sager is George Richardson, University of Illinois graduate of Solon Mills. Richardson is available Mondays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Thursdays from noon to 4:30 p.m. Requests for information at other times will be on a call-back basis and emergency requests will be forwarded to another county or to the University of Illinois. For additional information, con­ tact the McHenry County Extension Office at 789 McHenry Avenue, Box 431, Woodstock, 60098; or phone (815) 338-4747. Sen. Jack Schaffer (R-McHenry County), has announced a bill that he supported to earmark all Illinois State Lottery profits for education has been approved by Gov. James Thompson. "This is the law I have been work­ ing for since the inception of the lottery," Schaffer said. "I have fought to assure that lottery money is reserved for local schools, be­ cause this was the express purpose for establishing the lottery, and this , . „ is where Illinoisians want the mon^xjo fund the reforms and other state- to go." mandated programs, and the assur- Sen. Schaffer said the new law ance that lottery profits will be used requires direct payment of lottery to educate Illinois children. Childbirth preparation class to start The Crystal Lake Ambutal will offer a childbirth preparation class on Thursday evenings beginning Oct. 17, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., for six weeks. The class will education­ ally and physically prepare expec­ tant couples for a positive childbirth experience. Taught. be exercise, relaxation and breath­ ing techniques, birth films, fetal growth and the signs and stages of labor. Advance registration and fee are required. For morte information/call Published Saturday