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Todo/s Heolth News Pubhihtd by I he Amtr ic in Mtdict l At toclal ion July 4th 1* Ba >n cor ROTARY INSTALLATION - Dave Bennid, second from right, holds gavel as he is installed president of the Mcllenry Rotary club. The ceremony was held last Thursday night at the McHenry Country club. Shown with Renrud, from left, &re his wife, Vila; Wendell Rovelstad, 1975-76 Governor for Rotary District 644, and Mrs. Rovelstad. STAFF PHOTO- Consumer Forum by Illinois Attorney General William J. Seott Most people have a natural fear of lightning and with angry Spring thunderstorms again boiling overhead, the fear of personal injury or property damage from a shattering flash of lightning is heightened greatly. That same fear will cause countless Illinoisans to fall prey to the panic peddlers -- usually itinerants-in the lightning rod installation business. They use fear to commit fraud So let's take a hard look in today's Consumer Forum at the lightning rod cheats who, incidentally, have already emerged in Illinois. It should first be noted that lightning rods atop a house, a barn, or a business place are considered good investments ffom the standpoint of protection. The question is: How much should that protection reasonably cost? The people in the electrical supply business tell us that a basic lightning rod protection kit with 15 small antenna-like lightning rods and all the wiring necessary to install them costs the consumer slightly under $100. If you would hire someone else to do the installation, add labor costs. So you should reasonably expect BASIC lightning rod protection - including installation -- at a cos' of approximately $200 to $300 per building in most areas of the state. But when the lightning rod cheats enter the picture, the costs, for the same basic equipment can soar as high as $4,000 or $5,000. The investigative files tell the story. Consider, for example, the case of a Hancock county (111.) farmer with an existing but somewhat aged lightning rod system on both his house and barn. He paid $4,525 to an out- of-state crew who identified t h e m s e l v e s a s " m a n u f a c t u r e r ' s representatives" allegedly sent out by the company to check on the original system. After a FOX RIVER STONE CO. Flag Stone Veneer Stone F ield Stone & Houlders * Imported Boulders in a variety of colors. •Colored Landscape Stone. •Crushed Limestone •Sand And Gravel Rt. 31 & McLean Mlva. - 5 mi. S. of Elgin 312-742-6060 312-742-606* rooftop examination, the crew showed the farmer a piece of burned wire and told him that the old system had been hit by lightning, damaged, and was no longer safe. "You probably won't be as lucky next time," they warned. Have you figured out what was wrong? Let's take a closer look. The first axiom in the home repair and improvement field is for the homeowner to find out in advance' what the job will cost and then get that agreement in writing. In the Hancock County case, the new lightning system Should have cost less than $1,000, but there was no advance agreement and the new system was already installed. So find out first what any such project willl cost and get it in writing. Secondly, any homeowner or businessman should be immediately wary of out-of- state or out-of-town operators. Once they have your money, they quickly leave the area and the reach of the law. They often Re assumed names, unregistered ' or ficticious license plates and other devices to mask their identities. Always do business with local firms, people you know. Next, it is a common plov to offer "Free inspections" or use the guise of "Manufacturer's representative" to gain access to a home or business. In the sale of lightning rod equipment, most manufacturers sell directly to electrical supply outlets. They do not, for the most part, have their own installation crews or representatives. The lightning rod cheats, in fact, buy complete kits over the counter at electrical supply centers. You can too. As to the "burned wire" that so frightened the Hancock farmer, you've probably already guessed it: The lightning rod cheats show the same piece of wire to every prospective customer as the sales cliwcher, the final persuasion against disaster. An "equally effective gimmick on homes without anti-lightning systems is to slice off a small piece of shingle, scotch it with a cigaret lighter or small pocket alcohol toreti and tell the homeowner: "See that burned area! You had a close call with lightning sometime recently. The final act in the lightning rod scenario of fraud can -sometimes be genuinely frightening. It 's a "Hit-and- run" technique in which the homeowner is given a grossly- inflated bill for the job. Because a large amount of money is usually involved, most people will pay by check. So one member of the work crew will take the check to the bank and cash it while the rest of the crew remains with the now-victimized homeowner to prevent him (by force if necessary) from phoning the bank or local law enforcement officials. When the bank runner returns with cash in hand, the crew gets out of the county and beyond the reach of local law enforcement as rapidly as possible. Another variation of the same kind of fraud is to install a lightning rod system at reasonable cost and, before departing, sell the homeowner a phony "insurance policy" to replace the system free if it is hit by lightning and burned out. Illinoisans have paid as much as $700 for phony policies, our investigations reveal. The Attorney General's office has recovered considerable sums for a number of lightning rod fraud victims, but identifying the cheats remains the most difficult problem. They often make forays into Illinois from neighboring states and, after a successful swindle, race back across state lines to avoid prosecution. Your best protection from the lightning rod protection cheat" is to do business with people you know, in your own or neighboring communities. Be most wary of itinerants and in all cases get the best identifications you can of the work crews in the event that you need the assistance of law enforcement. And, finally, don't authorize any heme repair or improvement project until you know the cost and get it in writing. Chatter is a very expres­ sive word when applied to some conversations. only the common Complaint of back sufferers but also the title of a new book that offers some recourse for all that pain and discomfort The authors, Leon Root, M.D., and Thomas Kiernan, suggest a series of eight therapeutic exer cises that relieve this chronic problem, whatever the eau?e-- trauma, infections, arthritis, or just stress First" in the series is the Knee- ^lo-Chest Raise Standard Starting position: Lay flat on your back with" your knees bent and raised, soles of your feet on the floor, and your hands and arms flat out by your side for easy balance. Step A: Pull your left knee to your chest as far as it will go without causing you pain Hold, count slowly to five, then return your leg to the starting position Step B: Repeat the same ma­ neuver with your right leg, draw ing your right knee as close as you can to your chest, holding it there for a count of five, then returning your leg to the start ing position Step C: Now bring both knees up toward your chest, allowing them to separate slightly so that they point toward your should­ ers. When knees are as close to chest as you can get them, hold for a count of five, then slowly return legs to starting position. Run through this exercise five times to begin with, doing all three parts each time. Once you can do the entire exercise five times without difficulty, gradu­ ally increase the repetitions to ten. Before you begin, the authors note a few basic ground rules that should be observed: 1. Check with your doctor to make certain that you do not have a problem that could be made worse by exercising now. 2. Once you start the exer­ cises you must keep at them EVERY DAY. A gas hog it ain't. DR. HAROLD LENTZ SPEAKER -- Dr. Harold Lentz, president of Carthage college, Kenosha. Wis., was guest speaker when about forty alumni of the college gathered at McHenry Country club Tuesday night last week. NEW IDEA Electric Tractors New Idea Electric Tractors are powered by a cluster of easily rechargeable POWER PACK CELLS. They deliver instant, clean, economical power that lets you mow up to 4 hours on a single charge, depending on the model. Save your gas for your car. Get a Battery-Powered New Idea Electric Tractor this spring. 4 models--8, 10, 14 and 16 horsepower. The electric tractor is backed by dependable NEW IDEA DEALER SERVICE Battery power is better Brookwood Garden Center 4505 W. Rte. 120 Mcllenry,III. 815/385-4949 Mon.-Fri. 9-8; Sat. 9-5:30; Sun. 10-4:30 On the Fourth of July of every year the people of this country take note of the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which ranks as one of the most important documents of history. In it, Thomas Jefferson, the author, set forth the inalien­ able rights of man and the theory that governments are in­ stituted by men, not set up by God, and, therefdre, derive their powers from the consent of the governed. „ This was something of a revolutionary doctrine in 1776. Moreover, the Declaration makes plain the right of the peo­ ple to alter or abolish their government and to institute a new government in such a form as they may deem most like­ ly to provide for their safety and happiness. The historic Fourth has become identified as a day of leisure, marked by deaths, accidents, games and amuse­ ment, but there are occasional programs which'point out the significance of the Declaration and the principles that it expresses, too often forgotten. 3 Do not overdo them at the beginning. 4 Set aside 30 minutes a day for your daily exercises--15 min­ utes in Jhe morning, and 15 minutes before retiring at night. The other seven exercises are detailed in Dr. F^oot and Kier- nan's book, published by David McKay Co. WANT MO*f INFORMATION? Write today i Huollh Mogozint CF, 335 North Dearborn Slrt t l Ch icago. I l l i n t . i 60610 • * • m Self-control is u great vir­ tue but few individuals seek to attain it. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. Gerhard Frarte are parents of a son June 20. A daughter was born June 19 to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Johnson of Spring Grove. PAGE 5 - PLAINDEALER - WEDNESDAY, .JULY lfT4 INCRbASt YOUR ,SMOKING PLEASURE. AT SMOKE'n GUN TOBACCO SHOP CIGARS tram 10' to '1.50 We carry the finest selection of hygrade quality cigars in the area. "SAVINELU" BRAND PIPES from >8.00 to '30.00 "UHLE'S" BLENDED in packets or tins Mon.-Thurs.-Fril 9:30-9:00 Tues.-Wed.-Sat. 9:30-5:30 2908 W . RTE. 120 MCHENRY 815-385-3585 ̂ Closed Sunday "EASY CARE" HAIR CUTS FOR gals on the gu • Layer Cuts t Shags • Naturals $10.00 JANE'S 385-7771 FOR YOUR ADDED CONVENIENCE ... OUR DRIVE-IN WINDOW IS OPM WEDNESDAY 9 A.M. - 2 P.M. t. CK Mc H E NRY S A V IN GS 4 IM« At l l t l A? I l l SERVING AU Of QRKATfR McHENRY COUNTY. Ur* ' ANO LOAN ASSOCIATION I 209 North Qrt#n $"••• McM#r>ry Illinois 600SO 38S 3000 OtPQSlt* INSUIM 0 U* 10 VQ 060 BY IHI nOIDAI SAVING! A tOAN INJUAANtl UlAKJUAi lun. COUNTRYSIDE FABRIC SHOCK 7129 BARNARD MILL RD. WONDER LAKE * GIFTS * YARN * HALLMARK CARDS 653-7699 j <«•. SMX ymssem. TOP GRAIN COWHIDE PURSE has sections for checkbook and credit cards, separate change purse. FREE WITH $500 DEPOSIT! \ MATCHING 3-PIE3E STAINLESS STEEL COOKOUTSET. Large, heavy man-size styling. Versatile. FREE WITH $5000 DEPOSIT! what are you waiting for? Bring your savings to McHenry Savings Pick up a free gift for your thrift \ SERVING ALL Of GREATER McHENRY COUNTY DETECTO SCALE with easy-to-read dial. Elegant gold and black fleur-de-lis design on white mat. FREE WITH $1000 DEPOSIT! McHenry Savings has a free gift waiting for you when you open a new savings account with $500 or more... or add $500 or more to your present account. Bring in $500, and we'll give you a colorful top grain cow­ hide purse. Bring in $1000, and we'll give you a Detecto scale. Bring in $5000, McHENRY S A V I N G S t l * A I A S S O C I A T I O N ANO LOAN ASSOCIAT ION and we'll give you a stainless steel cookout set. N Our supply of these fine gifts is limited, so stop in soon. We'll be glad to transfer your savings for you from any other savings institution quickly and without charge (just bring in your passbook). Remember . . . your savings will be working for you, earning up to IV2% . . . highest rates al­ lowed by law. Limit one free gift per account under A»ao.Clatlon rules Funds must remain at laaat orie year SPECIAL! Free drawing for Electric Bar-B-Que Grill. Stop in and fill out entry slip. No cost or obligation (you don't have to be a McHenry Savings customer!). 1209 North Green-Street McHenry. Ill inois 60050-815/385-3000 SAVERS HOURS m to 4 30 p rr 8 00 p f a ' / ) jesday Tht 1 Fr iday Dr sday and Salun ve In Window o y 00 , Monday 1/ 9 00 a in to •n Wednesday ti to ? 00 p m Deposi ts insured to $20 000 by the Federal Savings & Loan Insurance Corp V* lll 'v.* V