PAGE 21 - SEC. 1 - SUPPLEMENT TO McHENRY PLAINDEALER - NOV. 25,1975 Handcrafted glass, American treasures for Christmas giving For over 360 Christmas seasons, Americans have been exchanging gifts of handcrafted glass, the country's oldest craft. Shoppers this season will find a wide variety of 19th century reproductions and modern designs -- decant ers, vases, cheese trays, candlesticks, punchbowls, wine glasses -- which may one day become collector's items. In buying today's col lectibles, the beauty and functionalism of hand crafted glass make it at tractive as a gift and as the perfect accessory for holiday entertaining. Artisan crafted The uniqueness of hand crafted ware, according to the Glass Crafts of Amer ica Association, means the glassware has been blown or pressed by hand, a skilled art that has been passed down from genera tion to generation. Dis criminating buyers will prize the faint variations in handcrafted glass, a dis tinction that separates it from machine-made prod ucts. The art of glass making has been going strong ever since our forefathers land ed at Jamestown and built the first glass factory in CHOCOLATE FONDUE INGREDIENTS If you would like to in vite the real holiday spirit into your home, follow the example of Swiss cooks and have a traditional Swiss favorite, chocolate fondue dessert. We are told that, like many great dishes, the fondue originated many years ago in Switzerland where hardened bread was soaked in hot milk or wine to make it palatable again. Someone discovered that adding cheese or chocolate to the pot created a new flavor. Today's hostess can pre pare a chocolate fondue and let guests serve them selves from the portable electric Table Range by Corning. Set the control on a low heat setting and the precise thermostatic control in the heating ele ment keeps the fondue warm without scorching the chocolate. Home economists of Corning Glass Works sug gest dunking a combina tion of angel food cake or lady fingers, cut in chunks, or fruit pieces, such as orange or tangerine slices, strawberries or pineapple chunks. It's an informal and easy way of letting people partake in the fes tivities. 3 bars milk chocolate % cup honey IV2 teaspoons vanilla % cup crushed almonds Yi cup cream 2 tablespoons kirsch, cognac or Cointreau Break the chocolate into pieces, combine all ingre dients in Table Range skil let. Stir over low heat until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Each "fondue-er" dunks and swirls pieces of cake or fruit in the chocolate mixture; 8erve« four to six * persons. 1608 -- in fact, the first factory in this country. Today this skilled craft is translated into the clean, 1 crisp lines of handcrafted 1 wine glasses, decanters | and cheese servers so much a part of everyday living and entertaining. Simultaneously, says Glass Crafts, many hand crafted glass pieces avail able in gift and depart ment stores this Christmas are exact reproductions of shapes and patterns de signed in the 1800's. Many milk glass pieces, antique crystal stemware, carnival glass (an iridescent glass), slag glass (made at the end of the day by glass- makers) , and pressed-pat- tern glass in stemware and accessory pieces are cre ated today from molds de signed in the 19th century. Just as wine glasses and decanters are an integral part of today's • lifestyle, Early American glass pieces reflect yesteryear. Bottles and flasks, paper weights, tiny salts in a va riety of shapes and designs, and cup. plates, saucers with turned up rims used to drink coffee and tea, were found in almost all homes. Traditional skills ' Today, craftsmen at fac tories in western Pennsyl vania, Ohio, and West Virginia, an area the As sociation calls, "Glass Country, U.S.A,," use the same skills of yesteryear -- but with access to far better materials than their forefathers -- in creating •« a variety of American handcrafted glass styles, ranging from simple to elaborate. For information on tour- ing the Glass Country plants to see the magic of glass-making, write to the Glass Crafts of America Association, Box 103, 1800 Oliver Bldg., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222. J^IDLAND FM/AM PORTABLE RADIO *14®? • I1MS 4 COFFEE BREWER DUTCH TREAT According to a tradition of the Pennsylvania Dutch, it is good luck to serve sauerkraut on New Year's Day. Automatically brews 1-10 cups of perfect, filtered coffee. Keeps coffee warm. (3) Operates on AC or batteries (included). Slanted, large scale tuning dial. Hinged telescoping antenna, private earphone. (4) "SCENTSIBLE" A lovely fragrance is one of the most popular gifts of any season. Christmas is the perfect time to in dulge your favorites with any number of heady de lights. WESTCLOX DIGITAL ALARM CLOCK WALKIE TALKIE 95 /\ Reg. ^19.95 *9 $ Easy reading with lighted numerals. Awake every morning without resetting. Drowse feature. Woodtone plastic case. (2) Talk or send coded messages Batteries and crystals included Telescopic antenna. Carrying strap. (12) We Have a Large.Selection I of Holiday Wine Gift Sunbeam 14 PC. 3/8 DRIVE SOCKET SET 2 SLICE TOASTER Sets " STARTING FROM $22.95 Reversible ratchet. 6 and 12 pt. sockets from 3/8" to 7/8" Flexible handle. 2 extensions Metal box. (135) Easy-set dial for wide range of toast settings. Snap-down crumb tray. (21) o SICHEL O BOLLA o ANTINORI o CHERI-SUISSE o VANDERMINT o PAUL MASSON o SOCK 0» CHEER COUPON -- 1/4-INCH SINGLE SPEEdN ELECTRIC 1 DRILL THIS COUPON Double insulated for safety U.L. listed. (136) I /visit Our "Delf" For #7004 The Finest In Cheese & Sausage Vycital's Hardware 1228 N. Green St. McHenry 2314 W. RTE. 120 McHENRY 385-6730 Member Green Street Mall