The rapid and steady rise in the number of two- paycheck families in re cent years is contributing mightily to America's s^tndard of living. Since the end of World War II, family coffers have swelled with the addition al income brought in by working wives. Consider the fact that in the 28 years since 1947, the number of - working husbands increased by 27 per cent -- while the num ber of working wives shot up 205 per cent. Obviously, "the good life" is increasingly de pendent upon the wife's -getting out of the home to help Increase the cash flow. And getting out of the home seems to be con tributing a great deal to what's put into the home in the way of beautiful possessions these days. Take a luxury Item like sterling silver, for in stance. You'd think that the economic crunch might eliminate altogeth er such an elegant acqui sition as sterling. Quite the contrary. Retailers across the country report an increas ing trend toward the self- purchase of sterling flat ware. And they say it's the 25- to 40-year-old married woman -- often the wom an with a job -- who's buying it. Along with her increas ed economic independence, there are other reasons retailers advance for the new interest in solid sil ver by the older married woman. SUPPLEMENT TO McHENRY PLAINDEALER-PAGE 13 -WEDNESDAY, MAY 4. 1877 single career girl or bride- to-be may start a set grad ually, either through the acquisition of place set tings, or through gifts or purchases of individual place or serving pieces. Sterling gleams brightly for today's active working wife BEAUTY AND THE FEAST -- that's what today's buffet table* are all about. The food itself may consist simply of two or three dishes, but the occasion's obviously a special one when sterling's on the table. Only place forks, teaspoons and several serving pieces in solid silver are required to serve this dinner for six. The fact that her chil dren are grown -- or at an age where they require far less of her attention -- gives her both more time and more incentive for entertaining. Also, her husband's ad vancement in business usually calls for a corre sponding rise in the cou ple's standard of enter taining (the kitchenware that served so faithfully during the first years of their marriage contributes J MOTHERS' DAY SUPER SPECIAL Melpfu: prot ' jCJinf. I pv 01 l i f t Ow* J rockery serw See through top and ' tract Kttche de* £" lemp coo*«"g th handy *diC«tO' hfM © 677** CXTRA IOW Gin paicfi 5'/, Quart SLOW COOKER CROCKERY CHEF WMh Removable Crockery Server Delicious slow cooking is the energy-saving way for making great meals! And these features make this slow cooker a great gift for Mom. Just look! •Big 5Hqt. real crockery liner for savory ^amily- sized meals. •Cooks high (212) or low (176) all day for about 5c. UL listed. •24 page Crockery Reg. 26.99 cm cookbook in- 9 eluded. Remember : Mother's Day /« May 81 Ace Hardware 3729 W. Elm McHenry Open Daily 8-6, Fri. til 9, Sun. 9-Noon =/* 385-0722 little to an otherwise beau tifully set buffet table). Whatever the reasons, "the other woman" is giv ing the bride-to-be a lot of competition at sterling counters. And the married woman, say retailers, is a set purchaser, whereas the SoMETlniNq PRETTY FOR MOTIHER More and more women are obviously discovering the advantages of that second paycheck -- not only in helping provide life's necessities, but some of its beautiful extras, as well. •• I PERFECT FOB MOTHERS M! I I u LpmrLrUt 6 CYCLE BUILT-IN DISH WASHER WITH DISH & POT WASHING CYCLE! Model HDA800 Just *286 00 LEE & RAY ELECTRIC 1005 N. Front St., McHenry 385-0882 , w Daily 9 5:30 Friday til 8:30 Gift Certificate ...^de tile /boat 1216 N. Green St. McHenry