The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

SUPlPLElkfiN^ TO' Md&NRY PLAINDEALER - PAGE 7 - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1177 <r- »> / . HOOD BUDDY RANKS TO SOAR WITH CITIZENS' BAND GIFTS Truckers have long play­ ed important roles in the holiday season. After all, they're the ones who haul most of the gifts and deco­ rations to the stores and the ones who, when needed, make store deliveries to our homes. Now truckers have in­ creased their Christmas­ time importance by being the driving force behind an innovation that far outdoes even hula hoops, skate boards and yo-yo's. This year, thanks to the truck driver, thousands of people will become "good bud­ dies" when they receive their citizens' band radio gifts. The growth in popularity of CB radios is astounding. It all started during the energy crisis when long- haul truck drivers greatly expanded their CB use to exchange information on road conditions, the need for emergency assistance, fuel availability and high­ way patrol or "smokey" lo­ cations. Then a few songs glamorizing truckers' use of CBs were introduced and the CB boom was on. Almost overnight, appli­ cations for CB licenses soared from a relatively small number to the current Federal Communications Commission figure of about 500,000 per month. To han­ dle the increased load on the airwaves, the Commis­ sion recently announced the addition of 17 new channels, almost double the previous number. A spokesman for Sears, Roebuck and Co., one of the major marketers of CB radios, called their popu­ larity the greatest develop­ ment in personal communi­ cations since the invention of the telephone. "It may have started as a fad, but now that millions have discovered their gen­ uine usefulness and enter­ tainment potential, a long- term CB subculture has ii(i in We Hove a ̂ Large Selection of Holiday* Wine Gift Sets" STARTING FROM $2'\o$3*95 o 2 )NIN oB)LLA o RUFFINO O CHER I-SUISSE o VANDERMINT o PAUL MASSON o SOCK (/ CHEER Visit Our "D®li" For The Finest In Cheese A Sausage !23I4 W. RTE. 120 MeHENRY 385-6730 come into being," he said. "CBs will be around as long as people continue to talk to each other." There are now more than 13 million citizens' band radios on the air, according to Sears estimates, with al­ most 10 per cent of the American families having access to one. The company figures that 1 out of every 18 cars and 1 out of 7 pleasure boats (over 16 feet in length) now are CB-equipped. To keep up with the boom, companies have not only greatly increased their production of existing CB models but added new fea­ tures to attract even more customers. Some of the more recent innovations are LED (light emitting di­ ode ) channel indicators, units combining both CB and FM radio capabilities and retractable antennas. If there's an aspiring CBer on your gift list or you're planning to join in yourself, the prices for good models begin at about $100. An FCC license is $4 and an application comes with most units. Here's A Gift Idea: Know someone who likes to cook Oriental food? An electric wok, the stir-fry pan, makes a great gift. G.E. INDOOR-OUTDOOR Christmas SI 99 Light Set 'Mboo* UMTS 20 BULBS Automatic Humidifier where craftsmen still care Add needed humidity to your home automatically with this handsome console! Turns on when humidity's too low, shuts oft when desired comfort level is reached all automatically Moisturizes up to 2,000 sq ft Features waterwheel humidify­ ing action. Rust-proof 8 gallon reservoir, and air flow from top to minimize drafts Humidifies up to 2.000 sq. ft M MODEL 24021 ft the MINI- L ̂ HUMIDIFIER WEST BEND . . . w h e r e c r a f t s m e n s t i l l c a r e * HURRY ft SAVE! Built for apartments, offices, mobile homes and other smaller areas Humidifies 625 sq ft of living area Features simulated walnut finish cabinet, directional air flow from top in-line on/off switch, replaceable polyurethane foam filter Capacity 2% gallons <SL SEE OUR LARGE SELECTION OF SPECIALLY PRICED TOYS! | lAbey | Crystal Candles Decorator Wall Clock ITHM5TED Batten Powered Inc. Wick and floating disc Just add water, salad oil 01/71913/4/5 5"-99* 7"-1.49 r-m % WONDER LAKE True Value Hardware 7602 HANCOCK DRIVE WONDER IAKE. III. 815-653-4471 SAM TO 6PM SUNDAYS SAM TO 2PM