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TRENDS Wednesday, August 21,198S Section B Clubs, computers play cupid By Joe Agnew Herald staff writer In the 1970s, it was a common belief that singles bars were the most popular and convenient places to meet persons of the opposite sex, and that other options -- like singles clubs and computer dating services -- were only for those who were too ugly or inept to make the "connection" themselves. But the change of decades has also brought a change in attitudes. Singles groups, want ads and computer dating are winning popularity as alternatives for meeting that special "someone." For one, single people represent a larger cross-section of the popula­ tion than the stereotypical 20 to 30-year old male or female who has never been married. Single can also mean persons from ages 21 to 60 who are widowed, separated, divorced (with or without children), and those who have children but have never been married. Another misconception about singles groups is that people join them with the specific hope of meeting and eventually marrying someone. In more cases than not, people are joining these groups as a way pi interacting socially with those of both sexes, as well as meeting those who can share and relate to the everyday problems that singles face. > This concept appears to be the major thrust of many of the singles groups currently operating in the Chicagoland and Fox River Valley areas. They can include groups that are community or church based, or non-profit organizations that sponsor gather­ ings at suburban hotels. Although dancing appears to be their most common form of entertainment, many also schedule "rap" sessions and coun­ seling services aimed at helping members cope with or better enjoy the single life. One such group is the Christian-based Branches, which has been in existence since 1980, and now boasts 443 members of all ages from Crystal Lake and surrounding communities. Branches offers membership to any single adult, including those who are separated or divorced, or single parents with children. Besides Sunday night dances at Riptide's Restaurant in Johnsburg, Branches also sponsors periodic rap sessions, speakers, and other events designed to enrich the lives of single people. Craig Leigh, who is 37 and divorced, started attend­ ing Branches functions about a month ago. He still only considers himself a "visitor." Besides allowing him the chance to increase his social life and meet new people, Leigh said he found the group informative. "I was doing the bar scene, but you meet strange people and it doesn't get you anywhere," Leigh said. "Branches isn't into that -- it's a safer way of meeting people. "It's easier for younger, never-married people to meet -- most go to bars or discos," Leigh added. "But it's difficult for some to meet others. Through the assistance of clubs like Branches, it become much easier, plus the group setting makes it more comfortable." Leigh described the atmosphere of the Sunday night dances at Riptides as relaxed, and noted that soft drinks are the preferred beverage of the 30 to 50-year- olds who usually turn out. He said most of those are divorced. Another anonymous member of Branches who has never-wMTHH] saldshe found involvement in the group to be a "very rewarding experience." She noted the friendly atmosphere of its group meetings, saying that fellow members have provided her with "encourage­ ment and self-fufillment." Since joining in mid-March, she said she's had sever­ al dates, but that it's allowed her to make friends with other single women, too. Another group -- Aware Singles -- is a Chicago based not-for-profit corporation and one of the 12 member organizations of the Chicagoland Association of Singles Clubs (CLAS). Aware is sponsoring a singles dance August 30 at 8:30 p.m. at the Arlington Park Hilton. Rick Winslow is the group's vice-president. Attendees to the Aware dance functions, which are held all over the Chicago area, range from 100 to 150 people aged 25 to 55. and are held on Sunday nights. Besides the availability of space at that time, Winslow said Sundays are also good free time for most singles. - Winslow helped found Aware five years ago, and gave his age as 45 -- although admitted he was actually 48. He has been divorced since 1970. During the past five years he said he has seen the focus in single groups change from emphasis on personal development and intellectual in­ volvement now to simply having a good time. "In the past few years, it has also become more respectable to go to singles clubs," Winslow said. "For many years, the common belief was that they only attracted losers. But lately, more and more people are becoming tired of the bar scene. It's artificial." f.Wr" Increased interest in singles clubs can also be attributed to the fact that many adults live or work in areas far way from their high schools, colleges and hometowns. Winslow said. "Mod­ ern America doesn't have that built-in network system." He recalled his days of growing up on Chicago's south side, where relatives lived within blocks of one another. He noted that today, he and his brothers are scattered all over the country. "Parents and chil­ dren no longer have those close relationships. Because of this, the man/woman relationship has become more important." "It's easier to meet a person at a singles club than anywhere else," Winslow said. "It provides a place for people who acknowledge their singledom with the opposite sex." He also called it more conservative and respectable, because most of the members all know each other. . "People -- especially women -- feel more secure, because they know any obnoxious behavior will be controlled." Winslow said he thinks people today aren't interested in pure sexual relationships, but are looking for more long-term ones. CLAS President Richard Starman said his umbrella organization was founded 10 years ago to disseminate group publicity and information to single people. Other groups belonging to CLAS include the Arlington Heights-based Northwest Singles Association, and the Midwest Singles Association in Niles. "It's a good concept," Starman said. "By writing to our post office box number or calling a number, a person has access to information from all of these clubs." That number is (312) 271 1200, or persons can receive a listing by writing to CLAS c/o P.O. Box 66243 A.M.F., O'Hare, 111. 60666 Starman also pointed out that, whereas the stigma of singles clubs as havens for losers and ugly people has changed over the years, the bar scene has remained the same. Starman is 45 and never married, but hopes that he will be someday. He said people may meet the s^ime singles bar "undesirables" at CLAS-member functions, but that the setting is "definitely better." He said most functions draw singles ranging in age from 30 to 60, although ether CLAS- member groups feature singles with an average age of 50 and over. Flora Lewis is the president of the Elgin Singles Club, which she describes as "a nice warm group of individ­ uals ranging from 40 years and up." Lewis is 52, but says she "feels like she's 30," and said her three-year involvement the group has also put her in touch with other single women, plus other men who she can comfortably call friends. Lewis acknowleged many persons' apprehensions about joining such groups. "People are afraid," she said, "but it's not commitment -- it's companionship." For example, Lewis met another woman in the group who she now regularly golfs with. She said she also appreciated the kindness and condolences expressed by group members after the recent death of her mother. "We aren't a support group, but we do care," she said. "This companionship and caring are the group's pluses, and actually play a larger role than the dating possibilities." Besides participating in the group's many scheduled activities, Lewis noted that members of the Elgin Singles also belong to other similar groups, such as the . St. Charles Singles. " Those wttrare looking for a partner -- but don't fancy the idea of going to a singles club -- may opt to specify their desires in the "personals" section of the newspa­ per. Others may decide to spend some money and let a computer play cupid. The Woodstock-based McHenry County Computer Dating Service boasts responsibility for five marriages in its two years of operation. Owner Keith Nelson claims that the service's 1000-plus membership -- and the fact that there's no other competition -- qualifies it as the "the premiere dating service" in this area. CLUBS-Page 24B PEOPLE TALK Terrible twos Things haven't been the same in Sea Girt, N.J., since Jenifer Joyce gave birth to quintuplets August 18, 1983. Now that the five, kids have entered their "terrible twos," the only thing to quiet down in Jerry and Jenifer Joyce's one-bedroom home has been the publicity. "It's five kids, and kids are never quiet," their 29-year-old mother said Sunday, the day the kids turned 2. "Even making a simple lunch is an experience, because they never like the same thing, unless it's ice cream. They all like that." Next on the horizon: potty training. "That's quite an experience," Mom said. walk off the stage," said the man whose songs have been recorded by the Beatles and,the Rolling Stones. "I'm a legend and I don't need any more press." Basketball training to be offered at MCC Fame in Wisconsin Fashions by Ron Besides invading Granada, Ronald Reagan has done something no other president can claim: he has brought respectability to the brown suit. John Molloy, author of "Dress For Success," tells Success maga­ zine that Reagan "changed the direction of fashion" in the business world. Ten years ago, anyone who wore a brown suit in the Northeast was considered "a hick and a hayseed," he writes. "Today the same brown suit, providing it's conservatively cut and adequately tailored, has gained a niche - it's appropriate for any business meeting, and sometimes it can be more effective than its blue or gray counterpart. And that's primarily because Ronald Reagan wears brown suits on important occasions." . Blood and the boss There is quite a bit more red blood in Red Bank, N.J., thanks to rock singer Bruce Springsteen and generous fans. Two weeks ago, fan Rick Guglielmo donated a pair of tickets for Monday's concert in the Meadowlands to small Riverview Hospital for a raffle among blood donors. When Guglielmo discovered there was a blood shortage at the hospital he informed a nurse he wanted to help. "She thought I just wanted to give 4 pint of blood. When I told her I wanted to give the tickets, she said I was nuts, and tried to buy them from me," the philanthropist said. Some 600 people gave blood for a chance to see "The Boss," 10 times the amount usually donated during the hospital's biannual blood drive. "It's the biggest week the blood bank has ever had ..." said hospital spokesman Peter Lyden. There's no place like home For the woman who played the original Dorothy in the 1908 silent version of the "Wizard of Oz," there's no place like South Hadley, Mass. A parade swept the streets of the tiny town, renamed "Emerald City" in honor of Romola Remus Dunlap, who has not played the classic role immortalized by Judy Garland in 80 years. "I have tears in my eyes, so that all I can say at the moment is God bless you," said Dunlap, now a piano teacher in Chicago. Saturday's parade was to promote Mount Holyoke College's summer theatre production of "The Patchwork Girl of Oz." Who says Milwaukee is only known for beer, or that Wisconsin is only good for cheese? Charlotte Rae, star of television's "Facts of Life" and "Diff'rent Strokes," will be the first person from Milwaukee inducted into the Wisconsin Performing Artists Hall of Fame. Since the hall was formed in 1983, five performers have been inducted. Rae, 59, made her Broadway debut in 1952, and switched to TV 30 years ago with roles on Phil Silvers' "You'll Never Get Rich" and on the early cop show "Car .54, Where Are You?" She has received award nominations for the Emmy, Tony and Obie. Junior high age athletes, boys and girls, will have the opportuni­ ty to play basketball at McHenry County College after school this fall. The six-week training pro­ gram offers skill development and preparation for team play. Seventh-grade girls play Mon­ day and Wednesday, Sept. 4-Oct. 9; eighth-grade girls, Tuesday and Thursday, Sept. 3-Oct. 8; seventh- grade boys, Monday and Wednes­ day, Oct. 16-Nov. 20; eighth-grade boys, Tuesday and Thursday, Oct. 17-Nov.21. All sessions meet 4-6 p.m., and are coached by Rick Peterson. Each student is required to have a have a physical examination. You will also need gym shoes with light colored soles, white socks, a T- shirt with numbers (specific in­ formation on purchase of one for $4.50 will be given by the coach) and shorts. Register through McHenry County College. You will need a social security number. The fee for the basketball program is $58. To register stop in Rm. 150 of the College's Main Hall Building Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or 5:30-8:30 p.m., or on Friday, 8:30 a.m.-noon. prairie walk next in Wingate nature series Bill Wingate, a local naturalist and college professor, will lead a walk through a portion of the HUM prairie, which stretches along the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad between Huntley, Union and Maren­ go, on Saturday, Aug. 31. Portions of this old railroad right- of-way contain the finest remaining prairie in McHenry County. Because of the popularity of the Wanders With Wingate, there will be two sessions -- one beginning at 2 p.m. and another at 3:30 p.m. The walks are sponsored by the McHen­ ry County Defenders, a local envi* ronmental organization. The walk will begin at the inter­ section of Thorn Road and the rail­ road. To reach the area, proceed west out of Marengo via Route 20 to Thorn Road. Turn right on Thorn and travel a short distance to the railroad. Parking is available along the roadside. Comfortable and sturdy shoes are advised, according to a McHenry County Defender spokesman, be­ cause of the walking conditions along the track, for more informa­ tion about the walk, call (815 ) 459- 4985. For information about the De­ fenders, call 459-0450. UPI photo Legendary Berry Legendary rock 'n' roller Chuck Berry kicks off the "Legend of Music" series Friday at the Opera House in Boston, but he doesn't want any TV cameras to record the event. "If any TV crews show up, I'll Three generations star Three generations of Mitchum actors, Robert, his son Christo­ pher (left) and grandson Bentley (right), will star together in "Promises to Keep," a new motion picture made-for-television about the painful conflicts among three generations of one fam­ ily. The CBS-TV movie will be broadcast during the 1985-86 season. © INDEX/SECTION B Bridal 8B Classified 17B-23B Comics 16B DearAbby 2B Foods 3B-5B Opinion , 6B Regional IB, 9B, 24B •RTHWEST nEWSPAPERS