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by EARL R. WALSH This Mqr not be ' cheer. The way that long m have fellow Albert gMrti page with wb I last week, he had us squeessd just south of the border. After several lean years in athletics there is great joy in the Woodstock High camp since their . victory in the county tournament last , week. Neither McHenry nor Crystal Lake showed too much class in the semifinals. It was those green-shirted Hebron boys who proved the surprise package iiPLthe Joaffiament. Hebron's record up to the tournament wasn't impressive. But, there is an old saying around the county "Ntever sell Hebron short." - The Hebron boys hett Crystal Lake and gave Woodstock a run for ; their money (89 to 34) in the finals. So--congratulations to the Woodstock team--the county champs. They earned their honors. They call themeshrdMho "Screwy Dosen," but don't let that name fool you. We had the pleasure of attending a Christmas Party sponsored by that group of McCullom Lakers at Roy-Al> last Sunday afternoon and have nothing bat high praise for the manner in which they planned and carried out the program* "Yardstick" will1 cany the Starr so wo wont go into details. Enough for us to say that the lKcCultan Lake people are doing a great job of giving their young people worthwhile objectives. Ethel Blake is plenty proud of a 234-504 bowling score these days. Wo are looking over the Sheets for a 600 plus score rolled by George Justen. He has witnesses! Leo Stilling has reason to feel proud of 236-628. And Maureen Doherty burned up the alley with series of 571 and 527. The high spot of the year is with us--r<At no other time of the year do people feel the same goodwill toward their fellow men--The joy of doing for others lifts our spirits-- Cares are set aside--We think of others less fortunate--And do something about it--Children are on their best behavior (with a little slip now and then)-- 'Cause SaWta Claus is coming to town--We make out a list -- Suddenly remember a forgotten one--Dash «nt and take caw of that one--Relax--That's all-- Get home and hear, "Did you do this?" -- "And what about that other?"--You try to talk in riddles so the children won't catch on-- But, they are inquisitive--"Tell me, please, I promise not to tell"--Cards and more cards come in -- Sudden thought -- "Mother, did you send a card to so-and-so? -- Good--they sent us one--It's a grand scramble-- We'll do our shopping early next year--In all the sMffle, the true significance of Christmas brings lasting happiness--A Merry Christmas to you and yours is «nr sincere wish-- BQ WLING NO gehaefera* - *0fr- Johnsharg-- G. Schons, 504; J. Jackson, B#l", IL. Smith, 509; G. Nowak, ZOtttfe Mr Schaefer, 167-200-W1-588; wL| 8mith, 501; G. Jackson, 211-587. Wonder Lake-- S. Duttko, 203-513; John Widen, 501; C. Steffan, 588. Monday Comhl'1-- H. Weber, 210-588. Majors-- Pries, 520; HAgfoerg, 504; H. Smith 205-545; T. Sutton, 210-543; Corso, 511; Hester, 505; Gilliford. 521; A. Schaefer, 548; Jones. 223-571; Miller, 516; Conway, 502; Krause. 519 Pei- *>rt, 570; Fjjsby, 544; Frew^,.525; Bacon, 518. ' - \ Schaeferettss--- IL.ijL." • M. Sutton, 559; H. Knox, 170- 453; E. Peterson, 443; D. Cleveland. 424; fk Peisert, 435; B. Preund 434; L. Bepan, 428; F. Larson, 444; Ethel Blake, 884-504; Maureen Doherty, 198-527; M. Wilbrandt, 423; L. Miller, 483; B. 'Buergler, *06-495; E. Rand, 487. j of (; ' T. Miller, 538; J. Larkin, 207-553; J. Stilling, 195; M. Whiting. 200; H. • Schmitt, 512; J. iFrisbx, 202; G. Barbian, 191-190-190-571. ^ . '£ * IN THE GERMAN alpine districts an ancient belief is that cattle can speak on Chrfetmas Eve. No one ever hears them, however, and it is considered sinful to try to listen. Another tradition holds that bees can sing on this holy night. SHOOTING OFF GUNS and grenades on Christmas Eve to frighten away mischievous spirits is an old custom in southern Germany. Tftis colorful ritual has been forgotten in most communities, but it is still practiced in a few places, like Berchteagaden in the Bavarian alps. The noisy ceremony dates back to pagan times, when bonfires were kindled to greet the returning sun. Oi Christmas Eve about ten •'dock members of the Weihnachtsschiuaiu • herein (Christinas Eve •hiistlf society) pack up their liflas, stastfHBB, revolvers and handgrenades, and march to their appointed spot in the hills. Then at dwm etelock they begin firing avaay fate the air, setting off fireand wgh*fa»g bonfires. At ex- •dfcr half-past Eleven all the banging slspa, and the men quietly go off to their 'village churches. BltAZOJAN CHILDREN parade through the streets at Christmas time dressed colorfully as shepherds, singing carols. This procesdban lis o«Iled the pastorinhas, or shepherds' parade. It is customary for children in Brazil to place their shoes in windows or doors in hopes of Christmas gifts, hut in big cities the traditions associated with the North American Saota Claus are coming onto favor. Since it is summer in this 'tropical country in December, 'Santa Claus with his fur-trimmed clothes, sleigh and reindeer seems « 'bit incongruous, however. ' IN COLOMBIA THEY celebrate Christmas Day with a glorious fireworks display. In almost every village square a huge wooden effigy of a cow is erected. Men in fire-proof clothing prawl into the cow. and shoot off fire-crackers. Roman candles and rockets, much to the delight of the children. This curious custom is called the "Vacas Lbcas, or "fiesta of the crazy cows." CHRISTMAS DAY Is a holy day in Italy, and people flock to the numerous churches for the real merrymaking for Italians comes on Christmas Eve, which is much more of a holiday than Christmas Day •to them. As the eve of Christmas lis a religious vigil on which no meat is allowed, the feast has to consist largely of fish. Most Italians choose eel for this banquet. A certain large species called capitone is especially popular, though aiiite expensive. .u, -- * In the Calabrian hill country the shepherds come down from the fountains on Christmas and play bagpipes and flutes beftork the carjfenter shops in special deference to « Joseph, the carpenter. At St. Marks church in Naples, ®>gs are taken along on Christmas morning. The faithful beasts wait outside until their masters have completed their devotions. AFTER THE CHRISTMAS Efm supper, or Willia, Polish girls lift the tablecloth and pick UP handful* of the straw that has been Placed on the tabls. Any girl who finds 60 un threshed ear of grain will b« married soon and ^ prosperous, according to.-traction. IT IS A PRETTY «ad humane Christmas custom in Scandinavian countries to hang a sheaf of grain outside the in some snow covered yard so fiat Hie birds may share in the tail In Sweden and Finland the Christmas tree is Inpt standing tor soma time, usually until January 13, Canute's Day, when the neighborhood children <are invited in to "plunder" it. it is a matter of great pride to the average youngster to have attended a largo number of "plundermgs." ALMOST UNIVERSAL in South America is the custom of the fain-1 "y supper after Midnight Mass, known as Misa de Gallo. As it is then early on Christmas day. the j restrictions on eating meat, and on feasting in general that prevail on Christmas Eve, are over. THE ANIMALS MUST NOT be forgotten at Christmas in Norway. Dog and cat get special Christmas fare, sheaves of grain are hung for the birds, and a large piece of suet put on the bird tray outside the kitchen window. On the farms, cow and horse, sheep and pig and all other animals get special treatment. The tradition of hanging sheaves of yellow heavy • headed grain outside the house in midwinter is as old as our history. Thousands of years ago. in the-Stone Age, the belief was that the spirit which lived in the earth and made things grow, fled whei the grain was cut. The spirit hid. it was thought, in the last remaining stalks, that was why the * peasants laid aside the last sheaf and kept it. Midwinters, when the. earth was frozen and covered with snow, and it was dark almost all day. the Stone Age people hung this sheaf near the place they lived. The spirit hiding in it helped the sun become strong again, and later it returned to the thawing fields to bring the people a new ha^||| of blessed grain. T . --; HOME FOK SANTA CLAUS . . . Many sMso In the United States, even those wblsh do net have names Mseelatod wkh Christmas symbols, erect Santa Qais villages daring the hoHday- seasons. E* ACH year, thousands of letters in the "U. S. are mailed from Bethlehem-- Bethlehem, Pa.; Bethlehem, Md.; Bethlehem, Conn., and Bethlehem, N. H. These towns were named many, many years ago, and imaginative Americans the country over send in letters to be remailed bearing the symbolic postmark Of Bethlehem. ' The story associated with the naming'of Bethlehem, Pa., is especially moving. On Christmas Eve in 1741, it is said, Moravian pioneers who had come to the new world in search of religious freedom gathered in a log cabin in {he snowswept Pennsylvania countryside. Thankful for their new refuge,' they sang carols joyfully; then Nicholas Louis, Count Zinzendorf, took up a taper and led the gathering into the stables where a few cows and horses stirred. "Let us call our village also Bethlehem," he said, and all agreed. From a humble beginning over 200 years ago, Bethlehem, -Pa., is now a thriving industrial city of <3,000. Santa Clans also has been honored in the naming of American cities. The slaty of the christening of Santa Clans, Ind., contains an awesome note in keeping with Christmas Eve, The government hag turned down the request of a little settlement in southern Indians 100 year# ago because an older town in the state bore the same name of Santa Fe. As the villagers gathered in celebration of Christmas Eve, they pondered a new name, finding each suggestion unsuitable as they turned it over in their minds in order to select the right one. In the midst of their deliberations, a blinding light was seen outside. Rushing to the window, they saw a fiamiiv *tar crash against a distant hill, leaving a crater that Still can be seen today. Awed by the spectacle, the residents of the Settlement considered the event as a special omen, and they gave their community the name of Santa Claus to commemorate Christmas. nsive Gifts Can Be Made With Christmas Cards Business Men-- . Widen, 512; Ndonan, SOS. Match-- Johnsburg, 23SS; Squirts, 2220--J. Frett, 223-535. Palace OM Tiaiera-- Rogers, 561; M. Schaefer, 580; Jones, 210-586; Downs, 630; Dr. Sayler, 565; Bacon, 207-579; Adams, 505. C. o. F. -- A. Weingart, 500; H. M. Weber, 220-515; Ed Smith, 534: C. J. Stilling 207-549; Geo. P. Freund. 209-545; Ed Thennes, 512: Gus Freund, 528; T.eo Winkel. 548; H. G. Weber, 215; H. J. Steffes, 214-564: 'B. Thennes, 514; L. Stilling. 236-194-198-628. L. Thennes. 503: .T. Regner, 202- 508; B. Kreutzer, 542. a McHENRY FIVE ENTERS MEET AT WAIfG0ND| Four-Team Tourney- Friday and Saturday Nights of This Week Coach McCracken announces that his MCRS Warriors will be entered in the 4-team invitational basketfcsiB Imimiament this week. Games will be played Friday and Saturday nights. Teams entered are Wauconda, Antioch, North brook and McHenry. Since these teams are not on McHenry schedule not much is known of their strength. However reports come in that all of these teams have played good basketball this season and are matched to give the fans dose games. The home boys were anything but pleased with themselves aiter losing to Woodstock in the county tournament last week. You can bet they will go all out to win this Wauconda meet Schedule: Friday--' •- :i-' ' ZijSJ •«. Antioch. 9:00 p. m. McHenry vs. Northbrook Saturday-- 7*0 p. nr. Losers of Games 1 & 2. > m. Winners of i ft 2. Fast Meet Werk A three-ton slab sf steel (90 inches wide, 180 Inches Isng and 7 inches thick) can be rolled into a 780-foot length of sheet stoel (SO inches wide and 0.080 inch thick) in 99 fcrmrts in a recently constructed - hot strip mffl. Gssoline Waste iQf each gallon of gasoline consumed by an automobile engine, Sfte quart produces useful work, one produces heat absorbed1 by the cooling system and the other two profile heat lost in the exhatpfc.. -• J. Smith, 584; Crouch, 511; Hobbs, 528; Paluch, 511; Hester, »l^7- H Smith, 203-539. ' City Leagues- Kg. £ - \ Stoller, 525: Palueh. Sl?; R. Justen, 513; S<*hlitt. 541; Gnoit, 509; J. Carlson, 583; Haebere 514; H. Snutb. 534: Jones. 218-550: Roeing, 2<>3-548; Weiser. 508: Steffan," 215- 177-208-600; Budler, 200-515; E. M. B. Weber, 428; T. Meyer, 178-441; IE. Hester, 485; A. Glosson, 463; G. 'Mmn, 1M405; M. Donnelly, 177- M. Yegge, 196-505; R. Marshall, P kilter, 4sf*f fW"71' Tavern-- • Schaefer, 523; S. Duttko, 521; E. Dean, 502; G. Adams, 211-499- V. Johnson^ 215-551; Wheelock, 201-568. Wauconda-- j Cook, 212-558; Lawrence* 808. Need Rubber Stamps? Order at The Plaindealer. Bathroom Safety For safety in the bathroom, every |gb should be equipped with sturdy gtmbbars firmly anchored to the waDs and all electric light switches »nH outlets should be out of reach of the tub bather, the Plumbing and ffopfing Industries bureau advises. Shoemaking Tools h the early days a kit of shonmaking tools consisted of an awl, hammer needles, thread, pegs, knives, beeswax and a variety of rubbing sticks. Now various types of electrical machines are employed in addition to dozens of hand tools. Complete line of Lee's poultry remedies at Wattles Drug Store, Mo- Henry. B-tf Uncle Sarii Says 1 ill • ••• not step oil yew own personaKsecurity ieif-«taitar to make mm b,st vear in yanr life? When ir*r£rno'to buy Caitoi States wapk or the Bono-A-inentn jpian you bank, you're (adding maney-ihat-P°ws to ^ «k|M dollars yon P®' asms, aefsre ^bsdvetbf chanceto^«mtwtogs lo EVEN THE FIRST . . . Since the flrst Christmas eard was made, they have been saved and atiUsed for. the making sf artistic gifts. Daring and since the war the demand for the eards ler those in hospitals has reached a new high. Our wounded have been supplied with thousands of ca^ds which they use in making gifts. down. Brush entire lampshade surface, including newly applied cards, with the shellac. Let dry. The shellacking process may be repeated any number of times ~fes -each application serves to increase the durability of the lampshade. Pierce holes, about an inch apart, around top and bottom edges; lace with ribbons. Wastebaskets, too, make attractive gifts. The cardboard variety, either oval or square in shape, can be secured in your local 5 and 10 or department store. Cover with plain paper or gift wrapping. Shellac, mount cards. Re-shellac--as with the lampshade. Another trick! Select three cards of uniform size and theme--Either religious, scenic or peasant, etc. Place them in inexpensive cardboard or wooden frames. Take a long strip of heavy satin ribbon with sewn-on bow at one end. Attach frames to ribbon in Victorian manner, i. e., one over the other. Then sew a hook on back of bow so ribbon may be hung from the wall. A useful and colorful gift for the man of the house especially if he happens to be a pipe smoker--is the large box of kitchen matches artistically "camouflaged" so Mother won't object to its presence in her newly "done over" living room. Cover aQ surfaces, with the exception of th' sanded striking area, with strips of eolorfu) designs taken from Christms cards. Patte the cutout Christmas card designs on one or both of the large surfaces--shellac, allow to dry, and repeat process. One of the simplest to make, yet most effective small gifts, is the bookmark. Cut out, in rectangular shape, the Christmas card design of your selection. Then tape a strip of good quality ribbon--either satin or grosgrain--to the back of the card so that the ribbon extends about three or four inches beyond its bottom edge. Scotch taps can-be bought at most stationery and gift shsps in colors, now, and it lends a most festive air than the usual transparent tape. It's a good idea, loo, to give the card a coat or two of shellac so it will resist fingerprints and fmudging. Two blocks of jvood, painted in pretty pastels; mounted with Christmas cards and shellacked are just the thing for the guest room bookends. In similar fashion wooden boxes can be "dressed up" with cutout floral Christmas card designs to serve as cigarette containers. ^ * Oil Resistant Compound For use on any electrical circuit coming in contact with oil, an oflresistant compound made of neoprene rubber with special synthetics has Wen developed. It is distributed in the form of taRi. * Hie Golden State K... California's motto .is Eureka (1 Have Found It). The official flower of the Golden State is the golden poppy and the official tfrdl the California valley quail. Drying Iblf Files 1 Allow time enough for the drying i of compounds put on flies and bass bugs to make them float better. If they are used too quickly, some of the solution will be washed off. There was a definite championship color to the classy Lake Geneva basketball team that beat our Warriors 48 to 82 here last Friday night. Meeker chalked up all of his 5 points early as McHenry led 8 to 7 at the first quarter. The home boys widened their lead 10 to 7 as the ^second quarter opened, but from there on Lake Geneva forged ahead. When some of the McHenry starters failed to hold the pace, both on offense and defense, Coach McCracken inserted subs in an effort to get a combination clicking. Eugene "Scrooge" Freund saw a lot of action Mia came through in nice fshion. Lake Geneva had a couple of big, rugged fellows that played havoc on the rebounds. They also had a sharp-shooter named Unti who dropped in 9 baskets and 1 free throw. ' Add to this some very capable reserve strength and you have a pretty good basketball team. Douglas had 5 for 5 from the free throw line as the visiting team combined to sink 8 out of 13 tries. It was the Junior Varsity game that Lake Geneva gave the impression that they do a pack of practicing on free throws. McHenry outstored tnem from the floor, but the Wisconsin second team combined to sink 15 out of 18 chances. There was a rousing finish to this gsme, but the visitors pulled out ahead 85 to 80 at the finish. Lauras sank 6 baskets and a free toss for the home team. VIOST of us have stored away in attic boxes and desk drawers, Christmas iY1 cards from lakt year and the year before that we Just couldn't bear t o t h r o w a w a y . . . . These cards can be transformed into charming Christinas gifts with s little ingenuity and s minimum of time on your part. Lampshades are always welcome--and here's a novel idea for designing a special gift for a special person. If your friend is partial to floral arrangements, New England farm scenes, cats--or whatever, select the cards accordingly. Take a plain parchment shade, brush entire outer surface with clear shellac and let dry partially. Meantime brush the back of the cards with shellac and expose to air for several minutes until shellac reaches a sticky consistency. Apply cards to appropfiate spots and press Lake Geneva Douglas ........ Unti Lassoroni ... Lasch Melges Carlson .......... Boutelle ........ Hibbard ....... Hull -totals • * mentnrj Becker Peisert ........ McCulla ...» Peterson ...... Miller Bockman ...» B. Freund vr, El Freund Totals .. FG FT PF 2 5 0 1 0 0 • V 1 0 0 Both Co-op teams ran op , leads against Libertyvflle on w* home floor Sunday night only t£<~ lose out in the final counts. The Co-op second team led 13 to 6 at the end of the first quarter and 18 to 15 at the half. Find score: Libertyville, 37 - McHenry, 28. In the first team game, Joe Jack* . son scored 11 points in the first ' quarter and the Co-ops ran up a 1? to 6 lead. They held onto a 28 to, 22 margin at the half. At the third Kriod end, they trailed 37 to nal count: Libertyville, 52 Henry, 46. Libertyville I Ol sen Boyes W. Huffman D. Huffman . Dollenmier R. Ericksoh Eiserman ... Cherenovich Totals McHenry Meyer Miller Joe Jackson Peterson ...., Larkin ..... George Jackson ***, Bolger .....-- L. Smith ... Art Jackson ^Totals 17 12 17 8 1 .# 0 1, 4 20 8 14 FG FT PF 18 8 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 4 8 8 2 0 0 6 It ; ZONING PENALTIES At the request of the McHenry county board of Appeals, the county board authorised Clerk R. D. Woods to insert an advertsiement in the papers setting up the penalties for failure to comply with the county toning ordinance. Some difficulty has been experienced by the soning board and the enforcing officer in the matter of people erecting buildings or additions to buildings without i first securing permit. Penalties wffl "be assessed for failure to comply. The board approved the board of appeals' report that permitted Charles Hei4- rich to construct an addition toJN», present building. x Complete Una of Baebe BvsSiiil remedies at Wattlee Drag Store, Ma- Henry. I4C T"*if~n ~in c nr r~i or"u\rvi\nxiJTjiiiiliL Score by quarters: . . * Lake Geneva: 7-lS^36-48 McHenry: 8-12-17-82 APPROPRIATE 14000 At the request of the road and bridge committee, |4,000 was appropriated to be used on the county patrol system of roads until thj> January meeting, llie report of the foregoing committee asserted that the Payne's Hill road north of Crystal Lake has been completed and materials are available for construction ^pf the Walters' bridge in Chemung and the work planned to be started soon by the A. M. Melahn construction company. „ Need Rubber Stamps? Order at The • Plaindealer. n i H U H i H i i i H H n m f i 1948 CALENDAR AT Our Well Liked Calendar For 1948 Has Arrived. Please Gall For Tour Gopjr, New Year's Eve Party SKATING 9 p. m. to? us and Fa^ Fun For All Just For Fun Roller McHenry, Illinois -Dob'1 Neglect Spinners •| Don'? neglect the spinners during* bass fishing. Take time occasionally to polish the spinner blades, for once they become dirty or tarnished they lose much of their allure. ^ CELEBRATE NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH .. ---•--- '•W-'..: . . Join Our Gay Crowd1 In Hettermann's Johnsburg TURKEY -- CHICKEN -- STEAK# Also Sandwiches Favors For AH i - Telephone McHenry 382 XD AMD JIM HXTTK&1CANX '