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VAGE3 -PLAINDEALER-WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1974 A roundThe Garden V1AKES DIORAMA - Sue Hautzinger, a student in Miss Heard's and Mrs. SclimaHng's class at Edgebrook school, made this in­ teresting diorama for her English project. Sue >vrote an original story and set up the stage effect with the characters she had created. Gap Between Life Span, Sight Span Widening / The tragic gap between the human life span and the human sight span is broadening. Visual disorders and blindness are increasing at a rate con­ siderably faster than our population growth, says the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness. It is little wonder, according to a recent Galljup poll, that Americans fear blindness more than any other disease except cancer. At the same time the current cost of providing services to the blind has soared above $2 billion a year. The steadily increasing life span of Americans is attended by many problems of visual disorders and blindness which are symptoms of the aging process. Cataracts, which occur most commonly in older people, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, the thief of sight which usually does not affect people under 35 years of age, are among the leading causes of blindess today. And all of these affect older people, the Society points out. According to recent estimates, there are more than 400,000 cataract operations performed each year in the United States at a cost of more than $200,000,000 annually. Diabetes, another potentially blinding disease, strikes older persons most frequently, and diabetic' retinopathy, a destructive disease of the retina caused by diabetes, is affecting 5,000 more Americans every year. Eye doctors estimate that diabetic retinopathy is present in 50 per cent of the cases of known diabetes, where the disease has lasted 25 years or more. Sixty per cent of all Americans over 60 years of age have some cataractous changes in their eyes even though these changes may not interfere with vision according to the Society, and by 80 years virtually all persons have more or less serious cataract problems, many of them requiring eye operations to prevent complete loss of sight. As for glaucoma, the Society has discovered. after examinations of more than 160,000 persons, on its mobile unit, that nearly 1 per cent have early beginning signs of the disease. Unfortunately eight out of ten cases of blindness are the result of diseases whose causes are still unknown to science, ac­ cording to eye doctors. Diabetes, glaucoma, cataract, and sickle cell anemia make up this group, along with various retinal diseases which are most difficult to treat. Much more By Matthew S. Rosen Instructor - Ornamental Horticulture McHenry County College __ Besides poinsettias, several other p)ants are« prominently displayed and given as gifts during the Yuletide season. Kalanchoes and amaryllis' received as Christmas presents can be successfully carried over from "year to year if properly handled. Commonly called jingle bells, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana has become increasingly popular as a Christmas plant in recent years. A mass of Santa Claus red, or yellow flowers, its waxy blossoms last for many weeks, adding color and cheer to your indoor garden. Ranging from six to ten in­ ches in height, jingle bells - require a bright, sunny location in order to prosper. How sunny is sunny? As far as Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is concerened, exposure to hours of direct sunlight should be considered an absolute minimum. In shadier sites, blooms fade quickly, and plant growth is spindly. Like poinsettias, jingle bells require short days (14 hours of darkness) in order to set flower buds. If plants are to be brought into bloom next year in time for Christmas, long night treat­ ments must begin on Sept. i, and be continued through mid- October. Indoors, long nights may be-simulated by placing plants in a dark closet, or covering them with a black cloth. Absolutely no light must be allowed to reach the plant during the long night. Open the closet for thirty seconds, and treatment is ruined. research is needed to solve these serious problems created by the life span - sight span gap. While it is impossible to estimate accurately the total costs of blindness to the nation, it surely runs into the billions of dollars, says the Society, when one considers the costs of medical care, lost wages, and government aid. In spite of this total cost, Congress last year appropriated only $33.7 million for research to the National Eye Institute, compared with $43.2 million the year before. The Administration request for 1974 is $32.1 million. Citizens groups and the Society, which has put $200,000 of its limited funds into research during the last four years, are urging Congress to increase this amount in order to bring about a better understanding of the eye diseases and the threat of blindness which afflict the nation's elderly. because Kalanchoes are sensitive to "wet feet," allow the soil to become nearly dry between thorough waterings.t As with most „ plants, apply water to the soil until it runs out the bottom of the pot. Under no circumstances should the plants be left standing in a saucer full of water. Prior to flowering, jingle bells should be fertilized every two weeks. Personally, I have found that alternate applications of Hyponex and fish -emulsion maximize growth. Once plants burst forth into bloom, fertilize them only once a month with fish emulsion. Prized for their large pink, red, white, or variegated flowers, amaryllis bulbs are easily forced into bloom. With very little extra attention, the bulbs will produce flowers for many years. Adherence to the* following program guarantees success: 1. Soak bulbs in water for several hours before planting. 2. Into the bottom of a six inch pot, place approximately one inch of pebbles or broken crockery. 3. Add an inch or two of a well drained soil. (The packaged house plant soil available at garden centers and florists is ideal.) 4. If the bulb has short roots, or none at all, place a handful of moistened sphagum moss around the base of the bulb. Spread what root tips are present in a radial pattern, 5. Add soil until one half to one quarter of the bulb is buried. 6. Water thoroughly, and place your newly potted bulb in a sunny spot. Once growth begins, turn the pot daily so the flower stalk (scape) does not lean toward the light. The large, hybrid amaryllis sold on the market today send up a flower scape before the leaves appear. After the blossom has faded, remove the flower stalk. Fertilize every second week with fish emulsion. Plunge the pot into your garden late next spring. In late September, after the top stops growing and the leaves turn yellow, dig up the pot and store it in a cool basement or closet. When plants are brought inside, cut off the yellowed leaves about an inch-and-a-half above the top of the bulb. While resting, give the pot a sprinkling of water every Week to ten days. Once new growth begins, water the plant thoroughly and move it into the 1 light. Basically, there are four common reasons why,, amaryllis bulbs fail to produce flowers: McCullom Lake Gerry Milbratz 385-8543 Lake Police Report Generous Gifts For Needy The McCullom Lake police department reports there was a very generous response to their request for gifts for the needy. Baskets were distributed by the police department on Christmas Eve, day. Ray Lary and officers Art Sullivan, Richard Penny and Jim Schultz, express their appreciation to all the people who helped and gave to this worthy cause. A VISIT FROM SANTA Santa Claus came to town in style, Dec. 22. Escorted by No. 147, and riding in a snowmobile pulled sleigh, he arrived at the 1. Prolonged drying of bulbs. During .the resting period, extreme care must be taken to make certain that the bulbs do not dessicate. Thus, let me re- emphasize the importance of sprinkling the pot with water every week to ten days. 2. Removal of green leaves is perhaps the most common error. After flowering, the bulb needs the rest of the summer to produce enough food to initiate a new flower bud. Premature removal of green foliage may weaken the bulb enough to prevent flower bud formation. 3. Because sunlight is required for the photosynthetic (food-making) process, placing bulbs in shady locations reduces the amount of food manufactured; and thus, will cause even strong bulbs to decrease in vitality, issue smaller blossoms, and finally die. 4. Over fertilization with a high nitrogen compound will cause a bulb to use all the food it manufactures to produce lush vegetative growth instead of storing and accumulating the necessary reserves for flower bud production. Should you have a question on the material covered, or just a horticultural point of in­ formation you would like verified, why not drop me a line? The address: McHenry County College, 6200 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake, Illinois ,60014. Suggestions on future topics are always appreciated. •Happy Gardening! beach house just in time for the kids' Christmas party. They had been watching movies and singing carols, but when Santa came everybody wanted to .see him. He talked to all the kids and took pictures with softie, while his helper passed out treats. When Santa had to leave- for the North Pole, to get ready for Christmas, he was taken to the airport, where his reindeer were waiting. - About seventy-five kids were present, to watch the movies," and see Santa. The Beach Gals, who sponsored the event, were pleased with the turnout, and plan to add more activities to next year's Christmas party. OCCASIONS A very happy anniversary to "Skeets" and Bettie Morris who celebrate their day, Jan. 6. Rose Sacco is extended belated birthday wishes. Her birthday was Dec. 20. Also, little Darlene Groh had a birthday on Christmas, Dec. 25. Darlene was 4 years old, tyen. And • Theresa Branham's thirteenth birthday was Dec. 30. This week Matt Levesque celebrates his birthday, Jan. 3, and Rick Mercado's is Jan. 6. Best wishes to all. CHRISTMAS PROGRAM A group of students from this area got together and put on a Christmas show at the Woodstock residence. From McHenry, there were Pam Dorsey, Jan Kestle, and Kathy and Mary Gattone. And from McCullom L&ke; Peggy Berg, Dawn and Donna Beshk, Kathy and Mona Bitterman, Cindy Cunningham, Sue, Pat, and Billy Milbratz, Gloria ad Tommy Milbratz, Leslie Walter and Marie Wyman. The kids made up the program on their own, practiced every week after school and presented the (show, Wednesday, Dec. 19. They did a short skit and sang Christmas carols, also, some request numbers, including "God Bless America". Af terward they sat around and talked with the audience who seemed to enjoy this as much as the show. Realizing how much the Woodstock residents look forward to having com­ pany, the kids left that night with promises to come back soon, just to visit. VEHICLE STICKERS ; 1974 vehicle stickers and dog 'u • v tags will be available at the village clerk's office, after Jan. 1, 1974. License registration I.D. must be shown to purchase vehicle stickers, and a current rabies slip ftiust be shown to purchase a new dog tag. There is no increase in price from last year. COMMUNITY CENTER CALENDAR Youth club meeting Monday, Jan. 7. 7:30 p.m. Now that the hall is ready, it is hoped more youths will attend to start working on programs. Village board meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 8 p.m. This \tyill be the only board meeting for the month of January. Open volleyball for persons 18 and oyer, Saturday, Jan. 5, 7:30 p.m. Plan to attend, it's good exercise. SOME NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS from the young set. "Cathy Rychly, "I resolve to finish my English in class". Daureen Parenti "I won't flirt so much with the guys in school." Billy Milbratz "I won't miss any days of school". Cheryl Thacker, "I'll finish knitting my sweater.** T-- Tom Tapanienan, "I'll stop drinking coffee." - Amy Wilson, "I'll resolve to stop jumping out of iif|>lanes everyday." Bill Turner, "I'll stopkicking Liz.; Diane Aitken, "I resolve, to give others half a chance, since I'm so great." Henry Tapanienan, "I resolve to stop chasing girls." , AND ONE MORE This is mine. "I resolve that the people in the village are going to call with news„more often." • Happy New Year everyone. J DIAL DOWN Conserve Heating Fuel Todoj/'s Health News Published by the American Medical Association Ballerina Rebecca Wright wears out 40 to 50 pairs of ballet slip­ pers in a single season with the City Center Joffrey Ballet and, if she isn't careful, one pair of dancing feet as well. Since her livelihood depends upon her feet, she knows how important it is to pay attention to their minor aches and pains. Proper foot care, how­ ever, is just as important to those of us who aren't on our toes everyday. And to help the foot's 26 bones, 100 ligaments, 20 mus­ cles, and intricate network of nerves and blood vessels stay in good condition, Today's Health offers the following suggestions: * Buy shoes that are big enough. That means the toe of the shoe should extend a half-inch beyond the longest toe of the foot, and the widest part of the shoe should correspond with the widest part of the foot. * Don't buy mail-order shoes, for adults or children. For a proper fit, the foot should be measured . with each purchase. * Socks should extend a quarter- inch beyond the longest toe. Woolen or cotton material is bet­ ter for feet that perspire a lot. * Some, although not all, foot specialists advise changing shoes often in order to let the shoes dry out and to give the feet a change. * Socks should be changed daily and the feet bathed frequently. Always dry carefully between the toes. * Powdering the feet helps ab­ sorb excessive perspiration. * Toenails should be cut straight across and not rounded at the corners. * A gentle massage with cream or oil is good for chapped or dry feet. * A soaking in warm or cool water helps relieve tired, aching feet. So does elevating the feet. * Don't cut your own corns or calluses or try to treat your own foot" problems. Consult a doctor. * For most people, there's noth­ ing wrong with sandals and sneakers as long as they aren't worn over a prolonged period of time. * Children need shoes suited to their own feet and activity -- not hand-me-downs or shoes they will "grow into." This may mean a new pair every four to six months. A child's shoe should be a tie or oxford type, made of a supportive leather. 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