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SECTION 2-PAGE6- PLAINDEALER-WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 15, 1976 EDITORIALS • . \ Gift Makes Difference There's something about each year's holiday season that is both traditional and different. We celebrate in familiar ways blessings and joys that are ever-changing, and we seek new ways of giving to our friends and loved ones. We are mindful, too, of those whose lot is less fortunate, both here and in the world community. The season becomes a special time for compassion There are millions of families around the world for whom life is no different at the holidays. Plagued by hunger, poverty and disease, they can only dream of working their way toward a better life. But. with your help, they can. Gifts to CARE's Holiday Food Crusade go a long way toward makmR a crucial difference in their lives now~and for the future. The international aid and development agency is appealing this season to Americans for $6,000,000 to help provide nourishing food for many millions of malnourished children and others struggling for survival. CARE's aid is provided for the poorest of the poor families in Asia. Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Food, a basic part of CARE's multi-pronged attack on poverty, is combined with self-help development, with emphasis on increasing agricultural Seek Legislative Remedies production, as well as medical compassion of individual donoi Food-for-Peace commodities ai costs by host governments, k The Marian Central Music department will present its annual Christmas concert Wednesday night, Dec. 15, featuring the concert band and chorus Richard Mikus. music director at Marian Central will conduct both groups. Selected highlights by the band include "Winter Won­ derland " by Felix Bernard, "Beguine for Band" by Glenn Osser. and 'Golden Jubilee" by John Phillip Sousa Selections featured by the concert chorale include "Tonight Jesus is Born" by Eugene Englert, "The Twelve Davs After Christinas" by Frederick Silver, "Christmas is a Feeling" by Natalie Sleeth, "The Star Carol" by Alfred Burt's, and "A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Johnny Marks. A melody entitlted "Carols for Christmas" by John Cacavus will be performed by combined chorus and band. The selection "Sounds of the Beatles" will be presented by the jazz band. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the gymnasium. A small admission will be charged. Refreshments will be served following the evening's per­ formance. The public is invited. For Your Information Dear friends. To minimize anxiety and financial problems for our survivors, we should take steps to draw up a will secure adequate life insurance - list the location of all assets and important documents - and perhaps preplan some funeral and burial arrangements. Respectfully, cA A PETER MJUSTEN & SON .FUNERAL HOME 3807 W. Elm St. McHenry, 111. 385-0063 Product Liability Crisis Warn Holiday Toy Buyers nd other training programs. The ombined with U.S. Government e covering of some opiating this channel of life and hope open to reach those who need it most. A $5 contribution to CARE serves up to thirty children a bowl of porridge day after day for a month; $10 gives up to 3,000 children a cup of protein-enriched breakfast or lunch beverage; $25 provides hundreds of pounds of blended high-protein grains that can be liquified into beverages or cooked into solid dishes. To continue this vital help and truly bring joy to the world, mail a holiday contribution to CARE Food Crusade, 660 First Ave., New York, NY. 10016. A Matter Of Taste Americans are often unaware that among educated and cultured families of the Old World, new American ways, unreserved behavior, haste, informality, commonality, etc., often comes as a repugnant shock. And to many Americans these upper classes, still clinging to individuality, reserve, dignity, restraint, etc., seem out of date. The advantaged citizens of the Old World look at the behavior of Americans with something of the distatste with which Americans view Russian common; y or commonness. If we look closely at oi selves, and the commercialism and mass production which activ? '*>s our behavior, one can understand some of the reactions. Inexpensive, mass-pri uced junk can bring an end to quality oriented goods and services. Constant brainwashing by television can affect the life style of millions. The shouting, common behavior seen in practically all television programming has its effect. Americans need make no apology for the American way of life. Taken all in all, it is best for the most. But we need not sacrifice all quality, individuality, discriminating taste, good manners and dignity along the way. The television market place threatens American standards. Control of that market place is squarely and firmly in the hands of three commercial television networks. Thev teach crime and common behavior, and no one can apparently do anything about it The tastelessness of it all is appalling. We see a man and woman in a boat on a beautiful lake; they talk about constipation! We are deluged by a flood of stupid claims about toilet paper. We are inundated with glamorized crime, drinking, sordid sex, etc. No wonder some are repulsed by the tastelessness of it all. Good Will In Auction At this season of "peace on earth to men of good will", it is well to remember that the men and women of the Salvation Army who are singing on our streetcorners about the joys of the holiday season are also doing something to make those joys tangible for the poor and forgotten. Many of us think of the Salvation Army in terms of traditional programs of Christmas dinners, help for the down-and-out man, worship services for those who choose the Army as their church. But that is just a small part of the picture. Its work for the lonely and needy and those rejected by society is particularly appreciated at the Christmas season. But the men and women of the Salvation Army show their Christian concern for all mankind. The horizons of many children have opened up to bigger possibilities, thanks to the kindness and love shown to them at Salvation Army after-school programs and summer camps. Older people find companionship and renewed vitality through participating in activities at Salvation Army senior citizens centers. Wise counseling by expereinced Salvation Army officers helps avoid family break-ups. When we drop our Christmas donation in a Salvation Army kettle, or mail a check to headquarters, let's remember that our Christmas gift not only helps some lonely person during the holiday season, but helps to support year-round programs for people of all ages and needs. Marian Band, Chorus In Christmas Concert William M. DuVall. executive assistant to the chairman and director of civic affairs, Borg- Warner corporation, Chicago, has been named chairman of a newly-formed product liability task force of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce. The special seventeen- member group, representing all segments of the business community, will look into legislative remedies for the product liability crisis, which, according to a recent State Chamber survey, has fast become a major cost problem for Illinois companies - par­ ticularly small businesses. According.to State Chamber President Lester W. Brann, Jr., the survey confirms that many firms are experiencing dif­ ficulty in securing product liability coverage. Premiums in nearly all cases have skyrocketed, with three-year increases of 400 to 1,000 percent a common experience. Even firms with no claims against them for many years are having difficulty getting coverage. One company president wrote: "Our previous insurer has decided to leave the mid­ west area and even though we have had no claims on product liability...we have been un­ successful in getting coverage as of this writing. "Unless we small manufacturers get relief, we either operate without in­ surance or fold our businesses and quit." The respondents see the following as major causes of product liability problems: Legal erosion of the fault concept of liability. Contingency fee system encourages suits. Larger awards for pain and suffering. Social pressure to reimburse the injured party. About 25 percent of the firms responding reported claims presented more than a year after the event that sparked the claim. An equal number said claims were filed years after manufacture of the product allegedly at fault. The number of actual claims appears to have little relation to increased costs of product liability insurance coverage. For instance, one firm with 135 employees reported a 1,011 percent increase in rates for 1976 over 1975 - despite a history of no product liability claims during the past twenty- six vears. The president of a 30- employee Chicago area firm wrote: "This corporation began operation in 1958 and has operated eighteen years without even a hint of a product liability suit. To find ourselves in the unfair position of being without coverage through no fault of our own has caused us much concern and loss of time trying to remedy the situation. "The overall picture of product liability is very poor at best " In order of importance, the respondents found these to be the major effects of product liability problems:^ Product liability insurance is a larger part of product costs, meaning, in some cases, in­ creased costs of the product for consumers. Difficulties in obtaining in­ surance. Increased size of claims and jury awards. Summing up the situation, Brann quoted a downstate editor: "Sporting goods dealers, at least some of them, are starting to live in the same kind of fear as physicians and surgeons." 100 Years Ago Illinois Custom Changes (Special from the Illinois State Historical Society, Old State Capitol, Springfield) Illinois observed Christmas, 1876, with some of the traditional customs dwindling and some new ones beginning to develop. The big news, however, during December a hundred years ago, according to a check of the newspaper files in the Illinois State Historical library, was the still contested Presidential election which had been held Nov. 7. The contested electoral votes totaled twenty from Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina, and Oregon, which could and did, on March 2, 1877, give the victory to the Republican, Ohio governor Rutherford B. Hayes. During December there were congressional investigations, charges and counter charges, all of which were reported by Illinois' papers, each from its own partisan point of view. While some of the papers varied the position and length of their coverage the Daily Quincy Herald (Democratic) gave the first two -or three columns on the front page to the subject almost every day. Some of its one-line top headings read "Caesarism!" "Back Down!" "Infamy!" "Trouble!" "Bull-Dozed!" 'Infamous!" "Outraged!" "Villainy!" "Boss Fraud!" "Law-Facts!" and "Con­ tempt!". (And the same word was not repeated during the month!) The Springfield Illinois State Journal on Dec. 15 reported that there had been "rumors . . . in reference to an attempt to organize a semi-military, semi- revolutionary, and semi- treasonable scheme to prevent the inauguration of Gov. Hayes." The same paper also quoted an 1865 Abraham Lincoln le.ter to support its opinions. The Rock Island Daily Argus disputed a Chicago Tribune proposal that a new election be held in "the three carpet-bag states." There were election disagreements, of course t all over the state. In Quincy, after a particularly cold night, "the Circuit clerk's office resolved itself into a sort of debating society . . . Most of the debating was done by fellows who came DEAR SANTA mm • in to warm . . . When the thing had gone about far enough George Francis took out his brand new watch, announced that the time was up and ad­ journed the crowd until the next cold day." Christmas in 1876 came on Monday. Since most newspapers did not print Sunday editions, holiday publication varied widely. Some took both days off and some came out on Christmas day but not on the 26th. Whenever they did publish they reported that the churches were well filled on the day and so were the theaters and saloons. The Inter-Ocean noted, however, that "The attendance at the Adelphi was nothing extraordinary as seen from the back of the parquet circle, but . . . All the upper circles, up to the cock loft, were literally crammed, and by an audience who had eveidently come there to get their money's worth." This it attributed to the current "hard times." Those same "hard times" may have been responsible for the dearth of such gifts as gold watches and gold-headed canes from employees to their bosses, which the papers had reported in previous years. Other signs of changing times were the popularity of roller skating rinks in Springfield and Quincy and the curling matches of the "Scottish c^ans" at Chicago's Lincoln park. And the Christmas day football game scheduled for the "22nd street base-ball grounds" was Illinois Attorney General William J. Scott has warned holiday shoppers to use care in purchasing toys for gifts since some toys, with faulty con­ struction details that can cause painful injuries to children, may still be on the market. Attorney General Scott ex­ plained there is a growing concern for toy safety in the area of electrical toys. Under the Federal Hazardous Sub­ stance act, the United Stages Consumer Product Safety commission has banned some 1,800 toys that present elec­ trical, mechanical, or thermal hazards. Manufacturers must label toys stating that they are not for children under a certain age. Toys with a heating element may not be recom­ mended for children under the age of 8 and hobby item toys like woodburning kits that may have parts that burn at ex­ tremely high temperatures cannot be recommended for children under 12. In addition, electrical toys must have all live components enclosed so that they may not be opened with a common household tool, heating elements must be supported and prevented from making contact that might produce shocks, and toys designed for use with water must have the electrical elements in a sealed chamber away from the water. Scott said that children can be seriously injured by poorly- designed details such as sharp wires or prongs meant to hold the shape of dolls or stuffed toys. These can easily break through the toy's cover material. The Attorney General cited postponed when "the captain of the Chicago club took a look at the prospective field of action and found it icy and dangerous." December, 1876 notes: Cairo had "10 inches or more of snow" on the 28th; "a wagon heavily loaded with cord wood crossed (the Mississippi at Quincy) in safety" the next day; at Springfield the "ice crop ... is abundant and of good quality"; at Rock Island, "many of our wealthy citizens are cutting and packing their own ice this winter"; and on Dec. 21 a "remarkable meteor" passed over central Illinois. yd* TMA-r C SPS SCHOOL BUSSAFETY Illinois school bus drivers, some 23,000 of them, are receiving training in safe school bus operation through a joint Department of Tran­ sportation-Office of Education program being offered in 280 locations throughout the state. The law which sets up the program requires that all Illinois school bus drivers receive the training by Sept. 1977. The Illinois Highway Safety fund is providing funds for the program. The fund also s p o n s o r s t r a i n i n g f o r a m ­ bulance attendants, school crossing guards, motorcycle riders, and bicycle riders. LET'S GET TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT LOW-COST ' AUTO INSURANCE. Are You New In McHenry Area ? * * * * * * * * * 5 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * J *********** Do You Know Someone New? WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A ROYAL WELCOME TO EVERY NEWCOMER TO OUR AREA !!!!!! CALL MARY ANN BELLACK 1-923-2442 Marengo 'o % K0YAL WFIC0JHE KNOW YOUR AREA-ROYAL WELCOME DOES IT BEST ********************************* \ \ I GIVE ME A CALL FOR THE FACTS ON LOW-COST HEALTH INSURANCE. I'D LIKE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ON LOW-COST HOME­ OWNERS INSURANCE. I'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU THE FACTS ON LOW-COST LIFE INSURANCE. AMERICAN FAMILY I N S U R A N C E AUTO HOME HEALTH LIFE AMERICAN FAMILY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY • MADISON, WIS. 53701 Call me for Details CHUCK LEWAND0WSKI 1108 Violet St. McHenry Phone 385-2304 other examples of toys which should be avoided: --brittle plastic toys which shatter sending flying pieces of plastic and leaving jagged edges; --toys with sharp metal edges or parts; --stuffed animals with button eyes that can be removed and swallowed by small children, --rattles which can break apart into easily-swallowed pieces; --dangerous games such as darts or bows and arrows; --toy caps and noise making guns that can reach noise levels that may damage hearing; --baby bouncers that support young children while walking or sitting. The bouncing may cause pinches, cuts, or bruises. Toys to be particularly careful of during the winter season are ice skates and sleds. Some of the causes of accidents for these iten^ ate poor con­ struction or fles^n and im­ proper modiHcJWons; poor skating or sledding conditions such as bumps or rocks or tree stumps in your areas; skating too close to other people or riding your sled down before other sleds have cleared. Extreme care must be taken with sleds. The steering capabilities at best are very bad, and there is no surefire way other than tipping over or running headfirst into something to bring the sled to a stop. An important thing to stress is to stay away from all traffic while sledding. The Attorney General has the following suggestions for all toy safety i --Buy toys that suit the skills and abilities of the child. Avoid toys that are too complex for young children. -Look for labels that give age recommendations or safety information such as "Not Recommended for Children under Three" or "Non-Toxic" on toys likely to end up in little mouths. -Watch out for toys that have sharp edges, small parts, or sharp points. Avoid toys that produce extremely loud noises that can damage hearing and propelled objects that can injure eyes. --Explain to the child how to use toys properly and safely. --Always try to supervise young children while they play. --Insist that children put their toys away so they do not get broken and so that no one else trips or falls on them. --Examine toys periodically; repair broken toys and discard toys that cannot be fixed. Remember: Protect your child from serious toy-related injuries. Think toy safety. EARL R. WALSH & JACK WALSH INS. Fire, Auto, Farm, Life Representing RELIABLE COMPANIES 44)0 W. Rte. 120, McHenry 385 3300 DENNIS CONWAY AUTO-LIFE-FIRE State Farm Ins. Co. 3319 W. Elm St. McHenry, III. 385-71)1 DR. LEONARD B0TTARI 303 N Richmond Rd., McHenry Eyes examined Contact Lenses Glasses fitted Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri., 4-6 p.m. Tues., Thurs., Fri., 7-9 p.m. Sat ,9 :30 to 3 00 Ph 385-415) or 385 3262 McHENRY COUNTY OFFICE MACHINES SALES-SERVICE & RENTALS Mon-Sat 9-5:30 Friday til 9:00 93 Grant St., Crystal Lake Ph. 459-1226 McHenry Telephone Answering & Letter Service • Answering Service • Car, Telephone & Paging Service • Complete Mimeographing & Printing Service • Typing & Photocopying Ph. 385-0258 ^93^V^t^20^IcHenrT "GATEWAY TO YOUR FUTURE" CALL US (815) 385-4810 Gateway REALTORS Farm Equipment George P. Freund, Inc. Case - New Holland 4102 W. Crystal Lake Rd. McHENRY Bus. 385-0420 Res. 385-0227 CALL The Plaindealer NOW This space is available and could bring new business to you. 385-0170 IIRELIT RADIAL TIRES FOR ALL CARS Europa Motors, Inc 2318 Rte. 120 815-385-0700 ED'S Jk STANDARD SERVICE EXPERT TUNE-UP ATLAS Tires. Batteries, Accessories QUALITY American Oil Products PH. 385-0720 3817 W. ELM STREET Copy It! M. at our new quick-action copy cantor. Important Correspondence Inventory Sheets Accounting Records Order & Bid Forms Invoices & Statements Catalog Sheets & Bulletins Project/Products Specifications Promotional Letters & Flyers Trv This Convenient New Service Soon1 McHENRY PRINTING SERVICES 3909 W. MAIN 385-7600 •asy-to-use XEROX' equipment! 4 ™ TRAILERS used HILLSBORO & OWENS DUMP-FLATBEDS-CAR HAULERS Stidham Hotse & Cattle Trailers Plu^ A Complete Line Of Braden Winches IAMS ENTERPRISES 3017 W. Rte. 1X0 McHENRY, ILL.' S E R ,y i c E 815-385-5970