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PLAINPEALER • WEDNESDAY^ECEMBER U. 1»" EDITORIALS Christmas Lighting There's no reason American families should not enjoy Christmas tree light this year, as usual. Those using these decorations might keep their thermostats a bit lower than usual and turn off other lights in the home to compensate for the small amounts of current Cnristmas tree lights consume. In fact, if families turn Off just oue or two bright lamps or room lights when burning Christmas tree lights, current will actually be saved. Where much energy can be saved, of course, is in the field of signs, billboard displays, string lighting at car lots, decorative lighting of utility buildings, etc., which consume huge amounts of energy. - These wholesale usages of energy can easily be curbed Home reductions can be effected without abandoning decorative lights, which are a meaningful, significant part of the observance of the principal ecclesiastical event of the year. Educational Futility A misguided, idealistic court order of 1974, which forced New York City to establish bilingual schools, haa now become an example of educational futility, misdirection and chaos. The concept of the court order was that, because of the influx into New York of so many Spanish-speaking people, their children had a right to be taught in Spanish. The court order, of course, flew in the face of past U.S. tradition Italian Americans, Polish Americans and other ethnic groups weren't provided education in the tongue of the old country. Thus, young generations had to learn English, which in turn enabled them to understand this country's laws, heritage and Constitution-its freedoms and traditions. That was a vital part of the melting process, which by World War II had worked miracles in uniting the various ethnic, religious and linguistic peoples of the United States "melting pot" Forcing the public schools to each in a second language is a highly dangerous precedent Differences, prejudices, etc., are perpetuated by different languages. (Canada, now threatened a breakup or civil war, is the closest example of many.) In New York City, the court-ordered system has often segregated students and produced court suits protesting that The school board has beat cited for contempt of court. Neither the board of education nor the court is currently satisfied. There are hot arguments over aptitude tests in both languages, etc. Court litigation seems assured for years to come. The net result, unfortunately, is to discourage Spanish-speaking students in the 500 currently bilingual New Yon City schools from learning English as their primary language. And that's contrary to the national interest. Building Permits Building permits recently issued by the Department of Building and Zoning for McHenry County include: Gray and Son Builders, Inc., 7710 Ravina Drive, Spring Grove, to build a single family residence at 7517 Windsor in Burton Township for an approximate value of $234. Permit and service fee-$234. Richard Young, 2514 Kosdnsyko Road, McHenry, to build a single family residence at 8609 Hogbac Road in Greenwood Township for an approximate value of $55,000. Permit and service fee-$l88. : Kenneth Segastrom, 11419 Zarnstorff Road, Richmond, to build a single family residence at 1622 Woodlawn in McHenry Township for an approximate value of $35,000. Permit and service fee-$229. Richard Goodwin, 441 S. Elmhurst, Mt Prospect to build a single family residence at 7722 Pamela Drive in McHenry Township for an approximate value of $25,000. Permit and service fee-$l59. Glen Votava, 86 S. Cumberland Parkway, Des Plaines, to build a new residence at 2716 Manitou Trail in McHenry Township for an approximate value of $70,000. Permit and service fee-$229. REMEMBERING OTHERS As we complete our holiday shopping lists this year, let's be sure to include some neglected members of the family to which we all belong - the human family. The gifts they need most are hope, health and the chance to become self For millions around the malnutrition and disease on the table, clean water to drink or accessibl the world who live with poverty, , any day with adequate, nourishing food to drink or accessible medical care woul< MAVBF SOU CAN THEM WHAT ICAblT... UJFE OF ROUS ASKB> FOFIFLMCG AMP A BETTER EOONQMZ..ANP TRBSEIS THE' ENEBSV PROBLEM... VOU'VB SOT veue WORK CUTOUT FOR sou, sowNy... MgRRV CHRISTMAS! 3 | } t i l l ! Ml >' '» :) { j For Your Information Deartriends, Let mat love, that beauty, which was the message to the shepherds, be thine today: Unto thee is born, yea unto thee - each one - <s offered a knowledge and understanding of the life of the Christ, that will renew thy life, thy purpose - if ye will but "Love One Another." Respectfully, PETER MJUSTEN & SON FUNERAL HOME McHenry, Illinois 385-0063 L&'i•v'; VVv.T#!. J i'S&jM MiV-'̂ Ser XK5r^F.r.!//. tfl i<W"wr ii iii a OUR WISH IFOR YOUl mm Circuit Breaker-Last Call Illinois senior and disabled citizens only have a few more days until the Dec. 31 deadline to apply for retroactive cash grants under the state's Circuit Breaker tax relief program. Eligible citizens ~ must file before the end of the year because of new legislation which establishes a one-year limitation on the Circuit Breaker filing period. Citizens can obtain Circuit Breaker claim forms (form IL- 1363) for the years 1972 through 1976 by calling the Illinois, Department of Revenue toll free at 1-800-252-8972 or by calling the Lt. Governor's, Senior Action Center at 1-800- 252-6565, also a toll-free number. Forms and Circuit Breaker filing assistance are also provided - free of charge - at any state Revenue department district offices and area offices of the Illinois Department on Aging. The nearest Revenue office is at 304 S. Barrington road, Wauconda, 111., 60084, phone 312-526-7400. December 100 Years Ago would be a holiday. Butfor the poor in developing nations, that day hasn't come yet. And it won't come until we all decide that the world's poor nave waited long enough. Once we make the decision to help, the method is close at hand. CARE, the international aid and development agency, has an outstanding record of service. Food is combined with agricultural development, community improvement and health care in the agency's integrated approach to poverty's complex problems. CARE stretched each donor dollar to $9.25 in 1977 through U.S. Government Food-for-Peace commodities and host government contributions. Your donation to help members of our larger human family may be sent to CARE, 660 First Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016.. (Special from the Illinois State Historical Society, Old State Capitol, Springfield, 111. 62706) Mud, resulting irom mild wet weather, was the major fact of life in Illinois during December a hundred years ago. Hardly an issue of the state's newspapers of that month in the collections of the Illinois State Historical library failed to mention the mud and its effect on travel, business, Christmas celebrations, meetings, and entertainment. The end of November had been marked by near-zero weather which froze the roads and streets and made travel possible but "terribly rough." Mild weather and rain returned early in December and stayed around during the entire month-and mud took its toll. The Chicago Evening Journal reported that its unofficial weatherman recorded Dec. 24 temperatures in the low-to-mid fifties. The Rock Island Daily Union of Dec. 30 revived a classic Illinois tale: "Mud stories are going to be dated from this season... That tremendous old yarn about finding a hat on the surface of the road, man and horse having gone under, will be heard no more. You can travel whole miles in this county and not find a vestige of a hat left on even the best portions of the roads." The effect of the weather on business was reported from Champaign: "The holiday trade here has been disastrously influenced by the horrible condition of the roads." In Pontiac it was "No business, the roads being impassable." While the roads were im­ passable the Rock Island Daily Union and the Daily Quincy Herald were reporting river boats running on schedule. The Chicago Journal noted: "Never before in thirty years has the Upper Mississippi been open to navigation at the holdiay season. Steamers are now making excursions between various points along the river." The mud caused post­ ponement of some Christmas celebrations but since it was considered "preeminently the children's day" the churches all over the state held their usual children's programs either on Christmas Eve (Monday) or later in the week. Many of the day's church services were shared by members of three or more congregations. The theaters had capacity crowds both at the matinee and evening performances. In Chicago Hooley's Theater had "Kerry Gow," an Irish comedy; at Haverly's it was "Anthony and Cleopatra"; McVicker's had "the charming comedy, 'Simpson & Co.' and the fairy extravaganza 'Beauty and the Beast'"; and the Coliseum presented "the best variety show of the season" including "some pretty songs," ballads, "some rough and tumble song and dances ... a pretty little flirtation sketch," a cannon-ball juggler, a banjoist, and several other acts. "Sol Smith Russell and his company of musical stars" were at the Quincy Opera House and " 'Our Boarding House' was handsomely presented at Dart's hall" in Rock Island. The holiday season brought a variety of other en­ tertainments. The Gem City band of Quincy furnished music for two balls on Christmas night and the Barbers' society, the bricklayers, and the Quincy Commercial Travelers an­ nounced similar events. Rock Island's railroad conductors anticipated going to Chicago for the annual ball and the Chicago telegraphers were planning their fifth annual reception. The Christmas Eve "ball of the (Rock Island) Fourth Ward Hose Company was not largely attended on account of the inclement weather." Public offices were closed for Christmas but many stores were open at least a part of the day. The state's post offices closed at 10 a.m. but the morning mail deliveries were made. (fooae Hotline Sportsmen planning to hunt Canada geese in the four- cou'/y quota zone can receive '<r "'date information on stunting conditions by telephoning the Canada goose hotline at (618 ) 833-8711. The recorded message is updated twice weekly and gives the population and current harvest figures. ARE YOU NEW IN McHenry Area? coooocoooooooocx Do You Know Someone New? WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A ROYAL WELCOME TO EVERY NEWCOMER TO OUR AREA!!!!! CALL JOAN STULL 385-5418 *0, % % Inspection Program The Illinois Department of Registration and Education which licenses some 500,000 Illinoisans in thirty-two dif­ ferent professions, trades and occupational groups, an­ nounced a new program of unannounced, on-site in­ spections of its licensees. In­ spections will seek to deter­ mine how well the people licensed and regulated by the department are performing under their licensing requirements. (The Plaiadealer invites the public to use this column as an expression of their view m. subjects of general interest in ear community. Our only request is that the writers give signature, fall address and phone number. We ask toe, that one individual net write on the same subject more than once eac)| month. We reserve the right to delete any material which we consider libelous or in objectionable taste.) R1POFF AT CHRISTMAS "Editor: "The prospective new home owner is getting a neat Christ­ mas gift from our illustrious Citf Council, another con­ tribution or should it be ripoff? "The City Council, by passing its new ordinance of con­ tributions of at least an ad­ ditional $900 for a building permit, have done it again! "For the uninformed, prior building permits were as follows: $250 for sewer permit; $70 for water permit, and .08 cents per square feet for nor­ mal living space. This amounted to $408 for a normal 1,100 square foot home. Within the past couple of years an additional $200 fee for capital improvement was added to make the total for this 1,100 square foot home, $608.00. ' 'The capital improvement fund is suppose to go to the Sewer department for main­ tenance and additional im­ provements. Now the permit for a three bedroom, 1,100 square foot home will be $1,508. "The City Council has decided not to discriminate against the developers of vacant lands, which had not previously been platted i and improved with streets, utilities, etc; so they also added to the list small builders (and their customers, ultimate new home owners) who generally build in already developed areas like Lakeland Park. "Discrimination!!! Lakeland Park!!! I wonder if the City Council has thought about the small builder, present and new homeowners and owners of vacant lots in Lakeland Park. "These people either directly or indirectly have paid for or are paying for their sewer system at a cost of ap­ proximately $1,321.59 which includes an assessment of $993.74 plus 6 percent interest per annum over ten years, plus the aforementioned $200 per lot for capital improvement. In addition they have paid real estate taxes to the City of McHenry for such things as library, schools, etc., for the past ten years, while the NEW developers land has not con­ tributed on a per lot basis at all. "I could probably write a letter, 10,000 words or more in length with my criticisms of this subject; however, in the interest of conserving space in the McHenry Plaindealer, I will conclude with the following. "It's only an additional $900 and included in a mortgage on the new home at a rate of 9 percent over a term of 30 years, it is only costing our friends, relatives, sons and daughters a total of $2,610. "Thank you, City Council, I hope the upcoming New Year is as prosperous as this past year. "Michael J. Wieser "1402 Millstream Drive "McHenry, Illinois 60050 "Realtor, "Small Home_Builder. Homeowner and Taxpayer" THOUGHTLESSNESS "Dear Sir: ' "Wednesday night I had a familiar experience, which added to many, made me very upset; uppet enough to write this letter expressing my deep gratitude to the churches, public buildings, stores and restaurants in town for Effect Of RTA Gas Tax Average gasoline prices in the Chicago metropolitan area have jumped three cents a gallon since imposition of the 5 percent Regional Tran­ sportation Authority gasoline tax Dec. 1, according to a reliable report. Average gasoline prices in downstate Illinois also rose about four-tenths of a cent, reflecting the RTA gasoline tax in the five northeastern Illinois counties embraced by the RTA, the survey showed. The six-county RTA area now has the highest gasoline taxes in the nation, ranging from about 17.5 to 19.5 cents a gallon. For the first time, prices of premium and unleaded gasoline soared above the 80- cent mark with a number of stations reporting 80.9 cent prices in the Chicago metropolitan area. Average prices last week in the Chicago metro area were regular 69.3 cents (up 3.1 cents); premium 75.3 cents (up 3 cents); unleaded 72.7 cents (up 3 cents). Widespread price variances also continued. Regular was ranging from 59.9 cents to 75.9 cents a gallon at stations checked, premium from 66.9 to 80.9 cents a gallon and unleaded from 65.9 to 80.9 cents a gallon. In downstate Illinois, the average price for regular was up four-tenths of a cent to 66.6 cents a gallon;- premium up three-tenths of a cent to 72.1 cents a gallon; unleaded up four-tenths of a cent to 69.6 cents a gallon. Average prices a year ago were: Chicago and Cook county, regular 63.2 cents, premium 68.6 cents, unleaded 66.1 cents; downstate Illinois, regular 62.7 cents, premium 67.4 cents, unleaded 65 cents; northern Indiana, regular 59.6 cents, premium 63.5 cents, unleaded 62.1 cents. m E I w ** mm t t CBHH 1 mM GIVE ME A CALL FOR THE FACTS ON LOW-COST HEALTH INSURANCE. W 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 LIFF. INSURANCE. KNOW YOUR AREA-ROYAL WELCOME DOES IT BEST •cooornnoninonnr>n"iririnnrffnrTffnnnnnn-nn-rmnnnnnnf i •Chuck Lewandowski Callus for Details 385- »4 AMERICAN FAMILY ^UTOHOMEHEAU^UK ̂ AMERICAN FAMILY MUTUAL II COMPANY * MADISON. WIS. 13701 f--OUR NEW LOCATION1 Corner of Crystal Lake Blacktop & Rt. 120, McHenry, III. providing wheelchair facilities. "We were planning to go out to dinner to celebrate a bir­ thday. We decided to go to a particular restaurant in Mundelein. This was one of our f a v o r i t e o u t - o f - t o w n restaurants before it was destroyed by fire. Since its reopening we were looking forward to the treat. When we made reservations, however, we discovered it had stairs to -the dining area. This was quite a shock since it was all newly constructed. They did comply with the federal regulations for the outside entrance. There was a beautiful ramp. However, they had not bothered to shovel the base of it. - "I, and many people like me, have had this happen time and time again. For instance, Qie Chicago Ice show at the Stadium is inaccessible to people confined to wheelchairs. I could go on with a list you wouldn't believe. It is quite humiliating to have to call before you go to a new place to see if you are ALLOWED to come. "So I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to all the concerned people who express their thoughtfulness to the many handicapped people by making it easy to patronize their establishments. God Bless them and keep them close, "Sincerely, "Barbara Gerasch" Living Longer Latest data concludes that the expectation of life at birth in the United States has reached a new high of 72.8 years. A male child born in 1976 can look forward to 68.9 years of life and a female to 76.7 years--gains of 1.9 and 2.1 years respectively since the beginning of the decade. EARL R. WALSH & JACK WALSH INS. Fir*. Auto. Farm, Lift Roprooanting RELIABLE COMPANIES *410 W. Rt*. 120, McHtnry MS-3300 DENNIS CONWAY AUTO-LIFE-FIRE State Farm Ins. Co. 391fW. Elm St. McHtnry, III. MS-7U1 DR. LEONARD B0TTARI MJ N. Richmond Rd.. McHwiry Ejjft* apamimd - Contact Lamm ; Olas»m fitted, "<t> Mon., Turn., Thwri., Fri., 4-4 p.m. Turn., Ttwrs., Fri., 7-9 p.m. Sat., V:30 to 3:00 Ph. 305-4151 or 305-2242 MCHENRY COUNTY OFFICE MACHINES Man-Sat V>5:30 - Friday til 9:00 93 Grant St., Crystal Lake Ph. 459-1224 McHenry Telephone Answering & Letter Service * Answering Service • Cor, Telephone A Paging Service * Complete Mimeographing A Printing Serivce • Typing A Photocopying Ph. 385-0258 WW. IK. IM. "GATEWAY TO YOUR FUTURE" CALLUS Farm Equipment George P. Freund,Inc. COM • New HoUowd 4102 W. Crystal Lake Rd. McHENRY Bus. 385-0420 Res. 385-0227 (815) 385-4810 llRELU RADIAL TIRES FOR ALL CARS Europa Motors, Inc 2318 Rte. 120 815-385-0700 • PATZKE CONCRETE* McHENRV • ILLINOIS FOUNDATIONS • FLOORS « SIDEWALKS FREE ESTIMATES: 815-305-9337 Cfmutti ML at our quick-quick-action copy cantor. FINEST QUALITY COPIES MADE ON XEROX EQUIPMENT See us, also, for every kind of Printing Need!! PRINTING 3909 W. 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