The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

p «. T$- / , . ̂ 7 Percent Climb In '79 A chart containing periodic price changes of the 50 items surveyed throughout 1979 appears on Page 22. y Marty Allen once said, study of economics Usually reveals that the best time to buy anything is last year," and for the most part, so it was in the food market. A look down the aisles of McHenry's three largest grocery stores showed food |and grocery prices in- • creasing nearly 7 percent in the last 12 months. Each month-for^ the 4ast-- year, the McHenry Plain- dealer has recorded and averaged the prices of 50 food and non-food items commonly purchased in the three stores. In January, if a shopper had purchased one of each item on the list (one pound of items sold by the pound), the 50 items would have cost $62.03. Those same items purchased 12 months later would have cost the consumer, $66.36 a dif­ ference of $4.33, or 6.9 percent. All of the prices quoted in . this article are averages of prices taken from the three stores. The total price of these 50 --items-fluctuated throughout the yearjn March, after a quarter-^! the year "had passed, the overall price had risen to $65.44, an increase of 5.4 percent. In June, the cost of these 50 items had risen 5.1 percent over January, and in September the total cost was $67.94 for a 9.5 percent increase. Each of the 50 items surveyed was cataloged into one of five groups: meats, produce, milk products, breads and miscellaneous. There were 12 items m the meat category and if someone had purchased one pound of the items sold by pound, the total bill would have cost $19.23. By December^ the net .price of , these same items was $20.60 or an increase of 7.5 percent. Using January prices as the basis for comparison, meat prices varied throughout the year: up 12.5 percent in March, up 9.1 percent in June and up 9 3 percent in September. In the three pionths from January to March, a one- pound package of hot dogs' climbed in price by 17.9 percent in 1979. In June and September the price of hot dogs was up 26.6 and 18.7 percent, respectively, and they closed out the-year $.23 higher than they started for a net increase of 16.5 per­ cent. Likewise, Oscar Meyer hard salami recorded steady increases in price throughout the year over January prices. In March, June, September and December, hard salami rose in price 12.0, 15.7, 10.9 and 10.9 percent over the January average price of $1.91 On a happier note, the cost of bacon dropped steadily throughout 1979. From an average starting price of $1.90, the cost of bacon dropped 0.5, 7.8 and 7.8 before stopping at $1.70 in December, a decrease of -10.5 percent. Pork loin rib chops were a better buy in June, Sep­ tember and December than they were in January or March of the year past. The rib chops closed out the year $.34 less than they started for a cost drop of 17.7 percei^" In keeping with tljie general trend of pork prices, smoked ham (center slice) also dropped steadily throughout the year, marking drops in price of 6.8, 25.8, 9.9 and 16.3 percent in March, June, September and December respectively. „ As might be expected the cost of sirloin steak went up. up, up in 1979, finishing out the year 45.7 percent higher in price than it started. In January the average price of a pound of sirloin steak was $1.75 per pound while in December the price had climbed to $2.55 a pound. A Staple of many a menu, ground beef increased ir\ price through 1979 by 23.4 With headlines shouting the accusation that Russia as lied to the United States; ith 70 vying for the police chief's job in Chicago; and |vith the return of Michael |nd Heather Bilandic's Statue to the Daley center toby for a week ~ it looks though things are going to pretty "normal" for the ear 1980. And ^nearer home, things iven't changed as much as e mighty expect either, in ite of what most of us nsider an alarming mount of crime and van- ism. * | .Up Johnsburg way, at the ebrecht residence, oungsters have been at- acted to a charming day display for /*more years than they can pemember. Mrs. Debrecht ad considered not putting it this year, but when neigh- bors told of disappointed <*hildren, she and her husband undertook the job. One evening last week they returned to find the display tipped over and the Slakes that held it stolen. New stakes were put into the percent. In January, a pound of ground beef had an average price of $1.15 while in Decern ber ground beef had an average price of $1.42. . Other meats surveyed included 'pork loin sirloin roast which ended the year $ 21 higher in price than it started! Bottom round roast in­ creased in price 28.0 percent by December of 1979; pot roast (chuck arm) went up 29.9 percent; and a pound of frozen ocean perch rose 9.0 percent. By December, a pound of whole frying chicken had dropped in price by 11.3 percent. Of the- seven commonly purchased items in the produce section of the .grocery store, buying a pound of each would have cost the shopper $3.80 in January. Twelve months later, the cost of those same seven items had fajlen to $3.65 - a difference of $.15 or 19 percent from January. In March, with a quarter of the year already past, a head of lettuce would have cost 53.2 percent more than it did in January. The average price of a head of lettuce in January was $.62 but in March the price climbed to $.95 a head. At the half-year mark," the price had reverted to the January price of $.62. The price climbed slightly in Sep­ tember and finished the year 14.5 percent above the January price. The cost of red delicious apples rose steadily in 1979, closing out at a 15.7 percent over the January price. The September average price of apples, $.88 per pound, was the highest recorded for the year. The per pound price of cabbage showed a marked decrease by December, greeting the new year with a price 17.3 percent below the January price of $.23 a pound. Carr ' , by*'the* pound, started the year at an average price of $.29 per pound, but closed the year at $.33 a> pound. The $.04 dif­ ference represents an in­ crease of 13.7 percent over the January price. The good news in the produce aisles was at the tomato stand. A pound of tomatoes could be purchased in December at almost half of what they would have cost in January. In January, tomatoes we+e selling for an average of $.76 a pound. By December the price had dropped to $.39. A five-pound bag of baking potatoes and a pound of bananas showed modest gains of 3.0 and 2.9 percent" over their January starting prices. OvqraU, the milk products category was the smallest gainer of the four categories that showed price increases since January. In Decem­ ber, the five-member milk products category increased in overall prices by 5.2 percent. Parkay margarine and Kraft cheese slices showed the most notable increases in the December oyer January prices of 1979. In December, the margarine price was up $.16 over January, for an increase of 25.3 percent while the price of the cheese! slices went up $.08 for an increase of 10.5 percent. A dozen Grade A large eggs closed out 1979 aJL a decrease in price of 13 percent over January. Thfe price of a pound of butter and a gallon of milk remained relatively stable marking increases of 6.2 and 3.3 percent respectively. In the total category standings, the bread group showed the highest increase of the five categories, posting an impressive 9.4 ercent increase-' in ecember prices over January's. /K / 4n The cost of a loaf of sand­ wich bread rose steadily from January, took a quick dip in June, and continued rising to finish the year 12.9 percent higher in price than it started. - Quaker Oats was another big gainer in the bread category, starting in January at $.55 an 18-ounce (Continued on page 22) ground and the Santa put in upright position Later, the family jioticed that efforts, had been made to steal stakes again and a light which had shfiWn on a flag since the holding of the hostages was stolen v As Mrs. Debrecht con­ cluded, "This is probably our last year for a display", we recalled reading an item in ttie Twice Told Tales of 50 years ago, lamenting the theft of Christmas tree lights from a city display in McHenry. But as we were beginning to think that nothing changes, we read, in disbe­ lief that the 50-year, world- renowned Burlington Liars club is calling it quits. And to top all changes came the announcement that Bjwf Parks of Miss America fame had been given his pink slip. Now everyone knows that--riO brash young en­ tertainer can ever take the place of the mellow tones of Parks as he sang, "There she goes. Miss America". Say it isn't so! K A F In a major step toward implementing the 208 program -- the federal program requiring waters to be "fishable and swim- mable" by 1982- the McHenry County board re­ cently approved signing a contract to put together" the county-wide water quality committee to supervise the program. At the board meeting, members named Bill Ganek, senior planner in the McHenry County Planning department, to work out details of the management agreement and start con­ tacting those organizations and groups which should have leadership roles in this vital program, Mrs. Dianne Easty, Crystal" Lake, said the committee will include representatives from such groups as the McHenry County Soil and Water Conservation district, municipalities, sanitary As the price of groceries climb, McHenry shoppers like the.^were surveyed, the items cost 7.5 percent more in December one fttNwemusi compare the cost to the quantity and ask, "Is than they did in January of 1979. it worth it?" In general, of the items in the meat cooler that STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER ^ t v / "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 VOLUME 104 NUMBER 47 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1980 1 SECTION 24 PAGES 204 Prepare Forijnity Week Rites Work Toward 1982 Clean Water Goal districts, and the McHenry County Farm bureau. An artist has been asked to present a rendering of a McHenry county flag, based on a concept presented by Theresa Smith, second grade student at St. Joseph's school. Harvard. Phyllis Walters, Algonquin, chairman of a sub­ committee of the Courthouse Operations committee, handled the contest an­ nounced about a month ago, and she said about a third of the schools ,io McHenry County were represented in the entries. ^ From the entries, a corainittee chose Theresa's entry^is the winner. It had her rendition of an ear of corn, an animal and two green perpendicular lines dividing the flag into four equal rectangles. Tjie background was "^yellow . From this sketch, the artist will try to convey the varied economic and recreational aspects of McHenry cotinty. THEREV. FRANK PIEPER Plans are being completed for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in McHenry. It begins Friday, Jan. 18, and concludes Friday, Jan. 25, the Feast of the Con­ version of St. Paul. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will open with an ecumenical service at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church at 8 p.m. Jan. 18, with the Rev. Frank Pieper, president of the North Chicago conference of the . Illinois district of the American Lutheran church, as homilist. Combined choirs of the area will provide the music. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will end the twenty-fifth at 8 p.m. at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church, with the Bishop of the Rockford diocese, the Rt. '"^^^Rev. Arthur J. O'Neil, giving the homily, and the same combined choirs providing the" music. Lectors, and readers for both services will be announced in the near future. Father Paul Jamfs Francis, the founder of the A t o n e m e n t F r i a r s , Graymoor, Garrison, New- York, "had a vision of Christian unity with all people united in Christ, and through Christ united wjth each other. With brotherhood and service. Father Paurestablished and led the Friars toward the goal of Unity expressed in the word Atonement ...At- One-Ment. He founded the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at the turn of the century. Now it is commemorated throughout the world. His followers are found in all denominations as they follow in the pursuit of unity. In 1980 Father Paul's dream of bringing Christ to all people continues as the Atonement Friars labor in Italy. England, Japan, Brazil, Canada, the Wes Indies and the United States. Father Paul died Feb. 8, 1940, and is buried at Graymoor beneath the in­ spiring "Pieta" statue of Mother and Son. His life was ended, but his spirit and work flourish in the hearts of his Friars, and all who wish to fulfill the<3fi$t!i5 of Christ: "That all may be one". Two-Car Crash fares Drivers Nuclear Wastes Voter League To Look At DisposatTfr&kjem Hazardous nuclear waste disposal and voter registration will be the key topics of an open discussion session conducted by the League of;Women Voters at the next meeting. The local Woodstock-McHenry unit, will meeet Thursday, Jan, 10, at 9:30 a;m. in St. Paul's church, McHenry. [Hlinois is one of the biggest users of atomic power in the cojuntry and also one of the major sites for nuclear waste storage. Intelligent management of this activity and public awareness is considered critical by the league. Also. 100 percent voter registration and informed participation at the ballot box is the key to--good democratic government, according to the league. The public is always welcome and encouraged to attend what promises to be a stimulating discussion. Two Wonder Lake men were injured in a two-car collision last week on Route 120 near Thompson road. A witness to the accident said a car driven by Wayne L. Felske, of 9003 Shady lane. Wonder Lake, crossed |,he center line of Route 120 several times before striking another auto. The driver of the other auto was Gerald , D Torgeson. of 5408 Marshall drive. Wonder Lake. Torgeson was taken to Memorial hospital in Woodstock by the Wonder Lake Rescue squad and is listed in good condition Torgeson said he saw the Felske vehicle driving west in the eastbound lane and s w e r v e d t o a v o i d t h e collision. Felske was .also tran­ sported to Memorial hospital but was not admitted Charges brought against Felske were driving whil^' intoxicated, transportation of open liquor in a motor vehicle and improper lane usage. An investigation by • Sheriff's police into an ac­ cident at the intersection of Wilmot and Paddock roads early last Friday morning showed that a car failed to stop for a stop sign, slid off the road into a ditch and hit a fence, according to the police report. The driver of the car, who left the scene, was later identified as Nicholas B. May, of 8009 Bellevue, Spring Grove. May was cited for leaving the- scene of an accident, failure to report an accident and disobeying a stop sign. David P. Wirtz, of Antioch, was driving north on Wilmot road last Sunday when, a southbound auto crossed into his lane and struck his car. According to the police report. Wirtz followed the other auto home and told the driver what happened • The driver of the other auto. Wayne A. Nelson, of 1417 W. May avenue, McHenry. told police he fell asleep at the wheel. „ William M. Sund. of 3205 Bull Valley road. McHenry. was driving west on Route 176 last Friday when a car pulled out in front of his auto, The. driver of the other vehicle was Robert D. Message, of Lake Zurich, 111. Message told police he did not see the Sund vehicle , (Continued on page 22) r McHenry Area Fires Down 13.7 Percent Wayne Amor*, captain of Company I of the Mc- Henry Township ' Fire Protection district, and Sparky, tho talking dog, are mora than partners in a picture. They carry that relationship into their work in demon­ strating the importance of firo prevention to children in McHenry schools throughout the year. STAFF PHOTO- WAYNE GAYLORD - With an enviable record showing a 13.7 percent decline in fire calls for the year 1979, members of the McHenry Township Fire " P r o t e c t i o n d i s t r i c t , a n d Sparky^ the talking fire "dog. have reason for a high measure of satisfaction Station I, located in McHenry. was down 28 4 percent from last year's total. Officers credit a large part of the reduction in fire calls to the fire prevention program that was started this year. Public education on-« fire prevention has been stressed by all three stations. One way the public is being reached is through Sparky, who has made numerous appearances He was present at the McHenry Trade fair and again'at the McHenry County fair He made, his way through, Landmark school, where he was viewed by hundreds of children, and of course; was seen at the firehouse during Fire Prevention week. Captain Wayne Amore of Station 1 stated that since September, about 1.100 students have been given instructions in the classroom of their schools on fire prevention by y McHenry's volunteer firemen. An ad-^ ditional 350 students have been gi^en individual in­ struction on, the Stop, Drop and RijJl nrogram The Fir/ district 's goal for next year is an additional reduction in fire calls. Anyone wishing a program on fire prevention for a club or a group may call the firehouse to set up an ap­ pointment <