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Monday, Jan. 25, there'll be a second chance for a happy New Year. On that day, the world will leave the Year of the Rooster and enter the Year of the EH which is also the year 4680 the Chinese calendar. The date of Chinese New Year changes every year, but always falls between Jan. 21 and Feb. 19. It , \ . • •• • • • arrives with the second new moon after the winter solstice (the shortest day of the year). The Year of the Dog, which starts Jan. 25, follows the tradition of naming the years after constellations of the Zodiac in 12-year cycles. In order after the Dog are the constellations of Boar, Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Serpent, Horse, Ram, Monkey and Rooster. Lore and Legend People born in the Year of the Dog are said to be af­ fectionate and intelligent, but idealistic. Dog people, are wise and talented. They enjoy crowds and en­ tertainment but are in­ dependent and short- tempered. For everyone, Dog years A delicious way to welcome the Year of the Dog beginning on Jan. 25 is to center the celebration around a Chinese- influenced feast. The main dish is Chicken with Cucumber and Bamboo Shoots, developed by home economists especially for the holiday. Serve egg roils, available frozen at supermarkets, or homemade, and crunchy chow meln noodles to complement the meal. Almond cookies and fortune cookies are tempting dessert ideas. Gung Hoy Fet Toy! That's the proper way to greet friends on Jan. 25. The words mean "Happy New Year" in Chinese. If you've already broken your New Year resolutions, here's your chance to start over. In the Chinese moon calendar, Jan. 25 marks the first day of the year 4680 and the beginning of the Year of the Dog. It's a day for feasting and merriment in Chinese communities throughout the world. Why not celebrate Chinese New Year with a dinner party of your own? Set your Stable with narcissus forced -intoearly bloom - the flower is a symbol of the new year in China. Then serve a sumptuous meal that combines delicate Chinese vegetables and chicken, an ail-American favorite. Created by home economists, Chicken with Cucumber and Bamboo Shoots is a savory main dish that will enhance your party menus long after the Year of the Dog has passed. Serve it with dhow mein noodles. Egg rolls make a perfect appetizer. Serve them with Chinese Hot Mustard and Sweet & Sour Sauce for dipping. Almond cookies and fortune cookies are tasty dessert ideas. CHICKEN WITH CUCUMBER AND BAMBOO SHOOTS (4-6 Servings) 1 medium cucumber, peeled, cut in half lengthwise and seeded 1-4 cup chicken broth 1-4 cup dry white wine 3 whole chicken breasts, skinned, boned and cut in half 1-4 tsp. salt 1-4 tsp. pepper 3 tbl. butter 1 tbl. cognac 1 can (8 oz.) Bamboo Shoots, rinsed and drained 1-4 cup thinly sliced green onion (white part only) 3-4 cup cream or half and half 2 tbl. grated lemon rind 1 tsp. salt 1 tbl. minced fresh parsley Cut cucumber halves into thin-slices. Set aside three- fourths of the slices; com­ bine remaining slices in small saucepan with chicken broth and wine. Bring mixture to a boil; remove from heat.and let stand, two minute*. ' Strain liquid, discarding cucumber slices and set aside. Flatten chicken breasts between sheets of plastic wrap, using mallet or rolling pin. Sprinkle chicken with 1- 4 tsp. each salt and pepper. Melt butter in large skillet placed over low heat; add chicken breasts and cook, turning frequently, five minutes. Pour cognac over chicken and ignite. When flames subside, remove chicken to plate; keep warm. Add bamboo shoots and green onion to skillet. Cook ova* low heat, stirring often, until onions are tender but not brown. Return chicken to pan and add reserved broth mixture; cook, covered, 20 minutes over low heat. Place chicken pieces on serving platter and keep warm. Reduce liquid remaining in skillet over high heat until about 1-4 cup remains. Lower heat. Stir in cream, lemon rind, and 1 tsp. salt. Simmer mixture for 3 to 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in reserved cucumber slices. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley. *U(ie, <zfte,(L !Sa%n Ceramic Shoppe 1701 N. Richmond Road (2 blocks north of St. Mary's Church) ANNOUNCES NEW HOURS STARTING.TUM. Jan. 26.1M2 OPEN: Turn., Thurs, Fri., 9:30AM-4:30PIRI Saturday 10am-4pm CLOSED. Sun., Mon., Wad. CLASSES, Tuac.-Thu». 10-12am; l:30-3:30pm; 7-9pm CALL 3M HtO for mora information ' . , ' .'.-7 J-**' ' ' * ' ' Custom filing Duncan & <zMayco ZPtoduafa JlCnz of StuduA £C&ckxica£ ^Wlting *7Vr?rtA x̂ujwjcm fox aCC <Sca±on± *. * lOt£ : ••• SPRING IS JUST AROUND THS CORNER GET READY FOR EASTER-CHOOSE FROM OUR SHELVES FILLED WITH EASTER GREENWARE AND HAND CRAFT A GIFT FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL. are active years filled with prosperity. They are years of activity and excitement. Nowadays the celebration of the New Year is con­ centrated into a few days. In days gone by, preparations began a month in advance and festivities lasted a full month after New Year's day, from new moon to full moon. Weeks before the New Year, villages bustled with m: " housecleaning activity, befitting the New Year as a time of renewal. Men in masks and warrior costumes symbolically chased pestilence out of the town. A villager, garbed as a sor­ cerer, ran through the streets with an ax in hand driving out evil spirits. All debts were to be paid before the old year ended. When evil spirits had been banished and creditors satisfied, people turned their attention to pacifying more benevolent gods. According to tradition, all gods go to Yu Huangti, the Jade Emperor and highest god of all, bet­ ween the 24th day of the 12th month and New Year's day. An elaborate farewell dinner is given for one deity, the Kitchen God. It consists solely of sweets, so that this god will tell the Jade Em­ peror only sweet things about the family with whom he spent the year. The last days of the old year find crowds surging through the streets, for this is the time when the traditional New Year's gifts are purchased - flowers, teas and rare fruits. Food is a welcome New Year's gift, and oranges are especially favored. For members of one's own family, ornaments or fabrics, especially silks, are preferred. Children and servants receive small packets of money wrapped in red paper. ' The old year is finished with visits to relatives and, for the women, cooking. All food preparation must be finished on the last day of the PAGE 3 - PLAINDE ALER year, since using a knife or any sharp instrument on New Year's day is thought to cut the coming year's luck. Feasts and Fireworks The final hours of New Year's eve are devoted to family worship of the gods and to remembering an­ cestors. After the rites, family members join in a feast. All their quarrels must by now be forgotten. Fireworks and good wishes at midnight hail the new year. At midnight, cries of "Gung Hoy Fet Toy" (Happy New Year) and "La Choy" (good luck) ring through the houehold. Before dawn, the rites of worship may be repeated. The official ending of the New Year holidays is the Feast of Lanterns, celebrated on the 15th of the first month. The colorful and elaborate lanterns are hung over household doors to attract prosperity and longevity. FRIDAY. JANUARY 22. Htt BIRTHS Among recent births recorded at Memorial hospital for McHenry county, Woodstock were the Jan. 19 births of a girl to Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Szc- zepkowski of Wonder Lake and a boy to Mr. and Mrs. Ted Graves of McHenry. HOSPITAL NOTES WOODSTOCK Admissions: Mrs. Rose Polkow, Mrs. Ruth Wohnrade and John Tren- dler, all of McHenry; baby Christopher Zamastil of Wonder Lake; Mrs. Deborah Yost of Spring Grove. 0 Be sure to pay all your debts before Jan. 25...that's Chinese New Year, and the Chinese believe it's necessary to start it with a clean slate. In fact, if you were a Chinese who couldn't pay up, no matter what, your only recourse would be to hide from your creditors until after sunrise on New Year's day. Then you were safe until the next big day for paying bills - about four months later. Of course, the New Year (which will be the year 4680 in the Chinese calendar) is also the occasion for the biggest Chinese feast of the year. Just in case paying creditors has strained your budget, home economists have created economical Good Fortune Beef Loaves. These are individual meat loaves made with Chinese and American ingredients and glazed with a red sauce • • because red symbolizes good luck to the Chinese. GOOD FORTUNE BEEF LOAVES (8 Servings) 1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce 1-3 cup Sweet & Sour sauce 2 tbl. Soy sauce 2 pounds ground beef 2 eggs, beaten 1 tsp. dry mustard 2 tsp. onion powder 1 can (3 oz.) Chow Mein Noodles, finely crushed 1 can (14 oz.) fancy Chinese Mixed Vegetables, rinsed and drained 1-4 tsp. pepper 1 Ms tsp. salt. Combine sauces; reserve 1-4 cup for baste. Combine remaining sauce and ingredients. Shape into 8 loaves. Place in shallow baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes, basting occasionally with sauce. 'V (formerly Crescent Bay Landing) Winter lime Happy Hour Monday Thru Friday 4 PM To 6 PM All Cocktails 2 For 1 Plus Swodish Glug And Coffoo Drinks* 100 3309 N. Chapel Hill Rd. 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All Mv Nieces and Nephews: £»L I- -r »«T- SSZ'S SS J-- to* P--"" -- --"*"» _ is.ssrs'« -- now eligible to start and ma working spouse can do likewise, year from salary or wages, andyoor woking|» non. That's $4000 a year wh.ch, con'fJ.^Hed floral income ^ on Jther principal or in,.res funds are withdrawn. The future of Social Security is ^^n". C^owo^ IZfZ ̂ care of your retirement needs. IBi1 y an(J Loan Yoor 1RA fonds are Zfy V00.000 by the Federal Savings and loon insurance Corp. Start today with something! Yoor. tSam STOP IN AND SET ALL THE IRA DETAILSI btibttimfiul l.ii «rO'ly uutoi ot INA tunJt McHENRY S A V I N G S « iltl llttcilllll McHenry Savings W >«o io»* INM Mate Mrea« Mdrnwad $l$-47$-Mtl 10401 Hartfc Vine Street (HwnHey Censor aa leg» 47) twiey lll-W-MM SAVMSHOURS: 0:00ante4:30pm. Monday, Tveeday and Ttmreday*:00amteOiOOpm Mday em »a »iQQpmia^irdey McHenry OfWcePrieaIn W.dend«r •iM am la 2:00 pm. Oend Wednesday In Mdimend and Monday Oaposits Insured $100,000 ky the Federal taiHwgs I loan teswranw Carp. frrrtftyMpkf