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Page 12- PLAlNDEAfcEH-HEKALD. FRIDAY, APRIL 12.1985 Hick Peterson mw.sj s a party that nobody likes anyone noticed something peculiar about the ! system lately, let's say within the past six Something isn't right. >e wrong, out I think we've been put on one huge, been put on one huge, That's "we" as in whoever owns (or . About a hundred million of us. is in order here. Ever since AT&T of the regular-dug telephone companies, -they call it telecommunications now-hasnt ' been the same. I donti believe anyone really understood the telephone before divestiture; now it is an incomprehensible People used to curse the telephone company and knew what you were talking about: The Company. Now, the telephone company can be ; anybody, from AT&T, Ameritech ^ kids down the block who have two Dixie nected by a string and an order from the ' nations Commission. one company owns my y walls and con* i i nectea oy a stung ana an oraer irom ine r eaerai Com* , another the wiring line between the house ^^••mPBmyet another and the pole-and none wants to take responsibility for any of it--should I become a recluse when the phone goes on the friti? Or, should I ask the kid down the block with the Dixie cups if he has any more string? That's probably why every little, and not-so4ittle, glitch than it really is. Maybe we want to think the m afraid of my telephone, t guess. I'm afraid of words with more than ax syllables, like 1 is going to "hold" in a handbasket. Wejust think the static on the line is louder than it used to be. We just think we can't hear the other party on a long-Just think we can't hear the other party distance telephone call We just think we get more m m signals than we used to. We just think we are numbers than we used to. We just tUnk the < Mm ;v: .• sound like their voices are computer generated. ^We just think we hear voices other than the one we're talking to. Maybe sunspots are causing the problems. I make a lot of telephone calls. 'I'll have to admit, I fhat's good. That's the way it's siq>posed to However, I also can listen ill on conversations people unknown to me. to whom I caSed, but also to t's not good. Unless, of course, we've party line and that's the way it is supposed to I can live with static, poor sound wrong _ numbers. Fm even computer operator. But, I find it tflmeone else over the telephone couple has joined us. Who should Sang up? ; etiquette here? s unsettling to be able to eavesdrop on conversations of others. I've heard all sorts a crime; but sometimes it's hanfto youcanl party _ on your was because you -- ft#* 'Mite When she picked With the new fV|A MMimp UK ICvtUVCl. line, you don' your conversation. There's no dick. If someone else's < can listen to mine. Isn't that nice to faww? Let's be there's a good explanatton for < - cheap foreign-made telephones, a wet spring, a < Something. Maybe I should w»n Andy i should just listen on the phone until his voice and touches me. That would save a anyway. Yearning for the simple life in a complex world CAMPAIGN SPEECHES PROMISE to cut taxes, provide services and strive for a land of plenty. The next time we consider those promises we will accept the "no tax" clause, and all the services we can get. We will rebel at the land of plenty. There is too much "plenty" now. Even recognizing lack of patience as a major flaw in our character, we hardly feel alone in an objection to the amount of paper work that accompanies every transaction in which we participate. It has been a source of annoyance for a long time to stand in line at a checkout counter behind people who have their credit checked for purchase of a dollar-and-a-half worth of candy. IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE that cash may not be in large supply, but there are times when we have been led to believe the dollar bill is a threatened species. Perhaps these little annoyances come to mind because it's time to prepare income tax returns. Just assembling the material is sufficient cause to declare the records a disaster area and file for federal help. As we consider the lines of people being checked for credit, and the problems of assembling income tax figures, we look back at the past. There are many reminders mat for a long time we have been beseiged by other vexations. THE REAL IRRITATION lies in the fact that nothing is simple anymore. A perfectly routine procedure can become as only because some well-meaning friend decided for us that check-up time was at hand. A first bit of advice is to scratch those friends off your list-enough petty annoyances will find you without trying. At the doctor's office, too, you engage in double the $64 flame, all to acquaint him with every facet of your life until mat moment. This is all for just a general check-up. At this time you begin to wonder what would await you if there was really Dont talk to someone who seriously wrong with your health, i found out. It's depressing. anderin BY KAF Ah yes, Our hospitals! tto for anywhere and nowhere. motto for the future is to enter only if we are to be carried in, unable to be punished with the paper work that has become a hallmark of these institutions. TWO YEARS AGO, our health was good when we entered AND NOW, IN RETIREMENT, we are asked to be a good citizen and assist with any number of worthwhile un­ dertakings. Our inclination to say "yes" is choked back by the knowledge that before we can- set to work we must agree to read reams of instructions. More often than not the rules skirt the real purpose of the endeavor and we wish we had the courage to say, "No way!" As it is, a weak nature places us in the same spot with millions of other Americans. We are caught up in the effort of through iquietlifi appears any return to a quiet lif e will be slow in coming. Bakery opens with new proprietor FIFTY YEARS AGO (Taken from the files of April 11, 1935) The Green Street bakery will re-open with a new proprietor, Harry Nielsen of Chicago. The place has been newly decorated and will open on Saturday. Mrs. Agnes wentworth formerly conducted the bakery ana recommends Mr. Nielsen to her old customers. The High School Mixed Chorus will give a concert April 12 under the direction of Bliss O'Gara. The chorus is a new organization, still in its first year of activity. Soloist with the chorus are Betty Conway and Jane Heimer, sopranos; George Johnson and LeRoy Hetterman, tenors; Evelyn Karls, alto; and George Bales, bass. The ac­ companist is Lorena Erb and on determine the first official high school boxing champions of the state. The bouts will be held at the YMCA and those who saw the preliminary fights here last week will vouch mat they are worth the 25 cents being taxed the spectators. For McHenry, Frisby, Hughes, Harry An­ derson and Franzen will fight Grant boys, while Clarence Anderson will fight it out with Harvey, and Mel Peterson will meet Justen in the All-MCHS fights. Freund' TWICE TOLD TALES Edited from our files of years gone by the drums, Chester Howard. Adele Froelich will play the marimba between chorus numbers. 1's Clothing of West McHenry advertised Easter Suits from $15 to $27.50. FORTY YEARS AGO (Taken from the files of April 12, 1945) The National Dairy association has awarded a diploma to James Curran and has added his name to the National Honor Roll > in recognition of the achievement of developing a herd of 12 cows erage or the year enamg December 31,1943. Mr. Curran is owner and operator of an 80-acre farm in West McHenry which produced 150,000 pounds of milk in 1944 during which time he never milked more than 12 cows per day. Robert Riedy of West McHenry has received word that his son, Pfc. Clarence W. Riedy, has been wounded in the European theatre of operations. Ringwood residents this week were saddened by word of the death of Patrick Coyne, Jr. who formerly lived there and whose sveloping a to a yearly production av< of 437.5 pounds butterfat for ending De family now resides in Chicago. A marine, the young man was killed in action on Iwo Jima March 11. • Sgt. Thomas L. Diedrich will observe the first anniversary of his entrance into the army April 20. Sgt. Diedrich has been building and repairing bridges with General Hodge's army in Germany. Sgt. Diedrich's wife, the former Marie Nett, and daughter, Vicky, eagerly await his return from Overseas duty. TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO (Taken from the files of April 8, 1960) Little League officers re­ elected at the January meeting were Fred Meyers, president; Elmer Carstens, vice-president; James Larkin, treasurer; and William Bolger, secretary. Flood conditions in Country Club subdivision became in-' creasingly worse over the weekend until it was necessary to close the road to traffic Sunday. East River Road and Holiday Hills homes were under water at points and at Holiday Hills, 18 families were evacuated. At a recent McHenry City Council meeting arrangements for purchase of a site for a new water well in Edgebrook Heights Annex were reported. It is also expected that an agreement will be completed very soon for the site of the new water tower in Cooney Heights. Vince Adams ana Barbara Gilpin were shown in rehearsal for their song, "Bicycle Built for Two", one of the highlights "Musical Memories", which will he presented in St. Mary's school auditorium April 22 and 24. ' The Ben Franklin store ad­ vertised, "Easter essential- a new hat", $1 to $3.99. TEN YEARS AGO (Taken from the files of April 11, 1975) Contests in two wards highlight city elections coming April 16. Raymond L. Smith, Ward 3 is seeking to return to office after defeat two years ago and Robert J. Mortell is running against him in the same ward. Walther E.I. Schaedel of Ward 4 seeks the office of alderman in opposition to Ronald Meurer. William J. Bolger of Ward 1 and George L. Harker of Ward are ;re will be 90 classes of­ fered to an anticipated 1,000 students when Consolidated School District 15 conducts Summer School 1975 from June 16 through July 25. Important action was taken by the McHenry County Board Tuesday in accepting an agreement between the State of Illinois and the county for im- rvement of Johnsburg Road, calls for widening and resurfacing the road to a width of 24 feet from Route 31 to the Fox River bridge, and to install storm sewer to abate flooding in Johnsburg. Flames of undetermined origin destroyed a large barn and its contents on the Chester Ullrich farm, Wilmot Road, McHenry Tuesday. Loss was estimated in excess of $35,000 by Fire Chief Glenn Peterson. PISTAKEE COUNTRY CLUB IS OPEN For our famous k F R I D A Y FISH f RS ALSO: STEAK • WHOLE CATFISH • BBQ RIBS BEER BATTER SHRIMP • CHICKEN STEAK & EGGS AND BREAKFAST Served from 8 am-2 pm Sat. & Sun. CUHLMAN AND BAY ROAD, PISTAKEE BAY (815)385*9854 ARE YOU NEW IN The McHenry Area? Do You Know Someone New? We Would Like To Extend A Royal Welcome To Every Newcomer To Our Area I! I CALL 385-5475 i ursi *nttm mtwmrnimtkw fRtt Ml* MM MMIKI " ROYAL WELCOME Know Your Area-Royal Welcome Does It Best a n s Hr. PROM DRESSES Throughout her life she'll remember the time that she danced all night and captured the spotlight in one of the most beautiful prom gowns of them all! We have many prom dresses to choose from in our Bridal Dept. or we can order your favorite color and perfect size. in M* of 'WopeltforJr .118 N. Benton (815)338-1210 o Large selection of discontinued formals priced at up to 50% off FAMILY FUN. YOUR FAMILY W I L L ENJOY B I K I N G MORE IF YOU BUY FROM EXPERTS! COMPARE OUR SERVICE AND PRICE TO ANYONE! • Bikes From $159 • Free Service Agreement Lifetime Warranty • Service For All Makes DO YOURSELF A FAVOR - BEFORE YOU BUY ANY BIKE ATANY PRICE - SEE OUTDOOR REC. AREA EXPERTS SINCE 1972 *ul5Vj S. Ri. 47, Woodstock -- 338-6088 SPRING SALE itu* BURNING BUSH F7-9U jJ^18"-24" TALL REG. $12.95 HONEYSUCKLE .. ... KS> FLOWERING BUSH fl 17 3 4'-5' TALL f f BALLED & BURLAPPED REG. $18 ram. ACORN RIDGE NURSERY RTE. 120 EAST TO DARREL RD., THEN SOUTH % MILE TO NURSERY 30540 N. DARREL RD. • McHENRY (V0L0) res RETAIL A WHOLESALE MON.-FRI., 10-7 SAT. 81 SUN., 8-7 {HS138S-88S