October 1982

EDITOR at large

A lot of people seem to have had fun with our contest. About 50,000 readers accepted my challenge in the June issue to think up a simple, appropriate name for the room that's created when you combine in one space the functions of a living room, dining room, family room, and kitchen.

Preschool Education

At Cornell University's preschool in Ithaca, New York, a room full of youngsters is buzzing with activity. In one corner, a three-year-old experiments with mixing big blobs of red and blue paint to make purple. At a large sink, a four-year-old "measures" water with various containers. In other corners of the room, children are building a car out of blocks and preparing "breakfast" in a playhouse.

GOODNEWS

Look for these new products at your favorite stores or write to the manufacturer for the names of nearby stores. Please don't send money to the company; the prices listed are only suggested retail prices.

WHAT'S HAPPENING TO AMERICAN FAMILIES?

Is family life in America getting better or is it deteriorating? We're asking you to tell us what you think. This two-part questionnaire (see Part 1 in the September issue) is designed to measure and assess the current state of American families. We'll publish a full report, and analyze the more significant findings from this survey, in future issues of Better Homes and Gardens.

BULB PLANTING IDEAS BRILLIANT SPRING COLOR

Mention tulips and many people immediately think of Holland, the land of windmills, dikes, and wooden shoes. To get a firsthand look at how the Dutch masters grow their world-famous spring-flowering bulbs, we traveled to Holland in the early spring, during the peak season of bloom.

SCRAP YARN sweaters

This fall, parlay the contents of your yarn scrap bag into a rainbow of sweaters and accessories for your clan. Our quick-to-knit projects are made of Coats & Clark's Red Heart acrylic yarn. It comes in a wide color range and works up into machine-washable, go-anywhere knits that look great year round.

Gardener's log

"Listen! the wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves, We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!"

INVESTING: HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF Mutual Funds

One of the simplest investments you can make is a mutual fund. Minimum purchase requirements are small, usually $250 to $500, although some funds may require initial purchases of $1,000 or more. Shares are redeemable at any time. And you can choose from hundreds of funds designed to satisfy varied investment goals, such as long-term growth in value, additional income, or tax-exempt earnings.

Tips, Tools, and TECHNIQUES

This feature is written by you. It's a wide-ranging collection of shop hints, installation tips, and repair shortcuts that you-- along with millions like you-- have picked up from your experience as a do-it-yourselfer. We pay $25 for each problem-solver we publish. See the box below for submission details.

Special Pet Problems HOW TO AND THE BEST HELP

If your pet is plagued with a particular health problem and your local veterinarian hasn't been able to help, it's probably time to call in a specialist. Today, veterinarians specialize in everything from cardiology to allergies. But locating the best specialist nearest you can be difficult and time-consuming.

New Energy-Efficient Furnaces

Memories of last winter probably make you shiver, and not just from the cold. Many homeowners paid record heating bills, and another big price increase for all types of heating is in prospect for this season. But there is good news if your old gas furnace needs replacing, or if you've been considering switching from oil or electric heating to gas heating. Several new high-efficiency gas furnaces introduced this season can cut your heating bills 30 to 50 percent.

A Multi-Level Kid's Room

UPTOWN COUNTRY the new look of pine

You don't have to go to an antiques auction to get the look of those beautiful, decades-old pine pieces. New pine furnishings-- with mellow, old-fashioned styling and fresh, barely there finishes-- are hitting the market.

AFFORDABLE SOLAR HOMES FACTORY-MADE

Let's face it: the cost of buying a new home isn't anything to cheer about. Even if you can swing the interest rates, you still have to contend with inflated construction costs and utility bills that are enough to make you gasp. So is there any good news to report? Happily, the answer is yes, and much of the credit goes to a progressive group of housing manufacturers. They've combined their factory know-how with passive solar technology to create homes that don't run up colossal mortgages or horrendous heat bills.

New Ideas

Here's a delightful new book from Better Homes and Gardens that takes you on an armchair (or more correctly, dining chair) tour of the United States, and lets you savor the very best in authentic American regional cuisine at every fascinating stop on the way.

FIVE CITIES Made to Order FOR FAMILY VACATIONS

Autumn brings new life to the country's cities and supplies a splendid backdrop for a family weekend vacation. But the well-known behemoth metropolises don't have a monopoly on big-city fun anymore. Several lesser-sung cities have lots of assets to recommend them-- particularly to families. Besides providing sights, attractions, and amenities, these cities generally offer reasonable prices and a friendly atmosphere.

Better Homes Shopping editor's choice

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order from the convenience of your own home with complete confidence. If not delighted, each company will happily refund your money.

The Man Next Door

Dick Dresch says folks who manage to maintain their standard of living these days deserve lots of credit. "And without lots of credit," Dick adds, "they'd never be able to do it."