LETTERS: REMEMBER WHEN...

To the editor:

I needed gas recently. I first noticed the price had gone up 6 cents overnight for the third straight week at all local stations to herald the Christmas season.

I needed to check my tires, so I put a quarter in the machine. It quit before I was finished, so another 25 cents.

I remember when I pulled into the filling station (they call them convenience stores now), a friendly attendant rushed out, checked under the hood, cleaned the windshield, brushed out the floor mat, asked how you were doing and inquired, "Fill 'er up?"

Now you read the directions on the pump, punch cash or credit card, decide which octane you can afford and serve yourself. The only service you might get is a stray dog watering your tires while you pay for the gas.

Oh, yeah. You could get 10 gallons for $1, including tax, and charge it is you didn't have the dollar.

Times have changed. Happy new year.

CHARLES McNEIL

Vandalia, Ill.