Greetings to PN – May 2013

Most recent greeting posted at top. Many Greetings to PN also are linked to online stories. Thanks for keeping greetings brief. 

Thank you for the terrific Memorial Day Parade photos posted on the Positively Naperville  website. You and your Newspaper are a great supporters of Veterans and great Naperville assets. —Don Hennessy

Online Memorial Day Parade Photos:  They are great. And I don’t mind that my grandkids get to see photos of Grandpa. (Son moved to Connecticut!) —Jim Vahle

Online Memorial Day Parade Photos: WOW!!!!   These are great! —Wayne Fischer

Memorial Day:  Memorial Day is a very special day, not for sales but for pausing and taking time to honor all those who have served this country in war and peace. Talk to your children about the true meaning of Memorial Day. An awful lot of men and women have served and paid the supreme sacrifice so that we can live in a country free from oppression. Say a prayer and say thanks.  —Ron Keller, Naperville Municipal Band

Regarding PN Links: I am especially anxious to adopt “Let me think about it” as I prepare to go to church to sew dresses for little girls in Africa (as the weeds take over my yard, vacation “things” are stacked all over, we still have not put stuff back in place in our basement and…).  …  Your Tim West article was great. I love that he said you couldn’t be friends any more when he saw PN. I will miss reading his article each week. —Nancy Davis

Hello Naper Settlement and Positively Naperville: I am writing to let you know how much I appreciate the new Wednesday Walking Club. I look forward to this FREE walking program each Wednesday. I check-in at 8AM at Naper Settlement and walk for 60 minutes around Naper Settlement and / or the Riverwalk. For each 200 minutes of walking I receive a prize of free admission to a Naper Settlement event of my choice. I have loved watching spring unfold. Although Naper Settlement does not allow dogs on the grounds, Lately, I’ve checked in at Naper Settlement and walked my dog on the Riverwalk during Wednesday Walking Club. The complimentary snacks provided at the end of each walk are a nice treat too. It is a wonderful way to start the day. Thank you, Naper Settlement! —Jan Wishau, Loomis Street, Naperville

Memorial Day Parade: Please Join Us on Sat. May 27, in the Naperville Memorial Day Parade! We are looking for 100 American Flag Carriers. First we will line the parade route holding flags! Then as the Operations Support Our Troops – America Float passes, we will join in behind them – showing our Patriotism and Support of our Military, as well as helping out another Parade. … The flag street lining and parading has been done in several Naperville Parades and is becoming one of the top appreciated entries! As you pass spectators you’ll see the Proud Patriotism of Naperville! You’ll definitely feel good about your town, country, military and your participation! —Marty Walker (mwalker243@yahoo.com) or Fred McEwen (fcmjr@comcast.net)

Naperville Men’s Glee Club: Thanks for all the coverage and nice ad placement for Voices of Hope. It was a very special performance for us and, I think, for the community as well. We will probably do some sort of follow-up with that project. Thanks! —Bonnie Klee Roberts, Conductor, The Naperville Men’s Glee Club

Illinois State Legislature: As I write this (May 10, 2013), the state of Illinois is paying employees to stay home. It’s wrong, it’s wasteful and it’s a problem I am working to fix.

A recent media report revealed that since 2007, more than 2,000 employees have been on state-authorized paid administrative leave and collected $23 million in taxpayer-funded wages. It’s a jaw-dropping number and the reason I am supporting a measure to shine a bright light on this pervasive problem.

With House Resolution 308, we are putting our foot down. This resolution can help increase scrutiny toward the broken paid leave system and protect taxpayer dollars.

We shouldn’t stop there. I have introduced bills to end pay for part-time boards and commissions and prevent stipends from being applied to board and commission pensions. I also rejected a legislative pension and voted to cut lawmakers’ pay.

I will continue fighting to reduce waste, get Illinois back on the right track and keep corruption out of our government. —Stephanie Kifowit, State Representative, 84th District

Thoughts of Naperville: Was thinking… How about your writing a book in the realm of volunteerism. The gal (?) who wrote the book, “Lean-In,” took the business approach. Someone like you could write a book on those women (maybe men too) who volunteer so unselfishly for many better reasons. Again this is Naperville. We need to keep this culture going to influence those up-and-comers. We have what we have because so many citizens care about each other and our town. … I like “Kindness in Naperville.” It’s a quick catchy slogan the city could use in another city wide campaign that would have use in so many aspects where Kindness applies. How about using those street pole banners? Maybe the city could post the theme on them.

Thanks for your funnies (Gender Chuckles), but more importantly your consistent efforts for our town! I love Naperville. —John Harvard

Thanks! Thanks for the positive plug for Hopping for Hope at Airtastic Play Land. —Jacque Haas LeBreck

Thanks! Thanks Positively Naperville for a positively excellent article about the Derby event! —Ray Kinney

Thanks! The gratitude I feel today is overwhelming. Bridge Communities just concluded its third annual “Celebrating Women…Transforming Lives” luncheon at Danada House, a celebration at which we recognize the contributions and accomplishments of extraordinary women in our community. Since its founding in 1988, Bridge has helped 588 DuPage County families – dozens of them Naperville residents – transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency, thanks to the dedicated individuals and organizations who believe in Bridge’s mission.

Bridge Communities’ “Life Transformed Award” went to Sue Principe, a courageous young lady who triumphed over domestic abuse homelessness and is now a happily married mother and grandmother with a thriving career with a career in which she passionately advocates for DV victims.

Humanitarian and community activist Mary Ellen Durbin received the “Transforming Lives Award” for her relentless advocacy of homeless families. Though now technically “retired,” Mary Ellen has more energy and enthusiasm than any young go-getter I know!

This incredible celebration was made possible by the generosity of Bridge’s 45 Program Partners, our hard-working staff and board, our dedicated volunteer mentors, an event committee that’s second-to-none, and our event sponsors, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Charitable Foundation, Glen Ellyn Bank & Trust, Naperville Bank & Trust, Wheaton Bank & Trust, BMO Harris Bank, My Chef Catering, Ashley Furniture, Digital Benefit Advisors, Ingredion, Neil Gates Photography, and Yorke Print Shoppe.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to publicly thank all of these remarkable individuals and organizations. To witness the life change that occurs through Bridge Communities is awe-inspiring indeed. —Jennie Gates, Event Manager, Bridge Communities, Jennie.gates@bridgecommunities.org