Most recent greeting is posted at top of this page as it’s updated throughout the month. Occasionally, Greetings to PN also are linked to other online PN stories. Many of these greetings, edited for space for the printed paper, will appear in the next issue of PN.
Thank you for keeping greetings as brief as possible. And thanks for sending your thoughts about this community with your signature. We welcome them!
To PN (Letter to the Editor): On September 17, we will celebrate Constitution Day – the day in 1787 when 39 of our nation’s Founding Fathers gathered in the Pennsylvania State House to sign the Constitution of the United States of America. This document, carefully created by these learned men eleven years after the Declaration of Independence was signed and almost six years after our fledgling nation defeated the British forces at Yorktown to win the Revolutionary War, changed the world.
For the first time in history, in what is known as “America’s Great Experiment,” The People ruled themselves by establishing a limited government based on law and consent of the governed. Power was with The People, not with a ruler. Unalienable rights came from God, not from a king. A system of checks and balances was integral to the design of the new government, to prevent any one of the three branches of government from gaining too much control. To preserve these fragile freedoms for future generations, the Founding Fathers understood that an educated electorate needed to be informed about the issues that impacted their government and their lives.
The Constitution, which includes the Bill of Rights, has guaranteed our freedom and liberty for more than 227 years, and it has inspired freedom throughout the world.
How can we honor and better understand these important documents that are the foundation of our freedoms? On Constitution Day, many school children will read the Preamble to the Constitution in their classrooms. Teachers and parents can find resources at the National Constitution Center (www.constitutioncenter.org). Many adults will study the Constitution by taking the free online Constitution 101 – The Meaning and History of the Constitution course through Hillsdale College (www.hillsdale.edu). Others will purchase a small pocket Constitution from the Cato Institute (www.cato.org) and carry it with them.
Constitution Day is a day to celebrate and cherish our freedoms. Freedom is fragile and must be protected every day. Freedom is not free.
*** Preamble of The Constitution of the United States of America : WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
—Jini Clare, Naperville
Editor’s Note: In collaboration with Naperville’s 95th Street Library, the Daughters of the American Revolution are hosting a week-long display dedicated to the U.S. Constitution, Sept. 17-23, 2014. The 95th Street Library is located at 3015 Cedar Glade Drive.
To PN: THANK YOU!! And the beat goes on… Your publication of PN is super and read by everyone! —Sue Wehrli, Wehrli Travel
Editor’s Note: A business brief in the September 2014 issue of PN recognized recent achievements of Sue Wehrli, one of PN’s founding and encouraging supporters in 2001.
To PN: I must tell you that several people at choir mentioned the apple pie contest and that they had seen my picture in your paper. Positive proof of readership! —Kay Slocumb
To PN: Loved the new format and everything was just great–easier to read, color so nice, interesting articles, etc. I found Ed’s article easily and passed it on to Doug (who said he flipped through the paper twice and was unable to find it!) —Nancy Davis
To PN: Wow, the article about Kelly looks just fantastic – thank you so, so much for helping us celebrate these wonderful stories of triumph. I can’t thank you enough. —Nancy Wiersum, Development Director, 360 Youth Services, www.360youthservices.org
To PN Facebook: Is it life imitating Art… or Art imitating life? It was a lovely dedication today! Thanks to all of the talented artists for making this wonderful mural (Naperville Loves a Parade) come to life… —Paula Howland Cree
To PN: Sometimes I receive comments like the attached. Thought you might also appreciate it. —Lee Lindberg / To Lee Lindberg: Some time back, when your recipe for “Swedish Raspberry Almond Bars” was in the paper, I saved it. Today I made them for my Swedish cousins who visited me. We all enjoyed them. In fact, Jan wanted the recipe. Thank you for sharing. —Nancy Hanson
To PN: Thanks for letting us take your photo (at the Labor Day Parade). Thought you’d like a copy! —Jane Wernette, Community Development Director, Naperville Community Television, Channel 17
Editor’s Note: The Jaycees Labor Day Parade always brings out a large crowd of residents and visitors to line the parade route throughout downtown, even under the threat of rain as was the case on Sept. 1, 2014. Though the cloud burst was temporary just after the parade began at 10AM, the spectators stayed in their seats.
PN’s Facebook page on Sept. 1 provides a look at some of the festivities that connect this spirited community. Naperville Loves a Parade!
Thanks for reading.