Positively Naperville is hyperlocal. Rather than trying to cover all the news, our aim is to preview local upcoming events right here in heart of the Midwest, sometimes known as “flyover country” to media outlets from one coast to the other.
One reason the print version of PN was launched during the 2001 Jaycees Last Fling was in a response to residents who subscribed to numerous daily newspapers dropped on their driveway. Regular newspaper readers said they were unaware of local happenings, fundraisers for good causes and events focused on the arts, so a publication focused on events sponsored by independent businesses seemed to fit a need.
What’s more, the dot.com era, much like radio and television earlier in the 20th century, had been receiving attention as a threat to the daily media choices and local shopping.
Back then, Naperville’s population of 129,000-plus still was in its growth mode. New subdivisions, community parks and neighborhood parks, as well as tear-downs were the talk of the town.
The land for Naperville Crossings at 95th Street was yet to be developed.
The Riverwalk—created to commemorate the city’s 150th anniversary in 1981 with 1.75-miles of paths and enhanced by landscaped plazas, fountains and gathering places—was just 20 years old. The natural treasure and source of city pride was yet to include Fredenhagen Park at the site of the former Cock Robin restaurant where memories were made over square scoops of ice cream.
Moser Tower with the 72-bell Millennium Carillon at Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk was the city’s new icon. The first official carillon concert was performed on June 29, 2000. And the Century Walk tour of public art featured 17 of its current 42 works that include sculptures, mosaics, murals, and reliefs with more in planning.
One of the constants since 1859 has been the Naperville Municipal Band. Thursday evening band concerts in Central Park were a tradition when the band played to the delight and direction of Ron Keller. Keller recently began leading the band for his 53rd year!
A memorable phone call that sticks in our mind came from a visitor staying at one of the hotels along Diehl Road. The woman praised PN for providing her with many choices of things to do in Naperville. She recognized that citizens in our active and thriving community meet from early morning until late at night, volunteering to enhance the city’s quality of life. She went on and on, complimenting our city as a great destination with plenty of shopping and dining.
She also offered a suggestion. “One thing missing from Positively Naperville is the train schedule to Chicago,” she said.
With gratitude for the phone call, we thanked her for choosing Naperville for her overnight stay. Yet, we had to chuckle to ourselves, wondering why she was intent of traveling to Chicago when she’d already identified that presenting Naperville as a great place to dine, shop and entertain was our mission.
Thanks for reading in print and online and for participating in your hometown!
And for a little fun and frolic, take time during the month when many annual events and Michael Finnegan begin again to ask, what do many folks turn into on St. Patrick’s Day? Answer: Pubs.
Celebrate safely. Sláinte!
—PN
