When you’re hot, you’re hot. And July was hot.
For a number of years, Positively Naperville has celebrated the end of 40 dog days of summer on August 11 with whimsy by featuring some of our favorite dogs and their owners on our August cover. At the same time, we’ve often mentioned that the hot and sultry dog days got their name in ancient Egypt because of the brightest star that can be seen from Earth in the evening sky and not from the summer sunshine. Dog days coincide with the rising at dawn of the Dog Star, Sirius, in the constellation Canis Major.
One of four dogs found among the constellations, Canis Major in the southern sky means “the greater dog” in Latin. So you could say it’s the “top dog.”
In pursuit of the theme of trying to look at the bright side of life, the August issue always wraps up another year for this publication. We’re reflecting on how we’ve aimed to bring many empathetic and generous hearts together to make a difference by connecting this community with a warm welcome, presenting ways for each and every individual to contribute to what makes this community tick.
Built on traditions of special fundraising events, parades and can-do spirit, this community keeps thriving and moving forward thanks to contributions of any size. And, oh, the meetings! From early to late in the day, this community has meetings that help identify its unmet needs that will make a difference.
In these days of advanced technology and the digital age, we often feel like a broken record as we get stuck repeating our monthly mission in this commentary space. (Please note, however, that many of our favorite and memorable songs were recorded on 45s!)
During a recent visit to a Noon Lions Club meeting at Braconi’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, a member asked what has kept us interested in publishing for 17 years. Since we like to say “we are a preview of upcoming events more than a review of the past,” we noted that we’re aware that something is always N.E.W.S., north, east, west and south in Naperville.
Plus, our wide array of advertising sponsors help us promote their businesses as well as the shop locally campaign, even more important today than when we launched in 2001. And contributing columnists add their personal perspectives to our pages in print and online every month, too.
Readers have been known to describe PN as “authentic,” “comprehensive,” “a good laugh,” and “not a contender for a Pulitzer Prize.”
In fact, back in September 2001 when the paper first hit the streets during the Jaycees Last Fling Labor Day Parade, folks had their doubts about its future as Bev Frier recalls in her story this month.
If you’ve been reading PN since our first issue, thanks. If this copy is the first time you’ve picked up the paper, please know we’re online every day, too, with an event calendar and plenty of new stories with photos about happenings in between issues.
Let us move forward with the promise to continue sniffing out what’s important for our advertisers and our supporters – and that we’ll always have a nose for good news. Again, many thanks for reading!
MAKI and KARL, two adorable adopted pups, first became friends in 2016.Playful Karl, “the girl dog,” always was a good sport as pictured on the cover with Dog Days box.
In mid-July our family said goodbye to our little papillon pup, Karl, our cherished companion for 15 years. If ever you need a wonderful veterinarian, let us know.
When we sent the news to our family, my niece recalled a recent visit when we all gathered at Naperville Loves a Parade, a Century Walk mural in downtown Naperville. Angie reminisced about seeing Karl’s likeness portrayed in the mural along the alley, a memory that will last a long, long time.
