Longtime readers know our aim is to “preview rather than review” happenings in this city.
Back in 1999 when your PN publisher began writing “Around Naperville” in the Daily Herald, a weekly column that “covered” special events, almost immediate feedback via FAX included requests to look forward; to spread the word about programs and activities before they happened to help drive attendance.
That’s when an idea was floated for a monthly publication that not only would provide calendars of events, but would promote the arts, can-do spirit and the shop-locally message with support from small businesses. Thanks to a helpful push by local printer Ray Kinney, who does not own a web rotary press, we were ready for our first run of the press by September 2001. The front page of that inaugural issue featured a photo of Naperville Jaycees and Roosters standing in front of the Jaycees Gazebo to promote the four-day Last Fling, all along the Riverwalk.
Printed Monthly, Digital Daily
As we wrap up another year, this monthly independently-owned publication, in print and digitally online, prepares to begin its 18th year with a reminder that many of our previews are “updated” after the event with photo galleries. Thanks to technology, stories often are featured online and saved in cloud services.
Moving right along, audience, authenticity, relevance, consistency, credibility and continuity have been PN’s focus, meaning that our aim for 17 years has been to consider many aspects of communication in order for this printed community resource to be more than a liner for a bird cage or a wrapping for three-day-old fish.
Grateful for the daily grind & PN readers
It’s hard to believe a year has passed since independent business owners Dan Casey of Casey’s Foods and Bill Kreger of Kreger’s Brat & Sausage Haus were featured on our front page stuffing past issues of PN through a meat grinder to depict the “daily grind.” We are forever grateful to them for helping us demonstrate the personal satisfaction and purpose of pursuing dreams of entrepreneurship.
We present a plethora of contributing columnists with wide and varied interests. We take photos. We care whether or not PN is hitting the local audience in the most effective, smart way to engage our readers with an attitude of gratitude. We enjoy catching folks reading PN locally and in very faraway places.
Two ears for listening
Long ago I recall being told we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Years later I found a quote attributed to Epictetus, a Greek philosopher, who said, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”
Not so long ago, a resident shared her story of putting her house on the market with plans to move to another state. She said she couldn’t wait to move from the neighborhood she’d lived for nearly 30 years, where she’d reared her children and raised her dogs. She praised the schools, but had little kind to say about how this community has grown and developed over the last decade. More than once she said, “I know you think this town is special.”
That encounter took the wind out of my sails as I’d been looking forward to marking another anniversary, mindful of the ink, newsprint and sweat equity that have been dedicated to the can-do spirit that helps address unmet needs, of which there are many.
Her repeated references to “10 years” made me wonder if the onset of social media has contributed to her new view of this city.
Her words resonated. My mother used to say you can find a grain of truth in everything somebody says. As safe, caring, generous, thriving, engaging and welcoming as this city is, room always exists for improvement. Nothing is perfect.
My mother also used to say that you’ll never please everybody all the time. And way before social media, my mother was mindful that not everybody will like everybody.
I often reminisce about my first encounter with Peg Yonker at Naper Settlement, back in 1993 when I was a newcomer and street signs said Naperville’s population was 89,000. Peg shared her story of volunteering, commitment and finding creative ways to contribute. With open arms and enthusiasm, Peg said, “I’ll get you involved in this community.”
In this ever-evolving world of outspoken passion, people sometimes are misunderstood and their intentions misrepresented. You can’t always tell what’s in somebody else’s heart.
Whenever I hit local nature trails, I enjoy singing songs that were inspired by love and caring. That way I never walk alone.
If our paths cross and I fail to mention it, please know our pages and our website are designed with choices and opportunities that welcome everyone to get involved in this community. Our website also details how to contribute hyperlocal events.
Thanks for listening. And thanks for reading.
—PN
