It’s no secret that we enjoy our place behind the scenes in search of can-do spirit and folks doing good things for the community.
Yet, too many times, in our opinion, we’re asked to present programs to groups about our business. Folks want to question if print publications are being written out of history. Fact is, we’re actually quite shy when it comes to talking about our fun-loving passion. So rather than being put on the spot, we prefer to stick to writing and publishing as much as possible. And more than ever we appreciate our contributing columnists and advertisers that help us reach out with good news and a few good laughs in print monthly with our complementary companion of digital every day at www.positivelynaperville.com.
On two occasions in September, however, I took a deep breath to participate in presentations about the Riverwalk Foundation, a seven-member all-volunteer board on which I’ve served since it was founded in 1998.
During one videotaped program, an object fell in the distance creating a loud bang that interrupted the interview. Of course, starting over really messed up my train of thought. Cut!
Another time during the Jaycees Park ground-breaking ceremony, my inexperience with a microphone attached to the podium made me look more foolish than I had planned. I’d taken a quack (a yellow jumbo duck for the 2019 Riverwalk Duck Race adorned with the Jaycees logo) and a commemorative “Your Name Here” brick to demonstrate how the Riverwalk Foundation raises awareness to help private fundraising campaigns. The Riverwalk Foundation aims to educate, enhance and promote while serving as a conduit for private funds designated for projects designed by the Riverwalk Commission. I truly doubt if anybody understood the 90-second message I tried to convey when the much younger Jaycees spoke so well.
Just like the missed punch line of a good joke, you could say the humor is lost when I try to explain it. And I’m haunted by the wisdom of the great American wit Elbert Hubbard, “Do not take life too seriously; you will never get out alive.”
As you know…
Though the expression “as you know” has been identified as patronizing in some circles, I’m certain you know that some talking heads on the news are good at spinning what can seem unbelievable – and the fact is that sometimes thoughts indeed are filled with a calumny here and there.
With so many news outlets these days, information overload looms in the future.
One downside of living along the information highway is the path sometimes is too wide and varied, with ups and downs that veer far from home. In fact, sometimes the information highway seems more like a great lake overflowing with info that doesn’t relate to local matters, what’s critical to our lives or our understanding the whole wide world. Nonetheless a deluge of caring seems to bubble up and we try to meet unmet needs wherever they are.
Thanks for the memories, Mayor Pradel
Nearly everybody has a “Mayor Pradel story.” Several PN columnists this month have shared their personal stories about the generous man with the winning smile who died on Sept. 14. Our memories run deep, too. The gregarious and grateful public servant often appeared in PN photos that showcased his goodwill.
Mayor Pradel especially encouraged residents to vote. We’ll follow his wishes, reminiscing about the time he posed with “Gesundheit,” the United Way Baby Giraffe, a day after candidates had filed for the 2015 Municipal Election. That afternoon, he reminisced about his five terms as mayor and he let loose about the importance of local elections.
Meanwhile, the General Election is Tues., Nov. 6. (Find Voter Info with a click here). The Consolidated Election is April 2, 2019.
So much to do. So many blessings. So little time. So many ever wonders. So many local matters.
Local matters… both when “matters” is used as a verb and a noun.
