On March 4, PN hit the streets a little later than usual, thanks to Leap Year. Yet, we were happy to learn recently that “March 4th” is the only date in the year that is also a sentence.
We have West Suburban Irish Quiz Night devotee Meg Landek to thank for that bit of trivia!
Rambling right along, we got to thinking about our fondness for March, complete with a time change that gives an extra hour of daylight after hours, St. Patrick’s Day, Primary Elections, March Madness, the first day of spring and two family birthdays.
Plus, news this year of the 2020 Census has us trying to spread the word about its importance to help ensure a complete and accurate count for Naperville and beyond, numbers that could influence the Congressional Districts in Illinois. At the same time, we’re trying to encourage an informed electorate to go to polls after checking out the Voters Guide at www.positivelynaperville.com. Simply Search: “Voters Guide for Naperville.”
www.positivelynaperville.com
When preparing to launch the PN website to complement this hyperlocal publication 18-plus years ago, we searched for a name. Trying to find the right word to accompany Naperville (An adverb to create alliteration didn’t surface.), “positively” kept rising to the top to define our reach.
According to Random House Unabridged Dictionary, positively is defined as “1. With certainty, absolutely; 2. Decidedly, unquestionably, definitely; 3. Used to express strong affirmation; yes.”
What you may or not recall back in 2001 is this city of risk-takers and can-doers was undergoing rapid growth, new development and other initiatives that became known as “challenges that unite us.” Groups of residents positively had many different ideas and debatable opinions of future needs for the community.
Trying to determine the difference between wants, needs and nice-to-haves; and the funding sources that would support their development, care and maintenance received a lot of debatable ink in the dailies.
And ever since, PN also has intended to present Naperville positively to highlight the arts, special events and fundraisers for worthwhile causes; and support successful solutions for handling humanitarian needs and social issues such as homelessness, hunger, domestic violence and addictive behaviors.
Find authentic local promotions in PN
Looking back a couple years, I’m remembering a time when my husband, Jim, clad in his Positively Naperville blue baseball hat, was confronted by a woman who picked up a copy of PN at a local supermarket, only to offer some unsolicited advice.
“You know? Sensational stories are what make the news,” he said she said. “Bad news is what sells.”
Then he recounted his retort. “I asked her, ‘And what’s sensationalism doing for our children… and for our stress and mental well-being? What about the power of the press to seek solutions?'”
And I flashed to my early morning walks, mindful of how few daily newspapers find their way to driveways these days.
All that said, with my eyes wide open, I love my lifetime of learning and I value our daily newspapers, especially the opinion page.
Enjoy a lifetime of learning
A few years ago, my husband and I met John Dallas during a presentation at ENCLAVE for Entrepreneurs at O’Hare, a learning-and-earning center in Elk Grove Village. Subsequently, I’ve ventured back to ENCLAVE twice to digest ideas for “uncommon sense” and thought, offered via economics and more. After my most recent visit, I’m even more mindful that every individual would benefit from focusing on “T4” or “Think Things Through Thoroughly.” I’m trying.
All this brings to mind the difference between positive and positively.
Here’s hoping to continue to spotlight many ways individuals in this community can work to be better together by illuminating our unmet needs as well as our singular successes.
Enjoy a safe, thoughtful and meaningful month of March. Vote on St. Patrick’s Day.
Stand up and be counted for the United States Census 2020 on April 1.
