Above / Would you call it partly sunny or partly cloudy over May Watts Pond?
During a brisk 25-minute walk for fresh air on March 30, May Watts Park was without visible habitat except for one lonely Double-crested Cormorant diving deep for dinner in the middle of the retention pond. Click here for link to a PN story about Double-crested Cormorants, an interesting variety of prehistoric-looking waterfowl we’ve tracked since 2016 at May Watts, Lake Osborne and along the Riverwalk. Yesterday’s observance was the first time we’ve seen one in 2020.
Note! Updates will be added to this post when appropriate. —PN
With the extension of “Stay at Home” for schools through April 30, most of these things to do will apply throughout the month. Thanks for getting acquainted with your local community. Discover words, photo galleries, videos and many hyper local hyperlinks that depict Naperville, one of many great places in this great nation, a community that abounds with generous faith, hope and charity.
Be a good listener. Wash your hands often. Be kind. Be safe. Stay home. Practice social distancing of 6 feet. Repeat. Review. Repeat. Thanks again for reading.
Thank you, Dine Naperville! Consider supporting your favorite eatery sometime during this Stay-at-Home period. Click here for participating restaurants, ice cream stores and treat shops ready to serve to-go orders via Dine Naperville. Check regarding Easter Sunday Brunch & Dinner choices. Thanks for tipping, too.
Find other ways every day to support your hometown listed below with more links to local businesses. Thanks!
Things to Do this Week in Naperville as the calendar changes to April
March 31, 2020 / Mindful that the pandemic, Coronaviris (aka COVID-19), is not discriminating, we must carry on in sync, keep calm and be prepared for Stay-at-Home Weekend #3. We’re all in this together, mindful to be 6-feet apart.
Note public events and local fish fry dinners are canceled. Public buildings, theaters, most shops and all restaurants (except for take-out) are closed.
Take precautions. Wash your hands. Cover coughs and sneezes. Be a good example for young ones who might be watching. Help them feel safe. Eat nourishing food. Drink plenty of liquids. Exercise.
Stay home if at all possible. Keep six feet away from other individuals. It’s OK to take walks outside. Practice social distancing.
Stick to facts that are not embellished by adjectives and adverbs that slant the information. Use commonsense. Stay healthy.
Folks tell us they’ve been cleaning out closets. Couples are having “dinner with friends” via Zoom, complete with meaningful conversations from one laptop to the other. Service clubs also are meeting via Zoom.
Other folks have been digging into the past. For instance, old photo albums bring back fond memories to share. Tell stories. Listen.
Write down your thoughts. Keep a family journal. Compare notes. Read. Tell jokes. Make up riddles.
Clear an area on a table and begin working a jigsaw puzzle.
Play charades. Play “Celebrity Fish Bowl” (Fun game for four or more individuals. Find rules online.). Play board games.
Read recipe books. Cook. Bake.
Find a deck of cards. Practice shuffling. Play solitaire. Deal for gin, bridge, euchre or poker. Just deal!
We have high hopes you’ll read all the way to the bottom of this long post to see some local businesses are ready to serve and many others have ideas to show appreciation. Thanks!
Deal with facts
We have found Worldometer to provide concise up-to-date data, details and charts with global and state-by-state information.
With the unpredictability of this pandemic, webmaster Tim and I want to reassure our readers that every attempt will be to bring you up-to-date, hyperlocal news posts, aiming to be a trusted source of information brought to you by our forever-appreciated sponsoring advertisers and monthly subscribers. Throughout these challenging times, factual information from reliable sources must remain freely available to all our dedicated readers.
To keep facts in check, Kevin T. Sur (External Affairs Officer), DuPage County, Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, suggests consulting the FEMA Coronavirus Rumor Control website at www.fema.gov/coronavirus.
PN is out and about
The April issue of PN began distribution on April 1, with high hopes to find its way to everyone’s favorite supermarket, complete with Gender Chuckles from a former fire chief with an upbeat sense of humor and a bunch of new ever wonders—and that’s no joke.
Be sure to read up on jelly beans, featured in the centerfold. Did you know? National Jelly Bean Day is April 20.
We admit we have a huge bias toward good news and positive thoughts. More than ever, we appreciate everyone who contributes to our monthly publication, following our focus to bring our community together while we’re 6 feet apart.
Help social distancing work for Naperville and all!
It’s springtime in April with Easter and Passover and America’s Arbor Day, all reasons to celebrate the season’s renewal with the hope the pandemic will be on its downward turn.
Since January 22, 2020, when Edward-Elmhurst Health sent its first news release about coronavirus, PN has been keeping tabs on its growth.
—Stephanie Penick
Things to Do in April (With hyperlinks!)
***Check out giving opportunities and needs at Loaves & Fishes Community Services Great news… From March 16-27, twice in one week, Loaves & Fishes met its $10,000 match! Thanks to all!
***Give the gift of life. Donate via Naperville Park District Blood Drive to be held at the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center. (April 4 & April 11, 2020)
***Enjoy special treats from DeEtta’s Bakery, open during regular hours with breads, cakes and other delicious pastries! DeEtta’s is accepting CREDIT CARDS ONLY in order to maintain a safe environment. Limited number of customers are allowed in bakery at a time and things will look slightly different for distancing purposes. Located at 428 W. Fifth Ave., curbside service is available upon request when orders are placed over the phone. Simply call ahead, (630) 548-4078.
***Meson Sabika continues take-out service with menu specials including sangria & wine from 11AM to 7PM. (Order Now!) Also, Meson Sabika is offering its carry-out and delivery menus on Easter Sunday, April 12. Advance orders can be placed via the Meson Sabika website or by calling (630)983-3000 x2.
***”Write to a Joe or Jane”or draw a picture to send to U.S. military serving overseas. Doodle Bug Workshop seeks cards, letters, notes, drawings, and words of encouragement to send to service women and men deployed overseas. Simply MAIL to the Naperville American Legion Post 43, Attn: Doodle Bug, PO Box 4 Naperville, IL 60566. Local veterans will be sure your thoughts get into the right hands. Thank you, American Legion, for sending the idea our way.
***Writing letters and/or sending cards to all who serve during times of challenge just might make everybody feel better. Perhaps create a family project also to send notes of appreciation to Naperville Firefighters at Naperville Fire Department, 1350 Aurora Avenue, Naperville, IL 60540; Naperville Police at Naperville Police Department, 1350 Aurora Avenue, Naperville, IL 60540; or to the team of health care providers at Edward Hospital, 801 S. Washington Street, Naperville, IL 60540.
***Research “Fair Maps” for Illinois to benefit all folks who live in the beautiful Land of Lincoln. Check out the “Change Illinois” Fair Maps Amendment Fact Sheet here. It’s a Census 2020 year, a time when change can be made when voters go to the polls on Nov. 3.
***The Boxes Etc. Naperville in Cress Creek Square Shopping Center is ready to serve! Located at 790 Royal St. George, the independently-owned mail center is open during regular business hours, considered an essential business listed under the U.S. Department of Transportation. Need stamps or to send special care packages? Find a variety of greeting cards and gifts ready to mail in store, too.
***Support Naperville Helps! / Donate to the cause! Send lunch to healthcare providers & first responders. (This week & so on…)
***Downtown Naperville’s MOD Pizza is offering Curbside Pickup + Free Delivery this weekend. Find them at 103 S Washington Street, Suite 113. Call them at (630) 544-3471.
***North Central College Fine & Performing Arts events in April and May have been canceled or rescheduled. An informative video with comments from North Central College President Troy Hammond addresses the response to the COVID-19 outbreak from Naperville’s college in the heart of the city.
***Fish with social distance in May Watts Park / Link here to years of memories. (Springtime 2020)
***Remember! Parks are open during spring break. Use the trails. Yet, playgrounds, sport courts and active park amenities for contact sports are closed by order of the State of Illinois. Use parks and trails for walking or taking in fresh air along with spring signs in nature. Enjoy the beauty and freedom of nature every day! Practice social distancing. Social distancing means 6 feet or more between individuals and not congregating or playing contact sports. Play safely.
***DuPage County Health Department Suggests: Be prepared for any emergency! In case you have to go to the hospital, consider creating an emergency contact list including family friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, healthcare providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources. Download a free template from FEMA here: www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/133447
***While staying at home, perhaps you’ve uncovered keepsakes that would be better framed by Colbert Custom Framing & Art Printing for safe display. For details, call (630) 717-1448 or email service@colbertcf.com. Note: Due to the state’s “Shelter-In-Place” order, Colbert Custom Framing & Art Printing is currently operating under altered hours until April 7 (or until the order is lifted). Nonetheless, they look forward to working with you!
***Quigley’s Irish Pub in now re-opened for curbside pick-up Wednesday & Thursday 3-7PM as well as Friday & Saturday noon-7PM. Check the menu online. Be prepared for bright changes when EDAQ (Every Day at Quigley’s) regulars return when local pubs again open later this spring. Hope! Hope! Sláinte!
***”Y on the Go” online offers classes and activities provided by YMCA of Metro Chicago. (From now on) Also note that all YMCA of Metro Chicago locations will be closed to its members through April 30. In addition, some of its local Ys have been converted into emergency shelters to house hundreds of displaced and homeless individuals.
***Donate / support needs at Edward-Elmhurst Health for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). (Now!)
***Naper Nuts & Sweets in downtown Naperville is available for curbside pickup from 10-5PM, Monday through Friday. FREE home delivery in Naperville. Phone orders only at (630) 355-5330. Be prepared with goodies for all your spring baskets! Order Easter baskets from $25 and up!
***Naperville Park District Introduces NaperParks2You—a Webpage with Activities and Resources for Staying at Home… To help kids and adults stay busy and active while sheltering at home.
***Balboa’s Cheesesteaks is open to serve. Located in River Square, Chicago at Washington. Delivery, On Line Take Out, Curbside Pick Up. Call (630) 912-4267. (Now available)
Here’s hoping PN’s calendar of traditional events will go live soon…
Mindful of the challenges we’ve all confronted during this month, complete with changes and cancellations of many of our favorite seasonal community events and fundraisers, we also were inspired by the words by Rabbi Yosef Kanevsky, forwarded by Naperville Municipal Band Board President Jon Walter when we learned band practices and the spring concert would be canceled.
“Every hand that we don’t shake must become a phone call that we place. Every embrace that we avoid must become a verbal expression of warmth and concern. Every inch and every foot that we physically place between ourselves and another, must become a thought as to how we might be of help to that other, should the need arise.” —Rabbi Yosef Kanevsky of Los Angeles
***Thanks for reading PN’s Latest News. Please consider that all special fundraising events are canceled for March and April. Note unmet needs of local nonprofits and donate when you can.
Be alert to internet and phone scams. They’re rampant.
We appreciate your trust as we aim to help keep the community safe and healthy with information from the City of Naperville, schools and health departments, etc., and without click bait.
Look forward with high hopes to our return to freedom, forever mindful of all the sacrifices made every day to protect us. If you’ve never heard the Oscar-winning song about an ant who thought he could move a big rubber tree plant, please listen. Share it with the youngsters in your life.
You gotta have high hopes
You gotta have high hopes. Thanks to everybody who is working together while 6-feet apart, choosing to make good choices throughout our City and the world to make it all a safer, better place.
Special thanks again to all critical care responders as well as letter carriers, grocery clerks and stockers, delivery drivers, gas station attendants, servers and all the knowledgeable people at the hardware stores.
Thanks again for reading. We’re hyperlocal.
No matter where you live, support the local businesses in your hometown whenever possible. Support businesses and charities where your heart is.
Be safe. Be kind. Be calm. Be patient. Be prepared. Be supportive of others.
Posted March 31, 2020
