Ever wonder why the 2022 monthly calendars are playing havoc with faithful families, event planners and community news publishers?
In April, folks found that Ramadan, Easter and Passover overlapped. We were told that type of alignment for the three major religious observances occurs about every 33 years—and never in our 20-plus years of publishing PN.
This month, the Kentucky Derby dating back to May 17, 1875, and set for the first Saturday in May since 1946, finds thoroughbreds scheduled to run on the latest possible first Saturday, May 7. And Mother’s Day, held annually on the second Sunday in May, falls as early as it can be on Sun., May 8.
Then there’s Memorial Day, originally observed as “Decoration Day” on May 30, 1868. For 100 years May 30 was the date, no matter what the day. The federal holiday was moved to the last Monday in May by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968, which created a popular 3-day weekend beginning in 1972. For 2022, Memorial Day falls on Mon., May 30.
Plus, with lockdowns opening and masks coming off by choice, this community is revved up to return to its traditions, while welcoming new ones, and trying to avoid more overlapping.
Cheers to choices that open doors and gates for folks to mix and mingle in a walkable community that offers so much.
The first of this month also disrupted our schedule on the web press where huge rolls of newsprint and big buckets of ink produce our publication in print. Typically, we go to press on the Monday before the first of the month. While many readers commented that the April issue appeared early in late March, it’s likely those same readers will note the delay for May. Thanks for reading!
PN Event Calendar
Last month we mentioned the PN Event Calendar at www.positivelynaperville.com, (Click Events) available via the navigation bar to submit events. The good news is it’s populating more every day as folks who wish to promote local happenings find it.
Instructions to submit events are posted, too. Patience is appreciated while submittals go through our approval process that checks for accuracy.
Memorial Day
The other day a display featuring a vintage 48-star American flag, a reminder of the Stars and Stripes of my childhood before Alaska and Hawaii were admitted as states to the U.S. in 1959, tugged at my heart. You’ve likely seen various versions of the Grand Old Flag with 13 stripes and stars representing the number of states. Since the first “Betsy Ross Flag” (May 1776) with 13 stars, 27 different versions of Old Glory have stood for strength and unity. Whatever size and no matter the number of stars, it’s also a powerful symbol of the principles on which the Revolutionary War was fought.
Words of the Declaration of Independence tell us, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Throughout most of our nation’s history, Americans have respected these ideals, mindful that nothing is absolutely perfect.
With Memorial Day on our mind, U.S. military flags and the American flag are reminiscent of the debt we owe America’s Founders, the founding documents they wrote, and every individual who has served and sacrificed as part of our obligation to protect and preserve liberty while striving for peace.
In that spirit, no matter where you stand, we hope you’ll honor the sacrifices that have made possible our cherished individual liberty, especially the protection provided in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
As we wrap up these comments, we’re mindful that rich history, tradition, joy and gratitude play a big part in shaping how we preview the upcoming merry month of May.
Again, thanks for reading.
—Stephanie Penick, PN Publisher
