Built as an amenity for the Riverwalk 2000 Campaign, the Jaycees Gazebo is located along the DuPage River, just south of Fredenhagen Park. (Photo by Jo)
This edition of Positively Naperville is Vol. 25 No. 1.
Folks continue to ask how and why we began. So here goes…
As we begin our 25th year, we’re reminded of a year of excitement and educational experiences 26 years ago that came with planning and putting together that first issue of this monthly publication early in the new millennium. For a number of years, we had written newsletters for local businesses that were printed at Minuteman Press, 1,000 copies at a time. When we enthusiastically presented our big run-of-the-press idea to Naperville’s printer, Ray Kinney, he said he couldn’t print it for us. We were stunned! Then Ray explained the difference between a web press that he didn’t use and the sheet-fed press he uses.
For a little background, shortly after our family of five moved to Naperville in 1993, I had begun working as a PR assistant at Naper Settlement where I met some of this city’s most interesting citizens, past and present. My first day on the job, PR Director Delores Goldman took me around to meet vendors who served the outdoor history museum. That’s when I met Ray. During my 18-month stint at Naper Settlement and becoming active with the Naperville Visitors Bureau (NVB), it was a joy getting to know spirited Ray while helping to publicize Naper Settlement and local merchants who thrived in the charm of “historic downtown Naperville.”
Simultaneously, as a communications person, I had become acquainted with Jack Romine, Executive Director of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce; several business owners including Mary Ann Junkroski, Sue Wehrli and Jeanne Johnson; as well as volunteer leaders of the Riverwalk 2000 Campaign Cliff Preston, Ed Channell and Glen Ekey.
Efforts with the NVB and the Chamber predated the Naperville Development Partnership established in 1995 along with the Naperville Convention and Visitors Bureau (now home to Visit Naperville and Dine Naperville).
One thing led to another and Bob Smith, then city editor at the Daily Herald, invited me to write a weekly column in its Neighbor section beginning in May 1999.
Soon after “Around Naperville” first appeared in the Daily Herald with stories about local charities, benefits and worthy causes, folks would send comments to our FAX machine, disappointed that they’d been unaware of the event. Many would say they wished they had known in advance. Other folks sent story ideas. About that time, the Chamber had discontinued its community calendar. And other local newspapers had broader interest than hyperlocal Naperville.
In addition, I’d begun producing “The BIG Naperville Show” for NCTV, the City’s public access station. Back then, many of us residents had taken production, editing and camera workshops at Channel 17 in order to produce shows. If we passed the class with a 10-minute “pilot,” so to speak, we could produce shows as well as assist other productions. I wrote the content and chose to run cameras behind the scenes for “The BIG Naperville Show.” Bill Mitchell was the host who shined the spotlight on service clubs, special events, fundraisers, volunteerism and the ever-evolving community at large.
The value of previewing upcoming events for local community consumption became apparent. The idea of PN was imagined and connections were established with local independent businesses to promote the “shop local” concept, too. We also teamed up with North Central College to help preview its performing arts programs.
2001: A Riverwalk / Last Fling Moment
Built by Riverwalk Commission Chairman Cliff Preston and the Jaycees, the Jaycees Gazebo near Fredenhagen Park along the extension was thanks to funds raised during the Jaycees Last Fling for the Riverwalk 2000 Campaign.
PN’s first cover featured the Naperville Jaycees at their Gazebo, timed for Sept. 1, 2001, to showcase the service club’s good deeds along with their annual Last Fling. And the Jaycees gave us permission to distribute that first issue along the Labor Day Parade route.
More than a few times, we’ve mentioned that two youngsters who lived down the block from us passed out that first issue to spectators lined up early all along Mill Street. Little did I imagine the thrill I’d feel when I arrived at Jefferson Avenue ready to head toward Naperville North High School. My wandering eyes observed Mill Street lined with folks sitting along the parade route reading PN. And guess what? I didn’t have my camera!
That moment “Catch someone reading PN” was imagined and taken to heart at the next Mitchell Family Thanksgiving Reunion at Ross Camp in West Lafayette, Indiana.
And Mayor George Pradel teased us many times thereafter by keeping a paper handy and reading PN!
We’re pleased to say since our launch, PN now has traveled to all seven continents, places we’ve never been! We appreciate folks who travel with PN!
– Stephanie Penick
PN Publisher
