The Soapbox: A warm gesture in Lisle and a classy move in Wheeling.

Warm gesture on a frigid day:

A handful of eighth-grade Girl Scouts from Lisle Troop 50796 worked with Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports Sunday to offer free ski lessons for children and adults with autism. It was a bitterly cold day, but an incredibly warm gesture.

Good move:

Kudos to the Wheeling Village Board for appointing Mary Papantos to replace Bill Hein, who resigned. Papantos has continued to attend meetings since losing a close race last April that was ultimately decided in court. And while she has at times upset board members with her comments, she and they now seem ready to work together on policy.

Welcome home:

It's with a sense of relief that we welcome home two men with DuPage County roots who were held captive in Iran. Navy Lt. David Nartker, formerly of Naperville, was released with nine other Americans after a brief stint in captivity. Jason Rezalan, a Washington Post journalist from the Wheaton area, was freed after more than 500 days.

Is Don Stephens watching?

As Rosemont celebrates its 60th birthday, one of the many stories we're reminded of is the perceived sighting of Donald E. Stephens' face in tree bark about a year after his death in 2007. Needless to say, the natural marking on the tree was open to interpretation, but son Bradley Stephens mused his father was keeping an eye on the village.

Change for the good:

Hats off to the Hands of Hope Teens at Barrington High School, who reached out to help raise money for Zambian drought victims. "For many of us, it is quite difficult to imagine true hunger," said Hands President Hannah Cremer. The group filled more than 20 bottles with change - and hope.

Busse Woods dam - so close:

The Busse Woods dam isn't running yet because of one last problem: an electrical source for a sensor. Engineering work still needs to be done on it, even though the rest of the project is done. It's hard to blame Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson when he said, "Why don't we just run an extension cord from someone's house out there."

The show must go on ...

Members of the Wheaton Warrenville South High School Espirit Show Choir taught us a lesson in dedication and perseverance when one of their buses en route to a competition in Onalaska, Wisconsin, caught fire and destroyed their costumes, makeup and personal belongings. Instead of going home, the girls decided the show must go on.

... no, really!

Faculty advisers, parents and even some trangers from Onalaska pitched in to get the girls costumes, shoes and hair spray. And then the choir finished first in the women's division. Actually, everyone involved proved to be winners.

Swimmingly:

Congratulations to Fremd High School on hosting the first boys swimming and diving meet in its neat, newly overhauled facility. The Vikings' pool is the second of five in Dist. 211 to get a major renovation, with Hoffman Estates and Palatine in progress and Schaumburg soon to follow.

Help for (some) college-bound students:

Community Unit District 300 is offering 30 or more seniors a great deal: One year of virtually free schooling at Elgin Community College. starting in the fall. It's the first program of its kind in the suburbs. The seniors take a year of college courses, which transfer to a state school, and get a high school diploma. If successful, it could catch on elsewhere.

Embracing the winter:

Two observations: First, we know we're acclimated when it's 15 degrees and we say, "It's really not that bad outside." Second, thanks to our Neighbor photo contest entries depicting winter scenes, we have to admit how beautiful this time of year can be.

Making progress:

Metra officials say they hope to have a new crash-prevention braking system on a heavily used route by the end of the year. That's good news. So is the new trial, starting this month, offering a free Wi-Fi car on each of Metra's 11 lines.

Dad on a mission:

Our heart goes out to Schaumburg resident Tim Eilrich, who lost his son Russell two weeks ago to a heroin overdose. We appreciate that he wants to educate people that calling 911 when someone is overdosing often gives one immunity from prosecution. It's an important message that can save lives.