Success with a turtle in DuPage County, a walking wonder in Woodstock, a bridge to somewhere in Wheeling and more.

'Powerful message

The Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur begins at sundown Tuesday. The day of atonement is a time to reflect, to acknowledge personal faults, to pray for forgiveness. Regardless of religion, we all benefit by the act of seeking forgiveness - and granting it.

Force of nature

Few phenomena are as humbling to humankind's as a hurricane. Hurricane Florence's assault on the Carolina coast reminds us again of forces on our planet at which we can only tremble in awe - and of our duty to care for the earth and its weather systems.

No shell game here

Congratulations to the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County on finding another partner - the Shedd Aquarium - to help its long-running effort to save the endangered Blanding's turtle. The district has been trying to rebuild the turtle's numbers since 1996 and having the experts at the Shedd join the campaign is a huge and welcome plus.

Good luck to Brittney

Brittney Prehn of Woodstock was struck by lightning July 20. Her cellphone absorbed some of the strike, likely saving her life. Part of her face remains paralyzed, she is partially deaf and spinal fluid leaks from an ear. Inexplicably, her learning disability has lessened, and she can spell, read and comprehend much better. As her mother says, she's a walking wonder.

Bridge gets destination

Looks like Wheeling's $1.7 million "bridge to nowhere" is going to have to get a new name. The village board approved plans for the bridge - long envisioned to reach an undeveloped 17-acre parcel across a floodwater channel - to enable a 7-acre senior living project. Next up: Making sure the remaining 10 acres are accessible.

Cycle of caring

Kudos and thanks to 17-year-old Justin Lorenz whose hard work and vision resulted in collection and distribution of 60 bicycles to kids in the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dundee Township. "There's just so much other stuff he could be doing, but he chooses to help other people," said club official Mike Berger.

This week's recommended reading

"Make no mistake: the digital revolution is going to be the biggest geopolitical revolution in human history. The Industrial Revolution changed the world, and all it did was replace human muscle ... But the digital revolution will replace the human brain." July/August Foreign Affairs, "Welcome to the Digital Revolution"

Remembrance is important

It was comforting to see tollway officials are keeping a veterans memorial in mind as they prepare to tear down the glass pavilion at the O'Hare Oasis over I-294. The memorial, already moved once from another dismantled oasis, will be protected during removal of the pavilion and later reopened.

With thanks to James Petri

James Petri has announced he won't seek re-election to the Elk Grove Village Village Board. After 42 years, 800 meetings and 2,300 votes, Petri has earned the gratitude of a community he helped build from a tiny hamlet into a suburban industrial powerhouse.