Now's the time to check bridges

First thing my hubby asked when I told him about the tragic bridge collapse in Minneapolis was: "Isn't that the second one this week?"

He was right.

The other collapse was another highway overpass under construction where Highway 149 intersects with Highway 70 in Oroville, Calif.

Those who know me know I can find a conspiracy in an unopened box of cookies. But isn't it strange to have two highway spans fall apart in less than two days?

I'm not really suggesting conspiracy -- yet -- but those incidents sure seem a good incentive to double-check such critical structures ... and to keep a close eye on them.

We make airline passengers take off their shoes before boarding every flight. But we rarely peek under such vital overpasses.

I'm glad the governor has ordered all Illinois bridges to be checked.

(Chefs') Hats off

The boys are often the bakers and the chefs in my immediate and extended family, and we girls are quite happy about it.

It seems we're far from alone.

For the first time in its 47-year history that organizers can recall, a male took top honors at the Founders' Day bake-off last weekend. In fact, two young men won the two top prizes.

Jacobs High School student Jason Szewczyk, 15, won "Best of Show" with his first-place cookies he dubbed Linzer Heart cookies. The lifelong resident loves to bake.

And Anthony Kasper, 13, who wants to be a chef, won first in the junior category with his unique pie entry.

"Everyone was thrilled," said organizer Barbara Keefer, who has played a vital role in Founders' Days events for about two decades.

Way to go, gentlemen! Stay in the kitchen.

That's town spirit

There's a behind-the-scenes story you should know about Founders' Days. As you might recall, strong storms soaked the area, practically drowning parts of Towne Park last Thursday night. Algonquin public works crews worked extra hard to soak up the excess water and even constructed a new access road so vendors could reach the park. We often don't realize just how much work goes on behind these big events. Thanks to all.

May the folks putting on the McHenry County Fair and Hampshire's Coon Creek Country Days this weekend not encounter such fickle weather (even though the forecasters say there is a good chance for rain both days.)

Star backing

Recently I speculated that McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi shouldn't count on McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren to be in his corner this coming election. That was based on prior conversations with some key insiders and the sheriff, who chose not to stand with Bianchi at his re-election bid announcement as he had the first go round.

My comment sparked surprise among some Bianchi supporters who tell me they thought Nygren was on board because he just gave the campaign a check.

Sure enough, the sheriff has made a donation and says that now that Judge Susan Hutchinson has decided not to run, he does plan to back Bianchi. But he also had nice things to see about another potential Bianchi foe, former assistant state's attorney Dan Regna who may soon enter the fray.

"I'm supportive of Lou at this point, but I certainly will do nothing to harm Dan Regna's chance to run in this primary," the sheriff told me.

The sheriff is one of the best fund-raisers and most potent political ally or enemy a candidate could have. Methinks his "do no harm" comment could be telling.

Bear down

The sheriff told me Regna is the only person to ever be awarded the "Dick Butkus Award" from his office. When a male offender tried to bolt from the courtroom, Regna jumped from the prosecutor's table and tackled the defendant. "Not only did he do an excellent job of prosecuting, but he did an excellent job detaining and capturing the prisoner," Nygren said. Guess that means Regna won't be afraid to tackle any foe, eh?

Booked

Kent Sprague of the Friends of the Algonquin Area Public Library reminds me that we're all invited to their one-day extravaganza from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the basement of the Eastgate branch. That's on Eastgate Drive, a half block off Route 62 at the McDonald's.

They'll have about 20,000 items, including children's books starting at 25 cents and adult books starting at 50 cents and up.

Stop by!