Ahh, summer in the city - what we liked about it
Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, though the week's 90-degree temperatures tried to squelch that idea.
It also marks the end of my quest to find out from residents what makes Rolling Meadows enjoyable in the summer.
Granted, it's hardly an investigative undertaking, and the answers I received aren't surprising. But maybe they will serve as a reminder that the place we call home is a nice place to be.
First stop, the Fourth of July parade. Kathryn Piehler, 9, wearing an Uncle Sam-style hat, had to think for a minute. "I do lots of things, so it's hard to pick." She concluded that the pool and parade are probably her summertime favorites.
Where the parade turned onto Kirchoff Road from Owl Drive, and Terra Jahns occupied her usual spot. "The entire Creekside neighborhood comes over every year. There's a good 40 of us here," she said.
The tradition began eight or nine years ago, about the time Jahns, 42, moved to Rolling Meadows.
Besides the parade, she applauded the accessibility to the downtown area by bike. "There are good paths to get all over town."
Alexander Matai, 16, says in summer he likes being out with friends, not doing much at all. The best hangout: Kimball Hill Park. He's now a junior at Rolling Meadows High School.
At Kimball Hill Park on Labor Day several families were picnicking. Jose Chavez and his young buddy, Emmanuel Lopez, took a break at the pond.
"My favorite thing is fishing," Chavez said while tying a hook to his line. "We catch little bluegills, and we just throw them back."
Amy Vogelgesang's favorite place to be is Plum Grove pool, where she spent most of Labor Day with her family. "We hang out here all summer. This pool is very small and neighborhood oriented."
"When you come here, everybody's your friend," asserted Winnie Peterson, 82. While walking her dog she usually will find somebody to talk to along the route.
Maxine Petersen, 81, her Holly Lane neighbor of 51 years, said, "We go over to the park behind the shopping center and watch the trees and watch the people …
"… as we eat our $1 ice cream cones from McDonald's," adds her friend, laughing.