Fox River Grove says farewell to the chief

It's not that his 32 years on the force have flown by. Or that he's not ready to retire, for he is.

But Fox River Grove Police Chief Bob Polston admits some mixed feelings at the approach of his final day heading this close-knit's town's police force.

"It's something you look forward to, work toward, then, all of a sudden, it jumps on you," the chief said Thursday with less than 48 hours of his tour of duty remaining. "Change is always a little scary, especially when you've been working at the same place so long … . It's kind of a what do I do now?"

He chuckled for, of course, he has a "to do" list, grandsons to visit and, particularly special, time to spend with his wife who is "too young" to retire.

The man who still is deeply touched by and who helped shepherd his community through the difficult days after the school bus/train tragedy 12 years ago will most of all miss the people who make up his home away from home. "The people," he says simply. "Dealing with the people and the kids … "

And that makes the worst part of his job that much more poignant. He watched helplessly as a train slammed into a school bus early the morning of Oct. 25, 1995, killing seven Cary-Grove High School students.

"Being here so long and knowing so many of the families … it's more personal. Some of the other stuff you can go home and shake it off," the chief said. This one is still there.

What helped him and an entire community cope was the incredible bond that has always tied people in Fox River Grove to one another. "This town has always been like that," Polston said. "Something happens, everyone is there for everyone else."

And that will make leaving that much harder. As police chief for 26 of his 32 years on the force, he has come to know so many in town so well.

He's always felt a big part of good policing is finding a way to help people. "You're there to enforce the ordinances and statutes and you have to arrest people in difficult situations," he said. "But if you can work with people and understand they need help or made a mistake, it's our job to provide some assistance rather than be the bad guy in a situation."

The chief's last day is Saturday. Fitting for him, he'll work this final weekend to help with homecoming coverage and to give a hiring test for new recruits.

His colleagues and community invite us all to an open house to wish him well from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Cary Country Club. Stop by.

Thanks, Chief. You have served us well. And you've truly had an impact.

Sweet!

I've written a lot about candy of late, so I am totally blaming subliminal suggestion for blowing my diet. I saw the sign for the new chocolate store in West Dundee, The Cocoa Cabana, and it was as if I just couldn't help myself. And then I helped myself to more chocolate than is permitted on said diet. Yummmmm … stop by and you'll see why I didn't have just one. And, yes, I did pay my way!

The Cocoa Cabana is tucked away behind Regina's restaurant on Route 31, and you'll find enough chocolate to do your heart good. Especially if you're a stressed-out Cubs fan.

Even sweeter!

Speaking of sweet, Pamela Johnson of Hi Sweetie! tells me a special guest named Willie Wonka will be at the downtown Algonquin store on Main Street when they host candy tasting from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Stop by and get a shot at an iPod Nano. How sweet is that?

Booked

Don't forget the Friends of the Algonquin Area Public Library fall sale is this weekend. Doors open at 4 p.m. today at the Eastgate Branch, 10 a.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

If it were easy …

We wouldn't be true Cubs fans. Where's that chocolate?