Now playing on the radio … the Cubs!
Just as they did decades ago, Joan and Paul Souchek spent many hours listening to the radio to hear their cherished Chicago Cubs throughout the summer of 2007.
And, though they relish the 1933 GE radio, one of many collected by World War II veteran Paul, it's not by choice they've used it to hear the Cubs' winning season. Like many senior citizens on a fixed income, they keep costs down by subscribing only to basic cable television. The limited package means they couldn't see many games, and they're hoping Major League Baseball takes another look at the practice to put many games on cable vs. free TV.
"It's frustrating," said Joan, who met Paul in 1945, the year the Cubs were last in a World Series. "We are old Cubs fans. And we want to watch the Cubs. How many people, especially older people or those on fixed incomes, don't get to see them?"
Fortunately for the Soucheks, their basic cable package does include TBS, so they'll be able to see the Cubs play the Arizona Diamondbacks during this week's playoff games.
And the league championship series will be aired on a mix of TBS and Fox with Fox airing the World Series. So the Soucheks can use those treasured radio broadcasts to supplement live TV pictures for this year's action -- just as many Cubs fans with enhanced cable already do by choice.
And they'll hope next year brings more games on free TV.
Not that they don't think this is "the year," not one bit. "But I'm thinking ahead to next year," Joan said.
Sure would be something to follow "this year" with "next year," too, wouldn't it?!
Not to get ahead of myself or anything … just thinking positive.
On the air
Did you know WGN broadcast its first big-league game April 16, 1948, with Jack Brickhouse at the mic as the White Sox beat the Cubs 4-1? I knew you Sox fans would enjoy that. And, yes, we Cubs fans welcome you to the bandwagon. I know plenty of us sure enjoyed the ride you gave us in 2005, and it didn't even hurt. OK, it only hurt a little.
On the run
In a certainly unplanned conflict, Chicago Marathon runners may encounter Chicago Cubs fans Sunday, should the playoffs go to four games. Among the thousands of runners making their way past Wrigley Field on the 26-mile marathon course will be some local runners with extra motivation.
Dundee Township Park District Commissioner Erin Peterson will be competing in her first full marathon as the sole charity runner for the Dundee Township Boys & Girls Club. They're struggling these days, so if you'd like to help, go to www.active.com/donate/EPeteRuns4TheClub.
And pounding that same pavement to help St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are Village of Huntley employees Dave Johnson and Keith Schaedel. They were inspired by the story of a young girl from Crystal Lake who successfully battled cancer thanks to St. Jude's and have spent many hours training toward their quest. Call Dave at (847) 515-5244 or Keith at (847) 669-9600 if you'd like to help.
No ribbin'
Gary Kotlan of Sleepy Hollow tells me he has a couple of spots left for ribbers to compete in this Saturday's Sleepy Hollow Ribfest. For details and entry forms, you can reach Gary at gkotlan@comcast.net or call him (847) 989-9140.
Artistic touch
The village of Algonquin has done a fabulous job of taking public art to new heights with some pretty compelling art pieces dotting the landscape. Jennifer Cremerius of Algonquin recently spotted some public art of the old-fashioned sort at the riverfront park by Port Edward down by the Fox River. "Wonderful, whimsical" chalk drawings covered the walking path until that old-fashioned eraser known as rain cleaned the slate.
Bust that bubble
Mother Nature wasn't quick enough to douse some mischievous souls at Grafelman Park who, apparently, thought it funny to turn the West Dundee park's fountain into a soapsuds machine ... again. East Dundee resident Sue Wurster tells me a couple of bottles of Dawn were found at the scene. The pranksters apparently made a clean getaway.