The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.
Father's Day 2021
Remember Dad tomorrow. If you're lucky enough that he's still around, make a point of reaching out to him. And if you're not, make a point of teaching your children and friends about him.
This week's Clippable Quote
"My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, 'You're tearing up the grass.' 'We're not raising grass,' Dad would reply. 'We're raising boys.'" - Hall of Fame baseball star Harmon Killebrew
Juneteenth in the suburbs
A year ago, Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the freedom of Blacks from slavery in the U.S., was widely unknown in the suburbs. It is a small sign of progress that so many of us celebrate it today.
Welcome, Summer!
Only a day away, we're so glad you're almost here.
And speaking of summer
We adore this time of year when it stays light so late into the evening. The sun won't set until 8:29 p.m. Sunday. If we ever were elected president, we would sign an executive order prohibiting the sun from going down any earlier.
MABAS's strength
Some suburban firefighters were awed by the size of the Chemtool Inc. lubricant production plant fire in Rockton. We were awed by the scope of the response, with the statewide mutual aid system rallying scores of suburban fire departments and others to help. It's good to have each others' backs.
Remembering Angelo Polvere
Angelo Polvere served as trustee and village president in Inverness, but his legacy extended beyond public service. "He was just a good man, a good person," current Mayor John Tatooles said. Those characteristics shone in his occasional letters with us over the years. He died June 4.
Praying for rain:
The grass is turning brown, plants and flowers in the garden are wilting and some stressed trees are dropping leaves. A prolonged drought persists across the suburbs as we head into the summer months. Friday morning's soaking was a good start.
Crafty as a fox:
Here's hoping professional animal wranglers can capture Freddy the fox in Bartlett to remove the piece of drain pipe that's been stuck around his neck for least nine months. The plastic hasn't been too much of a hindrance for the elusive Freddy, as he fathered a litter of five kits in the spring, but he'd be better off without it.
Dine with Dad:
Not sure what to do for Dad for Father's Day? Consider taking him out to lunch or dinner in the suburbs. It's a good way to spend some quality time together. For inspiration, see www.dailyherald.com/entlife/20210610/treat-dad-to-a-special-meal-for-fathers-day-2021
Get the shot
You could win $1 million if you have a COVID-19 vaccination, Illinois announced Thursday. Another reason to get the shot: It makes you very unlikely to be among the 10 to 25 people still dying of COVID-19 every day in Illinois.
A father's legacy:
And these parting words from Italian novelist and raconteur Umberto Eco: "I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren't trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom."