The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.
This week's Clippable Quote
"In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different." - Coco Chanel
Equip kids for a good school year
Remember how excited you were to receive new crayons, notebooks and pencils before the start of classes? Unfortunately, a lot of families in the suburbs can't afford to buy everything their kids need. Schaumburg Township hosted a "Pack the Bus" collection to help bridge the gap, one of many school supply drives in our area. Please donate.
Best wishes, Jake
Thanks for 2016.
Families are back
Finishing eight weeks of boot camp is an accomplishment, so we're glad to hear Navy recruits can once again have family members present for graduation ceremonies at Great Lakes. Barred since the pandemic began, family members can attend if they show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, wear face coverings, and follow social distancing guidelines.
Corny, sweet nostalgia
So maybe it is a bit corny, no pun intended, to play a Major League Baseball game on the scene of a sappy, 32-year-old movie, but for a little while Thursday, baseball really did feel like America's pastime again, as the White Sox met the Yankees on the "Field of Dreams" in Dyersville, Iowa. And, oh, how sweet, for the Sox to win on a ninth-inning walk-off homer.
Fleeting tradition
And, if you want to experience nostalgia in the moment, it's happening right here in the suburbs today. But don't dally. As of Thursday, only 800 seats were still available for today's final run of the Arlington Million - known this year as the Mister D. Stakes race. A great tradition passes before our eyes.
Congratulations, Schaumburg
Cited for its "outstanding and dedicated business community," Schaumburg learned this week it is one of the first communities in the nation recognized as a Better Business Town by the Better Business Bureau. It's a well-deserved honor that makes all the suburbs proud.
Good news, we hope
Chicago health authorities announced Thursday that two weeks after the start of the Lollapalooza music festival, the gathering of 385,000 music lovers does not appear to have been a COVID-19 "superspreader event." That's good news, of course, if it holds. We can't ignore that the results were reported by leaders with a vested interest. Let's keep watching.
If it's for real ...
But if the comparatively low number of Lolla-related infections holds true, let's also remember a likely contributing factor: 90% of the fans were vaccinated, and no one could enter without proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
Remembering Tony-O
Sad news about the death of Blackhawks legend Tony Esposito at age 78 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was a Hall of Fame goalie with 418 victories, 74 shutouts and 873 games, all team records. His 15 shutouts in 1969 is an NHL record that still stands. But he'll also be remembered as an all-time favorite of fans. Rest in peace, No. 35.
Remembering Margery Frisbie
Our longtime columnist, who died Sunday at age 98, documented the history of Arlington Heights and was, as described by Eileen O. Daday's Life Story, a pillar of the community. Margery made a lasting contribution. Our condolences to her family and friends.