The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.
This week's Clippable Quote
"Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people." - Attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt and others
Handshakes, or no handshakes?
The Juwan Howard incident at the end of the Michigan-Wisconsin game this past Sunday begs the question: Is it time for college sports to end the postgame handshake? The NFL and NBA don't do it, and this isn't the first time there's been an incident in the handshake line in college sports. Now might just be the time to put an end to this time-honored ritual.
In the best possible taste
Talk about taking one for the team. Our Jake Griffin served as one of the judges in a "Beans and Jeans" chili cook-off Tuesday night in Elk Grove Village. We hope the assignment was like his watchdog reporting: easy to digest. Incidentally, is anyone planning, say, a suburban dessert contest that needs some judges?
Stick together, Gang of 8
We applaud the joint purpose that has brought eight suburbs along the Milwaukee Road West line together over the Canadian Pacific/Kansas City Southern merger, and hope it stays intact even if they can't get the merger stopped. Working together to get the best mitigations will be better that each suburb trying to cut its own deal.
Congratulations, Donn Mendoza
Congratulations to Round Lake Unit District 116 Superintendent Donn Mendoza, the Lake County 2021-22 Superintendent of the Year. In his ninth year, Mendoza, "focuses on student growth and achievement, but is a leader among superintendents as well," said Mikkel Storaasli, president of the Lake County Superintendents Association.
Relief in sight?
We're all excited that mask mandates will be lifted Monday and we can take another step toward something like a normal life. We're even happier, of course, that the reason is the declining numbers of hospitalizations and deaths.
But we've been here before
Remember last July? Then omicron hit, and all the negative indicators shot back up again. Let's use what we've learned so far, keep ourselves and others safe - and hope we can avoid another disappointing turn for the worst.
Patience, please
To mask or not to mask in schools, that is the quandary for many students, teachers and staff members throughout the suburbs now. No matter what people decide to do, please remember to be respectful and patient during this transition process. What might be right for you, may not be right for everyone.
Spring, yes ... snow, no
For the second time this month, most of the snow managed to melt, only for more snow coat the grass once again. Spring is just around the corner, and most of us are over the white stuff. The sun feels warm, the birds are chirping, and soon enough, the sun will set close to 7 p.m. Hooray! Let's hope we're done with the snow for the season.
With thanks to Pete Seeger
Where have all the flowers gone?