These Schaumburg fans are true blue
If you want to know whether this Cubs season can really end on a different note than the last 62, ask someone who's seen them all.
Enthusiasm for the team and its post-season destiny was particularly high Wednesday afternoon among residents of the Friendship Village retirement community in Schaumburg.
Whether on foot or using walkers, wheelchairs or motorized scooters, 58 of the seniors arranged themselves under a bright, Cubbie-blue sky to spell out "Go Cubs" in the Friendship Village parking lot.
A staff member photographed the show of support from the roof of the new, six-story Bridgewater Place building that expanded Friendship Village earlier this year.
Though the shape of the letters was somewhat distorted by the long afternoon shadows, the passion for the North Siders was crystal clear.
Afterward, the group returned to the Bridgewater Place lounge to enjoy Chicago-style hotdogs and Cracker Jack and challenge each other to a game of Nintendo Wii Sports virtual baseball played out on a big-screen TV.
One of Friendship Village's most dedicated Cubs fans is Lowana Friar, who moved to the new addition from Glen Ellyn in July.
She was first acquainted with the Cubs in the 1940s when her mother took her to the park to meet Dario Lodigiani, an outfielder who shared her maiden name. He took them on a tour of the entire stadium and she remained a fan ever since.
She remembers following the radio broadcasts of the games by Bob Elson, whose measured delivery was very different from today's color commentators.
"He almost put you to sleep," she laughed.
Friar has a strong opinion of why this year's team has been so different -- and why its playoff prospects are so promising.
"It's because of Lou Piniella's leadership," she said. "He tells them who's going to play. They don't tell him."
At the same time, she feels most Cubs fans of her generation have suffered too much already to put up with much more disappointment.
"They've got to do it this year," she said. "They've just got to."
Lou Smith attended her first Cubs game in the '20s and has waited even longer than Friar for a World Series win.
But the former Itasca resident is also confident that this year is different.
"We've got hitters, we've got pitchers … we're going to make it," she said.
Lorraine Zimowske, who moved into Bridgewater Place from Roselle 10 months ago, described her pre-series jitters as hopeful rather than confident.
"I feel there's always hope, and they've done well this season," she said. "They do a lot for Chicago. Outside of that, it's a long way to the World Series."