The Soapbox: Humane retirement of horses in DuPage County, trash pickup in Arlington Heights, an Antioch centenarian bridge expert and more.
The toss that refreshes:
It's not a exactly football scholarship, but may be better. Two suburban college students won $100,000 scholarships last weekend in separate competitions throwing footballs into an oversized can. The winners: Alec Cannata, a UW-Stevens Point student from Bartlett, and Kotryna Staputyte a College of DuPage student from Naperville. Nice tosses.
Looking out for Mr. Ed:
The DuPage Forest Preserve Commission will vote next week on a policy that offers four options for the "humane retirement" of horses in its care. The policy, which will prevent such horses from being euthanized except in cases of "extreme medical circumstances," is an excellent step forward for a district that has struggled with this issue.
Talking trash:
For most suburbanites, twice-a-week garbage pickup may seem an odd topic
of controversy, but many in Arlington Heights want to keep a service they've had for decades. After years of debating how long it could continue, the village found a compromise. Those who want it can keep it, if they pay extra. A "baby step" toward change, as one official said.
Hidden gem in Elgin:
JoAnn Stingley is the go-to person at the Elgin Police Department. For 24 years the woman who coordinates the social services unit, has been friend, advocate and helper to those in need. "She's truly the unsung hero of the police department," Lt. Rick Ciganek said. "Anybody who comes here and says, 'I need some help,' they get help. JoAnn is incredible."
The times we live in:
It's a sad commentary when grade school students today have to be as familiar with "lockdown" procedures as their counterparts in the 1960s were with "duck and cover" drills. At least it's comforting to see how well they adapt, as students did Thursday in a brief but uneventful scare at Lions Park Elementary School in Mount Prospect.
The Dickens, you say:
Ralph Taylor, 75, of Naperville, who joins Friday morning senior skating at the Lombard Roller Rink, laments how youths at the rink skate but then stop and pull out their smartphones. "Well, what the Dickens did they come here for?" he asked. Hopefully, at least those phones are keeping them informed of who "the Dickens" was.
What's not in your wallet?:
You can (and should) get a ticket in Illinois if you use your handheld cellphone while driving, but state officials are exploring an option that may make you want to have a smartphone in your car - a digital driver's license. St. Charles Republican Sen. Karen McConnaughay heads a legislative committee studying the idea. One more reason to lose your wallet.
How to be a kid at heart:
Thursday's Neighbor reminds us that play is not just for youngsters. We ran a story of a 100-year-old Antioch man, Joe Stepanek, who is a tough competitor at bridge, even though he took the game up in earnest fairly recently. Then there was the preview of this weekend's Lego Train Show in Cantigny - what a great combo! Here's to having fun!
Enjoy it while it lasts:
Temperatures in the mid-50s in mid-December? While we might appreciate a winter wonderland now and then this time of year, celebrate how easy it is to get around doing all that shopping while not spending time clearing driveways and walkways.