The Soapbox: An outstanding museum in Wheaton, a tax spat in East Dundee, public service in Mundelein and more.

First Division Museum a gem

One of the real gems of DuPage County - the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park in Wheaton - is shining even brighter after major renovations to better tell the story of the men and women of the Big Red One after Vietnam. The new-look museum celebrates its reopening from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at 1S151 Winfield Road. It's worth a visit.

Talking again

The good news isn't just that the Illinois tollway will open in November another stretch of I-390 leading toward O'Hare International Airport. It's also that the tollway and Canadian Pacific Railroad are talking again as they try to sort out differences over access needed for a later phase of the project. Cool heads are always preferable to the courts.

Speaking of which ...

One could debate all day whether it was fair that Walmart bolted East Dundee to build a superstore in Carpentersville. Now, a judge has dismissed the most recent of three legal complaints by East Dundee. Carpentersville alone has spent $170,000 on the litigation. Maybe it's time, as East Dundee Village President Lael Miller suggests, to end the appeals.

And, we're off!

This weekend launched the official kickoff to high school football. Teams throughout Herald City are putting their hard work at practice into play on the field. Let's hope for good sportsmanship, competitive games, no serious injuries and a fun season that culminates Thanksgiving weekend with state championship games at NIU.

Fans in the stands

So, how was the sportsmanship Friday night in the stands? Cheering for the team is encouraged, but yelling at officials or screaming about a coach's call is not. Did you say anything to the guy who was annoying everyone in your section by screaming "passssss!"? Sir, the players and officials can't hear you. Settle down or it will be a long season.

Enthralled by the eclipse?

Pass the time until 2024's repeat by catching other astrological events. Learn how to spot the International Space Station at https//spotthestation.nasa.gov; see what's notable in the night sky at https//nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/planner.cfm or use the Sky Map app on your phone to learn the names of those stars overhead.

Back for more

Some people were just born for public service. That thought came to mind when we learned that Ray Rose, fresh off an accomplished 50-year career in law enforcement, was joining his hometown Mundelein's plan commission. Rose's experience - which includes stints as Mundelein police chief and Lake County undersheriff - will serve the panel well.

That Powerball winner, Part 1

Upon hearing that the winner of this week's $758.7 million Powerball jackpot was Mavis Wanczyk, a suddenly-retired hospital employee, our first thought was, "Why not us?"

That Powerball winner, Part 2

Our second thought was, "Well, if it couldn't be us, it's deserving that it went to someone in the medical community who has spent a lifetime serving others."

That Powerball winner, Part 3

Our third thought was, "How do we get to know Mave?"