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The Soapbox: Working together in Wheeling, a DuPage golf course winner, a tasty toast in St. Charles and more

Hidden safety

Now that we're finally into the warmer weather (fingers crossed), it's a good time for a friendly reminder to our suburbs near and far. Concerning traffic signs and signals, we cannot abide what we cannot see, especially when driving in unfamiliar places. So please remove overhanging branches and shrubs to avoid any confusion.

Working together

Residents of Wheeling will see increased recreation opportunities and the possibility of a more vibrant Town Center-II thanks to an agreement between the village and the Wheeling Park District. The village will use TIF funds to contribute about 10 percent of the cost of the $18.8 million expansion of the community recreation center. Cooperation works.

All-area salute

Friday's Sports Extra sections were full of smiling athletes who earned spots on our high school spring sports all-area teams. A whole lot of work went into getting that recognition, and we salute all who made the requisite commitment to excellence.

A championship season

They may not have played before packed stadiums, but the Oakton Community College Owls can celebrate with the school's first NJCAA Division III World Series trophy. After starting the season with a 10-9 mark, the Owls finished with a remarkable 44-17 record, winning the title in extra innings. Congrats to coach Bill Fratto and his team.

DuPage golf course a winner

A tip of the cap to the DuPage Forest Preserve District for its work to revamp The Preserve at Oak Meadows golf course in Addison to hold more floodwater while still keeping the 18-hole playing surface high and dry. Golf Inc. magazine recently feted the district's work as its No. 1 "Renovation of the Year" for public golf courses in the world.

No competition

Our stories often hail the merits and lessons of healthy competition, but here's one competition we're happy to see eliminated - the Miss America Swimsuit category. For a pageant that touts its focus on scholarships, social skills and values, eliminating this sexist and embarrassing distraction was long overdue.

Not worth the risk

Our Cops & Crime column Friday cited Better Business Bureau findings that schemes related to sweepstakes, lottery and other prizes bilked people out of $117 million last year. The BBB warns against companies that email or call, asking for money to help you get your winnings. That chance is just not worth taking.

Hold the pickle

It was nice to see actor/singer Donnie Wahlberg's personal push to make St. Charles - where he and his family live - the site of the first Illinois Wahlburgers. Wahlberg told city alderman, who approved the plan, that he feels supported in St. Charles and wanted to bring the Massachusetts-based burger chain to his community.

Hometown jewels

Dave Heun's Tri-Cities column for Sunday Neighbor emphasizes what a treasure our local historical museums are. Not all have fancy exhibits, but they all preserve the core of our communities. They're valuable not just to researchers and the curious but to everyone. They show us how far we've come, and they teach us change is inevitable.

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