The Saturday Soapbox: Wishing good cheer
Extra cheer
Retailers could hardly face tougher times than now, but some offer cheer anyway in their glorious holiday decorations. Thanks, Deer Park Town Center and Streets of Woodfield, to name just a few.
Happy Hanukkah!
Hanukkah - the eight-day Jewish festival of lights - begins at sundown Thursday. Families will light a growing number of candles in their menorahs each night, exchange gifts and enjoy latkes or other traditional foods in this most-untraditional year. We wish all who celebrate a healthy and happy holiday.
Reminders of peace on suburban streets
Seen around suburbs like in Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates and South Barrington, and probably elsewhere: Handmade signs hung on mailboxes or posts that say things like, "We're all in this together." Were they at-home kids' projects? People just longing for peace, love and understanding? Whoever it was, we thank them.
An inspiration to persevere
For the second time in their 145-year history, the family that owns Oswald's Pharmacy in Naperville is battling through a pandemic. The sixth-generation family business has survived the Prohibition era, the Great Depression, and the 1918 influenza pandemic.
No room to roam
These are the suburbs, where it is unusual to see a dog or house cat on the loose. And we're suburbanites. We care about the welfare of animals on the lam. We go to great lengths to care for strays and track down their owners. When said owners don't seem to care, they are bad neighbors. Just saying'.
Distance does make a difference
To everyone who stayed home on Thanksgiving, thank you. Forgoing the big family gathering was a sacrifice many of us made to help stem the spread of COVID-19. Without it, the toll would become even worse.
Keep the kids in mind
While Illinois high school sports remain in "pause" mode, we continue to keep the well-being of myriad student-athletes in mind. It's a challenge for each teenager who was hoping to be competing this winter. But to that, we say be patient. Games will resume when it's safe, and the priority remains for everyone to be safe.
Let's go Bulls:
It's been nine months since Chicago's NBA team last played a game, and with training camp starting this week, its best player - Zach LaVine - is fired up. Could be the new leadership, could be the new coach, could be the lengthy time off. No matter. It's time Bulls fans (again) had a winner to cheer.
Thanks, Schwarbs
We'll never forget Kyle Schwarber's Game 4 homer atop the Wrigley Field scoreboard in the 2015 NLDS and his play coming miraculously off the injury list for the Cubs in the 2016 World Series.
This week's Clippable Quote
"What you lack in talent can be made up with desire, hustle and giving 110% all the time." - onetime Cubs manager Don Zimmer
Remembering Nellie Fox
Yesterday was the 45th anniversary of the funeral for the legendary White Sox Mighty Mite, who died way too young at age 47. Which should remind us all: Tomorrow's not promised; each day is a gift. embrace every moment.