Shnay: Notes from the bottom of the pile
By Jerry Shnay Citizen Journalist/jerryshnay@gmail.com June 21, 2012 1:24PM
Updated: July 25, 2012 6:10AM
Notes from the bottom of the pile:
At this time last year the Aqua Center was facing a grim future. Season memberships lagged behind previous years and there were even published predictions on a website (but not in this corner) that unless things changed the swimming complex might be “on the chopping block” during board budget sessions for the coming year.
“I am not kidding,” the author wrote and closed with a warning to join the Aqua Center “Soon. Fast.”
How quickly things change. In 2011, it took nearly two months before membership reached the needed 2,100 mark. This time, thanks to a successful marketing campaign by the village, there were more than 1,900 signed up by the first day of swimming three weeks ago.
Although all that hot weather this spring didn’t hurt the push, there are a lot of happier faces in Village Hall these days.
Marching Along Together
The first (and hopefully the last) Park Forest Substitute Independence Day parade is scheduled to start around 9 a.m. (or whenever you get there) from the parking lot of the old Target store on Cicero Avenue. We will meander down the Old Plank Trail Road. Marchers can choose their own path, their own distance, their own dress and their own entertainment.
The Trail was chosen because Orchard Drive and some adjacent streets are being repaved and refigured this year, eliminating the circular path around Central Park.
We are told that other events associated with the day’s celebration will go on but with site changes. Central Park will not be used this year. Instead the music can be heard on the Village Green and the annual fireworks show will be held on the property just east of Rich East High School.
State of Boredom
There is a reason cruise control was invented. It’s called Nebraska!
Give or take a mile or so, it is 1,000 miles from our shack on Shabbona to our daughter’s domicile in Colorado. With air fares as high as a plane’s altitude, we settle for the family car. We drive there twice a year.
It is two days there on Interstate 80, two days back. Not that Illinois or Iowa or much of eastern Colorado are chock full of scenery — they certainly are not — but it is that long 300-mile stretch of four-lane concrete that runs through Nebraska that screams out for a little automation, especially when the speed limit is 75 and the cars and trucks keep on passing you.
A Very Good Class
We came back in time to look in on the 50-year reunion of the Rich East High School Class of 1962. The long weekend in Park Forest brought back memories for the more than 90 who attended. It’s not such a large world after all, and the evening was made pleasurable when we bumped into old friends Sue and Denny.
So, as secretary of the Park Forest Historical Society, I must report that the book “Park Forest: Dreams and Challenges” was a best-seller at the event, all proceeds going to the society.
In case you are wondering, this writer is a proud graduate of Chicago Marshall, Class of ’53. No! 1953!
