Times change, however, in spite of an element of marketing practices, new is not always better. The United States Postal Service (USPS), an imperfect vehicle, unjustly comes under criticism. Its strength is that it has a mandate to deliver to all addresses. Big business competitors would focus only on the profitable portions of delivery service and leave behind the egalitarian approach. Financial support for the USPS may be unpopular for some naysayers, however, reliability of steady service is helpful to society. The recent slowdown of delivery service dictum at the USPS, perpetrated by political forces, likely will backfire in the long run. Those political forces seek a lack of confidence in the USPS. They should be ignored. It tells us something that the recently-installed U.S. Postmaster and his wife have millions of dollars invested in competing delivery services.
It is interesting to observe the changing nature of thought when new conclusions creep into our conversations. Political rhetoric can form a cloud over our thinking of facts. We should remain clear in our critical thinking. Clouds lead to rain.
• Hunger heroes!
That is what those who assist food distribution at two Aurora food pantries are called. Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry and the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, by design, have become literacy heroes by serving books and literacy activities along with food distribution every month.
The two food pantries are partners with the Aurora Public Library (APL) Foundation.
Laura Stoney, manager of the APL Foundation, said, “During this time of social distancing, when Library services and the Bookmobile cannot travel to meet the needs of kids and adults, this partnership with the food pantries is a way to bridge the gap.”
Becky Dunnigan, community outreach coordinator for the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry, has been serving the Aurora area for nearly two years. She works with staff members of nine employees and a volunteer-base of 20 to 30 individuals each day. She said, “This (collaboration with the APL Foundation) connects the families to the Library and to us.”
Diane Renner is the executive director of the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry.
• The non-profit Fox Valley Music Foundation’s site, The Venue, 21 S. Broadway in Aurora, has moved forward in these critical COVID-19 times with musical events, however, the 200-seat venue has a limit of 50 for attendance. The Venue has been open for little more than one year and has been a success. There will be events August 17 and August 24, both Mondays. When The Venue is at capacity, the new outdoor and adjacent Mundy Park is available. Mundy Park has started an outdoor series for $10. each ticket.
Clear and Concise, Week 32:
• Please: Partner remains a noun. We do not partner with someone. We are a partner;
• Detail is a noun and not a verb;
• Fund is a noun and not a verb.
Encouragement is in order for anybody and everybody, regardless of naysayers. For example:
• Be fearless and authentic;
• Throw around kindness often, as though it were confetti;
• A smile always illuminates any room or outdoor gathering;
• “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Eleanor Roosevelt;
• Be gentle with yourself;
• Honesty is the best policy.
Moving to the political realm: In the classic sense, a liberal used to be and still should be a person who is open-minded and considers a wide range of topics and thoughts, rather than the opposite of conservative. Is that why today, and in recent years, both so-called conservatives and so-called progressives seek to shed a liberal label and want to move from that designation? We still require individuals who are open-minded and consider a wide range of topics and thoughts. Narrow is good for tunnel vision and tunnel vision often is not the solution, only when truly required.
We can be open-minded and precise at once! Fear is the worst four-letter word. Even in difficult times we can find a positive approach. Try it!