Peacefulness should permeate through the season and all year.
Political frenzy is counterproductive. Each of is entitled to a view that does no harm. ‘Tis the Season. All year, in fact. Abrasiveness is out. Peace is in. Many should adjust their focus.
• It is a time of rejoicing in these holidays. Batavia knows it as well as any community. The Batavia Chamber of Commerce is a sponsor in Blue Christmas, a sense to overcome, holiday melancholy and depression. The reference is to the organization’s “The Longest Night” for 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21. Batavia partners, Ministerial Association, Chamber of Commerce, Access Television, Counselors’ Collaboration, and Suicide Prevention Services plan for community members to light a candle, step outside the door, ring a bell, sound a horn, in the name of grief and hope. The objective is to sense the light that is on its way.
• Congratulations to Bob Hansen, recently-named Batavia Citizen of the Year. More next week in The Voice on his contributions.
• Congratulations to Chuck Nelson of Aurora on retirement as deputy mayor in Aurora and nearly 28 years of public service. See page 17.
• Reuland Food Service in Aurora continues its Feeding the Frontline theme of delivering boxes of food to hospitals for health-care workers, for first responders, and to those who have been at the frontline in these of COVID-19 concerns. Jeff Reuland and Ryan Reuland (see page 1) made a drop Saturday. It just happened to be Jeff’s birthday and 50th wedding anniversary, however, he was on a mission of giving.
• Health-care workers at a hospital in Peoria Tuesday became the State’s first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, according to statewide Capitol News Illinois.
• Aurora mayor Richard Irvin has been asked to help lead a statewide initiative to improve the lives of black males in social status. It is a 14-member commission. He was selected chief commissioner.
Clear and Concise, Week 50:
• It is a replay, however, normality is correct, not normalcy; under way should be two words, not one; data is pronounced day-ta and not datta.
• Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy Hanukkah are all appropriate greetings. Happy Holidays is correct if the speaker does not know the beliefs and religion of the audience. Those who bristle at Happy Holidays instead of being wished Merry Christmas should relax and step into the real world. There are many religions and many beliefs. It is the love which accompanies, not the words!
• One day at a time serves us well.