Everybody is allowed to have thoughts and express opinions. Those who send in letters to the editor and who express opinions do not have to write for anyone’s approval connected to The Voice. All subjects are worthy to be addressed. It should go without saying that there are appropriate ways to express an opinion. Thankfully, those who send in to The Voice have offered appropriate, proper, ways of expression. All points of view are encouraged. The handful of words in poor taste have not been the task of the editor to eliminate or to change.
Opinions can be a substantive argument to offer thoughtful debate/discussion.
•Perhaps a lack of cold weather and a complete absence of snow is the cause, however, the most used phrase in some circles in the past 10 days has been, “It hardly seems to be the late December holiday season.” Nonetheless, the setting of cold and snow should be incidental to the meaning of the holidays, both the spirit and the evidence of pleasure from young children. Santa is manufactured, yet, critical to the enjoyment of the Christmas season.
•The next holiday season is the passing of the old year and ushering in the new year. Succinctly, Happy New Year, with special emphasis on the word happy is crucial and important. New Year’s Eve will be Sunday evening, December 31. New Year’s Day will be January 1, 2024. Ring in the new year!
•We seldom have room for all of the important articles. On occasion it works out that we can include essential information in this column. Here is such a tie with information submitted by Vitalant on a person who is a high school student:
“Zavion is a senior at Naperville North High with Sickle Cell disease. Earlier this year, he was in the hospital for 21 days because of his disease. Zavion has received a total of eight transfusions due to low hemoglobin levels and is now looking to he others in need and thank the community for their support.
“Zavion and his family are teaming up with Vitalant to spread awareness and invite others to donate to help save and touch someone’s life.
“The Team Zavion Blood Drive will be from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024 at the Naperville Safety Town, 1320 Aurora Avenue, Naperville.
“Zavion is a manager on the Napervile North High School basketball team. He is not eligible to play because of the disease, but, is considered a big part of the team. The coach and the team are helping with the blood drive, and Kathy Kavanaugh, school’s involved athletic secretary, said the blood drive is going out in the District (203) newsletter.”
Worthy causes exist continually and society is exposed to many worthy causes that are deserving of our support. Each person must make decisions how to spend time, money, and other resources.
•Dave and Marge Brown of Batavia earlier this month were named Batavia Citizens of the Year (COTY). The Batavia Chamber of Commerce will honor the couple Thursday, April 24, 2024, at the Chamber’s Inspire 2023: A celebration of Those Who Inspire Us! annual awards event.
“I am thrilled to acknowledge Dave and Marge Brown as the 2023 Batavia Citizens of the Year,” stated Margaret Perreault, president and chief executive officer of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce….When it comes to volunteering, Dave and Marge Brown are a power couple. Individually they’ve worked on an extensive list of projects that benefit Batavia and Batavians. More recently they’ve served the community together, including both joining the Batavia Rotary Club and actively participating in the fundraising and building of the Flag Day Monument in downtown Batavia.
The information in this space is only a small portion of their involvement in Batavia life now and n the past and the honor is well deserved.
•Balance, a reference at the start of this column is a continuing effort in The Voice. We understand viewpoints. Activists were protesting 11th District congressman Bill Foster and his views. The following is information from congressman Foster’s office after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Casgevy, a first-of-its kind treatment that uses the gene-editing tool CRISPR to target sickle cell disease (SCD):
“Today’s announcement from the FDA is fantastic news for tens of thousands of people suffering from sickle cell disease nationwide.
“As Congress’ only PhD physicist, advocating for scientific and medical research needed to advance the promising genetic-based curative therapies (such as) CRISPR has long been one of my top priorities…This announcement is a testament to critical need to provide robust, long-term, federal funding that makes scientific discoveries like CRISPR and gene therapy possible.”
•The good cheer of the December holidays can permeate all year if we choose such a course. January does not necessarily mean Winter doldrums, lack of cheerfulness, and negativity. We can change that unlikable course. By today’s standard, the holiday does last a full month, a combination of business and need for joy!