Holidays are special. Automatically. Christmas is special for many of us for several reasons, from memories as youngsters to family gatherings to the meaning of the holiday in its many dimensions. In the last two generations, Christmas has been a commercial focus by capitalizing on family gatherings to the meaning...
“And so as Tiny Tim observed, “God bless us every one.” Dickens A Christmas Carol And so it was December again and the city of Florence, Italy looked like an angel food cake dusted with powdered sugar. The first light snowfall had covered everything with an icy white glaze. Maisie...
Other than on our way to happy holidays, we have various important notes we want provide special space: •The outdoor scene on the eve of cold Winter is essential. Unmanned kayaks equipped with sie-scanning gathering data in the dark of night at the Nature Conservancy in Illinois’ TNC) Emiquon Preserve...
December means snow, advancing cold, and, most of all holiday spirit. The majority of residents in the United States think of Christmas for December. Nonetheless, for many, Christmas means Santa, not in a religious way. Gifts, family, shopping, cheerfulness, laughter, predominate over the original meaning of Christmas. Originally it was...
At one time or another, most of us need to deal with serious health conditions. How often do we hear our health providers tell us we are suffering from an autoimmune disease, which is commonly described as a situation where their body chemistry, “…mistakes some part of their body as...
Giving is a good idea. Giving Tuesday this week promotes charitable giving, a focus on one day, extra advertising, and reasons to put charity into focus. Giving Tuesday was started in 2012 in New York City in association with the United Nations and several private entities. Giving is a good...
Reprinted from November 28, 2019Last of four parts Nearly two-thirds of imprisoned mothers have never received a visit from their children. Jill McCorkel, professor of sociology and criminology, Villanova University in Philadelphia, submitted the following article to The Conversation. “Visitors are not allowed to bring outside food and drink into...
Candlelight at the Inn will return to Garfield Farm Museum in the Durant House at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 at the Garfield Farm Museum; The Plano American Legion Post #395 and Secret Angels will be host to a children’s Christmas Party...
Reprinted from November 28, 2019Third of four parts Nearly two-thirds of imprisoned mothers have never received a visit from their children. Jill McCorkel, professor of sociology and criminology, Villanova University in Philadelphia, submitted the following article to The Conversation. “…Distance is the main obstacle. Women’s prisons are fewer in number...
“What with still hours of calm delight thy songs and image blend. I cannot chose but think thou wert an old familiar friend.” —Annabel Abbs The kitchen was a beautiful spacious room with sunlight filtering through the tall windows facing east. So Eliza could see the morning sun as it...
As television minister Joel Osteen says, “I like to start off with something funny.” While watching the unfolding Trump family debacle, if you think you may have failed to do your best as a parent, consider this: Do you have individual courtroom sketches of yourself and of your children? If...
Early in American history is filled with elementary school perspectives of the Pilgrims who settled the country and gave thanks for survival. We called it the first thanksgiving, implied in the word that our settlers gave thanks for being alive and producing children to be fruitful and multiply in what...
Reprinted from November 28, 2019Second of four parts Jill McCorkel, professor of sociology and criminology, Villanova University in Philadelphia, submitted the following article to The Conversation. Nearly two-thirds of imprisoned mothers have never received a visit from their children. “Prison visitation policies vary by jurisdiction. Prisoners do not have a...
Our big world expands well beyond our local interests, yet, all events take on a local train of thought. Such an example is the U.S. Department of Energy Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia. It is a national perspective, however, that it is in Batavia, we see it with a...
Reprinted from November 28, 2019First of four parts With the holidays here, most families look forward to sharing special times with their families. But mothers in prison aren’t likely to see their families this Thanksgiving, or any other day. Nearly two-thirds of imprisoned mothers have never received a visit from...
When first lady Barbara Bush visited the Aurora campus of Waubonsee Community College, I was on the welcome committee to greet her. Secret Service were all over the building talking into their sleeves. Mrs. Bush came up to me and shook my hand, her piercing, blue, radiant, eyes looked straight...
Thinking of others never should go out of style; never should be old, always should be in vogue and always be of value. We have many examples: Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, 1110 Jericho Road in Aurora is holding its 16th annual Holiday Food Drive November 1-22. Forty suburban businesses...
Loaves & Fishes Community Services is pleased to announce the appointment of Megan Lynch as vice president of Strategic Partnerships effective November 20. Among her responsibilities, Lynch will establish new relationships to build Loaves & Fishes’ visibility, impact, and financial resources in the organization’s service area of DuPage, Kane, Kendall,...
First of all, The Chas is against war of any sort. If a dispute arises between people or nations, a peaceful discussion of the issues involved and a negotiated settlement is called for. Sadly, however, too many people/nations either have no desire to negotiate or will negotiate only if concessions...
Late October is greater than being on the eve of Halloween. We are less than two months away from Christmas and other significant holidays. Rather than thinking of the joy of little kids, we have an opportunity to think of those who are less fortunate in either or both, a...
