In this unusual, yet memorable year of sports, we run the gamut from Major League Baseball to Aurora Boys Baseball to no exhibition games for the Chicago Bears this season to questionable schedules for college football. Items which roll to the forefront, and by no means exclusive, could be worthy
It may have been a bit unusual. We live in unusual times. Three members of the Illinois U.S. House of Representatives, on a break from convening in Washington, D.C., were in Aurora Tuesday afternoon. They were a part of the group which held a media conference for the press and
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
High school practices in six sports were permitted to begin Monday, boys and girls golf, boys and girls cross country, girls tennis, and girls swimming and diving. The seasons will conclude Saturday, Oct. 24. The State tournament series may, or, may not be implemented. It is a work in progress
Every day decisions must be made in our lives which deviate living from the norm. Much of it is stimulated by the results of the pandemic COVID-19. Schools and school boards must make decisions in uncharted areas. Online only, or a hybrid, or, blend? In the most recent week many
Historically, sports fans have short attention spans, given the undulations of the ups and downs of games played each season. Reactions vary from great, to oh no! In Major League Baseball, the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox are on solid ground, however, it is early and the projections change
Intolerance, insensitive, incapable. Likely we can offer improvement as individuals in at least those three areas. Perhaps it is easier to see those flaws in others than in ourselves. In these highly-political days, too many of us see society through our own lens and fail to understand more thoroughly another
It may turn out that in the face of COVID-19 that Major League Baseball (MLB) later may be viewed as intrepid. The virus rages. College Fall sports schedules are being canceled left and right, and the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), which is the usher of all extra curricular activities,
School districts around the country are developing plans and preparing to make decisions whether to hold classes, in-building, virtual, or, even not at all. There will be national impacts, of course, however, school boards, communities, and districts, will make the final decisions. • The U-46 Board of Education, in the
Empty stadiums may not be the first choice, and not even a good option, however, just knowing that there are games being played is a bit of comfort in this COVID-19 times. We all may ask where do we go from here? Major League Baseball, following a handful of preseason
COVID-19 cuts a wide swath into our daily lives and routines. The impending Fall school year is in jeopardy of several potential tragedies. If students miss a school year, or, a half-year, because of contagion of the novel virus, it would be a tragedy. Students, especially younger, more pliable children,
Important items cross our paths with the celebration of Independence Day and have difficulty securing space. For example: • Representatives of Batavia Reconnected disbursed checks recently to 11 Batavia businesses for up to $1,500 to cover additional expenses during COVID-19. Every little bit helps. Most communities are making efforts to
In essence this week’s reflection is a college notebook. More accurately, it is a focus on excellence, with the late football coach Bob Reade, and, wrestling coach, Justin Pearch. A starting note includes a realization that COVID-19 reached into Division III football, 2019 National champion North Central College in Naperville.
Liberty. Freedom of speech. First Amendment rights. Independence. Self-determination. They are components of Independence Day and the resultant celebrations which are important to many U.S. residents, including individuals who inhabit these parts of our world. Those lofty goals are still a part of what most of us seek to achieve:
“I’m excited. It was my dream job.” Steve Schafer, three-year starter and two-time all-conference basketball selection at Batavia High School, succinctly wrapped up his perspective on his recent selection as the next head basketball coach of Augustana College of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). “In 19 years
Call it Plan B. Call it going right when things go wrong. Call it making lemonade when issued lemons. Much of redirecting energies to an improved state or a positive ending is what many do in the situation altered by COVID-19. The 2020 school graduates, at any level, have been
Late, last-minute agreement? Just in time? There will be Major League Baseball this year, if there is no flare up in COVID-19. At least late Tuesday this week the owners and the players association decided on a 60-game schedule, continuation of Spring training with reporting Wednesday, July 1, and the
Wide-ranging thoughts and observances offer the following statements: • Clarity can evolve out of chaos of any kind. Those who make better efforts find more peace. • Chaos between police and protesters can evolve into understanding, if given an opportunity. • Each must seek understanding and not be rigid in
Little action on the field, yet, and will Major League Baseball twiddle its thumbs and fritter away the season? Meanwhile, high school basketball and college football make news off the field. • The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) will make a return to Champaign-Urbana for boys basketball State tournament games
Recovery was under way in communities last week which suffered from lawless, mindless, and opportunistic individuals who seized the occasion to cause chaos with looting and property damage. The fabric of society requires we must be at our best to support each other, have faith and confidence in the goodness
