The walkers at the Fox Valley Mall are a diverse group of mostly seniors. The regulars usually walk prior to the stores’ opening. Sometimes the guards will open on time and sometimes they do not. Ramon asked for their phone numbers and if the guard is late, he phones and asks when the doors will be opened. He and his wife, Marta, are daily walkers and are friendly. We pass daily Winter pleasantries.
There is a group of women who sit at the long table inside Panara’s after they finish their walk. Marlene and Evelyn and Maria use the red shopping carts from Penny’s to assist them with walking. Maria is a very tiny Chinese woman who told me she is 78 years old. Maria asked me where I worked and I said that I was a teacher. She smiled and said that she thought so because I looked so professional. Evelyn is recovering from cancer and the radiation has hurt her back so she is in pain. I keep wanting to take my cookies to them, but if they are there to trim their waistlines, they probably would not appreciate cookies.
There are many old men walking. Some are obese and some are rail thin. All are bald. Most wear jeans and gaudy sweatshirts. They do not seem to care much about their appearances. Since we see each other every week, they now wave and say good morning. Every January there are the newbies who, by February, are gone. I guess their new year’s resolutions lasted one month.
There are Margaret and Steve who have noticed that I straighten the “Little Free Library” and yesterday Steve said that they knew I had been there that morning because the library was in order. We all smiled.
I wonder what parents are teaching their children about being clean and orderly. I have found empty ice cream containers, candy wrappers, pretzels, empty McDonald’s French fry cartons, eyeglasses, and other items on the shelves of the library. And there is a garbage container just feet from the library. I take books and magazines and once in a while find a book I would like to read. So I take it home and when I finish reading it, I return it to the library.
There is so much new at the Mall and a great deal of money has been spent to make it attractive to families. The recently-completed park area has many small tables and chairs and there is an open invitation to stop and rest. There are now story times and concerts in that area. One round table has magazines to read. The Mall is outstandingly-beautiful during the holiday season and photos can be taken with Santa. At Easter, children sit with the Easter Bunny for photos.
Management is interested in keeping the Mall open and viable. I once counted 20 empty stores. That area is quickly boarded up, painted and life goes on. Most stores are clothing, jewelry, or food. McDonald’s just left the Food Court. Wonder why?
The most obvious complaint is that the piped-in music is obnoxious and too loud. I have asked security twice to turn it down and have been met with complete disinterest. I was told it is on a timer and comes on automatically. Can no one turn down its volume? I have written to the Mall manager, to no avail. The volume is deafening and terrible noise. Has no one ever heard of classical music? Or a Chopin piano concerto or of Mozart? A low volume soft morning music would really be a better way to stimulate interest. The walkers all complain to one another about the terrible noise each morning. If management wants to annoy the early morning crowd, is has succeeded. I wear ear plugs to try and lessen the loud rock rap noise.
The Fox Valley Mall opened in 1975 under the astute leadership of Aurora mayor Al McCoy. It reached 150 shops and services. It is remarkably clean due to the daily work of custodian staff members. I tell them how clean everything is and they smile and tell me to enjoy the day. I appreciate their smiles and attitudes.
Soon, I begin morning swimming so I will no longer walk at the Mall. I will tell my acquaintances there that I will see them in October. I will miss their early morning sunshine.
• Due to current circumstances, the Mall remains closed.