September
2012
September in Naperville
starts with the Last Fling celebration.
Sponsored by the Naperville Jaycees, it is a fund raiser that benefits
the community. It is four days of
free entertainment, beer and brats and a carnival. It used to be run by the local chamber of Commerce but back
in 1980 the Jaycees took it over.
Under the guidance of Tom Miers and myself we infused youthful
exuberance (beer) into an otherwise lack luster event. We started to have free entertainment
along with beer and brats, and corn on the cob cooked by an old steam engine
tractor. We worked for months
before the event, planning and organizing and the four days of the events we
were there non-stop. I used to
clean the streets starting at 11pm until 2am with a Billy goat vacuum cleaner
and a fire hose to clean up and be ready for the next days events. We were concerned that the downtown
businesses and the City would not let us continue if we trashed the
streets. The Naperville Park
District and the City of Naperville were very supportive. It all worked
out. And the rest, as they say, is
history. Year after year it grew
and grew. The money garnered from
beer and brats helps a lot of needy organizations in and around Naperville. The Naperville Jaycees are a great organization.
While
I donÕt go to the concerts anymore, I do take pride in just knowing that they
continue to support those in need.
We can here the faint sounds of music in the distance as we enjoy our
porch or deck. For a long while I
couldnÕt even look at a bratwurst but now I enjoy a good Kreger brat now and
then.
After
Labor Day we had a nice visit from our good friends the SharpnackÕs. Joe and Jan are close friends from
Florida. They are really fun
people and we have tons in common.
We have had similar experiences in owning and operating a business and
raising two kids and now Grandchildren.
We are both second generation Riverbenders.
We
were fortunate to spend a week with them in CIC during July. (See the July web page) We were able to play 18 holes of golf at the local
Springbrook golf course. Jan was a
real trooper to play with a sore knee.
It was warmer than expected, a perfect day for golf, after which we had TraversoÕs Pizza
with an antipasta salad.
Joe
and I were able to take a scooter ride while the girls went shopping. Jan loves ChicoÕs. We had lunch on the patio one day at
Quigleys Irish Pub. We grilled
some barbeque ribs on the grill one night. We had a lovely dinner at the country club after 5:00 Mass
on Saturday. We really like the
food at the club. They do a nice
job.
It
was great to see Joe and Jan. We
always have fun when we are together.
Look forward to playing golf together in Florida soon.
September
9th was a big day. It
was the first Bears football game and the annual Church picnic. Stepahnie, Sean and Ōthe boysĶ were
able to join us. After lunch Clark
and I played in the bouncy house and played assorted games. Lots of prizes.
Diane and Stephanie introduced Ōthe boysĶ to Bingo
hoping it would sharpen their math or number recognition skills. ItÕs part of any good Catholic
education. Jack was excited when
he won some money.
Sean and I were able to have a beer while we watched
the first half of the Bears game.
We moved the party to our house to finish watching the Bears trounce the
Colts. (41–21) I think it
was more a reflection on the Colts than the skill of the Bears but a pleasant
experience to start the season.
Hope springs eternal in a good Bears fan. We still remember 1985.
September
signals the return of Football. Both
of StephanieÕs boys are able to play tackle football through the St. Raphael
Football program. With helmet and
full pads they collide at about 2 mph.
Its fun to watch and the boys seem to like jumping on top of one
another. Jason played football
since 2nd grade. He
enjoyed it all the way through High School. ItÕs fun to see the kids learn, about the game and about
them selves. We enjoy watching the
games. Its fun to observe the boys
as they get better week after week.
Like they did with swimming, by the end of the season they will have progressed
and learned a lot. It is nice that
their parents provide them with the opportunity. Good job Parents.
As
summer ends and our Fall begins we are anticipating our departure and getting
the house as ready as we can for the long winter. I have been working on some bare spots in the yard. Damp cool weather is supposed to be
good for grass seed.
The
Fall colors are vibrant this year.
As I take walks around the neighborhood I canÕt help but stop and take a
few pictures. Enjoy.