Evelyn Sterling found out the grumpy bird sometimes gets the worm.
Sterling is the community relations coordinator for Park Forest, which, for years, ran a highly successful series of events for new residents, welcoming them into the village with convivial get-togethers that included food, trinkets, coupons and gobs of information about the village. It seemed like a good idea but since Park Forest is a different kind of community some residents were less charmed.
No one may have actually asked Sterling “where’s mine” but she did hear from those who thought attention should be paid to all citizens of the village, newcomer or old-timer. So three years ago, she decided to create a “Resident Appreciation Month” for everyone. The highlight of this month’s event will be a dessert bake-off contest this Saturday, as well as an Easter “event” for the kiddies.
The six judges for the bake-off are already in place, probably salivating at the chance to bite into all those cakes and cookies that nearly two dozen residents will contribute. Chocolate seems to be the main ingredient for a large number of desserts because to some of us it is a not a sweet but a major food group. Pizza and Italian beef sandwiches also fall into the same category.
If all this stresses you out, hold on. The following Saturday, March 19, will be a “de-stress” day, complete with chair massages and yoga demonstrations and all sorts of stuff to soothe frazzled nerves. Not to worry in case you miss any of the events.
“We’ll do it again in June,” Sterling said.
One would think such events would stop those “I didn’t get my share” gripes, but then, we are talking about people in Park Forest, aren’t we?
Through Rain, Snow and Potholes
So we gripe.
No matter where you live in whatever suburb, your street probably needs to be resurfaced. There are too many bumps and cracks in the roadway. Patching does not seem to last longer than a month or two. And you wonder why those other streets in the area get more attention than the one next to your driveway.
But we have taken the pledge never again to complain about the thoroughfare in front of our shack (well, almost never) after trying to get to the drop-off mailbox in the parking lot across the street from the Park Forest Post Office. What’s left of the surface looks like a bomb demolition training ground. Potholes and craters make the short journey from street to mail box a risky adventure. Trying to a letter at night or when snow covers the ground while trying to avoid those tire-eating fissures is a test of nerve and good rubber on the tires.
The lot is government property and we have been told the Post office has asked Uncle Sam for money to repair the parking lot. Asking Uncle Sam for dollars can often be compared to asking for the winning lottery numbers ahead of time.
So, we will cast our vote for the first person who promises that when elected President of the United States that parking lot will be immediately resurfaced. Until then, and if we remember in time, we’ll park next to the Post Office and walk inside to mail that bill.
Jerry Shnay is a freelance journalist and can be reached at jerryshnay@gmail.com
