I don’t know about you but…
I think that if you live in Kewanee, September is special simply for the fact that the Hog Days Festival is usually held the first weekend of the month (see The Hog Herald for more details and yes the show must go on even without the presence of Big Lar). For me, the month is special because it is my birth month. Also, it historically coincides with the beginning of the high school, college and professional football seasons. It is absolutely a special time of year.
Speaking of football, I don’t know about you but…
The NFL preseason is ridiculous. In my opinion it is entirely too long and should be cut in half. I simply refuse to pay attention to it. I believe that the NFL preseason is structured as it is just to line the pockets of the owners, usually at the expense of the season ticket holders and the players. I know they are at a different level, but the high School and college football teams seem to put out an entertaining product with all the “practice” games. Are you kidding me?
Before I go on about September, there are a couple of past things I would like to discuss.
I don’t know about you but…
I think that Chicago is a great place to visit, but I really wouldn’t want to live there. Mrs. Christakos and I had an occasion to visit the Windy City early in August for a family wedding. First of all, there are simply too many people that live and visit Chicago. I guess I was spoiled living in the Hog Capital where for 33 years my idea of a traffic jam was when four cars would arrive at the 4-way stop at the corner of Second and East Streets simultaneously on my way to Kewanee High School. Secondly, it is just too expensive. We stayed at a Michigan Avenue Hotel. $79 for overnight valet parking and $35 per person for hotel continental breakfast was just the start. Really? I am firmly convinced that at our current income, we would be living below the poverty level if we resided full time in the greater Chicago area!
I don’t know about you but…
With school starting in August, I would like to take this opportunity to wish three new administrators at District 229 the best. I know two very well. I worked with District 229’s new superintendent Rebecca Bainey for many years and have watched her grow as an administrator the last two years at KHS.
Amanda Minx takes over as principal at Irving school. I have known her since kindergarten as she was a classmate of my son throughout her schooling in Kewanee and once was a student of mine. I feel very strongly that she has done her due diligence and is ready to take on the challenges of her new position.
Amanda Tidwell takes over as the new Kewanee High School principal. I have met and talked with her several times and my first impression has been favorable. All three have been given tremendous responsibilities. Good luck to long and successful careers in their new positions
I don’t know about you but…
There is a happening that makes this September even more special for me. The Kewanee High School football team from 1993 that I coached is being inducted into the Kewanee High School Hall of Fame on the evening of Sept. 21. It is an event that I am really looking forward to, and in my opinion, is somewhat overdue. I have been having a blast in editing a video presentation of highlights to be shown before the ceremony. I am also looking forward to seeing the players and coaches who will be able to attend and share something that was a very special time in our lives.
I don’t know about you but…
I believe that the Kewanee High School Hall of Fame Committee does a wonderful job at organizing and coordinating the entire weekend celebration. I would also like to offer my congratulations to all the other inductees.
I don’t know about you but…
I would like to wish the Boilermakers and the Titans good luck in not only the upcoming football season, but for all the fall sports. I had an opportunity to present a program at a recent Kiwanis meeting that consisted of Matt Taylor, head football coach of the Kewanee Boilermakers, and Tony Gripp, head football coach of the Annawan-Wethersfield Titans. In my opinion the communities, schools and more importantly, the parents, should feel very comfortable with the leadership that these two coaches and their staffs are providing for their respective programs.
I don’t know about you but…
I am glad the temperatures will be more moderate in September. I am getting tired of having to have a long sleeve garment available when the temperature indexes are exceeding 90 degrees. I mean if I enter a hotel, restaurant or any kind of store, I seem to need some kind of extra garment to keep from freezing during my stay inside. Seems like a waste of energy to me. Are you kidding me?
I don’t know about you but…
I would like to congratulate The Kewanee Voice on the acquisition of a new office on Tremont Street between the Salvation Army and the Kewanee Historical Society. An Open House is being scheduled for some time later in September or even October. Stay tuned for the announcement of the date and stop by and pay them a visit. I think you will be impressed.
I don’t know about you but…
I think it is time to conclude this edition. I do so with the thought of the month. It comes from a bumper sticker that is apropos to September being my birth month. “Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.”
Remember that September is a great month for taking a nap. Heck, sometimes I even fall asleep while watching football on TV!
