Inventions.

If you ever go to the patent office in Washington D.C. you will see examples of inventions on display, that at best, are rudimentary; these early inventions set the stage for many other inventions and for future adaptations.

I have to believe over time we have all thought of ideas we believe can make it big; it might be something as simple as beanie babies, silly bands, or pet rocks (all are registered in the patent office)---or an invention that saves time, lives, and/or our environment.

On our street is the home where a member of the Otis family lived; they are one of the biggest names in elevators---yet the home does not have one in it. Go figure.

An invention has to fill a need and have to be unique enough to not copy one that’s out in the marketplace---it’s fulfilling the need that really brings it to market. For example, we have an inventor in “Our Town” named Greg Dempsey. Greg has actually invented a few items, written at least one book, and has worked hard to bring something to market that is not only smart, and fills a need---but can be lifesaving.

Greg’s invention is named, “Goal Secure.” For any of you who have kids in soccer, you may have seen there is a natural attraction for kids to hang on top of the goal while they are bored during a game or just goofing around. We’ve all done it, and if we haven’t, we can probably visualize it.

It seems harmless until the goal topples over and someone is either killed or hurt very badly by the force and weight of the goal falling on them. It happens more than you think---in fact, it happened recently in Arkansas, but there are many stories of it occurring very close to “Our Town.” (I cannot imagine the pain parents go through when this happens and why parks and towns don’t have a better device to keep the goals grounded.)

Check this out…

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/10/05/earlyshow/living/parenting/main6928212.shtml (cut and paste.)

Greg developed the idea when a boyhood friend of his had it happen to him---he nearly died and it left an impression Greg could not shake until he had the answer.

He finally came up with a system that would let anyone in or around the field know the goal is not affixed properly to the ground---his early version has gone through several adaptations…just like many inventions. (The photo above demonstrates how it wraps around the base of the goal.)

As a parent with two girls in soccer, I now check for goal security before the game starts---often times I know the answer even before I approach the goal. You can see it has been moved due to the indentations in the ground or where the grass is flat because of the weight it had prior to being moved. Not a good thing once you know what can happen—and something none of us ever want to experience.

Having inventors in Our Town is something to talk about to friends, neighbors and family; however letting them know of the dangers of something so common in our everyday lives as soccer, is a much more important story to tell.

Thanks for stopping by.

American. Idol.

Tonight millions of people of all ages will be tuning into Fox TV. Whether it’s at the scheduled time or DVR’d, American Idol continues to capture the hearts of the young and not as young. I am part of the latter.

New judges, new hopefuls, and now allowing a new age of 15 years, has in my point of view created more interest in the show. (Last year was not one of the better seasons—I suspect this was a critical reason for the changes.)

If you watch the show you know more than 125,000 hopefuls gave it their best this season. Okay, thousands just wanted their 15 minutes or less of fame---I was actually better than some  and to say I have a bad voice would be like my saying we got a lot of snow. (I am telling the truth...just ask my family.)

But there are many who are very talented and "on their way."

Meet Gabi Winter who lives in “Our Town.” Although she is too young to qualify for the show, Gabi is putting in her time to be ready for American Idol or whatever is available for her now and most important, later. I first met Gabi when she was in a school talent show last year and she lived up to the word “talent.” Actually on a number of levels; sure she can sing, but she engages with the audience, slings a very large guitar around her neck (really cool look), and plays with the confidence of someone with a dream that she is determined to achieve. This is no guarantee of success of course, but these qualities are what separate the wannabees from the rest.

I also learned Gabi and her family happen to be huge "Idol" fans. There is one Idol in particular whom they are enamored with; that would be Adam Lambert, the season 8 runner up that really blew away the competition that season. He didn’t win, but I am fairly certain he is outpacing many other Idols who have released albums. When Lambert released his first album he landed on the #3 spot of the Billboard 200. (In the number one spot at that point was Susan Boyle’s “I dreamed a dream.”) He beat out Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and others...not too shabby.

This past summer, the Winter family (sans father for most of the trips) “literally” followed the Adam Lambert tour when he toured the Midwest. Last count, I believe they saw him 4 or 5 times; they also got to know other “Lambert-lovers” who stood nearby his tour bus, met the band, and as you can see above---got autographs. (Lambert’s autograph is the one front and center on the guitar.)

If you think this is an oddity, check this out; there is still a group of women (some in Glen Ellyn) who follow the Clay Aiken tour when he is on the road---or they just get together because they met when he was touring the country and they have something in common. (He too was the runner up that season—that was 7 years ago.)

American Idol continues to bring families to the TV every Wednesday and Thursday evening. With some real talent coming forward, it’s the younger ones who continue to amaze me---15 is the new magic number for the show, but if you think 15 is the starting point, check out the clip of Gabi. http://youtu.be/bDOpxlN2FiU

Thanks for stopping by.

If walls could talk.

Traveling down Main Street in “Our Town” you see some of the most beautiful structures lining the East and West sides of the street.

A fairly non-discreet sign informs you these homes were some of the earliest in what was then known as Danby, IL. Owned by some of the earliest settlers to the town, what’s remarkable is how they still remain intact and structurally sound, after in some cases more than 135 years. (I am sure today’s owners could let us know of some of the creeks and age issues of these homes, but if I were that age I would have them too!)

The homes all have rich history. You have the Benjamin Gault House on one side of the street; Gault was an ornithologist known as the “bird man,” Edgar H. McChesney House---I suspect many of us know what he started in town, the Henry Fennamore House, where a private kindergarten was taught in the residence. (Think home schooling, 137 years later.) Since it’s difficult to hear what went on in these homes, I can only believe there were some very interesting stories as the town grew and prospered.  McChesney for example sold his grocery store and later became postmaster and village president---wonder if he ever imagined his store would still be very much a part of Our Town all these years later?

There is little doubt my favorite home on the street is the former John Newton Nind house built in 1876. Nind was a farmer who lived in Bloomingdale Township and moved to this home after he retired. Nice retirement home if you ask me. Later renovation incorporated the Greek pillars to the home. I am glad someone had the foresight to add these pillars as they help create one of my favorite sites during the summer time.  Since I moved to Glen Ellyn, and there has been more than one owner of this home, one tradition has remained. Every 4^th of July, the American Flag hangs in front of the home. Not just your average 2 feet by 3 feet flag, this one is big---it is beautiful.

I am sure there have been many conversations we will never be privy to in the homes that line Main Street, but during the next few months we will learn more about the original owners who settled in them. Even without know the details of their lives, we will be able to put some interesting pieces to the puzzle together as to what took place during the early years of “Our Town.”

Thanks for stopping by.

Winter fun.

If you have driven down by Lake Ellyn you may have seen skaters on the lake. I have to be honest, I have been really wanting to lace up my CCM Tacks, grab a stick and shoot the puck around. So far it has been something I have wanted to do, but since I have not looked for my skates, the likelihood of seeing me on the lake is not good..

Winter activities look really good from warm spots like your car, home or on TV; I just really seem to enjoy the warm months. When we hear of a blizzard coming our way in the next day, this is one of the only times I would like to be in the elements. I would love to go shoot photos of stuck cars, snow drifts and all of the pictures you see from storms long ago. Sick thought I know, but it is appealing as a photographer.

Part of me is having trouble believing we are really going to get this storm, but I know our kids are sending as many prayers as they can out to whomever will listen. They want to make snowmen, sled and be out of doors....what they don't understand is, they will be literally blown away if the forecasters are right and 50 mile an hour winds are part of the storm.

The good news is...when the storm has passed, the sledding will be incredible if we can find large hills; I know the hill at Newton Park will be very crowded as it always is during the winter. Hmm...could be fun to photograph for "Our Town"

I am not sure of the largest storm that's hit Glen Ellyn, but I would have to assume it was the storm in 1967---we had nearly 2 feet. Can you imagine?

Whether or not the storm comes or passes, you can be sure it will bring out the risk takers. They will be on the lake, in the streets, and around the town. I have to say, they might just see me with my trusty Nikon camera---I cannot wait for the storm.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hunger in the suburbs.

Often we think of the suburbs as the escape from many of the problems found in the city. It sounds great, but no matter where you turn, you will find the less fortunate among the very fortunate.

In Glen Ellyn we have the “Food Pantry” located right near the train station.  What I am not surprised to learn are the number of people who have visited the pantry during this prolonged recession. Yes I realize the recession has been declared behind us, but tell that to the hungry families who have to make a choice between food and heat this time of the year. It's a very tough call they have to make.

I learned that the Food Pantry makes appointments with their clients;  you will find families and homeless people looking for help, because they are in a situation they didn’t ask for, but have been dealt with. It cannot be fun to be in this situation, but thankfully there are people who care and understand that donations are the lifeblood of this organization. Whether it’s canned goods or monetary donations, I am reasonably sure this is the worst we have seen it in many decades.

As we prepare for a blizzard that’s supposed to be here in the next 48 hours, I realize how fortunate we are to have a roof over our head, heat in our homes, and a relatively full refrigerator. With all of the children in our home, it is not long for a full refrigerator or pantry to become less than full. Throw in some friends and the food goes even faster. But we are lucky---after these particularly hard times, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

For those who have not seen the light yet, please make sure to not forget them---I am making a personal promise to visit the Food Pantry and give. I cannot imagine the challenges of not having enough food for my family or a warm spot to call home.

We do have hunger in the suburbs;  all we can hope is one day it will not be part of our society, but for now remember those who need us more than ever. It could be a neighbor or someone you don’t know---but I promise, when you give,  you will find any emptiness you have felt  filled up with knowing you have helped someone who is truly in need.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hot. Dog.

In a city known for its deep-dish pizza, there is little doubt hotdogs are right up there with its own culinary charm.

With its unique look comes an incredible dog that would never bite back. Whether it’s the tomato, mustard, seasonings or bright green relish, one thing you do not find on a Chicago dog is ketchup. Never.

Hot Dogs are a staple here in our area. You find them at restaurants around the city, on hot dog carts, and of course at stadiums---funny thing about it, they all taste really good. It’s not like a hamburger or chicken that can have wide taste swings and you really don’t know if it's going to taste good until you bite into it. When you see a good dog, you know before that first bite you are in for a real treat.

The photo above is of the “hotdog” guy. He is located at the corner of Main and Crescent in Glen Ellyn, IL. His name is Joe, has 2 boys and lives in a nearby community. Coming from a background of 10 kids in his family (8 of the 10 are girls), I am sure he knows all about “feeding a crowd.” About 3 years ago, he purchased this business from the “former hot dog” guy---they actually resemble one another---and his business has taken off.

Since Joe is part of “Our Town,” you might wonder at times, how many hot dogs does he sell? Want to know? Sorry, it’s a secret. Let’s just say if you were going to have a hot dog eating contest, you would never be able to eat that many in one sitting.

Probably one of the funniest things on his cart is the container marked, “plain.’ You shake it over your hotdog---that is, just in case you want a plain one. The container is empty and the kids shake it as hard as they can to make sure they have a good ol’ hotdog, plain and simple.

Next time you are down on Crescent and Main, stop by and see Joe, he will be happy to serve you up a good Chicago/Glen Ellyn dog.

Thanks for stopping by.

Oh the things we see and don’t see in “Our Town.”

Sometimes I see things in and around Glen Ellyn that I am not sure others would notice; no this is not a sixth sense kind of thing, it’s more of my imagination running away with me.

If you go downtown you might see a pipe or a bench that has a strange shadow that comes out when the sun hits it. Go over by the bookstore and you will see reflections from the trees and benches that make it look like they are inside the store. You have to be there at the right time, but it’s there. The same is true with “Honey.” I was taking pictures one time trying to get the right view into the restaurant and every picture had a reflection of the trees and fire station across the street in them.

What I like most is when you see something that is so ordinary, yet when there is something above and/or below it, it makes it look like a face or something completely different than what it is.

The photo above is an example. When I first saw this on the side of a brick wall it made me smile. I saw the eyes of a startled woman (it’s the eyelashes that bring it to life) the small little nose and a mouth that is quite unusual. Bring it all together and these common items you find on a building create a funny face with real personality. I still like this picture.

One day, when the sun is coming up or going down…go for a walk to the center of town. Look at the benches, pipes and anything else that sticks out—you will see how the shadows create something that will make you take a second and maybe third look. If you really like it, you just might do what I did---take a picture.

Thanks for stopping by.