The Measure of a Man

Over 30 years ago, I had the extreme pleasure to meet the parents of a friend when we visited him in Iowa City. Dr. Albert Hieronymus and his wife took my fiance and I into their family where we remained until his death earlier this month. A dear sweet man who was gentle as he was intelligent, real as he was talented, and loving as he was renown academically and in his community.

On the outside, Al looked like an Iowa farmer, if I had to categorize him by first impressions. Working with the Earth, did turnout to be one of his passions, but he was so much more than that. A professor at the University of Iowa until his retirement in 1987, he also developed the Iowa Basic Skills Test. He was married for 63 years to the mother of his five children, Wilfreda, was a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and a friend to many. His door was always open and he always had an extra hand to help someone out.

I had the chance to see him for the first time since his wife died this June. More frail and sedentary(with the years taking toll on his 89 year old body), sadder and maybe lonelier than he was when he had his soul mate by his side, and yet he was still a vital force in his family's lives and a big part of all their hearts. His fragility made little difference when he greeted us at his home.

His memorial service this weekend was filled with people he touched in big and small ways. Each with a special story about what he meant to them. Although, I could not be there I shared with his son, John (still a dear friend), how I felt about the loss of this very special man. All who knew him was better for being able to share time with him. I am just one of a multitude who will miss him dearly.

Six Years and Counting...

Tuesday marks the sixth anniversary of 9/11. When you think of all the changes that have happened since this national tragedy took place, it seems much longer. Yet, in my mind's eye I can't help but wonder how could that morning be so long ago?

Counting the lives lost on that day(3047) and from the War in Iraq(3753), the cost is very high indeed. 6800 people have died fighting this war on terrorism with no end in sight. I pray for each and every member of our military over there, but I can not say I think it is right to continue to send over the precious future of this country as a sacrifice in a political operation.

Being proud of the men and women who feel so strongly that they are doing the right thing is one thing. Allowing the government and different branches of our Armed Services to manipulate these young people by promising incentives to get them to join the ranks is whole other one. These soldiers are doing the right thing, yet because of politics these kids are being destroyed. Almost 4000 have died since May, 2003. How many more have been maimed, psychologically damaged, and re-deployed over and over again with little to show for the minimal progress reported by our military leaders?

Recognitions for 9/11 victims, first responders, and our military personnel are one way to show the public has not forgotten these brave souls. I would like to see our government put an end to the killing by bringing our citizens home. Let the Middle East countries deal with their own problems in their own way. Let's start healing America. Until next time...

Open Letter to Anonymous

Open Letter to Anonymous

Hey, I received a comment from an anonymous post that was amazed I would suggest writing for a paper that I called a rag. The following is my open response to that anonymous person explaining how I could have the audacity to suggest an idea that I know I could write quite easily and maybe bring back the kind of newspaper that people actually enjoyed reading. At one time I was proud to write for my hometown newspaper. Now, I don't even recognize it.
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Dear Anonymous:
The paper has turned into a rag. As I said there are some good writers already at the News-Sun as I used to be, but they are buried by the tabloid and sensationalism that permeates the publication. It makes me very sad not as a writer, but by being a lifetime reader (until very recently) for the lack of content in its present state.

I want the paper to be better and I think there is a chance to save it from being the rag it is now. I keep suggesting ideas that can be used with or without me that would interest the average Lake Countian. Only, if the management was willing to take the hard road and make it a quality paper again.

I have nothing to lose not writing for the paper or writing for it. I have proven my worth as a writer, I have made some very wonderful friendships, and gotten a lot of respect from some very good people in Lake County. You have come into this area quite recently and have no idea what makes this community tick, but I do. This isn't just some overinflated ego talking; it is the truth. You shortchange the intelligence of the people who purchase your paper or even still subscribe to it.

Take a poll of your readers to see if they are enamored by the format, choice of headlines, and byline pictures with writers heads cut-off. The present version that is filled with nonsense about topics with no substance or (keeping the paper orientation the same) going back to real stories for people that actually like to read. I know what scenario would win without a doubt. That is the paper I want to write for.

Each idea that I gave was mentioned with me writing it because I love to write and I would love the challenge, but any good writer could do it. Don't sell my suggestions short because of my comments. There are plenty of professionals right there to choose from. Each editorial not published, each suggestion not taken, each commentary on local news ignored or cut, shows how low the standard has become. Even the News Hound can't carry a discussion online without reverting to childish bullying.

People keep asking me to write another column. I said I couldn't do it the way the paper is now and that your paper made it clear they didn't want me to. I keep hoping for change, but I am not holding my breath. Don't think my $180 a month loss is worth begging for a chance to bring this paper back to the land of the living. Yet working for a quality publication that is respected throughout the county is definitely a priceless feeling to only dream about at the present time.

The people I know (from all walks of life) know why I left in the first place. I have been honest about my departture from the start. Even doing an editorial apologizing for leaving like I did. It was never published either.

Are you up to the challenge for making the Lake County News-Sun a winner? Prove to me I am wrong! Make it more than a rag and kick the Daily Herald's butt. Right now it is the better paper and it doesn' even cover all of Lake County. That paper has no heart, but at least people have something to read about instead of looking at the pictures.
Not afraid to use my name,
Odie Pahl draft

The Buzz in Lake County

Happy Labor Day Weekend, Ya' All!
I've been thinking again and two thoughts come to mind. First and foremost, I have given the Lake County News-Sun a fair shot for the last couple of months when I re-subscribed to the troubled newspaper. Although there are some fine journalists and very decent photographers who are lost in the obnoxious format somewhere, I have to say there is no hope for this daily. I am canceling my subscription for the last time. My husband doesn't even look at it anymore.

I do have to mention that I have tried to contact the paper with suggestions on how to get the readers of old interested in reading more than the obituaries (tell me the truth, you go there first right?!) or movie times, but to no avail. They do not like me anymore. Maybe because I do speak the truth and I am convinced I could class the paper up just a bit, regardless we don't converse. Even responding to The News Hound, which I thought would be interesting, turned out to be just an ego-thing for the anonymous perpetrator of this feature. The News-Sun is just a rag and the Daily Herald needs some serious life zapped into it. Or is it time for a transplant? Either way the readers are left with nothing much.

So, I give-up on having a voice in Lake County other than this site I am writing on now. It is a shame that the News-Sun has become a shadow of greatness and the Daily Herald doesn't care about us on the North Shore. How a paper can dismiss 100,000+ readers is so beyond my comprehension I can't even to hazard a guess what is going on through their simple minds. Unless, maybe they have a secret arrangement between the publishers not to cross into each other's territory. Hmmmm? Could that be it?

Second- no, I did not forget about my precious second thought. Wouldn't it be great to have a totally online daily Lake County paper? Not just the reworking of the tired old rags we have going on these days, but an au courant version that lets the people, who use the internet, a spot to check on things and stay up-to-date with the local news!!

What do you think? I am really going to look into doing this. Let me know if you think this will fly. Heck, I have never tried to be a publisher before. Until next time...

The 100 Year Flood is Here Again

Since living in the Gurnee area, I have experienced about four floods which is about three more than I should have when referring to a 100 year flood or even a 20 year flood pattern. I am blessed that it has never touched my home. For all the people who continue to be threatened by the DesPlaines River or farther west by the Fox River, I keep you in my prayers.

For all the volunteers who have chosen to help with sandbags in our community center either at schools, churches, or private homes, we are all in your debt. For all the businesses who opened up their hearts and donated goods,food, and assorted supplies during the sandbag process, thank you for keeping the teams going.

Also, the employees of the Village and District 56 Schools, who went far beyond what a paycheck is required, You are the BEST!!! The hours, the physical labor, and most importantly the dedication and commitment you showed is nothing less than heroic. Finally, for the others who dropped their daily responsibilities to help a community in need...Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This is what life should be about,isn't it?

Gurnee is a great community and I am grateful to be part of it. We will overcome this latest adversity as we always do-TOGETHER! This is what makes Gurnee an absolutely amazing place to raise a family and I am proud to be connected with all of you. Bless you all. Until next time...

Gurnee Days 2007

It is that time again. Gurnee Days Weekend is here and that means the weather is hot!! In almost 30 years of participation, I can remember only one cool and rainy parade day. Most of the others have been 90+ degrees and this woman who wilts in the sun still enjoys the festivities each year.

I hope you were able to visit Viking Park to check out the tents filled with local business interests and pick up some great giveaways, the Ribfest with the Breakfast Exchange Club, the fabulous fireworks, and the wonderfully long parade on Sunday. My family has always been involved in Gurnee Days in one form or another. My oldest won a ribbon on her first birthday in the baby contest. She was named the baby with the "Prettiest Smile" and she still does.

This year the honors for the Grand Marshal duties goes to Dr. Ben Martindale who was feted at a testimonial dinner at Midlane Country Club on Thursday night. He was chosen as the 2007 Honoree by the Gurnee Days Corporation. It was a great evening with the chance to catch-up with some old friends and to get to know some new ones.

There is a large base of home-grown Gurnee residents who have made some wonderful contributions to Lake County and I am so grateful to have gotten to know them. Not to ignore the community members like myself who have made the Gurnee area home- from the highest in public office to little old me, Gurnee has no shortage of vested individuals making a difference every day. This definitely includes Ben Martindale, who during his tenure in Gurnee has contributed way beyond his administrative role in our schools.

After 20 years in Gurnee District 56, the retired superintendent is taking the reins in Round Lake. He will have his hands full with that, I imagine. Gurnee and especially District 56 will miss him bunches. Dr. Ben I hope you enjoyed your weekend and good luck on future endeavors.

My old employer, the Lake County News-Sun, will be blogging starting on August 13th with some top secret bloggers in charge named the News Hound and News Swami. I hope it will lead to some interesting commentary. Maybe, I will even have to join into a discussion or two.

In the announcement article today, they cited 12 million people who have blogs and about 57 million adults read them. I guess we will all be in good company with that kind of readership. Of course, I am very partial to this particular blogspot and they were right about it being easy to start one. Even I can do it. Until next time...

A Bit of Paradise

Each year my family joins my sister-in-law's family at their cabin by a small lake in Upper Wisconsin. It is still the best few days of any summer. Rain or shine, we are just glad to be together for a little R and R. Of course, having some hot, sunny days doesn't hurt.
The picture on the left was taken when we went for a walk after dinner and before the evening's bonfire. You could hear the loon's call in the background and almost nothing else, as we called it a day. An absolutely awesome day at that!