I never turn down a chance to get something for nothing, or at least something of large value for a few minutes of my time.
That includes a chance for a 40-inch smart television set, a $250 charge card, four tickets and parking passes to a White Sox baseball game, or even something called a “Nutri Ninja Auto IQ Blender,” which it must be assumed blends things.
So that’s one reason why I’ll see you at Park Forest’s sixth annual Midsummer Madness event July 20 as downtown merchants showcase their wares, dangling the aforementioned goodies as prizes.
All I need to do is register at Dining on the Green, visit various stores and wait for my number to be called. If you miss out on the big prizes, there are more than 20 gift baskets, donated by merchants that can be carried away if your raffle ticket and tickets, based on the number of businesses you visit on Main Street that day, is drawn.
As well as the business community promotions, the Veterans Closet and Resource Center, in its new headquarters at 351 Founders Way, will hold a silent auction and raffle in its first fundraising venture. While businesses contribute to the “Madness” event, the Veterans Closet is asking the public for donations to make its auction successful.
And that’s another reason I’ll be there.
I’ve chatted in print about the Closet and its mission to provide all veterans in need and their families with basic household items. The list includes everything from furniture, pots and pans, shoes, clothing and even clothes hangers. There is no cost. Come and take what you need veterans were told. Payment consists of a person’s previous military service to the United States. Thanks for your service.
The Closet began last year as the aftermath of Park Forest’s community garage sale. Items not bought were stored in a cramped space on Forest Boulevard. That small area could not accommodate large items and the Fire Department said the site had to shut down. One way in and out was not good enough. The new space on Founders Way is bigger, brighter and better.
The Park Forest Veterans Commission will use the proceeds of the silent auction and raffle to expand its mission to include the ability providing both mental health and employment resources.
In the words of the TV pitchman, “and that’s not all.” This is the third reason why I’ll be there.
The “Madness” takes place between 5-6:30 p.m. and will be followed by the village’s “Main Street Nights” on the Village Green. Jim No sci will bring his popular “Cold-Blooded Creatures” back again, and the Top Mac Group knitting American, English and Cuban music.
Silent Fireworks
We used to have dogs as pets and all were part of our family. For the most part they were gentle and easy to care for, except, of course for the week of July 4. All you dog lovers understand why. A dog’s acute hearing makes it more sensitive to sharp and sudden loud noises. The sound of fireworks drove our now cowering and cringing animal companions into corners, under beds and in one case with one of our animals, in a bath tub.
It’s probably worse for dogs that reside in homes around Central Park during the annual concussive fireworks show.
About the only way to calm these pets is to use silent fireworks. There are companies that do that, sacrificing the concussive bangs for softer, warmer display of flashes and lights. None of these firms are in this country, however, and according to reports, there are no plans for silent fireworks shows any time soon.
We Americans seem to like a lot of noise and bombast. It’s so much like an election.
Jerry Shnay is a freelance journalist and can be reached at [email protected] More Top Picks Best Toilet Paper