Actor Harry Morgan passed away today.
I first saw Harry Morgan on the small screen as Officer Bill Gannon with a phlegmatic but light touch to Jack Webb’s always-by-the-book Sgt. Joe Friday in the TV Drama “Dragnet”. For more than 100 movies, Mr. Morgan played Western bad guys, characters with names like Rocky and Shorty, loyal sidekicks, judges, sheriffs, soldiers, thugs and police chiefs.
Wonderfully versatile and talented actor!
Panhandling is a persistent issue in the commercial districts in Oak Park. In large part it is due to the generosity of those who live in Oak Park. However, many panhandlers may be asking for money for reasons other than food, clothing and shelter.
We have the good fortune to have many resources in our community that help those who are truly in need. These is not one of these agencies who are in need your support to continue doing the valuable work they do.
One way to show your concern for those who are needy is to hand out Palm Cards instead of cash when approached by a panhandler this holiday shopping season in Oak Park. The Palm Cards offer a list of organizations that can help someone in need, as well as a list of overnight shelters.
Palm Cards are available from Downtown Oak Park Merchants, or click here for a printable version.
From a friend down in Louisiana…
It’s a slow day in Mamou, Louisiana. The sun is beating down, and the streets are deserted. Times are tough, everybody is in debt, and everybody lives on credit.
On this particular day a traveling Shreveport salesman is driving through town. He stops at the Hotel Cazan and lays a $100 bill on the desk saying he wants to inspect the rooms upstairs in order to pick one in which to spend the night.
As soon as the man walks upstairs, Bosco, the owner, grabs the bill and runs next door to pay his debt to Boudreaux the butcher. Boudreaux takes the $100 and runs down the street to retire his debt to Trosclair the pig farmer.
Trosclair takes the $100 and heads off to pay his bill at T-Boy’s Farmers Co-op, the local supplier of feed and fuel.
T-Boy, at the Farmer’s Co-op, takes the $100 and runs to pay his debt to the local “lady of the night,” Clarise, who has also been facing hard times and has had to offer her “services” on credit.
Clarise rushes to the hotel and pays off her room bill with Bosco, the hotel owner. Bosco then places the $100 back on the counter so the travelling salesman will not suspect anything.
At that moment the salesman comes down the stairs, picks up the $100 bill, states that the rooms are not satisfactory, pockets the money, and leaves town. No one produced anything. No one earned anything. However, the whole town is now out of debt and now looks to the future with a lot more optimism.
It’s amazing what a Economic Stimulus will do for a community…
Veterans Day is, officially, Friday, November 11th. Please take some time on Friday or over the weekend to thank our veterans and their families for their sacrifice and service to our country!
November 11th was originally celebrated as Armistice Day – the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In the enabling legislation that was passed in 1938, the 11th of November was “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.’ As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.”
Fast forward to 1954, when after both World War II and the Korean Action, the 83rd Congress – at the pointed prodding of veterans – amended the law by striking out “Armistice” and inserting the word “Veterans.” So did it come that we honor veterans on the 11th of November, every year.
Of course with everything else, Congress just can’t seem to keep things simple, so we celebrate Veterans Day on Monday the 14th of November, this year. But do yourself a favor and remember our veterans – both living and past. And don’t forget their families, too!
Grilled chicken and corn on the cob
Traditionally, Labor Day marks the end of Summer. And many are looking forward to the start of the NFL and College Football – anything to get away from the dismal campaign of the Chicago Cubs or White Sox …
And – Yes, Sally, it is OK to wear white after Labor Day.
A Quick reminder… Schools are back in session, so everyone look out for kids going to and from classes. Drive Defensively! Sometimes, they are not looking out for you.
We hope that everyone will have a safe and relaxing Labor Day.