As I was covering last night's Morris City Council meeting I was reminded once again why I so desperately want to become a Morris resident.
A couple months ago Herb Wyeth, who many of you know as the man in charge of Morris Cruise Nights, approached the village about upgrading its downtown speaker system. Wyeth said the cruise night committee would donate $2,500 toward the project along with all the time and work needed to get the project done.
The city of course was appreciative and paid for the remaining $3,485. Home for the Holidays also contributed $2,500.
The speaker upgrade will play music during cruise nights and everyday of the week louder and clearer.
This past weekend Wyeth and some friends spent not only Saturday, but Sunday too installing the new speakers.
Alderman Don Hansen took a moment at the council meeting to express his appreciation for the six volunteers: Wyeth, Kevin Schaefer, Dale Santerelli, Robin Thorson, Rance Welsch and Brian Hennigan.
Not only did these men put 36 new speakers up on the light polls on Liberty Street, but also they noticed damage to some of the equipment holding the old speakers and offered to repair the damage.
I'm not sure if all these men are from Morris, but regardless of whether they live there or just spend a lot of time there, they consider it their community and rather than just enjoy it and take it for granted, they are contributing.
And another community member noticed this and returned the favor. Owner of Ebbey George's, Frank Varner, gave the volunteers a free lunch.
It seems whenever something could use some improvement in town, the city and/or its residents step up. Whether its donating money so that programs to help the needy can continue, donating food during a slow period for We Care's food pantry or the city finding money in the budget to upgrade some speakers - it seems to always get done.
The residents, businesses and employees in and around Morris all seem to have this sense of belonging and responsibility to their town and county. That is what community is.
It is these small things that make up a community that don't always make it to the few pages we have in the daily Herald News. But that is the hope with this blog, to highlight what may not make it to press, but deserves to be known.
And like everywhere there are things that upset the businesses, residents and employees of the town and county, and we'll write about that too.
But in order to write about as much as possible we have to know about it. So please don't hesitate to comment on this blog and fill us in on what you'd like to read about.
Maybe you disagree with my opinion on Morris, tell me why. Maybe there's other things that make it such a fine community, tell me that too.
The nice thing about blogs is that it makes me available 24 hours. I look forward to forming this new connection with all of you.
Mallory Medved is an assistant managing editor of weekly publications for
the Sun-Times News Group. She helps cover the Lincoln-Way area and towns
southwest of Joliet. Being naturally nosy has led her to a career in
journalism and fulfilled her dream of getting paid to read. Being a new
homeowner and a future bride, she's also perpetually broke, but enjoys
hearing about other people in the same situation. She lives in Plainfield
but is a native of New Lenox.
Christina Chapman is a Will County resident who desperately wants to live in Grundy County. But since she lost that battle with her boyfriend when they bought a house, she makes due covering Grundy County news for The Herald News in Joliet. When not covering municipal meetings, school events and finding the truth behind the latest coffee talk, she is trying to balance life as a young home owner who is fighting the stereotype that she is living in sin because she is not yet married. She hopes to share with you her perspective on life and the news in hopes that you’ll share yours.
Christina -
You are right on - ONE of the great things that makes Morris a great town is the sense of community... another is the great downtown experience. The upgraded sound system will be enjoyed by residents and visistors throughout the year! Thanks to the organizations who donated the funding and the volunteers to installed it!