Letters to the Editor

On Sunday, Oct. 4, one could find at the pavilion in Lords Park a sense of what Elgin was like in the late 1800s. The Elgin History Fair, first designed for the city's sesquicentennial, spread out about the splendid park setting on a crispy autumn day and offered terrific fun for the young and old of our community. More than 50 adult volunteers helped the event to happen, most of them having lent their helping hands for the six-year run!

This was the second year we were able to keep the event in place so that young students might visit Elgin of long ago. Again, a mission grant of First Congregational Church enabled it to happen. Certainly, church members understand the value of such an experience for young children -- the attaching of language to experience, the "I Can Do" spirit that instills confidence, and the heightening of pride in our unique community.

While "picking up the pieces," I kept thinking of the many stories represented there -- some very old, of course -- but the ones I became consumed with were newly created: a child pumping water for the first time, wringing socks with a roller, or learning what a cakewalk is all about (choosing the gooey chocolate to take home).

Favorite images were those including Elgin High students -- more than 90 of them -- who helped to guide the hands and minds of young children. They were wonderful models in the way they interacted with the children, talking with them, listening to their questions, helping them discover the answers, and sharing the simple joy of doing something purposeful with their hands.

Bleak news seems, too often, to take center stage. I just had to put in print what a terrific experience those days in the park were for young and old students alike.

Lucy Elliott

Museum educator

Elgin Area Historical Museum

It seems like everyone but the president knows that the recession is not over.

News articles have been reporting that state and local levels of government (including Illinois and Elgin) plus school districts (including District U46) are receiving much less revenue due to the high unemployment.

Unemployment is 10.8 percent and rising. The people who are not working have little or no money to spend, so sales and their accompanying sales tax receipts are down. Also, the poor state of business is an indication in itself that our economy is still in big trouble. How could the president not know this?

Donald B. Abbs

Elgin