Memories of my hero 'The Kid'
H e was called "The Kid" because he was the youngest, he explained. The men he was with told him what to do and showed him the way. Most of what he did, he learned by doing. "Baptism by fire," he would say.

New Sonic on a roll in Crest Hill
H ave you tried the new Sonic drive-in restaurant in Crest Hill? It's been a double blessing for our area. We needed a Sonic to provide great ice cream creations. It was great that one had been built in Lockport, which was considerably closer than Champaign -- the next closest Sonic, but Lockport is a half hour from Plainfield Road and Larkin Avenue.

Council free to raise your taxes
I recently read online a CNN Money article "10 States Face Financial Peril," and wouldn't you know it -- Illinois was on the list.

Hospice life-embracing choice
T he writer of Ecclesiastes states: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die..."

Keep Peterson's Law
T hank you for your replies to my column rejecting the police blotter. Comments ran five to two against, and I think I understand why. This month, I'm doubling down: I didn't want to use the name "Peterson" in any column, but I must.

Provide Medicare for everyone
M uch has been written and broadcast since early summer about the furor from the various Tea Party groups at meetings and demonstrations around the country, including some in the Joliet area. These people have been screaming loud and clear that they want the government to stay away from health care. There have even been adamant comments by many to "keep your government hands off my Medicare." It is obvious that many do not understand Medicare is government insurance and exactly what is the "public option," and the health care and insurance industries want to keep people in the dark as much as possible.

Help the poor, preserve morals
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Change needs to start with me
'I 'm starting with the man in the mirror." -- Michael Jackson

Leaders won't listen to my ideas
H ave you ever written to the politicians who represent you? I believe that it is a duty to let your public servants know how you view legislation that affects you. After all, how can they represent you if they don't know what you want?

I'll always carry God's message
I feel like an open book. I feel like I know you and shared my life with you, but with time comes change. With the new format of The Herald-News, the Common Sense columnists are being asked by management to focus on local matters.

Hearing loss my senior moment
A nother challenge of becoming a "senior" is that your hearing isn't what it used to be. What to do about it?

New water rates leave us soaked
'W here are you?" I yelled from the top of the staircase.

My special, talented gymnasts
C hicago may not have won the Olympics bid, but there are some special athletes in training for gymnastics in Plainfield.

Freedom comes with flu
R ight now I have three jobs in three different places. Well, four, if you count this column. I also have three children. Two of my children are in "The Nutcracker" this year, which involves multiple rehearsals, meals on the run, plenty of time in the car, lots of sewing, cajoling and consoling.

Give us all facts on flu outbreak
B y now, you've heard about H1N1 virus or swine flu, as it was called in the past. You can't help it. News about the virus is -- literally -- everywhere!

Two notable veterans to honor
O ne of the powers granted to our government in the Constitution is to "provide for the common defense." Since 1787 Congress and the president have used citizen soldiers to defend our country's interests during peace and war. Local veterans Jim Policandriotes and Paul Kaupas are two such examples.

Take a stand against bullying
B ullying. It's a subject we've all heard a lot about.

Bishop urges prayer for health care reform efforts
R espect Life Sunday was Oct. 4. Symbolic cradles and small crosses stand in support of the unborn, made vulnerable by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade.

Quinn fights MAP cuts he made
For weeks Gov. Pat Quinn has been speaking at colleges and universities across Illinois, encouraging students to lobby lawmakers to reinstate funding for the Monetary Award Program. MAP grants provide financial assistance to students from low-income households, but the program's budget was recently cut in half, leaving 137,000 students without assistance for the spring semester.