A reality & reminders of yesterday

Watching area children hunt for Easter eggs Saturday brought back memories of my early years. They were years filled with Easter dinners, services and time spent with Grandma. It was time that I wish I could enjoy once more. So, no, Easter isn't all about bunnies and candy for me.

The real significance of God's gift has not eluded me. But the holiday offers reminder of good times with Grandma. As children scoured Krape Park and Trinity United Methodist Church for eggs, I hoped memories were etched on their minds, too.

Ed Bradley In The Making

A 10-year-old Damon Weaver appeared on 20/20 Friday. Weaver, a budding journalist, has gained notoriety for attempting to snag an interview with President Barack Obama. So far, he's been unsuccessful. However, Weaver did interview Vice President Joe Biden. While waiting for the ultimate opportunity, he highlighted his hometown—Pahokee, Fla. It's no Mayberry.

Weaver lives in a “sundown town.” (No, not that kind of sundown town.) Playing outside after the sun sets isn't an option. That's when the gun play begins. The little Ed Bradley wannabe tried painting a picture of life in Pahokee.

That included talking to his friend, who lost a father to gun violence. Weaver needs to perfect his interviewing skills, though. But then, he's only 10-years-old. I give him an A for effort.

Finally, A New Dog

Agreeing with Newt Gingrich something I hadn't expected. However, our nation's obsession with the Obamas' new dog is more than stupid. Unless, Bo, a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog, can save the auto and banking industries, it's not the biggest story. But I'm still glad Malia and Sasha have a new furry friend.

An Anniversary

Nearly 2,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial Sunday, according to the Associated Press. They flocked to the landmark to commemorate an historic day. Renowned contralto Marian Anderson became the first African-American to sing on its steps in 1939. Eleanor Roosevelt orchestrated the performance, after the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) refused to let her perform.

African-American opera star Denyce Graves paid homage to Anderson in song, wearing one of the late star's gowns.

Angels clothing kids and stacking cups

Angels are everywhere. They come in so many forms. Those beings may not be your typically divine winged ones. Freeport School District 145 family resource coordinators, Deb Stukenberg and Cheerie Cregan qualify as angels.

Humanity and humility is a strong suit. Anticipating an objection to my comparison isn't a stretch. However, in my book, people focusing on the needs of children are more than special.

Walking into donated Stewart Centre office space Friday was inspiring. Joking, laughing and friendship filled the room. Clothing needy District 145 students brought Stukenberg, Cregan, Laurie Jurs and Vicky Coffman together. Reaching that goal helped inspire a bond. They've become sisters on mission.

While Stukenberg and Cregan are community activists, Jurs, Coffman and Cindy Phillips serve as District 145 family resource coordinators Center, Taylor Park and Lincoln-Douglas schools, respectively. Surrounded by neatly hanged coats and folded clothing, Jurs wondered about the impact of their work. Would the students remember? Jurs answered her own question -- former students haven't forgotten her.

A student from Champaign-Urbana still remembers his new boots. Accompanied by a school social worker, the then third-grader -- me -- to Andy's Shoes in Champaign. Getting something new was a relatively rare and special. So, some District 145 students and I have something in common. Our families needed help.Thankfully, concerned people mobilized to help me and District 145 students.

A Star in The Making

Watching 5-year-old Domminick Alber sport stacking never ceases to be amazing. Seeing him stack cups leaves me speechless. (Now, there's a feat.) The action in the living room of his Stephenson Street was unbelievable. Witnessing Domminick's performance in Joanne Gallagher's fifth grade classroom at Lena-Winslow Elementary School was beyond description.

By the way, sport stacking involves stacking specially made cups. The activity is slated to do wonders for one's eye-hand coordination. Sport stacking began in the 1980s in California. The sport gained national prominence, thanks to a segment on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. For more information, visit www.speedstacks.com.

His stacking continued being breathtaking. However, what happened after Domminick's demonstration proved just as intriguing. Being a celebrity came easy to him. He welcomed the students who clamored for autographs. Domminick's signature landed on scraps of paper and a shirt.

A sport stacking is born.

Remembering fallen warriors, town cheerleader

Knowing that could've been you is an intimidating feeling. That reality probably swept over Army Spc. Paul McCleskey March 27, 2009. McCleskey visited the Stephenson County All Veterans Memorial Park.

Sadness and irony was in the air. McCleskey stood among monuments to fallen soldiers after paying his respects to the late Spc. Norman Cain III. Cain and McCleskey served on the same base in Aghanistan. However, the young warriors didn't serve side by side.

Freedom has never been free. Cain became another hero who paid the price. He joins the spirits, which hover around the memorial park. As people stroll there, let them remember Cain and his fellow fallen comrades. When they gaze at the Gold Star Memorial, let them remember families of those lost in war.

A Community Cheerleader

Pretzel City will be forever synonymous with Valeria Wiegand. Attempts to add variety to my stories, Pretzel City became an apt replacement for Freeport. Doing so earned me a call from Wiegand. She was pleased the moniker was getting promoted.

Eventually, Wiegand tapped me as an honorary member of Pretzel City USA. Every community needs a cheerleader. Though Wiegand has not been the only avid supporter of Freeport, she made a siginificant impact. Wiegand even helped save the waterfall on Flagstaff Hill in Krape Park.

Valeria, when I eat a pretzel, I'll think of you.

Playing With Dolls

Boys aren't supposed to play with dolls. That "conventional wisdom" hasn't stopped them. A handmade Raggedy Andy doll is among my prized possessions. Being my Grandma's painstaking creation makes it valuable.

While my doll's history is archived in my mind (he was made when I was 3-years-old), the past of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls no longer has a home. The museum, located in Arcola, Ill., dedicated to their legacy closes in December.