Heritage Festival features fun, food, fitness - Village of South Holland

6 AUGUST 2006 SOUTH HOLLAND TODAY
EDITORIAL PAGE
By Pat Mahon
Kids learn by actions, not advice…
I was recently engaged in an intense conversation
about a group of kids on a particular block who
consistently misbehave. Although the conversation
became passionate at times, it was good because it
allowed everyone to express what was truly on their
hearts and minds. What I did find interesting was
that someone was actually surprised that another
did not want to get involved because of the attitude and behavior of kids today.
I wasn’t surprised, in the least, by this sentiment. Some of the kids today are of a
different mindset than their predecessors from earlier generations. They seem to be
more defiant, less afraid of authority and very disrespectful to adults – including
their parents. I believe that most kids emulate what they see. It seems that some
members of the MTV Generation learned parenting skills from Court TV, where
people are seen fighting and screaming with very little regard for proper diction,
respect and a peaceful resolution. The next generation, in turn, becomes more
outrageous and the vicious cycle continues.
Parents who participate little in the education of their children are inflicting
generation fallout which becomes a succession of ignorance and bad mannerism
reinforced. If your child has never seen you read a book or never heard you say a
positive word about anyone or the only words you use are in simple ways related to
physical needs, then your child will be deprived of so much. Children deprived of
positive reinforcement and learning can become deprived of hope and children
deprived of hope behave delinquently.
I once heard a father say to a criminal court judge that he wanted his child put in
jail because he didn’t know what to do with him. How sad is that? It’s sad for the
parent and even more of a tragedy for the child. At a minimum I believe that father
has failed his child with hope for a better future, or a means to achieve his goals in
acceptable ways.
I actually wonder what really goes through peoples minds when they know they’re
going to become parents. Are they thinking that this is a lifelong commitment that is
one of the most important responsibilities they could ever have? Do they realize that
their world will no longer exist as it does at that moment? Do they truly understand
that after that child is born it’s no longer about them – their needs, their wants and
their desires? And, do they believe that they’ll get one chance to do it right? When
I was considering being a parent, I asked myself all of those questions and I knew the
answer was yes. I sincerely felt that I could not give of myself that much – call it
selfish or call it being painfully honest – but I realized early on my personality flaws
and I chose not to inflict any of my limitations onto an innocent, defenseless person.
I would hope that for the majority of people, it is not all work – that there is a
tremendous amount of joy in raising responsible children, and that the reward for
putting the effort and time comes in the form of being able to take pride in seeing
their children grow up into socially successful people. But for those parents who
know they are not doing everything in their power to raise healthy, respectful and
responsible adults, please wake up and rise to the challenge in order to break the
cycle. And remember, as a dear friend once told me, “Kids ears may be closed to
advice, but their eyes are always open to examples.” This I know for sure.
Ask...
South Holland Today!
By Marlene Cook
Q How do I go about getting information
about recreational activities for my
kids?
A The Parks and Recreation department
has annually published a book outlining all
activities for youth and adults and mailed it
to each resident. However, this year
residents will receive a postcard announcing
that the schedules are available online. If
you do not have a computer, one is available
for use at the library. You can also request a
printout of the schedule at the Community
Center. In addition, the South Holland
Youth Commission publishes a seasonal
calendar that can be obtained at the library,
Village Hall or from the Thornton
Township building. A list of additional
activities hosted by Thornton Township can
be obtained at the Township building, 333
E. 162 nd Street. And of course, look for
many of those announcements in South
Holland Today.
Q Is there an ordinance regarding
rental property as to who is responsible
for mowing a lawn, the homeowner or
the renter?
A An ordinance regarding maintenance
of property doesn’t explicitly name renter or
owner, but does require the property be
Rediscovering character
Words are funny things. They are living
things. Like dictators, words may be around
for a while but they change meanings, fall
from popularity, develop enemies or
disappear completely.
The word “character” is a good example.
Back in the day, “character” implied a
quality of action or being in a person that
reflected honesty, hard work, faithfulness or
other pleasing qualities. Today, “character”
is what you are. For example, a popular
television station which features a number
of eccentric stars advertises its “characters.”
In Psalm 15:1-5, King David lists a
number of desirable character traits favored
by God. Genuineness and sincerity from the
heart are high on the list. It seems no one
wants to be deceived. But, if we want
sincerity and truthfulness, we should be
sincere and truthful ourselves. In reality, not
only should our words be sincere, but so
should our lives. That means doing the right
thing and not being deceptive. We speak
volumes through our actions at home, on the
job and in our neighborhoods.
WISDOM
& ENCOURAGEMENT
FROM OUR CHURCHES
The South Holland Ministerial Association, in support of South Holland’s Village theme of
“Faith...Family...Future” endorses this monthly column.The viewpoints expressed herein are those of
the writer and do not constitute official endorsement by South Holland Today or the South Holland
Village administration.
maintained. Usually, a lease will outline just
who is responsible for what. Most times, the
renter will mow the lawn simply because
they enjoy living in a neat and clean
environment. Some landlords may hire a
landscaper to do the work. It all
depends on the relationship with
the owner and what was
signed at the time of
occupancy. One thing
is certain – if the
lawn is not
mowed, a ticket
could be issued
and then the
owner and renter
again have to determine who will pay the
fine.
Q Can just any not-for-profit organization
come into South Holland to solicit
on our street corners?
A No they cannot! Any organization
wishing to hold a tag day in South Holland
must submit an application and abide by
strict regulations. The organization must
have been registered by the state for more
than one year, have been engaged in
charitable work, and show receipts from the
previous year and provide proof of
insurance. If granted permission, the
organization must submit a statement of
receipts and distribution of funds collected.
UCLA Hall of Fame coach, John Wooden
said it well: “Be more concerned with your
character than with your reputation. Your
character is what you really are while your
reputation is merely what others think you
are.”
To accomplish this, we must be honest
with self about what is going on inside our
hearts and our lives. What is inside will
eventually come out even without our
permission. Negative habits, negative traits
and emotions cannot be stuffed down for
long. We must face them and seek change.
Life is the perfect arena for personal
change.
Take a look at Psalm 15. You may be
surprised at how many of these principles
you agree with and already try to model.
Live them. Teach them to your children,
discuss them with your family and friends.
Make character a pattern for what you think,
feel, say and do in personal and business
situations. Let’s rediscover the meaning of
the word “character” in a very personal way.
– Pastor Willard High
World Wide Church of God
Each solicitor must wear identifying
uniform or clothing, and carry a sealed
container with the organization name. If
you suspect an organization is soliciting
without a permit from the Village, notify the
police department.■
SOUTH HOLLAND
TO DAY
DAY
Managing Editor Patricia R. Mahon
Editor Mary Ann Thornton
Assistant Editor Paul Eisenberg
Production Manager Phyllis Pallay
Photographer Doris Morrissette
Correspondents
Marlene Cook, Cindy Cruz
Deidra Somerville
Printed at Park Press
SOUTH HOLLAND TODAY is published
ten times each year by the Communications
Department of the Village of South Holland
and distributed by bulk mailing to all postal
customers in South Holland Zip Code 60473.
Additional copies are available free of charge
at the Communications Department located
at the municipal complex at 16226 Wausau
Ave. South Holland Today does not accept
paid advertising.
SOUTH HOLLAND TODAY aims to
provide beneficial information to present and
potential residents, businesses, and municipal
employees so that community pride is
enhanced, investment and reinvestment in the
community are encouraged, participation in
community events is stimulated, and public
dialogue about issues affecting community
life takes place.