Are Stop Signs Now Optional?

Happy summer Greendale,

I sure hope the rain is over for a while. I even think I heard that the Village Board was preparing to erect a Mount Ararat exit sign on the freeway ramp to 76th Street.

Everyone should know that I noticed a disturbing thing while on my usual walk with my neighbor. We saw a car turning right from Northway onto Broad Street and we were very dismayed when the driver totally disregarded the stop sign and drove right through. Apparently, some of us have learned nothing from recent history. A bit later, another car went through a different stop sign on Broad Street in the same manner! Clearly, some of us consider stop signs as a recommendation rather than a law.

It was a really nice Saturday with tons of “village-y” things going on. Folks having a cup of coffee outside on Broad street, window shoppers ambling through the shops, spectators sitting under colorful umbrellas watching a Little League game, and senior citizens playing bumper cars in the Walgreen's parking lot. What could be better?

My daughter came home the other day only to find dozens of upturned plastic forks in her yard. Apparently this is the new prank fad. However getting "forked" is preferable to getting "swabbed" which is the breaking of cotton swabs and sticking the cotton tipped end into the lawn. Depending on the amount of forks or swabs used, it can take hours to remove them. Isn’t it comforting to know that our teenagers have the dedication and concentrated energy to complete such a task oriented piece of tomfoolery.

So, I was sitting down listening to the sounds of summer. Children laughing and playing, birds chirping, neighbors chatting and toddlers with their little toy lawnmowers rattling up and down the street — for what seems like hours on end. I now recall why it was that I put my grandson's toy lawnmower in a large plastic garbage bag and set it out on pick up day. Oh dear, I sound like a crotchety old grump, don't I?

Last week, I wrote about rumored plans to move our water tower into the woods. It turns out the tower will be replaced and the exact site for the new one has yet to be determined. There is information on the project on the Village’s website.

For those computer savvy individuals, you should know that you can now "friend" the Greendale Police Department on Facebook. Might be a good idea for those teenaged "eggers" to build up a relationship.

There is much good will in the Village as many deeds being done to benefit others. The Greendale Panther Athletic Booster Club had their annual golf outing that raised $12,000 for athletic programs at . I was amazed to find out that, since 1999, over $500,000 has been raised by the club to support our sports programs. A big, thank you to club president, Johnny Gardetto who has led the organization for the last four years and is handing over the reigns to Melissa Bychinski.

Greendale students are giving back to the community. The GHS football team, in an effort to make community play areas safer, helped the spread 100 yards of bark chips to various play spaces in the village. Way to go Panthers!

I have some truly disturbing news regarding the Tall Corn Contest. The corn committee has completely run out of seeds! I know there are many of you who waited until the last minute to buy your seeds and will be totally dejected to hear that you waited too long. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In lieu of a corn plant the committee will accept a “corny” joke.  Fortunately for me, I bought my seeds in time and thanks to the special chicken-leavings slurry that I douse my plant with, my corn plant is thriving. As a matter of fact, my neighbor is complaining that my plant blocks out the sun that he counts on to heat his swimming pool. But, for those of you who waited until the last minute this is your chance to join in the fun.

Now is the time to get out those 4th of July decorations. I put out some flags and other red white and blue accouterments. I even bought two pet collars in patriotic colors, each with a little dangling liberty bell.  I chose a blue one for Nosferatu. She looks quite patriotic and festive. I had selected a red one for Gump. The drops of blood from where he attacked my hand while putting it on hardly show at all. So, we're all prepared for the holiday. How about you?

Until next week.