Wyss: March in Midwest a character-builder
Here we are, enduring the month that gives us Midwesterners that flattering moniker of “sturdy folk.”
Gray, bone-chilling days. Crazy winds that blow garbage everywhere and topple trees onto your boat just hours after you’ve talked with the mechanic who preps it for the superior sunny days to come.
Mmmm, gotta love March. Especially when it arrives with a sinus infection that threatens to linger until April.
Were it not for St. Patty’s Day, my birthday and the birthdays of several friends, Midwestern March would be better to sleep through than live through.
Cranky? No, not me. Not in my favorite month of the year in paradise gazing out at the brown, lifeless landscape.
I was always so jealous of childhood friends who had summertime birthdays. Dirty rats with their outdoor parties, wearing shorts and skipping around under sprinklers.
Mom tried to make the best of it for me, scheduling my late March parties at the Just For Fun Roller Rink, where if we wanted, we could go ahead and wear shorts – or better yet that red corduroy skating skirt – even if it was snowing outside, as often was the case.
If you, too, are dragging a bit in these final gray days of winter, here are a few things to look forward to in the weeks ahead.
Girls Just Want To Have Fun: Dora Lee Johnson, with the help of Marianne Ruiz and Johnson’s sister, Dale Ann Levand, has coordinated an afternoon of revelry for the ladies from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. March 28 at the McHenry VFW.
Enjoy food, drink, shopping, raffles and a bachelor auction while raising money for the FISH Food Pantry; the McHenry VFW Cooties, a group that assists disabled veterans; and the Pets in Need animal shelter and fostering agency of Ringwood.
My Sister’s Dress: It’s a great time of year to go through the closet and pull out items we no longer need.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County is collecting dresses for its second annual My Sister’s Dress Project.
New and nearly new formal gowns, shoes and accessories are wanted.
The average price of attending high school prom has climbed to about $500, said Emily Ruth, chairwoman of the event. “Many teenagers would be unable to attend prom without this extraordinary opportunity to purchase a dress for only $20.”
Dress drives are ongoing through April 10 in anticipation of the April 18 sale. Proceeds will go to BBBS.
These locations are accepting donations: American Community Bank in Crystal Lake, McHenry and Woodstock; Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County in McHenry; and Star 105.5 in Crystal Lake.
Stellar ideas to put some spring in our steps.
• Cyndi Wyss is a Northwest Herald community editor. She can be reached at 815-526-4534 or cwyss@nwherald.com.