Project Easter Hat

Happy Easter and a day for those who celebrated over the weekend.

Our family is Eastern Orthodox, so we ae entering Holy Week this week. And I have a fun post to share with you today.

Anyone who's followed this blog for some time knows I rarely post photos of myself, mostly because I want to post interesting content, and photos of me typically aren't very interesting.

Today is an exception.

Fun fact: I love hats. I also have a large collection of hats, most of which were gifts.

In 2017, I needed a new Easter hat for my favorite blue dress. The dress is as old as child number four (Timothy), making the dress thirty-one years old. So to extend the life of the dress, I usually only wear it a few times a year and always at Easter.

So while trying different hats, Rebekah started snapping photos, and I got into the mood with goofy expressions. We could only afford one hat at the time, so none of the ones in the photos came home with me, not because they weren't good hats but because they didn't go with the dress.

The first photo is of actual hats I currently own.

Happy Monday and keep smiling!

"Around Town"

 A few years ago, when The Herald-News still had a local features section in print, I ran a photo series called "Around Town."

Our photo editor at the time was talking about a series he saw a journalist run on Instagram. Whenever that journalist went somewhere, that person took a photo of him or herself and the press badge at the location.

I thought it was a great idea, except for the selfies. Since I am known for my hats, I figured a hat and press bage was more interesting. And it was an easy and interesting way to give local places of interest in the community a shout-out.

So in honor of celebrating the start of my ninth year at The Herald-News in an offical capacity (I freelanced for fifteen years before that), here are some of my "Around Town" photos (the ones I could find, anyway).

Brewed Awakenings in Morris

American Legion Post 1080

Joliet Junior College's Thrive restaurant

Jody's Hot Dogs, Joliet

Former YMCA, downtown Joliet (now senior apartments. I learned to swim in this building, back in the day).

Book and Bean Cafe, Joliet Public Library, Black Road branch

Forest Preserve District of Will County, Joliet Junction

Joliet Park District's Glen Marcum Playground at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School

Aurelio's, Plainfield

The Book Market, Crest Hill

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre, Joliet

Casey's General Store, Channahon

McKinley Woods, Channahon

Joliet Public Library, Black Road branch

Marathon Gas Station, Joliet

Bolingbrook Golf Club

Bonny's Bistro, Joliet

Diamand's Restaurant, Joliet (sadly, closed permanently during COVID)

Saint Joseph Medical Center, Joliet

Lions Park, Minooka

Crystal Lawns Church of the Nazarene, Joliet

Louis Joliet Mall, Joliet

Somza Thai Cuisine, Joliet

Gallery Seven, Lockport

Regency Care, Morris

Motor Mat, Joliet

Easterseals Joliet Region, Joliet

Bus bench advertising Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties

Giarrante's Barber Shop, Joliet

White Fence Farm, Joliet

Old Fashioned Pancake House, Joliet

Arrowhead Ales, Joliet

Joliet Area Historical Museum (hat and press pass is on top of the sign on the faaarrrrr left)

Gattos in New Lenox

Will County Brewing, Shorewood

Jagged Edge, Joliet

Cathedral of St. Raymond, Joliet

Mystery photo (meaning I can't remeber if this is the Old Fashioned Pancake House or Silver Spoon. Thoughts?)