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August 31, 2008

BY BARBARA GREENBERG The Commercial-News Sun Aug 31, 2008, 08:35 PM CDT

DANVILLE — What’s the real meaning of Christmas and Easter? Who should we honor on Memorial Day? And who in the world was Casimir Pulaski?

While these and other questions come up about different holidays each year, it seems that one holiday has made an almost uniform impression on the hearts and minds of local residents.

On Labor Day, according to most people surveyed in an informal Commercial-News poll, we celebrate working men and women.

Here’s what a sample of local residents had to say about today’s holiday.

-- Lisa Dunham of Danville said she knows the reason behind Labor Day based on her family background.

“My grandfather was big in the unions in Chicago,” she said. “I know this is a holiday to salute the people who work hard all year.”

Dunham attends the Labor Day parade every year, but as a participant, not a spectator. She’s the manager and head coach for Illini Skateland, and members of Team Illini skate in the parade.

“We do it to emphasize the fun and fitness aspect of skating,” she said. “People seem to really enjoy watching the skaters and meeting them. They’re great kids — we work really hard on attitude.”

Team members usually hand out some sort of giveaway at the parade. This year, look for cotton candy in plastic baggies as they skate by.

-- John Sant, a WWII veteran and ex-POW, was quick to point out that Labor Day is not a military holiday.

“Some of us ride in the Hoopeston parade, though,” the Danville resident said. “I’m not doing it this year.”

Sant said that even though he’s retired, he views Labor Day as an extra day off and welcomes the long weekend.

“Labor Day signals the end of summer,” he said.

-- Vivian Lipousky of Westville said she’s glad that there’s a holiday specifically to honor working people. She worked as a secretary while her husband worked for General Motors.

“The union served him and our family well,” she said. “It’s the blue collar people that keep the county going.”

But Lipousky has concerns about labor in the future.

“I’m very upset that government is letting so many businesses go overseas,” she said. “It doesn’t look good for the kids.”

-- Ron Soderstrom, Danville Police Department officer and a member of the local Police Benevolent and Protective Association Unit #11, agreed with Sant that Labor Day marks the end of summer for him and his family.

“It’s also a celebration of the American worker,” he said. “Without workers, where would we be?”

-- Jade Greene of East Lynn said Labor Day means time with family.

“We’ll go to the parade in Hoopeston Saturday morning,” she said. “We’ll eat lots of sweet corn.”

-- Rhoda Greene, Jade’s mother who’s also of East Lynn, agreed Labor Day means family togetherness to her.

“Sometimes we go to the (Sweetcorn) festival with family and friends,” she said. “This year, we may just have a cookout.”

-- Scottie Adams of Paxton, Greene’s nephew, said that even though school just started, he’s ready for an extra day off.

“I want to run around outdoors,” the 10-year-old said.

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