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Hello Hillsboro: Ring the doorbell at your own risk
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It’s not very often that I show appreciation when I have to run downstairs to answer the door for a salesman, unless, of course, it’s a neighbor kid selling something to help support a school sports team. Or, perhaps a young Scout peddling his popcorn, which, by the way, is pretty darn tasty and reasonably priced.

Did I mention that a vocally gifted Cub Scout in Hillsboro happens to be a grandson? Good thing that popcorn is my very favorite snack food, especially when he’s at the door.

Recently, I saw the funniest sign and, no doubt, a very effective detriment for the most hardened door-to-door salesmen ever.

It was hanging on a front door, easy to read, and right to the point:

“Forget the dog …Beware of the owner!”

I was out walking when I saw that sign and laughed out loud before I thought, “It works for me!”

No matter what I was selling, if I came across that “welcome message” on a front door, I’d take a pass on the bell …and the good natured owner!


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Our school district and parents face a bit of a setback every year when they are informed of the teachers who are retiring.

Unlike most working folks, teachers have a much closer relationship to the “little people” they are working for, as well at the parents.

At the last Hillsboro School Board meeting, it was announced that Coleen Burns, Susan Donlan, and Dianna Marshall had made that decision and probably were already preparing one of their last class tests.

Speaking for a whole army of students from past and present, along with their parents, School Superintendent Curt Bisarek  expressed appreciation for their years of good service to the District.

Not surprisingly, one of those names brought back a good memory of our first days in Hillsboro.

One of our daughters, Amy, had developed a quick friendship with Emily Marshall, whose Mom happened to also be Amy’s teacher. That sort of thing never happens in Chicago!

The first time Amy visited Emily at her home, she just couldn’t get over the fact that her regular teacher was right there in the kitchen serving cookies and milk.

She couldn’t wait to tell us how neat that was!

Eventually, the magic wore off, and Dianna became just another nice Hillsboro mom to Amy.

She and Emily are still very close friends, however, and get together often when Amy visits from Minneapolis.  I’m going to get a loud “OH, DAD!” when she sees this, however.

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I recently received the best taped phone answering message ever.

“I am not available right now, but thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I do not return your call, you are one of the changes!”