The Spindle represents a good thing in Berwyn.

In the past few years, I personally cringe every time Berwyn is featured in the media because most of the news items are negative in nature and seldom positive.

The Spindle is a positive representation; people come here to see it. They may laugh, but they are amazed — it’s all positive!

Sharon K. Weilmuenster
Berwyn

Spindle like a 1969 vintage Mustang

I just found out about the Cermak Plaza in Berwyn remodeling and am shocked and saddened. We have friends and family that visit from as far away as California who want us to take them to see the unique artwork — the car-kabob spike being the most well known.

I was just wondering, is there anyway to write or call the owners or the property management and talk to them about this? There are plenty of folks who would like to discuss this. We don’t want to see this go! Maybe we could start a petition?

We all agree that the plaza is overdue for a renovation. But taking these unique items away for good would be a bad thing for area. It most definitely helped put the location on the map. Thanks, “Wayne’s World”!

Even the Cermak Plaza sign is a piece of pop art! Where else do you find such a cool sign anymore besides a Vegas neon graveyard?

If there’s anything we don’t need it’s another Walgreens. Moving them out to the parking space where the spike is located is wrong in so many ways.

All of us that live in the area want better things for the community. Another Walgreens is not it. If anything, we need great restaurants and unique boutiques. We’re all so tired of the same old stuff coming into the area. Oh look, another Subway. We need something to stand out. Something people will want to make a special trip to come see.

I may be especially sensitive to all this because I’m a mechanic, an artist and lover of all things historic, but I know I’m not the only one who cares about this one. Taking away this uniqueness and making it just other suburban strip mall corner would be a travesty. It’s like trading in your vintage 1969 Mustang for a new one.

James Currie, North Riverside

Artistic landmark puts Berwyn on the map

The Spindle is our landmark. The world knows about Berwyn through it.

Why would you destroy a landmark? It makes Berwyn unique. Get the town to clean up the landmark at least every six months.

Tony Anaya
Berwyn

Volunteers fill shelter full of hope

As we end our 15th shelter season, the Board of Directors and the staff at West Suburban PADS would like to publicly thank our support congregations and shelter volunteers for their dedication and commitment throughout the eight-month shelter season.

The “PADS” model of emergency shelter, in which rotating shelter sites house our overnight emergency shelter, relies heavily on community resources. Eleven faith congregations in Berwyn, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Maywood and Oak Park donate their buildings for the shelter sites and hundreds of volunteers — including more than 40 local faith congregations and numerous scouting troops, service clubs and school groups — staff the shelter and purchase, cook and serve the three meals from Sept. 15 through May 15 each year.

As a result of this massive community based effort, PADS was able to provide 10,861 nights of shelter and serve 32,583 meals to 497 homeless men, women and children this past season. The volunteer hours and food donated by our 1,000-strong volunteer corps generated more than $400,000 in in-kind donations this year, stretching our modest shelter budget to almost twice its cash value. It is the commitment of these extraordinarily selfless and generous individuals that makes it all possible.

While these facts and figures are impressive, it is heartwarming to witness the kindness and compassion of our volunteers as they interact with the most vulnerable members of our community. Very often, the warm welcome that our guests receive when they come into the shelter on a cold winter night is the first kind word they have heard all day. And we have seen how the simple act of lending a nonjudgmental ear to a shelter guest can start the healing process.

On behalf of West Suburban PADS and the hundreds of homeless men, women and children who received your food and shelter this season, we thank you. We couldn’t do it without you!

Lynda Schueler, Executive director
Heather Winquist, Shelter manager

Changes breathe new life into newspaper

The changes to the Suburban Life came along just in time! Kudos to you for all the excellent changes.

I was going to cancel my subscription after 20-plus years for lack of interesting reading.

You have turned the paper around. My family and I read it from beginning to end. Some articles (3 to Know, Lifestyle, etc.) are brief, informative and to the point.

Many good pictures in the weekend edition — Fun on 4th of July with representative pictures from North Riverside, Brookfield and Westchester. Will you include a column for reunions?

Great job. Keep up the good work!

Carol Durczak, Westchester