It’s soccer mom time of year. I fondly recall spending 11 autumns (not to mention a few spring seasons and some winter indoor seasons) as a soccer mom.

The August ritual includes the gathering of dedicated soccer moms at the local field.

The weather is pleasant. The only drawback is the presence of half-dead bees that encircle garbage cans.

When September arrives, the trees lose their leaves. For one hour, soccer moms sit in the park among beautiful autumnal landscapes.

Yes, I mentioned one hour.

One of the best things about soccer is that it’s a timed event.

Ties are perfectly acceptable. Everyone goes home happy and everyone receives an after-game treat.

Suddenly, it's the end of October. Soccer moms mandate an extra layer of clothing under their players’ soccer shorts. Hoodies are a must.

On the sidelines, soccer moms wrap up in blankets and winter coats without complaining.

Watching a Beckham wannabee perform head butts and hat tricks is the joy of being one.

For the soccer moms of the 2008 girls soccer team at Lake Park High School in Roselle, the joys of soccer season have arrived early. 

“The team played all summer,” said coach Chris Fruehling. “We had a combined record of 14 wins, two losses, and two ties. We placed first in the Women’s Summer Soccer League. Our record was 10 wins, one loss and two ties. We participated in five game tournaments in Quincy, Ill. We won four games and lost one.”

Fruehling is coaching the team along with John Gouriotis. Three seniors serve as team captains. In addition, the team has six new members — all freshmen.

“We’re very excited about our team. We’re looking forward to a great soccer season,” Fruehling said.

So are those soccer moms. Congratulations to the 2008-09 girls soccer team at LPHS.

An opportunity to reuse

Reduce, reuse, recycle is the environmental mantra. It’s our responsibility to help the planet by doing these things.

I have a great suggestion.

Maryann Grygiel of Roselle e-mailed me the other night (at 11:30 p.m. mind you!) about a multi-family garage sale going on today, Friday, Aug. 22, at 740 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle.

Proceeds from the sale benefit 19 Boy Scouts and eight adults who are planning to participate in a Scouts High Adventure trip to Florida next year.

The garage sale will continue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23. For information, call (630) 816-5543.