Dateline: Dubuque and beyond

EVANSTON, Illinois — Tonight finds me staying at the Hilton Orrington in Evanston, so it seems like a good time to write a blog post for the first time since January.

It has been a day and month of firsts.

On June 1, I began a new job as a development officer for Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. This week, I am making my first road trip to meet with Loras graduates and other supporters. Two of my three meetings today were in high-rise offices on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, which meant this old farm boy had to navigate city traffic and everything that comes with that.

Knock on wood — I didn’t get lost, I caused no accidents and no one even honked at me in anger. In fact, I decided I must have looked as if I fit in and belong in downtown Chicago when another pedestrian stopped me on a Michigan Avenue sidewalk and asked for directions. I wasn’t much help. Maybe I’ll write more about those experiences at another time.

For now, I want to write about leaving downtown Chicago and heading for Evanston, where I have a meeting Wednesday morning. But first, tonight has given me a taste of the perquisites that will come with my new job — exploring new places in my down times and trying new things. And that includes the Wasabi Teriyaki Turkey Sandwich at Soulwich, 1634 Orrington Ave. — maybe 600 feet from my hotel. So much for going very far to explore, but the sandwich was great.

I’m more sure than ever that I’m going to love this new gig. Stay tuned.

Today’s blog post is written in memory of Jeanne Garvin.  She was a regular reader and a good friend. She died June 23 at age 92. Wherever she is now, I hope she still gets email alerts whenever something is sporadically posted on this little corner of the Internet.