Dave Hoekstra’s 25 years of ‘adventure and discovery’
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The future of newspapering depends on thinking outside the box.
One dream I can’t shake is to have Sun-Times news boxes hand painted in a folk art motif by young Chicago students.
I first saw this on the sleepy streets of Fairbanks, Alaska during the summer of 2005 when I attended the Midnight Sun Baseball Game (that starts at midnight on June 21; Summer Solstice). The boxes were quirky, colorful and drew attention. The boxes depicted cartoon figures and regional landmarks.
When I returned from that trip I mentioned this to my friends at the Hideout music club who said they would be willing to coordinate students and host an art opening. I’ve since suggested this project to people at the Sun-Times. Maybe they think I’ve been in the sun too long.
Here is a box in front of the KnockBox Cafe, 1001 N. California, where I stop in for a bagel and stare at their boxes of water in the refrigerator. This box is begging to be repainted from kids in Humboldt Park. Why not have the first series of Sun-Times Fun Boxes installed in front of places like the KnockBox and the Matchbox, 770 N. Milwaukee Ave. where I sometimes drop in for a liquid refreshment? It can’t hurt.
And a heartfelt thanks to my friend Robert Feder for the following post……
Robservations on the media beat, by Robert Feder
Click HERE for the link
- A hearty high five to my old pal Dave Hoekstra, one of the great unsung writers, columnists,storytellers and journalism treasures in town, on his 25th anniversary at the Chicago Sun-Times. The pride of Naperville Central High School (Class of 1973), Hoekstra, 54, brings the heart of a newspaperman and the soul of a poet to everything he covers — from his odysseys on Route 66 and around the world to his definitive profiles of Chicago legends. On his Sun-Times blog last week, Hoekstra posted a beautiful reflection on his career. (Here is the link.) Asked how he continues to do such great work after so many years and so many miles, Hoekstra told me:
“Basically what keeps me going is the ability to make the unknown known. I love the sense of adventure and discovery that comes in our jobs. Always tell students about the Jimmy Breslin at JFK gravesite story — to paraphrase — how everyone flocked around the gravesite; Breslin wandered off in the distance to interview the gravedigger. That’s kind of how I approach my job. Don’t know how much of that remains in fashion, but I try to fight the good fight.”
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