Kudos all around
One neighborhood institution honors another
08/21/2011 2:21 AM
Stephen Reginald (Photo by Bonnie McGrath)
What a lovely idea: one South Looper expressing appreciation toward another South Looper for his encouragement and support. A thank you to a neighborhood maven for using his neighborhood endeavors to help her neighborhood endeavors.
Donna of Donna's Cafe pulled it off. A few weeks ago she decided to formally thank her friend Stephen Reginald, who not only writes the blog South Loop Connection--but volunteers his time docenting at Glessner House and as a board member of his South Indiana Avenue loft/condo association and the new Park Advisory Council at 18th and Indiana. He's helped his South Loop neighbors promote their businesses and get jobs--and he's given formal talks in one of his areas of expertise--classic movies--for his neighbors, too.
He's a nice guy. And always there for everyone. So on Saturday evening, Donna Adams invited some of Steve Reginald's admirers to the Cafe at State and 13th to formally say how much she truly values his friendship and his good heart. It was supposed to be a surprise that she was going to present him with a framed certificate. But Donna said she feared someone let the cat out of the bag. Steve wouldn't say.
But he did sit around the cafe with a bunch of friends and a bunch of delicious desserts--blueberry cheesecake, tart lemon tarts and apple crumb cake. The pretense Donna floated was that she was hosting a dessert tasting and wanted Steve to drop by to try some new desserts.
"In my short time in the South Loop Steve has become a very dear friend," Donna said in her invitation. "He has been very encouraging and supportive during my growing pains of owning a new business! I credit him with most of my indoctrination and introduction to the South Loop via his blogs and tweets."
Donna says Steve is a "one man South Loop band." And she wants to give him the honor he deserves. He got it. Along with a darn good plate full of sweets.
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By Elizabeth
Posted: 08/21/2011 12:07 PM
Steve, you deserved all those accolades and many more.
By Stephen Reginald from South Loop
Posted: 08/21/2011 9:45 AM
Thanks to Donna, for honoring me and thanks, Bonnie for recording it here. I love the South Loop and the small business owners who take the risks and choose to open shops in our neighborhood. P.S. The desserts at Donna\'s are yummy.