Fences serve varied purposes. Sometimes history sharpens the meaning of intertwined wires and fasteners arrayed along a cliff. The razor wire in front of a bunker at Pointe Du Hoc, Normandy, France, still speaks of war, but now it also secures a safe path bordered by wildflowers for those who walk it to honor soldiers' sacrifices.

It's 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4. There are over 30 people waiting in line at the Dominick's, 259 Lake St. in Oak Park — people who stopped at Dominick's to pick up groceries on their way home from work. This has to be one of the busiest times of day at the store.

I was debating whether to write this letter because after its publication, it may take longer to get my morning coffee. If word gets out, there may be a line. There is something about this place called Sugar Fixe. There are people in the back kitchen in white chef's attire mixing and baking and busy making some incredible baked goods. Meanwhile, fancy polished machines brew incredible Viennese coffee.

We've just concluded our 21st season of providing emergency shelter to families and individuals who've lost their homes in west Cook County. For 234 consecutive nights, our compassionate, generous team of 1,000 volunteers created an environment that nurtured the basic well-being of our 541 shelter guests, giving them food, shelter and, most important, dignity and respect.

Still looking for some outrage! Two weeks ago I asked why Wednesday Journal is strangely silent about the First Amendment abuses by the Obama administration that you endorsed and supported last year [Whose ox is being gored now? Viewpoints, May 29].

One parent had an easier time than others; she has seen the dress her daughter was wearing at four other OPRF graduations. In fact, Mary (Pigoni) Herner wore the dress herself in 1980. Her sisters, Nancy and Peggy, wore it in 1976 and 1977, respectively. Mary's daughter, Maranda, wore the dress in 2007, and last Sunday, Eleanor (Elle), Class of 2013, became the fifth female to don the flowing gauze creation with delicate lace and ribbon trim.

In Oak Park, Frank Lloyd Wright is known for a lot of things. Not only is he the father of the Prairie Style of Architecture, but his personal exploits have added intrigue to his narrative. Personal life and foibles aside, Wright houses are not typically thought of as family-friendly. Architecture aficionados often treat Wright homes as lived-in museum pieces. Lovers of modern, open-concept homes, meanwhile, think Wright's style means small rooms, low ceilings and dark interiors, ill-suited to the way families live today. One Oak Park family says both stereotypes are wrong, insisting their Wright home is perfect for their family of four.

The Alphawood Foundation has announced the lead gift of $10 million for the restoration of the 1908 Unity Temple, rated by ZAGAT as "one of the coolest churches in America." This is big! The grant is intended to be seed money to support the Unity Temple Restoration Foundation in fundraising for $22-25 million to restore our stunning "Jewel Box" on Lake Street.

After just a year on the job, Joanne Schochat, who oversaw Oak Park Elementary School District 97's human resources department, resigned June 11. Supt. Albert Roberts would not discuss details about her resignation, because it was a "personnel matter," but said the district has accepted her resignation.

Well, this has never happened before. In 33 years at the Journal, I have never been invited out for breakfast by the presidents of the village of Oak Park, the OPRF High School board and the District 97 Board of Education.