Reader can’t stop regretting accepting a girl’s invitation to the prom and then standing her up.

DEAR ABBY: Back around 1987, a girl asked me to take her to her high school prom. I was several years older, didn’t know her well and wanted to say no but couldn’t. In the end I stood her up. I don’t even remember her name. She worked at a grocery store with my brother.

That was more than 30 years ago. I am married now and have two fine children. I was recently asked what my biggest regret is, and I said standing her up. Not one week has gone by in the last 30 years that I haven’t thought about her and wished I could find her and tell her how truly sorry I am.

It’s funny. Although I can’t remember her name, there’s no one from my past that I have thought about more than her. I would give anything to find her and apologize. It haunts me. Any suggestions? — BIGGEST REGRET IN THE SOUTH

DEAR BIGGEST REGRET: What you did to that girl was brutal. Because it’s not possible for you to directly offer the apology she deserves, concentrate harder on the present and always try to treat everyone with kindness and sensitivity.

DEAR ABBY: After I ended a 20-year marriage, I took some time off from relationships and am now back in the dating world. My ex-husband and I never had children.

I recently met a man with two teenagers. He says I am “detached” from children. I am not detached! I just never had experience with them. How do I proceed with this relationship since his kids are very dear to him? — NOT DETACHED

DEAR NOT DETACHED: This man’s offspring are no longer “children.” They are teenagers, and teens can be complicated. Reach out to them the way you would anyone of any age. Be friendly and show them you are interested in them. If they have a mother in the picture, do not try to “mother” them. See if you share any common interests (sports, music, fashion, etc.), resist the urge to lecture them, and be a good listener.

DEAR ABBY: I’d like advice on how to handle a problem that crops up every time family members invite me out to a dinner they are paying for.

I know the rule of etiquette is to order an item that’s the same or less than what the host is ordering, but I am often asked to order first. This means I have no idea what the payer’s meal will cost. If it means ordering something on the menu other than what I’d rather have — a burger instead of a steak — in that case, should I offer to pay for my own meal? What if they won’t hear of taking any money from me? Can I still order the steak since my offer to pay was refused? — LIKES TO FOLLOW THE RULES

DEAR LIKES: A way to get around ordering first might be to say, “I haven’t decided yet. I’d like to hear what the others are ordering.” However, if you would be uncomfortable doing that, and your hosts won’t let you have a separate check, be a gracious guest and enjoy every bite of your steak dinner.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)

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We have arrived: it’s draft week for the Chicago Bears, and trying to predict what will unfold is about as easy as trying to convince Tom Brady to begin a carnivore diet. The 2021 NFL Draft only has one true certainty at this point, and that’s seeing Trevor Lawrence going number one overall to the […]

Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft: Let’s get wild with trades – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & More

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After holding virtual events last year, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and ISU, among others, plan limited events on campus this year.

Annie Czerwinski is eagerly awaiting a chance to walk the stage in a cap and gown in a commencement ceremony at the University of Illinois next month — something that she has been anticipating for years.

Czerwinski, however, has been waiting longer than most students taking part in such events this spring: She actually got her degree in molecular and cellular biology last May. But because the pandemic canceled last year’s in-person commencement, the state’s flagship school is allowing any 2020 graduate to come to the campus in Urbana-Champaign and be recognized along with 2021 grads.

“Honestly, it was really sad,” Czerwinski said of missing out on a formal in-person program last year. “I had been looking forward to commencement for so long.”

But the new plans mean Czerwinski, who plans to go to optometry school in August, will be able to travel to Urbana-Champaign from her home in suburban Homer Glen “with my parents and sisters and my boyfriend and they will watch me walk across the stage. Even if it is just for 15 minutes, I am really excited.”

Schools open up football stadiums

In addition to UIUC, some of the state’s other large public universities — including Illinois State, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Northern, Southern and Eastern — have invited the class of 2020 to return to their campuses to graduate this year. Although most schools are offering a scaled down program from years past, the move is a small step toward normalcy as the pandemic stretches into its second year.

At EIU, which will be holding graduation in the football stadium May 8, officials are limiting attendance to 20% of capacity. Students participating will receive four to six tickets for guests depending on which EIU college they attend. All participants and guests are required to wear masks and seating will be socially distanced. They are nixing traditions like shaking the dean’s hand to minimize contact as well.

“It’s a big accomplishment, and they’ve worked hard for this day,” said Amber May, associate director for alumni services at EIU. “Just the fact that we are able to give it to them, I think everyone is appreciative and excited about it.”

Southern Illinois University will livestream its in-person graduation on the school’s YouTube channel. SIU spokesman Kim Rendfeld said the school decided to hold in-person events after getting overwhelming feedback from students in favor of it.

Officials plan to host multiple graduation ceremonies to reduce risks to participants from May 7-9. Each graduate will have access to up to four guest tickets. Social distancing and masks will also be required for all students and guests.

“Based on the information we have now, we believe that we can offer a safe in-person ceremony,” Rendfeld said. “We’re hosting more ceremonies to allow for that proper social distancing and to keep attendance at a safe level.”

Provided

Students petition U. of I.

At UIUC, the decision to allow last year’s graduates to walk this year stemmed from a petition — signed by nearly 10,000 members of the class of 2020 — imploring the school to reschedule their graduation until in-person events could be held safely.

“We deserve a commencement for the class of 2020,” the petition penned last year states. “Virtual celebrations or a full cancellation is an insult to a class that’s worked [so] hard to get here in the face of such adversity. Wait until the pandemic slows down and things get better, then have our commencement. Regalia, ceremony and all. We deserve it, whenever it may be.”

The school’s main event for its 5,600 2021 graduates will still be virtual, on May 15. But 2020 and 2021 grads can bring up to four guests to a private, 15-minute “stage crossing experience” at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, scheduled by appointment May 10-17. Graduates will wear caps, gowns and tassels and have their names read aloud as they cross the stage. Professional photographers will be on site for portraits.

The school says that 850 2020 grads have signed up.

One of them, Paulina Maczuga, who majored in management and information systems, is now a graduate student at Roosevelt University in Chicago. Even though it won’t be the same as the full-scale commencements that took place before the pandemic, she’s eager to go back to campus from her home in Crystal Lake to take part in at least some of the traditions.

“It’s important to stay grateful and to stay happy that there is some opportunity there,” said Maczuga. “To be honest, there are some parts that would make it really special that we will not be able to get.”

For students like 23-year-old Taskeen Khan, who graduated with a degree in integrated biology last year, an in-person event did not seem like a big deal until she left and realized what she had missed.

“A year out, I realized that I don’t have any of those graduation photos in front of any of the buildings on campus or pictures of my cap and gown on campus, and I realized that I wanted that,” Khan said. “So that’s what made me sign up for the new graduation, even though that is not something I had originally felt disappointed I was missing.”

Khan said she is excited to bring her family to see her cross the stage.

“I feel like it is a milestone that is nice to have something to mark it,” Khan said. “It’s nice to have just a day oriented around it and have photos with your family from that special occasion.”

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About 3 a.m., he was in the 4600 block of South Normal Avenue, when someone inside a dark-colored SUV fired shots.

A man was fatally shot Tuesday morning in Canaryville on the South Side.

About 3 a.m., the 29-year-old was in the 4600 block of South Normal Avenue, when someone inside a dark-colored SUV fired shots, Chicago police said.

He was struck in the head and pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office has not yet identified the man.

Area One detectives are investigating.

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Fourteen people were shot, one fatally, Monday in Chicago including a 17-year-old boy who was killed in a shooting in Little Village on the Southwest Side.

The teen was walking with a female about 10:15 a.m. in the 2700 block of South Drake Avenue, when someone opened fire, striking him in the head, Chicago police said. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene. The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Jorge Cruz, and said he lived in Little Village. The companion saw a small white car speed off immediately after the shooting. She did not get a good look at the driver.

In non-fatal shootings, two men were critically wounded in a shooting at a Lawndale convenience store on the West Side. About 9:45 p.m., four men entered a convenience store in the 3600 block of West 16th Street, and opened fire, police said. Two men, 33 and 62, were shot multiple times in the body and transported to Stroger Hospital in critical condition. Police sources said the 33-year-old was an employee of the store and may have been the target of the shooting.

About five minutes prior, a man was wounded in a shooting in Morgan Park on the Far South Side. About 9:40 a.m., the 25-year-old was in the 1100 block of West 112th Street when someone he knew shot him in the thigh, police said. The man was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where his condition was stabilized.

Minutes prior two teenage boys were critically hurt in a shooting in South Chicago. The 13-year-old and 14-year-old were walking on the sidewalk about 9:30 p.m. in the 8200 block of South Coles Avenue, when someone in a red Cherokee Jeep fired shots and fled, police said. The 13-year-old suffered gunshot wounds to the back and abdomen and was transported to Comers Children’s Hospital in critical condition. The 14-year-old was struck in the chest and abdomen and taken to the same hospital, also in critical condition.

At the same time a man was shot in the East Side neighborhood. The man, 18, was standing outside with a group of males about 9:30 p.m. in the 10300 block of South Avenue H when someone opened fire, police said. The man was struck in the leg and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.

A 69-year-old man was shot in West Pullman on the Far South Side. Someone in a black sedan fired shots toward a group of males about 9:05 p.m. as they stood outside in the 100 block of East 120th Street, police said. The man, who was standing with the group, was struck in the ankle and taken to Roseland Hospital in good condition.

Moments prior a 21-year-old man was shot in Brighton Park on the Southwest Side. He was sitting in a parked vehicle about 9 p.m. in the 2700 block of West 37th Place when someone in a white Ford sedan fired shots, police said. The man was struck in the neck and collarbone area. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition.

An 18-year-old man was in critical condition after being shot in Bronzeville on the South Side. He was near an alley about 4:20 p.m. in the 200 block of East 38th Street when someone opened fire, striking him in the head and chest, police said. The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.

A man was grazed in a shooting in the South Loop. The man, 20, got into an argument with someone about 3:45 p.m. as they left a building in the 800 block of South Wabash Avenue, police said. The other person then pulled out a gun and opened fire, grazing the man on the foot. The man was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition.

At least four others were shot citywide. Four people were killed, twenty-one others wounded in shootings last weekend.

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Four men entered a convenience store in the 3600 block of West 16th Street and opened fire, Chicago police said.

Two men were critically wounded in a shooting Monday night at a Lawndale convenience store on the West Side.

About 9:45 p.m., four men entered a convenience store in the 3600 block of West 16th Street and opened fire, Chicago police said.

Two men, 33 and 62, were shot multiple times in the body and transported to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, police said.

Police sources said the 33-year-old was an employee of the store and may have been the target of the shooting.

Area Four detectives are investigating the attack.

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Someone in a red Jeep Cherokee fired shots at the boys about 9:30 p.m. as they walked in the 8200 block of South Coles Avenue.

Two teenage boys were critically hurt in a shooting Monday night in South Chicago.

The 13-year-old and 14-year-old were walking on the sidewalk about 9:30 p.m. in the 8200 block of South Coles Avenue when someone in a red Cherokee Jeep fired shots and fled, Chicago police said.

The 13-year-old suffered gunshot wounds to the back and abdomen and was transported to Comers Children’s Hospital in critical condition, police said.

The 14-year-old was struck in the chest and abdomen and taken to the same hospital, also in critical condition, according to police.

No one is in custody, police said.

Area Two detectives are investigating the shooting.

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The blueprint showed itself in the fourth quarter in Saturday’s loss to Miami, and on Monday it was executed much more efficiently, as the Bulls used the frontcourt size to outlast the Heat 110-102.

There would be no sugar-coating from Thad Young.

There seldom is.

The Bulls veteran forward was asked about the current position the Bulls have put themselves in with just 11 regular-season games left on the schedule and some serious work to do.

Specifically, what if this roster can’t capture a playoff spot or play-in game, and that big-stage game or series doesn’t happen this season?

“It definitely would be a big smack in the face if we made all these changes and adjustments to our team, and we can’t follow through or push through into the playoffs,’’ Young said.

There still might be a “big smack’’ coming, but not on Monday.

Thanks to a very simple game plan of doing all they could to use their size against a smaller Miami team, the Bulls (26-35) avenged the Saturday loss on South Beach, outlasting the Heat in the 110-102 win.

That’s why center Nikola Vucevic finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while fellow big man Daniel Theis had 23 points and 12 rebounds.

“We felt the last game in the second half against Miami that we could play defense, so it was a good step for us,’’ Theis said. “If the first side wasn’t there [Monday] we swung it to the other side. We just moved the ball.

I want to be physical. It’s about defense. I don’t care about stats. I just want to win the game.’’

In doing just that the Bulls have closed the lead Washington had for the final play-in game in the Eastern Conference, now cutting it to just one game after the Wizards lost to San Antonio in overtime.

Toronto did win, so the Raptors are tied with the Bulls, with the two teams still schedule to play once more this season.

“We’re definitely aware of where we are and what’s going on,’’ Young said. “[Washington is] playing really good basketball, and we’ve got to figure out ways to win basketball games. Our approach to every game has to be the same: Win at all costs because everything is on the line from this day forward.

“It’s been on the line.’’

It was for most of the game against the Heat.

The Bulls seemed to be in a game of chase with Miami (32-30) all evening, staying close, but having trouble breaking through.

That finally changed with 4:46 left in the game when Garrett Temple made a layup to put the Bulls up two. That lead became four 40 seconds later when Vucevic hit in the paint, but Jimmy Butler cut the lead in half with a short jumper of his own.

Butler, who started his career off with the Bulls, finished with a game-high 33 points.

That led to Billy Donovan calling timeout with 3:09 left, which led to a Lauri Markkanen three-pointer, giving the Bulls their largest lead of the game. After Trevor Ariza had a three-pointer of his own, Theis continued the paint dominance, scoring on the tip-in.

“I thought there were a lot of plays that [Theis] made that were real physical plays,’’ Donovan said. “Those are energy, momentum changing plays because it kinds of energizes your team. You can see the guys always pointing to him, appreciating that he’s in those kinds of positions to help.

“What I said from Day 1 [about Theis] is you can always feel his presence.’’

The Heat seemed to feel it, as they kept missing shots in those final minutes, while the Bulls did well enough at the free throw line to keep widening the lead.

In finishing with 22 free throws, the Bulls actually ended a streak of 12-straight games with less than 20 free throws per contest, tying them with the Kings (2018) and 76ers (2012).

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