One of my favorite things about this time of the year is the fresh fruit available at the grocery stores. The strawberries are perfect for eating alone, with cereal, or in a salad or dessert, especially shortcake. The peaches and nectarines are nice and juicy. The Washington cherries just have the perfect tang of flavor.
The only problem is the time period is short. Yet again, I can look forward to some of these fruits being available at local farmers’ markets. Of course, fresh vegetables will be available at the markets. I always hope the gardens of my friends and neighbors flourish in order that I may reap the pleasures of their labor.
Happy Healthy Eating!
AROUND AND ABOUT
West Chicago Fire Protection District hosts a Retirement Ceremony for Lieutenant Rick Michael and the promotion of firefighter Mike Korzen to lieutenant. It takes place at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, at fire headquarters, Station 6, 200 Fremont Street.
West Chicago Garden Club meeting is Thursday, June 23, 2016 at the Kruse House Museum, 527 Main Street. Social time is at 6:45 p.m., short business meeting at 7:00 p.m. and program at 7:16 p.m. John Will from John’s Sharpening Services offers his expert services on gardening tools. Floral designer Tracy Atkinson demonstrates the use of materials from gardens to make beautiful arrangements. The meeting is open to the public.
Friends of West Chicago Parks Foundation host the Seventh Annual “Funds For Fun” Golf Outing Friday, June 24, 2016 at Prairie Landing Golf Course, 2325 Longest Drive. Registration is at 7:30 a.m.; Shot Gun start is at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $160 per person, $625 for a foursome and $30 for lunch only which starts at 1:00 p. m. Registration deadline is Friday, June 17. Forms are available online, http://www.we-goparks.org/#!park-foundation-/czs8. Other activities include raffles, silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Proceeds benefit the scholarship program to provide recreational opportunities for low income qualifying families in the park district. For more information, email Lily Medina at lmedina@we-goparks.org.
Coffee with the Mayor is from 9:00 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 25, 2016 at City hall, 475 Main Street.
Canadian National Railway is working on grade crossing improvements on Ann Street beginning Saturday, June 25 through Friday, July 1, 2016. Designated detour routes are Sherman Street, West Washington Street and Joliet Street.
The West Chicago Park District holds an Italic Calligraphy Class from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, starting June 29 and ending August 3, 2016 at the ARC in Reed-Keppler Park. Students learn to draw the Italic letterforms, plus create works of art and make an accordion-folded book using special papers. Teaching the art class is Lauren Davies from Visual Art Program at Community School of the Arts. Supplies are included in the cost of $12 for resident and $15 for non-residents. To register, stop in at the ARC or online at www.we-goparks.org.
The Park District received an art grant from the Community School for Arts in Wheaton. The Brush for Art Classes is made possible through a grant from the JCS Fund of the DuPage Community Foundation. It is for individuals 55 years and older and allows the District to offer different art programs at a reduced rate. Teaching the art class is Lauren Davies from Visual Art Program Coordinator at Community School of the Arts.
West Chicago City Museum offers several free classes for “The Science of Steam,” which involves how the invention of the steam engine led to an explosive growth in the United States and the historic importance of steam power to West Chicago. Students make working models of steam engines. They also discuss paintings by JMW Turner, Claude Monet and Thomas Hart Benton. The classes, geared for youth ages 7 to 14, are from 10:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Friday, July 1, 2016. Two more classes take place Thursday, August 4, with the afternoon class designated as a “girls only” class. Enrollment is limited to seven. To register email MuseumEd@westchicago.org, call 630-231-3376, or find a fillable registration form at http://goo.gl/Y79EPE.
With the establishment of the William and Evelyn Margolis Memorial Fund to allow 50 West Chicago youth the opportunity to participate in a hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math program at no cost. William and Evelyne Margolis grew up as friends in Chicago. As a teen, Evelyne’s family moved to West Chicago to start a Sporting Goods and Jacket business and William’s family soon followed. Both first-generation Americans of Russian and Lithuanian descent, they later would marry and raise their families here. Both were active in the community. Bill worked as an insurance agent and did many things for the community. Evelyne served as a trustee for Winfield Township and volunteered her time for the schools and town. William and Evelyne sought to provide their children with the best possible educational opportunities. It is in their memories that the family offers this fund to the City Museum for summer 2016. (wwww.merleburl.com)
“Water” by FirstStar is the exhibit during the month of July at Gallery 200, Main Street. The artist’ reception is from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, July 1, 2016.
West Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 85 and West Chicago Park District co-host the Michael Browning Memorial Run to Remember 5K Run/Walk, and 1 Mile Fun Run Saturday, July 9, 2016, starting and ending at the ARC in Reed-Keppler Park. Medals will be awarded to the top two finishers (male and female) in each of six age categories. Runners’ times will be taken at the mile markers and results will be posted after the race. Age categories are 19 and under, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 and over.
The race fee is $30 for each runner/walker and $20 for each additional runner/walker in the same household. 1 Mile Fun Run registration fee is $15. Day of race registration increases $5 for each participant. To register visit the website www.racetime.info/ Race day registration opens at 6:30 a.m. with the race beginning at 7:30 a.m.
All proceeds benefit the Michael Browning Memorial Scholarship Fund to assist students pursuing a career in law enforcement or criminal justice. For more information contact the West Chicago Park District, Det. Robbi Peterson of the West Chicago Police Department at michaelbrowningmemorialfund@gmail.com or visit the Michael Browning Memorial Run to Remember Facebook page.
Browning grew up in West Chicago, graduating from West Chicago Community High School in 1987. He attended College of DuPage, majoring in criminal justice. His dream was to be a police officer in his hometown. After joining the West Chicago Police Department as a cadet in 1988, his dream came true when he took the oath of office August 25, 1991.
Responding to the scene of a crime in progress, Browning was killed in the line of duty April 20, 1992. The car that was being stolen from a local car dealership struck him.
Persons who wish to make a donation only should make the check payable and mail to Michael Browning Memorial Fund, DuPage Credit Union, 625 E. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL 60185.
The 46th Annual Railroad Days Parade, organized by Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce, takes place Sunday, July 10, 2016. The theme is “Everyday Olympians.” There are three awards – Heritage Award, youth group/organization with the most enthusiasm and spirit; Turner Award, the most unique, creative, and understanding of a business and/or organization; and the Grand Marshal Award, best float that demonstrates the parade theme. Forms are available on the chamber website www.westerndupagechamber.com, under Festivals or in the office, 306 Main Street. The deadline for registering is Thursday, June 30. Call 630 231-3003 for further information.
West Chicago Railroad Days, organized by Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce, takes place Thursday through Sunday, July 7 to 10, 2016 at Pioneer Park. Activities include, carnival, games, entertainment, food and fireworks. To view the schedule visit the Chamber website, www.westerndupagechamber.com, under Festivals.
The meeting time of West Chicago Mosquito Abatement District is changed permanently to 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, beginning July 12, 2016. The meetings are at the Winfield Township building, 130 Arbor Avenue.
The class of 1976 of West Chicago Community High School is having its 40th Reunion from 6:00 p.m. to midnight Saturday, July 16, 2016 at American Legion Post 300, 123 Main Street. The Facebook group is West Chicago 1976, 40-year reunion July 16, 2016. The email address is Wegoclassof76@comcast.net.
St. Andrews Golf and Country Club, 2241 Route 59, holds Wednesdays on the Lawn through September 28, 2016. It opens at 5:30 p.m. with live music from 6:30 to 9>00 p.m.
It is mosquito season. For those who wish to be advised of the spray schedule or report a problem, call the Mosquito Abatement District Hotline at (800) 323-5727.
Sincere sympathy is expressed to the family of Marian “Ann” Kroning, who at the age of 88 passed away Sunday, June 13, 2016.
West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission sponsors its Tenth Annual Community Banner Project. The theme is “Rails and Trails.” The project is open to artists with a West Chicago connection or currently living in and around the Chicagoland area. The artwork may be any media with no limitation to technique or subject matter. An independent juror selects the works of art. Each winning design is reproduced and featured in the 2017 West Chicago Banner Exhibition from May to September. All entries are due by Friday, February 1, 2017. Informational sheets are available at the City Museum, 132 Main Street, Gallery 200, 200 Main Street or online www.westchicago.org, under Forms. Call Rosemary Mackey at (630) 293-2000, extension 139 for more information.
With the church office at Trinity Lutheran Church moving to the church basement, the official address of the church now is 338 Sherman Street.
NAPCO STEEL, INC., 1800 Arthur Drive, celebrates its 40th anniversary. A steel-servicing business, the family-owned business was established in 1976. The owner is Jack Napoli. The facility “includes some of the Chicago area’s most state of the art equipment to provide a wide range of services on steel and aluminum products in every produced size,” according to its website. Providing customers with a high level of customized, flexible service is a main priority of the company. “With equipment such as Chicago’s largest flame cutting table, its own fleet of trucks, and a 97 percent Just-In-Time record, NAPCO Steel, Inc. truly offers value-added quality… Every customer is offered the same high level of service, regardless of the size of the job.” Another factor in the good customer service is the longevity of employees’ time with the company, more than 20 years. “The professionalism and experience of our sales and other staff members leads to less mistakes and a higher level of service for our customers.”
What difference a facelift makes. Tomenson Machine Works, 1150 Powis Road, is in the process of installing brick facing and a new sign, which definitely makes a positive difference. The business, established in 1977, has been at the West Chicago location since 2010. I never noticed the building before until we rode by it Wednesday, June 15, 2016, which demonstrates how important exterior appearances are. According to the company’s website, the company has “grown to become a world leader in the manufacturing of precision hydraulic manifolds.” The company employs more than 200 associates. Jerry Blake is the company president.
Staff and faculty leaving Wheaton Academy are Taylor Graham, Sarah Farish, Justin Bahorik, Dari Bahorik, Michael Placeway, Haley Martin, Rae Polivka, Matt Browning, Joel Visker, Dave Underwood, Dan Crabtree and Ann Case.
Striving to lead the community by example, the City of West Chicago, Healthy West Chicago and the Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce partnered with the American Heart Association to improve the overall food and beverage environment within the three organizations, with the hope that others in the community will follow.
During the annual golf outing of the Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce held at Prairie Landing Golf Course, Mayor Ruben Pineda, WDCC President and CEO David Sabathne, and HWC Director Andi Cooper, signed section 4 of AHA’s “Healthy Workplace/Community Food and Beverage Commitment” to help improve healthy food options and promote a culture of health through certain strategies. These are if snacks are served in common areas and in meetings, offer fruit and vegetables; if offering packaged snacks, check the Nutrition Facts and choose items consistent with the guidance and nutrition standards in the AHA toolkit; discourage high-calorie high-sugar foods such as donuts, cakes, cookies, pies, and candy and if offered If these foods are offered serve small portions, limit the amount of time available and how frequently offered and always offer a healthy alternative such as fruit; and provide signage in common areas and at the point-of-purchase, if applicable, promoting healthier choices.
Also the Chamber and Healthy West Chicago both signed section 5 of the Commitment to continue implementation of an “innovative and high impact initiative” related to the food environment. The Chamber offers a weekly farmer’s market, and Healthy West Chicago/People Made Visible operate an on-site community produce garden.
“Healthy West Chicago hopes that our community partners will eventually sign on to this commitment. By addressing the environments where people live, work, learn, and play, we aim to see this ‘culture of health’ achieved for all our residents,” said Cooper.
Newly elected officers of Catholic Daughters of America Court 432. St, Mary’s parish, are Linda Alaniz, regent; Mary Ann Radkiewicz, vice regent; Linda Helminiak, recording secretary; Jodi Rempala, financial secretary; and Linda Fernandez, treasurer.
Recently opened businesses are Blue Rose Perfumes, 200 Main Street, and Liberty Guns, 210 Main Street.
The West Chicago Police Department Open House Saturday, June 18, 2016 was quite successful, a very good turnout of visitors. Also participating were DuComm, West Chicago ESDA and West Chicago CERT. (www.merleburl.com)
My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.