Wow, it already is the first day of summer. Time is flying by so quickly. With all the rain and sudden surges of heat, I am finding the noise of lawn mowers and edgers are often running in sync, rather than intermittently. When there is a lull in the weather conditions, everyone is trying to get yard work completed.
With the frequency of rain, everything is so green and lush. Of course, the weeds are growing prolifically. Since weeding is one way I alleviate stress and anxiety, I should be stress free. I must say I am somewhat calmer when something unexpected arises.
Planning outside activities can be somewhat of a challenge. As always, everyone should have a Plan B. Yet, with all the uncertainties, it is a great time of year. Summer perfect for taking leisurely walks and looking at the landscaping in the various yards, eating an ice cream treat, visiting with friends and neighbors on their porches or decks, taking life a little slower and attending some of the many activities in the community and elsewhere. Have Fun!!
AROUND AND ABOUT
Shining Light NFP offers a free one-hour Faith and Finance Workshop at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2017 in the Parish Center. Dan Culloton, West Chicago resident and financial writer and analyst, discusses strategies for budgeting, tithing, managing debt, saving and investing.
Friends of West Chicago Parks Foundation Annual Golf Outing is Friday, June 23, 2017 at Prairie Landing Golf Course, 2325 Longest Drive, Check in is at 7:30 a.m., golf play begins at 8:30 a.m., and lunch and awards is at 1:00 p.m. The charge is $160 per person, $620 for a foursome, and $30 for lunch only. Proceeds benefit the Friends of West Chicago Parks Foundation Scholarship Program to provide recreational opportunities to low-income qualifying families in the West Chicago Park District community. To make a reservation, visit the Park District’s website www.we-goparks.org.
West Chicago Park District hosts the SJP Sports baseball and softball tournament Friday, June 123, through Sunday, June 25, 2017 at Reed-Keppler Park.
The West Chicago Garden Club meeting is Thursday, June 23, 2017 at the West Chicago Historical Society Kruse House Museum, 527 Main Street. Social time is at 6:30 p.m. when persons can tour the gardens and give gardening tools, limit of three, to John the Sharpening Man. Attendees should bring chairs, if they require one. Parking is available at City Hall, 475 Main Street. At 7:00 p.m. floral designer Tracy Atkinson conducts a floral centerpiece workshop
For the program, persons need to bring a small sharp knife or snippers for cutting stems; a container for their arrangement, approximately six to eight inches in diameter and about four inches high; and flowers and greenery, six to ten blooms of each type of flower, about three types with sturdy stems. There will be supplemental flowers and greens on a backup table.
Provided are oasis foam and floral tape, written instructions on how to create the centerpiece and professional guidance throughout the process.
Late Night Swim takes place from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 23, 2017 at Turtle Splash Water Park, 129 West National Street. Pre-registration is required no later than Friday, June 16. The pre-registration charge is $5 for residents and $8 for non-residents. The charge is $10 at the door.
Coffee with the Mayor is from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 24, 2017 at City Hall, 475 Main Street.
During the summer, the West Chicago Historical Museum offers persons the opportunity to learn a little more about the community’s history and have fun doing so.
The 1860s Chicago Burlington Quincy Railroad Depot, 134 Turner Court is open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturdays through August 26, 2017.
A healthy and historical activity is the Turner Junction Challenge: Get Active with History. Persons may register at the City Museum, 132 Main Street, or on line at wegohistory.com. For each 15 minutes of activity, persons travel one back in time one year, with the goal of making it back to 1849 by Sunday, September 10, 2017. The 2017 theme is “The History of Fires” and Turner Runners learn about fires in the community as they travel back in time. Additional bonus points are earned with a visit to the CB&Q Railroad depot. Participants receive a free water bottle at registration and receive prizes for reaching milestones in the history of West Chicago. Families can register as a group.
The current exhibits are “Made in West Chicago” and “Grains of Change.”
Museum hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday and from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The telephone number is (630) 231-3376.
Also the City Museum and West Chicago Historical Society Kruse House Museum, 527 Main Street, are participants in the “Passport to Adventure” program, which runs through Monday, September 4, 2017. The program is for children ages 4 through 12, who receive stamps at the participating locations, which includes more than 50 museums and nature centers in DuPage and Kane counties. Passports are available at both museums and the West Chicago Public Library District, 118 West Washington Street. The summer exhibit at the KHM is “The Cookie Caper.” The KHM hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturdays.
Maggie Capettini, Gallery 200 member and City Museum Education Director, is a participant in the Plein Air 17 at the Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery, 201 West 10th Street #1. The event kicks off at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 24, 2017. The first meeting, “Let the Art Making Commence” presented by John Lustig of the Illinois State Museum, focuses on “Sightlines, Rules of the Road, Introduction to the I&M Canal.” Also she has artwork in the Prairie Plein Air exhibit at the Prairie Center for the Arts signer Gallery, 201 Schaumburg Court. The exhibit closes Friday, June 30, 2017.
Art in the Garden, hosted by West Chicago Historical Society, People Made Visible and Gallery 200, takes place from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, June 24, 2017 at the Kruse House Museum, 527 Main Street. The ticket price is $12, $20 per couple To reserve tickets call the City Museum at (630) 231-3376, email gallerytwohundred@gmail.com, or in person at the Museum, 132 Main Street, or the Gallery, 103 West Washington Street.
Maggie Capettini, Education Director at the West Chicago City Museum, does en plein air paintings of the Kruse House gardens and the 100-year-old Kruse House and Sharon Malec gives a fiber art demonstration. Silent auction items include artwork by Gallery 200 artists such as Marge Hall and Earl Weber. Refreshments include cheese, desserts and wine. Providing the musical entertainment is ZAZZ, an innovative jazz group that puts a new twist to jazz standards, popular tunes, original music and Broadway songs. Members are Deb Zelman, clarinet and vocals; Ken O’Neil, tenor sax and flute; Gail Sonkin, piano and composer; Michelle Akin, bass; Julian Webb, bass; and Greg Zaboriniak, drums.
The Public Affairs Committee meeting is at 6:00 p.m. Monday, June 26, 2017 at City Hall, 475 Main Street.
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 North Prince Crossing Road, hosts its Vacation Bible School from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, June 26, through Friday, June 30, 2017. The theme is “Hero Central: Discover Your Strength in God.” Activities include Bible learning, songs, games, crafts and snacks. The charge is $5 per child, Maximum of $10 per family. To register, call the church office at (630) 231-3787. (www.merleburl.com)
First United Methodist Church of West Chicago, 643 East Washington Street, hosts its Vacation Bible School from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, June 26, through Friday, June 30, 2017. It is geared for children from preschool through fifth grade. The theme is “Let’s Build an Ark,” featuring some live animals. There is no charge. To make a reservation call the church at (630) 231-3344 or on line at www.firstumcucc.org.
Wayne/Winfield Area Youth/Family Services offers hour-long computer classes for senior citizens at Wayne Township, 27W031 North Avenue. Not only do seniors learn basic skills, but also have the opportunity to socialize. The fee is $2. Reservations are required and may be made by calling (630) 231-7166.
“Uploading Pictures to Facebook” class is at 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 26, 2017. For classes that involve a technology device, persons need to bring their personal items with them.
As part of its Business Round Table, the West Chicago Public Library District holds Score: General Business Discussion Round Table at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, 2017 in the meeting room, 118 West Washington Street. Score Mentor George Safford, a West Chicago resident, is the moderator. It is geared for those starting a new business or owners of existing small businesses. To make a reservation, call the adult services department at (630) 231-1552, extension 4.
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 Saturday, July 8, 2017, 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. Day of race registration increases $5 for each participant. To register visit the website https://raceroster.com/events/2017/12125/michael-browning-memorial-run-to-remember. Race day registration opens at 6:00 a.m. with the race beginning at 7:30 a.m. Awards ceremony is at 8:45 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, call the West Chicago Park District at (630) 231-9474, email Detective 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 or on the registration website.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of James Dutkovich, who at the age of 73 passed away Friday, June 16, 2017.
Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Salvador Mendez, who at the age of 60 passed away Thursday, June 15, 2017.
Receiving special recognition at the end of the year brunch on Friday, June 2, 2017 were ten Inspirational Educators. Instituted this year by Superintendent Dr. Doug Domeracki, WCCHS Illinois State Scholars were asked to think about their high school experience and nominate two teachers who inspired them to think creatively, aroused a special interest, provided guidance, or touched them emotionally. The selected teachers were Nick Caltagirone, Social Studies; Aaron Hayes, Math; Krysta Schoenbeck, Science; Brianne Ferreiro, Science; Candi Fikis, Social Studies; Anna Fulmer, Science; Steve Govertsen, Band; Rich Kost, Language Arts; Nicole Osborne, Language Arts; and Brandon Fantozzi, Choir. Presenting the awards to the teachers were Jennifer Orr, Harsh Patel, Lauren Long, Jenna Palka, Danny McComb, Josh Bowen, Jacilyn Doncoes and Max Smith. (www.merleburl.com)
Clear, blue skies and sunshine were the perfect touches for the Touch-A-Truck hosted by the West Chicago Police Department and West Chicago Park District Saturday, June 3, 2017. Through their participation, various community groups and businesses contributed to its success. These were Airgas West Chicago, West Chicago CERT, City of West Chicago, Culver’s, Deluxe Towing, Inc., DuPage Airport Flight Center, DuPage SWAT, DuPage Topsoil, West Chicago ESDA, Gary Spielman Plumbing, Inc., Golf & Busse Towing, Groot Industries-West Chicago, Haggerty Ford, West Chicago Kindercare, Kramer Tree Specialists, Inc., Rapid Transport Towing, Septran Student Transportation, West Chicago Fire Protection District, West Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 85, Winfield Township and West Chicago Professional Firefighters Association-IAFF Local 3970.(www.merleburl.com)
New officers of West Chicago Rotary Club are Omar Espinosa, president; Benjamin Weseloh, secretary; David Blatchley, treasurer; John Cahill, foundation chair; and Doug Domeracki, membership chair.
At the flag retirement ceremony, conducted by Boy Scout Troop 33, approximately 200 flags were burned in the proper manner. City Clerk and VFW member Nancy Smith said, “The troop did an excellent job of explaining the symbolism. It was a very impressive service.” (www.merleburl.com)
Eighty-two persons enjoyed the Luau Dinner and the Pie Auction hosted by the First United Methodist Church of West China. It was a successful fundraiser with yummy food and musical entertainment. The highlight of the evening was the popular Pie Auction with persons bidding on the 15 pies available. Of the total amount of $1,640 raised, $1,055 was from the auction.
My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.