The Kruse House Museum 2017 summer exhibit, “The Cookie Caper,” is a fun one for all ages to view. Cookie jars of all sizes and shapes are on view throughout the 100-year-old home. Also unique and antique cookie cutters and presses are in the exhibit, plus recipe books, magazines and story books. Most of these are on loan from persons in the community.
Many persons are cookie jar collectors. Andy Warhol, an American artist best known as the leading figure of the pop art movement in the 20th century, was an avid cookie jar collector. When his collection of rare cookie jars was auctioned off in 1988, it fetched a sum of $247,830, roughly $507,955 in today’s dollars. The most valuable lot of cookie jars went for $23,100, approximately $47,346 in today’s dollars.
In the front parlor of the Museum, is a display highlighting a group known for its cookies sales, Girl Scouts of America.
In the living room, the cat and elephant cookie jars elicit smiles. Also outstanding is the Avon red school house and cottage.
The library houses a table filled with all the items of baking cookies, such as a cookie recipe book, ingredients and utensils. The Pillsbury flour and Quaker Oats oatmeal cookie jars add the finishing touches.
Some unique cookie jars are in the dining room. These include Rocky Mountain National Park, Nestle’s and Cupcake. One is Bells shaped, “Ring for Cookies.” Another is a 1930s or 40s cop figure. When the lid is removed, it says, “Stop! Get your hands out of the cookie jar!”
Of course, the kitchen has room-associated jars, such as the apple and Salerno gingerbread, along with unique cookie cutters and presses. Two jars are Aunt Jemima’s; one is completely white and the other depicts the 1930s and 40s figure.
In the bedrooms and bathroom, there are a variety of cookie jars, including a cow. The child’s bedroom highlights Mother Goose with a cookie jar and books.
The display room contains an old-fashioned radio, a train, and police car cookie jars. In the display case are antique cookie presses, plus an array of cookie cutters, such as a barnyard set and a fireman set. The sun room is holiday themed with snowmen, Santa Claus and candy cane cookie jars.
Persons also have the opportunity to purchase a raffle ticket for a handcrafted custom cookie jar made by Garth Keck. The jar is made of Oregon myrtlewood with red oak and red grandis eucalyptus. The knob on the lid is from the Kruse House cherry tree. The ticket price is $2 or three for $5. The raffle takes place at the West Chicago Historical Society’s annual Ice Cream Social Saturday, September 9.
The KHM, 527 Main Street, is open from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturdays. There is no charge for admission. (www.merleburl.com)
AROUND AND ABOUT
We-Go Community Theater of the West Chicago Park District presents “The Little Mermaid ” in the Fine Arts Center at Wheaton Academy, 900 North Prince Crossing Road. Performances are at 7:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 13 and 14, and at noon Saturday, July 15, 2017. The ticket price is $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Advance tickets are available on line at www.we-goparks.org.
The musical is based on the book by Hans Christian Anderson and the Disney movie.
The 15-year-old mermaid Ariel is fascinated with life on land. On one of her visits to the surface, which her father King Triton forbids, she falls in love with a human prince. Ariel makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula to become human for three days. However, the plans go awry for the lovers and her father must make the ultimate sacrifice for his daughter.
West Chicago Park District hosts Game Day USA baseball and softball tournaments Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 14, 15, and 16 2017 at Reed-Keppler and Pioneer parks.
Late Night Swim is from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 14, 2017 at Turtle Splash Water Park. Ticket price is $5 for residents, $8 for non-residents, in advance; $10 at the door.
West Chicago Community High School Cheer holds a carwash from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 15, 2017 at Jewel-Osco, 177 East Roosevelt Road. The charge is $5.
To celebrate its 20th Anniversary, the Tri-Village Garden Club holds a Benefit Garden Walk for We Grow Dreams and Greenhouse from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 15, 2017. The featured six gardens are in Bartlett. Ticket price is $12 advance and $15 the day of the walk. Tickets are available at We Grow Dreams Greenhouse, 1055 West Washington Street. For further information, visit the website, www.trivillagegardenclub.org or email floraljill@sbcglobal.net, waltergroble@comcast.net. The greenhouse, a not-for-profit organization, provides job training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
DuPage Friends of Extension hold their annual brunch Saturday, July 15, 2017 in the gardens at Ball Horticultural Company, 622 Town Road. The brunch is from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; the gardens are open until 3:00 p.m. University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners lead tours and answer horticultural questions. There also is a silent auction. Ticket price is $45 through Wednesday, July 12; after this date, the price is $51. For further information or to order tickets, visit the website dupagefriendsofextension.webs.com A limited number of tickets are available at the door. Proceeds benefit the University of Illinois Extension programs.
Christian Bitter is the speaker at the 9:30 a.m. worship service Sunday, July 16, 2017 at St. Michael’s United Church Of Christ. He is a student in the Master of Divinity program at Chicago Theological Seminary. The pastor of St. Michael’s, Reverend Sue Ebersold, is on vacation.
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. “Downloading Books on Your iPad” class is at 1:00 p.m. Monday, July 17, 2017. For classes that involve a technology device, persons need to bring their personal items with them.
West Chicago Public Library District offers a two-hour class on Android Devices for Beginners at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2017 in Study Room 3, 118 West Washington Street. This beginner workshop helps persons learn the basics. To make a reservation, call the adult services department at (630) 231-1552, extension 4.
Community High School District holds a public hearing on permanent transfer of approximately $800,000 from the Operations & Maintenance Fund to Capital Projects Fund for the final costs of the 2017 renovation project planned transfer. It takes place at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2017 in the district administrative office, 157 West Washington Street.
GardenWorks Project holds a cooking class, “Summer Recipes Using Your Garden Veggies,” at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at its Resource Center, 103 West Washington Street. Laura Walsh, RD of Walsh Nutrition Group, demonstrates the preparation of summer salads and vegetable side dishes. There is no charge, but reservations are requested and may be made on the website, www.gardenworksproject.org.
The movie at the Turtle Splash Water Park Flick & Float event is “The Little Mermaid” Friday, July 21, 2017. It starts at 8:30 p.m. Participants must supply the own floats. Pre-registration is required. There is no charge for Splash Pass holders. The charge is $5 for residents and $7 for non-residents.
John & Tony’s Restaurant, 27W371 North Avenue, hosts an all day fundraiser for Leukemia Research Foundation, on behalf of Lefty, Saturday, July 22, 2017. The Summer Bar-B-Q Buffet is from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. On the menu is smoked beef, pulled pork, corn on the cob, pasta salad, fruit bowl and pastries. The charge is $10.95 and $6.95 for children. Twenty percent of the food sales go to the foundation. This also includes foods and drinks from the menu. There are raffle tickets for $10 or 12 for $100. List of prizes on www.johnandtonys.com, Musical entertainment includes Deja Blu, Trio Leo and DJ Brian Bender. For further information, call (630) 520-0593.
The City of West Chicago sponsors a 30-minute fireworks display at approximately 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at Reed-Keppler Park.The event follows the summer concert program, Hey Cowboy, a country cover band, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
A softball game between the West Chicago Fire Protection District and West Chicago Police Department and pig roast to benefit Special Olympics takes place Sunday, July 30, 2017. The game is at 1:00 p.m. at Reed-Keppler Park, followed by the pig roast at Hawthorne’s Backyard Bar and Grill, 1200 West Hawthorne Lane. In addition to a 50/50 raffle, there are raffle tickets for a 2017 Harley Davidson and a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle, plus a silent auction. The cost is $10. For further information, call (630) 918-6326.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Thomas Allen Lenertz, who at the age of 58 passed away Friday, July 7, 2017.
Former West Chicago resident Terry Bodine built a canal boat model that is on display in the Wabash and Erie Canal Park in Delphi, Indiana.
At the meeting Monday, July 3, 2017, City Council approved an ordinance to prohibit the sale and use of powdered alcohol and/or the smoking of alcohol and said devices. The ordinance states “No person shall advertise, use, sell, offer for sale, deliver, receive, or possess any product consisting of or containing powdered alcohol (Palcohol) or smoking alcohol…Alcohol without Liquid (AWOL) Machines prohibited.
(1) It shall be unlawful to possess, sell, transfer or use an alcohol without liquid (AWOL) machine or device within the City.
(2) It shall be unlawful to use a medical device such as an inhaler, nebulizer, atomizer or other device properly prescribed by a physician for the purpose of mixing alcoholic liquor or powder with oxygen, air or another gas to produce a mist or vapor for inhalation or snorting for non-medicinal purposes within the City.
The AWOL machine or device is subject to immediate seizure by the police department. The machine may be ordered destroyed, after an opportunity for a hearing and an order of the circuit court.”
Also approved was granting a Class A-2 liquor license to Tequila Roadhouse, 920 East Roosevelt Road (the old location of Pal Joey’s Restaurant). At the meeting, Michael Libert said he hoped it would be opening in August.
Recent business openings in West Chicago include SOL Chimney Sweep, Inc. 375 Fenton Lane #A; Midwest Strength and Performance LLC, 245 West Roosevelt Road, Building 9, Suite 9; Achem Industry America, Inc., 825 Hawthorne Lane; My Child’s Life Matters, 934 and 936 East Roosevelt Road; RestoPaint, 1891 North Neltnor Boulevard; Defenders Media on Main Street.
The new garbage rates effective July 1, 2017 are $16.16 for a 35-gallon cart, $9.31 (senior rate) for a 35-gallon cart and $28.56 for a 95-gallon cart. The cost for stickers remains the same.
Mayor Ruben Pineda unveiled signage designating a section of garden at City Hall as a certified and registered Monarch Waystation Monday, July 10, 2017. To commemorate the ceremony, a dozen Monarch butterflies were released. Mayor Pineda signed the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayor’s Monarch Pledge in March. Since then a garden facing Main Street on the Northeast side of the building was created with three types of Milkweed, which is the only plant the caterpillars will eat. Other plantings are Coneflowers, Joe Pie Weed, Virginia Sweetspire and Summer Sweet.
“Starfall,” artwork by First Star artists, Gallery 200 members, appears on cover of the July issue of “Bravo” magazine. There also is a short blurb on the artists, jammer and jrr, and their company. “Bravo” is devoted to arts, entertainment community events and dining in Elgin.
The weather was perfect for the 2017 Railroad Days.
There were 57 participants in the Michael Browning Memorial Run to Remember Saturday. July 8, 2017. After paying for expenses, the amount raised should be in the area of $2,000 said Detective Robbi Peterson of the West Chicago Police Department. (www.merleburl.com)
The parade drew cheers from the watchers, young and old alike. The parade participants enjoyed themselves. Music is always an important part of a parade and the Medinah Highlanders Pipe & Drum, West Chicago Community High School Marching Band and The Patriots, the home school band, were great.
For the Grand Marshal Award, the judges selected the float of the West Chicago Park District Theater Program, featuring cast members from “The Little Mermaid.” The Grand Marshall award is for the float that best depicts the theme of the parade, which this year was “What Defines Your Art?” The judges said, “Theater is a form of art and the way the cast members swayed exemplified a form of art.”
Winning the Turner Award was Happiness n’ Hair. The Turner Award is for a business or organization best portraying its services and purpose. “The float clearly defined its celebration of Peggy Whitman owning the business for 45 years.”
Power Boxing & Fitness LLC won the Heritage Award, which is for the youth group showing its purpose, enthusiasm and spirit. “Although not a youth group per se, it was evident that children were an important part of the business and the children participating had such happy smiles and a sense of self confidence.” (www.merleburl.com)
My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.