Despite the inclement weather, there was a nice-size crowd watching the Eighth Annual Kwasman Klassic, hosted by the WeGo Wildcats Special Olympics Club, Saturday, January 26, 2019. Basketball teams were members of the West Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 85 and West Chicago Illinois Association of Firefighter 3970. Members of the Wildcats played on the fire and police teams for the first three quarters. During this time the Wildcats kept up a fast and furious pace with many basket shots. However, the youth on the team of the fire district were able to make some great moves, ending the third quarter with an 11 point lead over the police department team. In the fourth quarter, the police department team came on strong and closed the gap, jumping to a lead. Then it was basket by basket with the outcome of the police department team winning by one point; the score was 47-46. This is the fifth year the police department won the Kwasman Klassic Trophy-2014, 2016, 2018 and, now 2019. Presenting the trophy was Krystal Kwasman, wife of the late Mayor Mike Kwasman. Dick Doremus was the coach of the Special Olympics team. Dirk Gunderson was the referee, Diana Gunderson was the timekeeper and Kyle Gunderson is the home referee.
Providing entertainment before the game and during the third/fourth quarter break were the West Chicago Dance Team. Two members of the WeGo Wildcats Special Olympics basketball team are retiring and were recognized. Sean McComb and Tony Martin have played in seven of the eight games.
The Kwasman Klassic is the club’s main fundraiser and this event was successful. Club president Dave Hempe said, “The Club had a record night financially.” Between the donations, the 50/50 raffle and the basket raffle, the total was almost $1,300. West Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 85 and West Chicago Illinois Association of Firefighters 3970 each donated $150 and the winner of the 50/50 donated her share back, making the total $482. Another winner was the Neighborhood Food pantry, receiving a $10 donation and 150 items of non-perishable food. The event itself was a winner for all— The audience had fun, the players had fun, the coaches had fun. (www.merleburl.com)
AROUND AND ABOUT
Due to extreme weather expected on Wednesday, Groot Industries will not be in operation on Wednesday or Thursday. Therefore, Wednesday customers will have no pickup until next week on Wednesday, Thursday customers will have pickup on Friday and Friday customers will have pickup on Saturday.
West Chicago Elementary School District 33 Beginning Band and Orchestra Concert is at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 31, 2019, in the cafetorium at Leman Middle School, 238 East Hazel Street.
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 North Prince Crossing Road, is one of the five locations accepting donations of winter coats and other clothing for Immigrant Solidarity DuPage. The donations are for migrants, both adults and children, seeking asylum at the border. The collection box is in the church Narthex.
In observance of “Give Kids a Smile Day,” DuPage County Health Department dentists and volunteer dentists from the community give free dental screenings from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fridays, February 1, and March 1, 2019, at DuPage County Health Department, 111 North County Farm Road. Children also receive oral health education and a free oral healthcare kit. For further information, call (630) 682-7400.
“Art—Past and Present” is the exhibit at Gallery 200 for the month of February. The display features the artwork of Margaret Bucholz. It consists of watercolor, acrylics, and colored pencil drawings and paintings. The artist’s reception is from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, February 1, 2019. Joe Eddy Brown, a folk singer and guitarist, provides the entertainment.
Bucholz graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting from the University of Hawaii. She continues to hone her skills by taking workshops at Ghost Ranch, The Clearing, and Dillman’s Resort, and colored pencil classes at Beech Tree Studios in Geneva. She is vice president of Addison Art Guild and a member of DuPage Art League in Wheaton. She teaches colored pencil, acrylic and watercolor classes at DuPage Art League and Addison Parks District. Many of her watercolor and colored pencil pieces hang in private collections. (www.merleburl.com)
The First Friday activity at West Chicago City Museum, 132 Main Street, is making Victorian Valentines. It takes place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 1, 2019.
WeGo Global, an international service organization at West Chicago Community High School, presents a screening of the 2018 Sundance Film Festival award winning film “On Her Shoulders” at 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 1, 2019, in Weyrauch Auditorium, 326 Joliet Street. Admission is free; donations are accepted for the Sinjar Fund. Recommended for ages 13 and over due to mature themes.
Twenty-three year old Murad’s life is a dizzying array of exhausting undertakings from giving testimony before the U.N. to visiting refugee camps to soul-bearing media interviews and one-on-one meetings with top government officials. With deep compassion and a formal precision and elegance that matches Nadia’s calm and steely demeanor, filmmaker Alexandria Bombach follows this strong-willed young woman, who survived the 2014 genocide of the Yazidis in Northern Iraq and escaped the hands of ISIS to become a relentless beacon of hope for her people, even when at times she longs to lay aside this monumental burden and simply have an ordinary life.
Nadia’s Initiative established the Sinjar Action Fund to advance reconstruction efforts in the Yazidi Homeland. Nadia Murad is seeding the fund by donating 100 percent of her prize money from the Nobel Peace Prize.
West Chicago City Museum needs artists for inclusion in the new exhibit, “Home,” which is scheduled to be on display from Saturday, May 18, 2019, through Saturday, May 20, 2020. The original artwork is to be inspired by the story of someone, who at one time, called West Chicago home. Participation is encouraged from artists working both in visual and performing arts, which include sculpture, painting, photography, printmaking, site specific installations, performance, writing, sound and music.
To enter their nomination for participation, artists are to submit an artist statement, a biography and exhibition/performance history and up to three samples of prior work either in jpeg format/links to sound or video files to Sara Phalen at wegohistory@gamail.com or 132 Main Street, West Chicago, IL 60185. The deadline is Friday, February 1; artists will receive notification no later than Friday, February 15. The introduction to potential stories of “Home” and exploration of archives and artifacts behind the stories is scheduled for Saturday, March 2.
The selected artists will work with museum director Sara Phalen and exhibit co-curator Anni Holm to explore local history and relevant artifacts from the collection of the museum. The artwork will be displayed alongside the histories of community members and select artifacts. Featured artists also will be featured in a small publication.
For further information, call Phalen at (630) 231-3376 or email wegohistory@gmail.com.
In partnership with Center for Economic Progress and Ladder Up, the West Chicago income tax preparation site opens Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Leman Middle School, 238 East Hazel Street, entrance 8. Hours are from 5:30 to 8L00 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturdays. The site operates on a first come, first serve basis and may close early when capacity is reached. There is no charge for families, (more than one person in home) with income less than $55,000 and individuals with income less than $30,000. For further information call (312) 252-1281 or at www.economicpprogress.org. (www.merleburl.com)
Guest pastor Rich Rubietta leads a musical presentation at the 10:00 a.m. worships service Sunday, February 3, 2019, at First United Methodist Church of West Chicago, 643 East Washington Street.
West Chicago Community High School Softball hosts a free T-ball and Skills Camp to 4 to 10 year-olds Sundays, February 3 through 24, 2019 in the field house, 326 Joliet Street. Hours are 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. for T-ball, 4 to 6 year olds; 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. for 8u camp, ages 7 to 8; and 11:00 a.m. to noon for10u, ages 9 to 10. No experience is necessary. To register email Coach Sean Gimpert at sgimpert@d94.org or call (630) 876-6208.
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. Beginner classes are at 1:00 p.m. Tuesdays. “Texting on Smartphones” class is at 4:00 p.m. Monday, February 4, 2019.
Healthy West Chicago offers a Cooking Matters class from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, February 4, through March 11, 2019, at St. Michael’s Rockwell Building, 108 Sherman Street. The program is for low-income families to learn how to make healthy meals on a budget. Participants learn how to shop smarter, use nutrition information to make healthier choices and cook affordable, delicious meals. To make a reservation email carlys@healthywestchicago.orgcall or test (630)230-6370. (www.merleburl.com)
West Chicago Community High School offers a 12-week preschool for children 2.5 to 5 years of age from Tuesday, February 5, through Thursday, May 2, 2019, at the high school, 326 Joliet Street. Times are 9:50 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The cost is $180. To access the application, visit www.d94.org/preschool. For further information, call Brittney Bauer at (630) 876-6377 or email bbauer@d94.org.
Students currently enrolled in Child Development 2 and Advanced Child Development serve as classroom teachers under the direction of staff. Curriculum focuses on Math/Number application, Alphabet/Language development, Writing Skills, Group Play, and Social Skills. Other activities include a spring concert, a field trip to Brookfield Zoo and Preschool Graduation.
West Chicago Public Library offers a two-hour Open Lab for Smartphone and Tablet users from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 5, 2019, in the conference room, 118 West Washington Street. Staff answers questions and shows attendees how to navigate and feel more comfortable with their device. Persons should charge their device before attending. To make a reservation, call adult services department at (630) 231-1552, extension 4.
Coffee with a Cop is from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 6, 2019, at Kindred Coffee Roasters, 148 West Washington Street. West Chicago police officers are on hand to chit chat with residents of the community. (www.merleburl.com)
The West Chicago Public Library District holds a two-hour Microsoft Excel class at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 6, 2019, in the small conference room, 118 West Washington Street. Topics include learning the basic tools of Excel: setting up spreadsheets, adding/deleting columns and rows, simple calculations, & terminology. Persons must have basic computer skills. To register, call the adult services department at (630) 231-1552, extension 4.
The West Chicago Dance Team hosts a Valentine’s Dance Camp for boys and girls in grades kindergarten through 12. It takes place from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, February 10, 2019, in the West Chicago Community High School Studio, 325 Joliet Street, entrance C. WCCHS dance coaches Laura Pollard and Katie Sullivan conduct the clinic. A performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 15. The charge is $25 in advance, $30 at the door and includes a t-shirt and snacks. To register visit www.d94.org/valentinesdancecamp or mail checks made payable to WC Dance Team to West Chicago Community High School, Attn. WC Dance team, 326 Joliet Street, West Chicago IL 60185. For further information email lpollard@d94.org or call (630) 876-6485.
The West Chicago Park District social gathering for senior citizens is at noon Thursday, February 14, 2019, at the ARC, 201 West National Street.With Mardi Gras approaching, the theme centers around a masquerade ball. Persons who took a plastic mask home from the January social and decorated it are to bring it and have the opportunity to win prizes for the “Most Creative Masks.” The menu is chicken and sausage gumbo and n authentic “King Cake” for dessert. Guests are asked to bring a dish to share and a complete place setting; bowls are provided. Reservations are required and may be made in person at the ARC or online at www.we-goparks.com.
Baby, it’s cold outside, but the frigid temperatures are not going to deter West Chicago Police Detective Robbi Peterson from participating in the 2019 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge Friday and Saturday, February 15 and 16. This is the second year he has committed to “be bold and cold” for 24 hours taking a plunge every hour into Lake Michigan. Peterson said, “Many people thought I had a screw loose last year when I signed up to voluntarily jump into Lake Michigan 24 times over the course of 24 hours. Well, maybe I do have a few loose because I did it again.” Funds raised benefit Special Olympics Illinois. Peterson has set a personal fundraising goal of $5,000. To help him meet this goal, persons can make donations at
Donations also can be made by check made payable to Special Olympics Illinois. In order for him to receive credit for donations, put the name Robbi Peterson in the memo portion of the check. Persons can either drop off the check or mail it to West Chicago Police Department, 325 Spencer Street, West Chicago, IL 60185. Peterson said, “Yes, I am crazy! But this is a great way to get our 2019 fundraising on behalf of Special Olympics Illinois and the Law Enforcement Torch Run off to a great start. The donations provide athletes with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in Special Olympics programs and reveal their inner champion.
The painting “By Air or By Sea” by Maggie Capettini, West Chicago City Museum education director, received an Honorable Mention in the “Up Close and Personal” exhibit at the Norris Cultural Gallery, 1040 Dunham Road in St. Charles. The exhibit runs through Sunday, February 17, 2019.
Gallery Theater, 129 MainStreet, is holding auditions for its next play, “The Dining Room,” by A. R. Gurney. The director is Tom Rieser. Auditions take place from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, February 17, and from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, February, 18, 2019. The director is looking for four men and four women to play 57 roles. Additional actors may be cast. Performance dates are Fridays and Saturdays, April 5, 6, 12 and 13, and Sundays, April 7 and 14. To set up a time or for more information, email galleryauditions@gmail.net or call (630) 234-5919.
Per the press release, “The play is set in the dining room of a typical well-to-do household, the place where the family assembled daily for breakfast and dinner and for any and all special occasions. The action is composed of a mosaic of interrelated and overlapping scenes—some funny, some touching, some rueful—which, taken together, create an in-depth portrait of a vanishing level of society: the upper-middle class. The actors change roles, personalities and ages with virtuoso skill as they portray a wide variety of characters, from little boys to stern grandfathers, and from giggling teenage girls to Irish housemaids. Each vignette introduces a new set of people and events; a father lectures his son on grammar and politics; a boy returns from boarding school to discover his mother’s infidelity; a senile grandmother doesn’t recognize her own sons at Christmas dinner; a daughter, her marriage a shamble, pleads futilely to return home, etc. Dovetailing swiftly and smoothly, the varied scenes coalesce, ultimately, into a theatrical experience of exceptional range, compassionate humor and abundant humanity.”
Under the sponsorship of People Made Visible, a committee is working to publish a new cookbook, “One West Chicago: Near and Far,” highlighting the diversity and community organizations through recipes from the people and organizations in the community. Persons who are a resident, a former resident, work in West Chicago or belong to a West Chicago organization can submit a recipe. The publication is scheduled for spring of 2019. Handwritten or typed recipes can be submitted until Thursday, February 28, to Attn: Sara Phalen, West Chicago City Museum, 132 Main Street, West Chicago, IL 60185; Recipes can be submitted electronically until March 31. For further information, visit the Facebook page, One West Chicago: Near and Far or email wegocookbook@gmail.com. (www.merleburl.com)
Joe Cochario has withdrawn his name from the candidacy for West Chicago Ward 4 Alderman in the consolidated election, Tuesday, April 5, 2019. Thus on the ballot, Melissa Ferguson will be the only listed candidate for this position.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Michael J. “Mike” Fox, who at the age of 48 passed away Saturday, January 19, 2019
Deepest sympathy to the family of Thelma J. “Chicki” Westrom, who at the age of 88 passed away Thursday, January 24, 2019.
Sincere sympathy is expressed to the family of Robert A. Wheatley, who at the age of 88 passed away Thursday, January 17, 2019.
Deepest sympathy to the family of Susan Lyn Fors, who at the age of 72 passed away Thursday, January 17, 2019.
Sincere sympathy to the family of Barbara Anne Hayes, who at the age of 66 passed away Friday, January 4, 2019.
Adam Hey, a senior at West Chicago Community High School, is Student of the Month for December. He was selected for being an excellent student, involvement in sports and student activities and working with students who are generally uninvolved and disenfranchised at school to help them find a place and a way to be engaged at WeGo.
In addition to being named Commended Student in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship program, Hey is an Illinois State Scholar, a member of National Honor Society and the Foreign Language Honor Society. With a cumulative weighted Grade Point Average of 5.542, Hey has been on High Honor Roll every semester.
Hey has played football, basketball, and lacrosse, and was named Academic All-Conference.
He is the Officer of Public Relations of Student Council, serves as a Student Ambassador, and is a member of the Math Team, plus this year was the founder of WeGo Science Club.
Outside of school, Hey volunteers at a local food pantry. In the spring, summer and fall, he is little league umpire.
Upon graduation, Hey plans to major in Astronautical Engineering, hoping one day to work for NASA or SpaceX. (www.merlburl.com)
Abby Carr, a senior at West Chicago Community High School, is Academic Achiever for the month of December. With a cumulative weighted Grade Point Average of 5.551, she has one of the top 10 GPA’s among senior students at the high school. She has been on High Honor Roll every semester, is an Illinois State Scholar, a member of National Honor Society and the Foreign Language Honor Society.
Carr, balancing academic excellence and participation in extracurricular activities, she is involved in WeGo Drama, Tech Crew, Speech Team, Choir, Math Team, Student Council, Film Club, Tabletop Club, and served as a leader in Snowball.
After graduation, Carr plans to attend college, majoring in Data Science. a continuation of her interest for statistics, computer science, and analytics. (www.merleburl.com)
Seventy-five persons attended the Breakfast with Santa, sponsored by the United Methodist Women and Men, Saturday, December 8, 2018. The proceeds from the breakfast and pictures with Santa totaled $562, which recently was donated to Neighborhood Food Pantry. This payment to the food pantry was make possible through the generous donation of food supplies, and time and supplies by professional photographer, Uwe Gsedl, member of the church.
My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.
