With Thanksgiving begins the whirlwind of holiday activities with many events taking place in our community. Attend and enjoy as many as you can fit into your schedules. Most importantly, take the time to enjoy Thanksgiving, one of my favorites holidays. It is a time to be together with family and/or friends, dining on delicious food, laughing and talking. Happy Thanksgiving!
AROUND AND ABOUT
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 140 North Oakwood Avenue, Thanksgiving Mass is at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, November 28, 2019.
With the last Saturday of the month falling during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Coffee with the Mayor for the month of November is cancelled.
To begin the Advent season, St. Michael’s United Church of Christ, 400 West Washington Street, celebrates with the Hanging of the Greens in the sanctuary and decorates the Chrismon Tree at its 9:30 a.m. worship service Sunday, December 1, 2019. Chrismon is a combination of two words, Christ and monograms. The different monograms include the Crosses, the Symbols and the Parables, with the colors of gold and white; some are beaded. (www.merleburl.com)
Gallery Theater holds auditions for the play, “ Skylight,” by British dramatist David Hare from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, December 1, and from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, December 2, 2019, at the theater, 129 Main Street. The director is Justin Schaller. Performance dates are Fridays and Saturdays, February 14, 15, 21 and 22, and Sundays, February 16 and 23, 2020. Rehearsals begin immediately after the New Year. Schedule appointment by emailing galleryauditions@gmail.com.
This play explores the challenges and enlightenments of bringing two polarized worlds together. On a chilly, fall evening in London, a restaurateur, Tom Sergeant, visits an old flame, Kyra Hollis, after having lost his wife to cancer. While Tom wished Kyra would teach at university instead of in a high school in East Ham, he hopes that he can rekindle the affair they had ended three years ago after they were discovered by his then wife. It takes place in North London. An attempt at a standard, British dialect at auditions would be appreciated.
Characters in the play are Kyra Hollis, who is just past 30, strong willed and a school teacher for underprivileged students; Tom Sergeant, 50, self satisfied and a restaurant and hotel tycoon; and Edward Sergeant, college-aged, abrupt, concerned and inquisitive.
To accommodate those who deep fry turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner, this is a reminder that Winfield Township has a used vegetable oil drop off from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mondays at the Township Road facility, 30W575 Roosevelt Road. Persons should put the used oil in a plastic container, animal fat is not accepted. For further information, call the township road office at (630) 231-8850.
Wayne/Winfield Area Youth/Family Services offers hour-long computer classes for senior citizens, 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. “Using Calendar on Smart Phones” class is at 4:00 p.m. Monday, December 2, 2019.
For the eighth year, WeGo Drama and Barnes and Noble present Bookfair Showcase, an evening of entertainment. The fundraiser takes place from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2019, at the store located in the Geneva Commons, 102 Commons Drive. The event celebrates the performing arts of the students at West Chicago Community High School and is a showcase of the talents in the school.
Activities include cupcake decorating and gift wrapping. Arts and crafts for adults and children are from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.; a “Special Storytime” of children’s stories is at 5:00 p.m.; the high school A Cappella performs at 6:00 p.m. followed by a special one-act comedy at 6:45 p.m. Concurrent with this is the Book Fair with a percentage of purchases benefitting the drama club. The offer is good from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Persons unable to attend can still support WeGo Drama at any Barnes and Noble in the United States or on-line from December 4 to 9, at BN.com/bookfairs, entering Bookfair ID 12530457 at the checkout. (www.merleburl.com)
WeGo Wildcats Special Olympics Club basketball team plays Glenbard North at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2019, in Bishop Gym, 326 Joliet Street.
The GardenWorks Project holds a volunteer event and pre-launch of its Food Growers Network at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2019, in the Resource Center, 103 West Washington Street. Not only do volunteers receive 20 packets of free seeds, but will learn how to start seeds at home, growing microgreens from home kitchens and winter sowing. To make a reservation, visit www.gardenworksproject.org. (www.merleburl.com)
Trinity Lutheran Church, 338 George Street, Advent services are at 7:00 p.m. Wednesdays, December 4, 11 and 18, 2019.
The Holiday Band Concert of West Chicago Community High School is at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2019, in Weyrauch Auditorium, 326 Joliet Street. James Wallace is the director. Both the Concert and Symphonic Bands perform. Musical selections include several holiday songs, a fanfare based upon “Joy to the World,” a “Jingle Bells” march and Leroy Anderson’s epic fantasy of holiday music, “A Christmas Festival.”
Insight into the history of the beginning of aviation is the program at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2019, in the meeting room at the West Chicago Public Library, 118 West Washington Street. Local author and historian William Hazelgrove discusses his book “Wright Brothers, Wrong Story” and delves into the history of aviation in America after the Wright Brothers’ invention. To make a reservation call the adult services department at (630) 231-1552, extension 4.
Hazelgrove is the National Bestselling author of ten novels and six nonfiction titles. He was the Ernest Hemingway Writer in Residence where he wrote in the attic of Ernest Hemingway’s birthplace. He has written articles and reviews for several publications and was a featured on NPR. (www.merleburl.com)
The Holiday Orchestra Concert of West Chicago Community High School is at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 5, 2019, in Weyrauch Auditorium, 326 Joliet Street. Performing are the Concert, Symphony, and String Orchestras under the direction of Alexandra Wojciechowski. Musical selections include “Sleigh Ride,” the march from “Nutcracker Suite,“ “Let it Snow,” “All I Want for Christmas,” “The Grinch” and “Jingle Rock.” (www.merleburl.com)
West Chicago Public Library, 118 West Washington Street, hosts its annual Holiday Open House from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, December 6, 2019. This year, the theme is “An Old Fashioned Holiday.” Bringing back memories of the past, the activities include games, crafts, refreshments, visits with Mrs. Kringle and the Canterbury Carolers. (www.merleburl.com)
As part of First Fridays in West Chicago, the City Museum, 132 Main Street, hosts a Candlelight Christmas during its Late Night at the City Museum from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 6, 2019. Attendees can enjoy historic traditions and refreshments by candlelight.
Also taking part in First Friday from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. December 6, 2019, is Kindred Coffee Roasters, 148 West Washington Street. The artwork is historic community photos on loan from West Chicago City Museum. These will be on display during the month of December.
Small Gifts of Art’ is the exhibit at Gallery 200, 103 West Washington Street, for the month of December. The artwork of the featured artists is perfect for holiday gifts, plus reasonably priced. The artists’ reception is from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, December 6, 2019.
Participating artists Margaret Bucholz, original paintings and prints; Marge Hall, oil paintings and ornaments; Lou Jacobson, ornaments and cards (watercolor); Kathi Kuchler, scarves, jewelry and paintings; Britta Renwick, jewelry, painted tea lights, painted wine glasses and cement planters; Sue Tripp, fused glass; and Marita Valdizan, wire crochet art and ornaments.
Gallery hours are from noon to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, noon to 8:00 p.m. Friday, and from noon to 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Also during Frosty Fest, there are three art demonstrations from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 7, 2019.
Registration for the 2019 Frosty Fest 5K Run/Walk is now open online at https://raceroster.com/events/2019/26751/frosty-5k-and-kids-fun-run or on the City’s website, https://westchicago.org/city-events/frosty-fest/. Presented by the City of West Chicago and Healthy West Chicago, the event takes place Saturday, December 7, 2019, starting in Turner Court. Packet pick up and registration is at 7:30 p.m. and the race begins at 8:30 a.m. The free Kids Fun Walk, a 200-yard dash down Turner Court for children age 10 and under, begins at approximately 9:30 a.m. Age groups are 10 and under, 11 to 14, 15 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69 and 70 and over. The top three overall male and female participants receive awards, plus the top three males and females in each age category receive awards. The fee is $25 for residents, $30 for non-residents; $5 for student residents and $10 for student non-residents. There is a $2 online procession fee. On line registration deadline is Friday, December 6. Race participants receive shirts and winter gloves.Kids Fun Run participants receive a finisher’s ribbon. For further information on volunteering or the Walk/Run, call Special Events Coordinator Bethany Bayci at (630) 293-2200, extension 176 or email bbayci@westchicago.org.
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 North Prince Crossing Road, holds its ninth annual Cookie Bazaar from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2019. The cost is $9 for a one-pound box and $17 for a two-pound box of cookies. A portion of the proceeds benefits Neighborhood Food Pantry at 123 Fremont Street. For further information, call the church office at (630) 231-3787.
The Station, the youth group at First United Methodist Church of West Chicago, hosts its seventh annual Christmas Candy Cottage Workshop from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 7, 2019, at the church, 643 East Washington Street. Families make a “house” to take home. The $10 charge per house includes pre-shaped gingerbread, frosting and candy. Proceeds benefit DuPage PADS. For further information, call the church at (630) 231-3344 or visit www.firstumcucc.org
Frosty Fest is from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 7, 2019, in the historic downtown district. Activities include the procession, official community tree lighting ceremony, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse-drawn wagon rides, crafts, entertainment, ice sculpture carving and refreshments
WeGo Drama at West Chicago Community High School presents a Holiday Sing-a-Long to the movie “White Christmas” at 7 p.m. Saturday, December 7, 2019, in Weyrauch Auditorium, 326 Joliet St. Ticket price for the benefit event is $10.Tickets are available at the door or on line at www.wegotheatre.com.
In addition to the showing of the movie, which is a fun time for all ages, there are treats and games. Included among the activities are an Ugly Sweater contest, a 50/50 raffle and the appearance of surprise guests.
Wego Drama is representing the community, state, and United States as part of the 2020 Edinburgh Fringe Festival: The World’s Largest Performing Arts Festival. Proceeds from this event assist with the expenses for this experience.
The Holiday Choral Concert of West Chicago Community High School is at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, December 8, 2019, in Weyrauch Auditorium, 326 Joliet Street Performing are the Honors a Capella Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, Mixed Chorus and Women’s Choral under the direction of Brandon Fantozzi. Songs include “Making Christmas” from a “Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Home for the Holidays,” a Gospel arrangement of “Joy to the World!,” “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow,” “Please Come Home for Christmas” and two holiday songs sung by all the choirs combined.
West Chicago Park District’s monthly social activity for senior citizens is at noon Thursday, December 12, 2019, at the ARC, 201 National Street. For the holiday celebration, the District provides herb roasted loin of pork, whipped sweet potatoes, roasted root vegetables with balsamic and honey, steamed corrn with butter and dinner rolls. Guests bring a $5 or under gift, wrapped in holiday wrappings for a new gift exchange game. Guests also can bring a holiday dessert, if they wish. The charge is $11 for residents and $13 for non-residents. Reservations are due by Thursday, December 5, and may be made online at www.we-goparks.org or in person at the ARC.
The Twelfth Annual Holiday Celebration for the Community, sponsored by American Legion Post 300 and Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 6791, is Saturday, December 14, 2019, at Legion Hall, 123 Main Street. Social hour begins at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner, catered by Pal Joey’s, at 7:00 p.m. Providing the entertainment is a DJ. Door prizes and raffles add to the fun of the evening. Cash only bar. The American Legion is the organizer this year. Ticket price is $20, $35 for a couple, $10 for children age 12 and under, no charge for children age 2 and under. Purchase tickets in advance at the Legion or the VFW, 1431 North Neltnor Boulevard.
The event is open to the public. For further information call (630) 231-2112.
Winfield Township enters its 31st year of its “Adopt-A-Family” program. Working in conjunction with Neighborhood Food Pantries located 123 Fremont Street the township has 41 families with a total of 107 children under the age of 18 enrolled; all already are adopted. “We have some big donors,” said General Assistance Director Claudia Gabrels. One group adopted 15 families. All registrants are screened for eligibility according to Emergency Assistance guidelines. The “adoption” of a family involves providing a gift for each child and a $50 gift certificate for a holiday meal from a local area grocery store. Donations for holiday meals, emergencies or gift cards for groceries are always welcome, and can be used throughout the year if needed. To make a donation or for more information, call Gabrels at (331) 240-2665 or email cgabrels@winfieldtownship.com.
With the holiday season upon us, the onset of decorating begins in earnest, which includes the discovery of strands of incandescent and LED holiday lights that no longer work and finding a way of ecological disposal. The City provides the “green” answer with the offer of free recycling for the holiday lights and extension cords through Friday, January 17, 2020. The offer is open to residents, businesses, clubs, churches and organizations. Drop-off locations are City Hall, 475 Main Street; First United Methodist Church of West Chicago, 643 East Washington Street; Murphy Ace Hardware, 319 South Neltnor Boulevard; Water Treatment Plant, 1400 West Hawthorne Lane; West Chicago Public Library District, 118 West Washington Street; and the ARC Center, 201 West National Street.
First United Methodist Church of West Chicago, 603 East Washington Street, is the site for PADS. With the temperatures turning colder, many of the men guests at PADS are in need of gloves, stocking caps and large-size sweatpants and sweat tops for layering under regular clothing or for sleeping. Also there is a need for women’s sweat pants and tops and socks. The items do not need to be expensive as much of the cold weather clothing must be discarded, often donated to a resale operation, when the temperatures turn warmer. PADS guests must travel light as most walk, bike and take the train and are limited as to what they can carry around. Persons can drop off donations from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays or to arrange a time for drop off, call the church at (630) 231-3344 or email wegoumcucc@gmail.com.
The Friends of the West Chicago City Museum 2019 ornament is now available. It highlights the historic landmark, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union fountain, capturing it in its original location at the intersection of Main and Washington streets. It provided refreshment for both people and horses. It was moved in 1909 to make way for the interurban line, the Aurora Elgin & Chicago. In 1997 it was placed at its current location, 126 Main Street.
The price is $10. They are available at the City Museum, 132 Main Street; hours are from 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. They also are available at Gallery 200, 103 West Washington Street. Hours are from noon to 6:00 p.m. Thursdays, noon to 8:00 p.m. Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturdays and from noon to 4:00 p.m. Sundays. (www.merleburl.com)
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Theodora “Teddy” Kufa, who at the age of 99 passed away, Saturday, November 16, 2019.
Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Mary Peters Aegter, who at the age of 90 passed away Sunday, November 17, 2019.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Faire Louise Vanne, who at the age of 94 passed away Sunday, November 17, 2019.
Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Eileen Delores Schipp, who at the age of 71 passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2019.
West Chicago Resident Noah Daniel Cordoba, a student at North Central College in Naperville, is the recipient of the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award, recognizing him for his leadership, service and overall excellence in activities.
Mexican Cultural Center DuPage recently was the recipient of several awards. The Reflecting Excellence Award from “Reflejos,” a bilingual weekly newspaper serving the Chicago Latinx market for more than 20 years, at the publication’s Eighth Annual Award ceremony. MCCD was recognized for giving back by example. Organizations and institutions are honored based on their outreach and services to the Latinx community. The Reflecting Excellence Award is based on nominations by readers of “Reflejos.” This year’s awards ceremony had the overarching theme of diversity. From the Aurora Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, MCCD received the prestigious “ARHCC Hispanic Catalyst Champion 2019” award. (www.merleburl.com)
Leah Wheatley, a senior at West Chicago Community High School, is the Student of the Month for October 2019. She was selected for working hard academically, being a leader in the building, and making WeGo an accepting place for others.
Wheatley has been on High Honor Roll every semester and has a cumulative weighted Grade Point Average of 5.361. Wheatley is a member of National Honor Society and the Foreign Language Honor Society.
Excelling in balancing academics and involvement, Wheatley is a Student Ambassador, a member of WeGo Drama, Horticulture Club, and Club Green. She also travelled to Costa Rica with the exchange program, and hosted a student from Costa Rica. Outside of school, Wheatley volunteers with organizations that help people with special needs.
After graduation, Wheatley plans to attend college and major in Psychology and Spanish, hoping to be a counseling psychologist and help people work through their personal challenges.
On Tuesday, November 19, 2019, the United Methodist Global Ministries/Creation Justice commissioned 67 new EarthKeepers from 23 Conferences. The ten new EarthKeepers from the Northern Illinois Conference included West Chicago residents Judi and Michael Horsley, members of First United Methodist Church of West Chicago. EarthKeepers is a training program to equip United Methodists in the United States for environmental stewards. (www.merleburl.com)
At the Wheaton-Warrenville tournament, Sunday, November 17, 2019, the WeGo Wildcats Special Olympics Club basketball team won two games. The score of the first game against U46 Blue Stars was 48-22 and the second game score against St. Charles East was 66-22.
The West Chicago Police Department announced the arrest of Justin W. Garrett, age 31, of West Chicago for Criminal Damage to Government Supported Property resulting from an incident at the West Chicago Train Depot, 508 Main Street, November 8, 2019. At 4:48 a.m. on this date, West Chicago officers responded to the Depot for a damage to property in progress. Upon arrival, officers observed extensive damage to the Depot and Garrett inside the Depot bleeding from injuries sustained from broken glass. He was subsequently transported to Central DuPage Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
The West Chicago Police Department conducted a joint investigation with the Metra Police. The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office subsequently approved a felony charge of Criminal Damage to State Supported Property against Garrett, as the damage at the Depot was estimated in excess of $2800. Garrett was arrested and transported to DuPage County Jail for a bond hearing. Criminal Damage to State Supported Property is a Class 3 Felony, punishable by 2 to 5 years imprisonment, in addition to any court-ordered fines and/or restitution.
On November 19, 2019, there was a report of a car on fire with a person inside in the area of Route 59 and Route 64. It was reported on West Chicago Police Department Facebook page, saying the Police Department and the West Chicago Fire Protection District were investigating. “The investigation into this situation has revealed the injuries suffered by the lone individual involved appear to be self- inflicted. Final determination regarding the manner of death will be made by the DuPage County Coroner’s Office.”
This is the information of an incident on Wednesday, November 20, 2019.
“On Wednesday, November 20, 2019, shortly before 6:00 p.m., West Chicago police officers responded to the 100 block of East Blair St. for a report of shots fired. The victim was in his vehicle when an unknown vehicle pulled alongside him and fired two shots at his vehicle. After the gunfire the driver of the suspect vehicle fled the scene. The victim was not injured, but the shots caused damage to the rear window of his vehicle. The suspect vehicle is described as a dark-colored SUV. Anyone with information on this incident or has surveillance video of this area is asked to contact Detective Robbi Peterson at 630-293-2222.”
At the Monday, November 18, 2019, meeting, City Council approved a plat of Consolidation and Preliminary and Final PUD Amendment for Ball Horticultural Company, 622 Town Road. The item summary stated, “The project represents a significant investment and expansion of their research and development activities in West Chicago.” It includes a 30,300 square-foot innovation center, a 4,056 square-foot addition to an existing maintenance and grounds building, a 3,492 square-foot addition to an existing head house and a new Quonset complex consisting of six structures totaling 17,280 square feet.
Also approved was a contract for 2019 janitorial services for eight municipal buildings in the amount of $67,234 to Crystal Maintenance Services Corporation of Mount Prospect.
My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.
