I must say October is turning out to be a month with many activities. I know it is impossible to attend all of them, but at least one will pique your interest. In the following weeks, choose your favorites and enjoy!
AROUND AND ABOUT
Early voting for the 2018 General Election is now open through Saturday, October 20, at DuPage County Election Commission, 421 North County Farm Road, Room 1-600. Other locations become available Monday, October 22.
West Chicago Community High School Fall Orchestra Showcase is at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 11, 2018 in Weyrauch Auditorium, 326 Joliet Street. Performing are the Chamber Orchestra, String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra and the Combined Orchestra. Alexandra Wojciechowski is the director.
The Chamber Orchestra plays “Waltz of the Wicked.” The String orchestra performs “Two Scenes from the Hollow” and “Tell-Tale Heart.” Concert Orchestra plays “Sanseneon” and “Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Symphony Orchestra performs “Hoedown,” “Baltic Dance” and “Halloween Spooktacular.” The Combined Orchestra plays “Rockin’ Halloween.”
West Chicago resident Becky Hall has two quilts on display in the Prairie Star Quilters Group Quilt Show at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road in Wheaton. Times are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 12, and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, October 13, 2018. Admission charge is $8 for adults and children under the age of 12 are free. There are more than 250 quilts on display.
The artwork of Maggie Capettini, Education Coordinator at West Chicago City Museum, is on display at several locations.
Her two paintings, “Joy at the Beach” and Lily Pond” are in the exhibit of the Friends of Danada’s Nature Art & Photo Show, a juried competition, in the Danada House, 3S501 Naperville Road in Wheaton. It takes place during the Fall Fest. Hours are from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, October 12 and 13, and from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, October 14.
She is one of the Warrenville Historical Society’s Albright Inspired Artist-in-Residence and will be at the closing reception for the exhibit, “Albright Family of Artists.” It takes place from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 14, 2018, in the Warrenville Historical Society Museum and Art Gallery, 3S530 2nd Street. (www.merleburl.com)
The fifth Annual Unlimited Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Wildcat Booster Club is from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 13, 2018, in WCCHS Commons, 326 Joliet Street, Entrance H. The menu includes all you can eat pancakes, plus a serving of sausage, hash browns and orange drink. The ticket price is $7 and $5 for children age 11 and under in advance; $8 and $6 respectively. (www.merleburl.com)
Rocktober, an informal celebration of rock music, takes place in October, however, People Made Visible is taking it literally and having a project that involves rocks. Taking part in this event is the WeGo Crafty Group. It takes place from 10:00 a.m. to noon Saturday, October 13, 2018, at Gallery 200, 103 West Washington Street. Attendees can add to the kindness wall and then create a kindness rock. Art supplies are courtesy of PMV. The free drop-in event is family friendly and is part of the Kindness Rock project. Following this is the West Chicago Food Fest.
West Chicago Food Fest is from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, October 13, 2018, in the historic downtown district. In addition to a large variety of foods, there is entertainment, food demonstrations and children’s activities such as face painting, outdoor games and crafts.
The 16 food vendors participating are Brick’s on Wheels, Café Delight, Cookies w/Flavor, Famous Dave’s, Freddie’s Off the Chain Catering, Jorge’s Paleteria y Neveria, Kindred Coffee Roasters, Los Comales, Mabuhay Restaurant & Catering, Miss Mary’s Melons, Padi House & Grill, Pierogi Jo’s, Popcorn Time, Sam’s Honey Bee, Taqueria Santa Barbara and The Kitchen Table.
Among the savory morsels to tempt the ravenous appetites are brick oven pizzas, barbecue chicken, tried rice, grilled pork,Indonesian salad, fried noodles, Indonesian beef soup, rice noodles, grilled beef skewers, Pierogis, Polish sausage, sauerkraut, St. Louis spare ribs, baked beans, coleslaw, pork sliders, Puerto Rican rice, Chile rellenos, guacamole, chips, corn bowls, fried mac & cheese, spicy turkey sliders, tacos, tortas, burritos, quesadillas and flautas.
To appeal to the sweet tooth, there are fresh cut fruit, muffins, gluten free baked goods, cinnamon rolls, pie, cookies, ice cream, frozen yogurt, gourmet popcorn, and local honey.
Beverages to quench the thirst include apple cider, tea, hot chocolate, hot and cold brewed coffee and flavored lemonades.
A nice variety of music genres provide the entertainment. On stage from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. is Jose Valdes & the Mambo All Stars, who perform exciting high energy Latin American music. Performing from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. is DuPage, an interactive band that plays the hits of Motown, the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s. The closing act from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. is Prairie Station, who perform the hottest music of today plus the country staples of yesterday.
During the food fest, West Chicago City Museum, 132 Main Street, hosts an art activity, hand-coloring of photographs, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Participants are provided with a still life photo featuring historic food items and coloring materials. This free program is for all ages, youths and adults.
College of DuPage holds its annual Food Truck Rally and Sunset 5K Saturday, October 13, 2018. The Kid Zone hosts family activities, such as Touch-A-Truck and pumpkin painting, from noon to 5:00 p.m. The Food Truck Rally is from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. and features more than 17 Chicago and DuPage mobile eateries.
The 100-Yard Dash with three age divisions of 4 to 5, 6 to 7 and 8 to 9 begins at 3:30 p.m. on the football stadium track. The Sunset 5K is at 4:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit COD student scholarships with each high school district served by COD having a dedicated scholarship for its graduates who attend COD. Twenty-five percent of West Chicago Community High School students choose COD as their first college. Thus persons participating can help support a dedicated scholarship for a Wildcat attending COD. To register, visit cod.edu/5K , or for information call Ami Chambers at (630) 942-3823.
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 North Prince Crossing Road, holds its annual Kermes from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, October 13, 2018. The annual church “fun”draiser involves food and entertainment for all ages. Entertainment includes St. Andrew’s folkloric troupe and a theatrical comedy group. Joining the festivities is Solidaridad de DuPage. (www.merleburl.com)
We Grow Dreams Greenhouse & Garden Center, 1055 West Washington Street, hosts its Annual Fall Open House from noon to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 14, 2018. Refreshments include hot dogs and brats hot off the grill and snack treats. There is a large variety of fall decorations, which include pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, hay bales, fall arrangements, cabbage and kale, and mums in 15 colors.
The mission of the greenhouse is to provide people with disabilities the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives and to train and work in a supportive, safe and caring environment while producing and providing products and services to the community. In this pursuit, we honor the concepts of human dignity, respect, hard work, fellowship and friendship. (www.merleburl.com)
The Eighth Annual Northwest 2018 DuPage United CROP Hunger Walk Sunday, October 14, 2018, begins at 1:30 p.m. at Living Lord Lutheran Church, 1044 Congress Drive in Bartlett. West Chicago participating churches are First United Methodist Church of West Chicago, St. Andrew Lutheran Church and St. Michael’s United Church of Christ. Twenty-five percent of the monies benefit Neighborhood Food pantries, West Chicago PADS and Hanover Township Food Pantry. The remaining 75 percent goes to Church World Services.
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. “Downloading Books on Your iPad” class is at 4:00 p.m. Monday, October 15, 2018.
Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce hosts a free Hiring Event, Job Fair, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 16, 2018, at the Water Treatment Center, 1400 West Hawthorne Lane. Early admission for active military personnel and veterans is from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. Attendees network with hiring managers, submit their resumes, and receive information about resources for the unemployed and underemployed. Participating businesses include Jel Sert, Buck Services, Inc., Mapei, Showalter roofing, Blue Frost Heating and Cooling, Educare West DuPage, Able Academy and Sonoco. To view the positions open, visit http://www.westerndupagechamber.com, under chamber events.
West Chicago Public Library District offers a two-hour Computer Basics class at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 16, 2018, in the small conference room, 118 West Washington Street. Subjects covered include opening/closing programs and documents, saving documents, printing documents, and computer vocabulary. No experience is necessary. To make a reservation, call the adult services department at (630) 231-1552, extension 4.
West Chicago Public Library holds a Halloween-themed historical program, “The Essential Edgar Allen Poe,” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 17, 2018, in the main meeting room, 118 West Washington Street. To make a reservation, call adult services department at (630) 231-1552, extension 4.
Presenter William Pack tells the tale of the life of the famed horror and suspense author through dramatic recreations and historical narration. Pack’s many talents include magician, mentalist, entertainer, lecturer and storyteller. Places he has performed include Chicago History Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Six Flags Great America, Midway Village Museum and more than 100 libraries and park districts across the Midwest. (www.merleburl.com)
West Chicago City Museum, in collaboration with the West Chicago Public Library District, hosts the Historiography program, a non-fiction book reading group, at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 18, 2018, at the museum, 132 Main Street. Guests can bring a lunch; dessert and a beverage are provided. The book to be discussed is “Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War” by Karen Abbot.
The book is the true story of four daring women Civil War spies who risked everything for their causes. Abbot uses primary source material and interviews with descendants of the spies, weaving the adventures of the four heroines through the Civil War years.
Abbot is the author of the New Your Times bestsellers, “Sin in the Second City” and “American Rose.” She is a featured contributor to Smithsonian magazine’s blog, “Past Imperfect,” and writes for Disunion, the New York Times series about the Civil War.
Copies of the book are at the Museum and West Chicago Public Library, 118 West Washington Street. Reservations are not required for this free program. For further information call the museum at (630) 231-3376 or email wegohistory@gamil.com.
In partnership with Cantigny Park, the League of Women Voters of Wheaton hosts a Civics Awareness program Thursday, October 18, 2018, in the McCormick House at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton. Social time is at 6:30 p.m., followed by the program at 7:00 p.m. The topic is “Your Vote Matters.” A question and answer session follows. Complimentary coffee and dessert are served. Tram service is available. Registration is required for the free program. To register visit www.wheatonlwvil.org. Parking is free.
The speaker is Dr. Philip Hardy, Political Science Department Chair at Illinois Benedictine University. He discusses the importance of the upcoming Midterm elections and what some of the local implications are. Hardy is a resident of Winfield.
League of Women Voters of Wheaton includes West Chicago, Warrenville, Winfield, Wheaton and Carol Stream. The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization that does not support or oppose any political party or candidate, but whose purpose is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. (www.merleburl.com)
West Chicago Park District hosts its annual Boo Bash from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, October 20, 2018, in the ARC, 201 West National Street. It is geared for children age two and older. The charge is $6 in advance or $10 at the door. Adults are free with a paying child. To pre-register visit the ARC in person or visit the website we-goparks.org. Activities include Glow in the Dark, spooky story/sing-a-long hayrides, jumpy castles, costume contest, games and a special presentation of “Smarty Pants Big Balloon Show.”
This year there are some major changes. The Fitness Inflatable Obstacle Course introduced last year is expanded to gym courts 2 and 3 with new inflatables. Games, crafts and 2 balloon twisters are on gym court 1. One has fluorescent spin art and coloring a giant mural. The second one has a fluorescent balloon pit, rice sensory table, bowling, and ring toss. The third has a four foot by four foot giant Light Bright, Ring Toss, Bowling, fuse beads and a Fluorescent selfie station. Renewal Church has a buy-back candy program, where children can trade in some of their candy they won at games for healthy active treats.
In the Madd Science Lab children can make slime. The special entertainment presentations are at 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. Coloring Contest winners are announced at 4:15 p.m. The Costume Contest begins at 5:15 p.m.
West Chicago Sister Cities hosts its annual Oktoberfest from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 20, 2018, at American Legion Post 300, 123 Main Street. The menu is sausages, potato salad, tossed salad and assorted desserts. Activities include beer tasting and 60/40 raffle. The ticket price is $20 for persons age 21 and over, $15 for senior citizens and persons ages 12 to 20, and $5 for children ages 7 to 11 and free for children under the age of 7. To purchase tickets in advance, call the Legion at (630) 231-2112 or in person. Tickets also will be available at the door.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Ronnie G. Michalek, who at the age of 33 passed away Sunday, September 30, 2018.
Deepest sympathy to the family of Katharine Weimer Felipello, who at the age of 75 passed away Tuesday, October 2, 2018.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Rose Ann “Annie” (Jemsek) Judson, who at the age of 91 passed away Sunday, September 30, 2018.
Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Carole “Carrie” Rennels, who at the age of 85 passed away Tuesday, October 2, 2018.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Marietta R. “Bonnie” Hansen, who at the age of 79 passed away Thursday, October 4, 2018.
Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Marianne Wenk, who at the age of 90 passed away Friday, October 5, 2018.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Barbara (Helm) Meilinger, who at the age of 75 passed away, Tuesday, August 21, 2018.
At the Monday, October 1, 2018, City Council meeting, City Clerk Nancy Smith administered the Oath of Office to Chris Swiatek, age 54, as Ward 5 Alderman for an unexpired term ending April 2019. He replaces Kurt Meissner who recently resigned. Swiatek is Market Manager for the North Central area of FOSSIL Group. He graduated from Lyons Township High School in La Grange and has an Associate in Arts degree from College of DuPage. His hobbies are biking and in winter, skiing. His interests are in history and the arts. He and his wife Virginia, have lived in West Chicago for more than twenty years. They have two children, Ryan and Sara. Prior to moving here, they lived in Schaumburg. Swiatek explained why he decided to accept taking on the position of alderman. “I have always volunteered whether it was through the Park District or Cub Scouts and now that the kids have grown I feel that is part of my next chapter.”
At its Thursday, September 27, 2018 meeting, the West Chicago Fire Protection District Board of Trustees approved three motions. One was the approval of a contract for electrical work needed for completion of the Fire Station Alerting Project in the amount of $19,915 to Communication Zone Inc. in Schaumburg.
Also approved was the purchase of replacement Thermal Imaging Cameras for the amount of $7,245.
The trustees approved the purchase of a web-based replacement phone system for all four station in the amount of $11,112 and authorized Chief Pat Tanner to sign a three-year contract for phone and long distance services.
At the 2018 America in Bloom National Awards Program Saturday, September 29, 2018, in Lexington, Kentucky. West Chicago was the recipient of the Best Community Celebration special award, one of the 10 surprise awards. The special event was Blooming Fest. The City also received an eight-star rating out of a possible 10 and received special recognition for its Celebrating Heritage.
All participants were evaluated on the seven criteria of overall impression, community vitality, environmental efforts, heritage celebration, urban forestry, landscaped areas, and flowers. Additionally, they were judged on their community involvement across municipal, residential and commercial sectors.
The America in Bloom initiative is designed to include opportunities that invite full participation from the community in a variety of ways, giving everyone involved a sense of pride of ownership in their hometown. AIB provides a framework for continuous improvements in quality of life through its national awards program and educational offerings.
Alexander D. Hey, a senior at West Chicago Community High School was named a Commended Student in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship program. Principal Dr. Moses Cheng presented a Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation to Hey.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2019 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.6 million students who entered the 2019 competition by taking the 2017 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. (www.merleburl.com)
At its Homecoming Football game Thursday, October 4, 2018, Wheaton Academy was the victor against Aurora Central Catholic High School with a score of 35-7.
During the summer, there were between 20 to 50 children at each of the West Chicago Elementary School District 33 “Read Under the Trees” events. The 14 events included two times at each elementary school and the Project HOPE program. Staff from West Chicago Elementary School District and members of the community “Read Under the Trees” at the various locations. After each reading time, children receive a free book. This free reading program is sponsored by Anne E. Barrett Memorial Reading Endowment through the District 33 Foundation for Educational Excellence.
The Charger Boys Soccer team won the first Leman Middle School Soccer Cup Tournament. They finished with a record of three wins and 0 losses. (www.merleburl.com)
Indian Knoll School, ON645 Indian Knoll Road, once again participated in International Peace Day with its creations of Pinwheels for Peace. This was the twelfth year for the school. Students created and decorated pinwheels with messages of “war and peace/tolerance/living in harmony with others ” and “planted ” them in front of the school. Also unveiled was the new Peace Pole, created by staff and students. It has messages of peace written in the four most spoken languages of IK School families, English, Spanish, Arabic and Polish.
In 2005, two art teachers, Ann Ayers and Ellen McMillan of Coconut Creek, Florida started the program as a way for students to express their feelings on what is happening in the world and their lives. In its first year, groups in more than 1,325 locations participated. Last year more than 4.5 million pinwheels were spinning in more than 3,500 locations, including the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada, the Middle East, Africa and South America.
At the Monday, October 1, 2018 City Council meeting, Diane Ferguson gave an update on the rescue and restoration of McAuley School. The tree that was in danger of falling on the school was removed. She reported that there is to be a meeting for informational exchanges only at 4:00 p.m. Monday, October 15, 2018, in the West Chicago Elementary School District Administrative Center, 312 East Forest Avenue.
Also at the meeting, City Council approved the purchase of the property at 206 Chicago Street for the amount of $175,000. This is part of the Downtown Redevelopment Plan and Project.
Gordon Dierschow celebrated his 90th birthday Friday, October 5, 2018.
In its Friday, October 5, 2018 football game, West Chicago Community High School lost to East Aurora High School with a score of 48-7. The game time changed from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., letting them finish, where many other school had to suspend the games due to the inclement weather.
Support our local businesses as they not only contribute to the community through taxes, but also generously contribute through monetary and in-kind donations to clubs, churches, organizations and schools. Contributing to the success of the World Heart Day Celebration were The Kitchen Table, Augustino’s Rock and Roll Deli & Grill, Kindred Roasted Coffee and SupermercadoTampico.
My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.
