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At Home with Merle Burleigh – October 9, 2024

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At Home with Merle

MERLE’S CORNER

 

I refer to this time of year as mid-season for container and garden plantings. Some  annual plants, such as geraniums, thrive in the cooler temperatures. The leaves are a deep green and the flowers bloom, just not as profusely. Others plants are going into decline, such as Dragon Wing begonias. Out they go, while the fall blooms of mums and asters fill these spots. These bring forth a vibrancy of the season, as displayed in the fall plantings in the historic downtown district.

 

AROUND AND ABOUT

 

  • Through Illinois Libraries Present and to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, the West Chicago Public Library presents the special program “Being Imperfect with Erika Sanchez,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. Sánchez, award-winning author of “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter,” is joined in conversation by Cynthia Pelayo. New this season with ILP, is a watch party at the library, 118 W. Washington St., or via Zoom.To register for in person or on line, visit https://bit.ly/ILP_ErikaSanchez.

 

  • West Chicago Public Library holds a Microsoft Word computer class at 6:30 p.m.Thursday, 0ct. 10, 2024, in the conference room, 118 W. Washington St. Participants learn the basics, which includes creating a document, selecting and editing text, saving a document, and inserting page numbers and special characters. To register, visit https://wcpld.librarycalendar.com/events/month.

 

  • West Chicago Fire Protection District hosts Fire Prevention Week Open House from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Fire Station headquarters, 200 Fremont St. Activities include station tours, touch-a-truck, fire prevention information. demonstrations, food and beverages. The week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and reminds people to practice fire safety. Each year the National Fire Protection Association sets a theme for the week with the 2024 theme being “Smoke Alarms – Make them work for you.”

This campaign strives to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home. Key calls to action are install, test and and replace. Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on each level including the basement of the home. merleburl.com

  • West Chicago Park District hosts its annual Boo Bash from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in the ARC, 201 W. National Street. It is geared for children ages two and older. The charge is $10 for residents, $12 for non-residents in advance or $15 at the door. Adults are free with a paying child and must accompany children. Pre-registration ends at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11. Activities include hayride, live entertainment, games and crafts. Local sponsors are Blue Frost Heating & Cooling, Ball Horticulture Company, Groot Industries and Republic Bank. com

 

  • The 19th District of Veterans of Foreign Wars holds annual Steak Fry from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at the VFW Post 6791, 431 N. Neltnor Blvd. The menu of steak, pork chops or cod with baked potatoes, green beans and salad is $20. For dessert, there is a bake sale. Other activities include basket raffles, 50/50 raffle, pull tabs and music. The event is a fundraiser to benefit veterans and programs. Tickets are available at the post in advance or at the door on the day of the event.

 

  • Wayne/Winfield Area Youth/Family Services holds an Eat Out fundraiser Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, at Village Tavern & Grill, 291 Schmale Road in Carol Stream. It takes place from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., eat in and/or carry out. WAYS receives 20 percent of the tab. Present the flyer to the server. Persons unable to attend can purchase gift cards online during the day.To obtain a copy of the flyer, call WAYS at 630 231-7166, go to the Wayne Township office at 27W031 North Ave, or visit the WAYS website, https://www.ways4change.org/fundraisin merleburl.com

 

  • West Chicago Park District holds a free CPR and AED Training from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, at the ARC Center, 201 W. National St. This hands-on training session equips participants with essential life-saving skills to respond confidently in an emergency. The class is open to all, ages 12 and older. Pre-registration is not required; walk-ins welcome.

 

  • “Bulb Basics,” hosted by Healthy West Chicago, is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2024, in the West Chicago Public Library meeting room, 118 W. Washington St. During the interactive meeting, a Master Gardener teaches the basics of bulb care during the late summer and fall months. To register, visit healthywestchicago.org. Attendees can enter into a drawing for a free bulb planter. merleburl.com

 

  • West Chicago City Museum presents the Historiography program, a non-fiction book reading group, at 1 p.m.Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in the Museum, 132 Main St. The book is “The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of the Donner Party” by Daniel James Brown. To get a copy of the book or for further information, visit Friends of West Chicago City Museum website, com or call 630 231-3376. It is not necessary to read the book to attend.

 

Good Reads writes, “In April of 1846, twenty-one-year-old Sarah Graves, intent on a better future, set out west from Illinois with her new husband, her parents, and eight siblings. Seven months later, after joining a party of emigrants led by George Donner, they reached the Sierra Nevada Mountains as the first heavy snows of the season closed the pass ahead of them. In early December, starving and desperate, Sarah and fourteen others set out for California on snowshoes and, over the next thirty-two days, endured almost unfathomable hardships and horrors.

Brown attended Diablo Valley College, the University of California at Berkeley, and UCLA. In 2024 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Washington. He taught writing at San Jose State University and Stanford before becoming a technical writer and editor. He now writes narrative nonfiction books full time.  Brown has been the recipient of many awards and recognitions. merleburl.com

 

  • The Fall Choral Concert of West Chicago Community High School is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in the auditorium, 326 Joliet St. Brandon Fantozzi is the director. The concert is streamed on the high school’s athletics youtube page, (https://www.youtube.com/@westchicagowildcatathletic7074)

 

  • West Chicago Park District hosts a Recreational Adult Bags Tournament from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in the ARC Center, 201 W. National St. The per team fee of $40 for residents and $48 for non-residents includes game play, lunch and prizes for first, second and third place. Registration deadline is Sunday, Oct. 13.To register, visit https://www.we-goparks.org/athletics. The competition involvesplayers from different skill levels across the DuPage and Kane County area. Players must form their own teams. Games are self-officiated. Alcohol is available for purchase for players age 21 and over.

 

  • The West Chicago Public Library program, “Bats and Other Misunderstood Creatures,” is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in the meeting room, 118 W. Washington St .Incredible Bats, Inc. features live bats, spiders snakes and a rat, plus a skunk. Daniel and Sharon Peterson present a fun and informational program about these creatures. To register for the family-oriented program, visit https://wcpld.librarycalendar.com/events/month.

 

  • The West Chicago Park District offers Parents Night Out from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in the ARC, 201 W. National Street. Parents drop off children who are between the ages of three and 10, and then enjoy an evening together. Activities for the children include pizza dinner, games and crafts, plus staff-supervised free-play in the Tree Top Escape and gym. The charge is $15 per child for residents and $18per child for non-residents. To make a reservation, visit we-goparks.org/youth-programs.

 

  • West Chicago Park District hosts Spooky Trail, “The Curse Awakens,” from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, and from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct 25 and 26, 2024. The haunting begins on the chilling 0.33 mile trail just west of Reed-Keppler Park, 129 W. National Street.The charge for the horrific time is $12 in advance, $17 at the entry. To register, visit, https://www.we-goparks.org/special-events.

Generations of residents have quietly whispered the urban legend of the hex surrounding the woods. The entrance was cut off in 2009 after a series of unsettling disappearances sent shockwaves through the town. Through hard work, researching records and searching through the density of the forest, the Park District found the entry, reopening the woods to the public, and now the air is thick with foreboding. Locals report spine-chilling phenomena, disembodied screams, ghostly sobbing, and the eerie sound of carousel music (remember the Railroad Days Carnival took place in th park) haunting the night. It is said the restless spirits trapped within the forest’s depths are eerily moving, hoping to capture others to become part of the legend. merleburl.com

  • West Chicago Park District offers the 2024-25 Paramount Theater series season program for adults. The second of the four musical productions is “Frozen,” a regional premiere. The time frame is noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Nov. 23, 2024. The $49 charge includes the bus ride and the show. Persons purchase lunch at a local restaurant. Seats are on main lower floor. Persons under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration deadline is noon Sunday, Oct. 20. To make a reservation, visit https://www.we-goparks.org/adult-programs. The Giant Christmas tree and holiday decorations adorn the lobby of the theater.

 

“Frozen” is a musical with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and book by Jennifer Lee, based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios' 2013 animated film. The story centers on the relationship between two sisters who are princesses, Elsa and Anna, who navigate love, loyalty, and Elsa’s uncontrollable powers.

 

  • West Chicago Park District offers a trip Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, for the holiday show with the Four C Notes in the Jacob Henry Mansion at Joliet. The scheduled time is 9:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The fee of $73 includes transportation, lunch and theater ticket. To register by the deadline Sunday, Oct. 20, visit we-goparks.org/adult-programs. The lunch entree is Italian herb seasoned chicken breast sautéed with garlic, red pepper and spinach in a white wine cream sauce served over pasta. The show features the biggest hits from the iconic “Boys from Jersey,” plus favorite holiday chart toppers by artists such as Dion and the Belmont’s, The Drifters, and The Beach Boys. com

 

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

 

  • It is that time of year again when the thoughts of mankind turn toward the carving of pumpkins for Halloween. To assist persons in the creation of this art, Hawthorne’s Backyard Bar & Grill, 1200 W. Hawthorne Lane, holds an Artistic Pumpkins Carving Masterclass Workshop from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. It is for persons age 16 and over. The $35 fee includes a deluxe professional carving tool kit and guidance from artist Kelley Cappell. Participants bring their own pumpkin. Registration ends Monday, Oct. 14, and can be made at https://www.hawthornesbackyard.com/upcoming-events

 

For more than 10 years Cappell has been transforming pumpkins into stunning masterpieces. She demonstrates expert techniques for carving intricate designs and how to preserve pumpkins to last throughout the spooky season. merleburl.com

 

  • We Grow Greenhouse & Garden Center team members recently planted the Fall plantings in the historic downtown district. The plantings add the perfect touch of the season. The Greenhouse, 1005 W. Washington St., has a good selection of fall plants, pumpkins and fall decor available. com

 

  • Bunker Bar & Grill, 216 Main St., has Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays. Bingo begins at 6:30 p.m. com

 

  • Loadhog Incorporated, 841 W. Hawthorne Lane, recently opened. The company provides reusable packaging products. The headquarters are in England.

 

  • Image Display, a new business in West Chicago, is located at 1600 Downs Drive. The company provides trade show exhibit rentals. The company was established in 1995, helping hundreds of companies through its “unique blend of exceptional service, expert knowledge, and innovative design. We are dedicated to delivering the best value in trade show exhibit solutions.”

 

REMEMBRANCES

 

  • Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Raymond Lyle Steele, who at the age of 91 passed away Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024.

 

SCHOOLS

 

  • With the approach of Homecoming 2024 at West Chicago Community High School, there is a full schedule of events. Homecoming week is Monday, Oct.14, through Saturday, Oct.19. The theme is ”Once Upon A time” with each class having a color. Senior color is blue, junior color is purple, sophomore color is green, freshman color is yellow, and staff color is pink.

With different modes of styles each school day, fashions vary. Since Monday is Columbus Day, there is no school. The soccer game against Wheaton Academy is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, the theme is “You Have a Friend in Me" Twin Day. The Volleyball game against Ridgewood High School is at 5:30 p.m. in Bishop Gym. The movie, “Tangled,” begins at 7 p.m. at Memorial Field.

Wednesday the theme is "Monster Day" College Day. The Dodgeball Tournament, sponsored by Business Professional of America, is at 6 p.m. I will have the rest of the Homecoming events in the Oct. 16, column. merleburl.com

  • In the Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, football games, West Chicago Community High School won against Elmwood Park High School with a score of 52-14, Wheaton Academy won against Kankakee McNamara Catholic School with a score of 41-0. St. Charles East High School lost to St. Charles North High School with a score of 7-42, and Bartlett High School won against Aurora East High School with a score of 48-2.

 

  • In the Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, soccer games, West Chicago Community High School won against Elmwood Park High School with a score of 3-0, Wheaton Academy won against Chicago Hope Academy with a score of 3-0, Bartlett High School won against West Aurora High School with a score of 3-1, St,. Charles East High School won against Glenbard North High School with a score of 2-1. In the Thursday, Oct. 3, soccer game West Chicago Community High School had a tie game against Bartlett High School with a score of 1-1. In the Friday, Oct. 4, game Wheaton Academy lost against Timothy Christian High School with a score of 4-2.

CHURCHES

 

  • West Chicago Community Clothing Closet, operated by St. Michael’s United Church of Christ, is open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, 12, 2024, in the basement of the Rockwell Building, 108 Sherman St. There is no charge for the clothing and shoes. Each family may choose five articles of clothing per person in their family.The Closet is open the second Saturday of each month.

• St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 N. Prince CrossingRoad, hosts its Annual Kermes Fest from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, 2023. The fest, a fundraiser for the church, includes authentic Mexican food, a variety of music and dancing, games and entertainment.

  • The community gardens at New Hope United Methodist Church, the GardenWorks Project, produced 70 pounds of food, which was donated to Neighborhood Food Pantries at 123 Fremont St.

 

  • Beautiful weather contributed to the success of the Bike-A-Thon of St. Andrew Lutheran Church Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 on the Prairie Path. After riding or walking the six-mile trail, they enjoyed lunch.With most participants purchasing t-shirts, a total of $1,141.36 was raised. com

CLUB/ORGANIZATION NEWS

 

  • The League of Women Voters of Glen Ellyn and Wheaton host a Community meeting on Mis/Disinformation Awareness, featuring West Chicago resident Barbara Laimins, Co-Chair of the Mis/Disinformation Task Force of the League of Women Voters of Illinois. It takes place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in the Clayton Room of the Glen Ellyn Civic Center, 535 Duane St. Her discussion focuses on the spread of mis/disinformation, its impact on voters' ability to discern fact from falsehood, and the importance of making informed decisions for the upcoming Presidential election.

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. merleburl.com

 

  • Gallery 200, 103 W. Washington St., hosts a Pumpkin Carving Community Event from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. The charge is $15 charge minus the 10 percent discount on classes. The fee includes one pumpkin, access to carving and artist’ expertise.The charge is per pumpkin, not per person. Registration deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 22.To register, visit https://www.gallery200.net/gallery-200-shop/art-classes. Adding a little taste to the event is food. Participants can leave their pumpkins to enter the contest at the Gallery:judging takes place Saturday, Oct.26. com

 

  • Three social work interns joined We Go Together for Kids this fall. The third one is Sandy Soto. Her majors are in social work and Spanish. She lived in Columbia until she was 14 years old, when she moved to the United States. Soto said, “I am passionate about mental health, especially in the Latino community. com

 

COMMUNITY MEMBERS HIGHLIGHTS

 

  • West Chicago resident and Gallery 200 member, Sharon Malec, has three pieces of artwork in the annual fiber art show and sale, “Elements of Innovation,” through Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in the Naperville Fine Arts Center and Gallery, 508 N. Center St. The titles of her artwork are “Yellowstone Memories,” “Sleigh Time,” and “Nap time.” Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 5p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to4 p.m. Saturday.

 

  • Former Gallery 200 member Lewis Achenbach is the featured live painter at “an Evening with Matthew Morrison,” the 2024 Gala & Concert of the Paramount Theater, Saturday.Oct.12. Attendees have the opportunity to win an original work of his art.

 

  • West Chicago resident Kathy Steere is a participant in the 2024 Quilt show of the Prairie Star Quilt Guild at DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester Road in Wheaton. It takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. The fee is $9, cash only. Children under the age of 12 are free. The show consists of judged quilts, quilter’s boutique, fabric resale, merchant mall, book pattern and magazine sale, raffle baskets and quilter’s cafe. The 2024 Raffle Quilt is “Flying to the Stars.” For further information, visitpsqg.org. merleburl.com

 

  • West Chicago resident Ginger (Van Der Molen) Johnson was among the alumni attending Wheaton Academy Homecoming Thursday, Sept. 27, through Sunday Sept. 27, 2024.They reconnected with friends, sang with the choir and toured the new facilities. com

 

  • Bodo Gsedl,former foreign exchange student at West Chicago Community High School and chairman of the Taufkirchen (Vils) Germany Sister Cities, has an exhibit, “Like to Eat,” in the Town Hall of Taufkirchen. It is an impressive and thought provoking display with portraits of livestock. Bodo is the twin brother of West Chicago resident Uwe Gsedl, who is the president of West Chicago Sister Cities.com

 

WEST CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

 

  • West Chicago Police Department hosts “A Semple Night Out” Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at St. Andrew Country Club, 2241 Route 59. Doors open at 7 p.m. It is a fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics Illinois. Attendees enjoy a large variety of appetizers, plus a three-hour open bar. The ticket price is $75 purchased before Thursday, Oct. 31, $80 after this date. To purchase tickets, visit https://semplersvpify.com/. There are only 300 tickets available. Persons unable to attend can sponsor a special Olympics athlete to attend.

Live entertainment includes Alika Arlynn, country musician, and Eli Somlock, guitarist, and presentations by Special Olympics athletes. The featured performance is the Semple Band, an American Idol and top 24 Voice contestant. The Chicago based band prides itself on it’s entertaining combination of musicianship and high energy stage performance with styles ranging from 70’s rock to modern pop songs.

 

  • Raffles include a 50/50 raffle two $500 door prizes, Smart TV and gift certificate. Among the Silent Auction items are a get away trips to Cabo San Lucas, Las Vegas golf trip, Chicago getaway with Cubs rooftop tickets, and signed sports and music memorabilia.

Persons or businesses wanting to become a sponsor can email Robbi Peterson at rpeterson@westchicago.org, or call 630 918-6326. For further information, email rarms@westchicago.org. merleburl.com

  • At approximately 10:29 a.m.Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, West Chicago Police officers responded to a four-vehicle traffic crash on Route 59 near Stimmel Street. Upon arrival, officers spoke to a witness who stated that a semi-tractor trailer traveling southbound on Route 59 veered to the left into the northbound lanes, striking a vehicle. The semi-tractor trailer then rolled, striking a commercial vehicle and a passenger car traveling north.

The driver of the semi-tractor trailer, a 54-year-old from Pennsylvania, was pronounced deceased at Northwestern Medicine, Central DuPage Hospital. Drivers of the other vehicles were transported to CDH, with non-life-threatening injuries.

The DuPage County Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigation Team responded and is assisting with the crash investigation. Lane closures were necessary to preserve the scene as officers investigated the crash. While southbound lanes of Route 59 were opened at 4:05 p.m., northbound lanes remained closed longer.

 

  • DuPage County DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury announced Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial a West Chicago man charged with supplying fentanyl to a West Chicago woman resulting in her fatal overdose. Habile Jacob, age 26, of the 1600 block of Orchard Court, appeared at First Appearance Court Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, charged with one count of Drug Induced Homicide (Class X Felony) and one count of Delivery of a Controlled Substance-Fentanyl (Class 2 Felony). Jacob’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 28, 2024, for arraignment in front of Judge Brian Telander.

At approximately 8:24 p.m.on June 25, 2024, West Chicago police officers responded to a call in the 400 block of W. Washington Street for a call of a female who was unresponsive. Upon entering the residence, officers observed a female lying unresponsive in a bed. The woman was pronounced dead at 8:35 p.m. When processing the residence, officers located a blue powdery substance, later identified as fentanyl, on a coffee table near the kitchen area. Following an investigation into the death, it is alleged that on June 24, 2024, at approximately 10:30 p.m., a male, later identified as Jacob, went to the victim’s residence and supplied her with a fatal dose of fentanyl. It is further alleged that the victim ingested the fatal dose of fentanyl Jacob supplied to her. On October 1, 2024, West Chicago police officers arrested Jacob. According to the pathology report, the victim died of a combination of fentanyl and 7-aminoclonazepam toxicity. The victim had been prescribed 7-aminoclonazepam.

 

CITY OF WEST CHICAGO

 

  • Natalia Serrano is the new Program Administrator of Healthy West Chicago. In her role, she will be focusing on expanding the health education initiatives, enhancing community engagement, and working closely with local partners to address health disparities. Serrano looks forward to meeting and working with community members to make a positive impact on health and wellness.

She is a Functional Nutrition Counselor and holds a masters degree in business administration. During the last two years, Serrano managed her own company where she gave cooking classes, health talks to the community, and helped individual clients to navigate their health issues. She is originally from Colombia and one of her passions is to understand the different connections between food, body, mind and spirit. Outside of work, Serrano enjoys hiking, cooking nutritious meals, going to yoga classes and spending time with her family. merleburl.com

 

ODDS AND ENDS

 

  • Part of West Chicago Community High School 2024 homecoming is the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the 1974 state winning football team.The recognition takes place before the homecoming football game at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18.

 

  • CORRECTION: In the item about Hurricane Helene, the information where Lolly and Bill Frederick live should have been North Carolina, not South.

 

  • The West Chicago Fire Protection District celebrated the promotion of three members Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. Battalion Chief Ric Ciszewski was promoted to Deputy Chief, Lieutenant Ken Zahara was promoted to Battalion Chief and Firefighter Erik Ronge was promoted to Lieutenant. These promotions are due to the upcoming retirement of Fire Chief Patrick Tanner January 10. 2025. com

 

My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.