MERLE’S CORNER

 

A very good crowd , probably one of the largest in a long time, attended the community Veterans Day service, organized by American Legion Post 300 and its Auxiliary, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. City officials attending were Ward 2 Alderman Jayme Sheahan, Ward 3 Alderman Al Hallett, Ward 4 Alderman Melissa Ferguson, Ward 6 Alderman Becky Stout and Ward 7 Alderman Joe Morano. Of course, the most important guests attending were the veterans the community was honoring and thanking. Senior Vice Commander Kevin Driscoll was the moderator. Auxiliary Chaplain Julia Doggett led the prayers. There was a rousing recording of the service songs of each branch of the Armed Forces. .These are “Anchors Aweigh” for the U.S. Navy, “The Caissons Go Rolling Along” for the U.S. Army, “The Wild Blue Yonder” for the U.S. Air Force, “The Marines' Hymn” for the U.S. Marine Corps and “Semper Paratus” for the U.S. Coast Guard. West Chicago Police Commander Adam Reavley and West Chicago Fire Protection District Chief Pat Tanner gave brief talks.

 

Mayor Ruben Pineda was the featured speaker. “This special day was originally observed as Armistice Day to mark the end of fighting between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I. This event took place on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. It was a day dedicated to the cause of world peace and to honor those who served in World War I. Over 35 years later, in 1954, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans’ Day to recognize military personnel who had served in all wars.

 

This important day is not only meant for recognizing our local heroes, but is also a day of reflection. It is a day to pause and remember those who have served in our military and to think about the sacrifices they and their families made for our country. Some of these individuals never returned, and many others were changed physically, mentally, or both. As we take time to listen to our Veterans and their families today, we should also be encouraging them to share their stories as each of them have unique reasons for answering the call to serve. For some, their choice was driven by love and a sense of duty to our country, while others may have been motivated by family heritage or simply a desire to create a better life for themselves and their families. Regardless of their reasoning, each of their stories can serve as an inspiration to us all.

 

In West Chicago, we ensure these stories are never forgotten by annually displaying the names and photos of our local veterans within the downtown area. This will serve as a moment of commemoration for the addition of a series of individual stories that have ultimately enriched the overall narrative of our great community. Again, to all our military members, past and present, thank you for your service. At the 11th of the 11th day of the 11th month, the 21-gun salute resounded, followed by the echo playing of “Taps ” by West Chicago Community High School students Justin Seul a senior, and George Kotke, a junior.

 

Rolling Thunder chapter #1 conducted a remembrance ceremony. A missing man table, also known as a fallen comrade table, is a ceremony and memorial set up honoring fallen, missing, or imprisoned military service members. The table serves as the focal point of ceremonial remembrance. Each item on the Missing Man Table represents the emotions and feelings reserved for those who did not come home. West Chicago resident Paul Brooks said, “This was very impressive.”

 

Incorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is a class 501(c) (4) not-for-profit organization with more than 90 chartered chapters throughout the United States and members abroad. While many members are veterans and many ride motorcycles, neither qualification is a prerequisite. Members are old and young, men and women, veterans and non-veterans. All are united in the cause to bring full accountability for the Prisoners Of War-Missing In Action of all wars, reminding the government, the media and the public by our watchwords: “We Will Not Forget.” https://merleburl.com

 

AROUND AND ABOUT

 

• Friends of West Chicago Parks Foundation hosts its third annual Food Drive through Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. Drop off locations are at the ARC Center, 201 W. National St., and both Republic Bank locations, 101 Main St. and 105 E Roosevelt Road. Persons bringing donations to the ARC from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 18, have a chance to win a prize. Food collected is donated to the Neighborhood Food Panty, 132 Fremont. St. For every pound of food donated, the Foundation donates one dollar, up to $500, to the pantry.

 

• West Chicago Police Department once again is collecting toys for the US Marines Toys for Tots Foundation program. The ages are from infant through 16 years of age. Drop off locations for the new, unwrapped toys are West Chicago Police Department, 325 Spencer St.; Wett Car Wash, 193 W. North Ave.; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6791, 431 N. Neltnor Blvd.; American Legion Post 300, 123 Main St.; The Bunker Bar & Grill, 216 Main St.; and Haggerty Ford, 330 E. Roosevelt Road. Deadline is Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. https://merleburl.com

 

• West Chicago City Museum presents the Historiography program, a non-fiction book reading group, at 1 p.m.Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, in the Museum, 132 Main St .The book is “Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times” by Katherine May. 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.

 

• WeGo Community Theater presents “Legally Blonde, the Musical, Jr.” in the Fine Arts Center at Wheaton Academy, 900 N. Prince Crossing Road. Performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Nov. 16 and 17, and at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. The ticket price is $10 and can be purchased at https://www.wegocommunitytheatre.org/. Cornelius Marr, Production Designer, stated, “Based on the award-winning Broadway musical and the smash hit motion picture, Legally Blonde The Musical JR is a fabulously fun journey of self-empowerment and expanding horizons. The show's instantly recognizable songs are filled with humor, wit and sass—leaving cast members and audiences alike seeing pink!” Some members of the cast are featured on the Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/WeGoCommunityTheatre/. Local sponsors include Hawthorne’s Backyard Bar & Grill, Jel Sert, Daniel and Associates Real Estate, Faith Community Church and Smile Doctors.

 

• In partnership with Robert R. McCormick House at Cantigny Park, the League of Women Voters of Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Central Kane County, Naperville and Roselle/Bloomingdale host the Civic Awareness Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, via Zoom and in person in the Cantigny Visitors Center, 1S151 Winfield Road. The program is “Public Safety Update” The speaker is DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin. Registration is required. Register at org.

 

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.

 

• Sonny Acres Farm, 29W310 North Ave., is preparing for the Holiday season. The business opens at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. Santa then flips the switch to illuminate the big and bright Trail of Lights Festival, featuring a Christmas Market, photos with Santa and a Christmas Light Show. The light show tickets are $10; persons should set a time for the photos with Santa. To view open hours, reserve tickets and photo times, visit https://sonnyacres.com/. Starting Monday, Nov. 20, Christmas trees, wreaths, garland roping, decorative greens, tree stands, Poinsettias and holiday decorations are available.

 

• Whole Family Health Fair, sponsored by State Senator Karina Villa and State Representative Maura Hirschauer, is from 1 to 3 p..m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 N. Prince Crossing Road. The event includes giveaways, health checks and resource services. For further information, call Hirschauer at her district office, 331 465-9661. https://merleburl.com

 

• “A Man Called Otto” is the movie for the West Chicago Public Library Adult Saturday Film Series. It takes place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov 18, 2023, in the main meeting room, 118 W. Washington St. It is a 2022 American comedy drama film directed by Marc Forster from a screenplay by David Magee.The film stars Tom Hanks in the title role, with Mariana Trevino, Rachel Keller and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo in supporting roles.supporting roles. The plot follows a bitter old man who reluctantly gets involved in the lives of his neighbors. Snacks are served, reservations are not required. https://merleburl.com)

 

• Jake and Hannah Muzzy of Real Concerts perform a concert at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, at Faith Community Church, 910 Main St. The concert is “Autumn Leaves - Bach & American Songbook,” featuring cello, by Jake and harp by Hannah. During the performance, Jake relates fascinating facts and gossip tidbits about the history of music and composers. There is a pay what you want with a request for a one dollar minimum.

 

Jake is the founder and director and Hannah is director of culture and operations. They perform at various venues in the Chicagoland area. Jake grew up in West Chicago, and as a member of Faith Community Church. He studied cello performance at Northwestern University and Cleveland Institute of Music. After stints as principal cellist of the Memphis Symphony and acting principal cellist of the Sarasota Orchestra in Florida, he and his wife Hannah decided to come back to Illinois to raise their children near family. They now live in Jake’s childhood home with their eight children.Hannah spent her first 10 years in Guatemala. Her second decade was in Australia and Argentina, where she studied harp with Alexandria Shepherd of Melbourne, Alice Giles at the Australian National University Conservatory and Dora Zenobi of Cordoba, Argentina. https://merleburl.com

 

• West Chicago Public Library, 118 W. Washington St., closes at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, Thanksgiving Eve.

 

• Frosty Fest is from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in the historic downtown district.

 

• West Chicago Park District offers a fun trip to White Fence Farm for the holidays Friday, December 8, 2023. Scheduled time is from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost of $61 includes transportation, lunch of chicken and sides, and entertainment by Sweet Reminders, a dynamic duo that entertains audiences with the hits of yesterday in their unique playful style. Not only do they sing familiar holiday tunes, but also pay a special tribute to the songs from Christmas television special from years ago, plus humor and quirky props. The small bits of audience participation create a perfect outing, Reservations are due by Friday Nov. 24, and may be made at https://www.we-goparks.org/adult-programs. https://merleburl.com

 

 

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

 

• The Peoria Rhythm Kings provide the entertainment from 7 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, at Bunker Bar and Grill, 216 Main St. Mike Stump, founder, lead singer and guitarist, is a graduate of West Chicago Community High School. The band performs the music of the blues and rock.https://merleburl.com

 

• Kramer Trees Specialists offer a holiday lighting program for businesses and homes. For 14 years, the business has volunteered to decorate the community holiday tree. For further information, visit https://kramertree.com/holiday-lighting/. https://merleburl.com

 

• PrimeWay Auto Carrier recently opened its doors at, 245 W. Roosevelt Road, Building 5, Unit 125. The company offersAuto Carrier Transportation Services with either open car or enclosed car shipping. For more information, visit https://primewayac.com/. https://merleburl.com

 

• All Dreams Banquet is open at 170 W. Roosevelt Road, Suite 102. The business is a banquet hall and event venue. The telephone number is 630 742-1210.

 

COVID-19

 

The DuPage County Health Department developed a dashboard to provide information on the total number of people, in DuPage County, who have tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, the dashboard includes a map which shows the distribution of reported cases by municipality and is updated at 4:00 p.m. daily. DuPage County's "COVID-19 Dashboard" is a one-stop-shop for all the information it offers including a town-by-town breakdown of cases. As of Monday, Nov 13, 2023, there were 12,290 cases and 67 deaths; this is the number from the beginning of track recording.

 

REMEMBRANCES

 

• Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of María Rosario Barrera Muñoz, who at the age of 76 passed away Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.

 

• Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Edward Dane “Eddie” Bruce, who at the age of 99 passed away Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023.

 

• Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Diane Barnes, who at the age of 93 passed away Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. (CORRECTION- last week I had first name wrong)

 

• Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Jorge A. Rivera, who at the age of 86 passed away Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.

 

SCHOOLS

 

• In the Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, football game, Wheaton Academy beat Sandwich High School with a score of 42-7. This was the school’s first state quarterfinal This football game was selected to be the Game of the Week on the NFHS network's broadcast. Additionally, the NFHS network chose to feature and utilize the Wheaton Academy student livestream team to run the national broadcast.. Wheaton Academy advances to a Class 4A semifinal, playing against St. Laurance High School.
• Partnering with the City of West Chicago, West Chicago Public Library District and West Chicago Park District, West Chicago Elementary School District 33 held a community drive to provide support for at-risk veterans and their families in the surrounding area. Many items were collected for the donations to the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Wheaton. Fifth grade student leaders promoted the donation drives in the school district. Several students from Gary Elementary School created artwork expressing gratitude to military members for their service. On Friday, Nov. 10, Gary School honored Veterans with a special program, which included musical performances and speeches by the students. Attending Veterans also had lunch and visited classrooms.

Evonne Cruz, music teacher at Gary Elementary School, is coordinator of the collection drive and program activities. She said, “The conversations in classrooms, the lunch, and the assembly itself are to help students learn about our community members and to build a bridge between our generations.” https://merleburl.com

 

• West Chicago Co-Op Swimming closed out the season with one of the best state meets in recent team history. The team entered the meet with 11 total swim and had 7 swims move onto finals. In the end, the girls team finished in 12th out of 104 teams in the meet place overall, the highest finish since 2004.

 

CHURCHES

 

• New Hope United Methodist Church and St. Andrew Lutheran Church host a Community Thanksgiving Eve service at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, at St. Andrew, 155 N. Prince Crossing Road. A Pie Fest and Tamales follow the service. https://merleburl.com

 

• Trinity Lutheran Church, 328 George St., Thanksgiving Eve service is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. Joyful Noise Choir takes part in the service.

 

• St, Mary’s Catholic Church, 140 N. Oakwood Ave., has two services on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 23.. English and Spanish Mass is at 9 a.m.; Spanish Mass is at 11 a.m.

 

CLUB/ORGANIZATION NEWS

 

• An exhibit of the Loteria originals are on display through Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, at Kindred Coffee Roasters, 148 W. Washington St. As DuPage County communities, including West Chicago, connected with the College of DuPage Warhol exhibit this summer, local artists created traditional Loteria images in pop art styles. Persons played this traditional Mexican game by finding the art and exploring the various sites .in the community. This was a project of the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission.

 

• The Friends of The West Chicago City Museum 2023 landmark ornament is the Center Pavilion at Reed-Keppler Park. The charge is $10 for members, $12 for non-members. Persons can pick them up during regular hours at the City Museum, 132 Main St. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays , and 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays. For local delivery or shipping, email wegohistory@gmail.com.

 

Reed-Keppler Park area was originally known as Reese’s Woods, part of the old Harvey farm. In 1934 the City of West Chicago obtained the property and established the West Chicago City Park. Over the next three years, the park was developed by the Works Progress Administration. The shelter house on the hill was one of two buildings built by the WPA, a Depression Era Federal Program. Other WPA projects included a lagoon, baseball diamond and bleachers and major landscaping. Under Mayor Walter Fawell, in 1956 the park’s name was changed to “Reed Park” after the death of Congressman Chauncey Reed, who had given the dedication address for the park in 1934 when he served as State’s Attorney. On May 20, 1971, a referendum was passed establishing a park district. Two years later the park was renamed “Reed-Keppler Park,” adding the name of Dr. John Keppler, who was a local dentist and was mayor at the time the City opened the Park. In 1973 the City leased  the 88-acre Reed-Keppler Park to the newly formed West Chicago Park District. https://merleburl.com

 

• Through Mexican Cultural Center DuPage, Iliana Eunice has an exhibit and conducts various workshops during the month of November in Gallery 200, 103 W. Washington St. She recently led a workshop on traditional Chiapas embroidery. Eunice is from San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas, Mexico. For further information, visit https://www.facebook.com/MexicanCulturalCenterDuPage/.

 

• Girls of Today Leaders of Tomorrow and USAgain are collecting Quince Dress donations. To donate quinceañeras dresses, drop them off in the bins in the back of the warehouse, 1555 W. Hawthorne Lane, Suite 4W. At a later date, the organizations will have a Quince Dress Drive, where .girls age 14 have the opportunity to select a dress. One was held Sept. 30, 2023. https://merleburl.com

 

• The West Chicago City Museum and West Chicago Historical Society are joining forces in partnership with a joint membership. This allows them to become more efficient in preservation of local history. The membership levels are Senior Citizens/Students for $20, Individual for $25, Senior Citizen Household for $40, Household for $40, Individual Life for $200 and Family Life for $300. To make a membership payment, Make checks payable to Friends of the West Chicago City Museum, 132 Main St., West Chicago, IL 60185. Information to enclose includes, name, address, telephone number and email address.

 

COMMUNITY MEMBERS HIGHLIGHTS

 

• Donna and Kent Orlandini celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023.

 

• Willodean Robinson celebrated her 95th birthday Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023.

 

• Former West Chicago resident Gail Cannata is in the production, “Seasonal Gifts,” by WT Productions. It runs Dec. 1 through 3, and 8 through 10, 2023, in the Marquee Theater, 619 Main St. in St. Charles. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees are at 3 p.m. For further information, visit https://wtproductions2.weebly.com/.

 

• After some of the officers served for many years, there is some new leadership in American Legion Post 300. Paul Shankle is Commander, Kevin Driscoll is Senior Vice Commander, Tom Butkovaich is Junior Vice Commander, Don Smith is Sargent at Arms and Chaplain, and Bill Birch is Finance Officer and Adjutant.

 

• After 20 years, Billie Childress s stepping down from her long-term role as Kruse House Garden Committee Chair of the West Chicago Garden Club. Garden Club treasurer Kerry Perry said, “For many years now Billie has headed up the crew, providing expert leadership, knowledge, generosity, and fun. Billie has led us down the right paths, resulting in a garden with “bones” and artistic structure.” She donated numerous trees and perennials from her own garden. “The viburnum she donated twenty years ago has grown to fifty feet – it’s magnificent. The variety of perennials are like a kaleidoscope –vivid, beautiful and always changing.” Garden club president Dan Bebee agreed. “Billie has poured her heart and soul into the garden for over 20 years. Her leadership, guidance, dedication, and careful planning can be seen every time you take a stroll through the gardens.”

 

CITY OF WEST CHICAGO

 

• As Intergal Construction makes improvements to the sanitary sewer system in the area, traffic impacts and lane restrictions begin Thursday, Nov. 17, 2023, at the intersection of Main Street and Wilson Avenue. Completion date is anticipated to be mid-December. The improvements consist of the replacement of 1,000 linear feet of sanitary forcemain and the installation of a new gravity sewer, which is part of the City”s Sanitary Lift Station #5 Replacement Project.

 

• The City of West Chicago free recycling for the holiday lights and extension cords begins Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 and continues through Friday, January 19, 2024. The offer is open to residents, businesses, clubs, churches and organizations. Drop-off locations are City Hall, 475 Main St.;New Hope United Methodist Church, by east exterior door at 643 E. Washington St.; Murphy Ace Hardware, 319 S. Neltnor Blvd; Water Treatment Plant, 1400 W. Hawthorne Lane; West Chicago Public Library District, 118 W. Washington St.; and the ARC Center, 201 W. National St. The West Chicago Environmental Commission coordinates the program with Groot Industries. The amount collected in 2022 was 1,293 pounds.

 

WEST CHICAGO FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

 

• The ARC Center was the hub of activity for the West Chicago Fire Protection District-Retirement-Promotion Ceremony Friday, Aug. 4, 2023. Deputy Fire Chief Timothy Leidig retired after 31 years of dedicated service, eight of them with WCFPD.The promotions were Battalion Chief Jeffery Keefe to Deputy Chief ,Lieutenant Will Gray to Battalion Chief, Firefighter Matt Keller to Lieutenant and Probation Completion of Firefighter Patrick Hanrahan.

 

Fire District Board of Trustees president Steve Usedom and treasurer Charles Bratcher. administered the oath of office on a rotating basis to the promoted firefighters. The newly promoted firefighters expressed their thanks for the opportunity to serve and promised to do their best.

 

In the tribute to retiring Deputy Chief Leidig, Chief Tanner said he was a success for several reasons.“He goes full steam ahead..makes things happen…He steps up to take on any task. He is motivated and passes this on.” Leidig’s badge number is 68 and it retires with him. Tanner said, “We do not recycle numbers.” One of his gifts was a flag display case, plus the flag that flew over Fire Station 6 for three days.

 

Leidig said. I am overwhelmed.” He thanked all of those with whom he worked in his 31 years as a fireman. “I did the best I could, leaving it better for the next crew.” https://merleburl.com

 

• For the seventh year in a row, the West Chicago Fire Protection District was awarded the Government Finance Officers Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

 

WEST CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

 

• There is an increase in criminal defacement/graffiti in town. A resident brought a complaint regarding this to the attention of City Council at its meeting Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. The West Chicago Police Department seeks the public’s assistance and offers a $250 reward to anyone with information that leads to the identification of the subject(s) responsible. To give information, call the Police Department  Investigations Unit at 630-293-2222.

 

• West Chicago Police Department received an Illinois Department of Transportation Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program grant , which allows it to conduct extra traffic enforcement throughout the City. The program starts now and continues through September 2024. The additional efforts focus on the leading contributory causes of crashes, which are speeding, impaired driving, electronic device use, failure to yield and disobeying traffic control signal and occupant restraint violations.

 

ODDS AND ENDS

 

• The Urban Stream Research Center of the DuPage County Forest Preserve hosts an Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, and Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in the Blackwell Forest Preserve, Butterfield Road in Warrenville. Tours begin every 30 minutes. The charge is $5 per person and is open to all ages; those 12 and under must be with an adult. To register, visit https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/fpddc/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&activity_select_param=2&viewMode=list or call 630 933-7248. Guests get a behind the-scenes look at the efforts of the Forest Preserve to raise freshwater mussels and federally endangered Hine’s dragonflies, plus view some of the crayfish, insects and fish that live in the waterways of the county. The research center is not often open to the public.
• Al Murphy, District 6 member of DuPage County Forest Preserve, said, “Making our forest preserves handicapped accessible so all abilities can enjoy the beauty of nature, the new all terrain wheel chair can be reserved for use at any of the nature and education centers.” These include Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, Graue Mill and Museum, Kline Creek Farm, Mayslake Peabody Estate, St. James Farm and Willowbrook Wildlife Center. https://merleburl.com

 

• SCARCE, West Chicago Environmental Commission and New Hope United Methodist Church co-hosted a pumpkin composting drop off Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the church, 643 E. Washington St. The weight amount collected was 1.3 tons. Last year the pumpkin poundage was 4.36 tons. I heard some people say pumpkins still in good shape and were keeping them on display until after Thanksgiving. https://merleburl.com

 

• Persons attending the Spooky Trail of the West Chicago Park District had a frighteningly good time. Also enjoying it were the volunteers, who played many different roles from preparation to being a scary character. Sponsors of the event were Ball Horticultural, Groot Industries and Republic Bank of Chicago. https://merleburl.com

 

My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.