Around and About in West Chicago - 20 Feb 2008

     Jane Golchert’s last day as Winfield Township Assistant to the Supervisor and the Clerk is Friday, Feb. 29. She has held this position since April 1, 1995. “Since I was hired, I have worked under two superintendents, Gerald Giradot and Dona Smith. Smith added, “I first met Jane when I was elected clerk in 1997 and not only have we developed a great working rapport, but have become good friends”

     Although Golchert’s main duties include accounts payable and payroll, Smith said, “She does so much more. She is a great asset to the township, always willing to jump in when needed. She goes the extra mile.” “The biggest challenge is keeping track of things that are done just once a year, such as the town meeting, treasurer’s report and audit,” said Golchert. Smith explained, “Since we are a government entity, there are certain legal descriptions we must follow. In addition to the once-a-year requirements, there also are ones due monthly and quarterly.” However, the job does have one big asset according to Golchert, “A true plus of the job is the hours of 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., a time when I am really alert, sort of,” said Jane.”

     Prior to having this position, Golchert was the drive up bank manager for 15 years at DuPage National Bank. “I truly enjoyed that job and met so many people. I was not looking to change until Charlene Gaede told me she was retiring and suggested I apply. I did, was hired and the rest is history.” Golchert’s history in this community began when she moved here in 1968. Now a change of address is occurring as she and her husband Keith move to Lake Ozark, Mo. “We have made such good friends and have so many fun and fond memories to take with us. We are looking forward to our move, but will miss so many people here,” said Golchert.

     Smith echoed the thoughts of many as she said, “We are going to miss her.”

AROUND AND ABOUT

     Wheaton Academy Spring musical is “My Fair Lady.” Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29, Saturday, March 1, Thursday, March 6, and Saturday, March 8, in the Fine Arts Building, 900 Prince Crossing Road. The ticket price is $10, which includes dessert served during intermission. The benefit performance is at 7 p.m. Friday, March 7. Tickets for this are $25 and include appetizers and dessert served during intermission. To reserve tickets or for more information, call the theater hotline at (630) 562-7500, Ext. 7350.

     The fourth annual Bowling for Diabetes, sponsored by Sons of the American Legion Post 300, is from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 29, at Bowling Green. Enjoy appetizers with entertainment by Rock-n-Soul by Danny. For information call (630) 231-3181.

     The Lions Club 33rd annual Spring Pancake Breakfast is from 7 a.m. to noon, Sunday, March 2, at the Middle School, 238 E. Hazel St. Ticket prices are $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and $3 for children ages 12 and under. In addition to the tasty menu of pancakes, sausage (the yummiest) and beverages, there are door prizes and a raffle. The club also is collecting used eyeglasses and hearing aids for its recycling program. Monies raised are used for the Club’s Sight and Hearing and Community programs. This event is the Spring Coming-out party for many residents, visiting with persons from the last sighting in the fall.

     There are several activities taking place at Gallery 200, 200 Main St., in March. The featured artist for the month is Wayne Atkinson, well known for his watercolor paintings. The opening reception is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 7. He has a scheduled workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 8. Heide Morris is teaching a clay class. The project is the construction a frame from a slab and decorating it with individual designs. The frames can be used either for a photo or a mirror. The first class involves the frame construction from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 1. The second class is for color glazing and is from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 15. For the first class, students should bring either a photograph or mirror and each should be about 2”x3” in dimension, Morris explained. Students must be at least 10 years old. The cost is $10 per piece. For further information or to sign up for either of these classes, call the Gallery at (630) 293-9550.

     In conjunction with the artist’s receptions at Gallery 200 on Fridays, the City Museum has expanded its hours and is open from 6 to 9 p.m. The receptions usually are held the first Friday of each month.

     St. Mary’s Parish School is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair from Monday, March 4, through Friday, March 7. Family Reading Night takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 5. Mayor Michael Kwasman reads a short story at 5:30 p.m., followed by Police Officer Robyn Nielsen at 6 p.m. Other guest readers are members of the school community. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, call the school office at (630) 231-1776.

     Are you feeling a touch of cabin fever, accompanied by the ache of winter blahs? A healthy respite grows at a slide show of New Zealand gardens at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at Faith Community Church, 910 Main St. West Chicago residents and garden club members, Billie and Sam Childress, visited NZ for three weeks in December, touring more than 20 gardens. “The gardens, endorsed by the New Zealand Garden Trust, were a mix of private and public gardens,” said Billie. She further explained the gardens encompassed all three of the trust’s garden categories. These are gardens of national significance, gardens of regional significance and registered gardens. Staying on the north island, “We feel like we had a great sampling of this country’s priceless national garden heritage. The gardens we saw were indeed a tribute to Kiwi creativity, enthusiasm and tenacity, she stated. “I think the photographs will provide a glimpse of garden paradise.”

     Indian Knoll School, ON645 Indian Knoll Road, hosts its annual Fun Fair from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 7. Activities include games, Moon Walk, face painting, raffle, yummy food and a silent auction. Students in each grade have created a special basket for the auction.

     The Friends of the Library is hosting its annual Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 7 and 8, at the library, 118 W. Washington St. This is a book lover’s dream—a wide selection of books at very reasonable prices.

     The third annual We Grow Dreams Bowl-a-Thon is Sunday, March 9, at Brunswick Zone, 1555 w. 75th St. in Woodridge. Bowlers must register by Saturday, March 1. Go to www.wegrowdreams.org to download a registration packet. Call Joanne Shubert at (630) 960-3463 for more information.

     The library’s program at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, revolves around the benefits of yoga. Terry Riban, a certified Yoga instructor, discusses the roots of this exercise, which focuses on health and wellness. The informational session demonstrates how yoga is non-competitive and beneficial for all fitness levels. Reservations can be made by calling the library at (630) 231-1552, Ext. 4.

     The park district’s senior social gathering is at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 13, at Easton Park. The fun begins with the potluck luncheon followed by the planned activity, “Easter Egg Explosion.” Registrations are needed by Monday, March 3, and may be made by calling the park district office at (630) 231-9474.

     Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 15, when many different and fun activities take place. These are the Friends of the Library’s annual Easter Egg Roll, the library’s puppet show,

     West Chicago Sister Cities annual traditional St. Patrick’s Day Dinner (for reservations, call Melissa Birch at (630) 621-0128) and the High School After Prom Night Committee’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Bash and Silent Auction (for tickets, call Becky Koltz at (630) 231-0251). More information on all the activities will appear in my March 5 column.

     The high school Band and Orchestra leaves for Toronto Feb. 29 and returns March 4.During this time period, students work with music directors at Michigan State University and perform at several venues in Canada. “We have 121 people going on the Toronto trip. The purpose of the trip is to attend educational clinics at Michigan State. We will be working with Leon Gregorian, orchestra director, and John Madden, band director at Michigan State. The trip allows us the opportunity to perform at different venues, giving us a group bonding experience. We always come back playing better as a group and feeling more like a unit,” said Steve Govertsen, Director of Instrumental Music. “The students also tour Toronto and see such sights as the CN Tower and Niagara Falls. The cost of the trip has been generously offset by the CHS Education Foundation, the VFW Post and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.”

     Bob Wetegrove submitted his resignation from the Library Board at the Jan. 28 meeting. He has been a member since 1994 and served as treasurer from 1997 to 1999. He has been president of the board since 2000. Alison Chapin is serving as interim president.

     The Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Section of the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association named Western DuPage Special Recreation Association Camps and Special Events Coordinator, Jorie Meyer, WDSRA also was named as an Illinois Distinguished Agency by a joint committee of the Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. It is only one of the two special recreations to receive this award. WDSRA serves nine park districts, including West Chicago.

     Jozef Pavnica was the first place winner in the Voice of Democracy competition, sponsored by Veterans of Wars Post 6791 and the Ladies Auxiliary. The theme was “My Role in Honoring Veterans.” Commander Steve Bennier made the presentations, assisted by Ladies’ Auxiliary Treasurer, Terry Escobedo, at the School District 94 Board of Education meeting. The following individuals shared $8,000 in scholarship dollars: Alyssa Barman, Mitch Boyd, Tara Breinig, Rebecca Cisowski, Natalie Ckuj, Ryan Crawford, Viviana Cuautle, Ethan Dean, Mark Dean, Brandon Farber, Michael Fletcher, David Garcia, Bill Heinze, Megan Hernbroth, Lauran Hon, Alexis Colleen Hosticka, Kristen Johansen, Keegan Johnson, Joann Kaczmarczyk, Tom Kaczmarczyk, Jaclyn Kerber, Zara Khan, Jonathan Kinsella, Jason Kovanda, Anna Lane, Neil Luka, Kaitlin McNamara, Ashley Michnick, David Musick, Emily Nash, Rob Paihr, Jozef Pavnica, Austin Pietrobon, Patrick Quealy, Kayla Radloff, Cody Reif, Majica Rivera,Brent Smith, Brian Smith, Lia Smith, Steven Szul, and Tom Wilson.

     Police Commander Spencer L. Kroning recently graduated from the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University, Elmhurst campus. He completed the 10-week course, which provides upper-level college instruction in a total of 22 core or mandatory blocks of education. Major topics of study are Management and Management Theory, Organizational Study, Human Resources for Law Enforcement, Budgeting, Staffing Allocation and Personnel Deployment.

     During Catholic Schools Week, St. Mary’s School held a Poetry Contest. Winners in eighth grade were Nicholas Mokodanski, Andrew Sunde, Brendan West, Brad Szumurlo and Anthony Radun. Seventh grade winners were Farrell Lewis, Ryan O’Kasick, Kevin Little and Heather Gehlhaar. Winners in sixth grade were Anna Ward, Maria Penas and Maria Medina. Fifth grade winners were Celina DiClaula, Michael Momot, Colin O’Kasick and Kenny Wolz.

     The Knights of Columbus recently sponsored a Spelling Bee at St. Mary’s. Sixth grader Maria Pena won first place, seventh grader Marie Santoro came in second and sixth grader Maria Medina won third place. These students will compete in the Knights of Columbus Regional Spelling Bee Sunday, March 9.