Around and About in West Chicago - 11 June 2008

     Flag Day is Saturday, June 14. This marks the 231st year of the adoption of the “Stars and Stripes” with the flag resolution in 1777. Flag Day was officially established by of the proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1919. It was not designated as National Flag Day until Aug. 3, 1949, when President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress.

     This is the perfect time to find the place at your business or residence to display the flag or replace the faded or tattered flag you now have. However, the old flag cannot be thrown into the trash as flag etiquette states is should be buried or burned in a private ceremony. You may take the flags to either American Legion Post 300, 123 Main St., or Veterans of Foreign War Post 6791, 431 N. Neltnor Blvd., who will keep them until the proper ceremony is scheduled.

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AROUND AND ABOUT

     The Friends of the West Chicago City Museum celebrate Flag Day with a Lawn Party from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at the Currier Reed home, 241 E. Washington St. Special guests are President Abe Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, depicted by Max and Donna Daniels, and Arvilla Currier Clark, daughter of William Currier, the original owner of the 1876 home. She also was one of the first schoolteachers in the community. Janet Gilliland of Accents on History is the interpreter. In addition to children’s games, there is an American flag craft project. Guests can feast on beverages and delicious desserts while listening to authentic Civil War era music presented by the Battlefield Balladeers. The ticket prices are $15 per person, $25 per couple, $30 per family, with discounted rates for members of Friends of the West Chicago City Museum. Proceeds go toward the restoration of the mid-nineteenth century CB&Q Railroad Depot located on Turner Court. For further information or to purchase tickets, call the City Museum at (630) 231-3376.

     Faith Community Church, 910 Main St., is having a Rummage Sale/Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 14. As always, there are treasures for everyone. A portion of the proceeds benefits the mission trip in July to Chiapas, Mexico.

     State Rep. Randy Ramey (R-55-Carol Stream) is holding a blood drive for Heartland Blood Centers from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, June 14, at his district office, 1883 N. Neltnor Blvd. Walk-ins are welcome. A photo ID is required. Donors receive a coupon for a free quart of ice cream. For further information, call his office at (630) 876-0703.

     The Rotary Club is hosting a Texas Hold ’Em from 2 p.m. Saturday, June 14, to 2 a.m. Sunday, June 15, at Tivoli Galleria, 956 N. Neltnor Blvd. Persons attending may either join in or observe this popular poker game. There is no admission charge. Proceeds benefit local and international projects.

     “Meet the Lincolns” is the library’s program at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 18. Portrayal of President Abraham Lincoln is by Mike Krebs and that of his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, is by Debra Miller. They intermingle with the audience, telling stories about people and events that shaped their lives. To make reservations for the program, call the library at (630) 231-1552, Ext. 4.

     Through an overnight campout, the park district is hosting a Civil War Encampment Saturday, June 21, at Manville Oaks. Families set up camp and learn about the Civil War in a fun and historic manner. Activities include a cooking demonstration, dinner, music, general performance and campfire talks with Generals Ulysses S. Grant, George A. Custer and Robert E. Lee. The charge is $50 for a family of four and $10 for each additional person. For further information or to make reservations, call the Park District office at (630) 231-9474.

     Representatives from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency will be available in the West Chicago area during daytime and evening hours Wednesday, June 25, and Thursday, June 26, to interview people about the Kerr-McGee residential area and Kress Creek/West Branch DuPage River Superfund sites. The interviews will be used in updating the site Community Involvement Plan that is used to guide EPA’s future interaction with the community. The identity of all interviewees will be confidential. To set an appointment for a 20 to 30 minute interview, call EPA contractor Sandy Vasquez at (773) 693-3800, Ext. 317 or e-mail Sandra.vasquez@ch2m.com. by Tuesday, June 17. Also remember the City provides information on Kerr-McGee clean up once a month when Special Counsel Barb Magel provides the timely updates.

     The West Chicago City Museum, 132 Main St., and the Historical Society’s Kruse House Museum, 527 Main St., area participating in the “Passport to Adventure” program, which runs now through Labor Day, Sept. 1, and includes more than 50 museums and nature centers in DuPage and Kane counties. It is open to children between the ages of 4 and 12. Passports are available at both museums and the Public Library, 118 W. Washington St. Visits to the participating museums are a fun and inexpensive family activity. The City Museum has two new exhibits: “Building Community: Creating a Dialogue about Mexican Contributions to West Chicago through Oral Histories” and “Century of Progress.” The summer exhibit at the Kruse House Museum is “Quilt ’n Time.” Children visiting 10 or more museums receive a children’s memory kit to use to create their own memory book. Those attending five or more receive a coupon for ice cream at Tastee-Freez. For further information, call the City Museum at (630) 231-3376.

     The sixth grade students in the gifted program at Pioneer School placed third in the 2008 International Competition for Future Problem Solving at Michigan State University. Wendy Garcia, Ana Ibarra, Carlos Lara, Alex Leal, Ariana Vigil, and Claudia Villalba competed against 20 teams from all over the world. This is the first team from Illinois to place and bring home a trophy at the International level in the grades 4 to 6 division in the 28 years that the state has participated.

     During the school year, the students worked on their Community Problem Solving project of raising funds and finding volunteers to update the school playground. During the competition, the students made their presentations in both English and Spanish. They created a tri-fold visual display of their project, plus addressed an audience of more than 500 in a field house setting. During this time, they also showed the movie they created and produced. The students participated in the fair involving 52 community projects, and, in the explanation of the project, stressed the importance of its impact on the School and the community. The teacher is Kathy Grogan.

     The team is the fifth School District 33 team to participate in the international competition. The previous teams were West Chicago Middle School in 2001, 6th grade student for individual competition in 2001, Gary School in 2003 and Turner School in 2004.

     Lisa Trygar is the high school student of the month for May. She has served as a student assistant in the high school Special Education program. Trygar has earned academic honors in Math for the past two years, was inducted into the National Honor Society when a junior and earned an Academic Merit Award. She was a member of Student Council, Best Buddies and teen director for Operation Snowball, plus now is active in community service. Upon graduation, Trygar plans on attending College of DuPage and then transferring to either Illinois State University or Elmhurst College for a major in Special Education.

     Jim Schaudt, high school head softball coach, retired at end of school year. Retiring from the high school staff is Barbara Kearney, Dean’s Assistant. She began working for the district in 1981.

     Service clubs and organizations awarded scholarships to graduating seniors at Honors Night Friday, June 6. The Lions Club presented a $1,000 scholarship to Kelsey Gossen. Receiving scholarships from American Legion Post 300 were Elizabeth Buenrostro, Linnea Detrick, Kelsey Gossen, Dane Gunderson, Alexandria E. Mills, Kayla Radloff, Margaret E. Scott, Brian Smith, Paul Warkins, Chris Wille and Andrew Wirtz. The Rotary Club awarded a $1,500 vocational scholarship to Mariana Bajaras and a $2,500 academic scholarship to Dane Gunderson. VFW Post 6791 awarded scholarships to Elizabeth Buenrostro, Linnea Detrick, Robyn Nickelson, Heather Knoll, Kelsey Gossen, Dane Gunderson, Alexandria E. Mills, Kayla Radloff, Margaret E. Scott, Brian Smith, Paul Warkins, Chris Wille, Michael Dalton, Amy Bytof, Julie Leveille, Rachel Jefferson and Andrew Wirtz.

     During the lazy, hazy days of summer, take time to read. The library’s adult and youth reading programs not only provide challenges and fun, but also the opportunity to win some prizes. Drop by the library at 118 W. Washington St. to register.

     Wayne Sills of Sills Associates and Sylvia Wetzel of Bison Gear were recently honored by Community High School for their “Outstanding Business Partnerships” at the 10th Annual DuPage Area Education to Careers and Technical Preparation Awards celebration. Sills has been an active member of the high school Partnership Committee for about 10 years. He was a panel member of “Ethics in the Workplace,” presented to the student body. He also serves as a board member of the CHS Education Foundation. Gear also was a panel member in the ethics presentation. She is involved in the promotion of career and technical awareness for high school students and continually providing input from the manufacturing perspective.

     At the June 2 City Council meeting, volunteers of city commissions were recognized for their long-time dedication and commitment. Fredericka Howard has served on the Cultural Arts Commission from 1993 to 2008. Trini Cantu has been a member of the Environmental Commission from 2001 to 2008. Historical Preservation Commission members are Len Mahony from 1998 to 2008 and Chuck Bartsch from 1999 to 2008. Youth Commission members are Dona Smith from 1993 through 2008, Kathy McKee from 1989 through 2008, and Ruben Campos from 1992 through 2008.

     The two new police officers, Andrew Alaniz and Robert Kowalik, were introduced to the council and community. Also at the meeting 21 high school students were recognized for their outstanding achievements during the school year. Tony Reyes, President of School District 94 Board of Education, said, “In the 12 years I have served on the high school board, this is the first time the City has reached out to the school. District Superintendent Dr. Lee Rieck explained that faculty selects the individuals for both Student and Peace Builders of the Month. “Students of the Month are chosen because of participation in school activities, volunteerism in the community and academics. Peace Builders are chosen because of their acts of kindness and concerns about the welfare of mankind.” Youths recognized as Students of the Month were Stephanie and Liliana Perez, Jim Miner, Chelsea Steck, Matt Ziffra, Sarah Pierpoint, Tim Schuda, Maria Ortiz, Matt Youngwith, Lisa Trygar and Ryan Scheck. Peace builders of the Month recognized were Sadie Roberts, Alejandro Garcia, Rocio Estrada, Danny Calabrese, Shannon Cassello, Isabel Correa, Cole Paler, Calvin Holt and Yesenia Gomez. Mayor Michael Kwasman said, “We have seen some of the best West Chicago has to offer. We are proud of these students. Our future is in good hands.”