Downers Grove 9-5-18

S E P T E M B E R 5 , 2 0 1 8 V O L . 1 0 I S S U E 37

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SAFETY

Back-To-School School reminders for motorists SEE PAGE 3

SPORTS

Labor of Love Local man taking startup to new heights SEE PAGE 5

BUSINESS Dave Says Paying off credit cards

SEE PAGE 8

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Ft. Armstrong, Rock Island Arsenal have defended nation since 1816

SEE PAGE 4

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ILLINOIS’ LEGACY

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

CHICAGOLAND

12-year-old serves as honorary batboy for Cubs Payton Ptak survived early birth thanks to Advocate Hospital

BY RYAN OSTRY Bugle Staff @RyanOstry_BR18 rostry@buglenewspapers.com

At 12-years-old Payton Ptak plays for the Downers Grove Longshots baseball team, when he was born, it was his life that was the longshot.

Payton was thrown a curveball at birth, but in the dozen years since, he has stepped up to the plate and made sure he did not strike out.

Ptak, who is a middle school student at Churchville Middle School in Elmhurst, has not had what you would call and easy life.

The fun-loving baseball and guitar connoisseur was born after only 25 weeks and five days at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove and weighed one-pound, six-inches.

“Our other son T.J was born at two pounds five ounces, so we’ve gone through that journey before,” Payton’s mom Kim Ptak said. “It was really challenging because we went through a lot of testing and the doctors concluded that it just sometimes happens, its probably why they were four years apart because I was scared to death to try this all over again.”

Payton, a die-hard Cubs fan, got the chance of a lifetime on Aug. 14 to be the honorary batboy thanks to the partnership of Advocate and the Cubs.

“I got to watch batting practice from the dugout which was really cool,” Payton said. “[The Cub players] are really tall athletes too, I was really excited when I met all of those players.”

Because of the situation Kim went through before, for the first 12 weeks of her pregnancy with Payton, she saw a specialist at Northwestern Hospital where she was later discharged.

Seven weeks later however, Kim noticed something was not right, and ended up in the emergency room.

“At 19 weeks they told me I was losing Payton, they told me [I was] basically having a miscarriage,” Kim said. “[The doctors] wanted to take me to

“I got to watch batting practice from the dugout which was really cool. [The Cub players] are really tall athletes too, I was really excited when I met all of those players...”

- 12-YEAR-OLD PAYTON PTAKL

surgery to have this procedure done, and I said absolutely not.”

The persistent mother, who was on bedrest for six weeks, knew that once her water broke at week 23 there could be more issues with the birthing process.

“If your child is born at 24 weeks or more [the doctors] will try and save the child’s life,” Kim said. “If its less than 24 weeks they wont interfere, so I knew at 23 weeks it wasn’t enough time, and then they gave me steroids to boost Payton’s lungs.”

Even though Payton successfully made it out alive, the trepidation for his life did not stop there.

Kim said that Payton was born at 3 a.m., but he would have to make it to the morning to have a 50-50 chance of survival.

With Payton born early, Kim also said his eyesight was at risk after “his eyes were filling up with blood after his surgery” and had the potential for him to lose his sight.

An eye surgery when Payton was about three months old at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge helped with his vision, and now he has 20/20 eyesight.

“Besides the eye problems, Payton had a lot of early intervention with speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and in the end, the goal was to help him mitigate some of his physical difficulties.” Kim said.

Payton and his older brother T.J. had the opportunity to sit in the dugout and watch batting practice because every year an 11-year-old or 12-year-old former patient at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital is chosen to participate in being the honor-

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Payton Ptak (right) and his brother T.J. meet Kris Bryant when Payton served as honorary batboy for the Cubs. ary batboy for a game.

Payton, who plays baseball for the Downers Grove Longshots, had the chance to meet some of his favorite players including Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber and Kyle Hendricks.

Even though Payton lives a happy and healthy life as a kid now, Kim knows that Good Samaritan Hospital is much deserving of the credit that helped save her boys life.

“I don’t even have the words to describe how great the care was at the hospital, it was truly unbelievable,” she said. “I never thought I would say this but I’m fortunate I had the opportunity for my second son to be in the care at that hospital because I already built this relationship with nurses and physicians. I never questioned what they were telling me, they always had the best interest of Payton, they took care of our family in a holistic way and to this very day we are still good friends and stay in touch with the people there.”

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NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

VILLAGE NEWS >> LISLE VILLAGE BOARD

Board recognizes individuals for assisting others Three Lisle police officers and two private citizens were honored for their efforts to help victims during two separate and serious accidents in 2018 on Village roadways.

Two separate, and serious traffic accidents that occurred in Lisle, in May and July of this year brought out the heroes in three police officers and two private citizens.

The Lisle Village Board honored these individuals for their efforts to assist others during their times of need during a Village Board meeting held on Monday, August 20, 2018.

Life Saving Awards were given to Lisle Police Officers Pat Mahoney and Dean Anders due to their efforts during a traffic accident on May 15, that occurred in the 700 block of Ogden Avenue, and involved a head-on collision.

The accident caused several people to be trapped in vehicles, some of which were bleeding and had life-threatening injuries. Once victims were freed from their vehicles, both officers applied bandages and tourniquets to stop the bleeding.

PHOO COURTESY OF THE VILLAGE OF LISLE

Individuals involved in the May 15, 2018 accident: (left to right) Lisle Police Sergeant Rob Sommer, Kathleen Macewich (victim’s wife), Officer Dean Anders, Wayne Macewich (victim who police assisted with bandages and tourniquets to stop his bleeding at the scene ) and Officer Pat Mahoney.

A Department Commendation was given to Officer Rob Sommer, who was also a first responder during this accident.

He was recognized for assistance

he provided to the injured and their families during the follow-up investigation.

His efforts were described as, “beyond the call of duty.”

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SCHOOLS

District 58 Budget Workshop District’s most significant expenditures goes toward employee salaries, benefits Assistant Superintendent for Business Todd Drafall reviewed the District’s upcoming programming costs, summer facility projects, current and projected revenues, fund transfers and expenditures with the Board of Education during the Budget Workshop.

The tentative 2018-19 budget is balanced and includes $66.7 million in revenues and $66.0 million in expenditures. The majority of District 58 revenues come from local sources, with residential property taxes comprising 65 percent and non-residential property taxes comprising an additional 17 percent.

“District 58 receives a large portion of its revenues from local businesses and non-residential properties.

This helps keep residential property owners’ tax burden down,” Drafall said.

The District’s most significant expenditures goes toward employee salaries and benefits.

The Board will hold a budget hearing on Monday, Sept.

17 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall.

The Board is expected to vote on the final 2018-19 budget during the regular September Board business meeting, which will take place following the budget hearing.

VILLAGE NEWS >> WESTMONT

COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 99

School reminders for motorists Class is now in session for Community High School District 99 and Downers Grove Grade School District 58 students. The Downers Grove Police Department works closely with the First Student Bus Company to ensure that motorists in our community know the laws pertaining to school buses.

The bus drivers report any stoparm violations to the police department for appropriate action. Patrol officers and traffic officers will be out in force in neighborhoods and in the area of the schools making sure motorists obey the traffic laws.

Motorists should be aware that the following laws are in place for the safety of the children walking to and from school each day.

On any two-lane roadway and within school parking lots, all traffic must stop when the school bus has its “STOP” arm extended. On a four-lane roadway, only vehicles traveling in the same direction

as the bus are required to stop.

The penalty for passing a stopped school bus is a $150.00 fine and a 90-day suspension of driving privileges.

The speed limit in areas posted as “School Zones” is 20 mph on school days from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, when children are present in the area. The minimum fine for

this traffic offense is $150.00.

Always BUCKLE-UP everyone on every trip, every time. Seat belts are the best defense against driver mistakes - they save lives every day!

When driving near schools, be alert for adult school crossing guards and student patrols that may be assisting children crossing the street. Motorists are required to obey the instructions of adult school crossing guards, so use caution and be prepared to stop.

Cell Phones are PROHIBITED in school zones for everyone! - State statute prohibits the use of cellphones for all drivers, regardless of age, while operating a motor vehicle in a school zone.

Please join the safety partnership between First Student Bus Company and the Downers Grove Police Department. Use caution when driving around all schools or whenever you see children in the area.

Bowl-Away-Burns Fundraiser The Westmont Fire Department is teaming up with The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA) and will be hosting its second annual BowlAway-Burns fundraising event on Saturday, September 29 at Suburbanite Bowl in Westmont. This family friendly event benefits IFSA burn survivor support programs and fire prevention efforts across the state.

“The Westmont Fire Department has always supported the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance and their efforts to fund kids to attend Burn Camp every year,” said Fire Chief David Weiss. “This is a great way for our community to support the IFSA’s Burn Camp event.”

ATTEND TH E EVENT WHAT: Bowl-Away-Burns Fundraiser WHEN: Saturday, September 29, Social Hour & Dinner: 6:30 p.m.7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Suburbanite Bowl 201 Ogden Avenue, Westmont, IL 60559 COST: $40 per person MORE INFO: Admission ticket includes two drink tickets, dinner, bowling shoes, three hours of bowling and raffles. Bowling lanes can accommodate up to 8 bowlers.

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Ft. Armstrong, Rock Island Arsenal have defended nation since 1816

BY GEORGE EATON In summer 1814, skirmishes between the U.S. and British-backed warriors under the leadership of Black Hawk flared up and down river from Rock Island.

Since 1803 the U.S. had owned both banks of the Mississippi River. Lt. Zebulon Pike had reached the Rock Island in 1805 and immediately recognized its strategic and tactical importance.

The Rock Island Rapids raced for 12 miles upriver. From Rock Island, the Army could control the entire Upper Mississippi River Valley by controlling the rapids.

Locally, the Sauk and Meskwaki, led

by Black Hawk, opposed a disputed 1804 treaty that transferred over 50 million acres of land to the U.S. An Army post on the island could also keep an eye on Black Hawk and his followers.

The battles of 1814 confirmed to the Army that it needed a presence on Rock Island. In May 1816, Fort Armstrong was built on the downriver end of the island. The small Army contingent there was tasked to control the Upper Mississippi River Valley by monitoring the Rock Island Rapids; maintaining observation of assumed anti-American Sauk Indians in the area; maintaining peaceful relations between the local Native American tribes; and, later, providing security as settlers moved into the area.

Resistance from the Sauk culminated in the Black Hawk War of 1832. Fort Armstrong served as an administrative and logistic center for the war. Treaties after the Black Hawk War pushed Native Americans west of the Mississippi and, as a result, Fort Armstrong’s security role was transformed into a logistics mission as a supply depot. That role ended in 1845 after supplies were issued for the Mexican War. Important meetings were held in George Davenport’s home in 1845. Not a single bridge crossed the Mississippi River and Rock Island was the only location where engineering of the day could build a commercially viable railroad bridge.

The bridge could jump from the Illinois mainland to the island and then over the shallow rapids to Iowa. After 11 years of wrangling and overcoming

resistance from the federal government, the first rail bridge over the Mississippi River opened in April 1856 spurring industrial and settlement growth in the area. Rock Island, using water and rail, became the transportation hub of the United States. Eventually, the Transcontinental Railroad crossed the island.

In the late 1850s the Army was looking for a depot to supply the Army on the frontier.

The bridge and rail distribution network, coupled with steamboat traffic and federal ownership of the Rock Island, influenced the decision to create the Rock Island Arsenal.

President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation creating the Arsenal as a maintenance and storage facility on July 11, 1862. In 1863, construction started on a warehouse that is now called the Clock Tower.

That building was not completed until 1867 and by then the mission had changed to manufacturing. With the end of the Civil War, plans were drawn up by Brevet Brigadier Gen. Thomas Rodman for a much larger complex.

Construction began in 1866.

That construction was an economic driver as Rock Island Arsenal became the largest federal public works project of the 19th century. The Arsenal produced artillery carriages and caissons, saddles, eating utensils, canvas products, bayonets, and, after 1903, rifles.

It manufactured, repaired and stored everything a soldier needed.

The Arsenal’s first major support to an American war was in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. Rock Island Arsenal became known for both speed and quality. As a result, it became the artillery development center for the Army.

During World War I, the Arsenal’s employment mushroomed from 2,000 to almost 15,000. After World War I, the Arsenal became the Army’s tank development center as well.

During World War II, the Arsenal saw its greatest employment with almost 19,000 people on the island. A huge repair parts operation utilized the rail links east and west to the coasts. In addition, machine guns, artillery, tanks, aircraft engines and other goods were produced and sent to the fighting fronts.

The Arsenal was also critical to support in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

As the size of the Army and the requirement for manufacturing declined, other higher commands were located on the island. Today 1st Army, Army Sustainment Command, Joint Munitions Command and the Arsenal itself operate on the island.

Today, the Arsenal more quietly continues to support the Army. In 1990-91 critical parts were made and shipped to support Operation Desert Storm.

In 2003, when opposing forces began to ambush U.S. vehicles with roadside bombs, the Arsenal produced the first professional armor kits for Humvees in just weeks. Rock Island Arsenal has one of only two foundries in the Department of Defense and with modern technology can make one or 1 million of any item needed by the armed forces.

While known and respected across the armed forces for its products, in the neighboring community the Rock Island Arsenal remains an economic engine and premier employer. Also on the island today are a national cemetery and a Confederate Cemetery holding the remains of Confederate prisoners held on island between 1863-1865.

A monument to the First Bridge is on the island, along with George Davenport’s house which hosted the meetings that planned that bridge. In addition to that modest home, the island is also home to Quarters One, the largest house in the Army and second in size only to the White House in the federal inventory.

The Rock Island Arsenal Museum, the second oldest museum in the Army system, tells the history of the Arsenal and has over 1,200 weapons on display. The Lock and Dam Visitor Center tells the story of the first completed Mississippi River navigation lock and dam that, when completed in 1933, removed the obstacle of the Rock Island Rapids noted by Zebulon Pike in 125 years earlier.

George Eaton is Interim Director of Strategic Communications and Army Sustainment Command Historian, U.S. Army. Editor’s note: The weekly Illinois Bicentennial series is brought to you by the Illinois Associated Press Media Editors and Illinois Press Association. More than 20 newspapers are creating stories about the state’s history, places and key moments in advance of the Bicentennial on Dec. 3, 2018.

Stories published up to this date can be found at 200illinois.com.

PAGE 5

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

FEATURE

LABOR OF

L

VE

Lockport man has his designs being sold at some of baseball’s most hallowed grounds

BY MARK GREGORY Editorial Director @Hear_The_Beard mark@buglenewspapers.com

In 2012 Tim Kuncis lost his job at the Chicago Board of Trade.

Since then, the Lockport resident has searched for the perfect job and it looks like he may have hit a home run.

Kuncis started Barnwood Sports Design — a company in which he creates handmade wooden American flags and flags in the shape of home plate and marries pure Americana with the great American pastime.

The company not only allows Kuncis to be his own boss, it allows him to get back to using the art degree he earned from Northern Illinois University in 1996.

“I have a degree in art, but

I haven’t done art since college,” Kuncis said. “I worked at the Board of Trade right out of college and I got let go in 2012 and I jumped around job to job and I worked a little bit with Jim Bartuch of Garden Architecture, that does amazing woodworking and that is kind of where I got into this and I learned a lot from him, but there is nothing like working for yourself.”

The idea first started when Kuncis saw other woodworkers making American Flags on Facebook and knew he could replicate, if not improve, what was being offered.

Basic American flags turned into Chicago flags as well as military and first responderinspired designs as well as the company’s signature home SEE LABOR PAGE 6

PHOTO BY MARK GREGORY

Tim Kuncis works in his Lockport garage — for now — building his brand, Barnwood Sports Designs.

TWITTER: For up -to-the-minute coverage of upcoming local sport events going on in your area, follow @VoyagerSport

6 SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Former Chicago White Sox slugger Paul Konerko (left) stopped by to see Barnwood Sports Designs at the Hall of Fame induction weekend.

LABOR FROM PAGE 5 plate design.

“The home plate thing has taken off,” he said. “It is totally customizable.”

The transition was easy for Kuncis who played baseball collegiately at South Suburban, TCU and Northern Illinois University, while taking time off for shoulder reconstruction.

While his injury may have solidified the fact that Kuncis would never be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame — his design got him in.

His home plate design is sold online through the Hall of Fame, is in store at the Louisville Slugger Museum and hangs behind former Boston Red Sox player Kevin Millar in his studio office on the MLB Network show Intentional Talk.

“I still pinch myself. I am in the Hall of Fame,” Kuncis said.

“It helps to know people. You can have all the help in the

world, but if they are not the highest quality, the Hall of Fame is not going to accept them.”

While at the 2018 Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, NY, he had a booth set up that was visited by a couple of names well known

by Chicago baseball fans. “(White Sox Executive Vice President) Kenny Williams was out running and he walked by and stopped in his tracks, he was as nice as can be,” Kuncis said. “He liked my stuff. Paul Konerko also stopped by.”

“It is exciting meeting all the players,” he said. “I played college ball with guys that have made it to the big leagues and I have met some Hall of Famers and they are just regular guys.”

He has not only created items for baseball players, he also made items for Disturbed guitarist Dan Donegan, who stopped by his garage shop, as well as the rock band Tesla.

Right now Kuncis is doing his

business online through barnwoodsports.com and via social media.

“I really have to market it and a lot of it right now is word of mouth,” he said. “A lot of the business has been through Facebook and the good thing is, I get business from it. The bad part is, people can steal your ideas. There are about seven or eight people copying it right now. I have a patent pending on [the home plate design].”

As he waits for the patent to come through, Kuncis says what sets his work apart from the competition is the craftsmanship and durability of his product. His are easy to tell apart from the rest because of the unique brand he burns into the back of every piece.

“I am getting established pretty fast,” he said. “It has been surreal. My goal is to be in every major league park and I think it can happen — I am going to make it.”

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SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

7

NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE

Women’s triathlon prepare for 2018 Cohesion, raw talent, and the desire to succeed will all be significant factors for the North Central College women’s triathlon team in 2018 as the Cardinals prepare for their third season of collegiate competition and look to continue to make power moves among Division III programs.

In only its second year of competition, the Cardinals earned eight combined All-Region and All-America honors, including Naomi Hill earning the All-Region and Division III Freshman of the Year awards. North Central paced all Division III competitors at the USA Triathlon Central Region Qualifier in Naperville on Sept. 4.

Under direction of head coach Jenny Garrison, North Central went on to race at the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship in Phoenix, Ariz., taking home the Division III team title for the second straight year and placing fifth overall, an improvement from an eighth place finish in 2016. North Central also celebrated an individual victory as Grace Miller, competing at her

second national championship, crossed the finish as the first Division III competitor with a time of one hour, ten minutes, 0.76 seconds.

Jennifer Hufnagle battled back from injury just in time for her second national championship appearance and returns this season with additional experience after training during the summer as a guide with former teammate Ashley Eisenmenger ‘17 for the USA Triathlon Paratriathlon National Championship.

The Cardinals had two triathletes competing at their first national championships and their success speaks volumes to the structure of the program Garrison has established. Katherine Canfield, a swimmer turned triathlete, placed 33rd overall at the national championship with a season best time of 1:11:17.19 while Hill, entering the race with prior experience but coming back from injury, showed her promise for a successful sophomore season with a 40th place finish.

The team ended the season on

a high note and Garrison sees the experience having a positive impact on the coming season.

“Truly, they have all improved and they all have so much drive,” said Garrison. “Grace is coming back from an injury this summer and I know she’s not where she wants to be, but she is ready to do what she needs to get back into it.”

Amy Feltz, though she did not compete last fall, will round out the top-five group and look to be a force in her first season for the Cardinals . Each member of the team has her own strengths and Garrison and her coaching staff are excited to see what can develop over the course of the season.

“The freshmen came in with less experience but they show a lot of promise,” said assistant coach Kurt Woodward. “They may not see those results this season, but they are quickly picking up the skills to be great at the sport.”

Garrison and Woodward anticipate a few challengers who are strong in the run competing at the first race of the season, but both are confident in their team’s ex-

perience and developing talent to put time on the other teams and capitalize during the biking stage.

“I am just excited to see them race. I can’t even sleep at night— it’s going to be a close race,” said Garrison. “Our top five is really strong. We have a really solid group and I don’t think anyone can touch us.”

The Cardinals open the 2018 season at home for the third straight season, playing host to the North Central College Division III Invitational on Sept. 3.

Race time is set for 7:15 a.m beginning at Centennial Beach. The 2018 USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship will return to Phoenix, Ariz. on Nov. 4.

CROSS COUNTRY The North Central College men’s cross country team has begun the 2018 season on the highest possible note as the No. 1 ranked team in both the Midwest Region and the nation as announced by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association in the preseason coaches’

poll on Wednesday.

This year’s preseason rankings mark the eighth year in a row that the Cardinals have started the season as the No. 1 ranked team in their region and the eighth time in the past ten years where head coach Al Carius’s harriers have owned the nation’s No. 1 spot.

The other two years, the Cardinals were ranked second to start the season. North Central also maintained the unanimous No. 1 national ranking in 2017, proving their worth at the NCAA Division III National Championship.

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse ranks No. 2 in the Midwest Region poll following the runner up performance to the Cardinals at both the regional and national championship. Washington University (Mo.), University of Wisconsin-Stout, and the University of Chicago round out the top-five.

On the national level, Amherst College comes in at the No. 2 spot, followed by UW-La Crosse at No. 3. Pomona-Pitzer and Haverford College are ranked No. 4 and 5, respectively.

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BUSINESS + REAL ESTATE TA K E 5 M I N U T E S FOR YOURSELF!

NEWS ABOUT LOCAL BUSINESSES IN YOUR COMMUNITY WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

DAVE SAYS

Paying off credit cards DEAR DAVE, How do you feel about taking money out of savings to pay off credit cards?

PEGGY DEAR PEGGY, I’m okay with this under two conditions. One is that you cut up the credit cards, close the accounts, and never use those things again. The second is that you don’t wipe out your savings in the process. Leave something in there, so you’re covered in the event of an emergency.

Then, rebuild your savings as fast as possible once the debt is out of your way.

You have to understand, too, that credit cards aren’t the problem. The credit card debt isn’t the problem, either. They are just symptoms of buying things you don’t need, with money you don’t have, in order to impress people.

Take a long look in the mirror, Peggy, because the person who’s looking back at you is the problem. Overspending, disorganization, not earning enough … whatever label you want to slap on this situation, you are the reason for the problem.

Once you understand and accept that, and you start living on a budget and staying away from debt, you’ll have taken your first real steps toward financial peace!

—DAVE Dave Ramsey is CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven best-selling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 14 million listeners each week on 600 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. Follow Dave on the web at daveramsey.com and on Twitter at @DaveRamsey.

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COUNTY

NEWS

FROM THE SURROUNDING COUNTY AREA WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

VILLAGE OF WESTMONT

Westmont plants Monarch Waystation Westmont Public Works and the Westmont Environmental Improvement Commission (EIC) created a new landscape plan for the northeast corner of Cass and Irving this past spring. The project is part of a downtown beautification initiative and includes plantings that serve as a Monarch Waystation.

“The Village of Westmont signed a resolution in March of 2017 to improve Monarch habitat in the community,” said Jon Yeater, Village Forester and EIC liaison.

“These areas can be both beautiful and beneficial. We are happy to do our part in the village, and hope our residents get to see more Monarchs around the downtown area.”

Monarch Waystations are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. Without milkweeds throughout their spring and summer breeding areas in North America, monarchs would

Clarendon Hills also continue to move forward and work together on the Richmond Education Garden & Apiary project, which will feature a butterfly-friendly habitat. There have also been conversations about possibly introducing natural vegetation improvements along the BNSF railroad corridor to further assist with this initiative.

not be able to produce the successive generations that culminate in the migration each fall. Similarly, without nectar from flowers these fall migratory monarch butterflies would be unable to make their long journey to overwintering grounds in Mexico. The need for host plants for larvae and energy sources for adults applies to all monarch and butterfly populations around the world.

The Village of Westmont and

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