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J U N E 6, 2 01 8 V O L . 1 0 I S S U E 39

OUT & ABOUT #jolietbugle

FORUM

Celebrating IL Muddy Waters wrote the songs of Chicagoâ€™s blues legacy SEE PAGE 4

SPORTS

Making history Meyer puts himself in record books SEE PAGE 7

BUSINESS Dave Says Work as a team to get in order

SEE PAGE 11

JOLIETBUGLE.COM

44 PAGES OF SUMMER FUN & EVENTS!

INSIDE!

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

COMMUNITY

THE FORCE

Awakens STAR WARS DAY RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN JOLIET BY MARNEY SIMON | BUGLE STAFF

The Dark Side made a visit to downtown Joliet on Saturday, June 2. The Joliet Public Library hosted their ninth annual Star Wars Day, with assistance from the Joliet Area Historical Museum, the Rialto Square Theatre, the Joliet City Center Partnership, and the Heritage Corridor. The event included authors, artists, vendors, food, games, crafts, virtual reality games, and visitors from a galaxy far, far away. In May, Executive Director Megan Millen told members of the City Council that the event had not only grown over the years but had even helped the library gain a national recognition. “This event has grown from a small summer reading kickoff to a multiagency extravaganza, that last year attracted over 10,000 people to downtown Joliet,” Millen said. “We are really proud to announce the Joliet Library has won the prestigious

American Library Association Excellence in Library Programming Award for 2018 for our Star Wars event.” The American Library Association (ALA) Excellence in Library Programming Award recognizes a library that demonstrates excellence in library programming by creating a cultural/ thematic program type or program series that engages the community in planning, sponsorship or active participation, addresses an identified community need, and has a measurable impact. The Joliet Library hosts the largest Disney-approved Star Wars event of its kind in the world. Started in 2009, the span and scope of Joliet’s Star Wars Day has grown exponentially each year, becoming a small Star Wars convention and attracting thousands of visitors from several states. The award includes $5,000 and a citation of achievement. The award will be presented to the Joliet Public Library at this year’s ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans.

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NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

COUNTY NEWS

BREAKFAST TAKES OFF Annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 15 Pancake BreakfasE expands to all day offerings that include cars and lunch

Sunday, June 10, marks the 47th annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 15 Pancake Breakfast at Lewis University’s airport, 1 George J. Michas Dr., Romeoville. But it’s not like any other pancake breakfast of years past. This year, it’s an event with a name: Wings over Wheels Fly-in/ Car Show (WOW). WOW is the brainchild of EAA Chapter 15 member Darren Lilja. Lilja attended many events around the country with the same theme and is bringing it here to Romeoville. “This type of event is held every year in Simsbury, Conn. I’ve volunteered there the last two years, doing everything from concessions to working the ramp. It’s been great for their airport and the community. When I found out our former breakfast chairman moved out of state and there wasn’t anyone in line to run it, I volunteered to head up the challenge” Lilja explained. The first thing he did was revamp the breakfast. “Well, I proposed to the chapter to move the date from the weekend after Mother’s Day to the second weekend in June, a little warmer month. Next, I presented the idea about making it an all-day event to include a car show,” Lilja said. “There’s nothing better than wings and wheels in one place.” In fact, there are many changes. WOW runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. instead of being a morning-only event. After 11 a.m., lunch will be offered: hotdogs, hamburgers and pulled pork are on the menu, along with juice, water and soft drinks. Another noticeable change this year, local vendors. “I’ve reached out to the local business community to get them more involved. With all types of people coming to the event, many don’t know about them in the area, “Lilja said. “They can promote their products or services in an ‘out of the box’ way… at an airport.” The event attracted some sponsors such as South Oak Dodge, Rod Baker Ford, Homer Tree and a little place called Bricks and Minifigs, an aftermarket Lego shop in Crest Hill that sells used Lego sets and pieces.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Shorewood set to approve annual appropriations Public hearing set for June 26 BY MARNEY SIMON Enterprise Staff @PlainﬁeldNews news@enterprisepublications.com

The Village of Shorewood will put its spending up to public scrutiny this month. In May, Trustees held the first reading of the appropriations ordinance for the 2018-2019 fiscal year (FY19), which began on April 1 and runs through March 31, 2019. “The appropriation ordinance represents the village’s legal spending authority; however, we do still operate within the budget that board approved back in March,” said Finance Director Anne Burkholder. The appropriations ordinance is purposely inflated 25 percent, to cover unforeseen or

“When I walked into Ryans shop off Renwick, I knew I had to have him at the airport. Planes, Cars and Star Wars models greeted me at his shop’s door. It was aviation in a whole different perspective,” Lilja said. “It’s something great for the kids to enjoy as Ryan is bringing some plane and car kits to purchase and build at the airport.” The car show portion of WOW is on the grass in front of the terminal. “The airport manger, Chris Lawson, has embraced the idea of the chapter coming up with new ideas. Chris has been a critical part of our existence. Presenting the idea of a car show intrigued him, as it hasn’t been done in the past to this extent. After explaining that we could expect over 350 show cars… maybe more with the extra room

we may find, he’s jumped aboard,” “Lilja said. “We have this great airport that’s a hidden gem. Sure, people in aviation know about it, but the non-flyers know little about this place. Bringing in a whole other community of people is another way to bring exposure to it.” Admission to the public is free. Car show entry is $20. The first 300 cars will also receive a collector hat pin and dash plaque while all entrants will get one free meal ticket. Breakfast is $8 per adult and kids 12-and-under $4. Hotdogs are $3, Hamburgers and Pulled Pork $4 with drinks at $1. More information can be found at the event website, www.wowflyin.com and on facebook at www.facebook.com/ wowflyin You can also visit the EAA Chapter 15 website at http://15. eaachapter.org/

emergency expenditures. The FY19 budget, adopted in March, totals $35 million, and includes $12.6 million in the general fund, $6.1 million in water and sewer, and $7.4 million in the capital improvements fund. The appropriations ordinance totals $43.8 million, with $15.8 million in the general fund, $7.6 in water and sewer, and $9.3 in capital improvements. The full 22-page appropriations document is available for inspection by the public at the Village Hall. A public hearing will be held prior to the June 26 meeting, prior to approval of the ordinance. State statutes require municipalities to approve budget appropriations during the first quarter of the fiscal year.

FORUM

E D I TO R I A L

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COLUMN

Muddy Waters wrote the songs of Chicago’s blues legacy BY JEFF JOHNSON COURTESY OF THE CHICAGO SUNTIMES Since June 2017, Muddy Waters’ image has beamed down from a 10-story mural at 17 N. State St. in Chicago. But the king bee of Chicago blues looms even larger over the city with his outsized musical and cultural legacy. The Mississippi Delta native, born McKinley Morganfield in 1913, followed the Great Migration to Chicago in 1943, where he found stardom with his groundbreaking electric guitar sound and classic bands. He died at age 70 in 1983, but new generations of artists often cite the influence of the six-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, and Waters’ songs such as “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man” and “Rollin’ Stone” are used frequently by filmmakers and advertisers. International tourists visit Chicago to bathe in Waters’ lore, including a visit to his longtime home at 4339 S. Lake Park. There’s not much to see, though, because the house that Tim Samuelson, Chicago’s cultural historian, has called Chicago’s most historic home has stood vacant and in a state of disrepair for many years. Plans are stalled to convert the Kenwood two-flat into a museum or other attraction. Waters’ bluesman son Larry “Mud” Morganfield, who like his dad is a singer-songwriter-guitarist, spent time at the house, but never lived there. But he quickly rattles off the names of blues stars who did. “James Cotton, Pinetop Perkins, Otis Spann and Little Walter all stayed there, and everyone from Paul Butterfield to Keith Richards went there,” Morganfield said. “I don’t care to have that house. What I care about is the house standing and representing Chicago as the real house of the blues. … Chicago needs to keep this man’s legacy alive.” Morganfield admitted that being the son of a blues immortal can be a double-edged sword from a career standpoint. “It’s both a curse and a blessing,” he said. “You have people who say, ‘He sounds like his dad, but he ain’t Muddy.’ Of course I’m not. But I have other people come up and tell me, ‘I had a lump in my throat because you remind me so much of your daddy.’ “

Others who want to walk in Waters’ footprints may visit the Chess Studios (www.bluesheaven.com/ historic-chess-studios. html) at 2120 S. Michigan, where the bluesman recorded many of his best-known records and rock ‘n’ roll icon Chuck Berry strutted his stuff. Family members of the late Willie Dixon, who penned some of the biggest hits of Waters and fellow Chess artists such as Howlin’ Wolf, operate the studios with their nonprofit Blues Heaven Foundation. Keith Nelson, Dixon’s grandson, conducts the tours and serves on the Blues Heaven board of directors. He said tours, which cost $10, are given hourly from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. He said between 100 and 350 people tour Chess weekly, and many ask about Waters. “He’s always a huge part of the legacy,” Nelson said. “Muddy would be your most popular artist. He was your face. I’m a big comic book fan, and if you had a blues comic book, Muddy would be your Superman.” Musicians seeking to capture the Waters mojo may soon have their choice of two recording studios at Chess. “We’re planning to put older recording equipment from 1961 upstairs and modern recording equipment in a new studio downstairs,” Nelson said. “Hopefully this project will be done by the end of 2018 or early 2019.” Carrying on the legacy of Waters and other postwar Chicago blues greats is the mission of current Chicago blues kingpin Buddy Guy, who once operated the late, lamented Checkerboard Lounge on a section of East 43rd Street renamed Muddy Waters Boulevard. Guy moved Downtown in 1989 with his Buddy Guy’s Legends (www.buddyguy. com), now at 700 S. Wabash. While sweet home Chicago takes

pride in its reputation as “the home of the blues,” with a lakefront festival that has drawn hundreds of thousands of music lovers yearly since 1984, the city also is a cornerstone of modern jazz. In fact, Chicago’s jazz fest predates its blues bash by a decade. King Oliver and Jelly Roll Morton were early stars on the jazz scene, and the immortal Louis Armstrong further popularized the New Orleans sound in Chicago in the 1920s. Later Benny Goodman and a host of fellow big-band leaders swung at ballrooms such as the elegant Trianon in the Woodlawn neighborhood and the Aragon in Uptown. Today the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (www. aacmchicago.org) guides Chicago jazz in adventurous new directions, and the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge (www. greenmilljazz.com), 4802 N. Broadway, builds on its Prohibition-era tradition. Jeff Johnson is a Chicago-based freelance writer. DOWN-HOME DOWNSTATE: As Chicago celebrates its impressive blues history, fans throughout Illinois are building legacies of their own. Among the more active blues organizations downstate are the Illinois Central Blues Club in Springﬁeld (www.icbluesclub.com), the Prairie Crossroads Blues Society in ChampaignUrbana (www.prairiecrossroadsblues. org) and the Decatur Blues Society (www. decaturblues.org). In addition, Murphysboro and Peoria host blues festivals annually, and for Quad Cities fans, the Mississippi Valley Blues Society (www.mvbs.org) throws one of the Midwest’s best blues bashes each summer in Davenport, Iowa. The C-U Folk & Roots Festival (folkandroots.org), which takes place in November in downtown Urbana, has several blues-oriented acts in its deep lineup. 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.

METRO

NEWS FROM THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF WILL COUNTY

IDNR cuts requirement for non-powered watercraft Boaters who captain non-powered watercraft will no longer have to purchase Water Usage Stamps Starting Friday, June 1, boaters who captain non-powered watercraft will no longer have to purchase Water Usage Stamps from the State of Illinois. The stamps are still required up until that date, however, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which issued a press release about the new policy earlier this month. According to the release, several changes have been made to the Boat Registration and Safety Act. One of the changes, “ ... repeals the Water Usage Stamp that has been required for use of nonpowered watercraft in Illinois.” The change affects kayaks, canoes, rafts and tubes. IDNR spokesman Ed Cross explained the removal of the water stamp requirement in an article

posted on the Illinois News Network. He said people were having trouble with the heat-transfer paper that the stickers were printed on because the stickers would fade, making them hard to read. “One of the other complaints we often heard was that the stamps could not be easily affixed to the watercraft,” he added. The Water Usage Stamp change does not affect powered boat registrations. “All watercraft powered by machinery (this includes trolling motors) or sail are required to be titled and registered in Illinois,” according to an IDNR response to a Forest Preserve inquiry. Other changes in the act do affect the timing of the boat registration process, however: “The changes push back the

PHOTO COURTESY OF FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF WILL COUNTY DAVID RUDOFSKI

expiration date of three-year Illinois watercraft registrations from June 30 to Sept. 30. For example, watercraft owners who renew their three-year registrations that are expiring on June 30, 2018 will

have new registrations that are valid until Sept. 30, 2021. All new and transfer renewal watercraft registrations issued on or after June 1, 2018 will have expiration dates of Sept. 30 in the calendar

year of expiration. “Another change removes the requirement of a certificate of title for watercraft under 22 feet in length. Titling is optional for watercraft under 22 feet in length.”

TAKE 5

FOR WHEN YOU NEED 5 MINUTES FOR YOURSELF! WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

PAGE 7

FEATURE

MEYER MAKES HISTORY Lockport senior sets mark for distance, consecutive titles in shot put BY BOBBY NARANG For the Bugle www.buglenewspapers.com

Lockport’s John Meyer made history on May 25. But the senior didn’t flinch or even make an expression after he tossed a shot put state record of 68 feet, 8 inches during the Class 3A state preliminaries in Charleston. With the toss, Meyer claimed his third straight shot put state title, while also earning a thirdplace medal in the discus (1802). Meyer’s prelim toss carried over to the finals, with Barrington senior Brad Warman finishing a distant second (622.75). Meyer’s easy-going reaction to his state record stemmed from high expectations from past performances. He was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. at 70-6.25 in the shot put entering the state prelims. Meyer became the first in PHOTO BY CHRIS JOHNS/PHOTONEWS

SEE MEYER PAGE 8

Lockport senior John Meyer set several records along the way this season.

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8 SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM MEYER FROM PAGE 7 state history to break the 70-feet mark, when he tossed 70-4.25 at the SouthWest Suburban Conference Indoor Meet in February. “Sometimes it feels like a good throw, but that (record toss) didn’t feel like a good throw,” Meyer said. “I didn’t really see it until I walked out, then noticed I got the record. I was trying to get over 70 (feet at state). I didn’t get my expectations, but the three-peat and the record is good. That’s really exciting, when coach told me that or my father about the history behind that. I really worked hard.” Meyer also etched his name in the IHSA record books by becoming only the seventh athlete to win the same field event three times, while also earning the distinction of the first large school shot putter to win the event three times. Meyer credited his threeyear state run to switching his technique from gliding to a spin move. He ended his career with three shot put state titles, a ninth-place medal in the discus in his freshman year and second-place medal last season. “I made a huge advancement with that and everything came together in that sophomore year,” Meyer said. “It worked.

My coach wanted me to win as a sophomore. I didn’t have much experience at the state meet. I was down here at state my freshman year for discus, took ninth, but I knew the environment and the experience. It’s different when you are a senior. There’s more pressure.” Meyer, a Michigan recruit, admitted his size attracts a lot of attention. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder never played football on the varsity after suffering a broken wrist during his freshman season. He started track when he was in sixth grade. But Meyer said he wasn’t a natural. “I would say I wasn’t the best when I started,” Meyer said. “I just never stopped and kept working and my dad pushed me to do better.” Meyer credited his first coach and dad, John Sr., for instilling in him the importance of hard work and dedication. “My dad helped me so much and made me the athlete I am today,” Meyer said. After his record-breaking performance and third shot put title, Meyer has built a legion of fans and followers. “He’s such a great shot putter, and it was great to compete against him at state these years,” Warman said, a three-time state qualifier.

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SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

VOLLEYBALL

Porters achieve goal despite loss to rivals BY RANDY WHALEN For the Bugle www.buglenewspapers.com

The goal was attained. For the past four seasons the Lockport Township boys volleyball team has been aiming to win a regional championship. After falling short the previous three times, the Porters finally did it this year. That happened on Wednesday, May 23 with an exciting 31-29, 25-19 victory over rival Sandburg in the title match of the Lockport Regional. What made it even more special is that it was done on the Porters home court, at the Lockport Central campus. Although Lockport lost 25-13, 25-19 to Lincoln-Way East on Friday, May 25 in the opening semifinal of the Brother Rice Sectional, a 14-year drought had ended. The regional championship was the third for the Porters in their history. The others were in 1993 and 2004. Sandburg (21-16) entered having won 16 of 21 matches following a 5-10 start. It’s only the second time in the past 16 seasons that the Eagles have not won a regional title. “It just feels awesome, this is what I’ve been dreaming of since freshman year,” Lockport 4-year standout Anthony Pfeiffer said. “I super happy to be a part of this.” Early in the season Pfeiffer, who was an opposite side hitter and setter, stated that his goal was the defeat Sandburg, since he never had. Either had Lockport coach Nick Mraz, a 2007 Sandburg graduate, who played for the Eagles and is in his fifth season as Porters coach. “When I was playing for him 11 years ago, Sandburg was the team,” Mraz said of Sandburg coach David Vales. “We’ve been so close to them the last few years. Afterward he [Vales] gave me a big hug. This is a great stride for us and I guess it [beating Sandburg] was meant to be.” There was a large contingent of former Porter players in attendance. The previous three seasons, they had averaged 28 wins - including setting a school record with 31 last year, but never won a regional. Those players, however, helped build the team toward this moment.

“It’s these guys that built the program,” Mraz said of his former players. “They bought into the mind set that we could do this.” In the first set, the Porters showed that mindset in an opener that was a masterpiece of intensity. There were 19 ties and seven lead changes. Lockport used a 4-0 run to take the largest lead of the set by either team at 20-17 and still led 21-18. But down 23-21, Sandburg scored three in a row to have the first of five set point opportunities. But each time the Porters rose to the challenge. Pfeiffer had kills to fight off the first and last one and senior outside hitter Kyle Dixon (7 kills, 1 1/2 blocks) and junior middle hitter Jake Whyte (4 kills) sandwiched kills around an Eagle hitting error to tie things up for Lockport. The Porters took a 29-28 lead on a kill by senior setter/opposite side hitter Patrick Surane. The Eagles tied it at 29-29 on a kill by junior outside hitter Luka Vukanic, but a Pfeiffer kill and a long hit ended the opener. “There were so many moments,” Mraz said. “In the first set we had three or four guys make mistakes and then three or four guys would come back and pick each other up. That’s what a championship team does.” Dixon, who is one of four seniors - middle hitter Michael Palumbo, Pfeiffer and Surane are the others, agreed. “We were so focused on executing what we needed to on the court,” Dixon said. “We all said, ‘just get this next one.’ This was a battle and it was definitely a lot of focusing and guys doing their jobs. This [regional championship] was something that coach has always said was a big goal. Now future teams can build off of this.” Lockport never trailed in the second set, which was tied twice, at 3-3 and at 11-11. Ahead 15-14, the Porters put it away with a 5-0 spurt. Dixon started it off with a pair of kills, Sandburg made a hitting error, Pfeiffer and sophomore middle hitter Jake Maly (3 kills, 1 1/2 blocks) combined on a block and Pfeiffer put down a kill for a 20-14 lead. The Eagles returned a ball into the net on match point. SEE PORTERS PAGE 10

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SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM PORTERS FROM PAGE 9 “It was nice that this was won more than it was lost,” Vales said of the Porters. “Every break, every little play was made by them. We got them the first time we played [a 2520, 25-21 Sandburg win on May 3 in Orland Park], but this time they came out with a lot more heart. “We knew it was going to be tough, but we put ourselves in a nice position. We only had two senior starters [outside/ right side hitter Will Marks and middle hitter Jake Ostema], so we will bring back a lot of experience. [Against Lockport] it was two even teams. The difference was Anthony Pfeiffer. We tried all sorts of things to stop him. But he was the best player on the court and he made them tough to beat.” But two days later, on Friday, May 25, the Porters saw their season come to an end in the 25-13, 25-19 loss to Lincoln-Way East in the opening semifinal of the Brother Rice Sectional. The Griffins went on to defeat the host Crusaders 25-21, 25-17 on Tuesday, May 29 in the title match to win their third straight sectional and fourth in five years. During the regular season, Lockport lost twice to the Griffins. But each match went three. East

won 25-22, 23-25, 25-16 on March 29 in the opening round pool play of the Wheaton South Tiger Classic, and then prevailed 24-26, 2516, 25-15 on April 26 in the teams SouthWest Suburban Conference meeting in Frankfort. Lockport led 14-8 and 18-14 in the second set. But the Griffins went on a 10-0 blitz to take control. The Porters aided the cause with four hitting errors. Pfeiffer saved one match point and ended the run with a kill. But senior outside hitter Ian Piet (5 kills) pounded a kill moments later to end it. “On the sectional stage, it’s different for sure,” Mraz said. “We looked like a dear in headlights, but after the first set I said, ‘lets go.’ We did, we were up 18-14, but then they went on that 10-0 run and we let it slip away. I thought it would go three.” In the first set, the Porters couldn’t find the rhythm that made them successful in the regional title match. East jumped out to a 5-0 lead. The Porters closed within 8-6, but Wroblewski and McPhillips combined for all the points in another 5-0 burst for a 13-6 lead. Ahead 19-12, Piet had an ace in yet another 5-0 run that all but ended set one.

Pfeiffer, who will continue his career at Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina, led Lockport with seven kills and added five assists. Dixon (5 kills), sophomore setter Jacob Prince (8 assists), junior libero Alex Matteucci (7 digs), and Maly (2 blocks) also contributed for the Porters. “It’s tough now, but when you reflect on it, we had a great run to get here,” Mraz said. “East is a championship caliber team and there’s nothing to hang our heads about.” In Pfeiffer’s four varsity seasons, the Porters reached new heights. They went 110-36-1 in that span. They were the only team to defeat East in conference play in the past six seasons [25-18, 21-25, 2519 on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at Lockport Central campus], got a school record 31 wins last year and the first regional title in a long time this season. “It was our first time here,” Pfeiffer said of the current group of Porter players being in a sectional. “It’s brand new for us and it was good to get here with a young team. We had a lot of errors and that lost us that second set and we threw it away. “But Lincoln-Way East is a great team. I’m happy we did what we did and won a regional. That was a goal.”

BUSINESS + REAL ESTATE

NEWS ABOUT LOCAL BUSINESSES IN YOUR COMMUNITY WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

COLUMN >> DAVE SAYS

Work as a team to get in order DEAR DAVE, My husband has an old car that has become a real sticking point between us. He bought it for $2,400, and it needs about $4,000 in repairs and restoration. Together, we bring home $50,000 a year, and I feel like this car is interfering with our ability to save money and pay off $35,000 in debt. We already have two decent cars we drive to work, so what should I do about this? STACY DEAR STACY, There are lots of guys out there who like shiny toys — especially cars. I get it, because I’m one of them. But these kinds of things are luxuries, and stuff like this should wait until the household and finances are in order. The family should always come first. Dumping money into this while you two are struggling financially doesn’t make sense. On top of that, it’s causing problems between you two on a deeper level. I’m sure your husband isn’t a bad guy, so try sitting down with him and explaining how it makes you feel. Let him know what it’s doing to your

finances and your marriage. You might even write the financial side down, so he can see exactly what kind of shape you two are in and where the money is going. Once you do this in a kind, but concerned, manner, it may be a real eye-opener for him. On top of that, you might consider giving him a little incentive to get on board with the idea of getting your finances in order. Suggest that once the debt is gone, and you’ve got some savings in place, there might be a little extra cash on hand to help get that car up and running. Good luck, Stacy! —DAVE DEAR DAVE, My fiancé and I are planning to be married in less than a year. We’ve both been through your class at church, and the other night we started wondering if we should wait to have the wedding until we’re both completely debt-free. Would you give us your opinion? MICHELLE DEAR MICHELLE, Congratulations! I hope you two will have long and happy lives to-

gether. To answer your question, I don’t think there’s a reason to wait. When two people know they really love each other, they should get married whenever they feel in their hearts the time is right. At this point, you shouldn’t be thinking about money as anything except an indicator of where you’re going. It doesn’t matter who got into debt or how, because everyone makes mistakes. But if you’re both serious about getting out of debt, living on less than you make, and are in agreement about how the dollars are going to be handled, then — where money is concerned — you’re ready to be married. Many relationship experts say if a couple can agree on four important things — kids, money, religion, and how to handle the in-laws — they have a great statistical chance of a happy marriage. I believe this, too. And make sure you meet with your pastor for some good, pre-marital counseling before the big day. With all this going for you, I think you two will be okay. —DAVE

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COUNTY

NEWS

FROM THE SURROUNDING COUNTY AREA WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

COUNTY NEWS

Joliet Hospice named Best Places to Work in Healthcare Joliet Area Community Hospice (JACH) has been named to Modern Healthcare’s ”2018 Best Places to Work in Healthcare.” According to their website, “organizations making this year’s list of Best Places to Work in Healthcare stand out in their efforts to create an empowered and satisfied workforce.” JACH is the only Illinois hospice and one of only nine Illinois healthcare providers on the list of 150 recipients from across the United States. Only eight hospices across the nation were recognized. “I’m pleased and so very proud to receive this recognition,” said Mary K. Sheehan, CEO. “Our staff is committed to quality patient care and they embrace that commitment with compassion and expertise. They helped us earn this recognition to which they are so deserving.” Best Companies Group, which conducts the Best Places to Work Survey for Modern Magazine, does a simple yet thorough two-part

company assessment designed to gather detailed data about each participating organization. In part one, the employer completes a questionnaire and in part two, employees of the organization complete an employee survey consisting of approximately 78 statements/questions. The results are analyzed and categorized according to eight Core Focus Areas: Leadership and Planning; Corporate Culture and Communications; Role Satisfaction; Work Environ-

ment; Relationship with Supervisor; Training, Development and Resources; Pay and Benefits; and Overall Engagement. A ranked order will be revealed at an awards dinner Sept. 27 in Dallas during Modern Healthcare’s Workplace of the Future Conference. Joliet Area Community Hospice has a staff of 148. For more information, or to become a part of this dynamic organization, call 815-740-4104 or visit our website joliethospice.org.

CALENDAR Ongoing Mondays through Aug. 27 Cruisin’ into Lockport. 6:30-9:30

p.m. in the Central Square and First Midwest Bank parking lots, 9th and Hamilton, through August 27. Come see the finest classic cars, enjoy live entertainment and shop and eat at our Food Court/Farmer’s Market open 4-8 p.m. There will be family entertainment including face painting, inflatables, free snow cones, and specialty nights.

JUNE 2 Star Wars Day. 11 a.m. - 4

p.m. at Joliet Public Library Ottawa Street Branch, 150. N. Ottawa Street, Joliet. All ages, no registration required Join us for the World’s Largest Public Library Star Wars event! Enjoy costumed characters, games, prize giveaways, live music vendors, exhibitors, guest authors and much more. jolietlibrary.org

JUNE 8 JBO Golf Outing Fundraiser.

Wedgewood Golf Course, 3001 Caton Farm Road, Plainfield. The Joliet Basketball Officials host a golf outing scramble each year and donates 100 percent of the profits to a local charity. All are welcome to attend. Contact Paul Novak 773-405-8149 or Troy Boardman with any questions 708-522-7534.

7th Annual New Orleans North. noon - 4 p.m. at Downtown Joliet N. Chicago St./Van Burren. An early summer outdoor Mardi Gras-style event featuring bands, beer tents, and Cajun food. The New Orleans atmosphere is enhanced with Hurricane drinks, a stilt walker, jugglers and other street performers.

JUNE 9 Paws on 66 - Pet Rescue Day 2018. 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. at 116 N. Chicago St, Joliet.

Join in the second annual Paws on 66 - Pet Rescue Day, presented in partnership with Safe Pets for Joliet and Paws Crossed Rescue Resource. This event is free for all attendees. Personal pets are welcome! We ask that you be in control of your leashed pet at all times. jolietdowntown.com

downtown Joliet at Chicago Street between Cass and Jefferson Streets, N Chicago Street, Joliet. Each year, members of the Will County Center for Economic Development and the Joliet City Center Partnership host a one-day fest on the streets of downtown Joliet to kick off the NASCAR race weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.

JUNE 29 2018 Rooftop Summer Music Series. 7:30 p.m. at the Joliet Area Historical Museum, 204 Ottawa St. Joliet. Righteous Hillbillies. $8/$10 815-723-5201 or jolietmuseum.org

JULY 11 Route 66 Street Market. 4-9 p.m.

in downtown Joliet, along Chicago Street between Van Buren and W. Jefferson Streets. Once again the annual market will feature vendors, downtown businesses, community partnerships, live entertainment and featured local breweries weekly. (815)774-6066, jolietdowntown.com

JULY 13 2018 Rooftop Summer Music Series. 7:30 p.m. at the Joliet Area

Historical Museum, 204 Ottawa St. Joliet. Great Moments in Vinyl. $8/$10 815-723-5201 or jolietmuseum.org

JULY 18 Route 66 Street Market. 4-9 p.m.

JULY 25 Route 66 Street Market. 4-9 p.m.

AUGUST 1 Route 66 Street Market. 4-9 p.m.

Historical Museum, 204 Ottawa St. Joliet. Generation. $8/$10 815-7235201 or jolietmuseum.org

JUNE 14-17 Old Canal Days. Throughout the

AUGUST 4 Kidzfest. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in down-

JUNE 14 2018 Rooftop Summer Music Series. 7:30 p.m. at the Joliet Area

weekend at downtown Lockport. Carnival, craft show, beer garden, parade, Native American experience, car show, live bands.

www.oldcanaldays.com

JUNE 24 Shorewood Kite Fest 11 a.m. - 3

p.m. at Cene’s Four Seasons Park. 25520 W Seil Rd, Shorewood. Bring your kite or purchase one at the park. Professional kite flyers to demonstrate ties, large show kites and sport kites.

JUNE 27 Race Fan Rally. 5- 10 p.m. in

town Joliet, located along Chicago Street between Benton and Jefferson Streets, Chicago Street Between Van Buren and West Jefferson St and the Van Buren Plaza, Joliet. A free family fun extravaganza in downtown Joliet! Be sure to stop by Lewis University’s Mini Campus at the fest to get your picture in a small airplane, make an art project, create a science experiment and more! All activities are *FREE*! There will also be plenty of area businesses and organizations with free activities for kids along Chicago Street. Food and drink will be available at a cost.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN YOUR AREA WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

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