Niles 4-19-18

A P R I L 19, 2 0 1 8 V O L . 6 2 I S S U E 28

WHISKY ALONE’ THWARTED PLAN TO STEAL LINCOLN’S BODY

SEE PAGE 4

FORUM SPOTLIGHT

LINCOLN’S LEGACY

PARK RIDGE

Swim School Goldfish Swim School announces new location SEE PAGE 3

SPORTS

Good start Wolves start seaosn well SEE PAGE 5

VILLAGE NEWS >> NILES

Night Of Roses: Tribute To Home Grown Success Residents, businesses to be recognized April 27 at the Chateau Ritz in Niles The Niles Chamber of Commerce will honor Niles residents and businesses during it’s annual Night of Roses.

The following will be recognized April 27 at the Chateau Ritz, 9100 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Niles with a dinner and awards ceremony: • Bob Wordel Living Legend Award - John Jekot • Dedication to Youth Ex-

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cellence Award - Peggie Maniscalco Distinguished Voluntary Service Award - Kathleen Jarems Public Safety Excellence Award - Officer John Gaba Public Safety Excellence Award - Jordan Brandwein and John Monoscalco Niles Citizen of the Year Award - Mansi Bodalia

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Small Business of the Year Award - Dear Franks • Corporate Citizen of the Year Award - Golf Mill Ford • Ken Scheel Chamber Member of the Year Award - Paul Ayala For tickets visit the Niles Chamber of Commerce website.

Niles on track for pension funding In the April 11 broadcast of

WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight” Niles was named in a list of towns that, according to an academic analysis, could lose tax revenue due to pension funding issues.

However, the Village is not in danger of losing tax revenue due to pension funding, thanks to careful and proactive action taken by Village leadership by way of their own Police and Firefighter’s Pensions Funding Policy approved by the Board of Trustees in 2015, according to the village.

Having its own established funding policy and being on

track for the State’s funding requirements by the year 2040 make Niles a leader in current best practices for pension funding, according to a village release.

The current issue reported

by Chicago Tonight focused on pension contributions from the Village of Harvey to their Police and Firefighters pension funds.

State statute requires towns to fund the minimum contribution of 90 percent of the actuarially required contribution.

SEE ROSES PAGE 2

SENIORS

THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

VILLAGE NEWS >> DES PLAINES

Oakton celebrates art, community April 21 A public social justice conference will feature discussions, workshops, live music, art and other activities from 1 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at Oakton Community College’s TenHoeve Center, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. Now in its seventh year, Creating Justice is one of the most popular free public events at Oakton.

“This is a day that documents that activism through the arts can make a huge difference,” Mohamed Mehdi, event co-organizer and Oakton professor of humani-

ROSES FROM PAGE 1 The Village of Niles chooses to follow a more stringent standard that specifies that pension funding for defined benefit pension plans should use 100 percent funding as determined by an ac-

ties and philosophy, says. “Attendees will gain a different perspective on the world and learn things they will never find in a textbook.”

Mehdi says one of the highlights for this year is the presentation, “Keep Families Together: Activist Art in Support of the Immigrant Rights Movement,” by Christine Neumann-Ortiz, founding executive director of Voces de la Frontera, and Nicholas Lampert, a Milwaukee artist and author.

“There are news reports on topics like immigration, but coming to

hear prominent speakers in person will give people a better understanding of issues in our society,” Mehdi explains.

Throughout the day, participants can also learn about the politics of fashion and women’s bodies, brainstorm on issues of environmental struggles and focus on abolitionism through an artistic lens.

Creating Justice is sponsored by the Oakton Educational Foundation, Philosophy and Humanities Department, Diversity Council, Environmental Studies Concentra-

tion, Honors Program, Peace and Social Justice Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies and Social Science Department, in addition to 3Arts, a nonprofit that advocates for artists.

“The day invites participants to awaken their imaginations and celebrate our strength as a community” said co-organizer, Kristin McCartney, Oakton associate professor of humanities and philosophy. “This event is a thoughtful and unique way to engage with the world.”

The event will end with a free

dinner and live music.

“We want people to leave feeling energized and empowered and thinking about the possibility of taking action,” Mehdi says. “No one is alone, which is why we end with music and dinner – it provides a sense of community and we’re all in this together.”

Registration is required. For more information, visit www.oakton.edu/creatingjustice or contact Mehdi at mmehdi@oakton.edu or McCartney at kmccartn@oakton. edu.

tuary.

If a municipality “shorts” their annual minimum contribution of 90 percent, the State can and will withhold state shared revenues (sales tax, income tax, local use tax, telecom tax).

The state then sends the un-

der-contributed amount directly to the pension funds. Niles continues to fund its pensions at 100 percent of actuarial-required contribution, safely above the 90 percent minimum, and so the Village is not in danger of having the State divert state shared rev-

enues to the pension funds.

In the last five years, the Village has contributed over $27.6M to its Police and Fire pension funds in an effort to address the funding issues that it and so many other communities face.

This amount is $12.0M more

than the Village contributed to these funds in the prior 10 years combined.

This significant increase illustrates the Village’s commitment to addressing this issue, according to a village release.

NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

CITY NEWS >> PARK RIDGE

Goldfish Swim School announces new location New location located at 678 N Northwest Highway in Park Ridge Goldfish Swim School, the country’s leading water safety and swim lesson school offering infant and child swim lessons, is pleased to announce that a new 8,900 square feet facility is coming to Park Ridge in summer 2018.

The newest addition to the Goldfish Swim School family will join several other Illinois locations and dozens of other Goldfish locations throughout the U.S. Located at 678 N Northwest Highway in Park Ridge, Goldfish Swim School will offer a wide range of swimming classes for all ages and skill levels at times that are convenient for every family’s schedule. Owner Dana Christ is thrilled to bring the Goldfish experience to Park Ridge-area fami-

lies. “I have been swimming since I was four years-old and it has been a huge part of my life. After college, I pursued a career in marketing but I have been anxious to get back to doing something that I was passionate about. I am thrilled to bring Goldfish’s curriculum, high quality instruction and state of the art facility to the family-friendly communities of Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Niles and Schiller Park. My team and I want to ensure that children have a safe, fun, and friendly place to learn this important, life-saving skill,” says Christ.

Goldfish Swim School provides swim instruction to children ages 4 months to 12 years-old in a unique setting with highly trained instructors, small class sizes (max 4:1 student to teacher ratio), shiver-free 90-degree pools, and a state-of-the-art water purification system. Families with kids of different ages and skill levels can conveniently have

all of their swimmers in the pool during the same half hour time slot and easily schedule make ups when necessary.

In addition to swim lessons, Goldfish Swim School Park Ridge will offer weekly family swims (for both members and nonmembers) and party packages.

Facility highlights include an air conditioned viewing gallery for parents to watch lessons, a spacious family dressing area with private changing rooms, snack bar, retail shop and warm, tropical décor.

Goldfish Swim School in Park Ridge anticipates a summer 2018 opening. Families can pre-register for lessons by visiting the website or calling 224/585-3891.

Goldfish is also actively seeking to fill positions for certified swim instructors, deck supervisors, lifeguards and customer service roles. Connect with their Facebook Page for the latest updates.

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VILLAGE NEWS >> NILES

Maine South, Lot 14 join forces for school wide fundraiser Community members are invited to come out and have some fun on Saturday, April 21 for an auction to support Maine South High School’s school- wide fundraiser in support of Huntington’s Disease research.

The event will take place at Lot 14 Auctions in the Oak-Mill Mall, at 7900 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Niles.

The auction will start at 10 a.m. and run until about 8 p.m.

Photos of most lots will be available at the Lot 14 website on Wednesday, April 19. Bidders may visit Lot 14 to personally inspect lots, from Wednesday, April 19, through Friday, April

20, between noon and 5 p.m.

Lot 14 will also be trying to set a Guinness World Record for most items auctioned by one auctioneer in one day, so buyers can help be a part of some history while supporting a great cause.

Registering to bid is free, and requires no credit card information.

Individuals wishing to absentee bid may e-mail (ian@lot14.org) or call (847-625-0555) Lot 14 to place an absentee bid (or may submit an absentee bid in person during business hours).

The deadline for placing absentee bids is 5 p.m. on Friday, April 20.

Lot 14’s website is www. lot14.org/ For more information about the Maine South schoolwide Fundraiser, contact Tom Egan at tegan@maine207. org

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FORUM

We want to hear from you! Send us your feedback at sweditor@buglenewspapers.com THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Whisky alone’ thwarted plan to steal Lincoln’s body Lincoln’s Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery is the nation’s 2nd-mostvisited cemetery

BY TARA MCCLELLAN MCANDREW FOR THE STATE JOURNALREGISTER It was July 3, 1876 — the eve of our country’s first centennial. Everyone in Springfield would be celebrating downtown. No one would be near Oak Ridge Cemetery.

It was the perfect time to steal Abraham Lincoln’s body.

The incredulous plot was hatched

by Midwestern counterfeiters who had been shut down when their expert bill engraver was jailed. Benjamin Boyd’s bills were the best in the Midwest, possibly the country. In 1875, he was captured in Fulton, found guilty, and sent to the Joliet penitentiary for 10 years. Without his plates, the criminals who made and passed the counterfeit bills were out of business. They had to spring their money man.

“Big Jim” Kennally, a St. Louis Irishman who led Midwestern counterfeiters, according to Thomas J. Craughwell’s book, “Stealing Lincoln’s Body,” brainstormed a solution. They would snatch Lincoln’s body, bury it in the Indiana Dunes, then ransom it for $200,000 and Boyd’s pardon and freedom.

His minions in Lincoln moved to Springfield to implement the plan. As a

front, they opened a saloon and dance hall — just a block west of the current Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. When the criminals weren’t running the saloon, they posed as tourists to case Lincoln’s tomb.

With their preparations finished around the middle of June, the Logan County boys relaxed. They spent the night at a Springfield brothel and toasted their upcoming riches. In his welloiled state, the gang’s leader boasted to one of the ladies that they were going to steal “old Lincoln’s bones” and ransom them. He even told her when.

She told the chief of police, who warned John Carroll Power, the tomb’s custodian. He told the Lincoln Monument Association, local friends and peers of Lincoln’s who were in charge of the tomb. They did nothing. In a book he wrote about the crime (“History of an Attempt … ”), Power explains: “It seemed to them so incredible that no attention was given to it.”

When the Logan County leader sobered and realized what he’d done, he and his gang fled. “Whisky alone is entitled to the credit of having thwarted this well laid scheme,” wrote Power.

A few months later, Kennally headed for Chicago to find new partners for his plot. He was part-owner of a bar there called “The Hub,” which had little to offer except booze and boodle (counterfeit) carriers. Here, Kennally proposed his idea to co-proprietor, Terrence Mullen and Jack Hughes. They liked what they heard.

The duo needed more men for the job, so they approached Lewis Swegles, a

horse thief who had become a frequent customer. Unbeknownst to them, he also was a spy. The assistant chief of the Secret Service in Chicago, Patrick Tyrrell, hired Swegles to hang around The Hub and inform him of the habitue’s criminal activities.

As the would-be kidnappers honed their plan, Swegles told Tyrrell every detail. Tyrrell then told Lincoln’s oldest and only surviving son, Robert, a Chicago attorney. The detective asked Robert to let the plot proceed so he could catch the kidnappers in the act and increase their chance of conviction. Robert agreed.

Mullen and his boys selected Nov. 7, election night, as the date. The presidential contest between Democrat Samuel Tilden and Republican Rutherford B. Hayes was heated, and once again, Springfield residents would be downtown celebrating and waiting for the results. No one would be near Oak Ridge Cemetery.

On Nov. 6, the counterfeiters caught a train to Springfield. In the back car, Tyrrell, other detectives and a Chicago Daily Tribune reporter were tailing them.

Once in Springfield, some of the gang procured tools, while the others visited the tomb, acting as tourists, to determine how to break in. They only had to break a door’s padlock to reach Lincoln’s white marble sarcophagus.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR DEAR EDITOR: This past Tuesday it was my pleasure to give the 168th State of the Township Address. Unfortunately, one of our most noteworthy departments—MaineStay—was inadvertently omitted. A vital component in the myriad of services that we provide to the people of Maine Township, MaineStay’s list of accomplishments for the year 2017-18 is long and distinguished.

Director Richard Lyon won a statewide award for best youth program and Kelsey Coy won for best volunteer. All MaineStay programs provided 10,815 contact hours to residents, a nine percent increase over 2016-2017. MaineStay was responsible for handling 1,370 hours of community service, a 65 percent increase over last year. MaineStay also runs five ongoing clinical groups and six ongoing programs for at-risk youth. The always popular Agency Day drew 100 attendees in 2017.

Our psychiatry program, offered in partnership with The Josselyn Center, has allowed Maine Township to fill the

void left by the closing of Maine Center in 2015 in the most cost-effective manner by leveraging the time and talents of existing employees. At no cost to the township, our mentoring program offered in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters, continues to thrive. Our community education and professional development events reached 840 attendees with 10 events, a 28 percent increase over 2016-2017.

A total of 4,734 individuals were offered affordable counseling in three languages. Counseling inquiry calls were up 29 percent which was 58 percent higher than our previous 5-year average. New counseling client intakes were up 11 percent and 37 percent higher than our previous 12-year average.

MaineStay is here for our residents. Come try one of our many rewarding groups, programs and counseling partnerships.

LAURA J. MORASK SUPERVISOR MAINE TOWNSHIP

THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

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SOCCCER

RIGHT

PATH

Niles West soccer has played well thus far and has picked up some big wins along the way

BY MARK GREGORY Sports Editor @Hear_The_Beard mark@buglenewspapers.com

While Mother Nature has derailed a few games thus far for the Niles West girls soccer team, the games the Wolves have played have left coach Milo Cejovic optimistic about the season to come.

“We have played well,” Cejovic said. “We have had some big wins over Oak Park-River Forest (3-1) and we beat Leyden (1-0) and we tied Maine South (0-0) for the first time in a while.”

Defensively, Cejovic has been impressed this season, it has been a lack of goals that he thought would be the problem, although the Wolves did tally four goals in a shutout win over Maine East and three in a one-goal loss to Pritzker in the opener of the PepsiCo Showdown in Schaumburg.

“Our defense has been good all year, what I have been worried about is scoring goals,” Cejovic said. “We have been playing tough and we have been practicing and everyone has faced the same thing all year and it is not an

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SOLID WINS THUS FAR FOR WEST

excuse.”

The offense for the Wolves has been paced by a couple of players who know the program well.

“Nikoleta Baxevanakis (senior) has been great and Ashley Dyer (junior_ has been great as well.

They have been around the team for a while and they are very skillful players that can get it done in the attacking part of the field,” Cejovic said. “Defensively, (junior) Sammie Simkins has been playing well.”

Cejovic knows what it will take for the talented Wolves to make a run this season and he thinks they are on the right track to getting there.

“I think we need to keep it positive,” he said. “We are finding our identity and the girls are really playing hard for each other.

I think they understand what it takes and we have our goals and it is happening organically and that is what I think it takes.

“We have a nice group of girls that can really play and there are games where we have some parts of the game where we are unbelievable.”

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GOALS ALLOWED IN THE WINS

PHOTO BY MARK GREGORY

Aila Durakovic and Niles West have earned big wins this season.

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

6 SPORTS

THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

NASCAR

Speedway to honor military Chicagoland Speedway announced today the multi-faceted plan to enhance the active military and veteran military recognition at this summer’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Stars and Stripes weekend June 28 – July 1.

Race fans will join the recognition of our country’s service men and women with an omnipresent military theme woven into four days of racing as part of NASCAR Salutes.

“Chicagoland Speedway has always used its Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race weekend as a platform to pay tribute to active and veteran military members, and this year we will raise the bar as we celebrate our Stars and Stripes weekend to kick off the Fourth of July holiday,” said Chicagoland Speedway President Scott Paddock.

Champions Park will include a Freedom Walk, featuring museums, memorials, military vehicles, ceremonies and organizations in support of military and veterans.

• The Patriot Guard Riders, which is comprised of more than 9,000 Illinois chapter members, will ride their motorcycles in Friday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series hauler parade, Sunday’s opening ceremonies and a variety of other activities throughout the weekend. The purpose of the group is to uphold the dignity and respect at memorial services that honor fallen military heroes, first responders and honorably discharged veterans by protecting their funerals from uninvited guests. The riders are a non-politi-

cal, national 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose members share an unwavering respect for those who risked their lives for America’s security and freedom.

• Initiated and completed by Gold Star Families and members of the Illinois Patriot Guard, the Illinois Fallen Heroes Traveling Memorial Wall features the names of those who have fallen in the line of duty since 9/11. The wall will be on display the entire weekend so that every name can be read and remembered. Gold Star Families refer to those who are relatives of those who have died while serving our nation’s military.

• The Veterans Garage is a group of veterans and patriots dedicated to the preservation, restoration and maintenance of historic military vehicles and equipment. It is also a working maintenance and restoration facility that is made available for military vehicle owners to work on their own historical vehicles. The 501c3 non-profit organization provides veterans the opportunity to socialize in a memorabilia-rich environment, reminisce and bond with other veterans while working toward a common purpose. The group recently completed the restoration of a 1943 M5 3-inch Anti-Tank Gun on behalf of Mokena’s Wm. F. Martin VFW Post 725. This historic WWII canon has been restored and returned to Mokena’s historic Pioneer Cemetery, where it has resided for over 70 years. The group will have numerous authentic military vehicles on display throughout the weekend

INSTAGRAM: Readers, attending a game in your area? Take a photo and tag @buglenewspapers for a chance to be featured!

SPORTS

THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

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SOCCCER

Maine South shows promise early on

BY BOB NARANG For the Bugle www.buglenewspapers.com

Maine South girls coach J.J. Crawford hoped to get a good measuring stick of his team by the end of March.

Crawford loaded up the early season schedule for his team to test them. Maine South, which grabbed a share of second place in the Central Suburban South last season, played Downers Grove North, Cary-Grove and New Trier all in March.

The Hawks showed some promise by settling for a 1-1 tie with Cary-Grove and a scoreless tie against Downers Grove North.

Cary-Grove reached the Class 3A sectional semifinals last season, while Downers Grove North placed fourth at state. Maine South defeated New Trier 1-0 on March 22.

At 2-3-3 through eight matches, despite a solid showing, Crawford remains unsure about his team due to an unexpected run of injuries. The Hawks lost 2-0 to Wheaton Warrenville South in the PepsiCo Showdown on Saturday.

“We’re strong defensively right now, but we’re struggling to score goals,” Crawford said.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries early in the season. We’re just telling the girls to keep fighting and hopefully we will get 100 percent healthy, then we can see what we’ll do. We’re playing some girls in spots that we didn’t anticipate playing, but they are doing a nice job with it.”

Two years ago, the Hawks won 14 games behind the solid play of leading scorer, Annika Schmidt.

Now a senior forward, Schmidt, an Oakton College recruit, said the team is treading water until they get to full health. Senior midfielder Aly Kilburg missed the majority of the first portion of the season with an ankle injury. The Loyola recruit is a key cog in Maine South’s quest to win the conference.

“Even though we didn’t start our season like the way we wanted to, that’s mostly because of injuries but we are slowly coming back,” Schmidt said.

“It’s important for our team to get closer. Aly is coming back this week, and we all have to try to do our best until everybody comes back and we can then play to our full potential.”

Senior defender Angelina Moore, a four-year varsity player, is helping fill the void by playing numerous positions for

the Hawks. “(Angelina) is the type of player we plug in anywhere,” Crawford said. “She’s supposed to be a fullback for us, but due to injuries, she’s playing upfront and also plays midfield. She’s a captain, will do whatever we ask. She’s just fast, runs like she’s been shot out of a cannon.”

Moore said the Hawks already have proven to be a quality team despite the rash of injuries. She credits the team’s offseason 6 a.m. workouts for building strength – and chemistry.

“This season, I’m super excited to see what we can do,” Moore said. “We’ve had some trouble early this season, but we’re looking past it and trying to get better. We have some new faces on the team, but we will get stronger and better.”

Crawford said the players have learned to count on each other during the first month of the season. He indicated the Kilburg and Madeline Malinowski duo in the midfield will be a tough tandem to stop.

“We have to get healthy, warmer weather will help us but also for every other team,” he said. “We just have to stay mentally focused and not get down on each other and point fin-

gers. We didn’t anticipate a slow starting record, but hopefully we’ll look back at this at the end of the year and say it was good growth for us.

“Right now, it’s hard, but when Ally comes back, we can have one of the top central midfielders in the state.”

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BUSINESS + REAL ESTATE

NEWS ABOUT LOCAL BUSINESSES IN YOUR COMMUNITY THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

COLUMN >> DAVE SAYS

Don’t give debt collectors account access You’re in a fight when you’re dealing with a debt collector DEAR DAVE, Will paying my taxes online give the government electronic access to my checking account?

ASHLEY DEAR ASHLEY, If you use your checking account, of course they will have the ability to withdraw that money from your account. I believe I know where you’re going with this question, and I think you may be a little confused about my stance on this sort of thing.

There’s nothing wrong with certain entities having access to your

checking account. I use electronic bill pay for utilities, mutual fund contributions, and things like that all the time. The only time I warn people against giving electronic access to their bank accounts is when they’re dealing with collectors over a bad debt. The government — even the IRS — isn’t known for coming in and randomly taking money out of people’s accounts.

Collectors, on the other hand, do it all the time.

You’re in a fight when you’re dealing with a debt collector. It’s an adversarial relationship. As a rule, no one in that industry should ever be given electronic access to any of your accounts. There may be a few decent debt collection companies out there, but many of them will lie, cheat, and steal to get your money.

I hope that clears things up, Ashley.

—DAVE DEAR DAVE, How can I convince my fellow millennials that government isn’t the solution to their problems?

JOSH DEAR JOSH, I think you’re proceeding from a false assumption. Many millennials already understand it’s not the government’s job to take care of everyone and provide everything.

The problem, I think, is there’s a group of people in every generation that wants someone else to take care of them.

The only thing I can suggest is that you try to be kind to everyone.

It does no good to have a political discussion with a political neophyte. If you have friends like this, perhaps you could suggest they work to control and improve the variables in their lives they can actually control and make better — namely themselves.

You can’t control the variable of government, Josh. It’s not going to come to your rescue. It never has.

—DAVE * Dave Ramsey is CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven bestselling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 13 million listeners each week on 585 radio stations and multiple digital platforms.

Follow Dave on the web at daveramsey. com and on Twitter at @DaveRamsey.

DEADLINE FOR CLASSIFIEDS: FRIDAY AT NOON THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM BUSINESS & PRIVATE PARTY CLASSIFIED ADS: $16 PER WEEK, 20 WORDS OR LESS. WEDDINGS, BIRTHS & ENGAGEMENTS: BLACK & WHITE - $25, COLOR - $35. OBITUARIES: $35.

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LEGAL LISTINGS

S TAY I N F O R M E D W I T H L E G A L L I S T I N G S THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

CALENDAR APRIL 20 “Swing into Spring” Senior Expo. 9 a.m. at the Golf Mill

Shopping Center in Niles. Designed to link Maine Township seniors who need services with vendors who provide them.

APRIL 21 Rummage Sale. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

at the Niles Senior Center, 999 Civic Center Dr., Niles. Open to the public. There will be over 40 vendors, hot dog lunches for sale and 50/50 raffles. Bring your family, neighbors and friends.

2018 Earth Day Celebration.

11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Maine Park Leisure Center, 2701 W. Sibley St., Park Ridge. Create recycled crafts, discover creations at the Re-purposed Project Fair, discover live birds of prey, creatures big and small in the animal show, shop at eco-friendly booths, learn from “green” organizations, give Smokey the Bear a high five, and rope-climb a tree.

Best New Annuals for 2018.

1 p.m. at the Chicago Botanical Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. This course presents many new cultivars, along with several wonderful yet underutilized species for both container and in-ground plantings in sun and shade. chicagobotanic.org.

APRIL 22 Centennial Activity Center 4th Annual Art Exhibit.

1-3 p.m. at Centennial Activity Center, 100 S Western Ave., Park Ridge. The Exhibit showcases members who participate in various art classes at the Center, as well as on their own. Ranging across many different media, both self-taught and classically trained artists come together. prparks.org

APRIL 28 5th Annual Pedals for the Parks Bike & Trike Exchange.

9:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. at Centennial Aquatic Center, 100 S Western Ave., Park Ridge. Sale benefits benefits programs of the Park Ridge Friends of the Parks and promotes reuse and bicycling in our community. prparks.org Liberty Ladies Luncheon. 11 a.m. at the Park Ridge Country Club. A fundraiser for the 20th Century Club with entertainment by Colette Hawley, a multi award-winning singer and comic, born and raised in Park Ridge.

For tickets, please call Rosanne Plotkin, (847) 698-2839

APRIL 28 and 29 Malott Japanese Garden Spring Festival. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

at the Chicago Botanical Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe.

Learn about children’s celebrations in Japan during this special weekend of activities. Listen to koto harp and shakuhachi flute music, enjoy traditional folk tales, and watch a tea ceremony.

SUMMER CAMPS COMMUNITY

Get prepared for camp Parents can help kids prepare in advance for the fun Summer camp season is just around the corner. Each summer, millions of children depart for campsites around the country to swim, hike, craft, and enjoy the companionship of friends.

Summer camps in North America were first established in the 1880s and were attended by children without their parents for overnight stays. By the 20th century, summer camps had become an international phenomenon, and various organizations hosted traditional summer camps or camps geared toward religion, sports, music and other subjects and activities. According to the American Camp Association, each year more than 14 million children and adults in the United States attend camp. America is home to more than 14,000 day and resident camps (8,400 are overnight camps and 5,600 are day camps). Nonprofit groups are the largest sponsors of summer camps.

Many people put off summer camp planning until it is too late. Parents should keep in mind that camps begin registration

early in the year and have specific cut-off dates for enrollment. Parents who want to beat the crowds this year can use this guide to help plan a summer camp agenda.

Prepare children for the physical challenges a camp may present. Summer camp activities may be rigorous, and campers may need to be cleared by a physician before starting. Be sure to schedule your child a physical and bring along any pertinent forms. Children also can increase their levels of physical activity compared to the often sedentary nature of winter. Such preparation can prevent injuries when engaging in outdoor and physical activities.

Shop for supplies. Camps are likely to provide a list of requirements with regard to clothing and other equipment campers will need. Make sure kids have enough shorts, T-shirts, socks, athletic shoes, swimsuits, toiletries, and other camp necessities before they leave.

Keep children in the loop. Engage children in the planning process to help alleviate their fears and get them excited about summer camp.

Summer camp can foster lifelong memories. Parents can help kids prepare in advance for the fun that’s soon to arrive.

THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

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