Orland DAYS
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THE REGIONAL NEWS Named best small weekly in Illinois five times by the Illinois Press Association
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Serving Palos, Orland and Worth townships and neighboring communities
76th Year, NO. 21 • 3 Sections
Orland to consider restaurants, retail in plaza By Dermot Connolly Staff Writer
A proposal for a new restaurant and retail development named Gateway Plaza is anticipated to be on the agenda at the June 5 Orland Park Village Board meeting. Mike Kowski, assistant director of development for the village, gave a presentation at the May 15 Development Services Committee meeting on the proposed 10,500 sq. ft. multi-unit development,
which will include three restaurants and a retail store at 14301 S. LaGrange Rd. He noted that the 1.3-acre property, which the village does not own, had been dubbed Gateway Plaza because of its location at the gateway to the newly developed Downtown section of the village spreading west of LaGrange Road on 143rd Street. He said the proposal conforms to the village’s comprehensive land development codes and no rezon-
ing is needed. The development, on what is referred to as Lot 2 of the Marquette Bank subdivision, only needs approval for variations for setbacks on the west side from 25 ft. to 17 ft. and from 15 ft. to 11 ft. 9-inches on the south side. The committee voted to recommend approval by the full village board, as long as the developer continues to meet with staff to finalize details on items such as elevation levels and landscaping. Although the building will be
one-story, Kowski explained that the exterior architecture will make it look like a two-story building, to blend in more with nearby buildings, including the four-story University of Chicago Medical Center located across the street. If final approval is granted, City Barbecue and McAlister’s Deli, two national chain restaurants, will be moving in. City Barbecue has to install smokers outside the
Rendering of the proposed Gateway Plaza development under consider-
See PLAZA, Page 2 ation by the Orland Park Village Board.
It’s a wrap: 10th half marathon ‘a great success’ By Dermot Connolly Staff Writer
Photos by Anthony Caciopo
Margaret and George Oleskiewicz unveil signage celebrating their late daughter, Maureen, at Independence Junior High School in Palos Heights. Patriot Way, which leads to the school, will now carry the honorary name of Ms. O Blvd. Student Council officers Kaitlyn O’Brien (from left), Kali Case and Roxanne Habbal assisted, along with Cecilia Light (out of camera range).
Life and love of ‘Ms. O’ celebrated Independence Jr. High teacher left indelible mark By Anthony Caciopo Regional News Editor
The life of a teacher who died so young and so tragically was celebrated with love and devotion Monday under the same roof where she touched so many lives. Maureen Oleskiewicz, a teacher who passed away at only 28 years of age in 2013, was honored with a street sign bearing her nickname in an offiMaureen cial unveiling that brought Oleskiewicz together Independence Junior High School students and staff, past and present. And despite the fluid nature of any student body that progresses through the years fairly quickly, “Ms. O,” as she is fondly known, had impact on many people who didn’t even know her personally.
“Like many of our current students, I never had the opportunity to meet Maureen Oleskiewicz,” said Principal Kevin Kirk. “I wasn’t that lucky. However, in my tenure at Independence I have gotten to know Maureen. Her legacy is observed in the school spirit that our staff and our students demonstrate throughout the year, which is on display here today.” Heather Meskimen, English language arts teacher, was a colleague of Ms. O and a personal friend. “We were close,” she told The Regional News. “We were really good friends outside of school. I think Principal Kirk hit it on the head. She helped us cultivate the culture here at Independence, a culture of patriotism, helping one another, having good school spirit and building a great environment of fun and learning.” Ms. O was a language arts teacher at Independence, 6610 W. Highland Dr. in Palos See TEACHER, Page 3
Margaret Oleskiewicz is momentarily overcome with emotion as her daughter is eulogized by students and faculty during an all-school assembly.
Body found in Cal-Sag identified as Oak Lawn man By Dermot Connolly Staff Writer
The body found floating in the Cal-Sag Channel on May 15 has been identified as Oak Lawn resident George Koulogeorge, 61, of the 10300 block of South Parkside Avenue in Oak Lawn. A spokesperson for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said Monday that the cause
and manner of death is pending further studies. According to Cook County officials, the body was found in the water near the boat launch site Koulogeorge at 7455 W. 115th St., in Worth, about 2 p.m. Monday, May 15. Personnel from the North Palos Fire Department also
responded to the scene, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene. No additional information was available. His obituary posted online said that he was a member of the Little League Hall of Fame, as a member of the 1967 Roseland Little League baseball team that played in the Little League World Series that year. Funeral services for Mr. Koulogeorge were held yesterday at
St. Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church, 12307 S. Ridgeland Ave., in Palos Heights, following a wake the day before at Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home in Orland Park. Interment was at Evergreen Cemetery. Survivors include his daughter, Roxanne Koulogeorge; father, Chris Koulogeorge; sisters, Connie Shaheen, Ellen Koulogeorge and Diane Vasilakos; and nieces and nephews.
Organizers of the annual Southwest Half Marathon and 10K race are already looking forward to the 11th, following the virtually problem-free 10th running held on May 7. “I think it was a great success, one of the better races that we have had,” said co-founder Jeff Prestinario, during a wrap-up meeting held last Friday for the organizers, all volunteers, who had the opportunity to share their thoughts about the event. The half marathon and the more recently added 10K race have become an annual tradition, bringing thousands of people to Palos Heights and Palos Park on the first Sunday in May, and closing Route 83 between Harlem Avenue and Archer Avenue for eight hours. More than 1,200 runners took part in the two main portions of this year’s event. Everyone agreed that having blue skies and perfect spring weather helped draw the crowds and helped keep the racers there to enjoy the live music and festival atmosphere long after their races were over. “We sold all our beer. That is a good thing,” said Bridget Provost of the Lake Katherine Nature Center. “The weather was perfect and we didn’t have any major issues with runners (getting hurt),” said Prestinario, who was a Palos Heights alderman when he founded the race with Mel Diab, owner of Running for Kicks shoe store. “I can’t believe that this has been 12 years in the making. Twelve years planning and 10 years running,” said Diab. “I always say it, but it is true. We could never put it on without all the help from volunteers, and the sponsors.” For the past two years, Palos Health and CNB Bank & Trust have been the major sponsors. And everyone involved said they expect to continue the arrangement in 2018. Prestinario said that on race days, he doesn’t even mind having to get up at 4 a.m. “When you are at the race, and you see everyone celebrating, it is an exhilarating experience. It is tough to get that adrenaline going as you get older, but this does it,” he said. “I like to add something new each year, to keep it fresh,” said
Prestinario. This year, it was the free Kids’ Dash for children from 2 to 11. More than 100 children participated in several races, from a 50-yard dash to a half-mile run, depending on their age group. And everyone got a medal. The Kids’ Dash was designed to draw more families to the race, and it seemed to have worked. In fact, one of the few problems voiced at the meeting was about how families crowded onto the track to cheer on their children while the last of the half marathon runners were still coming to the finish line. Lori Mazeika-Myre of Palos Health, as well as several others at the meeting, said the crowds on the track posed problems for volunteers wanting to present the runners with medals as they finished their race. She suggested that only the runners be allowed on the track, with family members restricted to the grassy area beside it. Listening to another suggestion, Prestinario and Diab said they may also consider running the children’s races in the opposite direction on the track, so they would not interfere with runners in the major races. In any case, the Kids’ Dash is here to stay. Lori Chesna, executive director of Southwest Special Recreation Association (SWSRA) said the Walk, Run or Roll race for people with disabilities was successful again, too. She said six charity runners of the half marathon or 10K raised more than $1,700 for SWSRA. Bob Grossart, in charge of organizing the volunteers, said he had plenty to work with. “More signed up last year, but we had less no-shows this year, so we actually had more people here,” he said. “It’s very difficult to say how much exactly it helps the community (monetarily). But it does help the community in many, many ways,” said Prestinario. He said that so many race participants went out to eat after their races that due to the crowds, his group couldn’t find seats in three local restaurants: Harvest Room, Royalberry and Lumes. He said the owners of Harvest Room thanked him for bringing in all the racers who came for breakfast. “It is always said that people often overlook this area, but it really is the gem of the southwest suburbs,” said Prestinario.
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