Special Offers and Greetings from the business community of New Lenox
S E A S O N S G R E E T I N G S
W e h o p e y o u r h o l i d a y
s e a s o n i s f i l l e d w i t h
j o y , p e a c e a n d
p r o s p e r i t y . W e l o o k
f o r w a r d t o s u p p o r t i n g
y o u i n t h e c o m i n g y e a r !
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The Village of New Lenox again invites you to experience the magic of the holiday season with our Christmas in the Commons celebrations. Every Saturday and Sunday from December 6 through December 21 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, the New Lenox Village Commons will be alive with activities and entertainment, all set against the backdrop of a dazzling display of holiday lights.
The holiday light display at the Commons returns nightly beginning December 6, featuring thousands of twinkling lights adorning buildings and trees throughout. Visitors can enjoy life-sized holiday displays perfect for festive photos, but the show-stoppers are two massive attractions that tower above the rest.
Making its debut this year is a giant lighted penguin, standing nearly 40 feet tall—matching the impressive scale of the Commons’ famous resident, the largest lighted Santa Claus in the United States. Santa, adorned with 18,500 LED lights, has welcomed holiday visitors for the past nine years, and this season he’ll have an equally magnificent companion to delight guests of all ages.
Children and families are invited to drop their letters to Santa in the special North Pole mailbox at his feet. All letters mailed by December 18 will receive a personal response from St. Nick himself.
The display is free and open to the public nightly throughout the holiday season. Guests strolling through will find plenty of shopping and entertainment. The holiday market offers unique crafts, décor, jewelry, confections and more for everyone on your shopping list. The New Lenox Community Park District’s two synthetic ice skating rinks provide skate rentals on select dates. Santa and his reindeer will be available for photos and visits throughout Christmas in the Commons, and to top off your experience, take a ride on a horse-drawn wagon!
Skating rinks are open any time for those who have their own skates.
Along with all the activities taking place every weekend, there will also be variety of special events happening on select dates. Some of these elements include visits from princesses and other favorite holiday characters, a rotation of food trucks offering delicious fare, ice carving demonstrations, visits from Santa’s reindeer, and performances from local groups.
A full calendar of events can be found at newlenox.net/christmas. Christmas in the Commons is free to attend, and no admission ticket is required. The Village Commons is located at 101 Veterans Parkway in New Lenox.
December 6
Santa’s grand entrance (4:00 PM)
Photos with saNta | hoLiday market | horse-drawN wagoN rides iCe skatiNg | arrowhead aLes Christmas LouNge | dazzLiNg Light disPLay
Official Village Commons lighting ceremony (4:45 PM)
Free popcorn courtesyofOldPlankTrailCommunityBank
Free cookies courtesyofFleckenstein’sBakery
Food Trucks AuntieAnne’s,Joey’sRedHots,Sista’s Seafood & More
ince its incorporation in 1946, the Village of New Lenox has grown into a beautiful, thriving community that more than 29,000 people now call home. New homes, new businesses, new roads and more, have established a whole new look for New Lenox without compromising our small-town feel. What hasn’t changed is the spirit, tenacity and passion of the people who live and work here. As the mayor, I see firsthand just how dedicated our residents are to their community and to their neighbors. Our people are engaged and informed. They want to make sure that the Village remains a safe, enjoyable place to life and raise their families
Our community is thriving and has a great reputation that other towns seek to emulate. We owe a debt of gratitude to those that came before us by providing a great foundation on which to grow. The current Board of Trustees and staff are making the tough decisions daily to provide for and enhance the quality of life for our current and future residents. The Village, in partnership with the school districts, the New Lenox Community Park District, the New Lenox Public Library, the New Lenox Fire Protection District, and the New Lenox Chamber of Commerce, has continued to provide exceptional services to the residents. Our service organizations and veterans’ groups give so much back to the village, and we couldn’t be more proud to have them here. There is a lot to be proud of here in New Lenox, and we believe our future will be just as amazing as our past.
As our community continues to grow, we are also proud to be the home of so many wonderful businesses. In 2025, we welcomed 31 new businesses providing unique products and experiences. On top of that, we officially opened the Wintrust Crossroads Sports Complex in July and celebrated the one year anniversary of the opening of KidsWork Children’s Museum this past October. Both serve as major economic development catalysts which continue to attract new businesses and residents to the Village. Both of these new exciting new ventures will serve the Village and surrounding communities for years to come.
Over the course of the year, we are delighted to be able to offer many free family activities for our residents, and the holiday season is no exception. Christmas in the Commons, an event held each weekend in December, is a fun-filled and festive way for everyone to enjoy the holidays. We hope that you and your family are able to come out and enjoy all that we have to offer. It is because of our amazing Village Staff and sponsors that we are able to make these experiences come to life every year for our residents.
It’s because of you that New Lenox is so successful! Most importantly, it’s because of you that we can continue to call ourselves the Home of Proud Americans!
We wish you all very merry and safe holiday season,
Saturdays & Sundays
December 6 - December 21
4:00-8:00 PM
New Lenox Village Commons Featuring
Timothy Baldermann Mayor, Village of New Lenox
Every great story begins with connection — people coming together to share, learn, dream, and grow. For over 30 years, Pavlov Media has been at the heart of that connection, delivering speed, reliability, and innovation that keep communities moving forward.
Founded on a simple belief — that everyone deserves fast, dependable internet — Pavlov Media started as a small idea in the Midwest and has grown into one of the nation’s leading providers of fiber-optic internet. But this isn’t just about cables and speeds; it’s about building bridges between people, businesses, and the world around them.
From college towns to growing neighborhoods, Pavlov Media’s mission is to bring powerful, reliable connections to the communities it serves. Whether it’s helping a small business reach new customers, giving families the bandwidth to stream, game, and work all at once, or ensuring students can connect to virtual classrooms — Pavlov delivers internet that keeps up with real life.
At the center of it all is fiber — the gold standard of internet technology. With speeds up to 8 Gbps, Pavlov Media’s fiber-optic network is built for what’s next: 8K streaming, smart homes, connected devices, and innovations that haven’t even been imagined yet. Fiber isn’t just fast — it’s built for the future.
But Pavlov Media’s story doesn’t stop at the curb. Through Pavlov Cares, the company invests directly into the communities it serves. From sponsoring local schools and youth sports to supporting first responders and nonprofits, Pavlov believes in strengthening the neighborhoods that make its growth possible. Because true connection means being there — online and off.
Behind every installation and every customer interaction is a team of people who care deeply about their work. Pavlov Media technicians and staff live in the same towns they serve — your neighbors, friends, and fellow community members. They take pride in delivering not just lightning-fast internet, but friendly, dependable service that customers can count on day after day.
Pavlov Media isn’t a distant corporation. It’s a partner — one committed to bringing world-class internet home to local communities across the country. Every new area connected represents another opportunity for people to experience internet the way it should be: fast, simple, and reliable.
Pavlov Media is shaping the future of connection — one community, one network, one person at a time. With innovation as its foundation and people at its core, Pavlov continues to build the infrastructure that powers possibilities. Wherever technology evolves, Pavlov Media will be there — connecting what matters most.
The holidays should be full of laughter, not loading bars. This season, Pavlov Media is bringing fiber internet — construction is underway, and ultra-fast fiber will be available soon!
Built for all your favorite traditions — streaming movies, video calls with family, and last-minute online shopping — our network is designed to keep up with your life. No contracts. No hidden fees. Just reliable, high-speed fiber that’s coming to your community soon.
Wednesday
Pot roast dinner $22
Soup or salad & dessert
Thursday
Spaghetti & meatballs
$15
Italian salad & dessert
Friday
Cod or shrimp dinner
$22
Soup or salad & dessert
CANTEEN - DAILY SPECIALSS
Sun-Thur 11am-11pm • Fri-Sat 11am-2am
HOT SLOTS!
• Game Room with 6 Machines!
• Come Try Your Luck!
Saturday
New york strip
steak dinner $35
Soup or salad & dessert
Sunday Nachos platter $16
Chicken, pot roast or chili
BANQUET FACILITIES
• Holiday Parties
• Weddings
• Baby showers
• Bridal Showers
• School Reunions
• Family Reunions
• Meetings
EVERY FRIDAY
• Queen of Hearts Drawing
• Karaoke with Chad 7:00p.m.
Our kitchen is open Tuesday through Sunday opening at 11am featuring our new restaurant Pony Express
Check our Facebook page for upcoming events!
Pony Express
Pony Express
OutgrowingWhetheryou’re feeding your family or need something to bring to the basketball team potluck, the kitchen at The Pony Express in New Lenox has great meal options for every occasion.
its previous location, the Pony Express Kitchen recently moved into the American Legion Thomas Hartung Post 1977 in New Lenox.
Now the all-scratch kitchen, which is an offshoot of the long-time New Lenox staple, the JBD White Horse Inn, is busy “cooking to order” its long-time favorites to both catering customers as well as members and guests of the American Legion.
At The Pony Express the focus is crafting delicious lunch and dinner meals for people on the go. The small but carefully crafted menu focuses on well-loved comfort foods from chili, soup and grilled cheese to the customer favorite, a pot roast sandwich stuffed with cheese.
Annette Rizza, who owns Pony Express Kitchen as well as JBD White Horse Inn with her partner Jim Hedberg, said, the decision to add another facility to its restaurant business came out of a need for additional kitchen space to accommodate the large number of catering orders the White Horse received.
The Pony Express is the latest restaurant by Annette Rizza, who also owns JBD White Horse Inn in New Lenox and she’s excited to bring some of the menu favorites to the new carryout service while adding a few new items like the Pony Smashburger with a crafted sauce.
Approached to move their catering operations to the American Legion, Rizza said, the Legion’s two large kitchens—one that could be used for their catering/ banquet business and another the dining room “was absolutely perfect.”
Feed the entire family for less than $60 with the popular family meals, available seven days a week. The Rotisserie Chicken Dinner features two chickens, Pony mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, sauteed vegetables and a garden salad for $59.
Crediting her excellent staff for their success, now Pony Express is serving daily meals while also running the banquet room and catering business.
“It’s a meal that will feed six to eight individuals,” Rizza said, adding “People love our Pony potatoes and they will
“We hand batter our chicken tenders, our fresh mushrooms,” she added, “It is cooked to order” just like
call and just order the side.” Open every day except Mondays.
everything else on the Pony Express menu.
The pot roast tacos are one of Rizzo’s personal favorites.
Another favorite is the Pony Express chili.
“We make it in small batches, so it is always fresh,” she said.
Everything is prepared fresh and meal requests should be made 24 hours in advance to allow the kitchen to carefully gather all the ingredients for the meals, Rizza said. The fresh chickens for the rotisserie meals and the ground chuck for the burgers are purchased locally at C.P. Meat Market in New Lenox.
”All of our meat is fresh, never frozen, Rizza said. “We believe in the freshest ingredients.”
Our smashburgers are awesome, Rizzo said, and as a result she always recommends that customers order doubles.
The Pony Express also makes its own Italian Beef, “we season and roast it,” she added, “same thing with our corn beef. We season it and roast it.”
The Family Taco Night Meal, features pot roast, grilled chicken with a side of Spanish rice, tortillas and taco ixings. There’s a pasta night with pasta, meatballs, salad and garlic bread and for those hosting friends to watch their favorite sport teams check out the Tailgater which includes wings, Italian beef, bacon mac and cheese and meatballs.
The Pony Express Kitchen is now running a daily special and has planned catering holiday meals for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“It’s the perfect solution for a family dinner, hosting friends and team dinners too,” Rizza said.
On Fridays, they are testing out cod and shrimp dinner, Rizzo said.
For larger events, including holiday parties and family celebrations Rizza’s catering team can help craft the perfect meal from salad to dessert.
She added going into 2026, “we have a few weddings on the books.”
The Pony Express is located at 14414 Ford Drive, New Lenox.
30 Tuesday, November 21, 2023 Frankfort Holiday Guide
• Nestled in a quiet residential community
• Serving seniors 62 & over looking to reside in the Lincoln Way area
WARM WISHES FROM THE TEAM AT RCM HEATING & COOLING
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Proud to support the neighborhood
Proud to support the neighborhood
Being a good neighbor means being there for State Farm ® agents, we’re ready to help
Bus: 312-312-3755 our communities. As your local whenever you need us. Give us a call.
State Farm Agent
Being a good neighbor means being there for our communities. As your local Roger Kruel
State Farm Agent
New Lenox, IL 60451-1741
New Lenox, IL 60451-1741
State Farm Agent
New Lenox, IL 60451
State Farm Agent 201 W Maple Route 30
Silver Cross Urgent Care in New Lenox, Mokena and Crest Hill is your choice for non-emergency situations. For life-threatening conditions, choose Silver Cross Emergency Care. When an emergency happens, know where to go. Visit SilverCross.org/urgent-care
