District 205 Board discusses tax levy increase
Public hearing to be held Dec. 13

When Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board held its regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 15, the meeting included a presentation about the estimated tax levy increase for the district for 2022. Chris Whel ton, the district’s assistant superin tendent of finance and operations, gave the presentation. The total prop erty taxes for the district extended for 2021 were about $135.8 million. The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2022 amount to near ly $145 million, which represents a 6.76 percent increase over 2021.
The board will hold a public hearing regarding the levy before its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Whelton noted that the levy is a re quest, and that the district typically levies more than it anticipates it will receive. The extension is what ends up going on the tax bills. He said the figures related to new construction in the district, which haven’t been re leased yet, will affect the amount the district eventually receives.
He added that the owner of a home in the district valued at $500,000, with no new construction, could ex pect their District 205 portion of their property taxes to increase by about $344, or about 4.81 percent from the
previous year.
Whelton said that property taxes provide about 82 percent of the dis trict’s funding. He said the expen ditures in the district’s 2023 budget would be about $161.2 million, which would include transfers (from other district funds) of about $19.85 million. Those transfers would help to fund the increased scopes in con struction and renovation projects at the district’s schools. The district’s fund balance is projected to be about $57.5 million at the end of its 2023 fiscal year and drop to about $41.2 million by the end of its 2027 fiscal year.
Collins fears some might be ‘priced out of the district’ Board member Jim Collins said that Illinois has the second highest property taxes in the nation, and that DuPage County has the highest prop erty taxes in the state. He said he was worried about some residents being priced out of the district. He suggest ed it might be time to spend some of its reserve money to help taxpayers in the form of tax abatement.
Later in the meeting, board mem bers voted 4-1 to approve a resolution regarding the amount to be levied for 2022. Collins provided the lone vote against approving the resolution.
Let us do the cooking so you can enjoy the holidays
Catering Available for all Occasions (Please give us a minimum of 24 hours notice)
For our Catering Menu or to order on-line go to: www.twobrothersristorante.com
• Our Dining Room is available for Parties • Call us to book a date Owned & Operated by the Battaglia Family Since 1976 128 W. Park Ave. Elmhurst, IL 60126 630-833-0414
Maybe you should write this down

(from left): Steven Berg and Patrick Seyfarth tell Santa what they want for Christmas at the Spring Road Tree-lighting event on Friday, Nov. 18. More photos inside.
By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENTBy now, most residents have heard the news that an Elmhurst postal carrier was recently charged with allegedly stealing checks from the mail that were intended for residents along his route.
Earlier this month, DuPage Coun
ty State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean announced that a postal car rier, Keevon Dockery, a 22-year-old Chicago resident, had been charged with identity theft for allegedly steal ing more than 100 checks intended for others along his mail route.
Many people are concerned about
where Dockery’s route was and whether or not they should be con cerned about checks intended for them being allegedly stolen.
McLean told the Independent in an interview that Dockery was rather new to the post office and had low
and Auto today.
Police invite residents to report any missing checks Postal carrier charged with stealing worked routes throughout the City


School Board capsules

Here’s what’s going on at District 205
By Chris Fox FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT
The Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board held a regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the District 205 Center, 162 S. York St. Board members Christopher Kocinski and Karen Stuefen were absent from the meeting.




York principal provides update
York High School Principal Shahe Bagdasarian gave a brief presenta tion early in the meeting. Bagdasar ian stated the school is focused on student engagement, student learn ing and helping students who need additional support.
Bagdasarian noted that York pro vides authentic learning opportuni ties to students. He referred to the

York Sports Network, which pro vides student broadcasts of York athletic events, and the school’s La Brigade student restaurant, which re cently prepared and served breakfast for 16 area principals.
He also mentioned York’s boys soccer team, which recently fin ished fourth in the IHSA Class 4A state tournament, and York’s girls cross-country team, which finished second at the IHSA Class 3A girls state meet. He also noted the recent Veterans Day assembly at the school.
Public brings up controversial book
Four people spoke during the meeting’s public-participation seg ment. One of the speakers said the district needs to improve its academ ic performance. He stated a signifi cant number of district students are
not meeting standard requirements when they complete eighth grade.
Tom Chavez was another speaker during the public-participation seg ment. Chavez identified himself as a candidate for the District 205 School Board. Chavez also referred to aca demic performance in the district. He said that while the district’s students are exceeding state averages, the performance numbers in the district are “at crisis levels.” Chavez said Illinois state standards are extreme ly low, and that “being 10 percent above state standards doesn’t meet Elmhurst standards.”
Another speaker read passages from a book he stated was required reading for all York freshmen. The passages he read contained several lurid references. The speaker asked the board if the book promotes an inclusive environment. The next
speaker also referred to the same book, which she stated was inap propriate for ninth-graders. She said it left students embarrassed and un comfortable.
ISBE report card data compared with other districts

The meeting included a presen tation comparing the performance of District 205 to comparable area districts. The Illinois State Board of Education recently released school report card data for all of the state’s public schools. The presentation referred to that data and how Dis trict 205 compared to seven other districts—Barrington 220, Batavia 101, Geneva 304, Indian Prairie 204, Naperville 203, St. Charles 303 and Wheaton 200.
Scott Grens, the district’s associate superintendent of schools, referred to numerous figures during the presen tation. Grens said the numbers show the district has opportunities for im provement. One of those areas for improvement is in the math portion of the SAT. According to the data, about 50 percent of District 205 stu dents met or exceeded standards in the math portion of the SAT in 202122. That number has declined each year since the 2017-18 school year.
Campbell addresses strategic plan
District 205 Superintendent Kei sha Campbell spoke during the meeting about the formation of the district’s strategic plan. She said the district was in Phase 3 of its plan, which is focused on improving stu dent success. Campbell said the im pact of the plan is not its creation, but its implementation.


Capital projects update
A family-friendly place
The meeting also included a pre sentation providing an update of the district’s capital projects during the summer of 2022, and a preview of the summer 2023 projects. Todd Schmidt, the district’s director of fa cilities, gave the presentation. One of the 2023 projects Schmidt referred to was the project to pave the bus lane
at Bryan Middle School. In addition to paving the bus lane in the front of the school, the district will install 30 parking stalls at the gravel lot outside of the school. The remaining por tion of the gravel lot will be turned into green space. That gravel lot had been used to store district vehicles and equipment before the district ac quired a new site for that purpose.
The elmhursT IndependenT
Your Hometown Newspaper
Locally owned and operated
240 N. West Avenue
Elmhurst, IL. 60126
Main Phone 630.834-8244 Fax 630.834-0900
Visit us at:
TheElmhurstIndependent.com
The Elmhurst Independent USPS#022-607 is published every Thursday by Rock Valley Publishing, LLC, 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126. Periodical Postage Paid at Elmhurst, IL.
Display Advertising: 630.834-8355
Classified Advertising: 630.834-8244 News: 630.834-8244
General Information: 630.834-8244
E-mail:
Advertising Department: ads1@rvpublishing.com News Department: Independent@rvpublishing.com
Classified Department: Classifieds@rvpublishing.com
Administration: Dee Longfellow News Coordinator

Debra Hamilton Advertising Director
Obituaries
Jerome “Jerry” M. Noti II, 63 Jerome “Jerry” M. Noti II of Elm hurst passed away recently at the age of 63. Beloved fi ancé of Margaret “Peggy” Basic; loving father of Nick (Emmily) Noti and the late Brian Noti; cher ished son of Antoinette “Toni” and the late Jerome Noti; dear brother of Steve (Kathy) and Anthony (Katia); fond uncle of Monica (Mike) Ra maeker, Anthony (Rachel), Angela, Marina, Alexander and Fay Noti; great-uncle of Rocco. Family and friends will be received at the Con boy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Rd., Westchester on Friday, Nov. 25 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral Saturday at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home to St. Domit illa Church for a 10 a.m. Mass. In terment private. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude. org) appreciated. For funeral in formation, call 1-708-F-U-N-E-RA-L.
Gail Miller Blubaugh, 67

Former Elm hurst resident Gail Miller Blubaugh died on November 18, 2022 in Punta Gorda, Florida, at the age of 67. She died from Atax ia-MSAC after a long illness. A memorial service was held at Ahlgrim’s Funeral Home, 567 Spring Road, Elmhurst.
Gail was born June 11, 1955, in Greenville, Miss., to Hoit and Doro thy Miller. Her father was in the US Airforce and flew for TWA until he re tired. Her mother graduated from U of M in business, but stayed at home and raised her children, Katherine Cary, Gail Elizabeth, and Weston Hoit. They moved to Michigan City (Dune land Beach), Ind., when Gail was five. Gail loved living in the vacation para dise that her grandfather had founded.

Gail married John Walter Blu baugh, Jr., the love of her life, on Aug. 12, 1977 at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Michigan City, Ind. They were blessed with four wonderful children: Laura Elizabeth, Scott Ford,
Julie Katherine, and John Matthew. She attended Purdue University and got her BS in business in 1977, and then attended National Louis Univer sity and received her Master’s in Arts and Teaching in 1999. She worked at Japan Line USA in their accounting department and was a control buyer, assistant buyer, and associate buyer, and then worked as a buyer in inti mate apparel and hosiery at Spiegel catalog before staying home to raise her four children. They moved to El mhurst and she joined the Elmhurst Newcomers and Neighbors Club and served on their board for three years as Community Relations, Treasur er, and Hospitality Chairperson. She also was in charge of the Hawthorne School Playground Committee. After going back to school, Gail was a 2nd and a 3rd Grade teacher at Hawthorne Elementary School in Elmhurst un til 2015 when she retired, living in Wisconsin and eventually moving to Florida.
Gail had a wonderful life, thanks to her many friends, family, and those who cared. Her interests included family, skiing, photography, reading, crafts, travel, friends, and her stu
dents.
Gail is survived by her husband of 45 years, John of Punta Gorda, Fla., and her children, their spouses, and their children: her daughter Laura Kentnesse of Oregon; her son Scott, his wife Amanda, and their children, Ellis Jonathan and Winifred Mae, all of Vermont; her daughter Julie, her husband Zac Connelly, and their daughter Freddie, all of Illinois; and her son John and his wife, Lauren, of Illinois. She is also survived by her sister Katherine (Kit) of Illinois and her children, Lisa and Krista, and her brother, Weston (Wes) and his wife, Kelly, of Indiana and his children, Nicole, Katherine, and Natalie. She is survived by her many friends, too, and her cat, Sox.
Gail is preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy B. Miller, her father, Hoit Miller, her mother-in-law, Irene Blubaugh, her father-in-law, John W. Blubaugh Sr., her daughter-in-law, Anita Kentnesse, and her brothers-inlaw, Christopher Blubaugh, William Friddle, and Ben Marchlewicz.
In lieu of flowers, donations may kindly be sent to the National Ataxia Foundation.
Advertising: Brenda Garcia
Subscriptions:

The Elmhurst Independent is mailed at no charge by request to residents in the 60126 zip code area. Out-of-area mail subscriptions are $29.95 yearly. Single copies are also available at more than 80 newsstand locations in Elmhurst. For home delivery information call 630.834-8244.
Reprints:
Content appearing in the Elmhurst Independent may not be reprinted without permission of the publisher or editor. Requests should be directed to Independent@rvpublishing.com or 630.834-8244.
Postmaster: Please send address changes to:
THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126
ECPA’s Winter Carolers to perform Dec. 18
The Elmhurst Centre for Performing Arts (ECPA) presents the talented York High School Madrigals for its 2022 Winter Caroling season. Under the direction of Becky Marianetti, who is the York High School drama director and choir director, as well as an ECPA Board member, the Madrigals will be spreading holiday cheer for one night only. Cuddle your kiddos at the front door to listen, gather your neighbors with hot cocoa, or delight your dinner guests with a visit from these talented musicians on Sunday, Dec. 18. The Winter Carolers are talented, popular and will likely sell out. Be sure to mark your calendar and go to ecpa-elmhurst. org to secure your visit. Sales go live on Black Friday, Nov. 25 at 8 a.m. Can’t participate in the ECPA Winter Carolers this year and want to support our mission? Please consider a donation.

Songs of the season





Santa sings

Police beat
The Elmhurst Police Department recently reported the following arrests and citations. Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of vic tims. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that subjects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Juveniles age 17-or-younger are not named.
Criminal damage to property
Nov. 13
Police said officers responded for a road rage incident near Route 83 and North at 5:55 p.m. A witness stated they observed a male get out of a vehicle, shatter the driver’s side win dow of another vehicle and punch the driver. The suspect was located and stated the other driver rear-ended him in Villa Park and fled to North and Route 83. The suspect denied any physical altercation and the other subject was not located.
Domestic battery, disorderly conduct
Nov. 15
Officers responded for the report of a sub ject who threatened employees at Elmhurst Hospital at 8:53 a.m. The subject was located a short distance from the hospital. Medics ar rived on scene and transported the subject to Hinsdale Hospital.
A 35-year-old Elmhurst woman was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 600 block of W. Babcock at 10:35 p.m. Police said that subsequent to a struggle over an AirPod, the suspect bit the victim’s right wrist. The victim pushed the suspect away, causing her to fall.
Nov. 13
Heather Gloria Griffith, 23, of Villa Park, was issued a citation for disorderly conduct in the 300 block of W. Avery at 1:25 a.m. Police said Griffith was located highly intoxicated and began running behind homes.
CALL
Identity theft, fraud, forgery
According to information provided by the Elmhurst Police Department, police report ed seven incidents of identity theft or fraud in which a victim’s identity was fraudulently used either to make charges on a credit card, open a business, bank or credit account, fraud ulently depositing checks, receiving unem ployment benefits—or a victim was convinced by a subject to deposit money into an account, send a check, or to buy gift cards.
Possession of cannabis
Nov. 13
Daniel P. Palencia, 18, of Elmhurst, was is sued a citation for possession of cannabis un der 21 subsequent to a traffic stop near York and Oneida at 2:48 a.m.
Possession of cannabis in a vehicle
According to information provided last week by the Elmhurst Police Department, po lice reported three incidents of possession of cannabis by either the driver of a vehicle or a passenger: Tradell Graham, 28, of Chicago, near Butterfield and York at 4:43 p.m. Nov. 12; Monshea White, 49, of Maywood, near Ber teau and North at 5:27 p.m. Nov. 12; and Pat rick J. Humphrey, 28, of Dolton, near North and Industrial at 8:23 p.m. Nov. 15.

Suspicious circumstances
Nov. 22
Nov. 13
Leonel G. Alcantar, 29, of Chicago, was charged with DUI, no valid license and illegal transportation of alcohol near Grand and Old Grand at 3:06 a.m.
Nov. 11
Janie Otero, 39, of Schiller Park, was charged with aggravated DUI, driving while license suspended, possession of cannabis and possession of open alcohol subsequent to a traffic stop in the 500 block of N. York at 6:50 p.m.
Harassment, threats
Nov. 11
A victim in the 100 block of N. York told police that the suspect, a former friend, made a Go Fund Me page for her without her per mission and commented on a Tik Tok post she had made it after previously being told not to have any further contact with her. The suspect was again advised to have no further contact with victim.
Police said officers responded to the 100 block of W. First at 11 a.m. for a report of a suspicious person. Upon arrival, the suspect was located inside the train depot lying on a bench. The suspect was found to be a regis tered sex offender out of Florida. The suspect was also found highly intoxicated and in need of medical attention. Medics arrived on scene and transported the suspect to the Elmhurst hospital for treatment.
told police she left her vehicle unlocked and running while she went inside a UPS Store. The victim came out to find her vehicle miss ing. Video surveillance shows an unknown suspect described as a white female inside the vehicle, drive though the Jewel lot and then park it on the east end before leaving the area on foot. The unknown suspect took cash, which was sitting on the armrest. The vehicle was located in the parking lot.
Retail theft was reported at a gas station in the 600 block of W. North at 7:19 p.m. Sub sequent to a retail theft that just occurred, A suspect described as an Hispanic male grabbed an entire display of 50 mini-Bic lighters and left the store without paying.
A victim in the 300 block of S. West told po lice she received a notification from Amazon that her package had been delivered. Amazon provided pictures of the delivered package; upon reviewing the images, the victim noticed the door looked familiar, but the Disney floor mat was not hers. The victim located the apart ment with the same door mat as in the photos and left a note for the suspect, who never con tacted her. The reporting officer made contact with the suspect who denied ever receiving any packages. An investigation is pending.
Nov. 11-Nov. 14
Burglary to a vehicle was reported in the 200 block of S. Villa. A victim told police that an unknown suspect(s) went through his unlocked truck that was parked in his driveway and stole items along with the victims’ forms of identifi cation. An investigation is pending.
Nov. 13
Brian J. Adams Jr., 19, of Elmhurst, was charged with driving while license suspended, expired registration and possession of a ficti tious ID subsequent to a traffic stop near Myr tle and North at 12:39 a.m.
July 1-Nov. 13
A victim’s son in the 200 block of N. Ridge land reports that the victim has sent money and personal information to an unknown person on Facebook. The unknown person had the vic tim purchase gift cards and then send pictures of the gift cards to them. The victim also pur
chased two airline tickets through Korean Air for this unknown person.
Nov. 10
Burglary to a vehicle was reported in the 200 block of N. Walnut at 12:04 p.m. A victim told police that an unknown suspect(s) entered his unlocked van and removed credit cards and cash. Several credit cards were used; however, the transactions were declined.
Nov 3
Theft was reported in the 500 block of Say lor at 10:47 a.m. A victim told police he re ceived an email stating his tax refund check was mailed, but he never received it. He no tified the Illinois Comptroller’s office and was informed they will cancel the check and issue a new one.
Oct. 27
Theft was reported in the 400 block of S. Parkview at 10:39 a.m. A victim reports she ordered six rings from a seller and she only received five of the six rings shipped by mail.
Oct. 24
Retail theft was reported at store in the 300 block of S. Route 83 at 11:55 a.m. A victim reports the suspect took merchandise and left without paying. An investigation is pending.
Sept. 17
Theft of services was reported in the 500 block of N. York at 10:14 a.m. A victim told police that he paid the unknown suspect as a deposit to install a new business sign. The sus pect cashed the check, but the sign was never installed. The victim has not heard from the suspect and has no way to reach him.
Theft of catalytic converters
According to information provided last week by the Elmhurst Police Department, police re ported one incident of catalytic converters being removed and stolen from a vehicle at the follow ing location: Elmhurst Hospital, 155 E. Brush Hill, sometime between Nov. 10 and Nov. 11.

Man allegedly opens fire at Yorktown Mall
Bond denied for Grundy; alleged accomplice held on $1 million bond
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Lombard Chief of Po lice Roy Newton have an nounced that bond has been denied for a man accused of opening fire at the Yorktown Mall on Friday, Nov. 11.
Ronald Grundy, 22, of Louisville, appeared at a bond hearing where Judge John Kinsella grant ed the state’s motion to deny bond. On Mon day, Nov. 14, Grundy’s alleged accomplice, Jakobi Kinsey 24, of Chicago, appeared at a bond hearing where Judge Brian Telander set bond at $1 million with 10 percent to apply.
Nov. 16
Theft was reported at a business in the 100 block of W. Diversey at 1:30 p.m. A com plainant reported an unknown suspect(s) cashed a business check. The complainant further reported the check cashed was still in his possession and never used by his business. The complainant related he is not aware of how or where the check was deposited.
Nov. 14
A victim in the 200 block of E. Butterfield
Both men have been charged with three counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm— at a person or vehicle (Class 1 felony) and one count of aggravated battery with a firearm (Class X felony).
On Friday, Nov. 11 at approximately 3:05 p.m., officers with the Lombard Police De partment responded to a call of shots fired at the Yorktown Mall near the JC Penney park ing lot. Upon their arrival, officers spoke with victims of the shooting. It is alleged that the victims, two males and one female, were at the mall when they were confronted by Kinsey and Grundy, who was wearing a ski mask.
It is alleged that one of the defendants asked
the victims, “you good?” at which time the victims continued to their vehicle. It is further alleged that the defendants then ran towards and entered their vehicle and drove towards the victims’ vehicle. It is alleged that Grundy leaned out of the passenger side window and fired multiple shots at the victims, striking the female in the arm. It is alleged that the defen dants then fled the scene.
An investigation conducted by the Lombard Police Department led authorities to a Chicago address where Kinsey was taken into custody on Saturday, Nov. 12. On Monday, Nov. 14, Grundy was taken into custody from an ad dress in Cook County.
When processing the scene, officers found five 9mm spent casings. The female victim was treated at a local hospital where she underwent surgery to remove the bullet.
“With the holiday shopping season just beginning, the allegations that these two de fendants opened fire in the middle of the af ternoon in the parking lot of a popular mall demonstrates a complete and utter disregard for public safety and the rule of law,” Berlin said. “In DuPage County, public safety is our top priority and the public can rest assured that law enforcement throughout the county will be on high alert and well prepared to protect our
DUI, DUI-drugs, transportation of open alcohol, possession of open alcohol, consumption of alcohol by a minor
Theft or burglary /retail theft/forgery/deceptive practice/obstruction/ robbery
Affordable health screenings coming to Elmhurst on Dec. 2
Residents living in and around the Elmhurst can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and other chronic, serious conditions with affordable screenings by Life Line Screening.
American Legion THB Post 187 will host this community event on Saturday, Dec. 2.

The site is located at 310 W. Butter field Road in Elmhurst.
Screenings can check for:
• The level of plaque buildup in your arteries, related to risk for car diovascular disease, stroke and overall vascular health.
• HDL and LDL cholesterol levels
• Diabetes risk
• Kidney and thyroid function, and more
• Mall
(Continued from page 7)
shoppers, merchants and restaura teurs from the type of violent behav ior alleged. Make no mistake: any one who commits this type of violent crime in DuPage County will be apprehended, charged, aggressively prosecuted and, if found guilty, face a significant amount of time behind bars. Thankfully, the injury sustained by the victim does not appear to be life-threatening.”
Grundy’s next court appearance is scheduled Thursday, Dec. 1 for arraignment. Kinsey’s next court ap pearance is scheduled Friday, Dec. 2 for arraignment. Both cases will be heard in front of Judge Margaret O’Connell.
• Capsules
(Continued from page 3)
Contract with NTC approved
Board members voted unanimous ly during the meeting to approve a $47,000 payment to New Teacher Center (NTC) to conduct a K-12 math instruction review in the dis trict. The review will include co-ob servations in classrooms in all of the district’s K-12 buildings.
Board approves 2023-24 calendar
The board also voted unanimous ly to approve the district’s 2023-24 school calendar. The first day of student attendance will be Thurs day, Aug. 17, 2023. The last day of attendance before winter break will be Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. Students and staff will have two full weeks off before returning on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. Spring break will take place the week beginning on Monday, March 25, 2024. Good Friday, March 29, 2024, will take place during the week of spring break. York High School’s Class of 2024 will hold its commencement on Sunday, May 19, 2024.
Next meeting
The board will hold its next reg ular meeting—its final regular meet ing of 2022—on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Prior to the meeting, there will be a public hearing to discuss the estimat ed tax levy increase for the district for 2022.
Screenings are affordable and con venient. Free parking is also available.
Special package pricing starts at $159, but consultants will work with you to create a package that is right for you based on your age and risk factors.
Call 1-877-237-1287 or visit our website at www.lifelinescreening. com. Pre-registration is required.

• Checks
(Continued from front page)
seniority; therefore, he often filled in for other mail carriers who were ab sent or ill, which means he delivered to many areas of town.
“He was primarily in south El mhurst, but he was also a fill-in,” McLean said. “We have heard from some victims in north Elmhurst as well.”
Library programs
Friday, Nov. 25 from 2-4 p.m.
Friday Features: Top Gun: Maverick
Enjoy an afternoon at the mov ies. Find each week’s featured film at elmlib.org/Friday. No registra tion required.
Monday, Nov. 28 from 1-3 p.m. Chess Club
Join us for a friendly game of chess on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. No registration re quired.
Monday, Nov. 28 from 7-8:30 p.m.
One Book, One Elmhurst: Author Visit with Frank Waln
Join us for an evening with Frank Waln, one of the authors featured in our 2022 One Book, One Elmhurst read, American Like Me. With the aid of his guitar and Native flutes, Waln shares his experiences and reflections through powerful sto rytelling. Merchandise will be for sale after the presentation. Pre sented with Elmhurst University. Hybrid event. Live in-person at Elmhurst University Frick Center Founder’s Lounge, 190 S. Prospect Ave., or live on Zoom. Registration required. elmlib.org/events.
Tuesday Nov. 29 from 3-4 p.m. Google Drive
required.
Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 7-8 p.m.
The History of James Taylor and Carly Simon
In the early 1970s, the singer/ songwriter ruled the radio and the ultimate power couple was James Taylor and Carly Simon. Music historian Gary Wenstrup will trace the arc of their careers from “Fire and Rain” to “Shower the People” to “Coming Around Again.” Plus, learn about Carly’s #1 hit, “You’re So Vain,” just in time for the 50th anniversaty. The marriage didn’t last, but the hits sure have!
Hybrid event. Registration re quired. elmlib.org/events.

Friday, Dec. 2 from 2-4 p.m.
Friday Features: Brian & Charles
Enjoy an afternoon at the mov ies. Find each week’s featured film at elmlib.org/Friday. No registra
Letter to the editor
tion required.
For more information, call (630) 279-8696 or visit elmlib.org/events
TOTALLY OUT OF LINE
Among the checks that have been recovered, some were altered and some were missing entirely.
McLean said that anyone who be lieves they are missing any checks they were expecting from as far back as mid-September should contact the Detective Division of the Elmhurst Police Department by sending an email to detectives@elmhurst.org. The detectives assigned to the case will be in touch to follow up and ad vance the investigation.
Learn about Google Drive and applications included like Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Live in-person. Registration with an EPL card re quired.
Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. American
Mah Jongg: Open Play
Gather for this game of skill, strategy, calculation, and a certain amount of chance. No registration


Republican Party must get back to roots, reader says Will the Republican Party get back to its roots or continue spout ing falsehoods including denying that elections were lost? Without repudiating falsehoods, the party will continue to lose as it has in DuPage County, reworking RINO as Repub licans In No Offices.
When it comes to wearing bifocals and trifocals, one thing that people may object to is that the lines between distance prescriptions on the lenses allow onlookers to see that they have reached “bifocal age.” In the interest of making themselves look younger, many people needing multifocal lenses choose “progressive lenses” that have no visible lines. Instead of providing just two lens powers (as bifocals do) or three lens powers (as trifocals do), progressive lenses provide a seamless progression of many lens powers for clear up-close vision, distance vision, and all distances in between. Unlike bifocals, progressive lenses eliminate the need to adopt uncomfortable postures to see up close or at arm’s length. With progressive lenses, only the eyes move. Older adults who are getting new eyeglasses with significant increases in prescription strength should take time getting used to their new lenses. The same holds true for seniors who are making a switch to progressive lenses. When you need to schedule an eye exam, please contact SKOWRON EYE CARE. Our goal is to help you maintain a lifetime of healthy, clear, comfortable vision by using the latest in technology from in-vogue eyewear and eyeglasses to complex contact lenses to LASIK eye surgery. At Skowron eyecare, your 20/20 vision is our mission.
P.S. Progressive lenses also eliminate “image jump” that comes with visible lines in bifocals and trifocals where there is an abrupt change in lens power.
370 N. York, Elmhurst, IL 60126 630-834-6244 www.skowroneyecare.com
427493
“ He was primarily in south Elmhurst, but he was also a fill-in. “We have heard from some victims in north Elmhurst as well.”
– Michael McLean, Chief of Police
viewpoiNt
Slices of life
Paint or dandruff
Recently I’ve been diving into home improvement projects. I like them on the border of loving them. They are fulfilling because at the end of it all, you are left with a clean wall, newly colored cabinets or maybe even just a really frilly, upscaled dollar store soap dispenser.
There’s something to be said of an empty paint can and dirty paint brushes that cause you to look at your newest endeavor (with glee) and exclaim, “I did that!”
My latest undertakings have been bittersweet because I always had a partner when completing home improvement projects. He was the CEO, with me standing on the sidelines as the assistant and “Hand me the Phillips” coconspirator. The last upgrade we completed together was a ceiling fan installation in June, 2020.
My husband died less than four months later. Now it’s just me and the hammer, spackle, paint brush and/or glitter, not necessarily in that order.
Lately, I’ve been painting cupboards and refinishing countertops. No small feat—unless you consider the tiny paint brush I use for touch-ups at the very end. The devil’s in the details.
Which leads me to my problem.
I’d finished my last painting project for the season and was feeling quite proud when I encountered an unexpected aftereffect. Except I didn’t know it at the time.
One day, not long ago, I scratched my head and felt something peculiar under my fingertips. Something flaky, thicker than regular skin and not quite right atop my scalp.
It’s interesting, and pretty amazing actually, how we have the ability to sense when something is off about our physical bodies. The patch atop my scalp didn’t feel like scalp. But what else could it possibly be? I’ve always loved a good facetious question.
Herein is where I miss my homeimprovement honey (again.) If he were here my palpable scalp issue would be resolved in an instant. I’d simply ask him to take a look.
Unfortunately he isn’t here right now, so I’m without his eyes (or his body or any of the rest of him). I guess I find myself on my own in more ways than just home improvement. There’s an understatement if there ever was one.
I’ve never dealt with dandruff,
By JILL PERTLER Columnist
but wondered if that’s what was happening atop my head. I scratched the area in question and came up with a plethora of white gunk under my fingernails. Are dandruff flakes white, somewhat resembling house paint?
A quick Google showed dandruff resembles skin cells, not paint. What could the anomaly be? Again, I found myself missing my husband. Where is a guy when you need him to look down on you and examine the top of your head?
In my case his existence, unfortunately, rhymes with ‘head,’ meaning he’s not here and I’m alone with my scalp and whatever entity happens to rest atop it.
After a fair amount of itching and scratching I got desperate to know the source. I leaned forward into the bathroom mirror, trying to see what presence was present on the posterior portion of my scalp. My contortions were in vain. A person is not able to look at the back of their own head. I guess that’s why spouses were invented.

That, and mirrors.
I grabbed mine (the mirror) from the drawer and took about 67 seconds to figure out how to position it just so that I could see the part of my head in question. In that instant the problem (or solution, depending on your perspective) was obvious.
My head touted a generous dollop of white primer paint. Primer is sticky on walls, and apparently also on a scalp. Even though I’d washed my hair multiple times, the sticky stickiness of the primer didn’t want to let go. It was a quality paint brand for goodness sakes.
After identifying the problem, the solution was obvious. A fair amount of scrubbing in the shower, dissolved the dollop and my scalp was thankfully naked once again.
Which left me free to continue my home improvement projects— and miss my hubby, not necessarily in that order.
Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. She invites readers to follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.
Glowiak Hilton supports honoring heritage at commencements
State Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton joined Native American advocates at the Illinois Capitol Nov. 16 to intro duce an initiative to allow students to wear items of cultural significance at commencement ceremonies.

“High school graduation cere monies mark a special moment in a student’s life. It’s the culmination of years of education, hard work and starting the line of adulthood,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “Commencements are meant to honor students and their accomplishments, and this initiative will allow students to appropriately celebrate their family’s history.”
Glowiak Hilton filed Senate Bill 4242 with support from the Native American Chamber of Commerce after former Evanston high school student Nimkii Curley was denied the opportunity to participate in his graduation ceremony for decorating his cap with culturally-significant items from his heritage.
The measure allows students to wear clothing that has cultural or religious significance as long as the clothing is not obscene or derogato ry toward others. Additionally, dress code policies cannot prohibit stu dents from wearing or accessorizing graduation attire with clothing asso
ciated with student’s cultural or eth nic identity.
“The Native American population is a vibrant, critical community to Illinois, and thanks to Nimkii’s cour age—change is in progress,” said Glowiak Hilton.
More information on Senate Bill 4242 is available on the Illinois Gen eral Assembly website.
Editor’s note: This was submitted by the office of State Sen. Suzy Glo wiak Hilton.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent
State Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton is surrounded by Native American advocates at the Illinois Capitol last week, when she introduced an initiative to allow students to wear items of cultural significance at commencement ceremonies. An Evanston high school student was recently barred from participating in a graduation ceremony for dec orating his cap to acknowledge his heritage.
Real estate/BusiNess
Bottle Theory opens its doors
The long-awaited bar restaurant finally opened its doors. Bottle Theory Taproom & Bottle Shop, located at 542 Spring Road, held a soft opening on Monday, Nov. 14, and Tuesday, Nov. 15, when guests were able to sample some beers on tap, wine, spritzers and food from the menu.
The bar is spacious and laid out very nicely so patrons can spread out and be comfortable. They have the standard tables and chairs but in addition, there are some cozy couches and leather chairs for guests to lounge on while sipping on drinks. Patrons can sit at a table, use their smartphone to scan the QR Code to view the menu, then order and pay right from the table.
At Tuesday’s event, guests came from all around to support the own ers. Adrian and Teresa Rodriguez came all the way from Schaumburg to support their friend Eric Farrell,
who is one of the owners. They’ve known Eric for several years and were excited to see his vision come to life. The couple sampled a Great Notion Double Stack Stout to start the evening. (A stout is a dark beer.)

“This stout tastes like breakfast in a glass,” Adrian said. “It has ma ple syrup and coffee in it.”
“I highly recommend it,” Teresa added.
Bottle Theory has a variety of stouts, IPAs, hard ciders, hard seltzers as well as some wines to choose from. The owners carry a lot of beers from local breweries.
The walls are decorated with posters created by an artist who de signs the labels of several different beers at a local brewery in Chicago.
There was a very popular green drink that several people were sam pling on Tuesday evening. This highly desirable drink is a green hard seltzer from a local brewery in
Wisconsin called Eagle Park Ekto Cooler. This seltzer mimics the Hi-C juice box drink that sold back in 1989 referred to as the “Ekto Cooler” from the movie Ghost busters
Not just for adults, Bottle Theory is family-friendly and offers a menu for kids. Elmhurst residents Matt and Carmela Thomson and their two daughters Ariana and Siena came to support their friend owner Eric Far rell. The girls were happy to sample the quesadillas while their parents sampled some red wine.
Bottle Theory Taproom & Bottle Shop is located at 542 Spring Road in Elmhurst. It is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday; and, 11 a.m. to 12 midnight on Friday and Saturday. (Hours may differ over the Thanksgiving weekend.) The kitchen is open from 4-9 p.m. Their phone number 331-225-1340 or visit bottletheorytaproom.com.
College Prep idea wins top prize at Bluejay Tank competition

in college.
Garcia won $1,500 for his pitch, Bluejay Hatchlings: The Elmhurst Experience, his idea for a nonprofit organization that would host summer programs for high school juniors and seniors from underserved communi ties. The programs would improve the students’ college experience, leading to higher graduation rates and greater employment success.
“Having a program like this on campus is conducive to inspiring stu dents’ creativity and entrepreneur ship,” Garcia said. “I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it.”
Garcia’s was one of six business concept pitches given by seven stu dent entrepreneurs during the most recent Bluejay Tank competition. The students vied for $3,000 in prize money and real-world business ad vice from a panel of University fac ulty and working entrepreneurs.
Jessica Pavliukovecas, a junior, won second place and $1,000 for her pitch, TuneUp. Her car service app would keep up with a vehicle’s health by giving reminders for reg ular services, diagnosing problems and finding the best repair shop in the area. The app would be free but
– Martin Gahbauerwould offer premium services to sub scribers, such as access to a 24-hour representative.
Juniors Miftha Syed, of Lombard, and Aaliya Khaja, of Addison, won third place and $500 for their pitch, Instapark. Geared toward colleges and universities, the app would help students find parking spots using geolocation. The app would be fund ed by the schools.
About the competition
The Bluejay Tank Pitch Competi tion is offered by the Elmhurst Uni versity E-celerator, a resource for students interested in launching a new business or innovating within an existing one.
“The E-celerator exists to inspire students to realize their entrepreneur ial dreams,” said Martin Gahbauer, executive director of the Weigand Center for Professional Excellence.
“The Bluejay Tank competition helps bring that mission to life.”
“ The E-celerator exists to inspire students to realize their entrepreneurial dreams.”
Move-In Before the Holidays!
Spacious All Brick 3+ Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Ranch with a full finished Basement. Large eat-in Kitchen with plenty of oak cabinets and new flooring. 2-1/2 Detached car Garage. Spacious bedrooms, Newer carpet, flooring, updated Bath. Large finished basement and extra storage.. Across the street from Butterfield Park. Close to Shopping and great Expressway access. Pet will be considered on case by case. Great District 205 Schools!! $2,200/mo
Completely Rehabbed Ranch





Professionally remodeled 4 bed / 2 bath Lincoln school ranch. Painted brick exterior w/ new roof, soffit, & fascia/gutters. Open floor plan layout w/ white kitchen w/ huge island, quartz counters & backsplash, eating area, dinette area, & large living room - all w/ new luxury vinyl plank flooring. New SS appliances, recessed lighting, doors, & trim. Main level has 2 bedrooms w/ new carpet, ceiling fans, ample closet space & a remodeled full bathroom w/ designer tilework. The full basement offers 2 bedrooms w/ new carpet, double closets, large family room, remodeled bathroom w/ double sink vanity & walk-in shower & a large laundry room. 2.5 car detached garage.
$514,900

Williamsport Village Condo


Near many local amenities,this condo is ideal for many types of buyers.Nestled @ the furthest point from the community entry & overlooking green space & a beautiful pond,this 2nd floor unit has much to offer.The kitchen opens to a dining room that spills into a generous living room.Enjoy your wonderful patio w/two sliding access doors.In the hallway that leads to the BR area is a full guest Bath. From there, you’ll find the guest BR.Beyond that is the shaded/private primary BR with en-suite full Bath.Complete w/a personal garage space.
$205,000
$477,000


Kenilworth Park Townhome
Just steps from the bars & restaurants of bustling downtown Villa Park, the Kenilworth Park townhome offers high end finishes & fixtures throughout. With three levels of finished living space, it boasts THREE bedrooms and 2.5 baths & a 2 car garage. Its open concept main floor is perfect for entertaining as you grill on your balcony. No expense was spared when customizing this sleek townhome. It’s a perfect spot for a downsizing couple or young professional.
$435,000
$299,900
GlenEllyn
2BR Condo near Downtown Updated 2 Bed / 1 Bath Condo blocks away from Downtown Elmhurst. New Carpet, LR Flooring, SS Appliances (Fridge, Dishwasher, Microwave, and Oven), AC units, etc. This unit includes a built-in breakfast area, dining area, spacious Living/Family Room, balcony and 2 assigned parking spots. Located near Highway Access, Metra, Downtown Elmhurst Bars/Restaurants and much more! 175,000
other utilities. Available immediately. $2,667/mo base rent + gas + electric.

Proposed New Construction
Hinsbrook Construction Build
Proposed new construction by one of DuPage County’s finest builders - Hinsbrook Construction - known for attention to detail and quality that is built to last. Photos are of previous build, many other floor plans available or work with builder to completely customize your ideas. This open floor plan home will feature high-end design features throughout- gourmet kitchen with custom cabinets, large seating island, eating area, top tier stainless appliances, walk-in pantry. Formal dining room with wainscoting. Family room with gas fireplace flanked by custom built-ins. Main level executive office space. Large primary suite with walkin closet, double vanity, soaking tub & custom shower. Large 2nd floor laundry room. Mud room with built-in cubbies. Basement rec room and much more. With this premier 195x195ft (.79 acre) parcel in s ecluded Glen Ellyn on dead end street, there are no limits with what you can do with this space. All within easy access to major transportation routes and just minutes to downtown Glen Ellyn. $1,525,000




Thinking of selling your home and curious what the current estimated value is? Want to track your investment in a recently purchased property? Our premier system is a great starting point.

Please visit www.PrairiePathRealtors.com for a free estimate or contact us anytime for a more in-depth look

Pick of the Week – The event not to be missed!
One Book One Elmhurst events: Monday, Nov. 28
At 7 p.m. at the Frick Center on the Elmhurst University campus, there will be an author visit with Frank Waln, an award-winning Sican gu Lakota Hip Hop artists and music producer who hails from the Rose bud Reservation in South Dakota, but now lives in Chicago. Waln is one of the authors featured in American Like Me. Presented with EU and the Friends of the Public Library. The program will be held in the Frick Center on the campus in-person but is also available live on Zoom. Registration required. elmlib.org/events.
Tuesday, Nov. 29
From 7-8:30 p.m., there will be a book discussion of the “One Book, One Elmhurst” selection, American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures. Held at the Elmhurst His tory Museum, participants will have after-hours access to exhibits. Reser vations required at: elmhursthistory. org/320/Programs.
Sunday, Dec. 4
At 4 p.m., the three ensembles
of Spirito! will perform their Win ter Concert ‘Joy To The World!’ at the Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 Brush Hill Rd. Tickets: spiritosingers.org/events or call 630581-5440.
Sunday, Dec. 11
From 2 – 3 p.m., the Elmhurst His tory Museum plans a holiday pro gram “Victorian Holiday Traditions” at the Churchville Schoolhouse, 3N784 Church Rd. in Bensenville. See how holiday traditions and practices began in the 1800s. Limit: 30 participants. Free to Foundation members, $5 for non-members. Res ervations required. elmhursthistory. org/320/Programs. Info: elmhurst history.org or call 630-833-1457.
Sunday, Dec. 18
At 10 a.m., the public is invited to First Congregational UCC, 235 S. Kenilworth Ave., for “The Gift,” a Christmas Cantata to experience the story of the season. Admission is free; an offering will be collected to support the Music Ministry.
To post a community event, send the information to Independent@rv publishing.com and put “Community Calendar” in the Subject line.
Elmhurst Public Library presents ‘Of Thee I Sing’
Now through Monday, Nov. 28, the Elmhurst Public Library is host ing Of Thee I Sing, a traveling exhibit exploring entertainment, politics and patriotism in Broadway musicals. Located on the 2nd floor, the display coincides with the voting season to frame the history of politics through the lens of musical theater.
Elmhurst History Museum’s exhibit
On display now through May 14, 2023, “In Pursuit of Happiness: Im migrants in Our Communities” is a new exhibit at the Elmhurst History Museum that will explore the unique journeys of area immigrants and their descendants who have carved out a sense of cultural identity and belong ing in this region.
Elmhurst Art Museum
• The first solo museum show of Pilsen-based street artist Sentrock, whose real name is Joseph Perez, is currently on display at the Elmhurst Art Museum now through Sunday, Jan. 15 Info: elmhurstartmuseum. org.
• Now through Jan. 16, 2023, the Elmhurst Art Museum is holding an exhibition in honor of its founder Eleanor King Hookham. In celebra tion of our 25th Anniversary, we are honoring our founder Eleanor King Hookham (1909-2003). She was an educator, internationally exhibiting artist, and the main driving force behind the museum for many de cades. Artwork by Hookham from the museum’s collection will be on view in the McCormick House, along with historical photos and documents that show her leadership in securing the historic home for the museum’s future patrons to enjoy.
See works by the trailblazing Hookham in the McCormick House Children’s Wing including oil paint ings, watercolors, and signature ink and coffee drawings.
Professionally she called herself El King and exhibited around the world.
Info: elmhurstartmuseum.org.


DSCC, Lombard Veterinary Hospital partner to help senior pet owners
DuPage Senior Citizens Council (DSCC) has partnered with Lom bard Veterinary Hospital (LVH) to be the recipient of their “Giving With a Thankful Heart” Campaign.
Throughout the month of Novem ber, Lombard Veterinary Hospital is accepting donations of pet food to benefit DSCC’s Pet Food and Assis tance Service.
DuPage Senior Citizens Council has been partners with Lombard Veterinary Hospital since 2017. LVH is a family-owned business and has been helping pets in DuP age County for more than 60 years.
The partnership between DuPage Senior Citizens Council and Lom bard Veterinary Hospital has been advantageous in boosting the assis tance provided to senior pet owners in DuPage County.
The “Giving With a Thankful Heart” Campaign is an annual pet food drive held by the Lombard Veterinary Hospital since 2018.
Any donations for the drive can be dropped off at Lombard Veterinary Hospital at 1300 S Main St. Lom bard. Some items needed include dog and cat food (small bags pre ferred), treats, and cat litter. This is the second-year donations from the campaign will benefit DSCC. Dona
tions are accepted by LVH and giv en to DuPage Senior Citizens Coun cil where they are then delivered to local seniors who need assistance providing for their companion pets.
“This drive is to assist the many seniors that do not have the resourc es to buy pet food,” SAID DSCC executive director Marylin Krolak. “These seniors often wind up shar ing their own food with their pets.”
By providing this assistance, DSCC and LVH can ensure senior pet owners are able to feed their pets while also being able to enjoy their own meals.
“We are so grateful to Lombard Veterinary Hospital for partnering with us,” Krolak added.

“Helping this great organization in any way has been a rewarding experience for our staff and clients for many years,” said LVH director of operations Greg Ludwig. “We are thrilled to have this become official and are excited for more events to come in the future. Finding ways to help our community is important to us. At the end of the day, we are just happy to help.”
To learn more about both orga nizations, visit www.DuPageSe niorCouncil.org and www.Lom bardVet.com.

Tree Service














Never Known to Fail

Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, blessed mother of the Son of God.

Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my mother.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspa per is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to adver tise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familiar/ sta tus or national origin, or an inten tion to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or le gal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any ad vertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimina tion call HUD toll-free at 1-900669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. EQUAL HOUS ING OPPORTUNITY

CLASSIFIED IN-COLUMN ADS cannot be credited or refunded after the ad has been placed. Ads canceled before deadline will be removed from the paper as a service to our customers, but no credit or refund will be issued to your account.
DISCLAIMER NOTICE This pub lication does not knowingly ac cept fraudulent or deceptive ad vertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all ads, especially those asking for mon ey in advance.
Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth! I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to answer me in this necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3x). Holy Mother, I place this cause in your hands (3xs). Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands (3x). Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, light all roads so that I can attain my goal, you who gave me divine gift to forgive to forgive and forget all evil against me, and that in all instances in my life you are with me. I want in this short prayer to thank you for all things as you confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you in eternal glory.
Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine.
The person must say this prayer 3 consecutive days, after 3 days the request will be granted.
This prayer must be published after the favor is granted. M.P. 351091
S
IC Catholic Prep football team headed back to state championship behind Gliatta’s 4 touchdowns
Historic York football season ends in state semifinals; Dukes finish 12-1
By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENTWhat a difference a year makes. About this time last year, the IC Cath olic Prep football team had just lost a heartbreaking 15-14 game to Byron in the Class 3A state semifinals where Byron scored all its points in the wan ing minutes of the fourth quarter. A year later, no heartbreak whatsoever.
The Knights, behind four more playoff touchdown runs from run ning back Joey Gliatta, delighted their home fans at Lewis Stadium at Plun kett Athletic Complex with a resound ing 35-0 victory over the defending state champions in this Class 3A state semifinal rematch last weekend.
IC Catholic Prep (12-1) moves on to the Class 3A state-champion ship game Friday at 4 p.m. against Williamsville (12-1) at the Univer sity of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium in Champaign. Williamsville, from
near Springfield in Sangamon Coun ty, defeated 2021 state-finalist Tolono Unity 12-7 in the other Class 3A state semifinal. The Knights are headed to the state-championship game for the sixth time in program history, in search of a sixth state title. IC Cath olic Prep has never lost a state title game (5-0 heading into Friday).
In the win against Byron (11-2), IC Catholic Prep jumped out to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter and held that advantage into halftime. The Knights scored a touchdown in the third quarter to go up 21-0 and then bolted on a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter to ice it.
Gliatta, who ran for three touch downs in the overtime victory against Princeton in the quarterfinals, scored a touchdown each in the first and sec ond quarters and added two more in the fourth quarter. Eric Karner caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Dennis Mandala.
IC Catholic Prep has outscored its playoff opponents 167-34 (four games), which includes a pair of shut outs. IC Catholic Prep is the No. 4 seed in the upper-half of the Class 3A bracket, while Williamsville is the
No. 3 seed in the bottom-half of the bracket.
York football
The historic season the York foot ball team has enjoyed came to an end in the Class 8A state semifinals where the Dukes dropped a 30-3 decision to Loyola Academy out of Wilmette in a game played at York’s Clarence D. East Field. York (12-1) set a program record for most wins in a season with 12, won the West Suburban Confer ence Silver Division title outright at 6-0 and made the program’s third ap pearance in a state semifinal contest and first since 2006.
Loyola Academy (12-1) heads to the Class 8A state title game Satur day night in Champaign against Lin coln-Way East (13-0). Lincoln-Way East defeated fellow WSC Silver en trant Glenbard West in the other Class 8A state semifinal. The game will be a matchup of the top two teams in the final regular season Associated Press 8A state poll. York was ranked No. 3 in that poll. Lincoln-Way East is the No. 1 seed in the 32-team Class 8A bracket, while Loyola is the No. 6 seed. York was the No. 2 seed.
IC Catholic Prep football week 14 preview
IC Catholic Prep (12-1) vs. Williamsville (12-1)
What: Class 3A state football championship When: Friday, 4 p.m.
Where: Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of Illinois in Champaign
Seeds: IC Catholic Prep is the No. 4 seed in the top-half of the Class 3A bracket; Williamsville is the No. 3 seed in the bottom half.
Outlook: IC Catholic Prep is back in the state-championship game for the sixth time in program history and first time since 2018. The Knights are a perfect 5-0 in state-championship games, having won crowns in 2018, 2017, 2016, 2008 and 2002. Coach Bill Krefft is after his fourth state title. Bill Schmidt and the late Bob Cozzi were at the helm of the other two. The story of late for the Knights has been the play of running back Joey Gliatta, who has scored seven touchdowns in the last two playoff games — the obvious hot hand. Williamsville, located near Sprinfield, plays in the Sangamo Conference, but did not win the league title, losing to Maroa-Forsyth (a Class 2A state semifinalist). Williamsville quarterback Jake Seman has passed for 2,500 yards and 33 touchdowns (6 interceptions) and has run for 828 more yards and 15 scores. The Bullets played four playoff teams in the regular season and have won their playoff games by scores of 48-20, 1816, 41-21 and 12-7. The Bullets are in their third state-title game since 2014, finishing second in 2014 and winning the 2019 Class 3A state title against Byron. As has been written all season here, don’t bet against the Knights — certainly not in this one.
KROY girls cross country club second at Nike Midwest regional
Runners from York High School qualify for national championship in Oregon
By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENTThe accolades continue to pour in for runners from the York High School girls cross country team. The KROY girls cross country club, which features runners from the state-runner up York girls cross country team, recently took second in the championship division of the Nike Midwest regional in Terre Haute, Indiana. By finishing second, KROY earned a spot in the Saturday, Dec. 3 Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) meet held at Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Oregon.
KROY finished with 73 points. The Prospect Running Club, which features runners from 2022 Class 3A state-champion Prospect High School, won the regional title with 52 points. York finished second to Prospect in Class 3A this fall. In terms of point scoring (due to pres ence of team-unattached runners), Prospect Running Club’s scoring runners went 4, 5, 6, 7 and 30, while KROY went 8, 9, 15, 20 and 21. The Davidson XC Club from Ohio was a very distant third in the team stand ings with 187 points.
York junior Michaela Quinn was 14th in the race with a time of 17:46.7
(5:43 mile average). York senior Bria Bennis was 15th with a time of 17:48.5 (5:44 mile), while York se nior Brooke Berger took 31st with a time of 18:03.7 (5:49 average). York freshman Maggie Quinn was 45th with a time of 18:17.6 (5:53 mile) and York junior Katherine Klimek was 46th with a time of 18:17.8 (5:53 mile). York senior Lily Beerhalter was 49th with a time of 18:18.7 (5:53 mile). York junior Margaret Owens finished 154th in 19:28 (6:16 mile average). A total of 270 runners competed in the championship divi sion.
In the girls frosh-soph race, KROY’s Sophia Galiano-Sanchez, a freshman at York, finished fifth with a time of 19:41.6. York fresh man Paige Byrne was 12th at 20:18.6, while York freshman GiGi Hill was 15th at 20:31.2. York sophomore So phia Stoddard took 22nd in 20:48.6. Freshman Lila Stanley, a freshman at York, was 45th at 21:42.5. York soph omore Adelll Weseloh was 49th in 21:54.9. York freshman Maeve Dai ley was 87th with a time of 23:46.5.
KROY won the Midwest fro sh-soph girls title with 45 points, ahead of second-place Prospect Running Club, which had 58 points.
KROY had four runners finish in the top 10 in terms of team point scoring (not place finish).
In the Girls Open 1 race, KROY’s Anna McGrail, a junior at York, was eighth at 19:40.1. In the combined Open standings, McGrail finished 22nd A total of 434 runners compet ed in the open races.
In the Boys Open 4 race, KROY’s Aidan Hill, a senior at York, won the race in 15:54.1 (5:07 mile average).
York senior Daniel O’Shaughnessy took fifth at 16:24.7 (5:17 mile), York sophomore Max Zangan was 12th in 16:40.6 (5:22 mile). York senior Luke Lestina was 44th in 17:04.6, while York senior Payton
Bryk was 57th in 17:12.5 (5:32 mile) to round out the KROY scoring. In the Boys Open combined standings, Hill won it and O’Shaughnessy fin ished 19th overall. Zangan finished 43rd. The boys open races featured a total of 941 runners. KROY was third as a team in the open standings with 242 points.
Timothy Christian girls basketball team starts season strong with pair of wins
Roland hits for combined 38 points in wins over Proviso West and Evergreen Park
By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENTThe Timothy Christian girls basketball team got its 2022-2023 season off on the right foot with a pair of recent wins. The Trojans defeated Proviso West 42-33 in a non-conference game and then opened play in the co-hosted Timo thy/IC Catholic Prep Thanksgiving tournament with a 42-27 win over Evergreen Park. “Evergreen Park gave us a good matchup,” Timothy Christian coach Jill Groenewold said. “It was a game of momentum. We were down by I think two at
Senior post player Grace Ro land led the Trojans with 21 points. “Grace finished inside well,” Groe newold said. “When your post does that, it’s a good thing.” Timothy trailed 10-8 after one quarter but led 23-22 at halftime. Timothy out scored Evergreen 8-2 in the third and 11-4 in the fourth quarter.
Senior Maddie Drye added 12 points, including a 3-pointer. Tim othy shot 34 percent from the field.
Roland shot 9-for-10 from the freethrow line, while Drye was 5-for6. Roland led the team with nine rebounds, while Drye had five and senior Mili Martens had four re bounds. Martens had four assists and four steals, while Drye had three steals. Timothy blocked five shots with Roland and senior Julia Voss each swatting away two. Earlier, Timothy was a 42-33 winner over Proviso West. Timothy led 8-7 after the first quarter and trailed 18-14 at halftime. Timothy
• Basketball
outscored the Panthers 12-4 in the third quarter and 16-11 in the fourth quarter to bag its first win of the season. “It took a while for us to adjust to their athleticism and how quick they are,” Groenewold said. “We rebounded well and pushed the ball up the court. Maddie and Grace had good games. We were balanced with our inside and out side attack.”
Roland had 17 points while Drye had nine points. Martens added seven points and Voss had four points. Drye made three 3-point ers, while sophomore Sami Drye and Roland each hit one. Maddie Drye led the Trojans with 13 re bounds, while Roland and fresh man Avery Schwarz each pulled in nine rebounds. Maddie Drye had four assists and five steals, while Martens had four steals. Roland blocked four shots and Maddie Drye blocked two.
Roland and Maddie Drye return to give the Trojans two experienced playmakers, while Martens is back as well as a returning starter from a year ago. Mili has done a great job distributing the ball and running our offense the way we want her to,” Groenewold said. “I’m happy with how she is playing.”
Groenewold said Timothy looks to be stronger with its inside game with the addition of Schwarz, a 5-10 freshman, to the team. “I think we will get tougher inside,” Groenewold said. “Avery had nine boards against Proviso West and is learning as a freshman. She is very
physical and boarding well for us.”
Through the first two games, Groenewold saw things that pro vide reasons for optimism. “We are nowhere close to what we can potentially do yet, but we are put ting it together and we are starting to see good things, which is good,” she said. “We are going to try and get the ball up the court quickly and see what that gets us. If not, we’ll go into our offense. That’s a change from last year. We’ll get there.”
Timothy has six seniors on the roster with Roland, Maddie Drye, Martens, Voss, Kailey Jirsa and Victoria Nation. Junior Taylor Parker saw action in the Proviso West game. “The other thing with this group, as a unit they really challenge each other and believe in each other and hold each other accountable, which is really nice to see at this time of the year,” Groe newold said. “Our junior class is learning, and they are getting there, and they should be good as well. Through two games we struggled a little, but we are learning a lot. That’s my fairest assessment. If we can win while struggling, that’s a good thing.”
Groenewold said the IC Cath olic Prep, St. Francis and Aurora Central Catholic are teams to keep an eye on in the Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division. “I don’t think we will get any easy games night in and night out in our con ference,” she said. The Timothy Christian/ICCP tournament wraps up play Saturday.
SUMM
Ron Mason Cole
7746 Gallego Plains Drive Las Vegas, NV 89113 626-862-6673 ronmcole@gmail.com Self-Represented
DISTRICT COURT CLARK COUNTY, NEVADA
Ron Mason Cole Plaintiff, -VSKarinne Loraine Cole Defendant. Case No. D-22-654023-D Dept No T
SUMMONS
NOTICE! YOU HAVE BEEN SUED. THE COURT MAY DECIDE AGAINST YOU WITHOUT YOUR BEING HEARD UNLESS YOU RESPOND IN
First Congregational UCC to perform Christmas Cantata


The Music Ministry of First Congregational UCC of Elmhurst, 235 S. Kenilworth Av., led by music minister Jim Molina is presenting a Christmas Cantata, “The Gift”, on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. The public is invited to experience the story of the birth of Christ in song and word. The volunteer choir is assisted with gifted section support. Admission is free and an offering will be collected which helps support the Music Ministry.
LEGAL NOTICES
WRITING WITHIN 20 DAYS. READ THE INFORMATION BELOW VERY CAREFULLY.
To the above-named Defendant. A civil Complaint has been filed by the Plaintiff against you for the relief set forth in the Complaint. This action is brought to recover a judgment dissolving the contract of marriage existing between Plaintiff and Defendant


1. If you intend to defend this lawsuit, within 20 days after this Summons is served on you, exclusive of the day of service, you must do the following:
(a) File with Clerk of this Court, whose address is shown below, a formal written answer to the Complaint in accordance with the rules of the Court.
(b) Pay the required filing fee to the court, or file an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis and request a waiver of the filing fee
(c) Serve a copy of your response upon the attorney or person whose name and address is shown below
2. Unless you respond, your default will be entered upon application of the Plain tiff and failure to so respond will result in a judgment of default against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint, which could result the taking of money or property or other relief requested in the Complaint.
3. If you intend to seek the advice of an attorney in this matter, you should promptly so that your response may be filed on time.
4. The State of Nevada, its political sub divisions, agencies, officers, employees, board members, commission members and legislators each have 45 days after service of this Summons within which to file an Answer or other responsive pleading to the Complaint
STEVEN D. GRIERSON, CLERK OF COURT
By: Signature of Deputy Clerk, 10/3/2022
Deputy Clerk Date Family Court and Services Center 601 North Pecos Road Las Vegas, NV 89155
Las Vegas, NV 89155
Issued on behalf of the Plaintiff
/s/ Ron Mason Cole 7746 Gallego Plains Drive Las Vegas, NV 89113 626-862-6673
ronmcole@gmail.com
Self-Represented (Published in The Elmhurst Independent Nov. 24, Dec. 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2022) 429162
LEGAL NOTICE
CITY OF ELMHURST, ILLINOIS
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED ANNUAL 2023 BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF ELMHURST, ILLINOIS
Notice is hereby given that pursuant to Section 65 ILCS 5/8-2-9.9 of the Illinois Municipal Code, a public hearing will be held at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, December 5, 2022, before the corporate authorities of the City of Elmhurst. This hearing is to give the public an opportunity to provide written and oral comments and to ask questions con cerning the proposed annual budget.
The proposed annual budget is available for inspection at City Hall, 209 North York and the Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect, Elmhurst, Illinois. The proposed budget can also be accessed on the City’s website at www.elmhurst.org/260/budget.
/s/ Amanda Melone____ Amanda Melone, Deputy City Clerk
Note: Any person who has a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in this meeting, should contact Emily Wagner, ADA Compliance Officer, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., City of Elmhurst, 209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126, or call 630-530-8095 TDD, within a reasonable time before the meeting. Please provide as much notice as possible for sign language interpreting requests.
(Published in The Elmhurst Independent Nov. 24, 2022) 429039
IC Catholic Prep boys bowling team kicks off play in Chicago Catholic League

Senior captain Gunther averages 239 during first week, signs letter of intent to bowl at University of St. Francis
By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENTWhile IC Catholic Prep boys sports teams will join the Chica go Catholic League next year, the Knights’ boys bowling team got a head start. The Knights are new members of the Chicago Catholic League and got off to a solid start, coach Dan Gunther noted.
IC Catholic Prep senior captain Jacob Gunther averaged a 239 for the first week with a 718 series, while new bowler Jacob Dominick, a freshman, averaged 222 with a 668 series. “We have started off the sea son great,” Dan Gunther said. “We took two games out of three for our first week. Our season is 11 weeks long and we hope to make a run for a conference title.”
In addition to Gunther, the Knights also return seniors Jacob Sloan, Nick Alaimo, Gavin Rickert and Marco
Rodriguez. Sophomore Luke Beck man is also back. “Our season looks promising,” Dan Gunther said. “The boys have been working hard and improving.” Two additional new bowlers to the team are sophomores PJ Dolan and freshman Enrique Cortes, “who have been working hard as well,” Gunther noted.

In addition to joining the Chicago Catholic League, Dan Gunther noted that Jacob Gunther recently signed his letter of intent to continue his ac ademic and athletic career at the Uni versity of St. Francis in Joliet next fall.
“St. Francis is a very competi tive and nationally ranked bowling program that won the NAIA men’s championship in 2021, and were runners-up in 2022,” Dan Gunther explained. “We are very excited for Jacob. He is the first ever-student at IC to sign for the sport of bowling.”
IC Catholic Prep girls basketball team defeats Niles North
By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENTThe IC Catholic Prep girls basket ball team kicked off its season with a 51-20 win over Niles North in an open ing-round game of the ICCP-Timothy Christian co-hosted Elmhurst Classic Thanksgiving tournament. IC Catho lic Prep led 11-5 after the first quarter and 23-9 at intermission. The Knights increased the lead to 35-17 at halftime. “We had well-rounded scoring,” IC Catholic Prep coach Todd Fisher said. “That could be how we kind of go this year.”
Junior Analisa Raffaelli (5-7, guard-forward) led the Knights with 11 points, while junior Kelsey Mc Donough (5-4, guard) had 10 points.
Junior Allie Geiger (5-11, forward-cen ter) and sophomore Grazie Narcisi (56, guard) each had eight points. “Ev erybody scored, which is a great thing to see,” Fisher said.
Fisher said multiple players who are scoring threats will be a strength coming on the heels of standout Claire Wagner graduating. “Claire was our leading scorer and rebounder,” he pointed out. “Scoring-wise, teams know you had to at least stop Claire. This year, if you want to stop one kid, we have a lot more weapons.”
proved not only inside, but also attack ing from the perimeter with her 3-point shot. She’s not afraid to knock them down. Her game has improved, and her strength has improved. This group was dedicated over the summer. They have been working very hard.”

Senior Mia McMillen (5-11, center) is also back. Newcomers to the squad include junior Jenny Fromelt (5-10, forward-center), junior Mae Bigane (57, guard-forward), sophomore Maura Grogan (5-11, center) and junior Kay la Carrillo (5-5, guard-forward). “We expect all these kids to contribute sig nificantly this year,” Fisher said. “We think we have a deep team. We trust all these kids in any situation in the game. They aren’t just one-position play ers. They can play multiple positions. From a coaching standpoint, there is a lot of different matchups and a lot of different things we can do.”
and will again play the likes of Chi cago Marian Catholic and Chicago Latin School. “Our non-conference schedule is not easy,” Fisher said. “If we are looking at the ultimate goal, we made the Sweet 16 last year and lost to a good Chicago Butler team. We have some pretty lofty goals this year.”
Fisher said the Knights continue to be a work in progress with numerous players having a delayed arrival to the team due to fall sports success. Narcisi and McDonough enjoyed girls cross country success, while Fromelt and Grogan were part of the IC Catholic Prep girls volleyball team that took second in the state.
Barr was the recipient of the 2019-2020 York Val Cothern junior female athlete of the year award. Barr went over the 1,000-career kill threshold last fall for the Dukes girls volley ball team and still has a season to add to that total.

Hats off to the York football team for its historic 2022 season. The Dukes reached the state semifinals for the third time in program history, while becoming the first team in the program’s history to enjoy a 9-0 perfect regular season and win 12 games in a season. York also won the West Suburban Conference Silver Division title outright at 6-0. Over the last two seasons, York is 20-3 under the direction of coach Mike Fitzgerald.
Geiger, Raffaelli and McDonough are returning starters from last year’s Knights team that reached the Class 2A sectional final round. All three are juniors. Raffaelli is a three-year varsity player, while Geiger and Mc Donough are returning all-Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division players. Geiger also was named to the IBCA Class 2A all-state third team.
“We have some versatility,” Fisher pointed out. “Allie is very versatile. She could go inside and she could be a perimeter player. Her game has im
Fisher is excited about the depth the team has from a ball-handling stand point as well. “We have three very good ball-handlers,” he said. “Right now, Kelsey is our main ball-handler. It will come down to defense and re bounding for us. Losing Claire Wag ner—we lost a big rebounder, a kid who led us in rebounding. Now, we need kids to step up and kind of pick up what we lost in rebounding. Rebound ing will be a work in progress, but these kids played well for it being their first game. Niles North had height and wanted to get the ball inside against us. For the most part, our post defense was good. Maura played a great defensive game against them.”
Fisher said he added numerous new teams to the schedule. Besides the in-town Thanksgiving tournament, ICCP will again head to the Reavis pre-holiday tournament that has some new teams this year, Fisher noted. The Knights will head back to Lisle
“We aren’t anywhere near where we need to be at this point of the sea son,” he said. “We had some kids have some success in the fall and that’s a great problem to have. If you look back to last year, we didn’t start play ing our best ball until the Christmas tournament and onward. In the middle of December, we went on a nice run there. I can’t predict what will happen, but this is a good problem to have. The kids have had a lot of success. We’ll go in each day and implement something new and go back and review. Niles North was the first time we’ve had something competitive this season. It’s going to be good film to watch. The kids were already talking about stuff after the game, what they need to work on and what we need to improv on.”
Fisher said St. Francis and Timothy will be among the top-tier teams in the Metro Suburban Blue. “St. Francis is the defending champion, we took sec ond and Timothy took third and Aurora Central Catholic is in there, too,” he said. Play wraps up in the ICCP-Timo thy Thanksgiving tournament Saturday.
Elmhurst happenings
Here are some upcoming events in Elmhurst you won’t want to miss:

Filipina small business Saturday market this Saturday, Nov. 26
From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Brewpoint Craft, 617 N. York St., stop by for coffee and shop at a number of Filipina owned small businesses. Know of any Fil-Am makers? We’ve still got a few open vendor spaces. Give us a DM via In stagram as we’d love to feature them. For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/ filipina-small-business-saturday-market-tick ets-458667485797.
City Centre Penguin Contest
Recurring daily, starting Saturday, Nov. 26 through Jan. 4, 2023, the penguins are march ing into Elmhurst City Centre this holiday season. Search the city’s merchants’ windows and stores for adorable plush penguins to win a prize. Pick up a game card at your favorite merchant or download at our website. Over
100 prizes!
For more information, visit: www.discov erdupage.com/event/city-centre-penguin-con test/6260.
Tree Lighting at Wilder Park Dec. 1
Starting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at Wilder Park, join the Elmhurst Park District to kick off the holiday season. Visit with Santa while enjoying games, family photo opportu nities, holiday music and more. Purchase and decorate one of the 60 trees lining the park and join in this local annual tradition. The People’s Choice Award for tree decorations returns this year. In order to participate, your tree must be decorated by Sunday, Nov. 27. For more infor mation, call 630-993-8900 or visit: www.epd. org/news/tree-lighting.
Elmhurst University Festival
Lessons and Carols Dec. 2
community to welcome a joyful and spiritual season.
This year’s celebration of the tradition will take place on Friday, Dec. 2, in Hammer schmidt Memorial Chapel on the campus of Elmhurst University. The university will of fer two Lessons and Carols services, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to accommodate the popularity of the event. Doors will open half an hour before each start time. The event is free and all are welcome.
For those who cannot attend in person, the 7 p.m. service will be livestreamed at elmhurst. edu/bluejaytv.
For more information, email marketing@ elmhurst.edu.
Sentrock Pop-up Shop Dec. 3
From 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Elm hurst Art Museum, 150 S. Cottage Hill Ave., Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to pur chase limited-edition artwork and merchandise by the artist Sentrock. These highly sought-af ter items, related to his first solo museum show The Boy Who Wanted to Fly, will be available at this pop-up shop. Museum members re ceive early access with a line forming at 1 p.m.
of

The Elmhurst University Festival of Les sons and Carols draws together the campus and
Cantigny program Dec. 1 to feature Elmhurst resident
The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park continues its Date with History series on Thursday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. CT with “Chica go’s Arsenal of Democracy,” a presentation by historian Jerome M. O’Connor. He will discuss the mobilization of our region’s factories to support the U.S. military during World War II.
The public can attend the free lecture in person or online. If attending in person, at the Cantigny Park Visitors Center, registration is not required. Online viewers should register at FDMuseum.org to receive a Zoom link.
More than 1,400 Chicago companies con verted almost overnight from peacetime to war production in the early-to-mid 1940s. It was the first major introduction of women into the labor force and ranks as the most successful mobilization of brains and muscles in Ameri can history. The presentation will feature rare images from the era, including the factories as they were and as they are now, plus the largest
war factory ever built.
About the presenter
Longtime Elmhurst resident Jerome M. O’Connor, a U.S. Navy veteran, is the author of “The Hidden Places of World War II: The Extraordinary Sites Where History Was Made During the War That Saved Civilization,” pub lished in 2019. He has been a professional journalist since his 20s while simultaneously building a firm specializing in internation al travel and study programs for professional associations. In 2001, O’Connor received the U.S Naval Institute’s “Author of the Year” award for revealing the near-intact existence of Nazi Germany’s five massive U-boat bunker bases along the French Atlantic coast.

The First Division Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admis sion is free with paid parking of $5 per car. Vis it FDMuseum.org for more details.


Can’t-miss events throughout DuPage County
Editor’s note: Our next DuPage Destina tions section will be published Thursday, Dec. 8. If you have information on an event in DuP age County taking place after Dec. 8 that you would like us to consider listing here, please email that information to: news1@rvpublishing.com
Ongoing

North Suburban Carvers meetings
The North Suburban Carvers meet on the first and third Mondays of each month at the Wood Dale Public Library from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Anyone interested in carving, power carving, wood burning or special finishing techniques is welcome. North Suburban Carvers is a non-profit organization that promotes carving

in the Chicago area. For more information, vis it: northsurburbancarvers.com

Now through Saturday, Nov. 26
Wheaton French Market
The market is open Saturdays from 8 a.m.2 p.m. Oct. 29 and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 5 through Nov. 26 on Reber Street between Wil low Avenue and Liberty Drive in downtown Wheaton. For more information, visit: https:// bensidounusa.com/wheaton/.
Now through Jan. 8, 2023
Winter Lights at Central Park, Oak Brook From 4:30-9:30 p.m. at the park, 1510 For
The Festival of Lessons and Carols is an Elmhurst University tradition that bridges the season of Advent and Christmastide. Held since 1961, the festival consists of nine Scrip tural readings that tell the story of the birth of the Messiah, interspersed with choral music. The Elmhurst University choirs will perform time-honored songs to accompany each read ing and set the holiday mood.

Non-member line begins at 2 p.m. Be sure to bring your museum membership card and ID to take advantage of early entry to this event.
Admission: $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, students/children 18-and-under, free. Members are free.
For more information, visit: www.elm hurstartmuseum.org/events/sentrock-pop-upshop.







Guide
• Events

(Continued from page 17)
est Gate Road, bundle up and enjoy a half mile walk through the beauti fully lit park. Discover dancing trees, inspirational signs, colorful rainbow arches, cascading snowflakes, and musical hearts throughout this scenic walk. There will be photo opportu nities throughout the walk. Inclusive and accessible. Anyone can walk or roll through the light show on our paved pathways. Dogs are allowed on a leash. For more information, call 630-990-4660 or visit: www.obparks. org/winterlights.
Now through Sunday, Jan. 17

Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum, Lisle
Join in celebrating the 10th annual Illumination: Tree Lights at The Mor ton Arboretum during the Arbore tum’s 100th anniversary year. Explore 50 acres of the Arboretum’s majestic trees during this one-of-a-kind spec tacle of color, light, and sound fea turing six dazzling new displays as well as returning favorites. Tickets are between $10-$22 for members and $16-$27 for nonmembers. For ques tions about purchasing tickets, email: tickets@mortonarb.org For more in formation, visit: https://mortonarb. org/explore/activities/exhibitions/illu mination/
Friday, Nov. 25
Tree lighting in Downers Grove
Starting at 4:30 p.m. and presented by the Village of Downers Grove, Join the village in the annual tree lighting ceremony in downtown Downers Grove at the Main Street train station. For more information, visit: http:// events.downers.us/tree-lighting-cere mony

Polar Market, Glen Ellyn

From 2-5 p.m. at the Crescent park ing lot, presented by the Glen Ellyn Park District, get in the holiday spirit at the Park District’s inaugural Polar Market. Enjoy holiday shopping, car olers performing winter classics, ice skating (bring your own skates from home), and even a visit with St. Nick himself. Popcorn and hot chocolate will be available for purchase. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit: https:// gepark.org/polar-plaza
Holiday Parade of Lights, Naperville

Starting at 7 p.m. in downtown Naperville (Jackson and Webster streets), The Rotary Club of Naper ville, in partnership with the Down town Naperville Alliance, will hold

the annual Holiday Parade of Lights through downtown Naperville. The parade will travel through the heart of downtown under the twinkling lights. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to celebrate the season. Immediately following the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit with kids inside the Naperville Public Library until 9 p.m. For more information, visit: napervil lerotaryparade.org
Friday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 27
College of DuPage Theater pres ents: A Christmas Carol
At 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25 and at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 26 and 27, the College of DuPage Theater presents the classic Charles Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge at the College of DuPage’s Belushi Per formance Hall in the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Boulevard. Tick ets are $16 for adults, $14 for youths. For more information, call 630-9424000 or visit: https://www.atthemac. org/events/a-christmas-carol
assortment of holiday gifts in the Wild Side Gift Shop. Admission is free. For more information, visit: https://cos leyzoo.org/festival-of-lights
Friday, Nov. 25 through Jan. 9, 2023
Night of Lights, Adams Park, Wheaton
Recurring daily at Adams Park, 303 W. Wesley St., Adams Park will be lit up with 57,500 bulbs, making the downtown a festive destination “where the treetops glisten.” This year, the holiday spectacle will return the Friday after Thanksgiving, but with thousands more bulbs and new features. For more information, vis it: www.discoverdupage.com/event/ night-of-lights/6200
Saturday, Nov. 26 through Sunday, Nov. 27
The Nutcracker at Hinsdale Cen tral High School
Saturday, Nov. 26 through Dec. 17
Holiday afternoon tea at Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace
Recurring weekly on Saturdays at Drury Lane Theatre & Events, 100 Drury Lane, at 1 p.m., Indulge in Holiday Afternoon Tea while our live pianist plays your favorite carols. Keep warm with seasonal teas, enjoy unlimited champagne, and take your pick of enticing desserts. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance.
Price: adults $55, children 12-and-un der: $30. Elf the Musical tickets not included. For more information, vis it: https://lucillerestaurant.com/holi day-events

Sunday, Nov. 27
Itasca’s Winter Wonderland tree-lighting
formation, contact the Sports Hub at 630-260-6060.
Friday, Dec. 2

Snow Much Fun, Westmont
From 5-8 p.m. at 55 E. Richmond St., presented by the Westmont Park District, whether there is snow or no snow, you are bound to have a fun time celebrating the frosty spirit of winter. Enjoy some holiday cheer when you take selfies in Santa’s sleigh or in the giant snow globe. Slide down the in flatable slide for a nominal fee. Take a mule-drawn wagon ride around the park. Stroll along the pathway and be enchanted by all the twinkling lights on the community decorated Christ mas trees. The Green Valley Dog Sled Drivers and their rescue Huskies will be demonstrating dog sledding on the baseball field. There will be a flurry of outdoor fun and games for everyone. Admission: Free. For more informa tion, visit: www.westmontparks.org/ event/snow-much-fun-2022
Chicago
Tardis 2022 at the Westin, Lombard
Named by The Guardian as one of the best conventions for U.S. Whovi ans, Chicago Tardis is the Midwest’s largest Doctor Who event, bringing together fans every Thanksgiving weekend to celebrate the world’s lon gest-running science fiction television show.
For more information, visit: www. chicagotardis.com Friday, Nov. 25 through Friday, Dec. 30
A Christmas Carol at Drury Theatre and Events, Oakbrook Terrace
Continue your tradition or start a new one by gathering the whole fam ily for the 30th anniversary of Drury Lane Theatre’s heartwarming produc tion. Complete with falling snow and magical illusions. Recurring weekly on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. To purchase tickets and show information, call 630-530-0111.
Festival of Lights and Christmas tree sales, Wheaton From 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and 3-9 p.m. Monday through Friday at Cosley Zoo (lights come on at 3 p.m.), a winter visit to the zoo has become a favorite family tra dition. Cosley Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights, an amazing selec tion of Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery, hot chocolate, and a unique
At 1:30 and 5 p.m. Nov. 26 and at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Hinsdale Cen tral Auditorium, 5500 S. Grant St., Salt Creek Ballet’s The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition. The production also features an annual favorite, The Sugar Plum Party, taking place directly after the Sunday matinee. Santa will be on hand for the Saturday shows.
For tickets and more information, visit: https://vivenu.com/event/saltcreek-ballet-presents-the-nutcracker45h6
Gather in Usher Park to await Santa, Mrs. Claus and their holiday friends’ arrival at 4:20 p.m. from the North Pole. While waiting, enjoy listening to the Holiday Dickens Carolers, and enjoy sipping something warm from the hot chocolate and cookie stations.
Monday, Nov. 28
Glendale Heights hosting tree lighting ceremony, Victorian Christmas
The Village of Glendale Heights is celebrating the start of the holiday season with the annual tree lighting ceremony, which begins at 7:15 p.m. The location is TBD. For more in
Warrenville Holly Days
From 6-8 p.m. at the Warrenville Park District, 3S260 Warren Ave., at the corner of Tracy Place and Warren Avenue, whether you want a picture of your child with Santa or the look on their face when Santa arrives on his sleigh, you are in for a treat. The city holiday tree will be lit, there will be free horse-drawn carriage rides, and you can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. Admission is free.
For over 30 years, Wintrust Community Banks have gone above and beyond for the people and places we work and live. We’re proud to invest in, give back to, and empower our communities. That’s why we’re ranked #1 in customer satisfaction in retail banking in Illinois by J.D. Power.




ECCI reminder: Don’t miss ‘Small Business Saturday’
mhurst Chamber of Commerce & In dustry (ECCI).
Since its 2010 inception by Ameri can Express, Small Business Saturday has generated some $163 billion in
spending. In 2021—the pro
THE LADIES ROOM
gram’s 12th Anniversary year—an esti mated 110 million consumers shopped and/or dined on Small Business Satur day, generating a record $23.3 billion in spending, an increase of 18 percent from 2020 ($19.8 billion), according to the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, which was conducted by Teneo on behalf of American Ex press and the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB).
Survey responses from 2021 indi cated that 64 percent of consumers who shopped or dined on Small Busi ness Saturday did so with the mindset of supporting underrepresented busi nesses within their communities. The survey also revealed that online shop ping—a source of small business rev enue growth during the Coronavirus Pandemic—increased slightly in 2021, with 58 percent of shoppers making a purchase online, compared to 2020 (56 percent) and 2019 (43 percent). Nearly four out of every five Small Business Saturday consumers (79 percent) un derstood the importance of supporting the small businesses in their communi
ty and two out of every three (66 per cent) reported that the day makes them want to “Shop Small” all year long. Today, small businesses (500 em ployees or less) account for nearly 33.2 million U.S. businesses, employ 46.4 percent of those working in the private sector and create two out of every three new jobs.

This holiday season is projected to generate up to $695 billion in sales for U.S. small businesses. More important ly, 68 percent of every $1 spent at a lo cal small business stays in the commu nity, as compared to 44 percent from a big box retailer. Nearly four out of every five independent retails (78 per cent) stated that holiday sales are criti cal in order for them to stay in business. For many communities, sales tax es account for a municipality’s largest source of operating budget revenue, often offsetting any need for a property tax increase. Home-rule municipalities benefit more from local taxes on food and beverage, retail, lodging, motor fuel, etc., than from their residential and commercial property taxpayers.
ECPA offers Winter Carolers
The Elmhurst Centre for Performing Arts (ECPA) is thrilled to present the return of the ECPA Winter Carolers, this year featuring the talented York High School Madrigals.
The Madrigals will be spreading holiday cheer on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 18 under the direction of Becky Marianetti, York High School drama director and choir director, as well as ECPA Board member.
Visits from the popular Winter Carolers are available for purchase beginning Friday, Nov. 25 at 8 a.m. More information can be found, and visits can be secured at www.ECPA-Elmhurst.org under the EVENTS tab.








White Pines to host Breakfast with Santa Dec. 17-18



Space is limited; make reservations now for this family event
Enjoy a holiday breakfast, enjoy holiday crafts and activities and get your photo taken with Santa at the White Pines Golf Club’s Breakfast with Santa, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sat urday and Sunday, Dec. 17 and 18.
The buffet breakfast includes mini pancakes, a waffle station, sausage and bacon, eggs, breakfast potatoes, assorted pastries, fruit and assorted beverages. There’s also a kids’ sta tion with favorites such as chicken

nuggets, tater tots and macaroni and cheese.

There are kids’ crafts and activ ities as well, but the highlight is a visit from Santa Claus and the chance for kids to interact with him and have their photo taken. Photo albums are posted to the park dis trict website for download follow ing the event.
“This is one of my favorite events of the year,” said White Pines PGA

Manager Andrew Godfrey. “It is great to see the smiles on the chil dren’s faces when they interact with Santa.”
Registration for White Pines’ Breakfast with Santa is already un derway, and spaces are limited to just 20 homes per date. The fee is $25 for adults and $15 for children aged 3 to 17. Those 2 and under are free. Register by calling 630-7660304 ext. 2.

Goodie goodie!












This little girl checks out some goodies at one of last year’s holiday events.


Joyful Traditions to be held Dec. 3 from 4-8 p.m. at Ruggard Gazebo
The event will feature a free pho to with Santa courtesy of JW Reedy from 5:00-8:00.
*Character photo-ops (Mickey, the Grinch): 5:00 - 8:00
*Trolley with stops at St Nick’s Mart (library) and the historical museum (raffle & more) : 5:008:00
*Petting zoo and pony rides:
5:00 - 8:00
*Food trucks: My Funnel Truck, Tickle my Tamale, Spoon Burger, & Hat Trick BBQ!
There will be a S’mores station plus free hot chocolate provided by the VFW.
Head across the street to Stan dard Meadery for their pop-up cookie event and an adult beverage.
All in the family
Lombard Historical Society Christmas events on Maple Street
The Lombard Historical Society announces Christmas 2022 Events on Maple Street. Mark your cal endars for the Victorian House Tours, Jingle Bell Jubilee and a Virtual Victorian Christmas Tea. For details and more information about these events, please visit lombardhistory.org/events, email info@lombardhistory.org, or call 630.629.1885.
Jingle Bell Jubilee
Jingle Bell Jubilee kicks off with the tree lighting in Lilacia Park at 5:30 p.m., December 3, 2022. Catch up with Jingles downtown from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

The Maple Street Chapel will feature performers singing a vari ety of seasonal holiday songs. Con cert time will be from 5:45-7pm.
The Lombard Bible Church will present The Stephen Uhl Trio in concert performing a variety of sea sonal favorites and other delights at 6:00 p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m.. Enjoy hot cocoa, cookies, and chil dren’s crafts afterwards in the gym.
The Lombard Historical Society Victorian Cottage tours are 15 min utes long with the first tour starting at 5:45 p.m. and the last tour de parting at 8:00 p.m. The festooned Victorian Cottage will be decorated in the style of a Victorian Christ mas with all the sights, sounds and aromas of a homespun holiday.
The Chicago Carolers will be singing on the front porch of the Cottage from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., and in the newly renovated Carriage House from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Tick ets are required and can be picked up in person starting at 5 p.m. at the Carriage House. First come first serve.
Decorate traditional Dandiya dance sticks, provided by the Na tional Indo-American Museum, in the Carriage House, from 5:45-8 p.m. (while supplies last).
Warm up, and start a new tra dition, with hot cocoa, hand pies, whoopie pies and marshmallow pops from Ferdie’s Cabin Food Truck.
Victorian Cottage Christmas Tours

Can’t make it to the Jingle Bell Jubilee? Enjoy the smaller, more leisurely guided tour of the Victori an Cottage with its lush floral deco rations and the heady aromas of the season. This is an opportunity to geek out for Christmas and Victori ana. Tours are 45 minutes and leave on the hour: 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00
p.m. on select dates: Dec. 9, 10, 16, and 23. On Dec. 17, the tours leave at noon and 1 p.m. On Dec. 24, the tours leave at noon, 1 and 2 p.m. Group size is limited to 12 people. Reservations are required. Tickets are $5. Children 12 and under are free. See Lombard Historical Soci ety website for Victorian Cottage Christmas Tour tickets.

Virtual Victorian Christmas Tea – Dec. 17 at 3p.m. Learn about Victorian Christmas traditions with this virtual Victori an Tea. General attendance is free; A $10 ticket will get you a box of goodies that includes a tea cup and sweets to enjoy during the event. Register to receive the zoom link.
Christmas Express Family Night
Christmas Express Family Night
Christmas Express Family Night
Who? Preschool and kindergarten families
Christmas Express Family Night
Who?
Who? Preschool and kindergarten families
It’s the holiday season!
This group of workers helped with a holiday celebration at last year’s Breakfast with Santa held at White Pines Golf Course.

What? A night of Christmas fun for the whole family
Christmas Express Family Night
Who? Preschool and kindergarten families
What? A night of Christmas fun for the whole family
What? A night of Christmas fun for the whole family
Who? Preschool and kindergarten families
When? December 2, 2022 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm
What? A night of Christmas fun for the whole family
When? December 2, 2022 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm
When? December 2, 2022 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Who? Preschool and kindergarten families
What? A night of Christmas fun for the whole family
When? December 2, 2022 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Where? St. John's Lutheran School - 220 S. Lincoln Ave. Lombard IL 60148
Where? St. John's Lutheran School - 220 S. Lincoln Ave. Lombard IL 60148
Where? St. John's Lutheran School - 220 S. Lincoln Ave. Lombard IL 60148
When? December 2, 2022 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm
What? A night of Christmas fun for the whole family
Where? St. John's Lutheran School - 220 S. Lincoln Ave. Lombard IL 60148
Where? St. John’s Lutheran School - 220 S. Lincoln Ave. Lombard IL 60148
When? December 2, 2022 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Cocoa & cookies with Santa, crafts, dramatic play stations and STEM activities!
Cocoa & cookies with Santa, crafts, dramatic play stations and STEM activities!
Cocoa & cookies with Santa, crafts, dramatic play stations and STEM activities!
Cocoa & cookies with Santa, crafts, dramatic play stations and STEM activities!
Cocoa & cookies with Santa, crafts, dramatic play stations and STEM activities!
Where? St. John's Lutheran School - 220 S. Lincoln Ave. Lombard IL 60148
If you plan to join the fun, please email St. John's school office at sjschooloffice@sjleagles.com by November 30th.
Cocoa & cookies with Santa, crafts, dramatic play stations and STEM activities!

If you plan to join the fun, please email St. John's school office at sjschooloffice@sjleagles.com by November 30th.
If you plan to join the fun, please email St. John’s school office at sjschooloffice@sjleagles.com by November 30th.
If you plan to join the fun, please email St. John's school office at sjschooloffice@sjleagles.com by November 30th.
If you plan to join the fun, please email St. John's school office at sjschooloffice@sjleagles.com by November 30th.
Pre-register on 12/2 and receive a $25.00 discount on the registration fee.

Pre-register on 12/2 and receive a $25.00 discount on the registration fee.
Pre-register on 12/2 and receive a $25.00 discount on the registration fee.
If you plan to join the fun, please email St. John's school office at sjschooloffice@sjleagles.com by November 30th.
Pre-register on 12/2 and receive a $25.00 discount on the registration fee.
Pre-register on 12/2 and receive a $25.00 discount on the registration fee.

Elmhurst Express Trolley is back for the holidays
The City of Elmhurst is excited to announce the Explore Elmhurst Trolley is back for the holiday edi tion “Holly Trolley” on Saturdays November 26 through December 17 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The trolley will follow the same route as the summer trolley program.
Hop-on-board for some holiday fun! While onboard, riders will re ceive a guide to special offers from businesses in town and have a chance to enter-to-win prizes!
Route: No tickets are needed to ride the Explore Elmhurst Holly Trolley connecting downtown El mhurst with the Spring Road busi ness District and York and Vallette Business District. Special Explore Elmhurst signs will mark each stop. Parking is conveniently located near each trolley stop.
Trolley stops:
1. York and Park
2. York and Schiller
3. Second and Addison
4. Cottage Hill and Virginia

5. Spring and the Illinois Prairie Path
6. York and Vallette
Where’s the trolley? Don’t waste your time thinking about when the trolley will arrive at each stop.
Handicapped accessible
The Explore Elmhurst Express is handicapped accessible and
ADA-compliant.
Strollers & Bikes: Strollers that collapse or fit into the seating area of the trolley are welcome on the trol ley. If your stroller will not collapse, please leave it off the trolley. Bikes are not allowed on the trolley. The trolley does not have onboard stor age and it is against fire code to place strollers or bikes in the aisle.
Enter to Win Prizes!: Ask the trol ley driver for a free ticket an enterto-win weekly prizes while riding the trolley.





Special Guests on the Trolley

Saturday, Nov. 26:
• Elmhurst Firefighter Storytime (2 p.m.)
• Elmhurst Choral Union Carolers (4-6 p.m.)
Saturday, Dec. 3:
• Frozen Character “Anna” and “Elsa” (10am - noon)
• Elmhurst Police Officer Story time (2 p.m.)
Saturday, Dec. 10:




• Elmhurst History Holiday Tour (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• Frozen Character “Anna” and “Elsa” (2 - 4 p.m.)

• Elmhurst Choral Union Carolers (4-6 p.m.)
Saturday, Dec. 17:
• Frozen Characters “Anna” and “Elsa” (noon - 2 p.m.)
• Elmhurst Library Storytime on the Trolley (2 p.m.)
Share Your Photos by tagging #ExploreElmhurst on your RIDE!
For the safety and courtesy of yourself and others while riding the
