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On Monday, Dec. 5 at 11:41 a.m., Elmhurst police and fire departments responded to a home on the 700 block of N. Junior Terrace for a traffic crash involving a single vehicle that struck a home.

Upon arrival, officers learned the driver of a white 2012 BMW X6 M had been driving south on Junior Terrace at an excessive speed, lost control, and crossed into a residential yard before striking the front-facing garage of a residential home. Elmhurst paramedics examined the BMW’s three occupants and transported two adult passengers to Elmhurst Hospital with minor injuries. The BMW driver was not injured. The home was occupied at the time of the crash but none of the residents were injured.

Investigation has determined at the time of the collision, the vehicle was being operated by an employee of WIN Auto Plaza, 704 W. Lake Street, Elmhurst. The employee was taking the vehicle on a test drive for the two passengers. The crash scene was investigated by evidence technicians and the damaged vehicle impounded.

The driver was identified as Vladyslav Vityk, an 18-year-old male, who was arrested at the scene and charged with reckless driving, disobeying a traffic control device, improper lane usage, and driving too fast for conditions. Vityk was transported to the Elmhurst Police Department, processed, and released on bond with a DuPage County Circuit Court date.

A review will be conducted to ensure WIN Auto Plaza’s compliance with Elmhurst Municipal Code.

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Santa Claus takes time for our four-legged family members too! Eric Weech of Alan Energy Services introduces his new puppy Hope (a female black labrador retriever) to Santa for the first time at Spring Road Sleigh Day with Reindeer. More photos inside.

Santa makes a new friend

Police investigate vehicle crash into residential garage Driver conducting test drive charged with reckless driving

BRENDA GARCIA PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

National Honors Society students from York High School, Lena Baumann, Sidney Ashby and Tess Curry helped Eric Weech of Alan Energy Services (who strikes a pose behind them) with serving hot chocolate and cookies to the people who attended the Sleigh Rides, Reindeer on Parade and Santa event on Saturday, Dec. 10 on Spring Road.

Grateful appreciation

Elmhurst residents Mike Lohman and his daughter Marean show their gratitude for the sleigh ride and appreciation of the horses by petting them after their ride. It was just one of the activities at the Spring Road Sleigh Rides, Reindeer and Santa event.

Community Bank

Elmhurst

Looking resplendent in red,

Est. 1993

DEE LONGFELLOW PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

Shirley Myers (front, seated) is surrounded by friends and admirers,

at the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ECCI)

Warm Hearts

Last year over the first 25 days of December, CBE unveiled a new window display at our City Centre location at 133 N. York Street. This year, all the displays will be back, and all on display at once, as we begin to celebrate the Holiday Season in Elmhurst for 2022.

When you find yourself in City Centre, stop by CBE and take a look at our displays. Most are lit and many have movement...All of them are special.

Making a night of it

who were glad to see her out and about

Holiday Business After Hours event held annually at Community Bank of Elmhurst. Behind her are (from left): Susan Rose, Zoning & Planning Commission, Desiree Chen, Elmhurst University, Bill Shanklin, American Legion THB Post #187 and EEDC, Dave Oberg, Elmhurst History Museum, Jim Collins, District 205 School Board, and 7th Ward Alderman Mark Mulliner. Susan Rose picked up Shirley at her home in Park Place and brought her to the event. Afterwards, they drove around town to look at all the Christmas lights and agreed that Elmhurst is a beautiful City during the holidays. More photos elsewhere in this issue.

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York student launches petition in light of alleged abuse of special needs student

By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

Late Monday afternoon, WBBM-TV Channel 2 teased a story on its 5 p.m. news report that a petition with more than 5,000 signatures was circulating around Elmhurst, particularly among those with an interest in York High School.

The petition called for support and change regarding a recent bullying incident that reportedly took place in a bathroom at the high school.

According to the petition, started by Mary Olivia Muti who

Obituaries

LAURA BRESNAHAN BUSH, 36

Laura Bresnahan Bush, of Whitefish Bay, Wisc., died peacefully on December 2, 2022 after a courageous 13-month battle with young-onset colon cancer. She was 36 years old.

Born on May 22, 1986, Laura was the third and youngest daughter of Dr. Timothy and Sharon Bresnahan (neé Roggow). Laura grew up in Elmhurst and graduated from York Community High School in 2004, where she excelled academically and athletically. She was president of the National Honor Society, Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper, York-High, and a standout volleyball and track athlete. After high school, Laura chose to attend the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a Monogram as a member of the varsity women’s volleyball team. After her freshman year, Laura focused her attention on academics and ultimately earned her Bachelor of Architecture with high honors.

Laura’s time at Notre Dame included a year spent in Rome, where she sketched and ate her way through Italy with a few dozen of her closest friends -- an experience that Laura and her beloved husband, Brendan, dreamed about someday recreating together. Laura went on to become an immensely gifted designer and architect. She found her calling and spent nearly all of her successful career in custom residential architecture, the vast majority of which at Wade Weissmann Architecture in Brown Deer, Wisc. Laura took pride in her work, and in many ways, the heirloom homes that she designed are a direct reflection of who she was:

is a student at York, a classmate with Down Syndrome was “violently, physically contacted” by several students while others reportedly stood by, watched and laughed without lending any assistance to the disabled victim.

According to Muti’s petition, incidents like this have occurred “numerous times at our high school” and at other surrounding schools that Muti claims “turn a blind eye to bullying.”

“We the students of York feel compelled for immediately radical change for the better with appropriate consequences,” the

petition read. “We are hoping the administration recognizes the situation and finds a consequence fitting as such. We are sick and tired of this mistreatment.”

The petition goes on to underscore the need for “a safe learning environment for all students.”

“We need more education regarding empathy, bullying, harassment, etc.,” it continued.

“By signing this petition, we pray and hope to increase awareness for the special needs community at York and all students affected by bullying.

The goal of the effort was to reach 7,500 signatures and at press time, there were 6,024 and more coming in every few minutes.

Editor’s note: The full story of this incident and its subsequent resolution will be published in a future issue of the Elmhurst Independent when more details are confirmed and parties are contacted. Because this came up in the late afternoon/early evening on Monday, it was not possible to contact any School Board officials by press time.

one-of-a kind, stunningly beautiful, and timeless. She loved what she did and who she did it with.

Laura’s most important and cherished roles were those of wife to the love of her life, Brendan, and mother to her two boys, Benjamin and Theodore “Teddy.” She loved Benjamin and Teddy more than anything in the world and always made them her first priority no matter the circumstance and throughout the entirety of her harrowing battle against cancer. Laura will live on forever in the hearts of her boys and will always be there to comfort and guide them through her eternal love for them.

Laura is survived by her beloved husband, Brendan, and their two boys, Benjamin and “Teddy”; parents Dr. Timothy and Sharon Bresnahan (neé Roggow), Elmhurst; sister Theresa Bresnahan-Coleman and husband, Zane Coleman, Elmhurst, and children Shayna “Shea”, Reece, and Neal; sister Maureen Baska (neé Bresnahan) and husband, Jake, Granger, Ind., and children Madeline, Tegan, and Chloe; father- and mother in-law Michael and Kathleen Bush, Davenport, Iowa; brother-in-law Daniel Bush and wife Megan, Davenport, Iowa, and children Hannah and Lucy; and sister-in-law Kelly Bush, Davenport, Iowa. Laura is also survived by many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family would like to issue a special thanks to all of the doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, and support staff for their loving care of Laura the past 13 months, including those at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s, Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin, Mayo Clinic, Northwestern Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Colorado Hospital, and ProMedica Hospice. We also want to thank all of Laura’s family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, parishio -

ners, and community members for your loving and continued support of our family. Funeral services and a Mass of Christian Burial for Laura was held on Monday, Dec. 12 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Whitefish Bay, Wisc. The burial took place at Resurrection Cemetery in Mequon, Wisc., the same day. Memorials may be made in Laura’s name to the Hartford Family Foundation, Inc., Colorectal Cancer Alliance (impact.ccalliance.org/fundraiser/4308284), or Froedtert Hospital Foundation. The family encourages and appreciates requests for the offering of Masses for the repose of the soul of Laura Bresnahan Bush. Arrangements entrusted to Feerick Funeral Home Shorewood.

GERALDINE NIELSEN, 93 Services Thursday Geraldine Nielsen, nee Rinko, passed away in Wheaton, on Dec. 10, 2022 at the age of 93. Geraldine “Gerry” was born in Chicago and lived in Elmhurst for 58 years. She spent her last years at Brighton Gardens in Wheaton.

Gerry was preceded in death by her late husband of 49 years, Charles Nielsen. She is survived by her daughters, Susan (David) Tanzer and Nancy (Ross) Cummings; grandchildren, Robert, Mark, Timothy, Alyssa and Alexa; as well as her beloved seven great-grandchildren.

Gerry worked for many years at the Elmhurst Park District. She and Charles were longstanding, faithful members of Messiah Lutheran Church. Gerry loved to get to know people whether at church, in the neighborhood or at Brighton

Gardens where she was considered an ambassador who helped welcome and assimilate new residents. She was a kind and loving woman who was loved by all. She will be greatly missed.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 15, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 130 W. Butterfield Rd., Elmhurst, from 11:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m., followed by a Funeral Service beginning at 12:30 p.m. Interment Chapel Hill Gardens West, Oakbrook Terrace.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Messiah Lutheran Church.

Arrangements in care of Elmhurst Community Funeral Home –The Ahlgrim Chapel. For info, call 630-834-3515 or visit www.ElmhurstFH.com.

MARGARET “PEG” BAASCH, 90 Services Dec. 21 Margaret “Peg” Baasch peacefully passed away on Dec. 12, 2022, at the age of 90. Beloved wife of the late Alfred. Loving mother of Karen Bagge, Ellen Eck, John (Shawn) and Jeff (Rusty). Cherished grandmother of Allan, John, Lauren (Derrick), Andrew, Tanner, Ann Marie, Brian and great-grandmother of Allison. Dearest sister of Gloria (the late Ralph) Squaglia. Fond aunt of Mary (John), Ralph (Cathy), Janet and Julie. Visitation will be held at Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – The Ahlgrim Chapel, 567 S. Spring Rd., Elmhurst, on Wednesday, Dec. 21, beginning at 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 10 a.m. Interment Arlington Cemetery, Elmhurst. Info: 630-834-3515 or www.elmhurstFH.com.

Holiday smiles

‘Warm Coats for Cool Kids’ wins donation

Each attendee at the ECCI Holiday Party at Community Bank of Elmhurst (CBE) got to vote for one of 30 local charitable organizations to receive a $5,000 donation from CBE. Drawing from a drum full of ping pong balls, the selection came up as Warm Coats for Cool Kids, operated by Debra and Garry Vaccaro (pictured left), which supports the purchase and distribution of new winter coats for children in DuPage County. With them (continuing left) is CBE Chairman of the Board George F. Hammerschmidt, Jr., and ECCI president and CEO John R. Quigley.

Spirited conversation

Sharing a laugh

District

DEE LONGFELLOW PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

Pictured here at the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ECCI)’s annual Holiday Business After Hours are Marilyn Arado, Elmhurst Garden Club, Ben Neiburger, JD, CPA, Neiburger Law, and Debbie Serritella, My Friend’s Place salon.

Joyce Slone, Slone Commercial LLC, Bob Manion of Manion Decorating and Russ Weigand, Elmhurst University share a conversation at Community Bank of Elmhurst at the ECCI’s annual Holiday After Hours. (Slone and Weigand are husband and wife.) The evening is always a lovely time and one of the best-attended Chamber events of the year.

205 School Board member Jim Collins (left) and attorney Dan Kordik have a good laugh together on Thursday, Dec. 8, when the ECCI held its annual Holiday After Hours at Community Bank of Elmhurst. This year the event was extra special when CBE donated $5,000 to a charity chosen by the party guests. The winner was Warm Coats for Cool Kids.

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 victims. 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, criminal trespass

Dec. 6

A victim in the 600 block of S. Poplar told police at 12:18 p.m. that the suspect showed up at her home banging on the door. A no-trespass notice was served to the suspect advising her to have no further contact with the victim.

A complainant in the 200 block of S. Boyd told police at 5:28 p.m. that an unknown person(s) cut the electric cord on his Christmas lights.

A complainant in the 100 block of W. Arthur told police that unknown person(s) cut the Christmas lights in front of the Immaculate Conception Church.

Oct. 3

A complainant at a pharmacy in the 100 block of N. Robert Palmer related four juveniles—two described as white males and two described as white females—entered the store, spilled nail polish all over the floor and fled. An investigation is pending.

Domestic battery, disorderly conduct

Dec. 4

A 19-year-old Chicago man was charged with domestic battery in the 100 block of S. Prospect at 2:48 a.m. Police said it was learned the suspect pushed the victim causing her to hit her head.

Identity theft, fraud, forgery

According to information provided by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported eight incidents of identity theft or fraud.

Possession of a controlled substance

Dec. 6

Jason R. Haines, 36, of Fox Lake, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and obstructing identification in the 300 block of S. Route 83 at 8:20 p.m. Police said officers responded to the above location for the report of an unconscious subject. Upon arrival, Haines was located sleeping in a booth and was found to have a valid warrant out of DuPage County and the Illinois Department of Corrections, according to police.

Dec. 2-Dec. 3

Three vehicles were reported stolen from a business in the 800 block of N. Industrial. A complainant related he observed the service bay doors on the front and rear of the business to be open. Upon further investigation, it was learned three vehicles were taken from the service area. One of the vehicles was later recovered.

Dec. 1

Antenio Price, 30, of Darien, was charged with two counts of with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, criminal trespass to a vehicle and improper display of registration, subsequent to a traffic stop near North and Berteau at 12:53 a.m.

Possession of cannabis in a vehicle

According to information provided last week by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported one incident of possession of cannabis by either the driver of a vehicle or a passenger: Jose Ambris Aguilar, 20, of Glendale Heights, near York and Fullerton at 7:18 a.m. Dec. 1.

Reckless driving

Dec. 5

Rebekah Kielsling, 29, of Chicago, was charged with DUI and improper lane usage subsequent to a traffic stop near St. Charles and Scott at 2:24 a.m.

Dominique Moore, 33, of Lansing, was charged with DUI, disobeying a traffic control signal, failure to signal when required, no insurance and improper lane usage subsequent to a traffic stop near Lane and Elmcrest at 12:31 a.m.

Dec. 3

Alphonzo Bullock, 55, of Maywood, was charged with DUI, improper lane usage, failure to signal, driving with expired plates, driving while license suspended and no insurance near Melrose and North at 1:29 a.m.

Fleeing, eluding

According to information provided last week by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported two incidents of fleeing and eluding during which the driver of a vehicle fled the scene after being stopped for a traffic stop by police.

Vladyslav Vityk, 18, of Norridge, was charged with reckless driving, improper lane usage, driving too fast for conditions and disobeying a traffic control device subsequent to a single vehicle accident in the 700 block of Junior Terrace at 11:48 a.m. (See story on page 1 of this issue.)

CALL 800-222-TIPS

Dec. 4

Mariano A. Reyes Ovalle, 37; Walter H. Reyes Ovalle, 42; and German Hernandez Guevara, 39, all of Addison, were charged with retail theft at a store in the 300 block of S. Route 83 at 3:56 p.m.

Retail theft was reported at a food store/ pharmacy in the 900 block of S. York at 2:43 p.m. A complainant reported three unknown suspects described as black males exited the store without paying for several bottles of liquor. The suspects fled the area in a black Kia.

Dec. 3

Commercial burglary was reported at a business in the 800 block of N. York at 5:35 a.m. Police said that subsequent to a report of a burglary in progress, three male suspects were observed breaking the front glass door of the business using a fire extinguisher. The suspects fled the scene in a dark colored SUV and were pursued westbound on I-290. Commercial burglary was reported at an

auto dealership in the 300 block of W. Grand at 6:33 a.m. A complainant reported several vehicles were stolen from the mechanic service bay. The complainant reviewed surveillance footage which showed several unknown suspects entering the service bay and removing five vehicles. The suspects fled the scene with the cars eastbound on Grand Avenue; two vehicles were later located in Chicago and recovered.

Dec. 2

Retail theft was reported at a liquor store in the 600 block of W. St. Charles at 3:21 p.m. A complainant related the suspect exited the store with alcohol that had not been paid for.

Nov. 20

Theft was reported at an apartment complex at 9:52 a.m. A victim related that unknown person(s) removed a package from the lobby area of his apartment complex.

Sept. 18

Residential burglary was reported at Four Seasons Court. A victim related she discovered her firearm was missing from her handgun lockbox at her residence. An investigation is pending.

Unlawful use of a weapon

Dec. 2

Police said a complainant in the 900 block of S. Hillcrest reported walking his dog when Teresa Pulido, 41, of Elmhurst, came outside and allegedly began screaming at him while activating a stun gun. Pulido was issued a citation for discharging a stun gun.

Two charged with robbing woman at gunpoint in VP Walmart lot Suspects in custody following high-speed chase

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas have announced that bond has been denied for one of two Cook County men accused of robbing an elderly woman at gunpoint in a Villa Park Walmart parking lot and then leading police on a highspeed chase.

Jarquez Jones, 18, of Maywood, appeared at a bond hearing where Judge Brian Telander granted the state’s motion to deny bond. The bond hearing for Jones’ alleged accomplice, Sincere Harrington, 19, of Chicago, was scheduled Monday.

Both men have been charged with one count of armed robbery with a firearm (Class X felony) and one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding (Class 4 felony). Herrington is currently out on bond/probation on unlawful use of a weapon charges out of Cook County.

imately 90 mph on I-290 and required the assistance of a Chicago Police Department helicopter, Herrington and Jones abandoned the vehicle and were taken into custody in Chicago.

Jones was found in a garbage bin and Herrington was taken into custody following a brief foot pursuit. When processing the scene, officers found two guns, a .45 caliber Glock 30 and a 9 mm Glock 17, approximately 100 yards of where the defendants’ vehicle came to rest. The Glock 17 was altered to allow it to fire as a fully automatic weapon. It is alleged prior to the car chase, the defendants drove up to an elderly woman in the parking lot of the Walmart as she was loading her car with groceries. It is alleged that the driver of the vehicle pointed a gun at the woman and stole her purse.

“It is alleged that in the middle of the afternoon in a crowded parking lot these defendants robbed an elderly woman at gunpoint,” Berlin said.

Dec. 7

David L. Bynum, 36, of Chicago; Paris D. Durr, 31, of Chicago; and Rob D. Howard, 31, of Chicago, were charged with retail theft at a pharmacy in the 100 block of N. Palmer Drive at 2:13 p.m.

A victim in the 200 block of E. Butterfield told police at 6:48 p.m. that left his unattended vehicle running, parked behind a business. Upon returning, the vehicle was gone.

On Dec. 5, at approximately 12:48 p.m., officers with the Villa Park Police Department responded to a call of a person in a car with a gun near Route 83 and Riverside Drive. As officers arrived at the scene, they observed the suspected vehicle allegedly drive over the grass and exit the Walmart parking lot southbound on Route 83.

Officers activated their lights and sirens and initiated pursuit. Following the pursuit, which allegedly reached speeds of approx -

“We are now in the heart of the holiday shopping season and the quick apprehension of the defendants in this case highlights DuPage County’s commitment to our businesses and their patrons that we will most certainly not tolerate this type of violent behavior. We will use every tool and resource available to us, including helicopters, if necessary, to protect our citizens and bring the accused to justice.”

Jones’ next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 21 for arraignment in front of Judge Telander.

DUI, DUI-drugs, transportation of open alcohol, possession of open alcohol, consumption of alcohol by a minor Dec. 4

Theft or burglary /retail theft/forgery/ deceptive practice/ obstruction/ robbery

Jarquez Jones

Man charged with attempted murder of Lombard police officer

Another suspect shot, killed in tobacco shop robbery attempt

By Chris Fox FOR THE INDEPENDENT

A Lombard police officer and a suspect in an armed robbery exchanged gunfire last week.

The Lombard officer was shot in the leg, while the suspect died from his injuries.

Another suspect in the armed robbery was taken into custody and charged with multiple felonies, including one count of attempted first degree murder, one count of aggravated battery, one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm at an officer and one count of armed robbery with a firearm.

According to information provided by the Village of Lombard, on Dec. 8, at about 4:05 p.m., officers with the Lombard Police Department responded to a call of an armed robbery in progress at the Pipes and Tobacco store located at 54 W. Roosevelt Road, just west of Main Street. Upon their arrival, of-

ficers encountered two individuals, later identified as Anthony Brown and Pierre Thompson, running from the business.

As Thompson approached two officers in their vehicle, he allegedly opened fire as the officers began to exit the vehicle. One of the officers was shot in the leg.

An officer returned gunfire, striking Thompson.

Brown was taken into custody within seconds of the shooting. Thompson and the injured officer were transported to a local hospital. Thompson was pronounced dead at the hospital. The officer, a 33-yearold, six-year veteran of the Lombard Police Department, is expected to survive his injury. He underwent surgery after the shooting and was recovering at the hospital at press time.

Numerous area agencies, including the Villa Park Police Department, lent assistance in responding to the incident.

An investigation of the incident reportedly revealed that Brown and Thompson both wore masks as they entered the Pipes and Tobacco busi-

Chicago juveniles charged with stealing car from Villa Park auto repair shop

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas have announced that Judge Anthony Coco has ordered that two Chicago juveniles accused of stealing a vehicle from a Villa Park auto repair shop will be released to the custody of their parent or guardian. The juveniles have each been charged with one count of possession of a stolen vehicle (Class 2 felony).

On Dec. 3, a patrol officer with the Villa Park Police Department observed a crashed vehicle in the parking lot of Anthony’s Collision Center, Inc. on North Avenue. As the officer investigated the crashed vehicle, the Chicago Police Department called out to the Villa Park Police Department about a 2021 Kia SUV allegedly stolen out of Villa Park that had just been stopped on Chicago’s westside.

It is alleged that while fleeing a Bellwood police officer, the juveniles and other unidentified individuals traveled together in a stolen vehicle to Anthony’s Collision Center and that once there, all of the occupants exited the stolen vehicle. It is further alleged that one of the individuals broke into another vehicle on the lot and crashed that vehicle into the vehicle in which the suspects had arrived.

It is further alleged that all the individuals then entered the 2021 Kia SUV and fled the scene. It is alleged that the vehicle was stopped on Chicago’s westside and that the juveniles were detained following a brief foot pursuit.

“The allegations that these juveniles traveled to DuPage County, entered a vehicle from an auto repair shop, crashed that vehicle at the scene

and then stole another vehicle show a complete disregard for the property of others as well as public safety and they will be held accountable,” Berlin said. “I thank the Villa Park Police Department for their work on this case as well as the Chicago Police Department for their efforts in detaining the juvenile suspects.”

One juvenile’s next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 19, while the other juvenile’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 9.

An investigation into the matter continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Villa Park Investigations Division (630) 592-6110.

ness, located at 54 W. Roosevelt Rd. The suspects allegedly brandished a handgun and ordered an employee to open the cash register.

It is further alleged that after taking money from the cash register, Brown and Thompson brought the employee to the back of the store, where they encountered the owner of the store.

Brown and Thompson reportedly hit the store owner on the head with the gun before stealing the victims’ wallets and cell phones. Brown and Thompson reportedly also took about $600 from a file cabinet before fleeing from the store.

Brown, 31, appeared in bond court, where Judge James Orel granted the state’s motion to deny bond. Brown’s next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 27, for arraignment in front of Judge John Kinsella. If found guilty, he faces a penalty of between 41-125 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The shooting is under investigation by the Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigations Team (MERIT).

A Lombard police officer exchanged gunfire with a suspect in an armed robbery last week. The suspect, Pierre Thompson, died from his injuries. The Lombard officer, who was shot in the leg, underwent surgery and is expected to survive. This image—a screenshot of officer body camera footage provided by the Lombard Police Department—reportedly shows Thompson discharging a weapon at police. The image was altered to partially obscure the subject. A second suspect, Anthony Brown, was taken into custody within seconds of the shooting. Brown has been charged with multiple felonies, including one count of attempted first degree murder.

Reindeer pulls his weight

New this year was “Reindeers

this reindeer

LOMBARD POLICE DEPT. PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

Anthony Brown

on Parade” in front of various businesses on Spring Road, including

in front of Doshi Orthodontics which is pulling its own sled and ready for the holidays.

BRENDA GARCIA PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

Viewpoint

Slices of life

Learning for life

There’s one thing (of many) that I love about life: you are never done learning. If you are open to new practices, habits and ideas there is so much more to explore and discover. Big things, little things and everything in between. The day you stop learning is the day you stop living.

I believe this to my core. I also believe we can help one another, by passing on what we’ve learned. Here are some of the things I know now, but wish I’d discovered sooner:

Loading and unloading the dishwasher is hardly a preferred task. But, it can be made so much easier by paying attention to one detail: the silverware. I’ve always thrown my forks, knives and spoons in with reckless abandon. Forks consorted with knives and spoons neighbored willy nilly with whatever cutlery just happened to be in their vicinity. In a word: naive.

I recently discovered the joy of loading spoons alongside spoons, forks alongside forks. It takes no extra time on the loading end, but it saves countless seconds when unloading.

All the knives come out together in one fell swoop and are transferred quickly and easily to the silverware drawer. The order it’s brought to my life has had immeasurable repercussions.

Kitchen garbage. We all have it. I’ve found kitchen garbage practices are regional. In the north, we hide our garbage container— most often under the sink. This isn’t so in my southern experience. Here, the garbage sits in the open. Because I grew up in the north, I prefer the hidden alternative. However, there is more to garbage than meets the eye.

If you are like me, you use the plastic garbage can liners. They get full fast, even when you use a piece of frozen pizza cardboard to press them down with all your might. (And we’ve all done that.) If you have a seemingly full bag and pull it out, you’ll find you can load it up with at least 50 percent more household garbage. You get rid of more while using fewer bags. I can practically hear Mother Earth applauding. It’s a win for us all.

OK, so here’s a serious one. Put the utilities in both your names, or at the very least make sure your spouse is a “designated decision maker” for the account. Vehicles also. Trust me on this one. I

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

learned it the hard way.

Talking to your plants isn’t crazy. Not in the least bit. It benefits them and probably you. Kind words said to plants is proven to help them grow faster and better. Think of all the good that kind words can do in general, to plants, pets and people.

Speak kindly always—and not just to plants.

The word “homemade” has come to sound complicated but here’s a big secret: it’s not!

Homemade is as simple as putting two four letter words together to make an eight letter word.

Homemade usually involves simple ingredients, easy steps and not a whole lot of time. Our busy, over-scheduled world has made homemade seem foreign and alien, while flash fried fish-stuff and chicken gizmos seem ordinary.

It should be the other way around.

Homemade—go for it. You’ll be happy and proud that you did.

Drink lots of water. Every day. Water is universal to us all. It comprises 60 percent of our bodies and about 70 percent of the earth’s surface. Coincidence? I think not. Water is essential to all that is. It removes toxins from our bodies. It purifies the planet. It hydrates animals, humans, trees, grass and birds. It serves as home for fish and countless other creatures.

Without water we would cease to exist. Literally.

Every living thing has value. Even rocks. I’m not going to try to explain this. If something is on this earth, it has value, even if we don’t appreciate that value while swatting mosquitoes or flies.

Last thought (but perhaps the most important): The trees, soil, rocks, rivers and oceans have been around a lot longer than me. Perhaps I should respect that.

Perhaps we all should. Let’s try that.

And let’s never stop learning.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. She invites readers to follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

Trump’s call to terminate provisions of the U.S. Constitution

By U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi

Former President Donald Trump took the extraordinary and unprecedented step of suggesting that provisions of the United States Constitution should be “terminated” as part of his ongoing attempts to overturn the 2020 election, writing, “Do you throw the Presidential Election Results of 2020 OUT and declare the RIGHTFUL WINNER, or do you have a NEW ELECTION? A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution. Our great ‘Founders’ did not want, and would not condone, False & Fraudulent Elections!”

In response, I called upon all my colleagues from both parties to join me in denouncing President Trump’s attack on our Constitution. Much to my relief, much of the response from lawmakers and Americans from across the political spectrum has been a complete repudiation of this abandonment of American legal and constitutional precedent, as well as our broader commitment to the rule of law.

I’m glad that the vast majority of Americans share my recognition

that our Constitution is a document consecrated in the blood of generations of Americans who gave their last full measure of devotion to build and sustain a nation committed to the freedom of its people. Those American heroes made their sacrifice recognizing that our nation is more important than the ambitions of any one party or individual.

Next month, I’ll be taking my oath of office for the fourth time, swearing to defend the Constitution with my colleagues from both parties, just as Donald Trump did when he took office. The former president’s recent comments serve as another reminder that our commitment to the Constitution and the nation it created must be rooted in principle, and not self-interest.

House passage of Respect for Marriage Act

On Dec. 8, the House passed the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act, which codifies the rights of same-sex and interracial couples to marry found in the Supreme Court decisions of both Obergefell v. Hodges and Loving v. Virginia. As a vice chair of the House LBGTQ+ Equality Caucus, I was proud to help enshrine marriage equality in law as part of our broader work toward becoming a more inclusive nation.

This legislation is now headed to President Joe Biden’s desk, where he will sign this historic and monumental achievement for human

rights into law.

Last week, the House also passed the bipartisan annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the bipartisan Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA), two key pieces of legislation that will strengthen America’s national security. As a proud member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I understand firsthand how important these bills are for keeping our nation safe, and I’m glad that several pieces of legislation I authored to strengthen our defense and intelligence capabilities were included in the package.

The provisions I spearheaded will improve the oversight of military aid sent to Ukraine, combat the Chinese Communist Party’s investments in international port infrastructure, provide supplies necessary to address the global food crisis exacerbated by Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, and better prepare workers to support our intelligence community.

The NDAA and IAA now head to the Senate, where I hope to see swift passage of these crucial American defense bills.

Why was Illinois’ population undercounted in the 2020 Census?

I recently wrote a letter to U.S.

Real estate/Business

EEH implants first-ever Barostim therapy for heart failure

Drs. Moeen Saleem and Maria Rosa Costanzo, cardiologists at Midwest Cardiovascular Institute (MCI), along with Dr. James Walsh, vascular surgeon, performed the first successful implantation of Barostim™ Baroreflex Activation Therapy at Edward-Elmhurst Health last month.

This is the world’s first FDA-approved heart failure device to use neuromodulation, the power of the brain and nervous system, to improve the symptoms of patients with systolic heart failure, which occurs in the heart’s left ventricle.

The electrical impulses sent from the device inform the brain of the heart’s condition, allowing the brain to improve the function of the heart. Over time, the heart regains strength and symptoms lessen. This technology is customizable to individual patients.

“Barostim signals the brain to turn down sympathetic activation which damages heart,

kidneys and blood vessels,” said Dr. Costanzo. “Therefore, Barostim is a breakthrough for our patients with heart failure, giving them a chance to gain back their quality of life.”

Learn more about this technology at www cvrx.com.

Community calendar

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.

Sunday, Dec. 25

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023

Best wishes for a Happy New Year!

To post a community event, send the information to Independent@rvpublishing.com and put “Community Calendar” in the Subject line.

Elmhurst History Museum’s exhibit

On display now through May 14, 2023, “In Pursuit of Happiness: Immigrants 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 belonging in this region.

Elmhurst Art Museum

• Closes Sunday Jan. 15: 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. 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 celebration of its 25th Anniversary, the Museum is honoring its founder Eleanor King Hookham (1909-2003). She was an educator, internationally exhibiting artist, and the main driving force behind the museum for many decades. 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 paintings, watercolors, and signature ink and coffee drawings. Professionally she called herself El King and exhibited around the world.

Info: elmhurstartmuseum.org.

Business briefs

EEMG nationally recognized by AHA/AMA Edward-Elmhurst Medical Group (EEMG) has been recognized by the American Heart Association/American Medical Association Target: BP program for efforts to improve blood pressure control rates and reduce the number of Americans who have heart attacks or strokes. This recognition means EEMG is reaching greater than 70% blood pressure control within their adult patient population.

Additionally, the Family and Internal Medicine departments of EEMG in Addison (formerly Elmhurst Clinic) achieved the same honor for its commitment to measurement accuracy and control of high blood pressure in at least 70% of their adult patient population.

For more information about EdwardElmhurst Medical Group, visit EEHealth. org/EEMG.

EEMG welcomes Dr. Hermes Ralph Hermes, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician, has joined Edward-Elmhurst Medical Group and is accepting new patients at 8 Salt Creek Lane, St. 301 in Hinsdale. To schedule an appointment, visit EEHealth.org/find-a-

doctor or call (331) 2212550.

Dr. Hermes earned his medical degree from American University of Antigua College of Medicine and completed his residency at New York Medical College at Saint Joseph’s Medical Center. He speaks English, Arabic and French.

His clinical interests include asthma, COPD, diabetes, employment physicals, hypertension, osteoarthritis, primary care, preventive medicine, sports medicine and women’s health. For more information, visit EEHealth.org/EEMG.

ECCI contracts with ‘GrowthZone’

The Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry recently announced that it has expanded its contracted services with ChamberMaster’s GrowthZone to include secured online credit card payments for membership dues, programs, products and services, which primary member representatives can access via their login and password.

The Elmhurst Public Library is seeking donations to help keep the Elmhurst community warm and healthy this winter.

Donated items will be assembled into care kits for the Elmhurst Walk-in Assistance Network (EWAN).

Wish list items include:

A box for receiving donations will be in the Library lobby throughout the month of December.

For more information, visit elmlib.org or call (630) 279-8696.

Ralph Hermes, MD

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teachers. It will be weird for the first year or so.”

Library programs

Friday, Dec. 16 from 2-4 p.m.

Friday Features:

a big hill and the scenery around it is great. Everything is pretty close together. They have very nice facilities. The volleyball program has good workout facilities and a nice locker room. I liked how modern it was.”

Remember the Night

Leslie plans on studying nursing at Le Moyne. “They have a good nursing program,” she said. “As far as what kind of a nurse I want to be, I’m not quite sure yet.”

Enjoy an afternoon at the movies. Find each week’s featured film at elmlib.org/Friday. No registration required.

Saturday, Dec. 17 from 2-3:30 p.m.

Open LEGO Building (for all ages)

Leslie played volleyball and girls soccer at IC Catholic Prep all four years. She was a center-midfielder on the Knights soccer team.

Drop in and build something awesome with our many LEGO bricks. Drop-in. No registration required.

Saturday, Dec. 17 from 2-2:30 p.m.

Trolley Storytime

Join Kids’ Library staff on the Elmhurst Holly Trolley for a rollicking seasonal storytime! The ride will begin at the trolley stop on the corner of York and Park. No registration required.

• Provisions

Leslie’s volleyball journey started in the fifth grade, the first year she could play the sport at IC Grade School. She’s been playing club volleyball since seventh grade, most recently with the Chicago Elite group that practices out of Scores in Willow Springs and Montini High School in Lombard.

(Continued from page 8)

Leslie said pandemic life hasn’t been overly exciting, though her club volleyball team has started practicing again. “We have been practicing two or three times a week,” she said. “We are going to be starting tournaments again. Before that I haven’t been doing anything because senior soccer season and the club volleyball season were cancelled. We were supposed to go to a few club volleyball qualifiers in Grand Rapids and Louisville. This summer, we have some tournaments planned over the next few weekends. They are little tournaments with all of the local clubs. Nothing large and really local. Other than that, I have been trying to work out a lot and stay in shape. I’ve been running a lot, so I got into that. I try and run every day.”

York wrestling team off to fine start

Parisi, Berger, VanSleet, Decristofaro, Begora leading way

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

the team recently and they said they should have an answer about our season in the next 7-10 days. They talked about three scenarios and what could happen like if we start the season and someone gets sick and we have to stop and go. That’s one of the reasons why they are looking at moving the season to the spring. Right now the plan is to have a season, but we won’t know until the next 7-10 days.”

The York wrestling team was off to a strong start, with eight wins in its first 12 contests. A sampling of those victories included a 62-15 nod over Oswego East, plus wins against Romeoville (58-10), Ottawa Township (67-18), Batavia (56-18), Minooka (42-30) and Canton (39-31). York lost its West Suburban Conference Silver Division opener to Hinsdale Central by a 37-34 count.

of Illinois before the IHSA state series to make us the most prepared.”

Metcalf added York has been making the small adjustments that make the most impact, “such as scoring on the edge of the mat, pushing the pace of the match and pushing ourselves outside our comfort zones,” he noted.

in York’s wrestling program to be something much larger than ourselves. My coaching staff sets the bar very high, not only for wrestling, but in life and in the community.”

Metcalf also has been proud of the entire York coaching staff for the work they have put in.

U12 baseball action

“I am lucky to have the coaching staff I do,” he said. “We all believe

Anthony Bucolo fires a pitch during a recent U12 baseball game.

Metcalf added all levels of the program have momentum behind them. “For our senior class, all the years of hard work are paying off to make it a memorable year,” he said. “Also, our freshmen class is very talented with large numbers.”

“I’m really excited to be able to play volleyball in college,” she said. “It gives me something to do.

• Stopka

Census Bureau Director Robert Santos continuing my investigation into the Census Bureau’s undercounting of Illinois over the last decade in its annual American Community Survey (ACS) data, as well as the 2020 Decennial Census, which led to our state receiving less federal funding than it should have.

(Continued from page 18)

They lost to West Chicago on think an own goal in the last five minutes. That was against the state champs in the sectional finals. That’s a hell of a season if you ask me.”

When the 2020 Census results revealed that the ACS had been undercounting Illinois’ population for years by drastically overreporting the decline in its population, I opened my investigation and began discussions with the Census Bureau staff on correcting the annual population count issues.

In May, with the release of another Census Bureau study designed to verify the accuracy of the 2020 Census, the Post-Enumeration Survey (PES), we learned that the failures of the previous Census Bureau results had been far more flawed than anyone had realized.

Rather than losing population

Stopka will teach Spanish at York. He taught Spanish and one math class at St. Pat’s. “My philosophy is I am more of a players’ coach,” he said. “I have been a big Liverpool soccer supporter ever since 2015 when Jurgen Klopp came over and he’s known as a players’ coach. He’s kind of my coaching idol. I want to related to the players and form bonds with them. am more light-hearted and smiling. I like to have fun and joke with the kids. The goal is understanding where each player can be successful and the provide the best way possible to convey the knowledge they need at the position they play. I am not big at yelling at the group, and I’m not a

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 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

Leslie said she is scheduled to report to Le Moyne in the Aug. 1215 timeframe, but noted preseason volleyball activities already have

But if all systems are a go, Leslie can’t wait to take her skills as a libero to the next level with the Dolphins. “I feel like being a libero you have to be really quick and that is typically what I am good at. I have really good reaction time,” she said. “I like diving on the floor and saving balls. It’s a really good feeling when you make a save. The position fits my personality, too. You have to be the loudest one on the court. I have a loud personality. You have to be pretty loud if you want to be a libero. I think I match that description.”

huge rah-rah person. I’m a little bit more of an individual players’ coach. I will pull kids to the side at practice and games and teach them.”

over the previous decade, our state’s population actually grew to more than 13 million, the highest level in our state’s history. My letter builds on the questions I raised with the Census Bureau in the spring as I’ve begun to press the agency to better audit its previous undercounting and incorporating the methodology of the PES study into future population estimates to ensure Illinoisans are properly counted and receive our fair share of the $1.5 trillion in federal funding which will be allocated to states based on Census Bureau population data.

ble and transparent and communicate with everybody.”

In my latest letter, I have asked Census Director Santos to lay out the Bureau’s course of action for implementing its new approach before Dec. 19.

Raja Krishnamoorthi represents Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, which includes parts of Addison, Wood Dale, Elmhurst, Bensenville, Villa Park and Lombard.

LEGAL NOTICES

Stopka noted York has been doing conditioning drills and said the plan as of earlier last week was to start summer camp pending District 205 approval. “I have probably been able to meet 60 to 70 percent of the players so far,” he said. “If it does get approved that would be the start of our contact days with four days a week for three weeks straight. And even though the IHSA waived the blackout dates before the school year, we won’t take advantage of that. I’m pretty sure families have plans to do things before school starts. I’m the new guy and I’m not going to say you can’t go with your family. Go do it and enjoy it. This is a crazy and goofy time. You have to be accessi-

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 Plaintiff 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 subdivisions, 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

Regional Justice Center 200 Lewis Avenue 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

Danny Decristofaro was leading the Dukes in the win-loss ledger at 12-0 at 170 pounds. Zach Parisi was 10-0 at 120 pounds, while Sean VanSleet was 10-1 at 132 and Dominic Begora was 10-2 at 285 pounds. Sean Berger was 6-2 at 126 pounds. Coach Nick Metcalf noted Berger scored an impressive pinfall win over Batavia’s Adam Huck during the week of Thanksgiving.

“They are continuing to listen to their coaches, they got the extra step each day and they understand the importance of wrestling each match that you get because it might be your last,” Metcalf explained. “Our varsity schedule is very tough, and we see virtually everyone in the state

As far as the future, Stopka wants York competing at a high level on a consistent basis. “The short-term goal is to restock and build up the team,” he said. “A large portion of last year’s team was seniors, especially the starting 11. We have to make sure the now juniors are up to the speed of the varsity level and are ready to contribute. We want to keep that pipeline going with the younger groups of players. We want to make sure we are not only competitive, but that we are competing for regionals, sectionals and supersectionals. It starts for me with this junior class that is coming in. We want them ready to go and setting the standard for these other classes that come in so they can also contribute right off the bat.”

Molis, a junior, has been a key contributor of late to the improving York boys basketball team. Molis had 21 points in a win against Lockport and added eight points in a recent West Suburban Silver game against Downers Grove North. “One of the biggest improvements has been Brendan,” York coach Mike Dunn said. “He’s played really well within the last week and a half. He’s improving every day.”

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 volleyball team and still has a season to add to that total.

When was the last time you received Reconciliation?

Roman Catholics are invited to prepare your heart and soul for Christmas. The priests of the 16 parishes of Eastern DuPage County will be available to celebrate the Sacrament of Healing of Sin.

Saturday, December 17th 9am - 4pm

There will be select times when the Sacrament will be offered in Spanish.

All Catholics are invited to receive God’s grace.

Visitation Catholic Church 779 S. York St. Elmhurst, IL

proudly presents YORK HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE WEEK BRENDAN MOLIS

“ They are continuing to listen to their coaches, they got the extra step each day and they understand the importance of wrestling each match that you get because it might be your last.”

– Coach Nick Metcalf

Worship Services Directory

St. Alexander Parish

300 S Cornell Avenue, Villa Park, IL 630-833-7730 www.stalexanderparish.org

Confessions: Tuesdays at 5:00pm-6:00pm and Saturdays 4:00-4:45pm

Christmas Eve Masses: 4:00pm, 6:30pm and Midnight

Christmas Day Masses: 8:30am, 10:30am and 6:00pm in Espanol

Visitation Parish

779 S. York Street Elmhurst, IL 60126 630-834-6700

Christmas Eve

3:00pm and 4:30pm Midnight (Carols and Blessing of Crib at 11:30pm)

Christmas Day 7:30am, 9:30am, 11:30am

Solemnity of Mary Saturday, December 31 (Daily Mass at 8:15am) Vigil of Sunday 4:00pm Sunday, January 1 7:30, 9:30, 11:30am and 6pm 430131

St. Timothy Evangelical

Lutheran Church 547 N. Main St. Lombard, IL 60148 (630) 627-2435

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 7pm Christmas Day Festival Service 10:15 am New Year’e Eve Service 7pm Sunday Worship at 10:15 am

Everyone is Welcome!

All services are live streamed. You can watch them on our Website or on Facebook. sainttimothy.org

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 publication does not knowingly accept fraudulent or deceptive advertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all ads, especially those asking for money in advance.

Free

ORGAN TO BE GIVEN AWAY, short pedals, 3 keyboards, a rolltop, lots of levers and buttons. Call 630-627-7192.

Pets

CREAM GOLDEN RETRIEVER AKC PUPPIES AVAILABLE FOR CHRISTMAS. Serious inquiries ONLY. No breeders; forever families ONLY. Call 630-5307613 and leave your name and phone number.

PAINTERS. FULL-SERVICE. INSIDE. OUTSIDE. HOME. BUSINESS. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. CALL GREG: (630)234-1471.

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Sport S

York boys basketball team right in the thick of it

Dukes defeat Lockport, go to wire against Downers Grove North

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

The York boys basketball team might not have a win-loss record right now worthy of writing home about, but coach Mike Dunn likes what sees. The Dukes were 3-5 overall and 0-2 in West Suburban Conference Silver Division play after defeating Lockport in a non-conference game and losing by a point to Downers Grove North in conference action.

York beat Lockport handily by 14 points and lost 41-40 to Downers Grove North. “Downers Grove North was a great game — a fantastic game,” Dunn said. “We are playing eight juniors right now and two of them have played varsity basketball before. We are inexperienced a little bit and we’re learning how to win. Our early schedule has been very challenging, but over the last week-and-a-half, we are making strides forward.”

York also lost by two buckets to Wheaton-Warrenville South in non-conference action in a game it had the chance to tie or take the

lead with less than 10 seconds left in regulation.

“All three of those teams, Wheaton-South, Lockport and DGN were 5-1. Three quality opponents,” Dunn pointed out. “Again, we’re learning on the run. I love the way we compete and really fight out there.”

Progress, Dunn added, has come on both sides of the floor. “Defensively, we have made huge strides in what we do in our system with our younger kids,” he said. “Offensively, we do good things, but we have to take care of the ball better.”

To that point, Dunn noted York committed nine turnovers in the second quarter of the Downers North game and had 18 total turnovers in the game. “We are turnover prone a little bit,” he said. “We were up 15-7 against Downers Grove North after the first quarter and then they went on a 17-0 run in the second. We were fighting back the whole game after that. That was the difference. Against quality teams, it’s hard to do that. Taking care of the ball better will give us a

better opportunity to win games.”

Junior Brendan Molis was cited for recent strong play. “One of the biggest improvements has been Brendan,” Dunn said. “He’s really played well within the last week and a half. We inserted him into the starting lineup, and he played very well against Lockport and Downers Grove North. He’s improving every day.” Molis had 21 points against Lockport and followed up with eight points against Downers Grove North.

Classmate AJ Levine also continues to excel for the Dukes, along with senior Adam Hardek. “AJ Has been our leading scorer,” Dunn noted. “He’s a junior who played up as a sophomore last year and has done some very good things. Adam is our senior who starts. He’s also playing well.”

York plays Hinsdale South and Lyons Township this week. “This is a very good group,” Dunn said. “They are resilient kids who work extremely hard and continue to fight. Many times within the last week there was the potential for

York girls basketball team now 9-0

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

The wins continue to stack high for the York girls basketball team. The Dukes recently recorded West Suburban Conference Silver Division wins against Proviso West, Downers Grove North and Hinsdale Central to move to 9-0 overall and 4-0 in WSC Silver action. York was up by 30 points at halftime and went on to beat Proviso West 61-33.

The Dukes downed Downers Grove North 49-38, which is the closest an opponent has come to York so far this season, coach Brandon Collings noted. “That was our closest game this year,” Collings said. “With the nine wins, all have been by double digits.”

York also downed Hinsdale Central 50-31. “Defensively we averaged 14.5 steals through the first seven games,” Collings pointed out. “Our defense has been turning the ball over a lot and getting a lot of easy buckets, which gets us a chance for a lot of quick and big runs we put on teams.”

Offensively, York has five players averaging eight points or more. Through the first seven games of the season, Mariann Blass was leading the Dukes in scoring at 18.5 points per game. Stella Kohl was at 10 points

per game, while Hannah Meyers was at 9.5 and Lizzie Baldridge was at 9.0 points per game. Anna Filosa comes off the bench and was averaging 8.0 points per game. The Dukes’ fifth starter is Angelina Downer, who was averaging 5.0 points and leading the Dukes in rebounding at 5.0 per game through the first seven contests. “The balanced scoring definitely helps,” Collings said. “We’re scoring right about 60 points a game and letting up 36 a game, which will be a little less after the 31 and 33 games. Our defense has been doing a great job putting on pressure in the full court and our half-court defense has been stingy. We are playing very hard, smart, and playing very unselfishly. We are a very tough matchup offensively because we have a lot of girls who can attack the basket, finish at the rim, hit the mid-range jumper and make 3s. We are very unselfish. We can make that extra pass, which is very nice to see here at the beginning of the year.”

York has been especially stifling on defense over its last five games where opponents have been held to an average of 31.4 points per game, compared to 44.8 in the Dukes’ first four contests of the season. York has scored 60 or more points in four of the nine wins and has hit the 50-point

barrier in seven of the first nine games.

Earlier, York opened conference play with a win over Oak Park-River Forest in a game that saw Filosa score 25 points. “Mariann leads us in scoring, but any day any of those five girls can lead us in scoring, which is a nice problem to have,” Collings said. “Where we are right now is somebody steps up each game. It’s different people stepping up and having big games for us.”

Collings is looking forward to an upcoming three-game stretch where York will face Lake Zurich, expected WSC Silver contender Lyons Township and Benet Academy, which is ranked second in the state according to one poll. “We have three huge tests coming up,” Collings said. “We’ll see how we stack up against these elite teams. Those will be our three toughest games of the year so far before we head over to Montini and play in their holiday tournament.”

York will play Lane Tech in the first round at Montini and could face Chicago Whitney Young in the second round if it wins its first-round game. The Montini field features strong Chicagoland teams such as Nazareth Academy, Lyons Township, Whitney Young, Montini, Trinity and York.

them to fold very easily. They kept fighting and they gave us chances to win, both against Wheaton-South and against Downers Grove North. We’re getting seasoned and gaining

experience. Our eight juniors are making strides every day. We have lost some tough games, but we continue to fight and improve. I like where we are heading.”

Girls gymnastics team showing improvements

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

The York girls gymnastics team has been active on the competition front of late. The Dukes’ varsity took sixth place the recent Hornet Thanksgiving invitational with a score of 119.80. Daniella Chavez finished 17th on vault with a score of 8.35, while Hayley Schiltz tied for 18th with an 8.30. On beam, Chavez was 17th with a 7.90, while Schiltz was 20th with a 7.70. Schiltz tied for 17th on bars with a 7.45, while Angelina De Simone was 21st with a 7.25. Chavez led the way on floor exercise with a 7.65, while Schiltz scored a 7.50. Schiltz tied for 14th in the allaround competition with a score of 30.95. Chavez was 18th with a 30.55.

The York JV1 team was third at the Naperville North Big Blue JV invitational with a score of 105.80.

Lila Ward was eighth on vault with an 8.25, while Elaine Blass was ninth with an 8.20. Nora Heflin took fourth on beam with a 7.15, while Ward was seventh at 6.75. Ward was sixth on bars with a 5.80, while Heflin was ninth at 5.40. Grace Jensen took sixth on floor exercise with a 7.45. Ward was 10th at 7.25. Ward was fourth in the all-around scoring at 28.05, while Heflin was fifth at 27.75.

The York freshman team took fifth at the Hinsdale Central freshman Thanksgiving invitational with a score of 91.70. Heflin was tops on vault at 7.35 and beam at 6.15. Heflin also led York on bars with a 6.80. Jensen scored a 7.60 on floor, while Heflin had a 7.20. Heflin finished 19thin the all-around scoring at 27.50.

York’s varsity also recorded a 117.50 score at the Glenbard West Hilltopper invitational. Schiltz led York on vault with an 8.35. Gabrielle Zmaczynski had an 8.30. Schiltz was tops on beam with a 7.80 and led the way on bars with a 7.00. Schiltz scored an 8.15 on floor and finished 30th overall in the all-around standings at 31.30.

The Dukes varsity also scored a 125.15 in a recent West Suburban Conference Silver Division dual against Hinsdale Central. Zmaczynski took third on vault with an 8.50. Schiltz and Chavez tied for sixth,

each scoring an 8.35. Schiltz tied for the top spot on balance beam with an 8.95 and took third on bars with an 8.15. Schiltz also tied for second on floor at 8.50. Schiltz was third in the dual in the all-around at 33.95, while Chavez was fourth at 32.25.

Against Hinsdale Central, the JV1 team scored a 112.05. Heflin scored an 8.00 on vault. Maeve Gibbs scored a 7.40 on beam and took second. Heflin scored a 7.00 on bars and was third, while Emma Cartis tied for third on floor with a 7.95. Heflin was fourth in the all-around standings at 28.50. The JV2 squad scored an 82.90 against Hinsdale Central. Josephine Fedorak won the vault with a 7.30, while Amelia Kardasz was second at 7.20. Fedorak was second on balance beam, while Avery McDermott won the bars competition.

McDermott also was tops on floor with a 6.50.

York coach Ashley Samata, a former gymnast at the school, noted Schiltz has improved her balance beam score from a 7.7 to an 8.95 and her floor score from a 7.5 to an 8.5. Sharonee Chakravarti has taken her floor score from 6.9 to 8.0 and her beam total from 7.0 to 8.2.

Zmaczynski has gone from 7.9 to 8.5 on vault, while Cartis has gone from 6.2 to 7.95 on floor. “The biggest improvements I have seen so far are the skills everyone is doing,” Samata said. “Now that the season has started, the team is working on harder skills and more difficult combinations. Everyone on the team is performing well.” Chavez, Schiltz, Zmaczynski and Chakravarti have performed well on the varsity level, Samata noted. “I can always count on them to hit their routines at competitions,” Samata said.

Samata said another notable aspect with her team is the sportsmanship aspect. “I love how all the team members support each other,” she said. “Also, the team is doing really great with adapting to me as their new coach. Transitions and changes can be hard sometimes, especially when they have had a different coach for so long. I was really surprised how

Timothy Christian girls basketball team defeats Chicago Christian, Walther Christian High school state football finals returning to Illinois State University next season

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

The Timothy Christian girls basketball team went 2-1 during a recent three-game stretch against St. Francis, Chicago Christian and Walther Christian. In a 43-32 loss to Wheaton St. Francis, Timothy trailed 15-14 after one quarter and 24-18 at halftime. St. Francis outscored Timothy 12-5 in the fourth quarter. Grace Roland led the Trojans with 20 points on 7 of 14 shooting. Sophomore Sami Drye added nine points, all coming on three 3-pointers.

The Trojans then defeated Chicago Christian by a 50-36 count and followed that up with a 49-25 non-conference win over Walther Christian Academy. Timothy led 15-6 after the first quarter and outscored the Broncos 14-0 in the second quarter to put the lead at 29-6 at intermission. Timothy further added to its lead with a 17-5 third-quarter run. The wins moved Timothy to 7-3 overall.

IHSA football state finals returning to Illinois State

The Illinois High School Association Board of Directors met for its regularly scheduled meeting recently where the board approved a state final hosting contract with Illinois State University and the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors

Bureau to host the IHSA football state finals at ISU’s Hancock Stadium from 2023 to 2027. “We appreciate all of the hosting bids that we received for the IHSA Football State Finals,” IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said in an IHSA news memo. “Seeing the passion that these university communities have for hosting the state finals and the amazing stadiums that each campus offers didn’t make for an easy decision. Ultimately, the first-class facilities, amazing support from Illinois State University and the Bloomington-Normal communities, and the central location proved to be the biggest factors in returning to ISU for the next five years.”

Hancock Stadium hosted the inaugural IHSA football state finals in 1974 and hosted more than 100 IHSA football state-championship games from 1974 to 1998. “The entire Illinois State University community is ecstatic to have the IHSA football state finals returning to Bloomington-Normal,” ISU Director of Athletics Kyle Brennan said. “Illinois State University and Illinois State Athletics have long valued their great partnership with the IHSA and take pride in our duties hosting IHSA events at our facilities. It will be a pleasure for us to welcome the student-athletes, their families and spectators to campus and the Bloomington-Normal community each

year and provide them with a top-notch experience at Hancock Stadium.”

Hancock Stadium underwent a $23 million renovation in 2013 that included a new press box, a transformation of the east side of the stadium, new chair-back seating, suites, and more stadium-wide upgrades. ISU broke ground on an indoor football practice facility adjacent to Hancock Stadium in April of 2022 that will be completed when the 2023 IHSA football state finals are held there on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 24-25, 2023.

Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale each submitted bids to host the IHSA state finals from 2023-2027. The University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana submitted a bid to host in 2024, 2026 and 2028, the IHSA stated.

“This decision wasn’t made lightly, as Northern Illinois University and the University of Illinois have been incredible hosts for us through the years,” Anderson said. “We have a tremendous relationship with Champaign-Urbana and look forward to returning there in a few short months for state wrestling and boys basketball. Northern Illinois did an exemplary job, stepping up to host beginning in 2013 when the Big Ten schedule necessitated a hosting change in the midst of the contract with the University of Illinois. Southern Illinois Uni-

versity’s facility stacks up with any other in the state as well, and the area is well-known for having a deeply rooted high school sports fanbase. The IHSA deeply values its relationships with all of these institutions and their communities.”

Only four venues have ever hosted the IHSA football state finals, which debuted in 1974. Hancock Stadium hosted the first six years of championship games. In 1980, the IHSA expanded from five classes to six classes, at which point the IHSA opted to keep the 1A through 3A games at Hancock Stadium, while moving the Class 5A and Class 6A contests to Dyche Stadium on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston. This arrangement lasted from 1980 to 1984, the IHSA explained.

All six classes returned to Hancock in 1985 and remained there through the 1998 state championships. The University of Illinois has hosted the state finals since 1999, except for odd years from 2013 through 2021, when the games shifted to Northern Illinois University’s campus in DeKalb, the IHSA added.

IC Catholic Prep has won six state football championships, including its most recent last month. York High School reached the Class 8A state semifinals this year.

IC Catholic Prep boys basketball team responds with 3-0 week

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

The IC Catholic Prep boys basketball team stood at 2-4 overall after a recent conference loss to Riverside-Brookfield. The Knights dusted themselves off and responded with three wins in a row last week to put their record up to 5-4 overall.

“We were 2-4 to start the year. We had a couple nice wins in there and played some nice competition,” IC Catholic Prep coach TJ Tyrrell said. “They guys lost a little confidence but started to embrace adversity and came in focused each day. The kids did a great job winning these three games.”

The Knights defeated Elmwood Park 75-28 in a Metro Suburban Conference crossover game. Jake Gallagher led the Knights with 16 points. Dominik Ciegotura added 14 points, while Kal Kilgast had 12 points. IC Catholic Prep also defeated Montini 36-31 in non-conference action. “We avenged a loss from last year to Montini,” Tyrrell noted. “We played at their gym. It was a lower-scoring game. This will be someone we will be facing in the Catholic League for many years to come. Kilgast led the way with 12 points, while Dean O’Brien had nine points, “and played a big role for us defensively and rebounding,” Tyrrell said

of O’Brien. O’Brien went 3-for-4 from the foul line and hit two key throws late that put the Knights up by five points.

“I really love the effort Dean has been giving us,” Tyrrell added.

In a 58-29 non-conference win over Lisle at home, the Knights led only 7-6 after the first quarter and increased the lead to 26-16 at halftime. Gallagher led the Knights with 16 points. O’Brien added 11 points and Aidan Johnson had nine points. “This was a very balanced effort,” Tyrrell said. “I thought our defensive intensity took a step up in this game. The execution defensively was at a very high level. That was very encouraging to see. This was a big

week for us because Montini and Lisle are Class 2A teams in the playoffs and typically are in our same sectional. Games like this typically have an impact on seeding. I thought we took a good step forward this week.”

Tyrrell noted Andrew Hill and JP Schmidt, two players from the state-championship football team, have returned. “We are still working to get everybody up to speed with what we are doing,” he said. Tyrrell then returned to the play of O’Brien this season as a discussion topic. “I’d like to talk about the play of Dean O’Brien, a team-above-self guy,” he said. “Dean’s a senior and goes about his business in

a professional way. He doesn’t expect anything from anyone. He’s completely bought in to what we are doing and is a quiet leader for us by his actions. The effort and heart he gives to the team, I can’t ask for anything more from him. I’m very proud of the player and young man he is becoming.”

The Knights play St. Edward and Timothy Christian this week. The Timothy game is a Metro Suburban Blue Division contest. ICCP is 0-1 in Blue action with the R-B loss earlier. IC Catholic Prep will again co-host a Christmas tournament with Westmont. The Knights open play on Dec. 27 at home against Reavis High School.

IC Catholic Prep girls basketball team crushes St. Edward and Tinley Park

Knights in midst of Reavis holiday tournament

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

The IC Catholic Prep girls basketball team recorded a pair of recent non-conference wins. In a 60-30 Metro Suburban Conference crossover win against St. Edward, the Knights led 20-12 after the first quarter and 38-

• Gymnastics

(Continued from page 16)

smooth the transition was. I used to coach many of these girls at the Wagner Center (Elmhurst Park District) when they were much younger. Since they already knew of me, it made the transition much easier.”

Samata is looking for even more progress as the season wears on. “My overall thoughts are that this is going to be a great season,” she said. “I am so lucky and fortunate to be coaching this group of girls. They have so much potential and with the right coaching and skill combinations, the sky is the limit for them.”

18 at halftime. Kayla Carrillo led the Knights with 17 points, while Analisa Raffaelli added 12 points and Kelsey McDonough finished with nine points. “We shot the ball really well,” IC Catholic Prep coach Todd Fisher said. Carrillo made three 3-pointers, while Raffaelli and McDonough each hit a 3. “Kayla had a real nice perimeter game,” Fisher noted. “We had a couple things working against St. Ed’s. We were knocking down our outside shots and our transition offense worked very well. We pushed the ball well and played good defense. It was a good game. The kids played really well from start to finish. It was a great team win. If you look at our scoring, everyone contributed, which is great to see.”

ICCP then opened play in the Reavis holiday tournament in south-suburban Burbank with a 68-30 win over Tinley Park. The Knights led 23-4 after the first quarter in a game that quickly deteriorated into a blowout. ICCP led 38-12 at halftime and extended

the lead to 54-16 after three quarters. “It was almost the same as St. Ed’s,” Fisher noted. “We had great balanced scoring and knocked down quite a bit of our 3s. Our outside game was good. We were knocking down open shots.” Raffaelli led the way with 16 points. Carrillo and McDonough both had 10 points. “If you look at the contributions, again everybody was scoring,” Fisher said. “We are getting contributions from everybody.”

ICCP drained nine 3s in the Tinley Park win. McDonough, Raffaelli and Carrillo each hit two. “It was one of those games where we shot very well from the floor and our transition was very good,” Fisher said. “It was a very good team win. This was backto-back games where we were hitting the outside shot and taking care of the basketball. That was a concern coming off the Byron loss. We took care of the ball better, knocked down shots, hit the basket and played great defense.”

The Knights returned to Reavis and dropped a 50-36 decision to De La Sal-

le. “Our kids played hard and fought hard,” Fisher said. “From start to finish, it was a hard-fought game. I love the effort and the way we competed. Shots didn’t fall for us. We missed a lot in close in the first half and outside shots were not falling. They were bigger than us. They got a few second-chance points and I’m pretty sure if I look at the stats that they controlled the board. I absolutely appreciated the way the kids fought. One thing about us is we will play hard from start to finish. This was a game of runs for both teams, but our shots didn’t fall.”

Raffaelli led ICCP with 12 points. Carrillo had eight points and Maura Grogan added six points. The 2-1 week put the Knights at 7-4 overall. ICCP has games this week against Thornton-Fractional South at Reavis and St. Francis early in the week before returning to Reavis later this week.

“With the way the year started, we’re still at the point where let’s get better each day. Let’s find who we

are and find an identity,” Fisher said. “We are playing a lot of games and not getting in a lot of practices. We did get some kids back late from their fall sports successes. Last week we had very good practices that were very defense oriented. The kids responded. These three games, the kids played very good defense. We have a stretch here with five games in a row without a practice. We harped on some things in practice, two of which were defense and transition. St. Ed’s and Tinley Park were very good defensive game. We did give up 50 against De La Salle and I think the rebounding and second-chance points hurt us there, but the way these kids have responded coming off those three good practices is great to see.

“We are all on the same page with what we need to work on, what our strengths are and where we want to go. We know what we need to do to get better and what we need to do moving forward. The kids had a really good week. Let’s see where it takes us.”

A

Gift GuideHoliday

Second edition

5 reasons to shop small versus big

The importance of small businesses to the economy cannot be overstated. Though national chains often garner publicity, local businesses are equally, if not exceedingly, worthy of attention.

What defines a small business as “small” varies significantly, but these businesses are generally privately owned and generate far less revenue than big corporations. General consensus also defines small businesses as companies with fewer than 500 paid employees, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Here’s a deep look at why small businesses are so vital, and why consumers should direct more of their purchasing power to smaller companies rather than the big box retailers and other national chains.

Autonomy and diversity

The layout and offerings at national chains will be identical whether you live in the mountains or at the beach. Big box stores follow a consistent marketing strategy and look the same regardless of where they are located. That familiarity can come at the cost of variety. On the other hand, an independent business offers the products and services that are reflective of the customers and the community they serve.

Local hiring strategy

Certain big box retailers will hire

local residents, but hiring policies may push for promoting from within the organization. This could mean relocating an employee rather than bringing in someone from the community who may be more in tune with local sensibilities.

Small businesses may be more inclined to hire residents they know and keep hiring centralized to the local area. That keeps more resources and money in the community.

Adaptability and change

Local businesses can move more quickly to respond to economic factors that require change. Since they are focused more on the needs of their customers rather than stockholders, changes can be implemented rapidly without having to go through red tape, meetings and updates to corporate policies. Changes also can be customized to the local community at large.

Investing in the town

According to the financial resource Financial Slot, shopping at locally owned businesses rather than big box retailers keeps more money in the community. Local property taxes and other taxes paid by the businesses go right back into the community. This helps raise overall value for homeowners and can even reduce their taxes. The funding helps keep police, fire and school departments functioning properly.

Turnover is greater

While no one wants to see a small business fail, that fate is sometimes unavoidable. However, that turnover helps teach communities what was done poorly and helps others learn from those mistakes. It also means fresh businesses will come in and replace the old, driving new growth, opportunity and competition that keep prices competitive.

(METRO CREATIVE)

Cantigny presents ‘A Christmas Carol’ radio play

Holiday classic to be performed live as a 1940s-style radio program

Cantigny Park presents something familiar but new for the holidays—an adaptation of “A Christmas Carol,” performed as a 1940s radio play before a live audience.

Tickets are $2 and are on sale now at Cantigny.org for two performances: Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 18, at 11 a.m. Parking for the one-hour inside the Cantigny Park Visitors Center is free for ticketholders.

The set for Cantigny’s version of “A Christmas Carol,” adapted and directed by Christopher Corrigan, is a vintage radio station. Audiences will enjoy a behind-the- scenes perspective as they watch a talented five-member cast cycle through multiple characters. To the side, an old-time radio sound artist will create realistic auditory effects to support the action on stage. The show is inspired by Chicago’s Theatre of the Air, a real radio program introduced by Colonel Robert McCormick on WGN in 1940.

While the setting is a bit different, the main character’s journey is familiar. Ebeneezer Scrooge is a Chicago citizen in the 1940s and publisher of the Chicago Daily News. Guided by three memorable spirits, he will need to learn the true meaning of Christmas and “goodwill to all” if he is to save himself from an unforgiving future.

More information is online at Cantigny.org.

Christmas at Vis

Matthew J Miceli

Financial Advisor

112a S York Rd

Elmhurst, IL 60126-3432 630-530-2422

ARCHIVE PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

Eighth grade members of Visitation’s Concert Band are seen here with band director Pat McMurray back in 2019.

Happy Holidays

Montini Catholic holds annual Golden Gobbler Food Drive

Students of Montini Catholic wrapped up this year’s 26th Anniversary Golden Gobbler Food Drive recently by helping to sort baskets of donated food to be delivered to food pantries in the Lombard area. Starting on Nov. 8, Broncos were invited to bring in canned and boxed food items. Along with filling a large number of baskets, the students collected more than $1,100 in gift cards to add to their food gifts to needy families.

“Now that Gobbler has come to a close, which we consider ‘part 1’ of our Season of Giving, our Adopt-a-Family, ‘part 2,’ is just getting started,” said Campus Minister Mike Blanchette. “Some of the food collected during Gobbler is allocated for families that are ‘adopted’ by Montini Catholic during the Christmas season.”

During the month of December, homerooms will be busy shopping, donating, sorting and wrapping loads of Christmas cheer for area families during the next several weeks. Montini’s Peer Ministers are spearheading the drive and will

also be hosting a ‘Candy Gram’ drive with money going to supplement the Adopt-A-Family donations.

Montini’s traditional ‘Catholic Charities Adopt a Family’ service program encourages students to donate toys and gifts to families facing hardship during the holiday season or throughout the year. During the beginning of December, students donate money through their homerooms - with each homeroom receiving a family to shop for. The students receive wish lists informing them of the number of family members, their gender, ages, and sizes.

“Most of the wish lists include simple items many of us take for granted like gloves, boots, and warm hats,” said Blanchette. “Our students really make a difference by lifting the spirits of families in need at the holiday time. “Each year Golden Gobbler and Adopt-a-Family remind us of what is important in life and there’s no better time than the holidays to reflect on and share our many blessings.”

(from left) Montini juniors Isabella Gatto and Elizabeth Beirne share big smiles while working for Montini Catholic’s 26th Anniversary Golden Gobbler Food Drive. Besides filling a large number of baskets, the students collected more than $1,100 in gift cards to add to their food gifts to needy families.

(from left) Montini seniors Katherine Gertsen and Lillian Townsend helped sort baskets of donations to be delivered to food pantries in the local area as part of Montini’s 26th Anniversary Golden Gobbler Food Drive. It’s part 1 of Montini’s season of giving, while part 2 is Adopting A Family for the holidays.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS The Independent

Mariella Herrmann helps sor t baskets for Montini Catholic 26th Anniversary Golden Gobbler Food Drive for this year. Montini’s Peer Ministers were spearheading this year’s drive.

Hospital Foundation hosts annual Reindeer Route Housewalk

The Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation held its 46th annual Reindeer Route Housewalk on Friday, Dec. 2. The event featured five Elmhurst homes decorated for the holidays by local florists and one neighborhood block with exterior decorations in Elmhurst. A portion of proceeds from the 2022 Rein-

deer Route Housewalk will fund the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Teen Volunteer Health Profession Scholarship program, in addition to other programs and services, such as nursing and staff development. For more information about the EMH Foundation, visit www.emhfoundation.org or call (331) 221-0388.

Carolers were out in force sharing their musical gifts with the crowd gathered around the Christmas tree at the Spring Road Business Association’s holiday tree-lighting.

The Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation’s annual Reindeer Route Housewalk featured five Elmhurst homes decorated for the holidays by local florists. The EMH Foundation offers many giving opportunities and special events designed to support the hospital’s programs and facilities. For more information, visit www.emhfoundation.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS The Independent

Guests chat in the foyer in one of the five Elmhurst homes decorated for the holidays by local florists and featured in the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation’s 46th annual Reindeer Route Housewalk. A portion of proceeds will fund the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Teen Volunteer Health Profession Scholarship program, in addition to other programs and services, such as nursing and staff development.

ARCHIVE PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

program back in 2019.

ARCHIVE PHOTO The Independent

comes Santa Claus aboard an Addison Fire Protection District fire engine, which brought him to the Addison festivities at the Village Green and the Addison Historical Museum.