VPR5522

eview R Review VOL. 17 NO. 21 VOL.18 17••••NO. NO.20 20 VOL. 17 23 VOL. 17 NO. 24

akbROOk eRRace also serving O akbROOk TeRRace eRRace alsoserving servingO OakbROOk akbrook T errace also akbROOk eRRace

WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM

Graduation day Play at the plate at Willowbrook

Golf Lessons

Driving

Range

CaE ll n thjo ey Pra o Sh coop o to Register Todayl and comfortable

Officially

e7n7!

(630) 83O 4-p 47 home this summer

(630) 766-0304

unlimitedheatingco

olin

g.com 185 N. York St. RW hir,teElPimne ea husG rsol t f.com

415319 395484

Villa Park

60¢¢¢¢ 60

394 390 396 445 396917

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 THURSDAY, MAY 6,2022 2021 THURSDAY, MAY 5, THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021 THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review

Freshman Lindsey Rugg of the Willowbrook softball team is pictured while at- lowbrook rebounded from Friday’s loss to post an 11-2 win in Saturday’s game at tempting to score a run during Friday’s game at Downers Grove South. Rugg tried Hinsdale Central. The Warriors bashed three home runs in the second inning of SatCHRIS PHOTO Park Review CHRIS FOXFOX PHOTO VillaVilla Park Review West Suburban Silver to score from second base on a single by sophomore Katelyn Cox in the top of urday’s non-conference battle against the Red Devils of the Conference.

Senior Knudtson, freshman Isabella Dugo and that sophomore the second inning, the game tiedcelebrated at 2-2. Downers Grove South’swith catcher Willowbrook Highwhen School’s Class was of 2021 its commencement two ceremony that beganAnnemarie at 9 a.m. The others participated in the ceremony started Kayleigh the home Dennison (No. 5) is pictured in the tagged Rugg out at home for the third out of theon inning.

Themorning.

Mustangs separate ceremonies in theplate school’s main gymnasium Sunday Thewent en- at 11 a.m. Dennison The photoprovided shows members of runs. the Willowbrook Senior Choir performing background of the above photo. more about the Warriors, see Path, page 14. on to defeat Warriors 7-3students. in the Arbor West Suburban Conference contest. a Wiltire class includes over About half ofGold those students attended the during the day’s first service.

ForFor more photos, see Page 4.Prairie The Village ofthe Villa Park 470 observed Day—Friday, April 29—by planting Quercus macrocarpa (bur oak) tree just north of the Illinois near Central Boulevard and Addison Avenue. The Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission donated the tree for the Arbor Day planting. Pictured (left to right) on Friday morning are: Villa Park Village Trustee Christine Murphy, Villa Park Village President Cuzzone, Joe CHRIS Nick FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review PHOTO Villa Park 390271 Amore—a member of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission,SUBMITTED Villa Park Interim Review VilVillage Michael of Villa Park observed Arbor Day with achair tree of planting on Park Friday, April 30. Pictured (left to lageThe Manager Guerra, Robert Wagner—the the Villa Environmental Concerns right) at the tree planting at the village’s Franklin Park, located atof218 Third Ave., are:Concerns Villa Park Village your local agent Commission, Villa Park Public Library Director (and member theN. Environmental ComTrustee Christine Murphy, Justin Shlensky—chair of the Villa Park Environmental Commismission) Sandra Hill, Kandice Krettler—the library’s deputy director and head Concerns of circulation and sion, Margaret Schiefer—a of the Public Villa Park Environmental Concerns Villa Park outreach services, and Villamember Park Interim Works Director Rich Salerno.Commission, Moments before the Village Trustee Tucker, Villa Village President Albert Park Village Trustee (and Contact for a Parkread group posed forCheryl thisme photo, Cuzzone the proclamation thatBulthuis, he readVilla during the Villa Park Village Villagemeeting President-Elect) Nick Cuzzone and Leslie Allison-Seei—chair thein Villa Park Community Pride Board on April 25. That proclamation noted 150 years of ago, 1872, J.on Sterling Morton 630-514-9961 Villa complementary Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801that held itsApril.

Memorial Day service Monday mornCommission.

Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday of each The National Arbor Day Foundation proposed that a special day—to be known as Arbor Day—be set aside for planting trees.

National 630-514-9961 ing Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park.

Post Commander Jim is pictured bowingthat his recognihead as kdrury@atproperties.com hasatrecognized Villaanalysis Park with City USA forBlankshain 36 straight years. receive market Arbor Day is High celebrated on theTree lastLily Friday indesignation April. Illinois also observes theTo last Friday April as Willowbrook School students Hendrickson and a Anna Seelbach sound taps at thein end ofcomthe kdrury@atproperties.com tion, a community must have a tree board or department, tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive Arbor Day. Some other states observe Arbor Day oncanceled differentbecause dates. The National Arbor Day Foundaof your home!! ceremony.

The post’s 2020 Memorial Day event was of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This munity forestry program anwith Arbor Day observance. tion has recognized Villaand Park Tree City USA designation for 37 straightwho years.

Torecently receive died. that year’s observance included a reading of the names of the Post 2801 members have recognition, a community must have a tree board orBergh, department, a treeascare ordinance, a compreThat list included World War II veteran Charles “Sid” who served the master of ceremonies I would to help! hensive community and for an Arbor observance. of the post’s annual forestry Memorialprogram Day service severalDay years.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Bergh died in

Arbor Day in Villa Park

Police Reports.

Reports...........8 ..........6 ..........8 Police .........6 Reports Legal Notices ......... 15 Viewpoint ................6 Viewpoint. .................6 ...............8 Viewpoint

Sports .................... ....................16 14 16 Puzzles ������������������ 17 Sports Classifieds..............13 Classifieds..........17-18 Classifieds..............17 Classifieds..............16 PRSRT STD PRSRTSTD STD PRSRT PRSRT STD US POSTAGE POSTAGE USUSUSPOSTAGE POSTAGE PAID PAID PAID PAID ROCK VALLEY ROCKVALLEY VALLEY ROCK ROCK VALLEY PUBLISHING LLC PUBLISHINGLLC LLC PUBLISHING PUBLISHING LLC

nside: InsIde

377325

Villa Park celebrates Arbor Day

Memorial Day in Villa Park KATE KATE DRURY DRURY LOW INVENTORY!

Federal judge sets trial date for State Sen. Tom Cullerton--Page 4

October 2020. He was 94 years old. Bergh was the post’s last surviving World War II veteran.

2 • Thursday, May 5, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

PARKPRIDE

The Moreci Family Invites You to Experience

the Finest Selection of Italian Cuisine. Roberto’s Ristorante Features One-of-a-Kind Gourmet Specialties Custom Created by Experienced Chefs Inquire about our private party luncheons for Memorials, Corporate Meetings, Graduations, Confirmations, Weddings & Baptisms Try Our

Stadium Pizza Carry-Out & Delivery Only

Saturday, May 14 9:00am – noon

PARKS: Community Park, Centennial Park, Links & Tees, Panther Park, Byron Park, Lake Manor Park Park Pride Day is a day for patrons and residents to show their hometown pride and help us by participating in the beautification and sprucing up of Addison parks. The Park District is all about making a positive impact – every day – on our 37,000+ residents living throughout the community we serve. We are proud to provide parks, trails, facilities, programs and services that encourage healthy lifestyles, support conservation and offer recreational opportunities to our diverse community of all ages and interests.

483 SPRING ROAD ELMHURST Reservations 630.279-8486 Pizzeria 630.279.8474 www.robertosristorante.com

Don’t Forget Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8.

Make your reservations now!

VOLUNTEER ARE NEEDED! The Park District will provide volunteers with an event t-shirt, work gloves, and tools to get the job done. This is a great opportunity for children, families, scout troops, churches, local businesses and other organizations to give back to the community.

Registration code 602805 Call to register 630-233-7275.

Questions about participation 630-656-6212.

Enjoy Our Outdoor Dining Area

Let our Family cater to your Family!!

Call for Details.

Call us for Carry Out or Delivery Service

Volunteers will plant flower perform landscaping tasks such as spreading mulch and help clean-up certain areas. We hope this day fosters a sense of ownership among residents for parks and environmental stewardship. When you Partner with the Addison Park District and support Park Pride, you help us to enrich lives and connecting people through excellence in parks and recreation services.

Roberto’s Pizzeria

Established in 1962 FAST DELIVERY AND CARRY OUT SERVICE

DOWNLOAD THE ROBERTO’S APP Order online and receive Royalty points

Rain date: May 21

483 SPRING ROAD, ELMHURST • 630-279-8474 • www.robertosristorante.com Open 7 Days A Week M-Th. 11am-10pm • Fri. 11am-11pm • Sat. 12pm-11pm • Sun. 12pm-10pm

Pick Up or Delivery Only One Coupon Per Visit Please Mention Coupon When Ordering Not Valid In Dining Room Expires May 12,2022

Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria

On 14”, 16” or 18” Pizza Pick Up or Delivery Only One Coupon Per Visit Please Mention Coupon When Ordering Not Valid In Dining Room Expires May 12,2022

Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria

FREE

2 Liter of Soda

with $15 Purchase or More Pick Up or Delivery Only One Coupon Per Visit Please Mention Coupon When Ordering Not Valid In Dining Room Expires May 12,2022

Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria

1 OFF

$ 00

THANK YOU LUNCH We invite volunteers to join in the celebration for a complementary lunch as a THANK YOU for your hard work and supporting the beautiful parks in Addison.

On 14”, 16” or 18” Pizza Pick Up or Delivery Only One Coupon Per Visit Please Mention Coupon When Ordering Not Valid In Dining Room Expires May 12,2022

Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria

ADDISONPARKS.ORG FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

LOCALLY OWNED BY THE KELTY FAMILY

Thank you to our Presenting Corporate Sponsor

417075

On Full Slab of Ribs

1 OFF

$ 00

416040

1 OFF

$ 50

417005

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, May 5, 2022 • 3

County Mental Health Court graduates record number of students Chief Judge Kenneth L. Popejoy announced that the DuPage County Mental Illness Court Alternative Program (MICAP) conducted a graduation ceremony honoring 22 participants in the largest Problem-Solving Court graduation class in the history of the 18th Judicial Circuit.

Judge Paul Marchese presided over the ceremony which was held

live and simulcast via Zoom. Chief Judge Popejoy attended the ceremony along with DuPage County State’s Attorney, Bob Berlin, and DuPage County Public Defender, Jeff York.

The audience included family, friends, prosecutors, defense attorneys and police officers, including the arresting officers of many of the participants.

“I commend the collaborative effort of everyone involved in the MICAP Program,” Chief Judge Popejoy said. “Working together, we can improve participant’s lives and reduce recidivism.”

The DuPage County Mental Illness Court Alternative Program (MICAP) is designed to enhance the quality of life for participants by engaging in mental health and other treatment and community-based

support systems.

These support systems use a problem-solving court model to facilitate new skills leading to a reduction in recidivism and the stigma associated with mental illness.

DuPage County announces 2022 Scholarship Program official school transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a Financial Aid Audit (financial aid award letter), and proof of enrollment in an Illinois accredited institution.

The scholarship award amounts will vary this year from $500 to $2,500 and special consideration is given to students interested in high-technology fields or other occupations in emerging fields.

Applications are available at the DuPage County Department of Community Services Office, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, or online at www.dupagecounty. gov/CSBG. Completed applications and support documents must be received by 4:30 p.m. May 6.

For more information, contact the DuPage County Department of Community Services at (630) 4076500, or call the toll-free number at (800) 942-9412.

TTY access is available at (630) 407-6502.

Assistance available to elderly, disabled voters for upcoming Primary Election

The DuPage County Clerk Election Division has announced that special assistance in voter registration is available to the elderly and voters with disabilities through the division’s office.

The division can assist in the arrangement of voter registration appointments with deputy registrars for the upcoming June 28 General Primary Election.

All eligible registered voters, including those who are physically unable to get to their polling place, are entitled to receive a ballot by mail or in person. An individual may request a ballot to vote by mail up through June 23.

An individual may vote early at the Election Division office, beginning May 19 through June 27 or early vote in person at one of the County’s Early Voting sites, starting June 13, through Monday, June 27.

Polling locations during Early Voting and on Election Day will be equipped with touch-screen ballot marking devices to enable those who

are blind, visually impaired or have limited dexterity to vote privately without assistance.

Additionally, a voter may request assistance with marking their ballot.

At the polling place on Election Day assistance may be given by Judges of Election (one from each political party), a friend or a relative. Assistance with marking the ballot will also be at early voting sites.

For additional information, contact the Election Division office, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois, 60187 at (630) 407-5600, the TDD number at (630) 407-5631, or visit the Election Division website at www.dupagecounty.gov/election/.

Notice of introduction, adoption and use of new voting system Notice is hereby given that at the general primary election to be held on June 28 in the County of DuPage and State of Illinois, a new voting system, Hart InterCivic Verity will be used.

Fenton hosts Cinco de Mayo Kermes On Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Fenton stadium, Fenton will host Cinco de Mayo Kermes. The celebration includes traditional Latino dishes, voter registration, a soccer tournament, a 5K

race, music provided by a DJ and more activities for the whole family.

All proceeds support Fenton students. For information, contact Mrs. Timmins at 630-860-6284.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Pictured is the graduating class and court participants of the DuPage County Mental Illness Court Alternative Program (MICAP). A ceremony honored the 22 participants in the largest Problem-Solving Court graduation class in the history of the 18th Judicial Circuit.

DuPage County to host inaugural Community Arts Festival DuPage County will host its inaugural DuPage Community Arts Festival to highlight the importance of arts in our community.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, May 28 at the north grounds of DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton.

There will be three stages providing musical acts, along with food trucks and a beer tent providing refreshments.

Local community artists will be showcasing and selling their work throughout the festival.

Groups scheduled to perform during the festival include the headline act, Ides of March, and others including the Orbert Davis Quintet, Muriel Anderson, Ralph Covert and Ralph’s World, Son Monarcas, the DuPage Symphony Ensembles, the Chicago Jazz Academy, Vital Signs, the Road Show Inc. Show Choir, Elmhurst Symphony Chamber groups, and many more, including a visual performance by artist Lewis Achenbach.

DuPage County formed an Ad Hoc Fine Arts Committee to develop the festival as an opportunity to support local artists, many of whom have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Presale tickets are currently available and cost $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for children under the age of 3. A family pass will be available for $50. Tickets bought at the gate will cost $25 for adults, $12 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for children under the age of 3. A family pass bought at the gate will cost $60. To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit the DuPage County Fair Association website at https://dupagecountyfair.org.

It’s Time To Update Your

Wardrobe Joe’s Tailor Shop

(630) 495-4477 Expert Alterations Reasonable Prices HOURS: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Saturday 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

CLOSED SUNDAY

17W580 BUTTERFIELD ROAD OAKBROOK TERRACE (Northeast corner of Butterfield at Summit)

416862

DuPage County Community Services is offering college and occupational training scholarships for low-income students with high academic potential.

The Community Services Block Grant scholarship supplements the cost of tuition, books, supplies, and other school-related items for a semester or a quarter to offset the student’s needs.

This scholarship is funded and designed in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Applicants are required to provide proof of DuPage County residency, gross household income for the past 30 days, and information about members living in the household.

Income for the household must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Applicants must also include a 500-word original essay or personal statement,

4VP • Thursday, May 5, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Educators push back against testing requirements

Villa Park reView

State board looks to overhaul annual assessments

Your Hometown Newspaper

By Peter Hancock

240 N. West Avenue Elmhurst, IL. 60126

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Teachers and other education professionals are urging the Illinois State Board of Education to reduce the amount of time students spend on standardized tests each year and to adopt a new testing system that produces more useful information to help teachers improve their instruction.

“One thing that we’re saying and that our members are saying is that we have a testing regime that has gone too far, and is not helping children learn,” Illinois Federation of Teachers president Dan Montgomery said during a virtual news conference April 29.

Under state and federal law, all students in grades 3-8 are tested each year in English language arts and math. They are also tested in science in grades 5, 8 and 11. In Illinois, those tests are known as the Illinois Assessment of Readiness, or IAR, and are taken by students in the spring.

Nationwide testing mandates are a product of the 2002 federal law known as the No Child Left Behind Act which uses them to hold teachers, schools and districts accountable for meeting state educational standards.

Recently, though, the State Board of Education has considered overhauling its testing system and at one

Main Phone 630.834-8244 Fax 630.834-0900 The Villa Park Review is published every Thursday by Rock Valley Publishing, LLC, 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126.

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: CFox@rvpublishing.com Classified Department: Classifieds@rvpublishing.com

Administration: Chris Fox News Coordinator

point proposed replacing the single year-end test with three smaller tests that would be given in the fall, winter and spring. The plan also would have given districts the option of testing children in kindergarten through grade 2.

Amid pushback from teachers unions and others, however, ISBE backed away from that plan last year and instead commissioned a survey from the national Center for Assessment to get feedback from teachers, administrators, parents, students and others about ways to improve the state’s testing system.

“We don’t want to just decrease the amount of time of the end-of-the-year test, we want to decrease the amount of testing period,” said Monique Redeaux-Smith, IFT’s director of union professional issues.

The results of that survey were presented to the board April 20. Among the key findings was that many people found the current testing system doesn’t provide much instructionally useful information because the tests are administered in the spring and results aren’t released until the next fall after students have already advanced to another grade.

Many respondents also said too much time is devoted to preparing for and administering tests, taking away from actual classroom instruction.

Many people surveyed also sug-

gested the state could provide more resources to help local districts give interim tests at different times of the year—tests that would be completely separate from the accountability tests given in the spring—to help teachers tailor their instruction to meet their students’ immediate needs.

Finally, the report recommended that ISBE take its time and move deliberately before making any major changes to the testing system.

“There is high agreement about the need to improve state assessment, but less consensus about what improvement consists of,” the report stated.

“ISBE can play a central role in providing leadership, building up trust, and developing plans that balance moving forward with maintaining needed quality.”

The push toward standardized testing as a way of holding schools accountable grew out of a movement that began decades earlier, known as outcomes-based education—the idea that schools should be graded on the basis of how much students learn rather than the resources that go into them.

That movement got a big boost during the Reagan administration with the publication of a 1983 report, A Nation at Risk, which painted a highly critical picture of the failures of American schools, calling the entire public education system “medio-

cre” and warning that it was quickly being surpassed by those of other nations.

But the emphasis on testing has long met resistance from many people within education, particularly teachers unions who have complained that it is unfair—especially to minority and low-income students who are more likely to attend under-resourced schools—and that it detracts from classroom education.

“This is a racist relic of the past,” state Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, D-Chicago, said during the news conference. “Assessments have served to keep groups out of institutions, and we know that the value, the validity in our education system of using these assessments are highly questionable.”

Paul Zavitkovsky, a former teacher and principal who now works at the Center for Urban Education Leadership, said there are testing systems available that would produce more useful information for teachers, but many of them don’t report the results in any meaningful way.

“It looks like what the job of teaching is, is teaching a larger number of discrete skills faster and more effectively,” he said. “And that actually ends up reinforcing exactly the kind of teaching and learning that creates a lot of the opportunity gaps that we actually see out there.”

Villa Park’s 2022 Spring Sweep recycling and shredding event will take place on May 21

Debra Hamilton Advertising Director

Drive-through event is free to Villa Park residents, but there are fees for some items STAFF REPORT

Pete Cruger Publisher

Advertising: Brenda Garcia Marguerite Micken

Subscriptions: The Villa Park Review is mailed to the 60181 zip code areas for $45.00 yearly. Out-of-area mail subscriptions are $50.00 yearly.

For home delivery information call 630.834-8244.

Reprints: Content appearing in the Villa Park Review 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 VILLA PARK REVIEW 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126

Office Hours:

352518

Monday-Friday 11am-3pm

Villa Park’s Community FUN (Focus on Unifying Neighbors) Commission is joining the Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission to hold the 2022 Villa Park Spring Sweep recycling and shredding drop-off event from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 21.

The drive-through Spring Sweep will take place on Home Avenue, near Villa Park Village Hall. Traffic will enter from Harvard Avenue, heading north, and exit onto Ardmore Avenue. Entering onto Harvard from St. Charles Road will be prohibited during the event.

Participants will recycle from the safety of their vehicles by driving to different stations on Home Avenue.

Volunteers will collect and remove items from vehicles. Attendees are asked to remain in their vehicles and

pack all of their recyclable items in the trunk of their vehicles. If possible, residents should pack items in easy-to-carry boxes clearly labeled with what items are inside.

The event is free to Villa Park residents. There is a $20 fee per vehicle for non-residents. Fees will apply for residents who drop off paint and some other items (including aerosol products, insecticides, household cleaners, personal care cans) for recycling.

Accepted items include bicycles, scooters, helmets, gently used games, puzzles and LEGOS, hardcover and paperback books for children and adults (no encyclopedias, textbooks, workbooks or reference books), used clothing and shoes, small appliances in working order, full and discharged fire extinguish-

Obituary Keith J. LaPointe, 55 Keith J. LaPointe, of Glen Ellyn, passed away recently at the age of 55.

Beloved husband of Michelle LaPointe; loving father of Joseph LaPointe, stepfather of Kaitlyn, and Ronald Rentner; dear son of the late Ronald LaPointe and Kathleen LaPointe, nee King; fond brother of Tina (Tom) Baranowski, William (Dana) Oliver, Steven (Christine) LaPointe; uncle of many nieces and nephews; and dear friend of the Szudrowicz family and many other

friends and family. Keith worked for Sherwin-Williams for 38 years.

Visitation was held Wednesday, April 27, 2022, from 3:00 p.m.9:00 p.m.

Funeral service was held Wednesday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. at Steuerle Chapel, 350 S. Ardmore Ave, Villa Park.

Interment Private. Memorials to Moose International Inc., 155 S. International Dr., Mooseheart, IL 60539 are appreciated.

Funeral info: steuerlefh.com or 630-832-4161.

ers, old, tattered and faded American flags, eyeglasses, hearing aids, ink cartridges, metal (house) keys, soda/ pop tabs, decorative lighting strings, paint, computers, monitors, printers, household batteries, digital cameras and cell phones.

Other accepted items include lead/ acid automotive and marine batteries, as well as soccer gear (girls leggings,

soccer uniforms, cleats, balls, nets, referee/goalie gear, first aid kits).

The document shredding offers a limit of three banker boxes per household.

For more information, or to volunteer for the event, send an email to the Villa Park Community FUN Commission at pride@invillapark. com.

Warriors reel off three shutout victories Trio of non-conference shutouts push Willowbrook’s overall record to 10-4

STAFF REPORT

The Willowbrook girls soccer team improved its overall season record to 10-4 by winning three non-conference home matches last week. The Warriors opened the week with a 1-0 victory over Fenwick on April 26.

Two days later, Willowbrook defeated West Chicago 3-0. The Warriors completed their successful week with Saturday’s 10-0 win over Ridgewood.

Senior Brooke Vandergrift scored Willowbrook’s goal in the team’s 1-0 victory over Fenwick. Senior Erin Fitzgibbon provided an assist on Vandergrift’s goal.

Vandergrift, Fitzgibbon and freshman Liz Tretina each scored one goal in the Warriors’ win over West Chicago. Vandergrift assisted Tretina’s goal. Senior Rachael Klamecki delivered an assist on Fitzgibbon’s goal.

Fitzgibbon earned an assist on Vandergrift’s goal.

Junior Haley Preuss scored three goals for Willowbrook in Saturday’s victory over Ridgewood. Fitzgibbon contributed a pair of goals. Sophomore Grace Soltys also netted two goals for the Warriors.

Vandergrift, freshman Emily Barth and junior Jenna Boynton supplied one goal each.

Junior goalkeeper Maddie Aderholt helped the Warriors to last week’s three shutout victories.

Willowbrook’s schedule this week includes West Suburban Gold Conference matches against Hinsdale South and Proviso East, along with Saturday’s non-conference match against York in Elmhurst. The Warriors will enter this week’s action with a conference record of 1-2.

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, May 5, 2022 • 5

Gratitude in the everyday

Today I was overwhelmed by a feeling of gratitude. This isn’t a given for me at this point in my life.

Sometimes I feel the opposite of gratitude; for that I am sorry.

I have been given much. I have been loved much. My life, for the most part has been wonderful. I was born in a country where much is wonderful and much is taken for granted.

I flip the light switch and my room is illuminated, any time day or night all 365 days of the year. I turn on the faucet and have access to an unlimited amount of clean drinking water. Sometimes I am so entitled I think my clean drinking water isn’t good enough and I purchase water that is purported to be even cleaner.

Showering every day is a given not a luxury.

I have machines that wash my clothes, dishes and floors. I have a reliable car that starts when I turn the key. It brings me to the superstore where I have practically unlimited access to food. This car operates on gasoline. Sometimes I complain about the prices, but I can purchase as much as I want, so long as I have the money or credit card. I have a bed to sleep on every night. It has comfy pillows and blankets. I’ve been sleeping well.

I have a roof over my head. When it rains I don’t worry about getting wet. When it is very cold I have heat to keep me warm. When it is very hot I have air conditioning to keep me cool.

My fridge and cupboards hold more than enough food for me to eat.

I can chose what I eat every day based on what I’m craving or what sounds good. I have the luxury of thinking about diet and exercise and how they can keep me healthy. I have the time to improve both in my life.

And I haven’t touched on the two most important aspects of all: people and nature.

I have friends and family who love me. Yeah, they do and I know it without a shadow of a doubt. My

By

JILL PERTLER Columnist

kids and grandkids want to spend time with me. They value my existence that much. How beyond wonderful is that?

This morning, the birds were singing. The squirrels in my backyard were putting on a play show for my benefit. The sun was shining half the day, never mind the other half. When the clouds appeared they moved in the sky like they didn’t have a care in the world, which I’m pretty sure they didn’t.

Clouds float, rivers flow. Nature takes its course. We should be like nature. We should flow freely with the current and not cling to the rocks along the shore. The rocks only hold us back from what we are meant to be. They may feel secure and steady, but they won’t help us move forward.

They don’t aid in getting us to our destination. Only the current can do that.

Tonight I am feeling thankful.

Sometimes I cling to the rocks, even though I know that won’t get me anywhere. I am human. We all are human.

I have lost people I love, and that hurts, but it is a blessing as well. To love is a blessing. Period. To love is to know you (or someone you love) will lose, in the biggest of ways. Love is the precursor to loss, but it is magical just the same.

Tonight I am feeling thankful. For life. For sunshine. For a good night’s sleep. For love that’s here right now and for love that continues on forever.

Counting my blessings. I think it’s a good thing to do.

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

Bill eases restriction for classroom paraprofessionals Under a new law supported by state Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs), more paraprofessionals, or teacher aides, will have access to classrooms sooner.

“Paraprofessionals are vital members of a school’s support staff,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By lowering the eligible age, Illinois is offering an opportunity to an aspiring educator or other responsible adult while working to address the statewide teacher shortage.”

In Illinois, paraprofessionals are currently required to be at least 19 years old. Under the new law, the age would be lowered to 18 years old, as long as the individual meets the other license requirements. Paraprofessionals are required to have a high school diploma, an associate degree and pass a competency test.

According to the Illinois State

Board of Education, the number of unfilled paraprofessional positions in school districts across the state nearly doubled from 2021 to 2022.

There were 1,237 unfilled positions last year compared to 2,397 this year, making this law more important than ever.

“Paraprofessionals add another layer of support to the classroom, allowing students to have more opportunities for one-on-one assistance,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Lowering the required age by one year will allow additional qualified individuals to take on this role and offer support to our school system.”

Senate Bill 3988 was signed into law Wednesday and is effective Jan. 1, 2023.

Editor’s note: This was submitted by the office of State Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton.

‘Rock of Ages’ coming to Paramount Theatre Nominated for five Tony Awards® including Best Musical, Rock of Ages will take you back into the iconic music era of the 80s, where rock-n-roll dreamers line up to turn their fantasies into reality — and you can be in the front row to watch it all come to life.

Just a small-town girl with Hollywood dreams meets a big-city boy chasing his rock-star fantasies on the infamous sunset strip in L.A. With the historic Bourbon Room as the backdrop, their love story unfolds right where the biggest names in rock got their start — all told through the mind-blowing

hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Poison and more.

Go back to when rock was king, and every song was a kingmaker. Relive some of the biggest, baddest rock songs of all time including “Just Like Paradise,” “Sister Christian,” “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” and a whole lot more.

Rock of Ages is at the Paramount Theatre through May 29.

For ticket information call 630.896-6666 or visit paramountaurora.com/rock.

Green Meadow Excellent mix of Stores and Serv ices to accommodate al l of your needs

4

H&R BLOCK

54

Top Fashions

6

Chiki’s Unisex

56

S Celebrations

8

Professional Translation Services

62

Angel Quinceaneras

10&12

Barbaras Polish Deli

16

Century 21 Affiliated

68

Beyond Beauty Day Spa

22

Pink Noise DJ

70

Famous Beverages

28 Ste. #2

Professional Center:

74

El Chipilin Restaurant

30

Wash ‘N Dry

Coin Laundry Drop Off Laundry Service

78

Penny’s Bistro

Pizza Hut

90-91

St. Vincent de Paul Society

32 32A

Income Tax Preparation Men & Boys Hairstyling

Full Service Real Estate Office

Dr. Scigacz, MD

Carry-out Available or Delivery

C&K Electronics

Contemporary & Pro-team fashions Quinceañera/Communion/Wedding Apparel Dance Lessons

Skin Care & Laser Hair Removal Beer Liquor Wine Mexican Food Now Open!

Video Gaming

Resale Shop 96

Electronic Repairs & Sales

Anytime Fitness Open Gym & Group Training

Portillo’s Beef & Hot Dogs

O’Reilly Auto Parts

100

40

E.Y. Mobile

102-108 Kim’s Martial Arts School

42

Smiletown Dental

114

44

Diva Spa Nails

36

Manicures, Pedicures 48

Flavor Frenzy Ice Cream Ice Cream & More

50

ER Studio Photography

52

Tobacco Store

128 130

Lou Malnati’s Pizza Aaron’s Furniture Appliances4Less Now Open

Professional Center: 134 Ste. #201 Addison Green Meadows, Inc. Management Office Ste. #201 Performance Builders, Inc. General Contractors & Developers 140

Jewel/Osco

Under a well lit canopy - Conveniently located on Lake Street / just west of Addison Road Management Office · 134 W. Lake Street, Suite 201, Addison, IL 60101 · (630) 543-3150

WWW.ADDISONGREENMEADOWS.COM

416706

Slices of life

6 • Thursday, May 5, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Police Reports Area police departments recently reported the following arrests and citations. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that suspects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of victims.

Juveniles age 17 or younger are not named.

Addison and Byron at 8:35 p.m.

William Sanchez, 18, of Addison, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon/vehicle, unlawful possession of a firearm/gang member, possession of a firearm/invalid FOID and illegal possession of ammunition in the 100 block of W. Elizabeth at 4:55 p.m.

April 16 Rosario Garcia-Lopez, 36, of Elmhurst, was charged with DUI and no driver’s license/permit near Fullerton and La Londe at 12:46 a.m.

April 7 Dominick E. Kunz, 53, of Addison, was charged with DUI, driving while license suspended/revoked and no insurance in the 700 block of W. Stonemill at 4 p.m.

April 8 James D. Brabeck, 32, of WarrenAddison ville, was charged with resisting/obApril 19 structing a police officer.

Jackelin A. Gonzalez, 27, of Villa Isidro Jimenez-Lopez, 48, of AdPark, was charged with possession of dison, was charged with DUI and no cannabis in a vehicle in the 900 block driver’s license/permit near Michael of W. Fullerton at 8:25 p.m. and Valerie at 9:50 p.m.

April 15 Jesus Tello, 31, of Bloomindale, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, resisting a police officer and unauthorized use of handicapped parking in the 2700 block of S. California at 12:40 p.m.

Mercedes E. Valledeperas, 32, of Roselle, was charged with two counts of battery in the 1100 block of N. Swift at 9:54 p.m.

April 14 Corinne M. Zylstra, 44, of Plainfield, was charged with DUI in the 800 block of S. Rohlwing at 9:47 p.m.

April 6 Oscar Salazar, 33, of Addison, was charged with possession of a controlled substance at 9:40 a.m.

Villa Park April 23 Terrel D. Griffin, 25, of Lombard, was charged with criminal trespass to vehicles and driving while license suspended in the 200 block of E. Roosevelt at 12:18 a.m.

Rudy Mata, 67, of Bensenville, was charged with two counts of DUI and improper lighting/head or taillights near N. Michigan and W. North at 10:47 p.m.

A complainant at a store in the 300 block of E. St. Charles at 3:38 p.m. A complainant reported that a suspect was sending threatening messages.

April 13 Rachael V. Moreno, 23, of Addison, was charged with three counts of violation of an order of protection and driving while license revoked or suspended in the 1800 block of April 22 Kings Pointe at 10:38 p.m.

Brandon M. Adkins, 26, of Glenwood, was charged with two counts April 12 of battery in the 1-100 block of S. A 21-year-old Orland Park man Harvard at 3:03 a.m. was charged with two counts of doA complainant in the 400 block of mestic battery at 1:50 p.m.

S. Riverside reported three incidents of an unwanted subject on the propApril 11 erty—at 1:18, 11:31 and 11:33 p.m.

Emmanuel T. Beard, 25, of ChicaTheft was reported in the 600 go, was charged with DUI in the 500 block of S. Riverside at 2:35 p.m. A block of N. Mill at 3:46 a.m. complainant reported that a suspect removed a wallet from inside their April 9 home.

Frisly Carrilo-Lopez, 19, of AdTheft was reported in the 100 dison, was charged with DUI and block of S. Yale at 6:22 p.m. A comdriving while license suspended near plainant reported that an unknown

suspect removed a package that was that an unknown suspect removed delivered to their front porch. suitcases from display shelves and left the store without paying.

April 21 A 60-year-old Villa Park man was April 17-18 charged with two counts of domestic A complainant in the 400 block of battery in the 200 block of E. Ke- S Riverside reported two incidents nilworth at 11:08 a.m. of an unwanted subject on the propA complainant in the 400 block of erty—at 11:28 p.m. April 17 and at S. Riverside reported two incidents 9:38 a.m. April 18. of an unwanted subject on the property—at 8:19 and 10:06 p.m.

Fraud According to information providApril 20 ed last week by the Villa Park Police Jociel Patino-Morales, 22, of Villa Department, police reported two inPark, was charged with DUI, unlaw- cidents of residents being a victim of ful possession of drug parapherna- fraud. lia, leaving the scene of an accident involving damage to a vehicle, fail- Catalytic converter theft ure to give aid or information at an According to information providattended accident involving vehicle ed last week by the Villa Park Police damage, making an improper turn at Department, police reported three inan intersection/cross designated me- cidents of catalytic converters being dian, improper lane usage, driving removed from vehicles. on the wrong side of the road, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident Bensenville and no insurance near N. Addison The Bensenville Police Departand W. North at 7:34 p.m. Police said ment recently reported the following Patino-Morales also was arrested on arrests and citations. Persons who are a failure to appear warrant out of charged with domestic battery are DuPage County. not named in order to protect the vicA complainant in the 400 block of tim’s privacy. Readers are remindS Riverside reported two incidents of ed that an arrest does not constitute an unwanted subject on the proper- a conviction, and that suspects are ty—at 12:04 a.m. and 12:09 a.m. considered innocent unless proven Theft was reported in the 1000 guilty in a court of law. Juveniles age block of N. Villa at 2:54 p.m. A com- 17-or-younger are not named. plainant reported that a subject reApril 27, 7:22 p.m. in the 100 block moved money from their purse. of Red Oak St., Colin D. Kurpieski, Two incidents of burglary were re- 31, of Palatine, was arrested for failported at Willowbrook High School ure to appear warrant out of DuPage at 6:10 and 6:29 p.m., respectively. County. BEPC2200346.

In both incidents, it was reported that April 26, 8:04 a.m. in the 300 block an unknown suspect removed a cell of S. York Road, a complainant rephone that was in a locker. ported his vehicle was parked on the north side of the building, where the April 19 catalytic converter was found to be Police said Abigail R. Moss, 19, of missing from his vehicle. This case is Rockford, was arrested on a failure to under investigation. BEPC2200341. appear warrant out of DuPage CounApril 26, 9:08 a.m. in the 100 ty in the 1-100 block of W. Roosevelt block of N. Mason St., a complainant at 4:04 p.m. reported her juvenile child was harassed and followed by an unknown April 18 suspect. This case is under investigaFrancisco G. Berron, 50, of Cice- tion. BEPC2200338. ro, was issued citations for transporApril 26, 9:41 a.m. in the 300 tation or possession of open alcohol block of S. York Road, a complainant by a driver, operating a vehicle while reported her vehicle was parked in registration was suspended for no the parking lot and found the catainsurance, no valid driver’s license lytic converted was missing from the and no insurance near N. Villa and E. vehicle. This case is under investigaVermont at 4:17 p.m. tion. BEPC2200342.

Retail theft was reported at a store April 25, 10:26 a.m. in the 100 in the 200 block of W. Roosevelt at block of S. Addison St., a com1:50 p.m. A complainant reported plainant reported she found the cat-

alytic converter to be missing from her vehicle. This case is under investigation. BEPC2200337.

April 25, 11:27 a.m. in the 400 block of Country Club Drive, a complainant reported an ex-employee did not return company tools. This case is under investigation. BEPC2200338.

April 25, 12:08 p.m. in the 900 block of W. Irving Park Road, a complainant reported his catalytic converted was found to be missing from his vehicle. This case is under investigation. BEPC2200339.

April 25, 7:21 p.m. in the area of N. York Road, Brian Barnas, 55, of New Lenox, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and a traffic violation. BEPC2200340.

April 24, 2:42 a.m. in the 1100 block of S. Center St., Anthony Almendarez, 32, of Melrose Park, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. BEPC2200333.

April 24, 3:06 a.m. near S. York Road and E. Green St., Raul Gomez Perez, 19, of Addison, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, no valid driver’s license, open alcohol by driver and a traffic violation. BEPC2200334.

April 23, 8:50 a.m. in the 800 block of Brentwood Drive, a complainant reported an unknown suspect attempted to open a fraudulent credit card and bank account using complainant’s information. This case is under investigation. BEPC2200329.

April 23, 12:11 p.m. in the 200 block of Marion Street, Richard Hertz Jr., came to the Bensenville Police Department to surrender his FOID card BEPC2200330.

April 23, 5:25 p.m. in the 800 block of Brentwood Drive, a complainant reported an unknown suspect entered her home portraying as an employee of the Village of Bensenville, and complainant observed a large amount of complainant’s jewelry was found to be missing from her home. This case is under investigation. BEPC2200335.

April 23, 7:01 p.m. in the 1100 block of S. York Road, Bernard P. Szala, 41, was arrested for disorderly conduct-breach of peace.

BEPC2200332.

April 21, 3:57 p.m. in the 800 block of Golf Lane, Ruth Marnie Sierra-Luna, 37, of Elmwood Park, was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident, causing property damage and no insurance. BEPC2200325.

White Pines Golf Club announces special dates in May “Being a park district golf course, we are working hard to get our community and other surrounding communities out to the course to help grow the wonderful game of golf,” White Pines Golf Club PGA Manager Andrew Godfrey said.

To that end, the course is offering several special events in the month of May for golfers of many different levels at its facility located at 500 W. Jefferson St. in Bensenville.

The golf club will host the first of several Callaway Fitting Days this summer beginning this Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the club’s driving range. According to the Callaway website, custom fitting can be one of the most important aspects to improve one’s golf game.

“These demo days give people of all skill levels the chance to try the newest and best equipment on the market and help upgrade their current set,” explained Godfrey. “You’ll leave the fitting feeling confident with equipment that’s customized to your game.”

Visit WhitePinesGolf.com/event/callaway-fitting-days for more information and to register for the event.

Females golf free on Mother’s Day Then, the club gives thanks to area moms with its Mother’s Day special—all females get to golf for free all day long on Sunday, May 8. Females of any age may enjoy a relaxing day of golf at White Pines by reserving their

tee time in advance on the golf course website.

There is a limit of 18 holes. Godfrey feels the special “is a great way to grow the game with women and families, especially in our community.”

Family golf nights begin May 15 Finally, it will be fun for all ages when the club hosts its first family golf night of the summer beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 15.

Bring the whole family out for an evening of golf; the tees have been moved up and players can play at their own pace while enjoying a $3 meal deal that includes a hot dog, chips and drink.

“We started family days last year and are ex-

cited to offer them once a month for the entire summer this year,” Godfrey explained. “It’s a great opportunity for everyone in a family—no matter the skill level—to come out and enjoy time on the golf course without feeling rushed or pressured by the golfers behind them.”

Fees are just $5 for juniors 17 and under and $10 for adults. Carts are $10 per cart for players and $10 per non-playing rider.

For more information, visit WhitePinesGolf.com/event/family-golf-nights.

The White Pines Golf Club’s two 18-hole championship courses, situated on more than 260 acres, has been a favorite among Chicago area golfers since 1928.

More information may be found at WhitePinesGolf.com.

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, May 5, 2022 • 7VP

Warriors finish second at WSGC Meet Allison Harr and Emma Foley win singles titles for Willowbrook

STAFF REPORT

Willowbrook’s badminton team earned a second-place finish in Friday’s West Suburban Gold Conference Meet, which took place in Villa Park.

Hinsdale South won the conference meet in dominant fashion, winning titles in eight of 10 singles flights and claiming first-place honors in all five doubles flights.

Senior Allison Harr of Willowbrook won the title in the meet’s No. 4 singles flight. She beat her Hinsdale South opponent 21-8, 21-10 in the championship contest. Junior Emma Foley provided the Warriors with another title by finishing first in the No. 6 singles flight. Foley outlasted her Hinsdale South opponent 25-23, 12-21, 21-16 in the championship match.

Willowbrook players who earned second-place finishes in the conference meet’s singles action included senior Becca Lopez Egan (No. 1), sophomore Lillian Caron (No. 2), senior Amelia Gesicki (No. 3), freshman Abby

Schnittker (No. 5), senior Annabelle Romero (No. 7), junior Adreana Vega (No. 8), senior Mary Whiting (No. 9) and senior Molly Williams (No. 10).

The Warriors’ No. 1 doubles duo of Gesicki and senior Emma Rattana earned a second-place finish at the conference meet. Willowbrook’s duo of Allison Harr and Romero delivered a second-place effort at No. 2 doubles, while the tandem of Caron and Schnittker placed second at No. 3 doubles.

The team of Foley and Vega landed in second place at No. 4 doubles. The duo of senior Claire Harr and Williams finished second at No. 5 doubles.

The Warriors will compete in an IHSA sectional this week. Willowbrook’s sectional lineup will include six players—two singles players and a pair of doubles teams.

The Warriors’ sectional players will try to earn berths in the IHSA state meet, which will take place at HinsCHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing dale South. The three-day state meet Willowbrook’s badminton team hosted Friday’s West Suburban will begin on May 12.

Gold Conference Meet. Hinsdale South won the event in convincing

fashion, while the Warriors claimed second place. The Hornets posted first-place finishes in 13 of the meet’s 15 flights. Hinsdale South won championships in eight of 10 singles flights. The Hornets won titles in all five of the event’s doubles flights. One photo from the meet shows senior Allison Harr (above), who won the No. 4 singles title for Willowbrook. Another photo shows junior Emma Foley (right), who captured the No. 6 singles championship for the Warriors. Two more photos show seniors Amelia Gesicki (far left) and Emma Rattana (left), who teamed up to form Willowbrook’s No. 1 doubles team at the conference meet. The duo of Gesicki and Rattana earned a second-place finish at the conference meet. Willowbrook will compete in an IHSA sectional this week. Willowbrook’s sectional lineup will include six players—two singles players and a pair of doubles teams.

Warriors overpower Blazers in a three-game series sweep Vaisvila pitches no-hitter in series opener; Meyer throws a one-hitter in the finale; Warriors move their conference record to 10-2 with the sweep

STAFF REPORT

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

Willowbrook’s baseball team improved its West Suburban Gold Conference record to 10-2 by sweeping last week’s three-game conference series against Addison Trail. The Warriors earned a 12-0, five-inning win in the series opener in Addison on April 25. One day later, Willowbrook defeated the Blazers 9-3 in Villa Park. The Warriors completed the series sweep with a 12-0, five-inning victory at Addison Trail on April 28. Sophomore Dayne Meyer (No. 24) nearly pitched a no-hitter for the Warriors in their five-inning victory in the series finale.

Meyer held the Blazers hitless through the first four and two-third innings. Addison Trail broke up Meyer’s bid for a no-hitter with an infield hit. Meyer then struck out the next batter to end the game.

The Willowbrook baseball team surged to 10-2 in West Suburban Gold Conference play after sweeping last week’s three-game conference series against Addison Trail. The Warriors closed out the week with Saturday’s 12-5 non-conference home win over York. Willowbrook raised its overall season record to 16-3 with Saturday’s win over the Dukes.

The Warriors opened their series against Addison Trail with a 12-0, five-inning win in Addison on April 25. Senior Max Vaisvila enjoyed a memorable day in leading Willowbrook to the victory. Vaisvila pitched a no-hitter against the Blazers. He struck out 13 batters and allowed just one walk. Additionally, Vaisvila bashed a grand-slam home run in the top of the fifth inning.

Senior Jacob Kutella also homered for Willowbrook in the opening game of last week’s series against Addison Trail. Kutella hit a two-run homer in the top of the first inning.

Willowbrook beat the Blazers 9-3 in the second game of the series, which took place in Villa Park on April 26.

Senior Jacob Skinner earned the victory for the Warriors. Skinner pitched five and one-third innings, allowing three runs and three hits. He recorded five strikeouts and allowed one walk.

Junior Colin Slivka pitched the final one and two-third innings. He didn’t allow any runs, hits or walks.

He struck out one batter.

Vaisvila went 2-for-3 and drove in two runs in the Warriors’ April 26 win over the Blazers. Kutella, senior Bennett Fleming and junior Alex Chaltin contributed two hits each.

Willowbrook completed its series sweep of the Blazers with their 120, five-inning victory in Addison on April 28. Sophomore Dayne Meyer nearly pitched Willowbrook’s second no-hitter of the series. Meyer held the Blazers hitless into the fifth inning. He was one out away from finishing off a no-hitter, but Addison Trail broke up the no-hitter with an infield single.

Meyer recorded 12 strikeouts and issued two walks.

Junior Joe Braden drilled a solo home run in the fifth inning to account for the Warriors’ final run of their series against the Blazers.

Vaisvila went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles in the series finale against Addison Trail. He drove in three runs.

Fleming went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Junior Aidan Pieniazek pitched the first five innings for Willowbrook in Saturday’s win over York. Chaltin pitched the final two innings. Pieniazek, who allowed two earned runs, recorded six strikeouts. Chaltin, who didn’t give up any runs in two innings on the mound, struck out four York batters.

Chaltin went 1-for-3 at the plate and drove in two runs. Kutella went 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Junior Isaac

Sobieszczyk went 2-for-2 and drove in one run. Junior James Degnan went 2-for-3 with one RBI. The Warriors’ schedule this week includes a non-conference home game against Bolingbrook, along with a non-conference contest at Lyons Township.

Senior Max Vaisvila (No. 1), went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs in the game. Vaisvila pitched a no-hitter in the series opener against the Blazers on April 25. He piled up 13 strikeouts and allowed one walk in his five-inning no-hitter. Vaisvila also connected for a grand slam homer in the victory.

8 • Thursday, May 5, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Rock Valley Publishing

Viewpoint

May 5, 2022 • 8

What will you do when the lights go out—for a long time?

By Jim Nowlan Cyber-terrorism came to the front of my mind with the advent of the war in the Ukraine. If cornered, a thug like Vladimir Putin might lash back with cyberwar tools. The Russians appear quite advanced at this, based on the many, damaging hacks of American businesses that appear to be initiated from Russia.

Cyber war may simply be a problem for which there is no practicable solution, no matter what they tell you in MBA school. A cyber-attack on our electric grid may indeed be more devastating than a nuclear attack. We simply can’t live long or communicate without electricity. Scary to think about. But we must.

In 2015, respected journalist Ted Koppel published Lights Out, a sobering account of our nation’s lack of planning for a cyber-attack that takes down one or more of our three major electricity grids (basically, East, Midwest, West). Koppel’s wellplaced sources say the grids are a half-century-old, and vulnerable. The experts Koppel talked with observe, soberly, that such an attack is not a matter of if, but when.

Koppel reports there are nations and, maybe worse, freelance hackers, who know how to knock out electrical grids, just as the U.S. and Israel knocked out Iran’s nuclear operations a few years back.

After interviewing the top cyber and political authorities in our nation, Koppel concludes that no serious planning is being done, because: 1.) government and private electric producers don’t want to share vital information; 2.) the scope of how to provide for millions of people for weeks or months is too vast to get our arms around, and 3.) we’ll wait until an attack actually happens, then we’ll try to figure out what to do. By the way, what will you do if you are without electricity for weeks, even months?!

So, I checked in with a top local emergency professional, to see what

is being done at the county level.

Mat Schnepple is the director of the Office of Emergency Management for Henry-Stark counties in central Illinois. With deep experience as a fire chief, paramedic, and hazardous materials commander, Mat is a blend of earnest Boy Scout and Chicago Bears linebacker. Well-trained, decisive. The kind of guy you want in charge when things go down.

Mat says his teams of professionals and volunteers are ready to respond to 72-hour electric outages, with water, food, shelter, health care.

But when I ask about blackouts that might last weeks, even months, to millions of people, Mat’s voice kind of trails away.

As for us citizens, Koppel says we haven’t even reached the stage of apathy, which is vague awareness of the problem, plus a subconscious decision to do nothing about it.

Sometimes in life, there are no solutions. Thus, the brain tells us, rationally you might say, to put the likelihood of apocalypse out of our minds.

This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try, that is, demand that Congress and the President develop an expensive, comprehensive plan. Sometimes, as with Civil Defense efforts to protect against a nuclear attack during the Cold War, the value lay in the message sent, as possibly a deterrent—that America was ready to respond, somehow, to a nuclear attack, then regroup, resist and retaliate.

I will get my five-gallon cans of water and gasoline (the gas, not for a getaway—where would you go?— but to run the car as a generator), and a large box of meals ready-to-eat.

What do we do when the lights might go out? We wait until they go out. Then we’re screwed.

Jim Nowlan is a former Illinois legislator, state agency director, an aide to three governors, chair of the Illinois Executive Ethics Commission, a professor and a community newspaper publisher.

We want to print your news!

What’s new with you and your grad?

Special awards and recognition, Dean’s list, graduations, scholarships, further education at graduate or professional schools... send your college news to independent@rvpublishing.com or FAX to (630)834-0900.

Glowiak Hilton commends new law to address teacher shortage Under a new law supported by State Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs), more paraprofessionals, or teacher aids, will have access to classrooms sooner.

“Paraprofessionals are vital members of a school’s support staff,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By lowering the eligible age, Illinois is offering an opportunity to an aspiring educator or other responsible adult while working to address the statewide teacher shortage.”

In Illinois, paraprofessionals are currently required to be at least 19 years old. Under the new law, the age would be lowered to 18 years old, as long as the individual meets the other license requirements. Paraprofessionals are required to have a high school diploma, an associate degree and pass a competency test.

According to the Illinois State

Board of Education, the number of unfilled paraprofessional positions in school districts across the state nearly doubled from 2021 to 2022.

There were 1,237 unfilled positions last year compared to 2,397 this year, making this law more important than ever.

“Paraprofessionals add another layer of support to the classroom, allowing students to have more opportunities for one-on-one assistance,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Lowering the required age by one year will allow additional qualified individuals to take on this role and offer support to our school system.”

Senate Bill 3988 was signed into law Wednesday and is effective Jan. 1, 2023.

Letter to the editor

Jackson Middle School Symphonic Band performs at extremely high caliber at state band festival

We were fortunate to attend the Illinois Grade School Music Association State Band Festival competition Saturday, April 23, at New Trier High School in Winnetka, in which the Jackson Middle School Symphonic Band participated.

Mr. Joe Koppel’s students performed at an extremely high caliber. Their musical abilities as well as their courteous and professional behaviors made us quite proud both as District 45 residents and also as grandparents of four children (This was received from the office currently enrolled in District 45 schools. of State Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton.)

It is well known that music education assists in the development of math and reading skills and allows Guidelines for writing, submitting a letter to the editor students the experience of workThe Independent encourages our readers to reach out to the ing in a well-disciplined group. community by writing a letter to the editor.

The collaboration, social skills, Letters are limited to 500 words; if a letter exceeds 500 words, and team-building they learn in the it will be sent back to the author to reduce the length of the letter. music program are all part of what Authors must include their first and last name, the city or village in make District 45 students do well in which they reside, and a phone number and email address where they life. can be reached in case of questions.

We want to acknowledge the extra Send letters to: independent@rvpublishing.com effort that Mr. Koppel put forth in Letter-writers will be limited to one letter per month except for taking his band students to this elite locally elected officials, or individuals specifically associated with competition and again thank the local village governments or entities such as school districts, park board for continuing to provide fine districts or library districts. arts experiences such as this for the No letters directed to a third party will be accepted for publication. children in our community.

We reserve the right to edit a letter for reasons of clarity, space Robert and Doreen Fritz restrictions and libel.

Lombard

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, May 5, 2022 • 9

Avian flu a concern in Illinois The Centers for Disease Control is monitoring the recent outbreak and says it is not an immediate public health concern and no human cases have been detected in the U.S. On April 21, the Illinois De-partment of Natural Re-sources recommended removing bird feeders and birdbaths until the end of May to discourage large gatherings of birds and interactions between waterfowl and songbirds. Hummingbird and oriole feeders do not need to be removed. Any remaining birdseed should also be re-moved, and bird feeders and baths should be cleaned with a diluted bleach solution that is nine parts water and one part bleach.

Joy O’Keefe, assistant professor and Extension wildlife specialist in the Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences, says removing bird feeders is a precaution that can protect wild and domesticated birds.

“Passerines, or songbirds, that come to bird feeders are not likely to be affected,” O’Keefe says. “In the absence of feeders, birds should be able to find natural sources of food from sprouting native plants and emerging insects.” She added that property owners can plant native shrubs and wildflowers this spring as natural food sources for birds.

Removing feeders is especially important for people who take care

of poultry because, while avian flu has not been found in songbirds, feeders can attract wild waterfowl.

Flock owners should prevent contact between their backyard flocks and wild birds.

The disease has been detected in commercial and small flock poultry and gamebird operations in 29 states. In April, two cases of avian flu were found in small backyard flocks in McLean and Carroll counties, affecting 80 birds. No commercial producers have been affected in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced an emergency order on April 5 canceling poultry-related events such as sales or exhibits.

Illinois is home to about 9 million commercially pro-duced poultry, mostly laying chickens and turkeys. The number of backyard birds that people keep for egg production is estimated to be 30,000 birds.

Small flocks may have a higher risk of contracting avian flu, says Kenneth Koelkebeck, professor and Extension poultry specialist in the Animal Sciences Department.

“Those backyard flocks are mostly outside and waterfowl may be around,” Koelkebeck says, “whereas commercial poultry are kept in enclosed buildings.”

Poultry producers should follow biosecurity measures to reduce the possibility of their birds contracting avian flu. Protocols, such as keeping free-range birds inside

“

Passerines, or songbirds, that come to bird feeders are not likely to be affected. In the absence of feeders, birds should be able to find natural sources of food from sprouting native plants and emerging insects.”

– Joy O’Keefe, assistant professor and Extension wildlife specialist in the Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences

and wearing protective boot covers when entering a chicken coop, reduce the risk of spreading bacteria or viral pathogens. The USDA has biosafety recommendations for backyard flocks available at bit. ly/3L9s1Rb. “Poultry owners should keep things as clean as they can,” Koelkebeck says. “Remove standing water if possible because it will attract migratory waterfowl.”

Visible symptoms of avian flu include runny eyes, swelling, and lethargy. When the disease is detected in domestic poultry, the IDOA quaran-tines the site; flocks are de-populated to prevent the disease from spreading and remove them from the food system. Other

area flocks are monitored for the disease.

Flock owners should report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to the IDOA at (217) 782-4944 or USDA APHIS Veterinary Services at 1-866-536-7593. More information about the status of avian flu in domestic bird flocks can be found on the IDOA website at bit.ly/3MnuRlQ. Report cases of five or more dead wild birds in one area to an IDNR district wildlife biologist at bit. ly/3xIDaVf. Sources: Joy O’Keefe, assistant professor and Extension wildlife specialist; Kenneth Koelkebeck, professor and Extension poultry specialist.

416951

Avian flu cases are on the rise in the Midwest. From canceled poultry shows to advising homeowners to remove bird feeders, Illinois is urging those who come into contact with birds to take steps to prevent the disease from spreading.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is a contagious virus that spreads among wild geese, ducks, and other waterbirds species, as well as some raptors, including bald eagles.

Wild birds, which may show no symptoms even if infected, can carry the disease to new areas as they migrate north and transmit it to domestic poultry, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Avian flu is an extremely infectious respiratory disease that affects all domestic poultry, including laying hens, broilers, and turkeys, as well as waterfowl and game birds.

It can spread quickly within flocks causing severe disease and death.

In the last outbreak of avian influenza, more than 200 commercial flocks and 21 backyard flocks in the U.S. were affected, leading to the deaths of more than 50 million birds between 2014 and 2015.

Illinois became one of 33 states with confirmed avian flu cases in wild birds.

More cases have been found in Champaign, Fulton, Sanga-mon, Will and Cook counties.

It’s time to switch to Republic Bank.

We’re local. We’re responsive. And we’re committed to the community. Since 1964, our clients’ success has defined our success, and we all continue to thrive.

Visit us at any of our 19 locations including: 2221 Camden Court, Oak Brook, 630-928-1505 5500 St. Charles Rd., Berkeley, 708-544-5500 1640 W. Lake St., Addison, 630-285-5500

rbankchicago.com

10 • Thursday, May 5, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

IDPH warns about suspected cases of hepatitis in children Healthcare providers advised to report to public health authorities

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced that it has learned of three suspected cases of severe hepatitis in children under 10 years of age, potentially linked to a strain of adenovirus.

Two of the cases are in suburban Chicago and one is in western Illinois. One case resulted in a liver transplant. IDPH is working to learn of other suspected cases in Illinois

and is asking healthcare providers in the state to be on the lookout for symptoms and to report any suspected cases of hepatitis in children of unknown origin to local public health authorities.

The IDPH announcement follows a nationwide alert issued by the CDC in response to a cluster of nine cases of hepatitis of unknown origin in children in Alabama ranging in age

from 1 to 6 years old, all of whom were previously healthy.

The CDC said that symptoms of hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, rdinclude fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice and can be caused by viruses. These cases appear to have an association with adenovirus 41.

Now enrolling Preschool – 3 Grades

rd enrolling Preschool – 3rd–Grades NowNow enrolling Preschool 3 Grades rd Now enrolling Preschool – 3 Grades Now enrolling Preschool – 3rd Grades

Adenoviruses spread from person-to-person and most commonly cause respiratory illness, but depending on the type, can also cause other illnesses such as gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach or intestines), conjunctivitis (pink eye), and cystitis (bladder infection). Adenovirus type 41 typically presents as diarrhea, vomiting and fever, and is often accompanied by respiratory symptoms.

While there have been case reports of hepatitis in immunocompromised children with adenovirus infection, adenovirus type 41 is not known to be a cause of hepatitis in otherwise healthy children.

The CDC said it is working with state health departments to see if there are additional U.S. cases, and what may be causing these cases. At this time, the CDC said it believes adenovirus may be the cause for these reported cases, but investigators are still learning more—including ruling out other possible causes and identifying other possible con-

tributing factors.

The CDC is asking physicians to consider adenovirus testing using PCR or NAAT on respiratory samples, stool or rectal swabs and whole blood for pediatric patients with hepatitis of unknown etiology, and to report any possible cases of hepatitis of unknown origin to the CDC and state public health authorities.

In addition, the CDC is encouraging parents and caregivers to be aware of the symptoms of hepatitis, and to contact their healthcare provider with any concerns.

The CDC continues to recommend children be up to date on all their vaccinations, and that parents and caregivers of young children take the same everyday preventive actions that it recommends for everyone, including washing hands often, avoiding people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth.

For more information, go to: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2022/ han00462.asp.

Pritzker lifts mask mandate on public Join us and explore how your child will prosper from an transportation Orthodox Christian Parochial elementary school education.

Join us and explore how your child will prosper from an Orthodox Christian Parochial elementary school education.

Federal court ruling strikes down CDC mandate

By Grace Kinnicutt

Join us and explore how your child will prosper from an Orthodox Parochial elementary schoolfrom education.

JoinChristian us and explore how your child will prosper an

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Gov. JB Pritzker officially lifted the state requirement that face coverings be worn on public transportation April 20 after a federal judge overturned the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mask mandate.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle of the Middle District of Florida ruled last week that the federal mask mandate was unlawful since it exceeds the authority of the CDC. The ruling comes about a week after the CDC extended the mask mandate through May 3.

Masks are no longer required on public transit, in public transit hubs or at airports, but local governments still have the right to maintain their own face covering requirements on public transportation.

Pritzker’s order now only requires masks where they are federally mandated, as well as in congregate facilities and health care settings.

“I’m proud of the work our state has done to fight COVID-19 and protect our most vulnerable,” Pritzker said in a news release. “I continue to urge Illinoisans to follow CDC guidelines and, most importantly, get vaccinated to protect yourself and others.”

Following Pritzker’s announcement about revising mask requirements, the Chicago Metra and CTA announced that masks will no longer be required, effective immediately.

The Chicago Department of Aviation, which oversees O’Hare and

PY TTHH A GOOR R PY AG A SA S H ID D REE NA'' G S AA C AAD ED ME YMY H CI L RYT N S C A PLPY H O R S THAGORAS Orthodox Christian Parochial elementary school education.

oin us and explore how your child will prosper from an C HCIChristian RRParochial EENN'' S ACCAADDEschool E Y HLAtagaris@pythagoraschildrensacademy.org ID LD S elementary A MM Y education. hodox Atagaris@pythagoraschildrensacademy.org 630-834-0477 Atagaris@pythagoraschildrensacademy.org

Atagaris@pythagoraschildrensacademy.org 630-834-0477

PYTH A G O R A S 630-834-0477 LOCATED IN ELMHURST,ILLINOIS HIL DA TR E ENISBE ' SCommon A LCL ICurriculum ADEMY LFully O C Recognized E D I N by L M H| U R S T , ICore NOIS LOCATED IN ELMHURST,ILLINOIS Fully Recognized 630-834-0477

by ISBE | Common Core Curriculum

Full & Half Day Preschool | Greek Language Classes Before Programs L O &CAfter ATE D I N E| 1:1 L MChrome H U R Books S T , I| LSmall L I NClass O I SSizes

Fully Recognized by ISBE | Common Core Curriculum WWW.PYTHAGORASCHILDRENSACADEMY.ORG & Half Day Preschool | Greek Language Classes Full &Full Half Day Preschool Greek Language Classes Fully Recognized

by ISBE | |Common Core Curriculum Before & After Programs | 1:1 Chrome Books | Small Class Sizes

Before &Full After Programs | 1:1 Chrome Books | Small Class Sizes & Half Day Preschool | Greek Language Classes Before & WWW.PYTHAGORASCHILDRENSACADEMY.ORG After Programs | 1:1 Chrome Books | Small Class Sizes WWW.PYTHAGORASCHILDRENSACADEMY.ORG

416704

Atagaris@pythagoraschildrensacademy.org WWW.PYTHAGORASCHILDRENSACADEMY.ORG

Midway International Airports, also announced that masks are no longer required.

A number of major U.S. airlines such as Delta, United and Southwest immediately dropped the requirement following the court ruling as well.

The CDC continues to recommend face coverings for those who are immunocompromised, people who can’t be vaccinated and in areas of high transmission.

Amaal Tokars, acting director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said in a news release that the department continues to closely monitor COVID-19 cases throughout the state and is working with local public health partners to keep the public informed.

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 3,931 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and nine deaths on April 20—the highest one-day case count since Feb. 11.

There were 568 individuals hospitalized for COVID-19 as of April 19, 61 in intensive care beds and 29 on ventilators, all of which remained near pandemic lows.

More than 21 million vaccine doses have been administered with about 73 percent of Illinois residents age 5 and over fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to remain upto-date on your vaccinations, and that includes booster shots, especially for those who are at risk for more severe health outcomes,” Tokars said.

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, May 5, 2022 • 11

> edwardjones.com | Member| SIPC > edwardjones.com Member SIPC

Compare our CDRates Rates Compare our CD Bank-issued, FDIC-insured

Bank-issued, FDIC-insured 9-month

1-year

1.30 % 1.80 1.30 1.80 9-month

%

1-year

APY*

Minimum deposit $1000 APY*

%

%

APY*

Minimum deposit $1000 APY*

Minimum deposit $1000

Minimum deposit $1000

Call or visit your local financial advisor today.

2-year

% 2.70 2.70 2-year

%

APY*

Minimum deposit $1000 APY*

Minimum deposit $1000

Chris Petrungaro

Call or visit your localAdvisor financial advisor today.

Financial 465 S Spring Rd

Chris Suite Petrungaro B

Elmhurst, IL 60126 Financial Advisor 630-563-5201

quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 04/27/2022. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository FDI-1867K-A © 2022 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

417079

465 S Spring Rd Suite B * Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 04/27/2022. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository Elmhurst, IL 60126 institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that 630-563-5201 when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields

FDI-1867K-A © 2022 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?

DOWNTOWN AURORA

ETS TICK AT T STAR

$

TICKETS

630.896.6666

OR

ParamountAurora.com/rock 412715

APRIL 13–MAY 29

36

416494

12 • Thursday, May 5, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, May 5, 2022 • 13

Edward-Elmhurst Health: How to get started running

• If someone is huffing and puffing and Running is a fun way to be active, improve overall fitness, make new friends and achieve struggling to speak, they are running too hard. goals.

• Try the run/walk method with intervals, Here are some tips to get started running to such as a 3-minute run/2-minute walk or 1-minenjoy the benefits and avoid injuries: ute run/30-second walk. Gradually increase the run interval. Some people prefer this method Start easy because they always keep a walk interval.

Do not start too fast or go too far. As with any exercise, starting slowly allows the body Choose the correct gear time to warm up. Runners can increase their Get fitted for running shoes at a running effort according to what feels good to them. store. Experts can help people find shoes that • Depending on aerobic fitness, 10-30 min- are best for their feet and gait. Wear proper runutes is an appropriate amount of time for a first ning attire. Most clothing is available at sportrun. ing goods stores or running stores.

• Runners work up a sweat when they run.

Dress for a temperature that is 20-30 degrees above the actual temperature.

• It’s best to wear light, sweat-wicking clothing that dries quickly and wicks away perspiration. Cotton clothing holds wetness and gets heavy.

• Depending on the season, a good choice is a light shirt, jacket if needed, and shorts or tights.

• Sign up for a race, plan to run in a special location or just have a personal running goal.

• Pair up with a running partner. It’s not only fun, it also helps runners work toward their fitness goals.

Don’t forget to strengthen and stretch muscles. Include core and full-body strength exercises at least twice a week. A strong body will help runners enjoy the sport for a long time and stay injury-free.

Make running a habit Get more information at EEHealth.org/ Plan to run a certain number of times a week healthy-driven/fitness-centers. and stick to it. Set a goal.

Edward-Elmhurst Health: Dealing with mood swings after cancer treatment

Just like a cancer diagnosis can bring on a variety of emotions, the end of cancer treatment can affect emotions in other ways.

People go from being intensely focused on treatment and trying to beat the disease, to trying to figure out a “new normal” once treatment is over.

Adjusting to this new reality after cancer can bring all sorts of emotions. Some people experience depression or anxiety. Others deal with intense mood swings. Some may even have personality changes.

While strong emotions are often

expected during treatment, they can be more difficult to recognize or accept once treatment is complete.

These are common symptoms of cancer-related mood changes, provided by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network: • Feeling down or depressed • Difficulty concentrating and remembering • Loss of sexual interest or problems with sexual performance • Irritability • Changing emotions (sudden crying or anger) • Loss of interest in activities, so-

cial events and socializing • Changes in sleep (insomnia or excessive sleeping) • Changes in appetite (overeating or loss of appetite) • Loss of energy and motivation • Fatigue • Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness • A feeling that life is not worth living, suicidal thoughts • Anxiety • Increasing interest in alcohol • Frequent or excessive worry, unease or fear • Upset stomach or other physical

symptoms • Panic attacks Anyone concerned that mood changes are getting in the way of daily life should talk to their doctor.

A doctor can help recommend support groups or other avenues for assistance.

People can also manage mood swings by: • Identifying and avoiding sources of stress that cause changes in mood • Exercising to help relieve stress, focus energy and balance emotions • Getting plenty of rest

• Eating healthy snacks and small meals throughout the day • Considering complementary and holistic techniques such as yoga, meditation, massage or acupuncture • Talking about emotions with friends, a counselor or your doctor Edward-Elmhurst Health offers a Cancer Survivorship Clinic to assist with the transition from active treatment to cancer survivor.

Get more information at EEHealth.org/services/cancer/support-services/cancer-survivorship-clinic.

We want to print your news!

Is your child making a difference at school, at church, as a volunteer?

Send details and photos to independent@rvpublishing.com

Worship Services Directory 547 N. Main St. Lombard, IL 60148 (630) 627-2435

Bible Study 9 a.m.

Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.

Saturdays at 5:00 p.m.

Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Education Hour between services at 9:45 a.m.

Women’s Bible Study Mondays at 4:30 p.m.

Adult Bible Study Wednesdays after 7 p.m. service (7:40 p.m.)

online worship is available at www.immanuelelmhurst.org ImmanuelElmhurst.org 630-832-1649

Handicapped accessible and hearing loop enabled

Everyone is Welcome!

411832

142 E. Third St. Elmhurst, IL

Call...Brenda at 630-834-4450 339603

Historic

Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church of Elmhurst Please join us for worship!

Sunday Worship Schedule Gather with us for Weekend Worship

for as low as $15 per week

All services are live streamed.

You can watch them on our Website or on Facebook. sainttimothy.org 416888

Sundays: 9am Adult Education and Sunday School 10am Traditional Divine Service ✥ Fully handicapped-accessible ✥ Bible Study, Sunday School, Handbell Choir, 1st Steps In Music classes 123 E. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126 630/834-1411 www.RedeemerLCMS.com FB/RedeemerOfElmhurst

410163

✝

St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church

Be a part of the

Worship Services Directory

417089

14VP • Thursday, May 5, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

I was going to say that Marjorie Taylor Greene is as dumb as a box of rocks. But rocks, along with stones, pebbles, gravel, boulders, monoliths, asteroids, comets and mimes all know enough to keep their mouth shut unless they have something with even just an iota of intelligence to say. (Hoping all you mimes have a sense of humor; we love you!) *** At current rates of usage, coal availability in the entire world might last 120 years, and oil and natural gas may run out in less than 60 years. Our great-grandkids will not watch diesel fuel locomotives hauling coal through Lombard since both of those will no longer exist. Most people are better off remaining ignorant of the future. They should hope that the educated and enlightened people succeed in solving the problem soon enough. ***

Still coaching

Just as I thought, the left is having a meltdown over Elon Musk buying Twitter, saying it’s a threat to, quote, “our democracy.” This is what leftists always say whenever something doesn’t go their way. Let me guess: If either Jeff Bezos or George Soros had bought Twitter, their ownership wouldn’t have been a threat to our democracy and would be celebrated by the left. *** Instead of teaching young children about transgender and sex, they should be taught how to sort out yellow journalism and propaganda while learning to read and enjoy “Hansel and Gretel.” *** Regarding the Biden/Trump bashing, all I can say is people were rightly criticizing Trump for his mean tweets and un-presidential personality traits, but we didn’t hear as much complaining about inflation, gas prices, war

and the economy. While I do not like Trump, I felt more secure financially and safer from war than I am now.

I have no faith in President Biden’s ability as our country’s leader; I agree with those who view him as a “puppet.” Left on his own without all those people around him pulling the strings, I wouldn’t be surprised if he got distracted by the sound of an ice cream truck and walked off. Oh, wait, he already did that. *** I heard about a group of students at Evanston High School that walked out of class one day (April 25), demanding that the school hire a full-time sustainability coordinator to reduce the school’s carbon footprint and help develop a climate change curriculum.

I’m sure the students who cut class probably won’t face any disciplinary action from the spineless administrators because, after all, these students are woke and we must celebrate their wokeness. *** About 50 percent of the population is very gullible and 50 percent deal with facts and results. That’s true. But why do most of the Democrats identify with the gullibles and AOC? *** Hi, I’m reading Speak Out comments with some amusement, especially the ones that are addressing that we don’t often talk about local events or issues anymore. Several months ago,

I called Speak Out and commented on a local quality of life issue. Then the following week, callers called in and criticized me for having nothing else to be concerned about. So you can’t win.

Bye-bye. *** I’m calling regarding the gasoline tax that everyone is complaining about. To begin with, I don’t enjoy paying it either, but in January of 1990, the gas tax was 19 cents a gallon and Gov. Thompson was in office. In July 2019, 30 years later, it’s up to 38 cents a gallon. This information is from the Illinois Motor Fuel Tax Report filed by state Rep. David Welter of the 75th District. So if you like you can check it. However, a gas tax that does not rise in nearly 30 years has got to go up at some point and it’s not going to be a pleasant increase. Thank you. *** Not a good time to live in Florida.

It is estimated that taxpayers there will have to pick up more than $2 billion additional costs to take care of the Disney property. *** I paid for my education and my daughter’s college education. I neither make a healthy six-figure income allowing me to drive a $65,000 Tesla, nor can I wear a $10,000 dress to a $30,000-a-plate gala, yet you want me to pay for your college education?

Whatever happened to accountability?

I am a registered nonpartisan, which

allows me the clarity to see, apart from the partisan fog, that our country is truly in trouble and definitely on the wrong track. *** This week’s truism: A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. Greek proverb. Arbor Day was the last Friday in April. The best time to plant a tree is now! *** According to the New York Post, officials have stopped 1,323,597 illegal immigrants in 2021 alone. Thousands more now wait under a bridge and along the border, and photos make it look like a day at the beach, but with tents and other makeshift shelters set up. If Title 42 is lifted, I shudder to think what the influx of illegal immigrants will look like, not to mention the criminal element hiding in plain sight among them. I am not heartless against those who might need medical attention, but I fear a floodgate opening that will over-burden our healthcare system. News outlets say there is a bipartisan group of legislators looking to block the lifting of Title 42, and I hope we Americans speak out loud and clear to do what it takes to stem the flow of illegal individuals into the country. I feel so bad for the people living in the region who have to worry every day about who might show up on their property, hide in the garage or shed, break into their home, etc.

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Former Willowbrook badminton coach Al Loew attended part of Friday’s West Suburban Gold Conference Meet in Villa Park. Loew, a longtime Willowbrook teacher and coach, guided the school’s badminton program to IHSA state championships in 1998 and 1999. Willowbrook landed in a first-place tie with Hinsdale South in the team standings of the 1999 state meet.

Loew is pictured while giving a few words of encouragement to (left to right) seniors Amelia Gesicki and Emma Rattana at Friday’s meet. Gesicki and Rattana teamed up to earn second-place honors in the meet’s No. 1 doubles flight. Hinsdale South won the team title at the conference meet. Willowbrook finished second. Willowbrook will compete in an IHSA sectional this week. The members of the Warriors’ sectional lineup will try to earn berths in this year’s IHSA state meet, which will take place at Hinsdale South from May 12-14.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

Talents on display at Willowbrook Student Art Show

The Willowbrook High School Student Art Show included more than 325 pieces created by the school’s art students. The art show took place in Room C2 at Willowbrook from April 26-28. The categories of art on display included drawing, painting, mixed-media, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, photography, graphic design, game design, cartooning and animation. The art show’s reception on April 27 included a rundown of the highlights of the Art Department’s events during the 2021-22 school year. Those highlights included field trips to exhibits at College of DuPage and the Bridgeport Art Center in Chicago, as well as a visit to the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago. The reception also featured a recognition of the Art Department’s Outstanding Students of the school year—senior Guadalupe Flores, senior Tess Placek, senior Arianna Sanchez and freshman Meridian Sutton—as well as recognition of the students who have been published in the Skyline school newspaper and the Mindprints art and literary magazine. One photo (above left) shows Sanchez—who was honored as Willowbrook’s Outstanding Senior in Art for the 202122 school year—with some of her pieces that were on display. Another photo (above right) shows freshman Nina Young, who received the Best in Show honor for her self-portrait pastel drawing. She’s pictured next to her award-winning piece. Freshman Natalie McKenna (not pictured) received the People’s Choice award for her praying mantis collage, which was used for the poster to promote this year’s art show.

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, May 5, 2022 • 15

York Street

Save $200

413783

917 South York Street • Elmhurst, IL 60126

917 S. York Street Elmhurst, IL 60126

16 • Thursday, May 5, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Game page AEROBIC BALANCE CIRCUIT COMPOUND COOL DOWN DEADLIFT ENERGY FITNESS HEART INTENSITY INTERVAL ISOMETRICS LUNGE MOVEMENT MUSCLES OXYGEN RECOVERY RESISTANCE STAMINA STRENGTH STRETCH WARM UP WORKOUT YOGA

SUDOKU

Fun by the Numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test! Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Answers on page 18

CLUES ACROSS 1. A power of perception 4. Slotted hinged metal plate 8. Popular crop 10. Siamese fighting fish 11. Larval crabs 12. South American mammal 13. Occur as a result of 15. Slavic language 16. An electric underground railway 17. Transporting 18. A direction 21. Opposite of start 22. Mock 23. People love and hate it (abbr.)

24. A people of Myanmar 25. A Queens ballplayer 26. Southern Thailand indigenous person 27. Famed actress 34. Thin strips 35. Bluish greens 36. Ridiculed 37. Having the shape of a cube 38. Came down 39. Indian religious god 40. “Bewitched” actress Moorehead 41. Leak through slowly 42. Buzzing insects 43. Midway between south and southeast CLUES DOWN 1. Skin condition 2. Earlier 3. Right away 4. Vomiting 5. Go to

6. “The Police” frontman 7. Bullfighting maneuver 9. Pacific island 10. A system of algebraic notation 12. A room used for the activities of a group 14. The longest division of geological time 15. Car mechanics group 17. A barrel of liquid (abbr.)

19. Bound to do 20. Explosive 23. Ridicules

24. Adult male 25. Military personnel 26. French and Belgian river 27. Found in the sea 28. A share lost in default (abbr.)

29. Type of medication (abbr.)

30. City on the Rhine 31. Animal disease 32. They’re in martinis 33. Get away 34. Wampum 36. Lacking brightness

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, May 5, 2022 • 17

Serving Addison, Bensenville, Elmhurst, Lombard & Villa Park

Classifieds Elmhurst Office (630) 834-8244

In-Print and Onlne at www.TheIndependentNewspapers.com

Call Classifieds at

Lombard Office (630) 627-7010 In-Print and Onlne at www.Lombardian.info

BUSINESS & SERVICE Landscaping/ Lawn/Garden

Fahey & Son Asphalt Paving NEW CONSTRUCTION • RESURFACING

$100 Off Asphalt Work

CALL TODAY Free Estimates within 24 hrs.

630-543-6323

Building Repair/ Remodeling

Electrical

369531

GREG STEBEN CARPENTRY

SUREGREENLANDSCAPE.COM 847-888-9999 630-876-0111

630-832-9530

247158

Gutters

Small Home Repairs and Remodeling General Carpentry 30 Years Experience “Specializing in Quality Workmanship and Attention to Detail”

630-495-8077

Masonry/ Tuckpointing

247155

Concrete

All types of Masonry Work, Tuckpointing & Chimney Repairs

CONCRETE RESTORATION

FREE Estimates Call for all your masonry work

Overlay - Epoxy - Repair

630-327-4516

RESTORE/REPLACE CONCRETE

Handyman

Stoop - Steps - Drives Garage Floors & More! * Licensed/Bonded/Insured *

393904

Painting

395580

mynorconcrete.com Bobby 630.520.5812 Mynor 630.631.3073

AMERICAN CONCRETE * 32 Years Experience *

Call Pete @ 630-307-7500

414151

CUSTOM CONCRETE

Call Greg 630-469-6898

Thomas-Vil Painting • Interior Painting • Small Exterior • Wallpaper Removal • Drywall Repair

Fully insured; Free estimates

630-941-1893

388922

Residential driveways, patios, walkways.

Stamped and colored concrete.

CALL Elmhurst (630) 834-8244 or Lombard (630) 627-7010 TO PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD!

630-303-4641

403865

Wanted

105 N. 2ND ST., ONE DAY ONLY! SAT., MAY 7, 8:30am-4:30pm.

Clearing out basement & garage.

Large assortment of mechanics tools, hand tools, garden decor, yard implements, grill, fire pit, patio chairs, pots, crockery and other stuff you find in basements and garages.

IT’S GARAGE SALE TIME AGAIN!

FOR SALE

I BUY OLD TOYS

American Flyer, Lionel trains, Barbie and other dolls; G.I. Joe, Tonka, Matchbox, Hot Wheels cars & more! Plus any other antiques and collectibles. Call:

PERSONALS PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Holy Spirit. You who make me see everything and who show me the way to reach my ideal. You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrongs that are done to me and you who are in all the instances of my life with me. In this short dialogue I want to thank you for everything and confirm once more that I never want to be separated from you, no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory Amen.

Thank you for your love toward me and my loved ones. Person must pray this 3 consecutive days without asking for your wish. After the 3rd day your wish will be granted, no matter how difficult it may be, then promise to publish this dialogue as soon as your favor has been granted. B.L.

Announcements 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.

FIND BARGAINS IN THE CLASSIFIEDS!

REAL ESTATE PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familiar/ status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising 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 discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-900-669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

375822

ALL TYPES OF CONCRETE WORK Licensed, Bonded and Fully Insured

• Tree Removal • Tree Trimming • Bush Removal • Stump Grinding • Free wood chips • Free Estimates • Insured Call Todd

630-248-3222

LAWN & SNOW MANAGEMENT

Available Services • Commercial & Residential Affordable Weekly Mowing • Aeration Spring & Fall clean up • Power Raking Fertilizing and/or Seeding • Sidewalk edging Black dirt/Mulch/Stone • Driveway Bush trimming sealcoating Call for Free Estimate • Villa Park

CARL WUNSCHEL BLDRS. • Interlocking Flooring •Kitchen/Bathroom Remodeling • Tile Installation & Painting - Guaranteed Workmanship For a fair quote & prompt service call 630-220-8138(cell) or 630-627-7844

413724

00

SHREDDED HARDWOOD..............$28 DYED RED ......................................$35 DYED BROWN ................................$33 PLAYMAT ........................................$30 PREMIUM BLEND ..........................$38 PREMIUM BARK ............................$45 BLONDE CEDAR ............................$52 SPREADING AVAILABLE ALSO TOPSOIL, GARDEN MIX, GRAVEL, MUSHROOM COMPOST, SUPER MIX, SAND, FIREWOOD 416034

DRIVEWAYS • PARKING LOTS

Villa Park

T & M TREE SERVICE

*FAST DELIVERY* MULCH AND TOPSOIL

36 Years of Quality Work

www.faheyandsonpaving.com LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED

Tree Service

369039

Blacktop/Paving/Dirt

ork All Wanteed r Gua

GARAGE SALES

Plumbing

393528

Mount Carmel Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary 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 here you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (say three times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (say three times). Amen.

Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must publish and it will be granted to you.

I am confident my prayers will be answered. Thank You Mother of God!!!

VC

415988

FIND YOUR NEXT HOME IN THE CLASSIFIEDS!

379666

18 • Thursday, May 5, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Answers PUZZLE 1

PUZZLE 2

CROSSWORD

$

Editor’s note: Unless otherwise indicated, information on each of the following events and programs can be found by visiting the library’s website at vppl.info or by calling 630-8341164.

Ongoing programs Library hosting community story times The Villa Park Public Library will hold Rhythm & Rhyme Community Storytimes on the following Mondays: May 16, June 20, July 18 and Aug. 15, all from 11:30 a.m. until noon. This drop-in program will be held offsite at the Oakbrook Terrace Park District Heritage Center, located at 1S325 Ardmore Ave., in Oakbrook Terrace. This program is open to young children of all ages, accompanied by an adult.

Registration is not required. For more information, visit the library’s website at vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.

Calling youth poets: Library celebrates National Poetry Month The Villa Park Public Library will celebrate National Poetry Month with Prizes for Poetry! The rules are simple: all children and teens ages 18 and under are invited to submit an original poem to win a prize. Young poets can stop by the library’s Youth Service desk throughout the month of April to drop their poem and receive a small prize. A winner will be then randomly selected from the submissions for a $25 gift card.

Established in 1982

130 W Vallette, Elmhurst

630-832-0555 MamaMariasElmhurst.com

1 OFF

$

any $10 pizza purchase Pick Pick up up or or delivery. delivery. With With this this coupon coupon only. only. Not Not valid valid with with other other offers. offers. not valid valid in dining room. Expires 7/19/15 Coupon not 5/12/22.

FREE 6 Pack of RC with any $10 pizza purchase

Pick up or delivery. With this coupon only. Not valid with other offers.

Coupon not valid in dining dining room. room. Expires Expires 7/19/15 5/12/22.

English language classes with People’s Resource Center at the Library Come to the library to learn or improve your English skills. The People’s Resource Center is partnering with the Villa Park Public Library to present two weekly programs for English language learners. At the Practical English Class, students learn life skills and have the opportunity to improve English speaking, listening, reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. Sessions are held every Tuesday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Attendees at the English Conversation Circle have the opportunity to practice everyday conversations, improve pronunciation, and gain confidence in speaking English in a relaxed environment. These sessions are held every Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m.

All sessions for both programs will be held in person at the library. Masks are required. Registration is also required.

To find out how your business can be included, call Debbie at 630-834-8355 or Brenda at 630-834-4450

Savings

Your In Print and Online source for discounts, special offers and coupons from your hometown merchants

228287

MamaMaria’s Pizza

Harry Potter Book Night take-home kits now available Everyone can celebrate all things Harry Potter with the Villa Park Public Library’s Harry Potter Book Night take-home kits. These kits will have fun activities and crafts to go along with this year’s theme: Magical Journeys. Registration with a valid email address is required. Info: visit the library’s website at vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.

417090

416041

Smart Mama

Villa Park Library events

Visit one of these fine Early Bird Specials establishments 7.95 to take DAILY HOMEMADE SOUPS advantage & LUNCHEON SPECIALS of terrific Open 630-279-3738 Mother’s Day savings!

7am-2pm $

Monday-Friday 7am-11am ONLY

✿ 3 Potato Pancakes & Sour Cream or Applesauce ✿ ✿ 2 Slices of French Toast & 2 Sausage Links ✿ ✿ 2 Eggs, 2 Slices Bacon, Hash Browns & Toast ✿

Visit one of these fine establishments to take advantage of terrific savings!

363 W. Lake Street Elmhurst

Hours: Closed Mondays Tuesday - Saturday 7am to 3pm; Sunday 7am to 2pm

416042

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, May 5, 2022 • 19

Pedersen Ryberg Funeral Home Since 1958

Well over sixty years, Pedersen Ryberg has provided meaningful and proven options with total respect in keeping with traditional values - whether a traditional funeral, traditional cremation, flameless cremation, or memorial service. We strive to maintain family wishes with uncompromised quality and value, and guide families in creating a way to remember loved ones.

Pre-Planning

We’re here for you

Peace of Mind Option to Pre-Pay Relieves Burden on Family to make Decisions

Respect Compassion Comfortability Affordable for any budget

(630) 834-1133

www.PedersenRyberg.com

•

info@PedersenRyberg.com

416111

435 North York Street • Elmhurst, Illinois 60126

20 • Thursday, May 5, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

It Might be Time for Memory Care Moods & Activities

WARNING SIG NS

Frequent bouts of irritability, moodiness, depression or fatigue are always symptoms worth discussing. Also watch for loss of interest in favorite activities and pastimes. Giving up things that were once important may be a red flag.

When you have concerns about an aging loved one living alone, assisted living is always a smart consideration. When symptoms are amplified by a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or any other memory loss diagnosis, the safety, security and quality of life dedicated memory care programming provides is critical.

You’ll find just that at Clarendale of Addison.

CALL 630-345-8702 TO S C H EDU L E A V I S I T A N D L EAR N MO R E. INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE ClarendaleOfAddison.com | 1651 West Lake Street | Addison, IL 60101 3-22

416045

web