VPR92922

Memorial Day in Villa Park

Willowbrook homecoming parade

Last week’s homecoming festivities at Willowbrook High School included Friday afternoon’s parade down Ardmore Avenue. The parade procession began on Park Boulevard, near the Rugaard Gazebo, and proceeded south on Ardmore to Highridge Road. Members of Villa Park’s police and fire departments secured the parade route. The parade featured Willowbrook’s marching band, as well as several of the Warriors’ student-athletes and the cast and crew of the school’s upcoming production of “Anything Goes!” Dozens of children in the Villa Park Youth Football and Cheer program also walked in the parade.

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

April 30. Pictured (left to right) at the tree planting at the village’s Franklin Park, located at 218 N. Third Ave., are: Villa Park Village Trustee Christine Murphy, Justin Shlensky—chair of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commis sion, Margaret Schiefer—a member of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission, Villa Park Village Trustee Cheryl Tucker, Villa Park Village President Albert Bulthuis, Villa Park Village Trustee (and Village President-Elect) Nick Cuzzone and Leslie Allison-Seei—chair of the Villa Park Community Pride Commission. Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday of each April. The National Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Villa Park with Tree City USA designation for 36 straight years. To receive that recogni tion, a community must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive com munity forestry program and an Arbor Day observance.

630-514-9961

Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 held its Memorial Day service on Monday morning at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park. Post Commander Jim Blankshain is pictured bowing his head as Willowbrook High School students Lily Hendrickson and Anna Seelbach sound taps at the end of the ceremony. The post’s 2020 Memorial Day event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s observance included a reading of the names of the Post 2801 members who have recently died. That list included World War II veteran Charles “Sid” Bergh, who served as the master of ceremonies of the post’s annual Memorial Day service for several years. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Bergh died in October 2020. He was 94 years old. Bergh was the post’s last surviving World War II veteran.

Villa Park reView

Your Hometown Newspaper

240 N. West Avenue Elmhurst, IL. 60126

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.

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Administration:

Chris Fox

News Coordinator Debra Hamilton Advertising Director Pete Cruger Publisher

Advertising: Brenda Garcia Kate McCarty

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.

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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.

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THE VILLA PARK REVIEW 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126

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Monday-Friday 11am-3pm

Villa Park couple behind `Diamonds in the Ruff’

Bid to break the

A bid to set a new Guinness World Records title for the largest dog wed ding ceremony is coming on Sunday, Oct. 2, to Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva.

The Kane County Cougars Base ball Foundation and Robust Promo tions aim to crush the 15-year-old record of 178 couples at the ballpark, 34W002 Cherry Lane.

Dubbed “Diamonds in the Ruff,” the light-hearted event has a serious mission: to raise money and aware ness for non-profit organizations, including a national group that pairs service dogs with military veterans who struggle with mental health and die by suicide at alarming rates.

Organizers hope to raise $100,000 for K9s For Warriors and 12 other service animal organizations and lo cal pet adoption groups. Determined to end veteran suicide, K9s For War riors is the nation’s largest provider of trained service dogs to military veterans suffering from post-trau matic stress disorder (PTSD), trau matic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma.

On a daily basis, nearly 20 veter ans take their own lives, and since 2001 there have been four times as many veterans who have died by sui cide than the number of U.S. military personnel who died in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Through cash and in-kind do

Records

nations, the Kane County Cougars Baseball Foundation gives over $1 million annually to the community. Dr. Bob Froehlich, Cougars own er and CEO, said “Diamonds in the Ruff” is a perfect match for the or ganization.

“We are a bit quirky and always push the marketing envelope, so hosting a massive dog wedding is a natural for us,” Froehlich said. “One of our biggest areas of focus has al ways been veterans and active mili tary. In many ways, our organization was made for this event.”

Leslie Allison-Seei and her hus band, Greg Seei, own Robust Pro motions, a Villa Park-based firm with extensive professional promo tional-and-marketing expertise. They coordinated a dog wedding ceremo ny last September in Villa Park that joined 80 canine couples in tonguein-cheek matrimony.

The event sparked extensive me dia attention throughout the Chica go-area market, as well as coverage in national outlets, including People and the New York Times

In January, Allison approached Froelich about the Cougars’ founda tion helping make another record at tempt. The Guinness World Records title in the category, set in Littleton, Colo., was established in May 2007.

“It’s a silly way to raise funds and awareness about a very serious

dog wedding ceremony

cause. We want to have an event that helps save lives, human and canine, and also brings people a lot of joy while breaking a Guinness World Records title,” said Allison, “but the biggest motivation is having a posi tive impact on the lives of brave men and women who have served our country.”

Stephanie Vogt, community rela tions manager at K9s For Warriors, said service dogs help veterans “re turn to a life of dignity and indepen dence.”

Those unable to participate in per son have also been able to play an ac tive role in the initiative. Until Sept. 3, organizers held a “Voice Your Vows” contest, in which dog owners uploaded a brief video at voiceyour vows.com of their dog “barking, singing, howling or talking.”

Later this month, out of 10 final ists who advance based on votes re ceived, a panel of celebrity judges will choose one grand-prize winner and one runner-up based on criteria that include originality, creativity and musicality. The grand-prizewinning dog will have its picture appear on the NASDAQ billboard, win a trip for two to New York City to see it in person, and receive life time veterinary care in the form of a $10,000 check. The top 10 videos will be played during “Diamonds in the Ruff.”

Villa Park BREWFEST takes place on Saturday

Tickets must be purchased online

2

Geneva

London-based and world-renowned magician Martin Rees, a five-time Guinness World Records title holder, will serve as emcee for the event and will perform a variety of tricks at “Diamonds in the Ruff.”

Rees will also officiate the vows with an “ordained canine minister,” a dog named Reverend Henry Cle otis Farnsworth III. The magician’s translation of the vows from canine to English is for the human guests’ benefit. Although Guinness World Records rules prevent the dogs from dressing up for the ceremony, their humans are highly encouraged to come in festive wedding garb.

VFW Post 2801 Auxiliary accepting entries for its youth scholarship competitions

Deadline to submit entries in the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy contests is Oct. 31

STAFF REPORT

The Villa Park Veterans of For eign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 Auxil iary is participating in the upcoming 2022-23 Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy youth scholarship com petitions.

Something exciting is brewing in Villa Park. Villa Park BREWFEST will be held this Saturday, Oct 1, at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park, 318 E. Kenilworth Ave., from 2 to 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are available for pur chase—online only—at www.vil laparkbrewfest.com.

Tickets are still available for this craft beer tasting festival, which will showcase the talents and unique beers from area breweries. Attend ees will enjoy sampling many craft beers and hard ciders from more than 15 breweries.

Villa Park BREWFEST is a 21 and older event. Even the desig nated driver attendee needs to be at least 21 years old and have a ticket to attend.

The festival will also feature food trucks, a DJ and a complimentary bike valet.

The Patriot’s Pen essay contest is open to students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade. The Voice of De mocracy contest is for high school students.

Students who enter the Patriot’s Pen contest must complete an essay by writing an answer (300 to 400 words) to the 2022-23 theme: “My Pledge to Our Veterans.”

In the Voice of Democracy au dio-essay competition, contestants will write an essay responding to the 2022-23 theme question: “Why is the Veteran Important?”

In addition to writing their re sponse to that question, students who take part the Voice of Democracy contest will make an audio recording (3 to 5 minutes) of their essay.

Students who participate in the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democra cy contests can advance to four dif ferent levels of competition—VFW Post, VFW District, VFW State and VFW National. Students can earn scholarship funds by advancing to each level.

The Odeum that once was

Here stands what’s left of The Odeum Expo Center and sports arena, now reduced to rubble by a construction company. In Jan uary, the Greco family announced it would be closing the facility after 40 years. Since 1981, the Odeum was a popular venue for concerts, indoor sports, trade shows and more, drawing patrons from throughout Chicagoland. It also served as a drive-through test site during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has hosted concerts by KISS, Alabama, Kenny Rogers and Amy Grant; haunted hous es with Rob Zombie; and a large arts and crafts festival in both spring and autumn. This construction worker (right) at the site where The Odeum Expo Center once stood gives a thumbs up after getting the job done for the day.

The first-place national award for the Patriot’s Pen contest is $5,000. The grand prize in the Voice of De mocracy competition is a $30,000 scholarship.

The deadline to submit entries to the VFW Post 2801 Auxiliary in both contests is Monday, Oct. 31.

For more information, or to ob tain an entry form, email the post at vfwpost2801auxiliary@gmail.com.

Entry forms are also available online at vfw.org. Go to the Community tab, and then click on the Youth and Education tab. From there, click on the Youth Scholarships link.

DEE LONGFELLOW PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

Police Reports

Area police departments recently reported the following arrests and ci tations. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that suspects are considered inno cent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to pro tect the privacy of victims. Juveniles age 17 or younger are not named.

Addison

Sept. 19

Ricardo R. Hernandez, 38, of Bensenville, was charged with DUI and no insurance in the 100 block of E. Lake at 6:26 a.m.

Sept. 18

Andrew W. Keil, 62, of Itasca, was charged with DUI and failure to reduce speed near Addison and I-290 at 4:14 p.m.

A 27-year-old Addison man was charged with two counts of domestic battery at 4:26 a.m.

Sept. 17

Timothy B. Kenny, 36, of Alsip, was charged with DUI and driving while license suspended in the 2100 block of W. Army Trail at 2:30 a.m.

Jonathan Martinez-Vazquez, 18, of Addison, was charged with obstructing identification and no driver’s license/ permit in the 300 block of W. Lake at 10:26 p.m.

Sept. 16

Antonio Carrasco, 19, of Addison, was charged with two counts of resist ing/obstructing a police officer, con sumption of liquor by a minor and pos session of cannabis in the 500 block of Green Oaks at 7:34 p.m.

Jesus Zermeno, 20, of Cicero, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon on person, illegal posses sion of ammunition/FOID and resist

ing a police officer near Denise and Elizabeth Sts. at 9:52 p.m.

Villa Park

Sept. 17

A complainant in the 300 block of N. Illinois reported at 1:07 a.m. that a suspect battered them. No charges were filed at this time.

A complainant at a business in the 1-100 block of S. Villa reported at 1:29 p.m. that a suspect was threat ening them. The suspect was issued a no-trespass notice.

A complainant at a business in the 300 block of N. Ardmore reported at 9:44 p.m. that a subject was causing a disturbance. The subject was issued a no-trespass notice.

Sept. 16

Matthew S. Snodell, 33, of McLeod, Mont., was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon/on person on in a vehicle, and aggravated unlaw ful use of a weapon/loaded firearm on person at a pub in the 300 block of W. St. Charles at 11:37 a.m.

A complainant in the 300 block of N. Ardmore reported at 3:43 p.m. that a suspect battered them. No charges were filed at this time.

Officers observed a subject in the 200 block of E. North drinking in a parking lot at 10:45 p.m. A citation was issued.

A complainant at a lounge in the 100 block of E. Roosevelt reported at 12:10 p.m. that a suspect was causing a disturbance. The suspect was issued a no-trespass notice.

Sept. 15

Anthony Palacios, 20, of Bensen ville, was issued citations for unlawful use of cannabis by a driver, no valid driver’s license, failure to yield from a private road or drive and no insurance near N. Ardmore and W. Division at 1:47 a.m.

Sept. 14

Calvin M. Griffith, 29, of Villa Park, was charged with DUI in the 200 block of S. Villa at 7:37 p.m.

A complainant in the 300 block of S. Oakland reported at 9:20 a.m. that a suspect sent them an unwanted text message.

Sept. 13

Sean T. Luner, 21, of Lombard, was charged with retail theft/possess ing displayed merchandise exceeding $300 at a store in the 1-100 block of W. North at 3:53 p.m.

Nicholas Santiago, 52, of Elmhurst, was charged on the above date with two counts of reckless driving, driving too fast for conditions, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, driving a vehicle on a sidewalk and improper lane usage for the above alleged inci dents that occurred on July 24.

A complainant in the 400 block of W. Division reported at 8:59 p.m. that unknown suspects were attempting to enter through a locked door. No entry was made and the suspects were gone upon an officer’s arrival.

Sept. 12

Vehicle theft was reported in the 1-100 block of E. Hill at 7:49 p.m. A complainant reported that an unknown suspect damaged a gate on the property and removed a vehicle from a parking lot.

A complainant in the 500 block of E. Wildwood reported at 5:08 p.m. that an unknown suspect broke a bird bath that was in the yard.

A complainant in the 300 block of W. Division reported at 7:14 p.m. that unknown suspects were attempting to enter through a locked door. No entry

was made and the suspects were gone upon officer’s arrival.

A complainant in the 300 block of W. Division reported at 7:14 p.m. that an unknown suspect damaged an out side door with an unknown object.

Sept. 11

Police said Nicholas Whealan, 30, of Villa Park, was arrested on an orig inal complaint and warrant in the 500 block of N. Westmore on the above date for an alleged incident that oc curred Aug. 4.

Fraud, identity theft

According to information provid ed last week by the Villa Park Police

Department, police reported four in cidents of residents being a victim of fraud or identity theft.

Catalytic converter theft

According to information provided last week by the Villa Park Police De partment, police reported no incidents of a catalytic converter being removed from vehicles.

Unwanted person on property

According to information provided last week by the Villa Park Police De partment, police reported one incident of complainants having an unwanted person on their property.

312 E. St. Charles Rd., Villa Park, IL 60181 www.Taefutogo.com

Mon., Wed., Thurs. & Sunday 11am-9pm

Tuesdays

FREE Spring Rolls

On Order of $25 or more before tax. (Carry Out Only)

One offer per visit. Not valid with any other offers.

Fri. & Sat. 11am-9pm

Dining Room Open 11am-8pm

FREE Crab Ragoon

On Order of $40 or more before tax. (Carry Out Only)

One offer per visit. Not valid with any other offers.

Lezza Bakery & Gelateria on Spring Road is looking for cheerful people to work behind the counter.

Come work at one of the sweetest places in town! Open and closing shifts available as well as Full time or Part time. Our hours are awesome as we’re only open 7 a.m. till 6 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. We can be very flexible, but this opportunity includes working at least 1 weekend shift. Competitive pay (+tips), awesome co-workers, delicious product, plus we’ll train you! No experience necessary.

Drop by the bakery at 544 Spring Rd., Elmhurst to fill out an application or drop off your resume. We’ll see you soon!

Warriors win their homecoming game, beating Leyden 35-7

Willowbrook scores two touchdowns on interception returns

STAFF REPORT

The Willowbrook football team moved to 2-3 overall and 2-1 in West Suburban Gold Conference play fol lowing Friday’s 35-7 home win over Leyden.

Playing in their homecoming game, the Warriors built a 14-7 halftime lead over the visiting Eagles, who dropped to 0-5 overall and 0-3 in the conference with the loss. After a scoreless third quarter, Willowbrook blew the game open with three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Sophomore K.J. Rhodes scored the Warriors’ first touchdown of the game when he intercepted a tipped pass and raced 64 yards for a touchdown with about six minutes left in the first quar ter. Senior Adrian Guerrero kicked the extra point to give Willowbrook a 7-0 lead.

“We started eight sophomores, a junior and two seniors on defense,” said Willowbrook coach Nick Hildreth after Friday’s win. “We’re banged up. A bunch of guys had opportunities to play on both sides of the ball. When you lose some guys, it changes what you do and what it looks like. The guys played really hard.”

One of the Warriors’ key players sidelined with an injury is senior Joey Tumilty. The Willowbrook standout on both offense and defense suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the team’s conference loss at Downers

Grove South on Sept. 16.

Leyden evened the score by deliv ering its own interception return for a touchdown later in the first quarter. The Eagles intercepted a tipped pass and returned the ball about 40 yards into the end zone in the final minute of the quarter. Leyden made the ex tra-point kick to tie the score at 7-7.

The Warriors regained the lead when junior Daeveon Madison crossed the goal line on a 3-yard touchdown run in the final minute of the second quarter. Guerrero added the extra-point kick to give Willowbrook a 14-7 lead.

Moments before Madison’s scoring run, junior quarterback A.J. Palicki completed a long pass to Rhodes to put the Warriors near Leyden’s goal line.

Willowbrook senior Damian Ban aszewski scored his team’s third touch down of the night on a 1-yard run early in the fourth quarter. Sophomore Bran don Lopez kicked the extra point to raise the Warriors’ lead to 21-7. Lopez handled the kicking duties after Guer rero left the game with an injury.

Leyden drove the ball inside Wil lowbrook territory earlier in the sec ond half, but junior Carter Ferguson of the Warriors forced a fumble near the 15-yard line. Senior Jack Krichbaum recovered the loose ball to end the Ea gles’ scoring threat.

Shortly after scoring the short touchdown run, Banaszewski inter cepted a Leyden pass while he was

playing on defense. He made the inter ception in the middle of the field and raced into the end zone on a 53-yard return to extend the lead to 27-7. Lopez added the extra-point kick to push the Warriors’ lead to 28-7.

Junior Joe Hanson scored Willow brook’s fifth and final touchdown of the night on a 27-yard run. Lopez made the ensuing extra-point kick to close out the scoring.

The Warriors’ season continues with this Friday’s West Suburban Gold Conference battle against District 88 rival Addison Trail in Addison. The Blazers will enter the game with an overall record of 2-3 and a conference mark of 1-1.

Warriors’ flag football team earns a victory in front of a homecoming crowd

STAFF REPORT

Willowbrook High School’s new girls flag football team played the opening game of Friday night’s historic doubleheader in Villa Park.

The Warriors’ flag football team, which is in its in augural season, defeated Oak Park/River Forest 24-0 in Friday’s first game. Willowbrook’s football team earned a 35-7 West Suburban Gold Conference victory over Leyden in the evening’s second game.

In addition to being part of the celebration of Willow brook’s homecoming week, the pair of contests formed a groundbreaking doubleheader. The special twin bill featured a girls flag football team and a varsity football game for the first time in Illinois high school history.

“It’s really cool to have this opportunity with the girls, then the boys playing here,” said Willowbrook head foot ball coach Nick Hildreth after his team beat Leyden. Hil dreth is assisting Rachel Karos in coaching the Warriors’ flag football team. “This has never happened before in the state of Illinois, so it’s a big deal. It’s an honor to be a part of it. We pushed hard to get a homecoming [flag football] game here. There’s a nice crowd here, and a lot of youth groups. When you bring it to the community, you start to get the girls interested.”

In conjunction with the National Football League and Nike, the Chicago Bears and Chicago Public Schools launched the Chicago Public League Girls Flag Football program in 2021. The program expanded this year to add an eight-team league in the Rockford area, along with six teams in the West Suburban Conference.

In addition to Willowbrook, the West Suburban Con ference’s flag football teams include: Oak Park/River Forest, Proviso East, Proviso West, Morton East and Morton West. Most of the conference’s games are played on Saturdays at Oak Park/River Forest, but the Warriors brought their third game of the season to their own sta dium to set up the historic doubleheader in front of a healthy homecoming crowd.

The Warriors’ flag football team did not disappoint the home fans during Friday’s game. Senior quarterback

Rimon Kari fired touchdown passes to senior Kennedy Vannoy, junior Emma Anderlik and senior Zaida Serrano. Willowbrook’s flag football team will play two more regular-season games in Oak Park. The Warriors will then try to make a post-season run that will end with an appearance in the state championship game, which will be played at the Bears’ Halas Hall facility in Lake Forest.

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

Willowbrook’s football team won its homecoming game on Friday night in Villa Park. The Warriors defeated Leyden 35-7 in a West Suburban Gold Conference game. Willowbrook improved to 2-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play. Senior Damian Banaszewski (left - No. 22) of the Warriors is pictured after he returned an interception 53 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Banaszewski scored an offensive touchdown on a 1-yard run earlier in the quarter. Another photo shows sophomore Brandon Lopez (above - No. 45) making an extra-point kick. Junior Noah Brockie is the holder. Lopez converted three extra-point kicks in the fourth quarter. He took over the Warriors’ placekicking duties after senior Adrian Guerrero suffered an injury in the second half. Willowbrook’s season continues with this Friday’s conference game against District 88 rival Addison Trail in Addison.

Warriors move to 3-0 in conference action after beating Downers Grove South

Willowbrook will face Glenbard East tonight in Villa Park

The Willowbrook girls volleyball team improved to 16-2 overall and 3-0 in West Suburban Gold Conference play following last week’s 25-23, 25-11 win at Downers Grove South.

Junior Calli Kenny contributed six kills, six digs, six aces and three assists in the Warriors’ win over the Mustangs on Sept. 20. Sophomore Hannah Kenny supplied five kills, six assists, six digs and three aces. Senior Natalie Cipriano added three kills and three digs. Senior Grace Conley provided six digs and three assists. Junior Eliza Ramey made two blocks. Senior Hope Reckamp had one kill, one block and one ace.

The Warriors’ schedule this week includes tonight’s non-conference home match against Glenbard East.

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

Playing in its inaugural season, Willowbrook’s girls flag football team improved to 3-0 with Friday’s 24-0 home victory over Oak Park/River Forest. Several members of the team are pictured while celebrating their triumph. Senior quarterback Rimon Kari (above - No. 6) fired touchdown passes to senior Kennedy Vannoy, junior Emma Anderlik and senior Zaida Serrano during Friday’s win, which was the opening game of a doubleheader at Willowbrook’s stadium in Villa Park. The school’s football team won the second game of the doubleheader, beating Leyden 35-7. The Warriors’ flag football team will finish its regular season with two more games in West Suburban Conference play. The Willowbrook team hopes to make a post-season run that leads to a berth in the state championship game, which will be played at the Chicago Bears’ Halas Hall facility in Lake Forest.

Mazzochi bill to crack down on products hiding fentanyl, targeting kids

country. House Bill 5808 would create an additional crime of fentanyl trafficking and target the use of candy, regular prescription drugs, and other vehicles for fentanyl distribution.

“Fentanyl and its analogs are fifty times more powerful than heroin, and a mere two milligram amount can be lethal,” said Rep. Mazzochi. “Traffickers are mixing or packaging fentanyl to look like candy, gummies, or different prescription medications to skirt the law and target innocent users. HB 5808 delineates that and gives prosecutors stronger tools that they need to combat a leading source of drug deaths in our county and state.”

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, 42% of these types of counterfeit pills they tested for fentanyl contained at least two milligrams of fentanyl, equal to just 10 to 15 grains of table salt. The Centers for Disease Control reported that synthetic opioids are the primary driver

of overdose deaths in the United States; in 2021 overdoses involving fentanyl and other synthetic opioids surpassed 71,000, up 23% from the year before.

Mazzochi contrasted her approach to the House Democrat legislation, House Bill 3447, to further decriminalize possessing or distributing lethal fentanyl levels.

“Our suburban legislators know full well that kids are inadvertently dying from fentanyl overdoses, precisely because of deceptive tactics by distributors,” she said. “We shouldn’t be making it easier for drug dealers to avoid prosecution, so they can save some money on production, distribution, or using sleight of hand to get users an opioid fix. This drug wreaks havoc in Illinois communities and destroys lives. We should be sending a message to the people who deal it, not letting them off the hook.”

(Editor’s note: This was received from the office of State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi.)

Slices of life More than a cheerleader

Confession: I was a cheerleader back in the day. It was a fun time for me. Really fun. And that’s all it was. Fun. Well, that and I got to meet some cute wrestlers.

I guess at the time it helped me fit in, but don’t we all need to find a way to fit in during high school? I did my best to enjoy it. I believe I was lucky—to have a rather easy go of it, but it wasn’t always easy. It was often stressful. Trying to fit in all of the time –like is expected in high school—is seldom easy, even for the coolest of the cool. And not many feel content and confident in that group.

Confession: I hardly every felt cool in high school, but I learned to smile and fake it when I didn’t. I’m guessing I’m not the only one.

From my perspective I enjoyed a class reunion this summer. People have matured— in the best of ways—over the years. I hope me included. Still, so many of my old (and now new) friends defined me as a cheerleader. It’s been decades since I threw out my pom poms but it seemed some of my high school classmates still envisioned me wearing the school colors and singing the fight song.

It caused me to pause.

I really enjoyed the pom poms all those years ago, but I’ve done so much since then. I’ve experienced life—marriage, children and grands. I’ve become a writer of sorts. I never dreamed cheerleading could still define me.

Apparently it did. It does, in some peoples’ eyes.

That makes me a little sad. (No disrespect meant toward those friends who still think of me as a cheerleader, those who are currently cheerleaders, those who may aspire to being a cheerleader, or those who at one point in time knew a cheerleader.)

Honestly I’m so much more. We all are.

Aren’t we?

We get defined by what we do, or what we believe in or how we worship or myriad other things that can be objectified and judged by our cultural norms.

I was a cheerleader in high school. But if I had it to do over, you know what?

I’d still be a cheerleader, but I’d do it a little differently.

I’d still be friends with those people I

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

connected with on a heart level. Many of those were cheerleaders, but I’d also get to know the people who didn’t have a conveniently cool label.

I’d seek out the interesting people. Those with a short description on the senior summary page. Those who didn’t necessarily play the premium sports or have pom poms in their locker.

I’d talk to everyone, because everyone matters. I’d reach out. I’d do more because I could have at the time. I wish I would have. I think I may have tried to, but I can’t remember. It’s been too may years. I hope I was kind in high school, but know I could have been even kinder.

If I had it to do all over again, I’d try to see people as people. I’d try to see everyone as worthwhile and let them know it. I’d practice the opposite of high school popularity (because I never really was popular) and embrace the geek that I really was.

I was a cheerleader. I really enjoyed the experiences it allowed me. I met some great friends because of it. I gained athletic prowess because of it. It gave me much. But in my heart, in my soul, it was but a sliver of my entire being.

I can’t go back and have a do-over at high school or life. I only hope to learn from my past and make better of my future. I was a cheerleader, and maybe I was drawn to that role. Maybe I can (and should) find a new set of metaphorical pom poms and cheer on those good people in my life who need cheering right now (and who amongst us doesn’t?)

Maybe building others up, builds me (and you and us) up as well.

Hip, hip, hurray!

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

In light of reports of “rainbow” fentanyl and increased deaths from deceptive products, State Representative Deanne

Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) introduced legislation to combat the ubiquitous spread of the deadliest drug threat facing the

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 11

How did Chicago do during the last full weekend of Lightfoot’s summer of joy? There were 62 people shot with nine of those 62 people killed. Please do Chicago a favor, Lightfoot, and don’t declare a fall of joy.

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Hey Trumpians. Your savior want ed a special master to review the doc uments the FBI seized in the raid on Mar-a-Lago. He got one, and now I’m reading about how this special master is exposing holes in the legal argu ments presented by Trump’s attorneys in court, and confronting their attempts to evade scrutiny. I hope all this special master nonsense backfires, and that your savior is indicted and eventually goes to prison where he belongs.

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Pritzker declared an emergency af ter buses with about 500 immigrants arrived in Chicago? Are you kidding? Tiny border towns in Texas are being overrun with thousands of immigrants every single day. Now that’s an emer

gency. But Democrats don’t care about that. Democrats are such hypocrites.

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I noticed all the comments by the MAGA Republicans in Speak Out (last week) supporting DeSantis and the Texas governor for sending mi grants to other states and to Martha’s Vineyard. These poor migrants want nothing more than to make a better life for themselves and their families. I think it’s terrible that the Republicans are using them as political pawns.

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Every television commercial for a prescription drug includes disclaim ers. You know what I’m talking about. The commercial begins by touting the benefit of the drug. Then, in the mid dle or at the end of the commercial, the narrator runs through the disclaimers. This drug may cause dry mouth, diar rhea, seizures, suicidal thoughts, etc. Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, or planning to become pregnant. And so on. Are we supposed to believe that the

Major recognition

Senior Sarah Ball of Willowbrook’s girls flag football team (No. 1) is pictured while making an interception return during the second half of the Warriors’ home game against Oak Park/ River Forest on Friday in Villa Park. Willowbrook defeated the Huskies 24-0 to improve its record to 3-0. The Warriors opened their inaugural season with a 34-0 win over Proviso East in a game played at Oak Park/River Forest on Sept. 10. Ball, who is a Villa Park resident, made a spectacular play in that game by leaping to make a reception near midfield. She then sprinted into the end zone for a touchdown. The video of Ball’s play was showcased on the NFL Network, with former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger praising the Willowbrook standout’s effort as he provided commentary of the athletic catch and run. Ball recently earned the NFL FLAG Player of the Week honor for her exceptional offensive play. She also received an autographed ball from Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney.

quickly developed COVID vaccines have no side effects for anyone?

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Don’t get fooled with this workers’ rights bill or Amendment One. This bill will change the Illinois Consti tution. It will give unions too much power and sway over legislation. Most importantly, it will raise your prop erty taxes. I am all for taking care of hard-working people, but not at the ex pense of my pocket book. Please vote no. Let’s have fair bargaining rights, but not one-sided bargaining rights.

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When Vice President Harris visited Chicago to rally voters, she said we must defend the principles “ingrained in the Constitution,” regarding abortion rights. The Constitution does not guar antee abortion rights. While I am prolife, I do agree the government should butt out of a woman’s decision, which is between her and her medical provid er. And to be clear, the Supreme Court did not take away abortion rights; the justices merely turned the matter over to the states, so any protests should be directed at the state level. Pro-choice advocates keep chanting the same lame mantra about where are the prolife people to adopt and otherwise take care of these “unwanted” children, and the cost to raise them if they end up in “the system.” Does a human life’s val ue come down to the cost? There are so many people out there who are willing to adopt these children, but often the obstacles to adopting are overwhelm ing and cost-prohibitive. Let’s make ease of adoption more attainable. Oh, and for those who use abortion as birth control, how about not getting preg nant in the first place?

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Shame on Trump for asking for a special master; this may in fact cost several people their lives as their se curity has now been compromised by secret documents seen by who knows who! We have spies in so many coun tries who are now in danger. There is much more than Trump’s lies involved

here; our entire national security is at risk because of this terrible man.

* * *

So it appears that the Democrats have completely politicized the FBI, which now functions basically as the police force for the Democratic Party. The exposure of their role in the Rus sia hoax didn’t stop them at all. They raid Trump’s home and now they raid the homes of Trump supporters. Let’s remember that when the Democrats were claiming that Trump was an il legitimate president after the 2016 election, Trump didn’t harass them and raid their homes. I believe the Dem ocratic Party is the main cause of the decline of this country.

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Many years ago, there was a baby boy born in England. His mother do nated her umbilical cord to a registry matching people with blood cancers to marrow donors. I was the recipient of that baby’s umbilical cord cells in 2017. They saved my life. If you are a mom-to-be or know someone who is, take a minute and ask your doctor about donating your baby’s umbilical cord cells. Please.

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People, please wake up. We need to vote out incumbents. This Safe-T Act that goes into effect in January must be repealed. You are letting criminals out of prison, with little to no conse quences for violent crimes and it hand cuffs the police as far as what they can do. We are going to become a lawless state. Who thinks up these laws? This has gotten out of hand. Please vote with your heart.

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Barack and Michelle Obama own a 29-acre estate in Martha’s Vineyard. The 6,892-square-foot home has sev en bedrooms and eight-and-a-half bathrooms. The home also features a private beach front. Are you think ing what I’m thinking? The Obamas’ home could serve as a welcoming cen ter for migrants. A “sanctuary” center. Barack himself could welcome boat

loads of immigrants ashore at his pri vate beach. Why not? Liberals love to pat themselves on the back and claim they are morally superior. Why aren’t the Obamas and other liberals welcom ing migrants with open arms?

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Did you read about the massive $250 million fraud scheme in Minnesota, in which 47 people allegedly exploited a federally funded child nutrition pro gram during the COVID-19 pandem ic? People allegedly stole millions of dollars meant to help children and used the money to buy luxury cars, houses, jewelry and coastal property abroad. What a disgrace! Also, how could the government allow such massive fraud to continue for about two years? By the way, the government tells us that the 2020 election was the most secure election in history.

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When you go to vote in November for your buddy JB, please remember: Illinois is ranked highest in property taxes in the U.S., second in small busi ness layoffs in the U.S., tied with Dela ware for the third worst unemployment rate in the U.S., and tied with Ohio for the fourth highest gas taxes in the U.S. But keep those abortion commercials coming, JB. Not to mention your bud get reductions were because of federal COVID-19 money and had nothing to do with what you have done. Maybe we should talk crime also.

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Safety and staying alive need to be promoted on our streets with the days becoming shorter. People in streets and those who cross crosswalks need to be seen by motorists. Wearing light-col ored and reflective clothes can help solve the problem. Bikes should be re quired to have proper lighting. Maybe if we honked our horn at people in the dark, they might get the hint. Thank you.

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If you can’t cure stupidity, why let stupidity run your life and your coun try?

Montini Catholic announces 2022 homecoming court members

Montini Catholic High School congratulates its 2022 homecoming court members. A king and queen will be announced on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the homecoming dance. This year’s homecoming theme is “Broncos vs. Everybody.” Students are busy preparing for their annual homecoming dance to be held outdoors for the second year in a row on the Bronco football field and featuring food trucks, games and fireworks. From left to right are this year’s homecoming court: Grace Tierney, Emma Canty, Willa Gramann, Jacob Velasquez, Christian Clarke (Villa Park), Trey Barrett, Mike Wind, Luke Cushing, Jordan Heatherly and Liadan O’Flaherty.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Lombardian

CHRIS

12th Annual � Help Me Decorate My Office Event!

Color in and mail, deliver, or, scan and email to Eva, no later than October 15th Eva Sanchez, REALTOR @properties, 130 W. Park Avenue, Elmhurst IL 60126

Call or Text Eva at (630) 561 8742 Email to SeeYourHouse@outlook.com

Pumpkins will be delivered between October 17th to the 21st

Classifieds at

PIANO LESSONS

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspa per is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to ad vertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, famil iar/ status or national origin, or an intention to make any such prefer ence, limitation or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, preg nant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly ac cept 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 1-800927-9275. EQUAL HOUSING OP PORTUNITY

Elmhurst

429 S. COTTAGE HILL, Fri., 9/30 & Sat., 10/1, 7:30am-2pm. Snowshoes, RC & model plane kits, silver earrings, quilt, garden, antiques, xmas, paintings, cloth ing and much misc.

Lombard

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.

https://homepaintingillino.wixsite.com/website PAINTERS. FULL-SERVICE.

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

OLD TOYS

American Flyer, Lionel trains, Bar bie and other dolls; G.I. Joe, Tonka, Matchbox, Hot Wheels cars, slot cars & more! Plus any other an tiques and collectibles. Call: 630-248-3222

524 S. EDGEWOOD AVE., MULTI FAMILY G.S., Friday, 9/30 & Saturday, 10/1, 9am5pm. Collectibles, furniture, clothing and household items.

DISCLAIMER NOTICE This pub lication does not knowingly ac cept fraudulent or deceptive ad vertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all ads, especially those asking for mon ey in advance.

Smart Mama$Savings

In Print and Online source for

CROSSWORD

LEGAL NOTICES

STATE OF ILLINOIS CIRCUIT COURT DUPAGE COUNTY 2022MR000294

PUBLICATION NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE (ADULT)

Request of: Ridaul Fatima Hanafi

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from Ridaul Fatima Hanafi to the new name of Izzabella Salva trice Amore.

Rock Valley Publishing Can Publish Your Legals. Call 815-877-4044

Or email your legals to legals@rvpublishing.com 425131

The court date will be held on October 19, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. at 505 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton DuPage County in Courtroom #2005.

/s/Rida Hanafi Ridaul Fatima Hanafi (Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review Sept. 15, 22 & 29, 2022) 424633

Schedule

Ladies Bible Fellowship Mondays at 7 p.m. October 29th Game Night from 4-8 p.m.

All services are live streamed.

pm.)

from

merchants

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

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

Gather with us for Weekend Worship 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. online worship is available at www.immanuelelmhurst.org

142 E. Third St. Elmhurst, IL ImmanuelElmhurst.org 630-832-1649

Handicapped accessible and hearing loop enabled

in 1982

W Vallette, Elmhurst

$1 OFF any $10 pizza purchase

Pick up or delivery. With this coupon only. Not valid with other offers. Coupon not valid in dining room. Expires 7/19/15

Pick up or delivery. With this coupon only. Not valid with other offers. Coupon not valid in dining room. Expires 10/6/22.

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 room. Expires 7/19/15

Pick up or delivery. With this coupon only. Not valid with other offers. Coupon not valid in dining room. Expires 10/6/22.

630-834-4450