At Home with Merle Burleigh – May 1, 2024

MERLE'S CORNER

Today is May Day. In some countries, there is a Maypole dance performed around a tall pole garlanded with greenery or flowers. These often are hung with ribbons ,which rewoven into a complex patterns by the dancers. Another tradition, not practiced much now, is the hanging of a basket or container of flowers on the door of a friend, neighbor or family member. Also May Day celebrations in some of the communist countries feature workforce parades, including display of military hardware and soldiers.With the abundance of beautiful blooms of flowers, trees and bushes, this might be a good year to revive the custom of a surprise container on the door.

AROUND AND ABOUT

• The Spring Final Concert of West Chicago Community High School is at 6 p.m.Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Bishop Gym, 326 Joliet St. The concert features all bands, choirs and orchestras. Some of the featured songs are "Battle Hymn of the Republic ,"which will be performed by all of the music students and Tchaikovsky's March Slav, which will be performed by the Honors Wind Ensemble and Honors Symphony Orchestra. Also all graduating seniors are recognized and awards and scholarships are presented.

• West Chicago Public Library and Healthy West Chicago host the Seed Library Kick-Off from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 2,2024, at he library, 118.W. Washington St. There are free gloves and garden tags for the first 60 families.

• "Using Butterflies and Native Plants for Sustainable and Pretty Gardens" is the West Chicago Public Library program at a 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in the main meeting room, 118
  Washington St. The Conservation Foundation presentation demonstrates how individuals can have an attractive landscape as well as providing an enriched habitat for birds, butterflies and other pollinators. Native plant guides are available for attendees. To register, visit https://wcpld.info/, under upcoming events.

• "Art in Full Bloom" is the exhibit for the month of May at Gallery 200, 103 W. Washington St. The display highlights the beautiful artwork of thirteen artists. They are Maria Ananieva, patty Donahue, Emilia Hajduczenia, Dan Holt, Shari Hohl, Kathi Kuchler, Owen O'Reilly, Laurie Parker, Kari Pozzessere, Britta Renwick, Elisa Rijos, Starla Snead and Marita Valdizan. Using a variety of mediums, artists display the delights of Spring with flowers, butterflies, garden art, and more. The artists' reception is from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2024. https://merleburl.com

• West Chicago Park District holds a Cinco de Mayo 2-mile Color Crawl at 6 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Kress Creek Farms Park, 30W150 Wilson Road. Along the route, participants are showered with vibrant color made from safe, food-grade, biodegradable cornstarch and by the time they cross the finish line are covered by a color palette of hues. The cost is $20 for residents, $24 for non-residents. There is no deadline for registering; people can register the day of the event. To register, visit https://www.we-goparks.org/special-events.

• The 2024 summer tour season at the Kruse House Museum 527 Main St., begins Saturday, May 4, and ends Saturday, Sept. 28. Hours are from noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays, except holiday weekends, Mother's Day, May 11, and Blooming Fest, May 18. It is also open from 5 to 7 p.m. the second Thursday of the month. The charge for the tours is $3 for adults, $1 for youths age 12 to 18, and free for passport holders.

Kruse House Museum and West Chicago City Museum, 132 Main Street, are participants in the "Passport to Adventure" program, which runs year round. The program is for all ages , who receive stamps at the participating locations, which includes more than 60 museums and nature centers in DuPage and Kane counties. Passports are available at both museums. and Gallery 200, 103 W. Washington St.

• West Chicago's 20th annual Citywide Collection takes place on regularly scheduled garbage pickup days beginning Monday, May 6, and ending Friday, May 10, 2024. Using eight "refuse" stickers, residents can dispose of an unlimited amount of acceptable items. These include barbecue grills, bicycles, furniture, box springs and mattresses and household fixtures excluding electronics. Also included is carpeting ,if rolled into sections not exceeding four feet in length and not weighing more than 50 pounds per roll; and household construction materials such as lumber, drywall, plywood and doors if bundled or placed within 33-gallon refuse containers and/or not weighing more than 50 pounds;

Some unacceptable items are hazardous waste; tires; automotive parts, fluids and batteries such as oil, transmission fluid, windshield washing fluid, starters and brake shoes, household batteries, oil-based paint, pesticides, and propane tanks, and large household appliances. Small household appliances such as toasters, televisions, microwaves, computers, monitors, speakers, stereo equipment are no longer acceptable items as they are now banned from Illinois landfills from all sources under penalty of law. Helpful hint,-attach your eight stickers to your garbage container, as your junk may be someone else's treasure. For a list of acceptable items or for more information, visit, https://www.groot.com/waste-management-chicago/city-of-west-chicago.

• West Chicago Public Library presents the virtual "The Many Lives of Kal Penn" program through Illinois Libraries Program at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2024. To register, visit https://wcpld.info/, under upcoming events.

Penn is known for starring roles in Designated Survivor, House, The Namesake and the Harold & Kumar franchise. From 2009 to 2011, he took a sabbatical from acting to serve as the President's Liaison to Young Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and the Arts community. He worked on a range of issues, including the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the Affordable Care Act, arts and culture programs, and the DREAM Act. In 2012, he was a co-chair for the Obama/Biden re-election campaign and served on the President's Committee for the Arts and Humanities. Penn released his first book, "You Can't Be Serious,"in 2021. https://merleburl.com

• "Virtual Chair Yoga" is the West Chicago Public Library program at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Susan from Dancing Cranes demonstrates the benefits of yoga without getting down on the floor. In an hour of Chair Yoga, persons breathe more deeply; stretch, strengthen and move their body; relieve stress and relax. To register visit info, under upcoming events.
• The West Chicago Park District monthly social gathering for senior citizens is at noon Thursday, May 9, 2024, in the ARC, 201 W. National Street. Each year in May, the District celebrates Older Americans Month to recognize the countless contributions that older adults make to their communities. Their time, experience, and talents enrich the lives of those in the communities. All members of the community, regardless of their age, are invited to this celebration. Guests enjoy a lunch, dessert and refreshments. There is no charge, but reservations are required and can be made at https://www.we-goparks.org/adult-programs. Reservation deadline is at noon Friday, May 3.

• West Chicago Park District hosts Paint & Sip, "Poppy Prism ." at 2 p.m. Thursday,May 9, 2024, in the ARC in Reed-Keppler Park, 201 W. National St. The cost is $42, which includes all supplies. To register, visit https://www.we-goparks.org/adult-programs. The instructor is from Pinot's Palette. The event is geared for persons 14 and over. Painters over the age of 21 may bring their own bottle of wine.

• Healthy West Chicago hosts the program, "Vegetable Gardening ," at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Gallery 200, 103 W. Washington St. Attendees learn the basics of vegetable gardening. Topics include preparation of the soil, choosing the right location and selecting plant varieties. Three seed packets of non GMO seeds are available for attendees. Also there is a drawing for a foldable garden stool. To register for this free program, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf7f0BnUZOAMl7uR60fJBUv2M8q6wHh0iUwtSxScososMFGAQ/viewform. https://merleburl.com

• "Answering Your Genealogy Questions" is the West Chicago Public Library program at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 9, 2024, in the main meeting room, 118 W. Washington St. Local genealogist, Margaret "Peg" Kaputiak, offers genealogy advice and answers questions for the basic and experienced genealogy enthusiast. Her handouts and presentation provide practical tips, ideas, links and sources. She has been a Genealogist/Family Historian for 46 years. She is the author of one book and 56 research articles and currently volunteers at five historical/genealogical organizations. To register, visi https://wcpld.info/, under upcoming events.

• The West Chicago Public Library Saturday Crafternoon program, is at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11, 2024, in the main program room, 118 W. Washington St. Participants make flower crowns. To make a reservation, visit https://wcpld.info, upcoming events.

• West Chicago City Museum presents the Historiography program, a non-fiction book reading group, at 1 p.m.Thursday, May 16, 2024, in the Museum, 132 Main St. .The book is "A Woman of No Importance: TheUntold Story of the American s Spy Who Helped Win WWII." by Sonia Purnell. To get a copy of the book or for further information, visit Friends of West Chicago City Museum website, com or call 630 231-3376. It is not necessary to read the book to attend.

The book is the never-before-told story of one woman's heroism that changed the course of the Second World War. Per Goodreads, "In 1942, the Gestapo sent out an urgent transmission: "She is the most dangerous of all Allied spies. We must find and destroy her." The spy was a young American woman, Virginia Hall. She was rejected by the foreign service because she was a woman and she had a prosthetic leg. Talking her way into the spy organization of Winston Churchill, Hall became the first woman to deploy to occupied France before the United States even entered the war. "Virginia Hall came to be known as the "Madonna of the Resistance," coordinating a network of spies to blow up bridges, report on German troop movements, arrange equipment drops for Resistance agents, and recruit and train guerrilla fighters."

Sonia Purnell is a biographer and journalist who has worked at The Economist, The Telegraph, and The Sunday Times. Her book "Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill," published as "First Lady" in the UK, was chosen as a book of the year by The Telegraph and The Independent. It also was a finalist for the Plutarch Award. Her first book "Just Boris: A Tale of Blond Ambition" was long listed for the Orwell prize in 2011. https://merleburl.com

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

• The 2024 Pickle Ball season is now open at Hawthorne's Backyard Bar & Grill, 1200 W. Hawthorne Lane. The rate for reserving the court for play is $20 per hour. To reserve space, visit https://www.hawthornesbackyard.com/pickleball-reservations. Pickleball Leagues begin Sunday, June 8 and are open for persons age 18 and over. The cost for the two person team during the eight-week session is $60. To register, email [email protected]. https://merleburl.com

• Sonny Acres, 29W310 North Ave., opens Saturday May 4, 2024. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.mm. Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to the Garden Center, the Farm Fresh Store and Sweet Shop are open. For further information, visit https://sonnyacres.com/ or call 630 231-3859. https://merleburl.com

• Some local eating establishments have special events and meals to celebrate Cinco de Mayo for both or either Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5, 2024. Cinco de Mayo is a yearly celebration held on May 5 to celebrate Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza.https://merleburl.com

• Prairie Landing Golf Club, 2325 Longest Drive, hosts a Mother's Day Sip and Snip, at 6 p.m. Friday, May 10.2024. The charge of $60 includes a vase, creating a floral arrangement tulips or daffodils, charcuterie board and a glass of house wine or domestic beer. Reservations are due by Monday, May 6, and can be made by calling 630 208-7641 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. https://merleburl.com

• FNBC Bank & Trust, 600 E. Washington St., hosts a shredding event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 11, 2024, in the parking lot. Overseeing the shredding is R4 Services LLC, a family-owned business since 1993. For further information, call the bank at 708 482-7700. https://merleburl.com

• Some local eating establishments have special meals or buffets for Mother's Day, Sunday, May 12, 2024.

• Prosek's Greenhouse is the supplier of some select plants at Murphy's Ace Hardware, 319 S. Neltnor Blvd., and Sonny Acres Farm, 29W310 North Ave. These may include hanging baskets planters, annuals and vegetable plants.

• We Grow Dreams, 1055 W. Washington St., raised around $4,000 at its Beautify Your World Raffle. Winning the third prize of $250 was Kristen, the first person to purchase raffle tickets. Winning second prize of $500 was Karen, a family member of one of the Team embers. The winner of the grand prize of $1,000 was Bob, a long time supporter of the greenhouse. The proceeds went for the aging infrastructures of its greenhouses, some have been standing for more than 30 years.

The greenhouse has new hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

COVID-19

The DuPage County Health Department developed a dashboard to provide information on the total number of people, in DuPage County, who have tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, the dashboard includes a map which shows the distribution of reported cases by municipality and is updated at 4:00 p.m. daily. DuPage County's "COVID-19 Dashboard" is a one-stop-shop for all the information it offers including a town-by-town breakdown of cases. As of Monday, May6, 2024, there were 12,814 cases and 67 deaths; this is the number from the beginning of track recording.

REMEMBRANCES

• Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Raymond Arthur Austin, who at the age of 76 passed away Saturday, April 20. 2024.

• Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Manuel Dominguez Rosas, who at the age of 88, passed away Monday, April 22, 2024.

• Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Ralph White, who the age of 68 passed away Tuesday,April 23, 2024.

• Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Philip Frederick Adler III, who at the age of 49 passed away Sunday, April 21, 2024.

• Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Phyllis M. Foster, who at the age of 94 o passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

• Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Steven Muehlfelt, who at the age of 61passed away Friday, April 19, 2024.

SCHOOLS

• West Chicago Community High School Prom is from 5:30 p.m. to midnight Friday, May 3, 2024, at Field Museum. The theme is "Meet Me At Midnight." Queen nominations for the Prom Court are Clarissa Alvarez, Val Harris, Yohana Mora, Heidi Pereckas and Karen Huerta Garnica. King nominations are Carlos Allen, Yanni Cruz, Erik Diaz, Alan Munoz and Qssam Alwan.

• With an expected growth in student population, Benjamin School District 25 intends to add six new classrooms at Evergreen Elementary School. The school district holds its second community forum at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Benjamin Middle School, 28W300 St. Charles Road.

• David Ramos Perez, a senior at West Chicago Community High School, is the student of the Month for March 2024. His selection is due to academic achievement and extracurricular activities. He consistently has been on the Honor Roll and has earned a cumulative weighted grade point average of 4.653.

Perez has participated in Alegria for two years, is a Student Ambassador and became a ROAR Mentor his senior year. The AVID Team nominated him to train to be a peer tutor, and he is one of the students who consistently volunteers to help the ninth and tenth grade AVID students with their Tutorials.This last ROAR, there were two students who are new to the United States and do not speak English .He took them both under his wing and translated the entire day for them so they were included.

Upon graduation, Perez plans to attend North Central College with a major in Business Management. https://merleburl.com

• West Chicago Community High School recognizes senior students Enaya Kazmi and Christina Guo for their leadership and initiative in creating the Wildcat Pride Award Breakfast program throughout the 2023-2024 school year. Each month, two teachers from all academic departments nominate students who have made a positive impact at the high school.Kazmi and Guo have made this a true student-led event.They send notes to the nominees informing them of their award and inviting them to breakfast. As co-emcees, they a coordinate the presentation with each nominating teacher. The high school plans to continue this program in the future. Marc Wolfe, Director of Student Activities, explained, "They are members of National Honor Society and ttook it upon themselves to start the program this year as part of a leadership activity."

• Wheaton Academy has a new Video Studio. Students in the school's award winning Video Program can explore various technical roles, video styles, and equipment. Also students have an area on campus to learn and explore to get a test of different career paths. https://merleburl.com

• Morgan Efrom is the new Turner Elementary School Principal. She began her career in education as a kindergarten and second grade teacher in Chicago Public schools. In 2919 she was a first grade teacher at Indian Knoll School. Efrom received her Master's degree in Leadership in Educational Administration in 2021; She then served as Interim Assistant Principal in both PreK and Turner School. She has been the Turner School Assistant principal beginning in 2022. https://merleburl.com

• The West Chicago Community High School team participated in the Personal Finance Challenge . In the first round, the students had one of the highest scores, proceeding then to State. Here they dominated and now will represent Illinois in the Nationals in May. Team members are Lucas Brown, Arely Jacobo, Lauren Sikma and Dana Tomasevic.

The National Personal Finance Challenge is a nationwide competition offering high school students the opportunity to build and demonstrate their knowledge in the concepts of earning income, spending, saving, investing, managing credit, and managing risk. In the first round of the NPFC, student teams compete in a fun online 30-question challenge. High-scoring student teams are invited to their state finals. State champions proceed to the National competition, where teams use their knowledge to create a financial plan for a fictitious family scenario. The top 16 teams in the National Finals will advance to compete for the national championship title in a Quiz Bowl. https://merleburl.com

CLUB/ORGANIZATION NEWS

• Along with the Fish Fry from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2024, American Legion Post 300, 123 Main St., has a special dinner of stuffed pork chops, au gratin potatoes, bacon wrap Asparagus with lemon Aaloi and dinner roll.

• The 2024 DuPage Veterans Foundation Honor Flight fundraisers is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the DuPage CountyFairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road in Wheaton. Activities include live music, display of military vehicles and memorabilia and bagpipers. There is free entry for World War II and Korean War era veterans and children under the age of 12. Ticket prices are $45 and $10 for youths age 13 to 18.Funds raised from this event and other fundraisers support Honor Flight Chicago.

• Gallery 200, 103 W. Washington St., is starting an art class series ranging from sculpture, jewelry to painting for adults and youths. All classes are beginner friendly, ntermediate and advanced.

The first class is a plaster statuette class taught by artist and Gallery Manager Britta Renwick. The class sessions are Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11, 2024. There are two starting times on Friday, 4 and 5 p.m. Participants select their choice. The Saturday class is at 4 p.m. The charge for the 2 sessions is $45 and includes all supplies. Class size is limited to 15 persons. To reserve a space, visit https://www.gallery200.net/gallery-200-shop/p/brittas-clay-class.

At the Friday session, Renwick draws a sketch of what each participant wants to make. Then participants make the wire and wood armature for their statue. The Saturday session is where the fun with the plaster cloth begins.Participants work until their project is done. Renwick helps with every step.. https://merleburl.com

• Healthy West Chicago, working with help from GardenWorks Project, offers two garden options for the summer of 2024, balcony garden box and window garden for herbs. All gardens come with compost, seedlings, seeds and gardening tools To qualify for a free garden, person must use the local food bank, qualify for WIC or SNAP benefits, a child in the household who qualifies for free reduced lunch, and identify as food insecure. To apply for a garden, visit https//bit.ly/HWSGarden. For further information, email [email protected] or call 630 230-6370. https://merleburl.com

• For the first time in three years,Wayne/Winfield Area Youth/Family Services again offers Summer Day Camp from Monday, June 3, through Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in the Wayne Township building, 27W031 North Ave. It is for children ages six, who have completed first grade, through 13, who have not started the high school year. Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; extended hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The charge for regular hours is $125 per week; the charge for the extended hours is $40 more. A sliding scale is available, plus there is a $5 reduction if paid by Tuesday of the week prior to the designated week. Youths can attend certain weeks or all summer.

• The Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6791 hosts Bingo on Sundays at the post, 431 N. Neltnor Boulevard. Doors open at noon, games start at 1:30 p.m.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS HIGHLIGHTS

• Marita Valdizan, Gallery 200 artist, is a participant in the Romeoville Art Society art show in the White Oak Library, 2 W. Normantown Road in Romeoville. The artists' receptions is from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Her artwork is "Pisces," a wearable wire crochet piece. Valdizan is an award-winning artist, jewelry designer and teacher from Peru. She studied arts in Peru and has been developing different techniques using a crochet hook and wire to create sculptural and multi-functional wearable art and mixed media. https://merleburl.com

• Maggie Capettini, former education director at West Chicago City Museum has a solo exhibit, "Inspiration" for the month of May at Downers Grove Public Library, 1050 Curtiss St. She has 37 paintings on display. The artist's reception is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 5, 2024. https://merleburl.com

WEST CHIAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

• To heighten awareness and raise donations for the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Illinois, West Chicago Police Department holds its annual donut and coffee delivery fundraiser. For a donation of $100, members of the Police Department Command Staff will deliver two dozen donuts and a box of coffee from Dunkin' Donuts to local West Chicago businesses, organizations or large groups Friday, May 17, 2024. Coffee delivery starts at 8 a.m. Orders must be placed by Monday, May 13. West Chicago business, organizations or large groups wanting to participate can email Officer Robyn Arms at [email protected] or call 630-818-3354. The donations support more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and helping fund the tear-round training and competition for the children and adults. https://merleburl.com

CITY OF WEST CHICAGO

• At the April 15, 2024, meeting, City Council approved the back property taxes for the three parcels associated with 126 Wood St. in an amount of $60,000. Per the Item summary " unsuccessful in getting voluntary Cit y Code Compliance at this address, the City is seeking to have the Court declare this property abandoned if it cannot come to a negotiated solution with the property owner…The goal would be to recover all money spent to acquire this property and bring it into compliance with the City Code via an eventual sale, which the City has successfully done in the past. If a negotiated sale is successful not involving the City, these funds will not be spent."

Also approved was a contract for the 2024 Parkway Tree Planting program in the amount of $42,500 to St. Aubin Nursery & Landscaping, Inc. of Kirkland. The Item Summary states, "This project consists of providing and planting 132 parkway trees in various locations within the corporate limits of the City of West Chicago."

Council approved the contract for the 2024 sidewalk and Curb Maintenance program in the amount of $110,000 to Strada Construction Co. of Addison. The Item summary states, The program "consists of intermittent removal and replacement of approximately 3,900 square feet of sidewalk and 250 linear feet of curb and gutter at various locations in the City."

ODDS AND ENDS

• West Chicago and Taufkirchen (Vils) Germany are Sister Cities and this year are celebrating the 25 year partnership. Twenty visitors from Germany are here from Thursday, May 9, through Monday, May 20, 2024. There is a special exhibit in the display case in the West Chicago Public Library. It highlights the history of the partnership with mementos and information. https://merleburl.com

• West Chicago Fire Protection District celebrates several April anniversaries. Battalion Chief Wade Johnson and Lieutenant Dave Link celebrate 25 years. Fire fighter/paramedic Nick Bulleri celebrates his ninth year of service.https://merleburl.com

• The Chicago Botanic Garden and Cantigny are partnering to support military veterans and ease their transition to the civilian workforce. This summer, the Veteran Internship Program is being offered at both Cantigny and Chicago Botanic Garden from Monday, May 20 to Friday, Aug. 9, 2024.

The paid 12-week program for veterans offers hands-on training in assigned areas suited to each intern's career goals and interests. Cantigny and Chicago Botanic Garden are now seeking qualified candidates, with up to seven positions available at each location. VIP applications are ongoing until positions are filled. In addition to practical work experience, program participants receive help with career assessment, job searching, interviewing, resume writing, cover letter preparation, and networking.

At Cantigny, departments with VIP positions available include security, guest services, horticulture, McCormick House (artifacts/collections), and forestry. At Chicago Botanic Garden, internships are in horticulture, greenhouse management, restoration ecology, bonsai, database management (membership), GIS documentation (plant collection), construction, accounting, education/camps, and public programs.

To apply for the 2024 Veteran Internship Program for Cantigny placements, candidates can apply on line at https://cantigny.org/veteran-internship-program/ and for Chicago Botanic Garden placements, can apply at https://www.chicagobotanic.org/internship/veteran. Questions about VIP for Cantigny is via email at : [email protected] and for Chicago Botanic Garden, it is [email protected] or [email protected].

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