At Home with Merle Burleigh – July 10, 2024 (2024)

MERLE’S CORNER

• West Chicago Garden Club hosts an afternoon tea at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 13. 2024, at the Kruse House Gardens, 527 Main St. The charge is $30 per person. Reservations are due by Wednesday, July 10, 2024, and can be made at westchicagogardenclub@gmail.com. Extra parking is available at City Hall, 475 Main St.

The menu includes assorted teas and assorted scones with homemade strawberry jam, lemon curd and clotted cream.and sandwiches: Chicken on cottage cheese dill rolls, deviled ham on marbled rye, cucumber mint with lemon cream cheese and roasted vegetables on tomato sour dough. The pastries are French macarons, fresh fruit on pistachio pate sucre, Battenberg cakes, double chocolate eclair, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate mousse Domes, rum caramel cake and decadent cheesecake brownies. Attire preferred is smart casual, summer pastels, no jeans. https://merleburl.com

AROUND AND ABOUT

• Partnering, the West Chicago Public Library and the West Chicago Park District offer a summer concert series in the Shell at Reed-Keppler Park, 832 Arbor Ave. The second concert features John Green at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2024. He is a Chicago-born singer/songwriter and acoustic guitar instrumentalist, creating fiery, percussive-driven songs and three-dimensional finger style instrumentals. His performance weaves through genres, with sounds ranging anywhere from a driving rock band to a blissful simple melody.

• Gallery 200, 103 W.Washington St., holds art class sessions. Brochures are available at the
  “The Joy Of Painting” is a four series oil and acrylic class from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, beginning July 11, and ending Aug. 1. Participants, using their own reference photos, learn techniques suitable for both acrylic and oil and how to safely combine these mediums together. A supply list is sent closer to the class date. The cost for the adult only series is $80. To make a reservation, call 630 639-2599 or visit https://www.gallery200.net/.

• West Chicago Public Library holds a Microsoft Word computer class at 6:30 p.m.Thursday, July 11, 2024, in the conference room, 118 W. Washington St. Participants learn the basics, which includes creating a document, selecting and editing text, saving a document, and inserting page numbers and special characters. To register, visit https://wcpld.librarycalendar.com/events/month.

• West Chicago Public Library hosts a Trivia Night at 7 p.m. Thursday, July11, 2024, in the main meeting room, 118 W. Washington St. The subject matter is mysteries and detectives. There is a chance to win prizes.To register, visit https://wcpld.librarycalendar.com/events/month.

• West Chicago Park District hosts Fun Friday at 11 a.m. July 12, 2024, in the Shell at Reed-Keppler Park, 832 Arbor Ave. Providing the entertainment is Headspin Guy, whose high energy provides unique games, challenges and dance moves that defy gravity. His show appeals not only to youth, but also adults. https://merleburl.com

• The West Chicago Public Library Saturday Crafternoon program, “Colorful Mobile,” is at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2024, in the main program room, 118 W. Washington St. Participants make a summer mobile suitable to hang indoors year round or outside when weather permits.. To make a reservation, visit https://wcpld.librarycalendar.com/events/month.

• The Commemorative Air Force presents its AirPower History Tour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday July 17, to Sunday, July 21, at DuPage Airport, 2700 International Drive. It features the legendary B-29 Superfortress “FIFI,” accompanied by the P-51 Mustang “Gunfighter,” a T-6 Texan, a PT-13 Stearman and an RC-45J Expeditor. Wednesday, the B-29 co*ckpit tours and PT-13, RC-45J, & T-6 for rides are available all day. For further information, visit https://www.airpowersquadron.org/chicago-dupage-il.

• “Pet Training 102: Rainy Day Enrichment” is the West Chicago Public Library program at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in the main meeting room, 118 W. Washington St. Participants learn some tips and fun games when the weather is not conducive for pets to play outside. This is not a training session; no dogs allowed. To register, visit https://wcpld.librarycalendar.com/events/month.

• West Chicago City Museum presents the Historiography program, a non-fiction book reading group, at 1 p.m.Thursday,July 18 2024, in the Museum, 132 Main St. The book is “Travel Route 66: A Guide to the History, Sights, and Destinations Along the Main Street of America” by Jim Hinckley. 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.

Long one of America’s most cherished byways, Route 66 remains a popular tourist attraction and travel route for thousands of travelers every year. While stretches of the once-glorious road have been paved over or bypassed by the interstates, the journey from Chicago to Santa Monica along the path of Route 66 remains filled with unique roadside attractions, spectacular natural landscapes, and fascinating historical landmarks.

• The West Chicago Public Library historical presentation,“But It’s a Great Story,” is at 7 p.m. Thursday July 18, 2024, in the main meeting room, 118 W. Washington St. The program delves into some of the widely popular American legends passed down through generations, even if the truth is a different matter. Some of the legends presented are George Washington’s false teeth, Paul Revere’s Ride, Johnny Appleseed, and the Curse of the Hope diamond. Presenting the program is Valeria Gugala. She has more than 40 years of theatrical and speaking experience with a knowledge on an array of topics. To make a reservation, visit https://wcpld.librarycalendar.com/events/month. https://merleburl.com

• WeGo Community Theater presents,”Tarzan, the Musical” in the Fine Arts Center at Wheaton Academy, 900 N. Prince Crossing Road. Performances are at 7p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 18 and 19, and at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 20, 2024. Ticket price is $12. To purchase tickets, visit, https://www.wegocommunitytheatre.org/. Information on cast members is on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/WeGoCommunityTheatre/

The musical is about Tarzan, a shipwrecked baby who was raised in an African jungle by apes, having his first encounter with humans, including the beautiful Jane. He must choose where he belongs—the “civilized” human world or the “wild” one that nurtured him. It is based on the book byDavid Henry Tang. Music and lyrics are by Phil Collins.

• West Chicago Park District hosts its annual Taco & Art Fest, “Let’s TacO’bout Art,” from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Reed-Keppler Park, 129 W National St. The event features live music, art showcases, children’s activities and Taco Wars, where local vendors compete for the title of Best Taco. Event sponsors are Republic Bank, City of West Chicago, Aetna, Blachford, Inc., Eddie Vargas-StateFarm and Blue Frost Heating & Cooling

Special performances are by District 33 Folkloric Ballet,Mariachi Universitario and Jose Valdes & The Mambo All-Stars. Mariachi Universitario is a true mariachi with three guitars, two trumpets and 2 violins. Their classic repertoire includes “Guadalajara,” “El Rey,” “Volver Volver” and ”El Ultimo Beso.”José Valdes & the Mambo All-Stars perform high-energy music from Latin America including Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia, ChaCha and Mambo and Latin Jazz. The international orchestra features the music of Celia Cruz, Selena, Tito Puente and Grupo Aventura.

Food vendors are Taqueria St Barbara, La India, Taco Shop and Kool Kat Ice Cream. Activities include petting zoo, bouncy houses, face painter, henna tattoo artist, balloon twister, caricature artist, crafts and games, Artists and art demonstrations are art chalk, carving artist, painting and 3-D printing and various art vendors. Artists and art demonstrations are art chalk, carving artist, painting and 3-D printing and various art vendors. https://merleburl.com

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

• Gardeners always take the opportunity to learn, and this proved true at the special talks by Roy Diblik, part owner of NorthwindPerennial Farms in Burlington, Wisconsin, and Annamaria Leon, co-owner of Homan Grown, Saturday, June 29, 2024, at We Grow Dreams Greenhouse & Garden Center. Many attended the event and purchased the book, “The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden,” by Diblick. Some books still are available at the price of $25 with $10 of each copy being donated to the Greenhouse. The book features a simplified approach consisting of hardy, beautiful plants grown on a 10x14 foot grid. Each of the 62 garden plans combines complementary plants that thrive together and grow as a community. They are designed to make maintenance a snap.The garden plans can be followed explicitly or adjusted to meet individual needs. https://merleburl.com

We Grow Dreams Greenhouse & Garden Center, 1055 W. Washington St., holds its annual Trunk Sale. The price is based on size of vehicle trunk. The prices are $39.99 for small, $49.99 for medium and $59.99 for large. Not included are houseplants, succulents, perennials, crafts and gift items. https://merleburl.com

• 2024 New Talent Thursdays entertainment has new hours, 7:30 to 10 p.m., at Hawthorne’s Backyard Bar & Grill, 1200 W. Hawthorne Lane. Entertainers areTim Swann, July 25, and Aiden Burke, Aug. 22.

• Augustino’s Rock and Roll Deli & Grill, 300 North Ave., offers customers an entertaining time while waiting for their orders to be delivered to their tables. The tabletops have an array of To create them, the business used the floor of a local warehouse to create a huge collage of album covers, records and interesting period trinkets. The owners Jerry and Cathy Morelli added some personal items such as his old address book and her mother’s sweet sixteen watch. The photographer, then stood on a 10-foot ladder taking random shots to be used for the tabletops. Customers can spend the time playing “I Spy” by looking for pieces of clothing, jewelry and a signed microphone from Stevie Nicks. https://merleburl.com

• Cocoa Notes Bakeshop, 151 W. Washington St., permanently closed its doors Wednesday, July 3, 2024.The building is available for lease immediately. For further information, email wianthouse@gmail.com or text 630 412-1787. To keep in touch with what is happening, visit https://www.facebook.com/CocoaNotes.

The owner wrote, “It’s been a true blessing to watch the Wiant House come back to life with the sounds of the neighborhood. Through this process we gave purpose to a building that had been saved by the rallying cries of the town, repaired on the outside by the Community Center, but needed substantial renovation on the inside. It became a gathering space for friends, neighbors, and groups with common interests. However, we have since come to the realization that we are not the best people to fulfill the vision of what this building wants to become for West Chicago. So let's not call it the end of the book, but the end of the first chapter in what we hope will be a continued rich history of the Wiant House.” https://merleburl.com

REMEMBRANCES

• Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Dr. Steven M. Lewis, who at the age of 73 passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2024.

• Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Maria "Vita" Rios Lloyd, who at the age of 80 passed away Thursday, June 28, 2024.

• Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Elvia Rojas Ramirez, who at the age of 59 passed away Thursday, July 4, 2024.

• Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Muriel Anderson,, who at the age of 97 passed away Sunday, June 7, 2024.

• Sincere sympathy is expressed to the family of Chris R. Dillner, who at the age of 53 passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2024.

SCHOOLS

• Through a state grant, West Chicago Elementary School District 33 will have a state of the art fitness room at Leman Middle School. The room, designed for physical education classes, has heart rate monitors, televisions to project effort and cardiovascular equipment. Strength training now can take place. https://merleburl.com

• A community reception was held for Co-Interim Superintendents, John Langton and Dr. Attila Weninger. They were honored for their dedication to the West Chicago Community High School and the community over this past year. Dr. Kurt Johansen started his duties as the new District Superintendent Monday, July 1, 2024..

Prior to this appointment, he was the principal of South Elgin High School. He has more than 20 years experience in education, including Special Education teacher, Dean of Students, and Assistant Principal. Throughout his tenure as an educator, Dr. Johansen has consistently demonstrated a passion for learning; building meaningful relationships with faculty/staff, students, parents, and community; and a focused dedication to the success of students.

As principal of South Elgin High School, he oversaw a large comprehensive suburban high school, successfully leading initiatives to enhance academic achievement and fostering a positive learning environment. His educational background includes Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Northern Illinois University, Type 75 Administrative Endorsem*nt from Aurora University and Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Western Illinois University in 2018. https://merleburl.com

• Charles Community Unit School District 303 has $23 million of construction projects planned at different school facilities during this summer. Norton Creek .Elementary School is getting all new playgrounds, costing more than $250,000

CHURCHES

• New Hope United Methodist Church, 643 E. Washington St., hosts Family Night at 7 p.m. Monday, July 15, 2024. The bilingual community event introduces the new Hispanic Ministry of the church. The event includes, food, soft drinks, candy, live music interactive games and a soccer tournament. Etny Lopez, one of the new Leaders of the Iglesia Nueva Esperanza ministry. leads the music.

• Andrew Church , 155 N. Prince Crossing Road, has Vacation Bible School from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 22 to 26, 2024. The charge is $5 per child, maximum $10 per family. To register, call the church office at 630 231-3787. The theme is “On Earth As in Heaven.” Activities include Bible learning, songs, crafts and games, plus snacks.

• Andrew Lutheran Church did well at is garage sale Sunday, June 30, 2024, raising a total of $2,477. Also the church exceeded its goal of $5,000 for the youth group mission trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. The total raised was $8,102.75.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS HIGHLIGHTS

• Frieda Howard celebrates her 90th birthday, Friday, July 12, 2024.

• The short story, “Dad’s Bloodhound Nose,”by West Chicago resident and author Susan Wells was accepted by Scars Publications. It is to be published in the November 2024 issue of the magazine, “Children, Churches and Daddies.” Per its website, https://scars.tv/ccd/, the magazine was founded in 1983. It is written and researched by political groups and writers from the United States, Canada, Australia, Belgium, England, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Malta, Norway, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Turkey. Regular features include coverage of environmental, political and social issues, plus fiction and poetry, acting as an information and education source.

• Maggie Capettini, former education director at West Chicago City Museum, has an exhibit, “Painting Schweikher House,” a the Schaumburg Township District Library,130 Roselle Road in Schaumburg. Capettini created these oil paintings during her time as an artist-in-residence at Schweikher House. She said, “Part of the reason I paint “places”-usually historic ones-is to increase awareness and help tell the story of a place. The House is an amazingly preserved modernist home and studio in Schaumburg that hosts tours, yoga, concerts, and other special events.” Schweikher House is a Prairie-style masterpiece listed on the National Register of Historic Places. https://merleburl.com

CLUB/ORGANIZATION NEWS

• The Combat Clock crew recently visited American Legion Post 300. They presented some donations to Post Commander Paul Shankle and Sons Of American Legion Commander.Mike Scheffler. They upgraded the Legion’s combat clock, plus a $252 check donation from its March proceeds. Also donated were a custom plaque and bottle opener made by GLM Creations. Combat Clock is a veteran-owned company in West Chicago, making unique, handmade custom patriotic clocks. The business donates $22 from every clock sold and $12 from every plaque to Post 300 and other veterans groups. The telephone number is 224 410-6013. Email is theclockvet@outlook.com and Facebook com. Persons can view these donations when they go to Monday Burger Night, Taco Tuesday and Friday Fish Fry. https://merleburl.com

CITY OF WEST CHICAGO

• The 26 banners of the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission 15th Annual Community Banner Project Competition are on display on the poles in the downtown area until September. They are on Main Street from Washington Street to Wilson Avenue, and along Galena Street from Main Street to Arbor Avenue. The theme is “Time to Celebrate/Tiempo para Celebrar.” There still is time for persons to nominate their favorite banner for the People’s Choice winner. To view the banners and cast a vote or for further information, visit https://westchicago.org/artbannerexhibit/.

Banner winners are Andrea Luttenberger, Next Stop, Celebration Station; Joe Weibler, Spring Has Sprung; Becky Hall, Celebrate!; Catherine Soderberg, Celebration Sunrise; Heidi Appleton, Breaking Through; Lori Chassee, Celebration of Joy; Luis Collazo, Burst of color; Natalia Toreeva, Time to Celebrate; Kelly Borchering; Celebration of History; Rosalie White, Celebra la Vida; Pamela Keller, Celebrating a sweet treat of summer; Barbara Dunn, The Day of the Dead; and Britta Renwick, Triumph.

Others are Ralph Chermak, Celebrate Summer; Christine Cintula, Improvisation; Jim Rakow, It's a big deal; Leah Mosier, Amazing Moment; Cassandra Pavlik, Horses Celebrating His Release; Mark Poulterer, Fall Leaves/Hojas de Otono; Eric Appelquist; Celebration of Spirit; Joan Ladendorf, I Love Fireworks!; Patty Donahue, Celebration; CJ Hungerman, Unity in the Community; Bruce Treudt, Elle's Delight; Lucy Nelson, Party Time Piñata; and Maggie Beaudin, Sunlit Dancer.

ODDS AND ENDS

• West Chicago Fire Protection District held a retirement and promotion ceremony Friday, June 28, 2024. Lieutenant Frank Smogur, who retired, had more than 33 years with West Chicago. For his first 10 years he was a contract paramedic on the District’s ambulances working for Paramedic Services of Illinois. Upon being hired Nov. 21, 2001, he became a full-time firefighter. In March 2023, Smogur was promoted to Lieutenant. His badge number was 41 and was retired with him. All full-time West Chicago Fire Protection District Fire Fighters are issued their badge number upon successful completion of their probation.

Promoted to Lieutenant was firefighter/paramedic Michael Newman. With their probation period ended, Riley Capes and Brandon Sullivan were sworn in as firefighters/paramedics. Refreshments follow the ceremony. https://merleburl.com

• On July 2, 2024, DuPage County issued a press release regarding the construction project on the Geneva Road bridge over the DuPage River. It will be closed for an extended period. The project includes the removal of the existing two-span concrete bridge and the construction of a new, single-span steel girder bridge. It also includes the installation of retaining walls and sidewalks and drainage improvements, pavement reconstruction, and installation of a stormwater storage facility. The work is scheduled to begin Monday, July 22, 2024.

During the first stage of construction, Geneva Road will be closed to westbound traffic west of Winfield Road while crews construct the northern half of the bridge. During the second stage of construction, one lane of traffic in each direction will be open over the newly constructed north half of the bridge as the south half is replaced.

The detour route for the Geneva Road closure is southbound on County Farm Road, west bound on Roosevelt Road, and northbound on Neltnor Boulevard. The project is expected to be substantially completed by mid-2025.

My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.