MM_040617

Providing for police Village 

reaches agreement with Mokena Police for 

annual wage increases of 2.5 percent, Page 3 

Student governing body 

Mokena eighth-graders get a taste of local 

governance on Student Government Day, Page 8 

Provi plans Providence 

Catholic announces largest 

capital campaign, Page 10 

mokena’s Award-Winning Hometown Newspaper mokenamessenger.com • April 6, 2017 • Vol. 10 No. 34 • $1 

A 

® 

Publication 

,LLC 

Fundraiser organizers 

(left to right) Chrissa 

Flannery and 

Alicia Stumpe, and 

beneficiaries Andy 

and Meggan Mikal, of 

Mokena, pose for a photo 

during the fundraiser 

Saturday, April 1, at 

Emagine Frankfort.. 

Jason Maholy/22nd 

Century Media 

Friends organize ‘Beauty and the Beast’ fundraiser, nearly 300 community members attend to 

help support Mokena resident diagnosed with cancer, Page 5 

BUYING OR SELLING? 

WE CAN HELP! 

Call or Text 

Team Tumas - Kim, Al & Ken 

Kim Tumas (708) 363-2073 • Ken Hoffman (708) 941-8188 

PROFIT FROM OUR EXPERIENCE • WE WORK 3 TIMES AS HARD! 

18815 Wren • Mokena 

$229,700 

www.teamtumas.com 

430 Butternut • Frankfort 

$369,000

2 | April 6, 2017 | The Mokena Messenger calendar 

mokenamessenger.com 

In this week’s 

Messenger 

Pet of the Week.............11 

Standout Student...........13 

Editorial........................19 

Faith Briefs....................22 

Puzzles..........................30 

Classifieds................ 35-46 

Sports...................... 47-56 

The Mokena 

Messenger 

ph: 708.326.9170 fx: 708.326.9179 

Editor 

Tim Carroll, x29 

tim@mokenamessenger.com 

assistant editor 

Amanda Stoll, x34 

a.stoll@22ndcenturymedia.com 

Sales director 

Lora Healy, x31 

l.healy@22ndcenturymedia.com 

real estate sales 

Tricia Weber, x47 

t.weber@22ndcenturymedia.com 

Classified Sales 

Kellie Tschopp, x23 

k.tschopp@malibusurfsidenews.com 

Recruitment Advertising 

Jess Nemec, x46 

j.nemec@22ndcenturymedia.com 

Legal Notices 

Jeff Schouten, x51 

j.schouten@22ndcenturymedia.com 

PUBLISHER 

Joe Coughlin 847.272.4565, x16 

j.coughlin@22ndcenturymedia.com 

Managing Editor 

Bill Jones, x20 

bill@opprairie.com 

president 

Andrew Nicks 

a.nicks@22ndcenturymedia.com 

EDITORIAL DESIGN DIRECTOR 

Nancy Burgan, x30 

n.burgan@22ndcenturymedia.com 

22 nd Century Media 

11516 West 183rd Street 

Unit SW Office Condo #3 

Orland Park, IL 60467 

www.MokenaMessenger.com 

Chemical- free printing on 30% recycled paper 

circulation inquiries 

circulation@22ndcenturymedia.com 

The Mokena Messenger (USPS #025404) is 

published weekly by 22nd Century Media, LLC, 

328 E Lincoln Hwy New Lenox, IL 60451. 

Periodical postage paid at New Lenox, IL 

and additional mailing offices. 

POSTMASTER: Send changes to: 

The Mokena Messenger, 328 E Lincoln Hwy 

New Lenox, IL 60451 

Published by 

www.22ndcenturymedia.com 

Amanda Stoll 


Friday 

Friday Night Fish Fry 

5-8 p.m. April 7, Lincoln- 

Way East, 201 Colorado Ave., 

Frankfort. Join the Lincoln- 

Way East Music Boosters for 

a fish fry. The Hickory Creek 

Jazz Band and Lincoln-Way 

East Jazz Band will perform. 

Cost is $10 for adults and $5 

for children. Tickets are available 

at the door with dine-in 

and carry-out available. 

Bingo Fundraiser for NAWS 

6:30 p.m. April 7, Beggar’s 

Pizza, 650 W. Maple St., New 

Lenox. Games start at 7 p.m. 

Cost is $25 per person and 

includes 10 games of Bingo, 

pizza, salad and soda. Enjoy 

vendors, cash bar and designated 

drink specials where 

NAWS Humane Society will 

receive a portion of the proceeds. 

Bring your own daubers 

or purchase them for $2. 

For more information, visit 

www.NAWSUS.org and click 

on the Upcoming Events tab. 

SATURDAY 

Hazardous Waste Drop-Off 

8 a.m.-3 p.m. April 8, Troy 

Middle School, 5800 W. Theodore, 

Plainfield. This free 

event is open to residents of 

Will County and residents of 

communities partially within 

Will County. Electronics, 

household chemicals, hazardous 

materials and liquids 

will be collected. Limit of 

two TVs per vehicle. ID required. 

For a complete list of 

items accepted, visit www. 

willcountygreen.com/events. 

For more information, call 

(815) 727-8834. 

Easter Bunny Visit 

10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 8, 

Old Plank Trail Community 

Bank, 20012 Wolf Road, Mokena. 

Old Plank Trail Community 

Bank will be hosting 

the Easter Bunny this Easter 

season. Have a picture taken 

with the Easter Bunny, enjoy 

treats and create a fun holiday-themed 

craft. For more 

information, visit www.old 

planktrailbank.com. 

Lunch with the Bunny 

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 

8, Community Center, 7540 

W. Braemar Lane, Frankfort. 

Join the Frankfort Square 

Park District for Lunch with 

the Bunny. Cost is $12 per 

person. Registration Required. 

For more information 

and registration, call 

(815) 469-3524. 

Dollar for Dogs 

11 a.m.-2 p.m. April 8, 

Water Street Boutique, 

11600 Francis Road, Mokena. 

Support NAWS Human 

Society with $1 hot dogs. 


(708) 995-1998. 

Easter Egg Hunt 

Noon April 8, Main Park, 

10925 LaPorte Road, Mokena. 

Join the Mokena Lions 

Club for their 60th annual 

Easter Egg Hunt. 

50s & 60s Party 

1-2 p.m. April 8, Mokena 

Community Public Library, 

11327 195th St., Mokena. 

Dust off the poodle skirts 

and shine up the saddle 

shoes for this afternoon of 

good old rock and roll. Enjoy 

music by The Convertibles, 

a barbershop quartet. 

For more information and 

registration, call (708) 479- 

9663 or email tdomzalski@ 

mokena.lib.il.us. 

SUNDAY 

National Library Week 

April 9-15, Mokena Community 

Public Library, 


Celebrate the many ways 

libraries are transforming 

their communities every day 

through services and invaluable 

expertise they offer. 

Stop in to join the fun and 

maybe win some prizes. 


1 p.m. April 9, The 

Creamery, 191 Wolf Road, 

Mokena. Egg hunt will take 

place in the field behind the 

store, rain or shine. This 

event is for children ages 

2-10. Eggs may contain gold 

coins redeemable at the Mokena 

location on April 9. 

Monday 

Handmade Card-Making 

6-8 p.m. April 10, 

SpaceLab, 11121 First St., 

Mokena. Those interested 

in sending hand-made sentiments 

will create four cards 

to celebrate graduation, 

Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, 

and a birthday. Punches, paper, 

and a die-cut (printed on 

the vinyl cutter) will be provided. 

Cost is $6. For more 

information and registration, 

visit www.spacelab1.com. 

Basic First Aid for Adults 

6-9:30 p.m. Monday, 

April 10, Mokena Fire Station 

#1, 19853 S. Wolf Road, 

Mokena. Learn how to take 

care of routine injuries such 

as scrapes, bruises and minor 

burns. First aid card will 

be issued at the end of class. 

Cost is $25. For more information 

and registration visit 

www.mokenafire.org or call 

(708) 479-5371. 

Senior Assessment Freeze 

Form Day 

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, 

April 10, Frankfort Township 

Assessor, 11000 W Lincoln 

Highway, Frankfort. 

Forms will be mailed out 

April 7, to seniors already 

on the freeze. Forms will be 

available in the office after 

April 10. Staff from Will 

County will be on hand to 

assist in filling out forms. 

Bring your Federal 1040 Tax 

Return. For more information, 

call (815) 464-3180. 

Village Board Meeting 

7 p.m. Monday, April 10, 

Mokena Village Hall, 11004 

Carpenter St., Mokena. The 

Mokena Village Board is 

scheduled to meet. For more 

information, meeting agendas 

and minutes visit www. 

mokena.org. 

TUESDAY 

Sips and Smocks 

6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, 

April 11, Mokena Community 

Public Library, 11327 

195th St., Mokena. Create 

a personal work of art with 

an instructor from “Sips and 

Smocks.” No experience is 

necessary. Mocktails will be 

served. Space is limited to 

15. For more information and 

registration, call (708) 479- 

9663 or email tdomzalski@ 

mokena.lib.il.us. 

100+ Women Who Care 

6-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 

11, P.B. Mulligan’s Restaurant 

& Bar, 19433 Renwick 

Rd, Lockport. Join the 100+ 

Women who Care of Will 

County for their spring meeting. 

Be part of a $10,000 

donation to a local charity 

by joining everyone in 

the group in writing a $100 

check for the chosen charity. 

For more information, visit 

www.100wwc-will.org. 

Wednesday 

Memory Lane Social 

10:30 a.m.-noon Wednesday, 

April 12, Mokena 

Community Public Library, 


Memory Lane Social is a 

gathering place for friends 

with Alzheimer’s, or other 

Dementias, along with their 

caregivers and families to 

relax and enjoy socialization, 

refreshments, discussion, 

and entertainment. It is 

a place of love, acceptance 

and friendship. Leave behind 

worries and focus on having 

fun knowing that you are not 

alone. For more information 

and registration, call (708) 

479-9663 or email tdomzal 

ski@mokena.lib.il.us. 

Grand Reopening 

11 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday, 

April 12, Aurelio’s of Mokena, 

19836 S. Wolf Road, 

Mokena. Join the Mokena 

Chamber of Commerce for 

a ribbon cutting ceremony at 

5:30 p.m. Festivities will also 

include $2 carry-out sausage, 

pepperoni or cheese Lil’ Pies 

from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., beer 

specials from 5-8 p.m., Spin 

the Wheel with Pizza Man for 

all ages, a dine-in drawing, 

raffles, and every table, once 

they receive their check, will 

draw from an envelope to 

receive anywhere from 25% 

up to 100% off their bill. For 

more information, visit www. 

mokena.com. 

UPCOMING 

Young Actor’s Studio 

Deadline to register is Saturday, 

April 15. Workshops 

will run 4-7 p.m. Monday, 

July 10 through Thursday, 

July 20, Lincoln-Way Central 

High School auditorium, 

1801 E. Lincoln Highway, 

New Lenox. Workshop will 

culminate in the performance 

of Disney’s Beauty 

and the Beast Jr. Show dates 

are July 28th, 29th, & 30th. 

Registration is limited to the 

first 50 actors exiting 4th 

grade through actors graduating 

8th grade. For more information, 

contact Lincoln- 

Way Theatre Guild at (815) 

671-1616 or email LWThe 

atreGuild@gmail.com. 

ONGOING 

Community Garage Sale 

Registration deadline is 4 

p.m. Friday, May 5. Sign up 

for this year’s communitywide 

garage sale to be held on 

May 18-21 and/or Aug 17-20. 

Call (708) 478-6182 from 8 

a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. 

To submit an item to the 

printed calendar, contact 

Amanda Stoll at (708) 

326-9170 ext. 34, or email 

a.stoll@22ndcenturymedia. 

com. Deadline is noon 

Thursdays one week prior to 

publication.

mokenamessenger.com News 

the Mokena Messenger | April 6, 2017 | 3 

Mokena Village Board 

Labor deal with Mokena 

police officers reached 

Jon DePaolis 

Freelance Reporter 

The Village of Mokena 

Board of Trustees voted 5-0 

March 27 to approve a new 

labor deal with the Metropolitan 

Alliance of Police 

Unit 732, of which 22 fulltime 

Mokena police officers 

— below the rank of sergeant 

— are members. 

Trustee Jim Richmond 

was absent. 

The deal is a four-year pact 

and similar to the contract the 

board members voted to approve 

in 2016 with another 

union, according to Village 

Administrator John Tomasoski. 

He pointed to three items 

as highlights for the deal: the 

four-year length, running retroactively 

from July 1, 2016, 

and scheduled to expire June 

30, 2020; wage increases of 

2.5 percent annually over the 

life of the agreement; health 

insurance premiums increasing 

by 1 percent on July 1, 

2017, followed by a one-half 

percent increase in 2018, and 

another one-half percent in 

2019 for a total of 12 percent. 

“Currently, the police officers, 

like other Village employees, 

pay 10 percent of 

the health care premiums,” 

Tomasoski said. 

Staff projects an overall 

increase in wages of about 

$61,700 annually over the 

life of the agreement with 

the pay raises. 

Tomasoski said there was 

a slight delay in the talks this 

time around. 

“In this instance, it was just 

a formality,” Tomasoski said. 

“Our officers elected to decertify 

from utilizing Illinois 

Labor Relations Board and to 

decertify from the International 

Brotherhood of Teamsters 

Round it up 

A brief recap of action and discussion at the March 27 

meeting of the Mokena Village Board 

• As part of the consent agenda, trustees approved 

a special event assistance request from the 

Mokena Veterans of Foreign Wars, which asked to 

use Wolf Road and other Village-owned properties 

and resources for its Memorial Day parade and 

ceremonies. 

• Trustees also approved as part of the consent 

agenda the site, landscape and photometric plans, 

as well as light fixtures and building elevations, for 

the property at 11215-11245 W. Lincoln Highway in 

Mokena Marketplace. 

and to formally join the Metropolitan 

Alliance of Police. 

That took a little time to get to 

the table. However, we think 

we have a very good contract 

before the board this evening. 

“I would like to thank our 

police officers … as they 

handled the process in a very 

professional, straightforward 

manner when it came to negotiations. 

Once we got to 

the table, we got to the actual 

terms relatively quickly.” 

A concrete appointment 

Also during the meeting, 

the Village Board members 

voted 5-0 to appoint Tim 

Ozinga to the Economic Development 

Commission. 

“Tim is a marketing communications 

director for 

Ozinga Brothers, Inc. — 

one of the largest, privately 

held, ready-mix and building 

supply companies in the 

country,” said Alan Zordan, 

director of economic and 

community development. 

“He’s eager to start work 

with the commission.” 

The position became available 

after Roy Hard resigned 

from the commission. Zordan 

said Ozinga recently completed 

Volunteer Opportunities 

Form and interviewed 

with the commission’s chairman, 

who then recommended 

Ozinga to the Village Board. 

The term is set to expire 

June 30, 2017. 

After the vote, Ozinga 

said he was honored to be 

selected. 

“I’m happy to offer my 

gifts and talents, and, hopefully, 

I can be a positive addition,” 

he said. 

Machinery storage 

discussion highlights work 

session 

During the work session, 

the Village Board heard a request 

from a property owner 

wanting a special use permit 

to construct an outdoor storage 

yard at 9200 W. 191st St. 

The intent would be to store 

large machinery and other 

pieces of equipment outside, 

but to screen the items with 

a fence. However, Mayor 

Frank Fleischer pointedly 

said during discussions that 

the business is already storing 

equipment outside, regardless 

of the permit. 

Please see village, 5 

YOUR SEARCH BEGINS AT 

• Find Your Dream Home 

• Search ALL Foreclosures & Short Sales 

• Find Out How Much Your Home Is Worth 

• Current Neighborhood Sales Data 

DAVID J COBB 

708.205.COBB(2622) 

Phone: 815.485.5500 • david@davidjcobb.com

4 | April 6, 2017 | The Mokena Messenger News 


Mokena Community Park District Board of Commissioners 

Fees, policies for new facilities approved 

Tim Carroll, Editor 

After project delays and 

ongoing litigation between 

the Mokena Community 

Park District and the project’s 

former architect, the 

Yunker Farm splash pad and 

dog park’s names have been 

determined. 

During the March 28 meeting 

of the Mokena Community 

Park District Board of 

Commissioners, park district 

Executive Director Mike 

Selep brought name suggestions 

from staff and the 

public to the board. After discussion, 

the board agreed on 

“Yunker Farm Splash Park” 

and “Park and Bark” for the 

two facilities, which are expected 

to open by the end of 

May or beginning of June. 

The names that were ultimately 

chosen were also the 

names that came most highly 

suggested from the public, 

according to Selep. 

Requiring further discussion 

for the board were the 

fees that are to be assessed 

for families to use the splash 

pad and dog owners to use 

the dog park. 

“I don’t understand why 

we’re charging fees,” Commissioner 

Patrick Markham 

said, noting that the facilities 

were built with taxpayer 

money. 

Recreation Facility Manager 

Rachel Bauer and Superintendent 

of Recreation Mary 

Beth Windberg said that all 

other park districts in the area 

charge for similar facilities. 

“For the splash park and 

the dog park, we would be 

on the lower end of what 

our neighbors are charging,” 

Windberg said. 

Bauer said the involvement 

of dogs necessitated a 

fee, because charging a fee 

would allow the park district 

some control over the dogs 

allowed in. 

“If we didn’t charge, 

then it would just be a freefor-all,” 

Bauer said. “We 

wouldn’t have any control 

over who uses it, what kind 

of dogs use it, who has vaccinations, 

things like that.” 

The staff-recommended 

fee for the dog park was $25 

per dog per year, then $5 for 

each family dog thereafter. 

The discussion got somewhat 

tense between Markham and 

board Vice President George 

McJimpsey when McJimpsey 

suggested that $.50 a week 

was not “going to break anybody’s 

bank,” and Markham 

Broker - Management Team 

“10” 

said that was the type of attitude 

that would lead to fee 

increases in other areas. 

After being called to order, 

the discussion continued, 

and the board settled on 

$5 per year for each dog and 

$5 for each dog thereafter. 

The fee is $15 per year for 

nonresident dogs. 

The board agreed on a 

two-month-long promotion 

for the splash pad. For the 

two months prior to its opening 

to the public, residents 

who sign up for the splash 

pad family pass — which 

includes entrance for four 

children — will get an annual 

pass for free. After opening, 

the resident family pass is to 

cost $25 for the year; for each 

additional child beyond the 

four included in the family 

pass, families are to pay an 

extra $5. After August 1, the 

family pass will be prorated 

to cost $10. 

The naming of the parks 

passed 6-0, with Commissioner 

Dennis Bagdon absent. 

The fee structure for the parks 

passed by a vote of 5-1, with 

McJimpsey voting against. 

McJimpsey said he would 

have preferred to see a higher 

rate on the dog park fee. 

“There are things that have 

to be done at the dog park,” 

he said after the meeting. 

“You’ve got to cut the grass, 

get plastic bags that people 

use [for waste disposal], 

you’ve got water out there … 

for the dogs to drink. So, there 

are maintenance issues.” 

Commissioners also voted 

6-0 to approve the splash 

pad and dog park policies. 

Board members also discussed 

rentals of the splash 

pad and barn, which entails 

90 minutes of exclusive use 

either before or after the 

splash pad is open to the 

public for the day. 

The initial fee suggestion 

from staff was $150 for 

residents and $180 for nonresidents 

with a premium for 

weekend rentals, but board 

members voted 5-1 to reduce 

fees for the rental to $100 for 

residents and $120 for nonresidents 

for all days of the 

week. 

Markham suggested halving 

the staff-proposed cost 

during the discussion. Bauer 

said she would not recommend 

that and began to explain 

why, but Markham 

interrupted and said her 

opinion could be written up 

and submitted to the board. 

Brogan abstained from the 

vote on the rental fees. 

“I would like to think that 

our staff does a well-researched 

process before they 

come to present to the board, 

and for that to be changed 

— and to summarily be told 

to be quiet by a board member 

— to me, that was a little 

rude,” Brogan said after the 

meeting. “I think the fees 

were reasonable. They’re up 

there with all the other [park 

districts]. A little lower, I 

was told.” 

Round it up 

A brief recap of action and discussion at the March 28 

meeting of the Mokena Community Park District Board 

of Commissioners 

•Commissioners voted 6-0 to adopt a policy 

reimbursing commissioners and employees for preapproved 

travel and other expenses incurred on behalf 

of the park district. 

•The board was initially planning to send the executive 

director and two commissioners to the Illinois 

Association of Park Districts’ Parks Day at the Capitol 

on May 2 at a cost not to exceed $1,250, but they 

voted 6-0 to send only the executive director and one 

commissioner at a cost not to exceed $800. 

•Commissioners voted 6-0 to approve travel expenses 

for the executive director and all seven commissioners 

to the IAPD’s boot camp in Bolingbrook on May 31 at a 

cost not to exceed $850. 

Affiliate group fees 

approved 

After a discussion of what 

the Mokena Burros youth 

football organization currently 

pays and has paid in 

the past for use of Mokena 

Park District fields, commissioners 

voted 5-1 to lower 

fees. Brogan voted against 

the motion. 

The fees the park district 

were assessing the Burros 

were compared to the $165 

that high schools were willing 

to charge the organization, 

though it was noted that 

the high school fields were 

permanently striped. 

With the new fee structure, 

the Burros are to pay 

$165 for park district fields 

on game days, including 

bleachers and custodial supplies 

but not marking of the 

fields. 

“Our staff did the research 

on this stuff,” Brogan said 

of why he voted against the 

fees. “If other park districts 

give their stuff away or have 

other agreements with other 

affiliates, that’s their business.” 

The board also approved 

lowering Mokena Baseball/ 

Softball Association fees by 

a 5-1 vote. Brogan abstained. 

Per the new fee structure, 

MBSA will pay $50 per 

game rather than $60 and $25 

for lighting per game rather 

than $50. The MBSA will 

also receive a credit for paying 

the $50 light fee last year. 

Litigation amended 

Following an executive 

session, commissioners 

voted 5-0 to amend existing 

litigation against Oliveri 

Brothers Inc., Perma-Seal, 

Inc., and Matthew Paving, 

Inc. The amendment releases 

Matthew Paving from the 

claim. 

The litigation, which is 

currently in arbitration, is the 

result of the park district’s 

claim that tennis courts at 

Fox Ridge Park do not drain 

water properly. 

The motion approved 

“the full and final release 

and indemnity agreement 

by and between the Mokena 

Community Park District 

and Matthew Paving, Inc., 

in the agreed stipulation to 

dismiss, with prejudice, the 

claim by the Mokena Community 

Park District against 

Matthew Paving, Inc., in the 

matter of Mokena Community 

Park District v. Olivieri 

Brothers Inc.,” according 

to the motion board President 

Mike Bartos read at the 

meeting. 

Markham left before the 

vote. 

Selep said the amended 

litigation was the result of an 

affidavit from Matthew Paving. 

The affidavit explains 

that representatives from 

Matthew Paving made Olivieri 

Brothers aware that water 

would not properly drain 

off the courts, Selep said. 

“He made that statement 

to the architect, and the architect 

said go ahead and 

[pave it that way] anyway,” 

Selep said of Matthew Paving’s 

claims in the affidavit.

mokenamessenger.com News 


Community gathers to support Mokena resident 

Jason Maholy 


The quote, as Andy Mikal 

remembers it, is, “You don’t 

know how strong you are, 

until strong is the only option 

you have.” 

The attribution is unclear, 

but to Mikal, it means he 

has to reach deeper inside 

himself than ever before and 

find whatever strength he 

has — that maybe he didn’t 

know he had — to make it 

through the most challenging 

period of his life. The 

33-year-old was diagnosed 

in January with Stage 4 colon 

cancer and has since then 

undergone six of 12 chemotherapy 

sessions scheduled 

to continue until July. He 

has always been inspired by 

the Navy SEALs and has adopted 

a warrior’s mentality 

as he faces down the disease. 

If Mikal’s strength wavers 

for a moment — and he acknowledges 

he has good 

days and bad days — he has 

an army of friends and family 

he can call on for advice 

and moral support. That was 

on display Saturday, April 

1, when nearly 300 people 

turned out for a benefit that 

raised more than $7,000 for 

Mikal, his wife Meggan and 

their 5-month-old son, Andrew. 

The fundraiser was held 

at Emagine Frankfort and 

featured a raffle drawing, 

split-the-pot and showing 

Lia Vukelic, 3, of Mokena, dresses up as Belle for the 

showing of “Beauty and the Beast.” 

of “Beauty and the Beast.” 

The number of people who 

attended the event necessitated 

that Emagine open a 

second theater to accommodate 

them all. 

Mikal had no words to 

express how thankful he 

was that his and Meggan’s 

friends organized the benefit 

on their behalf. Alicia 

Stumpe, of Frankfort, and 

Chrissa Flannery, of Orland 

Park, were the driving force 

behind securing the space 

at Emagine, publicizing the 

event and getting 15 area 

businesses to donate products, 

services and gift cards 

for the raffle drawing. 

“They did a great job 

getting the word out,” Mikal 

said. “We didn’t know 

what to expect, and when 

we walked in the door and 

it was unbelievable; it was 

packed.” 

Meggan Mikal, a palliative 

care nurse at Hope 

Children’s Hospital in Oak 

Lawn, said the support of 

friends, family and people 

she and Andy don’t even 

know has been overwhelming. 

Rock Bottom, where 

Andy is an assistant brewer, 

donated $5,700 from an 

event held in February at its 

downtown Chicago location 

to the couple. It also raised 

$7,000 at a benefit for the 

Mikals held in March at its 

Orland Park restaurant. 

“I’m still processing it,” 

Meggan said of the turnout 

at Emagine. “Alicia and 

Chrissa, whatever they did 

to get everyone here ... it 

was really amazing. We’re 

beyond thankful. 

“We have good weeks — 

and we have bad weeks — 

with Andy’s chemo journey, 

and this was a good week. 

Mokena residents Andy (left) and Meggan Mikal enjoy a laugh in the lobby of Emagine 

Frankfort Saturday, April 1. Emagine hosted a fundraiser organized by family friends for 

Andy Mikal, who has completed six of 12 scheduled chemotherapy sessions designed to 

treat Stage 4 colon cancer. photos by Jason Maholy/22nd Century Media 

Seeing everyone out here 

today really makes it a good 

week.” 

Andy has been working 

only two days per month 

since beginning chemotherapy 

in January. He and Meggan 

appreciate the financial 

assistance the fundraisers 

have provided, but the emotional 

support has done 

much to raise their spirits. 

“When we see everyone 

out here with their kids and 

everything, it gives Andy 

something to continue to 

fight for,” Meggan said. 

“Our family, our friends, 

they’re all in our corner, 

and it makes everything just 

much easier. It makes this 

cancer stuff tolerable.” 

Additionally, Andy has 

met people who have been 

through chemotherapy and 

survived cancer, and he is 

building a network of friends 

he can call on during the 

tougher times. 

“I have that person I 

can call, that person I can 

text to say, ‘Hey, I’m having 

a rough day,’ and they 

text back and say, ‘Take it 

one day at a time. What do 

you need? Can I come over 

right now?’ When you hear 

those things and see everything 

people did to support 

you, you sit back and think, 

‘Man, this is great.’” 

Stumpe said the benefit 

was important in the sense 

it was about “more than just 

writing a check.” 

“It’s the people coming 

together,” she said. “And 

we’re just happy to put a 

smile on his face and help 

him get through this.” 

A fundraising page has 

been established for the 

Mikals at youcaring.com/ 

warriors. 

village 

From Page 3 

Several trustees indicated 

that they would need to see 

at least an 8-foot fence as a 

screen to consider approving 

the permit, with a few 

options listed as acceptable 

materials for the fence or 

outdoor facade. 

Fleischer, however, asked 

to table any discussion on the 

request so board members 

could visit the site to see how 

it currently looks. He said he 

believes the business has outgrown 

the facility. 

“This is a mistake if we allow 

this,” he said, later stating 

he believes it will be an 

“eyesore.” 

The petitioner was asked 

to bring back to the Village 

Board conceptual designs of 

how the business would look 

with an 8-foot fence, and if 

that would completely screen 

the equipment stored outside. 

No recommendation was 

made to move forward. 

Also during the work session, 

board members got a 

closer look at the fiscal year 

2018 budget with presentations 

on the annual fleet replacement 

program, a request 

to fund more Geographic Information 

System work, and 

a request to update the Village’s 

Comprehensive Plan. 

For the GIS request, trustees 

requested additional 

information from staff that 

would point to goals for the 

work and what the Village 

would get for the money 

it would spend. Staff estimated 

a budget line expense 

of $48,970 for the GIS program. 

For the Comprehensive 

Plan, Tomasoski told the 

Village Board that the current 

plan was conducted in 

the early 2000s. Staff was 

hoping to update the plan 

based on Mokena’s growth, 

as well as changes in the 

economy over the last 15 or 

so years. 

After discussion, two options 

were detailed: to try 

and attain a grant from the 

Chicago Metropolitan Agency 

for Planning to assist in 

the Comprehensive Plan, 

which would mean the Village 

would only need to pay 

about 30 percent of the cost 

but also use CMAP as the 

consultant; or to fund all or 

parts of the plan with only 

Village money to independent 

consultants. 

More information is to be 

presented at a later date.

6 | April 6, 2017 | The Mokena Messenger mokena 


SOUTH HOLLAND HOMEWOOD TINLEY PARK FRANKFORT CRETE DYER BEECHER 

WALT’S 

SALE DATES: 

WED. APRIL 5th thru 

TUES. APRIL 11th, 2017 

FOOD CENTERS 

STORE HOURS: Mon.-Sat. 7 am to 9 pm 

Sun. 7 am to 7 pm 

View Our Ad & Current Values 

at www.waltsfoods.com 

 

Long Green 

 

Asparagus 

99 ¢ Lb. 

New 

Crop 

Michigan 

Fancy 

Apples 

 

 

3 Lb. 

Bag 

Fancy 

Green 

Beans 

N 

Tender 

Young 

99 ¢ 69 ¢ Lb. 

 

 

Baby 

Carrots 

 

99 ¢ 

 

Broccoli 

 

99 ¢ Lb. 

 

Idaho 

Potatoes 

$ 

99 

10 Lb. 

Bag 

From Our Country Bakery 

 

Cake Donuts 

 

Best 

Donuts 

in 

Town 

Made 

Fresh 

in our 

Store 

 

6 Pk. Pre-Packaged 

$ 

79 

Arm & Hammer 

Liquid Laundry 

Detergent 

 

Cool Whip 

Whipped 

Topping 

8 Oz. 

99 ¢ 

Limit 2 Total, Add’l. 

Prairie Farms 

Premium 

Ice Cream 

56 Oz. 

2/ $ 6 

Dutch Farms/Rose Acre 

Grade “A” 

Large Eggs 

Dozen 

69 ¢ 

Limit 2, Add’l. 89¢ 

Dutch Farms or Centrella 

Wisconsin Grade “AA” 

Butter 

 

 

2/ $ 5 

Ocean Spray 

Cranberry 

Cocktails 

 

$ 

99 

Pillsbury 

Grands! 

Biscuits 

 

$ 

98 $ 

5 88 

Your 

Walt’s “All 

Natural” 

Fresh 

Classic Regular 

Walt’s Premium 

“All Natural” 

80% 

Lean 

Ground 

Pure Premium 

Chuck 

Orange Juice 

Value $ 

59 Oz. Pack or 6 Pk. 

2/ 2 $ 99 6 

Lb. 

/ $ 5 

From Our Deli Hut 

Walt’s Signature Premium 

 

 

$ 

98 Lb. 

 

Gluten 

& MSG 

Free 

 

 

8 Pk. Regular Rolls or 6 Pack Big Rolls 

 

Bath Tissue 

 

Choice 

 

Flav-R-Pac Polybag 

Nestle 

 

 

 

Chicken 

Water 

Vegetables 

Wings 

Selected Varieties 

28 Pk. .5 Ltr. Btls. Kellogg’s 8 Oz. 

Value Pack 

$ 

 

2 77 

2/ $ 

Tropicana 

79 $ 

2 29 ¢ Lb. 

10 

WALT’S COUPON 

Centrella/Prairie Farms 

Milk 

 

Gallon 

$ 

79 

With This Coupon and a Separate $10 Purchase Per Coupon. 

Limit One Of Each Coupon Per Family Per Visit. 

Limit One Per Coupon. Coupon Good 04/05/17 - 04/11/17. 

LU 

5384

mokenamessenger.com MoKENA 


WALT’S 

FOOD CENTERS 

SALE DATES: 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5th THRU 

TUESDAY, APRIL 11th, 2017 

View Our Ad & Current Values 

at www.waltsfoods.com 

MEAT MENU MAKERS 

 

 

 

 

 

 

99 Lb. 

USDA CHOICE 

Sugardale 

Smoked 

Ham 

 

69 ¢ 89 ¢ Lb. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

99 Lb. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 99 Lb. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8 99 Lb. 

USDA CHOICE 

 

 

 

Ham 

 

 

89 

USDA CHOICE 

Fresh, 

Never 

Frozen 

 

99 Lb. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

99 Lb. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

99 Lb. 

Carve 

Easy 

No 

Water 

Added 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

99 Lb. 

 

 

 

 

 

99 ¢ 

 

 

Smoked 

Ham 

 

 

49 

 

Lb. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

79 Lb. 

 

 

 

 

 

No 

Water 

Added 

 

 

 

 

 

 

79 Lb. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 79 Lb. 

Walt’s Certificate 

OFF 

a purchase of 

$ 

50 00 or more. 

Fresh, 

Never 

Frozen 

Coupon Good 

Wednesday, April 5th thru 

Tuesday, April 11th, 2017 

Valid at Time of Purchase Only. 

One Coupon Per Customer Per Visit. Not Valid with Any Other Offer.

8 | April 6, 2017 | The Mokena Messenger NEWS 


Students inject youthful perspective into local government 

Mokena Jr. High 

eighth-graders 

assume mayor, 

trustee, staff roles 

Tim Carroll, Editor 

It was a government of 

young people, by young people, 

for young people when 

Mokena Jr. High School 

eighth-graders took over the 

roles of Village mayor, trustees 

and staff. 

In the past, students from 

local schools had come to 

Village Hall for Student 

Government Day. They did 

that this time around, but 

Mayor Frank Fleischer expanded 

the program in the 

last few years to include 

more sessions on leadership. 

For the Student Government 

Day on March 21, 

Fleischer instructed the visiting 

students to read “Lincoln 

on Leadership: Executive 

Strategies for Tough Times,” 

and he said he tried to educate 

the students on what 

leadership really means. 

“[I] explained to them the 

importance of it, the difference 

between leaders and 

bosses or supervisors, how 

leaders have to have a vision, 

and they have to try to bring 

the people that work with 

them into that vision and get 

them to work with them and 

not for them,” Fleischer said. 

“That’s the biggest part of being 

a leader: you don’t dictate 

to them. You bring them into 

your ideas, your visions, and 

have them work alongside 

you to accomplish that.” 

Fleischer said he included 

the leadership aspect of the 

program for the past three 

years. 

Among the things the students 

accomplished this year 

were getting an understanding 

of elected officials’ duties, 

understanding the way 

municipal government processes 

work, and touring both 

Village Hall and Pipe Fitters’ 

Training Center for Local 

Union 597. 

Fleischer said he included 

the tour of the training center 

because roughly 20 percent 

of Lincoln-Way students do 

not go on to college after 

high school, and he wanted 

to make the children aware 

of their career options once 

they complete high school. 

Fleischer said he wanted 

to see how the students 

would interact with the new 

environment and new people 

they met that day. 

“People are so used to just 

texting and doing things like 

this,” he said. “Many people, 

adults included, have lost the 

ability to talk to people.” 

But he said he was impressed 

with the students. 

“You’d be surprised what 

some of the students, how 

well they get their point 

across, how well they talk,” 

he said. 

He said that was important 

because leadership and communication 

are linked. 

“You could be the smartest 

person in the world, but 

if you can’t convey your vision 

and your ideas to other 

people, then it really is kind 

of useless,” Fleischer said. 

After taking the tours and 

learning about local government, 

students returned to 

Village Hall to participate in 

a mock Village of Mokena 

Board of Trustees meeting. 

Before they began, Fleischer 

said he was hoping the students 

would think critically 

and use their own ideas. 

“If there’s something you 

don’t like, something you 

don’t think is good for the Village, 

by all means, say you 

don’t like it,” Fleischer said. 

“But give reasons for not liking 

it, for voting no on it, if in 

fact you’re going to vote no.” 

Mokena Jr. High eighthgrader 

Emily Abrahamsen 

had the chance to be the first 

student sworn in, as she was 

playing the role of clerk and 

Mokena Mayor Frank Fleischer (left) and his student counterpart for the day, Joe McConnell, talk about the mayor’s roll 

during Mokena’s Village Board meetings March 21 at Mokena Village Hall. Tim Carroll/22nd Century Media 

Student Government Day Village Clerk Emily Abrahamsen 

(left) is sworn in by everyday Village Clerk Patricia Patt. 

was in charge of swearing in 

the other students. She said 

she did not know just how 

much a village clerk did. 

“It was nice to learn about 

all the duties that you have to 

perform,” Abrahamsen said. 

The students took fondly 

to learning about their temporary 

roles. Eighth-grader 

Liam Papier took on the role 

of village administrator, and 

he said his favorite part was 

putting himself in those shoes. 

“The coolest thing I saw 

was the village administrator’s 

office,” Papier said. “Just 

because I’m the village administrator 

for the day. … It’s 

a really good experience, and 

Mokena Jr. High eighth-grader Carly Forsman enjoys her 

time in the seat of a Village trustee. 

I’m very happy to have [it].” 

Fleischer said that he 

hoped the students gained 

an understanding of the municipal 

government process 

not just from the talks that 

they had, but also from their 

mock meeting. He said he 

hoped the students would 

pass along that knowledge. 

“Hopefully ... the students 

are going to see what 

we do here,” Fleischer said. 

“They’re going to get an understanding 

of it, and they’re 

going to bring it out to their 

parents and their friends, 

and people will have a better 

idea of how the Village runs, 

what we do here.”

mokenamessenger.com mokena 


Roles Change. 

Let us be the caregiver 

so you can remain the spouse, son or daughter. 

Independent Living | Assisted Living | Transitional Care | Memory Care | Respites 

Offering peace of mind for residents and 

families through a carefree lifestyle with 

continued connection to mainstream living. 

Spacious rental apartments starting at 

$3115 monthly are available, helping to 

preserve dignity and promote independence 

through every milestone. 

Experts in senior living available to 

talk and tour daily. 

Call 815-669-9383 today 

to schedule a visit! 

AT OUR NEW ORLAND PARK LOCATION 

ORLAND PARK SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 

SATURDAY, APRIL 8 TH 

11 a.m. Free Demo: Why SawStop saws are the #1 choice 

for today's woodworkers 

All Day Representatives from FEIN, Sorby, CarveWright, 

Dewalt & Porter Cable 

SATURDAY, APRIL 15 TH 

9 a.m. Meet James "Stumpy Nubs" Hamilton 

11 a.m. Free Demo: Finish with an HVLP Sprayer 

All Day Representatives from Kreg, Tormek, SawStop and 

Triton (10% off all Triton 4/15 - 4/16/2017) 

Your source for the BEST in: 

• HARDWARE • HOME IMPROVEMENT 

• POWER TOOLS • LUMBER • FINISHING 

• FRIENDLY SERVICE AND EXPERT ADVICE 

Now with 3 stores 

in the Chicago area! 

Orland Park 

15758 South La Grange Road 

SATURDAY, APRIL 22 ND 

9 a.m. Meet April Wilkerson 

11 a.m. Free Demo: Build amazing gifts with a scroll saw 

All Day Representatives from Freud and Arbortech 

(Freud 10% off 4/22/17) 

April Wilkerson and 

James "Stumpy Nubs" Hamilton 

REGISTER IN ORLAND PARK FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE PACKAGE! 

GO ONLINE FOR A FULL EVENT SCHEDULE: rcklr.co/orlandpark

10 | April 6, 2017 | The Mokena Messenger news 


Providence unveils capital improvements project targeted at $6 million 

Megann Horstead 


Providence Catholic High 

School revealed details during 

a March 27 press conference, 

for a new construction 

project as part of its capital 

campaign to expand the 

school’s facilities. 

“I’m pleased to announce 

Providence Catholic High 

School has embarked on 

a capital campaign called 

‘Building our legacy… every 

student every day,’” said 

the Rev. Richard McGrath, 

president of Providence 

Catholic High School. “The 

new student commons facility 

will provide a safe and 

welcoming central space 

for all students to gather before, 

during and after school 

hours.” 

In 2011, the school’s administration, 

faculty, staff, 

students and parents began 

engaging in discussions and 

meetings for long-range 

planning for facilities maintenance. 

Officials now intend to 

build a 21,800-square-foot 

student commons and cafeteria 

space. The new building 

will serve as the athletic 

competition entry and include 

a spirit wear shop and 

concession space. 

Providence’s 36 original 

classrooms, which make up 

70 percent of the school, will 

also be equipped with air 

conditioning using a portion 

of the monies raised. 

“An added benefit is that 

the increased space will 

make it possible to consolidate 

our present four lunch 

periods into two lunch periods 

thereby creating time 

during the day for new academic 

opportunities and the 

introduction of a [Science 

Technology Engineering 

Math] Academy, with more 

formalized science, technology, 

engineering and math 

components,” McGrath said. 

McGrath said it’s important 

that Providence open 

Pictured is a rendering of the concessions area inside the 

cafeteria/student commons. 

Pictured is the concept plan that includes all the changes 

and additions that will be made. 

up time for learning to allow 

for the introduction of more 

electives to enhance the curriculum. 

“Part of being competitive 

is offering solid college-oriented 

programs and 

classes that remain… in 

the progressive area,” Mc- 

Grath said. “Since we are a 

totally college preparatory 

school, all our effort is to get 

them ready and into college. 

That’s our goal.” 

Director of Advancement 

Ed Barrett agreed. 

“Currently, the graduation 

rates [show that] 99 percent 

of our kids are going off to 

college,” he said. “That will 

probably maintain and be the 

same. We feel that through 

STEM, we can get them better 

prepared for individual areas 

of science and technology.” 

Barrett recognizes that 

jobs in STEM are on the rise 

and said the school is looking 

to reach students more at 

their level. 

“Although we’re a liberal 

arts high school — and we 

do that very well and we’re 

going to maintain that — we 

want to give our kids the opportunity 

if they wish to be 

in a STEM program to give 

them that additional science, 

math, technology,” he said. 

“There’s little room in 

there for technology, let’s 

say, for graphic design, those 

type of things” Barrett said. 

“There’s a lot of room for 

growth in there, and this will 

allow us a little bit more flexibility 

to get creative with it.” 

Officials are also working 

Providence president the Rev. Richard McGrath announces the largest capital campaign in 

the school’s 90-year history during a March 27 press conference. 

Photos By Megann Horstead/22nd Century Media 

Pictured is a rendering of the exterior entry that leads into the cafeteria/student commons 

to ensure that construction of 

a new building will blend in 

seamlessly with older parts 

of the building. 

“[We’re] conscious of our 

past, and we look forward 

to what we’re doing for the 

future,” McGrath said. “We 

have to keep renewing things 

to remain competitive in the 

private school market.” 

To date, the capital campaign 

has raised $3.5 million. 

Another $1.4 million 

is earmarked in the school’s 

reserve funds. 

Providence officials want 

to reach the capital campaign 

goal, just in time for 

the school’s 100th anniversary 

celebration in 2018. 

The project could get underway 

as early as this summer.

mokenamessenger.com community 


Photo Op 

This week’s Photo 

Op comes from 

Ben Cutler, of 

Ozinga, who sent 

the photo via 

email. He said 

it came from 

Ozinga’s safe 

digging display 

at the Chicago 

Flower & Garden 

Show. 

Have you captured 

something unique, 

interesting, beautiful 

or just plain fun on 

camera? Submit a 

photo for “Photo 

Op” by emailing it 

to tim@mokenamessenger.com, 

or 

mailing it to 11516 

W. 183rd St., Office 

Condo 3 Unit SW, 

Orland Park, IL, 

60467. 

1 ST JOB • MARRIAGE • DIVORCE • FAMILY 

WHO SAID BUSINESS 

ISN’T PERSONAL? 

TRUST 

BOB SPYCHALSKI 

to help you with your 

most personal business: 

YOUR HOME! 

Bob Spychalski, A Name You Can Trust 

630-728-8490 • www.spysold.com 

RETIREMENT • ESTATE • JOB TRANSFER 

22ND CENTURY MEDIA AND PLANET FITNESS PRESENT 

Announcements 

Happily married! 

Lincoln-Way alumna 

Maggie Majcher and 

St. Jude Catholic 

School, Providence 

Catholic grad and 

22nd Century Media 

employee Will Rehm 

tied the knot March 

25 at St. Jude 

Catholic Church. 

Their reception was 

held at Tuscany Falls 

Banquets in Mokena. 

Make a FREE announcement 

in The Mokena 

Messenger. We will 

publish birth, birthday, 

military, engagement, 

wedding and anniversary 

announcements free of 

charge. Announcements 

are due the Thursday before 

publication. To make 

an announcement, tim@ 

mokenamessenger.com. 

Lincoln-Way alumna Maggie Majcher 

married Providence alumnus Will 

Rehm March 25. Photo Submitted 

Blair 

NAWS Illinois 

Humane Society 

9981 W. 190th 

Street 

Mokena, IL 60448 

Blair is a 

beautiful, 2-yearold, 

spayed 

female calico. 

She is a gentle and quiet girl that is a little shy in her 

new surroundings. She is quickly learning to be more 

outgoing and is enjoying receiving attention and being 

petted. To meet her, contact Wendy at (708) 478- 

5102 or wendy@nawsus.org. 

Want to see your pet featured as The Mokena Messenger’s 

Pet of the Week? Send your pet’s photo and a few sentences 

explaining why your pet is outstanding to Editor Tim Carroll 

at tim@mokenamessenger.com or 11516 W. 183rd St., Office 

Condo 3, Suite SW, Orland Park, IL 60467. 

VENDORS WANTED 

ONLY 15 BOOTHS LEFT! 

9am - 1pm 

Saturday, April 29 

Tinley Park Convention Center 

Vendors needed for shopping, fashion, 

beauty, health, food, home decor and more! 

DEADLINE: APRIL 13, 2017 

For more information, call (708) 32608170 or 

visit www.22ndcenturymedia.com/lady 

Visit us online at mokenamessenger.com



Rogus students celebrate Mokena 

Fire District’s 100th anniversary 

“ I feel 10 

years 

younger 

and have 

all kinds 

of energy!” 

BEFORE 

– Terry 

Patient of Dr. Gerald Cahill 

LOST 105 lbs. 

Submitted by Summit Hill 

School District 161 

Dr. Julian Rogus School 

held their 3rd quarter PBIS 

celebration on March 24. The 

celebration included the Mokena 

Fire Department for their 

100-year anniversary. Six firefighters 

joined the celebration 

and participated in the assembly 

activities and games. The 

firefighters were the judges 

for skits performed by thirdand 

fourth-graders on how to 

be respectful, responsible and 

safe during a fire and a severe 

weather drill. 

The firefighters then got involved 

with all of the gradelevel 

celebration games. They 

showed off their freeze dance 

moves with Pre-K students, 

rescued hidden pets while 

on scooters and even had a 

race to see which team could 

build the fastest hose out of 

pool noodles. The kids had 

a blast watching the six firemen 

compete in the “Face the 

Cookie” game and the Fruit 

Roll-Up Race. Everyone had 

a great time celebrating with 

the Mokena Fire Fighters. 

Dr. Julian Rogus School 

students and staff would like 

to extend their gratitude for all 

of the hard work Mokena Fire 

Fighters do to educate our 

students on fire safety and for 

serving our community. 

Is your weight holding you back? 

Dr. Gerald Cahill and his team are 

here to help you take ultimate 

control of your weight and restore 

your quality of life. Dr. Cahill and 

his team of experienced weight loss Gerald Cahill, MD 

professionals have delivered results to more 

than 5,000 patients throughout Chicagoland. 

They take an all-encompassing approach to weight 

management that goes beyond surgery with 

ongoing support and lifestyle guidance. 

Firefighter Crabtree (left) and Lt. Sickles hand out fire hats 

to Dr. Julian Rogus School students who participated in the 

games. Photos Submitted 

Take Control of Your Weight and 

PARTNER WITH EXPERIENCE. 

To learn more, or to arrange an appointment 

with Dr. Cahill, call 708-422-5658. 

Gerald Cahill, MD, is a Midwest Bariatrics surgeon contracted with Specialty Physicians of Illinois, LLC, 

who chooses to practice at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields. 

The MFPD’s (left to right) Engineer Laney, Assistant Chief 

Campbell and firefighter Crabtree eat Fruit Roll-Ups with no 

hands.

mokenamessenger.com school 


The mokena messenger’s 

Standout Student 

Sponsored by Marquette Bank 

Lia Sullivan, Mokena Jr. High 

School eighth-grader 

Lia Sullivan was picked as this week’s Standout 

Student because of her academic performance. 

What is one essential you must have when 

studying? 

One essential I must have when studying 

is probably peace and quiet. I get distracted 

very easily, and if anything else is going on 

I will end up joining in and not completing 

my study. 

What do you like to do when not in school or 

studying? 

I love to dance! I have been dancing for 11 

years now, and it’s just something that makes 

me so happy. I dance at TNT Extreme Dance 

Company. I also love to sing. I take singing 

lessons from a Broadway singer who trains 

me when I audition for musical theater. 

What are some of the most played songs on 

your iPod? 

I really like a lot of the music on the radio, 

but my favorite music to listen to is any kind 

of Broadway musical songs. 

What is one thing people don’t know about 

you? 

A lot of people don’t know I’m a professional 

actor. I’m represented by the best 

agency ever, Shirley Hamilton. I’ve already 

been in a lot of movies and TV shows, but 

I really hope one day I will get a movie/TV 

job out in L.A. 

Whom do you look up to and why? 

Idina Menzel, because Idina Menzel is 

such an amazing singer and has been on 

Broadway but is so humble and down-toearth. 

I really think she is amazing. 

What’s your favorite class and why? 

My favorite class is science, because I find 

everything we learn in science extremely 

interesting, and I never get bored in science 

class. 

Photo submitted 

 

 

 

What extracurricular(s) do you wish your 

school had? 

The only extracurricular activity that I do 

in school is Poms, but for everyone else, I 

feel the activities are really covered. 

What’s your morning routine? 

My morning routine all depends on how 

much sleep I get. It could vary from me getting 

up super early and doing my hair and 

makeup to not really caring what I look like 

going to school. 

If you could change one thing about your 

school, what would it be? 

I would change the setting, because having 

students just sit in a desk listening to the 

teacher or taking notes is why so many kids 

don’t like school. I think we should be in a 

more exciting environment. 

What’s your best memory from school? 

Well, in my school every year, we have a 

Christmas concert before winter break, and 

since I’m on Poms, I get to perform for my 

school, and even though it’s super-nervewracking, 

it’s also so fun. 

Standout Student is a weekly feature in The 

Mokena Messenger. Nominations come from 

Mokena area schools. 

School News 

Cornell College 

Mokena student accepted 

Students from around 

the country were admitted 

to Cornell College for the 

fall 2017 semester. Among 

them was Nathan Peterson, 

of Mokena. 

Cornell College in Mount 

Vernon, Iowa, is a national 

liberal arts college with a 

one-course-at-a-time curriculum. 

The schedule provides 

students the chance to 

dive into their studies, focus 

more intensely on the disciplines 

of their choice, and 

learn authentically with the 

unique freedom to shed the 

confines of the traditional 

classroom to study off-campus, 

pursue research or accept 

an internship. 

An average of 93% of 

Cornell graduates complete 

their degrees within four 

years. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illinois Wesleyan University 

Mokena native earns 

national band prize 

Mokena native Jess Sheetz 

is a member of Illinois Wesleyan 

University’s Wind Ensemble, 

the national winner 

of The American Prize in 

Band Performance competition 

in the performing arts, 

college/university division. 

Sheetz, a sophomore 

music education major, 

plays French horn in the 

35-member Wind Ensemble. 

Founded in 1979, the Wind 

Ensemble is comprised of 

the top wind and percussion 

students at Illinois Wesleyan 

and performs the finest 

wind band literature. The 

ensemble has worked with 

and sponsored commissions 

from Pulitzer Prize-winning 

composers. The group’s annual 

solo competition allows 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

student winners to perform 

solos with the ensemble. 

The ensemble performs 

several concerts throughout 

the year, tours regularly and 

has appeared at the College 

Band Directors National Association 

Conference and 

the Illinois Music Educators 

Association Conference. 

The American Prize is 

a series of nonprofit, national 

competitions in the 

performing arts providing 

cash awards, professional 

adjudication and recognition 

for the best recorded 

performances by ensembles 

and individuals in the United 

States. It is administered 

by Hat City Music Theatre, 

Inc., a nonprofit organization 

based in Connecticut. 

Compiled by Editor Tim Carroll, 

tim@mokenamessenger. 

com. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit us online at mokenamessenger.com



can 

mean 

A Smaller House 

Bigger Vacations! 

When You Are Ready For Your Next 

Adventure – Let Us Get You Moving! 

IRS problems? 

DON’T LEAVE YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND! 

FOR A FREE CONSULTATION! 

CALL 708-478- 6770 OR 

1-855- TAX-FIXS 

Comprehensive Tax Solutions is a local and family run firm that specializes in Tax 

Resolution. No matter what tax issue you are dealing with, we can help you. 

Stacie McGlone 

Managing Broker/Owner 773.213.1150 

Brendan McGlone 773.213.5181 

Kevin Maney 708.525.6778 

Carrie Maney 815.592.4652 

Julia Labuda 773.732.5629 

301 N. White St., Suite A • Frankfort, IL 60423 

815-534-5321 • ALWAYSHOME247.COM 

Mary Karpowicz is an Enrolled Agent and a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist. 

We can get you back on track and have you enjoying your life again! 

- Mary A. Karpowicz & Justin Walega 

Mary Karpowicz was awarded the 2016 Tax Practitioner of the Year by ASTPS 

YOUR LOCAL FIRM 

9435 BORMET DRIVE, SUITE 1 • MOKENA, IL 

www.resolveyourtaxproblems.com 

No need for "months free" 

When everything you need 

is included for one affordable fee! 

An Independent Living Community with Brighter Days for Seniors 

OPEN HOUSE - SATURDAY, APRIL 29TH 1-3PM 

Refreshments & appetizers will be served. Tours of our "1 of a kind" 

independent senior community will be offered. Best Care home health 

care services will be in attendance & a representative for Veterans Financial 

Aid will be doing a seminar to answer any questions about VA Benefits 

16301 S Brementowne Rd. 708.532.7800 

Tinley Park, IL 60477 www.tinleycourt.com 

Member of Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce Since 1994 

2017 WINNER 

One of a kind premier senior living 

community offering you relaxing, 

maintenance free living along with 

the following amenities: 

• 3 chef prepared meals served daily 

• Full daily activity program, 

entertainment & trips 

• Weekly housekeeping 

• All utilities included 

• Library, chapel, coffee shop and 

beauty/barber shop on premises 

• Private Formal Dining Room available 

• Home health care services available 

on premises 

• Walking distance to Tinley 

shops & restaurants 

• Veterans Financial Assistance Available 

Call for questions or to schedule a private tour!

mokenamessenger.com Mokena 


A P R I L I S 

NATIONAL LAWN CARE MONTH 

LincolnWay Community Bank welcomes 

Michelle DePaolis 

Vice President of Retail Banking 

$1 OFF 

5 lb bags of Grass Seeds 

& Fertilizers 

*Retail only. Can’t combine with other offers. 

One Coupon Per household, per week. 

Must mention code: SPRINGGREEN. 

Expires 4/15/17 

SAME DAY DELIVERY! • ASK ABOUT OUR FINANCING OPTIONS 

708.479.8400 

18851 S. Wolf Rd. • Mokena 

www.AreaLandscapeSupply.com 

Follow us on: 

Weekdays: 7am-5pm, Saturday: 7am-3pm 

Visit our website for Sales Specials & Coupons! 

from the 

$180’s 

Designed With You In Mind 

A gifted banking professional with 25 years of experience, Michelle 

is a 30-year resident of the LincolnWay area, who shares our 

commitment to our community, and already serves as a Mokena 

Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. 

New Homes, home to fit your Old-Fashioned dreams and desires. Quality 

n Our open floor plans allow you to customize your 

n Ranch and 2-story townhomes feature a first floor 

In an established neighborhood on Joliet’s West Side, these gorgeous 

master along with additional bedrooms. 

ranch and 2-story designs are built the way they used to be. 

n Townhomes worth the drive, and the ultimate in 

• Energy Star rated, with 2x6 construction 

easy-living luxury. 

• Great neighborhood, close to public and parochial schools 

and the University of St. Francis 

Ranch and 

• Experienced builder with tradition of quality communities 

Two-story Townhomes 

in Chicagoland suburbs 

HOMER GLEN 

from the mid $300’s 

Raynor Park in Joliet: Take Rte 53 to Theodore St. in Joliet, turn west 1 mile to Hosmer St., 

Located on turn the south East 2 Side blocks of to Parker model Rd. at 1315 at 146th Hosmer St. St. (across Open the Sat street & Sun, from 12-5Culver Park). 

Sales Off ice is at 14640 Aster Lane in Homer Glen. 

Phone: 630-323-7600 www.greystonehomesllc.com 

Phone: 630-381-1100 

Open Fri. – Tues. 11-5 

www.amberfieldcommunity.com 

or by appointment. 

Michelle is responsible for attracting more Frankfort, Mokena and 

New Lenox individuals and families to LincolnWay Community Bank 

through business development and community outreach initiatives. 

A Real Community Bank. 

MOKENA 19102 S. 88th Ave., 708-326-8300 

NEW LENOX US30 at Marley Rd., 815-462-4300 

www.LWCBank.com



Mayor weighs in on proposed property tax freeze 

Megann Horstead 


Uncertainties surrounding talk 

of a proposed property tax freeze 

by lawmakers in Springfield looking 

to secure a State budget deal 

loomed over the March 21 forum 

for officials at Lincoln-Way Central. 

The forum, hosted by New 

Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann, 

sought to inform constituents of 

the advantages and disadvantages 

of altering the way local taxing 

authorities fund their operations. 

A number of civic leaders were on 

hand to serve as experts. 

“With the State’s financial condition, 

freezing property taxes does 

nothing,” Baldermann said. “The 

State of Illinois has not received 

property taxes to their budget since 

1932, so it has no impact on the 

$11 billion hole that they have, the 

$11 million a day further into debt 

hole that they’re digging, and by 

the end of the next governor’s election 

in 2018 — whoever the next 

governor that takes office in January 

of 2019 — they’re looking at 

somewhere from $22 [billion] to 

$24 billion in the hole if they don’t 

resolve this crisis.” 

Dr. Jeremy Groves, an associate 

professor and director of graduate 

studies at Northern Illinois University, 

took a moment to note the complexity 

of the matter at hand. 

“In my discussion with individuals 

and so forth, I find out the property 

tax is one of the most misunderstood 

taxes that we have, and 

there’s very good reason for that,” 

he said. “It’s the most complicated 

tax that we have. It also happens to 

be one of the most hated taxes that 

we have.” 

Groves said what makes the 

property tax so unusual is the rate 

it fluctuates; it’s not set like a sales 

tax rate is. 

“[The sales tax] rate doesn’t 

change very often,” Groves said. 

“As long as the good fluctuates in 

price, you know what your tax is 

going to be. You can’t do that with 

the property tax, because there’s 

actually three things that determine 

what your individual property tax is 

going to be.” 

To calculate one’s property tax 

bill, the levy, the assessed valuation 

of property within a district 

and the assessed value of one’s 

property must all be considered. 

“There are so many moving parts 

to [a] property tax that it’s hard to 

pin down one thing as being able to 

say, ‘if this changes, this is what’s 

going to happen to property tax.’” 

Groves said. “That’s what’s difficult 

about the property tax, and 

that’s why it’s so confusing and 

why it’s one of the most hated 

taxes. It’s not very transparent how 

it’s calculated.” 

Groves noted that the State of Illinois 

is dealing with a growth in 

property taxes and said this has actually 

been dealt with by the State 

under the Property Tax Extension 

Limitation Law. 

Will County, like a number of 

other counties, has become subject 

to the PTELL. This law limits the 

extension in which a district can 

levy by not allowing the amount to 

reach the lesser of 5 percent or the 

consumer price index, which is the 

rate of inflation. 

However, there are exceptions to 

the law. This includes the referendum 

process, the fact that not all 

funds are subject to this limit and 

the powers granted to home-rule 

Dozens attended a forum hosted by New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann 

at Lincoln-Way Central to talk about a potential property tax freeze 

issued by the State of Illinois. Megann Horstead/22nd Century Media 

municipalities. 

Lawmakers in Springfield also 

have been in talks over a proposal 

that seeks to modify PTELL for either 

the years 2017 or 2018 or permanently, 

Groves said. 

“If they modify it, they’re going 

to redefine such that everybody is 

subject to this — it doesn’t matter if 

you’re home-rule, it’s doesn’t matter 

if you’re a school district, everybody’s 

subject,” Groves said. “That 

5 percent or the CPI rule, we’re 

going to change that to zero. There 

will be absolutely no growth in the 

extension, period. With a couple of 

exceptions, you can go and ask your 

voters to allow you the increase 

more than 0 percent… or certain 

funds will not be subject to the 0 

percent. Those funds will be subject 

to the inflation, and those funds are 

bond funds, pension funds and public 

safety.” 

Groves said there are a number 

of drawbacks to this proposed rule, 

as it will not allow taxing districts 

to capture increasing values or new 

construction. That means property 

taxes will remain constant, as will 

operational revenues. 

Groves took time to review possible 

scenarios to highlight the impact 

of a potential property tax freeze on 

residents, with the first being a taxpayer 

who owns a $300,000 home 

who can expect to receive a $3.40 

savings on their 2017 property tax 

bill culminating in the village losing 

$105,000. 

Another scenario shows that in 

2017, residents save $15 and New 

Lenox School District 122 loses 

$1.2 million. That same effect 

holds true for Lincoln-Way Community 

High School District 210 if 

a property tax freeze is implemented. 

Next year, the taxpayer saves 

$34 and the school district loses 

$1.3 million. In total, that means 

residents could save roughly $750 

and these three districts lose $26.1 

million over the course of five 

years. 

Groves questioned if the taxpayer 

savings are truly worth it. 

“The thing is you have to realize is 

the quality of your schools, the quality 

of your parks, the quality of your 

fire districts, that feeds into the value 

of your house, and if they’re making 

$26 million worth of cuts, you’re going 

to get fewer services,” Groves 

said. “That’s going to decrease the 

value of your house.” 

The Village of New Lenox, which 

has served as a home-rule municipality 

the last eight years, is not 

subject to the PTELL caps. Since 

that time, officials adhered to rules 

limiting extensions valued higher 

than the CPI. 

“Even though we were not subject 

to those caps, we kept to CPI 

anyway, because that was a promise 

that we made,” Baldermann 

said. “I don’t know if we’re going 

to be able to continue do that if this 

property freeze happens, especially 

if they talk about permanently.” 

Baldermann said the only reason 

the state is looking to extend a property 

tax freeze is because lawmakers 

are talking about raising taxes 

on income, services and retirement. 

The legislature wants to distract the 

taxpayer while they look to narrow 

the state’s debt, he said. 

“There are changes that need to 

be made, there’s no doubt about it, 

but they have to propose something 

that’s going to hold muster with 

folks,” Baldermann said. 

Attendee Robert Buonadonna, 

of New Lenox, recognized how 

important the matter of passing a 

budget was and said he wished he 

had the solution. 

“I don’t have good answers, I just 

know that right now they’re talking 

about taxing retirement incomes,” 

Buonadonna said. “They’re going 

to see the state lose probably every 

single one of the seniors who can 

afford to move. I’m here because I 

like New Lenox.” 

LincolnWay Bank names Mokena Chamber ambassador VP of retail banking 

Submitted by LincolnWay 

Community Bank 

LincolnWay Community Bank 

announced March 29 that Michelle 

DePaolis has joined the bank as its 

vice president of retail banking. 

DePaolis is responsible for attracting 

more Frankfort, Mokena and 

New Lenox individuals and families 

to LincolnWay Community Bank 

through business development and 

community outreach initiatives. 

DePaolis has more than 25 years 

of experience as a banking professional. 

Most recently, she served as vice 

president and branch manager at 

First Midwest Bank in Mokena. 

A 30-year resident of the Lincoln-Way 

area, DePaolis is also a 

Mokena Chamber of Commerce 

ambassador. 

“Many of today’s banking customers 

recognize that their banks 

have become increasingly detached 

from them,” DePaolis said. “I’m 

very pleased to be joining a real 

community bank that combines 

quality banking products with person-to-person 

customer service.”



RESULTS THAT MOVE YOU! 

Maryanne Schultz 

Baird & Warner 

708.925.6407 

maryanne.schultz@bairdwarner.com 

21130 S. LaGrange Rd, Frankfort • 9145 W. 151st St., Orland Park 

TOP 1% COMPANYWIDE! 100'S OF HOMES LISTED AND SOLD! 

PROUD LINCOLNWAY RESIDENT! 

B.A. MARKETING - COLUMBIA COLLEGE 

OVER 12 YEARS EXPERIENCE! I Get The Job Done! 

IN 

UNDER 

30 DAYS! 

ALL 

SOLD 

GRAND OPENING 

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES 

ORLAND PARK FROM THE MID-$400’S 

10022 FRANCHESCA LANE 

ORLAND PARK, IL 60462 

Located on 152nd St. and West Ave. 

For more information contact Bob Williams 

bob@beechendill.com | 708.800.8149 | www.beechendill.com



Police Reports 

Police: Man drove under the influence 

Timothy E. O’Brien, 23, 

of 16828 Riverside Drive 

in Tinley Park, was charged 

March 12 with DUI-alcohol 

after police reportedly were 

dispatched to ThunderBowl 

in reference to an auto collision. 

Upon arriving on 

the scene, police reportedly 

observed a tan Buick Century 

that was smoking from 

under the hood, and the airbag 

had been deployed. According 

to police, O’Brien 

reported that he had hit a 

concrete barricade in the 

parking lot with the Buick. 

Police reportedly observed 

signs of impairment, including 

the odor of alcohol 

and “bloodshot and glassy” 

eyes. After initially answering 

questions about the 

incident, O’Brien refused 

to submit to field sobriety 

tests, according to the report. 

March 24 

• Corey D. Howse, 29, of 

6331 S. Walcott Ave. in 

Chicago, was charged with 

driving on a revoked license 

after he allegedly drove 

without a valid driver’s license. 

According to the 

report, Howse was pulled 

over due to the suspicion 

Help your customers 

DON’T WAIT 

RESERVE YOUR POLITICAL ADS 

Be smart. Advertise in 

NOW! 

into action this season. 

® 

that people in the light 

green Pontiac Grand Am he 

was driving were smoking 

cannabis. 

March 21 

• Marek Cimochowicz, 27, 

of 11044 Denny Ave. in 

Mokena, was charged with 

driving without a valid license 

and improper lighting 

after police reportedly 

observed the gray Toyota 

Camry he was driving travel 

on Wolf Road near 191st 

Street with only one working 

headlight. After initiating 

a traffic stop, police 

discovered that Cimochowicz’s 

driver’s license had 

expired in September of 

2015. 

The Mokena Messenger 

Contact 

Lora Healy 

March 16 

• Joseph R. Eichberger, 19, 

of 19716 Scarth Lane in 

Mokena, was charged with 

driving on a suspended license 

and improper lane 

usage after police reportedly 

observed the blue 

Ford Mustang he was driving 

illegally turn eastbound 

in the westbound lane in 

the 11500 block of Francis 

Road. After initiating a 

traffic stop, police discovered 

that Eichberger’s license 

was suspended. 

March 6 

• Shanna J. Wilson, 37, of 

1347 Mason Court in Chicago 

Heights, was charged 

with retail theft after she allegedly 

stole $242 worth of 

tobacco products, $233.83 

worth of liquor and beer, 

$230 worth of Illinois Lottery 

scratch-off tickets and 

$812.53 worth of miscellaneous 

grocery items from a 

gas station and convenience 

store in the 18700 block of 

South Wolf Road at which 

she had been an employee. 

The corporate loss prevention 

department of the convenience 

store reportedly 

told the managers of the 

store that Wilson had been 

scanning items and voiding 

the transactions before 

allowing a patron to leave 

with the items. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Mokena 

Messenger’s police reports 

come from the Mokena Police 

Department. Anyone listed in 

these reports is considered 

to be innocent of all charges 

until proven guilty in a court 

of law. 

708.326.9170 ext. 31 

l.healy@22ndcenturymedia.com 

FROM THE FRANKFORT STATION 

Frankfort IHSA referee 

called up to Hall of Fame 

No one will second guess 

this call: longtime referee 

Bill Laude, of Frankfort, has 

been named to the National 

Federation of State High 

School Associations’ Hall of 

Fame. 

Laude will join 10 others 

who have been named to the 

Hall of Fame this year, making 

him the 27th member of 

the Illinois High School Association 

to be inducted. 

After graduating college, 

the Frankfort resident attended 

umpire school and 

got a job in the Appalachian 

League in the Virginia area 

in 1972. He later taught in 

Bremen High School District 

228 for 30 years. 

And while his career in 

education blossomed, so 

did his second career in officiating. 

Laude soon started 

working three sports for the 

IHSA: baseball, basketball 

and football. 

He said officiating is not 

easy. 

“It’s funny, but because 

baseball is an American 

sport, all dads think they 

can umpire,” he said. “They 

know where to stand when 

there is nobody on base. But 

once you put a man on base, 

they are lost. It’s that quick 

before they get befuddled.” 

Reporting by Jon DePaolis, 

Freelance Reporter. For more, 

visit FrankfortStation.com. 

FROM THE LOCKPORT LEGEND 

LTHS grad’s legacy kept 

alive through her children 

On July 4, 2016, Laura 

Manikas and her eldest 

daughter, Stephanie, went 

on a 3-mile trail run together. 

By the end of the month, 

Laura could barely walk. 

A lifelong resident of the 

Lockport and Homer Glen 

area found a small lump on 

her upper hip, which grew 

rapidly. A biopsy revealed 

Laura had a rare bone cancer 

called sarcoma. 

She died March 11. 

Stephanie, an oncology 

nurse at Elmhurst Hospital, 

said the cancer her mother 

had is so rare it is underresearched 

and virtually unknown. 

But Stephanie and 

her sister Emily said they 

hope to change that. 

“She was a healthy, active 

person, and her whole 

life was flipped upside down 

within seven months of this 

stupid cancer,” Stephanie 

said. “If you’re affected by 

sarcoma, it flips your world 

absolutely upside down. 

“I want to share my mom’s 

story, her fearlessness, her 

bravery throughout it.” 

Through their promise to 

live with truth and with joy 

and to spread awareness 

about their mother’s disease, 

Laura’s legacy will live on 

through her children. 

Reporting by Erin Redmond, 

Assistant Editor. For more, visit 

LockportLegend.com. 

FROM THE TINLEY JUNCTION 

Two schools from Kirby 

School D140 participate in 

St. Baldrick’s 

Six years ago, Jen Bittner, 

a fifth-grade teacher at Millennium 

Elementary School, 

had a student ask her to 

help honor his grandfather’s 

memory. 

That student wanted to 

shave his head, which he 

had planned to do before 

his grandfather had died, 

to show his support for the 

nonprofit foundation St. Baldrick’s. 

Millennium Elementary 

School has participated in 

the St. Baldrick’s head-shaving 

event since 2011 and had 

its most recent event March 

24. The school raised almost 

$104,000 for the nonprofit, 

with approximately 185 people 

having participated. 

On March 31, Prairie View 

Middle School — which is 

in the same district as Millennium, 

Kirby School District 

140 — followed suit. 

“It’s a lot of work and it’s 

time consuming, but it’s so 

rewarding,” Bittner said. 

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation 

asks participants to 

set a goal, and for that first 

year Bittner set a modest 

goal of $3,000. The school 

raised roughly $15,000 that 

year, and this year nearly 

$22,000. 

Reporting by Brittany Kapa, 

Assistant Editor. For more, visit 

TinleyJunction.com. 

FROM THE HOMER HORIZON 

Chocolate galore at library’s 

candy-making class 

The Homer Township 

Public Library has plenty 

of cookbooks under its roof, 

but March 29 residents were 

able to get a hands-on, candy-creating 

experience with 

a chocolate candy-making 

class presented by Sue Peltzer, 

owner of the Hickory 

Hills bakery Delicious Creations. 

“Everyone is super-excited,” 

said Becky Vallejo, assistant 

library clerk, before 

adding that the course was 

so popular that it had an extensive 

wait list. 

Attendees made a variety 

of chocolate treats, including 

chocolate turtles, chocolatecovered 

pretzels, chocolate 

nut clusters, chocolate raisin 

clusters, chocolate-covered 

Oreos and other specialty 

chocolate items. Participants 

got to leave with the candies 

they made. 

Lisa Burian, of Homer 

Glen, signed up for the 

course after she spotted a 

flyer for the program on the 

library’s bulletin board. 

“I know [my daughter 

and her friend] love baking 

and candy,” she said. “So, I 

thought this would be fun.” 

Reporting by Laurie Fanelli, 

Freelance Reporter. For more, 

visit HomerHorizon.com.

mokenamessenger.com sound off 


Social snapshot 

Top Web Stories 

From MokenaMessenger.com as of 

Monday, April. 3 

1. The candy man can: Children’s theater to 

perform ‘Willy Wonka Jr.’ at LW Central 

2. East football player, wrestler to take talents to 

next level 

3. Photos: Mokena students feel the need ... the 

need to read at MES Family Literacy Night 

4. Updated: Fundraiser to help Mokena resident, 

Rock Bottom brewer 

5. Standout Student: Benjamin Osowski, Mokena 

Junior High School eighth-grader 

Become a member: mokenamessenger.com/plus 

From the editor 

The end of divisive local politics? 

Tim Carroll 

tim@mokenamessenger.com 

This is going to be a 

pipe dream, and I am 

willing to let you know 

that right up front. 

But I am unabashedly 

hoping that the election 

being over — the people 

having spoken and selected 

their local officials — will 

be the end of divisive politics 

in Mokena. 

This year was my first 

time being as close as I 

was to an election. And 

call it naiveté if you are so 

inclined, but I expected a 

higher level of discourse. 

Surely, I thought to 

myself, a local election will 

bring out the best leaders 

Mokena has to offer. Surely, 

I convinced myself, a local 

election will be about the 

issues, not the mudslinging 

that seems to plague 

national elections. 

I’m embarrassed to say I 

was wrong. Embarrassed for 

two reasons: first, that I was 

so naive. Second, that some 

politicians could not — or, 

more likely, did not even try 

to — live up to be the best 

Mokena has to offer. 

This is not to say that all 

the races were disappointing. 

In some, the discourse was 

at or near the maturity level 

I hoped. But I don’t see why 

they could not all have been. 

I am here not just to 

admonish those who saw fit 

to eschew issues and instead 

attack opponents; I am also 

here to congratulate and 

thank those who identified 

and discussed the issues intelligently 

and critically, and 

to make a plea to those who 

are thinking of running in the 

next election to raise the level 

of discourse, not lower it. 

The citizens of Mokena — 

hell, all citizens — deserve 

to have their elected officials 

and those vying for election 

lead them. And leadership 

is not just getting into office 

and making decisions; it includes 

setting an example of 

civility, showing people how 

they should interact with 

each other in an organized, 

sane, educated way. 

Anecdotally, I know that 

a lot of people a generation 

or two older than mine 

complain that people do not 

interact with each other face 

to face, and that conversations 

conducted via Facebook, 

Twitter and other social 

media platforms take on 

a shouting-match feel before 

the opportunity for a civil, 

well-reasoned response is 

even available. I don’t know 

that I agree that things are 

all that different than they 

always were, but I have 

seen far too many instances 

in which the chance to explain 

one’s own position has 

been abandoned as too difficult. 

Instead, the chance to 

attack the opposing person 

or ideology has been seized 

with lightning alacrity. 

I was naive before this 

election. I think that is clear. 

But I would rather be naive 

and hope for more than 

cynical and expect less. 

Letters to the Editor 

Will you march with me on 

Earth Day? 

I am a retired science teacher 

and longtime resident of 

Mokena. I am asking you to 

please join me and march for 

science, jobs, peace and your 

family’s future. 

President Trump wants to 

ensure that Americans have 

job opportunities. That can 

be accomplished through 

green energy jobs. Wind and 

solar are now less expensive 

energy sources than fossil 

fuels and offer better jobs. 

According to Environmental 

Entrepreneurs, 2.6 million 

people work in the clean 

energy sector. And “wind 

service technician” is forecast 

to be the United State’s 

fastest-growing occupation 

through 2024, outpacing 

health care and technology 

fields, according to the U.S. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

“AAMCT’s Willy Wonka Tech Week rolls 

on! Oh yeah baby!” 

All About Music & Children’s Theatre 

shared this photo on its Facebook page 

March 29 

Like The Mokena Messenger: facebook.com/ 


“Congrats to Badminton on their 15-0 

victory over the Brook! Great job!!!” 

@LWEastAthletics posted this to its 

Twitter page March 30 

Follow The Mokena Messenger: @mokenamessenger 

The president desires to 

keep America safe. To me, 

this means getting to the root 

of the problem. 

America is not immune to 

worldwide climate change. 

Climate change is responsible 

for creating uninhabitable 

regions of the world, 

resulting in climate refugees 

and political unrest. 

Droughts, floods and fire 

impact the U.S. and the rest 

of the world, which creates 

international instability. 

Climate disruption is a 

threat to national security. 

The U.S. Department of Defense’s 

2014 Climate Change 

Adaptation Roadmap states 

that climate change “will 

likely lead to food and water 

shortages, endemic disease, 

disputes over refugees and 

resources, and destruction by 

natural disasters in regions 

across the globe.” 

Our families’ future depends 

on our actions now. 

Ivanka Trump recognizes the 

seriousness of climate change. 

She recently arranged a meeting 

between her father and 

former Vice President Al Gore 

(leader of climaterealityproject.org) 

to discuss this issue. 

97 percent of climate scientists 

agree that we are at a 

tipping point. We must honor 

our commitment to the Paris 

Climate Agreement. To that 

end, the U.S., Mexico and 

Canada committed to 50 percent 

carbon-free electricity by 

2025. We have the technology 

to do this, but we must show 

our leaders we want this. 

Join me in marching with 

scientists on Earth Day, 

April 22, and in the Climate 

March on April 29. 

Dorelle Ackermann 

Mokena resident 

climaterealityleader2427@ 

gmail.com 

Sound Off Policy 

Editorials and columns are the 

opinions of the author. Pieces 

from 22nd Century Media are 

the thoughts of the company as 

a whole. The Mokena Messenger 

encourages readers to write 

letters to Sound Off. All letters 

must be signed, and names and 

hometowns will be published. 

We also ask that writers include 

their address and phone number 

for verification, not publication. 

Letters should be limited to 400 

words. The Mokena Messenger 

reserves the right to edit letters. 

Letters become property of The 

Mokena Messenger. Letters that 

are published do not reflect 

the thoughts and views of The 

Mokena Messenger. Letters can be 

mailed to: The Mokena Messenger, 

11516 West 183rd Street, Unit 

SW Office Condo #3, Orland 

Park, Illinois, 60467. Fax letters 

to (708) 326-9179 or e-mail to 

tim@mokenamessenger.com. 

www.mokenamessenger.com.



News and Upcoming Events 

From the m okena Chamber oF CommerC e 

Ribbon cutting Absolute Hearing Care 

Absolute Hearing Care, 20006 S Wolf Rd Mokena, hosted a Business After Hours and Ribbon Cutting 

Ceremony for the new hearing care center on January 19. Audiologist Lauren Long (left) cuts the ribbon with 

Chamber President Troy Griffiths (right). 

Ribbon cutting Apex3 

The Mokena Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed Apex3, 10036 W. 190th Place, Mokena, with a Ribbon 

Cutting Ceremony on January 26. Laura Voogt (left) cuts the ribbon with Chamber President Troy Griffiths (right). 

www.mokena.com • 708.479.2468 

19150 S. Wolf Road, Suite C 


 

New Members 

• Minuteman Press of Frankfort 

• Personal Finance Company 

• Busy B Laundromat 

• Accurate CPR & AED Inc. 

• Relentless Carpentry Inc. 

• Hurricane Wraps 

• Window Works 

• HTH Mechanical 

• Crosstown Exotics & Traveling 

Reptile Show 

• G and B Pro Shop, Inc. 

• Gnade Insurance Group 

• Lee Family Partnership 

• Wood Flooring Inc. 

• Clippings Lawn Care, Ltd. 

• Aetna Better Health 

• Side Street American Tavern 

• Newmark Construction, Inc. 

• Thrivent Financial, Jeff King & 

Gina Aguilar 

• Gaab Vacation Club 

• Jess Kleen Cleaning 

• Millennium Title Group, Ltd. 

• Moving Services, Inc. 

• URMI Salon 

• JC Penney

the mokena messenger | April 6, 2017 | mokenamessenger.com 

Helping hand 

My Joyful Heart teenagers 

organize food drive to support 

needy families, Page 25 

Take me down to the 

Submarine City The lettuce is 

green and the sandwiches ain’t bitty, 

in this week’s Dish, Page 27 

Noonan Academy 

Drama Club students 

Dawson Kimak (left, 

playing Aladdin) 

and Allisa Milla, 

who plays Jasmine, 

rehearse during tech 

week for Disney’s 

“Aladdin Jr.,” which 

ran Friday, March 31 

to Sunday, April 2. 

Amanda Stoll/22nd 

Century Media 

Noonan Academy’s production of ‘Aladdin Jr.’ brings Disney classic to Mokena, Page 23

22 | April 6, 2017 | The Mokena Messenger faith 


Robin’s Nest 

Getting past ourselves 

and gaining perspective 

Robin Melvin 

Contributing Columnist 

My biggest writing 

challenge is not 

a lack of ideas. I 

have scads. 

The glitch comes when 

my brain compels me to 

write my current emotional 

struggles. To which I reply, 

“Again? No. This isn’t fun. 

I don’t want to be a Debby 

Downer.” 

Sure, I can copy and 

paste a happy-sappy piece 

from last year. But, as 

usual, I’m drawn to a mental 

venting. 

Writing’s been my therapy 

since my preteen days. 

Well, that and a shameless 

love of dancing. If not sitting 

on a riverbank filling 

notebooks with thoughts 

of my latest crush or my 

adolescent life with an alcoholic, 

I was outside choreographing 

dance moves 

to “Stayin’ Alive” blaring 

from a cassette player. 

So, what’s on my mind 

In Memoriam 

Raymond Paver 

Raymond Paver, 

88, of Mokena, 

died March 28. He was 

a U.S. Navy Korean War 

Veteran. He is survived by 

his children, Raymond F. 

Paver and Sharon (Jeffrey) 

today? An unresolved 

conflict with my husband. 

This morning, I woke the 

same way I fell asleep: with 

tears stinging puffy eyes. I 

didn’t want the day to start 

as I reached into the freezer 

for Alex’s teethers to press 

onto my eyelids. 

People tell me I have a 

“non-anxious presence.” 

Not yesterday. I was a blubbering, 

stress ball sitting in 

the car at Kohl’s. Honest 

communication can be 

hard. But I asked for it. 

Before I showed up 

at my desk, I poured 

foggy thoughts onto paper. 

They’re prayers, really. 

Not eloquent or pretty, just 

candid and gritty. I wrote 

until I broke free of hurt 

and emotional weight. I got 

past myself. Then I gained 

perspective. 

While I sit in my home 

office, comfy in yoga pants 

and drinking fresh coffee, 

Jeff’s in front of three 

computer screens wired 

to Corporate America. He 

deals with power outages 

and multi-million-dollar 

budgets and motivating 

people to do their job. 

There are hundreds of 

emails and spreadsheets 

and repairs, oh my. 

When we get past ourselves, 

we see that others 

struggle, too. Work and 

Nepote; grandchildren, 

Trey and Rachel Paver and 

Nicole and Kendall Nepote; 

and many nieces and nephews. 

Visitation was held at 

Kurtz Memorial Chapel. Interment 

private. 

home and relationships 

are often complicated 

and heavy. Even for those 

usually upbeat, like my 

husband. If he’s not smiling, 

singing or whistling, 

he’s stressed. 

Marriage, family and 

friendships bond us together. 

But we’re each on 

our own journey. We need 

to give one another space 

for mistakes and opinions 

and imperfections. 

We listen, we hear, we 

love, we cheer. 

Today, I arrived at my 

desk inspired by my good 

and messy life. One like 

yours, perhaps. May we not 

let our challenges distract 

us. The best and strongest 

among us need our encouragement. 

Who in your circle needs 

you to see past their words, 

their walls and their stress? 

How can you let them 

know they’re loved and appreciated? 

Thanks for sitting and 

listening, my friends. I am 

encouraged. 

Love and peace for your 

journey. 

The thoughts and opinions 

expressed in this column are 

those of the author. They do 

not necessarily represent the 

thoughts of 22nd Century Media 

or its staff. 

Do you have someone’s life 

you’d like to honor? Email 

Editor Tim Carroll at tim@ 

mokenamessenger.com with 

information about a loved one 

who was a part of the Mokena 

community. 

Faith Briefs 

St. John’s United Church of Christ (11100 

Second St., Mokena) 

Blood Drive 

8:30 a.m.-noon Sunday, 

April 30. Blood drive with 

the Heartland Blood Centers 

will be held in the Christian 

Community Center next 

to the church. To sign up, 

call (708) 479-5123 or visit 

www.heartlandbc.org. 

Traditional Service 

8 a.m. traditional mass, 

9:45 a.m. contemporary & 

traditional music in a service 

of praise and reverence. Supervised 

childcare available. 


(708) 479-5123. 

Garden Club 

8 a.m. Tuesdays. For more 

information, call (708) 479- 

5123. 

Mokena United Methodist Church (10901 

LaPorte Road, Mokena) 

Service and Sunday School 

10:15 a.m. Sundays. 

Church service and Sunday 

school will be held. For 

more information, call (708) 

479-1110. 

Bible Study 

7 p.m. Tuesdays 

Breakfast 

9 a.m. every third Saturday 

of the month 

Walking Club 

7 p.m. Mondays 

Weight Watchers 

Wednesdays. Weigh-ins 

take place at 6:30 p.m., while 

the meeting is at 7 p.m. 

Marley Community Church (12625 W. 

187th St., Mokena) 

Senior High Youth Group 

7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays. 

For more information, email 

marleycommunitychurch@ 

gmail.com. 

Junior High Youth Group 

6-7:30 p.m. Fridays. For 

more information, email 

marleycommunitychurch@ 

gmail.com. 

Church Service 

10 a.m. Sundays. Childcare 

is provided 

Sunday School 

9-10 a.m. 

Men’s Group 

6 p.m. Sunday nights in 

the church basement. All 

men are welcome. 

Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church 

(10731 W. La Porte Road, Mokena) 

Maundy Thursday Worship 

7 p.m. Thursday, April 13 

Good Friday Worship 

7 p.m. Friday, April 14 

Easter Worship 

9 a.m. Sunday, April 16 


11 a.m. Saturday, April 

15. Bring a basket and come 

out for the 9th Annual Community 

Easter Egg Hunt. 

Eggs will be separated by 

color for three age groups: 

three years old and younger, 

ages four to six and ages 

seven to 10. If the weather 

is wet or cold, the event will 

move indoors. For more 

information, visit www.ImmanuelMokena.org 

or call 

(708) 479-5600. 

Contemporary Worship 

5 p.m. Saturday 

Worship 

9 a.m. Sunday 

God’s Kids Club 

10:15 a.m. Sundays. This 

club is open to those between 

the ages of 4-17. 

Adult Bible Study 

10:15 a.m. Sunday 

Mokena Baptist Church (9960 W. 187th 

St., Mokena) 

Faith That Stands 

5 p.m. every Sunday. Join 

the service which takes a 

closer look at the book of 

First Corinthians. For more 

information, call (312) 350- 

2279. 

Ladies Bible Study 

7 p.m. every Thursday. 

Meetings take place at The 

Talking Shirt Boutique, 

19805 S. LaGrange Road in 

Mokena. For more information, 

call (312) 350-2279. 

Men’s Bible Study 

The men’s bible study is 

held quarterly at Cracker 

Barrel, 18531 N. Creek 

Drive in Tinley Park. The 

meetings are held at 9 a.m., 

and men will enjoy studying 

the Bible over breakfast. 

Sunday Services 

11 a.m. and 5 p.m. For 

more information, call (312) 

350-2279. 

St. Mary’s Catholic Church (19515 115th 

Ave., Mokena) 

Polka Mass 

1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 

30. A Catholic Liturgy in 

Polka Beat followed by a 

Spring Fellowship Ethnic 

Luncheon at 2:45 p.m. in the 

lower level of the church. 

Cost is $25 for adults and 

$10 for children 12 years 

and younger. Tickets will be 

sold after Mass on Saturday, 

April 22 and Sunday, April 

23. For more information, 

call (708) 479- 1736 or (708) 

479- 7322. 

Church Service 

5 p.m. Saturdays; 8 a.m, 

9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6: 

p.m. Sundays 

Adoration 

Wednesdays following 

8:00 a.m. Mass in the Chapel 

until 6:45 p.m. 

Holy Rosary 

7:30 a.m. daily; 7 p.m. 

Tuesday evenings 

Have something for Faith 

Briefs? Contact Assistant 

Editor Amanda Stoll at 


or call (708) 326-9170 ext. 34. 

Deadline is noon Thursday one 

week prior to publication.

mokenamessenger.com life & arts 


Noonan students bring audience ‘A Whole New World’ 

Production of 

‘Aladdin Jr.’ involves 

72 students 

Amanda Stoll 

Assistant Editor 

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 

March 31-April 1, students 

from the Noonan Elementary 

Academy Drama 

Club sang, danced and acted 

out Disney’s “Aladdin Jr.” 

The show, which is an adaptation 

of the Disney film, 

featured many well-known 

songs, like “Arabian Nights,” 

“One Jump Ahead,” “Friend 

Like Me,” “Prince Ali” and 

“A Whole New World.” 

Director Marta Koonce 

said the production was an 

opportunity for students to 

get on stage and build their 

confidence. 

“With acting, you really 

have to be vulnerable and 

put yourself out there,” said 

Koonce, who added that the 

ultimate goal was for the 

students to get to the point 

where they could become 

their characters without 

having to think about their 

lines. 

Confidence, working as 

a team, working on something 

bigger than themselves 

and finding out more about 

themselves were all areas in 

which she said the students 

gained experience, along 

with building stage talent. 

The 2016-2017 school year 

is Koonce’s seventh directing 

at Noonan, but she has been 

directing at various theaters 

for more than 13 years. She 

is currently part of the board 

of Curtain Call Theatre in 

Mokena and recently started 

directing productions at Lincoln-Way 

West. 

“When I was a little girl, 

I loved watching musicals 

and listening to musicals,” 

Koonce said. “In junior high, 

I actually got to be in a real 

musical. That was it.” 

She was hooked, she said. 

She studied acting in school, 

and then, after becoming a 

parent, her children got interested, 

too. 

As they got involved with 

theater, she got more and 

more involved until she 

eventually started directing. 

At Noonan Academy, 

Koonce said there is a family 

feeling, where everyone supports 

each other and works 

hard to make the productions 

happen. 

“The administration and 

the parents here are very, very 

supportive and do everything 

they can to give these kids the 

best show possible,” Koonce 

said. “It’s really wonderful 

to work with that group of 

people, where everybody is 

working together for the kids. 

“I could not do this without 

all the help of my production 

team and these wonderful 

parents.” 

Some of the parts in the 

show were double-cast, allowing 

more students the 

opportunity to perform. 

For Dawson Kimak, who 

played Aladdin, being onstage 

is not a new experience. The 

eighth-grader from Bolingbrook 

said he had been in four 

other productions, both with 

the school drama club and 

with Curtain Call Theatre. 

“I kind of start out nervous,” 

Kimak said. “After 

the first time you’re on stage 

— like opening night — right 

after that you feel like you 

can do anything on stage.” 

Playing the part of Jafar 

was fellow eighth-grader Tim 

Szarzynski, who said he enjoys 

playing the part of the 

villain. 

Szarzynski said he had 

done multiple shows, including 

“The Wizard of Oz” and 

“High School Musical.” 

“I like [drama club] because 

I get to hang out with 

Eighth-grader Dawson Kimak sings “One Jump Ahead” March 28 during a tech-week rehearsal of Disney’s “Aladdin Jr.” 

at Noonan Elementary Academy in Mokena. Photos By Amanda Stoll/22nd Century Media 

The Narrators surround Jafar, played by eighth-grader Tim 

Szarzynski, as he schemes at his desk during a scene in 

“Aladdin Jr.” 

my friends, and I like acting,” 

Szarzynski said. 

Allisa Milla, who played 

Jasmine, said she sometimes 

gets nervous before a show, 

but that quickly dissipates. 

“When I get into character, 

I don’t get nervous anymore,” 

said Milla, an eighthgrader 

from Dyer, Indiana. 

She said she especially 

enjoys singing and dancing 

in productions, and she 

practiced for “Aladdin Jr.” by 

watching the movie and reading 

the book over and over. 

The cast rehearses the opening scene of the musical. 

Koonce said she enjoyed 

seeing the growth in students 

from the time they 

began practicing until they 

were finally onstage performing. 

“When I see a child that 

is really timid and doesn’t 

know whether or not they 

would like this, or maybe 

it’s something that they 

wouldn’t usually do, and 

then I see them blossom, I 

get so excited about that. 

“I love to see them go 

from A to Z and then say, 

‘Oh, my gosh. Remember 

that first day when we just 

couldn’t get that one step? 

...’ And then they get it.”

24 | April 6, 2017 | The Mokena Messenger life & arts 


East alumnae travel thousand of miles for health care rights 

Kirsten Onsgard 

Contributing Editor 

A moment traveling 

through rural Texas illustrated 

why Monica Tanouye and 

Angela Ray were driving 

thousands of miles across 

the southern U.S. 

They needed to purchase 

an over-the-counter medication. 

The nearest pharmacy: 

three hours away. 

It’s why the 2011 Lincoln-Way 

East High School 

graduates did not just start 

a travel blog to document 

their road trip, but one that 

highlights issues of health 

care access and reproductive 

justice. They will be blogging 

and encouraging donations 

to small organizations 

through April 11. 

The four-week trip from 

Florida to California isn’t 

the first time the two have 

traveled together during a 

pivotal in both their lives — 

Tanouye and Ray explored 

the northeast before graduating 

high school — but 

this time, it’s not just about 

them. 

“If we’re going to spend a 

month of our lives crossing 

the country, driving 7,000 

miles, it can’t just be for ourselves,” 

Tanouye said. 

Named HOWLing Across 

America, which stems from 

an acronym for “happiness, 

openness, wisdom and love” 

they coined in high school, 

their new blog is about supporting 

reproductive justice 

through encouraging donations 

to four organizations: 

HEART Women & Girls, 

Sister Song, the National Latina 

Institute for Reproductive 

Health and Illinois Caucus 

for Adolescent Health. 

Posts include both fun and 

frustrations from the road — 

a broken air conditioner in 

the southwest, a late-night 

traffic jam in Houston — as 

well as information about 

health care issues pertinent 

to each state, such as the 

“If we’re going to spend a month 

of our lives crossing the country, 

driving 7,000 miles, it can’t just be 

for ourselves.” 

Monica Tanouye — Lincoln-Way East alumna, on 

why she and fellow grad Angela Ray are traveling 

for reproductive justice 

high number of abortions in 

Florida. 

Reproductive justice encompasses 

access to and the 

right to women’s care, in 

addition to health education 

and options, and has long 

been important to Tanouye 

and Ray. But growing up in 

the southwest suburbs — 

Tanouye in Frankfort and 

Ray in Mokena — they said 

they did not worry about access 

to doctors or gynecologists. 

“I grew up in a place 

where I was taught I could 

do whatever I wanted, and 

that’s not the case everywhere,” 

Tanouye said. “Reproductive 

health, women’s 

health, has a lot of overlap in 

that: being able, as a woman, 

to control your destiny, your 

fate, how you want your life 

to happen. 

“If you [live] in a place 

where those resources are 

inaccessible, you could have 

all the dreams, but one thing 

can turn your life upsidedown,” 

she said. 

For Ray, the issue became 

particularly apparent as she 

studied psychology at the 

University of Alabama. The 

state has limited rural access 

to health care treatment, and 

about one-third of hospitals 

offer obstetrical services, 

according to the Alabama 

Birth Coalition. 

While studying economics 

and Spanish at Boston 

University, Tanouye helped 

facilitate a book club at a 

minimum-security women’s 

Lincoln-Way East High School alumnae Angela Ray (left) and Monica Tanouye pose in 

Austin, Texas, during their cross-country trip for reproductive justice. photo submitted 

prison, and volunteered with 

the International Institute of 

New England, which provides 

service to immigrants 

and refugees. There, she 

said, it became apparent that 

the problem isn’t just about 

doctors and patients, but 

breaching language barriers 

and education. 

“I became really interested 

through that in the whole 

system — access to resources 

and understanding what 

do we need to do,” Tanouye 

said. 

Ray, too, said she recognized 

that quality health care 

wasn’t just a rural problem. 

After graduating, she worked 

for a mobile optometrist in 

Chicago who brought optical 

care to schools. At one high 

school, a boy wore reading 

glasses instead of prescription 

glasses after a car accident 

impeded his vision. For 

others, glasses meant being 

able to see assignments and 

improve their reading, she 

said. 

“A lot of these kids never 

had glasses who really needed 

them, or they would wear 

their grandma’s glasses — 

they just thought it would be 

the same prescription,” Ray 

said. “It was a lot of different 

ways I got to really see 

the divide in health care in 

Chicago.” 

While these experience 

have been impactful, Ray 

and Tanouye also pointed 

to several formative teachers 

at Lincoln-Way East who 

shaped them as upperclassmen, 

when their friendship 

solidified. 

There was Richard Kolimas, 

who assigned the 

“Grapes of Wrath” in AP 

English Language, and Karen 

McConnell, who introduced 

them to feminist works such 

as “The Awakening” in AP 

English Literature. 

Thomas Eiden’s assignment 

to his small AP European 

History class was to 

write an essay about where 

they wanted to study abroad 

— which both Tanouye and 

Ray would later do. 

“They seemed to be articulate, 

very well-spoken 

in classroom discussions,” 

Eiden said about having 

Tanouye and Ray in his 

class. 

“I’m very proud of them 

that they are doing something 

for social justice, and 

I’m incredibly grateful that 

they would cite my class as 

any kind of inspiration in 

what they are now doing. I 

couldn’t be more proud of 

them,” he said. 

The trip, in a way, marks a 

turning point in the friends’ 

lives: Tanouye will move to 

London with her husband, 

and Ray will begin medical 

school at the University of 

Illinois at Chicago. Tanouye 

hopes to continue working in 

nonprofits, and Ray in public 

health and policy. 

But for the next few 

weeks, Ray and Tanouye 

will be devoting their time 

to a cause they’re passionate 

about — and one that will 

shape their future. 

“Right now, we can’t just 

go on a trip that’s for ourselves, 

to have fun and to 

see America,” Tanouye said. 

“We felt like there needed to 

be a bigger purpose to what 

we were doing.” 

To read Tanouye and 

Ray’s blog and donate, visit 

www.howlingacrossamerica.wordpress.com. 

They 

encourage those who donate 

to contact them or leave a 

comment for thanks from 

the road.

mokenamessenger.com life & arts 


A drive to end hunger 

Teenagers involved with My Joyful Heart organize food drive to help 

the needy 

22 nd Century Media & Planet Fitness Presents 

SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2017 

9 AM – 1 PM 

TINLEY PARK CONVENTION CENTER 

18451 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE, TINLEY PARK 

FREE ADMISSION 

FREE PARKING 

FREE GIFT BAGS 

*TO FIRST 500 PEOPLE 

Lincoln-Way Central Junior Chad Montague sorts food at My Joyful Heart March 27. Junior 

Board teenagers involved with My Joyful Heart, which is committed to helping children in 

need, organized a food collection during the weekend of March 24, then worked together to 

sort the donated items March 27. Photos By Paul Bergstrom/22nd Century Media 

Above: Central freshman 

Regan LoConte sorts 

donated canned goods 

following the food drive 

Shop more than 50 vendors 

Stop by the cooking demo stage 

Join a free group fitness class 

Learn style tips during the Spring Fashion Show 

presented by The Leading Image & Orland Park Crossing 

Donate blood at the blood drive 

and more to come! 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL (708) 326-9170 EXT. 16 OR 

VISIT WWW.22NDCENTURYMEDIA.COM/LADY 

SPONSORED BY: 

Left: Central junior Delaney 

LoConte stacks food. The 

food was bagged Saturday, 

April 1, and delivered to 

needy families Monday, 

April 3. The drive totaled 

745 bags with food for 

needy children.



Season Finale: 

American Perspectives 

Dvořák, Copland and Meyer with Tessa Lark, Violin 

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2017, 7:30PM 

LINCOLN-WAY CENTRAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 

New Lenox, IL 

“Lark is that rare performer who transforms 

classical music into a full body experience, 

captivating to watch, yet projecting an 

authenticity that feels as genuine as her 

musicianship.” ~The Day 

Tickets from $25 in advance; students just $5 w/ ID. 

IPOMUSIC.ORG // 708.481.7774 

need a Doctor? See a 

DoCtor! 

EVERYDAY • 7 AM – 11 PM 

• Board-Certified Physicians 

• Easy Access/Parking 

• Prompt Attention 

MOST INSURANCE PLANS ACCEPTED 

LA PORTE RD 

TACO 

BELL 

COLORADO AVE 

45 

N 

ST. FRANCIS RD 

Mike McCatty 

and a ssociates 

Top Global Team 

13133 W Regan Road, 

Mokena $429,900 

Ranch with finished walkout 

basement. 2.78 fenced 

acres. In-ground pool. 

Horses welcome. 

5570 e Bay View Drive, 

Morris $1,250,000 

Waterfront property within 

1 hour of Chicago. Enjoy all 

sports on over 150 acres of 

water. Boat tours available. 

10543 W 154th Place, 

Orland Park $339,000 

Beautiful townhome within 

walking distance to Metra, 

Centennial park, shopping, 

restaurants & more... 

1731 London Road, 

New Lenox $449,900 

3 finished levels thoughtfully 

designed. Beautiful ½ 

acre lot. 30’ deck with awning. 

4 car tandem garage. 

frankfort • 815-464-2010 

LaGrange Road @ St. Francis Road 

O N e BiLLi ON iN CLOseD saL es siNCe 1999 

708.945.2121 

mccattyrealestate.com

mokenamessenger.com dining out 


The Dish 

Submarine City not just another sandwich shop 

Late-night hours, 

diverse menu set 

restaurant apart 

from competition 

Max Lapthorne 


Back in 1978, late-night 

snackers had a tough time 

finding places open past 10 

p.m. not named White Castle. 

Then came Submarine 

City. 

Ted and Tom Gatses 

opened the first Submarine 

City location at 1130 S. State 

St. in Lockport in 1977 and 

expanded to a second restaurant 

at 9573 W. 144th Place 

in Orland Park just two years 

later. From the start, the restaurant 

was open late — 2 

a.m. on weekdays and 4 a.m. 

on weekends — and the reasoning 

behind it was simple. 

“We said we could make 

more money if we stay open 

more hours with the same 

rent,” Ted Gatses said. “So 

we stayed open late, and 

then we ended up becoming 

an after-the-bar place. 

It stayed with us from the 

first store, and we’ve never 

closed early in 39 years.” 

Ted was 28 years old and 

working at a Holiday Inn 

when he and his brother decided 

to open Submarine City. 

The idea for a sandwich shop 

came from Ted’s cousin, who 

helped bring the Mr. Submarine 

chain to the United States. 

“I wanted to do something 

on my own,” Ted said. “I 

looked at [the Mr. Submarine] 

operation, and I decided 

it wasn’t that difficult at 

that time.” 

Submarine City started by 

selling only sandwiches and 

chips, but it did not take long 

for Ted to decide they needed 

to separate themselves 

from the increasing amount 

of competition in the sub 

Submarine City 

Orland Park: 9573 W. 

144th Place 

Lockport: 1130 S. State 

St. 

Hours 

• 9 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday- 

Thursday 

• 9 a.m.-4 a.m. Friday- 

Saturday 

• 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Sunday 

For more information … 

Phone: Orland Park: 

(708) 349-4909, 

Lockport: (815) 838- 

2080 

Web: www. 

submarinecity.com 

sandwich market. The latenight 

hours helped them stay 

competitive, but in the late 

1980s, Submarine City added 

fryers and grills to gain 

even more of an advantage 

over the competition. 

“I don’t think any of the 

other places have fryers, as 

far as the sub franchise chains 

[go],” Ted said. “We wanted 

to give the customers an option 

if they wanted something 

else like French fries or onion 

rings or cheese sticks.” 

The gyros ($5.89) — 

served on pita bread with 

gyro sauce, tomato and onion 

— recently were added 

to the menu and have been 

popular with customers, as 

have as several other grilled 

items. The rib-eye steak 

($6.99) is served on French 

bread with grilled onion, 

while the Philly cheesesteak 

($6.59) consists of green 

pepper, mushroom, grilled 

onion and mozzarella cheese 

piled onto French bread. 

“We can get the same customer 

in the store more times 

now,” Ted said. “They might 

come in one day for a sub, 

and the next day they might 

want a meatball sandwich 

or a Philly steak. Instead of 

The gyros ($5.89) were introduced recently at Submarine 

City and have become a hit with customers. 

getting him once or twice a 

week, now maybe we’re getting 

him three times a week.” 

During the road construction 

project on LaGrange 

Road in Orland Park, many 

businesses struggled, but 

Submarine City has been 

able to survive, thanks in 

large part to its non-sandwich 

menu items, Ted said. 

“I think the grill saved us 

during those times, because 

we were getting new customers 

and old customers that really 

liked the variety,” he said. 

While the grill and fryer 

offers customers variety, the 

sub sandwiches are what put 

Submarine City on the map. 

The Torpedo (prices vary by 

size) and the Depth Charge 

are the most famous of the 

sandwiches. Ted even trademarked 

the names of the two 

soon after introducing them. 

A Torpedo is a ham lovers 

dream as it comes topped 

with ham, spiced ham and 

hard salami, as well as the 

lettuce, onion and tomato 

included on every sub. The 

Depth Charge gives a bit 

more variety, featuring a 

combination of beef, ham, 

turkey and cheese. 

The meat on every sandwich 

is sliced fresh. And all 

the bread is delivered daily, 

rather than being parbaked 

in store. 

“My main focus is quality 

on the food, [which] consists 

of the bread, the produce and 

the meats,” Ted said. “They 

have to be super-fresh.” 

Making sure every item on 

the menu is as fresh as possible 

is a main priority for 

Ted, but he also is conscious 

of the customer’s experience 

while visiting the restaurant. 

“The service you give the 

customer and the friendliness 

of the place … those are 

the things that [have] kept 

me in business for almost 40 

years,” he said. 

Whether it is staying open 

late for the post-bar rush or 

bucking convention by offering 

gyros and hamburgers, 

Submarine City is all about 

being outside of the box. Even 

the restaurant’s slogan “under 

100 billion served” is a show 

of Submarine City’s departure 

from the beaten path as it 

plays off the popular McDonald’s 

slogan of “over 99 billion 

served.” But when it comes to 

maintaining a successful business 

over the course of nearly 

four decades, it is all about the 

basics for Ted. 

“If you don’t have the basics, 

you won’t stay in business,” 

he said. 

Attention Builders: 

Advertise with 

22nd Century Media 

Reach 92,000+ Southwest Suburban homes. 

® 

Contact 

Lora Healy 

The Depth Charge (prices vary by size) is one of Submarine 

City’s most popular menu items. 

Photos by Max Lapthorne/22nd Century Media 

708.326.9170 ext. 31 

l.healy@22ndcenturymedia.com



Save BIG with Lincoln-Way Realty 

Call us at 708.479.6355 

to set up a listing appointment 

Joseph siwinski 

Managing Broker & Owner 

19430 S. Wolf Rd. Mokena, IL 

www.lincolnwayrealty.com 

jsiwinski@lincolnwayrealty.com 

Buying • Selling • ReSidential • CommeRCial 

new 

new 

new 

new 

new 

new 

Mokena 

• Offered at $389,000 

• 4 Bedrooms, 2.1 Baths 

11433 Swinford Ln. 

• ½ Acre Wooded Lot! 

• Finished Walkout Bsmt! 

Mokena 



10247 Aileen Ave. 

• Looks like a model home! 

• Filled with Updates! 

Mokena 


• 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths 

19447 Manchester Dr. 

• Scenic Pond Views! 

• 1800 square feet! 

$2,500 

Manhattan 


• 3 Bedrooms, 1 Bath 

400 Lee St. 

• Immaculate Ranch Home! 

• Filled with Updates! 

Monee 



25317 S. Tuscany Dr. East 

• Custom Ranch Home! 

• Beautiful Scenic Location! 

Orland Park 



10842 Eleanor Ln. 

• Captivating 2 Story Home! 

• Upgraded & Pristine! 

new 

new 

Frankfort 



21372 Georgetown Rd. 

• Beautiful Custom Home! 

• Over 3500 square feet! 

new 

* 

Flat listing Fee 

Payable at Closing 

New Lenox 



330 Old Hickory Rd. 

• Completely Updated! 

• Impeccably maintained! 

price change 

Joliet 



2411 Silver Hill Cir. 

• Convenient Location! 

• New Lenox Grade Schools! 

*Cooperative Commission and other restrictions may apply. Listing Fee is applicable on primary residence only. 

Mokena 



10623 Celtic Ct. 

• Immaculate & Beautiful! 

• Related Living Option! 

price change 

price change 

price change 

price change 

price change 

For Lease 

Tinley Park 



7426 162nd PL. 

• Updated Kitchen! 

• Spacious & Immaculate! 

Frankfort 



11283 Cedarwood Ct. 

• Immaculate Step Ranch! 

• Numerous Updates! 

Mokena 



21663 Skyway Dr. 

• Completely Upgraded! 

• Over 3100 square feet! 

Mokena 



19242 Beaver Creek Ln. 

• Upgraded Custom Home! 

• Pond View & Park Access! 

Frankfort 



20942 S. 78th Ave. 

• 2.13 Wooded Acres! 

• Custom & Immaculate! 

Mokena 

• 2450 sqft Commercial Space! 

• Across From Metra Station! 

11134 Front St. 

• Great location for your business! 

• Call for complete details! 

For Lease 

$499,900 

$469,900 

$449,900 

$389,000 $215,000 

Manhattan 

• 2700 sqft Commercial Space! 

• High Traffic Location! 

360 W. North St. 

• In the center of town! 

• Call for complete details! 

Mokena 


• Immaculate + Custom! 

19224 Aspen Ct. 

• Full Walkout Basement! 

• Premium Lot! 

Mokena 


• Numerous updates! 

18805 Chestnut Ct. 

• Immaculate & Upgraded! 

• Finished Basement! 

Mokena 


• Gorgeous Custom Home! 

19318 116th Ave. 

• Huge ¾ Acre Lot! 

• Side load 2.5 car garage! 

Flossmoor 


• Completely Rehabbed! 

1705 Butterfield Rd. 

• All NEW interior! 

• Beautiful WOODED Lot! 

New Lenox 

• 3 Bedrooms, 1 Bath 

• Well Maintained Ranch 

945 Herr Dr. 

• ½ Acre WOODED Lot! 

• Numerous Updates!

mokenamessenger.com Mokena 


New Daily Lunch & Breakfast Specials 

Kids Eat Free! 

One child per adult. Kids menu only. 

With this coupon. Dine-in and carry-outs available. Not Valid with any other. 

Offers or prior purchases. Valid Monday - Saturday only. 

One Coupon per table..Offer expires 4/20/17 

19137 S. Wolf Rd. 

Mokena | 708.478.8748 

Buy One Breakfast, Get One 1/2 Off 

With the purchase of two beverages. 

With this coupon. Dine-in and carry-outs available. Not Valid with any other. 

Offers or prior purchases. Valid Monday - Saturday only. 

One Coupon per table..Offer expires 4/20/17 

19137 S. Wolf Rd. 

Mokena | 708.478.8748 

OPEN 

EASTER 

SUNDAY 

6am - 3pm 

WE’VE MADE 

SELLING EASIER 

REAL ESTATE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE DIFFICULT. 

19137 S. Wolf Rd Mokena • 708.478.8748 

HOURS Mon-Wed 6am-8pm • Thu- Sat 6am-8:30pm • Sun 6am-7pm 

19137 S. Wolf Rd. 

Mokena | 708.478.8748 

11853 JENNIFER STREET, 

FRANKFORT 

$459,000 

SOLD 

Adam Kiwior 

22030 CORIANDER LANE, 

FRANKFORT 

$415,000 

SOLD 

Nicole Meding 

777 LESLIE LANE, 

FRANKFORT 

$299,900 

Valerie Kearns 

11011 DANIEL TRAIL, 

MOKENA 

$248,000 

Kiersten Voss 

22ndCenturyMedia.com 

HIRE LOCALLY 

CALL TODAY FOR RATES & INFORMATION 

708-326-9170 


Reach over 83% 

of prospective 

employees in your area! 

20609 S. FRANKFORT SQUARE 

ROAD, FRANKFORT 

$234,500 

Mary Olson 

15 N. MAPLE STREET, 

FRANKFORT 

$186,400 

LET OUR EXPERIENCED AGENTS MAKE YOUR 

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION AN EASY ONE! 

21130 S. LaGrange Road | 708.798.1855 | BairdWarner.com 

Darlene Daly

30 | April 6, 2017 | The Mokena Messenger puzzles 


crosstown CROSSWORD & Sudoku 

The crosstowns: Frankfort, Homer Glen, Lockport, Mokena, New Lenox, Orland Park, Tinley Park 

Crossword by Myles Mellor and Cindy LaFleur 

Across 

1. Child’s puzzle book 

feature 

5. Creator in the Koran 

10. Skip over 

14. Throughout 

15. Buzz off 

16. Early baby word 

17. One who moves 

on ice 

19. Flirt 

20. Cadillac SUV 

21. Window type 

22. Stout drink 

23. Harmless cyst 

25. Orland Park furniture 

business that 

was named Illinois 

Retailer of the Year 

28. “The _____ File” 

spy thriller 

32. Solos 

33. Slide on snow 

34. Extremes 

36. Military training 

org. 

37. ___ dreams 

39. Courageous 

40. Squeakers 

41. Push to the limit 

42. Ill-suited 

43. Pangs of pain 

45. Orland Park park 

for pets 

47. Rascal 

48. Something to lend 

or bend 

49. Paradigm 

53. Cooking pastes in 

North Africa 

58. Disney flick 

59. Expert 

61. Trans-Siberian 

Railroad city 

62. S. Arabian country 

63. Foie gras, e.g. 

64. Screens 

65. In the class of 

66. Killed, as a dragon 

Down 

1. Figure skating jump 

2. Bible book 

3. Brass component 

4. Collection of Norse 

poems 

5. Caustic mineral 

6. Hard to lift or move 

7. Untimely 

8. Cousin of St. or Blvd. 

9. Old what’s-___-name 

10. Smell 

11. Trio of wise men 

12. Shut down 

13. Chinese unit of 

weight 

18. Short for Slavic 

people 

21. Ace, played low 

23. Heard the alarm clock 

24. Trim copy 

25. Legal right 

26. Eighth letter 

27. Indy entrant 

29. Music symbol 

30. Mix-up 

31. Unburden 

32. Recliner part 

33. Male or female 

35. Batch 

37. Derive from 

38. Evil insect 

42. Hungarian language 

44. Base 

45. Soundproof 

46. Propelling 

49. Image 

50. Titled lady 

51. Formerly, formerly 

52. Entreats 

53. __ sapiens 

54. Tastes 

55. Sea creature 

56. Advance amount 

57. Agonize over 

59. Myanmar monetary 

unit 

60. “The One I Love” 

band 

MOKENA 

The Alley Grill and Tap 

House 

(18700 S. Old LaGrange 

Road, Mokena; (708) 478- 

3610) 

■9 ■ p.m. Tuesdays: 

Karaoke 

Fox’s Restaurant and Pub 

(11247 W. 187th St., 

Mokena; (708) 478- 

8888) 

■6 ■ p.m. Thursdays, 

Fridays and Saturdays: 

Performance by Jerry 

Eadie 

Jenny’s Southside Tap 

(10160 191st St., 

Mokena; (708) 479-6873) 

■6 ■ p.m. Tuesdays: 

Acoustic Avenue, 

Psychic night - second 

Tuesday every month. 

■9 ■ p.m. Thursdays: 

Karaoke 

■Fridays ■ and Saturdays: 

Live bands 

NEW LENOX 

Little Joe’s Restaurant 

(1300 N. Cedar Road, 

New Lenox; (815) 463- 

1099) 

■5-8 ■ p.m. Tuesdays: 

Piano Styles by Joe 

ORLAND PARK 

Girl in the Park 

(11265 W. 159th St., 

Orland Park, IL; (708) 

226-0042) 

■7 ■ p.m. Mondays: Trivia 

■5:30 ■ p.m. Tuesdays: 

Live Music 

■8 ■ p.m. Thursdays: 

Bingo 

■8 ■ p.m. Fridays and 

Saturdays: Live Music 

The Brass Tap 

(14225 95th Ave. Suite 

400, Orland Park; (708) 

226-1827) 

■8 ■ p.m. Tuesdays: Trivia. 

Prizes awarded 

■9 ■ p.m. Fridays and 

Saturdays: Live music 

Dan ‘D’ Jac’s 

(9358 171st St., Orland 

Hills; (708) 460-8773) 

■Thursdays: ■ Friday and 

Saturday: Whirlwind 

karaoke 

■Wednesdays: ■ 

Open mic 

comedy night with host 

Ray Fischer 

To place an event 

in The Scene, email 

b.kapa@22ndcenturymedia. 

com. 

answers 

How to play Sudoku 

Each sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that 

has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 

squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and 

box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. 

LEVEL: Medium 

Sudoku by Myles Mellor and Susan Flanagan

mokenamessenger.com LOCAL LIVING 


Brookside Meadows: Impressive Quality, Great Location 

Location and quality are 

two big steps leading to a 

home buying decision and 

shoppers are advised to 

step carefully. A poor quality 

home in a good location 

remains a poor quality 

home. Likewise, a well-built 

home in a poor location 

cannot be moved. Savvy 

buyers looking for the best 

of both and are finding it at 

Brookside Meadows in 

Tinley Park - along with 

many more reasons to own 

a new home. 

Brookside Meadows is a 

rare find for those who are 

upsizing, downsizing or 

who may be first time 

owners. Now entering its 

final phase in a peaceful 

Tinley Park setting, the 

neighborhood is developed 

by Crana Homes, 

legendary builder of 

Brookside Glen and other 

thriving communities. 

These luxury townhomes, 

with award-winning 

designs and energyefficient 

features, are 

setting standards for maximum 

comfort and 

minimum care. 

Thousands of buyers 

who trusted Crana’s 

reputation for an excellent 

quality home that will 

hold its appreciation value 

know their investment 

was a smart choice. The 

same holds true at Brookside 

Meadows where all 

the same craftsmanship, 

attention to detail and 

customer care still distinguish 

the Crana difference. 

With standout 

design features – and with 

prices holding in the 

upper $200s (including 

site) - these homes 

continue to impress 

buyers who are looking for 

reliable value in a perfectly 

placed home. 

Brookside Meadows' 

location is an absolute 

winner! Tucked away in a 

quiet area, the community 

is close to everything. 

Shopping, restaurants and 

recreation are minutes 

away and Tinley Park's 

proximity to a major world 

class city offers a long list of 

activities and fun things to 

do. Traveling is easy, too. 

Major expressways, 

highways and major streets 

are all nearby. Hundreds of 

The Fahan II, a split level single-family two or three bedroom 

townhome at Brookside Meadows. 

Kitchen and dining areas in 

Brookside Meadows' Fahan II in 

Tinley Park. 

local retail choices, including 

numerous Orland Park 

malls, can be found in 

every direction. The Metra 

rail station is a short drive 

away, perfect for commuters 

traveling to and from 

the city. 

Tinley Park is well-known 

for its excellent grade 

schools and high school - 

getting high marks from 

state and local educators. 

The energetic city also 

maintains 40 parks, over 

30 ball fields and other 

facilities including the 

Bettenhausen center with 

an indoor playground, and 

much more. 

Brookside Meadows 

currently features two 

very popular luxury townhome 

designs. The Fahan II 

is a beautiful 3,303 total 

square foot home (2,087' 

living space and a 1,216' 

basement) with a 

dry-walled, two-car garage 

and cement driveway. The 

split level layout has three 

(optional four) bedrooms 

and two-and-half baths. 

The Lennan II is a comfortable 

two (or optional three) 

bedroom split level home 

and includes most of the 

features of the Fahan II 

except the spacious master 

suite has an optional 

cathedral ceiling and is 

located on the upper level. 

The Lennan II has 3,167 

square feet of total space 

(2,118' living space and 

1,049' basement) and a 

two-car garage. 

Both designs have large 

open space kitchens with 

generous cabinet space 

and sleek granite countertops. 

A stately loft 

overlooks an impressive 

and relaxing great room 

which is adjacent to the 

kitchen. Gorgeous oak is 

used throughout – including 

doors, kitchen 

cabinets, railings and trim. 

Ceramic tile floors are 

finished in the foyer as well - 

as the bathrooms - which 

also feature cultured 

marble vanity tops. A full 

lookout basement and a 

patio are also included. 

Popular options can make 

a great home even better! 

A fireplace is a very impressive 

touch as well as 

Crana Homes' Fahan II stately 

great room below loft, complete coffered ceilings. Skylights 

with optional fireplace. 

The Lennan II, a split level single-family three bedroom 

townhome at Brookside Meadows 

in Tinley Park. 

Start or end your day in comfort 

and style in the Lennan II in 

Brookside Meadows. 

provide natural light and a 

soaker tub in the master bath 

provides natural comfort. A 

walkout basement is available 

in some layouts. Specs and 

options can change so 

contact a sales associate for 

details. 

Buyers are also looking for 

ways to lower their utility 

expenses. The attached 

homes at Brookside Meadows 

include energy-saving 

features like a high-efficiency 

furnace and Lo-E glass 

installed throughout the 

home. Other ‘green’ features 

include an Energy Miser hot 

water heater, vented soffits, 

1.75” insulated entrance 

doors, energy efficient 

appliances and Tuff-R 

Brookside Meadows by Crana 

Homes with beautiful and functional 

kitchens with generous cabinet 

space and granite countertops. 

insulated wall sheathing. 

Smoke detectors, Lake Michigan 

water and sprinklers are 

also included. 

Furnished and decorated 

models are open 10:00am to 

4:00pm Monday through 

Thursday, from noon to 

4:00pm Saturday and Sunday 

and on Friday by appointment. 

From I-80, exit La 

Grange Road south for just 

under two miles to La Porte 

Road and turn east for 

one-half mile. If using a GPS 

enter: 19839 Mulroy Circle, 

Tinley Park, IL. Contact the 

Sales Center for details at 

708-479-5111 or visit online at 

www.cranahomes.com any 

time.

32 | April 6, 2017 | The Mokena Messenger LOCAL LIVING 


Build and Move into Your New Home from the low $200s 

With Lincoln-Way Schools at Prairie Trails in Manhattan 

Distinctive Home Builders provides homeowners the 

highest quality home on the market 

Distinctive Home Builders 

continues to add high quality 

homes to the Manhattan 

landscape at Prairie Trails; its 

latest new home community, 

located within the highly-regarded 

Lincoln-Way School 

District. Many families are 

happy to call Prairie Trails 

home and are pleased that 

Distinctive is able to deliver a 

new home with zero punch list 

items in 90 days. Before closing, 

each home undergoes an 

industry-leading checklist that 

ensures each home measures 

up to the firm’s high quality 

standards. 

“Actually our last average 

was 81 working days from excavation 

to receiving a home 

occupancy permit - without 

sacrificing quality,” said Bryan 

Nooner, president of Distinctive 

Home Builders. “Everyone 

at the company works 

extremely hard to continually 

achieve this delivery goal for 

our homeowners. Our three 

decades building homes provides 

this efficient construction 

system. Many of our 

skilled craftsmen have been 

working with our company for 

Recently closed Prairie Trails Arbor Model 

over 20 years. We also take 

pride on having excellent communicators 

throughout our 

organization. This translates 

into a positive buying and 

building experience for our 

homeowners and one of the 

highest referral rates in the industry 

for Distinctive.” 

In all, buyers can select 

from 13 ranch, split-level and 

six two-story single-family 

home styles; each offering 

three to eight different exterior 

elevations. The three- to 

four-bedroom homes feature 

two to two-and-one-half 

baths, two- to three-car garages 

and a family room, all in 

approximately 1,600 to over 

3,000 square feet of living 

space. Basements are included 

in most models as well. Distinctive 

also encourages customization 

to make your new 

home truly personalized to 

suit your lifestyle. 

Oversize home sites; brick 

exteriors on all four sides of 

the first floor; custom maple 

cabinets; ceramic tile or hardwood 

floors in the kitchen, 

baths and foyer; genuine wood 

trim and doors; granite countertops 

and concrete driveways 

can all be yours at Prairie 

Trails. All home sites at Prairie 

Trails can accommodate a 

three-car garage; a very important 

amenity to the Manhattan 

homebuyer, according 

to Nooner. 

“When we opened Prairie 

Trails we wanted to provide 

the best new home value for 

the dollar and we feel with 

offering Premium Standard 

Features that we do just that. 

So why wait? This is truly the 

best time to build your dream 

home!” 

Distinctive offers custom 

maple kitchen cabinets featuring 

solid wood construction 

(no particle board), have solid 

wood drawers with dove tail 

joints, which is very rare in the 

marketplace. “When you buy 

a new home from Distinctive, 

you truly are receiving custom 

made cabinets in every home 

we sell no matter what the 

price range,” noted Nooner. 

Nooner added that all 

homes are highly energy efficient. 

Every home built will 

have upgraded wall and ceiling 

insulation values with 

Recently closed Prairie Trails Arbor Model 

energy efficient windows and 

high efficiency furnaces. Before 

homeowners move into 

their new home, Distinctive 

Home Builders conducts a 

blower door test that pressurizes 

the home to ensure that 

each home passes a set of very 

stringent Energy Efficiency 

guidelines. 

Typically a wide variety of 

homes are available to tour 

that include ranch and twostory 

homes. 

Distinctive is also offering 

a brand new home, the 

Stonegrove, a 3,000 square 

foot open concept home with a 

split foyer entry, formal living 

and dining rooms, a two-story 

great room, four bedrooms 

and an upstairs laundry room. 

Distinctive also offers Appbased 

technology allowing its 

homeowners to be updated 

on the progress of their new 

home 24 hours a day, seven 

days a week at the touch of a 

button. 

Prairie Trails is also a beautiful 

place to live featuring a 

20-acre lake on site, as well 

as direct access to the 22-mile 

Wauponsee Glacial Prairie 

Path that borders the community 

and meanders through 

many neighboring communities 

and links to many other 

popular trails. The Manhattan 

Metra station is also nearby. 

Besides Prairie Trails, Distinctive 

Home Builders has 

built hundreds of homes 

throughout Manhattan in the 

Butternut Ridge and Leighlinbridge 

developments, as well 

as thousands in the Will and 

south Cook county areas over 

the past 30 years. 

Visit the on-site sales information 

center for unadvertised 

specials and view the numerous 

styles of homes being 

offered and the available lots. 

Call (708) 737-9142 for more 

information or visit us online 

at www.distinctivehomebuilders.com. 

The Prairie Trails 

new home information center 

is located three miles south 

of Laraway Rd. on Rt. 52. The 

address is 16233 Pinto Lane, 

Manhattan, IL, 60422. Open 

Daily 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Closed Wednesday and Thursday 

and always available by 

appointment. Specials, prices, 

specifications, standard features, 

model offerings, build 

times and lot availability are 

subject to change without notice. 

Please contact a Distinctive 

representative for current 

pricing and complete details.

mokenamessenger.com MOKENA 

the Mokena Messenger | April 6, 2017 | 33

34 | April 6, 2017 | The Mokena Messenger REAL ESTATE 


The Mokena Messenger’s 

Sponsored content 

of the 

WEEK 

Large family home on a 

corner, wooded lot 

What: Large, four-bedroom 

home waiting for new 

owners 

Where: 11611 S. Brightway 

Drive, Mokena 

Amenities: This home 

features four large 

bedrooms and two full 

bathrooms, with one 

having recently undergone 

a remodel. The beautiful 

hardwood floors have also 

been redone. This home 

features a large gathering 

room with a gorgeous 

fireplace and a formal 

dining room for all family 

functions. The large kitchen 

has also been renovated 

within the last two years 

and is ready for a new 

family. This home also 

has a full basement and a 

two-car garage on a large 

corner lot. Bring your offers. 

Asking Price: $279,900 

Listing Agent: Eleanor 

Nastepniak, of National 

Advantage Real Estate. 

To schedule a viewing or 

get more information, call 

(815) 485-0304. 

Want to know how to become 

Home of the Week? Contact Tricia 

at (708) 326-9170 ext. 47. 

Dec. 30 

•10508 Willow Ave., 

Mokena, 60448-1777 - 

Bridges Trust to Michael A. 

Meyers, $270,000 

Feb. 3 

•18655 Main St., 

Mokena, 60448-8735 

- Shawn M. Mccormick 

to Brian S. Kurtovich, 

$225,000 

Feb. 6 

•10540 Thornham Lane, 

Mokena, 60448-7518 

- Dale E. Ostrowski to 

Robert E. Robinson, Diane 

F. Robinson, $290,000 

Feb. 9 

•18925 Parkway Lane, 

Mokena, 60448-9102 - 

Jennifer S. Gilbertson to 

Ryan J. Baker, Megan L. 

Roscetti, $285,000 

•19806 Wolf Road 202, 

Mokena, 60448-1385 - 

Postacchini Trust to Ellen 

A. Burnett, $115,000 

•21580 Skyway Drive, 

Mokena, 60448-1998 

- Kenneth B. Kolozy to 

Thomas W. Grogan, Torrey 

Grogan, $530,000 

The Going Rate is provided by 

Record Information Services, 

Inc. For more information, 

visit www.public-record.com 

or call (630) 557-1000.

mokenamessenger.com Classifieds 


CLASSIFIEDS 

Help Wanted · Garage Sales · Automotive 

Real Estate · Rentals · Merchandise 

Help 

Wanted 

1003 Help Wanted 

P/T Maintenance Coordinator 

Your day-to-day: Perform maintenance tasks to ensure the 

Branch meets our standard of excellence; interact 

appropriately with residents and families; ensure all 

apartments are move-in-ready; assist in arranging service 

contracts and bids; manage the Preventive Maintenance 

Work Schedule; ensure equipment remains in working 

order; complete tasks necessary to ensure a safe and secure 

environment; incorporate opportunities to create small, but 

memorable, experiences for residents. 

Requirements: Valid driver’s license and acceptable 

driving record; CPR & First Aid certification (May obtain 

certification upon hire if uncertified); High School 

diploma or GED or three (3) months related experience. 

Bickford of Tinley Park-708.548.2232 

LAWN TECHNICIAN 

Professional company 

located in Frankfort 

looking for reliable 

individual to apply dry 

fertilizer. Experience a 

plus, but not necessary. 

For interview call: 

(708)479-4600 

Part-Time/Seasonal Garden 

Center Cashier Needed. 

Customer service & P.O.S. 

system exp. recommended. 

Melka Garden Center 

Mokena, IL 

Please send resumes to 

Lauren at 

Lmelka@jimmelka.com 

Hiring Desk Clerk (2nd 

& 3rd shift) & 

Housekeeping (Morning) 

Needed at Super 8 Motel 

Apply within: 

9485 W. 191st St, Mokena 

No Phone Calls 

Part-time Telephone Work 

calling from home for 

AMVETS. Ideal for 

homemakers and retirees. 

Must be reliable and have 

morning &evening hours 

available for calling. 

If interested, 

Call 708 429 6477 

M-F, 10am - 1pm Only! 

Immediate openings 

for house cleaners in 

SW suburbs. 

P/T wkdays. No 

evenings/weekends. 

815.464.1988 

OAK FOREST-P/T General 

Office. Functions incl’d 

phone reception and use of 

QuickBooks software. $13/hr. 

For more information or to be 

considered for this position, 

email resume to 

Oakterrapts@att.net 

Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

DEADLINE - 

Friday at 3pm 

Automotive 

Real Estate 

1005 Employment 

Wanted 

Need help with your TV, 

computer or mobile device? 

Call J-Tech for local support 

that comes to you. 

Competitive pricing. 

Available evenings & 

weekends. (708) 770-3475 

JTechlocal@gmail.com 

1023 Caregiver 

Caregiver Services 

Provided by 

Margaret’s Agency Inc. 

State Licensed & Bonded 

since 1998. Providing 

quality care for elderly. 

Live-in/ Come & go. 

708.403.8707 

1037 Prayer / 

Novena 

Oh most Beautiful Flower of 

Mt Carmel, Fruitful vine, 

splendor of heaven, blessed 

mother of the Son of God, Immaculate 

Virgin, Assist mein 

this my neccessity, oh star of 

the sea help me and show me 

herein you are mymother. Oh 

holy Mary, Mother of God, 

Queen of Heaven and Earth, I 

humbly beeseach you from the 

bottom ofmyheart to succor 

me in my necessity (make request) 

there are none that can 

withstand your power, oh Mary 

conceived without sin, pray for 

us who have recourse tothee 

(3x). Holy Mary, Iplace this 

cause in your hands (3x). Say 

this prayer for three consecutive 

days, you must publish it 

and itwill be granted to you. 

BL 

Oh most Beautiful Flower 

of Mt Carmel, Fruitful vine, 

splendor of heaven, blessed 

mother of the Son of God, 

Immaculate Virgin, Assist 

me in this my neccessity, oh 

star of the sea help me and 

show me herein you are my 

mother. Oh holy Mary, 

Mother of God, Queen of 

Heaven and Earth, I humbly 

$52 

4 lines/ 

7 papers Help Wanted 

$50 

7 lines/ 

7 papers Merchandise 

$13 

per line 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

1037 Prayer / 

Novena 

y 

beeseach you from the bottom 

ofmyheart to succor 

me in my necessity (make 

request) there are none that 

can withstand your power, 

oh Mary conceived without 

sin, pray for us who have 

recourse tothee (3x). Holy 

Mary, Iplace this cause in 

your hands (3x). Say this 

prayer for three consecutive 

days, you must publish it 

and it will be granted to 

you. MT 

Thank You St. Jude for 

prayers answered. BL 

Garage 

Sale 

1052 Garage Sale 

Homer Glen 14644 Edinburgh 

Ct. 4/7 & 4/8, 4/21 & 4/22, 

Household, clothes and shoes. 

New, old and vintage. 

1057 Estate Sale 

Orland Park, 14315 Clearview. 

Sat April 8th, 9-2pm. 

Teak dining set, retro metal 

desk, lots more. Priced to 

move. Cash Only! 

1074 Auto for 

Sale 

2003 Jeep Wrangler TJ. 

Automatic, air, multiple 

upgrades, Hard &soft tops. 

$10,500. 708.935.8309 

DRIVE CAR BUYERS 

TO YOUR DOOR WITH 

A CLASSIFIED AUTO AD 

708.326.9170 

Automotive 

1061 Autos Wanted

36 | April 6, 2017 | The Mokena Messenger Classifieds 


CLASSIFIEDS 



Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

DEADLINE - 

Friday at 3pm 

Automotive 

$52 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

LOCAL 

REALTOR 

DIRECTORY 

Help Wanted 

per line $13 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

Rental 

1225 Apartments for Rent 

Oak Forest Terrace 

Real Estate 

$50 

7 lines/ 

7 papers 

Merchandise 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

Senior Apartment 

Rental 

Rent plus 2 meals, utilities 

(no phone or internet), weekly 

housekeeping/activities. 

$2,257/mo. w/$2,000 deposit. 

Call Cara 708-335-1600 

15815 Terrace, Oak Forest 

Spacious 1 & 2 Bdrms. 

Serene setting & Beautiful 

Grounds. Tennis, Pool, 

Walking Trails. Near metra. 

708-687-1818 

oakterrapts@att.net 

Advertise your 

RENTAL 

PROPERTY 

in the newspaper 

people turn to first 

HOME FINANCING AVAILABLE 

REAL ESTATE ATTORNEYS 

CLOSINGS ANDALL REAL ESTATE NEEDS 

THOUSANDSOFTRANSACTIONSCLOSED 

708-479-2448 

CALL US TODAY: 708.326.9170 


•RECOGNIZEDASAN 

INDUSTRY LEADER FOR 

OUREXPERIENCE AND 

PROFESSIONALISM 

•FEATURED INCHICAGO 

REALTOR MAGAZINE 

•SELECTED BYCHICAGO 

AGENTMAGAZINE ASA 

"WHO'S WHO" IN 

CHICAGO REALESTATE 

SELLING: $200 Flat Fee* 

BUYING: $500 Flat Fee* 

*Must mention Ad 

 

 

 

 

OFFICESINORLANDPARK & CHICAGO 

WWW.DUFFINDORELAW.COM• 312.566.0911 

708.966.0692 

Attorneys At Law 

www.duffindorelaw.com 

DUFFIN &DORE 

Contact Classified Department 

to Advertise in this Directory 

708.326.9170 

Sell It! 

With a Classified Ad 

See the Classified Section for more info, or call



Business Directory 

2003 Appliance Repair 

CLASSIFIEDS 



2006 Basement Waterproofing 

Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

DEADLINE - 

Friday at 3pm 

Automotive 

Real Estate 

$52 

4 lines/ 


$50 

7 lines/ 


2011 Brick/Chimney Experts 

$13 

per line 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

QUALITY 

APPLIANCE 

REPAIR, Inc. 

• Air Conditioning • Furnaces 

Refrigeration • Dishwashers 

Stoves & Ovens • Microwaves 

Garbage Disposals 

Washers&Dryers 

Family Owned &Operatedsince 1986 

Someone you can TRUST 

All work GUARANTEED 

BEST price in town! 

708-712-1392 

Place a garage sale ad & reach 

over 96,000 homes across 

the southwest suburbs! 

FOR $42 YOU’LL GET 

ASINGLE FAMILY AD 

4 LINES in 7 PAPERS 

CALL THE CLASSIFIED 

DEPARTMENT: 708.326.9170 

With the Purchase 

of a Garage Sale Ad! 


2004 Asphalt Paving/Seal Coating 

D&J 

Paving & Sealcoating 

Commercial & Residential 

Asphalt Paving, Patching, 

Sealcoating, Stripping 

We also do 

Concrete & Flat Work 

2010 Brick Pavers 

$100 Paving with the mention of this ad 

(Paving only) 

Available 7 Days A Week 

Free Est. 

708-476-5680 

DandJasphalt.com 

Family Owned, Fully Insured & Licensed. 

B-3 Asphalt Inc. 

43 years Experience 

Family Owned 

Residential Commercial 

Resurfacing Concrete & 

Old Asphalt 

Driveways 

Repairs Sealcoating 

Patching Excavation 

Free Estimates 

708 691 8640 

Owner Supervised 

Insured Bonded 

HIRE LOCALLY 

Reach over 83% of prospective 


...to place your 

Classified Ad! 

708.326.9170 

CALL TODAY FOR 

RATES & INFORMATION 

708-326-9170 


Want to 

See 

Your 

Business 

in the 

Classifieds? 

Call 

708-326-9170 

for a FREE 

Sample Ad 

and Quote!



CLASSIFIEDS 



2017 Cleaning Services 

Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

DEADLINE - 

Friday at 3pm 

Automotive 

Real Estate 

$52 

4 lines/ 


$50 

7 lines/ 


2025 Concrete Work 

$13 

per line 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

2032 Decking 

Sturdy 

Deck & Fence 

Repair, Rebuild or 

Replace 

Make It Safe - Make it Sturdy 

708 479 9035 

Don’t just list 

your real estate 

property... 

Sell It! 

With a Classified Ad 

See the Classified Section for more info, 

or call 708.326.9170 

22ndCenturyMedia.com 

2070 Electrical 

Experienced Polish 

Lady Will Clean 

Your Home & 

Apartment 

Call Teresa 

(708)589-5930 

2018 Concrete Raising 

EXPERIENCED 

ELECTRICIAN 

R E A S O N A B L E 

D E P E N D A B L E 

SMALL JOBS 

CALL ANYTIME 

(708) 478-8269 

Advertise 

your 

RENTAL 

PROPERTY 

in the 

newspaper 

people turn 

to first 

CALL US TODAY: 708.326.9170 


A All American 

Concrete Lifting 

Concrete Sinking? 

We Raise & Level 

Stoops Sidewalks 

Driveways Patios 

Garage Floors Steps 

& More! 

All Work Guaranteed 

FREE ESTIMATES 

Ask About Special 

Discounts! 

(708)361-0166 

Place a garage sale ad & reach 

over 96,000 homes across 

the southwest suburbs! 

FOR $42 YOU’LL GET 

ASINGLE FAMILY AD 

4 LINES in 7 PAPERS 

CALL THE CLASSIFIED 

DEPARTMENT: 708.326.9170 

With the Purchase 

of a Garage Sale Ad! 


2075 Fencing 

2090 Flooring 

MORTGAGE 

ALERT! 

LOCK-IN MORE BUSINESS. 

ADVERTISE LOCALLY. 

CONTACT THE CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT 

708-326-9170 

22ndcenturymedia.com 

2025 Concrete Work 

HIRE LOCALLY 





708-326-9170 

www.22ndcenturymedia.com



CLASSIFIEDS 



Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

DEADLINE - 

Friday at 3pm 

Automotive 

Real Estate 

$52 

4 lines/ 


$50 

7 lines/ 


$13 

per line 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

2130 Heating/Cooling 

2120 Handyman 

2130 Heating/Cooling 

HANDYMAN SERVICE —WHATEVER YOU NEED 

"OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE" 

Windows, Doors, Decks Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling, Plumbing Interior and 

Exterior Painting Wall Paper Removal Professional Work At Competitive Prices 

CALL MIKE AT 708-790-3416 

2132 Home Improvement 

CARRARAREPAIRSERVICE 

Carrara Repair 

Service 

Wood & Furniture touch up, 

 

carrararepairservice@gmail.com 

carrararepairservice.com 

708.253.5248 

...to place your 

Classified Ad! 

708.326.9170

® 



CLASSIFIEDS 



Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

DEADLINE - 

Friday at 3pm 

Automotive 

Real Estate 

$52 

4 lines/ 


$50 

7 lines/ 


$13 

per line 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

2140 Landscaping 



Residential/Commercial 

“Design/Build Professionals" 

Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling · Room Additions · Finished Basements · Decks/Pergolas 

· Screen Rooms/ 3 Season Rooms · Front Porches/Porticos · Commercial BuildOuts 

- We provide Design, Product, and Installation - 

Free Consultation: 

Showroom: 

Member 

HomerChamber 

of Commerce 

Visit Our Showroom Location at 1223 N Convent St. Bourbonnais 

2135 Insulation 

Ideal 

Landscaping 

Complete 

Landscaping 

Sodding, Seeding, Trees 

Shrubs, Pavers, Retaining 

Walls, Firewood 

Since 1973 

708 235 8917 

815 210 2882



CLASSIFIEDS 



Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

DEADLINE - 

Friday at 3pm 

Automotive 

Real Estate 

$52 

4 lines/ 


$50 

7 lines/ 


$13 

per line 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

2150 Paint & Decorating 

2140 Landscaping 

2145 Lawn Maintenance 

2145 Lawn Maintenance 

2150 Paint & Decorating 

Neat, Clean, Professional 

Work At ACompetitive Price 

Specializing in all 

Interior/Exterior Painting 

• Drywall/PlasterRepair 

• WallpaperRemoval 

• Deck/Fence Staining 

• PowerWashing 


Senior Discounts 

Forquality & service you 

can trust, call us today! 

MARTY’S 

PAINTING 

Interior / Exterior 

Fast, Neat Painting 

Drywall 

Wallpaper Removal 

Staining 


20% Off with this ad 

708-606-3926 

Advertise 

your 

RENTAL 

PROPERTY 

in the 

newspaper 

people turn 

to first CALL US TODAY: 708.326.9170 


HIRE LOCALLY 





708-326-9170 




2170 Plumbing 

CLASSIFIEDS 



Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

DEADLINE - 

Friday at 3pm 

Automotive 

Real Estate 

$52 

4 lines/ 


$50 

7 lines/ 


$13 

per line 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

2200 Roofing 

KASCH PLUMBING Inc. 

• Waterheaters 

•SumpPumps 

• Faucets 

Lisense #055-043148 

Complete Plumbing Service 

• WaterLeaks 

• RPZ Testing 

• Ejector Pumps 

•Disposals 

• Toilets 

815.603.6085



2200 Roofing 

CLASSIFIEDS 



Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

DEADLINE - 

Friday at 3pm 

Automotive 

Real Estate 

$52 

4 lines/ 


$50 

7 lines/ 


$13 

per line 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

2200 Roofing 

2220 Siding 

2255 Tree Service 

2276 Tuckpointing/Masonry 

HIRE LOCALLY 





708-326-9170 




CLASSIFIEDS 



2294 Window Cleaning 

P.K.WINDOW 

CLEANING CO. 

Window Cleaning 

Gutter Cleaning 

Power Washing 

Office Cleaning 

call and get $40.00 off 

708 974-8044 

www.pkwindowcleaning.com 

Advertise 

your 

RENTAL 

PROPERTY 

in the 

newspaper 

people turn 

to first CALL US TODAY: 708.326.9170 


2390 Computer Services/Repair 

2408 Health and Wellness 

Low Cost Blood Test 

CBC $10 CMP $18 LIPID $15 TSH $20... AND MORE! 

Special on Wellness Blood Test with Doctor visit in Groupon 

Deals $49.00 

www.BloodTestInChicago.com 

Unilabinc. Oak Park 

Phone: 708.848.1556 

2489 Merchandise Wanted 

Metal Wanted 

Scrap Metal, Garden 

Tractors, 

Snowmobiles, 

Appliances, Etc. 

ANYTHING METAL! 

Call 815-210-8819 

Free pickup! 

Professional 

Directory 

Buy 

It! 

SELL 

It! 

FIND 

It! 

Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

DEADLINE - 

Friday at 3pm 

in the 

CLASSIFIEDS 

CALL 

708.326.9170 

Automotive 

Real Estate 

$52 

4 lines/ 


$50 

7 lines/ 


$13 

per line 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

Kusay Tax Service 

Accounting /Payroll /Financial Planning 

Call for an Appointment Today! Drop-Off Returns Welcome. 

708-645-1188 

“What do you say?...you say KUSAY!” 

Serving The Southwest Suburbs since 1947 

15939 S. Bell Rd. Homer Glen 

(Behind the Bonfire Restaurant) 

2701 Property for 

Sale 

SHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL ES- 

TATE of 11049 Parker Street, 

Mokena, IL 60448 (Residential). 

On the 20th day of April, 2017 to 

be held at 12:00 noon, at the Will 

County Courthouse Annex, 57 N. 

Ottawa Street, Room 201, Joliet, 

IL 60432, under Case Title: Wells 

Fargo Bank, NAPlaintiff V.Jennifer 

Hartmann; et. al. Defendant. 

Case No. 15CH 1743 in the Circuit 

Court of the Twelfth Judicial 

Circuit, Will County, Illinois. 

Terms of Sale: ten percent (10%) 

at the time of sale and the balance 

within twenty-four (24) hours. No 

judicial sale fee shall be paid by 

the mortgagee acquiring the residential 

real estate pursuant to its 

credit bid at the sale or by any 

mortgagee, judgment creditor, or 

other lienor acquiring the residential 

real estate whose rights in and 

to the residential real estate arose 

prior to the sale. All payments shall 

be made in cash or certified funds 

payable to the Sheriff of Will 

County. 

In the event the property is acon- 

dominium, in accordance with 735 

ILCS 5/15-1507(c)(1)(H-1) and 

(H-2), 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(5), and 

765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1), you are 

hereby notified that the purchaser 

of the unit, other than amortgagee, 

shall pay the assessments and legal 

fees required by subdivisions 

(g)(1) and (g)(4) of Section 9and 

the assessments required bysubsection 

(g-1) of Section 18.5 of the 

Illinois Condominium Property 

Act. 

Pursuant to Local Court Rule 11.03 

(J) ifthere is asurplus following 

application of the proceeds of sale, 

then the plaintiff shall send written 

notice pursuant to 735 ILCS 

5/15-1512(d) to all parties to the 

proceeding advising them of the 

amount ofthe surplus and that the 

surplus will beheld until aparty 

obtains acourt order for its distribution 

or, in the absence of an order, 

until the surplus is forfeited to 

the State. 

For Information Please Contact: 

Codilis & Associates, P.C. 

15W030 N. Frontage Road Suite 

100 

Burr Ridge, Illinois 60527 

P: 630-794-5300 

F: 630-794-9090 

PURSUANT TO THE FAIR 

DEBT COLLECTION PRAC- 

TICES ACT YOU ARE AD- 

VISED THAT THIS LAW FIRM 

IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT 

COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO 

COLLECT ADEBT AND ANY 

INFORMATION OBTAINED 

WILL BE USED FOR THAT 

PURPOSE. 

SHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL ES- 

TATE of 19544 SKirkstone, Mokena, 

IL 60448 (Single Family Residence). 

On the 13th day of April, 

2017 to be held at 12:00 noon, at 

the Will County Courthouse Annex, 

57 N. Ottawa Street, Room 

201, Joliet, IL 60432, under Case 

Title: U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., 

AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MAS- 

TER PARTICIPATION TRUST, 

Plaintiff V. TED M. OBIS AKA 

2701 Property for 

Sale 

THEODORE M.OBIS, CARYN 

OBIS AKA CARYN A. OBIS, 

CAPITAL ONE BANK (USA), 

N.A. AS SUCCESSOR TO HSBC 

NEVADA, NA FKA HOUSE- 

HOLD BANK, and BENEFICIAL 

FINANCIAL I, INC., SUCCES- 

SOR BY MERGER TO BENEFI- 

CIAL ILLINOIS INC., Defendant. 

Case No. 15CH 2527 in the Circuit 

Court of the Twelfth Judicial 

Circuit, Will County, Illinois. 



within twenty-four (24) hours; 

plus, for residential real estate, a 

statutory judicial sale fee calculated 

at the rate of $1 for each 

$1,000 or fraction thereof of the 

amount paid bythe purchaser to 

the person conducting the sale, not 

to exceed $300, for deposit into the 

Abandoned Residential Property 

Municipality Relief Fund. Nojudicial 

sale fee shall be paid by the 

mortgagee acquiring the residential 

real estate pursuant to its credit bid 

at the sale or by any mortgagee, 

judgment creditor, or other lienor 

acquiring the residential real estate 

whose rights inand to the residential 

real estate arose prior to the 

sale. All payments shall be made in 

cash or certified funds payable to 

the Sheriff of Will County. 



ILCS 5/15-1507(c)(1)(H-1) and 

(H-2), 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(5), and 

765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1), you are 









Act. 













the State. 

For Information Please Contact: 

Heavner Beyers and Mihlar LLC 

111 E. Main Street, 

Decatur, Illinois 62523 

P: 217-422-1719 

F: 217-422-1754 










PURPOSE. 

Advertise your 

RENTAL PROPERTY 

in the newspaper 

people turn tofirst CALL US TODAY: 708.326.9170 




2702 Public 

Notices 

PUBLIC NOTICE 

The Board of Trustees (BOT) of 

the Frankfort Fire Protection District 

is seeking aresident of the 

Fire District that may be interested 

in becoming a member of the 

Board of Fire Commissioners. The 

duties ofthe Board generally include: 

hiring, promotions, discipline, 

and termination for all members 

covered under its authority. 

Regular meetings are held quarterly 

or as determined necessary by 

the members of the Board. 

This term is for one year and will 

expire the first Monday in June 

2018. 

A letter ofinterest explaining why 

you would be qualified along with 

a resume must be submitted in 

writing by April 28, 2017. 

Mail to: 

Frankfort Fire Protection District 

Attn: Board of Trustees 

333 W. Nebraska Street 

Frankfort, IL 60423 

If you have any questions, please 

feel free to contact Bonnie Merritt, 

Recording Secretary for the Board 

of Fire Commissioners at 

815-469-1700. 

2703 Legal 

Notices 










PURPOSE. 

STATE OF ILLINOIS ) 

) SS. 

COUNTY OF WILL ) 

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF 

THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIR- 

CUIT 

WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS 

Wells Fargo Bank, NA 

Plaintiff, 

vs. 

Jennifer Hartmann; et. al. 

Defendant. 

No. 15 CH 1743 

NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE 

Public notice ishereby given that 

pursuant to ajudgment entered in 

the above cause on the 18th day of 

January, 2017, MIKE KELLEY, 

Sheriff of Will County, Illinois, 

will on Thursday, the 20th day of 

April, 2017 ,commencing at 12:00 

o'clock noon, at the Will County 

Courthouse Annex, 57 N. Ottawa 

Street, Room 201, Joliet, IL 60432, 

sell at public auction to the highest 

and best bidder orbidders the following-described 

real estate: 

LOT 1, AND THE WEST 10 

FEET OF LOT 2,INBLOCK 2, 

IN BENEDICT MARTI'S ADDI- 

TION TO MOKENA, A SUBDI- 

VISION OF THE NORTH PART 

OF THE SOUTH 16.64 ACRES 

OF THE WEST HALF OFTHE 

NORTHWEST QUARTER OF 

SECTION 8, IN TOWNSHIP 35 

NORTH, AND IN RANGE 12 

2703 Legal 

Notices 

EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCI- 

PAL MERIDIAN, AND THE 

EAST HALF OFTHE VACATED 

STREET LYING WEST AND 

ADJOINING LAND, IN WILL 

COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 

Commonly known as: 

11049 Parker Street, Mokena, IL 

60448 

Description of Improvements: 

Residential 

P.I.N.: 

19-09-08-108-001-0000 



within twenty-four (24) hours. No 

judicial sale fee shall be paid by 

the mortgagee acquiring the residential 

real estate pursuant to its 

credit bid at the sale or by any 

mortgagee, judgment creditor, or 

other lienor acquiring the residential 

real estate whose rights in and 

to the residential real estate arose 

prior to the sale. All payments shall 

be made in cash or certified funds 

payable to the Sheriff of Will 

County. 



ILCS 5/15-1507(c)(1)(H-1) and 

(H-2), 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(5), and 

765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1), you are 









Act. 













the State. 

FOR INFORMATION PLEASE 

CONTACT: 

Codilis & Associates, P.C. 

15W030 N. Frontage Road Suite 

100 

Burr Ridge, Illinois 60527 

P: 630-794-5300 

F: 630-794-9090 

Plaintiff's Attorney 

MIKE KELLEY 

Sheriff of Will County 










PURPOSE. 

STATE OF ILLINOIS ) 

) SS. 

COUNTY OF WILL ) 

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF 

THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIR- 

CUIT 

WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS 

U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS 

2703 Legal 

Notices 

TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER 

PARTICIPATION TRUST, 

Plaintiff, 

vs. 

TED M. OBIS AKA THEODORE 

M. OBIS, CARYN OBIS AKA 

CARYN A. OBIS, CAPITAL 

ONE BANK (USA), N.A. AS 

SUCCESSOR TO HSBC NE- 

VADA, NA FKA HOUSEHOLD 

BANK, and BENEFICIAL FI- 

NANCIAL I, INC., SUCCESSOR 

BY MERGER TO BENEFICIAL 

ILLINOIS INC., 

Defendant. 

No. 15 CH 2527 

NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE 

Public notice ishereby given that 

pursuant to ajudgment entered in 

the above cause on the 13th day of 

July, 2016, MIKE KELLEY, Sheriff 

of Will County, Illinois, will on 

Thursday, the 13th day of April, 

2017 , commencing at 12:00 

o'clock noon, at the Will County 

Courthouse Annex, 57 N. Ottawa 

Street, Room 201, Joliet, IL 60432, 

sell at public auction tothe highest 

and best bidder orbidders the following-described 

real estate: 

LOT 1 IN EMERALD-GRAS- 

MERE OUTLOT RESUBDIVI- 

SION, A RESUBDIVISION OF 

PART OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 

OF SECTION 8 AND THE 

SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 

9, TOWNSHIP 35 NORTH, 

RANGE 12, EAST OF THE 

THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, 

ACCORDING TO THE PLAT 

THEREOF RECORDED JUNE 

23, 1993 AS DOCUMENT NO. 

R93-51277, IN WILL COUNTY, 

ILLINOIS. 

Commonly known as: 

19544 S Kirkstone, Mokena, IL 

60448 

Description of Improvements: 

Single Family Residence 

P.I.N.: 

19-09-08-430-016-0000 



within twenty-four (24) hours; 

plus, for residential real estate, a 

statutory judicial sale fee calculated 

at the rate of $1 for each 

$1,000 or fraction thereof of the 

amount paid bythe purchaser to 

the person conducting the sale, not 

to exceed $300, for deposit into the 

Abandoned Residential Property 

Municipality Relief Fund. Nojudicial 

sale fee shall be paid by the 

mortgagee acquiring the residential 

real estate pursuant to its credit bid 

at the sale or by any mortgagee, 

judgment creditor, or other lienor 

acquiring the residential real estate 

whose rights inand to the residential 

real estate arose prior to the 

sale. All payments shall be made in 

cash or certified funds payable to 

the Sheriff of Will County. 

In the event the property is a condominium, 

in accordance with 735 

ILCS 5/15-1507(c)(1)(H-1) and 

(H-2), 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(5), and 

765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1), you are 






2703 Legal 

Notices 




Act. 













the State. 

FOR INFORMATION PLEASE 

CONTACT: 

Heavner Beyers and Mihlar LLC 

111 E. Main Street, 

Decatur, Illinois 62523 

P: 217-422-1719 

F: 217-422-1754 

Plaintiff's Attorney 

MIKE KELLEY 

Sheriff of Will County 

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 

TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF ILLI- 

NOIS 

WILL COUNTY, JOLIET, ILLINOIS 

FIFTH THIRD BANK, AN OHIO BANKING 

CORPORATION, 

PLAINTIFF, 

VS. 

JULIE FOX, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE 

OF THE DECEASED MORTGAGOR 

GERTRUDE J. THEZAN; UNKNOWN 

OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIM- 

ANTS; 

RONALD INGALLS; KATHRYN SHER- 

MAN; TIMOTHY INGALLS; CHRISTINE 

PASSARELLI; 

GARY INGALLS; DONALD INGALLS; 

JAMES INGALLS; TRUDY INGALLS; UN- 

KNOWN 

HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF GERTRUDE J 

THEZAN A/K/A TRUDY J THEZAN, IF 

ANY, 

DEFENDANTS. 

16CH 1195 

9440 MAGNOLIA AVENUE 

MOKENA, IL 60448 

NOTICE BY PUBLICATION 

NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU, 

Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants 

Christine Passarelli 

Trudy Ingalls 

Unknown Heirs and Legatees of Gertrude J 

Thezan a/k/a Trudy J Thezan, if any 

defendants, that this case has been commenced 

in this Court against you and other defendants, 

asking for the foreclosure of a certain Mortgage 

conveying the premises described as follows, 

to wit: 

LOT 46IN1ST ADDITION TO ARBURY 

HILLS, BEING ASUBDIVISION OF PART 

OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OFSEC- 

TION 10, IN TOWNSHIP 35 NORTH AND 

IN RANGE 12 EAST OF THE THIRD PRIN- 

CIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TOTHE 

PLAT THEREOF RECORDED SEPTEMBER 

28, 1960, AS DOCUMENT NO. 913257, IN 

WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 

Commonly known as: 9440 Magnolia Avenue 


and which said Mortgage was made by, 

Robert R. Thezan, Gertrude J.Thezan a/k/a 

Trudy J. Thezan 

Mortgagor(s), to 

FIFTH THIRD BANK (WESTERN MICHI- 

GAN) 

Mortgagee, and recorded inthe Office of the 

Recorder of Deeds of Will County, Illinois, as 

Document No. R2012020996; and for other relief. 

UNLESS YOU file your answer or otherwise 

file your appearance in this case inthe Office 

of the Clerk of this County, 

Andrea Lynn Chasteen 

57 North Ottawa Court 

Joliet, IL 60432 

on or before May 1, 2017, A JUDGMENT OR 

DECREE BY DEFAULT MAY BE TAKEN 

AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED 

IN THE COMPLAINT. 

PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLEC- 

TION PRACTICES ACT, THE PLAIN- 

TIFF‚ÄôS ATTORNEY IS DEEMED TO BE 

ADEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO 

COLLECT ADEBT AND ANY INFORMA- 

TION WILL BE USED FOR THAT PUR- 

POSE. 

2703 Legal 

Notices 

POSE. 

McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC 

Attorney for Plaintiff 

1 N. Dearborn St. Suite 1200 

Chicago, IL 60602 

Ph. (312) 346-9088 

File No. 256665-45751 

I717673 

2900 

Merchandise 

Under $100 

Car/truck stuff: PPG 1998 

color chip book $35. 1988 

Mercury Tracer service manual, 

$35. Car wash mitt, new 

$2. Car cover, soft gray fabric, 

small cars $29. 708.460.8308 

Chromatic harmonica, made in 

Germany $50 firm. 2hear aids 

for right & left ears $100 firm. 

708.262.0514 

Complete weight set, comes 

with bar, weights & bench 

$100. 708.466.9907 

Construction scafolding 5x5 

stored inside, good condition 

$75. 815.592.9474 

Construction scafolding 5x5 

stored inside. Good condition 

$75. 815.592.9474 

Couch & love seat, powder 

blue with floral design. Good 

to fair condition $45. 

708.349.7583 

Custom built portable closet 

4’x7’x2’ 2 tiers that stack. 

Great for seasonal clothes, 

storage or for abasement bedroom. 

Cost $675, sell 

$75.Craftsman mower bag $25. 

708.448.8920 

Drapes, 3sets, Earth tone colors, 

6panel, 80 in length w/ 

decorative rods. VGC. $85 or 

best offer. Call 708.478.6774 

Encyclopedia set, Funk & 

Wagnalls, 1952 edition, nice 

collector set, VGC. $75 obo. 

Call 708.478.6774 

FREE LUMBER: Assorted 

lumber from construction. 

Various sizes 8, 10 &12 foot 

long pine & cedar boards. 

Some are stained gray. Approx. 

25 boards. Located in New Lenox. 

815.351.3513 

Huffy all aluminum men’s 

bike, Kalin Pro zoom suspension, 

like new $85 or bo. Orland 

Park, 312.209.5128 

Invacare walker, new, never 

used, collapsible, adjustable. 

Asking $40 obo. Steve. 

708.703.2525 

Inversion table, like new Ironman 

$50. In Lockport 

815.524.7302 

Jaw saw, like new $50. Yamaha 

guitar $45. 815.838.0239 

2900 

Merchandise 

Under $100 

4antique dining room chairs 

$100. 815.485.6008 

Boys Nike coat sz 10-12 $10. 

Black dress shoes sz 5 $10. 

Tony Hawk shoes sz 5 $8. 

Snow pants sz 14-16 $10. All 

in great condition! 

815.412.4132 

Large red tool chest $75. Like 

New. Chop saw like new $75. 

708.479.0193 

Ladies golf beginners clubs 1-3 

delta princess woods 3-5-7-9 

putter &bag $55. Gold balls 

like new $4 doz. 708.478.8976 

Large desk and filing cabinet 

$40. 630.650.1205 

Little wizard keto lantern $65. 

Four D batteries $5. 3-way 

light bulbs $4 ea. Bed swing 

arm lamp $10. Floor lamp $10. 

20 copper top AA batteries 

$12. 708.460.8308 

Men’s 26” 3 speed bicycle, 

large seat $33. Fishing poles, 

fiberglass, 12’ & 14’ $13 each. 

Pro golf bag, Lynx $30. 

708.478.8976 

Metal office desk, 6drawers 

$50. Air hockey tabe $50. 

708.925.1627 

New Photondeo storage boxes 

$3 ea. Bunny water bottles $3 

ea. Women’s magazines .50 ea. 

New moose stuffed animal 

$10. New wood toilet seat $20. 

708.460.8308 

One bundle of good shingles. 

FREE. 815.531.4641 

Outdoor grill, Kenmore, used, 

works ok, 3 burner w/ side table, 

no tank. $45 obo. Call 

708.478.6774 

Pro-Form 380 Treadmill $70. 

Vistamaster exercise bike 

model 2000 $20. Both VG 

cond. NL. 815.485.3975 

Radio Flyer grow ‘n go bike, 

new $25. 708.975.3678 

Recliner chair set, 2chairs, microfiber 

material, caramel 

color, GC. $75 obo. Call 

708.478.6774 

Red Wing shows size 8.5 D 

from Heritage Collection $55. 

Wood ladder 6 foot $10. 

708.798.9755 

Singer stylist zig-zag model 

774 sewing machine inmaple 

cabinet. Very good condition. 

$50. 16 mm movie kit, includes 

movie camera, projector 

& light bar $40. 708.429.0111 

Sioux rare heavy duty 

polisher/grinder #1200 5 AMP 

115 volts electric polisher USA 

made $100. 708.466.9907



READ IT AND 

REAP 

CLASSIFIEDS 



Sell It 708.326.9170 | Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It | DEADLINE - Friday at 3pm 

$10.00 

Automotive 

Real Estate 

WISHES 

All papers 

5 Lines 

Add a graphic or photo for $2 

$52 

4 lines/ 


$50 

7 lines/ 


Example 

 

Mom, 

You’re the best! 

You do so much for us! 

We love you with all our hearts! 

Love, theFamily 

$13 

per line 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

choose from: 

Photo 

of Mom 

Publishes: Thursday, May 11, 2017 

Deadline: Friday, May 5, 2017 at 5:00 pm 

To place your ad: 708-326-9170 

or cut this form out and mail or fax it back to us at: 

Experience the benefits of: 

• Unlimited digital access to 100+ stories a week 

• Breaking News alerts sent directly to you 

• Digital files of your favorite pages and photos 

22nd Century Media Mother’s Day Wishes 

11516 W. 183rd St. Suite #3 Unit SW 

Orland Park, IL 60467 

Ad Copy Here (please print): 

*AllAds must be pre-paid 

Fax: 

708-326-9179 

Subscribe to The Mokena Messenger’s digital 

program to get your news faster and on any device. 

MokenaMessenger.com/Digital 

Pre-Paid Mother’s Day Wish Ad $10.00 All Papers 

Choose Graphic or Photo: $2.00 

Name: 

Address 

City/State/Zip 

Phone 

Payment Method(paid ads only) Check enclosed Money Order Credit Card 

Credit Card Orders Only 

Credit Card # 

Exp Date 

Signature 

Photo 

of Mom 

Circle One: 

The web product of THE MOKENA MESSENGER 

®

mokenamessenger.com SPORTS 


Athlete of the Month 

Girls soccer 

Lincoln-Way Central 1, 

Mother McAuley 0 

Nicolette Gossage scored 

the winning goal for the 

Knights on an assist by Katie 

Farr. Maddie Jones earned 

her first shutout and the 

team’s fifth of the season. 

Lincoln-Way East 2, 

Plainfield Central 0 

Caroline Kilrea and Brooke 

Johnston both tallied goals 

for East in the victory. Kelsey 

McInturff lended an assist to 

add her name to the stat sheet. 

Lincoln-Way East 1, Lockport 1 

Emily Scianna scored the 

lone goal against Lockport, 

getting the assist from Bianca 

Galassini. 

high school highlights 

The rest of the week in high school sports 

Lincoln-Way Central 2, 

Tinley Park 0 

Lauren Bulow and Alyte 

Katilius scored the pair of 

goals for the Knights, and 

Kailie Novak had the assist 

on both. Peyton Vecchiet recorded 

her fifth individual 

shutout and the team’s sixth 

of the season. 

Girls water polo 

Lincoln-Way East 16, Stagg 7 

Paige Spacek made nine 

saves in the goal to ensure 

the Griffins’ win. 

Lincoln-Way East 19, 

Lincoln-Way West 4 

Reis Parkinson scored a 

whopping eight goals in an 

offensive outbreak for the 

Griffins. Sarah Jackson and 

Meghan Fisher scored a 

pair apiece. Paige Ruffner, 

Jordan Bruni, Emily Bonebrake, 

Isabelle McCormick, 

Jess Wolf, Emily Costella 

and Katie Meagher each 

scored one. Paige Spacek 

had 18 saves to stifle West. 

Boys tennis 

Lincoln-Way Central 5, Oak 

Forest 0 

No. 1 singles player Ken 

Weiss’ was among the biggest 

match victories for the 

Knights. The No. 1 doubles 

team of Brandon Langer and 

Peter Sakellaris also earned 

a match victory. 

High School Highlights is compiled 

by Editor Tim Carroll, 

tim@mokenamessenger.com. 

Lincoln-Way West freshman Taylor Gugliuzza earned the most votes to be named 22nd 

Century Media Southwest Chicago’s March 2017 Athlete of the Month. 

22nd Century Media File Photo 

Lincoln-Way West freshman girls 

basketball player takes March crown 

Bill Jones, Managing Editor 

Underclassmen have been 

having a streak of good fortune 

when it comes to the 

Athlete of the Month competition. 

Andrew High School sophomore 

Luc Valdez claimed 

the February title, and in 

March Lincoln-Way West 

freshman Taylor Gugliuzza 

earned the most votes to take 

up the mantle of 22nd Century 

Media Southwest Chicago’s 

Athlete of the Month. 

The varsity girls basketball 

standout — she picked 

up notable points, steals, assists 

and blocks when starting 

point guard Emily Atsinger 

got hurt — earned the most 

votes in a pool of Athlete of 

the Week candidates from 

February. 

The Athlete of the Month 

competition pits featured 

Athlete of the Week selections 

from our south suburban 

newspapers against 

one another in an online 

voting contest. 

The next contest is to begin 

Monday, April 10. 

To vote, visit MokenaMessenger.com, 

hover 

over the “Sports” menu tab 

and click “Athlete of the 

Month.” Readers can vote 

once per session per valid 

email address. Voting ends 

at 5 p.m. April 25. 

All athletes featured in 

the March Athlete of the 

Week sports interviews are 

automatically entered into 

the contest. 

This Week In... 

Knights Varsity 

Athletics 

Baseball 

■April ■ 7 - host Providence, 

4:30 p.m. 

■April ■ 8 - host Richards, 

2:30 p.m. 

■April ■ 10 - host H-F, 

4:30 p.m. 

■April ■ 12 - at Thornwood, 

4:30 p.m. 

Softball 

■April ■ 7 - at Stagg, 4:30 p.m. 

■April ■ 8 - host Plainfield East, 

2:30 p.m. 

■April ■ 3 - host H-F, 4:30 p.m. 


4:30 p.m. 

Girls soccer 

■April ■ 11 - at H-F, 6:15 p.m. 

Boys volleyball 

■April ■ 10 - host Joliet 

Catholic, 5:30 p.m. 

■April ■ 11 - at Richards, 

5:30 p.m. 

Girls badminton 

■April ■ 6 - at Lincoln-Way East, 

4:30 p.m. 

■April ■ 11 - at Addison Trail, 

4:30 p.m. 

Boys tennis 

■April ■ 8 - host Crete-Monee 

and T.F. South, 1:30 p.m. 

■April ■ 11 - host Bolingbrook, 

4:30 p.m. 

Girls track and field 

■April ■ 8 - host Knights 

Invitational, 1:30 p.m. 


Sandburg and Andrew, 

4:30 p.m. 

Boys track and field 

■April ■ 11 - at Thornridge and 

Thornwood, 4:30 p.m. 

Boys water polo 

■April ■ 6 - at Andrew, 5 p.m. 

■April ■ 11 - at Lincoln-Way 

East, 5 p.m. 

Girls water polo 

■April ■ 6 - host Andrew, 5 p.m. 

■April ■ 11 - host Lincoln-Way 

East, 5 p.m. 

Griffins Varsity 

Athletics 

Badminton 

■April ■ 6 - host Lincoln-Way 

Central, 4:30 p.m. 

■April ■ 11 - at Lincoln-Way 

West, 4:30 p.m. 

Baseball 

■April ■ 6 - at Providence 

Catholic, 4:30 p.m. 

■April ■ 7 - host Bradley- 

Bourbonnais, 4:30 p.m. 


4:30 p.m. 

■April ■ 12 - host Nequa Valley, 

4:30 p.m. 

Girls soccer 

■April ■ 8 - at Pepsico 

Showdown 2017, TBA 

■April ■ 11 - at Pepsico 

Showdown 2017, TBA 

Girls softball 

■April ■ 6 - at Minooka, 

4:30 p.m. 

■April ■ 7 - host Bradley- 

Bourbonnais, 4:30 p.m. 


4:30 p.m. 

■April ■ 11 - host Marist, 

4:30 p.m. 

■April ■ 12 - at Plainfield 

Central, 4:30 p.m. 

Boys tennis 

■April ■ 6 - at Bolingbrook, 

4:30 p.m.

48 | April 6, 2017 | The Mokena Messenger SPORTS 


Athlete of the Week 

10 Questions 

with Christine Malito 

Christine Malito is a senior 

catcher on the Lincoln-Way 

East softball team. 

What did you learn from 

previous runs at state 

and supersectional? 

I think that team chemistry 

— and keeping this 

strong team together and 

working well together — 

will prove to be successful 

for years and years. 

What have you been 

working on going into 

this season? 

One of the biggest things 

that I’ve learned is so far is, 

no matter what situations 

come at you or what changes 

have been made, working 

together and making a team 

work contributes to a successful 

season and having a 

successful team chemistry. 

What was your win 

against West on March 

29 like? 

It definitely brought team 

confidence up and creates 

a very positive outlook for 

the rest of the season. It’s an 

awesome win to have ... 

What are your goals for 

this season? 

Having a winning record 

is one the most important 

things for both myself and 

our team. I think it would be 

safe to speak for everybody 

when I say one of our top 

goals. And working together 

and bringing our two programs 

together is going to be 

one of our goals this year, as 

well. 

How has the transition 

with players from 

Lincoln-Way North gone? 

Photo Submitted 

It’s been different, as I’m 

sure any sports program is 

going to say from any of 

the different schools. Obviously, 

the change in the 

district is going to bring 

a change to many of the 

sports. But it’s been a positive 

change, for sure. It’s 

been very cool to play with 

some of the girls who we 

have competed with in the 

past and not really played 

with. 

What made you choose 

Rutgers for college? 

From the academic standpoint, 

I was very excited 

about Rutgers University. 

Even though it is a state university, 

it is a very high academic 

university. ... Also, 

the level of sports I will 

be playing at — Division 

I — was another attentiongrabber. 

What do you want to 

study? 

My top two, as of right 

now, would probably be premed 

or pre-dentistry. 

I’ve always been drawn to 

how medicine works ... 

What made you play 

catcher? 

I love being involved 

with every play and to constantly 

cheer my team on, 

and to be one of the foundations 

of the team has always 

interested me. 

What else do you do 

outside of East softball? 

My younger sister is involved 

with club softball, 

too, and my dad is their 

head coach. I’ve always 

loved being able to help 

their team as well, being 

able to pass all of my experience 

and all of my knowledge 

onto the younger girls 

[on the 14U team]. 

What are you looking 

forward to this year? 

I’m looking forward to 

ending my high school 

career on a positive note. 

That’s one of the benefits, 

I would say, of having softball 

as a spring sport: it 

helps you end your school 

year on a positive note, 

being around a supportive 

team and especially being 

on a successful team. 

Interview by Contributing Editor 

Kirsten Onsgard 

NaC SharKs 

SWIM TEAM TRYOUTS 

April 20th • 6:00-8:00pm 

Visit NACSharks.org for more details 

LINCOLN-WAY EAST 

HIGH SCHOOL 

Bring in this Ad for $20 off your registration fee, new families only



Softball 

Eight-run fifth inning boosts East to win over West 

North transfers, 

newcomers aim to 

help Griffins return 

to state playoffs 

James Sanchez 


Alex Storako is new to the 

Lincoln-Way East softball 

team and SouthWest Suburban 

Conference, but she’s all 

too familiar with Lincoln- 

Way West. 

As a member of Bishop 

McNamara last season, the 

junior pitched a shutout with 

13 strikeouts and added a 

two-run home run to prevent 

West from winning its 

first sectional title in school 

history. In that game, Storako 

hit Warriors star player 

Amanda Ruskowsky with a 

pitch in the very first inning 

that forced her to exit. Ruskowsky, 

who now competes 

on Saint Xavier University’s 

softball team, was the Warriors’ 

ace and leading hitter. 

West head coach Heather 

Novak did not want to admit 

it, but this seemingly was a 

revenge game. The Warriors 

knew the significance of the 

early-season matchup. They 

looked energetic before the 

game, despite the cold winds 

and the temperature in the 

40s. 

However, West no longer 

has the firepower that led its 

journey to the sectional final. 

It graduated five starters, 

and Storako took advantage. 

The Griffins ace struck out 

11 through five innings and 

only gave up one run, while 

also going 3-for-4 at the dish 

to lead an 11-1 win over the 

Warriors on March 29 in 

Frankfort. 

“Some of our hitters did 

a much better job having atbats, 

working the counts,” 

Novak said, when comparing 

the last time they faced 

Storako. “But when you’re 

facing a good pitcher like 

that, you have to take advantage 

of any mistakes. 

West (1-6) kept it close 

through four innings, trailing 

only 3-1, but an East (5- 

0) onslaught of eight runs in 

the following inning put the 

mercy rule into effect and 

ended the game early. Backto-back 

two-RBI singles by 

Lindsay LaDere and Alli Jaquith 

broke open the game. 

After an RBI single from 

Sidney Bloomfield and a 

double from Storako, Ami 

Ill, who finished a perfect 

4-for-4, forced the mercy 

rule with an RBI single. 

Christine Malito, who also 

went 4-for-4, and Lexi 

Krause drove in a run apiece 

in the frame. 

“I think we hit well one 

through nine,” East head 

coach Elizabeth Pawlicki 

said. “We got hitters in every 

single spot. It’s just finding 

the correct spots for them in 

the order to make us as strong 

as we can. The girls work 

very hard on their hitting.” 

While East had success 

with runners on base, it was 

the opposite for West. The 

Warriors had a runner on base 

in every inning but failed to 

drive any in, including the 

first inning, during which 

they had the bases loaded and 

one out. In contrast, the following 

half inning, East paid 

off a bases-loaded situation 

with a two-run double from 

Lauren Hunter. 

West’s lone run came from 

a towering solo homer from 

pitcher Danielle Callahan, 

who finished 1-for-2 with a 

walk. Other hits came from 

Mac Mahy, Abby Baez and 

Anna Perry. 

“We’re young, we’re going 

to continue to work hard, 

we’re going to continue to 

get better,” Novak said. “3-1 

going into the fifth inning… 

we need to be able to play all 

“I just think in a pitcher’s mind 

you can’t let things faze you like 

that. I grew up like that. Don’t let 

things faze you and take it one 

pitch at a time.” 

Alex Storako - Lincoln-Way East pitcher, on 

pitching out of jams in a close game 

seven innings.” 

Storako’s ability to keep 

West off balance contributed 

to the Warriors’ hitting 

woes. She said her curveball 

was working and trusted 

her defense to make the 

plays behind her. The Griffins’ 

defense was error-free 

on the day and included a 

highlight-reel diving catch 

in foul territory by LaDere 

to end the fourth inning. 

However, Storako gave 

up six walks, which put East 

in tense situations when the 

game was close in the early 

going. But the DePaul commit 

usually followed up the 

free passes with strikeouts to 

halt any momentum. Having 

thrown hundreds of innings 

in her young career, she 

knows how to handle adversity 

on the mound, she said. 

“I just think in a pitcher’s 

mind you can’t let things faze 

you like that,” Storako said. 

“I grew up like that. Don’t let 

things faze you and take it one 

pitch at a time.” 

Pawlicki welcomed those 

tense moments, adding that 

those scenarios are only going 

to benefit the team. 

“Getting put in those 

tough situations, that’s what 

we need,” Pawlicki said. 

“It’s going to make us stronger 

and better. It’s good, because 

you get to see how the 

girls react to it; how they’re 

going to end up coming out 

of it. I think it’s good to challenge 

them like that.” 

The addition of Storako, 

who moved from Bourbonnais 

to Frankfort for her junior 

year, has been a nice surprise 

for East, especially after 

losing big-game pitchers Marina 

Esparza and Amanda 

Weyh to Lincoln-Way Central. 

The pair helped lead the 

Griffins to super-sectionals 

last year. Leadoff hitter and 

outfielder Gabby Gedville 

also transferred to Central. 

The team also lost Lauren 

Herlihy, Nicole O’Donnell, 

Brittany Pospishil and Olivia 

Prieto — all of whom went 

on to play college softball. 

However, the influx of talent 

from Lincoln-Way North 

and newcomers allowed the 

Griffins not to skip a beat. 

Hunter, who came from 

North, took over Pospishil’s 

place at first base, and Jacquith, 

also from North, restores 

depth in the infield 

that Prieto left. New member 

Bloomfield fills the void at 

outfield and at the leadoff spot 

with Gedville gone. Bloomfield 

has attended East all four 

years but chose to play travel 

softball over high school until 

this year. The Griffins have 

so much depth that North’s 

star pitchers from last season, 

Sydney Limon and Julianna 

Borgia, are on junior varsity. 

The team has plenty of 

new faces, yet Pawlicki said 

By the numbers 

East stats in March 29 

win over West 

• Alex Storako - 5 IP, 4 

hits, 11 Ks, 6 BB; 3-for-4, 

2 2B, 2 runs 

• Sidney Bloomfield - 

2-for-4, RBI, run 

• Ami Ill - 4-for-4, RBI, 3 

runs 

• Christine Malito - 3-for- 

3, RBI 

• Lauren Hunter - 1-for- 

2, 2B, 2 RBI, run 

Lindsay LaDere - 1-for-3, 

2 RBI, run 

• Alli Jacquith - 1-for-3, 2 

RBI, run 

its cohesiveness has been 

the biggest part to the undefeated 

start. 

“Together as a team, we 

are doing well, and that’s our 

strong suit,” she said. Communicating 

is a huge ingredient 

coming into the season.” 

As for West, it lost Jenna 

Czart, Sarah Goff, Tiffany 

Buis, April Lewandowski 

and the aforementioned Ruskowsky 

to graduation and 

only gained Baez and freshman 

third baseman Sydney 

Swanberg from Manhattan. 

It looks to be a rebuilding 

year for the Warriors, as 

returning everyday players 

Mahy, Perry, Callahan and 

Baez — the top four in the 

batting order, respectively 

— are juniors. 

The Warriors have mostly 

held practices indoors due to 

the weather. Novak said the 

team will get better through 

time when the weather starts 

to warm up and learn to adjust 

without Ruskowsky carrying 

the load like she did 

the past two seasons. 

“You can’t replace an 

Amanda [Ruskowsky],” 

Novak said. “We’re going 

to look for a few people to 

replace what she did. It’s going 

to take a team effort.” 

SOFTBALL 

From Page 50 

sacrifice fly by senior Allyssa 

Demma, an Orland Park 

resident, cut the Providence 

deficit to 2-1 in the fourth. 

She led off the sixth inning 

with a solo shot to pull the 

Celtics within 4-2. 

“My first time up I waited 

to see how many pitches 

I could get,” Miklos said. 

“The next two at-bats I took 

the first good one.” 

The Celtics left five runners 

on base. Baserunning 

mistakes, including being 

thrown out in a rundown 

while trying to turn a double 

into a triple, cost them at 

least one run. 

“You’re going to lose 

some games, and that’s OK 

as long as we’re learning and 

doing what we need to do to 

compete and improve,” Biesterfeld 

said. 

The Celtics also posted 11 

runs in their season-opening 

win, an 11-6 comeback victory 

over Minooka. The young 

team – three seniors, four juniors, 

three sophomores and 

two freshmen – expects its 

offense and fielding to carry 

the team, especially while the 

pitching comes along. 

Miklos, a Wisconsin- 

Parkside recruit, hit .371 

with four home runs last season. 

Sophomore outfielder 

Lex Leighton, a Frankfort 

resident, batted .398 with 

nine home runs and 32 RBIs. 

Junior first baseman Emily 

Pilon hit .374 with six homers 

and 34 runs driven in. 

Senior Kailey Zych and 

freshman Laila Summers 

are in their first full season 

pitching. Zych played outfield 

and pitched sparingly 

last year. Summers (1-1) 

took the loss against Central 

after picking up the win in 

relief against Minooka in her 

high school debut. 

Other area players for 

Providence include junior 

Courtney Mahalik (New 

Lenox), junior Taylor Young 

(Homer Glen) and freshman 

Teagan Sopczak (Tinley 

Park).



Softball 

Knights pitcher thwarts 

Celtics’ potent lineup in win 

Frank Gogola 


Ashley Platek nearly 

knocked the ball out of the 

park through a stiff wind 

before getting the wind 

knocked out of her. 

The Lincoln-Way Central 

sophomore crushed a 

ball off the right-center field 

fence to drive in the game’s 

first run but was smacked in 

the face with an infielder’s 

glove while sliding into second 

base. 

“She hit me in the face 

with the tag, through the 

facemask on my helmet,” 

Platek said. “I didn’t even 

know my nose was bleeding 

at first [while lying on the infield]. 

Then I saw the blood 

and was like, ‘Whoa!’” 

Platek exited to stop a 

bleeding nose but would return 

to complete a perfect day 

at the plate as Central beat 

Providence Catholic 4-2 on 

Tuesday, March 29, at Providence. 

Sophomore pitcher 

Amanda Weyh picked up her 

second win for Central (2-0), 

which anticipates its biggest 

strength will be pitching — 

thanks to talented transfers 

from Lincoln-Way East. 

Providence senior Jessica 

Miklos scored both runs for 

the Celtics (1-1), who expect 

to rely on their offense. 

“[Weyh] had good movement, 

decent velocity and was 

tough to come back on when 

she got ahead in the count,” 

Providence coach Jay Biesterfeld 

said. “Not the run production 

we would have wanted 

but had a lot of good at-bats. 

“We held a really good 

team to four runs. If we’re 

holding teams to four runs, I 

feel like we have an offense 

to beat most teams we’re going 

to play.” 

Lincoln-Way Central pitcher Amanda Weyh gets into her 

windup during the middle innings of her complete-game, 

shutout victory at Providence Catholic March 28. 

Tim Carroll/22nd Century Media 

Platek, an East transfer, 

went 3-for-3 and drove in 

Gabriella Gedville with her 

lone extra-base hit in the 

third inning. Gabriela Gross 

pinch ran for Platek after 

the double and scored two 

batters later on senior Colleen 

Barrett’s infield single. 

Platek, who homered in the 

season opener, scored the 

Knights’ final run on senior 

Marina Esparza’s fifth-inning 

double. 

Senior catcher Brittany 

Schultz hit her second home 

run in as many games when 

she launched an oppositefield 

solo shot in the fourth 

inning, putting Central up 

3-1. 

“Although this is only our 

second game, I think we’ve 

shown that we do have the 

offense and defense to go 

along with the pitching,” Esparza 

said. 

Weyh scattered six hits 

and five strikeouts over 

seven innings to pick up the 

complete-game victory. She 

and ace pitcher Esparza, both 

East transfers, had combined 

to throw a one-hitter in the 

team’s 11-0 season-opening 

win against Oak Lawn. 

Weyh, who also plays 

shortstop and outfield, went 

10-2 with a 1.48 ERA and 

0.976 WHIP for East last 

season. Esparza, a Lindenwood 

University recruit, and 

Platek, who will see occasional 

time in the circle, can 

play several positions in the 

field when not pitching. 

“You can interchange 

them everywhere,” Central 

coach Jeff Tarala said. “You 

can move these girls around 

and they never miss a beat. 

They’re incredibly versatile.” 

Barrett, a St. Ambrose recruit, 

is thrilled with the influx 

of pitching talent. 

“It’s easy to play behind 

them when they’re pitching 

strong like that,” Barrett 

said. “We relied more on 

tough defense and offense 

last year, so having them 

come in, it really helps our 

offense more because we’re 

confident that they can shut 

down other teams and we 

don’t have to do everything.” 

Miklos, a Lockport resident, 

went 2-for-3 with a 

double and a home run for 

Providence. Her score on a 

Please see SOFTBALL, 49



Increase the value 

of your home 

2017 WINNER 

Thank you for voting us 

Best Place to Buy 

Windows and Doors 

Replace your old windows and 

doors with our quality energy 

efficient products. 

COME IN OR CALL TODAY FOR FREE ESTIMATES 

Company employed & factory trained installers for remodeling 

and new construction. All products available pre-finished in 

standard or custom finishes. 

18445 Thompson Court 

Tinley Park, Illinois 60477 

708.342.0900 

www.schaafwindow.com 

Family owned & operated since 1959



Baseball 

Griffins’ bats awaken for season’s first win 

After tough first 

contests, East 

offense pounces on 

district rival West 

Frank Gogola 


Lincoln-Way East baseball’s 

offense came to life, 

as the Griffins earned their 

first win of the season in 

their fourth try. 

East beat Lincoln-Way 

West 7-2 March 29 in Frankfort 

after being outscored 

25-13 during an 0-3 start 

to the season. The Griffins 

are still learning what they 

have in their 25-man roster, 

which is all upperclassmen 

and includes Lincoln-Way 

North transfers. But they are 

setting high expectations. 

“The disappointment was 

greater in the first three 

losses than the joy in the 

first win,” East coach Paul 

Babcock said. “They’re expecting 

to win a lot more 

than they are to lose.” 

The Griffins exploded for 

five runs in the first inning, 

with four players recording 

a run-producing hit. Senior 

second baseman Jim 

Richmond had a two-out 

RBI single, and junior right 

fielder Julian Everett drove 

in two on a double in the 

gap. They finished with two 

hits and two RBIs apiece. 

Senior catcher Jimmy 

Quinn had an RBI sac fly, 

and senior outfielder Sean 

Robinson drove in one run. 

Matt Blaney, a senior third 

baseman and pitcher, hit 

safely twice. 

Senior Joe Prestamer 

picked up the win for East, 

giving up two runs in five 

innings. Senior Jake Pomykalski 

did not allow any 

runs in two innings of relief. 

West junior Kevin Davis 

and senior Mike Majcher 

drove in one run each on a 

single and double, respectively. 

The Warriors struck 

for both of their runs in the 

third inning. 

The win over West 

showed Babcock, who has 

been the head coach at East 

since 2002-03, more about 

his team’s potential, as he 

continues to evaluate the 

roster. 

“I think we can be sure 

strong defensively, offensively 

and pitching-wise,” 

Babcock said. “I’d even 

go as far as including baserunning. 

I think we can be 

strong in all those areas. We 

have a lot of work to do. I 

see some flashes of the kids 

understanding what we’re 

trying to sell them. They 

pick up on it and seem like 

pretty fast learners.” 

In the Griffins’ first three 

games of the season, they 

lost 1-0 to Brother Rice, 

17-9 to Plainfield North and 

7-4 to Lyons. 

The Warriors fell to 3-2 

with the loss. 

The Griffins brought back 

five players with starting 

experience. For East last 

season, Richmond started 

at second base, Pomykalski 

started at first base, senior 

Nick Tortorici started on 

the mound, and senior Brett 

Melby started in left field. 

Quinn was a designated 

hitter for North, and he led 

East in hits through four 

games. 

Among the pitchers Babcock 

expects to fill out 

his rotation are Prestamer, 

Tortorici and junior Danny 

Zimmerman, a North transfer 

who also plays first base 

and outfield. Pomykalski 

and Blaney may also see 

work on the mound. 

“Jake [Pomykalski] is our 

first baseman and our three 

hitter, so we need his bat in 

Lincoln-Way East senior pitcher Jake Pomykalski, who threw two scoreless innings in relief against West, delivers a pitch 

March 29 during the Griffins’ 7-2 win over West in Frankfort. Phtos By Julie McMann/22nd Century Media 

Jake Arthur sets up a meeting of the ball and his bat with a 

swing in the first inning that resulted in a double. 

the lineup,” Babcock said. 

“He’s strong on the mound, 

as well, so we’re seeing how 

the season goes and where 

he fits in. 

“With Matt Blaney, it’s 

hard to tell, because he’s 

been an inning-by-inning 

guy. I didn’t know that he 

was a position player as 

well [as a pitcher] when we 

first got him. He’s stepped 

right in and been aggressive 

at the plate.” 

Second baseman Jim Richmond makes the catch on a 

popup as Julian Everett backs him up. 

Everett is a first-year 

varsity player who has impressed 

Babcock with his 

play early on. 

Under Babcock, East has 

won seven regional titles 

and one sectional title. Last 

year’s regional title was the 

first since 2013. 

“All I care about is our 

rating at the end of the year,” 

Babcock said. “The last day 

of the year is the only rating 

that matters.”



polo 

From Page 54 

from his side of the pool, 

emphatically pointing out 

who to pass the ball to and 

imploring his team to slow 

down on offense. 

“There’s been so many 

opportunities where we 

could have scored if we 

just hit our open man,” Bernard 

said. “Once we slowed 

down, we were able to catch 

it, we were able to shoot 

better, and we were able to 

just come out with a win.” 

The strategy resonated, 

and Central seized control 

of the game for good, scoring 

five of the last six goals. 

Through 10 games of the season, 

Bernard had noticed that 

the team meshed together 

after the addition of six players 

from Lincoln-Way East, 

but he said he feels confident 

that his team will learn how 

to properly pace itself as sectionals 

approach in May. 

Up until late in the fourth 

period, Central was playing 

West’s game of speed, as 

opposed to its own of strategic 

passing and selective 

shooting. Klock and Bernard 

described the team’s 

performance as “OK” and 

“not too bad,” respectively. 

As the teams got out of the 

pool and shook hands, Torres 

smiled and exchanged pats 

on the back some of his former 

teammates. For him and 

Anderson, the game proved 

that West could match up 

with anyone in the pool. 

“We can go toe-to-toe 

with any team in this conference,” 

Anderson said. 

“Whether we’re going to be 

on the winning side, I don’t 

know. This could have easily 

gone the other way.” 

For Torres, he was happy 

that his former team played 

well together and said he 

enjoyed seeing the strides 

the Knights are taking. He 

sensed that trend is coming 

with his current team, too 

“If we work together as 

a team like we did in that 

game, we’ll be a force to be 

reckoned with,” Torres said.



Central holds off West with strong fourth quarter 

Ron Davis, Freelance Reporter for a fight against a tough, 

deeper Central team. The 

Cody Torres felt his Warriors had three extra 

adrenaline pumping more men on the bench compared 

than usual before his water to the Knights’ five. 

polo matches March 28. Central took control over 

The Lincoln-Way West the fourth period and held 

senior was about to meet off West 14-10 in New 

Lincoln-Way Central — his Lenox. Matt Klock led the 

former school and teammates 

— in the Warriors’ “This has been the best 

Knights with six goals. 

pool. Torres is the only we’ve played this season,” 

Knight-turned-Warrior. West coach Steve Anderson 

said. “I was very happy, 

“Each of us wants to beat 

each other,” Torres said. “At overall.” 

the end of the day, we’re The referees dropped the 

all friends. There’s no bad gold ball, and both schools 

blood.” 

attacked. Each possession 

As Rick Ross and Kanye was earned with hands and 

West blared in the West Soccer arms • Lacrosse blocking eyes • Baseball with every 

• Basketball pass. Knights • Volleyball and War- 

locker room, he knew Softball that 

this game meant a little Futsal riors jousted • Batting for Cages every loose 

more to him than the previous 

11 games. He and his played together in club 

ball. Most of both teams 

Warrior teammates were in water Full Concessions 

polo and swimming 

SPEED, AGILITY, QUICKNESS AND STRENGTH TRAINING 

Lincoln-Way West goalie Brennon O’Brien throws an outlet 

pass. 

growing up, and a friendly 

rivalry developed beyond 

the two schools. 

Down 6-3 with 3 minutes 

and 18 seconds to play 

in the first half, Anderson 

called a timeout for West. 

His team needed a breather 

and a minute to strategize. 

The team responded by attacking, 

scoring the last two 

goals of the half and tying 

the game in the first minute 

of the third period by strong 

toss to the back of the net by 

Torres. 

Central’s Tim Murphy swims toward the ball March 28 

against West. Photos by James Sanchez/22nd Century Media 

“We didn’t let a threegoal 

slump take us out,” 

Torres said. “We played the 

best we could all four quarters.” 

Going into the fourth, 

West found itself in a similar 

hole. But by forcing Central 

into empty possessions and 

turnovers, the Warriors got 

themselves back into the 

game, scoring three straight 

goals. Knights’ coach Jacob 

Bernard became more vocal 

Please see polo, 53 

9115 Roma Ct. • Frankfort, IL 

815-469-ROMA 

www.romasportsclub.com 

ROMA FC Boys' Soccer Tryouts 

U8 - Tuesday 5/2 or Thursday 5/4 from 5:00 - 6:30 birth year 2010 

U9 - Tuesday 5/2 or Thursday 5/4 from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. birth year 2009 



U12 - Monday 5/1 or Wednesday 5/3 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. birth year 2006 




ROMA FC Girls' Soccer Tryouts 









ROMA SUMMER 

SOCCER CAMP 

June 19 - June 23 • 9:00a-12:00p 

• Boys and Girls Ages 9-12 years old 

• Camp will be held indoors at Roma Sports Club 

• $175 per player (Includes soccer camp t-shirt) 

• Coached by Steve Rotondi 

• Player to coach ratio 15:1 

• Register online 

ROMA RECREATIONAL 

SOCCER LEAGUE 

• Spring and Fall Sessions offered 

• Fall runs late-August through October and Spring runs 

late-March through May 

• Indoor play on turf fields 

• 10 game seasons 

• Ages: U6, U7, U8, U10. U12 (Co-ed) 

• Cost: $125 per season. ($150 late sign up fee. (Sign up 

for both and receive $25 off) 

• Late sign up fee will apply after July 1st 

• Games will be played on Saturdays 

• Comes with 1 practice per week (INDOOR ON TURF) 

• Coaches Clinic available for all volunteers 

OPEN FUTSAL 

EVERY THURSDAY 

• U9/U10: 4:30-5:30p 

• U11/U12: 5:30-6:30p 

• U13/U14: 6:30-7:30p 

• High School: 7:30-8:30p 

• Adults: 9:30-11:00p 

• $10.00 per person 

SUMMER CO-ED 

FUTSAL LEAGUE 

• Games will be played on weeknights 

• 8 Game Guarantee 

• Regulation Size Court and Goals 

• 5v5 Play 

• Two-20 Minute Halves 

• Boys and Girls Ages U8-High School 

• $550.00 per team 

• Register online



fastbreak 

Girls Soccer 

Central stays hot in blistery conditions, defeats TP 2-0 

22nd Century Media File 

Photo 

1st-and-3 

Primetime players 

1. Amanda Weyh 

(above) 

The Lincoln-Way 

East transfer scattered 

six hits and five 

strikeouts over seven 

innings to pick up the 

complete-game victory 

over Providence 

March 28. 

2. Brittany Schulz 

The Knights catcher 

hit her second home 

run in as many 

games to provide 

an insurance run for 

Central in the 4-2 win 

against their New 

Lenox foes. 

3. Ashley Platek 

Platek did not let a 

stiff tag to the face 

after a double faze 

her, finishing the 

game against Providence 

a perfect 3-for- 

3, including driving in 

the game’s first run. 

All six Central wins 

on season come via 

goalie shutouts 

Jeff Vorva, Freelance Reporter 

Lincoln-Way Central senior 

Lauren Bulow was anxiously 

awaiting word if she qualified 

to get into the United States 

Coast Guard Academy. 

As a pleasant distraction 

on Friday, March 31, Bulow 

scored what turned out to 

be the winning goal in a 2-0 

home non-conference soccer 

victory over Tinley Park on 

a chilly, windy rare weekday 

morning match, which came 

about because both teams 

were on spring break. 

The Knights flexed their 

depth muscle, as Bulow came 

off the bench to score her first 

goal of the season with eight 

minutes to play in the first half 

and senior teammate Alyte 

Katilius came off the bench for 

her first goal of the season in 

the second half. The defense 

and goalie Peyton Vecchiet recorded 

the team’s sixth shutout 

of the season, as the Knights 

improved to 6-2. The last time 

the Knights had given up a 

goal was March 20 against Minooka 

— more than 400 game 

minutes of shutout ball. 

Meanwhile, Tinley Park 

fell to 4-3 after opening the 

season with four straight 

wins. Players such as Carolina 

Carrillo, Alyssa Kuduk, 

Gabi Guerra and Lauren 

Newton were able to star 

early in the campaign, but 

it’s been a rough go since. 

Even Titans coach Michelle 

Youngberg can’t catch 

a break. She was out of town 

earlier in the week, and airline 

problems forced her to 

miss this game. 

It appeared the Titans had 

control of most of the match, 

but couldn’t put the ball in 

the net. 

“We just can’t finish,” assistant 

coach Michael Boniface 

said. “We’re connecting 

on our passes well and moving 

the ball well. We’re manipulating 

and taking control 

of the middle of the field. 

But we have to finish.’’ 

For the Knights, finishing 

wasn’t a problem for Bulow, 

but it was a nice surprise. 

“Honestly, I had just 

stepped onto the field, and 

I wasn’t expecting anything 

great,” she said. “Kailie Novak 

sent me the greatest ball 

ever, and I stepped in front 

of the goalie and faked her 

out and scored. It was my 

first shot of the year.’’ 

Bulow said that if she 

doesn’t make it into the 

Coast Guard Academy, her 

second option is to study and 

play soccer at Joliet Junior 

College. 

Katilius said she has 

started this season and was 

moved to the bench for 

a match against Mother 

McAuley earlier in the week. 

“This was kind of a redemption 

thing for me,” Katilius 

said. “This was showing 

that I deserve playing time 

and I deserve to play. That 

Tinley Park’s Madison Krisch (left) and Lincoln-Way Central’s Sarah Heimberg jostle 

for position in Central’s 2-0 victory on Friday, March 31, in New Lenox. Photos by Jeff 

Vorva/22nd Century Media 

was my mindset. I’m more of 

a playmaker, and I don’t get a 

lot of shots, so this felt good.’’ 

Central had games 

scheduled against Stagg 

on Monday, April 3, and 

Homewood-Flossmoor 

on Tuesday, April 4. The 

Knights host Normal West, a 

Class 2A sectional champion 

in 2016, on Saturday. 

Tinley Park, which plays 

no home games due to construction 

of its field, was 

scheduled to play Sandburg 

on Saturday, April 1, and 

visits Lemont on Thursday, 

April 6, in a key SouthWest 

Suburban Blue showdown. 

Central’s Alyte Katilius (left) and Lauren Bulow both came 

off the bench and scored their first goals of the season in a 

2-0 win over Tinley Park. 

Listen Up 

“It’s easy to play behind them when they’re pitching 

strong like that,” 

Colleen Barrett – Lincoln-Way Central infielder, on playing defense 

behind pitchers Amanda Weyh and Marina Esparza 

TUNE IN 

Baseball 

4:30 p.m. Friday, April 7 

• Lincoln-Way Central will host three-time 

defending state champions Providence 

Catholic in New Lenox. 

Index 

48 — Athlete of the Week 

47 — Athlete of the Month 

FASTBREAK is compiled by Editor Tim Carroll, tim@mokenamessenger.com.

mokena’s Hometown Newspaper | www.mokenamessenger.com | April 6, 2017 

Sliding into 

success After losses, 

East looks to meet high 

expectations, starting with 

win over West, Page 52 

Battle of New 

Lenox Central and 

Providence softball square 

off in a matchup of top 

area teams, Page 50 

Lincoln-Way Central’s 

Mason Maze fires a shot 

March 28 during an 

inter-district matchup 

against Lincoln- 

Way West. James 

Sanchez/22nd Century 

Media 

Central breaks open competitive 

match against West in final 

seven minutes, Page 54

MM_040617

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?