NL_081618

4 | August 16, 2018 | The New Lenox Patriot News
newlenoxpatriot.com
New Lenox Fire Protection District brings family fun to Station 1
Laurie Fanelli
Freelance Reporter
Fighting fires and protecting
the community are the
primary goals of the New
Lenox Fire Protection District,
and these brave men
and women took time out to
thank residents for helping
them achieve their mission
by hosting the annual Family
Fun Day at Station 1 on
Aug. 4.
Engine rides, bounce
houses, kids activities, food,
drinks and even snow cones
were provided to attendees
who stopped by during the
hours of 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The
highlight for many visitors
was having the opportunity
to spend time with the firefighters
themselves.
“It’s nice for the community
to be able to come in
and see the firefighters, interact
with them and be able
to get some time – other
than on calls – with them.
The kids enjoy it so much
every year,” said Chief
Adam Riegel.
Firefighters were on hand
to host a variety of activities
that taught children tips
for fire safety and preparedness.
Fire and Life Safety
Educator Marisa Schrieber
explained that along with
fire engine rides through the
Metra parking lot, children
enjoy the hands-on highlights.
“We also have the children’s
maze which is always
a great favorite because
they get to try on junior firefighter
gear,” she said. “Of
course, everyone loves the
Ben Adorno (left), of New Lenox, meets a kitten held by
Berni Kacor, of CERT, who was on hand to teach about pet
preparedness.
bounce house and the fire
safety house where we can
go through and talk about
different fire safety hazards
in every room before they
roll out the window in the
back.”
New Lenox resident
Ben Cristobal, 4, who was
joined by his parents, Hafid
and Bridget, as well as his
2-year-old brother Jacob,
loved using the firehose at
the fire safety simulator, but
his favorite part of the event
was meeting real-life firefighters.
“I like them because they
put out fires,” Ben said.
Inside Station 1 a variety
of local businesses and organizations
were on hand
to add to the fun. Chicago
Dough Company provided
pizza, Servpro brought
cookies, and Old Plank
Trail Bank was keeping everyone
cool with free snow
cones. New Lenox Police
Department, CERT, New
Lenox Public Library and
Comfort Dogs were also on
hand with information and
activities for attendees.
At the American Red
Cross booth, visitors learned
about safety planning as
well as the Home Fire
Campaign, which distributes
free, battery-operated
smoke alarms in partnership
with local organizations including
the New Lenox Fire
Protection District.
“Smoke alarms truly save
lives,” said Red Cross disaster
program specialist
Jeremiah La Plante. “Since
2014, we’ve installed over
1 million smoke alarms
and we’ve documented
474 individual lives saved.
New Lenox is one of our
more active partners in Will
County and over 60 or 70
smoke alarms have been
given away here in just the
last year.”
There was also a demonstration
showcasing how
sprinkler systems work
from the Northern Illinois
Fire Sprinkler Advisory
Board.
(Left to right) Firefighter and paramedic Tim Rhodes and Ben Bowden watch Bella Bowden
and Kyle Dunne, all of New Lenox, use a firehose Aug. 4 during Family Fun Day hosted by
the New Lenox Fire Protection District. Photos by Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media
New Lenox residents Gretchen (left) and Devyn Valenta pose for a picture inside the firetruck.
“This really is a community
event,” Riegel said.
“Everybody donates parts to
make it as nice as possible.
It’s great to have all these
partners who enjoy doing it,
too.”
More information about
programs offered by the
New Lenox Fire Protection
District – including
the smoke alarm program
and monthly CPR classes –
can be found at www.nlfire.
com.
Pizza King temporarily closes its doors after 45 years
James Sanchez, Editor
Pizza King, located at 123
W. Maple Street, is temporarily
closed as of Aug. 7,
according to the pizzeria’s
website. The pizzeria has
served the New Lenox community
for 45 years.
According to the website,
the pizzeria is looking for
someone to “carry on the 45-
year tradition of the area’s
best pizza.” Those interested
are encouraged to call (847)
722-1877.
George Schneeweiss Sr., a
New Lenox resident for 35
years, opened the eatery in
the 1970s and ran the business
until he died in 2006
at age 62. His son, George
Schneeweiss Jr., ran the pizzeria
after his death.