NL_121318

® 

new lenox’s Award-Winning Hometown Newspaper newlenoxpatriot.com • December 13, 2018 • Vol. 12 No. 39 • $1 

A 

Publication 

,LLC 

Biking the 

right path 

Local junior Scouts 

fix, clean bikes they 

donated to be sent 

off to families who 

need them, Page 3 

And the 

winner 

goes to... 

Annual chamber 

event spreads 

holiday cheer, 

presents annual 

awards, Page 4 

Girl power 

Area business 

group’s auction 

event benefits 

scholarships for high 

school girls, Page 9 

Gianna Boren ice skates – one of many 

activities to do – Dec. 2 at the Village’s 

annual Christmas in the Commons event. 

Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media 

Christmas in the Commons 

brings people to New Lenox for 

holiday fun, Page 5 

WE WISH 

YOUA 

MOKENA 

19102 S.88th Ave. 

708-326-8300 

NEW LENOX 

US30 at Marley Rd. 

815-462-4300 

www.LWCBank.com

2 | December 13, 2018 | The New Lenox Patriot calendar 

newlenoxpatriot.com 

In this week’s 

Patriot 

Police Reports................10 

Standout Student...........14 

Pet of the Week.............15 

Sound Off.....................17 

Poetry Corner................20 

Puzzles..........................29 

Home of the Week.........34 

The New Lenox 

Patriot 

ph: 708.326.9170 fx: 708.326.9179 

Editor 

James Sanchez, x48 

james@newlenoxpatriot.com 

Assistant Editor 

Megan Schuller x34 

m.schuller@22ndcm.com 

Sales director 

Lora Healy, x31 

l.healy@22ndcenturymedia.com 

real estate sales 

Tricia Weber, x47 

t.weber@22ndcenturymedia.com 

business directory Sales 

Kellie Tschopp, x23 

k.tschopp@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.NewLenoxPatriot.com 

Chemical- free printing on 30% recycled paper 

circulation inquiries 

circulation@22ndcenturymedia.com 

The New Lenox Patriot (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 New Lenox Patriot, 328 E Lincoln Hwy 

New Lenox, IL 60451 

Published by 

www.22ndcenturymedia.com 

Megan Schuller 


THURSDAY 

Business After Hours 

5-7 p.m. Hickory Creek 

Brewing Company, 1005 

W. Laraway Road, Unit 

260. Join the New Lenox 

Chamber of Commerce in 

partnership with Hickory 

Creek Brewing Company 

for a networking 

event. For more information, 

visit www.new 

lenoxchamber.com. 

SATURDAY 

Lunch with the Grinch 

10 a.m. and noon Saturday, 

Dec. 15, Lincolnway 

Special Recreation Association, 

1900 Heatherglen 

Drive, New Lenox. Join the 

LWSRA for their third annual 

Lunch with the Grinch. 

There will be two, 2-hour 

sessions. This event is open 

to the public, and all children 

must be accompanied 

by an adult. Space is limited. 

Register at www.eventbrite. 

com and search for “Lunch 

with the Grinch” in New 

Lenox, IL. 

Cookies with Mrs. Claus 

10:30-11:15 a.m. Saturday, 

Dec. 15, New Lenox 

Public Library, 120 Veterans 

Parkway, New Lenox. 

Join Mrs. Claus and some 

North Pole elves for festive 

stories, a craft, cookies, 

and elf games. To register, 

visit www.newlenoxlibrary. 

org. 

Santa Neighborhood Visits 

11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, 

Laraway Ridege, Horizon 

Meadows and Taylor Glen 

neighborhoods, New Lenox. 

Santa will be riding around 

various neighborhoods in 

New Lenox in a fire engine. 

For more information, contact 

the New Lenox Fire 

Protection District at (815) 

463-4500. 

Santa Visit 

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, 

Dec. 15, Raffy’s Candy 

Store, 2571 E. Lincoln Highway, 

New Lenox. For more 

information, call (815) 320- 

6152. 

MONDAY 

Scooby-Doo Christmas 

6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, 

Dec. 17, New Lenox 



Watch the movie, “Scooby-Doo 

Christmas,” have 

some Scooby Snax, and 

take pictures in The Mystery 

Machine photo booth. 

To register, visit www.newlenoxlibrary.org. 

Dine and Donate at Raffy’s 

4 p.m.-9 p.m. Raffy’s Candy 

Store, 2571 E. Lincoln 

Highway, New Lenox. Stop 

by Raffy’s in New Lenox 

and 15 percent of your purchase 

will be donated to the 

New Lenox PTO when you 

bring in the flyer from the 

PTO website about the fundraiser. 

Wednesday 

Flower Pot Ornaments 

6-7:15 p.m. Wednesday, 

Dec. 19, New Lenox Public 

Library, 120 Veterans Parkway, 

New Lenox. Create 

matching Mickey and Minnie 

flower pot ornaments 

for your tree. To register, 

visit www.newlenoxlibrary.org. 

UPCOMING 

Nothing Bundt Cakes 

Fundraiser 

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, 

Dec. 20 and 7 a.m.-1:30 

p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, outside 

of Silver Cross Hospital’s 

Seasons Dining Room, 

1900 Silver Cross Blvd., 

New Lenox. The Silver 

Cross Foundation has partnered 

with Nothing Bundt 

Cakes in Orland Park to 

raise funds to purchase new 

equipment and enhance 

the programs and services 

available at the hospital. 

For more information, or 

to make a donation to the 

foundation, visit www.silvercross.org. 

Perler Beads for Teens 

1-3 p.m. New Lenox 



Working with perler beads 

is not just for little children, 

and it can be a great way to 

relax. Suffering from postholiday 

blahs? Stop into the 

library for a few hours and 

create something unique and 

fun. For more information, 

visit www.newlenoxlibrary. 

org. 

State of the District 

7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 

10, Lincoln-Way Central, 

1801 E. Lincoln Highway, 

New Lenox. Lincoln-Way 

Community High School at 

the Knight’s Round Table. 

Superintendent Dr. Scott 

Tingley and District administrators 

will share recent accomplishments, 

financials, 

test scores and upcoming 

initiatives. For more information, 

visit www.lw210. 

org. 

Healthy Living Expo 

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, 

Jan. 19, Tinley Park Convention 

Center South Pavilion, 

18451 Convention 

Center Drive. Join more 

than 50 vendors in health 

and wellness at the third 

annual expo, which includes 

speaker sessions, 

cooking demos, a Vitalant 

Blood Drive and more. Free 

admission and free parking. 

For more information, 

call (708) 326-9170 ext. 

16 or visit 22ndCentury 

Media.com/healthy 

ONGOING 


Saturdays and Sundays 

through Jan. 6, Village Commons, 

1 Veterans Parkway, 

New Lenox. Enjoy a full 

season of entertainment and 

activities in the commons 

and come see the largest illuminated 

Santa Claus in 

the United States. There will 

be a dazzling light display 

throughout the Commons, 

holiday markets and ice skating. 

For a full list of times, 

dates, events and activities, 

visit www.newlenox.net. 

Diaper Drive 

Ongoing through Wednesday, 

Dec. 19, Rep. Margo 

McDermed’s Office, 11032 

W. Lincoln Highway, Frankfort. 

Donations of diapers, 

baby wipes and diaper rash 

cream will be accepted and 

distributed to local nonprofits 

that help new mothers 

and families in need. Residents 

can also set up deliveries 

directly tot he office from 

online retailers. 

LIST IT YOURSELF 

Reach out to thousands of daily 

users by submitting your event at 

NewLenoxPatriot.com/calendar 

For just print*, email all information to 


*Deadline for print is 5 p.m. the Thursday prior to publication. 

oisettia Sale 

Support the Lincoln-Way 

Transition program through 

their annual poinsettia sale. 

All of the plants are grown 

by students in the program. 

Plants cost $10 each, which 

includes a holiday planter 

decoration and decorative 

foil. Both white and red 

plants are available as supplies 

last. For more information 

or to order plants, call 

(815) 462-2229 or email 

lwtransition@lw210.org. 

New Lenox Toastmasters 

This group meets on the 

second and fourth Saturday 

of the month at New Lenox 

New Life Church (media 

room), 500 S. Gougar Road, 

New Lenox. The club’s mission 

is to help members improve 

their speaking, communication 

and leadership 

skills. For meeting times 

or more information, email 

jrselbor@gmail.com. 

LWABWO Meetings 

6-8 p.m. on the third Tuesday 

of each month Sept. 

through June, Gatto’s Restaurant, 

Route 30 & Schoolhouse 

Road, New Lenox. 

The Lincoln-Way Area Business 

Women’s Organization 

is a non-profit club formed 

in 1971 to provide scholarship 

funds to graduating female 

high school seniors and 

adult women for the purpose 

of continuing education. We 

are always looking for new 

members. For more information, 

visit www.LWABWO. 

org.

newlenoxpatriot.com NEWS 

the New Lenox Patriot | December 13, 2018 | 3 

Local Scouts work with FnA Bicycles for service project 

Troop 1520 donated 

more than 70 bikes, 

roughly half to go to 

Mokena families 

James Sanchez, Editor 

Nelson Ridge student Emmy Salazar (left) test rides a 

tricycle she and Ron Kittler fixed. 

Spencer Crossing student Aubrey Lauer cleans one of 

the bikes before it could be sent off to a Mokena School 

District 159 family in need. 

While prepping his bike 

shop for the local Girl Scouts 

who are coming over for a 

service project, Ron Kittler 

stumbles upon a handful of 

used bicycles someone had 

placed right outside the front 

door. 

That’s nothing new for the 

owner of FnA Bicycles/FnA 

Outdoors in New Lenox. 

“This is how I show up every 

morning to work,” Kittler 

said. “I’m not kidding. 

It’s like Christmas every 

single day.” 

Having fixed and souped 

up more than 400 used bicycles 

and donated them to underprivileged 

area families 

the past several years, it’s 

become a way of life for the 

Mokena resident, especially 

during the holidays. Most 

recently, he gave a bike to 

a 16-year-old boy through 

Court Appointed Special 

Advocates of Will County, 

who needed a one to commute 

to his new job. 

He’s also done work with 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of 

Will and Grundy Counties, 

and back in October, he delivered 

more than 30 bikes 

to New Lenox School District 

122 families in need. 

He’s currently working with 

New Lenox Township for 

another delivery. 

Some of the bikes he receives 

that are already mechanically 

sound might take 

just 10 minutes to wash and 

tune up the cables, brakes, 

shiftters, wheels and tubes, 

while others might take up 

to 45 minutes if he has to 

piece together parts from 

other bikes to get one in tiptop 

shape. 

“I love this, I do this allyear 

round,” he said. “I 

know what it is to grow up 

with very, very little. The 

biggest thing for me is their 

freedom. A lot of these kids 

riding bikes, this is their 

time away. Your homework’s 

done, get out and go 

ride. You could see so much 

more on a bicycle than you 

can if they’re just walking 

around in the neighborhood. 

And for a child going 

through tough times, to be 

Please see scout, 8 

Ron Kittler, owner of FnA Bicycles/FnA Outdoors, and his wife, Stacie Kittler, pose for a 

picture with New Lenox Girl Scout Troop 1520 Dec. 5 during a service project at the shop, 

located at 1303 S. Schoolhouse Road. Photos by James Sanchez/22nd Century Media 

It’s your 

turn ladies... 

Gift Cards Available! 

1844 E. Lincoln Hwy, New Lenox • 815.462.4144 

www.moodybluesboutique.com 

15 % OFF 

TOTAL PURCHASE * 

Excludes all 

Brighton merchandise. 

Expires 12/31/19 

Holiday Hours: Monday 10-4 • Tues, Wed, & Fri. 10-6 • Thursday 10-7 • Saturday 10-4 • Sunday 11-2 

Open Christmas Eve 10-2 • CLOSED New Years Eve & New Years Day

4 | December 13, 2018 | The New Lenox Patriot NEWS 


Chamber of Commerce awards partners making a difference 



United Methodist Church of New Lenox 

presents a 

LIVING NATIVITY 

Sunday, December 16th, 4:00-7:00 p.m. 

339 W. Haven Avenue, New Lenox 

This is a free event open to the public 

Celebrate the joy of Christmas as you drive through the church grounds 

to see live actors and animals portraying the Christmas Story. Please 

use the entrance off of Route 30. Stay and join us for hot cocoa, cookies 

and hymns inside. Food donations will be appreciated for local pantries. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: WWW.UMCNL.COM 

After winning Citizen of the Year, Frank Gatto gives Jeanne 

Lazzara of Morning Star Mission a hug, as Emily Johnson, 

CEO of the New Lenox Chamber of Commerces, says a few 

words. 

Bob Spychalski 

BROKER 

•CustomizedMarketingCampaign 

•Freeprofessional&dronephotography 

•Strongonline&socialmediaexposure 

•5starZillowagent 

•LocalResident 

630.728.8490 

BOB SPYCHALSKI 

ILC 8509 0318 

Local business and organizations 

packed into Gatto’s 

Restaurant during the 

annual “Jingle and Mingle” 

event, which recognized 

three exemplary partners of 

the New Lenox Chamber of 

Commerce on Friday, Dec.7. 

The Chamber of Commerce 

presented the Village 

of New Lenox with the partner 

of the year award. 

“I couldn’t think of anyone 

better for this,” Chief Executive 

Officer of the Chamber 

of Commerce Emily Johnson 

said. “There is so much support 

for businesses here, and 

the Village goes above and 

beyond duty to stand out.” 

The Village was recognized 

for being a partner that 

makes an impact in the community 

within not only New 

Lenox, but in the community 

as a whole. 

“The Village is honored to 

be considered partners with 

many organizations in New 

Lenox,” Economic Development 

Director Nancy Dye 

said. “It truly does take a village 

to make a community 

great. If not for our mayor 

and Board of Trustees, we 

wouldn’t be what we are.” 

Local business The 

Grounds Guys was dubbed 

the business of the year. 

Johnson said for this award 

there was a three-way tie, 

and it had to be voted on 

again. 

According to Johnson, 

this award is annually given 

to a business who works 

with the Chamber, has a reputation 

with the community 

and makes a difference in 

the community at large. 

“The Grounds Guys are 

a dedicated member of the 

Chamber,” Johnson said. 

“We’re proud to have them.” 

Owner of the Grounds 

Guys Gary Fouts, said the 

nomination came as a surprise. 

“I am very appreciative 

and thankful to be recognized 

within the community,” 

Fouts said. “It’s not just 

me, it’s my guys working for 

us that make it what it is.” 

The citizen of the year was 

awarded to a recipient who 

received multiple nominations 

for their contribution 

within the community. Frank 

Gatto, owner of the infamous 

Gatto’s Restaurant, 

took home the award. 

Village trustees Doug Finnegan and Kieth Madsen, Economic Development Director Nancy 

Dye and Village Administrator Kurt Carol accept the Partner of the Year award on behalf of 

the Village of New Lenox. photos by Megan Schuller/ 22nd Century Media 

The Grounds Guys, Rob Duvre, Brad Snyder, Gary Fouts and Tiffanee Fouts accept the 

Bussiness of the Year award. 

“I have pretty much 

learned what I’m doing from 

a lot of you business owners,” 

Gatto told the crowd 

while holding his large certificate. 

“Nothing feels better 

than helping.” 

The Jingle Mingle event 

is more then just an awards 

night, many shared business 

cards with other business 

owners. 

“The Jungle Mingle is a 

time to say thanks and reward 

businesses for being 

members,” Johnson said. 

“It’s also something for 

members to make social 

connections within the business 

community. I’m proud 

to be a part of it.” 

All the winners will be recognized 

at a dinner on Jan. 24 

at the VFW Post 9545.

newlenoxpatriot.com NEWS 


Village’s annual Christmas event provides super-sized holiday cheer 

Deadline to send 

mail to Santa’s 

mailbox in the 

Commons is Dec. 16 

Laurie Fanelli 

Freelance Reporter 

New Lenox transformed 

into a winter wonderland at 

the annual Christmas in the 

Commons Kick-Off Celebration 

on Dec. 2. 

The event featured holiday 

favorites including pictures 

with Santa, ice skating, 

crafts, entertainment, shopping 

at the Holiday Market 

and much more. 

The most magical moment 

came at dusk when Mayor 

Tim Baldermann flipped the 

seasonal switch and lit up 

all of the twinkling features 

including the largest illuminated 

Santa Claus in the 

United States. Despite rainy 

weather, the kick-off event 

still drew a large turnout as 

families were eager to embrace 

the start of the Christmas 

season. 

“We don’t have ideal 

weather today, but there’s 

still so many people who 

came out here,” said Baldermann, 

who enjoyed spending 

time with his family at 

the event. “We have so many 

hardworking staff members, 

volunteers and community 

members that come together 

to make this happen, and 

then our community comes 

out. This is such a great 

town and the residents really 

embody what the spirit 

of Christmas is all about. 

That’s what I love the most.” 


has events and activities 

scheduled for every Saturday 

and Sunday through 

Dec. 23. Megan Applegate, 

administrative assistant to 

Baldermann, explained that 

there is even more to love 

New Lenox Community Park District Board Vice President Brian Fischer enjoys a cup of hot chocolate Dec. 2 during the 

Village’s Christmas in the Commons celebration. Photos by Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media 

Christmas in the Commons attendees in awe of the giant 

Illuminated Santa Claus the Village puts up every holiday 

season. 

about the event in 2018. 

“This year we’ve got 

a number of new things. 

[We’ve got a craft beer fest 

Saturday Dec. 15 – with local 

breweries coming in], 

and we have a Holiday 

Sweets and Treats Sale on 

Dec. 22,” Applegate said. 

“There will be horse-drawn 

carriage rides every Saturday 

and we’ll also have 

Santa every Sunday. We’ve 

got holiday character visits 

– Anna, Elsa, The Grinch, 

Buddy the Elf, Minnie, 

Mickey, Elf on the Shelf – 

with a ton of different characters 

coming on each of 

the Saturdays.” 

Applegate added that the 

Holiday Market – which 

has a rotating lineup of vendors 

– will also be open for 

business every weekend and 

there will be activities inside 

Village Hall, as well. 

Santa Claus was the star of 

the show during the kick-off 

event as families lined-up 

to share Christmas wishes 

and take photos with him 

and Mrs. Claus. Mokena 

residents P.J., 6, and Payton 

Duchrane, 4, were hoping to 

find a PS4 remote controller 

and Pikmi Pop under their 

tree on Christmas morning. 

The Ducharnes also 

shared some of their favorite 

things about the holidays. 

“I like my dad putting up 

the lights on our wall,” P.J. 

said. 

“I like when I make snow 

angels,” Payton added. 

While attendees waited 

to visit with Jolly Old Saint 

Nick, they enjoyed performances 

from a number of 

local groups including the 

Lincoln-Way Area Chorale 

Madrigal Group. Artistic Director 

Elise Green explained 

that the 16-member choir especially 

enjoys performing 

for the community. 

“We love reaching out 

to the community and letting 

people hear what we 

do,” Green said. “People 

that don’t normally come to 

our concerts who might not 

know we exist. We’re in our 

24th year and we’re right in 

this community. And most of 

these singers have done a lot 

of performing all their lives 

so I think they love being up 

close and personal to the audience 

and being able to see 

their reactions. I think we all 

like that.” 

The opening day of the 

Holiday Market featured 

one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone 

on your shopping 

list. Those looking for 

sweets will want to stop by 

booth six during the remaining 

market days as Barbara 

Hoffman’s Covered in Chocolate, 

Inc, with the Cookie 

Garden, will be on site each 

and every weekend. 

“I did it last year and I had 

a blast,” Hoffman said. “Our 

Ryan Johnson, of Richton Park, mails a letter to Santa. The 

mailbox is located next to the illuminated Santa Claus and 

the deadline to send mail is Dec. 16. 

best sellers are any of our 

truffles and our marshmallow 

wands. You can eat off 

the wand or you can put it in 

your hot chocolate. And our 

double stuffed cookies are 

delicious.” 

Now that the Commons 

has transformed into a magical 

holiday oasis, families 

can also enjoy driving – or 

walking – around the lake 

to witness the wonderful 

light displays on weekdays 

as well as weekends. Santa’s 

Mailbox is also ready to accept 

letters to the North Pole 

any day of the week. Santa 

has informed event organizers 

that as long as the notes 

are dropped off by Dec. 16 – 

and include a return address 

– he will respond to every 

holiday greeting. 

More information about 

upcoming Christmas in the 

Commons events can be 

found at www.newlenox.net.

6 | December 13, 2018 | The New Lenox Patriot NEW LENOX 


—Daniel Herman, former MinisterofCultureofthe Czech Republic 

“I wasfilled with HOPE… 

The world is abetter place because of Shen Yun.” 

—Richard Swett, former U.S. congressman 

“Absolutely THE NO.1SHOW in the world.” 

—Kenn Wells, former lead dancer of English National Ballet 

“The HIGHEST and the BEST 

of what humans can produce.” 

—Olevia Brown-Klahn, singer and musician 

“I just wish there isaway that Icould cry out to mankind, 

theyowe it to themselves to experienceShen Yun.” 

—Jim Crill, veteranproducer,watched Shen Yun 4times 

DEC27–30, 2018 

CHICAGO 

Civic OperaHouse 

JAN10–13 

AURORA 

Paramount Theatre 

FEB14–17 

ROSEMONT 

RosemontTheatre 

ShenYun.com/Chicago 

888-99-SHOWS

newlenoxpatriot.com NEW LENOX 


JESSICA JAKUBOWSKI | 312-810-6722 

BROKER 

157 KIMBER DRIVE | NEW LENOX | 3 BEDROOM 2.5 BATH WITH A POOL | $264,900 

Open House, Saturday December 15th 1-3PM 

Fantastic New Lenox Location! Moments from the Metra, easy access to I80 & 

355 and just 1 block from the Haines and Oster-Oakview schools. This movein 

ready home boasts thousands in recent improvements: stunning Acacia 

hardwood floors, updated kitchen and baths, New Fixtures, New Leaded Glass 

Front Door (2015), New Interior doors, New Furnace and Air (2018), New Hot 

Water Heater (2018), New Pella Garage Door (2017), Main level Pella Windows 

(2016),Washer/Dryer (2015) New concrete driveway (2016) and more! 

#CRISRealty 

(815) 464-4400 

53 Old Frankfort Way | Frankfort, IL crisrealty.net 

#WeLoveLincolnWay 

Santa Dropped a Sack of Gifts... 

GRAB ONE FREE when you Book your Trips! 

Book a New Funjet Vacation Package between 11-23 - 12-20-18 for travel now through Dec 2019... 

and pick yourself a great present from under the NEW LENOX TRAVEL Tree. 

TWO LUCKY PACKAGES CONTAIN TWO TICKETS TO PARADISE! 

Two lucky gifts contain 2 Air seats to Mexico or the Caribbean for 2019 travel! 

$100 Off 

ANY Funjet Vacations 

When you mention this ad 

All Inclusive Vacation/5 Nights or Longer. 

Valid on New Bookings Only/One Discount per reservation. 

815-485-3300 | NewLenoxTravel.com 

Atrium Point / Corner of Rte 30 & Schoolhouse Rd. 

Like 

Us On



Martino’s holiday event benefits children in need 

Mayor Baldermann 

dresses as Santa for 

the children 

Submitted by Martino 

Junior HIgh 

On Friday, Dec. 7, the 

Martino Junior High School 

Student Council hosted a 

Santa’s workshop with toys 

and proceeds benefiting local 

families in need. Mayor 

Tim Baldermann joined in 

on the fun and volunteered 

to serve as Santa for the 

event. 

Martino’s student council 

organized the event, which 

included: taking pictures 

with Santa, making reindeer 

food, playing reindeer 

games, reading Christmas 

stories with Mrs. Claus, 

watching a movie on the 

big screen, coloring ornaments 

and writing letters to 

Santa. Families could take 

a break from the action at 

Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen and 

enjoy some hot chocolate or 

holiday cookies. 

“We wanted to host an 

event that would benefit 

the community,” said Angelina 

Rafalski, student 

council executive board 

member. “Next week we 

will bring all the toys we 

collected from today to Silver 

Cross for their pediatric 

patients and MorningStar 

mission for local families in 

need.” 

As part of the entry fee, 

community members donated 

a new toy or made a 

monetary donation. Martino 

Junior High hopes to make 

the Santa’s Village an annual 

event. 

ABOVE: Local Bruce Schauer mails off his letter to Santa. 

ABOVE RIGHT: Shawn Stemmler works on a Christmas coloring sheet in 

the arts and crafts section. 

BELOW RIGHT: New Lenox resident Jennifer Corona, dressed as Mrs. 

Claus, reads a story to Santa’s Village attendees. 

New Lenox resident Mia Nawrocki takes a festive photo with Mayor Tim Baldermann 

dressed as Santa Claus during Martino Junior High’s Santa’s Village event Thursday, Dec. 

6. Photos by Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media 

scout 

From Page 3 

given something like this, 

that’s a big deal.” 

New Lenox Girl Scout 

Troop 1520 Service Leader 

Corrine Coventry saw Kittler’s 

efforts and partnered 

with him for the troop to 

earn its Bronze Award – 

the highest award for a junior 

Scout. Through the 

help of social media, flyers 

and other area troops, the 

girls delivered 70 bikes to 

Kittler’s shop. On Dec. 5, 

the fourth- and fifth-graders 

and their parents met 

there to wash, detail and 

fix the bikes before it will 

be delivered to between 30 

and 40 children within the 

Mokena School District 159 

system. 

Coventry said the troop, 

which includes her daughter, 

Sophia, has been together 

since kindergarten. They’ve 

created a bond all those 

years together, which Coventry 

said is a blessing to 

witness. 

“With the scouts, mentally 

they have just blossomed 

into great, little givers,” 

Coventry said. “They’re 

little, but they all got big 

hearts. We’re blessed to 

have a very good group of 

Scouts with great parents.” 

The girls were divided 

up into different stations 

throughout the shop and rotated 

responsibilities. One 

station was more hands on 

as Kittler taught the Scouts 

how to double check the 

mechanics on the bikes and, 

if needed, fix them. Another 

station was for washing and 

the last station was used to 

dry off and detail the bikes. 

All of this to receive a 

badge, but the girls know 

that’s not just what this is 

all for. 

“We’re doing this because 

we care about people who 

need it, and it’s Christmas,” 

Sophia said. “What if they 

don’t have enough money to 

afford a bike? What if they 

need a way to get to work? 

This is our way to help.”

newlenoxpatriot.com news 


Annual auction raises money for scholarships 



The VFW Post 9545 post 

was filled with more than 

350 women waiving numbered 

bidding paddles during 

an annual live auction 

that raises money to give 

back locally. 

The Lincoln-Way Area 

Business Women Organization’s 

one and only annual 

fundraiser of the year, which 

occurred Dec. 5, raises money 

for scholarships to give to 

women for continuing their 

education. 

“It only takes one night to 

raise the money needed for 

more than 10 scholarships,” 

Past LWABWO President 

Christine Hunt said. “This 

is the most effective way to 

raise money for this cause.” 

The event sold an array of 

gift baskets donated by local 

businesses ranging from holiday 

knick-knacks to tickets 

for Fiddler on the Roof to a 

Cooper’s Hawk wine club 

membership. Twenty-three 

mystery “gold” baskets, 

(Left to right) Lynore Taylor, of New Lenox; Maureen Oland, 

of Chicago; and Julie Yackley of Lemont bid during the live 

auction to benefit women furthering their education. 

which contain cash and other 

prizes, were each auctioned 

off for hundreds of dollars. 

Last year more than 

$16,000 was raised. That 

money was enough for 17 

scholarships, given to young 

women from the Lincoln- 

Way area for educational 

expenses. 

“Every dollar counts,” 

current LWABWO President 

Nancy Dye said. “The 

community embraces this 

event each year. They look 

forward to it because they 

understand the value of what 

this night does for the community.” 

As the annual event 

grows, so does the money it 

brings in. This year, $15,000 

was raised. 

“Our scholarship winners 

are always impressive,” Dye 

said. “Our hope is that this 

scholarship can start them 

off on the right foot.” 

Please see auction, 11 

Jeanine Cunningham, of Frankfort, holds up her bidding paddle before the bidding began. 

For All Your Real Estate Needs 

National Advantage Real Estate 

328 E. Lincoln Hwy. 

New Lenox, IL 60451 

815-485-0304 

www.Eleanor4Homes.com 

Sparkling Service - Old Value - Brilliant Results 

Marilyn (left) and Kim Zanelli, both of Plainfield, browse the gift baskets to be auctioned off Dec. 4 during the LWABWO’s 

annual fundraiser at VFW Post 9545. Photos by Megan Schuller/22nd Century Media 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Masses: 

Saturday Vigil....... 4:00 pm 

Sunday ................. 7:30 and 10:30 am 

Daily ..................... Mon., Wed., Fri. 7:30 am 

Mass Schedule change effective October 1, 2018.



Police Reports 

NL man charged with DUI after crashing into tree 

Robert J. Diver III, 21, 

of 2753 Foxwood Drive in 

New Lenox, was charged 

with driving under the influence 

Dec. 2 after he was involved 

in a single-car crash. 

Witnesses reportedly told 

police Diver’s vehicle was 

swerving, and he eventually 

lost control and crashed 

HERE FOR YOU, NO MATTER WHAT. 

We’re excited to announce that Maria Hohman, 

Agent has just added another licensed staff 

person to our office. Welcome, Nicole DeGrave, 

Sales Specialist - All Lines. 

Our team of dream champions is ready to offer 

you committed support as you pursue your 

dream. Contact us to discuss which services 

and coverage can help you dream fearlessly. 

Let’s talk today. 

American Family Mutual Insurance Company,S.I.and its Operating Companies,American Family Insurance Company,6000American Parkway,Madison,WI 53783 014465 – 1/18 ©2018 – 9035271 

Nicole DeGrave, 

Sales Specialist – 

All Lines 

for Maria Hohman,Agent 

15 Oak St Ste 2C 

Frankfort, IL 60423 

ndegrave@amfam.com 

Bus: (815) 464-6155 

into a tree near Francis 

Road and Crown Fox Lane. 

Police said paramedics arrived, 

and Diver was treated 

in the ambulance but refused 

further treatment. 

After further investigation, 

Diver was under the influence 

of alcohol, police added. 

Dec. 3 

• A New Lenox resident’s 

personal information reportedly 

was stolen and used to 

a fraudulent line of credit to 

make purchases. 

Dec. 2 

• A home on the 700 block of 

Darsha Road reportedly was 

egged and broke a window 

on the front door in doing so. 

Nov. 28 

• A New Lenox resident’s 

personal information reportedly 

was stolen to open a line 

of credit to make fraudulent 

purchases. 

• Miscellaneous items reportedly 

were stolen from an 

unlocked vehicle parked at a 

residence on the 100 block 

of Twilight Lane. 

Nov. 27 

• An unknown male reportedly 

stole tools and other 

items from Walmart, on the 

500 block of East Lincoln 

Highway, approximately 

valued at $300. 

Nov. 26 

• A New Lenox resident was 

scammed after agreeing to 

purchase a phone by from 

a seller using the OfferUp 

app. They agreed to meet 

at Walmart. Police said after 

receiving the money, the 

seller provided the resident 

with an empty phone box 

and drove off. 

• Two TVs valued at $800 

reportedly were stolen from 

Walmart. 

7:54 called vehicle swerving 

in the roadway and lost 

control and struck a tree. 

Witness called the police, 

and police arrived on scene. 

paramadics were called on 

the scene. Treated in the ambulance 

and refused further 

treatment. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: The New 

Lenox Patriot’s Police Reports 

are compiled from official 

reports found online on the 

New Lenox Police Department’s 

website or releases 

issued by the department and 

other agencies. Anyone listed 

in these reports is considered to 

be innocent of all charges until 

proven guilty in a court of law. 

HOUSE +LOVE=HOME 

CONTACT STEFANIE TO FIND YOURS! 

Stefanie Campbell 

NEW LENOX REAL ESTATEEXPERT 

815.997.0177 

stefanie@atproperties.com

newlenoxpatriot.com news 


Contests 

Just one week left to enter 

2018 Holiday Card Contest 

Deadline for 

submissions is 5 

p.m. Thursday, Dec. 

20 

Bill Jones, Managing Editor 

You know that scene in 

“Home Alone” in which the 

family wakes up late, and everyone 

is scrambling to such 

degree to get to the airport on 

time for their flight that they 

forget their own child? (You 

know, basically the whole 

setup?) Well, many of you 

are basically living that scene 

right now. 

Christmas and Kwanzaa 

are but weeks away. Hanukkah 

is already over. Those 

who celebrate Eastern Orthodox 

Christmas have almost a 

month, but the clock is ticking 

for them, too. 

You’re scrambling to buy 

last-minute gifts. You’re 

cleaning the house. You’re 

trying to figure out what you 

can bring to the party. And 

you still have work, children, 

chores — no shortage of obligations. 

You’re bound to forget 

something. 

You’re on your own with 

your children (seriously, 

please don’t forget them), but 

thankfully you have us here 

to remind you about the 2018 

Holiday Card Contest. 

As a recap, the contest 

asks you to send us your best 

homemade Christmas cards, 

the best or funniest year-end 

letters, children’s sketches 

of reindeer, photos of your 

winter bowling league team 

getting in the spirit, crafty 

Kwanzaa greetings or Hanukkah 

Hallmarks — basically, 

whatever it is you send 

to your loved ones to make 

sure they get something in 

The Prizes 

A look at what readers 

can win in this year’s 

Holiday Card Contest 

Best in Show 

• A $25 gift certificate 

for Rubi Agave, 12622 W. 

159th St., Homer Glen 

• Four play passes, each 

good for free admission to 

the KidsWork Children’s 

Museum, 11 S. White 

Street, Frankfort 

• Three $5 gift certificates 

for Sizzles, 110 MacGregor 

Road in Lockport 

• Two gift certificates, each 

good for a free two-week 

individual trial membership 

for one adult, 18 and older, 

at The Oaks Recreation & 

Fitness Center, 10847 W. 

the mail around the holidays 

other than busted-up Amazon 

packages, letters that were 

clearly dropped in the snow 

somewhere along the way 

and your favorite newspaper, 

The New Lenox Patriot. 

Whatever it is you do for 

the people you love during 

the holidays (just the PG-13 

stuff, please), simply address 

these things to Managing Editor 

Bill Jones, and mail them 

to 11516 W. 183rd St. Unit 

SW Office Condo 3, Orland 

Park, IL, 60467. Make sure 

the items somewhere include 

a name and a phone number 

at which we can reach you, 

should you happen to win the 

contest, as well as your town 

of residence. 

We will accept submissions 

through 5 p.m. Thursday, 

Dec. 20. They must be 

received (not postmarked) 

by that day, so make sure to 

give yourself enough time for 

holiday mail service. 

La Porte Road in Mokena 

Funniest 

• Two hours of free 

bowling for up to six 

people, including shoe 

rentals, along with a pizza 

and pitcher full of pop, at 

Laraway Lanes, 1009 W. 

Laraway Road in New Lenox 

• A $25 gift card to Gizmos 

Fun Factory, 66 Orland 

Square Drive, Suite D, in 

Orland Park 

• Four passes, each good 

for a free value basket at 

Culver’s, 18248 Sayre Ave. 

in Tinley Park 

• Four passes, each good 

for one free open gym entry 

at The Oaks Recreation & 

Fitness Center, 10847 W. 

La Porte Road in Mokena 

The entries will be evaluated 

by our editorial staff and 

judged in two categories: Best 

in Show and Funniest, so tell 

us in which category you’d 

like to be considered. We will 

pick one winner in each of 

the categories from across all 

seven of the towns covered 

by 22nd Century Media’s 

Southwest office: Orland 

Park, Tinley Park, Frankfort, 

Mokena, New Lenox, Lockport 

and Homer Glen. 

In addition to awarding 

prizes (in the accompanying 

sidebar), we plan to publish 

images or transcripts of our 

winners in print, along with 

a few of our other favorites. 

We do have three rules. 

• We are allowing only one 

entry per household for this 

contest. 

• The entry must be from 

this holiday season. 

• Electronic entries are accepted. 

They can be sent to 

bill@opprairie.com. 

auction 

From Page 9 

Member of the Mokena 

Chamber of Commerce 

Mary Maertin said seeing 

the impact of the scholarship 

on women in the community 

is what keeps this event going 

strong year after year. 

“What makes this worth it 

is when, in four to five years 

after receiving a scholarship, 

the recipients come back and 

tell us how their college experience 

was,” Maertin said. 

“These scholarship are a 

great opportunity for women.” 

Chairman of the Scholarship 

Fund Judy Niemann said 

that this events brings women 

together from all walks of 

life throughout the community, 

from business women to 

retired women who want to 

have a good time. 

“The girls are always so 

honored when they are given 

their checks,” Niemann said. 

“I’m overwhelmed at how 

wonderful our scholarship 

recipients are and how generous 

the community is.” 

This has become a tradition 

for the organization 

since the 1970’s. 

“Whether they use the 

money for tuition, to buy a 

computer or books, we do 

whatever we can for them. 

That’s why we’re here,” Past 

LWABWO President Michelle 

Kerfin said. 

Cheryl Colantro was a 

CONTACT 

recipient of a continuing 

education scholarship many 

years ago,and has since been 

heavily involved with the 

LWABWO. 

“Our mission has been 

centered around giving opportunities 

to talented and 

brilliant young ladies of the 

Lincoln-Way community as 

they further or continue their 

education,” Colantro said. 

Scholarships will be given 

away in June of 2019 at the 

LWABWO’s annual scholarship 

dinner. 

“I support women expanding 

upon their carers and 

education,” Jeanine Cunningham, 

of Frankfort said. 

“Tonight is all about women 

helping women.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/27/18. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/27/18. 

‘Tis the season to 

advertise in 

The New Lenox Patriot 

LORA HEALY 

708.326.9170 ext. 31 l.healy@22ndcenturymedia.com 

®



Legacy 

Living 

Fulfills Your Promise 

of Lifelong Care for 

Your Loved One 

The Legacy’s beautiful campus is 

strategically designed for those with 

memory impairments. Our compassionate 

staff brings fresh energy every day. Legacy 

Living is how you care for the person who 

has always taken such great care ofyou. 

Learn more about the Legacy or schedule a 

tour to see for yourself. Visit usonline at 

EvergreenSLC.com/OrlandPark or call us 

today at (708) 479-1082. 

www.EvergreenSLC.com/OrlandPark 

(708) 479-1082 •10820183rdStreet •OrlandPark,IL 

WANTED 

115 PEOPLE to try new DIGITAL Technology 

in Hearing Aids Are you, or someone you 

know, struggling with hearing loss? 

We need 115 

people with difficulty hearing, especially in noisy 

situations, to evaluate the latest in digital technology from 

Widex. EAR TO HEAR will perform Comprehensive Hearing 

Consultations FREE of charge to all callers. We will then 

choose 115 qualified candidates for this program. 

Please call immediately to schedule your 

evaluation to determine if you 

are a candidate for the program. 

Candidates selected will be 

asked to evaluate the latest nearly 

invisible hearing aid technology for 

30 

days. 

Joliet Hearing Center | 2295 Essington Rd, Joliet 

815-205-8589 

Mokena Hearing Center | 11041 Front St. Mokena 

708-852-0341 

815-205-8589 

Jeff Dobie HIS, MBA



Featuring: 

Catered Senior Living 

Simplify your life … with EVERYTHING you 

need under one roof providing a premier senior 

living experience. Tinley Court Retirement 

Community is redefining the Independent 

Senior Living Experience! 

• 3 Chef Prepared meals served to you by a 

professional wait staff 

• Full Daily activity program which includes 

entertainment & trips 

• Wellness Center offering podiatry, therapy, x-ray, 

lab, hearing & dental services without having to 

leave the building 

• Weekly housekeeping 

• Utilities 

• Library, chapel, café, beauty/barber shop 

• Walking distance to Tinley Park shops & 

restaurants 

• Veteran’s Financial Assistance available 

SCHEDULE A PRIVATE TOUR 

of our “1 of a kind” 

Senior Living Community 

One bedroom 

and double unit 

available!! 

DON’T DELAY!!! 

Immediate Occupancy Available • Don’t delay – Call TODAY! 

16301 S Brementowne Rd. 708.532.7800 

Tinley Park, IL 60477 www.tinleycourt.com 

in the 

Sunday, December 2nd 

Kick-off Celebration, 2pm - 6pm 

101 Veterans Parkway, New Lenox 

Holiday Market Dates: 

Saturday, December 8th 

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm 

Craft Beer Tasting Horse Drawn Wagon Rides Holiday Character Visits 

Food Trucks Shopping and Skate Rentals 

Sunday, December 9th 

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm 

Santa Claus Visit Lamplight Singers Ice Carving Demonstration 


Saturday, December 15th 

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm 

Craft Beer Tasting Horse Drawn Wagon Rides Holiday Character Visits 


Sunday, December 16th 

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm 

Santa Claus Visit Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee Truck Lamplight Singers 


Saturday, December 22nd 

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm 

Holiday Sweets and Treats Sale Horse Drawn Wagon Rides 

Holiday Character Visits Lamplight Singers Shopping and Skate Rentals 

Sunday, December 23rd 

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm 

Santa Claus Visit Touch a Truck Food Trucks 

NLFPD Santa Claus send off! Shopping and Skate Rentals 

2017 WINNER 

Member of Tinley Park 

Chamber of Commerce Since 1994 

2018 

WINNER 

Presented 

by: 

Visit newlenox.net/events for more 

details on these FREE events!

14 | December 13, 2018 | The New Lenox Patriot school 


the new lenox patriot’s 

Standout Student 

Sponsored by Marquette Bank 

Ethan Ash, Lincoln- 

Way West senior 

Ethan Ash was picked as 

this week’s Standout Student 

because of his academic 

performance. 

What is one essential you 

must have when studying? 

I must have some extra 

paper and writing utensils 

because I always like to 

redo problems and write 

down answers without looking 

at the subject material. 

The more paper I have, the 

more I can work out problems. 

The more writing 

utensils I have, the longer I 

can study for. 

What do you like to do 

when not in school or 

studying? 

When not in school or 

studying, I love to play soccer 

with my club team, FC 

United Academy. I have 

been playing ever since I 

was 4 years old, and the 

fact that I can still play at 

an academy level makes me 

love the game even more. 

What is your dream job? 

My dream job is to be 

an entrepreneur associated 

with special needs. One of 

my many passions in life 

is helping the special needs 

children. If I could be a 

successful business owner 

while continuing my love 

of caring for special needs 

children, my job would be 

one of the best things in my 

life. 

What’s something most 

people don’t know about 

you? 

One thing that people 

don’t know about me is 

that I actually do not have 

one favorite color. I like all 

colors, but my two favorites 

are red and blue. Also, 

Monday through Thursday, 

I get home at 11:30 p.m. because 

of the commute I have 

to make for soccer practice. 

Whom do you look up to 

and why? 

Many people who are 

asked this question respond 

with “my mom” or “my 

dad” or a certain celebrity. 

I do indeed look up to my 

parents, however, I look up 

to anyone who is happy in 

life. To be happy means to 

have a good life, so I admire 

anyone who has achieved 

this concept. 

Who is your favorite 

teacher and why? 

My favorite teacher is my 

advisory teacher Mr. Willis. 

I don’t have him as an actual 

teacher, but he allows me 

to be the best Warrior Way 

leader I can be by allowing 

me to care for freshmen and 

by helping me improve my 

leadership skills every day. 

What’s your favorite class 

and why? 

My favorite class is gym 

because I am an adaptive 

P.E. leader. The fact that I 

get to spend my gym hour 

with all of the special needs 

students allows me to be a 

better person. More importantly, 

the kids teach me 

how to cherish every moment 

and whenever I am 

with them, you will always 

see me smiling. 

What extracurricular do you 

wish your school had? 

PHOTO SUBMITTED 

I wish Lincoln-Way West 

had more intramural activities. 

It would be a good 

way for many kids to have 

fun playing different sports 

every week. There would 

be no intense competition. 

There would just be enjoyment 

and participation from 

a larger group of people. 

What’s one thing that 

stands out about your 

school? 

At Lincoln-Way West, 

the community and social 

aspects stand out over any 

other high school. During 

the school day, everybody 

is friends with everybody. 

There are no separated 

groups or stereotypical 

cliques at West. There is one 

Warrior family and it shows 

up in our community. 

What’s your best memory 

from school? 

My best memory at school 

was when I was transferred 

from Central to West. This 

was a fantastic thing to happen 

because not only did I 

meet double the friends, get 

a feel for two schools and 

have great teachers, but I 

got the chance to experience 

the entire Lincoln-Way 

community as a whole. That 

is a memory I will never 

forget because it is one that 

opened my eyes to possibilities 

and changes. 

Standout Student is a weekly 

feature for The New Lenox 

Patriot. Nominations come 

from New Lenox area schools. 

Providence locals named 

Illinois State Scholars 

Submitted by Providence 

Catholic High School 

Dr. John Harper, Principal 

of Providence Catholic High 

School is pleased to announce 

that 41 students have 

been recognized as 2018-19 

Illinois State Scholars. 

This prestigious award is 

given annually by the Illinois 

Student Assistance Commission 

(ISAC) that recognizes 

the top high school students 

from across the state as this 

year’s State Scholars. 

Generally, Illinois State 

Scholars represent approximately 

the top ten percent of 

high school seniors. However, 

more than 15 percent of 

the PCHS senior class were 

awarded this honor. Scholars 

are chosen based on a combination 

of ACT, SAT or Prairie 

State Achievements scores at 

the end of the student’s junior 

year and other criteria as determined 

by the Illinois State 

Scholar Commission. 

“We are very proud of 

these students who strive for 

academic excellence and are 

leaders among their peers,” 

Harper said. 

Forty-one seniors from 

Providence Catholic High 

School have been named 

Illinois State Scholars. 

Five are from New Lenox. 

They are Delaney Bray, 

Matthew Cerven, Ryan 

Bresingham, 

Allison Gardella and Riley 

Guillaume. 

Local Morgan Park Academy 

student named State Scholar 

Submitted by Morgan Park 

Academy 

Morgan Park Academy 

student Zara Hashmi, of 

New Lenox, was one of six 

seniors at the school who 

were named 2019-2020 

State Scholars by the Illinois 

Student Assistance Commission 

for outstanding academic 

achievement. 

The other students recognized 

were Halle Berghoff, 

Angela Cabrera, Bryan 

Coronado, Ireland Lawrence 

and Maya Lopez. About 

10 percent of Illinois high 

school seniors are selected 

each year as State Scholars 

based on exemplary ACT 

or SAT scores and/or class 

rank at the end of the junior 

year.This year, 35 percent 

of Morgan Park Academy 

seniors who live in Illinois 

were selected. 

In the past eight years, 

MPA has had 63 State Scholars. 

Morgan Park Academy students (left to right) Angela Cabrera, Halle Berghoff, Ireland 

Lawrence, Maya Lopez, New Lenox resident Zara Hashmi and Bryan Coronado pose for a 

picture after being named 2018-2019 State Scholars. Photo Submitted

newlenoxpatriot.com community 


Penny 

The Flynn Family 

New Lenox residents 

Penny is our 1-year-old Manchester Terrier. She 

was a gift to our son Andrew for his birthday, 

from his Godmother Amber. Penny has two 

small hearts in her fur on her chest, which 

always makes her stand out in a crowd. Penny is 

extremely sweet, well behaved and very playful. 

She loves to run and play, but her favorite thing 

to do is cuddle with Andrew every chance she 

gets. 

Would you like to see your pet pictured as The New 

Lenox Patriot’s Pet of the Week? Send your pet’s photo 

and a few sentences explaining why your pet is outstanding to Editor James Sanchez at james@ 

newlenoxpatriot.com or 11516 W. 183rd St., Office Condo 3, Suite SW, Orland Park, Ill. 60467. 

Old Plank Trail Community Bank gives 

to St. Jude’s Giving Tree program 

Submitted by Old Plank 

Trail Community Bank 

Old Plank Trail Community 

Bank believes in community 

outreach on a variety 

of levels and recognizes the 

needs within the community. 

With this mission, Andrea 

Bodnar, Branch Manager of 

the New Lenox location of 

Old Plank Trail Community 

Bank presented, the St. Jude 

Catholic Church Giving 

Tree program a check in the 

amount of $500 on Dec. 5, 

to the Giving Tree program 

volunteers, Sue Yaeger, 

Tami Slykas and Colleen 

Lucchetti. The donation will 

assist the program with the 

purchase of toys which will 

be presented to the children 

from Santa so they may have 

an enjoyable Christmas. 

The Giving Tree program 

was created at the church 

almost 30 years ago to help 

families in need during the 

holiday season. This outreach 

assists more than 100 

children in the New Lenox, 

Manhattan and Joliet areas 

through the guidance of Big 

Brothers Big Sisters of Will 

and Grundy Counties; New 

Lenox Township Food Pantry; 

MorningStar Missions 

and Guardian Angel Community 

Services. 

The Giving Tree program 

and Caritas Corner is 

solely funded by donations 

from local businesses and 

members of the community. 

More than 200 volunteers 

help with the organization, 

screening, packaging and 

outreach to the low income 

families. 

(Left to right) Old Plank 

Trail Community Bank of 

New Lenox staffers Donna 

Ufnal and Mary Ann Murphy 

take a photo with St. 

Jude Church Giving Tree 

Program volunteers Sue 

Yaeger, Tami Slykas and 

Colleen Lucchetti after the 

bank donated a $500 check 

to the church’s program. 

Photo Submitted 

SANDY CRISCIONE | BROKER | 815-370-3532 

When Buying or Selling a Home, 

Make CRIS Realty Your Choice! 

CHRISTINE KACZMARSKI | BROKER | 815-474-1450 

FRANKFORT COBBLESTONE - EXTRA BUILDABLE LOT INCLUDED! 

Exquisite custom home located next to one of Frankfort’s most beautiful parks. Impressive entrance with mahogany 

door and masterpiece staircase. Detailed custom woodworking throughout. Gourmet kitchen with high end appliances, 

custom cabinetry and walk in pantry. Two story family room with stunning fireplace. Master suite with sitting area 

offers water views. Deluxe master bath with heated floors. Finished lower level with custom bar, gaming area, craft 

room and radiant heat. Expansive brick paver patio with fireplace. $849,900 

CALL FULL-TIME LOCAL BROKER SANDY CRISCIONE 815-370-3532 

MOKENA’S TALL GRASS PRESERVE WITH A 4 CAR SIDE LOAD GARAGE 

Wow what a great home on a tree lined property that features 6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, stunning 2 story great room 

with floor to ceiling fireplace. Custom kitchen w/center island, high end built-in appliances. Main level office, Master 

bedroom suite w/custom his and her vanities walk in shower and huge walk in closet, 2 huge bedrooms share a Jack 

and Jill bathroom, finished basement with 2nd family room, bar, exercise room w/sauna and the 6th bedroom. Custom 

built home on over a half acre lot. $600,000 

CALL FULL-TIME LOCAL BROKER SANDY CRISCIONE 815-370-3532 

FRANKFORT - 25 + CAR GARAGE 

Breathtaking home set on 5 acres. 5 Bdrm, 6 Baths. The open entry draws you into an amazing layout 

perfect for entertaining. Gourmet kitchen, butler’s pantry, dining room, media room, guest rm & bath 

complete main level A finished basement with huge entertainment area/bar/workout room + bedroom and 

bath. Inground pool, clubhouse, outdoor kitchen, fireplace. *CAR BUFFS* You will love the heated and Air 

conditioned garage space! $3,000,000. 

Call FULL-TIME LOCAL BROKER SANDY CRISCIONE 815-370-3532 

NEW LENOX TOWNSHIP, NEW LENOX GRADES SCHOOLS 

Absolutely adorable quad level home with a private backyard. The home features 3/4 Bedrooms, 3 

Full bathrooms. Large kitchen with granite counter tops, all appliances stay with a new dishwasher and 

microwave, Hardwood flooring, updated bath, finished sub basement with rec room/4th bedroom/ office. New 

fence, updated huge 2 tier back deck, sprinklers system, tree lined back yard, stamped concrete walkway and 

driveway extension. New Lenox grade schools, convenient area close to I-355 AND I-80. $239,900 

CALL FULL-TIME LOCAL BROKER CHRIS KACZMARSKI 815-474-1450 

NEW LENOX WATERFRONT HOME, ONLY 4 YEARS YOUNG! 

Tons of upgrades in this wonderful brick home, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, kitchen w/custom cabinetry,soft 

close doors and drawers and your entire main level of bamboo flooring. Huge brick fireplace. House features 

granite counter tops even in the bathrooms very fine oil rubbed bronze light fixtures and enormous chandelier 

in foyer. Walk out basement, lots of curb appeal with the concrete front porch with brick pillars. Plenty of 

parking in the fully insulated and extended three car garage & full concrete driveway! $416,000 


NEW LENOX - 1,815 sq. ft. ALL BRICK FLAT RANCH & 3 CAR GARAGE 

This home has 3 bedrooms, 3 baths & 3 car garage! Master suite w/vaulted ceiling, walk-in closet, Jacuzzi tub, separate shower & 

skylight! Beautiful kitchen w/granite counters, maple cabinets & all SS appliances, large walk-in pantry, main level Laundry Room, ! 

Kitchen & eating area offers hardwood floors w/cherry inlay! Vaulted ceiling in large living room. Home has Pella windows & all 6-panel 

hardwood doors. Full partially finished basement w/large main room, storage & full bath. Basement & Garage has heated floors, 13’ x 

36’ deck overlooking large backyard no neighbors behind you! $343,500. 


#CRISRealty 

53 Old Frankfort Way | Frankfort, IL 

1200 E Lincoln Hwy | New Lenox, IL 

#WeLoveLincolnWay



From THE FRANKFORT STATION 

Frankfort feeds hungry 

across the world 

The basement of Camp 

Manitoqua was filled to the 

capacity of the assembly 

lines that lined the room, all 

manned by volunteers of all 

ages who measured, packaged, 

sealed and labeled individual 

meal packets. 

These Frankfort-area residents 

are feeding children 

in poverty-stricken areas 

across the world, one packaged 

meal at a time. 

The annual food packaging 

event raised enough 

money to send 108,000 nutritional 

meals to children in 

Haiti and Peru. 

Jeff and Kari Kemerer 

started this event several 

years ago, after realizing that 

there are limited volunteer 

opportunities that invite all 

ages to participate. 

“Most soup kitchens say 

that children have to be 12 

or older, and this was really 

something we wanted 

our kids to experience, even 

though they were young,” 

Kari said. “After that we 

thought that we should start 

one in our own community.” 

The couple partnered with 

Kids Around The World to 

create this now annual tradition. 

Money is raised to purchase 

the ingredients from 

Kids Around The World. 

After those ingredients are 

packaged, they are sent 

to poverty-stricken areas 

across the world. 

“We wanted our kids to 

learn that there’s more to 

this then Frankfort,” Jeff 

said. “Many kids around the 

world don’t have the same 

opportunities as they do.” 

In its first year, the fundraising 

effort hit its goal of 

$10,000. As the event grew 

and gained more sponsorship, 

it raised nearly $27,000 

and surpassed its goal this 

year of $25,000. 

Reporting by Megan Schuller, 

Assistant Editor. For more, visit 

FrankfortStation.com. 

FROM THE TINLEY JUNCTION 

‘Trains & Miniatures’ 

Christmas gallery runs 

through January 

To Sheila Lorence, of Tinley 

Park, it is not Christmas 

unless there is a train under 

the tree. 

Her husband Bruce, who 

has three layouts on display 

at the Vogt Visual Arts Center 

for its “Trains & Miniatures” 

Christmas exhibit 

running until Jan. 26, has 

been fascinated with miniature 

locomotives since he 

was 5 years old. 

“I’ve been collecting and 

playing with trains for over 

40 years,” Bruce said. “I still 

have the original train I got 

when I was a kid one Christmas.” 

On Dec. 1, an artists reception 

was held in conjunction 

with the Village of 

Tinley Park’s Holiday Happenings. 

The first person in 

line was former Tinley Park 

Mayor Ed Zabrocki, who 

has a running Marklin Mini 

Club 8130 set up for the exhibit. 

A total of seven indoor 

and outdoor train configurations 

are available to admire. 

“There is something about 

trains,” said Julie Dekker, 

VVAC gallery director. “The 

men are passionate about it, 

along with the itty bitty children. 

It’s universal. Maybe 

because it moves, the doll 

houses just don’t move.” 

The gallery’s regular 

hours are from 7-9 p.m. 

Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays, 

11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 7-9 

p.m. Thursdays, 11 a.m.-3 

p.m. Fridays, and 11 a.m.-4 

p.m. Saturdays. It is located 

at 17420 S. 67th Court in 

Tinley Park. 

Reporting by Mary Compton, 

Freelance Reporter. For more, 

visit TinleyJunction.com. 

FROM THE LOCKPORT LEGEND 

Midwest SOARRING invites 

community to learn about 

Native Americans 

Only 1.3 percent of people 

in the United States are 

American Indian or Alaska 

Native, according to the U.S. 

Census Bureau website. And 

although these people first 

settled in America at least 

14,000 years ago, their culture 

provides the foundation 

for the United States. 

Lockport’s own Midwest 

SOARRING Foundation is 

inviting community members 

to its holiday open 

house to learn more about 

the Native American culture, 

visit with members of 

the organization, and peruse 

handmade Native American 

items and crafts from around 

the country from 11 a.m.-5 

p.m. Saturday, Dec.15, at 

133 W. 13th St. in Lockport. 

“We talk about ourselves 

as a nation of immigrants, 

but that isn’t entirely true,” 

said Dave Nardin, the special 

projects manager at Midwest 

SOARRING. “That’s true 

with respect to Europeans or 

Africans or Asians, whose 

history only goes back the 

thinnest sliver of our country’s 

history, no farther 

back than about 1500. But 

it’s important to understand 

that there was a whole civilization 

that existed here for 

thousands and thousands of 

years.” 

According to Midwest 

SOARRING’s website, their 

mission is to “work toward 

repatriation, protect sacred 

sites, educate the public and 

promote community building 

among all people regarding 

indigenous lifeways.” 

There are 50 active members 

of the organization, 

some with Native American 

ancestry, and others who just 

have an appreciation for and 

awareness of the culture and 

values, and want to share 

them, Nardin said. 

For more information 

about the event and Midwest 

SOARRING, visit www. 

midwestsoarring.org. 

Reporting by Jacquelyn Schlabach, 

Assistant Editor. For more, 

visit LockportLegend.com. 

FROM THE MOKENA MESSENGER 

Village issues home burglary 

advisory 

There have been several 

home burglaries in Mokena 

over the past few weeks, 

and it appears these burglaries 

may be related. Mokena 

Police are asking residents 

to be extra-vigilant as they 

come and go from their places 

of residence. 

The home burglaries were 

reported in the Tara Hills, 

Grasmere and Forestview 

subdivisions, according to 

Mokena Police Chief Steven 

Vaccaro. 

In each of these recent 

residential burglaries, no 

one was present at the home 

at the time of the burglary, 

and jewelry and/or cash was 

taken. Activity has generally 

taken place between the 

hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. 

A common denominator associated 

with each of these 

burglaries appears to be a 

white, newer model Ford 

crew cab pick-up truck with 

a yellow light on top. Two 

male subjects reportedly 

have been seen with the vehicle. 

Police are requesting residents 

who notice a vehicle in 

their neighborhood matching 

the above description, 

observe any other suspicious 

vehicle or if they see people 

engaging in activities that 

seem even the least bit out 

of place not to ignore them; 

rather, call 911 immediately. 

Anyone with questions 

or desiring further information 

can contact the Mokena 

Police Department at (708) 

479-3912. 

Reporting by T.J. Kremer III, 

Editor. For more, visit Moke 

naMessenger.com. 

From THE HOMER HORIZON 

Homer Meijer donates more 

than $6,000 to 35 military 

families 

The Meijer in Homer 

Glen was all smiles, tears of 

joy and community bonding 

Dec. 4, as 127 veterans, their 

children and spouses were 

shown appreciation for their 

service and dedication to our 

country with an unforgettable 

gift. 

Each member of the 35 local 

families invited to Meijer 

was given a $50 gift card donated 

by the store to be used 

for anything they wanted. 

Those cards totaled more 

than $6,000. 

The fourth annual Heroes 

Helping Heroes initiative 

paired a veteran and their 

family with either a police 

officer or firefighter to go 

around the store and shop. 

“More or less, why we 

named it Heroes Helping 

Heroes [is] Will County 

Sheriff’s Department or 

any police office is a hero, 

fire[fighters] are heroes and 

our veterans our heroes,” 

said Karen Szynkowski, 

president of the Lockport 

VFW Auxiliary Post 5788, 

who helped select the veterans. 

Air Force veteran Debra 

Ghalam was paired with 

Will County Sheriff’s Deputy 

Marco Villalobos, while 

her two daughters shopped 

with other first responders. 

“Honestly, all week I’ve 

been excited to just be able 

to take my girls shopping,” 

she said. 

While the whole experience 

is dedicated to veterans. 

But the first responders 

who helped make it a reality 

had just as much fun giving 

back. 

“It’s awesome,” Will 

County Sheriff’s Deputy 

Danielle Strohm said. “It’s 

great that there are people 

around to help us out, because 

everyone needs help at 

some point.” 

Reporting by Jacquelyn Schlabach, 

Assistant Editor. For 

more, visit HomerHorizon.com. 

FROM THE ORLAND PARK PRAIRIE 

Frann Carnivele calls it quits 

following theatre troupe’s 

25th season 

“The Christmas Express” 

notably marked the end of 

the Orland Park Theatre 

Troupe’s 25th anniversary 

season. But the show, staged 

Dec. 7-9, also was the last 

directed by Frann Carnivele. 

Blinking back tears, Carnivele 

remembered first 

coming to Orland Park years 

ago. 

“Twenty years ago, God 

closed a door and opened a 

window for me,” Carnivele 

explained. “I was diagnosed 

with thyroid cancer. I had 

surgery that nicked my vocal 

chords, and I couldn’t sing 

anymore. I had a five-octave 

range. I went for a year not 

knowing what I was going 

to do. 

“This position became 

open within the Village. I 

was given the job. It was 

God’s way of saying I’m not 

done with theatre.” 

Carnivele was named resident 

producer-director of the 

program in January 1999. 

Her first show was the female 

version of “The Odd 

Couple,” and that first year 

included five more shows 

and closed with Orland 

Park’s first musical, “Christmas 

By Remote Control.” 

Leading up to her final 

show, Carnivele explained 

what it was like getting 

through the final week. 

“During tech week, things 

hit home that this was my 

last show here,” she explains. 

“It’s been heartwarming and 

difficult at the same time.” 

In 2001, Carnivele produced 

and directed the 

Village’s first Broadway 

musical, “Little Shoppe of 

Horrors” and produced a 

musical almost every year 

for the next 20 years. Each 

Orland Park theatre season 

included comedies, Christmas 

shows, Broadway reviews 

and dinner theatre. 

Reporting by Mary Compton, 

Freelance Reporter. For more, 

visit OPPrairie.com.

newlenoxpatriot.com SOUND OFF 


Social snapshot 

Top Web Stories 

From NewLenoxPatriot.com as of Monday, 

Dec. 10 

From the Assistant Editor 

Learning from a two-time 

1. Toughness earns Mahoney All-State recognition 

2. The Dish: Cooper’s Hawk brings upscale 

cooking, abundance of wine to New Lenox 

3. Girls Basketball: Celtics suffer first loss to highly 

ranked Mighty Macs 

4. 10 Questions with Conor Smetana, Lincoln-Way 

Central wrestling 

5. Officials talk infrastructure plans, rebates 

Become a member: NewLenoxPatriot.com/plus 

New Lenox Fire Protection District posted 

this Dec. 6: 

“A HUGE thank you to McKenna and her 

friends for helping us out by raising money 

through several bake sales over the summer! 

You deserve this and more!” 

Like The New Lenox Patriot: facebook.com/TheNewLenoxPatriot 

“A little snowfall sure does give the trail 

scenery a boost, doesn’t it? The scene last 

week along the Old Plank Road Trail (Photo 

courtesy of Carter Wright)” 

@WillCoForests, on Dec. 5 

Follow The New Lenox Patriot: @TheNLPatriot 



My mother looked 

up at the nurse 

with confusion 

and frustration. She could 

not say her own name, nor 

did she remember who I 

was when I came to visit 

her. Her brain was being 

taken hostage, and all she 

or I could do was wait it 

out. 

Nearly everyone knows, 

or knows of, somebody 

with cancer, but we never 

quite expect it to hit so 

close to home, let alone 

double jeopardy the same 

person within a year. 

After covering a Lincoln-Way 

Community 

High School D210 board 

meeting on Nov. 15, my 

sister told me that my mom 

was admitted for a possible 

stroke to an intensive 

care unit. After test results 

came back we realized that 

possibility could not have 

been more wrong: There 

were two large, cancerous 

lesions in the left side of 

her brain wreaking havoc 

on her body, disabling her 

motor and cognitive abilities, 

and placing her in a 

near-vegetable-like state. 

My heart sank like a loose 

anchor in the ocean. 

cancer survivor 

Questions raced through 

my head faster than I 

could bombard the doctors 

with them. I couldn’t 

fathom how a recent lung 

cancer survivor suddenly 

developed cancerous lesions 

in the brain. I soon 

learned, to my surprise, 

that it was more common 

than I thought. According 

to Mayo Clinic, brain 

metastases (secondary 

brain tumors) occur in 10- 

30 percent of adults with 

cancer. My mother had 

now become part of those 

statistics. 

I stared at her surgeon 

with a blank expression 

as I tried to digest what 

he was telling me: Cancer 

cells can break away and 

be carried to other parts 

of the body, but once they 

reach the brain, the chemo 

she had done for the lung 

cancer is no longer effective. 

The condition, called 

metastatic lung cancer, 

is named after where the 

travelling cancer originated 

in the body. The lesions 

had grown so large that 

they were causing severe 

swelling, which inhibited 

speech and motor skills on 

the right side of her body. 

She received emergency 

surgery a few days later, 

and the surgeon eliminated 

what he could. 

We thought we were in 

the clear. Intense physical 

therapy and direct brain radiation 

were the next steps. 

Until three weeks later 

when we found out the lesions 

had began to regrow 

during the time before 

when radiation was scheduled 

to start. What the road 

ahead is for my mother, I 

am uncertain. 

I do know that while 

this news has blind sided 

my family, I’ve learned a 

lot from this experience. I 

was quickly reminded how 

unpredictable life can be, 

how devious cancer can be 

and the amount of strength 

it takes to overcome such a 

situation. 

I had never been so 

heartbroken as when I told 

her that her cancer had 

come back, more aggressively 

than before. She 

looked at me with tears in 

her eyes, begging me to 

take her home instead of 

going through direct radiation 

therapy and a second 

surgery. 

“Not again,” she pleaded 

with me. “I can’t go 

through this again.” 

Since her surgery I have 

been confidently telling her 

she was now a two-time 

cancer survivor and the 

worst was through, while, 

unknown to me at the time, 

it was not. I still continue 

to try to radiate positivity 

in the hope that it will keep 

her strong through this until 

she achieves remission. 

Suddenly all the little 

things and differences 

we had didn’t matter as 

much to me. The weight 

of the things that fueled 

our differences seemed 

lighter and more distant 

in memory. I think that’s 

a lesson that everyone can 

take away from watching 

someone battle a serious 

health condition like 

cancer. 

The body fights like hell 

against itself. Everything 

— from the cancer, to the 

surgery, to the chemo and 

radiation — takes a toll on 

the body. The worst part 

was every time we thought 

we glimpsed remission, it 

faded further and further 

away. 

While I cannot predict 

the outcome of the war 

waging in my mother’s 

body, I am confident that 

we will come out stronger 

together because of this, 

and I know that I will hug 

her a little tighter every 

time I see her, my soonto-be 

three-time cancer 

survivor. 

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 

New Lenox Patriot 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 New Lenox Patriot reserves the right to edit letters. Letters become 

property of The New Lenox Patriot. Letters that are published do not 

reflect the thoughts and views of The New Lenox Patriot. Letters can be 

mailed to: The New Lenox Patriot, 11516 West 183rd Street, Unit SW 

Office Condo #3, Orland Park, Illinois, 60467. Fax letters to (708) 326- 

9179 or e-mail to james@newlenoxpatriot.com. 

www.newlenoxpatriot.com.



READY TO 

SELL YOUR REAL ESTATE? 

MCCATTYREALESTATE.COM 

Lockport $315,000 

Bright open floor plan. Finished basement. 

Orland Park $599,000 

Packed with upgrades inside/out. Finished look-out. 

Compare 

Our CD 

Rates 

Bank-issued, 

FDIC-insured 

Nathan McCatty 

Financial Advisor 

MIKE MCCATTY 

& ASSOCIATES 

708.945.2121 

6-month 2.40 % 

15915 S Crystal Creek Dr, Suite G 

Homer Glen, IL 60491 

708-301-3454 | Cell 708-217-9891 

NAMED AS ONE 

OF THE TOP BROKERS 

IN THE COUNTRY 

Frankfort $499,000 

New Homes. All the upscale amenities answered. 

New Lenox $599,900 

McNaughton masterpiece set on 1.79 wooded acres. 

APY* Minimum deposit 

$1000 

1-year 2.80 % APY* Minimum deposit 

$1000 

3-year 

3.25 % APY* Minimum deposit 

$1000 

* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 12/08/2018. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to 

$250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account 

ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability 

and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. 

If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. 

Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do 

not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by 

Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC). 

www.edwardjones.com 

Member SIPC 

Merry Christmas From Fox’s 

Open Christmas Eve 11:00 - 8:30 

Live Entertainer Eman 5:00 - 8:00 

Regular Menu & Chef’s Special Menu 

Purchase $50 in Gift Certificates 

& Receive $10 Free 

2019 

Why Pay a Babysitter? 

Bring in the New Year at Fox’s with the Family 

Live Entertainer Eman 6:00 - 11:00 

John Measner Magic Show 

7:30 & 8:30 

Chef’s Special Menu & Champagne Toast 

Open New Years Day 11:00 - 9:00 

11247 W. 187th | Mokena | 708-478-8888 | Foxspub.com

newlenoxpatriot.com the New Lenox Patriot | December 13, 2018 | 19 

Using creativity while 

learning New Lenox Fire recognizes 

D122 students who won informative 

poster contest, Page 26 

the new lenox patriot | December 13, 2018 | newlenoxpatriot.com 

Quite the transformation 

Tinley Park resident turns empty Orland Park 

space into community cafe, Page 27 

Ballet company, featuring local 

dancers, to perform signature version 

of Christmas classic at LWW, Page 21 

Members of the Ballet 5:8 Studio company pose after practicing the “English Roses” choreography at Ballet 5:8 in Frankfort. The 

group, which includes several dancers from New Lenox, are preparing for an upcoming performance of “Beyond the Nutcracker,” 

which has become an annual show at Lincoln-Way West. Amanda Villiger/22nd Century Media

20 | December 13, 2018 | The New Lenox Patriot faith 


Poetry Corner 

BAITED HOOK 

Julie Sanders 

New Lenox resident 

Be careful of the baited 

hook 

That lie in shadows cast 

The premise of dire 

pleasure 

The ecstasy doesn’t last. 

The gravity of seduction 

On the edge of insanity 

To become a dry season 

An unfulfilled fantasy. 

Strong desires fully 

govern 

Repetition to propagate 

A mosaic ritualistic 

Code of ethics, not 

debate. 

Silent darkness, provoking 

Affliction tears at the soul 

Trapped in sorrowful 

spirit 

Corrupting mankind’s 

role. 

Polluted distorted views 

Unbridled restraint in tow 

Offensive to our holy God 

His wrath, what we have 

sewn. 

In the brink of sin’s madness 

Defenseless, not at a loss 

Confession and repentance 

Trust the Savior and His 

cross. 

To submit a poem to Poetry 

Corner, email james@new 

lenoxpatriot.com. 

Calling all 

PET BOUTIQUES • WALKERS 

GROOMERS • BOARDERS & MORE! 

DOES YOUR BUSINESS 

PAMPER PETS? 

Advertise 

Today! 

FAITH BRIEFS 

United Methodist Church of New Lenox (339 

W. Haven Ave, New Lenox) 

Concert Band 

5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. 

Amp up your holiday spirits 

with The Southwest Community 

Concert Band, which 

will be playing a variety of 

holiday favorites including 

a sing-a-long medley 

of carols in the sanctuary. 

Admission is free with a 

canned food donation to 

the Orland Township Food 

Pantry. Come early to enjoy 

pre-concert music beginning 

at 4:30 p.m. For more information 

call (815) 485-8271. 

Living Nativity 

4-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16. 

Drive through the beautiful 

grounds to experience a 

retelling of Christ’s birth. 

Come inside for refreshments, 

music, and communion. 

For more information 

call (815) 485-8271. 

Worship Schedule 

Traditional worship is at 

9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sundays. 

Musical Opportunities 

Join the vocal choirs, bells 

choirs, or praise team. There 

are opportunities for children, 

teens, and adults. Rehearsals 

are on Wednesday 

or Thursday evenings. For 

more information, call (815) 

485-8271. 

Chapel Bible Study 

7 p.m. every Monday. 

Mom Heart Group Book Club 

6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays. 

This group will meet 

on the first Thursday of every 

month to study “The 

Lifegiving Home: Creating 

a place of belonging and 

becoming” by Sally and 

Sarah Clarkson. Discuss 

how to make “home” your 

family’s favorite place to 

be. The group will meet in 

the Fellowship Hall and is 

open to the public. For more 

information, email stephaniekush@gmail.com. 

Wildside 

7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays. 

This group is for students in 

grades 7-12. For more information, 

call (815) 485-8271. 

St. Jude Catholic Church (241 W. Second Ave., 

New Lenox) 

Mass Schedule 

7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. 

and 6:30 p.m. Sundays; 7:30 

a.m. Monday-Saturday; 5 

p.m. Saturdays and 8:30 a.m. 

Wednesdays. 

Called To Holiness 

7-8:30 p.m. every first 

Monday of the month. This 

is a new young adult faithsharing 

group for Catholics 

in their 20s or 30s in the Chicago 

Southland area. Its purpose 

is to grow in our faith 

through scripture, discussion 

and prayer. For directions 

to the meeting location and 

more information, contact 

Jennifer at calledtoholinessgroup@gmail.com. 

Lincolnway Christian Church (690 E. Illinois 

Highway, New Lenox) 

Worship Services 

9 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays. 

HERO Family Support Group 

7-8:30 p.m. every Tuesday. 

This group is open to 

anyone with a family member 

currently struggling with 

addiction, suspected addiction, 

or currently in recovery. 

Family support meetings 

provide helpful tools 

and information to better 

equip people to help their 

loved ones through their 

struggle. This group provides 

a supportive environment 

with others who have 

had similar experiences and 

an opportunity to meet and 

network with others. 

Grandparents Raising 

Grandchildren 

6:30-8:30 p.m. the fourth 

Thursday of each month. 

Are you a grandmother/ 

grandfather/aunt/uncle or 

other relative age 55 or older 

raising a child in place of 

their parents? This support 

group will assist with social 

and emotional support and 

ideas to help you cope with 

the impact of this role on 

your health, emotional wellbeing, 

finances, and family. 

Social skills groups are also 

provided for children ages 

3-12 with a reservation. To 

reserve a spot, call Kimberley 

Tarcak at the Senior Services 

Center of Will County 

at (815) 740-4225. 

Central Presbyterian Church (1101 S. Gougar 

Road, New Lenox) 

Church Service 

10:30 Sundays. For more 

information, call the church 

at (815) 485-5152. 

Bible Study 

7 p.m. Tuesdays 

Trinity Lutheran Church (508 N. Cedar Road, 

New Lenox) 


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

and 10:30 a.m. Sundays. 

Sunday School and Living 

Lutheran 

9:15 a.m. Sundays. For 


485-6973. 

Adult Bible Study 

8:30 a.m. Wednesdays 

Teen Catechesis 

6 p.m. Wednesdays 

Christ Mission Church (22811 S. Cedar Road, 

New Lenox) 

Celebrate Recovery 

7-9 p.m. every Tuesday. 

For anyone struggling with 

hurts, habits, or hang-ups. 

For more information, call 

Deb at (708) 516-6318. 

St. John of Chicago Chapel (112 Church Street, 

New Lenox) 

Orthodox Divine Liturgy 

10-11:30 a.m. Sundays. 

Journey to Fullness 

7 p.m. Wednesdays. This 

is a ten-part video introduction 

to the Orthodox Church. 

There will be an open discussion 

with refreshments 

after. Seekers are welcome. 

Lenox) 

Women’s Study 

6:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays and 

9-10:30 a.m. Saturdays. 

Study materials will cost 

$10.50, and books will be 

distributed before the study 

begins. Payments will be 

collected on the first class. 

Pay by cash or make checks 

payable to Missio Dei 

Church. 

Elder-led Prayer 

7-8 p.m. second Tuesday 

of every month, 123 W. 

Wood St., New Lenox. For 

more information, visit mdchurch.us. 

Date With Our Beloved 

7-8:30 p.m. every first 

Friday of every month, Kati 

Konkol’s house. This will 

be a time of silent prayer 

and meditation on the Lord 

as well as group prayer and 

short devotions. All women 

are welcome. For directions 

and more information, visit 

mdchurch.us. 

Gathered Worship 

9:30-11 a.m. every Sunday. 

New Life Church (500 Gougar Road, New 

Lenox) 


10 a.m. Sundays. For 


462-0202. 

The Hub (1303 S. Schoolhouse Road, New 

Lenox) 

The Landing 

6:30-8:30 p.m. every 

Wednesday. This is a group 

to help teens break free from 

hurts, hang-ups and addictions. 

There is no charge. For 

more information, search for 

Freedom Haus on Facebook. 

The Center Youth Group 

6:30-9 p.m. every Thursday. 

Teens ages 12-19 are 

welcome. The night features 

live music, an open gym, an 

encouraging message and a 

chance to meet new friends. 

Cherry Hill Church of Christ (2749 Lancaster 

Drive, Joliet) 

Sunday Services 

10:30 a.m. every Sunday; 

1 p.m. on the first Sunday of 

each month and 6 p.m. every 

Sunday except the first Sunday 

of each month. 

Worship and Bible Service 

7 p.m. every Wednesday. 

Bible Study 

9:30 a.m. Sundays. 

Grace Episcopal Church (209 N. Pine St., New 

Lenox) 

Sunday Services 

8 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite 

II. 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist 

Rite II with music, followed 

by coffee hour. For more 

information, call (815) 485- 

6596. 

Saturday Service 

5 p.m. the first, third and 

fifth Saturday of each month. 

Cornerstone Church (1501 S. Gougar Road, 

New Lenox) 

Men’s Bible Study 

6-7:30 a.m. every Friday. 


(815) 462-7700. 

Junior and Senior High Bible 

Study 

6:30-8:30 p.m. every 

Wednesday. For more information, 

call (815) 462-7700. 

Sunday School 

9-10 a.m. every Sunday. 

Christian education classes 

are available for all ages. A 

nursery is also available. For 


462-7700. 

Worship Service 

8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. 

every Sunday. 

Parkview Christian Church (2121 S. 

Schoolhouse Road, New Lenox) 


4 p.m. Saturdays; 8:30 

a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. 

Sundays. 

Peace Lutheran Church (1900 E. Lincoln 

Highway, New Lenox) 

Contact the Classified Department 


708-326-9170 22ndcenturymedia.com Missio Dei Church (123 W. Wood St., New (815) 717-8002. 

Please see faith, 23

newlenoxpatriot.com life & arts 


Local dancers featured in annual ballet performance 

Show at Lincoln-Way 

West takes place 

Dec. 15-16 

Amanda Villiger 


The sweet sound of Tchaikovsky’s 

“Dance of the Sugar 

Plum Fairy” is a hallmark 

of the classic “Nutcracker” 

ballet that spans generations. 

Featuring songs from the 

original ballet, Frankfortbased 

Ballet 5:8’s “Beyond 

the Nutcracker” will offer 

audience members a modern, 

spiritual take on the story. 

As a professional ballet 

company and school of the 

arts, Ballet 5:8’s annual production 

incudes professional 

dance company members as 

well as trainees and students 

with original choreography 

by Artistic Director Julianna 

Rubio Slager. 

Students and company 

members travel from all over 

the country to study at the 

school, but many of their students 

are from the local area 

as well. 

Catherine Lobash, of Mokena, 

will perform in Ballet 

5:8’s production of “Beyond 

the Nutcracker,” which is 

now in its fourth year. 

“It is fun to perform with 

such a great company and to 

share such a meaningful message 

with the community,” 

Lobash said. 

Sophia Snider, a junior at 

Lincoln-Way Central, has 

been studying ballet since she 

was 5 and began at Ballet 5:8 

when it opened in 2012. 

“[Conservancy II] is for 

preprofessional students 

training to be professionals,” 

Snider said about her level of 

training. “It’s a very intense 

schedule — Monday through 

Friday from like 2 o’clock to 

around 6 o’clock. 

“We work on our artistry, 

technique, specifically ballet, 

and we train under the 

company members and the 

artistic director Miss Juliana 

[Slager].” 

Snider, who is a New 

Lenox resident, will be featured 

in the show’s “Snow” 

scene and has a solo part in 

the “English Roses” scene 

where she plays a Rose 

Queen. 

As someone who has performed 

in the show before, 

Snider said the practices always 

get more intense as the 

opening day nears but that it 

offers a unique opportunity 

for improvement. 

“There’s just so much room 

to grow,” she said. “And you 

feel it, and you keep pushing 

yourself. I always look forward 

to performing ‘[Beyond 

the] Nutcracker.’” 

James Wainwright, a recent 

graduate of Lincoln- 

Way West, reflected on his 

recently-begun dancing career 

during a recent interview 

about the upcoming production. 

The 18-year-old is a 

trainee with the company but 

only began dancing at the age 

of 16. 

“It’s just amazing to be at 

this level and be a part of a 

company,” Wainwright said. 

“I am grateful for every day.” 

Wainwright, a New Lenox 

native, will be featured during 

the “English Roses” 

scene, and will be doing a 

partner dance during the 

“Spanish Pas.” 

“I’ve always been around 

dance. It has always been a 

part of my life, but it always 

was just around,” said Wainwright, 

whose mother owned 

a dance school in New Lenox 

when he was young. “I didn’t 

make it an integral part of my 

life — it’s ironic — [until] 

my mother closed her studio.” 

As part of the company’s 

trainee program, Wainwright’s 

practice schedule 

consists of full, long days of 

Sophia Snider (right), of New Lenox, and Catherine Lobash (left), of Mokena, rehearse “English roses” during a dance 

practice to prepare for Ballet 5:8’s performance of “Beyond the Nutcracker” Dec. 15-16 at Lincoln-Way West. Photos by 

Amanda Villiger/22nd Century Media 

‘Beyond the Nutcracker’ 

When: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. 

Saturday, Dec. 15; and 3 

p.m. Sunday, 

Dec. 16 

Where: Lincoln-Way West 

High School, Performing 

Arts Center, 21701 

Gougar Road in New 

Lenox 

Cost: $10 for children 

12 and younger; $18 for 

adults 

Tickets: visit www. 

ballet58.org or call (708) 

329-8773 

training, often more than 5 

days a week. 

“It’s a very intense level 

but it’s all to make me a better 

dancer, and it’s what I love,” 

he said. “I couldn’t imagine 

doing anything else.” 

Employing traditional ballet 

training, “Beyond the Nutcracker” 

is a story that takes 

The girls rehearse at Ballet 5:8, which is based in Frankfort. 

the main character, Emma, to 

different areas of the world 

and back in time to the first 

Christmas. The show will 

feature 150 cast members as 

well as original costumes, 

sets and choreography. 

“For me, even with my 

short career, it’s already become 

part of the season, like 

fresh fallen snow or hot chocolate, 

it just feels like when it 

comes time, I wouldn’t imagine 

winter and the holiday 

season and celebrating the 

birth of Christ with any other 

way,” Wainwright said. 

Performances will take 

place at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. 

Saturday, Dec. 15 and 3 p.m. 

Sunday, Dec. 16 at Lincoln- 

Way West High School in 

New Lenox. Cost is $18 for 

adults, and $10 for children 

12 and younger. To purchase 

tickets, visit www.ballet58. 

org or call (708) 329-8773.

22 | December 13, 2018 | The New Lenox Patriot LIFE & ARTS 


Nature’s wonders 

around wintertime 

Local forest preserve featured in monthly photo contest 

Carter Wright took this beautiful photo of the Old Plank Trail Road bridge during a snowy 

day and submitted it to the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s monthly photo 

contest. Photos Submitted 

The winning photo was from Mandy Bellamy, of Indiana, who took this photo of fungi at 

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve in Beecher. 

This cardinal standing atop a tree branch was taken by Josh Link at Hickory Creek. 

Michael Fagan’s photo at Hickory Creek an 

earned Honorable Mention recognition. 

Chris Ward shot this photo at Hickory Creek 

of the trees’ reflection at one of the streams. 

Josh Link was also able to capture a deer roaming around Hickory Creek.

newlenoxpatriot.com life & arts 


NLFPD recognizes three winners 

in annual poster contest 

Winners came from 

Spencer Crossing, 

Oster-Oakview, 

Nelson Ridge 

Submitted by New Lenox Fire 

Protection District 

During the month of October 

the New Lenox Fire 

Protection District conducted 

a Fire Safety Message 

Poster Contest for all 

the fifth-grade classrooms 

in New Lenox. 

The posters were based on 

the National Fire Prevention 

Association’s Fire Prevention 

Week Theme for 2018 

which was, “Look. Listen. 

Learn. Be Aware, Fire Can 

Happen Anywhere.” 

All of the participants 

submitted their posters by 

Halloween. The posters 

were judged by the NLFPD 

firefighters and administrative 

staff. 

“We wanted a way to get 

this age group involved in 

fire safety, and thought this 

was the perfect way to do 

that,” said Marisa Schrieber, 

NLFPD’s Fire and Life 

Safety Educator. 

There was one winner 

per school. Each winner 

received two movie tickets 

to AMC Theater along 

with a free pizza from Chicago 

Dough. This year’s 

winners were: Olivia 

Rademacher, from Spencer 

Crossing; Adyson Orasco, 

from Oster-Oakview; and 

Ava Tisch, from Nelson 

Ridge. 

“This is the fourth year 

doing the contest, and we 

are always amazed at the 

creativity the students 

put into their posters,” 

Schrieber said. 

Spencer Crossing student Adyson Orasco takes a picture 

with her artwork for the NLFPD’s annual Fire Safety 

Message Poster Contest that concluded last month. Photos 

Submitted 

Ava Tisch, a Nelson Ridge 

student, was one of three 

winners within New Lenox 

School District 122. Winners 

won free movie tickets and 

a pizza from Chicago Dough 

in New Lenox. 

Another winner, Olivia 

Rademacher, from Spencer 

Crossing, had to create 

a poster with theme: 

“Look. Listen. Learn. Be 

Aware, Fire Can Happen 

Anywhere.” 

faith 

From Page 20 

Church Services 

5 p.m. Saturdays; 8:30 

a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays. 

Adult Class 

9:55 a.m. Sundays. The 

adult class usually meets in 

the back of the sanctuary to 

discuss a different topic each 

week. 

Peace Buddies 

Noon – 2:00 p.m. Sundays. 

Peace Buddies is a 

special needs youth group 

for high school age and older. 

New Buddies are always 

welcome. You do not have to 

be a part of the church. This 

group usually meets on the 

first and third Sundays of the 

month. For questions, please 

see Pastor Dave or call (815) 

529-7546. 

22ND CENTURY MEDIA is looking for local 

FREELANCE REPORTERS and PHOTOGRAPHERS 

to cover events, meetings and sports in the area. 

Interested individuals should send 

an email with a resume and any clips to 

JOBS@22NDCENTURYMEDIA.COM 

CHICAGOLY MAGAZINE 

CHICAGO SOUTHWEST 

THE FRANKFORT STATION 

THE HOMER HORIZON 

THE LOCKPORT LEGEND 


Ruth Circle Quilters 

9 a.m. Mondays. No experience 

necessary. You just 

have to know how to have 

fun to join. And if that’s not 

enticing enough, we always 

have snacks! For more information, 

call (815) 462-9527 

or (708) 479-7338. 

Prayer Group 

11:45 a.m. Wednesdays. 

Denise Jones hosts a monthly 

gathering for prayer. The 

prayers include our church, 

our young people, those 

on the prayer list from the 

bulletin, and any other concerns 

or celebrations. The 

group will meet on the third 

Wednesday of each month at 

11:45 a.m. Please call (815) 

838-0388 or the church office 

(815) 485-5327 if you 

will be attending. 

THE MOKENA MESSENGER 

THE NEW LENOX PATRIOT 

THE ORLAND PARK PRAIRIE 

THE TINLEY JUNCTION 

CHICAGO NORTHSHORE 

THE GLENCOE ANCHOR 

THE GLENVIEW LANTERN 

THE HIGHLAND PARK LANDMARK 

THE LAKE FOREST LEADER 

A Man in Recovery 

7-8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. 

This recovery group 

is for those who are struggling 

with addiction or 

those who love someone 

struggling. For more information, 

call Tom at (815) 

354-3195. 

Bible Study 

10 a.m. Every Wednesday. 


(815) 485-5327. 

The Journey Church (14414 W. Ford Drive, 

New Lenox) 

Worship Service 

10 a.m. Sundays. 

Reverberate Youth Group 

1-3 p.m. Every first 

Sunday of the month. The 

group meets to discuss a 

message geared toward junior 

and senior high school 

students. For more information, 

email youth@ourjourney.cc. 

Have something for Faith 

Briefs? Contact Assistant 

Editor Megan Schuller at 

m.schuller@22ndcm.com or 

call (708) 326-9170 ext. 34. 

Information is due by noon on 

Thursdays one week prior to 

publication. 

THE NORTHBROOK TOWER 

THE WILMETTE BEACON 

THE WINNETKA CURRENT 

MALIBU 

MALIBU SURFSIDE NEWS

24 | December 13, 2018 | The New Lenox Patriot DINING OUT 


The Dish 

Steerhogs becomes BBQ excellence through habit 

T.J. Kremer III 

Contributing Editor 

More than 2,000 years 

ago, Aristotle developed 

his virtue ethics. Key to this 

philosophy was the idea that 

excellence is a habit and, 

therefore, must be practiced 

regularly to achieve what 

the Greeks called arete. 

Aristotle probably did not 

have barbecue in mind — or 

on his taste buds — when he 

came up with his virtue ethics 

but, lucky for the rest of 

us, Mark Gountanis, owner 

of Steerhogs in Frankfort, 

did. 

The passion Gountanis 

has for barbecue is evident 

in the tremendous amount 

of time and travel he has invested 

in searching out the 

best of the best in smoky, 

tangy, dripping-with-goodness 

selections of meats, 

sauces and rubs. 

“I have a passion for barbecue, 

so I try to smoke everything,” 

Gountanis said. 

“Whatever it is, I smoke it 

as long as I can.” 

The discriminating barbecue 

connoisseurs will 

appreciate Gountanis’ thoroughness, 

attention to detail 

and vast knowledge of all 

things smoked meats when 

they take their first bites of 

his wares — whether it be 

beef, chicken or pork — 

each layered with rubs and 

sauces developed by Gountanis 

himself. 

“I was always intrigued 

by different types of styles,” 

he said. “Chicago style is 

more like a sauce. We’re 

in to saucing everything, 

not into a lot of dry rubs, as 

they do down South or Texas 

or Carolina. They’re a 

bit different. So, that’s why 

I wanted to try and bring a 

concept that they had down 

South — something that 

would work here in Chicago.” 

Steerhogs 

21112 S. LaGrange 

Road in Frankfort 

Hours 

• 11 a.m.-9 p.m., 

Tuesday-Saturday 

• Closed Sunday and 

Monday 

For more information … 

Phone: (779) 333-7573 

Web: steerhogs.com 

While the sauces and rubs 

certainly are half of the flavor 

equation, the base for 

any good barbecue has to 

start with the meats, which 

Gountanis meticulously 

hand-selects. He spends 

hours, even days, preparing 

them before they get to the 

customers’ bellies. 

“You’re not going to get 

something that’s just like on 

the grill, like you can do in 

your own backyard or something 

like that,” he said. “It 

takes a lot of time to do all 

that stuff. That’s why I think 

we have something special 

here. ... It takes us two days 

to prepare it here. We’re 

always cooking for the following 

day. Today, I’ll put 

in the meat for tomorrow. 

The brisket and the pulled 

pork, it’s going in tonight 

[for about 12 hours].” 

A consequence of the 

lengthy preparation is customers 

should try and get 

to Steerhogs earlier rather 

than later because once the 

supply is gone for the day, it 

is gone until the next batch 

is finished smoking the following 

day. 

“We haven’t had a lot of 

waste, because since we’ve 

opened up we’ve sold out 

of everything every night,” 

Gountanis said. “Every 

night we sell out.” 

Brisket ($8.99 for the 

sandwich, $14.99 for the 

Pictured are a half-rack of ribs with a side of barbecue baked beans and corn muffin ($14.99, $21.99 for the full rack) at 

Steerhogs in Frankfort. Photos by T.J. Kremer III/22nd Century Media 

platter) is usually the first 

to go, followed by the baby 

back ribs ($14.99 for the 

half rack, $21.99 for the full 

rack). 

Gountanis credited his 

late father, Gus, who was 

also a restaurateur, for being 

a big influence on the 

way the younger Gountanis 

conducts his business now. 

He even said the inspiration 

for his sauces came from his 

father’s own recipe. 

“Everything I know about 

the restaurant business, it 

came from my dad,” Gountanis 

said. “As I get older, 

I try to think about everything 

that he was doing, 

and how he did it, and I try 

to put my perspective into 

what I should do. 

“He was very passionate 

about barbecue, my dad. 

Very passionate.” 

And in that regard, the 

brisket did not fall far from 

the bone. 

A sign inside Steerhogs in Frankfort declares “The best BBQ in town is right here!” Its 

owner said it has been selling out daily to back up that claim. 

“You’re not going to get something that’s just like 

on the grill, like you can do in your own backyard 

or something like that. It takes a lot of time to do all 

that stuff. That’s why I think we have something special 

here.” 

Mark Gountanis — Owner of Steerhogs in Frankfort



AND HOTEL 

Georgios has a Fresh Modern New Look with 

$1 Million Renovation completed in 2018! 

Wedding packages include: 4-hour open bar, 

champagne toast, wedding cake of your choice, 

honeymoon whirlpool suite, discounted hotel room 

block, 5-course meal, floorlength table cloths and 

fresh orchid centerpieces. 

Wedding coordinators in the office 7 days a week! 

Winter WeddingPromotion 

DECEMBER - MARCH 

$15-18 Off Per Person 

AppliestoSaturdayevening prices &openbar package only.Blackoutdates apply. 

8800 W.159th St. •Orland Park, IL 

NEW OUTSIDE CEREMONY SPACE! 

Georgios has been AGAIN voted the best of 

The Chicago Southland Banquet Hall 2018 

and for the previous 15 years! 

5 Years the KNOT Best of Wedding Winner! 

of ORLAND PARK

26 | December 13, 2018 | The New Lenox Patriot LIFE & ARTS 


Weathering the Storm 

Looking back at a cold 

and snowy November 

PRESENTED BY 

22ND CENTURY MEDIA 

AND PLANET FITNESS 

SAVE THE DATE 

Saturday, 

Jan. 19, 2019 

9am - 1pm 

Tinley Park 

Convention Center 

FREE 

Admission 

MORE INFO: 

(708) 326-9170 ext. 16 

22ndCenturyMedia.com/healthy 

FREE 

Tote Bag* 

*to first 300 

attendees 

FREE 

Parking 

This health-focused 

event will offer: 

• Vendor booths 

• FREE 30-minute 

workout sessions! 

• Speaker sessions 

• Healthy cooking 

demos 

• Vitalant Blood Drive 

AND MORE TO COME! 

Mark T. Carroll 

Contributing Columnist 

November weather 

in review 

November temperatures 

were 

well below normal. 

The highest temperature 

for Chicago for November 

was 52 degrees, which was 

reached on Nov. 1 and 4. 

The highest temperature of 

52 degrees for the month 

was record setting, as it 

was the lowest maximum 

temperature for November 

dating back to the 1870s, 

when official records began 

for Chicago. The average 

temperature for November 

was 34.6, which was 5.7 

degrees below the normal 

average. 

November snowfall was 

well above normal, especially 

in locations north and 

northwest. O’Hare International 

Airport recorded 12.7 

inches of snow in November, 

which was the fourthhighest 

November total for 

Chicago dating back to the 

1870s. The normal November 

snowfall for Chicago is 

1.2 inches. 

The following are November 

snowfall totals for 

our area. 

• Midway: 9.2 inches 

• New Lenox: 4.6 inches 

• Homer Glen: 4.4 inches 

• Lockport: 3.9 inches 

The heaviest snowfall 

event began during the 

night of Nov. 25 and ended 

on Nov. 26. The greatest 

snowfall totals were 

recorded to the north and 

northwest of our area. 

O’Hare recorded a total 

of 8.4 inches of snow on 

the 25 and 26. This was 

the fifth highest November 

snowstorm total in Chicago 

history. 

Local snowfall amounts 

are listed below. 

• Homer Glen: 3.4 inches 

• New Lenox: 3.1 inches 

• Lockport: 2.4 inches 

• Mokena: 2.4 inches 

The storm also produced 

strong winds and icing conditions, 

as rain changed to 

snow during the storm. Wet 

heavy snow caused damage 

from falling trees and power 

lines, which lead to homes 

and traffic signals losing 

power. 

Peak wind speeds from 

the storm were 47 mph at 

Chicago Midway International 

Airport. 

Winter weather 

preparedness 

Rely on a dependable 

source for weather information. 

Many sources are 

available, including the 

Internet, television and 

radio. Winter forecasts can 

change quickly, so closely 

monitor available forecast 

information. 

Remember that snow and 

ice totals can vary greatly 

over a short distance. Large 

snowfall differences across 

our region were evident 

during our late November 

snowstorm. Because of the 

influence of Lake Michigan, 

snow totals can vary greatly 

in northeast Illinois, northwest 

Indiana and southwest 

Michigan. 

If a winter weather watch 

is issued, get prepared for 

hazardous weather. 

If a winter weather warning 

or advisory is issued, 

take action — hazardous 

weather is occurring or will 

occur soon. 

For example, if a windchill 

warning is issued, dangerous 

cold is expected. If a 

windchill advisory is issued, 

cold weather is expected. 

If a watch is issued, cold 

weather is possible. 

The weather for December 

and beyond 

The temperature forecast 

from the National Centers 

for Environmental Prediction 

for Chicago for November 

was for below-normal 

temperatures. Temperatures 

were well below normal 

in November. The NCEP 

precipitation forecast for 

November was for abovenormal 

precipitation, and 

we were just slightly above 

normal. 

The Centers’ forecast for 

December is for above-normal 

temperature and belownormal 

precipitation. The 

prediction for the months of 

January and February is for 

below-normal temperature 

and near-normal precipitation. 

Mark T. Carroll is the president 

of CALM Weather LLC, 

a meteorological consulting 

service based in Oak Forest. 

For more information, visit 

calmwx.com.

newlenoxpatriot.com dining out 


The Dish 

Cacao Cafe serves up Latin dishes, pastries and drinks 

Amanda Villiger 


Making chocolate is a 

process that takes a not-soextraordinary 

bean, the cacao 

bean, and turns it into 

something delicious. 

The transformation takes 

the bitter, earthy seed and — 

after a long process of roasting 

and grinding and mixing 

— makes it a sweet treat 

people around the world 

love to eat. 

When Linda Aceves, of 

Tinley Park, started her journey 

to open Cacao Cafe, she 

was presented with a similar 

challenge in the form of a 

space that did not look like 

much on the outside or the 

inside. 

Located at 9111 W. 151st 

St. in Orland Park, Cacao 

Cafe now fills what was 

once an empty space with 

no guts, so to speak. With a 

little creativity and a lot of 

hard work, Aceves turned it 

into a modern internet cafe. 

Aceves, who graduated 

from Tinley Park High 

School in 2009, fell in love 

with baking during a class 

she took there but ultimately 

decided to pursue premed in 

college. 

Soon into her studies to 

become a doctor, she said 

she took a step back because 

she just knew it was not the 

right path for her. While 

taking some time off from 

school, she saw an advertisement 

for a culinary school. 

She took the plunge and 

applied, finding herself enrolled 

and taking classes at 

Le Cordon Bleu College of 

Culinary Arts in Chicago before 

she knew it. 

“I wasn’t really sure what 

I even wanted to do; I just 

know I just love to bake, I 

like to cook and I really like 

to people’s face and emotions 

when they see something 

beautiful, like a cake 

or something,” Aceves said. 

“So, that’s my whole inspiration. 

Having this big place 

now, I have so many ideas.” 

Baking was something 

Aceves said came naturally 

to her, and she has chosen to 

use her talents in the kitchen 

to get back to her roots with 

Cacao Cafe, which specializes 

in Latin pastries and 

drinks, and has light breakfast 

and lunch items as well. 

Having free wireless internet 

makes the space great for 

people who are working remotely, 

but Aceves said she 

also hopes to see the space 

become a “community cafe” 

where people want to attend 

private or public events and 

even host their own. 

The cafe just opened in 

early November, but Aceves 

said she already has a few 

regulars. 

“We are a scratch kitchen, 

so we prepare everything in 

house,” said Aceves, who has 

partnered with Back of the 

Yards Coffee Co. in Chicago. 

As a result, Cacao Cafe 

is able to serve a variety of 

Latin-infused coffees, including 

a traditional drink 

called cafe de olla. The drink 

is served in an earthen clay 

pot, similar to terracotta, 

which gives the drink its 

own unique flavor. 

“Coffee, it’s a big thing in 

our culture,” Aceves said. “I 

think I started drinking coffee 

since I was 5 years old.” 

Aceves parents both immigrated 

to the United States 

from Mexico, and she and 

her two younger brothers 

were born in the U.S. As the 

oldest of her siblings, she is 

also the first one in her family 

to graduate from high 

school and college — and to 

own her own business. 

“I’m also the first to actually 

live my dream and 

live that so-called American 

dream that every immigrant 

parent has for their child,” 

Cacao Cafe 

9111 W. 151st St. in 

Orland Park 

Hours 

• 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday- 

Saturday 

• 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday 

For more information ... 

Web: cacaocafeorland. 

com 

Email: cacaocafe@ 

yahoo.com 

she said. “I’m very proud.” 

The cafe is to have a set 

menu with popular Latin staples 

soon. And Aceves said 

she likes to have a variety of 

rotating, daily specials. 

In 2019, she said she plans 

to get a liquor license, which 

will allow the business to 

create liquor-infused pastries 

and espresso drinks. 

While many of the drinks 

may be geared toward an 

adult clientele, Aceves said 

the cafe is certainly a familyfriendly 

place with options 

for youngsters, as well. 

She said she also plans to 

grow the menu over time to 

incorporate more options for 

vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free 

patrons. 

One of the breakfast favorites 

at Cacao Cafe is the 

huevos rancheros ($6.99), 

made with two sunny side 

up eggs atop fried tortillas 

and topped with cheese and 

homemade salsa. The dish 

comes with a side of refried 

beans and rice. 

Sopes ($8.89) are on the 

lunch menu and feature fried 

corn discs topped with refried 

beans, steak, lettuce, 

pico de gallo, queso fresco 

and sour cream. 

The counter at Cacao Cafe 

presents an enticing array of 

Latin baked goods, including 

various flavors of crumbly 

sugar cookies called polvorones 

($.90 each); seashellshaped 

sweet breads called 

A variety of Latin pastries tempt customers at the counter of Cacao Cafe in Orland Park. 

Photos by Amanda Villiger/22nd Century Media 

One of the lunch options at Cacao Cafe are the sopes ($8.89), which are made with fried 

corn discs topped with refried beans, steak, lettuce, pico de gallo, queso fresco and sour 

cream. They are served with a side of refried beans and rice. 

conchas ($1.05); empanadas 

de fresa and empanadas de 

piña ($.95), which feature 

a sweet dough wrapped 

around a strawberry or pineapple 

fruit filling; molasses 

cookies in the shape of a 

small pig, called puerquitos 

($.80); and jalapeno queso 

bread ($1.25). 

Coffee can be served to 

go in three sizes: 12 ounces 

($1.99), 16 ounces ($2.29) 

or 20 ounces ($2.59). It also 

can be enjoyed in a mug in 

house ($2.59). Coffees can 

be made as specialty Latin 

drinks, as well (add $.50).



your news 

All your local news is waiting for you with a digital subscription. 

Less than $1 a week for: 

• Complete access to NewLenoxPatriot.com and 6 other news sites 

• Breaking News alerts sent to you 

• VIP emailed newsletters 

Subscribe today at NewLenoxPatriot.com/Plus 

or scan the QR for a direct link

newlenoxpatriot.com 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. Attention-getter 

5. Swill 

9. Living room musts 

14. Record 

15. Get wind of 

16. Chicago’s University 

Apartments architect 

17. Out on a boat 

18. “Beetle Bailey” dog 

19. Party clothes, for 

some 

20. Homer Glen ____ 

Trail 

22. The cord in a candle 

24. Nabokov heroine and 

others 

25. ___-di-dah 

26. Tuba note? 

29. “Otra” Spanish 

32. Kidman of “The Stepford 

Wives” 

34. Leg’s partner 

36. Shady recess 

39. SALT treaty subject 

40. Song for two 

42. A rechargeable battery 

44. Big furniture retailer 

45. Selects 

46. Stuffs 

48. Hallow ending 

49. Alerter 

52. Showy display 

54. Ending for “market” 

or “profit” 

55. Dodgers catcher Campanella 

57. ___-Seltzer 

59. Grandeur 

60. Homer Glen neighbor 

62. Goes with oohed 

65. Bring in 

67. Bolted 

69. “___ Jacques” (song) 

70. Raison d’ ___ 

71. Off in the distance 

72. In a tough spot 

73. “Game of Thrones” 

character 

74. Adjusts, as a clock 

Down 

1. Educ. group 

2. Figure skater Cohen 

3. Mph gauge 

4. Treat roughly 

5. Sole supporter? 

6. Sanctions 

7. Horse feed 

8. Loiter about, with no 

apparent aim 

9. Often-dried fruit 

10. Berserk 

11. Automobile sticker 

fig. 

12. Shade of green 

13. Relative, for short 

21. Government safety 

org. 

23. 007 creator Fleming 

26. Swiss army gadget 

27. “Seascape” playwright 

28. Macho sort 

30. Ending for west or 

south 

31. Sluggers’ stats 

33. 102, in old Rome 

34. Hacienda brick 

35. Indian coin 

37. Peruvian plant 

38. Bank posting 

41. Food measurement 

43. End of the year 

month, for short 

47. Dis 

50. Worn away 

51. CD-___ 

53. Warm welcomes 

56. WWI battle 

58. Troubled 

59. French father 

60. Pasternak heroine 

61. Bladed weapon 

62. Rearward 

63. Opposite of dep. 

64. Part of a giggle 

66. Biblical verb suffix 

68. ER personnel 

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 

answers 

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 

Square Celt Ale House 

(39 Orland Square Drive, 

Orland Park; (708) 226- 

9600) 

■8 ■ p.m. Tuesdays: Free 

Bar Bingo 

■8 ■ p.m. Wednesdays: 

Free Trivia 

■9 ■ p.m. Fridays or Saturdays: 

Live Music 

■10 ■ p.m. Sundays: 

Karaoke 

Traverso’s Restaurant 

(15601 S. Harlem Ave., 

Orland Park; (708) 532- 

2220) 

■8 ■ p.m. Wednesdays 

and Saturdays: Karaoke 

TINLEY PARK 

Bailey’s Bar & Grill 

(17731 Oak Park Ave., 

Tinley Park; (708) 429- 

7955) 


Karaoke 

■7 ■ p.m. Tuesdays: Trivia 

■10 ■ p.m. Fridays: DJ 

Dance Party 

■9:30 ■ p.m. Saturdays: 

Live Music 

Ed & Joe’s Restaurant & 

Pizzeria 

(17332 S. Oak Park Ave., 

Tinley Park; (708) 532- 

3051) 

■7:30 ■ p.m. Tuesdays: 

Team Trivia 

Hailstorm Brewing 

(8060 186th St., Tinley 

Park); (708) 480-2268) 

■Thursdays: ■ Open mic 

HOMER GLEN 

Front Row 

(14903 S. Bell Road, 

Homer Glen; (708) 645- 

7000) 


Trivia 

FRANKFORT 

Pete Mitchell’s Bar & Grill 

(21000 Frankfort Square 

Road, Frankfort; (815) 

464-8100) 

■6-8 ■ p.m. Wednesdays: 

Free N’ Fun Bar Game. 

To place an event 

in The Scene, email 

m.schuller@22ndcm.com.

30 | December 13, 2018 | The New Lenox Patriot LOCAL LIVING 


Distinctive Home Builders Introduces New Craftsman Homes 

In Manhattan and Peotone – From the mid-$200’s 

New designs are a result of buyer feedback 

Two refreshing designs mark 

the beginning of a new series 

of Craftsman-style homes 

available from Distinctive Home 

Builders at its latest new home 

communities: Prairie Trails; 

located in Manhattan within the 

highly-regarded Lincoln-Way 

School District and at WestGate 

Manor in Peotone within 

the desirable Peotone School 

District. 

“Craftsman homes were 

introduced in the early 1900s 

in California with designs 

based on a simpler, functional 

aesthetic using a higher level 

of craftsmanship and natural 

materials. These homes were a 

departure from homes that were 

mass produced from that era, 

“according to Bryan Nooner, 

president of Distinctive Home 

Builders. 

“The Craftsman design has 

made a comeback today for 

many of the same reasons it 

started over a century ago. Our 

customers want to live in a home 

that gets away from the “mass 

produced” look and live in a 

home that has more character. As 

a result of our daily interaction 

with our homeowners and their 

input, we are excited to introduce 

these two homes, with additional 

designs in the works.” 

Nooner, who meets with 

each homeowner prior to 

construction, has been working 

on these plans for a while and felt 

that the timing was ideal for the 

debut. “Customers were asking 

for something different and 

simple with less monotony and 

higher architectural standards.” 

The result was the Craftsman 

ranch and the Prairie twostory, 

now available at Prairie 

Trails and WestGate Manor. 

The Craftsman ranch features 

an open floor plan with Great 

Room, three bedrooms, two 

baths and a two-car (optional 

three-car) garage. The Prairie 

features a two-story foyer and 

Great Room, three bedrooms 

and one and one-half baths, a 

convenient Flex Room space 

on the main level and a two-car 

(optional three-car) garage. The 

Craftsman architectural elements 

on both homes include brick and 

stone exteriors with cedar shake 

accent siding, low-pitched gabled 

bracket roofs, front porches with 

tapered columns and stone piers, 

partially paned windows, and a 

standard panel front entry door. 

Distinctive Home Builders 

offers a Craftsman-style trim 

package offering trim without 

ornate profiles and routers. The 

trim features simplicity in design 

with rectangles, straight lines and 

layered look trims over doors for 

example. The front entry door 

will have the standard Craftsman 

panel style door. Distinctive has 

also created a Craftsman color 

palate to assist buyers in making 

coordinated choices for the 

interior of their new Craftsman 

home. Colors, cabinet styles and 

flooring choices blend seamlessly 

with the Craftsman trim package 

and are available in gray tones 

package and earth tones. 

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. 


works to achieve a delivery goal 

of 90 days with zero punch list 

items for its homeowners. “Our 

three decades building homes 

provides an efficient construction 

system,” said Nooner. “Many of 

our skilled craftsmen have been 

working with our company 

for 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.” 

Nooner added that all homes 

are highly energy efficient. Every 

home built will have upgraded 

wall and ceiling insulation 

values with energy efficient 

windows and high efficiency 

furnaces. Before homeowners 

move into their new home, 


conducts a blower door test that 

pressurizes the home to ensure 

that each home passes a set of 

very stringent Energy Efficiency 

guidelines. 

With the addition of these two 

new designs, there are now 15 

ranch, split-level and six twostory 

single-family home styles to 

choose from each offering from 

three to eight different exterior 

elevations at both communities. 

The three- to four-bedroom 

homes feature one and one-half 

to two-and-one-half baths, twoto 

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 and concrete driveways 

can all be yours at Prairie 

Trails and WestGate Manor. 

Most all home sites at Prairie 

Trails and WestGate Manor 

can accommodate a three-car 

garage; a very important amenity 

to the Manhattan homebuyer, 

said Nooner. 

“When we opened Prairie 

Trails and WestGate Manor 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!” 

Prairie Trails is also a beautiful 

place to live and raise a family 

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 less than a mile away. 

Besides Prairie Trails, 


has built homes throughout 

Manhattan in the Butternut 

Ridge and Leighlinbridge 

developments, as well as in the 

Will and south Cook county 

areas over the past 30 years. 


chose the Will County village 

of Peotone for its newest 

community of 38 single-family 

homes at WestGate Manor 

within walking distance of the 

esteemed Peotone High School. 

Its convenient location between 

Interstate 57 and Illinois Route 

50 provide easy access to I-80 

and commuters enjoy several 

nearby train stations and a 

35-minute drive to Chicago. 

Visit the on-site sales 

information center for 

unadvertised specials and view 

the numerous styles of homes 

being offered and the available 

lots. Call Lynne Rinck at (708) 

737-9142 or (708) 479-7700 for 

more information or visit www. 

distinctivehomebuilders.com. 

The Prairie Trails and WestGate 

Manor new home information 

center is located three miles 

south of Laraway Rd. on Rt. 

52. The address is 24458 S. 

Rt. 52, 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.

newlenoxpatriot.com LOCAL LIVING 


Impressive Luxury Townhomes are 

Closing Fast at Brookside Meadows 

This is it! One of the best 

values in a new home will soon 

be gone forever. Brookside 

Meadows, Crana Homes’ 

community of award-winning 

luxury townhomes in Tinley 

Park, is nearly complete. These 

attractive luxury townhomes 

range from the lower-$300s 

– including site - so demand is 

high and buyers are advised 

to act now while some choice 

sites are still available. Ideal 

location. Beautiful designs. 

Quality construction. Great 

value. When shoppers review 

their new home ‘wish list’ it’s 

clear that Brookside Meadows 

is perfect for first time buyers, 

last time buyers or those 

who want a great place to 

raise a family. These energyefficient 

luxury townhomes 

are impressively designed and 

set apart in a quiet section of 

Tinley Park. But Brookside 

Meadows is over 75% sold 

out so now is the time to select 

a site and create a home from 

the award-winning floorplans 

of the Fahan II, the Lennan 

II and the latest design, the 

Dunree II. 

Need to stretch out? The 

Fahan II is a beautiful 3,303 

total square foot luxury 

townhome (including a 1,216 

sq.’ basement) with an attached 

two-car, dry-walled garage and 

cement driveway. The twostory 

stately entrance foyer 

opens up to a split level floor 

plan that has three bedrooms 

(fourth bedroom optional) 

and two and a half baths. A 

large open kitchen design with 

stunning granite countertops 

is surrounded by generous 

custom maple cabinets and 

a ceramic tile floor. The 1st 

floor master bedroom offers an 

optional coffered ceiling and 

the optional master bath plan 

includes a soothing soaker tub. 

An elegant loft overlooks 

a great room adjacent to 

the kitchen. Beautiful oak is 

selected for doors, railings and 

trim. Ceramic tile covers the 

floors in the foyer as well as the 

bathrooms - which also feature 

granite vanity tops. A full 

lookout basement and a patio 

are included in the Fahan II. 

The Lennan II is a 

comfortable two/three 

bedroom split level home 

with two and a half baths, 

and includes most of the 

outstanding features and 

options of the Fahan II with 

the spacious master suite 

relocated to the upper level and 

the addition of an impressive 

dining/family room. With 

3,167 square feet of total 

space (including a 1,049 sq.’ 

basement), there is plenty of 

room to entertain family and 

friends in comfort and style. 

The Dunree II is a sharp 

three bedroom, two and a 

half bath home with 3,194 

total square feet (including 

a large 1,226 sq.’ basement) 

with a master suite on the 

first floor. The foyer, powder 

room, kitchen and living room 

all have stunning hardwood 

oak floors. Attached is a twocar, 

dry walled garage with a 

cement driveway. The home 

also includes a 12’ x 12’ deck. 

All homes have deluxe 

landscaping, underground 

utilities and a first floor laundry 

room. Where available, buyers 

can select options like an 

impressive fireplace, walkout 

basement, coffered ceilings, 

skylights and a soaker tub in the 

master bath. 

Brookside Meadows includes 

sprinkler systems, smoke 

detectors and Lake Michigan 

water in all homes. Energysaving 

features like a highefficiency 

furnace and Lo-E 

glass, Energy Miser hot water 

heater, vented soffits, 1.75” 

insulated entrance doors, 

energy efficient appliances and 

Tuff-R insulated wall sheathing 

are all standard. 

Brookside Meadows is close 

to everything: retail, dining, 

transportation routes, Metra 

rail station and airports. The 

school system is among the 

best in the state and Tinley 

Park, named “The Best Place 

In America to Raise a Family” 

by Bloomberg’s BusinessWeek 

maintains 40 parks and the 

huge Bettenhausen indoor 

recreational center. 

It’s easy to see why this 

community is nearly sold 

out. The sales center, with 

fully furnished and beautifully 

decorated models, is open 

Monday through Thursday 

10:00am to 4:00pm; Saturday 

and Sunday from noon to 

4:00pm; and open Friday 

by appointment. Options, 

dimensions and specs can 

change so contact a Sales 

Associate at 708-479-5111 

for updates and go online at 

www.cranahomes.com. To visit 

Brookside Meadows take I-80, 

exit La Grange Road south for 

just under two miles to La Porte 

Road and turn east for one-half 

mile. If mapping by way of a 

GPS, enter the address: 19839 

Mulroy Circle, Tinley Park, IL. 

Final Phase -Selling Fast... 

LennanII 

-Huge Master Suiteonthe Second Floor 

withCoffered Ceilings &SoakerTub 

-3Bedrooms,Plus Loft,2½Bath 

-SpaciousOpen Concept Floorplan 

-ChicagoWater 

Since 1970 

-Cost-Efficiant, 

EnergySaving Features 

-Full WalkoutorLookout 

Basement&Deck 

-ExcellentSchoolDistrict 

Situated on Unique HomeSites thatBack Up to aNatural Setting 

Contactthe SalesCenter fordetails at 708.479.5111 

and visit online anytime at www.cranahomes.com 

OurBeautifullyDecorated Models areOpen 

Mon-Thu 10am-4pm |Sat/Sun Noon-4pm |Friday byAppt. 

Exit I-80 at La Grange Road south for just under 

twomiles to La PorteRoad andturn east for 

one-half miletoBrookside Meadows. 

OPPORTUNITY

32 | December 13, 2018 | The New Lenox Patriot classifieds 


CLASSIFIEDS 

Help Wanted · Garage Sales · Automotive 

Real Estate · Rentals · Merchandise 

Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

DEADLINE - 

Friday at 3pm 

Automotive 

$52 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

Help Wanted 

per line $13 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

Real Estate 

$50 

7 lines/ 

7 papers 

Merchandise 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

Help 

Wanted 

1017 Auctions 

Automotive 

Rental 

1003 Help 

Wanted 

1061 Autos Wanted 

1225 Apartments 

for Rent 

We are RAIDER 

ELECTRONIC COMPANY, 

MYSTERY SHOPPER 

WANTED EARN NO LESS 

THAN $200.00 Need extra 

INCOME! Become our [ 

MYSTERY SHOPPER]: Earn 

[ NO LESS THAN $200.00 ] 

Per Venture: It is Very Easy 

and Very Simple: No 

Application fees: What You 

need to do is to contact the 

email below: 

terryhicks2000@outlook.com 

Enclose your 

Information as follow: 

Full Name: 

Mailing Address: 

Zip code: 

Telephone/Cell Number: 

Hiring Desk Clerk 

(must be flexible w/ shifts) 

& Housekeeping 

(Morning) Needed at 

Super 8 Motel 

Apply within: 

9485 W. 191st St, Mokena 

No Phone Calls 

F/T Field Service Technician 

Entry Level – Trainee Position 

Basic electronic/mech skills a 

plus, good driving record / 

neat appearance. Call 

815-463-1209 or Fax resume: 

815-463-1215 Email resume: 

jholman@foxvalleyscale.com 

1004 Employment 

Opportunities 

HIRE LOCALLY 

Reach over 83% of prospective 

employees in your area! 

CALL TODAY 708-326-9170 


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 

Orland Park 9240 Auburn Ct 

12/15-12/16 10-5pm Furn, 

kitchen, pictures, knick knacks, 

clothes, coats & much more! 

1057 Estate Sale 

1024 Senior 

Companion 

Senior Companion 

Do your loved ones need 

holiday shopping done, 

grocery shopping, to be 

taken to a doctor appt, 

errands run or just 

socialization? If so 

Call Betty (815)545-4935 

Garage 

Sale 

...to place your Classified Ad! 

CALL 

708.326.9170 

WANTED! 

WE NEED CARS, TRUCKS & VANS 

Running Or Not from Old to New! 

Top Dollar Paid - Free Pick-Up 

Locally Located 

(708)205-8241 

Don’t Junk 

Your Vehicle! 

$$CASH$$ Paid 

Vehicles Running or Not 

Cars, Trucks, Vans etc. 

(708)653-6799 

815-469-1999 

19121 85th Ct 

Mokena , IL 60448 

We Buy Cars 

ChicagoAutoNetwork.com 

2004 Nissan Xterra 4wd 110k 

$4900 

2006 Toyota Highlander 4wd 

208k $4500 

2010 Honda Element 130k 

$9900 

2008 Honda Element 57k 

$14,900 

2007 Lincoln Town Car 80k 

$9900 

1998 Lincoln Continental 1 

owner 42k $7900 

2010 Subaru Legacy awd 111k 

$6900 

2004 Mercury grand marquis 

$3000 

1999 Chevy corvette 15k 

Miles black 1 owner $15,900 

2013 Tesla S60 ELECTRIC 

CAR 59k $37,900 

2006 Infiniti g35 coupe 28k 

Low Mi $12,900 

2016 Lexus GS350 Fsport awd 

$38,900 

2014 Lexus LS460 awd 

$29,900 

2014 Mercedes c350 coupe 

awd white/red 54k $21,900 

1074 Auto for Sale 

DRIVE CAR BUYERS 

TO YOUR DOOR WITH 

A CLASSIFIED AUTO AD 

708.326.9170 

, 

2015 Mercedes GLA45amg 

$29,900 

2007 GMC 2500 Diesel 

Pickup 118k $12,900 

1997 Chevy astro 

cargo/camper van only 17k 

mi $6975 

2008 Chevy 9 conversion van 

hi roof 43k $31,900 

2014 Dodge Charger police 

pack 53k $11,900 

2010 Chevy express 12 psngr 

55k $14,900 

2014 Chevy express 15 psngr 

$14,900 

2003 Chevy 1500 cargo $5000 

2010 Chevy 2500 cargo 

$9,900 

2016 Ford Transit t350 ext 12 

psngr van 32k $22,900 

2000 ford e350 12 psngr 103k 

$5000 

2018 Ford t350 hi roof 15 

psngr van $31,900 

2005 Ford Escape 160k $3500 

2000 Jeep Cherokee 4wd 28k 

$14,900 

30+ Passenger & Cargo vans 

to choose from 

815-469-1999 

19121 85th Ct 

Mokena , IL 60448 

We Buy Cars 

ChicagoAutoNetwork.com 

Oak Forest Terrace 

15815 Terrace, Oak Forest 

Spacious 1 & 2 Bdrms. 

Serene setting & Beautiful 

Grounds. Tennis, Pool, 

Walking Trails. Near metra. 

708-687-1818 

oakterrapts@att.net 

Roomy New Lenox 

Apartment! 

Convenient torestaurants, 

shops, banks, train, trail 

and services. Includes appliances, 

gas, water, heat. 

Laundry room in building, 

1year lease, no smoking, 

$1250/mo. 815-485-2528 

Advertise your 

RENTAL PROPERTY 

in the newspaper 

people turn to first 

CALL US TODAY: 708.326.9170 

www.22ndcenturymedia.com

newlenoxpatriot.com classifieds 


CLASSIFIEDS 



READYTO SELL YOUR 

REAL ESTATE? 

CALL 

Mike McCatty 

& ASSOCIATES 

mccattyrealestate.com 

708-945-2121 

ONE BILLION IN LOCALLY 

CLOSED SALES SINCE 1999 

4 lines/ 

LOCAL 

REALTOR 

DIRECTORY 

CENTURY 21 AFFILIATED 

Contact Classified Department 

to Advertise in this Directory 

Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

DEADLINE - 

Friday at 3pm 

Kim Wirtz 

realtor 

kim@kimwirtz.com 

kimwirtz.com 

708.516.3050 

Rates As 

Low As3 % 

Chicagoland’s #1 Century 21 Agent 

 

 

 

 

Sell It! 

With a Classified Ad 

See the Classified Section for more info, or call 

 

Automotive 

$52 

7 papers 

(708) 

326.9170 

Help Wanted 

per line $13 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

OPEN 

HOUSE 

Sun. Dec. 16th 1-4pm 

14251 S. 84th Ave 

Orland Park, IL 

4BR, 3Ba brick Forrester totally 

rehabbed in 2009-2010 

w/ all new windows, living rm 

bay window, new roof 

Hardwd & Marble floors 

throughout, Lg. kitchen lots of 

cabinets w/granite counter 

tops all appls. Lg. family rm 

w/ wet bar & frplc. Finished 

bsmnt. Sliding doors leads to 

nice size fenced in back yard 

w/ deck. Side drive leading to 

2 car garage. $349,900 

Anita Cirrintano, Remax 10 

708-429-9818 

1310 Offices for 

Rent 

The perfect downtown 

location! 

11225 Front St. Mokena, IL 

Newly rehabbed office spaces 

avail. Office spaces are flexible 

for any type of business. 

Includes lobby, private bathrooms, 

utilities and Comcast 

Internet/Wifi. Units ready to 

lease Sept 1st. $299/mo total. 

Julie Carnes 708-906-3301 

Village Realty Inc. 

Real Estate 

$50 

7 lines/ 

7 papers 

Merchandise 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

OPEN HOUSE 

SHOWCASE 

Look for 

Open Houses 

near you today. 

Or Call to 

advertise 

708-326-9170 

1315 Commercial 

Property For Rent 

Commercial Property 

(South of Rt. 80 at 615 Mills 

Road Joliet) 

Storage area, 5 acres for 

trucks, equipment, or material 

with building and weigh 

scale for trucks. Call A/C 

815-727-4342 for information 

General Machine Tool. 

Don’t just list 

your real estate 

property... 

Sell It! 


See the Classified Section for more 

info,or call 708.326.9170 

22ndCenturyMedia.com

34 | December 13, 2018 | The New Lenox Patriot REAL ESTATE 


The New Lenox Patriot’s 

Sponsored Content 

of the 

WEEK 

Cute 4 bedroom home right 

by the New Lenox Commons 

for an affordable price! 

What: Four bedroom, twostory 

home, on a quiet street 

close to the New Lenox 

Commons, shopping, train 

and expressway! 

Where: 508 Livingston Drive, 

New Lenox, 60451 

Amenities: This four-bedroom 

home has a brand new 

furnace, newer siding and roof, and two of the three bathrooms have been updated! 

The fourth bedroom is already set up as a home office with built-in shelving and desk! 

Backyard has a deck and sun room and plenty of yard space! Imagine being able to 

walk to all the events the New Lenox Commons has to offer, and also being close to 

restaurants, shopping, the commuter train and expressway! 

Asking Price: $200,000 

Listing Agent: Julia 

Labuda. Contact (773) 

732-5629 or jlabuda9@ 

gmail.com 

Listing Brokerage: 

Always Home Real Estate 

Services. 

Want to To know list a how home to as become Home Home of the of Week, the Week? contact Contact t.weber@22ndcenturymedia.com. 

Tricia at (708) 326-9170 ext. 47. 

Oct. 24 

• 2670 Daniel Lewis 

Drive, New Lenox, 60451- 

2555 - Terry D. Berger to 

Scott H. Gunther Jr., Traci 

C. Gunther $350,000 

• 3009 Edgecreek Drive, 

New Lenox, 60451-9634 - 

Daniel A. Gunther to Julie 

Welch, $385,000 

Oct. 23 

• 1254 N. Vine St., New 

Lenox, 60451-1067 - 

David Burdeik to John 

Burdelik, Judith Burdelik 

$139,500 

Oct. 19 

• 202 Hickory St., New 

Lenox, 60451-1738 - 

Stephen Martin to Ronald 

R. Torres, Kimberly Torres 

$225,000 

• 205 S. Anderson Road, 

New Lenox, 60451-1944 

- Craig Munson to Kevin 

Rock, $270,000 

• 600 Southgate Road, 

New Lenox, 60451-2252 

- Jeffrey R. Lund to Joshua 

Lund, $230,000 

Oct. 18 

• 12303 Cashlenan Lane, 

New Lenox, 60451-2879 

- Blanchard Joint Trust to 

David Hostert, Cynthia S. 

Hostert $343,000 

• 14242 Summerfield 

Drive, New Lenox, 60451- 

9542 - Sophia Giesking to 

William D. Vorberg, Dana 

L. Vorberg $599,000 

• 178 Cottonwood Place, 

New Lenox, 60451-3526 

- O’leary Trust to Michael 

G Cox, Donna M. Cox 

$290,000 

• 2060 Bristol Park Road, 

New Lenox, 60451-3554 

- Dr, Horton Inc to Charles 

Clifton Sturts, Traci Lou 

Sturts $365,000 

• 531 Chatfield Road, 

New Lenox, 60451-3042 

- Dan Katzinski to Timothy 

M, Robinson, Ashley E, 

Robinson $660,000 

Oct. 17 

• 1022 Schoolgate Road 

3, New Lenox, 60451- 

2681 - Quinn M. Walsh to 

Kyle W. Bass, $135,000 

• 817 Stacey Drive, New 

Lenox, 60451-3464 - First 

Midwest Bank Trustee to 

Matthew M. Delestowicz, 

Jessica R. Delestowicz 

$382,000 

Oct. 16 

• 772 Wellington 

Parkway, New Lenox, 

60451-9549 - Deborah 

A. Gilbertsen to Shellie 

Chambers, $287,000 

• 1320 O’Connell Circle, 

New Lenox, 60451-2926 

- Daniel M. Schloegel to 

Brian M. Kelly, Lauren L. 

Kelly $352,000 

• 772 Wellington 

Parkway, New Lenox, 

60451-9549 - Deborah 

A. Gilbertsen to Shellie 

Chambers, $287,000 

• 821 Ogden Road, New 

Lenox, 60451-2233 - 

Ryan Kolalis to Justin D. 

Bulat, $203,000 

Oct. 15 

• 122 Twilight Lane 122, 

New Lenox, 60451-1847 - 

Kara M. Jelderks to Paula 

Campbell, Marco Sierra 

$139,000 

• 345 Hancock Drive, 

New Lenox, 60451-3166 - 

Hugh W. Daum to Joseph 

Pervazas, Ofelia Pervazas 

$245,000 

• 610 Julie Court, New 

Lenox, 60451-9200 - 

McGurk Supplemental 

Care Trust to Berenice N. 

McGurk, $68,750 

The Going Rate is provided by 

Record Information Services, 

Inc. For more information, 

visit www.public-record.com 

or call (630) 557-1000.



Business Directory 

CLASSIFIEDS 



Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

DEADLINE - 

Friday at 3pm 

Automotive 

Real Estate 

$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 

2003 Appliance Repair 

2011 Brick/Chimney Experts 

2080 Firewood 

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 

...to place your 

Classified Ad! 

708.326.9170 

2006 Basement Waterproofing 

2017 Cleaning Services 

2011 Brick/Chimney Experts 

Experiened 

Cleaning Lady 

Will Clean House or 

Apartment. 

Free estimates! 

815 690 7633 

MORTGAGE 

ALERT! 

LOCK-IN MORE BUSINESS. 

ADVERTISE LOCALLY. 

CONTACT THE CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT 

708-326-9170 

22ndcenturymedia.com 

2025 Concrete Work 

2070 Electrical 

Ideal 

Firewood 

Seasoned Mixed 

Hardwoods 

$120.00 per FC 

Free Stacking & 

Delivery 

708 235 8917 

815 981 0127 

A+ 

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 

HIRE LOCALLY 

Reach over 83% of prospective 

employees in your area! 

DRIVE CAR BUYERS 

TO YOUR DOOR WITH 

A CLASSIFIED AUTO AD 

708.326.9170 

CALL TODAY FOR 

RATES & INFORMATION 

708-326-9170 

www.22ndcenturymedia.com



2090 Flooring 

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 

2120 Handyman 

2132 Home Improvement 

TR FLOORING 

LICENSED-BONDED-INSURED 

FREE ESTIMATES 

LAMINATE • CERAMIC • HARDWOOD 

ALL TYPES OF FLOORING 

25 YRS EXPERIENCE 

(708)243-0198(TIM) 

2110 Gutter Systems 

Don’t just 

list your 

real estate 

property... 

...to place 

your 


CALL 

708.326.9170 

Sell It! 


See the Classified Section for more info, 

or call 708.326.9170 

22ndCenturyMedia.com 

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 

2120 Handyman 

2130 Heating/Cooling 

CALL TODAY FOR AFREE ESTIMATE 

APRILAIRE HUMIDIFIER 

Starting at $495 Installed 

(708) 532-7579 

Visit our new website at www.tinleyheatingandcooling.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 

2132 Home Improvement 

2150 Paint & Decorating 


RENTAL 

PROPERTY 


people turn 

to first 

2135 Insulation 

CALL US TODAY: 708.326.9170 


Celebrating 3generations of outstanding service! 

Tens of Thousands of Highly Satisfied Customers! 

Family owned &operated -66years in business! 

"HAVE ONE ON THE OUSE- 

•Blown-In Fiber 

Glass Insulation 

•Foam nsulation 

• nsulation Removals. 

2150 Paint & Decorating 

INTERIOR 

PAINTING 

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: 

SAVE 15% when 

youbookbefore 

January 1st 

***FREE ESTIMATES*** 

708 860-JADE (5233) 

jadequalityservices.com 

All Work is Warrantied 

...to place your 


708.326.9170


newlenoxpatriot.com



CLASSIFIEDS 



Merchandise 

Directory 

2483 Machinery 

& Tools 

Mikita 10” Slide Compound 

Saw $250. Natural gas heater, 

no electricity needed $100 

708-349-8703 

2489 

Merchandise 

Wanted 

Metal Wanted 

Scrap Metal, Garden 

Tractors, 

Snowmobiles, 

Appliances, Etc. 

ANYTHING METAL! 

Call 815-210-8819 

Free pickup! 

Buy It! 

SELL It! 

FIND It! 

in the 

CLASSIFIEDS 

708.326.9170 

2702 Public 

Notices 

Certificate No. 32556 was filed in 

the office of the County Clerk of 

Will County on November 16, 

2018 wherein the business firm of 

Tall Pines Camp located at 315 

Rossford Lane, New Lenox, IL 

60451 is registered and a certificate 

notice setting forth the following: 

Ryan J. Taylor, 315 Rossford 

Lane, New Lenox, IL 60451 

708-602-1806 

Bridget D. Taylor, 315 Rossford 

Lane, New Lenox, IL 64051 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have 

hereunto set my hand and Official 

Seal at my office in Joliet; Illinois, 

this 16th day of November, 2018 

Nancy Schultz Voots 

Will County Clerk 

2900 

Merchandise 

Under $100 

16 speed ladies bike, still in 

box, brand new! $75 or best offer. 

815.838.3932 

1970s bumper pool table, nice 

shape, balls, sticks, needs refelt 

$100. 708.479.7706 

4antique dining room chairs 

$100. 815.485.6008 

5piece entertainment center, 

solid oak, smoked glass doors, 

fully lighted, lots ofstorage. 

Excellent condition $100. 

708.532.4044 

A Westo Momentum CT 3.8 

elliptical exerciser with manual 

$85 best offer. 708.269.9414 

Antique vintage GENEVA ILL 

#8 star black flat cast iron $25. 

708.466.9907 

Barbie Doll in Nascar racing 

uniform, new, prestine $25. 

Little wizard red glass kerosene 

lantern $65 ea. 

708.460.8308 

Black IKEA leather chair, perfect 

condition $50. Entertainment 

center w/ glass dorrs $50. 

Call Debbie 815.534.5273 

Black IKEA leather chair, perfect 

condition $50. Entertainment 

center, black w/ glass 

doors $50. Call Debbie 

815.534.5273 

Collection of 60 unique shot 

glasses. Varied sizes, shapes, 

each with adifferent design. 

Great for man cave, bar display 

or gifts. $40 for whole collection. 

Call 708.642.9019 

2900 

Merchandise 

Under $100 

Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

DEADLINE - 

Friday at 3pm 

Cross Country ski boots & 

poles. Boots Wsz 8.5, Msz 

11, good condition $35 each. 

Men’s ice skates sz 10.5 $40. 

815.463.0282 

Dewalt Hammer Drill 18V 

with STS bits, 2batteries with 

charger $95. 708.785.3085 

Fun - Fun: 2 sturdy wood sleds 

38” $5 48” $6 or 2 for $10. 

708.301.8880 

GE dishwasher, stainless exterior 

sink, slightly used $100. 

708.785.0987 

GE dishwasher, stainless exterior 

skin, slightly used $100. 

708.785.0987 

GE dryer $99. 708.262.0821 or 

312.519.5786 

Give your Grandma & 

Grandpa agift they will appreciate 

-an antique rocking chair, 

very good condition, with blue 

cover $100. 708.250.9583 

Heavy duty engine hoist/tow 

bar! Red arrow model 1100. 

Needs hydraulic piston $50. 

Call Dave for pictures 

708.203.9272 

Long dining room table $99 

(cherry wood) & leaf. 

312.519.5786 

Mendini 5 piece drum set, plus 

stool, pedal and cymbal $65 

FIRM. 708.633.1978 

Metal detector auto calibrating, 

digital. Never used $75. Mens 

ring, Sterling silver and turquoise 

&mother ofpearl $25. 

708.530.9354 

Need aset of luggage? 3piece 

set with wheels, new. Bought 

for trip, never taken $85 or best 

offer. Call 815.469.4525 

New 3fttree with stand $10. 

New fresh tree, large tree stand 

$15. Dozen pink non-break 

tree ornaments, USA made $5 

ea. 708.460.8308 

Novelty musical & motion 

houseplant, 9 inches tall, plays 

“Let’s Dance” $15. Steve 

708.403.2525 

Nurses uniforms, top &bottoms, 

1X & 2X $5 a piece. 

708.262.0821 ot 312.519.5786 

Samsung Galaxy phone, 4G 

LTE, 5.0 HD, 5MP camera, 1 

year old $45. iPhone 4m works 

great $40. 815.469.5295 

Showtime Rotisserie & BBQ 

$50 obo. 708.478.5338 

Automotive 

$52 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

Help Wanted 

per line $13 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

Real Estate 

$50 

7 lines/ 

7 papers 

$30 for 7 Papers 

Merchandise 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

FREE FREE FREE 

CLASSIFIED MERCHANDISE ADS!!! 

In this tough economy, we'll give you a free 

merchandise ad totaling $100 or less. 

· Write your FREE ad in 30 words or less. 

· One free ad per week. 

· Same ad may not be submitted more than 3 times. 

· The total selling price of your ad must not exceed $100. 

· Ads will be published on a space available basis. 

· Free Ads are Not Guaranteed to Run! 

GUARANTEE Your Merchandise Ad To Run! 

Free Merchandise Ad - All Seven Papers 

Ad Copy Here (please print): 

Merchandise Pre-Paid Ad 

Name: 

Address 

City/State/Zip 

Phone 

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

Credit Card Orders Only 

Credit Card # 

Signature 

® 

$30! 4 lines! 7 papers! 

Exp Date 

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

22nd Century Media 

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

Orland Park, IL 60467 

FAX: 708.326.9179 

Circle One:




RENTAL 

PROPERTY 


people turn to first 

CALL US TODAY: 708.326.9170 

| www.22ndcenturymedia.com

newlenoxpatriot.com sports 


Athlete of the Week 

10 Questions 

with Regan LoConte 

Regan LoConte is a junior 

guard on the Lincoln-Way 

Central girls basketball 

team 

Special Offer SAVE 20% 

SPECIAL OFFER! 

ONLY 

$23 99* 

® 

How’d you get started 

in basketball? 

I started in the fourth 

grade, mostly because of my 

dad. He was big in to basketball 

and he started to coach 

me. 

Do you have any rituals 

or superstitions on the 

court? 

If I do good one game 

with a certain pair of socks 

I try to keep wearing those 

socks because I feel like 

it makes me do better. 

And I also chew gum during 

every game. I wash the 

socks. 

What’s your favorite 

memory playing 

basketball? 

Just that my dad got to 

coach me and got to be with 

me through all the practices 

and games. 

What would be the first 

thing you’d buy if you 

won the lottery? 

A pet elephant. I love elephants. 

[I’d name it] Delani, 

after my sister. 

Do you prefer to play 

offense or defense? 

Offense. I like to shoot 

3s and get it in to my teammates 

and make the plays 

happen. 

What’s your favorite 

movie? 

“The Notebook.” 

Who would be on your 

dream team? 

Steph Curry, my sister 

Delaney, Michael Jordan 

and my dad. 

If you could have dinner 

with anyone living or 

dead, who would it be 

and why? 

My mom because she’s 

a great cook and I just like 

spending time with her. 

Do you have any plans 

for college? 

Photo submitted 

I like North Central and 

Murray State because my 

grandpa went there. And University 

of Tennesse Martin. I 

want to be an opthamologist, 

so [I’d probably major in] 

pre-med and I want to major 

in chemistry… My dad is an 

eye doctor, so he could probably 

help me with some stuff. 

What advice do you 

have for the next 

generation of Knights 

basketball players? 

Try your best at all times. 

Never give up on yourself. 

And that quote: “You miss 

100 percent of the shots you 

don’t take.” 

Interview conducted by Contributing 

Editor T.J. Kremer III 

Crown Maple Pancake Breakfast Gift Set 

A Holiday Favorite! 

Our breakfast gift set is guaranteed to create a memorable morning! 

Fresh from our 800-acre maple farm in New York’s Hudson Valley, our 

organic maple syrup and signature pancakes deliver a distinctive breakfast 

experience. Our artisan quality pancake recipe features Crown 

Maple sugar along with sugar pearls that explode with maple flavor on 

the griddle. A perfect gift for a family or corporate gift for clients and 

colleagues. 

Choose your box band – our red Happy Holidays band or our signature 

Crown Maple orange band. 

Order Now and SAVE 20% 

Only $23.99* (reg. $29.95), plus $8.50 shipping & handling per item. 

Visit CrownMapleSpecial.com 

to order item SC-101-DA_Ea 

Use Promo Code: CROWN150 

Order by Dec. 14, 2018 for Christmas delivery. 

Offer ends December 31, 2018 or while supplies last 

Crown Maple Syrup | 47 McCourt Road | Dover Plains New York 12522

42 | December 13, 2018 | The New Lenox Patriot sports 


Sports Briefs 

LWC basketball welcomes 

future Knights at Junior High 

Night 

Those who want more 

information about Lincoln- 

Way Central’s academic and 

athletic programs for their 

child who is going to attend 

that school are encouraged 

to attend Junior High Knight 

on Monday, Dec. 17. 

From 5-5:45, the school 

will provide everything parents 

and children need to 

know about its programs. 

Afterwards at 6 p.m., guests 

can watch the boys varsity 

basketball game against Chicago 

A&S High School for 

free. For more information, 

call (815) 462-2100. 

South Suburban Rugby hosts 

classes for newcomerrs 

South Suburban Rugby 

Club hosts classes for newcomers 

(hed) 

The South Suburban Rugby 

Club Cobras is hosting 

classes for those in grades 

1-8 who want to learn more 

about rugby. 

Rookie Rugby, for grades 

1-3, is from 6-7 p.m., and 

Rugby 101, for grades 4-8, 

meets at 7-8 p.m. Classes 

take place at Spencer Crossing, 

1701 S. Spencer Road. 

On Jan. 3, the club will 

host a meeting for new, returning 

and interested players 

and their parents. 

The meeting from 7-9 

p.m. at Beggar’s Pizza in 

New Lenox located 650 W. 

Maple St. will address registration, 

expectations and 

more information about the 

club. Attendance is expected 

for athletes looking to play 

in the spring season. Pizza 

and pop will be provided for 

the players only. Families 

are welcome to order off the 

menu. 

For more information, 

email sscobrarugby@gmail. 

com. 

Sports Briefs are compiled by 

Editor James Sanchez, james@ 

newlenoxpatriot.com. 

This Week In... 

Warriors Varsity 

Athletics 

Boys Basketball 

■Dec. ■ 14 - hosts Tinley Park, 

6:30 p.m. 

Girls Basketball 

■Dec. ■ 13 - hosts Bradley- 

Bourbonnais, 6:30 p.m. 

Wrestling 

■Dec. ■ 13 - hosts Lockport, 

5:30 p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 14 - at Thornridge, 

5:30 p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 15 - hosts Lincoln-Way 

West Quad, 10 a.m. 

Girls Bowling 

■Dec. ■ 13 - hosts Stagg, 4:30 

p.m. 


Cup, 9 a.m. 

Boys Bowling 

■Dec. ■ 13 - at Joliet West (at 

Town and Country Lanes), 

4:30 p.m. 


Cup, 9 a.m. 

Boys Swimming and 

Diving 

■Dec. ■ 15 - at York Invite, 

9 a.m. 

Competitive Cheerleading 

■Dec. ■ 16 - at Joliet West 

Invite, TBA 

Competitive Dance 

■Dec. ■ 15 - at Stagg Invite, 7 

a.m. 

Knights Varsity 

Athletics 


■Dec. ■ 13 - at Stagg, 6:15 

p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 15 - at Minooka, 4:30 

p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 17 - hosts Chicago 

A&S High School (Junior High 

Night), 6 p.m. 


■Dec. ■ 13 - hosts Andrew, 6 

p.m. 

Wrestling 

■Dec. ■ 14 - at Glenbrook 

South Tournament, 3:30 p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 15 - at Glenbrook 

South Tournament, 10 a.m. 

Girls Bowling 


Cup, 9 a.m. 

■Dec. ■ 19 - hosts Southland 

College Prep, 4:30 p.m. 

Boys Bowling 


Cup, 9 a.m. 

Boys Swimming and 

Diving 

■Dec. ■ 14 - at Neuqua Valley 

Invite, 5 p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 15 - at Neuqua Valley 

Invite, 9 a.m. 

Competitive Cheerleading 

■Dec. ■ 15 - at Rolling 

Meadows Invite, TBA 


Invite, TBA 


■Dec. ■ 16 - at Warren 

Township Invite, TBA 

Celtics Varsity 

Athletics 


■Dec. ■ 14 - hosts DePaul 

Prep, 7 p.m. 


■Dec. ■ 13 - at De La Salle, 7 

p.m. 

Wrestling 

■Dec. ■ 14 - at 53rd Rex 

Whitlatch Invite (at Hinsdale 

Central High School), 4:30 

p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 15 - at 53rd Rex 

Whitlatch Invite, (at Hinsdale 

Central High School) 

9 a.m. 

Hockey 

■Dec. ■ 15 - at Benet Academy 

(at Seven Bridges), 4:45 p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 16 - at Carmel 

Catholic, 5:10 p.m. 

Boys Bowling 

■Dec. ■ 15 - at CCL North vs. 

CCL South doubleheader, 10 

a.m. 

Competitive 

Cheerleading 

■Dec. ■ 15 - at Andrew Invite, 

TBA 


Invite, TBA 


■Dec. ■ 15 - at Stagg Invite, 7 

a.m. 

This Week In is compiled by 

editor James Sanchez, james@ 

newlenoxpatriot.com. 

high school highlights 

The rest of the week in high school sports 

Wrestling 

Sandburg 53, Lincoln-Way 

Central 9 

Conor Smetana (113), 

Jackson Hosman (152) 

and Mason Sargent (195) 

all won by decision in the 

Dec. 6 dual against the Eagles. 

Boys Swimming and Diving 

Warriors place second in 

triangular 

Gavin Boomsma won 

the 200 freestyle (1:55.48), 

Sean Finley won the 200 

individual medley by more 

than 11 seconds (2:09.32), 

and he also won the 100 

breastsroke (1:03.31). 

The medley relay team of 

Tristan Minarik, Finley, Lukas 

Gonda and Joe Valente 

narrowly took second. Josh 

Bakke was runner-up in the 

50 freestyle, Minarik was 

second in the 100 freestyle 

and 100 backstroke and the 

200 relay team of Finley, 

Valente, Bakke and Boomsma 

also took second in the 

Dec. 6 meet. 

Boys Bowling 

Lincoln-Way Central 1948, 

Sandburg 1913 

Alex Nolan came up big 

with a 504 series (225, 279) 

to lead the Knights’ win over 

the Eagles on Dec. 6. 

High School Highlights is 

compiled by editor James Sanchez, 

james@newlenoxpa 

triot.com. 

KNIGHT 

From Page 47 

Maloney made a 3-pointer 

midway through the third 

quarter to give Central its 

largest lead at 46-34. 

A pair of Curran free 

throws in the final minute 

of the third quarter matched 

that lead and made it 52-40. 

The Knights led 52-42 after 

three. But the Eagles never 

quit, getting back within 

one possession on three occasions 

down the stretch. 

The closest they got was 61- 

59 on a 3-pointer by senior 

guard Ray’von Houston (7 

points, all in the 4th quarter) 

with 2:05 to play. They 

were still within 63-60 after 

a free throw with 1:43 remaining, 

but 26 seconds later 

missed a trey that would 

have tied the game. Central 

went 4-of-4 from the line 

in the final 41.3 seconds to 

clinch the win. 

“We just came out strong 

in the second half and we all 

played together,” Tingley 

said. “We started playing 

together more and put some 

scoring together and that 

helped and just took over 

from there. We’re a young 

team so the more that we 

play together, the more that 

it will help. We have some 

guys on this team who are 

good leaders so we’re just 

trying to play together and 

preparing for the future but, 

also, trying to get as many 

wins as we can.” 

Sophomore guard/forward 

Wesley Woods (15 

points) led Southland. Junior 

center Emeka Ajaere 

(12 points), senior guard 

Dwayne Neff (9 points) 

and senior forward Jaylon 

Barnes (8 points) also contributed 

for the Eagles. 

Central jumped out to an 

early 8-3 lead, but the Eagles 

came back with a 10-0 

run. The score was tied 13- 

13 after one quarter. That 

was the first of four ties 

that quarter, and there were 

also eight lead changes in a 

competitive second quarter 

that saw each team score 17 

points. 

“They played hard and 

made some shots,” Central 

coach Bob Curran said of 

the Eagles. “They’re quick 

and they might have shot 

better from the three-point 

line than we did, and that 

kept them in the game. With 

a lot of sophomores, you 

can tell that we’re physically 

weak. We’ve had a 

bunch of close games, and 

the more games you have 

like that, the better. 

“We have a bunch of multiple-sport 

kids so we do not 

get together in the summer 

as a group, so that’s always 

a struggle every year. We’re 

trying to find chemistry and 

who should be out there and 

things like that. But they’re 

great kids, they work hard 

and they have good basketball 

IQs, so I expect them to 

keep getting better.” 

Starting with the South- 

West Suburban Conference 

Red Division opener last 

Friday, Dec. 7 at Bradley- 

Bourbonnais, the Knights 

have a plethora of games in 

a 2-week span. On Tuesday, 

Dec. 11 they hosted Andrew 

and then on Thursday, 

Dec. 13, at 6:15 p.m. they 

travel to Stagg for another 

SWSC Red matchup. Then 

on Saturday, Dec. 15 there’s 

a 4;30 p.m. nonconference 

game at Minooka. 

Next week, at 6 p.m. 

on Monday, Dec. 17, the 

Chicago Agricultural Science 

High School comes to 

town. The week ends with a 

local SWSC crossover 

showdown at 6:30 p.m. on 

Friday, Dec. 21 at Lincoln- 

Way East.



START 

OWNFamily 

YOUR 

$ 

25 

OFF 

YOUR PURCHASE 

OF $399 OR MORE 

With this ad. Not valid with 

other offers. 

Traditions 

WITH A COLLECTABLE 

LIONEL TRAIN SET 

WITH YOUR 

HOLIDAY MARKETING 

Let 22nd Century Media guide you with its Integrated Marketing 

Campaign program to give your business the marketing plan it 

deserves for the holidays! 

From Facebook and Instagram advertising campaigns to Google 

AdWords and content writing, we have all the tools you need to 

make your holiday season one to remember! 

Contact us today and find out how we can elevate your marketing 

for the holidays! 

ENGAGE 

DON’T BE A 

GROW 

CONVERT 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: 

IMC.22NDCENTURYMEDIA.COM/SCROOGE 

NEON LIGHTING • CAR AUDIO • WHEELS • ACCESSORIES • AUTO ALARMS • LAMBO DOORS • MARINE AUDIO • ALPINE • KENWOOD EXCELON 

CHICAGOLANDS PREMIER CUSTOM SHOP 

Over 20 Years Certified Installations, Authorized Sales! Service Wholesale Pricing, Custom Wheels, High 

End Mobile Electronics, Custom Installation, Window Tint & Alarms. Custom Video & GPS Systems 

-REMOTE CAR STARTER SALE- 

Encore Automotive 

System E1 

$ 

149 * Ret. $ 399 

use by 1/25/19 

$100 off* 

FREE 

Mega-Steam 

Smoke Fluid * 

with purchase of 

any steam engine 

or starter set. 

WE REPAIR: 

American Flyer 

Lionel, Transformers 

*Expires 1/25/19 

• Reduces interiorfading 

• Blocks out unwanted heat 

• Minimizes eye strain by 

reducing the sun’s glare 

• Provides privacy from 

prying eyes 

• Holds glass shards together 

in the event of an accident 

• Available in a wide range 

of shades 

• (1) 2-Button & (1) 4-Button Remote 

• Parking Light Flash 

• Factory Arm/Re-Arm 

• ASK Long Range Technology 

• FSK Technology for increased range 

• 3rd Channel Auxiliary Outputs 

• Gas/Diesel Compatible 

Window Tinting 

Lifetime Warranty on Tint 

*for entire vehicle 

NOW LEGAL IN ILLINOIS 

One of the Top Widow 

Tinters in Illinois use by 1/25/19 use by 1/25/19 

$150 off* 

Top of the Line DVD 

Headrest or Motorized 

Flip Down System 

9565 W. Lincoln Hwy. Frankfort • 815.469.9141 

SHOCKWAVECUSTOMS.COM 

(Specializing in collectable Lionel Trains) 

9555 W. Lincoln Highway 

Frankfort, IL 60423 

815-464-3314 • ChooChooWorks.com 

• Selectable Runtime 

• Valet Mode 

• Extended Range Window Mount Antenna 

• 2-Push ‘Safety Start’ on the Start Button 

• (5) Programmable On-Board Relays 

Only have Encore E1— on most vehicles* 

• Playback from DVD/R/ 

RW of 720p MP4 

& DivX 

• Playback from 32 GB 

sd card or USB of 720p 

MP4 & DivX 

• FM Stereo Transmitter 

for OEM Integration 

• Aux A/V input for Fame 

Console or Personal 

Media 

RADAR DETECRORS: K-40 • WINDOW TINT • STROBE LIGHT IN CARS • GPS • VIDEO SYSTEMS • BACKUP CAMERAS • MOTORCYCLE AUDIO/LIGHTING • JVC • SONY • EARTHQUAKE




Warriors bury Porters with barrage from behind the arc 

West nails 13 

3-pointers en route 

to decisive win 

RANDY WHALEN 


As far as scoring points, 

the Lincoln-Way West girls 

basketball output against 

Lockport Township Dec. 4 

was fairly low by its previous 

standards. 

But the Warriors still hit 

13 3-pointers with senior 

guard Tara Hastings hitting 

seven of them in scoring a 

game-high 21-points. 

That shows how explosive 

they can be as they jumped 

out to a big early lead and 

cruised to a 53-40 victory 

over the Porters in a South- 


crossover at Lockport. 

It was the second lowest 

point output on the season for 

West (7-1), which has scored 

at least 61 points in five of its 

games. The Porters (4-5) received 

a nice game from junior 

center Jenna Cotter (13 

points, 9 rebounds), but had 

no answer for the Warriors 

barrage from downtown. 

“Taylor did a good job of 

getting me the ball,” Hastings 

said of junior guard 

Taylor Gugliuzza. “I felt 

good in warmups and I 

hoped that transitioned into 

the game. We just have to 

limit the turnovers and we’ll 

start getting back as a team 

and get into a groove. I think 

that we’ll do pretty good 

once we clean it all up. It’s 

always fun when we can 

shoot the ball well as a team. 

All four guards and there 

are times even the bigs can 

shoot the three.” 

Hastings, a four-year varsity 

player, wasn’t sure if her 

seven treys were the most 

she’s made in a game. Her 

opening 3-pointer gave West 

a 5-0 lead with 6:40 to play 

in the first quarter. A minute 

later senior guard Jakie 

Maka scored for the Porters. 

But Gugliuzza (16 points), 

who had four 3-pointers, 

made a pair of them in an 

11-0 run which put the Warriors 

ahead 16-2 with 3:15 

left in the first quarter. 

“It just makes it so much 

easier when everything is 

flowing, and when we have 

more energy than our opponent,” 

Gugliuzza said. 

“It also helps that [junior 

forward] Molly [Ryan] and 

[freshman forward] Evan 

[Pittman], our two tall girls, 

did a good job of hustling 

and really boxing out. Now 

we’re focused on getting 

rebounds since it so much 

easier since then you can get 

into transition. We just have 

to clean up some things.” 

Lockport hit its only two 

3-pointers of the game as 

junior guard Abby Pappagoerge 

and senior guard Kaeli 

Ford (7 points) connected on 

back-to-back ones to close 

the score to 16-8 with just 

under two minutes left in the 

first quarter. The Warriors 

led 20-8 after one quarter. 

a rebound basket by Cotter 

closed the Porters within 

20-12 with 5:11 to play in 

the first half, but that was as 

close as they would get. 

The Warriors led 30-17 

at halftime. Ford hit a free 

throw to open the second 

half and make it a 12-point 

game. But that was as close 

as Lockport would get. West 

led 47-27 after three and 53- 

29 when Hastings hit her 

final 3-pointer with 4:18 to 

play in the game. The Warrior 

starters came out soon 

after that and Lockport 

scored the final 11 points of 

the game. 

Sophomore guard Tara 

Gugliuzza (9 points) and 

junior guard Sydney Swanberg 

(3 points, 8 rebounds) 

also hit 3-pointers for West. 

The Warriors did have 19 

turnovers, 11 of them in the 

first half, which was concerning 

to veteran coach, 

Ryan White. 

“It felt like we shot the 

ball fairly decent,” White 

said. “But for me, there 

were still many turnovers 

for us, and that’s taking opportunities 

away. When we 

shoot the ball like we can 

and don’t get a shot at the 

basket, it’s costing us a lot 

of points. Carelessness with 

the ball has been a problem 

for us and a lot of times it 

hasn’t been against great 

pressure. And because we 

usually have four guards, we 

don’t get pressed a lot, we’re 

just being careless and that’s 

something that we have to 

correct. 

“There were definitely 

some stretches where it felt 

like everything was clicking 

and good and then all of a 

sudden it seems like we have 

these dead spots. I wish that 

we would eliminate those. 

We come out strong but then 

we just kind of hit a little bit 

of a lull.” 

Fresh off a 17-point, 11 

rebound performance in the 

Porters previous game, a 

52-41 loss to Minooka on 

Saturday, Dec. 1, sophomore 

guard/forward Elena 

Knebel added six points 

against West. A year ago the 

two teams met and it was a 

down-to-the-wire affair with 

the Warriors pulling out a 

65-62 win on Dec. 5 in New 

Lenox. 

“I was watching that tape 

from last year and it was a 

very entertaining game for 

the spectators,” Lockport 

coach Dan Kelly said. “This 

year, not so much. We have 

to get better at our offensive 

skills, we were just a bit off. 

We also struggled on the defensive 

end. Our girls don’t 

ever quit, we will play to the 

Lincoln-Way West senior Tara Hastings had a game-high 21 points Dec. 4 in a win at 

Lockport. She nailed seven 3-pointers. Photos by Adam Jomant/22nd Century Media 

She isn’t the tallest, but Sydney Swanberg was aggressive in the paint, nabbing 8 

rebounds against the Porters. 

end. We just have to be more 

consistent.” 

Two days later West hosted 

Thornwood on Thursday, 

Dec. 6 in an early-season 

SWSC Red Division showdown. 

There Taylor Gugliuzza 

(28 points) and Tara 

Gugliuzza (18 points) combined 

for 46 points. But it 

wasn’t enough as the Thunderbirds 

pulled away for a 

70-59 win. 

The defending conference 

champion Warriors (7-2, 

0-1) trailed 20-15 after the 

first quarter, 32-30 at halftime 

and 50-46 after three. 

They closed within 50-49 

in the opening minute of the 

fourth quarter and were still 

within 59-55 with 3:31 to 

play in the game. But Thornwood 

(7-0, 2-0) closed it 

out behind a game-high 31 

points from senior post player 

Shannan Mitchell. 

This week the Warriors 

host Bradley-Bourbonnais 

on Thursday, Dec. 13 at 6:30 

p.m. Next week, on Friday, 

Dec. 21, at 6:30 p.m. they 

host Downers Grove North.



Girls Gymnastics 

LW in transition year still continues domination of area competition 

Kmak, Jarosz, Reis 

to pick up slack after 

eight state gymnasts 

graduated in 2018 

Chris Walker 


Lincoln-Way co-op took a 

big hit after placing seventh 

in the state last February. 

The team, which is comprised 

of gymnasts from 

the three Lincoln-Way high 

schools, lost eight key contributors 

this season, including 

all-arounder Una Farrell, 

as they all graduated. 

That doesn’t mean the 

team is starting completely 

from scratch as sophomore 

Grace Kmak and junior Korina 

Jarosz both return after 

representing the team as allarounders 

at state in Palatine 

last year. 

“We lost eight seniors so 

this is definitely a rebuilding 

year and getting some new 

faces on the team,” Lincoln- 

Way coach Kim Lago said. 

“Grace, Korina and Allie 

Reis all return so we’re not 

all new but we’re a very 

young team with most of 

the girls who are freshmen 

and sophomores, and it’s all 

their first year of doing high 

school gymnastics.” 

The transition to actually 

doing the events isn’t necessarily 

the biggest adjustment, 

although from going 

from warming up all events 

and then right into competing 

is quite a change, as is 

the focus on team success 

over individual achievement 

and competing more often, 

including on weekdays after 

school and tournaments on 

Saturdays. 

“It’s going to take them 

awhile to get used to competing 

in this new arena,” 

Lago said. “Even the warmup 

isn’t different than club. 

They’re in the process of 

learning and growing now 

and by the end of the season 

they’re going to be a lot 

better but it’s going to take 

some time to develop.” 

The team looked like it’s 

already making positive 

strides during a 133.44 to 

117.35 victory at Andrew 

on Dec. 4. Going without 

any all-arounders, but with 

10 gymnasts in the lineup 

in at least one event each, 

Lincoln-Way received first 

place finishes from Jarosz 

with an 8.9 on vault and 

Kmak on beam with a 9.3. 

“I think we have 14 new 

girls out of the 27 (in the 

entire program),” Lago said. 

“So it’s a new team, a new 

atmosphere, and there’s a lot 

to learn so it’s going to take 

us some time.” 

And patience. 

“I think it’s going to be a 

little more unique this year,” 

Lago said. “Especially with 

multiple girls doing a couple 

events and everyone contributing. 

It should be a cool 

experience, but it’ll take a 

while to figure it out and 

they have to learn to keep 

each other accountable for 

hitting and figure out that 

whole team vibe.” 

Jarosz will now take on a 

bigger leadership role along 

with Reis while Harbeck, 

a senior, also will need to 

step in and provide in that 

capacity and she’s going to 

be new to the lineup too. 

While Kmak will be one of 

the team’s top scorers, she’s 

still just a sophomore. 

Jarosz is coming off a 

back injury as she coped 

with bulging discs over the 

summer. Acknowledging 

that she’s feeling better but 

that she still has a way to go 

to meet her high expectations, 

she also was second 

on bars with an 8.3 as well as 

Lincoln-Way gymnast Grace Kmak gets in position to land during her bars routine Dec. 4 against Andrew in Tinley Park. 

Photos by Jeff Vorva/22nd Century Media 

on beam with a 9.2 against 

Andrew. 

“I’m feeling a lot better,” 

she said. “I worked in club 

in the summer and right now 

I’m trying to get to where I 

was at. I had a really good 

beam, but bars was a little 

rough.” 

Reis tied teammate Olivia 

Gonda for second place on 

vault with an 8.2 and also 

had the second-highest score 

on floor with an 8.75. 

Jackie Furlong and Alyssa 

Harbeck also had the thirdhighest 

scores in the meet on 

bars and beam respectively, 

while Jenna Krystyniak, Juliana 

Arciszewski, Emerson 

Collins, Sarah Rosinski and 

Lucy Haas contributed in the 

win. 

Lincoln-Way won its season/home 

opener on Nov. 

27, cruising past Sandburg/Stagg 

co-op, 131.25 

to 116.35. Kmak was the 

team’s only all-arounder 

with a 34.95. She also shared 

top honors on vault with 

Emerson Colins (left) gets a few words of wisdom from coach Kim Lago before hitting the 

uneven bars. 

Gonda with a 9.05. Reis led 

the team on floor with an 8.8. 

The team finished in fifth 

place with a 134.3 in the 

inaugural Glenbard West 

Invite on Dec. 1. It had the 

third best vault and beam 

score among the eight-team 

field but struggled on bars 

where Glenbard West’s JV 

squad was the only team to 

score lower. 

New Trier edged the defending 

state champion Hilltoppers, 

142.85 to 141.95. 

Kmak competed as an 

all-arounder for Lincoln- 

Way, scoring a 33.9 to place 

eighth. She also led the team 

on bars, beam and the floor 

exercise.



Knights win final event to beat Griffins by one point 

RANDY WHALEN 


Anyone who says there’s 

no excitement at a swimming 

dual meet was not at 

the Lincoln-Way Central, 

Lincoln-Way East matchup 

on Thursday, Dec. 6. 

There, in a meet that literally 

came down to the last 

second, East won some big 

battles, but Central won the 

war. 

That’s because Bryce 

Wyma set two new pool 

records for East. But in the 

end, it was senior Danny 

O’Brien with the finishing 

kick as Central won the 

400-yard freestyle relay by 

28 hundredths of a second. 

That final push gave the 

Knights a heart-stopping 89- 

88 varsity victory over East 

in an all District 210 South- 


showdown in New Lenox. 

The early season meet is 

a preview of thing to come 

when the two teams will 

be the favorites in the sectional 

meet, which will be 

held on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 

Central. 

“This is the most exciting 

dual meet I’ve had in my 

four years in high school,” 

O’Brien said. “It’s extra special 

for me because I went to 

East and swam on the varsity 

as a freshman before they 

redid the district. So it was 

pretty cool to put the dagger 

in them at the end.” 

The relays count as more 

points, so by winning at the 

end, Central got eight points 

while the Griffins got four. 

It was the four-man relay of 

sophomore Joe Bozzi, junior 

Matt Senese, senior Tommy 

Kirk and O’Brien winning 

with a time of 3:22.90. That 

edged out East (3:23.18) by 

less than 3 tenths of a second. 

The Griffins group was 

made up of Wyma, junior 

Jacob Falejczyk, sophomore 

Cooper Cunningham and junior 

Mason Rhode. 

“I saw Mason out of the 

corner of my eye,” O’Brien 

said of the last leg of going 

against Rhode. “He knew 

what I had and I knew what 

he had and we just went at it. 

It was a heck of a race.” 

It certainly was as the 

whole pool and spectator 

area was up for grabs with 

cheering down the stretch of 

the meet-capping event. 

“That’s when it gets fun,” 

Central second-year coach 

Luke Bell said. “It’s extra 

special to touch someone 

out at the wall at the end for 

the win. And it’s extra special 

when it’s East.” 

Central (2-0, 2-0) also 

edged the Griffins (1-1, 1-1) 

in the 200-yard freestyle 

relay. The Knight group of 

sophomore Nate Fritz, sophomore 

Will Jager, freshman 

Devin Mihaichuk, and junior 

Matt Senese won with a 

time of 1:36.97. East ended 

less than a second behind as 

the foursome of Cunningham, 

senior Noah Schor, 

freshman Austin Meldeau 

and senior Michael Honchar 

came in with a time of 

1:37.68. 

The Griffins got off to a 

good start in the 200-yard 

medley relay as Wyma, 

Schor Rhode, and Falejczyk 

(1:41.15) won by more 

than three seconds. Central’s 

squad was made up 

of Bozzi, Jager, Kirk and 

O’Brien and came in with a 

mark of 1:44.63. 

Bozzi won two individual 

events for the Knights. The 

200-yard freestyle with a 

time of 1:51.06, where Falejczyk 

(1:57.87) was second, 

and the 100-yard freestyle 

(:49.09 seconds). Cunningham 

(:52.98) was second for 

East. Also winning for Central 

was junior Tyler Quigley 

(5:10.57), who was first 

place in the 500-yard freestyle. 

Falejczyk (5:11.50) 

was once again second for 

East. 

“Joe Bozzi, a sophomore, 

swam great,” Bell said. “He 

will also be in the 500-yard 

freestyle too. With this being 

Danny [O’Brien’s] senior 

year, it was extra special 

when he pulled it out. 

I’m excited. This season is 

going to be a lot of fun.” 

Wyma, a senior, had a lot 

of fun in setting new two 

new pool records. The first 

was in the 50-yard freestyle 

with a time of 22.03 seconds. 

O’Brien was second 

(:23.02). The former pool 

record was 22.13 seconds, 

set by Samuel Kastan from 

Metea Valley earlier this 

year. 

Then in the 100-yard 

backstroke, Wyma won 

with a 54.62-second mark. 

Fritz (1:03.14) was second 

for Central. The previous 

backstroke pool record was 

54.87 seconds. That was set 

by Michael Chan from Metea 

Valley and it was also set 

earlier this year. 

“Yes, I definitely came 

in wanting to beat them,” 

Wyma said of the pool records. 

“I looked at the board and 

knew I could beat them, so 

I had that mentality. I definitely 

think it’s the rivalry 

with Central that helped too. 

You have such high competition 

and it’s just across the 

street. The sectional is back 

here and I’m looking forward 

to that too.” 

East also won the rest of 

the individual events. Schor 

(2:17.18) won the 200-yard 

individual medley. His junior 

teammate, Damien 

Ezell (2:20.04) was second. 

Rhode captured two of them 

as he won the 100-yard 

butterfly (:53.16 seconds) 

over O’Brien (:55.25), 

and the 100-yard breaststroke 

(1:02.85) with Schor 

Lincoln-Way Central senior Tommy Kirk was part of the winning 400 freestyle relay team 

that led to the Knights defeating the Griffins in the meet by one point Thursday, Dec. 6 in 

New Lenox. Photos by Laura Burt/22nd Century Media 

Every point mattered in the Knights’ win, including Tyler Quigley’s six points after he won 

the 500 freestyle. 

(1:03.57) taking second. 

In the diving, it was a 

Griffin sweep of the top two 

spots as junior Dominic Tobin 

(215.85 score) and senior 

Ryan Saldana (162.75) 

came in first and second 

out of the four divers there. 

Central’s divers, Tommy 

Snider (152.35) and Connor 

Brennan (92.70) are both 

freshmen. 

“This is a fun meet and it’s 

about as fun as it gets,” East 

coach Steve Anderson said 

of the matchup. “Not only 

did Bryce break the two pool 

records, but Mason [Rhode] 

was also all over it for us in 

the breaststroke and fly. I’m 

always excited for the season 

and these are big times for 

this early in the season. With 

both of our teams being good 

it’s going to make for an exciting 

sectional.” 

While this meet was obviously 

very exciting and 

the two teams will be in the 

same sectional, they don’t 

have long to wait to see each 

other again. That’s because 

this Friday and Saturday, 

Dec. 14 and 15, they are 

both at Neuqua Valley Invite.



fastbreak 


Knights outlast Southland College Prep 67-60 

RANDY WHALEN 


1st and 3 

Jeff Vorva/ 

22nd Century Media 

LW girls gymnastics 

edition 

1. New team 

Lincoln-Way co-op 

graduated eight 

gymnasts from last 

year’s seventhplace 

finish at 

state. However, 

success still remains 

consistent with its 

recent 133.44- 

117.35 win over 

Andrew on Dec. 4. 

2. Battle-tested 

competitors 

Grace Kmak and 

Korina Jarosz return 

from last year’s state 

roster and will lead 

the way in 2018- 

2019. 

3. New opportunity 

New team means 

opportunity for the 

others to shine. 

Jenna Krystyniak, 

Juliana Arciszewski, 

Emerson Collins, 

Sarah Rosinski, 

Olivia Gonda and 

Lucy Haas look to fill 

the void. 

The Lincoln-Way Central 

boys basketball team found 

itself in a closer game than 

expected in the middle of 

last week. 

But that was a good thing. 

The young Knights have 

been tested so far this season, 

and that’s the only way 

they will get better. They regrouped 

in the second half 

and went onto defeat Southland 

College Prep Charter 

67-60 in a nonconference 

matchup on Dec. 5 in New 

Lenox. 

With its third win and fifth 

game of the season that was 

decided by seven or fewer 

points, Central (3-3) got 

back to the .500 mark. The 

Eagles (1-6) played a spirited 

game before falling short 

at the end. 

Point guard Sean Curran 

(21 points), one of six sophomores 

on the roster, led the 

way for the Knights. 

“The close games have 

been great,” Sean Curran 

said. “We had four in the 

Thanksgiving tournament, 

Homewood-Flossmoor beat 

us bad (57-25 Dec. 1) and 

then we had a close one 

[against Southland]. But 

that’s good because we’re 

young and it’s a good experience 

for us. This is a great 

team since we all get along 

and the chemistry is good. 

“I think we’ll get better as 

the year goes on.” 

Senior forwards Joan 

Buch (11 points) and Connor 

LISTEN UP 

“It’s a new team, a new atmosphere, and there’s a lot to 

learn so it’s going to take us some time.” 

Kim Lago – Lincoln-Way gymnastics coach, on the team 

Knights sophomore Sean Curran led the way with 21 points and hit key free throws in the waning minutes to hold off 

Southland College Prep. Photos by James Sanchez/22nd Century Media 

Barry (9 points) along with 

sophomore guards Mike 

Maloney (10 points) and 

Nick Tingley rounded out 

a balanced attack for Central. 

Maloney’s twin brother, 

Matt sprained his ankle in 

the loss at H-F and didn’t 

play. It’s hoped he will return 

soon. 

The game was tied 30-30 

at halftime, But senior guard 

Nate Purcell scored on a layup 

and Curran hit a jumper 

from above the free throw 

line in the opening minute of 

the third quarter to give the 

Knights the lead for good. 

Please see KnIGHT, 42 

Tune In 

Senior Tommy Hutz (middle) swim moves an opposing player to get in position for an 

offensive rebound during a free throw attempt. 

Girls and Boys Bowling 

9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 

• The boys and girls teams from all three 

Lincoln-Ways will compete in the Lincoln-Way 

Cup at Laraway Lanes in New Lenox. 

Index 

42 – This Week In 

41 – Athlete of the Week 

FASTBREAK is compiled by Editor James Sanchez, james@ 

newlenoxpatriot.com.

new lenox’s Hometown Newspaper | www.newlenoxpatriot.com | December 13, 2018 

Landing a victory Girls 

gymnastics keep winning, despite numerous 

changes in the lineup, Page 45 

She’s on fire! West’s barrage 

of 3-pointers give Porters no chance of 

coming back, Page 44 

Lincoln-Way 

Central swimmer 

Danny O’Brien 

swims the 100 

butterfly Thursday, 

Dec. 6, during 

a meet against 

Lincoln-Way East 

in New Lenox. 

Laura Burt/22nd 

Century Media 

Central, East go down to the wire as meet is decided in final race, Page 46

NL_121318

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

Delete template?

Save as template?