HH_011719

2019 BALLOT INSIDE THIS ISSUE 

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL BUSINESSES TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN A 

$500 MASTERCARD GIFT CARD! 

Park progress 

Village Board approves schematic design services 

work for upcoming phases at Heritage Park, Page 4 

Educator experience 

Faculty from various local school districts convene 

to grow in their craft at institute day, Page 7 

A head start 

Those looking to get, stay fit in 2019 can begin 

with the latest Healthy Living Guide, Inside 

Homer Glen’s Award-Winning Hometown Newspaper homerhorizon.com • January 17, 2019 • Vol. 13 No. 51 • $1 

A 

® 

Publication 

,LLC 

Homer Glen native graduates from U.S. Navy’s Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island, Page 3 

Homer Glen native Austin Mastela was among graduates celebrating this past November at Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. 

INSET: Austin Mastela will after further education be assigned to a ship and be part of the Naval Supply Corps. Photos submitted 

Witness the Difference ~ Knowledge • Faith • Hope • Guidance ~ Witness the Difference 

OPEN HOUSE 

Sunday, January 27, 2019 | 10:00am - noon 

Join us for Family Mass at 9am 

Kindergarten Preview | 10:15am during Open House 

Preschool Preview | Thursday, January 24th 5:30-7pm 

14355 Highland Avenue | Orland Park, IL 60462 | 708.349.0068 | www.saintmike.org

2 | January 17, 2019 | The Homer Horizon calendar 

homerhorizon.com 

In this week’s 

Horizon 

Police Reports................. 8 

Sound Off.....................13 

Faith Briefs............... 16-17 

Puzzles..........................22 

Home of the Week.........26 

Classifieds................ 24-32 

Sports...................... 33-40 

The Homer 

Horizon 

ph: 708.326.9170 fx: 708.326.9179 

Editor 

Thomas Czaja, x12 

tom@homerhorizon.com 

Sales director 

Julie McDermed, x21 

j.mcdermed@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 

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PUBLISHER 

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Managing Editor 

Bill Jones, x20 

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Nancy Burgan, x30 

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Thomas Czaja 


FRIDAY 

Vinyasa Yoga 

9-10 a.m. Jan. 18, Homer 

Township Public Library, 

Community Meeting Room, 

14320 W. 151st St. This class 

builds on the foundations 

of yoga and incorporates a 

more invigorating approach. 

Practitioners will have the 

opportunity to choose the 

level with which they engage 

the practice while being 

guided to expand their 

potential and increase mindbody 

harmony. Participants 

are encouraged to bring their 

own mat, however, one will 

be provided to use during 

class if needed. Registration 

is required. For more information 

or to register, call 

(708) 301-7908. 

SATURDAY 

Healthy Living Expo 

9 a.m.-1 p.m. 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 22ndCenturyMedia. 

com/healthy. 

Founders Crossing Chapter 

National Society Daughters 

of the American Revolution 

Meeting 

10:30 a.m. Jan. 19, Homer 


14320 W. 151st St. The 

Founders Crossing Chapter 

will meet on a special date 

at the request of the Illinois 

DAR State Regent Gloria 

Flathom. Flathom will visit 

the chapter and present her 

program. Guests are welcome. 

For more information 

about the meeting, DAR or 

becoming a member, contact 

Susan Snow, chapter regent, 

at (708) 751-5154 or Chapter 

Regent Christina Bannon 

at (815) 524-4488. 

Arts Guild of Homer Glen 

Winter Art Workshops 

1-4 p.m. Jan. 19, 12624 W. 

159th St. (behind Rubi Agave), 

Homer Glen. There will 

be watercolor painting for 

adults. For more information, 

call Nancy at (708) 261-6705 

or email watercolors5@ 

comcast.net. All materials 

are provided. Cost is $40 per 

workshop for members, and 

$50 per workshop for nonmembers. 

Pre-registration 

is required, and payment at 

registration can be done with 

cash, check or credit card. 

Class may be cancelled if the 

attendance minimum of eight 

people is not met or weather 

prohibits. Refunds are honored 

if a student cancels 48 

hours or more prior to a class. 

Credit may be given for a future 

class. 

MONDAY 

Homer Glen Junior Woman’s 

Club General Meeting 

7-9 p.m. Jan. 22, Village 

Hall, 14240 W. 151st St. The 


Club consists of local 

women of all ages interested 

in enhancing the community 

through friendship, 

volunteerism and service. 

For more information on 

the organization, visit www. 

homerglenjuniors.org. 

UPCOMING 

Prohibition 1919: How a 

Wet Nation Went Dry 

7-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 

24, Homer Township Public 

Library, 14320 W. 151st 

St. This program looks at 

how attitudes about drinking 

evolved over the course of 

the 19th and 20th centuries. 

Registration is required. For 

more information or to register, 

call (708) 301-7908. 

Putting Yourself First 

7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 

30, Homer Township Public 

Library, 14320 W. 151st 

St. This program will talk 

about the difference between 

self-care and self-love. Participants 

will sign their own 

“permission slip” to begin 

loving themselves more fully. 

Registration is required. 

For more information or to 

register, call (708) 301-7908. 

Pancake Breakfast to Help 

Veterans 

8-11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, 

John Olson American Legion 

Post 18, 15052 Archer 

Ave., Lockport. The Lockport 

American Legion Auxiliary 

John Olson Unit 18 invites 

everyone to stop by and 

enjoy a breakfast of all-youcan-eat 

pancakes, bacon, 

sausage, potatoes, scrambled 

eggs and homemade biscuits 

and gravy. Tickets are $8 

for adults, with children 5 

and under free. The profits 

earned will be used to help 

local area veterans. 

ONGOING 

3-D Snowman Craft 

Times vary Jan. 14-27, 

Homer Township Public Library, 

14320 W. 151st Street, 

Homer Glen. Learn to craft 

together a penguin, snowman 

and interlocking foam 

pieces, while supplies last. 

This program is for teens 

and children. For more information, 

email children@ 

homerlibrary.org or call 

(708) 301-7908. 


Club Favorite Teacher Award 

The Homer Glen Junior 

Woman’s Club is asking all 

Homer Community Consolidated 

School District 

33C students in grades one 

through eight to nominate a 

favorite teacher of theirs, either 

past or present, by writing 

an essay. This year, there 

will be a drawing contest for 

students in kindergarten. All 

essays should be 200 words 

or less and may be submitted 

to the school office or 

emailed to HGJWC@yahoo. 

com no later than Feb. 15. 

Students are asked to give 

examples of how this teacher 

influenced or inspired them. 

One teacher from each of the 

six Homer 33C schools will 

be selected to receive a $50 

gift certificate. 

Also, the nominating student 

will receive a $10 gift 

card. This teacher may be 

a past or present teacher. 

Kindergartners are welcome 

to submit a drawing depicting 

their favorite teacher 

and what makes him or her 

so special. A prize will also 

be awarded to the winning 

kindergarten drawing and 

teacher. Each entry (essay 

and drawing) must include: 

the student’s name, their 

current grade and current 

school. For more information, 

visit www.homerglen 

juniors.org. 

LIST IT YOURSELF 

Reach out to thousands of daily 

users by submitting your event at 

HomerHorizon.com/calendar 

For just print*, email all information to 


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

Homer 33C Kindergarten 

Pre-Registration 

Homer Community Consolidated 

School District 

33C is now accepting preregistration 

for 2019-2020 

incoming kindergarten students. 

The form can be found 

at www.homerschools.org 

under QuickLinks. Parents/guardians 

should plan 

to come to Hadley Middle 

School from 4:30 p.m. to 7 

p.m. on March 14 to complete 

the next step in the 

process. For more information 

on pre-registration for 

kindergartners, call (708) 

226-7626. 

Will-Cook Barbershop 

Harmony Society 

7:30 p.m. alternating 

Thursdays in Tinley Park and 

Lockport. Guests are welcome 

for an evening of singing 

and fellowship with the 

Knights of Harmony Chorus. 

For more information on the 

society, contact Hank King 

at (708) 614-8999 or at mjk 

ing1@ameritech.net. 

Cards for Children and 

Seniors 

6-8 p.m. second Thursday 

of every month, Homer 


Teen Room, 14320 W. 151st 

St., Homer Glen. This event 

is for students in sixth to 

12th grade. Create handmade 

cards or letters that 

will be sent to Cards for 

Hospitalized Kids and Love 

for the Elderly charities. For 

more information, call (708) 

301-7908.

homerhorizon.com news 

the Homer Horizon | January 17, 2019 | 3 

Homer native continues naval officer education 

Mastela to get ship 

assignment with 

Navy Supply Corps in 

coming months 

Bella Zarlengo 

Editorial Intern 

Austin Mastela comes 

from a military family. 

His father, grandfather and 

great uncle all spent time 

serving their country in the 

United States Navy. Mastela 

grew up in Homer Glen and 

was a member of the Homer 

Athletic Club, playing baseball. 

After graduating from 

Lockport Township High 

School, attending Lewis University 

as an undergrad on a 

full-ride scholarship for baseball 

and staying there for his 

MBA, he decided to follow 

in his family’s footsteps. 

“It was pretty much while I 

was in my master’s program 

I really made the decision I 

really wanted to become a 

naval officer,” Mastela said. 

In January 2018, he took 

the Armed Services Vocational 

Aptitude Battery test, 

a multiple choice test given 

by the United States Military 

Entrance Processing 

Command. At that time, he 

also sent in a package outlining 

all of his degrees and 

extracurricular activities, in 

addition to a letter to Washington, 

D.C. explaining why 

he wanted to become a naval 

officer at the Officer Candidate 

School in Newport, 

Rhode Island. 

“It was sort of refreshing 

that younger folks still want 

to take up that time and responsibility 

and serve their 

country,” Austin’s father, 

Mike, said. “It’s something 

that makes me very proud.” 

After graduating from 

Lewis University with accomplishments 

including the 

Graduates including Austin Mastela taking a photo together at Officer Candidate School in 

Newport, Rhode Island. 

NCAA Academic Achievement 

Award and a 3.92 GPA 

under his belt, Austin was 

accepted into Officer Candidate 

School. 

On Sept. 2 of this past 

year, Austin, along with 99 

other men and women hoping 

to become naval officers, 

convened in Newport to begin 

12 weeks of training. 

Austin said that once one 

arrives at OCS, it is divided 

into three main groups — indoctrination, 

the education 

phase and the leadership 

phase. The most difficult 

part, he said, was the first 

two weeks of indoctrination. 

“You’re getting yelled at, 

you’re getting pushed … 

yeah, it’s pretty much like 

hell week,” Austin laughed. 

For the first six weeks of 

OCS, the candidates’ only 

form of communication with 

the outside world is sending 

letters. Austin said that 

for the first few weeks, they 

were being pushed so hard 

they barely had time to write 

letters. After that, for the 

next three weeks until the 

leadership phase, they were 

allowed 10 minutes once per 

week to use a phone. 

“We sent him letters, and 

his girlfriend sent him letters, 

and his sisters sent 

him letters, and, you know, 

we got a couple back over 

time,” Mike said, “But, it 

was difficult, because you 

really don’t know.” 

After Austin and his classmates 

completed indoctrination 

and passed all of 

the necessary classes, they 

began the leadership phase. 

Austin said this phase is the 

last three weeks of training, 

and that the candidates are 

given a regiment of different 

classes below theirs to 

guide through earlier phases 

of training. 

“I think being able to lead 

the different classes under 

you at that phase is awesome 

because you’ve already been 

through it all, and you can 

mentor them and give them 

guidance and help them 

out,” Austin said. 

Austin graduated from 

OCS on Nov. 21. He became 

the only member of his class 

chosen to go into the Naval 

Supply Corps, which deals 

with areas like supply, logistics, 

combat support, readiness, 

contracting and fiscal 

matters for the Navy. He 

added this position will fit 

him best because of his degrees 

in marketing and business 

administration. 

Austin came home to 

Homer Glen for the holidays 

after his graduation and was 

assigned temporary duty 

at the Naval Station Great 

Lakes off the coast of Lake 

Michigan until Jan. 11. 

On Jan. 13, Austin went 

back to Rhode Island, where 

he will now attend six more 

months of school and wait 

until the third month, when 

he will be assigned a ship to 

work on. 

“I control everything going 

on and off that ship; 

I control the weapons, I 

control the food, I control 

everyone’s pay,” Austin explained 

of what his job will 

be once assigned to a ship. 

”So, anything going on and 

off the ship, it goes through 

me first.” 

Homer Glen native Austin Mastela graduated in November 

from the U.S. Navy’s Officer Candidate School in Newport, 

Rhode Island, and returned home for a visit over the 

holidays. He now heads back for further schooling before 

receiving a ship assignment. Photos submitted 

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4 | January 17, 2019 | The Homer Horizon News 


Homer Glen Village Board 

Approval given for planning future phases of Heritage Park 

Traffic signage for 

speeding drivers, 

business updates 

also discussed 

Jessie Molloy 

Freelance Reporter 

The Homer Glen Village 

Board held its first meeting 

of 2019 on Jan. 9 and 

approved the next steps in 

planning future phases of 

Heritage Park, as well as 

new traffic calming measures. 

Following up on an issue 

debated in December, the 

board discussed and eventually 

approved a proposal by 

TRIA Architecture for schematic 

design services for future 

phases of Heritage Park, 

including the open play area, 

sled hill, Village Hall, activity 

area and fishing dock. 

The 151st Street sidewalk 

plan was removed from the 

proposal because it is being 

handled as a separate project. 

This issue was discussed 

and set aside at the Dec. 

12 meeting because Mayor 

George Yukich and some 

trustees wanted to know an 

official cost from TRIA for 

the designs before giving 

approval for them. That cost 

was reviewed and presented 

at this past Wednesday’s 

meeting as $72,650, a figure 

based on the approximate 

cost of the projects, should 

they be completed. Currently, 

that amount is estimated 

at $6,054,234. 

The items covered by the 

designs are known as Phases 

2 through 6, and each phase 

has A and B options. Option 

A is the basics of each project, 

which would have to be 

completed for the amenity 

to be added to the park and 

used, and Option B includes 

additional features, which 

would make the site more 

elaborate. It would be possible 

to complete Option A 

for all the phases without 

completing the Option B 

projects. 

However, the B options 

could not be implemented 

without first completing the 

Option A plans. Although 

all the Option B plans never 

have to be implemented, 

TRIA’s estimated budget 

and cost was calculated assuming 

the more complex 

plans would be used. 

The board is still undecided 

if another phase of the 

park will be completed in 

2019 after the Active Core 

project is finished in spring. 

The Park Fund currently has 

about $2 million to spend on 

improvements, but the board 

wants to be cautious about 

depleting the funds for Heritage 

Park if other parks end 

up needing improvements. 

“We have to look at the 

designs and the prices of everything 

and prioritize what 

we want to do,” Yukich said. 

“We have no plans for 2019 

yet, but we haven’t ruled 

anything out.” 

He also noted that it will 

be “a few more years” until 

the park is entirely finished. 

Although the plans, which 

will be completed between 

March and April, may not 

be used immediately, the 

board opted to move forward 

with ordering them now, so 

the Village would be ready 

to proceed when it had the 

funds. 

At the December meeting, 

Trustee Brian Burian 

had noted that “plans don’t 

expire if they sit around for 

a few years.” Although Burian 

was absent from last 

Wednesday’s meeting, this 

theory appears to have motivated 

the board’s decision to 

move ahead. 

The present trustees voted 

unanimously to approve 

A recent view of the nature-based play area in the Active Core section of Heritage Park that is not yet currently open to 

the public. The Village Board approved schematic design services at its Jan. 9 meeting for future phases of the park while 

work on the Active Core continues. Photo submitted 

TRIA’s proposal so planning 

may proceed for the future 

of the development. 

The board also workshopped 

an item related to 

the park, regarding the removal 

of fencing around the 

property’s perimeter. The 

fencing was first installed 

around the property when it 

was Woodbine Golf Course 

and is seen as unsightly in 

certain areas. 

Although the board has no 

plans of removing the fencing 

where it borders homes, 

three potential areas were 

discussed at the meeting. 

The first area in consideration 

runs along 151st Street 

from the Village Hall driveway 

to the start of the subdivision. 

The board ultimately 

decided not to remove any of 

that fencing in order to leave 

a barrier between the street 

and the park’s maintenance 

center. There is also a culvert 

that runs along the street that 

the trustees decided would 

be better off blocked from 

the street in case a bicyclist 

or pedestrian didn’t see it 

and fell in on their way to 

the park. 

Other segments of the 

fence which were discussed 

for removal were one at 

the back corner of the park, 

which could potentially connect 

the park’s pathways to 

Dixon Lane in the community, 

a segment between the 

baseball fields on the western 

edge of the park and a 

segment at the southwest 

corner of the park along the 

Homer Township Public Library 

property. 

Two of these plans were 

eliminated from consideration. 

The Dixon Lane connection 

was eliminated because 

a representative of the 

subdivision’s homeowner’s 

association said the residents 

had decided they did 

not want the path to come 

through there, while the 

baseball field opening was 

thought to be too close to an 

existing opening along the 

park’s parking lot and the 

Township football fields. 

A new opening could still 

be created along the library 

property, but no decision 

was reached on that issue, 

since Yukich and the board 

still plan to have further 

discussions with library officials 

before making any 

changes to the fencing. 

Traffic signage 

The board also voted to 

approve a proposal by Homer 

Township Road District 

meant to address the complaints 

of perennial speeding 

in the Village. 

The proposal, endorsed by 

the Public Services & Safety 

Committee, includes the installation 

of 16 36-inch road 

signs designed to get driver 

attention and raise awareness 

of the speeding issue. 

The signs are neon yellow, 

and each contain one of 

four anti-speeding messages, 

including “Slow Down, 

Protect Our Kids;” “Traffic 

School is Boring, Slow 

Down;” “Free Speeding 

Tickets Available Ahead;” 

and “Drive Like Your Children 

Live Here.” The Road 

District has already identified 

locations for the signage 

and needed permission from 

the board to order and install 

them. 

The district is spending 

$2,420 on the program, 

which is supported by national 

studies and recommended 

in traffic calming 

programs. It is seen as a 

cost-efficient alternative to 

the electronic speed monitoring 

signs, which cost near 

$3,000 each, as the signs 

are intended to catch the attention 

of drivers and make 

them think about their own 

speed. 

The board voted unanimously 

to approve the installation 

of the signs and 

expressed willingness to add 

more if they prove effective. 

Please see village, 8

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6 | January 17, 2019 | The Homer Horizon homer glen 


FREE 

Admission 

PRESENTED BY 

22ND CENTURY MEDIA 

AND PLANET FITNESS 

The Healthy 

Living Expo 

has tons of activities! 

• More than 60 vendor booths! 

• Vitalant Blood Drive 

• Canned Food Drive for local Micro 

Pantries 

• FREE 30-minute workout sessions 

• Speaker Sessions 

• Free KIND bar samples to the first 

500 people 

• Enter to win a free door prize from 

one of our vendors at the 22nd 

Century Media table 

9am - 1pm 

Saturday, 

Jan. 19, 2019 

Tinley Park 

Convention 

Center 

MORE INFO: 

(708) 326-9170 ext. 16 

22ndCenturyMedia.com/healthy 

Healthy Living Expo 2019 Vendors 

22nd Century Media 

AAA Chicago 

Affordable Dentures & Implants 

Agnes & Dora 

AJ Specialties Inc. 

Ariix 

ATT 

Bath Planet Chicago 

BDBE Telemedicine 

Body Bliss Wellness Center 

Body n Brain Yoga Tai Chi 

Brannigan Chiropractic Center 

Capitol Nutrition 

Chamberlain University Student Nurses 

Association - Tinley Campus 

Chiro One Wellness Centers 

Chulo Fit 

ClearCaptions 

Country Botanical Depot - Your CBD Store 

Plainfield 

Cool Clouds Vapor Shop 

COUNTRY Financial 

Cruise Planners 

Dog is Good 

doTERRA 

FREE 

Parking 

Dr. Yelena Potekhin, D.C. 

Edward Jones 

Essentially 3B’s (Body, Blends & Balance) 

FES 

Fit4Mom 

Floor Coverings International 

Girls on the Run 

Goodlife Physical Therapy 

Greenhouse, a medical cannabis 

dispensary 

Greenridge Farm 

Groovestones Jewelry & Gems 

Hacked Snacks 

Health From Within 

Heart & Sole Dance 

Honest Tea 

Humana 

Jercon Wealth Management 

Juicy Luzy Sangria 

Keller Williams Preferred Realty 

Langezeller 

Make Up Eraser 

Mill Pond Dental Group 

Mutual of Omaha 

Orland Oaks Dental 

FREE 

Tote Bag* 

*to first 300 

attendees 

Meet 

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winner of NBC's 

The Biggest Loser 

Season 14 

Passanante’s Home Food Services 

Physicians Immediate Care 

Planet Fitness 

Poppilu Antioxidant Lemonade 

Power Home Remodeling 

Progressive Radiology 

Rife Family Medicine/Weight No More 

Scout & Cellar Wine 

Shelf Genie 

Smoothie King 

T-Mobile 

The Oasis for Natural Healing 

The Plourdé Institute 

This Is My Legacy 

Thrive by Le-Vel 

Tiger Bath 

Trouvaille Med Spa 

UChicago Medicine 

Vitalife 

WellCare Health Plans 

Window Works 

Wyndham Vacation Resorts, Inc. 

Young Living Independent Distributor

homerhorizon.com News 


Homer 33C takes precautions in suspected mumps case at Goodings Grove 

Thomas Czaja, Editor 

A letter dated Jan. 9 was 

sent to Homer Community 

Consolidated School District 

33C parents in regard to 

a suspected mumps case at 

Goodings Grove School. 

The district was notified of 

the case by the Will County 

Health Department the same 

day of the letter, according 

to Assistant Superintendent 

for Instruction Michael 

Szopinski, who wrote it. The 

mumps case comes after an 

outbreak of the disease this 

past December at Lewis 

University, along with Lockport 

Township High School 

sending a press release out 

early last month that someone 

there may have contracted 

the disease, with that 

person later testing negative. 

On the morning of Friday, 

Fairmont Ed Camp puts new twist on teacher’s institute day 

District 92, Homer 

33C take part in 

event for teachers 

Mary Compton 


From Jan. 11 

Jan. 11, Homer 33C Superintendent 

Craig Schoppe 

told The Homer Horizon 

it was a student, not a faculty 

member, who has the 

suspected case, and that the 

district has not been notified 

of any other cases taking 

place since the letter was released. 

The district wiped all 

touch points, including door 

handles, as part of a deep 

cleaning in classrooms at 

Goodings Grove with a disinfectant 

chemical that is an 

eco-friendly, hospital grade 

cleaner that kills the mumps 

virus. 

As of press time Monday, 

Jan. 14, tests were still pending 

to determine the case, 

according to Will County 

Health Department Media 

Services Manager Steve 

Brandy. 

Homer 33C stated in the 

Fairmont School District 

89 Superintendent Diane 

Cepela and the Will County 

Regional Office of Education 

recently teamed up to 

organize a day dedicated to 

showing local teachers how 

to bring excitement to the 

classroom. 

Ed Camp, held Jan. 7 at 

Fairmont School in Lockport, 

was a teacher’s institute 

day that focused on social 

emotional learning, art, music 

and physical education. 

“We always focus on reading, 

writing and math,” Cepela 

said. “I thought today 

can include art, music, PE, 

science and social and emotional 

learning.” 

To begin the day, Cepela 

brought in ultra runner Adam 

Kimble to speak to the participants 

at Ed Camp. In the 

videos Kimble showed, his 

story looked much like that 

of Forrest Gump. 

Kimble spoke about running 

and his experience 

becoming the winner on 

Discovery Channel’s “The 

Wheel.” His message to 

the teachers was to dream 

big and follow it up with 

preparation and extreme 

focus. 

Running is a large part of 

Cepela’s life as well. In her 

office, there are several medals 

on a large hook that reads, 

“She believed she could, so 

she did.” 

Running four marathons 

and 30 half marathons, Cepela 

motivates her staff like 

a trainer preparing for a big 

run. 

letter that mumps is not common 

in children up-to-date 

on vaccinations and is a contagious 

disease caused by the 

mumps virus. The disease 

normally starts with symptoms 

including a few days 

of fever, headache, muscle 

aches, tiredness and loss of 

appetite, followed by the 

swelling of salivary glands. 

More serious symptoms 

occurring in rare cases include 

meningitis, swelling 

of testes or ovaries, and the 

inflammation of joints, the 

district added. 

Szopinski noted in the 

letter mumps is spread via 

droplets of saliva or mucus 

from the mouth, nose or 

throat of an infected person, 

usually when coughing, 

sneezing or talking. Items 

like soda cans can also be 

contaminated with the virus, 

Schilling School teacher Tasha Ohotzke speaks about being 

a facilitator Jan. 7 at a teacher’s institute day held at Fairmont 

School in Lockport. Mary Compton/22nd Century Media 

“I want to see how far I 

can push myself,’” Cepela 

said. “It makes me stronger. 

My son died three years ago, 

[and] running is about honoring 

him, Matt Cepela.” 

Some area school districts 

have one physical education 

teacher or one social studies 

teacher. Ed Camp gave 

them the opportunity to share 

which can be spread to others 

if shared. Also, the virus 

can spread if someone with 

mumps touches items or surfaces 

without washing their 

hands and someone else then 

touches the same surface and 

rubs their nose or mouth. 

School-aged children 

should have at least one dose 

a mumps vaccine — either 

mumps vaccine or measlesmumps-rubella 

— on or after 

their 1st birthday, according 

to the district. A second 

dose of MMR is also recommend 

at ages 4-6, and a parent 

unsure if their child got 

the mumps vaccine should 

contact their child’s primary 

care provider. 

Homer 33C said since 

mumps is most frequently 

transmitted through direct 

contact with respiratory 

droplets, individuals can 

thoughts and ideas with similar 

teachers from other districts. 

This last session was 

facilitated by teachers of 

Fairmont School. 

“Our goal today was not 

only to inspire these teachers 

but to get them to think out of 

their own box,” Cepela said. 

“We are a trauma-informed 

school. There are events that 

prevent contracting mumps 

with common sense precautions 

such as covering their 

nose and mouth with a tissue 

when coughing or sneezing, 

then throwing the tissue 

away; washing their hands 

frequently with soap and 

warm water, especially after 

coughing or sneezing; and 

using an alcohol-based hand 

sanitizer if soap and water is 

not available. 

Other precautions mentioned 

in the letter were not 

sharing drinking and/or eating 

utensils, cups, glasses, 

etc.; avoiding close contact 

with individuals who are 

sick or experiencing symptoms 

of illness; and refraining 

from touching one’s 

eyes, nose or mouth, since 

that is how germs are spread. 

Finally, the district said 

fevers in children should 

happen to some of our children 

before they come to our 

school everyday. 

“One of our big initiatives 

here is social and emotional 

learning. Some of our students 

bring in emotional baggage 

that deters them from 

learning. We have to approach 

those students differently 

so that they can learn. 

We have sessions that our 

teachers learn how to deal 

with students emotionally 

and academically.” 

Mark Fleming, interim superintendent 

of Will County 

School District 92 credits Cepela 

with organizing a successful 

Ed Camp. 

“It’s her inspiration that 

brought this; that’s why Ed 

Camp happened today,” he 

said. “One of my favorite 

speakers was Adam. Even 

though we’re not all runners, 

he spoke about taking risks. 

... We need to be inspiring for 

not be treated with products 

containing aspirin (acetylsalicylic 

acid), since use of 

aspirin with viral infections 

like mumps can result in 

a serious condition called 

Reye’s syndrome. 

If one’s child or anyone 

in the household develops 

mumps symptoms, they 

should notify their primary 

care provider right away, according 

to Szopinski. Those 

with mumps should then 

remain at home five days 

after the swelling of salivary 

glands begins. 

If a healthcare provider 

suspects mumps, parents 

were asked to call the Homer 

33C nurse at (708) 226- 

7792. 

For more on this and other 

Breaking News, visit Homer 

Horizon.com. 

our students.” 

Almost 170 teachers from 

four school districts took part 

in the all-day event. Some of 

the sessions they took part 

in included: Breakout EDU, 

Starlab, Programming LEGO 

Robots for STEAM, Teenage 

Safeland and many more. 

Fairmont physical education 

teacher and Lockport 

resident Amanda Allison had 

one of the most popular articulation 

sessions called Drum- 

FIT. Approximately 20 teachers 

per session stood behind 

balls and held wooden sticks. 

They watched a DrumFIT 

video and began drumming 

to music. This was part of 

Next Generation PE. 

“I saw DrumFIT at the Illinois 

IAHPERD convention,” 

Allison explained. “This 

program is music and PE 

all in one; it’s a great cardio 

Please see fairmont, 13

8 | January 17, 2019 | The Homer Horizon News 


SSCM 

Faith, Family...Future! 

www.school.stcyril.org 

OPEN HOUSE 

Sunday, January 27th, 2019 

11:30am - 2pm 

630-257-6488 

jks 2019 

Police Reports 

Woman reportedly has purse stolen, 

vehicle ransacked at Rubi Agave 

A man who police described 

as Hispanic with 

thick glasses and short 

black hair was seen on video 

surveillance stealing the 

purse of a patron Dec. 20 at 

Rubi Agave Latin Kitchen, 

Tequila & Whiskey Bar at 

12622 W. 159th St. The patron 

said she put her purse 

down at a table on one end 

of the establishment, and 

when she went to get it, it 

was gone, according to police. 

The purse was reportedly 

found on the opposite 

side of the establishment 

under another table. 

The patron’s vehicle keys 

were missing, along with 

$150, police said. When she 

went outside, she reportedly 

found her keys laying in the 

parking lot, and that the thief 

had ransacked her vehicle, 

though nothing was stolen. 

The incident remains under 

investigation, according 

to police. 

Dec. 31 

• The gas tank of a vehicle 

was reportedly filled with 

sugar in the 15000 block of 

S. Glen Wood Court. The 

vehicle’s owner was unsure 

if the incident happened 

while he was inside his 

home or at work, which is 

near his residence, according 

to police. 

• Jihad Malley, 30, of 13564 

S. Shannon Drive in Homer 

Glen, was cited for failing 

to signal and driving while 

having a revoked license at 

W. 143rd Street and S. Bell 

Road, police said. 

Dec. 29 

• Manuel Urquizo, 31, of 

736 Rogers Road in Romeoville, 

was cited for allegedly 

driving while having a 

revoked license, operating 

an uninsured motor vehicle 

and speeding at W. Bruce 

Road and S. Robert Emmett 

Drive. 

Dec. 27 

• A total of 60 hurricane ties 

and 150 nails were reportedly 

stolen from a construction 

site in the 13000 block 

of W. Stonebridge Woods 

Crossing. 

Editor’s note: The Homer 

Horizon’s police reports come 

from the Will County Sheriff’s 

Department’s online news 

bulletin service. Anyone listed 

in these reports is considered 

to be innocent of all charges 

until proven guilty in a court 

of law. 

• Pre-K through 8th Grade 

• On-site morning and after school care 

• 100% acceptance rate of students applying to private 

high schools 

• Computer and Science Labs 

• 1 to 1 chrome books in the JR. High 

• Smart Boards in all classrooms 

• Spanish, Physical Education, Technology, Music & Art 

• Extra-Curricular activities include: Basketball, 

volleyball, band, chess, talent show & school musical 

• Financial aid is available, inquire at school 

village 

From Page 4 

Interim Village manager 

resigns 

In her regular report to the 

board, Interim Village Manager 

Anne Marie Gaura said 

that she would be leaving 

her post as of Friday, Jan. 18, 

after four months on the job. 

“You’ve been fantastic to 

work with, and I appreciate 

the opportunity I’ve had 

here,” she said. 

Yukich confirmed that 

Gaura is leaving to take a 

full-time position as a Village 

Manager in another 

community. Gaura was hired 

to the position on an interim 

basis because the board 

wanted to leave the possibility 

of hiring a new manager 

open, should a new mayor 

be elected in April. 

Since Yukich is running 

unopposed, this issue is 

no longer a concern, and 

Gaura’s successor will likely 

be hired on a permanent basis. 

Yukich said that the board 

has already begun the search 

for a new Village manager 

both internally and externally, 

and that the role will 

be filled “as soon as we find 

someone.” 

Business updates 

Yukich announced during 

his board report that the new 

Dialysis Care Center corporate 

headquarters building 

has completed its renovation 

of the former First Midwest 

Bank building on Bell Road 

and is now operational with 

50 employees. The office 

will eventually house 90 employees 

and is expected to 

be a boost to the business of 

local stores and restaurants. 

Elsewhere, the Dollar Tree 

store was scheduled to have 

a Saturday, Jan. 19 grand 

opening, becoming the first 

business to open in the new 

Homer Glen Bell Plaza development 

at the southwest 

corner of 143rd Street and 

Bell Road. 

Outlot acquisition denied 

The board voted unanimously 

to reject a request by 

the residents of the Evlyn’s 

Gate North subdivision for 

the Village to take control 

of a private alley built on 

an outlot of the subdivision. 

Residents hoped the Village 

would take responsibility for 

the maintenance and plowing 

of the small street, but 

the board and the Plan Commission 

both deemed it too 

narrow, an issue they saw as 

creating a potential liability.

® 

homerhorizon.com school 


the homer horizon’s 

Standout Student 

Sponsored by Marquette Bank 

Addison C. Ruether, Hadley 

Middle School sixth-grader 

Addison Ruether was chosen as Standout Student 

for her academic excellence. 

What is one essential you must have when 

studying? 

One essential that I need in order to study 

is a snack. While I study for a test, I like to 

eat something, then that makes me focus. 

What do you like to do when not in school or 

studying? 

I like to swim for the Lockport Homer 

Swim Club team, play volleyball with my 

friends and do art. 

What is your dream job? 

My dream job is to be a veterinarian because 

I love all types of animals, especially 

cats and dogs. 

What are some of the most played songs on 

your iPod? 

Some of my most played songs on my 

phone are “These Days” by Jess Glynne, 

Macklemore and Dan Caplen, “No Such 

Thing as a Broken Heart” by Old Dominion 

and “Born to Be Yours” by Kygo and Imagine 

Dragons. 

What is one thing people don’t know about 

you? 

One thing people don’t know about me is 

that I like to shoot pool and that I even have 

my own pink cue. 

Whom do you look up to and why? 

I look up to my mom because she has 

taught me how to be strong and that I can 

achieve anything with hard work, which is 

what she does every day. 

What do you keep under your bed and why? 

I keep projects that I did when I was little 

and birthday cards under my bed so they can 

remind me of previous memories. 

Who is your favorite teacher and why? 

Photo Submitted 

My favorite teacher is Mrs. Farthing because 

she does fun, interactive lessons and 

projects, and she is really nice. 

What is your favorite class and why? 

Math is my favorite class because I’m 

good at it, and I have done a lot of really cool 

projects in math class in the past. 

What is one thing that stands out about 

your school? 

After we say the pledge in the morning, we 

say our “Hadley” pledge. It overall is about 

diversity and being unique. 

What extracurricular(s) do you wish your 

school had? 

I wish they had a swim team because I really 

enjoy swimming. 

What is your morning routine? 

First I get dressed and ready, next I go 

downstairs and get my shoes on, third I eat 

breakfast, fourth I go back upstairs to brush 

my teeth, fifth I let my dogs out and then I go 

out to the bus stop. 

If you could change one thing about school, 

what would it be? 

I wish we didn’t have to take MAP tests at 

school, because they always stress me out. 

What is your favorite thing to eat in the 

cafeteria? 

My favorite thing to eat in the cafeteria is 

chicken tenders and fries. 

What’s your best memory from school? 

My best memory from school is when I 

was the third-grade spelling bee winner. 

Standout Student is a feature for The Homer 

Horizon. Nominations come from Homer Glen 

area schools. 

School News 

Benedictine College 

Homer student achieves 

dean’s list recognition 

Madilyn Peters, of Homer 

Glen, was named to the 

dean’s list for the fall 2018 

semester. Full-time students 

with 12 hours and a grade 

point average of 3.5 are 

named to the dean’s list. 

NEW YEAR. 

NEW SUCCESS. 

CONTACT 

VOTING 

OPEN 

Jan. 17–Feb. 10! 

University of Missouri 

Five Homer Glen students 

earn spots on dean’s list 

Kelsey Marie Bekermeier, 

a senior majoring in 

journalism; Zachary Ryan 

Fedor, a freshman majoring 

in health professions; 

Nicholas Mark Parente, 

a senior; Hannah V. Sass, 

a sophomore majoring in 

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS IN 

The Homer Horizon 

JULIE MCDERMED 

708.326.9170 ext. 21 j.mcdermed@22ndcenturymedia.com 

Vote: 22ndCenturyMedia.com/swchoice 

Complete at least 50 categories and be 

eligible to win a $500 Mastercard gift card! 

Vote now for your favorite 

local businesses in more than 

130 categories including: 

nursing; and Taylor Nicole 

Sass, a senior majoring in 

engineering, all of Homer 

Glen, were named to the 

University of Missouri’s 

dean’s list for the fall 2018 

semester. 

Compiled by Editor Thomas 

Czaja, tom@homerhorizon. 

com. 

22 ND CENTURY MEDIA 

Southwest 

AWARDS 

presented by 

Bank 

Doctor 

Grocery Store 

Hair Salon 

Movie Theater 

Pizza and more! 

Look for the ballot in the center of this newspaper or vote 

online through Feb. 10 at 22ndCenturyMedia.com/swchoice

10 | January 17, 2019 | The Homer Horizon community 


WHAT MAKES TINLEY COURT 

DIFFERENT THEN ALL THE REST? 

Our unique ue lifestyle le of Catered Senior Living. 

WHAT DOES 

“CATERED SENIOR 

LIVING” MEAN? 

It means we understand 

that each person has unique 

needs and wants. At Tinley 

Court those needs and 

wants will be met with 

dignity, respect and support. 

Tinley Court strives to nurture individuality with a sense of 

purpose in hopes of enriching one’s life. We offer a support system 

like no other senior community. 24 hour staffed for the well being and 

security of our residents. 

Featuring: 

• 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 

One bedroom 

and double unit 

available! 

DON’T DELAY!! 

CALL TODAY!!! 

COME EXPERIENCE OUR “1 OF KIND” PREMIER 

INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY! 

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Call 708-532-7800 

TO SCHEDULE A PRIVATE TOUR. 

16301 S Brementowne Rd., Tinley Park, IL 60477 

www.tinleycourt.com 

Member of Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce Since 1994 

2018 

WINNER 

Photo Op 

Homer Glen 

resident Joe 

Gawel shared this 

photograph he took 

and said it was a 

pleasant surprise 

to see gentle 

snowflakes and 

three deer visiting 

his family’s yard. 

“This deer was as 

much interested in 

looking at me as I 

was looking at him,” 

Gawel said. 

Have you captured 

something unique, 

interesting, beautiful 

or just plain fun 

on camera? Submit a 

photo for “Photo Op” 

by emailing it to tom@ 

homerhorizon.com, or 

mailing it to 11516 W. 

183rd St., Office Condo 

3 Unit SW, Orland 

Park, IL, 60467. 

Chase 

TLC Animal Shelter 

13016 W. 151st St. 

Homer Glen, IL 60491 

Chase is a neutered male pit bull 

mix. He is 5 years old. Good with 

children and good with other dogs. 

He is housebroken and has a great 

personality. He would love to go for 

walks or go jogging or be just as content sitting by one’s side. To see more of him, 

visit www.tlcanimalshelter.org or go to the Tender Loving Care Facebook page. You 

can stop by the shelter to see him between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through 

Saturday. You may also call during those hours for more information at (708) 301- 

1594. 

Do you want to see your pet pictured as The Homer Horizon’s Pet of the Week? Send your pet’s 

photo and a few sentences explaining why your pet is outstanding to Tom at tom@homerhorizon. 

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


the Homer Horizon | January 17, 2019 | 11

12 | January 17, 2019 | The Homer Horizon news 


FROM THE LOCKPORT LEGEND 

Lockport library prepares for busy 

year of events 

If there was ever a library cheerleader, 

White Oak Library District 

Lockport Branch Manager Pat Jarog 

would be it. 

Wearing a STEM T-shirt during 

a recent library event, Jarog expressed 

her excitement about the 

upcoming year at the library. 

“I can talk all day about what we 

have here,” Jarog said with a laugh. 

“Residents at the Lockport branch 

can look forward to another fabulous 

Comicopolis coming up on 

July 27 of this year. This is the fifth 

annual pop culture festival, which is 

our biggest event of the year.” 

Comicopolis, an all-day event, is 

created and produced by the White 

Oak Library District in partnership 

with Zombie Army Productions, 

Lockport Summer Art Series, and 

Amazing Fantasy Books & Comics. 

“We’re working very closely with 

the Lockport Summer Art series to 

bring more people into downtown 

Lockport,” Jarog said. “We bring 

in pop culture and comic vendors to 

the library. They talk to the visitors 

[about] what it’s like to be part of 

the whole comic industry.” 

For those who do not get into the 

pop culture festival, there is a wide 

variety of additional programs at 

the library, including a new addition 

this year. 

“New this year, we are starting an 

author tour,” Jarog said. “We’ve invited 

author’s to our libraries, which 

include Crest Hill, Romeoville and 

Lockport. We are having these author 

events every other month, starting on 

Feb. 22 at the Lockport Branch.” 

For more information about the 

library’s programs and to register online, 

visit www.whiteoaklibrary.org. 

Reporting by Mary Compton, Freelance 

Reporter. For more, visit Lock 

portLegend.com. 

FROM THE MOKENA MESSENGER 

ISU’s support following injury leads 

to Brownrigg’s commitment to 

Redbirds 

As it turns out, Lincoln-Way Central 

senior cross-country and track 

runner Mackenzie Brownrigg’s 

stress fracture in her leg was a blessing 

in disguise. 

She missed her entire senior cross 

country season, yet she realized a lot 

during that time, including where 

she wanted to compete collegiately. 

“I was really able to see where I 

could actually be happy,” she said. 

And that place is Illinois State 

University, where she will run both 

cross-country and track next year. 

Brownrigg’s junior track season 

was not up to par with where she 

expected herself to be. Shortly after 

the season, she found out what had 

been ailing her was the stress fracture 

behind her tibia. 

And through the midst of her 

struggling junior track season and 

absent cross-country season, 

She had a visit with ISU at the 

beginning of her senior year, with 

the stress fracture already revealed 

and Brownrigg unsure if she would 

be able to return for the end of the 

cross country season. 

“That was one of the things that 

drew me to them,” she said. “They 

were able to see past my injury and 

were able to not only see my as an 

athlete but as a person. And when I 

finally had a chance to go down for 

an official visit and meet the girls, I 

just fell in love with the atmosphere 

and the coaching and just the fact 

that they could see past my injury.” 

Reporting by Sean Hastings, Freelance 

Reporter. For more, visit MokenaMes 

senger.com. 

FROM THE FRANKFORT STATION 

Frankfort Square Park District 

keeps children active 

In groups of three or four, children 

tested their teamwork and coordination, 

lifting the skis beneath 

their feet by hoisting a rope tied to 

them and shifting their weight. 

“Left! Right! Left!” they shouted 

to each other as they picked up the 

skis and walked across the Mary 

Drew Elementary School gym on 

Jan. 3. 

“The Day Off Escapades: Ring 

in the New Year” program, a threeday 

program for children ages 5-12, 

was one of several programs the 

Frankfort Square Park District held 

throughout winter break to keep 

children active. 

Cheyanne Hein, a Frankfort 

Square Park District site supervisor 

and facilitator, brought the group to 

field trips in the morning and spent 

the afternoons at Mary Drew Elementary 

doing team-building exercises 

and crafts. 

Morning field trips took them 

across the community to the Tinley 

Park Bow, Space Golf and Pump It 

Up. 

“The kids have so much fun 

with the field trips and structured 

games that encourage active play 

and working with the other kids,” 

Hein said. “I enjoy watching the 

kids interact. It’s a good feeling to 

know that over a few days you can 

see a change in them and know how 

much they enjoy being here because 

of you.” 

Once back from the field trips, the 

children played group games, such 

as relay races, silent ball, kickball, 

soccer, four square and other competitive 

games that require relying 

on others to achieve a common goal. 

Reporting by Megan Schuller, Assistant 

Editor. For more, visit FrankfortSta 

tion.com. 

FROM THE NEW LENOX PATRIOT 

Women’s March set to take place in 

Village Commons Jan. 19 

Some local residents have taken it 

upon themselves to bring the Women’s 

March to their own backyard. 

A coalition of women from the 

Southwest Suburban Activists, Action 

for a Better Tomorrow, Arab 

American Family Services, Chicago 

Votes, Indivisible Illinois, Indivisible 

South Suburban Chicago 

and Moms Demand Action are to 

host a Women’s March at noon Saturday, 

Jan. 19, at the Village Commons 

in New Lenox. 

“The south suburbs [are] our 

home, it’s our backyard,” said Itedal 

Shalabi, co-founder and executive 

director of Arab American Family 

Services. “The unity and the inclusivity, 

the diversity and the leadership 

that has come together is what 

we want to showcase to all of our 

community members when they 

come out for the Women’s March. 

“When women come together and 

great allies come together, [it shows] 

this is our neighborhood, this is our 

suburbs. We want to show the diversity 

that’s within, but that we’re all 

working for the same thing.” 

The coalition landed on New 

Lenox as the site for their march 

as its where Emily Biegel, director 

with Southwest Suburban Activists, 

calls home. But there have 

been mixed reactions from the public 

about having the event in New 

Lenox. 

Still, Mayor Tim Baldermann 

said it is his duty to uphold the coalition’s 

First Amendment right to 

freedom to assemble. 

“It doesn’t matter who the group 

is, they have a right to do that,” 

Baldermann said. “Provided they 

follow all the rules with the permit 

process — which they are — we’re 

going to uphold that right.” 

Reporting by Erin Redmond, Freelance 

Reporter. For more, visit NewLenoxPa 

triot.com. 

FROM THE TINLEY JUNCTION 

Improv troupe Graffiti on The 

Fourth Wall to host interactive 

comedy show 

Sarah Denton, a professional improviser 

with Graffiti on The Fourth 

Wall, an improvisation troupe, said 

that her favorite part about being in 

improv is being able to make people 

laugh. 

“I just love having the opportunity 

to be on stage and perform, because 

I’ve wanted to be a performer 

literally my whole life,” she said. 

At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, 

the Tinley Park-Park District is to 

host a comedy improv show at the 

Tinley Park Performing Arts Center. 

Community members will be able 

to see the professional comedy improv 

troupe Graffiti on The Fourth 

Wall from the My Covered Bridge 

production company for $9 a person. 

There also will be a guest appearance 

from Christina Halleran. 

“We try to find some really 

unique ideas to kind of bring onto 

the stage,” Denton said, “We really 

value our uniqueness as a troupe, 

so we always are trying to look for 

something different, and just expect 

the unexpected.” 

This interactive show is called 

“Old Lang Signs,” a spin off of 

the Robert Burns song “Auld Lang 

Syne.” This title represents the use 

of parodies during improv shows, 

and this classic New Year’s song 

should be a topic of discussion during 

the performance. 

“We always try to make each 

show we do a little different, so 

anytime you come to a Graffiti on 

The Fourth Wall show you can always 

expect something new,” Denton 

said. 

The Tinley Park Performing Arts 

Center is located at 16801 S. 80th 

Ave. Tickets are available online at 

www.tinleyparkdistrict.org. 

Reporting by Bella Zarlengo, Editorial 

Intern. For more, visit TinleyJunction. 

com. 

FROM THE ORLAND PARK PRAIRIE 

LEGO-lovers enjoy Robotics Camp 

at Orland Park Public Library 

A group of students grades 2-5 

started off the new year with a renewed 

resolve to explore the intersection 

of math, science and imagination 

during Orland Park Public 

Library’s Robo-Kids: LEGO WeDo 

Robotics Camp. 

The new program — held as individual 

sessions on the afternoons 

of Jan. 2 and Jan. 3 — encouraged 

participants to build earthquake 

simulators and LEGO buildings that 

could withstand occurrences high 

on the Richter scale. The Wednesday 

afternoon session found young 

designers working together in two 

teams to create architectural designs 

from scratch. 

Kara DeCarlo, Orland Park Public 

Library school liaison, explained 

how the LEGO WeDo sets combine 

education, collaboration and fun to 

help kids learn the fundamentals of 

several STEM subjects. 

“The WeDos are really cool, because 

it shows you how to build 

things step by step, the way you 

build a regular LEGO set, and then 

it shows you practical applications 

of how you can program these 

things,” DeCarlo said. “The kids ... 

learn about engineering and building 

to withstand earthquakes.” 

The group built an earthquake 

simulator and then built a variety of 

buildings out of LEGOs to test them 

at different earthquake strengths. 

The program began with a short 

educational video detailing the basic 

history and principles of earthquake-resistant 

architecture. 

Reporting by Laurie Fanelli, Freelance 

Reporter. For more, visit OPPrairie. 

com.

homerhorizon.com sound off 


Social snapshot 

Top stories 

From HomerHorizon.com from Monday, 

Jan. 14. 

1. Salvation Army bell-ringer gets gifts for bringing 

joy to Homer 

2. Letters to the Editor: Thanking the community 

3. Homer 33C takes precautions in suspected 

mumps case at Goodings Grove 

4. Shady Oaks campers, staff enjoy holiday party 

5. Police Reports: Front, rear driver’s side 

windows reportedly shattered on vehicle parked 

in street 

Become a Horizon Plus member: homerhorizon.com/plus 

“Thank you to the New Lenox Fire District for 

lending us an ambulance to use while ours is out 

for maintenance.” 

From the Editor 

Overcoming being a creature of habit 

Thomas Czaja 


In life, it is easy to become 

a creature of habit. 

I am guilty of this. 

It can be even something 

as simple as having the 

“to watch” list on Netflix, 

adding to it, yet most times 

closing the Netflix and just 

watching something on 

television. 

It could be wanting to 

travel somewhere new, try 

a new restaurant, do a new 

activity and on and on. But 

our habits and routines keep 

us occupied, and keep us 

from perhaps even realizing 

some of these other ventures 

we might enjoy in the first 

place. 

I got to thinking more 

about this after visiting Rustic 

Knead in Lemont for the 

story on the business you 

can read more of on Page 18 

of this issue. Rustic Knead 

is owned by brothers and 

Homer Glen natives Robert 

and Richard Kruczak, and 

the duo are soon helping 

partner to open a second 

bakery next door. 

Not mentioned in the 

story is when I was interviewing 

them, they briefly 

spoke about while they have 

a loyal and steady customer 

base and good word-ofmouth 

spreading in regard 

to the food they have, there 

is still a number of people 

who drive down State Street 

in Lemont, one of the main 

arteries of the town, past 

them frequently and still 

don’t know they exist. 

And we know that this 

happens many times with 

many places, whether we 

consciously realize it or 

not. It is not that we don’t 

want to know about a new 

bakery and cafe in town, or 

some other new business, 

but we rely on the news 

and newspapers (which of 

course is our job to provide 

info on new things) and 

other sources to tell us about 

them. 

But I think if we actively 

on our own accord take time 

out to seek out new things, 

whether that be keeping up 

on the news and/or doing 

our own research and 

exploring, we can discover 

many new great things. 

When we think of the 

word habit, I think it can 

have positive or negative 

meanings. On the positive 

end, forming good habits 

and being able to consistently 

do things that are 

good for us is certainly applaudable. 

On the negative 

end, we can also get in bad 

habits, and being a creature 

of habit can mean we limit 

ourselves. 

Of course, when pertaining 

to simply hearing about 

or trying a restaurant, that 

really isn’t the biggest of 

deals in the grand scheme of 

things in life. Still, not simply 

being a creature of habit 

is something I am trying to 

work on, maybe even tying 

more back into fresh resolutions 

for the year 2019. 

By overcoming being 

a creature of habit, a new 

world of new things awaits. 

We can still keep doing our 

favorite things that makes us 

who we are while expanding 

and trying new things 

and places that may, in turn, 

become our new favorites in 

a routine over time. 

Homer Township Professional Firefighters 

L4223, from Jan. 7. 

Like The Homer Horizon: facebook.com/homerhorizon 

“Thank you @Wendys in Homer Glen, IL. I 

dropped my credit card at the drive-thru and the 

employee jumped out and retrieved it for me. 

Above and beyond customer service! #adoption 

#freejrfrosty @DTFA #iheartadoption #wendys” 

@juliemariebags, Julie, from Jan. 8. 

Follow The Homer Horizon: @homerhorizon 

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 Homer 

Horizon 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 Homer 

Horizon reserves the right to edit letters. Letters become property of The 

Homer Horizon. Letters that are published do not reflect the thoughts 

and views of The Homer Horizon. Letters can be mailed to: The Homer 

Horizon, 11516 West 183rd Street, Unit SW Office Condo #3, Orland 

Park, Illinois, 60467. Fax letters to (708) 326-9179 or e-mail to tom@ 

homerhorizon.com. 

www.homerhorizon.com. 

fairmont 

From Page 7 

workout. I use videos, for my 

students I’ll use teacher-led 

songs or students will make 

up routines. The best part is 

the students don’t even know 

they’re moving.” 

For two years, students at 

Fairmont have had physical 

education that includes 

DrumFIT, but Ed Camp gave 

some area teachers their first 

exposure to it. 

“Today is a great day to 

collaborate with other teachers 

in other districts, we don’t 

often get the chance because 

we’re all teaching at the same 

time,” Allison said. 

Tasha Ohotzke, a thirdgrade 

teacher at Homer Community 

Consolidated School 

District 33C, was another discussion 

leader at Ed Camp. 

Ohotzke has not only taught 

17 years in Homer Glen, she 

is a resident, as well. 

“I had two presentations 

today,” Ohotzke said. “In 

the first session, I did Seesaw 

and Flipgrid Fever 

which is geared to kindergarten 

through 12th grade. 

These are some of the best 

ed-tech tools out there free 

educational tools that teachers 

can use in the classroom. 

It transforms student learning. 

It’s so different today 

with the technology the way 

it is at the students at their 

fingertips.” 

Seesaw enables students of 

any age to create and share 

work. Teachers and parents 

are able to keep track of their 

child’s learning, and easily 

communicate between 

school and home using the 

program. 

Flipgrid is a powerful video 

tool that allows students 

to connect with other classrooms. 

“I personally use Flipgrid 

for the global read aloud,” 

Ohotzke said. “We connected 

with a classroom in New 

Jersey. All the students were 

creating video messages 

bonding with one another. 

The critical thinking that 

took place was amazing. Students 

were so engaged and 

focused.” 

Cepela’s excitement for 

education rubs off on the 

students. On a day off, half 

of the eighth-grade students 

came to school to help the 

teachers who attended Ed 

Camp. 

One of the students who 

was happy to volunteer was 

Alonso Herrera, an eighthgrader 

from Lockport. 

“I’m here to meet and help 

out the teachers,” Alonso 

said. “I like helping the 

teachers.” 

Cepela said she believes 

each of her students have 

gifts and talents. Two more 

eighth grade students were 

happy to share their day of 

volunteering and experience 

at Fairmont school. 

Sharmoni Gee, a student 

from Lockport, was happy 

to be at school on her day off 

to help with teachers who attended 

Ed Camp. 

“I think teachers should 

keep their class exciting so 

that students want to learn 

[and] their minds will stay 

focused on school,” she said. 

Cepela is already planning 

on a second Ed Camp for 

next year. 

“Life is just not always 

going to be fair,” she said. 

“You put things in place, you 

put things where life can get 

as good as it’s going to get. 

Anybody can learn. We have 

children from difficult home 

lives, but that shouldn’t stop 

them from learning, and it 

doesn’t stop us from believing 

they can learn.”



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the homer horizon | January 17, 2019 | homerhorizon.com 

Lots of heart Publisher 22CM 

announces return of annual Valentine’s 

Day Coloring Contest, Page 17 

A world of flavor 

Tinley’s Runa Izakaya features dishes 

from throughout Asia, Page 19 

Rustic Knead baker 

Vonita Cruz works 

with some dough 

in the kitchen of 

the business Jan. 

9 in Lemont. Rustic 

Knead is owned 

by Homer Glen 

natives Robert and 

Richard Kruczak. 

Thomas Czaja/22nd 

Century Media 

Brothers from Homer Glen continue to operate Lemont bakery/cafe, 

will soon help open second business several doors down, Page 18 

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16 | January 17, 2019 | The Homer Horizon faith 


FAITH BRIEFS 

Cross of Glory Lutheran Church 

(14719 W. 163rd St., Homer Glen) 

9:30 a.m. Sundays, 6:30 

p.m. Wednesdays 

Parishioners may use the 

nursery for their children 

up to age 3 during services. 

There is a Kids Klub for 

children in grades 4-5 during 

the service. 

Bible Study 

7:30 p.m. Wednesdays 

Open to anyone ready to 

discuss the Bible. 

Christian Life Church 

(15609 W. 159th St., Homer Glen) 

Sunday Service 

10 a.m. 

Thursday Service 

7:30 p.m. 

EDGE Youth Service 

7:30-9:30 p.m. Thursdays. 

Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish 

(16043 S. Bell Road, Homer Glen) 

Understanding World 

Religions 

1-2:30 p.m. Thursdays, 

Jan. 10 through Feb. 14 or 

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

14 through Feb. 18. For those 

with questions about other 

religions, curious if there 

are connections between the 

different faiths. The Rev. 

Joseph Broudou will lead 

in learning about Jewish, 

Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist 

and Christian brothers and 

sisters. Refreshments will 

be served. For more information 

and to RSVP, call 

Janet in the Faith Formation 

Office at (708) 301-0214. 

Guests are welcome to bring 

friends. 

FUNERAL SERVICES DIRECTORY 

COLONIAL CHAPEL 

FAMILY OWNED FUNERAL HOME 

PRIVATE ON-SITE CREMATORY 

ORLAND PARK, ILLINOIS 

708-532-5400 

ADVERTISE 

YOUR 

FUNERAL 

SERVICES. 

Daily Mass 

8 a.m. Monday-Saturday 

Weekend Mass 

5 p.m. Saturday 

8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Sunday 

Confessions 

4-4:45 p.m. Saturdays; 

9:30-10:15 a.m. Sundays; 

8:30 a.m. every first Friday 

Council of Catholic Women 

7 p.m. Second Tuesday of 

the month. 

Contact the 

Classified Department 

708.326.9170 


Women of the parish meet 

to discuss its needs. The 

group also hosts a monthly 

charity bake sale. 

St. Bernard Parish 


Baptism Preparation Class 

7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 

21. No dates for baptism 

will be accepted until having 

attended one of these 

classes. For more information 

or to register, call (708) 

301-3020. 

St. Bernards Kids’ Choir 

4:30-6 p.m. Thursdays. 

All children in grades first 

through eighth are welcome 

to join choir. A permission 

slip to join can be obtained 

through Julie Kane at the 

table by the church exit or 

through one’s RE teacher. 

Weekday Worship 

9:30 a.m. weekdays. Communion 

Service on Thursdays. 

Weekend Worship 

4:30 p.m. Saturdays. 8:30 

In Memoriam 

John Koche 

John J. Koche, 74, of 

Homer Glen, died Jan. 

6. He is survived by his 

wife, Daniela (nee Cortopassi); 

his children, Stephen 

(Amber) and Robert 

Koche; his grandchildren, 

Isabella, Gianna and Lucca; 

his siblings, Gary (Linda) 

and William (Debbie); 

and his many nieces and 

nephews. Services were 

held at Richard J. Modell 

Funeral Home & Cremation 

Services. Interment 

private. In lieu of flowers, 

donations to Alzheimer’s 

research at University of 

Chicago or Peace Hospice 

appreciated. 

Kenneth Nichele 

Kenneth A. Nichele, 64, 

of Homer Glen, died Jan. 5. 

He was a wish granter for 

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

every Sunday. 

Confession 

3:30-4:15 p.m. First and 

third Saturday of the month. 

Confessions are also available 

upon request at any 

time. 

Community Choir Practice 

7:30-9 p.m. Thursdays. 

Parish members ages 16 and 

older may join the choir. The 

choir needs vocalists and 

instrumentalists. For more 

information, join the weekly 

rehearsal or contact the music 

director, Julie Kane, after 

Mass on Sundays. 

First United Methodist Church of Lockport 

(1000 S. Washington St., Lockport) 

Sunday Worship 

9 a.m. Sunday School 

10:25 a.m. Worship 

Circle of Love 

9 a.m. Wednesdays. Circle 

of Love provides diapers, 

feminine and incontinence 

Please see faith, 17 

Make-A-Wish Illinois and 

vice president for Graphic 

Packaging. He is survived 

by his wife, Terra; his children, 

John (Katie), Joseph 

(Kelly) and Ashley (Thomas) 

White; his grandchildren, 

Michael, Logan, Amelia, 

Gabriella, Charlotte and 

soon-to-be baby boy, White; 

his parents, Joseph and 

Mary Nichele; his sister, 

Linda (William) Howard; 

and his nephews, Bill, Matt 

and Dan Howard. Services 

were held at St. Bernard 

Church. In lieu of flowers, 

donations to Make-A-Wish 

Illinois appreciated. 

Have someone’s life you’d like 

to honor? Email tom@homer 

horizon.com with information 

about a loved one who was a 

part of the Homer Glen community.

homerhorizon.com life & arts 


Contests 

Spread the love in the annual Valentine’s Day Coloring Contest 

Forms available 

online now, with 

deadline coming 

Feb. 7 for entries 

Bill Jones, Managing Editor 

We [heart] you. 

As much as our editorial 

team hates to admit it, there 

are some things that simply 

are not conveyed quite as 

well by words. 

Photos purportedly convey 

1,000 of those words at 

once. Emojis give you the 

opportunity to convey your 

affection, share a secret 

message or declare something 

is a pile of poo in a 

single graphic. And if you 

really want to spread the 

love, you need some color. 

Sometimes, images just 

do it better. 

Case in point: 22nd Century 

Media’s Valentine’s 

Day Coloring Contest, 

which for years has been 

spreading the holiday’s 

love both near and far, with 

contest entries doubling as 

valentines for both active 

military and veterans over 

the years. Every year, we 

provide a blank heart and 

children get creative. A few 

lucky entrants win prizes, 

and even more get to see 

their work in print. 

The beloved (see what we 

did there?) tradition is back. 

The Homer Horizon is 

asking children ages 3-12 to 

get creative by downloading 

the form from the home 

page of HomerHorizon.com 

to create just one outstanding 

valentine per entrant 

and send it our way. 

Entries must be mailed 

to or dropped off at 22nd 

Century Media Southwest 

Chicago c/o Editor Thomas 

Czaja, 11516 W. 183rd St., 

Unit SW Office Condo #3, 

Orland Park, IL, 60467. 

The deadline to submit entries 

is 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 

7. Publisher 22nd Century 

Media’s Southwest Chicago 

staff will review all entries 

and select winners in each of 

three age groups — ages 3-5, 

6-8 and 9-12. The winning 

entries are to be published in 

The Homer Horizon’s Feb. 

14 edition (yes, we planned 

it that way), along with other 

favorites, at the editor’s discretion. 

For this year’s contest, 

we will be picking one winner 

in each age group from 

Homer Glen. Winners are to 

receive a $10 gift certificate 

to Artesa Bakery in Homer 

Glen. 

Winners will be chosen 

based on creativity and 

neatness. Entries must use 

and fit on the form provided. 

As in past years, 22nd 

Century Media Southwest 

Chicago is to team up with 

an area organization to help 

distribute the finished valentines 

— minus the entry 

form information — to 

nearby veterans. 

For more information, 

call (708) 326-9170 ext. 

20 or email bill@opprairie. 

com. 

faith 

From Page 16 

products to clients who are 

qualified to use the local 

FISH Food Pantry. For more 

information, call (815) 838- 

1017. 

Communion 

First Sunday of the month. 

Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church 

(14610 S. Will Cook Road, Homer Glen) 

Sanctity of Human Life 

Sunday 

5:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 

20, at St. Michael Parish, 

14327 Highland Ave., Orland 

Park. Sponsored by the 

Multi-Parish Respect Life 

Ministries of Our Lady of 

the Woods, St. Francis of 

Assisi, St. Michael, St. Bernard’s, 

Our Mother of Good 

Counsel and Annunciation 

Byzantine Catholic. Part of 

the Knowledge & Prayer 

Series in 2019, this will be 

a Mass for Life. 

Sunday Services 

8:15 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 

a.m. Divine Liturgy; 10 a.m. 

Sunday School. For more 


0652. 

Adult Bible Study 

9-9:45 a.m., first and third 

Sundays of the month 

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 

(15625 S. Bell Road, Homer Glen) 


8:15 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 

a.m. Divine Liturgy; 10 a.m. 

Sunday School. For more 


0652. 

New Life Community Church - Homer Glen 


Weekly Worship Services 

10 a.m. Sundays; for more 


1416. 

Kids Zone Ministry 

10 a.m. Sundays. 

Children up to fifth grade 

can participate in games, 

singing, take part in interactive 

Bible teaching and 

participate in hands-on 

crafts. Participants should 

arrive 5-10 minutes prior to 

the service to sign children 

up for the group. For more 

information, call (815) 

838-1416. 

Women’s Ministry 

9:30 a.m. Fridays. Bible 

study for women of all 

ages. 

Prayer Meeting 

10 a.m. Tuesdays. 

Parkview Christian Church - Homer Glen 

(14367 W. 159th St., Homer Glen) 

Senior Connections 

10:45 a.m.-1 p.m.. Orland 

Park Campus, 11110 

Orland Parkway, Orland 

Park. Second Friday of the 

month, chili lunch and program. 

The cost is $10, and 

Pastor Chaz will speak. To 

RSVP, call (708) 478-7477 

ext. 272 or email merry-o@ 

att.net. 


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

11:30 a.m. 

Lemont United Methodist Church 

(25 W. Custer St., Lemont) 


8:30 a.m. Communion 

Worship Service 

9:30 a.m. Sunday School 

10:45 a.m. Contemporary 

Worship Service (nursery 

available) 

Christ Community Church 

(13400 Bell Road, Lemont) 

Sunday Worship 

9:30 a.m. Sundays. Worship 

is casual. 

Have something for Faith 

Briefs? Contact Editor Thomas 

Czaja at tom@homer 

horizon.com or call (708) 

326-9170 ext. 12. Information 

is due by noon Thursday one 

week prior to publication. 

Knowledge and Prayer Series to have 

talk on damage of pornographic culture 

Event at Orland 

parish sponsored 

by ministry that has 

Homer churches 

Submitted by Knowledge 

and Prayer Series 2019 

The Knowledge and 

Prayer Series 2019 will soon 

have an event with the topic 

of the violence and damage 

being done by a pornographic 

culture and practical ways 

to counter it for family and 

friends. 

The discussion, which is 

for adults only, is to be held 

7 p.m. Feb. 6 at St. Francis 

of Assisi Catholic Church, 

which is located at 15050 

Wolf Road in Orland Park. 

Speakers will include Adam 

Fuselier, Mary Bielski and 

Ray Pingoy. 

Guests can join the Department 

of Parish Vitality 

and Mission, the Chastity 

Education Initiative and 

Dumb Ox Ministries for 

the evening, which will include 

relevant facts about 

the prevalence of pornographic 

images in everyday 

life and the ease of access to 

it on cellphones for young 

people, as well as a look at 

often-misunderstood, longterm 

damage that the pervasiveness 

of pornographic 

images can do to emotional 

and spiritual growth, as 

well as present and future 

relationships. 

Other aspects of the conversation 

will be a disconnect 

between the understanding 

of freedom and the 

reality of sexual exploitation 

and using the lens of St. John 

Paul II’s Theology of the 

Body theological developments 

to unpack the morality 

of pornographic culture and 

how to help friends and family 

counter it. 

Resources to help one 

understand the brain science 

and harm being done 

to society will also be 

discussed. 

The evening session is 

sponsored by the Multi- 

Parish Respect Life Ministries, 

which consist of 

Annunciation Byzantine 

Catholic Parish, Our Mother 

of Good Counsel and St. 

Bernard’s in Homer Glen, 

as well as St. Michael, Our 

Lady of the Woods and St. 

Francis of Assisi in Orland 

Park.

18 | January 17, 2019 | The Homer Horizon life & arts 


Homer Glen natives grow Rustic Knead in Lemont 

Kruczaks prepare to 

open bakery several 

doors down from 

existing business 

Thomas Czaja, Editor 

When Homer Glen natives 

and brothers Robert 

and Richard Kruczak first 

opened Rustic Knead on 

July 1, 2015, they came into 

the community of Lemont 

with their business to test 

their product and concept 

there. 

They rebuilt and refurbished 

the existing space, 

which previously housed 

The Great American Bagel, 

into what is now both a café 

and bakery that has its bakers 

in plain sight working 

kneading dough and preparing 

bread and pastries behind 

a glass window at the 

back of the business. 

Nearly four-and-a-half 

years into operation, they 

have long since carved their 

niche in town, with regulars 

enjoying the quality of the 

food and atmosphere, which 

has a rustic, wooded look 

with the interior. 

“The rustic angle I think is 

back to the basics – back to 

the way it used to be,” Richard 

said. “The décor and 

environment is warm and 

homely, comfortable.” 

For Richard, who still 

lives in Homer, and Robert, 

who lives in Lockport, the 

chance to do breakfast and 

lunch seven days a week and 

also extend catering to families 

and companies in the 

community and surrounding 

area has been rewarding. The 

name Rustic Knead features 

both of their initials, with the 

RK logo incorporated on the 

wall by a cushioned seating 

area near the front entrance. 

The next business development 

for the brothers is 

Rustic Knead, a bakery and café, makes all its baked goods 

and breads fresh daily. 

to partner with Lia P Gluten 

Bakery, formerly located in 

Westmont and whose baked 

treats Rustic Knead already 

sells. The new gluten-free 

bakery is to open several 

doors down from Rustic 

Knead within approximately 

the next month or so, Richard 

said. 

“The selection [at Lia P] 

will be a lot deeper and go 

into details of things we 

don’t here like cupcakes, 

coffeecakes,” Richard said, 

noting there is a big glutenfree 

customer base in the 

community, and that all 

breakfast and lunch sandwiches 

at Rustic Knead can 

already be made on glutenfree 

bread. “We just have a 

limited selection here. [We’d 

like to get the new bakery 

open] ideally as soon as possible.” 

In the meanwhile, the 

Kruczak brothers will simultaneously 

keep maintaining 

Rustic Knead, which serves 

the breakfast portion of its 

menu until 10:30 a.m. on 

weekdays and 11:30 a.m. on 

weekends, when it switches 

over to lunch. 

For breakfast, the farmer’s 

egg sandwich ($4.45) 

comes with a sautéed egg 

with black forest ham, gouda 

cheese, baby arugula and 

avocado is a popular choice, 

the brothers said. For lunch, 

one of the most popular 

items is the Cobb ($8.25), 

a sandwich that comes with 

antibiotic-free chicken, 

Gouda cheese, bacon, avocado 

leafy greens, egg and 

cranberry chutney. 

The Kruczaks, who each 

of years of experience in the 

restaurant and hospitality 

industries, wanted to have 

healthy and creative menu 

options, ones they refined 

by working with different 

ingredients on the sandwiches. 

“Everything is fresh and 

made to order,” Rich said. 

“Eggs are made to order 

here in front of you, so if 

you want to change things or 

have a dietary restriction, we 

can meet up with whatever 

your needs are.” 

All breads and pastries are 

made in house, as are the salads, 

dressings and spreads. 

The flour and some of their 

cheese come from Wisconsin, 

while the majority of 

meats and cheeses come 

from Europe, due to standards 

for the products being 

higher across the Atlantic, 

according to Rich. 

“These days, the customer 

is very educated in reference 

to what they want to 

The interior of Rustic Knead is intentionally designed to be a warm and homely concept 

inviting to customers, according to owners and Homer Glen natives Robert and Richard 

Kruczak. Photos by Thomas Czaja/22nd Century Media 

eat, and they have a choice, 

so when you have a product, 

you can’t really cut corners,” 

Rich said. 

As for the baked goods 

Rustic Knead offers, Robert 

said preferences range across 

the board, and that the dark 

chocolate Nutella, blueberry 

Danish and almond paste 

are some of the top flavors 

of choice for the individual 

croissants they bake. 

Bobby added they make 

seven to eight different kinds 

of breads, which are also 

available for purchase by 

themselves, with an emphasis 

on their whole grain and 

rustic baguette ($2.75). 

“We found a good system 

how to figure out how to balance 

production with staff,” 

Bobby said. “We open at 7 

a.m. and here at 4:30 or 5 in 

the morning baking fresh for 

the day.” 

As owners, Robert and 

Richard are hands-on with 

their business, actively involved 

day-to-day with 

operations, crediting their 

wives for helping with their 

children and supporting 

Rustic Knead, as well as the 

help from other family and 

friends. 

“Being close to home, 

literally a 10-15 minute 

commute, is always a good 

thing,” Robert said. “[Richard] 

and I are here pretty 

much day-to-day.” 

Elsewhere, even the 

drinks are health-conscious 

and unique at Rustic Knead, 

as the brothers are quick to 

say customers will not find 

the traditional Coke or Pepsi 

products there. 

“You are going to find bottled 

beverages that are very 

clean and items you can’t 

find other places,” Richard 

said. 

Introducing new things 

to the community, whether 

via the bakery, restaurant 

or retail aspect of the business, 

while also doing some 

wholesale baking to supply 

other nearby restaurants 

and working on seasonal 

pastries, Rustic Knead and 

Rustic Knead 

1130 State St. in 

Lemont 

Hours 

• 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday- 

Friday 

• 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday 

and Sunday 

For more information ... 

Web: www.rusticknead. 

com 

Phone: (630) 296-0660 

its sibling owners stay busy 

wearing different hats. 

They believe in hiring staff 

with a baking background to 

keep the multi-step fermentation 

process for the bread 

perfected, leaving them to 

maintain the equation of 

ingredients, procedure and 

temperature to continue 

churning out the product 

Rustic Knead has come to be 

known for by local residents. 

“It’s a great community 

that supports the business 

very well,” Richard said in 

summary.

homerhorizon.com dining out 


The Dish 

Runa Izakaya a one-stop spot for Asian cuisine 

Nuria Mathog 

Contributing Editor 

It is the classic lunchtime 

debate: sushi, pad thai or 

Chinese? 

At Runa Izakaya in Tinley 

Park, diners can have it 

all. 

Owner Mark Cheung, a 

longtime resident of Chicago’s 

Bridgeport neighborhood, 

prides himself on 

the restaurant’s diversity of 

Asian offerings. Among the 

items on Runa Izakaya’s expansive 

menu are Japanese 

nigiri — raw fish served on 

top of rice — and signature 

sushi rolls adapted to more 

American palates, as well 

as Thai noodle dishes and 

Chinese entrees, such as lo 

mein and Szechuan chicken. 

Cheung moved from 

Hong Kong to the United 

States when he was just 17 

years old and soon discovered 

a passion for cooking 

through his work in the restaurant 

industry. He started 

with his first gig as a waiter 

at a Chinese restaurant in 

Chicago. Runa Izakaya 

is his first restaurant, and 

Cheung said he appreciates 

being a part of the Tinley 

Park business community. 

“People here are nice,” he 

said. “People here [like] my 

food.” 

The word “izakaya” refers 

to a Japanese bar that 

provides both food and 

drinks, and Runa Izakaya 

holds true on both fronts, 

offering diners a selection 

of wine, sake and cocktails 

to pair with its dishes, such 

as the cosmopolitan ($6.50), 

made with Absolut Citron, 

Cointreau, lime juice and 

cranberry juice. 

One of the most frequently-ordered 

dishes at Runa 

Izakaya is the tonkotsu ramen 

($10), which is a large 

serving of freshly made 

Runa Izakaya 

7138 183rd St. in Tinley 

Park 

Hours 

• 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 

Monday-Thursday 

• 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 

Friday-Saturday 

• 12-9 p.m. Sunday 

For more information… 

Phone: (708) 342-1652 

Web: www.runaizakaya. 

com 

The tonkotsu ramen ($10) at Runa Izakaya in Tinley Park comes with a chicken and pork broth, fresh noodles, pork slices, 

bean sprouts, seaweed, eggs, mushrooms, and green onions. Photos by Megan Schuller/22nd Century Media 

noodles, served in a chicken 

and pork broth, along with 

pork slices, bean sprouts, 

seaweed, eggs, mushrooms 

and green onions. The restaurant 

offers several other 

varieties of ramen, as well, 

including beef jigoku ramen 

and seafood tonkotsu 

ramen. 

“The seafood one, we 

just change [out] the pork 

and put seafood in there: 

shrimp, baby scallops 

and calamari,” Cheung 

said. “The spicy one, the 

beef one, we put in spicy 

beef.” 

Sushi fans can choose 

from a variety of creatively-named 

rolls, including 

the Chicago Moonlight roll 

($11.99) a salmon and mango 

roll paired with shrimp, 

avocado and mango sauce, 

and the Tinley Park roll 

($12.99), made with crab, 

cucumber and avocado, 

topped with red snapper and 

unagi sauce, also known as 

eel sauce. 

The Fire Dragon roll 

($14.99) — a baked shrimp 

tempura roll topped with 

salmon, white tuna, red tobiko, 

onion, eel sauce and 

spicy mayo — is among 

the restaurant’s most popular 

dishes, Cheung said. As 

a baked roll, the dish offers 

a gateway into the world of 

sushi for diners uncomfortable 

with consuming raw 

fish. 

Customers seeking a 

more traditional experience 

can opt for a bento box, a 

meal featuring a selection 

of Japanese foods served in 

compartments in a box. The 

chicken teriyaki bento box 

($9.99) comes with chicken 

stir fry with teriyaki sauce, 

rice, a California roll and 

chicken gyoza dumplings 

and sauce. The restaurant 

also offers three other bento 

box varieties: beef teriyaki, 

salmon teriyaki and vegetable 

tofu. 

Cheung hopes area diners 

will spring for lunch or dinner 

at Runa Izakaya the next 

time they are in the market 

for a delicious, affordable 

meal. 

“We’ve got very good 

quality and prices,” he said. 

The Fire Dragon roll ($14.99) features baked shrimp tempura wrapped with rice and seaweed, 

and topped with salmon, white tuna, red tobiko, onion, eel sauce and spicy mayo.


homerhorizon.com homerhorizon.com homer glen 


2018 

WINNER 

THANK YOU 

for Voting us Best Senior Living! 

16301 S Brementowne Rd. 708.532.7800 

Tinley Park, IL 60477 www.tinleycourt.com 

and Lobster Tail, Perch, 

Catfish, Cod, Calamari, Smelts, 

Oysters, Po’ Boy sandwiches 

and so much more! 

1 LB 

JUMBO FRIED 

SHRIMP 

$13.50 

Not valid with 

other offers. Exp 

3/3/19 

15940 S. HARLEM AVE. • TINLEY PARK 

708-444-2770 

MON-THUR: 11AM-10PM • FRI & SAT: 11AM-11PM • CLOSED SUN 

MAKE THE BEST 

OF YOUR BODY. 

2018 

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MASSAGE | FACIALS | SKIN CARE 

Everyone has their personal best. Taking care of your body helps keep you there. 

But you’ve gotta make it a regular thing. We call that practice total body care. 

And it’s what Massage Envy therapists and estheticians do for you every day. 

FRANKFORT 

(815) 277-5151 

Open Daily 

7:00am to 3:00pm 

Carry-Out Available 

Kids & Seniors Menus Available 

ORLAND PARK 

(708) 675-1555 

Also visit us in Orland Park 

15256 S. LaGrange Rd 

(708) 349-0600 

www.ophChicagoland.com 

MassageEnvy.com 

5140 W. 159th Street 

(708) 687-8282 

TINLEY PARK 

(815) 469-4400 

OAK FOREST has a NEW LOOK! 

Daily Specials 

$ 

Take 1.50 OFF 

Monday - Apple Pancakes 

Tuesday - Any Omelette 

Wednesday - Dutch Baby 

Thursday - Any Crepe 

Friday - Any Waffle 

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT 

Open Daily 

At 11:00am 

Banquets 

FOR UP TO 120 GUESTS 

Beauty 

Barber ______________________________ 

Beauty School ________________________ 

Day spa ______________________________ 

Hair Salon ___________________________ 

Mani/Pedi ____________________________ 

Massage _____________________________ 

Tanning ______________________________ 

Dining 

Asian fusion __________________________ 

Bakery ______________________________ 

Barbecue ____________________________ 

Beer Garden __________________________ 

Breakfast ____________________________ 

Brewery _____________________________ 

Brunch ______________________________ 

Buffet _______________________________ 

Burger _______________________________ 

Business Lunch _______________________ 

Candy/Popcorn _______________________ 

Carry-Out ____________________________ 

OFFICIAL RULES 

SPONSOR: 22nd Century Media, 11516 W. 183rd Place 3SW, Orland Park, IL 60467. 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER: Complete a 2019 Southwest Choice Awards Official Entry Ballot in the Jan. 17, 24, 31 and Feb. 7 editions of 22nd Century Media’s southwest publications 

(includes The Frankfort Station, The Homer Horizon, The Lockport Legend, The Mokena Messenger, The New Lenox Patriot, The Orland Park Prairie and The Tinley Junction). A minimum of 10 categories 

is required for ballot to count. Only one vote per person and email address (for online ballots). At least 50 categories must be filled in on the Entry Ballot in order to be eligible for one of the Prizes. 

Mail entries to: “Southwest Choice Awards ℅ 22nd Century Media, 11516 W. 183rd Place 3SW, Orland Park, IL 60467. Hand-delivered entries and online entries will be accepted. No photocopies 

or mechanical reproductions. The sweepstakes begins Jan. 17, 2019, and ends Feb. 10, 2019. Entries must be received by no later than 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019. Sponsor is not responsible for 

lost, late, misdirected, mutilated, incomplete, illegible, stolen, or postage-due mail or otherwise undeliverable entries. The winner will be selected in a random drawing from all eligible entries 

received on or about Feb. 20, 2019. The winner will be notified by phone within 15 days of drawing. The prize will be awarded within 30 days after the winner has been notified and chosen. For a 

copy of the Official Rules, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to “Southwest Choice Awards” ℅ 22nd Century Media, 11516 W. 183rd Place 3SW, Orland Park, IL 60467. All entries become 

the property of the Sponsor. 

CONDITIONS: Sponsor is not responsible for printing, production, typographical or other errors or omissions. Prize winner may be required to complete and return an affidavit of eligibility and 

liability/publicity release before receiving Prize. If affidavit and release are not returned within seven (7) days of the Prize drawing, or if the Prize winner is ineligible, the Prize may be forfeited and 

an alternate Prize winner may be randomly chosen from among all eligible entrants. Winner will be required to provide proof of insurance at the time of delivery. 

All taxes associated with the Prize are the sole responsibility of the winner. By entering, participants agree to be bound by the official rules (and the Sponsor’s interpretation thereof) and consent 

to the use of their name, photograph, and/or likeness for advertising/publicity without further consideration, except where prohibited by law. Sponsor may prohibit entrants from participating 

in the Sweepstakes and disqualify entries if they attempt to enter the Sweepstakes through means not described in the rules, attempt to disrupt the Sweepstakes or circumvent the rules, act 

Increase the value 

of your home this Spring 

18445ThompsonCourt 

Tinley Park,Illnois60477 

Familyowned &operatedsince 1959 

708.342.0900 

www.schaafwindow.com 

Vote Online Now 

22ndCenturyMedia.com/swchoice 

Please write in your favorite business in each category. A minimum of 10 categories 

is required for ballot to count. Only one vote per person and/or email address 

(for online ballots). At least 50 categories must be filled in to be eligible for 22nd 

Century Media’s Southwest Choice Awards presented by Celebrity Cruises 

prize - one $500 Mastercard gift card. Please see instructions and official rules below. 

Caterer ______________________________ Ribs _________________________________ 

Chicken Wings ________________________ Seafood - Fast Food ____________________ 

Chinese food _________________________ Seafood - Fine Dining __________________ 

Date night spot _______________________ Sports Bar ____________________________ 

Deli/Sub sandwiches __________________ Steakhouse ___________________________ 

Family-owned restaurant ______________ Sushi Restaurant ______________________ 

Fine Dining __________________________ Thai Restaurant _______________________ 

Fried Chicken ________________________ 

Greek Restaurant _____________________ 

Gyros _______________________________ 

Happy Hour __________________________ 

Hibachi Grill __________________________ 

Hot Dogs _____________________________ 

Ice Cream ____________________________ 

Irish pub _____________________________ 

Italian Restaurant _____________________ 

Juice/Smoothies ______________________ 

Mexican Restaurant ____________________ 

New Restaurant 

(Feb. 2018-present) ____________________ 

Outdoor Dining _______________________ 

Pizza ________________________________ 

Pizza - Chicago-style ___________________ 

Pizza - Most creative ___________________ 

Pizza - Thick Crust _____________________ 

Pizza - Thin crust ______________________ 

Education 

Private K-8th 

Grade School _________________________ 

Private High School ____________________ 

Preschool ____________________________ 

Fitness & Recreation 

Art Gallery or Studio ___________________ 

Bowling Alley _________________________ 

Casino ______________________________ 

Country Club _________________________ 

Dance Studio _________________________ 

Driving Range ________________________ 

Family Entertainment 

Center ______________________________ 

Fitness Center/Gym ___________________ 

Gaming Center _______________________ 

Golf Course __________________________ 

Gymnastics Center ____________________ 

Hotel _______________________________ 

Industry-leading professionals, 

ready to make your experience as 

rewarding as it is relaxing. 

20821 S. LaGrange Rd., Frankfort 60423 • 815-469-0660 

15194 S. LaGrange Rd., Orland Park 60462 • 708-364-0660 

1243 S. State St., Lemont 60439 • 630-243-0660 

2018 

WINNER 

Live Entertainment 

Venue _______________________________ 

Movie Theater ________________________ 

Music Lessons ________________________ 

Wedding Venue _______________________ 

Yoga ________________________________ 

Health 

Assisted Living _______________________ 

Chiropractor __________________________ 

Dentist ______________________________ 

Doctor _______________________________ 

Emergency Room _____________________ 

Hearing Clinic ________________________ 

Home Health Care _____________________ 

Hospital _____________________________ 

OB/GYN ______________________________ 

Orthodontist _________________________ 

Orthopedic ___________________________ 

Pediatrician __________________________ 

Physical Therapy ______________________ 

Place to have 

a Baby ______________________________ 

Podiatrist ____________________________ 

Senior Living _________________________ 

Urgent Care __________________________ 

Vision Center _________________________ 

Weight Loss Center ____________________ 

Pets 

Pet Boarding _________________________ 

Pet Groomer __________________________ 

Pet Shop _____________________________ 

Pet Walker ___________________________ 

Veterinarian __________________________ 

in an unsportsmanlike manner or with an intent to annoy or harass any other entrant or Sponsor. Sponsor 

reserves the right to cancel or suspend the Sweepstakes should unauthorized human intervention or other 

causes beyond the control of the Sponsor corrupt the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper 

operation of the Sweepstakes. In the event Sponsor terminates Sweepstakes due to unauthorized human 

intervention or other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor, Sponsor shall award the Prize in a random 

drawing of all entrants to one eligible participant, based upon the rules of eligibility. All decisions are final. 

Odds of winning depend upon the number of entries received. Possible entries are unlimited in number and 

only one prize will be awarded. A purchase will not improve chance of winning. Employees of participating 

companies and its properties, sponsors, vendors and their immediate families are not eligible to win. 

PRIZE: One $500 Mastercard Gift Card. Approximate retail value is $500. 

ELIGIBILITY: Open to legal U.S. residents of Illinois, 21 years of age or older on the day of entry. At least 50 

categories must be filled in on the Entry Ballot in order to eligible for the Prize. Only one entry per person. 

Employees of 22nd Century Media and its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising agencies and promotional 

suppliers, as well as the immediate families of such employees, are not eligible. Void where prohibited or 

restricted by law. 

The forefront. 

Now available 

in the Southland. 

Real Estate 

Commercial Real 

Estate Agent _________________________ 

Real Estate Attorney ___________________ 

Real Estate Brokerage _________________ 

Real Estate 

Mortgage Lender______________________ 

Residential Real 

Estate Agent _________________________ 

Real Estate Team _____________________ 

Services 

Auto Repair __________________________ 

Bank ________________________________ 

Butcher _____________________________ 

Car Wash ____________________________ 

Carpet/Flooring ______________________ 

Credit Union _________________________ 

Day Care _____________________________ 

Electrician ___________________________ 

Financial Advisor _____________________ 

Florist ______________________________ 

Funeral Home ________________________ 

Handyman Service ____________________ 

Heating/Cooling ______________________ 

Home Builder ________________________ 

Home Improvement ___________________ 

Insurance agent ______________________ 

Interior Design _______________________ 

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling ______________ 

Landscaping _________________________ 

Law Firm ____________________________ 

Lawn Care ___________________________ 

Oil Change ___________________________ 

Pest Control _________________________ 

Photographer ________________________ 

Plumber _____________________________ 

Pools/Spas ___________________________ 

Roofing _____________________________ 

Towing Company _____________________ 

Travel Agency ________________________ 

Windows/Doors ______________________ 

Window Washing _____________________ 

Shopping 

Antiques ____________________________ 

Appliance Store ______________________ 

Boutique ____________________________ 

Consignment Shop ____________________ 

Furniture Store _______________________ 

Garden Center 

or Nursery ___________________________ 

Grocery Store ________________________ 

Health Food Store _____________________ 

Jewelry Store ________________________ 

Liquor Store __________________________ 

Vehicles/Recreational Vehicles 

Auto Dealer - Domestic _________________ 

Auto Dealer - Imports __________________ 

Motorcycle Dealer _____________________ 

RV Dealer ___________________________ 

Entry ballot must be received by 

5 p.m. Feb. 10, 2019 

At least 10 categories must be completed for ballot to be counted. At 

least 50 categories must be completed to be eligible for prize. 

Name _______________________________________ Age ____ 

Address _____________________________________________ 

City __________________________State______Zip_____ ____ 

Phone _________________E-mail ________________________ 

Mail entries to: 

“Southwest Choice Awards” ℅ 22nd Century Media 

11516 W. 183rd Place 3SW Orland Park, IL 60467 

The BEST BURGER you will 

ever have. 

Come Try it For Yourself! 

16529 West 159th Street 

(in the Jewel plaza behind Starbuck’s) 

Lockport, IL 

VOTE 

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2018 

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STEAKHOUSE 

2017 WINNER 

VOTED BEST 

FINE DINING 

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Vin 

this years Southwest Choice Awards 

Local Retail Garden Center 

Full Service 

Landscape Department 

SERVING THE 

SOUTH SUBURBS 

SINCE 1922 

708.687.2331 

147th & Oak Park Ave. 

Oak Forest, IL 60452 

OPEN 7DAYS AWEEK 

17050 South Oak Park Ave. Tinley Park, IL60477 

tpkitchenandbath.com 708.429.6601 

2018 

WINNER 

JIM MELKA LANDSCAPING & GARDEN CENTER 

11606 179 TH ST. (708) 349-6989 ext. 3 

MOKENA jimmelkalandscaping.com 

Connect with us on social media:

22 | January 17, 2019 | The Homer Horizon 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. Aerial defense weapon, 

for short 

4. Lincoln-Way East 

High School junior and 

standout student, ____ 

McCreary 

8. Travel cost on some 

roads 

12. ___ Speedwagon, 

rock group 

13. City related 

15. “___ beaucoup” 

16. 1997 Will Smith film 

“___ in Black 

17. Queen’s place 

19. Scared 

21. Urban pollution 

22. Broadway brightener 

23. Prefix with phobia 

26. Indistinguishable 

32. Conger catcher 

35. One who’s “out” 

37. Thanksgiving dishes 

38. Warning sound 

41. Emerald look-alike 

43. Outburst 

44. Sews up 

46. Geological epoch 

47. Los ___, Calif. 

49. Lincoln-Way East 

alum who went on to 

play basketball at Wesleyan 

College 

54. Consisting of two 

parts 

56. Assn. formed in 1949 

57. Mincemeat desserts 

60. Parting words 

62. Edits 

67. Baby food catcher 

68. Chuck or Halle 

69. Empty spaces 

70. Alcoholic beverage 

71. Paint can direction 

72. From one end to the 

other 

73. Fishing equipment 

Down 

1. Big name in fashion 

2. Bellyached 

3. Joe DiMaggio’s wife 

4. Car with a four-ring 

emblem 

5. Produced 

6. World Service provider 

7. Talks a blue streak 

8. Earl Gray 

9. 1970 Stanley Cup hero 

10. Screen type 

11. Fleur de ___ 

14. Name, in Nice 

15. “Me and Bobby ___” 

song 

18. Hounds’ quarry 

20. Fashion’s Taylor 

24. Marshal under Napoleon 

25. Norwegian saint 

27. Summit 

28. ___ fixe (obsession) 

29. Data storage device 

30. Rhode Island-based 

auto insurance company 

31. Put on, as cargo 

33. Brit. recording giant 

34. Q followers 

36. Asian juice 

38. Engagement 

39. Record label 

40. ____ Admiral 

42. Detective in the pulps 

45. Old French coin 

48. Gummy 

50. Richard Bach novel 

51. Shades brand 

52. Paris’s Arc de Triomphe 

de l’___ 

53. For sure 

55. Perjure 

58. Ltr. holder, abbr. 

59. “Begone!” 

60. Slander 

61. Biblical brother 

62. Air rifle ammo 

63. Rent out 

64. Spoon bender 

65. Blunder 

66. German “I” 

HOMER GLEN 

Front Row 

(14903 S. Bell Road, 

Homer Glen; (708) 645- 

7000) 

■7 ■ p.m. Wednesdays: 

Trivia 

TINLEY PARK 

■Night ■ 

■8 ■ p.m. Wednesdays: 

Movie Night 

■8 ■ p.m. Thursdays: 

Karaoke 

Rich’s Pizza Joint 

(7020 W. 183rd St., 

Tinley Park; (708) 532- 

8486) 

■Tuesdays: ■ Get a large 

(14”) thin crust pizza 

for the price of a small 

(10”). Dine-in, carry-out 

or delivery. 

Side Street American 

Tavern 

(18401 N. Creek Drive, 

Tinley Park; (708) 928- 

8080) 

■7 ■ p.m. Tuesdays: Bingo 

■7 ■ p.m. Thursdays: Bags 

Tournament 

■9 ■ p.m. Fridays: Flashback 

Friday 

Tinley Park Bowl 

(7601 183rd St., Tinley 

Park; (708) 532-2955) 

■10 ■ p.m.-1 a.m. Wednesdays: 

Cosmic Bowl 

Tribes Beer Company 

(9501 W. 171st St., Tinley 

Park (708) 966-2051) 

■Noon-2 ■ p.m. Sundays: 

Sunday Bloody Funday 

■7 ■ p.m. Mondays: Open 

Bluegrass Jam Session 

■8 ■ p.m. Tuesdays: Trivia 

night 

NEW LENOX 

Little Joe’s Restaurant 

(1300 N. Cedar Road, 

New Lenox; (815) 463- 

1099) 

■5-8 ■ p.m. Tuesdays: 

Piano Styles by Joe 

Williamson’s Restaurant 

and Pub 

(1490 W. Maple St. New 

Lenox, (815) 485-8585) 

■Wednesdays: ■ 

$5 House 

Wine Wednesdays 

■Sundays: ■ Spicy Bloody 

Marys $5 

To place an event 

in The Scene, email 

m.schuller@22ndcm.com. 

answers 

How to play Sudoku 

Each sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that 

has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 

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

box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. 

LEVEL: Medium 

Sudoku by Myles Mellor and Susan Flanagan

homerhorizon.com local living 


Introducing the Dunree II: Crana Homes’ Newest Luxury Townhome Design 

at Brookside Meadows 

Crana Homes, the acclaimed 

developer of hundreds of homes 

in the southwest suburbs has 

introduced another awardwinning 

luxury townhome 

design, the Dunree II, available 

now at Brookside Meadows in 

Tinley Park. The Dunree II 

joins the award-winning Lennan 

II and Fahan II in a secluded area 

of trees, lakes and open spaces. 

Prices range from the lower-$300s 

– including site – and with only a 

limited number of sites available 

buyers should act quickly. 

For 45 years Crana Homes 

commitment to complete 

customer satisfaction has 

been summed up as “Pride 

of Workmanship - Pride of 

Ownership.” This commitment 

to quality and satisfaction makes 

Brookside Meadows the ‘best 

of the best’. The proof is in 

the homes which are attractive, 

comfortable, well-built and 

energy-efficient. But, the entire 

community will soon be sold 

out so now is the time to make a 

commitment and select a home 

from one of the award-winning 

floorplans of the Dunree II, the 

Fahan II and the Lennan II. 

The new Dunree II is a 

generous three bedroom design 

with 3,194 square feet of total 

living space, including a large 

1,226 sq.’ basement. The master 

suite is on the first floor which 

features a walk-in shower and 

seat. The home has elegant 

nine foot tall first floor ceilings, 

two and a half baths, upgraded 

custom maple kitchen cabinets, 

granite countertops, upgraded 

light fixtures, and hardwood 

oak floors in the foyer, powder 

room, kitchen and living room. 

The Dunree II also includes 

deluxe landscaping and a two 

and a half car dry-walled garage 

with a cement driveway. Enjoy 

entertaining guests with a full 

walk out basement and a 12’ x 

12’ deck. 

The Fahan II has a grand 

two-story entrance foyer that 

leads to a split level floor plan 

with three bedrooms (fourth 

bedroom optional) and two and 

a half baths. First floor master 

bedroom with walk in closet and 

huge bathroom. It is a beautiful 

3,303 total square foot luxury 

townhome (including a 1,216 

sq.’ basement). A large open 

space kitchen with sleek granite 

countertops is surrounded by 

generous custom maple cabinets. 

The 1st floor master bedroom 

offers an optional coffered ceiling 

and the optional master bath 

includes a relaxing soaker tub. 

Overlooking the great room is an 

elegant loft. The home is accented 

by beautiful oak throughout, 

including doors, floors, railings 

and trim. A full lookout basement 

and a patio are also included in 

the Fahan II. 

The Lennan II is a comfortable 

two/three bedroom split level 

home and includes most of the 

features of the Fahan II except 

the huge master suite is on the 

upper level and the Lennan II 

features a dining/family room. 

It has 3,167 square feet of total 

space (including a 1,049 sq.’ 

basement). 

All homes have underground 

utilities, deluxe landscaping 

and first floor laundry rooms. 

Buyers can select options like 

an impressive fireplace, walkout 

basement, coffered ceilings, 

skylights and a soaker tub in the 

master bath. 

Lake Michigan water, a 

sprinkler system and smoke 

detectors are provided. Brookside 

Meadows also has important costefficient, 

energy-saving features 

like a high-efficiency furnace and 

Lo-E glass installed throughout. 

Other ‘green’ features include an 

Energy Miser hot water heater, 

vented soffits, 1.75” insulated 

entrance doors, energy efficient 

appliances and Tuff-R insulated 

wall sheathing. 

Tucked away in a quiet section 

of Tinley Park, 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 Bettenhausen 

indoor recreational center. 

The Dunree II floorplan gives 

buyers a fresh set of new choices 

at Brookside Meadows – but 

only while they last! See the 

fully furnished and beautifully 

decorated models which are open 

Monday - Thursday 10:00am to 

4:00pm; Saturday and Sunday 

from noon to 4:00pm; and open 

Friday by appointment. 

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. Options, dimensions 

and specs can change so contact a 

Sales Associate at 708-479-5111 

for any updates and go online at 

www.cranahomes.com. 

DunreeII 

-1 st FloorMaster SuitewithWalk In Closet and LargeBathroom 

-3Bedrooms,Plus Loft 

-Full Walkout or LookoutBasement &Deck 

-Cost-Efficient, Energy-Saving Features 

-Chicago Water -Spacious OpenConcept Floorplan 

-Excellent School District 

Contactthe Sales Center fordetails at 708.479.5111 andvisitonline anytime at www.cranahomes.com 

Since 1970 

Decorated Models areOpen Mon-Thu 10am-4pm Sat/Sun Noon-4pm Friday byAppt. 

Exit I-80 at La Grange Road southfor just under twomiles to La PorteRoad andturn east for one-half mile to Brookside Meadows. 

OPPORTUNITY

24 | January 17, 2019 | The Homer Horizon classifieds 


1003 Help Wanted 

Legal Notice Representative 

22nd Century Media LLC - Orland Park, IL 

22nd Century Media has a Legal and Public Notice 

Representative position open for it’s Southwest Suburban Team. The 

position would be responsible for the placement, coordination, and 

publishing of legal and public notices in 22nd Century Media's 15 

publications. Notices will come from civic bodies, businesses, and 

private parties. Candidates should be comfortable and familiar with being 

on the phone and computer while also working with various clients as 

well as being able to process the appropriate paperwork. This position 

offers a base salary along with a comprehensive benefits package. 

What you are responsible for: 

• Entering all legal and public notices in the appropriate 

newspaper for the correct run dates 

• Processing affidavits that the notices were published 

and sending them to the client. 

• Developing and maintaining client relationships 

• Working closely with clients to meet their public and legal notice needs 

• Working with the inside sales team in the Classified Department 

• Copywriting content for ads with clients to develop the right message 

• Keeping track of legal notices and their weekly revenue targets 

Qualifications: Must have a strong work ethic and ability to work 

independently as well as with a team. A desire to learn not only the legal 

notice process but also gain experience in media and working with an 

inside sales team. Excellent communication skills, time-management, 

comfort with selling over the phone, face to face as well as e-mail, and 

interpersonal skills required. 

Email Resume to: careers@22ndcenturymedia.com 

No phone calls, please. EOE 

Village Seeks F/T Maintenance Worker 

The Village of Homer Glen is seeking a full-time maintenance 

worker to perform skilled and semi-skilled work in the care and 

maintenance of the Village's buildings, equipment and park 

properties. Applicants must have a H.S. diploma or GED, 2 yrs of 

experience performing maintenance work, knowledge of 

mechanical equipment used in maintenance of public facilities 

and possess a valid driver's license. Pay is $20/hr, with excellent 

benefit package. Selected candidates will be required to pass a 

criminal background check, medical physical and drug screen. 

A position description and application may be found on the 

Village's website www.homerglenil.org 

Completed applications can be e-mailed to Heather Kokodynsky 

at hkokodynsky@homerglenil.org or mailed to Village of Homer 

Glen, Attn: Heather Kokodynsky, 14240 W. 151st Street, Homer 

Glen, IL 60491. Applications are due by Friday, January 25. 

Fast paced Frankfort IL 

CPA Firm is looking for a 

P/T – F/T experienced 

Tax Preparer and a P/T 

Office Assistant for tax 

season. Flexible hours, 

some evenings required. 

Pay depends on 

level of experience. 

(Located just off of I-80 

and Harlem Ave) 

Fax Resume to: 

708-534-1017 

The City of Lockport is 

accepting applications for a 

full-time Wastewater 

Laborer. Please visit the 

City’s website for info & 

how to apply: 

www.cityoflockport.net 

Help 

Wanted 

As we continually grow, 

SW Suburban cleaning co. 

has openings for 

Cleaning Pros 

Exp. Preferred but Will 

Train. P/T Weekdays. 

No Evenings/Weekends 

815-464-1988 

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 

DRIVE CAR BUYERS 

TO YOUR DOOR WITH 

A CLASSIFIED AUTO AD 

CALL US TODAY at 708.326.9170 

CLASSIFIEDS 

Help Wanted · Garage Sales · Automotive 

Real Estate · Rentals · Merchandise 

1003 Help 

Wanted 

INDUSTRIAL 

SALES ENGINEER 

SW Suburb of Chicago 

manufacturing company seeks 

a proactive, hard-working 

individual with at least 3-5 

years of experience in B2B 

Sales of industrial products 

(non-chemical). 

This inside, consultative sales 

position will focus on new and 

existing product sales development. 

This sales role targets 

users to discover if their 

current and future product 

needs match those of Aero's 

product features. Successful 

candidates should also have 

experience working with 

vendors to produce 

competitive quotes. 

Excellent salary and benefits 

package with annual 

performance bonus potential. 

Send resume to: 

bschatte@aerorubber.com 

AERO Rubber Company, Inc. 

SALES ASSISTANT 

Due to our rapid growth and 

expansion, Tinley Park 

industrial mfg. Sales office 

seeks exp'd, detail-oriented 

Sales Assistant for full-time 

position. A Sales Assistant at 

ARC does both sales 

secretarial & customer service 

functions. This is a very 

diversified position in our 

FAST-PACED office. The 

ideal candidate must be 

HIGHLY MOTIVATED and 

needs to possess strong 

organizational & 

communication skills. 

Excellent computer literacy 

needed, including MS Word & 

Excel. Industrial cust. service 

exp. req'd. Repeat customer & 

supplier contact. No 

telemarketing, no cold calling 

req'd. Competitive salary & 

benefit pkg incl. 401K. 

Send letter & resume to: 

cstratton@aerorubber.com 

Don’t just 

list your 

real estate 

property... 

Sell It! 

With a Classified Ad 

See the Classified Section for more info, 

or call 708.326.9170 

22ndCenturyMedia.com 

1004 Employment 

Opportunities 

1021 Lost & 

Found 

LOST: Car keys & house 

keys. All on one keychain. 

Lost between Woodbine Subdivision 

& Home Depot in 

Homer Glen onSunday 1/6. 

$50 CASH REWARD! 

708-638-0164 

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 

Heaven Sent Caregivers 

Professional caregiving 

service. 24 hr or hourly 

services; shower or bath 

visits. Licensed & bonded. 

Try the best! 708.638.0641 

Retired RN care for 

elderly and disabled in your 

home. Possible live-in. 

Excellent references 

815-614-8140 

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 

Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

DEADLINE - 

Friday at 3pm 

Automotive 

$52 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

1061 Autos Wanted 

WANTED! 

WE NEED CARS, TRUCKS & VANS 

Running Or Not from Old to New! 

Top Dollar Paid - Free Pick-Up 

Locally Located 

(708)205-8241 

1074 Auto for 

Sale 

815-469-1999 

19121 85th Ct 

Mokena , IL 60448 

We Buy Cars 

ChicagoAutoNetwork.com 

2004 Nissan Xterra 4wd 110k 

$4900 

1996 Toyota Celica Convertible, 

new top $2,975 

2008 Ford Econoline 8 psngr 

van $8,975 

2004 Infiniti QX56 SUV 

$7,900 

2006 Toyota Highlander 4wd 

208k $4500 

2008 Honda Element 57k 

$14,900 

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 

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 

Help Wanted 

per line $13 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

Real Estate 

$50 

7 lines/ 

7 papers 

Automotive 

Merchandise 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

1074 Auto for 

Sale 

g g p 

pack 53k $11,900 

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 $21,900 

2018 Ford t350 hi roof 15 

psngr van $31,900 

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 

Ford Pickup. F-150 46k Miles. 

Driven by senior, garage kept 

nightly. 214XLT Super Cab. 

Ruby red color, grey interior. 

Full ext. chrome inlc. wheels. 

Over $2k add ons incl: color 

matching fibreglass tunnel over 

bed. Interior 3/4 inch bed rug. 

Added chrome paint sealer, located 

in SW suburbs. $24,000 

815-485-6956 

2010 Honda Accord EX - 4dr, 

81,100 miles. Exc. condition, 

6-CD player, sun roof $7800 

Negotiable 708-560-6858 

...to place 

your 

Classified Ad! 

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708.326.9170

homerhorizon.com classifieds 


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LOCAL REALTOR 

DIRECTORY 

READYTO SELL YOUR 

REAL ESTATE? 

CALL 

Mike McCatty 

& ASSOCIATES 

mccattyrealestate.com 

708-945-2121 

ONE BILLION IN LOCALLY 

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Eileen Hord 

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Contact Classified Department 

to Advertise in this Directory 

(708) 

326.9170

26 | January 17, 2019 | The Homer Horizon REal estate 


The Homer Horizon’s 

sponsored content 

of the 

WEEK 

Conveniently located 

near shopping, dining, 

Metra, expressway access 

and world-renowned golf 

courses. 

What: Beautiful, updated 

home in premium location 

with four bedrooms and two 

baths. 

Nov. 14 

• 13519 S. Chippewa 

Trail, Homer Glen, 

604919646 Joseh 

D. Knutte to Todd 

Hutchinson, Ashley 

Hutchinson, $390,000 

• 16811 Meadowcrest 

Drive, Homer Glen, 

604918415 Raymond B. 

Masa to W. Scott McAdam 

Jr., Brittany Lynn McAdam, 

$379,000 

• 15522 Hawkhaven 

Road, Homer Glen, 

604919489 Bachner 

Trust to Mark P. 

Norwood, Laura 

Norwood, $447,000 

Nov. 15 

• 13305 W. Doede 

Lane, Homer Glen, 

604919703 Dennis 

E. McMichael Trust to 

Andrew Skinner, Sara 

Skinner, $447,500 

Dec. 3 

• 16302 S. Bell Road, 

Homer Glen, 604917602 

Mary Ellen Crider to 

Zbigniew Kucharski, 

$200,000 

Dec. 4 

• 14617 Clover Lane, 


Greystone Homes Llc 

to Thomas C. McCarthy, 

Martha J. McCarthy, 

$440,000 

• 14753 Clover Lane, 


Greystone Homes Llc 

to Larry Baker, Sandra 

Baker, $440,000 

The Going Rate is provided by 

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Where: 13643 W. 

Cedarbend Drive, Homer 

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Amenities: Boasting 

HGTV-inspired decor and today’s most sought after hues, this home will please the 

most discerning of buyers. Large kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite 

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fireplace. Great backyard with deck. Windows/siding/sliding doors new in 2007. 

Available for immediate occupancy. Strong offering in this price point. 

Listing Price: $265,000 

Listing Agent: 

Christine Wilczek (708) 

420-2424 and Jason 

Bacza (815) 260-9548 

Agent Brokerage: 

Realty Executives Elite 

Want to know how to become Home of the Week? Contact Tricia at (708) 326-9170 ext. 47.



CLASSIFIEDS 



Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

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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 

1315 Commercial 

Property For Rent 

2006 Basement Waterproofing 

2017 Cleaning Services 

Rental 

1225 Apartments 

for Rent 

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 

Double Commercial Bay 

for Rent in Mokena 

2,200 Sqft w/New 210 Sqft. 

Office & Bathroom 24 Hr 

Alarm & Security Syste. 

VOIP Phone & Internet 

Available. Clean, Secure & 

Close to I-80 $2,000 Per 

Month includes Utilities. 

708-514-2676 

Business Directory 

2003 Appliance 

Repair 

2011 Brick/Chimney Experts 

FANTASTIK POLISH 

CLEANING SERVICE 

If you’re tired of housework 

Please call us! 

(708)599-5016 

5th Cleaning is 

FREE! Valid only one time 

Free Estimates 

& Bonded 

Buy 

It! 

2070 Electrical 

SELL 

It! 

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It! 

in the 

CLASSIFIEDS 

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708.326.9170 

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 

1310 Offices for 

Rent 

The perfect downtown 

location! 

11225 Front St. Mokena, IL 

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 

A+ 

2080 Firewood 

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 Available NOW. 

$299/mo total. 

Julie Carnes 708-906-3301 

Village Realty Inc. 




708.326.9170



2080 Firewood 

2120 Handyman 

2130 Heating/Cooling 

2090 Flooring 

Ideal 

Firewood 

Seasoned Mixed 

Hardwoods 

$120.00 per FC 

Free Stacking & 

Delivery 

708 235 8917 

815 981 0127 

Hardwood Floors by MANNY 

Quality Hardwood Floors 

815-468-8016 

www.hardwoodfloorsbymanny.com 

FREE ESTIMATES 

INSTALLATION • REFINISHING • LAMINATE 

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It! 

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your 


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HANDYMAN SERVICE —WHATEVER YOU NEED 

"OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE" 

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

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BEECHY’S 

Handyman Service 

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Trim & General 

Tile & Laminated Flooring 

Light Plumbing & Electrical 

Remodeling, Kitchen & Bath 

Install StormWindows/Doors 

Clean Gutters 

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708 714 7549 

815 838 4347 

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2130 Heating/Cooling 

2132 Home Improvement



2132 Home Improvement 

2150 Paint & Decorating 

CLASSIFIEDS 



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$52 4 lines/ 

7 papers 

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per line 7 papers 

Sell It 708.326.9170 | Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It | DEADLINE - Friday at 3pm 

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lines/ 

Merchandise 

$30 7 4 papers 

lines/ 

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PAINTING 

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Fast, Neat Painting 

Drywall 

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2170 Plumbing 

2150 Paint & Decorating



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Help Wanted 

per line $13 

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$50 

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7 papers 

Merchandise 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

2200 Roofing 

2294 Window 

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2296 Window 

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P.K.WINDOW 

CLEANING CO. 

Window Cleaning 

Gutter Cleaning 

Power Washing 

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call and get $40.00 off 

708 974-8044 

www.pkwindowcleaning.com 




CALL US TODAY at 708.326.9170 

Blinds & 

Shades 

Repair 

I Do Windows & 

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Call Pat 

815 355 1112 

815 485 1112 

o f f i c e 

I Do House Calls 

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2390 Computer Services/Repair 

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Scrap Metal, Garden 

Tractors, 

Snowmobiles, 

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ANYTHING METAL! 

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Free pickup! 

Professional 

Directory 

Merchandise 

Directory 

WE BUY DRUMS 

Buying pre-1980 drum sets, 

snare drums, cymbals & 

hardware 708-401-7560 

...to place 

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Find your 

next great hire 

Call Jeff Schouten 

to learn more about recruitment 

advertising in your local newspaper. 

708.326.9170 ext. 51 

j.schouten@22ndcenturymedia.com 

right in your own 

neighborhood



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homerhorizon.com sports 


Athlete of the Week 

10 Questions 

with Jimmy Rozhon 

Jimmy Rozhon is a senior at Lockport 

Township and one of the bowlers who 

helped the Porters advance to the sectional 

this past weekend. 

How would you say the season has 

gone so far for you and the team? 

As an individual, I did OK in tryouts. I 

knew I had to work during the season and I 

moved up on the team. As a team, we knew 

we could do well. We just had to kick it up a 

notch in the postseason. 

How did you get involved in bowling? 

I first started bowling the summer [2013] 

between sixth and seventh grade. A friend of 

mine, Adam Kowalik, told me it would be 

a good sport to get into, so I did. I started 

bowling in leagues then and started in high 

school as a freshman. 

What is it about the game of bowling 

that makes it the sport for you? 

It’s the guys. The team is so close. As a 

freshman, I didn’t know the guys on the 

team. Now they are like a bunch of brothers. 

I also like how you have to perform as an 

individual but it’s a team sport. 

Have you ever bowled a 300? 

No. I bowled a 299 as a sophomore in a 

league at Strike N’ Spare II. My last ball was 

the best one I threw the whole game, but I 

left the 10 pin. 

What is your favorite bowling alley? 

Strike N’ Spare II here in Lockport. I’ve 

bowled there since I was in seventh grade. I 

know how to adjust. I just go out there and 

bowl. 

If you played another sport, what 

would it be? 

I would have continued playing baseball. 

I played it since I was five. But when high 

school came, I decided to do one or the other 

and my decision was to keep on bowling. 

What have you learned from Lockport 

coach Ron Davis? 

A lot. What he knows about the game is 

insane. The man knows more about how I 

bowl than I do. He’s so knowledgable. He 

just instills in me to keep it slow, keep it 

smooth and just perform. 

Do you do anything to pump yourself 

up before a match? 

I like to listen to some music. I either listen 

to country or rap. It’s a broad stretch, but 

that’s what I like. I also like to talk and joke 

around with the guys. Just doing that puts me 

in a good mood. 

Do you plan to bowl in college? 

I haven’t decided yet, but I’m still looking 

into it. I haven’t committed anywhere. I’m 

looking for a good school for my major of 

nursing or pre-med. 

What is the best thing about being an 

athlete at Lockport? 

Just the legacy that comes with it. The 

school has been there so long and has so 

much history. Hopefully, boys bowling will 

still be here 20 years from now and I can look 

back and say ‘I did this when I was here.’ 

Interview By Freelance Reporter Randy 

Whalen 

Photo submitted 

This Week In... 

Porters Varsity 

Athletics 

Wrestling 

■Jan. ■ 18 at Stagg, SWSC 

Conference meet, 5 p.m. 

■Jan. ■ 19 at Stagg, SWSC 

Conference meet, 5 p.m. 

Girls Basketball 

■Jan. ■ 22 host Bolingbrook, 

6:30 p.m. 

Boys Basketball 

■Jan. ■ 18 at Sandburg, 6 p.m. 

■Jan. ■ 23 host Plainfield 

South, 6:30 p.m. 

Girls Bowling 

■Jan. ■ 17 host Lincoln-Way 

East, 4:30 p.m. at Strike N’ 

Spare II 

■Jan. ■ 19 host SWSC 

Conference meet, 8 a.m. at 

Strike N’ Spare II 

■Jan. ■ 22 at Waubonsie 

Valley High School, 4 p.m. at 

porters 

From Page 38 

Parkside Lanes 

Boys Bowling 

■Jan. ■ 19 at IHSA Sectional, 

TBD 

Boys Swimming 

■Jan. ■ 17 at Stagg, 5 p.m. 

■Jan. ■ 18 host Lockport 

Diving Invitational, 4 p.m. 

■Jan. ■ 19 host Lockport 

Swimming Invitational, 9 a.m. 

Dance 

■Jan. ■ 19 at IHSA Sectional, 

TBD 

Celtics Varsity 

Athletics 

Boys Basketball 

■Jan. ■ 18 at Marmion 

Academy, 7 p.m. 

■Jan. ■ 22 host Nazareth 

Academy, 7 p.m. 

Girls Basketball 

■Jan. ■ 17 at St. Francis, 

6 p.m. 

with 3:15 left in the third 

quarter. 

That capped a 30-4 total 

blitz in just over an eightminute 

span. Lockport led 

57-36 after three and coasted 

from there. Senior Quinn 

Gardner (7 points) and fellow 

guard junior Jake Kaczmarek 

(6 points) came off 

the bench to contribute for 

the Porters. Sophomore 

guard Jolo Amoranto (15 

points) led the Thunderbolts. 

Two days later, on Friday, 

Jan. 11, Lockport hosted 

Homewood-Flossmoor in 

a big SWSC Blue battle. 

There, the Vikings came 

up big down the stretch and 

pulled out a 51-44 win. 

Ferriter and Karli (6 rebounds) 

led Lockport (9-5, 

1-1) with 10 points apiece. 

Halatek added nine rebounds 

and six points. Senior 

forward Issac Stanback 

(16 points, 12 rebounds) 

and junior forward RJ 

Ogom (14 points) led H-F 

(11-4, 3-0). 

Lockport led by as many 

as eight points in the first 

half. The Porters had leads 

of 18-16 after one quarter 

and 27-24 at halftime. But 

H-F had a 16-4 burst to start 

the third quarter for a 40- 

31 lead. Lockport, which 

trailed 40-35 after three, 

then embarked on an 11-0 

run and went ahead at 42- 

40 with 5:02 remaining in 

regulation on a 3-pointer by 

Ferriter. 

But with the game tied 

at 42-42 with two minutes 

to play, the Porters turned 

it over as Stanback made a 

steal. He got the ball to senior 

guard Oscar Parrish III 

(9 points), who completed 

an old-fashioned 3-point 

play to give the Vikings the 

lead for good. Then with 

1:20 left, Ogom drove to 

■Jan. ■ 19 vs. Resurrection (at 

Mother McAuley), TBA 

■Jan. ■ 21 host Joliet West, 

2:30 p.m. 

■Jan. ■ 24 at Mother McAuley, 

6:30 p.m. 

Wrestling 

■Jan. ■ 19 at CCL 

Championships (at Mt. 

Carmel), 10:30 a.m. 

■Jan. ■ 24 host Mt. Carmel, 

6 p.m. 

Boys Bowling 

■Jan. ■ 19 at IHSA Sectionals 

(at Orland Bowl), TBA 

Hockey 

■Jan. ■ 17 at Brother Rice (at 

Oak Lawn Ice Arena), 7 p.m. 

Competitive Cheerleading 

■Jan. ■ 19 at Fremd High 

School, TBA 

Competitive Dance 

■Jan. ■ 19 at IHSA Sectional 

(at Geneva), TBA 

the basket and got fouled by 

Halatek. He made both free 

throws for a 47-42 lead, and 

Halatek fouled out on the 

play. 

“H-F is big, talented, 

patient, tough and wellcoached,” 

Hespell said. 

“That makes it very difficult 

to win. I just need to do a 

better job coaching them to 

make better decisions and 

cleaning up some details. 

“We had a tough time rebounding 

in crucial spots, 

and I thought their physicality 

on defense really took us 

out of our rhythm for large 

stretches of the game. It was 

nice to see Tommy Ferriter 

play a second-straight really 

nice game. He threw down a 

breakaway dunk in the first 

quarter.” 

At 6 p.m. this Friday, Jan. 

18, brings the modern-day 

rivalry game as Lockport 

takes on Sandburg in an 

SWSC Blue game in Orland 

Park. 

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36 | January 17, 2019 | The Homer Horizon sports 


Legendary Lockport basketball coach earns 300th win 

Lawrence Thompson Jr. 

compiled 245 victories in 

tenure with Porters 

Randy Whalen, Freelance Reporter 

Lawrence Thompson Jr. never 

thought about reaching 300 wins 

as a varsity basketball coach. 

But that’s exactly what the former 

Lockport Township boys basketball 

coach accomplished earlier 

this month. Now the head boys 

basketball coach at Joliet Central, 

he reached the milestone on Jan. 4 

when his Steelmen squad defeated 

Crete-Monee 52-26 in Joliet. 

Now in his 19th season as a head 

coach, Thompson has come a long 

way since he started at Lockport 

in a pre-employment program as 

part of the co-op department back 

in the 1982-1983 school year. 

“No, you don’t think about 

that,” Thompson said of reaching 

300 victories. “When I started at 

Lockport, Bob Basarich was there, 

and he finished with 496 wins. Before 

I got there, his [1977-1978] 

team had won the state title and 

his teams won 20 games every 

year. Through Bob, I got to meet 

coaches like [West Aurora’s] Gordie 

Kerkman and [Rich Central’s] 

Ron Brauer. 

“I was just a young coach trying 

to find my way. I just wanted to 

keep going.” 

Thompson certainly kept going. 

He was at Lockport for 33 years 

and coached some level of basketball 

every year there. He spent 

the final 16 seasons there as a 

head coach. When he retired from 

Lockport following the 2014-2015 

school year, his time coaching the 

Porters ended. 

But that wasn’t the end of the 

line for his coaching career. 

“Even when I retired from 

education, I wanted to coach,” 

Thompson said. “An opportunity 

came along, and it was close to 

home. That was good. My wife 

[Rita] and I still live in Lockport 

and really didn’t want to relocate.” 

In the 2015-2016 school year, 

Thompson, who still works at 

Lockport Township as a dean’s assistant, 

was the sophomore coach 

at Joliet West. But once the Steelmen 

job opened across town, he 

took that opportunity and ran with 

it. 

“It’s just a blessing to be here,” 

Thompson said of Joliet Central. 

“Jeff Corcoran got this program 

back on track before I got here. 

Now the kids are working hard 

and taking pride in what they do.” 

One of the players who has 

that pride is senior Jared King. 

A three-sport athlete, he was the 

quarterback on the Steelmen football 

team, can play all five positions 

on the basketball team and is 

a pitcher on the baseball team. He 

appreciates what Thompson has 

taught him. 

“He’s a Lockport legend,” King 

said of Thompson. “He stresses the 

fundamentals a lot. Not all coaches 

stress that. He stresses things 

like the jump/stop move. Toward 

me, he’s also stressed leadership. 

[As a team], we’ve made a name 

for ourselves. Now we just have to 

keep pushing forward.” 

That’s something the Steelmen 

have done. They had a record of 

9-5 record heading into last Friday’s 

home game against Minooka. 

They have finished with a 23-6 

record each and won a regional 

title each of the last two seasons. 

After going 245-201 in his 16 seasons 

as head coach for the Porters, 

Thompson added 55 wins in twoand-a-half 

years at Joliet Central. 

But there was great success at 

Lockport, too. Thompson won six 

regional titles and had a flurry of 

success between the 2005-2006 

and 2011-2012 seasons. There 

were no losing seasons during that 

time as the Porters won a trio of 

conference titles, along with five 

regional championships. They 

also had four years of at least 21 

wins in a five-season span. 

That was a period of success 

that hadn’t been seen at Lockport 

in more than 20 years, and 

his teams won an unprecedented 

three-straight sectional titles, 

capped off by a fourth-place finish 

in Class 4A in March 2008. 

There are numerous games that 

Thompson talks about from that 

time. But two of the forgotten ones 

Former Lockport boys basketball coach Lawrence Thompson Jr. 

(pictured here in 2012) coached at LTHS for 33 years and recently 

earned his 300th win as a head coach. 22nd Century Media File Photo 

were a 64-54 overtime victory 

against top-seeded Bolingbrook in 

the regional title game on March 

3, 2006. That started the run of 

postseason success. Also, on Jan. 

20, 2007, the Porters stunned West 

Aurora 58-50 to end the Blackhawks’ 

60-game home winning 

streak, which was the fifth longest 

in state history. 

Thompson is a 1977 Joliet East 

graduate. There, he played basketball 

but excelled at cross country 

and track, placing fifth in the state 

in Class AA in the 880-yard run in 

1977 for the Kingsmen. He came 

to Lockport shortly after graduating 

from Lewis University. He 

was in the Co-op Department for 

10 years before moving to the 

Physical Education Department 

for 13 years and becoming a dean 

in his final decade at the school. 

Right away at Lockport, 

Thompson got involved in coaching 

basketball and cross country. 

His best success came as a cross 

country coach. There, he was the 

head coach for 13 years, talking 

seven teams to state. His final 

four seasons being the pinnacle 

as the Porters finished in the top 

four each year from 1995 to 1998. 

Included in that was back-to-back 

Class AA state titles in 1996 and 

1997 

“Wins and losses don’t always 

tell you if you’re doing a good 

job,” Thompson said. “Teaching 

kids the fundamentals and having 

them continue to work hard is rewarding, 

too.” 

A trio of former Porter players 

under Thompson have gone on to 

play professionally. The first was 

Alando Tucker, who was an NBA 

first-round draft choice in 2007. 

Also, Richaun Holmes, a current 

forward for the Phoenix Suns and 

Karrington Ward, currently with 

the Windy City Bulls in the NBA 

G League, were both 2011 Lockport 

grads. 

But Thompson has also influenced 

others to coach. Take current 

Porters boys basketball coach, 

Brett Hespell. A 2001 Lockport 

graduate, Hespell played two seasons 

with Thompson as his coach. 

Later, he was an assistant under 

Thompson before replacing him 

as head coach in the 2015-2016 

season. 

“Having the opportunity to 

both play for and coach alongside 

Larry Thompson gave me a 

unique chance to get to know a 

great coach and even better man,” 

Hespell said. “Three words come 

to mind when I think of Thomp: 

loyalty, enthusiasm and class. 

“He was always willing to stick 

by players and coaches through 

thick and thin. His enthusiasm for 

basketball is off the charts. He was 

always ready to bring energy to 

any practice, and his ‘happy dances’ 

after big wins are the stuff of 

legend. Mostly, he exudes class. 

His respect for everyone, as well 

as the game of basketball, defines 

who he is as a person and leader. 

“His basketball coaching accomplishments 

should stand for themselves. 

His teams always come 

into games prepared, they improve 

throughout the course of a season 

and they are some of the top defensive 

teams year in and year out.” 

The Porters will travel to Joliet 

Central on Jan. 29 to take 

on Thompson’s Steelmen. It’s a 

matchup that has gone on the past 

few years and the coaches hope 

will continue for years to come. 

“I have no plans to stop,” said 

Thompson, who will turn 60 on 

July 15. “That’s not always in 

your control, but my mind is still 

sharp, and I’m healthy. I love basketball. 

As long as I can relate to 

the kids. You just have to hit them 

between the eyes with the truth 

and make them believe that the 

sky is the limit.” 

high school 

highlights 

The rest of the week in high 

school sports 

Wrestling 

Lockport 63, Stagg 5 

Ryan Schenk (285) recorded a 

pin in 1:06 to help Lockport to a 

dominant win Thursday, Jan. 10, 

against Stagg. Jacob Lukaszczyk 

(120), Anthony Molton (126), Jake 

D’Angelo (138), Malik Daghash 

(170) and Mike Kinney (182) also 

recorded pins for the Porters during 

the dominant victory. 

Compiled by Contributing Editor Max 

Lapthorne, max@lockportlegend.com.



Boys Bowling 

Porters make cut as team for Andrew Sectional 

LTHS has four bowlers 

average over 200 to 

place third at regional 

Randy Whalen, Freelance Reporter 

The math was simple for the 

Lockport Township boys bowling 

team. 

Finish in the Top 4 as a team, and 

move on. If not, the team portion of 

the season was over. 

The Porters are moving on. 

With four bowlers averaging 

better than 200, Lockport placed 

third in the Bolingbrook Regional, 

which was held on Saturday, Jan. 

12, at Brunswick Zone in Woodridge. 

Plainfield South (6,290), which 

won the state championship in the 

2009-2010 season, captured the regional 

title. That was the first one 

for the Cougars in school history. 

Plainfield North (6,119), Lockport 

(6,066) and Plainfield Central 

(5,978) rounded out the Top 4 

teams, which advance to the Andrew 

Sectional, which will be held 

this Saturday, Jan. 19, at Orland 

Bowl in Orland Park. 

Oswego (5,865) finished in 

fifth, 113 pins out of the final spot. 

Oswego East (5,650) was sixth, 

followed by Yorkville (5,525), 

Bolingbrook (5,409), Plainfield 

East (5,338), Mendota (5,236), 

Romeoville (5,161) and Lemont 

(4,923), which rounded out the 

Top 12 teams. 

“We live to bowl another day,” 

Lockport coach Ron Davis said. 

“It was a grind all day, but we were 

able to stay ahead of Oswego and 

Oswego East. Our low game was 

a 938 [in Game 5], so we stayed 

away from the bad game.” 

The Porters high game was a 

1,085 in the sixth and final one. 

That moved them back into third 

place. But either third or fourth, 

the name of the game was to advance. 

“That’s how the [Brunswick 

Zone in Woodridge] is,” Davis 

said. “It was good. Our Top 4 

guys were all within [57 pins] of 

Lockport’s Jimmy Kontos rolled a 1,212, with a high score of 255 in Game 2, in helping his squad to a third-place finish at the Bolingbrook Regional 

Saturday, Jan. 12, at Brunswick Zone in Woodridge. 22nd century media file photo 

each other. Sometimes, we got a 

little too tied up in the highs and 

lows, but Jimmy Rozhon got some 

strikes when we needed them.” 

Rozhon, one of four seniors in 

the regional lineup, finished with 

the second-highest score on the 

team with a total of 1,250. His high 

was 245 in the fourth game. 

“We came in and knew what we 

had to do,” Rozhon said. “If we 

did that, we’d be fine. But in the 

sectional bowling, we have to be 

better because there’s better competition. 

But we want to get back 

to state.” 

The Porters won a regional title 

last season but missed the cutoff 

for state for the first time since 

2012. 

Senior Evan Pleshar (1,269, high 

of 225 in Game 6) led Lockport in 

last week’s regional. Then came Rozhon, 

and junior Ray Bufka (1,238, 

high of 235 in Game 6) followed. 

Sophomore Jimmy Kontos (1,212, 

high of 255 in Game 2) rounded out 

the four Porter bowlers that rolled 

every game. Caleb Derrig (570, 

high of 193 in Game 4) bowled the 

final three games, while fellow senior 

Jake Grau (527, high of 203 in 

Game 2) was in the lineup for the 

first three games. 

Obviously, the Porters are happy 

to advance to the sectional. But 

they know with 16 good teams 

there, they will have to bowl better 

this weekend. 

“We had four guys leave an open 

in one frame,” Davis said of the 

regional. “That shouldn’t happen 

in the regional and can’t happen 

in the sectional if we hope to advance. 

I figure there are 11 teams 

that can pop out of the sectional 

and six make it to state. It’s going 

to be tough, but I tell the guys that 

our goal is to beat 10 teams. If we 

do, we advance to state.” 

Provi bowler from Homer Glen 

qualifies for sectional 

At the Minooka Regional, which 

was also held on Saturday, Jan. 

12, at Channahon Lanes in Channahon, 

Providence senior Adam 

Kowalik qualified for this weekend’s 

sectional at Orland Bowl. 

The Homer Glen resident, who has 

committed to St. Ambrose University 

to continue his bowling career, 

had the third-best score of the 10 

individual qualifiers with a sixgame 

pinfall total of 1,276. 

As a team, Providence placed 

eighth out of 14 teams with a score 

of 5,599. Joliet West (6,636) was 

the sectional champion. 

The State Finals will be held on 

Friday, Jan. 25 and Saturday, Jan 

26, at St. Clair Bowl in O’Fallon.

38 | January 17, 2019 | The Homer Horizon sports 


Post play continues powering Porters 

Lockport splits pair 

of conference tilts 

Randy Whalen 


The big man. 

Post play seems to be a 

lost art in basketball, where 

so much of the action involves 

the guards, 3-point 

shooting and the transition 

game. 

The Lockport Township 

boys basketball team, however, 

boasts not one but two 

big guys standing 6-foot-5 

or taller. Those are 6-foot-8 

senior Tommy Halatek and 

6-foot-5 junior Tommy Ferriter. 

The “Tommy Twins” both 

made their presence felt last 

week as the Porters split a 

pair of games. 

First was a 70-54 win 

over Andrew on Jan, 9 in a 

SouthWest Suburban Conference 

crossover in Tinley 

Park. In that game, Halatek 

finished with 14 points and 

11 rebounds, while Ferriter 

finished with nine points, 

seven boards, three assists 

and two blocks. 

Senior guard Matt Hatzopoulos 

led Lockport with 18 

points on 4-of-6 shooting 

from 3-point land. 

“It’s definitely a luxury 

for us,” Lockport coach 

Brett Hespell said of having 

two effective post players. 

“Tommy Ferriter gives 

us a little bit of everything. 

He can score, rebound and 

he’s just so versatile. He 

can play point guard for us 

if needed.” 

That would be the difference 

between the two 

players. Halatek is more 

of a classic center. Against 

Andrew, he had seven rebounds 

in the first quarter 

alone and scored 13 of his 

points in the first half. He 

sat out the final 14 minutes 

of the game as the Porters 

emptied the bench and had 

nine players score. 

“I will take a game where 

[senior point guard] Jake 

Karli didn’t score, and we 

won like this,” said Hespell, 

who also added that 

playing at least two games 

every week from here on 

out should get his team in a 

good rhythm. 

Things are usually in a 

good rhythm with the “Tommy 

Twins” on the floor. 

“It lets us spread the floor 

and gives us an opportunity 

to have some guys pop 

some threes,” Ferriter said 

of what can happen when 

the defense sags on him or 

Halatek. “But over the summer, 

I played a little guard. 

I’m still in the process of 

using my length and playing 

all over the floor. 

“We’re in a good rhythm, 

and we have made a good 

culture here. But we want to 

keep that up and continue to 

step forward with that winning 

success.” 

Andrew (1-16 through 

Jan. 11) hung with the Porters 

during the first quarter. 

There were two ties and 

five lead changes, and the 

score was tied at 15-15 after 

one quarter. Lockport 

took the lead for good with 

a 7-0 run to open the second 

quarter. 

Ahead 23-22, Lockport 

went on a 16-4 spurt over 

the last 3:36 of the half that 

was capped on a 3-pointer 

by senior guard Blake Sartin 

(5 points) just before 

the buzzer for a 39-26 halftime 

lead. The Porters then 

opened the second half on 

a 14-0 run and had their 

largest lead at 53-26 on a 

3-pointer by senior guard 

Aaron Grcevic (5 points) 

Please see porters, 33 

Lockport’s Jacob Karli fires a pass to Tommy Ferriter Jan. 9 during the Porters’ victory over Andrew in Tinley Park. 

Photos by Jeff Vorva/22nd Century Media 

Lockport’s Tommy Ferriter hauls in a rebound against the Thunderbolts in his team’s 70-54 win in the SouthWest Suburban 

Conference crossover game.



fastbreak 

22nd century media file 

photo 

1st and 3 

LTHS girls bowling 

brushes up for 

postseason 

1. Close match 

The Lockport girls 

bowling team fell to 

Lincoln-Way Central 

by a final of 1,763- 

1,740 on Thursday, 

Jan. 10, at Strike 

and Spare II, but 

it was a chance to 

let seven different 

individuals bowl for 

the Porters. 

2. Taking away positives 

Morgan Lane paced 

the Porters, rolling 

a 406 total in two 

games and getting 

the high game of 

the day with a 230 

in the opener, which 

her team won 892- 

864. 

3. Other top contributors 

Senior Talia Roti 

(173, 162) got a 

335, while junior 

Maci Minarcik (178, 

151) bowled a 329 

for Lockport in the 

match against the 

Knights. 

Girls Bowling 

Porters give new bowlers experience in match versus Knights 

Team readies 

for upcoming 

conference 

tournament 

Randy Whalen 


This season, probably 

more than any other, the 

Lockport Township girls 

bowling team has seen its 

lineup in flux. 

That was the case again 

last week as the Porters 

pulled out some of their 

more regular bowlers during 

a SouthWest Suburban 

Conference varsity match. 

The bad news for Lockport 

is it lost the match to 

Lincoln-Way Central by 

a count of 1,763-1,740 on 

Thursday, Jan. 10, at Strike 

and Spare II in Lockport. It 

was the first conference loss 

for the Porters (19-6, 5-1) 

this season. 

But the good news is the 

conference dual meets don’t 

count toward the standings 

this season. It all comes 

down to the end-of-theseason 

SWSC Tournament, 

which will be held this upcoming 

weekend. The other 

bit of good news is that 

more girls got to experience 

bowling on the varsity. 

“More than ever,” Lockport 

coach Art Cwudzinski 

said of moving his lineup 

around this season. “We 

want to give everyone a 

chance to bowl varsity and 

see what they can do.” 

Jessica Ramirez had a 619 series with a high game of 232 to lead the Porters to victory in 

matchup Jan. 7 against Joliet Central in Lockport. 22nd Century Media File Photo 

After winning the first 

game 892-864, Lockport 

dropped the second one 

899-848. 

“We had seven different 

people bowl, and all these 

girls are capable of bowling 

varsity,” Cwudzinski said. 

“We missed seven onepin 

spares in the last game 

alone. We had too many bad 

shots, and that’s what we 

have to eliminate.” 

Morgan Lane led Lockport 

with a 406 total in the 

two games, including the 

high game of the day with a 

230 in the opener. 

“I think everyone needs 

to do a good job and put 

forth their best effort,” 

Lane, a junior, said. “Everyone 

bowled to get that experience 

for the tournament. I 

didn’t feel any other pressure. 

It’s the same as bowling 

on the JV, except with 

different people. 

“We just have to keep 

practicing, even outside of 

practice. We have to keep 

pushing, and, as always, 

making spares is the key.” 

Senior Talia Roti (173, 

162) had a 335, and junior 

Maci Minarcik (178, 151) 

bowled a 329 for Lockport. 

Junior Zoe Ditter (164) and 

senior Katelyn Bacys (147) 

bowled the first game, while 

sophomore Meghan Bacys 

(199) and senior Hannah 

Egner (160) rolled the second 

game for the Porters. 

Freshman Abby Nolan 

(189, 225) led Lincoln-Way 

Central (6-3, 4-2) with a 

match-high 414 total. Seniors 

Kalei Bass (212, 158) 

with a 370, Maddie Conroy 

(174, 188) who had a 362, 

Kate Marszalek (153, 171) 

with a 324 and Marianna 

Hristakos (136, 157) with a 

293, rounded out the scores 

for the Knights, who lost to 

Lincoln-Way East 1,653- 

1,629 in a SWSC match on 

Jan. 8 at Laraway Lanes in 

New Lenox. 

“I’m very happy,” said 

Central coach Steve Paulsen, 

who beat Lockport for the 

first time in eight years as 

Knights coach. “We approached 

it not that we were 

bowling Lockport, but that 

we were bowling ourselves. 

We bowled fantastic. We 

will take what it is and focus 

on us. It shows that the girls 

can bowl with anyone.” 

The Porters know that 

they can bowl with anyone. 

It’s just a matter of doing it. 

“Lincoln-Way Central 

has some talent and does 

a nice job getting spares,” 

Cwudzinski said. “Our girls 

are starting to separate a 

bit. I’m still not sure of the 

lineup, but we’ve had way 

too many splits. [In Game 2 

against Central], we lost 16 

pins in one frame. We can’t 

do that and be successful.” 

Earlier in the week, on 

Jan. 7, Lockport hosted Joliet 

Central in a nonconference 

match at Strike and 

Spare II. The Porters won 

3,320-3,162 in a threegame 

match. Junior Jessica 

Ramirez had a 619 series 

with a high game of 232, and 

sophomore Chloe Siezega 

had a 587 series. For Joliet 

Central, senior Tara Tindall 

had a 616 series and a high 

game of 210. Junior Heidi 

Johnson, whose dad, Mike, 

is a Lockport graduate, had 

a 542 series for the Steelmen. 

Lockport finished last 

week on Saturday, Jan. 12, 

at the Fred Green Classic, 

hosted by Fenton at Wood 

Dale Bowl. This week, the 

Porters faced Lincoln-Way 

East on Tuesday, Jan. 15, at 

Thunder Bowl in Mokena. 

At 4:30 p.m. this Thursday, 

Jan. 17, they are slated to 

host Lincoln-Way West. 

The SWSC Tournament is 

this Saturday, Jan. 19, starting 

at 8 a.m. at Strike and 

Spare II. 

LISTEN UP 

“We had seven different people bowl, and all these 

girls are capable of bowling varsity.” 

Art Cwudzinski — LTHS girls bowling coach, on his belief 

in the team 

Tune In 

Girls Bowling 

Tourney time — 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, SWSC Tournament 

at Strike and Spare II 

• The Porters host the conference competition, looking 

to begin a run to state. 

Index 

33 - Athlete of the Week 

33 - This Week In 

FASTBREAK is compiled by Editor Thomas Czaja, tom@ 

homerhorizon.com.

homer glen’s Hometown Newspaper | www.homerhorizon.com | January 17, 2019 

Lockport boys basketball team 

looking like a team few will want to 

face in postseason, Page 38 

Eyes forward 

LTHS girls bowling loses 

match against Central 

but looks primed for 

postseason, Page 39 

Mr. 300 Longtime 

Lockport boys basketball 

coach earns 300th career 

victory, Page 36 

Lockport’s Tommy Halatek lets out a roar 

as the buzzer sounds for halftime Jan. 9 

during his team’s road win over Andrew. 

Jeff Vorva/22nd Century Media 

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