MK_060619

® 

CHI-TOWN 5K North 

side vs. south side in annual 

Mokena parks race, Page 4 

$100K face-lift 

Village Board approves contract for 

downtown streetscaping, Page 7 

Get snippy Latest Cutting Values offers 

plenty of reasons to bust out your favorite 

pair of scissors, Inside 

mokena’s Award-Winning Hometown Newspaper mokenamessenger.com • June 6, 2019 • Vol. 11 No. 43 • $1 

A 

Publication 

,LLC 

‘Junior’ no more 

MJH eighth-graders make transition to high-schoolers, Page 3 

Mokena Junior High Principal Mike Rolinitis address the eighth-grade Class of 2019 during their 

graduation ceremony Friday, May 31, at Lincoln-Way Central High School. Lee Cruz/22nd Century Media 

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2 | June 6, 2019 | the mokena messenger calendar 

mokenamessenger.com 

In this week’s 

Messenger 

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

Pet of the Week.............10 

Editorial........................13 

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

The Scene......................22 

Classifieds................ 26-33 

The Mokena 

Messenger 

ph: 708.326.9170 fx: 708.326.9179 

Editor 

TJ Kremer III, x29 

tj@mokenamessenger.com 

sports editor 

Steve Millar, ext 34 

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real estate sales 

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classifieds/Legal Notices 

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Bill Jones, x20 

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president 

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EDITORIAL DESIGN DIRECTOR 

Nancy Burgan, x30 

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Published by 

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THURSDAY 

Free music in the park 

7 p.m. June 6, Yunker 

Park, 10824 W. LaPorte 

Road in Mokena. 4th Point 

will perform. This is a free 

event. For more information, 

visit Mokena Community 

Park District’s 

website at mokenapark. 

com, or call (708) 390- 

2401. 

SATURDAY 

Mokena Fire’s Family Fun 

Day 

Noon-2 p.m., June 8, 

Mokena Fire Station No. 

1, 19853 S. Wolf Road in 

Mokena. This event will 

include lots of fun & educational 

activities, including 

Dress the Firefighter; 

Play Water Ball; Stop, 

Drop, and Roll; Touch 

a Truck; and Put out the 

house fire. In addition 

to these activities, a free 

lunch will be served. There 

are no fees for this event 

and everyone is welcome. 

For more information, visit 

mokenafire.org. 

Pride Fest 

Noon-8 p.m. June 8, 

Yunker Farm, 10824 W. 

LaPorte Road in Mokena. 

This year marks the 50th 

anniversary of the gay 

pride movement and Instill 

Pride would like to recognize 

this momentous event 

in our country’s history 

with a day of fun and inclusion. 

Admission is free. 

For more information, call 

(708) 529-9328, or email 

instillpridechicago@ 

gmail.com. 

Monday 

Emily McCabe Summer 

Theatre Program 

Registration is open 

through June 10 or until 

registration is full. Participation 

is open to children 

in grades kindergarten 

through eighth grade. This 

four-week camp begins 

June 10. Grades K-3 will 

perform “The Bear Went 

Over the Mountain,” and 

grades 4-8 will perform 

“Frozen.” Camp cost is 

$395. For more information 

or to register, visit cct. 

regfox.com/17th-annualemily-mccabe-musicaltheatre-program. 

Village Board Meeting 

7 p.m., Village Hall, 

11004 Carpenter St. in 

Mokena. 

UPCOMING 

Free movie in the park 

8:15 p.m. June 13, Yunker 

Park, 10824 W. LaPorte 

Road in Mokena. Mokena 

Community Park District 

will show “Harry Potter 

& The Sorcerer’s Stone.” 

Visit mokenapark.com for 

an optional event, Father’s 

Day at Hogwarts, for children 

and dads before the 

movie. Pre-registration 

required. Movie rain date 

June 18. 

Gina Marie Glam Camp 

June 12-13 and June 19- 

20, Ginamarie Skincenter 

9850 W. 190th St. Unit 

B1 in Mokena. Two day 

camp dedicated to inspiring 

adolescent minds on 

what it means to be strong, 

beautiful and confident 

young women. For children 

in fifth-eighth grades. 

Includes mini skincare Kit, 

Glam Camp T-shirt and 

information to last a lifetime. 

For more information, 

call (800) 452-2116, 

or visit ginamarieproducts. 

com/glam-camp. 

Ladies Night Out - Summer 

Social 

5-8 p.m. Thursday, June 

13, Orland Park Crossing, 

14225 95th Ave., Orland 

Park. Free event featuring 

music, a fashion show, and 

a variety of vendors with 

health tips and screenings, 

fashion and beauty, food, 

home decor, shopping, and 

more. Free tote bags to the 

first 200 people. Fashion 

show by Jenny Applegate 

of The Leading Image. 

Make-and-take project 

with DIY Sign Party (additional 

cost). For more information 

and registration, 

visit 22ndcenturymedia. 

com/events. 

Annual Flea Market and 

Antique Show 

9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 

15, Marley Community 

Church, 12625 W 187th 

St. in Mokena. Rain or 

shine. Vendors welcome. 

$50 per space. Enjoy this 

mostly outdoor event under 

the shade trees in our 

park. Food booth available, 

homemade pies, traditional 

BBQ sandwiches 

and much more. Indoor 

Church White Elephant 

Booth. Register at marley 

church.org under “events” 

or call (825) 485-8587 for 

info. 

ONGOING 

Kindergarten Registration 

Drive 

8 a.m.-4 p.m. Ongoing. 

District Administrative 

Center, 20100 South 

Spruce Drive in Frankfort. 

Summit Hill School 

District’s 2019-20 kindergarten 

registration drive 

continues. Parents may 

access studentregistration. 

org to review the checklist 

of documents needed 

for registration. Parents 

have the option of enrolling 

their kindergartener in 

the extended day program 

or the half-day program. 

Registration fee for extended 

day is $150. Registration 

fee for half day is 

$125. Payment options are 

available. 

Mokena Fire Protection 

CPR Class 

6-9:30 p.m. Ongoing. 

Mokena Fire Station 

1, 19853 S. Wolf Road, 

Moknea. The Mokena Fire 

Protection District offers 

monthly CPR classes for 

the public. Students are instructed 

in adult, child and 

infant CPR and AED. The 

cost of the class is $35 for 

Community CPR and $40 

Healthcare CPR. Register 

for specific dates at mokenafire.org. 

Lincoln-Way Toastmasters 

7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 

Frankfort Village Hall, 432 

Nebraska Street, Frankfort. 

Meets the 1st and 3rd 

Thursday of each month. 

Toastmasters is a community 

based organization 

whose primarily goal is 

to help people overcome 

their fear of public speaking 

while also developing 

leadership skills. 

3D Printer Class 

10-11 a.m. every third 

Saturday of the month, 

Mokena Community Public 

Library District, 11327 

W. 195th St. Visit the YA 

Computer Lab to create 

3-D nameplates with our 

LIST IT YOURSELF 

Reach out to thousands of daily 

users by submitting your event at 

MokenaMessenger.com/calendar 

For just print*, email all information to 

m.schuller@22ndcm.com 

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

Correction 

In the May 30 issue 

in the Providence 

Catholic High School 

graduation story, the 

name of a club was 

incorrectly identified. 

The correct name of 

the club is Kairos. 

Makerbot 2x 3-D Printer. 

Call (708) 479-9663 for 

more information. 

Mobile Workforce Center 

1:30-3:30 p.m. Fridays, 

Mokena Community 

Public Library, 11327 W. 

195th St., Mokena. The 

Mobile Workforce Center 

travels to communities 

throughout Will County. 

Township Trip to Ireland 

Register now for the 

Frankfort Township’s trip 

to Ireland Oct. 15-22. 

Visit the Emerald Isle for 

a night’s stay in a castle, 

stand on the Cliffs of Moher 

and tour Dublin. There 

will be whiskey tastings, 

visits to churches and other 

historic sites including 

the Blarney Stone and the 

Blarney Castle. For more 

information, call Jodi at 

(815) 806-2766. 

Mokena Ladies Group 

7 p.m. Tuesdays, St. 

Peter’s United Church of 

Christ, 12 W. Sauk Trail, 

Frankfort. All women are 

welcome. For more information, 

call (815) 469- 

2220.

mokenamessenger.com news 

the mokena messenger | June 6, 2019 | 3 

Students’ growth in spirit and 

knowledge shine at graduation 

Lee Cruz, Freelance Reporter 

An abundantly positive 

spirit filled the air throughout 

the Mokena Junior 

High School Class of 

2019 graduation ceremony 

held at Lincoln-Way High 

School on Friday, May 31. 

Featured speakers shared 

valuable life lessons, offered 

helpful suggestions, 

and provided a high level 

of encouragement to the 

graduates throughout the 

occasion, all of which bolstered 

the self-confidence 

of the students in their 

capacity to negotiate the 

transition to high school. 

The program started 

with the Presentation of 

Colors by VFW Post 725, 

the Pledge of Allegiance 

led by classmates Jack 

Barrett and Jackson Moran, 

and a wonderful rendition 

of “The Star Spangled 

Banner” performed by student 

Caitlin Genardo. 

Diplomas were awarded 

to 165 students, with 67 

earning a medallion for 

maintaining at least a 4.67 

grade point average — on 

a 5.33 scale — throughout 

their junior high school 

years, and 27 earned cords 

for completing the required 

number of service 

hours and maintaining the 

GPA standards for membership 

into the National 

Junior Honor Society. 

The welcome remarks 

were presented by student 

Connor McMahon, who 

expressed gratitude for the 

encouragement and support 

the graduates received 

from their elders throughout 

their years at MJH. 

“Our parents, teachers, 

and administrators have all 

furthered our knowledge 

Mokena School District Superintendent Don White 

greets graduating Mokena Junior High eighth-graders 

with their diplomas Friday, May 31 at Lincoln-Way 

Central High School. Diplomas were handed out to 165 

students in the Class of 2019 for MJH. Lee Cruz/22nd 

Century Media 

and increased our ability 

to succeed in life,” Mc- 

Mahom said. “We appreciate 

what all of our teachers 

have done for us, and 

realize the importance of 

education. We will always 

remember these years. 

We have grown not only 

in knowledge, but also in 

spirit.” 

Principal Michael Rolinitis 

then broke away 

from tradition at the ceremony 

by not sharing his 

own words of wisdom for 

the graduates. Instead, he 

turned that honor over to 

Assistant Principal Eric 

Melnyczenko, who will 

be leaving the school for a 

higher administrative role 

with another district. 

Melnyczenko urged the 

graduates to have a strong 

sense of self-belief and to 

work fervently to muscle 

through challenges. 

“I firmly believe the way 

you react, adapt, and take 

action in your life will lead 

you to achieve your goals 

and to lead the life you 

love,” Melnyczenko said. 

He noted how boxing 

star Muhammad Ali’s 

self-belief enabled him 

to achieve greatness even 

though he was not the 

tallest, most muscular or 

strongest boxer on the 

planet. 

“He became the greatest 

of all-time because he 

believed it,” Melnyczenko 

said. “Ali stated, ‘It’s the 

repetition of affirmation 

that leads to belief. And 

once that belief becomes 

a deep conviction, things 

begin to happen.’ 

“As you grow in life 

and become adults, you 

will encounter difficulties, 

challenges and adversities. 

If you are relentless, these 

challenges become more 

acceptable. The more you 

believe in yourself, the 

more you can push your 

boundaries to achieve your 

goals. ... You are the master 

of your fate. You are 

the captain of your soul. 

Be positive and be unstoppable.” 

Superintendent Don 

White also offered the 

graduates some ideas 

on how to thrive in high 

Please see MJH, 10 

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4 | June 6, 2019 | the mokena messenger news 


5K on a not so rainy day 

Yasmeen Sheikah 

Freelance Reporter 

The Chi-town Showdown, 

held by the Mokena 


on Saturday June 1, was 

full of people of all ages 

ready to sprint into the 

warm season. 

The park district prepared 

for all forms of 

weather as the community 

came together to kick off 

the summer run. 

Mokena community 

members came out to the 

Main Park, 10925 W. La- 

Porte Road, Saturday to 

run the new 3.1 mile-long 

course. The event was 

held as a way to promote 

fitness, as well as to bring 

north and south Mokena 

together for some summer 

welcoming fun. 

Despite the stormy forecast, 

the race started out 

with a warm-up in front of 

the main stage just before 

the 8 a.m. start. The runners 

got their heart rate up 

by doing simple jogs in 

place, along with stretches. 

There were about 280 

people in attendance, some 

under the age of 10, who 

were able to run the Kid’s 

Dash. 

Runners were also given 

goodie bags filled with bug 

spray, sunglasses, a frisbee 

and more. This was given 

by the park district’s volunteers 

as well as the race 

sponsors. Those who registered 

for the event prior 

to May 18 were also given 

a 5K T-shirt to wear the 

day or the race. 

After all the races were 

complete awards were given 

to best overall male and 

female, as well as Top 3 in 

each given age group. 

The annual event brings 

many friends and families 

together, such as Lauren 

Sanders and Daryl Dahlberg. 

“We’re best buddies,” 

Sanders said. “We love 

running races together, and 

this one was a lot of fun.” 

“The scenery is really 

nice because you get to see 

all of the forest preserves, 

which is much nicer than 

running through the neighborhoods,” 

Dahlberg said 

referring to previous locations 

the race was held. “I 

finished in about 33 minutes.” 

Families have been 

coming out to the event 

for years. Rebecca Mott 

said she had been walking 

these trails since her 

son Tyler Mott was in a 

Runner make their way toward the finish line of Mokena Community Park District’s annual Chi-Town Showdown 5K 

Saturday, June 1. Photos by Yasmeen Sheikah/22nd Century Media 

stroller. The Mott’s have 

been regulars attendees of 

the race, but say this was 

not their best. 

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2nd place, respectively, in the 15-19 age group.



Patrick Mizwicki 5K supports education, community 

Laurie Fanelli 


The over 300 participants 

who signed up to run 

or walk the course of the 

Patrick Mizwicki Strive 

for 5 Foundation 5K were 

surrounded by inspiration 

as they gathered at the 

starting line near Breidert 

Green Park. 

Proceeds from the Saturday, 

June 1 event, which 

benefited the Patrick Mizwicki 

Strive for 5 Foundation, 

provided $1,000 

scholarships for four 

Lincoln-Way East seniors 

who all epitomize the five 

pillars — determination, 

sportsmanship, hard work, 

friend to everyone and do 

your best — of the foundation 

and its namesake, Patrick 

Mizicki. 

Along with the scholarship 

recipients, Mizwicki, 

who was fatally struck 

at the age of 14 by a vehicle 

in 2011 while running 

with his cross country 

team, was a big source of 

inspiration throughout the 

morning as his memory 

encouraged participants to 

dig deep, do their best and 

help each other, just as he 

always did. 

Mark Zelenika, the 

foundation’s president and 

Patrick’s Frankfort Eagles 

baseball coach for seven 

years, explained that he 

sees Patrick’s hustle and 

heart in the participants of 

the annual 5K. 

“This is a community 

event. Patrick left an indelible 

mark on not only his 

classmates, but the entire 

community because of the 

kind of kid he was,” Zelenika 

said. “He was one of 

those kids who may not 

Runners beginning the Patrick Mizwicki Strive for 

5 Foundation 5K along Old Plank Road Trail. Laurie 

Fanelli/22nd Century Media 

have been the most talented 

baseball player, but 

he exuded confidence, excitement 

and he had the 

will to go do whatever you 

needed him to do. He was 

just that kind of kid. It’s 

such a loss for society that 

we lost Patrick because I 

really do believe he would 

have went on to do something 

great.” 

Patrick’s mother, 

JoAnne Mizwicki, noted 

her son’s drive and perseverance. 

Despite not being 

selected as a member of the 

Lincoln-Way East baseball 

team as an incoming freshman, 

he kept a positive 

attitude and switched his 

focus to cross country. 

“He loved running. He 

loved the camaraderie of 

the team,” she said. “He 

was a real go-getter and 

unified everybody. He was 

a fun person to be around 

so he blended with those 

kids really well.” 

In the foundation’s 

eight-year existence, 

$60,000 has been awarded 

to Lincoln-Way East students 

as scholarships in 

Patrick’s name. This year’s 

recipients — Tyler Keuch, 

Maggie Alexa, Alexis 

Storen and Gage Palmer 

— were each selected due 

to excellent applications 

and compelling essays detailing 

how they exemplify 

the five pillars of the foundation. 

Palmer has plans to use 

his scholarship towards an 

11-week program to get 

his commercial driver’s license. 

He will then begin 

the process to follow in his 

father’s footsteps by applying 

for Local 150’s apprenticeship 

program. 

“I think it’s awesome 

how everything comes together 

and how a job site 

can start out as grass and 

become a 30-story building,” 

Palmer said. “I will 

be applying for Local 150 

in November. Hopefully, 

I can get into the apprenticeship 

program as fast as 

I can.” 

Hugs, high fives and 

smiles were generously 

exchanged from Strive 

for 5 Foundation 5K participants 

as the event felt 

more like a gathering of 

Please see Mizwicki, 9 

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Live on the Lawn 

Joanne DeAdam (left to right), of New Lenox; Lauren McIntyre, of Mokena; Jenni 

Coleman, of Monee; and Kelly Lieser, of Frankfort, enjoy the first 2019 Live on 

the Lawn event at the Village Common in New Lenox Sunday June 2. Laurie 

Fanelli/22nd Century Media 

town 

From Page 4 

“I walk this trail all the 

time. It’s basically my 

backyard,” Rebecca Mott 

said. “I have an injury and 

did not do as well as I had 

hoped, but I still came out 

because I love how the 

community comes together 

for an exercise event.” 

Although he has asthma, 

Tyler Mott, 13, scored an 

impressive 33rd place and 

said it was really fun. 

“I love coming to runs, 

my mom is the reason I 

come out, we have a great 

time together,” he said. 

An event that takes 

place once a year takes 

an immense amount of 

planning, according to 

Broker - Management Team 

“10” 

event coordinator Rebecca 

Phetteplace. 

“Once this event ends, 

we have our recap meeting 

to discuss what went well, 

what didn’t work and what 

we need to do differently 

next year,” Phetteplace 

said. “We basically start 

planning for next year the 

very next day.” 

Phetteplace said that the 

weather was something 

she was prepared for, as 

one year they were rained 

out. Luckily, the storms 

came hours after the event 

had wrapped. 

Phetteplace said she 

hopes to have an even better 

event next year, with a 

higher attendance. 

“Our numbers have been 

up and down. We definitely 

want to bring them up,” 

she said. 

For more information 

on upcoming Mokena 


events, visit mokenapark. 

com.



Mokena Village Board 

$100K to be spent on 

downtown improvements 

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Beyond the expected. ® 

Jon Depaolis 


The Village of Mokena 

Board of Trustees approved 

more than $100,000 worth 

of streetscape improvements 

to the downtown 

district May 28. 

The streetscape work 

— awarded to Bernardin 

Landscaping, of Mokena, 

in the amount of $102,335 

after a 3-1 vote — will take 

place along the north side 

of Front Street, from Wolf 

Road to Mokena Street, as 

well as the node areas on 

Front Street for Wolf Road 

and Mokena Street. 

Trustee Joseph Budzyn 

cast the lone dissenting 

vote, while Trustee Joseph 

Siwinski was not present 

for the discussion and did 

not vote on the item. Trustee 

Jim Richmond was absent. 

“This is a maintenance 

project that includes excavation, 

disposal, preparation 

of the base, installation 

of brick pavers and 

restoration of the affected 

areas,” Public Works Director 

Lou Tiberi said during 

the discussion. 

Tiberi said that because 

of the timing of the project, 

funding for it would 

be scheduled for the fiscal 

year 2020 budget. 

He also said the Village 

received three bids for 

the work, with Bernardin 

Landscaping submitting 

the lowest. 

“Bernardin has performed 

landscaping work 

for the Village of Mokena 

in the past, and they do 

have satisfactory experience 

in this type of work,” 

Tiberi said. 

Round it Up 

A brief recap of other items discussed during the 

May 28 Village of Mokena board meeting 

• In a 4-0 vote, the trustees voted to approve the 

Village’s new food truck ordinance. Trustee Jim 

Richmond was absent, and Trustee Jillian Hersted 

was not present for the discussion or vote. 

• As part of the Consent Agenda, the trustees 

voted 5-0 to approve an agreement with Melrose 

Pyrotechnics, Inc., of Kingsbury, Indiana, for the 

fireworks display on the Fourth of July. 

• Also part of the Consent Agenda, the trustees 

approved the use of municipal resources for the 

Mokena Community Park District’s 15th annual 

Farm and Barn Fest. The event is scheduled for 

Aug. 10, at Yunker Farm. 

Before the rest of the 

board commented, Mayor 

Frank Fleischer asked 

Trustees George Metanias 

and Jillian Hersted to give 

their thoughts on the project, 

as he had previously 

asked the two of them to 

take the lead on working 

with staff to put together 

the project details. 

“I think this enhancement 

of our downtown is 

past due, not only for the 

looks but [also] for safety,” 

Metanias said. “[Trustee 

Hersted] and I, and staff, 

met there a few times. We 

tried to figure out what 

was best and what would 

look good and what would 

be safe. We came up with 

a plan, and staff put it all 

together. We put it out 

for bid, and I think this 

will not only enhance our 

downtown to make it look 

nice and clean but I think it 

will be maintenance-free. 

But it will be safe also for 

people walking around. 

There was a lot of work 

put into it.” 

Hersted added that they 

looked at many different 

options and weighed 

the pros and cons of each 

choice. 

“We came to this conclusion,” 

she said. 

Not all of the trustees 

were on board with 

the project as presented. 

Budzyn asked whether or 

not the project could be 

paid for using TIF funds. 

Village Administrator 

John Tomasoski said that 

the Village could go that 

route, legally, if the board 

decided to do so. 

“Can I ask why we’re 

not using TIF funds?” 

Budzyn asked. 

Tomasoski said one of 

the reasons was that it 

would limit the availability 

of some of the TIF funds 

for any other TIF projects 

in the future. 

Budzyn also stated some 

concerns regarding the 

trees that would be in the 

middle of some of the pavers 

and the electrical boxes, 

as specific guidelines or 

Please see village, 8 

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Staff report 


Park District recognized 

three commissioners at 

the May 28 Board of 

Commissioners meeting 

for their many years of 

service to the community 

and the park district. 

Kevin Brogan (24 years), 

Lana Graser (10 years) 

and George McJimpsey 

(8 years), served a combined 

total of 42 years 

during a period of growth 

and development of the 

village 

From Page 7 

measurements were not 

included in the bid documents. 

He said he was 

told earlier in the day that 

the trees that are currently 

in place in that area are in 

“various stages of decline,” 

with some dying. He asked 

if staff had an arborist come 

out to look at them. 

Tiberi said there had not 

been. 

Budzyn then referenced 

a passage from the Morton 

Arboretum’s website regarding 

tree root problems, 

specifically a section about 

surface roots. He read that 

removing roots from the 

surface could disrupt the 

moisture supply to the 

trees, which could cause 

serious stress to the trees. 

He also read that covering 

the roots could cut off the 

oxygen supply. Both, he 

read, could lead to declining 

health of the tree. 

“The best solution is 

to usually mulch the area 

district. They were presented 

with plaques to 

show appreciation for 

their contributions and 

dedication that have 

made a lasting impact on 

our community. 

The new commissioners 

who were recently elected 

— Tim Ozinga, Mike Gandy 

and Steve 

Jacobson — were welcomed 

to the board and 

sworn-in to start their fouryear 

terms. 


Park District also has a 

current vacancy on the 

Board of Commissioners 

to finish the remainder 

of the term through May 

under the tree with compost 

and/or wood chips,” 

Budzyn read. “And then, 

continuing on, it says for 

roots and pavement, it says 

to provide for a minimum 

distance of 4 feet between 

the tree and the pavement.” 

Budzyn said he believes 

the proposal is “jeopardizing 

those trees.” 

“The likelihood of 

these trees surviving and 

remaining viable is questionable, 

and I have serious 

concerns about it,” 

Budzyn said. “... If those 

trees die next year, now 

we’ve got a dead trunk 

sticking out of the pavers. 

How do we get the trunk 

out? We’ve got to remove 

the pavers to do it. So, we 

just spent $100,000-plus 

on pavers that we may be 

tearing out. If we remove 

the trunk, the electrical 

box is now sticking up in 

the pavement there.” 

He continued to explain 

his dissenting ballot in his 

comments to the board later 

in the meeting. 

2021. Commissioner John 

Oliveri has stepped for 

personal reasons. 

The position is open 

to anyone with a passion 

for parks and recreation 

and serving the 

community. 

Applications are available 

at mokenapark.com. 

Return completed applications 

to Executive Director 

Mike Selep by 5 p.m. 

on Thursday, June 13. The 

board may wish to meet 

with candidates to discuss 

the position. If requested, 

candidates must be available 

to attend the June 25 

meeting to meet with the 

Board. 

“I’m not opposed to 

having our Front Street 

look presentable and safe 

to our residents,” he said. 

“What I am opposed to is 

frivolously spending our 

taxpayer dollars. In my 

opinion, this was frivolous.” 

Budzyn said his vote 

against the expenditure 

also was not a reflection 

of what he felt about Bernardin 

Landscaping, as 

he used the landscaper on 

a few projects over the 

years. 

“I’m completely pleased 

with his work,” Budzyn 

said. 

But Budzyn said he felt 

this project, as a whole, 

was “putting the cart before 

the horse.” 

Metanias disagreed with 

Budzyn during his own 

comments to the board. 

“In my opinion, I don’t 

think we are spending 

money frivolously to improve 

our downtown and 

make it safe,” Metanias 

said.



Mizwicki 

From Page 5 

old friends than any kind 

of competition. Frankfort 

Mayor Jim Holland was 

on hand to welcome everyone 

and countdown to the 

start of the 5K and Kayley 

Smetana, a previous scholarship 

recipient, sang the 

National Anthem. 

After participants finished 

the course, awards 

were handed out to the 

Top 3 male and female finishers, 

including the first 

place finishers Ben Walczak 

and Debbie Simental. 

Later, Zelenika hosted a 

trivia contest with prizes 

from local businesses. 

JoAnne Mizwicki gave 

her appreciation for the 

community at large. 

“The people here have 

been wonderful. The mayor 

has been wonderful. We 

get such a great amount 

of volunteers coming out 

each year,” she said. “The 

people is what makes our 

town so great. It’s heartwarming 

that they’re still 

here after eight years.” 

More information about 

supporting the Patrick 

Mizwicki Strive for 5 

Foundation can be found 

at patrickmizwickifounda 

tion.com. 

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10 | June 6, 2019 | the mokena messenger community 


Police Reports 

Sleeping motorist charged with drug possession, DUI-alcohol, more 

Edward J. Papierski, 24, 

of 11369 W. York Court 

in Frankfort, was charged 

May 18 with DUI-alcohol, 

possession of drug equipment, 

possession of cannabis 

fewer than 10 grams 

and operation of an uninsured 

motor vehicle. 

According to police reports, 

an officer on patrol 

around 2 a.m. observed 

two cars stopped side-byside 

at the intersection 

of S. Wolf Road and W. 

Lincoln Highway, even 

though the light was green. 

The officer approached the 

vehicles and found Papierski 

asleep at the wheel. The 

officer tried to wake up Papierski 

but was unsuccessful, 

and the vehicle began 

to roll into the intersection. 

The officer continued to 

try to wake Papierski and, 

after his vehicle struck a 

curb across the intersection, 

he finally woke up. 

Upon speaking with 

Papierski, the officer reportedly 

could smell alcohol 

on his breath, detect 

slurred speech and 

observed Papierski’s eyes 

to be bloodshot. Papierski 

was asked to perform field 

sobriety tests but allegedly 

refused. He was placed under 

arrest for DUI-alcohol. 

A search of Papierski’s 

vehicle revealed: a black 

velvet bag containing a 

grinder with burnt residue; 

two glass pipes with 

burnt residue; a water 

bong with burnt residue; 

a tin box with rolling papers 

and one joint inside; a 

box labeled “Cresco Rise 

Sativa,” which contained 

a wax-like substance; and 

a green medicine bottle labeled 

“Cresco Refresh Hybrid 

Marijuana” that contained 

.6 grams of a green 

leafy substance, which 

later tested positive as cannabis, 

police said. 

May 26 

• Brendan P. Pospishil, 19, 

was charged with driving 

on a susupended/revoked 

driver’s license and failure 

to yield to a stop sign. 


an officer was dispatched 

to the area of 

Breckenridge Drive and 

La Junta Court for a report 

of a reckless driver. Upon 

arrival, the officer spoke 

with the complainant who 

said she observed a black 

Chevy Cruze blow through 

the stop sign, and provided 

the officer with video footage 

from her doorbell video 

surveillance. 

The officer located the 

vehicle nearby. The officer 

spoke with Pospishil, 

who reportedly identified 

himself as the driver. A 

check of Pospishil’s driver’s 

license came back as 

suspended. He was then 

placed under arrest. 

May 25 

• Tiarra C. Thomas, 23, of 

17740 Country Club Drive 

in Country Club Hills, was 

charged with driving on a 

suspended/revoked driver’s 

license, possession 

of cannabis fewer than 10 

grams and improper lane 

usage. 


an officer on patrol 

traveling eastbound in the 

8700 block of West 191st 

street observed Thomas 

traveling westbound driving 

on the median. The 

officer initiated a traffic 

stop. Thomas produced an 

Illinois State identification 

card, but a check of her 

driver’s license came back 

as suspended. She was 

then placed under arrest. 

A search of Thomas’ vehicle 

revealed a prescription 

bottle with a 2.9 grams of 

a green leafy substance, 

which later tested positive 

as cannabis. 

May 23 

• Anita N. Morawska, 37, 

of 9051 Roberts Road in 

Hickory Hills; Corey Lynn 

Noble, 45, of 8125 S. 84th 

Ave. in Justice; and Kevin 

George Bell Jr., 37, of 510 

Oneida St. in Joliet, were 

all charged with retail 

theft. 


an officer was dispatched 

to the 1100 block 

of West Lincoln Highway 

for a report of a retail theft 

in progress. Upon arrival, 

additional officers had apprehended 

two of the subjects. 

The third subject fled 

on foot, but was later apprehended. 

The subjects had 11 bottles 

of baby formula and five 

bottles of infant formula 

on their persons, with a 

total value of $283.31. 

Noble and Morawska were 

charged with class 4 felony 

retail theft, while Bell Jr. 

was charged with class A 

misdemeanor retail theft. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: The 

Mokena Messenger’s police 

reports come from the 

Mokena Police Department. 

Anyone listed in these reports 

is considered to be innocent 

of all charges until proven 

guilty in a court of law. 

Buttercup 

Submitted by Holly Christine 

Buttercup is a 2-years-old 

female. She is currently 

being fostered through 

Lulu’s locker rescue and 

is being cared for by Holly 

Christine, of Mokena. 

Want to see your pet featured as 

The Mokena Messenger’s Pet of 

the Week? Send your pet’s photo 

and a few sentences explaining 

why your pet is outstanding to 

Editor T.J. Kremer III at tj@ 

Photo submitted 

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

60467. 

mjh 

From Page 3 

school. His message centered 

on how the concept 

of control can play a key 

role in success. 

“Focus on what you can 

control, and then control 

those very things,” White 

said. “Control what you 

can control, and don’t fret 

about what you can’t control.” 

Closing remarks were 

presented by student Samya 

Walker, who expressed 

gratitude and hope 

because of the support provided 

by the entire MJH 

community. 

“We are thankful that we 

have had friends, family, 

and everyone at Mokena 

Junior High to guide us 

through our struggles and 

to celebrate our triumphs,” 

Walker said. “We ask that 

you continue to stand with 

us as we enter high school 

and the next phases of our 

lives. It is good to know 

that, no matter what happens, 

we will never have 

to do it alone.” 

Several students received 

distinguished honors 

for academic achievement 

and leadership 

service. Kristen Grant, 

PTA president, presented 

the PTA Heritage Award 

for community involvement 

to Nicholas Brunner. 

Mokena Mayor Frank 

Fleischer presented the 

Student Government 

Award for leadership to 

Max McKenna. 

James Hogan and William 

Martin, who represented 

VFW Post 725, presented 

the VFW Awards 

for leadership to Madalyn 

Ziesmer and Connor Mc- 

Mahon. 

Band Director Karen 

Bussean presented the 

three Music Awards, each 

of which were bestowed 

to students based on their 

involvement, leadership 

and skill in their respective 

specialties. Alyssa 

Maves earned The Fred 

Waring Award for Choir, 

Caitlin Genardo received 

the Director’s Award for 

Band and Natalie Sebastian 

attained the Director’s 

Award for Musical Theatre. 

Teacher David Balis 

presented the Des Plaines 

Valley Conference Awards 

for student-athlete academic 

achievement to 

Morgan Huisman and Aidan 

Papier. 

Principal Michael Rolinitis 

presented the Scholastic 

Achievement Awards 

for leadership character to 

Morgan Huisman and Antonio 

Martinez.

mokenamessenger.com mokena 


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FROM THE FRANKFORT STATION 

Relay for Life to raise 

more funds for American 

Cancer Society 

Area residents will continue 

the American Cancer 

Society’s tradition of supporting 

cancer research 

and honoring cancer survivors 

this week at the Relay 

for Life of Greater Will 

County. 

The annual event is 

scheduled from 3-11 p.m. 

Saturday, June 8, at the 

Lincoln-Way North building, 

19900 S. Harlem Ave. 

in Frankfort. 

For Event Chairperson 

DeAnn Anzaldi, a breast 

cancer survivor, seeing 

all of the cancer survivors 

wear the event’s distinctive 

purple shirts gives her 

hope. 

“The more purple shirts, 

that means that more 

people are beating the disease,” 

she said. “That’s 

why I feel special about 

it. I know the American 

Cancer Society does a lot 

of great things, but for me, 

it’s just a symbol. If there’s 

100 purple shirts out there, 

it gives me inspiration that 

it can be beat.” 

This year, 15 teams are 

participating in the Relay 

for Life, with an average 

of 10 people per team. 

Anzaldi expects 200-300 

attendees. 

Anzaldi said she hopes 

this year’s relay raises approximately 

$15,000. 

Reporting by Nuria Mathog, 

Editor. For more, visit 

FrankfortStation.com. 

FROM THE TINLEY JUNCTION 

Tinley girl’s lemonade 

stand raises big bucks for 

good causes 

Most children start a 

lemonade stand to buy 

a toy or a bike. Kiera 

Fitzmaurice started hers to 

give away the proceeds. 

With her sixth annual 

charity event approaching, 

the 9-year-old from Tinley 

Park has raised more than 

$5,500 to date for a variety 

of causes. 

“I wanted to give something 

away, but I couldn’t 

think of what,” she said, 

telling the story of how she 

came up with the idea. “I 

realized I really like lemonade, 

and a lot of people 

like drinking it on hot 

days. So, I realized I could 

sell lemonade and give the 

money away.” 

The stand — which will 

be set up Saturday, June 

15, in the Fitzmaurice 

driveway at 16906 Sandy 

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Lane — has benefitted a 

different organization every 

year. This year’s recipient 

is RE;ACT 4 Ryan, 

a nonprofit dedicated to 

equipping first responders 

with mental health counseling 

and training. 

In addition to the lemonade 

— made from the same 

recipe each year and costing 

just 50 cents a glass 

— the event has grown to 

include fire trucks, engines 

and ambulances from the 

Tinley Park Fire Department, 

as well as a collection 

of other custom vehicles. 

Grilled meats and 

other barbecue foods are 

part of the mix, too. 

The stand will be open 

from around 10:30 a.m.- 

2:30 p.m. 

Reporting by Will O’Brien, 

Freelance Reporter. For 

more visit TinleyJunction. 

com. 

FROM THE NEW LENOX PATRIOT 

Doughnuts and beer 

making return to 

Arrowhead Ales for 

Father’s Day 

Not too long ago, Arrowhead 

Ales Brewing 

Company in New Lenox 

teamed up with Home Cut 

Donuts in Joliet to create 

a beer. All 700 22-ounce 

bottles of that beer sold in 

one hour. 

So, the two entities are 

coming together again to 

make twice the amount of 

beer this time around, adding 

a blueberry variant set 

to come out on Father’s 

Day, Sunday, June 16. 

“It’s going to be a good 

day,” said Mike Bacon, 

owner and head brewer of 

Arrowhead. “We’re offering 

a special menu with 

traditional barbecue items 

paired with our new beer 

releases. It’s a great way to 

spend Father’s Day — barbecue, 

beer, doughnuts.” 

Arrowhead Ales opens 

at 11 a.m. on June 16 and 

is located at 2101 Calistoga 

Drive in New Lenox. 

Reporting by Sean Hastings, 


NewLenoxPatriot.com. 

FROM THE HOMER HORIZON 

Cruise nights ride back into 

Big R parking lot for 2019 

season 

There is nothing quite 

like spending a day in the 

sun, listening to oldies and 

looking underneath the 

hood of classic cars. 

After getting rained out 

with its first attempt at its 

season opener, the Lemont 

Classic Car Club held its 

first weekly cruise night 

of the 2019 season on May 

26 in the Big R parking lot. 

The parking lot was filled 

with cars of all makes and 

models, from vintage to 

modern. And with every 

car was a story its driver 

was excited to tell. 

Since the club’s founding 

as a nonprofit in 2001, 

the Lemont Classic Car 

Club has used its classic 

cars to raise money for 

local charities. By using 

funds raised from weekly 

50/50 raffles at cruise 

nights, as well as entry fees 

to the annual car show, the 

group has been able to assist 

charities in the community 

such as One Step 

at a Time, a camp for children 

with cancer; Shady 

Oaks, a camp for people 

with disabilities; and the 

TLC Animal Shelter. 

For club secretary Sharen 

Moscato, of Homer 

Glen, classic cars and 

charity go together. 

The car club will gather 

in the Big R lot from 4-7 

p.m. every Sunday through 

September. 

Reporting by Rochelle 

McAuliffe, Freelance 

Reporter. For more visit 

HomerHorizon.com. 

FROM THE ORLAND PARK PRAIRIE 

Police nab man who 

allegedly robbed Disc 

Replay with pellet gun 

A man who allegedly 

pointed a pellet gun at an 

employee May 27 when 

he robbed the Orland Park 

Disc Replay store was 

caught later the same day 

in Matteson. 

Lance R. Payne, 25, 

of 21202 Old N. Church 

Road in Frankfort, was 

charged with aggravated 

robbery, a Class 1 felony, 

according to a press release 

issued May 28 by 

the Orland Park Police Department. 

Police were called 

around 10 a.m. May 27 to 

the store, 15015 LaGrange 

Road. They arrived to 

learn a man, later identified 

as Payne, entered the 

store and requested to see 

a cellphone, according to 

the report. An employee 

retrieved it from a locked 

case, and Payne took it 

and began to run out of the 

store, police said. 

As Payne left the store, 

he allegedly pulled out 

what appeared to be a 

black handgun from his 

waistband, pointed it at the 

employee and fled southbound 

in a vehicle on La- 

Grange Road. 

Shortly after 11 a.m., a 

business located in Matteson 

notified Disc Replay 

that a person fitting the 

description of the offender 

was inside of a business 

there, attempting to sell 

the stolen phone, police 

said. Matteson police reportedly 

were notified, responded 

and took Payne 

into custody. 

A replica firearm identified 

as a pellet gun was 

recovered from Payne, 

police said. His vehicle 

reportedly was located and 

seized. 

Payne was identified by 

the Orland Park victim 

during a formal lineup, 

according to the release. 

He was transferred to the 

Orland Park Police Station 

for processing. 

Reporting by Bill Jones, 


OPPrairie.com. 

FROM THE LOCKPORT LEGEND 

Lockport children’s theater 

group stages second 

musical production 

Bragi’s Players Children’s 

Theatre is bringing 

some youth and children’s 

stories to Taft School’s 

80-year-old theater this 

weekend with its second 

musical production. 

“Seussical Jr.,” a musical 

by Lynn Ahrens and 

Stephen Flaherty, based on 

the stories of Dr. Seuss, is 

to be performed by Bragi’s 

Players at 7 p.m. on June 

6, 7 and 8, and at 3 p.m. 

on June 9 at Taft School, 

1605 S. Washington St. in 

Lockport. 

Patty Colella, the producer 

and director of the 

Bragi’s Players, said after 

the fun and success they 

had with putting on their 

first musical production 

of “Grease” last year, they 

decided to come back with 

another this year. She said 

although “Seussical Jr.” 

is based on familiar children’s 

book characters, it 

is a Broadway production 

and is meant for audience 

members of all ages to enjoy. 

Colella and Co-Director 

LaDonna Lopez both said 

it is important to them to 

keep the theater going for 

children who wish to be a 

part of it. 

Reporting by Alex Ivanisevic, 

Assistant Editor. For more, 

visit LockportLegend.com.

mokenamessenger.com sound off 


Social snapshot 

Top Web Stories 

From MokenaMessenger.com as of Monday, 

June 3 

From the Chief Marketing Officer 

This one’s for the girls 

1. Mokena Village Board: $100K to be 

spent on downtown improvements 

2. Group of ‘Assassins’ creeping into 

Mokena 

3. Softball: History doesn’t repeat: 

Knights win regional 

4. In Memoriam: Yorke 

5. Police Reports: Retail theft suspect 

caught with help of Frankfort PD 

Become a member: mokenamessenger.com/plus 

“Our 8th graders graduate tonight! We’re so 

excited for them to begin their high school 

chapter!” 

Mokena School District 159 posted this to 

its Facebook page Firday, May 31. 

Like The Mokena Messenger: facebook.com/ 


“Introducing our 2019 JV Sideline Cheer 

Team! These Knights are ready to get to 

work! It’s going to be a great summer!” 

@LWCcheer posted this to its Twitter 

account Friday, May 31. 

Follow The Mokena Messenger: @mokenamessenger 

Heather Warthen 

Chief Marketing Officer 

Five reasons you 

should spend your 

Thursday nights 

with us 

After we saw a record 

attendance at our Lady - A 

Women’s Expo event in 

2018 of more than 1,500 attendees, 

we knew we could 

do female-focused events 

well. Last August, we held 

our first Ladies Night Out 

event at Georgios, and we 

were blown away by what 

we had thought would be 

a “small” event of maybe 

200-300 attendees, with 50 

vendors. 

Instead, we wound up 

with 70-plus vendors and 

more than 800 attendees 

throughout the night. 

We knew then that we 

would continue this event, 

but this year we have turned 

it into a series of four Ladies 

Night Out events. We 

have a lot of exciting elements 

with each event. 

For complete details, visit 

22ndCenturyMedia.com/ 

events. 

Our first event is Ladies 

Night Out - Summer Social 

from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, 

June 13, at the Orland Park 

Crossing outdoor shopping 

center. Following are five 

reasons why you should 

join us June 13. 

1. When is the last time 

you’ve taken time for you? 

Bring a friend, or come 

alone and make some new 

friends. This is a girls night 

out, so come and have 

some fun with us. 

2. Looking to update your 

look or wondering what’s 

in for summer? Check out 

our fashion show at 6:30 

p.m. presented by Jenny 

Applegate of The Leading 

Image. Applegate is a certified 

personal stylist and image 

consultant who had an 

apprenticeship with Stacy 

London of TLC’s “What 

Not to Wear.” The show 

will not be one to miss. 

3. We have more than 50 

vendors scheduled for this 

event and the diversity in 

what they offer alone is reason 

to visit. From clothing 

and jewelry to health and 

beauty, there will be something 

for everyone. Stop by 

and find out what these local 

businesses have to offer. 

4. Come and tap into 

your creative side by doing 

a project with DIY Sign 

Party for a small fee. 

5. It’s free admission. 

You can RSVP for us at 

Ladies Night Out Event Dates 

Summer Social 5-8 p.m. Thursday, June 13 - 

Orland Park Crossing 

Last Call Before Fall 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8 - 

Georgios 

Ghouls Night Out 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 - 

Konow’s Corn Maze 

Mistletoe Market 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 - 


For more information: 22ndCenturyMedia.com/ 

events 

22ndCenturyMedia.com/ 

summersocial so we know 

how many people may attend. 

I hope to see you June 13 

or at one of our other Ladies 

Night Out events this 

year. 

Sound Off Policy 

Editorials and columns are the opinions of the author. Pieces from 

22nd Century Media are the thoughts of the company as a whole. 

The Mokena Messenger encourages readers to write letters to Sound 

Off. All letters must be signed, and names and hometowns will be 

published. We also ask that writers include their address and phone 

number for verification, not publication. Letters should be limited 

to 400 words. The Mokena Messenger reserves the right to edit letters. 

Letters become property of The Mokena Messenger. Letters that 

are published do not reflect the thoughts and views of The Mokena 

Messenger. Letters can be mailed to: The Mokena Messenger, 11516 

West 183rd Street, Unit SW Office Condo #3, Orland Park, Illinois, 

60467. Fax letters to (708) 326-9179 or e-mail to tj@mok 

namessenger.com. 

www.mokenamessenger.com.

14 | June 6, 2019 | the mokena messenger mokena 


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trial by fire 

LW East student builds 

community firepit for Eagle 

Scout project, Page 18 

the mokena messenger | June 6, 2019 | mokenamessenger.com 

Classic Italian Technique, 

tradition come together at Parmesans 

Station in Tinley Park, Page 21 

Traveling display puts 

stories of domestic 

violence in full view, 

Page 17 

Andrea Ramirez-Justin (left), 

vice president of Old Plank Trail 

Community Bank in Mokena, 

along with Deborah Fahey, a board 

member of the Crisis Center for 

South Suburbia, stand in front of 

the Crisis Center of South Suburbia 

Silent Witness Display at Old Plank 

Trail Community Bank in Mokena 

May 23. Each display tells a true 

story of a person killed by domestic 

violence. Mary Compton/22nd 

Century Media

16 | June 6, 2019 | the mokena messenger faith 


Faith Briefs 

St. Mary’s Catholic Church (19515 

115th Ave., Mokena) 

Corpus Christi Procession 

Saint Mary will hold a 

traditional Corpus Christi 

procession on June 23 after 

the 11 a.m. Mass. The 

procession will be along 

195th Street in Mokena, 

ending at the old Saint 

Mary Church on Wolf 

Road. 

Church Service 

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

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

p.m. Sundays 

St. John’s United Church of Christ 

(11100 Second St., Mokena) 

Traditional Service 

8 a.m. traditional service, 

9:45 a.m. contemporary and 

traditional music in a service 

of praise and reverence. 

Supervised childcare available. 


call (708) 479-5123. 

Cards for a Cause 

7 p.m. the second Monday 

of each month. Bring 

your tape, scissors and colored 

pencils, if you have 

them, and plan for a creative 

evening with lots of 

fun. 

Mokena United Methodist Church 

(10901 LaPorte Road, Mokena) 

Service and Sunday School 

10:15 a.m. Sundays. 

Church service and children’s 

Sunday School will 

be held. For more information, 

call (708) 479- 

1110. 

Bible Study 

7 p.m. Tuesdays at the 

church. For more information, 

call (708) 479-1110. 

Marley Community Church (12625 W. 

187th St., Mokena) 

Church Service 

10 a.m. Sundays. Childcare 

is provided. 

Sunday School 

9-10 a.m. Sundays. 

Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church 

(10731 W. La Porte Road, Mokena) 

Vacation Bible School 

9-11:30 a.m. June 17- 

21. For children 4 years 

old through fifth grade. 

3 year olds are welcome 

with the accompaniment 

FUNERAL SERVICES DIRECTORY 

Kim O’Neil Golob 

Kelli Hartseil Mores 

Kelly Furlong Foresman, Secretary 

2019 WINNER 

"BEST FUNERAL 

HOME" 

Advertise your 

Contact the 

 

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decide on cremation. 

Now, what aboutthe 

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Colonial Chapel 

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15525 S. 73rd Ave. 

(155th/Wheeler Dr. &Harlem) 

Orland Park, Illinois 

Family owned for 40 Years 

colonialchapel.com 

708-532-5400 

The Cremation Experts. 

funeralservices. 

708.326.9170 

 

of an adult. The theme 

is “Miraculous Mission: 

Jesus Saves the World.” 

Registration is available 

online at immanuelmo 

kena.org and at the church 

office. From the Ministries 

link, click Vacation Bible 

School for more information 

and the registration 

form. Fee is $15/child or 

$40 for 3 children or more 

for one family. 

Worship 

5 p.m. Saturdays and 9 

a.m. Sundays. 

Mokena Baptist Church (9960 W. 187th 

St., Mokena) 

Sunday Services 

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

more information, call 

(312) 350-2279. 

Sunday School 


Mokena Baptist offers 

Sunday School classes 

for all ages. For more information, 

call (312) 350- 

2279. 

Parker Road Bible Church (18512 

Parker Road, Mokena) 

Worship Service 

10:30 a.m. Sundays. Be 

In Memoriam 

Gary M. Chess 

Gary M. Chess, 63, of 

Mokena, died May 27. 

He was the devoted father 

of Stephanie (Dave) 

Barrett, Lindsay Smith and 

Craig Chess; and proud 

grandfather of Addison, 

Jessica, Cooper and Colt. 

sure to arrive early for our 

Sunday Worship Service 

to enjoy a hot, complimentary 

cup of coffee every 

week at the church. 

Grace Fellowship Church (11049 

LaPorte Road, Mokena) 

Narcotics Anonymous 

7-9 p.m. Mondays. All 

those struggling or who 

have struggled with a narcotics 

addiction are welcome. 


call (708) 479-0300. 

Worship Service 

10 a.m. Sundays. All are 

welcome. 

Victory Baptist Church (13550 US Route 

6, Mokena) 

Sunday School 


Morning Worship 


Have something for 

Faith Briefs? Contact 

Editor T.J. Kremer at tj@ 


or call (708) 326-9170 

ext. 29. Deadline is noon 

Thursday one week prior to 

publication. 

Ronald C. Clark 

Ronald C. Clark, 87, of 

Mokena, died May 24. 

He is survived by his loving 

children Debbie (Barry) 

Prescott and Charles 

(Cynthia) Clark; their 

mother, Dorothy Clark; his 

cherished granddaughters 

Shannon (Matthew) Mahar, 

Nicole Prescott and 

Stacey Prescott; and his 

adored great-granddaughter, 

Madison Mahar. 

He was preceded in 

death by his parents, 

Charles and Frances Clark; 

his brother James Clark; 

and wife Michelle (Halm) 

Clark. In lieu of flowers, 

memorials may be directed 

to a charity of your choice. 

Do you have someone’s life 

you’d like to honor? Email 

Editor T.J. Kremer III at tj@ 

mokenamessenger.com with 

information about a loved 

one who was a part of the 

Mokena community.

mokenamessenger.com life & arts 


Display gives voice to domestic violence victims 

Silent Witness display 

makes stop at Mokena 

bank 

Mary Compton, Freelance Reporter 

According to a 2010 report by 

the Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention, nearly 20 people 

per minute in the United States are 

physically abused by an intimate 

partner. In one year this equals to 

more than 10 million women and 

men being abused. 

Because of these statistics, 

Paul Slade, chairman and CEO 

at Orland Park Bank and Trust, a 

branch of Old Plank Trail Community 

Bank along with Old 

Plank Bank Community banks, 

wanted to show the impact of domestic 

violence to bank customers. 

Slade’s idea was to have the 

Crisis Center for South Suburbia’s 

traveling Silent Witness Display 

in five bank locations. 

The travelling display made a 

stop at Old Plank Trail Community 

Bank’s Mokena branch May 

20-24. 

“For us bringing the Crisis 

Center for South Suburbia traveling 

Silent Witness Display was 

simple,” Slade said. “It’s the right 

thing to do. The communities that 

we serve have been very good to 

us over the years. So, we have an 

obligation to help where we can. 

We take that very seriously.” 

The Crisis Center for South 

Suburbia’s traveling Silent Witness 

Display features cutouts of 

victims who were killed by domestic 

violence. On each cutout 

are stories on how they lost their 

lives to domestic violence. 

“We interact with thousands of 

people in the community everyday” 

said Slade. “We want to help 

raise awareness. It’s part of us as 

a community bank. We wanted to 

show this is an issue in our community 

including ours. This is 

a call to action. If we engage a 

few, we’ve made a difference and 

that’s why we’re here.” 

Crisis Center for South Suburbia’s traveling Silent Witness display shows individual’s stories on 

domestic violence. The traveling display was made stops in Mokena from May 20-24, two stops in 

Frankfort from May 6-20 and in Orland Park May 24-June 3. Mary Compton/22nd Century Media 

Andrea Ramirez-Justin, vice 

president of government banking 

and community outreach at 

the Old Plank Trail Community 

Bank in Mokena and Orland Hills 

resident, shared the story of her 

journey. 

“Domestic violence comes in 

all forms,” she said. “It does not 

have a race. It does not have a 

color. It doesn’t have an individual 

origin. You could be standing next 

to a person who has been a victim 

of domestic violence and never 

know it. 

“It happens to people you may 

not think it happened to. I’m one 

of those people. This happened to 

me many, many years ago. I will 

tell you it was the Crisis Center for 

South Suburbia that helped me get 

through that time.” 

More than 30 years ago, 

Ramirez-Justin was a victim herself. 

“Back then, I lived in a far 

south-suburban town,” she said. 

“It was not to be spoken of. It was 

kept quiet. I never even told my 

parents. It was the Sisters of St. 

James Hospital that connected 

me to the Crisis Center. It wasn’t 

until I went to the hospital that it 

became an, ‘Ah ha,’ moment. I 

thought, ‘This isn’t right, and it 

needed to stop.’” 

It was because of this experience 

that she joined Slade in 

bringing the Silent Witness exhibit 

to five banks. 

“I think it’s an important piece 

that you can survive from domestic 

violence,” Ramirez-Justin said. 

“Have there been people who 

have not survived? Absolutely. 

Those people we remember and 

think about every single day. It’s 

important to have awareness because 

there are men and women 

who are subjected to domestic 

violence keep it quiet. They seem 

to think it’s their own problem. 

They seem to think that they did 

something wrong to be involved 

in a violent situation. Domestic 

violence is not just the brutal hits. 

It’s mental abuse. It can happen to 

anyone.” 

Crisis Center for South Suburbia 

board member Deborah Fahey 

said her dedication to help serve 

domestic violence victims is key. 

“The Crisis Center for South 

Suburbia’s traveling Silent Witness 

Display was at four Old 

Plank Trail Community Bank locations 

already,” Fahey said. “It 

is our 40th anniversary, so this 

is why the displays are traveling 

throughout the south suburbs. We 

like to bring the display out to the 

community and to events. For information 

on domestic violence to 

get out to the public is extremely 

important. Domestic violence is 

everywhere. Everyone is associated 

with someone who has suffered 

from domestic violence. 

“This exhibit touches so many 

people in different ways. It’s hard 

to explain.” 

All services through the Crisis 

Center for South Suburbia are 

free to those individuals who need 

help. Last year, the Crisis Center 

assisted more than 12,000 people 

through their life-saving programs 

and an array of services. Clients 

are assisted through: the 24-hour 

emergency shelter; the Transitional 

Housing Program; a 24-hour 

hotline; the counseling program; 

court advocacy; Live Safe Patient 

Advocacy; Law Enforcement And 

Victim Outreach program, which 

partners with 19 local police departments; 

education and prevention 

programs; and the Partner 

Abuse Intervention Program. 

According to Jay Capron, marketing 

director for Crisis Center 

for South Suburbia, there are misconceptions 

regarding domestic 

violence. In an email Capron outlined 

some of those misconceptions. 

• [False]Domestic violence only 

affects minorities or low-income 

families. [True] Domestic violence 

affects people of all cultural 

backgrounds and income levels 

• [False] Victims should ‘just 

leave’ their abuser. [True] Leaving 

an abusive situation can be very 

difficult. In many cases the relationship 

began with love and the 

abuser often uses power and control 

to intimidate the victim. 

• [False] Domestic violence is 

always physical. [True] There are 

many forms of abuse, including 

physical, psychological, emotional, 

verbal, economical and sexual. 

“For me, there would be times 

when I wouldn’t tell anyone about 

my story,” Ramirez-Justin said. 

“You find the right time to do that. 

It took me a long time. I did not 

wish to have domestic violence 

define me because I’m much 

stronger than that.” 

Businesses can request the 

Crisis Center for South Suburbia 

traveling Silent Witness Display. 

Also, If you or someone you know 

is going through domestic violence 

call (708) 429-7233 or visit 

the website at crisisctr.org.

18 | June 6, 2019 | the mokena messenger life & arts 


LW East student’s Eagle Scout project inspired by faith 

Mokena business 

provides material 

for project 

Mary Compton 


When a member of the 

Frankfort United Methodist 

Church teen group approached 

Pastor Ken Roh 

about doing an Eagle Scout 

project at the church, Roh 

thought of one word: community. 

The young man was 

Frankfort resident Michael 

Clarkin, a Boy Scout in 

Troop 270. Clarkin will be 

a senior at Lincoln-Way 

East in August. 

“Late last year, Michael 

came to us and expressed 

his desire to do his Eagle 

Scout project at his 

church,” Roh said. “He 

went before our church 

and proposed to put in a 

new fire pit in our front 

lawn. We enthusiastically 

approved.” 

On May 25, Clarkin, 

fellow Scouts from Troop 

270 and a host of volunteer 

parents spent eight hours 

installing a fire pit and 

patio at the church. According 

to Roh, the church 

has been around since the 

founding of Frankfort. 

The materials for the 

project were donated by 

Area Landscape in Mokena 

and Bertrand Landscape 

in Monee. Aurelio’s 

in Frankfort provided 

lunch. 

“We’re excited,” Roh 

said. “We’re going to bless 

the fire pit as a congregation 

and have periodic 

outdoor services around 

it. We’re so grateful for 

the troop and for Michael 

In 

Lo vingMemory 

Gail DiGiacomo 

Gail DiGiacomo, nee Sullivan, age 75, 

beloved wife for 57 years to Lawrence 

“Larry” DiGiacomo, Ret. CPD. Loving 

mother of Mark (Margaret) DiGiacomo 

and Lori (Gerard) Ramirez. Cherished grandmother of Matthew 

(Linda) Ramirez, Jillian (Eric) Jillson, Jennie DiGiacomo and Mia 

DiGiacomo. Dearest sister of Darlene (Walter) Marquardt, Virginia 

Jamieson and Keith Sullivan. Fond sister-in-law of Bonnie (Charles) 

Consola. Dear aunt of many nieces and nephews. Gail retired from 

Jewel with 25 years of service. Services were held at Colonial Chapel, 

15525 S. 73rd Ave. (155th/Wheeler Dr. & Harlem) Orland Park, IL. 

Express your thoughts and condolences at colonialchapel.com 708- 

532-5400 

Michael Clarkin (center) poses May 25, in front of the fire pit he and other Scouts built 

at Frankfort United Methodist Church for his Eagle Scout project. Mary Compton/22nd 

Century Media 

and his family — they are 

an important part of our 

church family. 

“This is a landmark for 

the Village as much as it 

is for our church. This is 

a community project. We 

love to be a place where 

the community [can] gather 

and utilize our space. 

We are here for the community.” 

It wasn’t just a one-day 

job for Clarkin, as he had 

to get permits, gather materials, 

find sponsors and 

ask for volunteers. As he 

and 14 other Scouts dug 

the area, sanded wood, 

placed the blocks and 

much more, Clarkin made 

sure everything was perfect. 

“My church has given 

me such great memories 

from my childhood, so 

I wanted to give back,” 

Clarkin said. “This project 

captures my passions 

for my church and for Boy 

Scouts. Today, we’re putting 

the fire pit and patio 

down. We have a big troop 

and most of the Scouts 

help each other with Eagle 

Scout projects. 

“Once I get this project 

done, I should get my 

Eagle Scout. Boy Scouts 

has been a huge part of my 

life. Just achieving Eagle 

Scout will help me in so 

many places in my life.” 

According to the Boy 

Scouts of America website, 

in 2000, only 3 percent 

of Scouts earned the 

rank of Eagle Scout, while 

in 2013, that percentage 

increased to 7 percent. 

It takes at least 21 merit 

badges to be eligible for 

the rank. 

“Scouts has made me 

a better leader as well,” 

Clarkin said. “It’s helped 

me find who I am. A lot 

of my close friends are in 

Scouts. This is an awesome 

day to culminate all 

of this.” 

Clarkin is interested in 

environmental engineering 

and hopes to attend the 

University of Michigan. 

Brad Rudy, a fellow 

Lincoln-Way East student 

and close friend of Clarkin, 

came out to help with 

the fire pit project. Rudy is 

the Senior Patrol leader for 

Troop 270 and is planning 

his own Eagle Scout project 

with the Lincolnway 

Area Special Recreation 

Association. 

“This is a boy-led [project] 

so the adults are essentially 

to advise, so I’m in 

charge,” Rudy said. “I help 

plan what the troop does 

along with leading. A huge 

part of the Boy Scout organization 

is doing things for 

the community and giving 

back. This is part of that. 

We do service projects all 

year long.” 

Troop 270 is sponsored 

by the Frankfort Fire 

Protection District, and 

boys in fifth grade and 

up are welcome to join. 

The troop’s meetings are 

held 7 p.m. Thursdays at 

Frankfort Fire Station No. 

3 Training Station, located 

at 24420 S. LaGrange Rd, 

Franfort, throughout the 

school year. Meetings will 

begin in August. 

“Scouting is an incredible 

way to grow as a 

person” Rudy said. “If I 

weren’t in Scouts I would 

be a lesser person than I 

am now. It’s a lot of selfimprovement 

and a lot of 

self-discovery. I wouldn’t 

trade it for anything.” 

Chuck Rudy, of Frankfort, 

is the Troop 270 

chairman. He has helped 

out as a parent volunteer 

with six other projects. 

“Michael has been working 

on the merit badges for 

seven years,” Chuck Rudy 

said. “This is a process that 

takes a long time. He talked 

with a lot of businesses in 

this town and other towns 

trying to get donations for 

his project. Since 1966, our 

troop has [had] over 100 

make Eagle Scout.” 

The fire pit is scheduled 

to be blessed at 9 a.m. 

June 9 at Frankfort United 

Methodist Church, 215 

Linden Drive in Frankfort. 

The public is invited to attend 

the event.

mokenamessenger.com life & arts 


Treasure tomes 

Annual Spring Book Sale nets nearly $3K for Mokena library 

June Live 

Entertainment 

Eric Ortiz 

Wednesdays 

6:00 - 9:00 

Jordans & James 

June 14th 

6:00 - 9:00 

Elaine Olson, of Orland Park, rummages though books during Friends of the 

Library’s Spring Book Sale at Mokena Community Public Library Friday, May 31. The 

two-day sale raised $2,826.97. Photos by T.J. Kremer III/22nd Century Media 

The Beat 2 

June 1st 

7:00 - 10:00 

Justin Griffin 

June 1st 

6:00 - 9:00 

Eman Thursdays 

6:00 - 9:00 

June 7th, 8th 

21st, & 22nd 

6:00 - 9:00 

Bob Hartwell 

June 29th 

6:00 - 9:00 

Malachi Mackay, 4, shows off the book he found at the Spring Book Sale. Mackay was 

in town from Kansas visiting his grandmother. 

Mike Valentine & 

the Heartbeats 

June 28th 

6:00 - 9:00 

11247 W. 187th St. Mokena 

708-478-8888 

www.FoxsPub.com



Summer Social 

PRESE NTE D BY 

22ND CENTURY MEDIA 

AND COLLEEN MCLAUGHLIN, 

THE MCLAUGHLIN TEAM, COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL 

5–8 p.m. Thursday, June 13 


14255 95th Ave., Orland Park 

(143rd Street and LaGrange Road) 

Vendors include: 

• 22nd Century Media 

• 3B’s Mobile Boutique 

• Avon 

• Brannigan Chiropractic 

• Chicago Sky 

• Chiro One 

• ChoVonne Accessories 

• Colleen McLaughlin, The McLaughlin 

Team, Coldwell Banker Residential 

• Color Street Nail Strips 

• Crafts by Rosemary 

• DIY Sign Party 

• doTERRA 

• Dykstra Home Services 

• Elevate with Cathy 

• Fabulously Sweet Creations 

• Floor Coverings International - 

Orland Park 

• Fred Astaire Dance Studio 

• Glammerish 

• Gracie Pie Apothecary 

• Grow Art & Ecology 

• Health From Within 

• Honest 

• Imperfect Produce 

• Inspire Studio Gallery 

• LegalShield 

• Jewels 2 U 

• Juicy Luzy Sangria 

• L'BRI PURE 'n NATURAL 

Skin Care 

• LuLaRoe 

• Mary Kay Cosmetics 

• Matilda Jane Clothing 

• Norwex 

• Orland Park Crossing 

Join us for a night of music, fashion and fun! 

Fashion show produced by Jenny Applegate 

of The Leading Image 

• Paparazzi (Glamour Bijoux 

Jewelry) 

• Rock's #1 Gals Jewelry 

• Sheets by Karen 

• Shelf Genie of Chicago South 

• Surprise Parties 

• Tastefully Simple 

• The Leading Image 

• Totes & Taggies by Melinda 

• Unique Treasure Decour 

• Usborne Books & More 

• Virtue Cider 

• Wine, Spirit, Butterbeer Mixes 

• Women’s Healthcare of Illinois 

• Younique 

AND MORE TO COME! 

More than 40+ vendors! 

SPONSORED BY 

FREE tote bags to first 

200 people, courtesy of 

Dykstra Home Services 

Give back to your community - Bring canned food items to donate to local MicroPantries! 

For FREE tickets, visit: 22ndCenturyMedia.com/summersocial 

SAVE THE DATE 

More events are on the way 

Last Call Before Fall 

6–9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, 

Georgios Orland Park, 

8800 W. 159th St., Orland Park 

Ghouls Night Out 

6–9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, 

Konow’s Corn Maze, 

Tickets 

$ 

5 

ON SALE 

16849 S. Cedar Road, Homer Glen 

Mistletoe Market 

4–7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, 

Orland Park Crossing, 

14225 95th Ave. (143rd Street & 

LaGrange Road), Orland Park 

22ndCenturyMedia.com/lastcall 

22ndCenturyMedia.com/ghouls 

22ndCenturyMedia.com/mistletoe

mokenamessenger.com dining out 


The dish 

At Parmesans, classic dishes are made with classical techniques 

Freshness, style 

set Parmesans 

Station apart 

Nuria Mathog 

Contributing Editor 

Frankfort resident Michael 

Papandrea believes 

food is best when it goes 

from the garden to the 

plate. 

That is part of the philosophy 

behind his Tinley 

Park restaurant, Parmesans 

Station, which opened in 

2013. It is the second restaurant 

in the Parmesans 

franchise, which also includes 

Frankfort’s Parmesans 

Wood Stone Pizza. 

When Papandrea and 

his wife, Mary Ann, developed 

the concept for 

Parmesans, they knew 

what they wanted the food 

to taste like. 

“I wanted a bit of the 

garden in it, and I wanted 

it to feel very, very fresh,” 

Papandrea said. “I knew 

that things like using my 

garlic rolls to make the 

breading for chicken Parmesan 

was going to be 

very unique. The word 

‘Parmesan,’ or ‘a la Parmigiana,’ 

is to bread and 

serve with sauce and 

cheese, and bake, and I 

knew there was going 

to be a lot of that on the 

menu. So, it just seemed 

like it would fit.” 

Papandrea’s journey 

through the culinary world 

began with his parents, 

who were both Italian and 

taught him the value of 

fresh-grown ingredients. 

“They both were very 

frugal and very much 

working from the garden 

most of the days,” he said. 

“Even through the winter, 

they would can and 

package and do all that 

stuff to keep things going 

Parmesans Station 

18001 S. 80th Ave. in 

Tinley Park 

For more information ... 

Web: parmesans.com 

Phone: (708) 532- 

8080 

through the winter. For the 

amounts that they planted, 

they would always have 

extra.” 

Papandrea was one of 

the first students to attend 

the New England Culinary 

Institute in Montpelier, 

Vermont. After graduating, 

he served as the poissonniere, 

or fish chef, at 

La Caravelle, a restaurant 

in New York City specializing 

in French cuisine. 

Later, Papandrea spent 

time teaching French classical 

cooking at his alma 

mater, traveling through 

Europe, opening a restaurant 

in The Hamptons and 

operating a wedding catering 

service before eventually 

relocating to Illinois 

to be closer to Mary Ann’s 

family. 

In late 2012, Papandrea 

learned from a customer 

that the Tinley Park site, 

located at the 80th Avenue 

Metra station in Tinley 

Park, had became available. 

“We took a look at it 

and we knew how beautiful 

it was, and we thought 

it was a perfect place for 

showers and weddings,” 

he said. 

Today, the business caters 

roughly 25 weddings 

and 100 showers annually, 

Papandrea said, adding 

that “attentive service” is 

a staple of the restaurant’s 

business model. 

“That was one of the 

biggest things I saw going 

to a wedding locally,” he 

said. “I noticed, just sitting 

there, just waiting for 

At Parmesans Station in Tinley Park, the chicken Parmesan pizza ($14.50) is one of the restaurant’s top sellers. 

Photos by Nuria Mathog/22nd Century Media 

my server to come back, 

and I thought, ‘It would be 

so much different if they 

would hover, just a little 

... It’s very important to 

make sure that [table No. 

18] feels just as important 

as table No. 1.” 

At Parmesans, the pizza 

is always a crowd-pleaser. 

The restaurant offers 

a wide variety of gourmet 

pizzas, including a 

chicken Parmesan pizza 

($14.50) and a cheeseburger 

pizza ($12.95) that 

comes with small patties, 

mozzarella and American 

cheeses, ketchup, mustard, 

and pickles. 

“[There are] things that 

are so unique that you 

would think, ‘Woah, that’s 

different,’” Papandrea 

said. “And then you eat 

it and you’re like, ‘Woah, 

that was like a fresh-baked 

cheeseburger on its own 

little crust.’” 

Many of the dishes incorporate 

the restaurant’s 

The fettuccini Alfredo ($13.50) can be paired with chicken for an additional $2.95 or 

made with gluten-free pasta for an additional $3.95. 

signature pesto — a sauce 

made in-house that can be 

found on many of the pizzas, 

as well as appetizers 

such as the pesto mozzarella 

bread ($6.95). 

Out of all of the items on 

the menu, Papandrea’s favorite 

is the fried calamari, 

which comes with marinara 

and lemon ($12.95). 

Parmesans’ desserts, 

which include Italian specialties 

such as the cannoli 

($3.95) and tiramisu ($34 

for a whole cake, $5.95 

for a slice) are all made at 

the restaurant, without any 

canned fillings, Papandrea 

said. 

“If I make an ice cream, 

it’s maybe creme anglaise, 

so I make the base first, 

then we make the ice 

cream,” he said. “It’s the 

same thing with any frosting 

or icing we use — I 

never open a can, let’s put 

it that way. So, that makes 

the difference.”

22 | June 6, 2019 | the mokena messenger puzzles 


crosstown CROSSWORD & Sudoku The crosstowns: Frankfort, Homer Glen, Lockport, Mokena, New Lenox, Orland Park, Tinley Park 

Crossword by Myles Mellor and Cindy LaFleur 

Across 

1. Flat-nosed pooch 

4. Camel’s back 

breaker 

9. Gave up 

14. “Every day ___ 

new day” 

15. Covered with 

water 

16. Cast 

17. Computer network, 

for short 

18. Jane Fonda’s 

role in a film where 

she starred with 

Jennifer Lopez 

20. Provides support 

for 

22. Looker 

23. O.K. 

26. Fixer 

31. Conception 

32. In a virtuous 

manner 

34. Israel’s Dayan 

36. Remove scars 

37. Retract, as words 

41. Where Switz. is 

42. ____ Brothers 

43. Chemistry 

Nobelist Otto 

44. Shady bower 

46. Lincoln-Way 

North alum who 

acted in “Contagion,” 

Brian 

49. Go ballistic 

52. Michener best 

seller 

53. Comedian who 

bought a home in 

Frankfort, ____ 

Mac 

56. Rotator cuff injury 

tests, for short 

59. Invite request 

60. Dance floor 

illuminator 

67. Emirates, for 

short 

68. Committee 

69. S.A. ruminant 

70. Wind direction 

71. Sentient 

72. Fluctuates wildly 

73. Prosecutors, for 

short 

Down 

1. Rice with meat or fish 

2. The lightning Bolt 

sprinter at the Olympics 

3. One of the most successful 

protesters of 20th 

century politics 

4. Director Peckinpah 

5. The ark’s magic 

number 

6. Informant 

7. Tennis great, Arthur 

8. Muffet food 

9. Cricket sounds 

10. “Velvet” finish 

11. Cowboys abbreviation 

on scoreboards 

12. Actress, Longoria 

13. Drops on blades 

19. Country singer 

McEntire 

21. French for “south” 

24. Martin of cognac 

fame 

25. Chinese philosophy 

27. ___ never happen 

28. Steady 

29. “... or ___!” 

30. Dark loaves 

32. Barbarian 

33. Basil, e.g. 

35. One-named “Kiss 

from a Rose” singer 

37. “This is bad!” 

38. Bubkes 

39. Play perhaps 

40. Tolstoy heroine 

Karenina 

42. Highlands hillside 

45. Sphere 

47. Light-footed 

48. Cork’s country 

50. Warning sound 

51. Followed 

54. Mother of Donald Jr. 

55. Fencing swords 

57. Italian coffee brand 

58. Storage site 

60. Place for a mud bath 

61. Playing marble 

62. Ribonucleic acid, for 

short 

63. “___ the ramparts ...” 

64. Jovial 

65. Wellness grp. 

66. Profs’ helpers, for 

short 

MOKENA 

The Alley Grill and Tap 

House 

(18700 S. Old LaGrange 

Road, Mokena; (708) 

478-3610) 

■9 ■ p.m. Tuesdays: 

Karaoke 

Fox’s Restaurant and Pub 

(11247 W. 187th St., 

Mokena; (708) 478- 

8888) 

■6 ■ p.m. Thursdays, 

Fridays and Saturdays: 

Performance by Jerry 

Eadie 

NEW LENOX 

Little Joe’s Restaurant 

(1300 N. Cedar Road, 

New Lenox; (815) 463- 

1099) 

■5-8 ■ p.m. Tuesdays: 

Piano Styles by Joe 

HOMER GLEN 

Front Row 

(14903 S. Bell Road, 

Homer Glen; (708) 645- 

7000) 

■7 ■ p.m. Wednesdays: 

Trivia 

FRANKFORT 

Pete Mitchell’s Bar & Grill 

(21000 Frankfort 

Square Road, Frankfort; 

(815) 464-8100) 

■6-8 ■ p.m. Wednesdays: 

Free N’ Fun Bar Game. 

Free to play. 

LOCKPORT 

Port Noir 

(900 S. State St., Lockport; 

(815) 834-9463) 

■4-7 ■ p.m. Monday- 

Friday: Happy Hour 

Strike N Spare II 

(811 Northern Drive, 

Lockport; (708) 301- 

1477) 

■9:30 ■ p.m.-12:30 a.m. 

Mondays: Quartermania 

ORLAND PARK 

Traverso’s Restaurant 

(15601 S. Harlem Ave., 

Orland Park; (708) 532- 

2220) 

■8 ■ p.m. Wednesdays 

and Saturdays: Karaoke 

To place an event in The 

Scene, email a.ivanisevic@ 

22ndcenturymedia.com. 

answers 

How to play Sudoku 

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that 

has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 

3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle each row, column 

and box must contain each of the numbers 

1 to 9. 

LEVEL: Medium 

Crossword by Myles Mellor and Susan Flanagan

mokenamessenger.com local living 


Tasteful Kitchen Completes Luxury 

Townhome Experience at Brookside Meadows 

The heart of the home is your 

kitchen. It is the gathering place for 

family and friends to enjoy food, 

kindle relationships and make great 

memories. Crana Homes puts a 

great deal of thought into your 

Brookside Meadows kitchen with 

stylish layouts, attractive materials 

and quality appliances all designed 

to complete your ‘tasteful kitchen 

experience.’ These attractive luxury 

townhomes, now in their final 

construction phase, are quietly 

hidden away in Tinley Park behind 

a large wooded tract with lakes 

and open spaces. Since prices are 

still ranging from the upper-$200s 

(including site) demand is high and 

buyers are urged to visit soon before 

prime sites disappear. 

Crana Homes’ decades-earned 

reputation for craftsmanship, 

customer satisfaction and high 

resale value culminates at Brookside 

Meadows. These homes uphold 

the Crana quality promise for 

design, quality and attention to 

detail. Buyers can select from three 

different award-winning floorplans: 

the Fahan II, the Lennan II, and 

Crana’s newest offering here, the 

Dunree II. 

All floorplans follow a large open 

space kitchen design featuring 

stunning granite countertops 

surrounded by beautiful custom 

maple cabinets. The Fahan II is 

a roomy and beautiful 3,303 total 

square foot luxury townhome 

(including a 1,216 sq.’ basement) 

with an attached twocar, dry-walled 

garage and cement driveway. The 

1st floor master bedroom offers an 

optional coffered ceiling and the 

optional master bath plan includes 

a relaxing soaker tub. The two-story 

entrance foyer is stately and inviting 

and spreads out to a split level 

floor plan that has three bedrooms 

(fourth bedroom optional) and two 

and a half baths. 

An elegant loft overlooks a 

comfortable great room which is 

adjacent to the kitchen. Elegant 

hardwood oak is hand chosen for 

doors, floors, railings and trim. 

Ceramic tile covers the floors in 

the foyer as well as the bathrooms 

- which also feature granite vanity 

tops. Entertain family and friends 

with a full lookout basement and 

a patio which are included in the 

Fahan II. 

The Lennan II is a stately two/ 

three bedroom split level home 

which includes most of the features 

of the Fahan II except the spacious 

master suite is located 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) with a twocar, 

dry-walled garage and cement 

driveway. 

The Dunree II has 3,194 square 

feet of living space (including a 

sizable 1,226 sq.’ basement). There 

are three bedrooms and two and 

half baths. The master suite - with 

walk in shower and seat - is on the 

first floor. A 12’ x 12’ exterior deck is 

great for hosting guests. 

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. 

Sprinkler system, smoke detectors 

and Lake Michigan water are 

provided in all homes. Brookside 

Meadows homes include costefficient, 

energy-saving features like 

a high-efficiency furnace and Lo-E 

glass 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. 

Hidden inside Tinley Park, 

Brookside Meadows is still close 

to everything: retail, dining, 

transportation routes, Metra rail 

station and airports. The school 

system is among the best in the state 

and Tinley Park, named “The Best 

Place In America to Raise a Family” 

by Bloomberg’s BusinessWeek, 

maintains 40 parks and the huge 

Bettenhausen indoor recreational 

center. 

The heart of your home is an 

attractive and fully functional 

kitchen. See for yourself at 

Brookside Meadows’ fully furnished 

and beautifully decorated models. 

The sales center is open Monday 

through Thursday 10:00am to 

4:00pm; Saturday and Sunday 

from noon to 4:00pm; and 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 or go 

online at www.cranahomes.com. 

DunreeII 

1 st FloorMaster Suitewith 

Walk-in Closetand Large Bathroom 

3Bedrooms,Plus Loft,2½Bath -Chicago Water 

Large Open kitchen featuring granitecounter-tops 

surrounded by beautiful custom maple cabinets 

Crana Homes’Decades-Earned Reputation forCraftsmanship, 

Customer Satisfaction and High Resale Value 

Since 1970 

Contactthe Sales Center fordetails at 708.479.5111 

and visit online anytime at www.cranahomes.com 

Visit OurDecorated Models 

Mon-Thu10am-4pm Sat/Sun Noon-4pm FridaybyAppt. 

Exit I-80 at La Grange Road south forjust undertwo miles to 

La PorteRoad andturn east forone-halfmiletoBrooksideMeadows. 

OPPORTUNITY

24 | June 6, 2019 | the mokena messenger local living 

mokenamessenger.com

mokenamessenger.com real estate 


The Mokena Messenger’s 

Sponsored content 

of the 

WEEK 

Peaceful location near all 

Mokena/Frankfort amenities 

and two doors to school. 

Where: 20207 88th Ave. in 

unincorporated Mokena 

What: Sprawling Ranch with a 

full basement on 5 acres. 

Amenities: Country living within 

suburbia. Beautiful threebedroom, 

three-bath custom 

home with more than 3000 

square feet of living. Set on 5 

acres with mature landscaping, 

this ranch was inspired by one 

family’s dream. Grand, sunlit 

foyer with hardwoods offers a 

view of vaulted living room with 

fireplace, flanked with wrap 

around Anderson windows 

spilling sunshine. Adjacent 

dining room with wall of windows 

simplifies formal gatherings. 

Newer upscale kitchen with 

custom cabinetry, double oven, 

endless granite counters/ 

island and skylight creating a 

bright eating area overlooking 

two-tiered deck. Family room 

has an additional fireplace and 

patio access. Private office 

with tucked away second desk 

option. Master offers dual sinks, 

a jetted bath, skylight and a 

walk-in closet. Full basement, 

partially finished with recreation area, workshop and still plenty of storage. Endless 

yard with expansive deck overlooking sport court and wooded trails. Three-car, 

side-load garage. 

May 1 

• 19506 S. Hunter Trail, Mokena, 

60448-8841 - Herta Skowron Trustee 

to Bipin Sharma, $450,500 

• 17917 S. Foxhound Lane, Mokena, 

60448-8583 - Peter J. Piazza To 

Pawel Twarowski, Grazyna Strama, 

$435,000 

The Going Rate is provided by Record Information 

Services, Inc. For more information, 

visit www.public-record.com or call 

(630) 557-1000. 

Asking Price: $499,900 

Listing Agent: Mike 

McCatty & Associates. For 

complete details or private 

showing, call (708) 945- 

2121 

Listing Brokerage: 

Century 21 Affiliated 

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

26 | June 6, 2019 | the mokena messenger classifieds 


Help 

Wanted 

CLASSIFIEDS 

Help Wanted · Garage Sales · Automotive 

Real Estate · Rentals · Merchandise 

Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

DEADLINE - 

Friday at 3pm 

Automotive 

Real Estate 

$52 

4 lines/ 

7 papers Help Wanted 

$50 

7 lines/ 

7 papers Merchandise 

$13 

per line 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

1003 Help Wanted 

1003 Help 

Wanted 

1004 Employment 

Opportunities 

1023 Caregiver 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT/CONSULTATIVE SALES 

for Custom Rubber Products Company 

At Aero Rubber Company, Inc. we value the desire to succeed, 

providing a great customer experience, and supporting our teams. 

As a business development professional at Aero you’ll receive 

in-depth training on our rubber products, so you can actively 

identify new targets and establish new business from inception 

through to final sale. To succeed, you’ll need to evaluate 

opportunities, build relationships, and develop leads with 

the support of targeted marketing campaigns. You’ll call on 

qualified targets, provide technical sales consultations, develop 

quotes, and provide outstanding customer service to ensure 

loyal customers. Throughout the entire process you’ll track 

your leads with our CRM system and report on your results. 

This is an inside non-commissioned position; 

it is not a telemarketing position. 

Qualifications: 

- 3-5 years minimum successful B2B business development and 

industrial sales experience 

- Prior consultative sales experience and relationship building 

(not catalog sales) 

- Proven track record of achieving results 

- Strong phone presence with excellent verbal communication 

and listening skills 

- ISO and/or quality system experience a plus 

Benefits: 

- Medical/Dental/Vision 

- 401K 

- Performance Bonus 

-Relocation Package 

About Aero: 

Located in SW Suburb of Chicago 

46+ Years Strong 

ISO 9001:2015 

To Apply: 

Send cover letter and resume to: bschatte@aerorubber.com 

Full-Time Legal Secretary 

Law offices (Mokena & Joliet) seeks qualified individuals 

for full-time position. 

Duties include preparing legal documents, assisting in the issuing 

and tracking subpoenas, e-filing pleadings, scheduling 

and calendaring appointments and deadlines as required, 

composing routine correspondence, arranging depositions, 

coordinating arrangements for services of messengers, 

court reports, etc. 

Operating office equipment including scanners, 

photo copy machines, printers, transcribers, etc. 

Must have excellent typing skills and be proficient in 

Microsoft Office includingOutlook and Excel. 

Some knowledge of Abacus and Timeslips preferred. 

Forward resume and salary requirements to 

mrowinski@grottadivorcelaw.com 

ATTENTION: 

COLLEGE STUDENTS 

Homer Township is 

accepting applications for: 

Seasonal Maintenance 

Laborer 

Includes, but not limited 

to lawn care, 

weed & trash removal, 

restroom care, painting, 

building maintenance. 

Not to exceed 1,000 hours. 

708.301.0522 

www.homertownship.com 

Part-time Telephone Work 

calling from home for 

AMVETS. Ideal for 

homemakers and retirees. 

Must be reliable and have 

morning &evening hours 

available for calling. 

If interested, 

Call 708 429 6477 

M-F, 10am - 1pm Only! 

Hiring Cook 

Atleast 2 years of 

kitchen experience 

(708) 349-2205 

SALES SUPPORT 

ASSISTANT 

Due to our rapid growth and 

expansion, Tinley Park 

Industrial Manufacturing Sales 

office seeks detail-oriented 

Sales Assistant for full-time 

position. A Sales Assistant at 

ARC does both sale’s 

administrative and 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 customer 

service experience a plus. 

Repeat customer & supplier 

contact. No telemarketing or 

cold calling required. 

Competitive salary & benefit 

pkg incl. 401K. 

Send letter & resume to: 

cstratton@aerorubber.com 

Kirby School District 140 

We are currently seeking 

Full-Time Bus Drivers 

A CDL License, with current 

School Bus and Passenger 

endorsement is preferred, 

but we are willing to train. 

$13.00/hour for training; 

$17.00/hour with CDL and 

SBP endorsements. 

Benefits offered 

Apply at KSD140.org 

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 

Medical Office in 

Orland Park seeks P/T, 

licensed medical X-ray 

technician for 1 day/wk. 

Fax resume to 708.460.9254 

or email datkenson@aol.com 

1010 Sitters 

Available 

BABYSITTER AVAILABLE 

LWE Honors Student with 

American Red Cross certific. 

Flexible schedule - 

days, evenings, weekends 

Multiple children are OK 

Reasonable fees 

LW Area preferred 

Call (815) 517-6603 

NEED BABYSITTER 

HELP? 

Loving mom in New Lenox, 

will provide daily care in my 

home, Monday-Friday. 

Nelson Prairie School area 

and Spencer Kindergarten. 

Call Stacy at 

630-776-4103. 

1021 Lost & 

Found 

Lost Cat 

Name: Izzy 

Solid black, green eyes 

6 years old, 10 pounds 

Female 

Micro-chipped 

Very timid 

Missing since May 25th 

near Illinois Highway & 

Cedar Road in New Lenox 

Offering Reward 

If found or seen, please call 

or text (773)428-1766 

1023 Caregiver 

Caregiver Services 

Provided by 

Margaret’s Agency Inc. 

State Licensed & Bonded 

since 1998. Providing quality 

care for elderly. 

Live-in/ Come & go. 

708.403.8707 

1037 Prayer / Novena 

Oh holy St. Jude, Apostle & 

Martyr, great in virtue and rich 

in miracles, near kinsman of 

Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor 

of all who invoke your special 

patronage in time of need. 

To you Ihave recourse from 

the depths of my heart and 

humbly beg to whom God has 

given such great power to 

come to my assistance. Help 

me in my present and urgent 

petition. In return, I promise to 

make your name known and 

cause to be invoked. Say three 

Our Fathers, three Hail Marys 

and Glories for nine consecutive 

days. Publication must be 

promised. St. Jude pray for us 

and all who invoke your aid. 

Amen. This Novena has never 

been known tofail. Ihave had 

requests granted. 


RENTAL 

PROPERTY 

in the newspaper 

people turn to first 

CALL US TODAY: 708.326.9170 


1050 Community Events

mokenamessenger.com classifieds 


CLASSIFIEDS 

Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

Automotive 


DEADLINE - 

$52 

4 lines/ 


Friday at 3pm 

7 papers 

LOCAL 

REALTOR 

READYTO SELL 

YOUR REAL ESTATE? 

CALL 

Mike McCatty 

& ASSOCIATES 

708-945-2121 

BILLION IN SALES 

5000 SOLD 

DIRECTORY 

Help Wanted 

$13 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

per line 

Real Estate 

$50 

7 lines/ 

7 papers 

Merchandise 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

Advertise 

your 

RENTAL 

PROPERTY 

in the 

newspaper 

people turn 

to first 

Contact Classified Department 

to Advertise in this Directory (708) 326.9170 

CALL US TODAY: 708.326.9170 

www.22ndcenturymedia.com



Garage 

Sale 

1052 Garage Sale 

Frankfort, Gateway Homes 

Annual Community Garage 

Sale. Individual Homes Just 

East of LaGrange Rd. & 

North of Steger Rd. 

Fri. June 7th 9am-4pm & 

Sat. June 8th 9am-4pm 

Homer Glen 13835 W. Dublin 

Drive. Fri. 6/7 and Sat. 6/8, 

8-3pm. Huge sale! -clothing, 

home items, and decor 

Homer Glen 14922 Wilco Dr. 

6/8, 9-3pm. Yard tools, bakeware, 

electric cooking ware, 

furniture, rugs, and more! 

Matteson 21415 Butterfield 

Pkwy 6/6-6/7 10-4pm Furn, 

DVDs, knick knacks, lamps, 

heater & much, much more! 

Tinley Park 6402 Jeanette Ct. 

Fri. 6/7 & Sat. 6/8, 9-1pm. 

Vintage Weber grill, furniture, 

antiques, household items, and 

much more! 

Village of Manhattan 

Community Wide 

Garage Sale 

Friday, June 7th and 

Saturday, June 8th 

8:00am-3:00pm 

All participant’s addresses will 

be listed in a map of the community. 

Maps will be available 

for distribution on Monday, 

June 3rd at Village Hall 

located at 260 Market Place, 

Manhattan, IL and online at 

www.villageofmanhattan.org 

For questions please call 

Village Hall at (815) 418-2100 

1053 Multi Family 

Sale 

New Lenox - St. Jude School, 

241 W. Second Avenue. Fri 

6/7 -Sat 6/8 from 8am-4pm, 

Sun 6/9 8am-1pm. Four rooms, 

gym, and hallway loaded w/ 

adult, children, and baby clothing, 

coats, shoes, purses, luggage, 

backpacks, sporting 

goods, holiday items, household 

items, linens, glassware, 

home decorations, books, CDs, 

DVDs, toys, craft supplies, 

fabric, games, tools, furniture, 

etc. 

Orland Park, 17648 Olivia 

Ln. 6/7-8 8-2pm. Baby furn. 

kids clothes &toys hshld items 

& furn. Good quality items! 

1054 Subdivision 

Sale 

Lockport Thunder Hill Subd, 

off of Gougar & 167th 6/6-6/8 

9-3pm Kids, baby clothes, 

electronics, household & more! 

New Lenox, Grand Prairie 

Subdivision. on Haven 

between Nelson and Gougar. 

Saturday, June 8th. 8-3pm. 

Windy Hill Farm 

Subdivision Sale 

Near Route 30 and Pfieffer 

in Frankfort 

Sat. June 8th, 8am - 1pm 

Numerous Homes 

Anything from Toys and 

Clothes to Tools and Decor 

1057 Estate Sale 

Orland Park 14126 S 86th Pl 

6/8-6/9 9-4pm High end furn 

for all rooms, toys, dishes, antiques, 

kitchen supplies. Bring 

atruck and help toload. Cash 

only! 

Orland Park 15308 S Orchid 

Ln 6/7-6/8 9-5pm Ent cent, 

bedroom furn, china cab & 

china, Xmas items, piano & 

more! 

Automotive 

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Notices 

NOTICE OF 

PUBLIC HEARING 

NOTICE ISHEREBY GIVEN that 

a public hearing will beheld onthe 

Tentative Budget of the MOKENA 

FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 

in the Counties of Will and Cook, 

and State of Illinois for the fiscal 

year beginning on June 1, 2019 and 

ending on May 31, 2020 at the 

Mokena Fire Station located at 

19853 S. Wolf Road, Mokena, Illinois 

on July 9, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. 

The Tentative Budget for MOK- 

ENA FIRE PROTECTION DIS- 

TRICT for said fiscal year ending 

on May 31, 2020 is now posted on 

the bulletin board of the said 

MOKENA FIRE PROTECTION 

DISTRICT station in said fire protection 

district, and isconveniently 

available for public inspection. 

Dated June 6, 2019. 

MOKENA FIRE PROTECTION 

DISTRICT 

By: /s/ Robert Hennessy 

Secretary 

Public Notice 

Notice is hereby given that First 

Secure Bank &Trust Co., 10360 

South Roberts Road, Palos Hills, 

Illinois 60465, has submitted an 

application (the “Application”) to 

the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 

for permission to establish 

a full-service branch office at 

19648 S. LaGrange Road, Mokena, 

Illinois 60448. 

Any person wishing to comment 

on the Application may file his or 

her comments in writing with the 

Regional Director ofthe Federal 

Deposit Insurance Corporation at 

its Regional Office (300 South 

Riverside Plaza, Suite 1700, Chicago, 

Illinois 60606) not later than 

June 21, 2019. The non confidential 

portions of the Application are 

on file in the regional office and 

are available for public inspection 

during regular business hours. 

Photocopies of the non-confidential 

portion of the Application files 

will be made available upon request. 

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34 | June 6, 2019 | the mokena messenger sports 


Athlete of the week 

10 Questions 

TheSlammersare at home 

every dayJune11-16! 

with Danielle Stewart 

Danielle Stewart just finished her freshman 

season on the Lincoln-Way East 

softball team. 

6/11 

6/12 

6/13 

6/14 

6/15 

6/16 

$2 Tuesday &Government Employee 

AppreciationNight 

Wiener Wednesday-$1 Hot Dogs 

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Signature Saturday with GaryMatthews 

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Family Sunday &Father’s Day 

JUNE 

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 

1 

LE 

want to play at a high-level school and be 

2 3 4 

65 87 

part of a competitive softball team. So, 

LE EVN EVN EVN RC RC 

we’ll see what happens in the future. 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

RC 

LE LE LE WSH WSH 

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 

WSH SCH SCH RC RC 

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 

RC 

FLO FLO FLO WSH WSH 

Formoreinformation, callusat(815)722-2287 

or visitusatwww.jolietslammers.com 

What would you attribute this 

season’s success to? 

We’ve worked well as a team. We all 

get along really well and play with a togetherness. 

We try to stick together as a 

team, even when we’re down. 

How do you feel the season went 

for you individually? 

I’d say it went pretty well. It was cool to 

have the opportunity to play on varsity. I 

just wanted to be myself and play my hardest, 

and I feel like I did that pretty well. 

What would be one thing you 

would take away from this 

season? 

I really enjoyed the team bonding. We 

all got along and really exemplified teamwork. 

There was really a “we” mentality 

and not an “I”. 

Any plans on playing collegiate 

softball? 

I don’t have any commitments anywhere 

since I am a freshman. I’d like to stay close 

to home because I love my family. I also 

Who is one athlete that you 

admire? 

I’d have to say Javier Baez because of 

how hard he plays. He has a lot of passion 

for baseball, and I admire how hard he has 

worked to get to the level of play he has 

done so far. 

If you were stranded on a desert 

island, what is one thing that you 

would bring? 

I’d have to say my younger sister. She 

STEVE MILLAR/22ND CENTURY MEDIA 

is very good at finding resources and we 

work well together. I feel like we’d be 

able to survive well and find what we 

would need to in order to survive. 

When did you start playing 

softball? 

I started playing when I was around 10. 

I knew it was the right sport for me. 

If you could meet anyone famous, 

who would it be? 

I would like to meet Serena Williams. I 

feel like she would be an interesting person 

to meet because of how well she has 

done and how hard she has had to work 

coming back from a pregnancy. Her abilities 

are right where she left off and I’d 

love to ask how she’s able to stay so devoted 

to the sport she loves. 

What do you look forward to the 

most in your high school career? 

Being able to do things on my own. Seeing 

the world for what it really is and being 

able to experience new things that can help 

me grow as a person. Seeing the world 

through my eyes and not my parents’. 

What is the best part of being a 

Lincoln Way East athlete? 

The opportunities we get. I also enjoy 

the team chemistry that we have and being 

able to play what I love with people I 

enjoy being around. 

Interview conducted by Editorial Intern Joe 

Bielanski

mokenamessenger.com sports 


Lacrosse 

Historic seasons end for Lincoln-Way co-op boys, girls in supersectional 

STEVE MILLAR, Sports Editor 

Lincoln-Way co-op’s 

boys lacrosse team did 

its best to endure an early 

blitz from Glenbard West 

in the Andrew Supersectional 

on May 28. 

Lincoln-Way’s defense 

and goalie Trevor Stanevicius 

held up well early, 

only allowing two goals 

over the first nine minutes, 

but couldn’t keep the 

Hilltoppers down over the 

long haul. 

“For the amount of 

time that their offense had 

the ball, our defense did 

great,” said George Burchfield, 

a Lincoln-Way Central 

junior. “I don’t think 

it was an effort thing but 

I think we just had the 

mindset that the other team 

was so good and we didn’t 

have a chance. With that 

pessimistic attitude, things 

weren’t going to go well.” 

Lincoln-Way fell behind 

by five goals in the first 

quarter and couldn’t recover, 

falling 17-4. 

“It’s hard to get things 

going after you’re down 

by so much,” Burchfield 

said. “When you get the 

ball, you want to slow 

things down because the 

defense needs rest.” 

Burchfield, Central senior 

Brendan Sullivan, 

East senior Vince Grunert 

and East sophomore Ethan 

Sieb each scored once for 

Lincoln-Way. Coach Mike 

McCormick also credited 

the effort in goal of Stanevicius, 

an East senior. 

“There ended up being 

a lot of goals up there, 

but Trevor played a great 

game,” McCormick said. 

“We didn’t play our best 

game, but take nothing 

away from Glenbard West. 

They’re a great team. They 

played well, and we just 

got beat. 

“I couldn’t be prouder 

of these guys for what they 

did all year, though, winning 

the conference and 

winning the sectional. It 

was a great year.” 

Despite the loss, there 

are many fond memories 

to take away from a season 

in which Lincoln-Way finished 

15-5, won the South 

Suburban Conference and 

the program’s first sectional 

title, and was one of the 

last eight teams in the state 

still playing. 

“It’s the best year I’ve 

had in my Lincoln-Way 

experience,” Sullivan said. 

“We had the most fun and 

we made history.” 

Lincoln-Way co-op’s Trevor Stanevicius makes a save 

during a 17-4 loss to Glenbard West in the Andrew 

Supersectional on Tuesday, May 28. 

JULIE MCMANN/22ND CENTURY MEDIA 

Sullivan believes big 

things are ahead for the 

program. 

“I see us being better 

than [Glenbard West] in the 

future,” he said. “I see us 

winning a state title soon.” 

LW girls fall to defending 

state champs 

Hinsdale Central won 

the first IHSA girls lacrosse 

state title last season and 

has been a longtime power 

going back to the days of it 

being a club sport. 

For a growing Lincoln- 

Way co-op program, the 

Red Devils are a team to 

emulate. 

“We see the quickness 

they have, the camaraderie 

they have,” East junior 

Caroline Behrens said. 

“We have that, too, but we 

can elevate our game even 

more to get to that level. 

“This gives us an example, 

kind of a role model 

of what we want to be and 

what we definitely can be.” 

Lincoln-Way hung 

tough with Hinsdale Central 

early in the Andrew 

Supersectional on May 28 

but could not keep up with 

the high-powered Red 

Devils, falling 18-5. 

Lincoln-Way finished a 

tremendously successful 

season at 17-2, won the 

program’s first sectional 

and reached the IHSA 

Elite Eight. 

“Hinsdale Central is a 

phenomenal team,” Lincoln-Way 

coach Kathryn 

Allison said. “I have nothing 

but respect for them. 

They’re the defending 

champions. 

“We never even expected 

to be here. Just to be 

here was such an honor for 

us. Winning that sectional 

title was so great.” 

Behrens, a Harvard recruit, 

scored three goals 

to lead Lincoln-Way. East 

freshman Erika Ho added 

two goals. 

Lincoln-Way fell behind 

4-1 in the first eight minutes 

but pulled within 5-3 with 

5:41 left in the first half after 

goals from Ho and Behrens. 

“I thought we came out 

with a good pace, and we 

really wanted to go out 

and compete our absolute 

best,” Behrens said. “We 

knew coming in that it’d 

be a really tough game 

against a really good team 

and we were excited to get 

the opportunity to play 

them. It’s a big leap for our 

program to get to play in a 

game like this.” 

Hinsdale Central scored 

the final two goals of the 

half to go up 7-3 and ran 

away with things in the 

second half. 

Despite the Red Devils’ 

scoring output, Lincoln- 

Way goalie Elizabeth 

Myotte – an East junior – 

made several quality saves. 

Ho has three more seasons 

to help Lincoln-Way 

continue to progress toward 

Hinsdale Central’s 

level. 

“They’re kind of more 

renowned for lacrosse,” 

Ho said. “They’ve played 

longer up there, and they 

have the coaching, have 

the players. They have 

the all-around dedication. 

They start early fall and 

work the whole year.” 

Lincoln-Way will lose 

just four seniors – Central’s 

Delia Dohm, and 

East’s Brie Rush, Bailey 

Simpson and Grace Vavrik 

– and figures to return nine 

starters. 

With a star like Behrens, 

a young talent in Ho and 

a strong goalie in Myotte, 

plus several other key contributors, 

all the pieces are 

in place for a big 2020. 

“Next year’s our year,” 

Allison said. 

Athlete of the Month 

LW Central soccer player earns crown in May competition 

Bill Jones, Managing Editor 

Lincoln-Way Central’s 

Megan Hutchinson has 

been on the soccer field 

since she was 4 years old, 

and the sophomore forward 

has been scoring 

goals ever since. 

She has made a name 

for herself with both the 

Knights and the Eclipse 

club team, and she already 

has committed to play at 

Purdue University. 

Hutchinson also recently 

won 22nd Century Media’s 

May Athlete of the 

Month competition. 

The Athlete of the 

Month competition pits 

featured Athlete of the 

Week selections from our 

south suburban newspapers 

against one another in 

an online voting contest. 

The next contest is to 

begin Monday, June 10. 

To vote, visit MokenaMessenger.com, 

hover 

over the “Sports” menu tab 

and click “Athlete of the 

Month.” Readers can vote 

once per session per valid 

email address. Voting ends 

at 5 p.m. June 25. 

All athletes featured 

in the May Athlete of the 

Week sports interviews are 

automatically entered into 

the contest. 

Megan Hutchinson (right) — a sophomore who plays 

soccer for the Knights — won the May Athlete of the 

Month competition for publisher 22nd Century Media’s 

Southwest Chicago branch. 

Steve Millar/22nd Century Media



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38 | June 6, 2019 | the mokena messenger sports 


Fierke, Joliet West end Lincoln- 

Way Central’s dream season early 


Going into the Class 

4A Thornwood Sectional 

semifinal against Joliet 

West on May 29, Lincoln- 

Way Central’s softball 

team was on a 25-game 

winning streak which dated 

back to April 6. 

The Knights had beaten 

their two regional opponents 

by a combined score 

of 26-0 and seemed untouchable, 

destined to win 

the sectional and perhaps 

play at state. 

Central coach Jeff Tarala, 

though, knows how 

quickly that can all change 

in a one-and-done postseason 

format. 

“That’s the nature of the 

playoffs,” he said. “One 

bad day and it’s over. It’s 

unfortunate, but that’s just 

the way it goes.” 

The Knights’ bad day 

came, thanks in large part 

to Joliet West sophomore 

Savannah Fierke, who shut 

down Central over nine innings. 

The Tigers got a 

two-run home run from 

Lauren Russell in the top 

of the ninth and beat the 

Knights 2-0 at Providence, 

where the game was 

moved due to poor field 

conditions at Thornwood. 

“[Fierke] was absolutely 

outstanding,” Tarala said. 

“I made sure to tell her 

so when we shook hands. 

Usually against good 

pitchers, we can get to 

them the second or third 

time through the order 

with the very good hitting 

team we have. It just didn’t 

happen this game. I have 

to give her credit.” 

The Knights finished 

32-3. 

Lincoln-Way Central’s Melanie Nelson swings at a 

pitch during the Knights’ 2-0 loss to Joliet West in the 

Class 4A Thornwood Sectional semifinal May 29 at 

Providence. 

Lincoln-Way Central’s Amanda Weyh delivers a pitch 

in the Knights’ 2-0 loss to Joliet West. Weyh did not 

allow an earned run in nine innings. PHOTOS BY STEVE 

MILLAR/22ND CENTURY MEDIA 

Central’s Amanda Weyh 

matched Fierke most of 

the way. She did not allow 

a base runner until the 

sixth inning and struck out 

nine. An error in the ninth, 

however, extended the inning 

and Russell made the 

Knights pay with a towering 

two-out, two-run homer. 

Weyh, a Lindenwood 

recruit, did not allow an 

earned run in 18 playoff innings, 

but cruelly saw her 

high school career end anyway. 

“Amanda only allowed 

five earned runs all year,” 

Tarala said. “She was outstanding 

again. She was 

the reason we were in this 

game.” 

The Knights had some 

chances against Fierke, 

but stranded 12 runners 

on base, including eight in 

scoring position. 

“Amanda came up in 

some big spots and there’s 

nobody I’d rather have up 

at the plate,” Tarala said. 

“Ninety-nine percent of 

the time she comes up 

with that clutch hit. Carly 

[Alvers] had a couple opportunities. 

It just didn’t 

happen for any of us today.” 

The Knights struggled 

with execution, popping 

up several bunt attempts. 

“Probably [nerves] 

played into it a little bit, 

and our girls probably 

should have laid off some 

of those bunts with the rise 

ball coming, which leads 

to pop ups,” Tarala said. 

“It was probably a combination 

of a few things, but 

I think it’s more just their 

pitcher doing a good job.” 

The Knights graduate 

just five seniors, but two 

of them - Weyh and Ashley 

Platek - were major 

contributors for four years. 

Gabby Gedville was huge 

in the leadoff role this season, 

and the other seniors 

were Jaclyn Cismoski and 

Julia Izzo. 

“What the seniors have 

meant to the program, 

you can’t even put it into 

words,” Tarala said. “They 

were outstanding. 

“With this group, I’ll just 

look back at fond memories. 

Thinking about bus 

rides and those fun times. 

Those are the little things 

I’ll miss the most with this 

group, because they were 

such a great group.” 

Softball 

LW Central’s season 

filled with highlights 


Lincoln-Way Central’s 

softball season ended earlier 

than expected as the topseeded 

Knights fell 2-0 to 

Joliet West in nine innings 

in the Class 4A Thornwood 

Sectional semifinals. 

Still, the Knights went 

32-3 and won 25 straight 

games before the loss to 

the Tigers. There were 

many memorable moments 

along the way. 

An opening statement 

The Knights showed 

it could be a special year 

when they routed crosstown 

rival and perennial 

power Providence 9-0 in 

their season opener March 

22. Torince Muczynski 

drove in three runs, while 

Amanda Weyh and Ashley 

Platek each produced two 

RBI. Weyh and Syndey 

Grein combined for the 

shutout. 

Alvers’ big day 

Sophomore Carly Alvers 

had a huge season hitting in 

the middle of the Knights’ 

lineup. No performance 

was better than the one she 

put forth in the Knights’ 

10-0 win over Minooka at 

the WJOL Tournament on 

April 6. Alvers drove in 

seven runs against the Indians, 

going 3-for-4 with a 

homer and a double. 

Alvers said she had 

good luck at Joliet’s Inwood 

Complex, where the 

tournament was held. 

“I hit two home runs on 

the same field once when I 

was younger,” Alvers said 

at the time. “I guess I like 

playing here.” 

Shutting down the 

competition 

The Knights shut out 

their opponenets 18 times. 

Weyh, Grein, Platek and 

Olivia Flinn all got in on the 

domination. While coach 

Jeff Tarala utilized all four 

pitchers for much of the season, 

it was Weyh who took 

control down the stretch. 

Weyh threw all 18 of 

the Knights’ playoff innings 

and did not allow an 

earned run. 

She was quick to deflect 

credit to her teammates. 

“They always have my 

back,” Weyh said. “I know 

if I let someone put the 

ball in play that they’re going 

to make the play. That 

makes it so much easier 

on me. Our defense has 

played great all season.” 

Conference perfection and 

regional champs 

Central stormed through 

SouthWest Suburban Red 

play with a 12-0 record to 

win its third straight conference 

title. Only two of 

the Knights’ league wins 

came by less than five 

runs. 

After entering the 2018 

postseason as the top seed 

in their sectional only to be 

upset by Minooka in the 

regional final, the Knights 

made sure they would get 

their regional plaque this 

year. 

Playing at home, Central 

beat Romeoville 11-0 in 

five innings in the regional 

semifinal and needed just 

four innings to roll to a 

15-0 victory over Plainfield 

Central in the regional 

final. 

“It meant a lot to get the 

regional title,” sophomore 

Sydra Seville said after 

the game. “This team is 

special because we all get 

along, we play for each 

other, and we all do our 

part.”

mokenamessenger.com sports 


fastbreak 

Baseball 

Providence rally falls short in sectional final loss to Marist 

STEVE MILLAR 

Sports Editor 

steve millar/22nd Century 

Media 

1st and 3 

THREE STARS OF THE 

SPRING 

1. Amanda Weyh 

Weyh (above), a 

Mokena resident, 

was a two-way star 

for the LW Central 

softball team. The 

Lindenwood recruit 

allowed just five 

earned runs all year 

and also contributed 

greatly with her bat. 

2. Nicolette Gossage 

Gossage, a Mokena 

resident, concluded 

a brilliant LW Central 

soccer career with 

an All-State season. 

She scored 26 

goals and added 18 

assists. 

3. Cole Kirchsieper 

Kirschsieper, an 

Illinois recruit, was 

nearly untouchable 

on the mound for 

the LW East baseball 

team. He went 10-1 

with a 0.42 ERA, 

striking out 70 in 66 

innings. 

Even down to its final 

out with a six-run deficit, 

Providence wasn’t going 

to go down easily to Marist 

in the Class 4A Lockport 

Sectional championship 

game Saturday, June 1. 

In typical Celtics fashion, 

they made things interesting 

in the seventh 

inning, scoring a pair of 

two-out runs and nearly 

getting the tying run to the 

plate before falling 9-5. 

“I’m proud of our boys,” 

Providence coach Mark 

Smith said. “They battled 

back. I don’t think a lot of 

people gave us a chance 

and we showed we’re a 

better club than our record 

indicated. 

“Even right there at the 

end, they fought, we were 

a hair away from getting 

the tying run to the plate. 

That’s what this program 

does. It’s built on heart. 

These kids fought to the 

end and I’m really proud 

of them.” 

Providence (23-16) 

pulled within four on RBI 

singles from Josh Mrozek 

and Homer Glen resident 

Jake Mucha. 

“We fight until the end,” 

Mucha said. “Just keep 

working harder, keep seeing 

pitches, do what you 

can to give your team a 

chance to win.” 

The Celtics had two runners 

on and the tying run 

in the on-deck circle after 

Tyler Struck (right) consoles Aidan Goggins following 

Providence’s 9-5 loss to Marist in the Class 4A Lockport 

Sectional final on June 1. 

Mucha’s single, but Justin 

Janas induced Brennan 

Geers to ground out to second 

to seal the sectional 

title for Marist (26-10). 

“[Providence’s belief] 

showed in that last inning,” 

Smith said. “They 

weren’t quitting. If that 

ball gets through, we get 

the tying run to the plate.” 

Ultimately, it was two 

big two-out swings that 

cost Providence a spot in 

the Elite Eight. 

Jason Hodges and Kendal 

Ewell hit three-run 

home runs for Marist in 

the third and fourth innings, 

respectively. Both 

came with two outs. 

“That’s the difference in 

the game,” Smith said. “Ben 

[Vitas] was an out away 

from getting out of that, 

left it up. Good hitters do 

damage to mistake pitches. 

It was just a bad pitch and 

[Hodges] made us pay with 

three-run homer. 

“Then again, the next 

inning, two outs, another 

three-run home run. That 

made the difference.” 

After Marist took a 2-0 

lead in the first inning, 

Providence answered with 

three runs in the third. 

After Homer Glen resident 

Ryan O’Neil scored 

on a wild pitch, Orland 

Park resident Jake Hesselmann 

put the Celtics 

on top with a two-run 

single. 

Marist pitcher Jack 

Brannigan, a Notre Dame 

recruit, kept the Celtics in 

check from then until the 

seventh. 

“At least we can walk 

away with our heads 

up knowing we at least 

fought,” said Providence 

senior Alex Helmin, an 

Arizona State recruit. “It’s 

better than laying down. 

That’s something we can 

be proud of.” 

Helmin had a double 

Jake Mucha connects for a single for Providence during 

the Celtics’ 9-5 loss to Marist in the Class 4A Lockport 

Sectional final on June 1. PHOTOS BY STEVE MILLAR/22ND 

CENTURY MEDIA 

and a triple in a 6-2 win 

over Stagg in the sectional 

semifinal on May 

29. Mrozek hit a two-run 

homer. 

Lockport resident and 

Arizona State recruit 

Bryce Barnett, after giving 

up two runs in the first inning, 

dominated the rest of 

the way. He struck out 15 

in a complete-game victory. 

For the Celtics, reaching 

the sectional final after an 

up-and-down regular season 

was a meaningful accomplishment. 

Providence struggled 

with consistency all year. 

The low point was a sixgame 

losing streak from 

April 28 to May 8 that included 

a 16-6 defeat at the 

hands of crosstown rival 

Lincoln-Way Central. 

The Celtics responded 

by winning 10 of their final 

12 games, including 

the postseason. They captured 

their eighth regional 

title in the last nine years. 

“It means a lot that 

through all the bad things 

we went through, we 

pulled through and became 

a team,” Helmin said. “We 

played hard for each other. 

It was fun to know that 

every single guy on this 

team cared and wanted to 

be there.” 

Smith praised his team 

for its perseverance. 

“It’s a great group of 

kids,” he said. “They 

bought into everything 

this year, through the ups 

and downs of the season, 

they never quit. They kept 

their heads up and they 

battled. 

“It’s a team I was extremely 

proud to coach.” 

LISTEN UP 

“It’s a team I was extremely proud to coach.” 

Mark Smith - Providence basbeall coach, on the Celtics’ team that reached the Class 4A 

Lockport Sectional final before falling to Marist 9-5 on Saturday, June 1 

Tune In 

Baseball, Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8 

IHSA State Finals at Route 66 Stadium, Joliet 

• Marist’s Max Malley, a former player for the 

Mokena-based Lincoln-Way Blue Demons, is among 

the local products who could be playing at state. 

Index 

35 - Athlete of the Month 

34 - Athlete of the Week 

FASTBREAK is compiled by Sports Editor 

Steve Millar, s.millar@22ndcm.com.

mokena’s Hometown Newspaper | June 6, 2019 

LESSONS LEARNED 

LW co-op lacrosse teams hope 

to emulate top programs 

after supersectional losses, 

Page 35 

SUPER SOPH LW 

Central sophomore 

soccer star is 22nd 

Century Media’s Athlete 

of the Month, Page 35 

Lincoln-Way Central’s Gabby Gedville (left) and Ashley Platek 

(right) congratulate Gianna Niemeier after her diving catch May 29 

in the sectional semifinal against Joliet West. 

Lincoln-Way 

Central’s Amanda 

Weyh delivers 

a pitch May 29 

during the sectional 

semifinal loss to 

Joliet West. Weyh, 

a Mokena resident, 

did not allow an 

earned run in 18 

playoff innings. 

PHOTOS BY STEVE 

MILLAR/22ND CENTURY 

MEDIA 

LW Central softball falls in sectional semifinal, ending a year filled with highlights, Page 38 

FOCUSED ON KEEPING YOUWELL 

At Palos Hospital and Palos Health South Campus in Orland Park, 

Palos Health is focused on keeping you and your family well. 

To learn more ortofind aphysician, visit paloshealth.com/today. 

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