NL_121219

® 

new lenox’s Award-Winning Hometown Newspaper NewLenoxPatriotDaily.com • December 12, 2019 • Vol. 13 No. 39 • $1 

Officer Tom Lynch helps Kevin Morfain pick out a soccer ball during the 

Shop with a Cop event. Sean Hastings/22nd Century Media 

A 

,LLC 

Publication 

Maddie’s 

mural New Lenox 

gymnasts remember 

late friend with mural 

at Gym Kinetics, 

Page 4 

That’s the 

spirit Residents 

donate to local 

organizations and make 

Christmas cards for 

those at the Cottages of 

New Lenox, Page 12 

Local children participate in 

Shop with a Cop, Page 3 

Breaking News 

A man was abducted at 

gunpoint in his driveway 

and another New Lenox 

was man charged with 

multiple sex crimes 

against minors, Page 16 

FREE Photos 

with Santa 

See 

our ad 

inside for 

details 

MOKENA 

www.LWCBank.com

2 | December 12, 2019 | the new lenox patriot calendar 

newlenoxpatriotdaily.com 

In this week’s 

Patriot 

Police Reports................16 

Pet of the Week............17 

Sound Off.....................21 

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

Home of the Week.........32 

Athlete of the Week.......40 

The New 

Lenox Patriot 

ph: 708.326.9170 fx: 708.326.9179 

Editor 

Sean Hastings, x48 

sean@newlenoxpatriot.com 

sports Editor 

Steve Millar x34 

s.millar@22ndcm.com 

Sales director 

Lora Healy, x31 

l.healy@22ndcenturymedia.com 

real estate sales 

Courtney Masinter ext 47 

c.masinter@22ndcenturymedia.com 

classifieds/Legal Notices 

Jeff Schouten, x51 

j.schouten@22ndcenturymedia.com 

PUBLISHER 

Joe Coughlin 847.272.4565, x16 

j.coughlin@22ndcenturymedia.com 

Managing Editor 

Bill Jones, x20 

bill@opprairie.com 

president 

Andrew Nicks 

a.nicks@22ndcenturymedia.com 

EDITORIAL DESIGN DIRECTOR 

Nancy Burgan, x30 

n.burgan@22ndcenturymedia.com 

22 nd Century Media 

11516 West 183rd Street 

Unit SW Office Condo #3 

Orland Park, IL 60467 

www.NewLenoxPatriot.com 

Chemical- free printing on 

30% recycled paper 

circulation inquiries 

circulation@22ndcenturymedia.com 

The New Lenox Patriot 

(USPS ##25405) 

is published weekly by 

22nd Century Media, LLC, 

11516 W. 183rd Pl. 

Unit SW, Office Condo #3 


and additional mailing offices. 

Periodical postage paid at 

Orland Park, IL 

POSTMASTER: Send changes to: 


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Published by 

www.22ndcenturymedia.com 

Thursday 

Holiday Craft- Ornament 

1-3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 

12, New Lenox Public Library, 

120 Veterans Parkway. 

Learn how to transfer 

characters and quotes on 

to wooden ornaments at 

this fun holiday craft program. 

New Lenox Public 

Library card holders have 

priority. Registration Required. 

Tween Crotchet 

4:30-5:30 p.m. Friday, 

Dec. 13, New Lenox Public 

Library, 120 Veterans 

Parkway. Have you ever 

wanted to learn how to 

make cool yarn projects? 

Do you already know 

how to crochet, but want 

some new ideas? Join us 

for Tween Crochet Club, 

sponsored by the Friends 

of the New Lenox Public 

Library. No experience 

is necessary, and we will 

provide all the supplies. 

Saturday 

Christmas in the Commons 

4-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 

14 and Sunday, Dec. 15, 

New Lenox Village Commons, 


The Christmas in 

the Commons tradition 

returns with the official 

Village Commons lighting 

ceremony. Christmas 

in the Commons is every 

weekend until Dec. 

22. Everyone will have a 

chance to see Santa, ice 

skate, have hot cocoa, go 

on horse-drawn wagon 

rides and more. 

Lunch with the Grinch 

10 a.m.-noon and 

12:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, 

Dec. 14, Lincolnway 

Special Recreation Center, 

1900 Heather Glen 

Drive. Our annual Lunch 

with the Grinch will get 

you into the holiday spirit. 

The event includes pizza 

for lunch, jump, DJ dance 

party and a visit/photo opportunity 

with the Grinch. 

Visit http://lwsra.org/grin 

ch/ for more information 

and sign up instructions. 

Monday 

Blessing Ceremony 

9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 16, 

New Lenox Fire Station 

1, 261 E. Maple St. Join 

the New Lenox Fire Protection 

District as its new 

engine is being placed into 

service. 

Tuesday 

Finals Study After Hours 

8-10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 

17 and Wednesday, Dec. 

18, New Lenox Public Library, 


Studying for finals is 

stressful, but your public 

library has your back. We 

are keeping the library 

open late just for you. The 

library closes at 8 p.m., 

but you can stay. We will 

have snacks, cocoa, a Bob 

Ross relaxation room, coloring 

and relaxing activities 

for when you need a 

break. Please make sure 

you bring a signed permission 

slip the evening of the 

program. 

UPCOMING 

LW West Winter Baseball 

Camp 

Times vary. Monday, 

Dec. 23, Thursday, Dec. 

26 and Friday Dec. 27, 

Lincoln-Way West High 

School, 21701 Gougar 

Road. Camp is open to 

children first through 

eighth grade. Campers 

will be coached by the LW 

West baseball coaching 

staff. There they will learn 

offensive and defensive. or 

pitching skills. To attend 

the camp, visit lwwath 

letics.com and click the 

“more” tab, where you can 

find times and registration 

information. For more information, 

contact varsity 

baseball coach Jake Zajc 

at (815) 717-3521 or jza 

jc@lw210.org. 

Beyond the Nutcracker 

2-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 

21 and 3-5 p.m. Sunday, 

Dec. 22, Lincoln-Way 

West High School, 21701 

Gougar Road. Ballet 5:8 

is putting on its twist of 

“The Nutcracker,” set 

in the 1940s. It features 

over 100 dancers from 

Ballet 5:8 School of the 

Arts, guest artists from 

the Ballet 5:8 professional 

company, Ballet Magnificat. 

For ticket information 

and more information 

about the performance, 

visit school.ballet58.org/ 

beyond-the-nutcracker or 

call (708) 329-8773. 

Noon Year’s Eve Parents 

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday, 

Dec. 29, New Lenox 

Commons Ice Rink, 1 

Veterans Parkway. Can’t 

make it until midnight? 

Celebrate the “Noon Year” 

instead. Join the free party 

and help us countdown to 

noon. Music, crafts and 

activities will be provided. 

We cap off the event with a 

massive balloon drop and 

concessions will be available. 

ONGOING 

Lincoln-Way General 

Federation of Women’s 

Clubs Meetings 

6 p.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday, 

Jan. 8, Trinity Services, 


The New Lenox branch of 

the General Federation of 

Women’s Clubs. We are 

a local organization dedicated 

to strengthening our 

community and enhancing 

the lives of others through 

community service. 

LWABWO Meetings 

6-8 p.m. on the third 

Tuesday of each month 

Sept. through June, Gatto’s 

Restaurant,1938 E. 

Lincoln Highway. The 

Lincoln-Way Area Business 

Women’s Organization 

is a non-profit club 

formed in the 1970s to 

provide scholarship funds 

to graduating female high 

school seniors and adult 

women for the purpose 

of continuing education. 

We are always looking for 

new members. For more 

information, visit LWAB 

WO.org. 

Chess Club 

10 a.m. Thursdays, New 

Lenox New Lenox Public 

Library, 120 Veterans 

Parkway. Group meets until 

after noon. Open to anyone, 

from beginner to master, 

who enjoys playing 

chess. For more information, 

call (815) 485-7425. 

Stroke Risk Assessment 

Each year, nearly 

800,000 Americans suffer 

a new or recurrent stroke. 

That means on average, 

a stroke occurs every 40 

seconds. Taking the Silver 

Cross Neuroscience 

Institute’s free stroke risk 

assessment at silvercross. 

org/neuro. 

LIST IT YOURSELF 

Reach out to thousands of daily 

users by submitting your event at 

NewLenoxPatriot.com/calendar 

For just print*, email all information to 


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

VFW Events 

The New Lenox VFW 

Post 9545, 323 Old Hickory 

Road, New Lenox, 

hosts Bingo every Tuesday 

night at 5 p.m., and 

a fish fry every Friday 

from 5-8 p.m. Video slots 

and poker are offered 

each night and a DJ provides 

entertainment on 

Fridays. The post also 

offers football-watching 

parties on Thursdays and 

various drink specials 

throughout the week. For 

weekly drink specials or 

more information, visit vf 

wpost9545.org. 

New Lenox Toastmasters 

This group meets on the 

second and fourth Saturday 

of the month at New 

Lenox New Life Church 

(media room), 500 S. Gougar 

Road, New Lenox. The 

club’s mission is to help 

members improve their 

speaking, communication 

and leadership skills. For 

meeting times or more 

information, email jrsel 

bor@gmail.com. 

Stone City Kennel Club 

13606 W. Laraway 

Road, New Lenox. The 

Stone City Kennel Club is 

to offer all levels of classes 

for those looking to help 

teach their family pets how 

to behave and more. All 

classes are taught by experienced 

instructors. For 

more information, visit 

www.sckc.us or call (815) 

485-5562.

newlenoxpatriotdaily.com news 

the new lenox patriot | December 12, 2019 | 3 

Children fill shopping carts with gifts during Shop with a Cop 

3 

Sean Hastings, Editor 

“There’s no greater sound in 

the world than that of a child’s 

laughter,” New Lenox Police 

Chief Bob Sterba said. 

That’s exactly what filled the 

aisles of Walmart on Saturday, 

Dec. 7, as 45 local children and 

their men and women in blue 

went on a shopping spree for 

nearly two hours. 

The New Lenox Police Department 

held its 10th annual Shop 

with a Cop event where a group 

of officers and some of their family 

members — all volunteerbased 

— took local children, who 

had $100 gift cards from MorningStar 

Mission, shopping to buy 

Christmas presents. 

Throughout the year, the officers 

get to wear jeans on Fridays 

and that is something they pay to 

do. That money collected is used 

to get each child’s family a gift 

card to Aldi and a gift card for 

each child to go to McDonald’s. 

And if a child went over the 

$100 mark on their gift card, the 

officers covered the overage out 

of pocket. 

The NLPD put together a pizza/present-wrapping 

party after 

the event. 

The day started with a police 

escort from the New Lenox Police 

Department down Route 30 to 

Walmart, which led to a grand entrance 

where Walmart employees, 

police officers, friends and family 

lined the entryway clapping as the 

children walked through. 

As the event went on, shopping 

carts were filled with a variety of 

presents. One child had no less 

than 15 Matchbox Car bundles, 

one bought a video game, some 

bought sporting equipment and 

some bought whatever toy one 

could think of. 

Although the children bought 

presents for themselves, the 

overall common theme was giving 

among the kids, warming the 

hearts of everyone involved. 

“This is my favorite thing that 

I do for the whole Christmas season,” 

Deputy Chief April DiSandro 

said. “Just to watch the 

kids want to buy for their family, 

sometimes they’re buying a pillow 

for somebody. They are so 

loving. They want to buy for their 

mom, their dad, brother or sister. 

Sometimes they don’t even want 

to buy for themselves. You have 

to kind of tell them to pick something 

for themselves.” 

At times, it was easy to tell 

when a child was not buying 

for themselves. Some children 

picked out gifts that were in the 

hardware area — buying for their 

dad or grandpa. 

New Lenox police officers and children in the Shop with a Cop 

event pose for a photo while shopping for Christmas presents at 

Walmart on Saturday, Dec. 7. sean Hastings/22nd Century Media 

“My favorite part is to see the 

joy on their faces,” Deputy Chief 

Louis Alessandrini said. 

He added, with a laugh, that 

some children said they came the 

night before to scout out the store 

and figure out which presents 

they were going to buy. 

He also has had the chance to 

get to know some of the ones who 

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4 | December 12, 2019 | the new lenox patriot news 


Mural created in honor of late gymnast 

2 

Foundation’s 

first event part of 

ForeverU event in 

New Lenox 

Emily Brown 

Freelance Reporter 

In 18 years, Maddie 

“Maddog” Grobmeier 

influenced hundreds of 

young gymnasts, coaches 

and countless teammates 

and now her memory will 

live on. Her gym family at 

Gym-Kinetics, where she 

trained for 16 years, made 

her face a permanent fixture 

in the building. 

On Nov. 26, Gym-Kinetics, 

located in Mokena, 

surprised Maddie’s parents, 

Frank and Cyndi, and 

sister, Sam, with a 6-feet 

wide and 5.5-feet tall wall 

mural of Maddie from her 

final season of competition. 

That evening, the competitive 

Gym-Kinetics 

team, close friends and 

Maddie’s former coaches 

gathered in the gym’s 

lobby. As the Grobmeier 

family, entered the Gym- 

Kinetics lobby they discovered 

what was now the 

focal point as soon as one 

enters the doors: A wall 

mural displaying a largerthan-life 

side profile of 

Maddie, one of her proudest 

quotes and her leotard 

and grips from her final 

season of competition. 

“That honoring of her 

and her legacy was just 

amazing beyond what you 

can hope as a parent who 

loses a child or as a parent, 

period, to have a child who 

made enough of an impact 

that people want to honor 

her,” Cyndi Grobmeier 

said. 

Cynthia Grobmeier (middle) is presented a check from 

the 100+ Women who Care in Chicago Southland. 

Photo submitted 

Maddie was a consistent 

fixture at Gym-Kinetics all 

but the first two years of 

her life, training 20 hours 

every week year round. 

She was invited onto the 

gym’s competitive team 

at age seven when she triumphed 

as a state champion 

on beam. She continued 

to rise through the ranks to 

level 10, the highest in the 

USA Gymnastics Junior 

Olympic Program. 

“[The mural] is something 

that I wanted to do 

for her parents, but more 

than that, I wanted to do 

it for everybody that had 

known her in the gym,” 

Jim Frederickson, Maddie’s 

coach for the last 10- 

12 years and co-owner of 

Gym-Kinetics, said. 

Maddie died on June 30, 

due to complications from 

an asthma attack. To commemorate 

her, Frederickson 

commissioned artist 

and family friend, Anthony 

La Giglia, of Mokena, 

to complete the lifelike 

mural. 

La Giglia, who has created 

art in different mediums 

for as long as he can 

remember, pursued the art 

program at Illinois State 

University. This wall mural, 

though, was his first. 

After 25 hours of work in 

six days, the mural was 

complete. 

“It means a lot to be able 

to use my artistic talents 

to make something tangible 

... that shows how 

much she meant not only 

to them, but to the gymnastics 

community, her 

coaches and teammates,” 

La Giglia said. 

Alongside the painting 

of Maddie, the quote “The 

sky is the limit. Your sky is 

your limit.” is painted on 

the wall. The quote struck 

a special chord with Maddie 

during her senior year 

of high school and she 

spent a year writing her 

senior speech which concluded 

the saying meant to 

inspire younger gymnasts. 

Maddie’s legacy will 

continue beyond the gymnastics 

community, probably 

beyond what she ever 

dreamed, impacting gymnasts, 

our community and 

The mural painted inside Gym-Kinetics painted by Anthony La Giglia. anthony La 

Giglia 

communities across the 

nation through the Maddog 

Strong Foundation, 

which was created in Maddie’s 

spirit. (Maddog was 

Maddie’s nickname given 

to her by her dad as a 

baby. The nickname stuck 

and was she was forever 

known as Maddog.) 

Three months before her 

death, Maddie sat down 

with her parents and explained 

to them that if 

anything ever happened to 

her, she wanted her organs 

donated, which they did 

following her unexpected 

death and ultimately saved 

three lives. The Grobmeier 

family established the 

Maddog Strong Foundation 

to destigmatize organ 

donation and advocate for 

families, especially teens, 

to discuss their wishes 

about organ donation. 

“The statistics are roughly 

about 94 to 96 percent 

of people have a favorable 

opinion of organ donation, 

but there’s only 54 to 56 

percent of people that are 

signed up on the organ 

donor registry so there’s 

a disconnect somewhere,” 

Cyndi Grobmeier, who is 

President of the Maddog 

Strong Foundation, said. 

“So that’s really our goal, 

to move that needle and 

not just get people to support 

it, but commit to it.” 

The first event the Maddog 

Foundation took part 

in was the Remember Me 

Community Walk in the 

New Lenox Commons in 

connection with ForeverU, 

a “youth development organization 

that empowers 

youth to overcome adversity,” 

according to its website. 

The Maddog Strong 

Foundation plans to continue 

working with ForeverU 

as they launch their 

teen center in New Lenox 

and hope to run some organ 

donation programs 

there. 

In the next year, the 


has two major initiatives 

planned working 

with gymnasts at every 

level to encourage organ 

donation as well as within 

Illinois high schools to 

develop a curriculum that 

educates teens about organ 

donation from a health and 

science perspective. 

While the foundation 

expands its impact nationwide, 

it continues to also 

prioritize events within 

Maddie’s community. The 


will host the first-ever 

organ donation 5K run and 

walk in Illinois on June 

27, 2020 called Miles for 

Maddog, which will run 

through the Frankfort 

Square community where 

Maddie lived her entire 

life. 

Maddie is one of the rare 

few whose legacy will live 

on within her community 

and across the nation.

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Local teen who won Miss Teen Globe USA to compete internationally in 2020 

Mary Compton 


New Lenox teen Maddy 

Rafalski didn’t tell anyone 

she was entering Miss 

Teen Globe Illinois. Rafalski 

didn’t think she would 

get anywhere. It was in 

March 2018 that she won 

the state of Illinois. 

“I’ve never done a pageant 

in my life before this,” 

Rafalski said. “I was in a 

fashion show in Chicago, 

they scouted me out and 

told me I should try this 

pageant.” 

Rafalski began modeling 

as a young teen for 

Pink Slip Boutique in Mokena. 

“I began modeling when 

I moved to New Lenox,” 

Rafalski said. “That has all 

led up to where I am now.” 

Rafalski grew up in 

Dyer, Indiana, and moved 

to New Lenox with her 

parents four years ago. 

She graduated from Lincoln-Way 

Central in June 

2019. If her name sounds 

familiar, it is. Her parents, 

Pam and Dave Rafalski, 

own Raffy’s Candy Store 

in both New Lenox and 

Frankfort. The whole family 

is involved in running 

both businesses with Maddy 

and her siblings taking 

turns working at both 

stores. 

“I’m an ambassador for 

a few companies because 

of this,” Rafalski said. “In 

March 2018, I signed up 

for the Illinois pageant, 

borrowed a dress from a 

friend. I knew I had to do 

evening gown, active wear 

and fashion. I was a junior 

at the time. 

“You also had to do a 

speech on a platform you 

believe in,” Rafalski said. 

“My platform is childhood 

cancer and how all of 

us can help children with 

cancer and how to raise 

money to find a cure. I did 

a five-minute speech on 

childhood cancer. I love 

working with children 

and I don’t like seeing 

them suffer. It’s one thing 

that touches the hearts of 

most.” 

Rafalski, along with 

family and friends, began 

to make bracelets to sell 

them at Raffy’s Candy 

Store to raise funds for 

childhood cancer. 

“I wanted to help Lurie 

Children’s Hospital in 

some type of way,” she 

said. “I also made blankets 

and delivered them to the 

hospital. We have a donation 

bucket at the stores to 

continue to raise funds for 

childhood cancer.” 

She still collects funds 

and will present a check to 

Lurie Children’s Hospital 

at the end of her reign. 

Rafalski didn’t stop 

there. She traveled to Detroit 

for the Miss Teen 

Globe USA. Maddy was 

named Miss Teen Globe 

United States for 2018 and 

still holds the title. 

“After I won Miss Teen 

Globe Illinois, I competed 

in Michigan,” Rafalski 

said. “I won that with the 

same type of pageant I did 

in Illinois, with evening 

gown, active wear and a 

speech regarding childhood 

cancer. I held the title 

of Miss Teen Globe USA. 

It was very exciting” 

She just returned home 

on Oct. 5 from nationals 

which was held in California. 

“I had to hand over my 

title to the new Miss Teen 

Globe USA as well as my 

crown,” she said. “In June 

of 2020, I will go to Canada 

and compete for International.” 

The Miss Teen Globe 

Maddy Rafalski, of New Lenox, poses wearing her crown as she won Miss Teen Globe Illinois and Miss Teen Globe 

USA. Maddy will be participating in Miss Teen Globe International in June 2020. Rafalski is posing in her parents’ 

store, Raffy’s Candy Store located in New Lenox. Photos by Mary Compton/22nd Century Media 

International will be a little 

different. In this competition, 

there will be swimsuit, 

evening gown, talent 

and speech. 

“I have to have a custom 

swimsuit made with wings 

and sparkles,” Rafalski 

said. “I’m working on getting 

my outfits planned and 

fitted.” 

In entering the pageants, 

Rafalski said she has won 

three scholarships. 

She said she does not get 

them until the end of her 

reign at internationals. 

Today, Rafalski is going 

to Capri Beauty College 

in New Lenox and will 

graduate in May 2020. She 

enjoys making others look 

beautiful. 

“It’s important to me to 

Maddy Rafalski, of New Lenox, shows the bracelets she and her sister make to raise 

funds for childhood cancer. 

help people express themselves 

through the way 

they look,” Rafalski said. 

“The more confident you 

feel about yourself, the 

better you’ll walk around. 

Everyone has a glow to 

them when they’re confident 

about themselves. 

It’s my goal to help them 

feel good and for people to 

love themselves.”



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8 | December 12, 2019 | the new lenox patriot new lenox 


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Puppets, Santa Claus and a good cause come together for holiday breakfast at Little Joe’s 

2 

Kyle LaHucik 


Cheer spread through 

Little Joe’s Pizza in New 

Lenox on Sunday, Dec. 8. 

Puppets dashed across the 

stage as Dave Herzog’s 

Marionettes put on a variety 

show for approximately 

20 children and their 

families. Soon after, Santa 

Claus hoisted the children 

onto his lap to inquire what 

they would like for Christmas 

this year. 

The Breakfast with 

Santa event brought a few 

hours of peace and joy to 

approximately 70 people, 

especially the Dunworth 

family. The event was 

hosted by the Marc Dunworth 

Foundation for the 

Performing Arts, a nonprofit 

created earlier this 

year in memory of its 

namesake, who died suddenly 

on March 7, 2018, at 

the age of 35. 

Tim and Rose Dunworth 

wanted to continue promoting 

the performing arts in 

memory of their son, Marc, 

to keep his spirit alive and 

contribute to the next generation 

of puppeteers, Tim 

said. Marc developed a 

love for puppetry at the 

age of nine and went on 

to be a professional puppeteer 

and prop-maker for 

Walt Disney Studios and 

Cirque du Soleil productions 

and eventually wrote 

and designed puppets for 

his original play, The Ugliest 

Duckling. 

Little Joe’s co-owner 

Sue Vazquez said Tim approached 

her a few months 

ago to consider hosting a 

holiday breakfast at her 

restaurant for the foundation. 

The two are longtime 

friends, extending back to 

the days when Vazquez’s 

father owned a restaurant 

in Chicago, Tim said. 

The morning started 

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Layla Glock sits on Santa Claus’ lap at a holiday breakfast hosted at Little Joe’s. She said she asked the man from 

the North Pole for a dollhouse and Barbie for Christmas. Kyle LaHucik/22nd Century Media 

with Herzog performing 

a variety show with marionettes 

he’s handcrafted 

over the years. Herzog was 

Marc’s mentor and inspiration 

for majoring in fine 

arts, Tim said. 

The professional puppeteer 

has been helpful in 

getting the foundation established 

and up and running, 

too, Tim added. Marc 

interned for Herzog before 

moving to Portland, Oregon, 

where he launched 

his career in the performing 

arts. 

Marc’s fellow puppeteer 

Connor Asher also came 

out to the event to teach attendees 

how to make their 

own puppets out of paper, 

popsicle sticks and velcro. 

Children built a variety 

of puppets — jolly hats, 

candy canes, snowmen and 

present peek-a-boo characters 

— to take home for the 

holidays. 

Asher, who owns 

Creventive Puppet Company, 

met Marc through 

the Chicagoland Puppetry 

Guild. The two were good 

friends, he said. 

For some kids, like Layla 

Glock, meeting Santa 

Claus was the highlight of 

the day. She asked the man 

from the North Pole for a 

Barbie doll and playhouse. 

Throughout the event, 

attendees ate a buffet 

breakfast of scrambled 

visit us online at 

www.newlenoxpatriotdaily.com 

eggs, hash browns, biscuits 

and gravy, french toast and 

ham. 

The foundation provides 

grants and scholarships 

and puts on performances 

as well as educational 

events, Tim said. Marc’s 

sisters, Sarah Wilson and 

Megan Zwolinski also help 

with the foundation. 

Tim thanked Little Joe’s 

and the New Lenox Chamber 

of Commerce for their 

support of the event. Other 

sponsors included Sweet 

Sarah’s and Nothing Bundt 

Cakes. The event also collected 

canned items for 

the New Lenox Township 

Food Pantry. 

The Dunworth family 

and foundation plan to 

bring back Marc’s play, 

The Ugliest Duckling, for a 

Chicago premiere next fall, 

Tim said. The play is about 

a platypus that was raised 

by a family of ducks and 

overcame adversity and 

challenges to find himself, 

Tim added. It premiered at 

the Winningstad Theatre in 

Portland on April 8, 2011. 

The play’s original puppets, 

which represent Australian 

animals, have been 

found and will be used for 

the Windy City production. 

For more information 

about the Marc Dunworth 

Foundation for the Performing 

Arts, visit www. 

dunworthfoundation.org.



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NLPD helps raise more than $1,900 for Relay for Life 


For the month of November, 

the New Lenox Police 

Department, Mokena Police 

Department and Manhattan 

Police Department 

teamed up to raise money 

for Relay for Life New 

Lenox by growing beards 

throughout the month. 

The three departments 

raised nearly $2,000 

through their fundraising 

efforts. Mokena PD chose 

the Cancer Support Center 

in Mokena last year. 

New Lenox PD chose Relay 

for Life New Lenox 

this year. 

“It’s a charity that is 

‘Tis the season to 

advertise in 


LORA HEALY 

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

CONTACT 

® 

near and dear to many of 

our hearts here at the New 

Lenox Police Department,” 

Deputy Chief Louis 

Alessandrini said. “Many 

of us have lost loved ones 

to cancer and many of us 

still have family members 

fighting today.” 

The three chiefs and 

some of the participating 

officers got together Dec. 2 

to present the money raised 

to Terrie Murphy, chairperson 

of Relay for Life New 

Lenox, and American Cancer 

Society representative 

Karen Bruck. 

“They were very thankful,” 

Alessandrini said. 

“We had a good turnout.” 

Women were also allowed 

to participate by 

wearing purple nail polish 

throughout the month. The 

NLPD has restrictions on 

beards and finger nail polish. 

The men can wear mustaches 

and sideburns to a 

certain degree, Alessandrini 

said. 

NLPD’s participants 

were required to make a 

minimum donation of $40. 

Alessandrini said he has 

seen other departments 

vote for best and worst 

beards. 

“Officer Jacob Kelpk, 

his beard came in quite 

full, so he’d probably have 

my vote. We had a couple 

officers who started, donated 

and decided not to 

participate in growing the 

beard anymore, but we’ll 

let them remain anonymous,” 

Alessandrini said 

with a laugh talking about 

the officers who couldn’t 

quite grow a beard. 

Although New Lenox 

PD’s policy will remain 

the same, Mokena made a 

slight adjustment to its policy. 

Officers will be able to 

wear a beard through the 

winter months — December 

to March — but can 

start early if they decide 

to participate in November 

fundraiser. 

Mokena Police Chief 

Steve Vaccaro said a majority 

of the Mokena PD 

staff participated. 

“We encourage our officers 

to go to friends and 

family members to give,” 

he said. “We have an officer 

that brings toys to 

Lurie Children’s Hospital. 

Another sponsors a family 

[through a church].” 

He added that he is also 

involved with other fundraising 

efforts outside the 

police department. 

“I’m thrilled to death to 

raise some money,” Vaccaro 

said. “This time of year, 

let’s help out the ones that 

are a little less fortunate. 

That’s my opinion.” 

Next year, Manhattan’s 

Police Chief Joseph Wazny 

will choose which organization 

the departments 

will raise money for. 

2020 EXPO 

Spirit of Giving in New Lenox shines in debut 


VENDORS WANTED 

Healthy Living Expo 

9 a.m.–1 p.m. 

Saturday, Jan. 18 

Tinley Park Convention Center 

18451 Convention Center Drive, 

Tinley Park 

Deadline: Thursday, Jan. 2 

For more information, call (708) 326-9170 ext. 16 or 

visit 22ndCenturyMedia.com/healthy 

Cole Chlebowsk, 2, high-fives the elf that was at the 

Spirit of Giving event on Thursday, Dec. 5. 

Sean Hastings/22nd Century Media 

Thursday, Dec. 5, was 

all about giving for New 

Lenox residents. 

Hardly one month ago, 

the Village of New Lenox 

and the New Lenox Chamber 

of Commerce came up 

with a plan for a way New 

Lenox residents could help 

one another. 

Mayor Tim Baldermann 

asked his assistant Megan 

Appelgate if there was a 

way to show the spirit of 

New Lenox this holiday 

season. From there, Emily 

Johnson, New Lenox 

Chamber of Commerce 

CEO got involved. 

The Spirit of Giving 

event debuted at New 

Lenox Village Hall and 

featured six local charitable 

organizations including 

the New Lenox Township 

Food Pantry, Silver Cross 

Hospital, New Lenox 

VFW Post 9545, Trinity 

Services, MorningStar 

Mission and the Cottages 

of New Lenox, that all 

accepted tailored toward 

their organization. 

Please see Spirit, 13



Mistletoe Market offers holiday cheer during Ladies Night Out at Orland Park Crossing 

Laurie Fanelli 


Chef Michael McGreal leads an ice-sculpting demo 

during the Ladies Night Out Mistletoe Market event. 

Orland Park Crossing is 

bustling this time of year, 

as holiday shoppers look 

for gifts for everyone on 

their list. 

On Thursday, Dec. 5, 

even more holiday cheer 

blanketed the shopping hub 

during the Mistletoe Market 

— the latest installment 

of 22nd Century Media’s 

Ladies Night Out event series 

— as patrons enjoyed 

perusing unique items from 

more than 70 local vendors. 

Visits with Santa, carols 

from the Sandburg Chamber 

Singers, photos with 

live reindeer, ice demonstrations 

from Chef Mike 

McGreal and more added 

to the festive fun. 

“Christmas is my favorite, 

and I always have 

such a good time,” said 

Heather Warthen, chief 

events officer for 22nd 

Century Media. “The most 

important thing we want 

to do with these events is 

make memories for people. 

I want people to think, 

‘Hey, I remember seeing 

that reindeer when I was 

at this event.’ You can be 

1-92 [years old] and you’ll 

remember where you were 

when you first saw live 

reindeer.” 

Originally, the Mistletoe 

Market was slated to 

be an outdoor event, but 

Edwards Realty and Orland 

Crossing allowed the 

use of two vacant spaces 

— the former locations of 

Charming Charlie and The 

Dailey Method — which 

were dubbed the North 

Pole and the South Pole. 

The McLaughlin Team 

of Coldwell Banker hosted 

a gingerbread-themed 

booth near the entrance 

of the North Pole. Colleen 

McLaughlin, of the realty 

team, said she loved having 

an opportunity to build 

relationships with Mistletoe 

Market attendees. 

“It’s so great to personally 

get to know the people 

in your community,” 

McLaughlin said. “We see 

a lot of people we already 

know — friends and neighbors 

come out — and it’s a 

really festive environment. 

We’re overwhelmed by the 

turnout. It’s been phenomenal.” 

Nothing Bundt Cakes, 

Von Maur, Just a Spoonful, 

Virtue Cider, Brannigan 

Chiropractic Center, 

Gracie Pie Apothecary 

and Oberweis Dairy Home 

Delivery were among the 

many vendors hosting 

Mistletoe Market booths. 

“We have a great variety 

of vendors offering everything 

from bath scrubs, 

chocolates and fudge to 

nail art and dance lessons,” 

Warthen said. “Whatever 

you need, we’ve got 

it here. It’s a great way 

Donna Morisette, of Woodridge, and Peggy Grossi, of New Lenox, take a photo with 

Santa and Mrs. Clause at Mistletoe Market. Photos by Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century 

Media 

for people to finish their 

Christmas shopping list.” 

Tinley Park resident 

Kim Griese made a point 

to stop by her favorite vendor 

booth, Gift Basket by 

Occasion, to see Rhonda 

Kujawa’s holiday creations. 

“They’re fantastic,” Griese 

said. “There’s such a 

variety, and it’s not only 

about what’s in it; it’s the 

basket itself. It pulls in 

everything you want. I 

bought a basket before, 

and my husband and I put 

it in our dining room and 

stared at it for a month 

because we didn’t want to 

wreck the basket.” 

Free tote bags, courtesy 

of Artistic Med Spa, were 

handed out to the first 200 

attendees, and Mistletoe 

Market patrons were encouraged 

to bring a new, 

unwrapped toy to benefit 

local charities. 

The Mistletoe Market 

was the last of the Ladies 

Night Out series of the 

year as well as the final 

22nd Century Media expo 

for 2019, and event organizers 

are already looking 

forward to 2020. The annual 

Healthy Living Expo 

is to be held at the Tinley 

Park Convention Center 

on Jan. 18, and the Lady 

Expo — also held at the 

convention center — is 

slated for Derby Day, May 

2. Lady Expo attendees 

can expect a slew of Kentucky 

Derby-themed activities 

including a Derby 

hat contest, and a cash bar 

with a menu featuring mint 

juleps and more. 

Spirit 

From Page 12 

“I’m surprised and not 

surprised,” Johnson said. 

“I know that our community 

can always pull together 

and always shows 

up to give back and that 

is something that is really 

ingrained in the residents 

of New Lenox. We had a 

really nice turnout and the 

amount of boxes that have 

been filled today.” 

The food pantry collected 

boxes of non-perishable 

food items, Trinity Services 

and MorningStar Mission 

accepted winter gear, 

the VFW collected items 

such as socks, razors, deodorant, 

toothbrushes and 

similar items. 

Post Commander Tim 

Terrell was on hand to 

accept the donations 

— most of which will 

get sent overseas. Sending 

packages overseas is 

something the Post already 

does throughout the 

year, especially during the 

holidays. 

“I’m very happy to be a 

part of it,” he said. 

Silver Cross Hospital 

was one of the organizations 

that was particularly 

grateful for the event, 

which was there to collect 

toys for children in the pediatric 

unit during the holidays. 

“Silver Cross said they 

were thrilled because they 

had not collected any yet 

this year,” Johnson said. 

“This was the first time 

they were getting things.” 

When residents were 

done donating, even if they 

were unable to, they were 

able to make Christmas 

cards for the people at the 

Cottages of New Lenox. 

“We linked with the 

Cottages of New Lenox, 

because we thought we 

had to have an activity for 

people to do. For a lot of 

elderly people, they may 

not have their family close 

to them, so we wanted to 

make sure we were giving 

them something that 

was spreading a little bit 

of Christmas cheer. That’s 

why we had the Christmas 

card making,” Johnson 

said. 

One family that made 

cards was the Chlebowski 

family, of New Lenox. 

Mark, Lauren, their 

son Cole, 2, and Lauren’s 

mother, Karen Groll, were 

walking around the Commons 

because Cole wanted 

to the tree lights again, and 

noticed something going 

on inside Village Hall and 

decided to check it out, 

Mark said. 

Cole also spent time 

giving high fives and hugs 

to the elf that was at the 

event. 

And with the crowd 

Christmas in the Commons 

brings in, Johnson 

hopes that next year, the 

Village and Chamber can 

work to have Spirit of Giving 

be a part of it, as well 

as bring in more charities.



United Methodist Church of New Lenox 

Christmas Cantata 

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Presented by the Chancel Choir 

with 24 pieceliveorchestraand liturgical dancers 

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ENOX 

L 

Contests 

The bells are ringing and 

the card contest is swinging 

Bill Jones, Managing Editor 

The sales are running, 

the displays are stunning 

Most everyone’s filled 

with cheer 

We’re looking for cunning, 

we love us some punning 

The contest is in high 

gear 

So send us your best, 

we’ll put them to the test 

Our mailbox overrunning 

We’ll dub two #blessed, 

and as for the rest 

Well, those we will be 

shunning 

These questionable 

rhymes can only mean one 

thing: the Holiday Card 

Contest for 2019 is underway. 

We’re looking for craftforward 

Christmas wishes, 

clever year-end letters, 

fantastic photos capturing 

the soul of the holiday, 

drawings that’ll have our 

hearts thawing, Kwanzaa 

and Hanukkah electronica 

Holiday Card Contest 2019 Prizes 

A look at what you can win in this 

year’s Holiday Card Contest 

(an audio entry would be 

a first, but it’s more than 

welcome). Whatever it is 

you send to the people you 

love to help them make it 

through another Chicago 

winter, send one our way, 

Bob Spychalski 

BROKER 

Best in Show 

• Four $25 gift cards to Bonefish Grill, 

15537 S. LaGrange Road in Orland 

Park 

• Four one-hour passes for 

racquetball/wallyball at Silver Lake 

Country Club, 14700 S. 82nd Ave. in 

Orland Park 

• A $25 gift certificate for Tazza 

Italian Ristorante, 14065 S. Bell Road 

in Homer Glen 

• $25 gift card for One Paper Place, 

590 Bankview Drive, Suite B, in 

Frankfort 

• A certificate good for $5 off a 

purchase of $10 or more at Pop’s 

Italian Beef & Sausage, 16600 W. 

• Customized Marketing Campaign 

• Free professional & drone photography 

• Strong online & social media exposure 

• My listing’s SOLD faster 

than market average 

• Local Resident 

630.728.8490 

spysold.com 

PRIDE REALTY 

BOB 

SPYCHALSKI 

5 Star Rating 

159th St. in Lockport 

too! (Just the family-friendly 

stuff, please.) 

Simply address these 

things to Managing Editor 

Bill Jones, and mail 

them to 11516 W. 183rd 

St., Unit SW Office Condo 

3, Orland Park, IL, 60467. 

Make sure the items somewhere 

include a name and a 

phone number at which we 

can reach you, should you 

happen to win the contest, 

as well as your hometown. 

We will accept submissions 

through 5 p.m. Tuesday, 

Dec. 24, because we, 

too, wait to do things until 

the last minute sometimes. 

The entries must be received 

(not postmarked) by 

that day, so make sure to 

give yourself enough time 

for holiday mail service. 

The entries will be 

evaluated by our editorial 

staff and judged in two 

categories: Best in Show 

Funniest 

• A $100 gift card to Urban Air 

Adventure Park, 19800 S. LaGrange 

Road in Mokena 

• Four $10 gift certificates for The 

Barrel Club, 4910 W. 111th St. in Oak 

Lawn 

• Two hours of free bowling for up 

to six people, including shoe rentals, 

along with a pizza and pitcher full of 

pop, at Laraway Lanes, 1009 West 

Laraway Road in New Lenox 

• Certificates for four free value 

baskets at Culver’s, 18248 Sayre Ave. 

in Tinley Park 

• A certificate good for $5 off a 

purchase of $10 or more at Pop’s 

Italian Beef & Sausage, 16600 W. 

159th St. in Lockport 

and Funniest, so tell us in 

which category you’d like 

to be considered. We will 

pick one winner in each of 

the categories from across 

all seven of the towns 

covered by 22nd Century 

Media’s Southwest office: 

Orland Park, Tinley 

Park, Frankfort, Mokena, 

New Lenox, Lockport and 

Homer Glen. 

In addition to awarding 

prizes (detailed in the accompanying 

sidebar), we 

plan to publish images or 

transcripts of our winners 

in print, along with a few of 

our other favorites. 

We do have three rules. 

• We are allowing only 

one entry per household for 

this contest. 

• The entry must be from 

this holiday season. 

• Electronic entries are 

accepted. They can be sent 

to bill@opprairie.com.

newlenoxpatriotdaily.com school 


The new lenox patriot’s 

Standout Student 

Sponsored by Marquette Bank 

Emily Elizabeth 

Dinverno, Noonan 

Academy first 

grader 

What is one essential you 

must have when studying? 

A glass of water. 

What do you like to do 

when not in school or 

studying? 

Playing with my dolls 

and reading books. 

What is your dream job? 

I want to be a veterinarian 

and own a ranch with 

animals. 

What is one thing people 

don’t know about you? 

I love to read and sing. 

Whom do you look up to 

and why? 

I have two people, my 

Mom and my Dad. Because 

they do good things. 

Who is your favorite 

teacher and why? 

Mrs. Galloway because 

she teaches me a lot of new 

things. 

What’s your favorite class 

and why? 

I like them all but I have 

the most fun in religion 

and art. 

If you could change one 

thing about school what 

would it be? 

To have extra recess. 

What’s your favorite thing 

to eat in the cafeteria? 

I bring my lunch. My 

favorite lunch is turkey, 

cheese and bacon sandwich. 

What’s your best memory 

photo submitted 

from school? 

When I graduated from 

kindergarten and I participated 

in the Thee Piggy 

Opera. 

Standout Student is a weekly 

feature for The New Lenox 

Patriot. Nominations come 

from New Lenox area 

schools. 

shopping 

From Page 3 

have been part of the event 

a few years in a row. 

But for officer Tom 

Lynch, it was his first year 

doing it with the NLPD. He 

had done it at his previous 

department, though. 

Lynch, his wife, Brittany, 

and officer Kristine 

Kioltyka took three brothers 

around the store to buy 

their gifts. The happiness 

on their faces was easy to 

warm anyone’s heart. 

Lynch helped one pick 

a soccer ball after testing 

out a few with kicks in the 

aisle. 

“It’s a humbling experience 

to put a smile on these 

kids’ faces,” he said. “It’s 

nice to help them get something 

to open on Christmas 

Day.” 

The boys in his group 

also picked out toy cars as 

well as stuffed animals for 

their younger sisters. 

“It’s really nice because 

they’re not just thinking 

about themselves, they’re 

thinking about family as 

well,” he said. 

“I’m going to keep doing 

this. It’s an awesome 

experience to see the smiles 

and it makes you feel good, 

too.” 

The event also allowed 

the children to interact with 

the police officers in a way 

they otherwise may have 

never had a chance to. 

“It’s so wonderful,” 

Sterba said. “These kids are 

comfortable, most of them 

are so young, they have 

only seen this side of the 

profession, so if that could 

leave any sort of lasting 

impression, that is a good 

thing. 

“Not every kid gets 

the same advantages, so 

anything that we can do 

to make their life joyful 

around this time of the year, 

it’s an effort that is worth 

making.” 

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In-Home Consultations 

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Police Reports 

Six Fitbits 

stolen from 

Verizon store 

Four females reportedly 

entered the Verizon store, 

511 E. Lincoln Highway 

and split up. Each of the 

females distracted different 

employees and left abruptly, 

police said. The complainant 

then noticed that 

six Fitbit items were stolen 

from the store. The total 

value of the Fitbit items 

was over $1,000. 

Nov. 26 

• Someone reportedly 

forced entry to a new home 

being built in the 100 block 

of Sonoma Road and stole 

copper piping. 

Nov. 24 

• A resident reportedly had 

their personal information 

obtained and a fraudulent 

Comcast account was 

opened. 

Nov. 23 

• A resident in the 100 

block of Charleston Drive 

reportedly had their mailbox 

and garbage can damaged 

overnight. 

Nov. 22 

• A resident reportedly had 

their debit card information 

obtained and fraudulent 

purchases were made. 

EDITORS NOTE: The New 

Lenox Patriot’s Police Reports 

are compiled from official reports 

found online of the New 

Lenox Police Department’s 

website or releases issued 

by the department and other 

agencies. Anyone listed in 

these reports is considered to 

be innocent of all charges until 

proven guilty in a court of law. 

New Lenox man abducted at gunpoint, found safe in Indiana 


A New Lenox man 

reportedly was abducted 

at gunpoint in 

his driveway around 6 

a.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, 

according to a press release 

from the Will County 

Sheriff’s Office received 

on Dec. 2, three days after 

the incident happened. 

The abduction happened 

in the northeast 

part of New Lenox Township, 

Will County Sheriff’s 

spokeswoman Kathy 

Hoffmeyer said. 

The man was found safe 

in Indiana at 11:08 a.m. on 

Nov. 29. 

The release states that 

after speaking with family 

members and an initial 

investigation, it was determined 

the man was leaving 

for work at the time of 

his abduction. 

Police learned that four 

male black subjects wearing 

ski masks directed 

the victim at gunpoint 

into an SUV and the men 

made several stops at 

stores and used his bankcard, 

according to the release. 

Frankfort police also reported 

a similar incident 

on Nov. 16 when a woman 

was abducted at gunpoint 

at an ATM and forced 

to access her accounts 

for cash. She was driven 

around with the three men 

for three hours, who also 

made stops and used her 

bankcards. She was also 

unharmed and dropped off 

in Chicago with her vehicle. 

The release states sheriff’s 

detectives think that 

the suspects in the New 

Lenox case were masked 

while they were inside the 

stores doing individual gift 

card transactions to avoid 

a fraud alert. 

Sheriff’s detectives and 

Frankfort police think the 

two incidents are related, 

the release states. 

The Will County Sheriff’s 

Office and the Frankfort 

PD are asking residents 

to be extra cautious 

of their surroundings while 

detectives continue their 

investigation. 

If anyone has information 

regarding the incidents, 

or can identify the 

subjects in the photos, call 

the Will County Sheriff’s 

Office at (815) 727-8574 

or Frankfort police at 

(815) 469-9435. 

New Lenox man charged with grooming, other sexual offenses against minors 


Pictured are the suspected men of committing the abduction. The first and third photos are from the Frankfort 

incident and the second is from the New Lenox one. Photos from will county sheriff’s office and frankfort pd 

New Lenox resident Anthony 

Carbone, 

19, of 

812 Spinnaker 

Drive, 

was charged 

with two 

counts of 

indecent Carbone 

solicitation 

of a child, three counts of 

grooming a minor, two 

counts of sexual exploitation 

of a minor and distributing 

explicit material 

to a minor, according to 

documents from the Will 

County Circuit Court. 

The alleged incidents 

occurred between Nov. 

7-16, according to court 

documents. 

He was arrested by Mokena 

police and charged on 

Nov. 22, Mokena Police 

Chief Steve Vaccaro said. 

Vaccaro said Mokena 

police received a call 

from one of the victim’s 

parents on Nov. 18. Two 

of the victims were Mokena 

teenagers, aged 13 

and 14. Mokena police 

began an investigation and 

executed a search warrant 

at his residence on Nov. 22 

and found images of a minor 

he solicited and sexually 

explicit photos he was 

sending to minors. 

After being arrested, he 

was taken to the hospital 

for health concerns and 

10 

8 

released from the hospital 

to Mokena police custody 

on Nov. 30, Vaccaro said. 

He was taken to the Will 

County Adult Correctional 

Facility on Nov. 30. 

His bond was set at $1 

million at his hearing on 

Monday, Dec. 2. Carbone’s 

attorney Jeff Tomczak was 

not immediately available 

for contact. 

Carbone had been previously 

charged with aggravated 

battery after reportedly 

knocking down a 

woman on Old Plank Trail 

in Frankfort in June. It was 

later learned that the attack 

reportedly was sexually 

motivated. He became 

startled after knocking her 

to the ground and fled, police 

said at the time. 

Contributing Editor T.J. 

Kremer III contributed to this 

article.

newlenoxpatriotdaily.com community 


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explaining why your pet is outstanding to 

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Craftin’ in a Winter Wonderland 

New Lenox children spend morning making Christmas crafts at 

the library 

Destiny and Kenzie Chatys, of New Lenox, pose for a photo while they make their 

craft at the Winter Wonderland event at the New Lenox Public Library on Saturday, 

Dec. 7 Photos by Mike Lorenz/22nd Century Media 

Sam Coleman, of New Lenox, poses for a photo with his snowglobe craft. 

Kaila Calderon, of New Lenox, makes a 

snowflake. 

Lane Kleinaitis, of New Lenox, knocks 

down a stack of cups during a game at 

the Winter Wonderland event at the New 

Lenox Public Library. 

A group of children make a variety of Christmas crafts. 

Girl Scouts decorate 

tree at Brookfield Zoo 

Submitted by New Lenox 

Girl Scouts 

On Nov. 24, Daisy Girl 

Scouts from Troop 75732 

visited Brookfield Zoo 

to decorate a tree for the 

holidays. 

The girls decorated 

with homemade ornaments 

they made at a troop 

meeting in October. Afterwards 

they stayed to 

enjoy the animals. Brookfield 

Zoo hosted its annual 

“Community Tree Trim” 

event on Nov. 23 and 24. 

Groups were encouraged 

to sponsor a tree and celebrate 

the season. 

Right: New Lenox 

Daisy Girl Scouts from 

Troop 75732 pose for a 

photo with the trees they 

decorated at Brookfield 

Zoo. The ornaments 

were homemade at a 

meeting in October. photo 

submitted



FROM THE ORLAND PARK 

PRAIRIE 

Police charge retired 

priest in hit-and-run that 

killed teacher, injured 

another 

Orland Park Police have 

charged a retired St. Michael 

priest in an alleged 

hit-and-run that claimed 

the life of one of the parish 

school’s teachers and 

injured another following 

a parish Christmas party 

at Square Celt. 

Paul C. Burak, 73, of 82 

Canterbury Court in Palos 

Heights, was charged 

with aggravated DUI and 

leaving the scene of a 

fatal accident, both felonies, 

according to Orland 

Park Police Chief Tim 

McCarthy, who spoke 

Saturday, Dec. 7, during 

a press conference at the 

station. 

Burak attended the 

parish Christmas party 

the evening of Dec. 4 at 

Square Celt, 39 Orland 

Square Drive, according 

to McCarthy, when 

the retired priest allegedly 

struck both Margaret 

“Rone” Leja, a 61-yearold 

technology teacher at 

the Catholic school from 

Tinley Park, and Elizabeth 

Kosteck, a 54-yearold 

third-grade teacher 

at the school, around 8 

p.m., as they were crossing 

a service road north of 

the restaurant. Burak then 

left the scene and did not 

contact police, McCarthy 

said. 

Both women were 

transported to Silver 

Cross Hospital in New 

Lenox. Kosteck was treated 

and released the next 

day for what the Cook 

County State’s Attorney’s 

Office identified Saturday, 

Dec. 7, as a broken wrist, 

soreness and bruising to 

her shoulder. Leja was 

pronounced deceased at 

8:33 p.m., according to 

the Will County Coroner’s 

Office. 

Reporting by Bill Jones, Editor. 

For more, visit OPPrai 

rieDaily.com. 

FROM THE FRANKFORT STATION 

Shop Small Saturday 

highlights local businesses 

As they entered the 

.Saturday customers 

were greeted with a bowl 

of Christmas Hershey’s 

Kisses and a smile from 

This & That Gifts owner 

Nancy Cartolano. 

Cartolano was one of 

several business owners 

to take part in the Nov. 30 

event, in which downtown 

Frankfort shops offered 

reverse progressive sales 

at different price points 

throughout the morning. 

As she wrapped gifts 

for customers, Cartolano 

Southwest 

real estate listings 

NEW WEBSITE 

IS NOW LIVE! 

Browse featured Homes of the Week 

and Local Listings quickly and 

conveniently any time from 

swlistings.22ndcenturymedia.com. 

For more information or to place your ad, contact Real 

Estate Sales Director Courtney Masinter at (304) 356-6708. 

FIND OPEN 

HOUSES 

explained how important 

it was for locals to get to 

know small businesses in 

the community. 

Frankfort resident Ellen 

DiCosola said she was 

happy about the discounts 

and had found many gifts 

at Cartolano’s store. 

Reporting by Mary Compton, 

Freelance Reporter. For 

more, visit FrankfortStation 

Daily.com. 

FROM THE TINLEY JUNCTION 

Officials continue debate 

cannabis dispensaries 

Retail recreational cannabis 

dispensaries may 

not be in the cards for Tinley 

Park. 

The issue was discussed 

Dec. 3 during the Committee 

of the Whole prior to 

the start of a special meeting 

of the Village Board. 

During the conversation, 

Tinley staff detailed the 

results of a recent survey 

asking for resident feedback 

on the issue. 

Of 2,752 total responses 

received by the Village, 

2,575 said they were Tinley 

Park residents. 

Village Manager David 

Niemeyer noted that an 

additional random survey 

to roughly 3,000 people 

— one that would get a 

statistically significant 

sample size and data set 

— would cost between 

$8,000 to $11,000. But 

he said while there may 

have been some instances 

of people voting multiple 

times in the last survey, it 

was still a “pretty significant 

difference between 

the supporters and the 

nonsupporters.” 

The survey results 

showed roughly 30 percent 

“strongly opposed 

or somewhat opposed retail 

recreational dispensaries,” 

while approximately 

68 percent “strongly 

supported or somewhat 

supported them.” 

Trustee Michael Glotz 

said his preference would 

be to go to referendum to 

ask for resident feedback. 

Trustee William Brennan 

said there is only 

so much the Village can 

do about the cannabis 

law, as it already has 

been approved by the 

State. 

Reporting by Jon DePaolis, 


more, visit TinleyJunction 

Daily.com. 

FROM THE LOCKPORT LEGEND 

LTHS students collect food 

for local nonprofit 

National Honor Society 

students from Lockport 

Township High School 

dropped off an estimated 

3,000 pounds of food to 

the Lockport Fish Food 

Pantry after a food drive 

Nov. 23-24 at the Jewel- 

Osco in Lockport. 

Sarah Steinke, a chemistry 

teacher and co-sponsor 

of the NHS at LTHS, 

said that doing service 

for local communities is 

a critical part of being an 

NHS student. 

In addition to collecting 

food, the students also 

solicited monetary donations 

and handed out lists 

with suggested items to 

shoppers on their way into 

the store, so they could 

purchase those items. 

With the money they 

collected, the students 

bought things they determined 

were necessary. 

This teaches students 

valuable lessons about 

budgeting and the prices 

of consumer items they 

might not have had to buy 

on their own yet, Steinke 

said. 

Reporting by Benjamin Conboy, 

Assistant Editor. For 

more, visit LockportLegend 

Daily.com. 

FROM THE HOMER HORIZON 

Village workshop focuses 

on potential creation of 

sponsorship program 

The Homer Glen Village 

Board held a workshop 

discussion after the 

business of its Nov. 26 

meeting to discuss the potential 

of creating an official 

sponsorship program 

in 2020 to secure funding 

from local businesses for 

community events. 

While the Village already 

has been successful 

getting businesses to back 

Homer Community Fest, 

no official system has ever 

been put in place to fund 

smaller events. 

Village Manager Karie 

Friling said she worked on 

a similar program in Orland 

Park, and it increased 

the involvement of local 

businesses there and also 

streamlined the process of 

having to ask for sponsors. 

The program would introduce 

sponsorship “levels” 

for various events 

based on the donation size 

of a business and even allow 

smaller events to be 

“presented by” a sponsor, 

although specific amounts 

for the levels have not 

been set. 

“We still need to work 

out the details, but we’re 

going to be reaching out 

to the businesses about 

the sponsorship opportunities,” 

Assistant Village 

Manager Matt Walsh said. 

The board also will 

likely have to write and 

approve a new, detailed 

sponsorship policy, which 

would set criteria for who 

can qualify as a sponsor. 

More information was 

to be released on the Village 

website at homerglen 

il.org. 

Reporting by Jessie Molloy, 


more, visit HomerHorizon 

Daily.com.

newlenoxpatriotdaily.com sound off 


Social snapshot 

Top Web Stories 

From NewLenoxPatriotDaily.com as of 

Monday, Dec. 9 

1. UPDATE: New Lenox man reportedly 

abducted at gunpoint, found safe in 

Indiana 

2. Dave Ernst steps down as head LW 

West football coach 

3. Three of a kind: Gugliuzza sisters 

pouring in points for West 

4. New Lenox man charged with 

grooming, other sexual offenses 

against minors 

5. Marketplace Creations opens its doors 

offering DIY workshops, decor and 

more 

Become a member: NewLenoxPatriot.com/plus 

From the Editor 

Season of giving really is heartwarming 

Sean Hastings 


I 

spent much of my 

morning and early 

part of my afternoon 

Saturday, Dec. 7, walking 

around Walmart taking 

pictures while New Lenox 

police took local children 

around to buy Christmas 

presents using gift cards 

worth $100 supplied by 

MorningStar Mission. 

The looks on the children’s 

faces when they 

found the perfect present 

— whether for themselves, 

a parent, a sibling or a 

friend — was priceless. 

And as all the officers 

involved said, the best 

part was seeing the joy on 

the children’s faces when 

they bought for someone 

else, instead of themselves. 

That was the best part for 

me, too. Seeing them run 

around with the officers, 

list in hand, making sure 

they got everything they 

needed on it. 

For some of the children 

involved it gives them or a 

sibling a present to open on 

Christmas morning. 

This event reenforced 

the idea of the giving part 

of the holiday season. And 

it was children doing it. 

This time of the year, 

those little gestures go a 

long way, and probably 

further than you may 

expect. I saw a video on 

Facebook of a person 

leaving out snacks and 

drinks for UPS, FedEx 

and Amazon drivers. And 

I’m pretty sure someone 

in New Lenox also gave it 

a shot. 

Santa needs his helpers 

to make sure each child 

gets their gift each year, 

and those people should be 

rewarded. 

And when the Salvation 

Army bell ringers stand 

outside grocery stores, 

toss them some of that 

spare change that sits in 

your cupholder, that you 

rarely touch. I used to be 

bad about not giving, but I 

know they’re going to be 

there when I walk in, so if 

there is any spare cash or 

change in my car, I make 

sure to give some. 

Another form of giving 

we can do this year is pay 

for the person behind us in 

a drive-thru. I remember a 

class I had and we asked 

the question “can a good 

deed be unselfish?” I think 

in a way it always is selfish, 

because you’re going 

to feel good about it, but 

ultimately that person is 

going to feel better, and if 

you have that in mind first, 

it’s unselfish. Either way, a 

good deed is a good deed. 

We should do them more 

often. 

There’s so many ways 

we can be good to each 

other this year. Even if 

you don’t donate, pay for 

a coffee or hot chocolate, 

or buy someone a gift, we 

can at least start by saying 

“Merry Christmas,” or 

“Happy Holidays,” or just 

smile. That goes a long 

way, too. 

We never know what 

someone is going through. 

The holidays are about 

family, but for someone 

who may have lost a loved 

one, the holidays could not 

be a worse time. You’ll 

never know, but I guarantee 

a smile, or saying one 

of the above, will make 

them feel not so alone. The 

least we can do is try to be 

good to each other. 

This time of the year, 

we should be happy and 

thinking of one another. 

There’s plenty of ways to 

do it. Let’s all find a way 

we can make a difference 

this holiday season. 

“We had such a great time doing a craft at 

The Cottages of New Lenox assisted living 

for seniors. They made some awesome 

Christmas ornaments! #newlenoxillinois 

#newlenoxlibrary #newlenoxcottages” 

The New Lenox Public Library posted this 

Dec. 5 

Like The New Lenox Patriot: facebook.com/ 

TheNewLenoxPatriot 

“Thank you to all of our students who 

participated in our Giving Tuesday activity! 

We have hundreds of cards that we will be 

bringing to the patients in the pediatric unit 

at Silver Cross Hospital. #WarriorsAreKind 

#GivingTuesday #DoGoodDecember 

#BeKind #GiveLikeAWarrior” 

@LWWestWarriors tweeted this Dec. 4 

Follow The New Lenox Patriot: @TheNLPatriot 

Letter to the Editor 

Embrace all that Christmas 

has to offer, New Lenox 

Last year I decided to 

start a new holiday tradition, 

and write Christmas 

Letters of Love to my two 

sons and daughter-in-law. 

I had some holiday paper 

and matching envelopes 

and proceeded to write 

loving thoughts from the 

heart. I hope they were 

moved by what I said and 

that they would cherish 

these pieces of paper and 

keep them for future reading. 

With all of the hustle 

and bustle of the holiday 

season, we rush around 

looking for the right present 

to buy for a loved one, 

which many times may 

get returned or re-gifted 

or tossed. How many 

hours do you spend on 

the internet trying to find 

the right gift for someone 

special? I am not saying 

not to buy them something, 

but we have gotten 

to be such a materialistic 

society, that we have forgotten 

what the holidays 

are truly about, the birth 

of a “child”. Family and 

friends are the important 

thing. Attend some 

Christmas programs, enjoy 

the Christmas lights 

and remember to express 

loving thoughts to those 

that you know. Even a 

smile to a stranger could 

make their day. 

May your holiday be 

blessed with family and 

friends and filled with 

loving thoughts from the 

heart. 

Dee Philiph 

New Lenox resident 

Sound Off Policy 

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

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

The New Lenox Patriot encourages readers to write letters to Sound 

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

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

number for verification, not publication. Letters should be limited 

to 400 words. The New Lenox Patriot reserves the right to edit 

letters. Letters become property of The New Lenox Patriot. Letters 

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

New Lenox Patriot. Letters can be mailed to: The New Lenox Patriot, 

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

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

sean@newlenoxpatriot.com. 

www.newlenoxpatriot.com.



December 13th and20th at630 

6:30 

Please call for reservations. 

December Live Entertainment: 

December 13th 

Mike Valentine 

& The 

Heartbeats 

6pm - 9pm 

December 20th 

Liz Berg 

6pm - 9pm 

December 28th 

Jimmy O & 

Rhonda Lee 

6pm - 9pm 

December 21st 

Joe Orozco 

6pm - 9pm 

December 14th 

Crawfords 

Daughter 

6pm - 9pm 

New Years Eve 

Taylor Street 

5pm - 9pm 

December 27th 

Lucas 

Alexander 

6pm - 9pm 

FREE Photos 

with Santa 

Visit our Mokena branch and meet the jolly old elf himself.Children of all ages 

are invited to share their Christmas lists with Santa and pose for a free photo. 

Saturday, Dec.14 • 9am–12noon 

MOKENA LOCATION ONLY 

19102 S.88th Ave. 

11247 W. 187th 

Mokena 

708-478-8888 

www.foxspubs.com 

www.LWCBank.com

the new lenox patriot | December 12, 2019 | newlenoxpatriotdaily.com 

‘Nutcracker’ in New Lenox 

Ballet 5:8 puts on pre-performance show at 

Christmas in the Commons, Page 26 

Food with ‘friends’ 

Paisano’s four-decade legacy in New 

Lenox built on community, Page 28 

LW Central Madrigals perform for 

community ahead of annual dinner, Page 25 

Members of the Lincoln-Way 

Central Madrigals perform 

during a free concert at Mokena 

Community Public Library 

District Dec. 4. Carly Styka/22nd 

Century Media

24 | December 12, 2019 | the new lenox patriot faith 


FAITH BRIEFS 

Revolution Church (24520 South U.S. 

Highway 52, Manhattan) 

Worship Service 

10 a.m. Sundays. 

United Methoidst Church of New Lenox 

(339 W. Haven Ave., New Lenox) 

Chancel Choir 

9 and 10 a.m. Sunday, 

Dec. 15, New Lenox United 

Methodist Church, 339 

W. Haven Ave. The Chancel 

Choir will present their 

Christmas Cantata “Joy 

Has Dawned” accompanied 

by a 24-piece live 

orchestra. The Liturgical 

Dancers will enhance the 

cantata presentation. 

Cookies and Caroling 

Noon-2:30 p.m. Sunday, 

Dec. 15. Help us continue 

our tradition of remembering 

those who are homebound 

with home-made 

Christmas cookies. Cookies 

may be delivered to 

the church kitchen marked 

“homebound” Sunday, 

Dec. 15 anytime before 

10 a.m. All are invited to 

share the spirit by delivering 

the cookies between 

noon-2:30. Cookies will 

be delivered to homes as 

well as residents in the 

Cottages, Joshua Arms, 

Salem Village, Sunny Hill 

and Clarendale. If you 

know someone who would 

like to receive cookies, or 

if you want to help deliver, 

call (815) 485-8271. 

St. Jude Catholic Church (241 W. Second 

Ave., New Lenox) 

Life in the Spirit Prayer 

Group 

The Life in the Spirit 

Prayer Group will be 

meeting at 7:00 p.m. 

Thursday, Dec. 19 at Little 

Joe’s Restaurant in New 

Lenox. Please join us for 

a journey into a Life in the 

Spirit. For questions call 

John or Mary Kocourek at 

(815) 557-8990 or (815) 

557-8274. 

Christmas Family Movie 

Night 

6:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 

13, St. Jude Catholic 

Church gym, 241 W. Second 

Ave. Come out and 

watch “The Star: The Story 

of the First Christmas.” 

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708-532-5400 

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funeralservices. 

708.326.9170 

 

Breakfast with Santa 

8:30-11:30 a.m. Sunday, 

Dec. 15, St. Jude Catholic 

Church school gym, 241 

W. Second Ave. Breakfast 

with Santa sponsored 

by Father Dick Allen 

Knights of Columbus. 

Enjoy pancakes, French 

toast, scrambled eggs, 

hash browns, sausage, 

ham, biscuits and gravy, 

and fruit. 

Lincoln-Way Christian Church (690 E. 

Illinois Highway, New Lenox) 

Worship Services 

9 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays. 

Central Presbyterian Church (1101 S. 

Gougar Road, New Lenox) 

Bible Study 

7 p.m. Tuesdays 

Trinity Lutheran Church (508 N. Cedar 

Road, New Lenox) 

Services 

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

and 10:30 a.m. Sundays. 

Christ Mission Church (22811 S. Cedar 


Celebrate Recovery 

7-9 p.m. every Tuesday. 

For anyone struggling 

with hurts, habits, or 

hang-ups. For more information, 

call Deb at (708) 

516-6318. 

St. John Orthodox Chapel (112 Church 

Street, New Lenox) 

Sunday Services 

10 a.m. Sundays. After 

the service is Introduction 

to Orthodoxy. Refreshments 

served, Seekers 

are welcome. Visit saint 

johnofchicago.com or call 

(630) 638-9462 

New Life Church (500 Gougar Road, New 

Lenox) 


10 a.m. Sundays. For 

more information, call 

(815) 462-0202. 

The Hub (1303 S. Schoolhouse Road, New 

Lenox) 

The Landing 

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

Wednesday. This is a 

group to help teens break 

free from hurts, hang-ups 

and addictions. There is 

no charge. For more information, 

search for Freedom 

Haus on Facebook. 

Cherry Hill Church of Christ (2749 

Lancaster Drive, Joliet) 

Bible Study 

9:30 a.m. Sundays. 

Grace Episcopal Church (209 N. Pine St., 

New Lenox) 

Saturday Service 

5 p.m. the first, third 

and fifth Saturday of each 

month. 

Cornerstone Church (1501 S. Gougar 



8:30 a.m. and 10:45 

a.m. every Sunday. 

Parkview Christian Church (2121 S. 

Schoolhouse Road, New Lenox) 


4 p.m. Saturdays; 8:30 

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

a.m. Sundays. 

Peace Lutheran Church (1900 E. Lincoln 

Highway, New Lenox) 

Church Services 

5 p.m. Saturdays; 8:30 

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

The Journey Church (14414 W. Ford Drive, 

New Lenox) 


10 a.m. Sundays. 

Reverberate Youth Group 

1-3 p.m. Every first 

Sunday of the month. 

The group meets to discuss 

a message geared 

toward junior and senior 

high school students. For 

more information, email 

youth@ourjourney.cc. 

Have something for Faith 

Briefs? Contact Editor 

Sean Hastings at sean@ 

newlenoxpatriot.com or 

call (708) 326-9170 ext. 48. 

Information is due by noon 

on Thursdays one week prior 

to publication.

newlenoxpatriotdaily.com life & Arts 


LW Central Madrigal Choir brings cheer, good tidings 

Carly Styka, Editorial Intern 

2 

A library may not be the 

usual or expected venue 

for a choir group performance, 

but the Lincoln- 

Way Central Madrigal 

Choir made it work. 

On Dec. 4, the madrigals 

performed a set of 

holiday tunes and classic 

renaissance songs 

to a packed room at the 

Mokena Community 

Public Library District. 

The singers donned elaborate 

costumes typical of 

the 16th century, which 

choir director Mike Bultman 

said were mostly 

handmade. 

This was the third show 

of the season for the choir. 

The group was gearing up 

for their Madrigal Dinner 

shows, which run 

from Thursday, Dec. 12, 

through Saturday, Dec. 

14, at LW Central. The 

dinners, which are similar 

to Medieval Times and 

will close out the season 

for the madrigals, involve 

the choir singing and acting 

out scenes while the 

crowd dines. 

“There’s a court jester, 

a king and queen. We set 

the stage like a castle,” 

Bultman said. “We make 

all kinds of horrible puns 

and renaissance medieval 

humor. It’s fun.” 

The choir, which consists 

of three groups of 

around 50 total LW Central 

students, is celebrating 

its 50th anniversary. 

“It’s a big deal. Hundreds 

of students have 

gone through the program 

and it means a lot to 

many of them. That we 

kept it going that long is 

definitely special,” Bultman 

said. 

Bultman, who has led 

the group for 25 years, 

Members of the Lincoln-Way Central Madrigals perform a free concert at Mokena Community Public Library District Dec. 4. The LW Central 

Madrigals dinners are scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 12, through Saturday, Dec. 14. Carly Styka/22nd Century Media 

says it is a great honor and 

pleasure to be working 

with such hard-working 

students. 

“They keep staying the 

same age and I keep getting 

older, so I’m just trying 

to keep up with them. 

I enjoy seeing them grow 

from when I got them 

to when they graduate,” 

Bultman said. “They become 

self-confident, learn 

teamwork, self-reliance 

and learn how to work 

with others. It’s a lot 

more than just the music. 

There’s a lot of life skills 

there.” 

The students begin 

practicing in August for 

about two to three hours 

a week. Around late November, 

they amp up the 

rehearsals to prepare for 

their holiday shows. Bultman 

says the choir gets 

“pretty busy” around the 

holidays, performing 

about eight shows between 

Thanksgiving and 

Christmas. 

The frequent practices 

do not deter the students 

from enjoying their time 

with the choir. The singers 

bond with each other 

over their shared love of 

performing. The choir has 

become popular among 

students because of its 

lengthy history at the 

school. 

Nick Chesla, a junior at 

LW Central from Mokena, 

got started with the choir 

during his freshman year 

because of his penchant 

for theater and hearing 

other students talk about 

the choir. 

“The choir is a very 

tight community. Everyone’s 

really involved with 

each other,” Chesla said. 

“We’re all good friends 

with each other.” 

One part of being in the 

choir that Chesla enjoys 

is tackling the challenge 

of learning renaissance 

music. His favorite song 

to perform is “So Trinken 

Wir Alle.” 

“It’s been a really big 

challenge for our group at 

times, especially with the 

German and all the different 

parts going along with 

each other,” Chesla said. 

“Getting them all together 

was really satisfying, and 

I think we did a great job 

at it.” 

Mary Ruane, a junior at 

LW Central and a Mokena 

resident, is enjoying her 

first year on the madrigal 

choir. 

“It’s a lot of fun. We’re 

split into three different 

groups, so you get really 

close to the people you 

work with,” Ruane said. 

To end the show, the 

madrigals surrounded the 

crowd and led them in 

singing “Silent Night.” 

The choir was met with 

strong applause.

26 | December 12, 2019 | the new lenox patriot life & arts 


NL ballerina dances in the Commons with Ballet 5:8 

Mary compton 


It was a perfect backdrop for a 

ballet performance. Several trees 

decorated with white lights glistened 

through the New Lenox Village 

Commons along with a gingerbread 

house, a large ornament and 

much more. 

On Saturday, Dec. 7, five members 

of Ballet 5:8 performed “Beyond 

the Nutcracker” for residents 

who attended Christmas in the 

Commons. One dancer that performed 

was Sophia Snider, a New 

Lenox resident and Lincoln-Way 

Central student. 

“I have been dancing since I was 

5 years old,” Snider said. “I’ve been 

dancing with Ballet 5:8 since 2015. 

“Tonight is such a blessing to be 

performing in New Lenox. It’s always 

fun for me to do little performances 

like this. To be right in front 

of the community and seeing their 

faces I feel like I’m interacting with 

them.” 

Snider joins several other dancers 

in “Beyond the Nutcracker” which 

will be performed at Lincoln-Way 

West Saturday, Dec. 21 and Sunday, 

Dec. 22. According to a press 

release from the ballet school, Ballet 

5:8’s signature twist on The Nutcracker 

is set in the 1940s and follows 

a young girl, Emma Cooper, 

on Christmas Eve as she wonders 

whether the story of the first Christmas 

could be real or have any bearing 

on her life in her present day. 

Her Uncle Abrams, just back from 

WWII, and the angel Anastasis help 

Emma answer her question through 

a magical journey across the world. 

“‘Beyond the Nutcracker” is 

such a wonderful performance. 

The costumes, the lighting, the sets 

the music and the choreography is 

amazing,” Snider said. “I’m a snow 

angel, Anastasis, who gets to weave 

in and out of the story and create the 

storyline. It tells the story of Jesus’ 

birth and why we can have joy during 

Christmas. This is one of my 

favorite shows to dance because it’s 

full of joy and I get to dance with 

my friends.” 

Snider is planning to continue 

Sophia Snider jumps in the air in the New Lenox Village Commons as the 

Christmas-lit trees illuminate behind her. Mary Compton/22nd Century Media 

dancing in a professional training 

program at Ballet 5:8 while taking 

college courses online. 

According to Ballet 5:8 Artistic 

Director and Co-founder Julianna 

Slager, the school currently has 

over 400 students. 

“We also have a professional 

company of 25 dancers that travel 

internationally,” she said. “We’re 

grateful for the amount of growth 

we’ve seen in the training and company 

within our school.” 

The five dancers performed just 

parts of the performance at Christmas 

in the Commons. 

“It’s a wonderful ballet, very 

family-friendly and very magical,” 

Slager said. “It shows the true 

meaning of Christmas. It takes the 

music of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker 

and pairs it with the real story of 

what happened at the first Christmas. 

It’s a beautiful piece that embodies 

the part of Christmas.” 

Several residents enjoyed watching 

the ballet performance, including 

Mayor Tim Baldermann and his 

wife, Megan. 

“Watching the ballet tonight, they 

are amazing, incredibly professional, 

what a nice addition to Christmas 

in the Commons,” the mayor 

said. “Christmas in the Commons is 

a great opportunity for not only our 

residents to come out here and show 

a lot of pride in their community, 

but for us to showcase the town to 

so many people from so many different 

towns.” 

The mayor was happy to point 

out the new gingerbread house and 

the snowman that was lit near the 

stage. 

“We’ve expanded this as well going 

from 4-8 p.m. every Saturday 

and Sunday with different activities 

happening every weekend along 

with the market,” he said. “There is 

something for everyone.” 

As children were getting photos 

taken in the sleigh, Mayor Baldermann 

summed up the season. 

“Christmas in New Lenox, people 

here have great community spirit, 

the holidays just magnify that,” he 

said. “For me as the mayor, it’s an 

opportunity for us to celebrate with 

our residents and to showcase our 

community to others such as what 

we have witnessed tonight.” 

Performances of “Beyond the 

Nutcracker” will be at Lincoln Way 

West High School, 21701 Gougar 

Road, on Saturday, Dec. 21, 

at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, 

Dec. 22, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $18 

for adults and $10 for children 12 

and under and can be purchased at 

ballet58.org or by calling (312) 

725-4752; seating is reserved. 

Performance information is at 

ballet58.org/beyond-the-nutcrack 

er. 

2 

Poetry Corner 

MY AMAZON CAN! (Can 

be sung to the tune, ‘The 

Candy Man’) 

Marcia Horan 

New Lenox resident 

Who can deliver in one 

day? 

So there’s no delay? 

Right up to your door 

All those things that 

you adore. 

My Amazon! 

Yes, my Amazon can! 

Who comes in a small 

truck? 

In no chimney he gets 

stuck. 

Delivering all my 

wishes. 

And he does it expeditious. 

Yes, the Amazon man. 

He delivers all he can 

Just to meet the gift 

demand. 

Yes, my Amazon man! 

It is making me feel 

good 

‘Cause they’re doing 

what I should. 

So I don’t have to shop 

Black Friday. 

I can have a rest this 

holiday. 

‘Cause fighting crowds 

won’t ruin my play. 

Shopping malls I’ll 

forego. 

No more driving in the 

snow. 

Warm in my abode 

Staying in from all the 

cold. 

Thank you Amazon 

man! 

He’s better than Santa 

Claus, 

So anxiety I’ll toss. 

Yes, my Amazon man! 

Who can deliver in one 

day, 

So there’s no dismay? 

I find I bought too much 

With a simple computer 

touch. 

It’s the Amazon way! 

Buying what I can 

Just to meet my gift 

demand. 


Now my shopping’s all 

done. 

Gee, I had such fun! 

The Visa bill is in the 

mail. 

When I see it, I turn 

pale. 

Racked up by a Cyber 

Monday sale. 

And we’ll all reach that 

one day 

When we have to pay. 

So please don’t overspend 

Buying things and gifts 

on end. 

It’s the Amazon way. 

They deliver all they 

can 

So beware before you 

scan. 


If you want to submit a poem 

to Poetry Corner, email Editor 

Sean Hastings at sean@ 

newlenoxpatriot.com.



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28 | December 12, 2019 | the new lenox patriot dining out 


The Dish 

Paisano’s maintains family-oriented atmosphere for 41 years 

Sean Hastings 

Contributing Editor 

Not much has changed 

since Paisano’s opened its 

doors to New Lenox in 

1978. 

The restaurant’s original 

owners, Mike and Sandy 

Panzo, focused on keeping 

a family-oriented atmosphere. 

After all, “Paisano” 

means “friend” in Italian. 

And Steve and Shelly 

Trilikis have kept that 

alive since 1993 when they 

bought Paisano’s, 350 W. 

Maple St. in New Lenox. 

Though there are other Paisano’s 

in other locations, 

they are not connected. 

“My parents kept it and 

worked side by side with 

Mike and Sandy in the beginning,” 

Brittany Glynn, 

daughter of Steve and 

Shelly said. “They kept it 

pretty much the same and 

keep with the same tradition. 

“It has been there so 

long, and people have been 

coming for so long, and 

people remember coming 

in with their grandparents 

and family.” 

Glynn was an only child 

and has been working with 

her parents for years. Most 

of the employees have 

worked at Paisano’s for 

more than 10 years, and 

the family atmosphere of 

the restaurant starts there, 

Glynn said. 

The customers that 

come in — new and old — 

just add to the size of that 

family. 

“Our customers are our 

family,” Glynn said. “We 

watch kids grow up. It’s a 

restaurant, but it really is 

much more than that; it’s 

like you’re own community. 

We’re really lucky we 

have the awesome custom- 

Paisano’s homemade tiramisu ($5.50) is popular among 

customers looking for dessert after their meals. 

Paisano’s Pizza and 

Italian Restaurant 

350 W. Maple St. in 

New Lenox 

Hours 

• 4-9 p.m. Monday- 

Thursday 

• 4-10 p.m. Friday- 

Saturday 

• 3:30-9 p.m. Sunday 

For more information… 

Web: 

paisanosnewlenox.com 

Phone: (815) 485- 

2422 

ers that we do.” 

Similar to the atmosphere, 

the food had not 

changed over the years. 

“If something’s not 

broke, don’t fix it,” Glynn 

said. “We don’t change, 

because that is what people 

have liked.” 

The pizza is, of course, 

a community favorite, 

but the ribs ($19.95), Italian 

beef ($9.95), shrimp 

scampi ($14.95) and all of 

the other pasta dishes are 

go-to choices, Glynn said. 

Paisano’s also offers a variety 

of desserts, including 

homemade cheesecake 

and tiramisu ($5.50 each). 

“You could turn someone’s 

day around with 

some good food and a nice 

glass of sangria,” Glynn 

said. “It is really easy to 

make someone happy.” 

In a town as booming 

as New Lenox, with the 

addition of multiple restaurants, 

Paisano’s has 

continued to be there for 

the community. Paisano’s 

sponsored a girls softball 

team this year, and plans to 

keep finding ways to stay 

involved with the community 

and grow with it. 

“We want to stay involved 

in the community 

and be there for families 

when they come in,” 

Glynn said. “I love when 

kids come in and see stuff 

and are excited. We just 

do what feels right. If they 

want to see the kitchen, I’ll 

take them back there and 

show them. 

“The people are the best 

part. The best part about 

New Lenox is that there 

are all kinds of different 

people, but everyone 

comes together.” 

Paisano’s pizza has been a community favorite since the restaurant opened in 

1978 in New Lenox. Pictured is a thin crust with pepperoni and green peppers. Pan, 

stuffed, taco and gluten-free also are sold. Photos by Sean Hastings/22nd Century 

Media 

Shrimp scampi ($14.95) is one of the favorites at Paisano’s.

newlenoxpatriotdaily.com puzzles 


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

Crossword by Myles Mellor and Cindy LaFleur 

Across 

1. Censure 

5. Shade of black 

9. Brit racing town 

14. Chickpea stew 

15. ___ vu 

16. Russian range 

17. Mount Olympus 

dwellers 

18. Stuff 

19. Parts 

20. Sense of beauty 

22. Often, poetically 

23. Antitoxins, perhaps 

24. Bathroom installation 

25. Of the wrist 

29. Frankfort street 

and a state 

33. Classical lang. 

35. Central American 

city 

37. Words spoken 

before the Senate 

38. Cheat 

40. Suggest 

41. Ancient alphabetic 

character 

42. Last name in 

fashion 

43. Agency concerned 

with kid’s health 

45. Coffee holder 

46. “What fools these 

mortals be” writer 

48. Kind of chop 

50. Tiny particle 

51. Go on (one’s way) 

53. Palindromic female 

name 

54. Summer quencher 

58. Four-time Indy 

winner 

60. Crazily 

61. It’s a cover-up 

63. Some roulette bets 

64. Bank 

65. Mystique 

66. ____ and Barrel 

67. View from Catania 

68. Russian ruler 

Down 

1. Boxer, for one 

2. Medicinal plants 

3. Torso 

4. Cosa ___ 

5. Fringe 

6. Symbol of redness 

7. City east of Santa 

Barbara 

8. Bust maker 

9. Moon of Jupiter 

10. More ungodly 

11. Seasoning and 

preservative 

12. Bullring cheer 

13. Ed.’s pile 

21. String instrument 

24. Apolo Anton 

Ohno, notably 

26. New Guinea 

native 

27. Soon 

28. Kind of surgery 

30. Astonishing 

31. “___ cost to 

you!” 

32. It’s for the birds 

33. Some TV screens 

34. Grammywinning 

soul singer 

India.__ 

36. Flexible mineral 

39. The green 

where many local 

concerts are held 

44. Babe in the 

woods 

47. Unrefined 

49. Dig one’s claws 

into 

52. Actress Winger 

53. Mt. Everest’s 

land 

54. How busy people 

often work 

55. Discharge 

56. Faucet brand 

57. Soup pod 

58. The Tar Heels, 

abbr. 

59. It goes with 

neither 

62. Place for a stud 

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 1-9. 

LEVEL: Medium 

Crossword by Myles Mellor and Susan Flanagan 

answers 

NEW LENOX 

Little Joe’s Restaurant 

(1300 N. Cedar Road, 

New Lenox; (815) 463- 

1099) 

■5-8 ■ p.m. Tuesdays: 

Piano Styles by Joe 

Williamson’s Restaurant 

and Pub 

(1490 W. Maple St. New 

Lenox, (815) 485-8585) 

■Wednesdays: ■ 

$5 

House Wine Wednesdays 

■Sundays: ■ Spicy 

Bloody Marys $5 

Hickory Creek Brewing 

Company 

(1005 W Laraway Rd, 

New Lenox. (779) 803- 

3974) 

■3 ■ p.m. -close Fridays: 

Happy Hour from 3 

to 6 p.m. followed by 

Smokin’ Z BBQ food 

truck from 5:30 to 

8:30 p.m. and live 

music. 

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. 

MOKENA 

The Alley Grill and Tap 

House 

(18700 S. Old La- 

Grange 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 

HOMER GLEN 

Front Row 

(14903 S. Bell Road, 

Homer Glen; (708) 645- 

7000) 

■7 ■ p.m. Wednesdays: 

Trivia 

To place an event 

in The Scene, email 

b.conboy@22nd 

centurymedia.com.

30 | December 12, 2019 | the new lenox patriot local living 


If you are looking for the perfect ranch home 

at a great price, look no more. Ranch Villas at 

Keating Point, in the Village of Channahon, 

offers ranch homes that are both beautiful and 

maintenance-free. 

These unique, detached townhomes feature 

two bedrooms and two baths in 1,308 to 1,621 

square feet. Each comes equipped with a full 

basement, two-car attached garage, brick fronts, 

and central air. 

These Ranch Villas start in the $230’s and 

boast an association fee of just $140 per month. 

We offer five floorplans for you to choose from. 

Do you long for a little more time to yourself? 

For more family moments, too? 

Luxury Ranch Detached Townhomes 

Immediate Move-Ins. • Maintenance-Free Living 

Starting from the $230’s 

Maintenance-free living at The Ranch Villas at 

Keating Pointe is our solution to your problem. 

In one of our ranch townhomes, you can finally 

wave goodbye to the chores that gobble up your 

precious time. All exterior and landscaping 

maintenance is done for you, including snow 

removal. If you’ve had enough of cleaning 

gutters, mowing the lawn, and shoveling the 

driveway, you’re ready to take the next step. 

The photos in this article feature The Roma, 

one of the floorplans you can choose from for 

your new ranch home. This 1,467 sq. ft. design 

features two bedrooms and two baths. Plus, 

you’ll get a flex room to use as you see fit. 

Office? Guest room?You tell us. The Roma also 

features ceilings that reach nine feet high and a 

large kitchen with included appliances. You’ll 

enjoy an impressively roomy feel, bounty of 

spaceforentertaining,andultimateconvenience. 

Speaking of convenience, a basement, two-car 

attached garage, and patio are included. The 

Roma starts in the low $240’s, delivering quality 

in its construction and price tag. 

Looking to move into a new home sometime 

soon? Our ranch homes also feature quick 

delivery homes. These quick delivery homes 

have move-in dates as early as this fall. 

To learn more about our detached ranch 

townhomes, give us a call at (815) 290-5303 or 

go to homesbycore.com. 

Immediate Move-Ins • Maintenance-Free Living

newlenoxpatriotdaily.com local living 

the new lenox patriot | December 12, 2019 | 31

32 | December 12, 2019 | the new lenox patriot real estate 


The New Lenox Patriot’s 

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newlenoxpatriotdaily.com classifieds 


Help 

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(Morning) 

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Apply within: 

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School Bus Drivers Wanted 

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seeks quality individuals 

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34 | December 12, 2019 | the new lenox patriot classifieds 


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2701 Property for 

Sale 

COMMON AD - REAL ESTATE 

SECTION 

SHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL ESTATE 

of 611 NCedar Rd, New Lenox, IL 

60451 (Residential). On the 26th day of 

December, 2019 to be held at 12:00 

noon, at the Will County Courthouse 

Annex, 57 N. Ottawa Street, Room 201, 

Joliet, IL 60432, under Case Title: 

Crown Mortgage Company Plaintiff 

V. Christopher M.Connors; et. al. 

Defendant. 

Case No. 18 CH 1799 in the Circuit 

Court of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, 

Will County, Illinois. 

Terms of Sale: ten percent (10%) at the 

time of sale and the balance within 

twenty-four (24) hours. Nojudicial sale 

fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring 

the residential real estate pursuant 

to its credit bid at the sale or by any 

mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other 

lienor acquiring the residential real estate 

whose rights in and tothe residential 

real estate arose prior to the sale. All 

payments shall be made in cash or certified 

funds payable tothe Sheriff of Will 

County. 

In the event the property is acondomin- 

ium, in accordance with 735 ILCS 

5/15-1507(c)(1)(H-1) and (H-2), 765 

ILCS 605/9(g)(5), and 765 ILCS 

605/18.5(g-1), you are hereby notified 

that the purchaser of the unit, other than 

amortgagee, shall pay the assessments 

and legal fees required by subdivisions 

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

required by subsection (g-1) 

of Section 18.5 of the Illinois Condominium 

Property Act. 

Pursuant to Local Court Rule 11.03 (J) 

if there is asurplus following application 

ofthe proceeds of sale, then the 

plaintiff shall send written notice pursuant 

to 735 ILCS 5/15-1512(d) to all parties 

to the proceeding advising them of 

the amount ofthe surplus and that the 

surplus will beheld until aparty obtains 

acourt order for its distribution or, in 

the absence of an order, until the surplus 

is forfeited to the State. 

For Information Please Contact: 

Codilis & Associates, P.C. 

15W030 N. Frontage Road Suite 100 

Burr Ridge, Illinois 60527 

P: 630-794-5300 

F: 630-794-9090 

PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT 

COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT 

YOU ARE ADVISED THAT THIS 

LAW FIRM ISDEEMED TO BE A 

DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING 

TO COLLECT ADEBT AND ANY 

INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL 

BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. 

2703 Legal 

Notices 

PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT 

COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT 

YOU ARE ADVISED THAT THIS 

LAW FIRM ISDEEMED TO BE A 

DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING 

TO COLLECT ADEBT AND ANY 

INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL 

BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. 

STATE OF ILLINOIS 

) 

) SS. 

COUNTY OF WILL 

) 

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OFTHE 

TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT 

WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS 

Crown Mortgage Company 

Plaintiff, 

vs. 

Christopher M. Connors; et. al. 

Defendant. 

No. 18 CH 1799 

NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE 

Public notice ishereby given that pursuant 

toajudgment entered in the above 

cause on the 18th day of September, 

2019 ,MIKE KELLEY, Sheriff of Will 

County, Illinois, will on Thursday, the 

26th day of December, 2019 ,com- 

2703 Legal 

Notices 

mencing at 12:00 o'clock noon, at the 

Will County Courthouse Annex, 57 N. 

Ottawa Street, Room 201, Joliet, IL 

60432, sell at public auction tothe highest 

and best bidder orbidders the following-described 

real estate: 

LOT EIGHT (8) IN BATSON'S 

FIRST ADDITION TO BROOK- 

WOOD PARK, ASUBDIVISION OF 

PART OF THE EAST HALF OF 

THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF 

SECTION SIXTEEN (16), TOWN- 

SHIP THIRTY-FIVE (35) NORTH, 

RANGE ELEVEN (11), EAST OF 

THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERID- 

IAN, SITUATED IN THE TOWN OF 

NEW LENOX COUNTY OFWILL, 

STATE OF ILLINOIS. 

Commonly known as: 

611 N Cedar Rd, New Lenox, IL 

60451 

Description of Improvements: 

Residential 

P.I.N.: 

15-08-16-404-013-0000 

Terms of Sale: ten percent (10%) at the 

time of sale and the balance within 

twenty-four (24) hours. Nojudicial sale 

fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring 

the residential real estate pursuant 

to its credit bid at the sale or by any 

mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other 

lienor acquiring the residential real estate 

whose rights in and tothe residential 

real estate arose prior to the sale. All 

payments shall be made in cash or certified 

funds payable tothe Sheriff of Will 

County. 

In the event the property is acondomin- 

ium, in accordance with 735 ILCS 

5/15-1507(c)(1)(H-1) and (H-2), 765 

ILCS 605/9(g)(5), and 765 ILCS 

605/18.5(g-1), you are hereby notified 

that the purchaser of the unit, other than 

amortgagee, shall pay the assessments 

and legal fees required by subdivisions 

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

required by subsection (g-1) 

of Section 18.5 of the Illinois Condominium 

Property Act. 

Pursuant to Local Court Rule 11.03 (J) 

if there is asurplus following application 

ofthe proceeds of sale, then the 

plaintiff shall send written notice pursuant 

to 735 ILCS 5/15-1512(d) to all parties 

to the proceeding advising them of 

the amount ofthe surplus and that the 

surplus will beheld until aparty obtains 

acourt order for its distribution or, in 

the absence of an order, until the surplus 

is forfeited to the State. 

FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CON- 

TACT: 

Codilis & Associates, P.C. 

15W030 N. Frontage Road Suite 100 

Burr Ridge, Illinois 60527 

P: 630-794-5300 

F: 630-794-9090 

Plaintiff's Attorney 

MIKE KELLEY 

Sheriff of Will County 

2900 Merchandise 

Under $100 

10 piece 1994 Bedfor Falls 

Christmas Village, It’s AWonderfull 

Life $100. Call 

815-530-9000 

10ft prelite Christmas tree 

w/1500 lights 4sections plus 

base and frontgate storage bag, 

excellent condition $100 Call 

630-417-4415 

1991 GMC Safari van bench 

seats intop shape $100 OBO. 

Call 815-922-5848 

1998 Rascal Mobility Scooter 

front and rear baskets. Seat up 

to 400lb. Needs new batteries. 

$100. Call 708-606-3119 


Under $100 

24pc foam brush set $5, wallpaper 

smoother brush new $5, 

6pc wir brush set $6, 3in brass 

wire wheel $2 Call 

708-460-8308 

3 light bathroom vanity light 

by Patriot Lighting oil rubbed 

bronze finih with towel bar, 

towel ring, robe hook, new in 

box $60. Call 708-267-4611 

3 portable CD players $10 

each, golf umbrellas like new 

$8 each, electric drill $25, volleyball 

pro set $40 including 

accessories. Call 

708-601-1947 

4 Michelin truck tires L265 

70R 18 w/30,000 miles. Call 

708-932-2112 

5ft 3 dimension metal Santa 

Claus professionally made and 

painted $30 Must See Call 

815-469-3233 

6ft oak church pew V.G.C. 

$100 Call 708-932-2112 

84 inch couch, neutral color, 

very good condition, can text 

photo. Call 708-307-0279 

Avariety of mens suits inexcellent 

condition, sizes 40 to 46 

jackets, waist 32to 34” $20 

each. Call 815-838-7770 

Airplane lamp green glass 

body with metal. $40 Call 

708-642-9019 

Bathroom remodel 60” maple 

vanity cabinet $50 Call 

815-463-0491 

Boys clothes sizes 6-8, pj’s, 

jeans, t-shirts, underwear, twin 

bedding, all for $50. Large 

metal tool box $50. Call 

535-9354 

Cadillac ATS floor mats all 

weather front and rear $50, 

Covermate ISPA cover lifter 

$50 Call 708-479-2025 

Caterpillar mens work boots 

size 12 leather stell toe waterproof 

worn once like new paid 

$110 asking $75 Call 

779-803-3675 

Christmas tree beautiful lrg 

11ft $50. Call 815-464-9023 

Dozen Coke Christmas glasses 

1970’s $35, gold tree topper 

w/lights new $5, new bent handle 

snow shovel $22, new dust 

pan w/brush $6. Call 

708-460-8308 

Dozen pink non-break ornaments 

boxed 30yrs old $5, 

32oz windsied de-icer $4, Marshall 

Fields musical Santa car 

new boxed $25 Call 

708-460-8308 

Dunlop at Rover Tire 

P245/70R/15 on 5lug Chevy 

rim EC was spare $65. Call 

708-710-0170 

George Foreman grilling machine 

$10, Electric carving 

knife American made $10, Dirt 

Devil hand vac w/attachments 

$10, ToastMaster waffle maker 

$5 Call 708-614-8541 


Under $100 

Grey duct tape $3, kelly 

green-clear orwhite tape $4ea, 

photo/video storage boxes 

$4ea, B&D 50pc screw driving 

bit set $19, 12in hack saw $5. 

Call 708-460-8308 

Hamilton Beach bar blender 

H-BB908, new-never used in 

orginal box $65. Lawn roller 

steel $10. 773-552-7850 

Handbags-Coach, red leather 

hand/shoulder $40, Clairborne 

brown hobo $20, Burberry new 

k/o $35. Call 708-645-4245 

Head TS 6 tennis racket $60, 4 

wooden folding chairs $40. 

Call 815-463-0282 

Honda mags 4bolt pattern fits 

Accord 1990-2002, Prelude 

1992-1996, Acura 1997-1999 

size 15 $80. Call 708-227-0113 

Huge plastic bag candy making 

supplies $20 takes all. Call 

815-534-0987 

King plastic mattess cover fitted 

protector $3, 10pc 

fruit/vege containers new misc. 

sizes $5, leather ladies new 

purse $12 Call 708-460-8308 

Kris Kindle Market Mugs. 8 

mugs years 2000-2007. 

$10.00. TV Stand, black 

w/smoked glass. Nice. 

$20.00. Golf clubs &bag. 

Full set Wilsons. $20.00. 

708-514-4623. 

Kris Kindle mugs. 8 mugs 

years 2000-2007 10.00. TV 

stand. Black w/smoked glass. 

Nice. $20.00. Golf clubs and 

bag. Full set. Wilson. $20.00. 

708-514-4623 

Mens Bears XL blue/orange 

jacket $35, winter beige XL 

jacket w/zipper/snaps $20, 

Blackhawks new XL red/black 

L/S shirt $30 Call 

708-460-8303 

Men’s brand new w/tags 100% 

lamb’s wool Ralph Lauren 

scarfs 2plaid -1solid gray 

valued @ $35 now $10 ea, Call 

708-403-2473 

New 2008 School House collector 

plate boxed $15, new 

1992 ceramic candy server 

boxed $10, new 1982 crystal 

party plate beautiful Wiebolts 

boxed $20. Call 708-460-8308 

New 20in wide Christmas tee 

stand $15, ice blast w/s de-icer 

32oz $4, men’s ski gloves XL 

$5, men’s rubber totes 9 $10 

Call 708-460-8308 

New alum scoop wood handle 

shovel $24, snow plastic 18” 

blade shovel $12. Call 

708-460-8308 

Over range range hood 

w/lite/fan $35, tempered glass 

shelving 58in long $12, H/D 

steel scoop shovel $15, new 

Mohawk runner rug 60in tan 

$10. Call 708-460-8308



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40 | December 12, 2019 | the new lenox patriot sports 


Athlete of the Week 

3 

10 Questions 

with Lauren Knight 

Lauren Knight is a senior 

guard on the Providence 

basketball team. 

How long have you 

been played basketball 

and how did you first 

get started? 

I’ve been playing since 

I was 5. My dad [Matt] 

played basketball and 

coached basketball, so he 

got me into it. He coached 

my school team up until 

eighth grade, and he 

coached my travel team 

until sixth or seventh 

grade. 

What was it like 

playing for your dad? 

I liked it a lot. I’m really 

close with my dad. We’ve 

both always loved basketball. 

What do you like so 

much about the sport? 

I’ve been playing it for 

so long and it gets my 

mind off things. I love 

playing with my teammates. 

I’ve never had any 

problems with any teammate 

I’ve had. It’s a sport 

that just clears my mind, 

and I love it. 

How are you trying 

to be a leader this 

season? 

We have a young team 

with a freshman and three 

sophomores, one of the 

sophomores being my sister 

[Kelly], so I’ve tried to 

get close with all them and 

help them out a lot since 

they’re young. 

What has it been like 

playing with your 

sister? 

At the beginning of 

the season, it was kind of 

rough, to be honest. We 

kind of have fought. But 

we’re getting along better 

now. It’s fun. 

You signed to play 

collegiately at 

Carthage College. 

Why did you choose 

Carthage? 

It was my first visit of all 

my college visits. I loved 

it. It made me feel ready 

for college. I really loved 

the coaching staff, too. 

You’re stranded on a 

deserted island and 

can have an endless 

supply of one food. 

What do you want? 

Steve Millar/22nd Century Media 

Cheeseburgers. I just 

love them. It’s my go-to 

meal. 

What is your favorite 

TV show? 

“Friends” or “The Office.” 

I could watch all 

those episodes over and 

over again. They never get 

old. 

If you could travel 

anywhere in the 

world, where would 

you want to go? 

Hawaii. It looks really, 

really pretty there. 

Do you have any 

hidden talents? 

It’s not really a talent, 

but something unique is 

I’m double-jointed in my 

arms, legs, thumbs and 

hips. 

Interview conducted by 

Sports Editor Steve Millar. 



Call 

708.326.9170

newlenoxpatriotdaily.com sports 


Girls Basketball 

4 

Wooldridge stands tall again for Warriors 

RANDY WHALEN 


With a pair of players 

taller than anyone on Lincoln-Way 

West, the Lockport 

girls basketball team 

hoped to limit the Warriors 

opportunities in a clash of 

two teams that were off to 

good starts this season. 

There was no slowing 

down the West express, 

however. For the second 

straight game, Bri 

Wooldridge led the Warriors 

in scoring, this time 

with 16 points. The 6-foot- 

1 sophomore forward adds 

another dimension to an 

already potent offense. 

The Gugliuzza sisters 

combined for 41 points as 

West pulled away at the 

end of the first half and 

cruised to a 68-43 victory 

over the Porters in a 

SouthWest Suburban Conference 

crossover on Dec. 

3 in New Lenox. 

Wooldridge, who transferred 

in from Fremd 

before the school year, 

scored 25 points and had 

11 rebounds on Nov. 25 

as the Warriors defeated 

Joliet West 84-67 to win 

the Lincoln-Way Central 

Turkey Classic. 

Against Lockport, she 

hit on a trio of three-pointers, 

to go along with three 

layups and a free throw in 

a perfect example of an 

inside-outside game. 

“I hope so,” Wooldridge 

said of her adding another 

wrinkle to the teams potent 

offense. “I love the energy 

from the team. We all share 

the ball and play together. 

They [the Gugliuzza sisters] 

are really good and 

very talented. But it’s all of 

us just talking together and 

the energy of the team.” 

West coach Ryan White 

has been impressed with 

how Wooldridge has fit in 

with the team. 

“She had a nice game,” 

White said. “She’s tough 

to guard, especially when 

she’s knocking down 

threes. We’ve had four different 

players lead us in 

scoring so far in our [seven] 

games, which is nice.” 

It’s also nice to have the 

trio of Gugliuzza sisters all 

playing guard. Ava, a freshman, 

poured in 15 points 

while her two sisters, junior 

Tara and senior Taylor, 

both added 13 points. 

Taylor Gugliuzza had 

four points and Wooldridge 

scored three as the Warriors 

poured in the first 

seven points of the game 

and led the whole way. 

Lockport (5-3) closed 

back within 9-6 and then 

11-9 on a 3-pointer by 

sophomore guard Elizabeth 

“Bit” Sochacki, 

who led the team with 13 

points, with 2:45 left in the 

opening quarter. 

But the Warriors closed 

the quarter on an 8-0 run, 

which included a highlight 

real 3-pointer from just 

beyond half court by Tara 

Gugliuzza, for a 19-9 lead. 

Still the Porters fought 

back with six quick points, 

including a Sochacki 

three-pointer 38 seconds 

into the second quarter, to 

close within 19-15. 

Ahead 22-17, West went 

on a 19-5 blitz over the 

last 6:01 of the quarter for 

a 41-22 halftime lead. Ava 

Gugliuzza started it off 

on a layup and had seven 

points in the spurt. The 

Warriors opened the third 

quarter on a 12-0 run and 

eventually extended the 

lead to 63-26. They led 

66-34 after three and had 

most of their subs in for 

the last 11 plus minutes of 

the game. 

Sochacki made the All- 

Tournament team at the 

Willowbrook Thanksgiving 

Tournament. Against 

West, the Porter twin 

towers of 6-foot-4 senior 

Jenna Cotter and 6-foot-2 

junior Sydney Furr both 

Lincoln-Way West’s Bri Wooldridge fires a shot against Lockport on Dec. 3. She 

scored 16 points in the Warriors’ 68-43 win in New Lenox. Chip DeLorenzo/22nd 

Century Media 

finished with eight points 

and six rebounds. But 

Lockport simply lacked 

the firepower to hang with 

the Warriors. 

Still, White was impressed 

with Lockport. 

“I thought they made us 

earn everything offensively,” 

White said. “It didn’t 

feel like anything came 

easy on that end. I always 

count on them playing 

hard.” 

Testing themselves 

Ava Gugliuzza scored 

16 points as the Warriors 

started a big fiveday 

stretch with a 58-33 

win over Downers Grove 

North on Friday, Dec. 6. 

West suffered its first 

loss the following day, but 

battled highly touted Benet 

in a 59-54 defeat at the 

Chicagoland Invitational 

Showcase at Fremd. 

Taylor Gugliuzza led 

the way with 24 points for 

the Warriors, who were set 

for another tough game 

Tuesday, Dec. 10 against 

Bolingbrook. 

“I don’t want to overlook 

Downers Grove 

North, which beat us last 

year,” White said after the 

Lockport game. “They 

are a really good physical 

defensive team and play 

the exact opposite style as 

us. So, it will be great for 

us to see that. Benet and 

Bolingbrook are two teams 

we hope will prepare us for 

the post season. Getting to 

play teams with their talent 

level will give us an idea of 

where we are at and what 

we need to improve on.” 

high school highlights 

The rest of the week in high school sports 

2 

Girls gymnastics 

Lincoln-Way co-op 139, 

Andrew co-op 134.5 

Grace Kmak led the 

way for Lincoln-Way in 

the season-opening win 

Dec. 4. Kmak won the 

all-around, vault and bars. 

Lucy Haas won the beam, 

while Korina Jarosz had 

runner-up finishes in the 

all-around and floor. 

Girls basketball 

Providence 41, Carmel 33 

Ashley Raymer poured 

in 16 points, while Knight 

scored nine for Providence 

(7-1) on Sunday, Dec. 8, 

at the GCAC-ESCC Challenge. 

Lockport 38, LW Central 

35 

Azyah Newson-Cole led 

the Knights (4-3) with 15 

points, five rebounds and 

four steals. Regan LoConte 

added nine points. 

Wrestling 

LW Central goes 3-1 

The Knights beat Bradley-Bourbonnais 

44-25 in 

a dual on Friday, Dec. 6. 

Dustin Kozlowski (152), 

Ryan Keane (160), Fabian 

Villasenor (182) and Andrew 

Hesse (195) all won 

by fall 

The Knights then went 

2-1 at the Plainfield North 

Duals on Saturday, Dec. 7. 

Central beat Harlem 37-36 

and Dundee-Crown 56-9 

and fell 38-30 to Willowbrook. 

Joey Malito (106) won 

all three of his matches by 

pin. 

High School Highlights 

are compiled by Sports 

Editor Steve Millar, 

s.millar@22ndcm.com.

42 44 | December 12, 2019 | the new orlanD lenox Park patriot Prairie sports 


oPPrairiedaily.com 

Football (oFFense) 

22nd Century Media chose the best football student-athletes based on coach 

recommendations and player statistics in its seven-town southwest suburban coverage 

area and placed them on one super team: Team 22. The team is made up of studentathletes 

from Lincoln-Way Central, LW East, LW West, Providence Catholic, Andrew, 

Lockport Township, Tinley Park and Sandburg high schools. This page features the offense. 

First team 

Compiled by 22nd Century Media staff 

second team 

QB: Trevor Griffin, junior, Andrew 

30-of-75 passing, 496 yards, nine 

touchdowns; 737 rushing yards, 10 

touchdowns. 

RB: Caleb Marconi, senior, LW West 

987 yards, 10 touchdowns. 

RB: Devon Williams, senior, LW East 

607 yards, six touchdowns. 

WR: Johnny Gonsalves, senior Tinley 

Park 

20 catches, 403 yards, six TDs 

WR: Lucas Porto, senior, Providence 

27 catches, 488 yards, seven 

touchdowns. 

TE: Michael Bosco, senior, 

Sandburg 

15 catches, 150 yards, three TDs. 

OL: Matthew Garcia, senior, Andrew 

All-SWSC Red, 19 pancake blocks. 

OL: Martin Hoban, senior, LW East 

All-SWSC Blue. Captain and one of 

the leaders for the Griffins’ offense. 

OL: Jake Leggero, senior, LW Central 

All-SWSC Red. Anchor of the line. 

OL: David Stronach, senior, Tinley 

Park 

Three-year starter was a strong twoway 

lineman for the Titans. 

OL: Adam Winistorfer, junior, Andrew 

All-SWSC Red selection had 15 

pancake blocks. 

K: Damian Chowaniec, senior, LW 

West 

6-for-10 on field goals; 23-for-24 on 

extra points. 

QB: Kevin Conway, junior, 

Providence 

88-of-174 passing, 1,201 yards, 

seven touchdowns; 128 carries, 

615 yards, 15 touchdowns. As 

dangerous with his feet as with his 

arm, Conway led the Celtics to the 

6A quarterfinals. 

WR: AJ Henning, senior, LW East 

52 catches, 748 yards, 13 TDs; 

124 carries, 667 yards, 15 TDs. 

All-State, SWSC Blue Offensive 

Player of the Year. Michigan recruit 

led two unbeaten state champion 

teams in three years. 

RB: Rocco Iannantone, senior, 

Andrew 

191 carries, 1,024 yards, six 

TDs. All-State honorable mention, 

SWSC Red Offensive Player 

of the Year. Had a 276-yard 

performance in the season opener 

against Kewaskum (Wisc.). 

WR: Malik Makhlouf, senior, 

Lockport 

40 catches, 664 yards, four 

touchdowns. Overcame the loss of 

his starting quarterback to remain 

a productive weapon for the 

much-improved Porters. 

RB: Aaron Vaughn, sophomore, 

Providence 

230 carries, 1,547 yards, 16 

touchdowns; 20 catches, 255 

yards. All-CCL/ESCC Green. Had a 

366-yard, four-touchdown playoff 

performance against Crete-Monee 

in the second round. 

OL: Billy Doyle, senior, Lockport 

All-SWSC Blue. Team captain 

had 40 pancake blocks and led 

a rushing attack that averaged 

over 250 yards over its final four 

games. 

WR: Billy Dozier, senior, LW West 

43 catches, 672 yards, four 

touchdowns; 65 carries, 360 

yards, four TDs. All-State 

honorable mention, All-SWSC 

Red. Northern Illinois University 

recruit. 

OL: Matt Keblusek, senior, LW 

West 

All-SWSC Red. Three-year starter 

anchored the Warriors’ line. 

Honorable mentions: 

OL: Kevin Kuchta, senior, LW East 

Opened holes for the Griffins’ 

many skill players on their way to a 

perfect season. 

OL: Steven Radosavljevic, junior, 

Andrew 

All-SWSC Red. Had 28 pancake 

blocks and was one of the 

anchors of a line that allowed 

just two sacks all season for an 

offense that averaged 258 yards 

rushing per game. 

OL: Jake Renfro, senior, 

Providence 

All-State honorable mention, 

All-CCL/ESCC Green. Cincinnati 

recruit, one of the state’s top 

linemen, had a major impact on 

the Celtics’ prolific rushing attack. 

K: Dominic Dzioban, senior, LW 

East 

18-for-20 on field goals, with a 

long of 50 yards; 50-for-51 on 

extra points; 35.9-yard average 

on punts. All-State, All-SWSC Blue. 

One of the nation’s top kickers 

and a Miami Ohio recruit. 

QB: Kyle Quinn, sr., Lincoln-Way 

East; Joe Mackessy, sr., Tinley 

Park. 

RB: JoJo Gallegos, sr., Tinley Park; 

Jamal Johnson, jr., LWE; Collin 

Schmutzler, sr., Lockport. 

WR: Christian Law, sr., Tinley Park; 

Sam Paliga, sr., LWE; Mason Pierre- 

Antoine, jr., LWE; Max Tomczak, 

jr., LWE 

OL: Adam Banathy, sr., Providence; 

Collin Bockover, sr., Lincoln-Way 

Central; Michael Charnot, sr., 

Providence; Payton Collins, sr., 

Lockport; Oliver Cox, sr., Prov.; 

Rikki Dobson, sr,, LWC; Nick 

Hildenbrand, sr., LWW; Ryan 

Stewart, Jr., LWE. 

K: Peyton Benes, senior, Andrew.

newlenoxpatriotdaily.com OPPrairiedaily.com sports 

the the Orland new lenox Park patriot Prairie | December december 12, 2019 | 43 45 

FirST Team 

DL: Sean McLaughlin, senior, 

Lincoln-Way East 

56 tackles, four sacks, nine 

tackles for losses for one of the 

best defenses in the state. All- 

State honorable mention. 

LB: Anthony Prucha, senior, 

Providence Catholic 

116 tackles, six sacks, 15 tackles 

for losses and 19 quarterback 

pressures for a team that made it 

to the Class 6A quarterfinals. 

FooTball (deFenSe) 

22nd Century Media chose the best football student-athletes based on coach 

recommendations and player statistics in its seven-town southwest suburban coverage 

area and placed them on one super team: Team 22. The team is made up of studentathletes 

from Lincoln-Way Central, LW East, LW West, Providence Catholic, Andrew, 

Lockport Township, Tinley Park and Sandburg high schools. This page features the defense. 

Compiled by 22nd Century Media staff 

DL: Adrian Wilson, senior, Lincoln- 

Way East 

54 tackles, six sacks, 13 tackles 

for losses and a fumble recovery 

for the undefeated Class 8A 

champions. All-State honorable 

mention. 

LB: Brett Carberry, senior, Lincoln- 

Way West 

90 tackles and an interception 

returned for a touchdown for West. 

He was first-team all-conference 

in the SouthWest Suburban 

Conference Red Division. 

DL: Elias Valdez, senior, 


52 tackles, six sacks, nine 

tackles for losses, 31 quarterback 

pressures, a blocked punt and a 

fumble recovery. Defensive Player 

of the Year in the CCL/ESCC 

Green division; All-State selection. 

LB: Joe Suchorabski, junior, 

Lockport 

81 tackles including 32 solos for 

a team that jumped from zero 

victories in 2018 to four in 2019. 

Played both inside and outside 

linebacker positions. 

LB: Jake Kramer, senior, Lincoln- 

Way East 

156 tackles including 85 solos, 

two sacks, 21 tackles for losses 

and a fumble recovery for a team 

that allowed seven or fewer points 

in 10 games including three 

playoff contests. 

DB: Matt Kordas, junior, Lincoln- 

Way East 

83 tackles, nine tackles for losses, 

five interceptions and a fumble 

recovery. He saved the best for 

last as all five interceptions came 

in the Class 8A playoffs. 

Second Team 

DL: Jaron Hacha, senior, Lincoln- 

Way East 

73 tackles, five sacks, eight 

tackles for losses 

DL: Cam Woolery, senior, 

Sandburg 

63 tackles, nine sacks 

DL: Zach Richter, senior, Lincoln- 

Way East 

54 tackles, four sacks, six TFL. 

LB: Joe Fiorello, junior, Lockport 

94 tackles including 31 solos. 

LB: Griffin Ketelaar, senior, 

Lincoln-Way West 

81 tackles including seven TFL. 

LB: Zach Orr, senior, Lincoln-Way 

Central 

85 tackles, seven TFL. 

LB: Jameel Mukarram, senior, 

Lincoln-Way East 

70 tackles including 35 solos. 

DB: Jalen Hacha, senior, Lincoln- 

Way East 

62 tackles, 36 solos. 

DB: Larry Burks, senior, Lincoln- 

Way East, 

37 tackles,29 solos. 

DB: Kyle Zabinski, senior, Lincoln- 

Way Central 

41 tackles, two interceptions. 

DB: Nick Persha, senior, Andrew 

37 tackles, three sacks, four pass 

breakups, six tackles for losses. 

Honorable mentions: 

DB: Kevin Countryman, senior, 


41 tackles, six interceptions, 10 

passes knocked down for the 

Celtics. Intercepted two passes 

in the final minute to preserve 

victories in a pair of games. He 

also blocked three kicks. 

DB: John Bickel, senior, Andrew 

Four interceptions, and nine pass 

breakups for a team that won 

seven games. He was an offensive 

and special teams star but was 

also named SouthWest Suburban 

Conference Red Defensive Player 

of the Year. 

DB: Joe DeHaan, senior, Andrew 

75 tackles, Six tackles for losses, 

eight pass breakups and two 

interceptions for the Thunderbolts. 

All-State honorable mention 

through the Illinois Football 

Coaches Association. 

DL: Matt Nevin, senior, Lincoln-Way West; Danny Soraghan, senior, 

Lincoln-Way West; Oliver Cox, senior, Providence Catholic; Michael 

Charnot, senior, Providence Catholic; Brian Henehan, senior, Andrew; 

Thomas Panice, junior, Andrew; David Stronach, senior, Tinley Park. 

LB: Joe Fiorillo, junior, Lockport; Donovan Kot, senior, Lockport; Ryan 

Fitzgerald, senior, Andrew; Josh Kirnbauer, senior, Andrew; Payton 

Orth, junior, Lincoln-Way East. 

DB: Collin Schmutzler, senior, Lockport; Cole 

Horvath, junior, Lincoln-Way West; Noah 

O’Connor, senior, Andrew; Wilber 

Milhouse, senior, Lincoln-Way East; 

Josh Vargas, senior, Lincoln-Way 

East.



9 4 

Boys bowling 

Healy, Jablonski lead 

West to runner-up finish 

Dave Ernst coaches the Warriors on the sideline during a game. Ernst is resigning from his head coach 

position, but hopes to remain on staff. Chris Jones/Burns Photography 

Football 

Dave Ernst resigns as head LW West football coach 


After eight seasons, Lincoln- 

Way West football coach Dave 

Ernst has resigned, he confirmed 

on Dec. 3. 

Though he is resigning from his 

head coach position, he hopes to 

still be able to coach at West. 

“I want to stay on and keep 

coaching here at West,” Ernst 

said. “I’m not retiring. There’s 

good guys on this staff that are 

ready to be a head coach.” 

The Warriors had a 65-27 record 

under Ernst and made the 

playoffs all eight seasons. Those 

eight playoff runs resulted in an 

12-8 record, a state runner up in 

2015 in Class 5A, three trips to the 

quarterfinals — four including the 

state runner up season — and just 

two first-round exits. 

West was in Class 5A for its first 

two seasons under Ernst, jumped 

to 6A in the third, dropped back to 

5A in the fourth and spent the last 

four seasons playing in 7A. 

Ernst took over the program 

in 2012 after Mark Vander Kooi 

coached the Warriors for the first 

three seasons. Vander Kooi now 

serves as the athletic director at 

Lincoln-Way East. 

West athletic director Robbins 

said in talking with Ernst, he felt 

it was just the “right time” for him 

to step down. 

“He’s just been great for us as 

a coach and a leader within the 

football team and also the athletic 

program and the school,” Robbins 

said. “Vander Kooi started it off 

to get the program off the ground 

and Ernst took the ball and ran 

with it and took us to the next 

level. I can’t say enough for what 

he’s done for the program and the 

kids he has taught. I appreciate everything 

he has done. 

Robbins added that the kids 

were always the forefront for 

Ernst. Football was important, 

but he really cared about the kids, 

Robbins said. 

“It seems like yesterday he 

started,” Robbins said. “The success 

we’ve had in the playoffs and 

the great things he’s done for the 

kids to go on to play in college. 

He lived football. That’s his passion.” 

If a player wanted to play in 

college, Ernst found a way to 

make that happen for them. 

And with the success Ernst 

brought to the program, he has left 

some big shoes to fill and Robbins 

said he and the rest of the ones involved 

to pick the next coach, bring 

that same type of passion to West. 

“My players have always meant 

a lot to me,” Ernst said. 

Ernst also praised the group of 

seniors he got to go out with as 

a head coach from this past season, 

as well as what he called the 

best group of sophomores coming 

through the program. 

And clearly Ernst meant a lot to 

his players as a head coach. 

Many players showed that 

gratefulness on Twitter. 

“Man has taught me so much, 

not only football, but life,” former 

West running back Anthony Izzarelli 

wrote. 

“A coach that really cares about 

his players on and off the field,” 

Billy Dozier, 2019 senior wide receiver, 

wrote. 

“Best coach I’ve ever had,” 

Matthew Keblusek, 2019 senior 

offensive lineman, wrote. 

“Unbelievable coach and person, 

this guy has changed so many 

lives and is a huge reason I decided 

to get into coaching,” Andrew 

Gray, former defensive back from 

2014, wrote. 

There were more comments 

that read just the same and many 

called him the “G.O.A.T.” [greatest 

of all time]. 

Robbins said he hopes to have 

a new coach in place by the time 

winter break comes — around 

Dec. 20. 

RANDY WHALEN 


Lincoln-Way West got off 

to quite a start at the 16th annual 

Oak Forest Bengal Invite 

on Saturday, Dec. 7, tossing an 

1,166 for its best score of the 

day. 

The Warriors could not keep 

up that pace, but solid bowling 

the rest of the day led to a 

runner-up finish in the 16-team 

tournament. West (6,025 pins 

over six games) fell short of the 

title, won by Lockport (6,093). 

Just over 100 pins separated 

the third through eighth spots. 

Host Oak Forest (5,676) rallied 

to take third. Plainfield Central 

(5,647) was fourth followed 

by Sandburg (5,639), Reavis 

(5,610) and Lincoln-Way Central 

(5,585). Richards (5,570), 

Lincoln-Way East (5,360) and 

Bremen (5,328) capped off the 

top 10. 

Hillcrest (5,315), Oak Lawn 

(5,194), T.F. North (5,129), 

Romeoville (4,990), Chicago 

Christian (4,578) and Argo 

(4,386) polished off the field. 

“We had a great start and then 

we switched lanes and had a 

hard time,” West coach Scott 

Jablonski said. “But to be led 

by our sophomore, Aidan Healy, 

was great. He’s been bowling 

well and each tournament has 

got a little bit better. 

“This is our second straight 

tournament over 6,000 and third 

straight with a top four finish. 

I’m very happy with that. We 

are moving in the right direction 

and have to keep doing that. 

We are working well and seeing 

who the core will be at the end 

of the season.” 

Aidan Healy finished second 

with 1,308 pins, behind 

only Lockport’s Gavin Gucwa 

(6,093). 

Senior Cameron Jablonski 

(4th, 1,285), and junior Nick 

Dudeck (11th, 1,237) also had 

big performances for the Warriors, 

who are looking for their 

fourth straight trip to state. 

Ivan Escolar rolled an 1,151 

total while junior Glenn Prynn 

had an 857 in five games and 

senior Ethan Healy had a 187 

game as a late substitute. 

For Aidan Healy, who is the 

second bowler in the lineup, it 

was a great tournament. 

“It was the best tournament of 

the year for me,” he said. “We 

have to just keep climbing. We 

went crazy in the first game. We 

were stringing tons of strikes 

together. I had the front four 

and the back six for strikes and 

finished with a 267 score. As a 

team we have the attitude. we 

have to stay up and stay loud 

and that will help us at the end.” 

Lincoln-Way Central coach 

Coley O’Connell had a different 

strategy for the tournament, 

going with just five bowlers so 

they would know they had to 

stay in the lineup for each game. 

Central senior Tyler Misch 

didn’t mind as he bowled very 

well with a 1,301 total, good for 

third place. 

“He went with just the five 

guys to see how we would handle 

the pressure,” Misch said. 

“This was my first time over 

1,300 and highest tournament 

score. I had a 254 high game 

and was really consistent except 

for one game. I’ve got to just 

keep working on my game and 

our goal as a team is to get back 

to state.” 

Senior Alex Nolan (1,224) 

placed 14th for the Knights. The 

remaining Central scores were 

seniors Tommy Martini (1,037), 

Austin Zaker (1,024), and junior 

Jake McCabe (999).



Boys Basketball 

7 

Shorthanded Providence battles hard in loss to Fenwick 


Providence was without 

eight of its regular players 

when it took on Fenwick 

in its home opener Dec. 3. 

Two of those players 

were dealing with injuries 

and six were on Kairos, a 

mandatory religious retreat. 

Those players left on 

Tuesday and were set to 

return Friday, Dec. 6. 

Even without much of 

the team, the energized 

Celtics hung around with 

Fenwick until the end, but 

ultimately lost 58-47. 

“They played their butts 

off,” coach Kyle Murphy 

said. “We gave them everything 

we had. Joe [Alfirevich] 

was unbelievable.” 

Alfirevich was one 

of the two regular starters 

and three players that 

get rotating minutes who 

played against Fenwick. 

He scored 28 points — 10 

in the fourth quarter. He 

was also 13-of-15 from the 

free-throw line. 

“I think he is severely 

underrated and I don’t 

think many people know 

about him, but people are 

going to start knowing 

about him,” Murphy said. 

“He was the top scorer in 

the WJOL tournament, 

he kept getting the ball to 

the basket. He never had a 

break except in the last 20 

seconds when I pulled him 

out. 

“What’s crazy is that 

it’s not just offense, he’s 

great on defense. He’s just 

relentless. He has a motor 

like no one I’ve ever 

seen. He never gives up 

and never backs down. 

He went toe-to-toe with 

[Bryce] Hopkins, who is 

one of the best players 

we’ll see all year.” 

Hopkins had 22 points. 

Trey Pettigrew also had 22 

for the Friars. 

Offensively for the Celtics 

(3-2), Jack Ruddy had 

eight points, Keith Mc- 

Clelland had seven and 

Justin Janowski had four 

and Luke Denny had one. 

After the first game of 

the season, Murphy said 

the Celtics’ backbone has 

to be their defense. 

Murphy was pleased 

with how the team played 

on that end of the floor. 

“It was a full team effort,” 

Murphy said. “We 

played a 2-3 zone, we rebounded 

the heck out of 

the ball and we battled.” 

And for all of the game 

except for three stretches, 

that was the case. Fenwick 

ended a strange first quarter 

— one that included 

eight combined three 

pointers and just one threepoint 

play by the Friars — 

on a 6-0 run. 

That run bled into the 

start of the second quarter 

where Fenwick started on 

a 7-0 run. The Friars then 

went on an 8-0 run to begin 

the second half. 

“Our thing is ‘we don’t 

give up easy baskets,’” 

Murphy said. “It’s offensive 

rebounds, turnovers, 

limiting the fastbreak 

points, we want to make 

them work for everything. 

Coach Kyle Murphy talks to the Celtics during a timeout in Providence’s homeopening 

loss to Fenwick, Dec. 3. The Celtics were without eight of their usual players 

for that game. Sean Hastings/22nd Century Media 

For the most part we did 

that. We had a lot of guys 

that don’t play any minutes 

or get in the rotation, but I 

think we made up for a lot 

by playing with heart.” 

The Celtics opened the 

season with a second-place 

finish at the WJOL tournament. 

And through five games 

in Murphy has liked what 

he has seen from the Celtics. 

“I like our intensity, I like 

our defensive mindset, like 

I said, our defense is our 

backbone and these guys 

believe that and they’ve 

bought into it,” Murphy 

said. “I’m hoping that 

carries through throughout 

the rest of the season. 

If we can do that, we’ll 

hang around. The Catholic 

League is, I think, the best 

conference in the state, and 

if we play defense like we 

did tonight, we’re going to 

hang around in games and 

give ourselves a chance to 

win.” 

This Week In 

KNIGHTS VARSITY 

ATHLETICS 

BOYS BASKETBALL 

■Dec. ■ 13 – at Homewood- 

Flossmoor, 7 p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 16 – hosts 

Bolingbrook, 6:30 p.m. 

GIRLS BASKETBALL 

■Dec. ■ 12 – at Homewood- 

Flossmoor, 6:30 p.m. 


Bolingbrook, 5 p.m. 

BOYS BOWLING 

■Dec. ■ 12 – hosts Lockport 

at Laraway Lanes, 4:30 p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 14 – Sandburg Invite 

at Orland Bowl, 8 a.m. 

■Dec. ■ 16 – Sandburg at 

Orland Bowl, 4:30 p.m. 

GIRLS BOWLING 

■Dec. ■ 12 – Sandburg at 


■Dec. ■ 14 – Plainfield North 

Invite at Town and Country, 

9 a.m. 


Bolingbrook at Laraway 

Lanes, 4:30 p.m. 

CHEERLEADING 

■Dec. ■ 15 – at Stevenson 

Invite, 8 a.m. 

BOYS SWIMMING 

■Dec. ■ 12 – at LW East, 5 

p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 16 – hosts Andrew, 

5 p.m. 

WRESTLING 


Sandburg, 5 p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 13 – at LW West, 5 

p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 14 – at Batavia 

quad, 9 a.m. 

WARRIORS VARSITY 

ATHLETICS 


■Dec. ■ 13 – at LW East, 

6:30 p.m. 


Kankakee, 6:30 p.m. 


■Dec. ■ 13 – at LW East, 5 

p.m. 

BOYS BOWLING 

■Dec. ■ 12 – hosts Bradley- 

Bourbonnais at Laraway 

Lanes, 4:30 p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 14 – Sandburg Invite 

at Orland Bowl, 8 a.m. 

■Dec. ■ 16 – Andrew at 


GIRLS BOWLING 

■Dec. ■ 12 – Andrew at 


■Dec. ■ 14 – Plainfield North 

Invite at Town and Country, 

9 a.m. 

■Dec. ■ 16 – LW East at 

Thunder Bowl, 4:30 p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 17 – Plainfield East 

at Bowlero, 4:30 p.m. 

CHEERLEADING 

■Dec. ■ 14 – at LW East 


DANCE 

■Dec. ■ 14 – at Waubonsie 

Valley Invite, 9 a.m. 

WRESTLING 

■Dec. ■ 12 – at Stagg, 5 p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 13 – hosts LW 

Central, 5 p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 14 – at Downers 

South Invite, 9 a.m. 

CELTICS VARSITY 

ATHLETICS 


■Dec. ■ 13 – at DePaul Prep, 

7 p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 17 – at Southland 

Prep, 7 p.m. 


■Dec. ■ 12 – at Loyola, 7 

p.m. 

BOYS BOWLING 

■Dec. ■ 12 – Leo at Lawn 

Lanes, 4 p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 14 – Catholic League 

North vs. South at Star Dust 

Bowl, 10 a.m. 

CHEERLEADING 

■Dec. ■ 14 – at LW East 


BOYS HOCKEY 

■Dec. ■ 13 – hosts Notre 

Dame at Arctic Ice Arena, 

8:45 p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 14 – Benet at Seven 

Bridges, 4:45 p.m. 

WRESTLING 

■Dec. ■ 12 – hosts Marist, 

5 p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 13 – hosts St. Rita, 

5 p.m. 

■Dec. ■ 14 – at Oak Park- 

River Forest Duals, 8 a.m. 

LINCOLN-WAY CO-OP 

ATHLETICS 

GIRLS GYMNASTICS 

■Dec. ■ 14 – at Conant 

Invite, 10 a.m.



Markasovic brothers star on both sides of field for SXU 

3 

STEVE MILLAR, Sports Editor 

When Joey Markasovic 

decided to follow his older 

brother, Mike, to Saint 

Xavier, Mike was quite 

psyched. 

After all, the brothers 

had never played on the 

same team before. They 

both played at Providence, 

but were two years apart. 

The excitement of being 

teammates for the first 

time, though, was delayed 

when Mike tore the ACL 

in his left knee in the summer 

of 2018, shortly before 

his junior season and 

Joey’s freshman year. 

“I was exhilarated when 

I found out he was coming,” 

Mike Markasovic 

said. “I tried to egg him on 

to come here, telling him 

how great it was to play 

here and how great of a 

school it was. The second 

that the injury happened, 

that was my first thought. 

It was like, ‘Dang it, now 

I’m not going to get to play 

with him.’” 

A year later, Mike and 

Joey got their season together. 

Mike returned from 

his injury to have a big season 

for the Cougars, while 

Joey became of the top defensive 

players in the Mid- 

States Football Association, 

despite his youth. 

Both were a huge part of 

Saint Xavier’s 9-3 season 

that included a run to the 

NAIA national quarterfinals. 

“This year has been 

amazing,” Joey said. “I 

think it’s pretty cool for 

our family, too, to be able 

to watch us play and have 

some success along the 

way.” 

For Mike, the desire to 

get back in time to spend 

one season with his brother 

constantly pushed him 

as he recovered from his 

injury. 

“You have to watch your 

brother’s whole freshman 

season from the bench and 

you want to be out there 

with him,” he said. “It’s 

humbling. It was tough, 

but it was just more motivation 

for this year. 

“Anybody out there 

who’s had an ACL injury 

knows it’s a long process. 

It’s a lot of hard work, a 

long nine months. [Cougars 

quarterback Alex 

Martinez] and I both had 

ACL injuries, it’s a little 

bonding thing for us. We 

always joke about our artificial 

knees.” 

Mike Markasovic was 

back by the third game of 

this season, making his return 

Sept. 28, when he had 

five catches for 48 yards 

and a touchdown against 

Concordia. He became one 

of Martinez’s top targets 

all season, finishing with 

38 catches for 535 yards 

and six touchdowns. 

The senior saved his best 

performances for near the 

end of his career, putting up 

monster games in back-toback 

weeks Nov. 2 against 

St. Ambrose (10 catches, 

100 yards, two touchdowns) 

and Nov. 9 against 

Olivet Nazarene (5 catches, 

152 yards, touchdown). 

“You don’t know what 

to expect, coming off that 

kind of injury,” he said. “I 

was a little nervous. Overall, 

though, it’s been good. 

I took a role as a leader 

with all the young guys, 

and I think it’s been successful.” 

Cougars coach Mike 

Feminis certainly thinks 

so. 

“Mike not only makes 

plays, but he is a great 

leader, too,” Feminis said. 

“When he was hurt, he 

was basically like another 

coach. I felt horrible for 

him when he got hurt, he 

had a bad tear with his 

knee. He’s came back and 

had a fantastic season for 

us.” 

Joey, meanwhile, led 

the team in tackles with 

96 and added 3.5 sacks, 

eight tackles for loss and 

a forced fumble. He was 

named MSFA Midwest 

League Defensive Player 

of the Week three times. 

“That stuff’s pretty 

cool, but at the end of the 

day it’s all about winning 

games,” Joey said of the 

weekly honors. “I feel like 

I’ve stepped up and done a 

good job. Obviously, having 

your brother behind 

you is a big morale boost, 

too.” 

Mike has not been surprised 

by his younger 

brother’s success. 

“I knew he was ready,” 

Mike said. “It’s awesome 

watching him tear people 

up. When I see him do that, 

it makes me even more excited 

to get out there and 

do my own thing.” 

Feminis has enjoyed 

watching the two play together, 

even getting them 

on the field at the same 

time as blockers on extra 

points. One trick play on 

that kicking unit has led to 

some laughs. 

In the Oct. 19 game at 

Missouri Baptist, the Cougars 

ran a fake extra point, 

and Joey Markasovic ran 

the ball in for a two-point 

conversion. 

“Mike missed his block, 

and Joey had to run the guy 

over to score,” Feminis 

said. “I gave Mikey grief 

for that for weeks after. He 

made his little brother do 

all the work.” 

As fun as games have 

been, the brothers have 

Mike Marksovic, a Frankfort native and Providence graduate, returned from a torn 

ACL injury to have a big senior season for Saint Xavier. Mark Korosa/Saint Xavier 

University 

Sophomore Joey Markasovic led Saint Xavier with 96 tackles. 

had just as good of a time 

competing against each 

other in practice. 

“We always joke around 

that he’s the old bull and 

I’m the young calf,” Joey 

said. “It’s pretty fun. 

We’ve always had a little 

bit of competition, but we 

have fun with it.” 

Never was it more fun 

than this fall. 

“Getting to play this season 

together was a dream 

come true,” Mike said.



fastbreak 

Boys Basketball 

Knights use Kraft to pull away from Eagles 

5 

jeff vorva/22nd century 

media 

1st and 3 

THREE stars of the 

week 

1. Grace Kmak 

Kmak (above) led 

the Lincoln-Way coop 

gymnastics team 

to a 139-134.5 

win over Andrew 

co-op in its season 

opener. She won the 

all-around, vault and 

beam. 

2. Bri Wooldridge 

The LW West 

sophomore forward, 

a transfer from 

Fremd who has 

added a major 

inside presence for 

the Warriors’ girls 

basketball team, 

scored 16 points in 

a win over Lockport. 

3. Joey Malito 

The LW Central 

sophomore wrestler 

won three matches 

by pin at the 

Plainfield North 

Duals. 

MATT CIZEK, Freelance Reporter 

Twice on Thursday, Dec. 5, 

Lincoln-Way Central held a double 

digit-lead. Twice, Sandburg 

came back to put their lead in 

jeopardy. Both times, Ryan Kraft 

helped shut the door. 

Finishing with 25 points, the 

junior forward led a formidable 

Knights offense, as Central 

downed the Eagles 68-55 in New 

Lenox. 

“It just feels good when you 

knock down a shot when the team 

needs it the most,” Kraft said. 

“Good ball movement [allows] the 

open shot.” 

It was the fourth consecutive 

victory for the Knights (4-1), as 

they had followed up a seasonopening 

15-point loss to Joliet 

West with wins against Brother 

Rice, Rich South and Plainfield 

South at the Joliet West Thanksgiving 

Classic. 

“I thought the next game [after 

Joliet West] was the most important, 

when we beat Brother Rice,” 

Lincoln-Way Central coach Bob 

Curran said. “That was key.” 

The Knights’ confidence got 

a boost right away when they 

jumped out to an 18-5 first quarter 

lead. However, the Eagles (3-3) 

didn’t go away quietly. An 11-0 

run cut the lead to two, before 

Kraft started the Knights on their 

own 10-0 run to regain a doubledigit 

lead that they held onto 

through the end of the first half. 

Following halftime, Atharva 

Atreya of the Eagles caught fire. 

With 15 third-quarter points, including 

four 3-pointers, Atreya 

helped cut the Knights’ lead to 

four. 

Led by Kraft’s 11 third quarter 

Junior guard Matt Maloney scored 15 points in Lincoln-Way Central’s 

68-55 win over Sandburg. 22nd Century Media file photo 

points, the Knights withstood the 

storm before pulling away for 

good in the fourth quarter. 

“Defensively … it kind of hurt 

us a little bit when the other team 

scored,” Curran said. “Every night 

it’s been a little bit different [with] 

who’s stepping up scoring. Tonight, 

it was Ryan.” 

In addition to Kraft, the Knights’ 

offensive effort was spearheaded 

by Matt Maloney (15 points), and 

Joe Barrett (11 points). It’s no surprise 

to their head coach. 

“I told the kids in the locker 

room … we can go seven or eight 

deep [with players] that can actually 

score 20 points for us,” he 

said. “I think we’re hard to scout 

just because we have so many 

guys who can put the ball in the 

basket.” 

In addition to offense, the 

Knights put up a stifling defensive 

effort. Unable to soar, the Eagles 

were held to 16 first-half points as 

their offense struggled. 

“We were really trying to take 

away their penetration, because 

they do such a good job” Curran 

said. “They did have some open 

looks, but I think we had the right 

guys shooting [for Sandburg] that 

we wanted to shoot.” 

On their 16-man squad, the 

Knights feature just two seniors. 

The starting lineup against Sandburg 

was made up entirely of juniors. 

Though seniors Sean Michalak 

and George Burchfield saw playing 

time, all points were scored 

by their younger members. Curran 

has a high level of confidence in 

his young squad, an opinion he’s 

not alone with. 

“We knew they were good.” 

Sandburg coach Todd Allen said. 

“They’ve got kids who have been 

up on the varsity for a couple of 

years now, even though they’re 

still juniors. They made 10 threes 

tonight. No. 24 [Kraft] really hurt 

us, as he had seven threes.” 

Kraft wasn’t alone in his ability 

to hit 3-pointers, as the Knights 

made an additional four to finish 

with 33 points off of 11 made 

shots. 

Locking down 

Defense was Curran’s biggest 

concern entering the season, but 

the Knights have held their own 

on that side of the floor. Since allowing 

71 points to Joliet West in 

the opening loss, Central has held 

three of its next four opponents to 

55 points or less. 

In addition to stretching the 

floor with his outside shooting, 

Kraft has been an important defensive 

presence with size inside. 

Up next 

After a win over Ridgewood on 

Sunday, Dec. 8, the Knights will 

have their biggest challenge of the 

year thus far. On Friday, Dec. 13, 

they take on two time defending 

regional champion Homewood- 

Flossmoor in New Lenox. 

H-F is also 4-1. 

Against the talented Vikings, 

the Knights hope to stand tall with 

a team-first attitude. 

“The most important thing is 

that all these guys are willing to 

let another guy be the man for a 

night,” Curran said. “There’s no 

jealousy.” 

LISTEN UP 

“We always joke around that he’s the old bull and I’m the young calf. It’s 

pretty fun.” 

Joey Markasovic – Providence graduate, on playing on the Saint Xavier 

football team with his older brother, Mike 

Tune In 

Boys Swimming, 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 

LW East at LW Central 

• The district rivals meet in an early-season dual. 

Index 

42-43 – Team 22 Football 

40 – Athlete of the Week 

FASTBREAK is compiled by Sports Editor 

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

new lenox’s Hometown Newspaper | December 12, 2019 

CHANGE AT WEST 

Warriors football coach Dave 

Ernst steps down, Page 44 

GRIDIRON GREATS Our 

Team 22 honors the area’s best 

football players, Pages 42-43 

Providence graduates Joey and Mike Markasovic thrive in first season as teammates at Saint Xavier, Page 46 

Brothers and Providence graduates Joey (left) and Mike Markasovic were major contributors for the Saint Xavier football team, which reached the NAIA national quarterfinals. 

Photos by Mark Korosa/Saint Xavier University

NL_121219

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