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mokena’s Award-Winning Hometown Newspaper MokenaMessengerDaily.com • March 19, 2020 • Vol. 12 No. 32 • $1
A
Publication
,LLC
LW D210 Special Games take place as planned amidst
coronavirus concerns, Page 4
Keeping tabs on
coronavirus
The Messenger compiles
list of event cancellations,
postponements, Page 3
Taste for tacos
Village Board moves closer
to approving comic
book-themed Mexican
restaurant, Page 6
Carrying the torch into the gym at Lincoln-Way West High School on Thursday, March 12, are Special Games athletes Blake Zilinskas (middle
left) and Tito Rios (middle right), joined by their Best Buddies Max Labus and Jocelynn Neumayer. Sean Hastings/22nd Century Media
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2 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger calendar
mokenamessengerdaily.com
In this week’s
Messenger
Pet of the Week.............13
Editorial........................17
Faith Briefs....................20
Puzzles..........................27
Going Rate....................31
Classifieds................ 32-39
The Mokena
Messenger
ph: 708.326.9170 fx: 708.326.9179
Editor
TJ Kremer III, x29
tj@mokenamessenger.com
sports editor
Steve Millar, ext 34
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.MokenaMessenger.com
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Published by
www.22ndcenturymedia.com
Monday
Mokena Board of Trustees
meeting
7 p.m. March 23, Village
Hall, 11004 Carpenter
St. in Mokena.
Cancellations/
postponements
Mo’ Beat Blues - Canceled
1-2 p.m. March 21, Mokena
Community Public
Library District, 11327
195th St. in Mokena.
Mokena Junior High
School presents Disney’s
“The Little Mermaid Jr.” -
Cancelled
7 p.m. March 27; 2 p.m.
and 7 p.m. March 28, Lincoln-Way
Central High
School, 1801 E. Lincoln
Highway in New Lenox.
Ava Logan Quartet -
Cancelled
1-2 p.m. March 28, Mokena
Community Public
Library District, 11327
195th St. in Mokena.
Woodcock Walk - Canceled
6:30-8 p.m. March 28,
Hickory Creek Preserve
– LaPorte Road Access,
10537 W. LaPorte Road in
Mokena.
Mission Meals Dinner -
Canceled
April 2, EggCetera
Cafe, 19709 Mokena St. in
Mokena. One Love Global
Wellness would ask that
individual and families
that would have attended
to please call (708) 479-
6613 and we will try to
help or refer to agencies
that can. We are hoping
to resume our regularly
scheduled meals as soon
as we get clearance.
Mokena Seniors Club -
Suspended
11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
on the 3rd and 4th Thursday
of the month at the
Frankfort Township Community
Room, 11100 Lincoln
Highway in Frankfort.
Looking for pinochle
players who would like to
enjoy an afternoon of fun
and fellowship. For more
information, call Julie Wibel
at (708) 478-4747.
Flashlight Egg Hunt -
Postponed to April 30
8-9 p.m. April 2, Yunker
Park, 10824, LaPorte
Road in Mokena. The
quest for the golden egg
begins. Join Mokena Community
Park District and
challenge your friends to
see who can find the most
treat-filled eggs using only
a flashlight. The quest is
unlike all of the rest, as a
few eggs are filled with
tickets to redeem for raffle
prizes, but the biggest
prize goes to the one who
finds the golden egg. This
year we’ll have two egg
hunts. Pizza will be served
after the first egg hunt.
Ages 8–12. Please bring a
flashlight and a bag to collect
the eggs. Pre-registration
is required. Registration
deadline is March 19.
No refunds for this event.
For more information, call
Mokena Park District at
(708) 390-2401 or register
at mokenapark.com.
UPCOMING
Bunny Brunch
10:30 a.m.-noon April
4, Aurelio’s Restaurant,
9901 W. Lincoln Highway
in Frankfort. Hip hop hooray!
Meet our huggable,
lovable bunny for a buffet
lunch of pizza, pasta,
salad, garlic bread and
soft drinks. Fee includes
lunch, meeting the Bunny,
face painting and a special
gift. Children 12 months
and under are free (does
not include lunch or gift).
All attendees regardless
of age must be pre-registered.
Registration is not
accepted at the restaurant.
Registration deadline is
March 21. Seating is limited.
No refunds for this
event. For more information,
call Mokena Park
District at (708) 390-2401
or register at mokenapark.
com.
Bunco for a Cause
6 p.m. April 24, American
Legion Post, 15052
Archer Ave. in Lockport.
Join My Joyful Heart for
an evening of Bunco. All
proceeds to benefit the
children enrolled in My
Joyful Heart. Cost is $25
per person (available for
purchase at myjoyfulheart.
org/news-events/2020-
spring-bunco.html). Includes
pop, pizza, pasta
salad and dessert. Cash
bar, Bunco prizes, splitthe-pot,
raffle baskets and
silent auction. For more
information, email infor
mation@myjoyfulheart.
org.
Spring Fling Student Horse
Show
April 24-26, Nova Quarter
Horses, 10129 W. 187th
St. in Mokena. This event
is open to the public and
free to attend. For more information,
call (708) 479-
3696, or visit novaquarter
horses.com.
ONGOING
LWABWO Meetings
6-8 p.m. on the third
Tuesday of each month
Sept. through June, Gatto’s
Restaurant, 1938 E.
Lincoln Highway, New
Lenox. The Lincoln-Way
Area Business Women’s
Organization is a nonprofit
club formed in 1971
to provide scholarship
funds to graduating female
high school seniors
and adult women for the
purpose of continuing
education. We are always
looking for new members.
For more information, visit
LWABWO.org.
We are Lions
7 p.m. first Thursday
of each month, Doc’s
Smokehouse, 19081 Old
LaGrange Road #105 in
Mokena. The Lions Club
of Mokena hosts is monthly
meeting. For more information,
email Mokena
LionsClub@att.net.
Mokena Fire Protection
CPR Class
6-9:30 p.m. First and
third Mondays of the
month. Mokena Fire Station
1, 19853 S. Wolf
Road, Mokena. The Mokena
Fire Protection District
offers monthly CPR
classes for the public.
Students are instructed in
adult, child and infant CPR
and AED. The cost of the
class is $40 for Community
CPR and $50 Healthcare
CPR. Register for
specific dates at mokena
fire.org.
Kindergarten Registration
Drive
8 a.m.-4 p.m. Ongoing.
District Administrative
LIST IT YOURSELF
Reach out to thousands of daily
users by submitting your event at
MokenaMessenger.com/calendar
For just print*, email all information to
tj@mokenamessenger.com
*Deadline for print is 5 p.m. the Thursday prior to publication.
Editor’s Note
All events listed here
were set to occur
as of press time
Monday, March 16.
As cancellations may
occur, please check
directly with the
organization hosting
the event for the most
up-to-date information.
Also, Illinois bars and
restaurants have been
shut down for dine-in
service per an order
from Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
As such, The Scene
does not appear in this
edition.
Center, 20100 S. Spruce
Drive in Frankfort. Parents
may access student
registration.org to review
the checklist of documents
needed for registration.
Parents have the option of
enrolling their kindergartener
in the extended day
program or the half-day
program. Registration fee
for extended day is $150.
Registration fee for half
day is $125. Payment options
are available.
Lincoln-Way Area Chorale
This choir group meets
weekly to rehearse at
Lincoln-Way East High
School, 201 Colorado
Ave., Frankfort. For more
information, contact Artistic
Director Greg Day at
(815) 485-7357.

Summit Hill School District
161
During an emergency
meeting by Summit Hill
D161 Board of Education
Friday, March 13, the
board directed Superinten-
mokenamessengerdaily.com news
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 3
Area events being postponed, canceled until further notice
T.J. Kremer III, Editor
A number of public
events in Mokena have
been either postponed or
cancelled amid what officials
are calling an overabundance
of caution centered
on the coronavirus
pandemic.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker
announced Friday,
March 13, that all schools
in the state, both public
and private, would be
closed March 17-30.
Mokena School District
159
Mokena D159 Superintendent
Don White said
that he agreed with the
governor’s call, and that
the district was expecting
the closing.
“We’re as prepared as
we can be in any circumstance
such as this,” White
said.
In an email to parents,
White wrote, "All related
activities are canceled during
these dates. While we
do not have any confirmed
cases of coronavirus (CO-
VID-19) in our district,
this decision was made in
an abundance of caution
to limit the spread of the
COVID-19 illness in our
community. The Governor
shared that he will assess
this situation at that time
and may extend the need
to keep schools closed."
Students were scheduled
to be on spring break from
March 30-April 5, so the
plan, for now, is to have
students back as scheduled
on April 6.
Lincoln-Way Community
High School District 210
LW D210 Superintendent
Scott Tingley confirmed
superintendents
of Illinois school districts
were notified about the
First coronavirus case
reported in Will County
T.J. Kremer III, Editor
The Illinois Department
of Public Health announced
Monday, March
16, the first reported case
of the coronavirus in
Will County, according
to an email sent by the
Will County Health Department
& Community
Health Center.
The IDPH announced
that a 54-year-old man,
currently isolated in a
hospital, is Will County’s
first positive case of coronavirus,
according to the
email.
A spokesman for the
Will County Health Department
would not release
the name of the hospital
where the patient is
currently isolated.
It is also unknown
when the man contracted
the virus, only that it was
reported to Will County
decision via a phone call
from Pritzker. Because
D210’s spring break is
scheduled to begin March
30, students in the district
would be out of school for
a total of three weeks.
“We will have teachers
in attendance on Monday
[March 16] to develop
additional enrichment e-
learning lesson plans, because
of the students being
off over an extended time,”
Tingley said. “We used today,
an institute day, to develop
five lessons to cover
five of the days.”
An email from LW D210
Tingly stated, "Beginning
From March 16
health officials March 16.
There have been 105
cases involving the coronavirus
in Illinois, according
to the most recent
data as of press time on
the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention’s
website.
The Will County
Health Department wrote
that for people who believe
they have been exposed
to the coronavirus
to isolate themselves and
self-monitor for symptoms,
including taking
your temperature three
times daily to check for a
fever, along with watching
for other symptoms,
such as cough and shortness
of breath.
More information on
the coronavirus and its
symptoms can be found
at willcountyhealth.org,
CDC.gov and dph.illi
nois.gov.
Monday, March 16, ALL
before and after school activities,
meetings, events,
competitions, practices,
rehearsals, field trips, domestic
travel, building
rentals, and performances
are canceled. This includes
the use of our buildings by
outside organizations."
Please see Virus, 14
LWSRA participant tests positive for coronavirus
Joe Coughlin, Publisher
A Cook County resident
who participated in multiple
Lincolnway Special
Recreation Association
events this month has tested
positive for the coronavirus,
according to Keith
Wallace, executive director
of the LWSRA.
Wallace was notified
this morning — Monday,
March 16 — by a parent of
the adult individual, who
was reportedly involved in
multiple recent programs:
a bowling night on March
9 at Thunderbowl in Mokena,
a Chicago Wolves
game on March 8 and a coop
dance called the Shamrock
Shuffle on March 6
at the Orland Park Civic
Center.
The person tested positive
for the coronavirus at
Northwestern Hospital in
Chicago.
“We have notified families,
other participants, staff
members — everybody we
know of who worked with
From March 16
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this individual,” Wallace
said. “We are following all
of the protocols in place
right now by the CDC and
even going above and beyond
that.”
Wallace said he has contacted
State and county
health departments, as
well.
The LWSRA is a nonprofit
organization that
serves those with mental
and physical disabilities
through athletic, social and
educational programming.
Before receiving the
news of the infected participant,
LWSRA had already
shut down programming
through April 5 and its offices
until March 30, in accordance
with Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
guidelines.
It is unclear if the individual
carried the virus at the
time of the LWSRA events
or how many people were
potentially exposed, but
Wallace said that the individual
did not report symptoms
before any LWSRA
interactions and no one associated
with LWSRA has
reported symptoms since
the interactions.
“Right now, we are in
the mode of doing what we
need to get ourselves in the
right place, so we’re not
affecting others,” Wallace
said.
Earlier Monday, Will
County announced its
first confirmed case of the
coronavirus, reporting that
a 54-year-old man is being
treated at an area hospital.
Will County officials
would not announce which
hospital nor would it report
the hometown of the man.
Cook County has confirmed
at least 19 cases of
the coronavirus, as of Friday,
March 13. There are
105 confirmed cases in Illinois,
and the CDC reports
3,487 confirmed cases and
68 deaths from the virus
in the United States, as of
press time Monday, March
16.
Maria Hohman, Agent
Bus: (815) 464-6155
mhohman@amfam.com
American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. &
its Operating Companies, American Family Life Insurance Company,
6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783
©2020 017720 – 1/20 – 12011156

4 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger news
mokenamessengerdaily.com
Special Games an event that puts a smile on everyone’s face
3
Sean Hastings, Contributing Editor
The excitement expressed
from the athletes was mirrored
by their student leaders all day at
Special Games at Lincoln-Way
West on Thursday, March 12.
It didn’t matter who won the
race or how many baskets an
athlete made, smiles were beaming
all day, just as they should
have been. And each school had
its own theme and dressed accordingly.
LW West was lumberjacks,
Lincoln-Way Central was
WWE and Lincoln-Way East
was ’70s themed.
“Honestly it just makes me so
happy to know that they feel special
being here,” Lincoln-Way
West student leader Jocelynn
Neumayer said. “Everyone here
is clapping for them. This day is
about them. We have a lot of fun.
“Just knowing that it means
so much to them and they love
it, makes me love it even more.
Holding the torch and everyone
clapping for Tito [Rios] or Jack
[White] singing the national anthem.
I know he felt special doing
that.”
Neumayer and Rios carried the
torch into the gym with Special
Games athlete Blake Zilinskas
and his Best Buddy Max Labus.
Rios said that his favorite activity
of the day was the 100-meter
run.
“I love being with everyone
and everything,” he said, adding
that lunch is “always good.”
Who doesn’t love free pizza?
Throughout the day, the athletes
participated in running
events, soccer, basketball, hockey,
football, bags, bowling and
rope ball toss.
The event only happens once
a year and it is what the leaders
and the athletes look forward to
the most because they are able to
get together with other schools,
Neumayer said.
The anticipation is clear for
every athlete.
“I have so much fun,” said
Tessa Kmak, a Lincoln-Way
Central Special Games athlete.
Her Best Buddies, Rebekkah
Schimick and Emily Abrahamsen,
said basketball is always
Kmak’s favorite event.
“[Tessa] gets so excited and
hyped up and it’s the best because
she’s happy the entire day
and having fun,” Schimick said.
“I enjoy seeing everybody
cheering for one another and all
coming together,” Abrahamsen
added. The students being able
to have an Olympics and have
fun is great.”
Each school had their own
send-off at their respective
schools the morning of the event,
but were greeted by many West
students as they marched out of
the field house and into the main
gym.
While parents were not allowed
at the opening ceremonies
because of coronavirus concerns,
the energy from the West
students and everyone else in attendance
made up for it.
“It’s all about the schools
coming together,” LW East student
leader Carolyn Whalen
said. “We do a ceremony at our
own school. It’s awesome to see
everyone come together for a
special moment.”
Whalen’s Best Buddy was not
at the games that day, so she was
able to bounce around and see
everyone enjoying themselves,
including John and Mike Costello,
whose favorite sports are
hockey and football, and show
lots of love for the Blackhawks
and Bears.
Whalen said they had been
practicing for two months and to
get the final step was awesome.
As the day wrapped up, the
athletes and their student leaders
made their way back into the
gym for closing ceremonies.
“[The best part is] just seeing
all the kids happy and really
enjoying themselves when they
may not all the time,” LW East
student leader Nolan Radecky
said, whose best buddy is Carter
Lincoln-Way High School students Madi Jager (left) and Lexi Bailey dance as they leave the gym after
the opening ceremonies during Lincoln-Way Community High School District's Special Games, held on
Thursday, March 12. Photos by Sean Hastings/22nd Century Media
LW Central student Gabija Petraityte (left) gives a thumbs up to fellow students cheering her on as
opening ceremonies begin.
Navarro. Navarro was quick to
answer what his favorite sport to
play is, which is golf, though it
was not one of the events at the
games on Thursday. So, hockey
would suffice for the day.
But Navarro’s answer for what
his overall favorite part of the
day is perfectly summed up how
much the Special Games means
to everyone: He smiled, jumped
and pointed at Radecky.

mokenamessengerdaily.com mokena
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 5
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6 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger news
mokenamessengerdaily.com
Mokena Board of Trustees
9
Parking obstacle overcome for proposed taco restaurant
Jon DePaolis
Freelance Reporter
Superheroes and Mexican
food enthusiasts may
soon be assembling in
downtown Mokena.
The Village of Mokena
Board of Trustees
Expires 4/2/2020 3//2020
DRIVE
CAR BUYERS
discussed during a work
session March 9 possibly
granting a special use
permit and rezoning for a
comic book-themed taco
restaurant at 19711 Mokena
St. Most of the trustees
who were present voiced
support for the project.
Expires 4/2/2020 3//2020
TO YOUR DOOR WITH A
CLASSIFIED AUTO AD
708.326.9170
22ndcenturymedia.com
Trustee Joseph Siwinski
was not in attendance for
the work session.
During the discussion,
Village Building and Planning
Director Matt Ziska
said the Village Board
reviewed the request conceptually
in December
2019. He noted that there
were concerns about the
parking limitations at the
site, so staff conducted a
parking analysis prior to
advancing the proposal to
the Planning Commission
or Site Plan and Architectural
Review Committee.
“Based on our parking
analysis, most of the parking
[needed] would be
available on Front Street,”
Ziska said. “We have 29
spaces along the south side
of Front [Street], and then
you have the 37 customer
spaces that are available
within the Village-owned
Front Street lot. Also, I
wanted to point out that
parking often becomes
available in the McGovney
lot during the evening
hours, roughly after 4 p.m.
or so.”
Ziska said the Planning
Commission held a public
hearing on the proposal in
February, and SPARC also
reviewed it on March 4 before
unanimously recommending
that the Village
Board approve the proposal.
As part of the proposal,
Ziska said the petitioner
is looking to rezone the
property from C-1, traditional
shopping, to C-4,
downtown commercial,
which he said was the
most suitable zoning and
matched that of other similar
nearby properties. The
petitioner also is seeking
a special use permit for a
planned unit development
to operate the comic bookthemed
taco restaurant,
ZAP! Taco. Plans would
include an outdoor dining
area with alcohol sales.
Ziska reviewed the proposed
special use permit
agreement with the property
owner, which includes:
an agreement that there
will be no state-sanctioned
video gaming terminals;
allowance by the Village
for certain right-of-way
Round it up
A brief recap of other items discussed at the March
9 Mokena Board of Trustees meeting.
• During his comments to the Village Board, Police
Chief Steven Vaccaro said there have been no
vehicle thefts or burglaries in town since Feb. 4. He
credited the board, police and residents for working
together.
• The Village Board members voted 6-0 to approve
the appointment of Katie Pyznarski to the role of
administrative assistant. Pyznarski will replace Judi
Frieling, who was set to retire from the Village later
in the week.
• The trustees also voted 5-1 to award a contract
for the Front Street landscape paver installation
project to Groundskeeper Landscape Care of
Mokena in the amount of $50,556.80. Trustee
Joseph Budzyn cast the dissenting ballot.
encroachments along
Mokena Street; the owners
signing off on a hold
harmless agreement for
the right-of-way encroachments;
and the Village
agreeing to consider the
petitioner’s request to revisit
the approved hours of
operation in one year from
the date of occupancy approval.
Ziska also said one option
that could be taken to
ensure no parking from patrons
of the restaurant on
residential streets would be
to place no parking signs
on Denny Avenue, Mc-
Govney Street, Mokena
Street and Hacker Street;
however, he said that if the
Village Board wanted to
go that route, the trustees
would have to vote to approve
amendments to the
Village Code.
He also said the business
has expressed interest
in applying for the
Façade and Sign Grant
Program, which allows for
a 50 percent reimbursement
of façade costs up to
$10,000 and sign costs up
to $1,000.
“We are in the process
of updating the guidelines
for this program, so we
wouldn’t be able to bring
that request forward until
that happens and we get
some cost estimates,” Ziska
said.
Trustee George Metanias
said his initial concern
was on the parking, but he
now believes that has been
addressed.
“I’ve been to a lot of
downtowns and most
downtowns you don’t park
in front of the place,” he
said. “You park somewhere
else, and you walk
to the restaurant.”
Metanias said he also
would be fine with waiting
before putting up any no
parking signs to assess if
there is a problem. Trustee
Debbie Engler agreed with
that suggestion.
Trustee Jillian Hersted
also expressed support for
the project.
“I do think there were
challenges, but I think it
has been a really great
process because all of the
challenges we’ve kind of
compromised on,” she
said. “I’m thrilled with
that.”
Trustee Joseph Budzyn
said that at first he was not
in favor of the proposal
because he felt it was the
wrong business for that
location; however, after
changes were made to the
proposal, he said he can
support the project.
He added that he was in
favor of putting up the no
parking signs right away,
because it would require
a change to the Village
Code.
“I think we ought to
have those signs up and
in place beforehand,” he
said. “I don’t want to impact
those residents on
McGovney and Denny and
on Hacker [and Mokena
Street] with parking.”
Trustee Jim Richmond
also was in favor of putting
up the no parking signs.
He also wanted to know
if residents were informed
about the meetings related
to the ZAP! Taco proposal.
Ziska said the Village
went above and beyond
what was required to let
them know of the Plan
Commission and SPARC
meetings.
The item will be voted
on at a future Village
Board meeting.

mokenamessengerdaily.com news
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 7
From tech to toast, EggCetera owner makes mark in Mokena
T.J. Kremer III, Editor
2
When EggCetera Cafe
owner Dino Bastas opened
the restaurant’s first location
in downtown Mokena
in 2003, he was just looking
for a second source of
income.
Bastas was working in
the corporate world in information
technology as a
director of sales. But, after
Y2K turned out not to
be the end of the modern
world, things started to
slow down.
“I happened to be chatting
with a buddy of mine,
and we just happened to
be throwing around the
restaurant idea,” Bastas
said. “You know, getting
into a franchise deal where
they already had a system
built.”
The conversation would
go on for a few weeks
more until Bastas, a Mokena
resident, began looking
around for retail space
in the area. Ultimately,
Bastas found a location in
Mokena.
“That was kind of the inception
of it,” Bastas said.
“We had a young family,
me and my wife, with a
couple of toddlers at the
time. It was nice having
her home with the children.
And so I said, ‘Let’s
get something going.’”
With the help and encouragement
of his wife,
Gail, and his father, Ted,
Bastas soon outgrew the
original location at 19709
Mokena St. and thought
about moving EggCetera
Cafe to a different location.
But, after several
people told him not to
close the original location,
Bastas decided instead of
moving to open a second
location.
That location, at 10120
EggCetera Cafe owner Dino Bastas (holding scissors), along with his wife, Gail (to Bastas’ left), and daughter, Sophia, prepare to cut a ribbon
marking 10 years in business at the cafe’s 191st Street location during a ribbon cutting ceremony held by the Mokena Chamber of Commerce on
March 11. T.J. Kremer III/22nd Century Media
191st St., celebrated its
10-year anniversary Feb.
1. To mark the occasion,
the Mokena Chamber of
Commerce held a special
anniversary ribbon cutting
March 11.
“Other business owners,
friends of mine, I
talked to and confided in
them that I was looking
at a second location and
one said to me, ‘It takes
a long time to get one
going. I wouldn’t close
it down,’” Bastas said.
“So, I did a little research
on other places that have
multiple locations and
I’m like, ‘Well, let’s give
it a shot.’ And away we
went.”
Bastas said he always
wanted to own his own
business, and he felt that
his skillset from the corporate
world — which
included management and
working directly with the
public — would translate
well in the restaurant business.
“It was a natural fit,”
Bastas said. “Everybody
will tell you that the restaurant
business is one of
the hardest businesses to
get into. There are some
challenges. We often hear
people say that technology
is in real time … and
I tell people all the time
that retail is in real time. If
the customer is unhappy,
you have to fix it now. You
can’t, you know, let me
craft an email and go over
it, apologize. No, you have
to fix it right now, right
this moment in real time.
It’s face-to-face all day
long.”
While EggCetera continues
to be known for its
homestyle cooking inside
its restaurants, Bastas said
he is working to expand its
catering services and using
ever-evolving technology
to give his customers
more options, such as using
the restaurants website
— eggcet.com — for pickup
and delivery options,
which are still available
during the mandated closing
of all restaurant dining
areas.
Bastas said that trading
in the traveling he did in
the corporate world for
being able to be close to
home is a trade he is happy
with.
“Everyone who was [at
the ribbon cutting], they’re
regular customers — and
I do a lot of business with
them, as well.” Bastas
said. “We feed off each
other that way.
“... You have to be [involved
with the community].
You can’t just be
here to, so to speak, take,
take, take. It’s the same
way for the community;
if they’re going to come
here, then I should help
them out if they’re having
a charity function, as well.
It all comes full circle. You
have to be a good steward
throughout your life in everything
you do.”

8 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger news
mokenamessengerdaily.com
ForeverU continues to gain support after second annual gala
2
Sean Hastings, Contributing Editor
ForeverU founder Ryan Hesslau
got a sense of validation on
Saturday, March 14, at ForeverU’s
second annual gala.
A validation that he and his
Board of Directors at ForeverUare
on the right path. ForeverU is
a 501(c)(3) youth development
organization that empowers
youth to overcome adversity by
offering personal development
programs to 7-12 grade students. .
Through the years — starting
when Hesslau, a now 24-yearold
Mokena resident, was a
16-year-old student at Lincoln-
Way East High School — he has
been dreaming big. So big, that it
was sometimes tough for others
to dream with him.
“I’ve been told by people,
‘I don’t think you realize what
you’re doing and see the difference
you’re making,’” Hesslau
said. “I don’t sometimes and I’m
just continuing to show up each
and every day and do my very
best to bring our vision to life.”
ForeverU held its second annual
gala to help raise funds for
the new youth empowerment
center set to open in New Lenox.
The gala was made possible
by its sponsors: New Lenox
Mayor Tim Baldermann and the
Village of New Lenox were the
tribute sponsors, Sterk Family
Law Group was the invitation
sponsor, Ozinga was the centerpiece
sponsor and Bob Feldman,
of Nothing Bundt Cakes, donated
desserts.
The event had more than 50
contributing organizations.
Baldermann has been a big
ForeverU supporter and continues
to see Hesslau’s dream.
“I’m really excited about them
coming to New Lenox and making
it their home,” Baldermann
said. “Ryan is an impressive
young man as well as [ForeverU’s
Board of Directors] and
volunteers. They are inspirations.
“Everyone has their difficulties
in life and young people
sometimes struggle and don’t
always have the coping mechanism
in place and can easily become
despondent and to have
a group of talented people that
young people can relate to and
there to mentor them, I can’t
think of a more worthwhile
group to get behind.”
Part of Hesslau’s speech at the
event touched upon a new way
that the community can get involved
with financially supporting
their work as a youth development
organization.
As an effort to continue their
fundraising efforts beyond the
gala, Hesslau announced ForeverU’s
new “Advocate Program,”
which is their monthly giving
project that directly supports the
youth empowerment center starting
at just $10 a month. Community
members who are interested
in becoming a ForeverU Advocate
and making a direct impact
in the lives of local youth are
encouraged to sign up by texting
“FOREVERU” to 44321.
“We hope this program will
create a unique connection between
donors and the students
we serve,” Hesslau said.
The event itself had a general
raffle, a signature raffle and a silent
auction.
All proceeds from the general
and signature raffle will be
used to provide financial aid
and scholarships to 7-12 grade
students wishing to participate
in ForeverU’s camps. All the
proceeds from the wine pull
— which featured Trails Edge
Brewing Co., Kenwood Liquors
and The Barrel Club as the sponsors
— and the silent auction
will go toward ForeverU’s plans
for the empowerment center.
The youth empowerment center
is one big piece to a puzzle
Hesslau is putting together, but
his plans are as big as they were
when he was 16. The difference
now is that people are listening
and seeing the vision he has had
all along.
Ryan Hesslau, founder of ForeverU, gives his speech at the ForeverU second annual gala held at
Tuscany Falls in Mokena Saturday, March 14. Photos by Tyler Minnesma/ForeverU
ForeverU’s Board of Directors pose for a photo during the organization’s second gala fundraiser.

mokenamessengerdaily.com mokena
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 9
RICK CRISCIONE
MANAGING BROKER
JILL
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SHARON
AHRWEILER
JANET
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KIM
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SEAN
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GARY
DURISH
CHRIS
KACZMARSKI
KAREN NELSON
MANAGING BROKER
CRISRealty.net
DEBBIE
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New Lenox 815.485.5050
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LIZ
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DEBBIE
TRENTO
JESSICA
JAKUBOWSKI
ROSMARIE
DUDECK
Coming Soon!
HERITAGE KNOLLS
Beautiful 4 bed 2.5 bath brick Georgian. New roof, furnace,
water heaters, and stainless steel kitchen appliances.
Newer windows and ac units. Main level office and laundry
with separate dining and living room. Freshly painted!
Jeff Abbott, Broker @ (815) 277-6910
WATERS CHASE
This absolutely stunning home will not last long. 5 total bed
and 4.5 bath. Just over 3 years old. Chef’s kitchen, two –
story family room. Must see finished basement that was just
completed features 2nd Kitchen, ceiling beams, reclaimed
brick baseboard, and much more!
Jeff Abbott, Broker @ (815) 277-6910
NEW LENOX
3 bedroom, 3 full baths, 3 car garage. Backyard
overlooks a pond in Nantucket lakes. The master
bedroom has a private ensuite and spacious walk-in
closets. The family offers a gas fireplace. Close to
schools, parks, and shopping. $ 310,000
Kim Phillips, Broker @ (815) 954-0650
NEW LENOX
Beautiful townhome home with main for master bedroom. Offer his and her
closets and a private master bath with a separate shower. 2 bedrooms on
the second level have there own private bathroom. Large family room has
cathedralceilingsandagas fireplace.Theupdatedkitchen has stainlesssteel
appliances and granite countertops. New hardwood floors installed in 2018.
The full basement has roughed in plumbing. This is a must-see! $274,400
Kim Phillips, Broker @ (815) 954-0650
TINLEY PARK
Ranch townhome with easy access to highway and shopping.
2 bedrooms. The oversized kitchen had cathedral ceilings
with recess lighting. The living room combo with the dining
room has a large stone fireplace with tray ceilings. Full
unfinished basement has roughed in plumbing. $255,000
Kim Phillips, Broker @ (815) 954-0650
OLDE STONE VILLAGE
Impeccably built 4,700 sq. ft.+ McMahon custom home
with a Main Level Master, Gourmet Kitchen with Wolf &
SubZero Appliances, 2 story great room, Bonus Room
and a Full Basement. The best of the best! $859,900
Jessica Jakubowski, Broker @ (312) 810-6722
DOWNTOWN FRANKFORT
Do not miss this opportunity to customize your own
Fordon Brothers townhome in Downtown Frankfort.
3 Bedroom 2.1 Bath Luxury townhomes feature a
gorgeous open floorplan with soaring ceilings and a
main level master bedroom. Starting at $479,900
Jessica Jakubowski, Broker @ (312) 810-6722
1/2 ACRE FAMILY HOME IN NEW LENOX!
Well cared for, one owner home on 1/2 acre fenced lot.
Firepit and above ground pool makes the outdoor fun
complete! Inside, 3 BDMS up and 2 BDMS down make
a 5 bedroom potential home! Tons of storage, family
room with fireplace, eat in kitchen, dining room. This
home has a lot to offer your growing family!
Liz Suppes, Broker @ (815) 263-8740
THANK YOU
FRANKFORT & MOKENA
for making us
#
1
SELLING OFFICE
YEAR TO DATE
NEWLY UPDATED MODERN TOWNHOME.
Perfectly located in the heart of Nelson Ridge
Neighborhood. Close to schools, bike trails and
shopping! Perfect place to call home!
Jackie Potocki, Broker@ (708) 906-8142
STUNNING, OPEN CONCEPT CUSTOM RANCH HOME.
Full of amenities with a walk-out basement.
This property is edged into the forest providing
breathtaking views of natures landscape.
Jackie Potocki, Broker @ (708) 906-8142
Luxurious New Construction Walk Out Ranch. Ginger
Creek of Mokena. Open floor plan. Gourmet Eat In
kitchen. Large family room with vaulted ceilings
and fireplace perfect for entertaining. 3 Bedrooms,
2.5 bath. Huge walk out basement with 9’ ceilings.
Partially covered Deck off kitchen with stairs leading to
professionally landscaped exterior. $589,000
Sean Murray, Broker @ (708) 704-5510
NEW LENOX - COMMERCIAL RENTAL
Two First floor office spaces Approximately 1000 sq ft
- 1400 sq ft. Ready to move in. Carpeted floors, ceiling
tile, access to 2 bathrooms and extra storage space.
Kitchen and conference room. Located on South Cedar
Rd. Gross lease. NO CAM. $1400 - $1800.
Sharon Ahrweiler, Broker @ (815) 263-2844
#1 Volume and Transactions for Mokena and Frankfort as of March 1st according to MLSNI
SPRAWLING RANCH!
One of a kind! Walk-out basement! Wooded
Lot. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, finished lower
level. Sit on the deck and watch the wildlife
go by! Absolutely spotless!
Gary Durish, Broker @ (815) 474-4447!
GORGEOUS ACRE LOT!
Just over an acre of beautifully landscaped property. 3
car garage. Spacious kitchen overlooks a huge deck & golf
course. Beautiful family room w/cozy fireplace. Whole house
generator. New roof. Full finished basement. Approx. 5 min to
expressway & downtown Frankfort. $379,900
Gary Durish, Broker @ (815) 474-4447!
Why rent when you can own this condo with large bedroom,
bath & garage! Or invest in this property and rent it out!
New carpeting, freshly painted, cute kitchen! Sliding
doors leads to private balcony! Separate heat controls in
all rooms to adjust as you desire! Assoc. includes water,
garbage, snow removal & lawn care! $99,500
Ann Wood, Broker @ (815) 263-8855
Custom home on 10 private acres w/partially finished
outbuilding for more living space or office! 4 BD
plus office, 2 full/3 half baths, 2 laundry rooms, 2
fireplaces, wet bar in finished basement w/game room,
hot tub, great entertaining area that walks out to your
private backyard! Granite counters, cherry cabinets,
SS appliances, too much to list! $559,400
Ann Wood, Broker @ (815) 263-8855
RARE 3-STEP RANCH NEW LENOX - 681 Dartmouth
3 BD, 2.5 bath Ranch with Fresh Paint, Large LR & DR,
Beautiful Fireplace in Family Room, Eat-In Kitchen &
More LW Central School! MLS#10631411
Kim Van Ordstrand, Broker @ (815) 212-3565
Freshly renovated, this property has “THE
LOOK” 3 Bedroom 2.5 bath this place has
so much to offer. It’s very unique and
functional, don’t miss out!
Jackie Potocki, Broker@ (708) 906-8142
MOKENA TOWNHOUSE $220,000
3 bedrooms, 2.5 updated bathrooms, Loft, Fireplace,
2nd floor laundry, 2 car attached garage, Close to
parks & bike path, Gorgeous!
April Blair, Broker @ (815) 954-4443
NEW LENOX 2 STORY
Come see this move in ready 2 story in Eagle Estates.
5 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, finished bsmt and 2 car
garage. Pool with deck and gazebo, just in time for
warm weather!
Karen Nelson, Managing Broker @ (708) 220-4788
A dream come true. 4 bedroom, 3.1 bath, full finished
basement in Frankfort with award winning schools.
Seller updated this home throughout so it’s move in
ready. MLS#1063366
Janet Hogan Cell, Broker @ (708) 257-6550
Spacious raised ranch in the heart of Frankfort
Square offers 3 bed, 1.1 bath w/ large updated eat in
kitchen w/ open concept living. Extra large rec room
w/ walkout lower level that overlooks large fenced in
backyard. A fantastic value in the Lincoln-Way school
district!
Debbie DeGroot, Broker @ (708) 267-1767
OVER THREE ACRES IN LINKS EDGE
Build Or Invest Among Upscale Homes. Just South of the
Green Garden Country Club. Cul-de-sac Location with
Conservancy Easement For Privacy. In all 3.48 Acres.
Offered at $59,000
Debbie Trento, Broker @ (815) 354-5375
NEW LENOX QUAD LEVEL
Over-sized Quad level in Palmer Ranch, 4 bedrooms, 3 Baths
Formal living & dining rooms, eat in kitchen all appliances,
Huge family room with a beautiful fireplace plus finished
sub-basement. Fenced yard with a wonderful pool and large
concrete patio. $329,900
Chris Kaczmarski, Broker @ (815) 474-1450
PALMER RANCH WITH/A 3 CAR GARAGE
Wonderful 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home on a large corner of a culde-sac
lot, 2 blocks from Nelson Ridge and Nelson Prairie schools
and minutes from L-Way West High School. Huge family room with
fireplace, eat-in-kitchen granite counter tops, hardwood floors on
the main level, many updates, NEW ROOF in 2018. $364,900
Chris Kaczmarski, Broker @ (815) 474-1450
WILDWOOD ESTATES IN NEW LENOX
2,800 sq. ft. home features 4 bedrooms, plus main level
office, new flooring on the main level, huge family room
w/fireplace spacious kitchen, full basement, dual A/C&
furnaces recently updated, newer roof, fully fenced yard,
minutes from shopping and travel. $369,900
Chris Kaczmarski, Broker @ (815) 474-1450

10 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger mokena
mokenamessengerdaily.com
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not be stackable. AT&T employees, retirees & IMO consumers are not eligible for the autopay & paperless bill discount, adding WatchTV at no extra charge or the &More Premium add-on. Offer, programming, pricing, channels, terms & restrictions subject to change and may be discontinued at any time without notice. GEN. WIRELESS: Subj. to Wireless Customer Agmt at att.com/wca. Svc not for resale. Credit approval, deposit, active and other fees, monthly
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trademark of Showtime Networks Inc., a CBS company. You must be a SHOWTIME subscriber to get SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and watch programs online. STARZ® and related channels and service marks are the property of Starz Entertainment, LLC. Visit starz.com for airdates/times. Amazon, Amazon Music, and all related logos and motion marks are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. The Walking Dead: ©2018 AMC Network Entertainment LLC. All
Rights Reserved. ©2018 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. ©2018 AT&T Intellectual Property. All Rights Reserved. AT&T, Globe logo, DIRECTV and all other DIRECTV marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

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the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 11
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12 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger school
mokenamessengerdaily.com
Call today to connect with a
SENIOR LIVING ADVISOR
INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE
the Mokena messenger’s
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UNDERSTAND YOUR OPTIONS — Learn the different types of
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Joan Lunden, journalist, best-selling author, former host of
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22nd Century Media has an opportunity available for a
Digital Marketing Sales Director
to join its growing sales team. The position would be responsible for the sales of various
digital marketing solutions, such as reputation management, social media marketing,
and targeted display ads.
The Digital Marketing Sales Director will work with an established sales team to sell our
marketing services to new and existing clients!
The ideal candidate would possess an entrepreneurial spirit and a drive to work with
our sales team as well as small and medium-sized businesses. Candidates should
be comfortable with spending large amounts of their time calling existing and
prospective clients to help them find their most effective advertising solutions. You will
also be expected to be the liaison between clients and getting them on board with
our digital marketing services.
This position offers a base salary plus commission. A comprehensive benefits package
is also available.
What you are responsible for:
- Proactively prospecting and qualifying potential new advertising accounts
- Going with sales reps on calls to existing clients to sell them IMC services
- Developing and maintaining client relationships
- Working closely with clients to develop effective advertising campaigns
- Working with decision-makers to obtain customer commitment
- Working with our digital marketing team and clients to make sure their campaigns
are successful
- Onboarding new clients and be a liaison between our marketing and the client.
- Achieving and exceeding weekly revenue targets
Qualifications:
Ideal candidates will possess 1-3 years of experience in sales, digital marketing or social
media marketing. Must have a strong work ethic and ability to work independently
as well as with a team. Excellent communication skills, time-management, and
interpersonal skills required.
If interested, Email us at
careers@22ndcenturymedia.com
No phone calls, please. EOE
David Hinkle,
Mokena Junior
High seventh
grader
What is one essential you
must have when studying?
I like studying in peace
and quiet. When it is quiet
I can focus better and finish
my work efficiently.
What do you like to do
when not in school or
studying?
I like to play with my
siblings when I’m not at
school. I have a younger
brother and sister. I really
care about my siblings and
love spending time with
them.
When is your dream job?
My dream job is to become
a baker. I am really
good at baking muffins
and cakes. I really like
baking muffins for breakfast,
as well as making
bagels.
What is one thing people
don’t know about you?
One thing people don’t
know about me is I’m
good at cooking and baking.
I can make homemade
pizzas, tacos and crescent
rolls. And, of course, I can
bake muffins and cakes.
School News
Ball State University
Mokena student makes
dean’s list
Cassie Mikulich was
named to the College of
Health’s dean’s list for the
fall 2019 semester at Ball
Whom do you look up to
and why?
I look up to Domanic.
He is my best friend and I
like playing with him. We
always work together to
finish projects and enjoy
each others company.
What’s your favorite class
and why?
My favorite class is
history because I’m really
into history, especially
topics that involve wars
from the past.
What’s one thing that
stands out about your
school?
One thing that stands out
about my school to me is
how helpful and nice my
teachers are, as well as the
students.
What extracurricular(s) do
State University.
Providence Catholic High
School
Mokena students make
Students of the Month
Elisebeth Gilles and
Photo submitted
you wish your school had?
I wish the school had
a badminton intermural
tournament.
If you could change one
thing about school what
would it be?
I would make advisory
longer so I can always finish
my homework before I
get home.
What’s your best memory
from school?
My best memory of
school is when I started
sixth grade and went to
the wrong classrooms. It’s
something I look back on
and laugh about.
Standout Student is a weekly
feature for The Mokena Messenger.
Nominations come
from Mokena-area schools.
Trevor Sojka were named
Students of the Month for
February at Providence
Catholic High School.
School News is compiled by
Editor T.J. Kremer III, tj@
mokenamessenger.com.

mokenamessengerdaily.com community
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 13
Mokena fire receives 210
calls for service in February
APRIL BLAIR
Broker
Submitted by Mokena Fire Protection
District
The Mokena Fire Protection District responded
to a total of 210 calls of service
for the month of February, including the
following:
• Emergency medical response - 106
• Auto accident response - 23
• Request for citizen assist - 18
• Carbon monoxide alarm - 5
• Commercial fire alarm - 25
• Fire investigation - 2
• Mutual aid response - 14
• Residential fire response - 1
• Structure fire - 2
• Commercial trouble alarm - 14
For more information about Mokena Fire
Protection District, visit mokenafire.org.
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and Hobbs
Submitted by
Mokena Police
Chief Steve
Vaccaro and his
bride, Emily
www.AprilBlairHomes.com
SSHBA
BUILDER OF THE MONTH
After serving
our residents
each day, Chief
Steve comes
home to these
very spoiled (by
Emily) pups,
Mini-Cooper
(front) and
Hobbs. They
are happy to
play ball and
bark, followed
by an evening of
relaxation.
Want to see your
pet featured as The
Mokena Messenger’s
Pet of the
Week? Send your
pet’s photo and a few sentences explaining why your pet is outstanding to Editor T.J. Kremer
III at tj@mokenamessenger.com or 11516 W. 183rd St., Office Condo 3, Suite SW, Orland
Park, IL 60467.
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14 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger news
mokenamessengerdaily.com
Virus
From Page 3
dent Barb Rains to close
D161 schools for student
attendance:
• March 17-30 in accordance
with the directive
provided by the governor
of Illinois;
• March 16 in alignment
with the closure schedule
for LW D210; and
• March 30-April 3 in
accordance with the D161
2019-2020 school calendar.
Additionally, the district
in an email stated that from
March 16-27, it is providing
continuity to the learning
process, with the goal
being “to provide meaningful
independent activities
for students to continue
practicing at home.”
“We have created a
choice board for students
to use,” the email stated.
“Students can select the
digital and/or non-electronic
activities they would
like to complete. These
items should be considered
additional practice of skills
already learned within the
classroom.”
The link plan was to be
communicated at 3 p.m.
Monday, March 16. Parents
can also pick up a paper
copy of the grade level
packet for their student
from the Mary Drew Administrative
Center, 20100
S. Spruce Drive in Frankfort,
from 9 a.m.-noon
Tuesday-Friday.
Community Park District
Mokena Community
Park District has cancelled
or postponed a number of
its programs and events.
In a statement on its
website, MCPD told park
district members, “Our
focus is on public safety
during this period of critical
health concern for our
community,” and went on
to provide a list of postponements
and/or cancellations,
which include:
• All scheduled programs
and events utilizing
district parks or facilities
with over 250 attendees
between today and May 1
will be postponed or cancelled.
• All park district programs,
events and leagues
(with the exception of
classes included in Oaks
Fitness Membership)
scheduled to begin between
today and April 1
are either postponed or
cancelled. Registrants will
be notified. Current programs
are continuing as
scheduled.
• The Oaks Recreation
& Fitness Center will remain
open during regularly
scheduled hours. Programs
and services will be
altered with the safety and
welfare of our patrons and
staff in mind.
MCPD also announced
that preschool classes
would be closed March 16
- April 5; Daddy-Daughter
Dance was postponed to
May 30; Flashlight Egg
Hunt was currently postponed
to April 9; open
gym has been cancelled
until further notice; and
there will be no child care
in the fitness center until
further notice.
Mokena Community Public
Library District
Additionally, The Mokena
Community Public
Library District has cancelled
all programs and
events out of “an overabundance
of care and
caution,” according to a
public service announcement
posted to the library’s
website Thursday,
March 12.
Mokena library Executive
Director Cathy Palmer
said that library services,
such as book rentals, are
still available.
Palmer said that the library
is currently working
on plans for the extended
future, and that the library
would keep people informed
of any additional
changes as needed.
Senior Services of Will
County
Senior Services of Will
County announced that it
is suspending group activities
and programs until
further notice; however,
individual services for seniors
— such as benefit
assistance, tax preparation
and Benefit Access Application
applications will
continue without interruption,
according to a press
release sent by Senior Services.
Forest Preserve District of
Will County
The Forest Preserve
District of Will County
is canceling all programs
and workdays through
April 3, and closing all
but one visitor center due
to health concerns related
to the new coronavirus.
Sugar Creek remains
open. Forest preserves,
trails and all six dog parks
will remain open; however,
members of the public
are being advised to use
their best judgment when
considering a visit to a
dog park.
Additional information
As of press time, there
have been 105 cases of
COVID-19, the disease
caused by the coronavirus,
reported in Illinois,
according to the Illinois
Department of Public
Health’s website. One
case has been reported in
Will County, according
to the IDPH. There have
been 3,487 cases reported
across the U.S., with 68
deaths attributed to the
disease, according to the
CDC.
Stay up to date with the latest
information at Mokena
MessengerDaily.com.
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mokenamessengerdaily.com mokena
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 15
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16 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger news
mokenamessengerdaily.com
FROM THE ORLAND PARK PRAIRIE
D135 student asked to
stay home following trip
to country considered highrisk
for travel
Orland School District
135 has confirmed a student
was asked to stay
home for two weeks after
returning from a country
with a “Level 3” travel
warning amid international
coronavirus concerns.
The district published
a letter to the community,
signed by Interim Superintendent
John Bryk on
March 9, saying that “early
last week” it was alerted
to news that a student traveled
to a Level 3 warning
country, but “did not spend
time in an area of quarantine.”
The district asked
that student “as soon as the
school was alerted to this
travel” to remain at home
for 14 days in accordance
with guidance provided by
the Illinois Department of
Public Health.
The district emphasized
that no student is “being
assessed or treated for the
coronavirus” in the letter,
but noted a building
has since been sanitized.
District 135 spokesperson
Jen Obright confirmed
the student was “in attendance
prior to the building
CONTACT
administration being notified
about the location of
travel.”
The letter did not state
which building within the
district that is, and Obright
did not provide more information
when asked which
school was involved.
Bryk did not respond
to an email or phone call
seeking that information.
The letter also noted “as
an additional precautionary
measure,” students in
grades K-5 will be eating
their lunch prior to recess
to allow them “the opportunity
to wash their hands
prior to eating lunch and
after recess.”
Reporting by Bill Jones, Editor.
For more, visit OP
PrairieDaily.com.
FROM THE FRANKFORT STATION
Fourth man arrested in
November abduction case
A fourth man was arrested
March 10 in the case
of an alleged abduction of
a woman in Frankfort on
Nov. 16.
David Gilmore, 20, was
arrested at his residence at
132 E. 119th Street in Chicago
by the U.S. Marshals
Great Lakes Regional Fugitive
Task Force, according
to a Frankfort Police
Department press release.
He has been charged
with aggravated vehicular
hijacking, aggravated
kidnapping, aggravated
robbery, armed robbery
and aggravated unlawful
restraint.
On Nov. 16, a woman
told police she was robbed
at gunpoint at the ATM at
the Chase bank in Frankfort.
She reported a man
approached her with a
gun, accessed her accounts
through the ATM and then
left with her in her vehicle,
making several stops to
acquire additional money
and items.
Three other suspects in
the case were arrested Dec.
18 by the U.S. Marshals
Great Lakes Regional Fugitive
Task Force and the
Chicago Police Department.
Justin A. Brown, 20, of
312 W. 34th St. in Steger;
Dontavious A. Harvey, 20,
of 14341 Drexel Ave. in
Dolton; and Terwon Matthews,
20, of 11355 S. Forest
Ave. in Chicago; each
were charged with aggravated
kidnapping, aggravated
robbery and armed
robbery.
Frankfort Deputy Police
Chief Kevin Keegan
said those three are still in
custody at the Will County
HELP YOUR
BUSINESS BLOOM
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS IN
The Mokena Messenger
LORA HEALY
708.326.9170 ext. 31 l.healy@22ndcenturymedia.com
®
Adult Detention Facility
and awaiting trial.
Reporting by Steve Millar,
Contributing Editor. For
more, visit FrankfortStation.
com.
FROM THE TINLEY JUNCTION
Tinley VFW’s first
Veteran’s Patriot 5K run,
walk set for April 5
The Bremen VFW Post
2791 Auxiliary is always
on the lookout for new
events that can help bring
awareness and funds to the
VFW Post, and its veteran
and military programs.
Among the newest events
added to its calendar is the
upcoming Veteran’s Patriot
5K Run/Walk.
The race is to take place
at 8 a.m. Sunday, April 5
— rain or shine — at the
Oak Park Avenue Metra
Train Station. Racers of all
ages and abilities are invited
to participate, and all of
the funds will support the
VFW and its veteran and
military programs.
“It’s a nice, smooth path,
right through the neighborhood,”
event chairperson
Rebecca Sorenson said.
“It’s not very busy, so it’ll
be easy to go back and
forth.”
Sorenson said she does
not have any specific fundraising
goals for this event,
but she is hoping for the
best, noting that she plans
for the 5K to become an
annual fundraiser for the
VFW.
Those interested in participating
in the 5K run/
walk can pre-register online
through March 15
at raceentry.com/races/
veterans-patriot-5k/2020/
register for $25. Preregistration
includes a T-
shirt, pre-race snacks and
water, and post-race food
and beverages. Registration
will be open in person
through April 5 at the
VFW post for $30, with no
guarantee of a T-shirt.
Reporting by Amanda Del
Buono, Freelance Reporter.
For more, visit Tinley
JunctionDaily.com.
FROM THE NEW LENOX PATRIOT
Final site approval nearing
for Arby’s construction
amid resident concerns
The site plans for the Arby’s
coming to New Lenox
have drawn concern from
residents near the location.
The Arby’s, set to be
built at the corner of Route
30 and Tonell Avenue, will
include the demolition of a
single-family home that is
boarded up, and back up to
three residential lots.
The board all voted in
favor — minus the votes
of Doug Finnegan and David
Butterfield, who were
absent — to approve an
ordinance authorizing the
execution of an annexation
agreement at the southwest
corner of Route 30
and Tonell Avenue; an ordinance
annexing certain
property at southwest corner
of Route 30 and Tonell
Avenue; an ordinance rezoning
the property; and
an ordinance granting variances
at the southwest corner
of Route 30 and Tonell
Avenue.
While the board voted
to approve all of the ordinances,
it is still working
with the residents’ concerns
for the placement of
the dumpster for Arby’s,
which in its current plans
is near a residential property.
Resident Donna Skiniotes
asked that it be
moved to the west side of
the parking lot from the
south to avoid smell and
the noise it may produce.
Robin Ellis, director of
community development,
said moving the dumpster
would impact trucks’ ability
to access the dumpster,
as well as keep the fire lane
open.
She added they will not
know if it is possible until
a “full-blown geometric
site plan” is finalized.
Reporting by Sean Hastings,
Editor. For more, visit New
LenoxPatriotDaily.com.
FROM THE HOMER HORIZON
Village invites residents to
give input on community
branding
As the Village of Homer
Glen begins a rebranding
phase, residents are being
asked to articulate what
they think is the soul of
their Village.
Merje Design, a Pennsylvania-based
design and
branding firm, asked various
questions to residents
at a public presentation
and workshop on March
12 at Village Hall.
John Bosio, principal of
Merje Design, said these
community feedback sessions
help poll locals on
how they think the Village
should present itself.
“It sets a tone for the design
process,” Bosio said.
“It gives us an idea of what
to stay away from and
to shape what the brand
should look like in the future.”
Merje set up posters with
various images, ranging
from simple textures, font
styles, images of activities
and celebrities. Two-dozen
residents and Village employees
filtered through,
putting green dots on images
they thought represented
the spirit of Homer
Glen and putting red dots
on those that did not.
John McGary, a longtime
resident, said he
thinks the Village should
go a more traditional route.
“I’m an old guy,” Mc-
Please see nfyn, 17

mokenamessengerdaily.com sound off
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 17
Social snapshot
Top Web Stories
From MokenaMessengerDaily.com as of
Monday, March 16.
1. Mokena Board of Trustees —
Parking obstacle overcome for
proposed taco restaurant
2. Bringing back the love — Pride Fest
to make return to Mokena
3. Area events being postponed,
cancelled until further notice
4. Parents not allowed at Special
Games opening ceremonies because
of coronavirus concern
5. Gov. orders schools shuttered
Become a member: mokenamessenger.com/plus
From the Editor
On facing the new normal together
TJ Kremer iii
tj@mokenamessenger.com
There is no denying
that we are now in
uncharted territory
with the global pandemic
caused by the coronavirus.
We at The Messenger
are working hard to keep
all our residents informed
via our website and social
media platforms — our
website at Mokena
Messenger.com/corona
virus, on Facebook at @
TheMokenaMessenger
and Twitter at @Mokena
Messenger — with the
most up to date information
available. We want to
make sure that you, our
readers, have the facts as
they pertain to this evolving
situation.
School closings, restaurants
forbidden from
allowing dine-in patrons,
and a whole slew of regular
events and programs
postponed or outright
canceled have had a
significant impact on our
daily lives.
Perhaps now more
than ever we will need
to depend on each other
to remain safe and make
sure our neighbors have
the resources they need to
get by during the coming
weeks ahead, especially
those most at risk of
contracting COVID-19:
the elderly and those
with pre-existing medical
conditions.
I have already begun
to see members of our
community extending
a hand to others who
may be in need, and that
sincerely warms my heart.
It is my hope that as this
pandemic continues to
affect our daily lives that
more members of the
community will also reach
out to their neighbors. I
am fairly certain that they
will.
To that end, we at The
Messenger want to know
how Mokenians are fairing
during these trying times.
Know of someone who is
going above and beyond
to help others? Let us
know. Heard of some local
business participating in
some civic goodness? Let
us know. See some people
finding interesting ways
to beat the boredom that
may settle in with so many
things being canceled or
postponed? Let us know.
With your help, dear
readers, we can fulfill our
duty together to keep each
other informed of not only
the dangers around us, but
also of the many, many
good things people will
no doubtedly be doing, as
well.
“Another chamber member found their
shamrock on our Front Street window! Roy
Lux at Guaranteed Rate. And that means
one more dollar will be donated to NAWS
Humane Society of Illinois from Angle
Drone Solutions Inc! #chamberlife #downtownmokena”
Mokena Chamber of Commerce posted this
to its Facebook page Saturday, March 14.
Like The Mokena Messenger: facebook.com/
mokenamessenger.com
“The Tommy Schumann Award honors
Lincoln-Way Central student Tommy
Schumann and his love of Special Games.
Each school nominates a student to receive
this honor! #lwsg20”
@LWDistrict210 posted this to its Twitter
account Thursday, March 12.
Follow The Mokena Messenger: @mokenamessenger
nfyn
From Page 16
Gary said. “I’m not for the
avant-garde stuff. We’re
not cutting-edge as a community.
I just want something
that’ll catch your
eye, but not shock you.”
Most of what Merje has
seen so far indicates most
of Homer Glen shares
McGary’s ideas about the
branding direction.
“In Homer, it’s really
about the natural environment,”
Bosio said. “Community,
family friendly,
nature — these are the elements
that we’re hearing
about the most.”
Reporting by Benjamin
Conboy, Assistant Editor. For
more, visit HomerHorizon
Daily.com.
FROM THE LOCKPORT LEGEND
City officials address rise
in vehicle crimes
As a wave of car burglaries
and thefts has
swept over Lockport and
the rest of the Southwest
suburbs, police are now
warning residents that the
criminals are highly organized
and pose a serious
threat to public safety.
“This is the crime of the
area right now,” Lockport
Chief of Police Terry Lemming
said. “These are different
kinds of criminals.
The evidence we’ve seen
so far is that a lot of them
are armed.
“The truth is, we anticipate
something really bad
happening here, like a bad
crash, an innocent person
getting hurt. These aren’t
nice people. Many of them
are street gang members
with long criminal histories.”
Lemming cited intelligence
that suggests there
may be up to 47 different
burglary crews in the Chicago
suburbs from Lake
County to the Indiana border.
He said the individuals
committing the burglaries
have been caught on
doorbell cameras “opening
the [car] doors with one
hand holding a gun in the
other.” He added that they
are “prepared to confront
someone coming out of a
house.”
“We’re all frustrated
with it,” Mayor Steve
Streit said. “Everytime
we hear about this, it’s
pretty maddening. But we
haven’t been getting hit as
hard as some of the other
cities along I-80.”
Making it more difficult
to get rid of these criminals
is the fact that they
are so successful in finding
unlocked cars.
Reporting by Benjamin
Conboy, Assistant Editor. For
more, visit LockportLegend
Daily.com.
Sound Off Policy
Editorials and columns are the opinions of the author. Pieces from
22nd Century Media are the thoughts of the company as a whole.
The Mokena Messenger encourages readers to write letters to Sound
Off. All letters must be signed, and names and hometowns will be
published. We also ask that writers include their address and phone
number for verification, not publication. Letters should be limited
to 400 words. The Mokena Messenger reserves the right to edit letters.
Letters become property of The Mokena Messenger. Letters that
are published do not reflect the thoughts and views of The Mokena
Messenger. Letters can be mailed to: The Mokena Messenger, 11516
West 183rd Street, Unit SW Office Condo #3, Orland Park, Illinois,
60467. Fax letters to (708) 326-9179 or e-mail to tj@mok
namessenger.com.
www.mokenamessenger.com.

18 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger mokena
mokenamessengerdaily.com
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Turning on the
juice Columnist Matt
Galik explores the history of
electricity in Mokena, Page 24
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | mokenamessengerdaily.com
New ownership, classic
Italian Ambrosino’s continues
to serve up Italian traditions, Page 26
Mokena resident
Judy Stoll has a
collection of coins
appraised by Ron
Beckstrom of
Golden Rule Coins
during a coin
appraisal event
at Old Plank Trail
Community Bank
in Mokena on
Friday, March 13.
T.J. Kremer III/22nd
Century Media
Residents get free coin appraisals, Page 21

20 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger faith
mokenamessengerdaily.com
Faith Briefs
St. Mary’s Catholic Church (19515 115th
Ave., Mokena)
Guest Speaker
7 p.m. March 22-24.
International Catholic
speaker, educator and
author Katie Prejean Mc-
Grady will present at the
St. Mary Mokena Parish
Mission in the church. All
members of the community
are welcome to her
entertaining and uplifting
talk.
Church Service
5 p.m. Saturdays; 8
a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m.
and 6 p.m. Sundays
Adoration
Wednesdays following
8 a.m. Mass in the Chapel
until 6:45 p.m.
Young at Heart Senior
Club
1 p.m. the first and third
Wednesday of the month.
Join the senior club for activities
and outings Sept.-
June. For more information,
call (708) 699-5018.
Holy Rosary
7:30 a.m. daily; 7 p.m.
Tuesday evenings.
St. John’s United Church of Christ (11100
Second St., Mokena)
Church Service
8 a.m. traditional service,
9:45 a.m. contemporary
and family service
with children’s bible lesson
during adult worship
service. For more information,
visit stjohnsmokena.org
Bundles of Love
7 p.m. the second and
fourth Tuesday of each
month. Enjoy fun and
fellowship while making
baby quilts for infants
baptized at St. John’s and
lap quilts for shut-ins.
Mokena United Methodist Church (10901
LaPorte Road, Mokena)
Service
10:15 a.m. Sundays.
For more information, call
(708) 479-1110.
Bible Study
7 p.m. Tuesdays at the
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church. For more information,
call (708) 479-
1110.
Community Prayer
Gathering
2:30 p.m. every fourth
Sunday.
Breakfast
9 a.m. every third Saturday
of the month.
Marley Community Church (12625 W.
187th St., Mokena)
Church Service
10 a.m. Sundays. Childcare
is provided.
Sunday School
9-10 a.m. Sundays.
Senior High Youth Group
7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
For more information,
email marleycommu
nitychurch@gmail.com.
Junior High Youth Group
6-7:30 p.m. Fridays.
For more information,
email marleycommunity
church@gmail.com.
Men’s Group
6 p.m. Sunday nights in
the church basement. All
men are welcome.
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church
(10731 W. La Porte Road, Mokena)
Church Services & Activities
are Suspended until
Palm Sunday, April 5.
Check
Immanuelmokena
.org for updates and to
View Pastor Aaron’s Video
Blog.
Mokena Baptist Church (9960 W. 187th
St., Mokena)
Sunday Services
11 a.m. and 5 p.m. For
more information, call
(312) 350-2279.
Sunday School
10:15 a.m. Sundays.
Mokena Baptist offers
Sunday School classes
for all ages. For more information,
call (312) 350-
2279.
Parker Road Bible Church (18512 Parker
Road, Mokena)
Worship Service
10:30 a.m. Sundays.
Be sure to arrive early for
our Sunday Worship Service
to enjoy a hot, complimentary
cup of coffee
every week at the church.
Following the Christian
Education Hour (9:15-
10:15 a.m.), all beverages
can be found just outside
the sanctuary.
Grace Fellowship Church (11049 LaPorte
Road, Mokena)
Narcotics Anonymous
7-9 p.m. Mondays. All
those struggling or who
have struggled with a narcotics
addiction are welcome.
All meetings are
confidential. For more information,
call (708) 479-
0300.
Spanish Church
12:30 p.m. Sundays.
Worship Service
10 a.m. Sundays. All
are welcome.
Women’s Bible Study
8:45-9:45 a.m. Sundays
and 2-3 p.m. Tuesdays.
Victory Baptist Church (13550 US Route
6, Mokena)
Sunday School
9:30 a.m. Sundays.
Morning Worship
10:45 a.m. Sundays.
Evening Worship
6 p.m. Sundays.
Weekday Worship
7 p.m. Wednesdays.
Have something for Faith
Briefs? Contact Editor T.J.
Kremer at tj@mokenames
senger.com or call (708)
326-9170 ext. 29. Deadline
is noon Thursday one week
prior to publication.

mokenamessengerdaily.com life & arts
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 21
Coin appraiser helps know heads from tails
3
Residents get free
coin collection
appraisals
T.J. Kremer III, Editor
Banks are usually a
place where one goes to
deposit money, sometimes
in the form of accumulated
loose change
that has been collecting in
a jar or some other receptacle
over time. It is not
often that people end up
discovering that the loose
change is far more valuable
than its face value.
But, at Old Plank Trail
Community Bank in Mokena,
that is exactly what
people came to find out
Friday, March 13.
Ron Beckstrom, owner
of Golden Rule Coins,
was on hand to offer people
free appraisals of their
coin collections.
Beckstrom said he began
collecting coins as a
child. Then, after spending
25 years in the corporate
world, he decided
to see if he could turn his
avocation into a vocation.
“In about 2006, I started
working with banks in Illinois
and Wisconsin,”
said Beckstrom, who is a
member of the Community
Bankers Association
of Illinois and the Wisconsin
Bankers associations.
“I guess the reason
I did that was I figured if
I’m not a collector and
I have some coins that
grandpa gave me, and
there are some coins that I
don’t know what they are,
what they’re worth, where
to go, who to trust, where
would I have confidence
that I was dealing with
someone who’s reputable.
And, so, people have
Terry Prokop, of Mokena, shows of what could be an ancient coin of unknown origin during a free coin appraisal
event at Old Plank Trail Community Bank in Mokena Friday, March 13. T.J. Kremer III/22nd Century Media
confidence in banks, and
that they’re going to refer
them to someone who is
diligent and ethical and
conscientious and all that
stuff.”
Beckstrom prides himself
on being truthful and
offering fair prices to his
customers, which he has
been doing for the past 14
years.
Judy Stoll, of Mokena,
came to have the collection
of her late husband,
Allan, looked at. Allan
passed away two years
ago. Judy said that he
“fooled around” with coin
collecting, and after he
passed, Judy was left with
his collection, which began
in the early 1960s.
The couple was rolling
up pennies to deposit
at the bank when Allan
noticed an unusual penny
and decided to go back
through all the previously
rolled pennies, about $30
worth, to look for more.
“He enjoyed collecting
[coins],” Judy said.
“It took up a lot of his
time, mostly by himself.
So, now this stuff is in a
safety deposit box, and
young kids don’t seem
to be interested in things
like collections. So I was
just curious; I don’t know
what to do with it.”
Judy said she doubted
the collection would be
worth anything but wanted
to check just in case
she ends up sitting on a
small fortune.
Terry Prokop, of Mokena,
showed up with a
wooden box filled with
what he hoped might be
full of treasure. And, as
it turned out, there were
many silver coins that
Beckstrom purchased
from Prokop — to the
tune of more than $800.
Prokop said he plans
to use that money to help
offset some medical expenses
related to a heart
transplant he had, which
requires him to make regular
check-ups.
“It costs me money every
time I go,” he said.
“I’m 73 now. I’m running
out of money. So, I said,
‘Well, let me see if I can
get rid of this.’”
Prokop said he has been
collecting coins for 52
years, as long as he has
been married. His wife
got him started, as she
worked in gas stations
and would come across all
sorts of interesting coins
while she worked.
One of the coins Prokop
brought in appeared
to be an ancient coin of
unknown origin, so Beckstrom
advised Prokop to
take the mysterious coin
to a coin dealer in downtown
Chicago to get a
more accurate appraisal.
“This could be worth
a lot of money,” Prokop
said.
And although rare coins
are valuable precisely because
they are rare, sometimes
Beckstrom comes
across some hidden gems.
Beckstrom said that
one time while he was
at a bank in Wisconsin a
couple came in with a rubber
tub of coins that had
been acquired as part of
an inheritance. In that tub
contained what turned out
to be a whopper of a find.
“[I was] looking
through the tub, and there
was a little bit of value
here and there, and then
I was like, ‘OK, I have
to sit down for this one,”
Beckstrom said.
What he discovered
was the couple had a $20
gold piece from 1904 that
had very low mintage and
very few still left out in
the world.
“That coin wound up being
worth about $35,000,”
Beckstrom said. “... It was
a really happy day for her
and her husband.”
Please see coin, 24

22 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger mokena
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mokenamessengerdaily.com life & arts
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 23
Mokena Munchies
Bed and breakfast oatcakes
Beth Krooswyk
Contributing Columnist
If the Kroosers happen
to open a bed and
breakfast someday,
we are all set with pancake
recipe options.
This is thanks to my
sweet husband who
enjoys slinging breakfast
on most Saturday mornings.
Because of his
creativity, I’ve been able
to feature these delicious
recipes here over
the years: Joel’s Perfect
Pancakes, Joel’s Apple
Oatcakes and Joel’s GF
Please see munchies, 24
Joel’s Cinnamon Oatcakes make for a tasty and
healthy alternative to flour-based pancakes. Beth
Krooswyk/22nd Century Media
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Joel’s Cinnamon Oatcakes
Adapted from quakeroats.com
Ingredients
• 2½ cups oat flour*
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1½ tablespoons cinnamon
• 3 eggs, well beaten
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 2½ cups milk
• Optional: blueberries or chocolate
chips
Directions
Stir dry ingredients together in a large
bowl.
Mix wet ingredients together in a
separate bowl.
Pour wet ingredients into dry
ingredients and stir until moistened
but not overmixed (some lumps are
okay).
Let batter sit 8-10 minutes while
heating up griddle pan.
Scoop portions of batter onto
medium-hot griddle. Add a sprinkle of
blueberries or chocolate chips to each
pancake at this point, if desired.
Flip pancakes when edges start to
look cooked (not glossy), turning only
once.
Serve hot with real maple syrup. Other
toppings, if desired, include butter,
berries or pecans (my favorite).
Makes about 8-12, depending on size
of pancakes.
Also, these freeze well for a quick
breakfast during the week. Slightly
overlap the pancakes (do not stack) in
a zip-top bag or plastic container.
*Note: For oat flour, just grind up old-fashioned
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24 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger life & arts
mokenamessengerdaily.com
Matt’s Old Mokena
And in the 20th century, Mokena said ‘Let there be light’
Matt galik
Contributing Columnist
As you read this
newspaper,
chances are it’s by
electric light. The wonder
of electricity is such an
intrinsic part of our lives,
that it’s impossible to
imagine our days without
it. As with all things, this
technological advancement
wasn’t always with
us, and it too had a triumphant
birth and arrival into
the lives of our forebears.
Beginning in 1886,
only six years after Mokena
was incorporated,
the village was a world
whose streets were lit
only by soft, flickering
kerosene lights that came
from lamps mounted on
posts. The later arrival of
electricity was the biggest
boost our community
had seen in years, at least
since the first telephone
exchange was installed in
1898.
Talk of bringing the
juice to town was in the
air as early as 1909, but
these first plans never got
off the ground. Finally, in
the summer of 1912, as
Mokena boasted a population
just short of 400, the
village board under Mayor
Ona McGovney finalized
a plan with upstate’s
Public Service Company
to light up the town.
The historical record
indicates that townsfolk
were gung-ho about electricity,
with early enthusiasts
being brothers Julius
and Charles Hirsch, who
were excited to have their
stock farm and residence
north of town wired, as
well as the Mokena Men’s
Club, who were looking
into having their dance
pavilion off what is today
Wolf Road illuminated.
An electric pump was
installed in town to stream
water into the municipal
tower on Front Street.
Meanwhile, a private electric
light plant was set up
at Bowman Dairy’s bottling
plant, and the lights
there were switched on for
the first time on Sept. 17,
1912.
After much work and a
few headaches, the juice
was turned on for the 35
new street lights on New
Year’s Eve, 1912, and
glimmering electric light
shown from the 14 lamps
on Front Street. They
would burn from dusk
every night until 1 a.m.,
all taken care of by an
electric timer.
Once the electrification
of the streets was
finished, the current was
slowly brought to the rest
of the town, also coming
to private residences,
the first of which was
the Front Street domicile
of local livestock dealer
Emil Krapp.
Things didn’t go off
without any hiccups,
however, as at the end of
that April a malfunction
caused the lights to shine
too dimly on the streets
and in the buildings, and
old oil lamps had to be
dusted off for use at home.
Most disappointingly,
the movie nights at Mokena
Hall were canceled
as a result. Early on, the
timer used for the streetlights
also proved to be a
pebble in the proverbial
shoes of the town dads.
Within two days of the
lights first turning on, the
timer was malfunctioning,
leaving the streets alternately
in the dark or lit
up around the clock. This
issue became the catalyst
for a short, but sharp,
war of words waged in
the pages of the Joliet
News between two young
correspondents: William
Semmler, of Mokena, and
Nellie Haley, of Marley.
On Jan. 8, 1913, the
plucky Haley snarled that
“our neighbor, Mokena, is
getting quite chesty over
their new electric lights,
in fact they feel so proud
of them that so far, they
have been kept burning all
of the time, day as well as
nights. Well, we all know
they have them now, so
they might as well shut
them off and save juice.”
Our own Semmler
responded three days later
that “Marley has taken a
fling at our extravagance”
and thought he had the
last word by writing that
“Here we wish to say
that Mokena believes in
advertising and making
the other little jerk water
stations sit up and take
notice that their big neighbor
is still on the map and
progressing.”
After another attack in
her column — in which
Nellie Haley hissed “Put
this in your pipe, William”
and vaguely hinting
that “it wasn’t civic pride
alone that kept those new
electric lights going all
the time at Mokena” —
Semmler quickly retorted
“Just for Your Sake, Dear
Old Marley… they were
caused to burn simply
so Marley could have a
chance to see a bright
illuminating spot in the
neighborhood, a highly
advanced community
where all go to bed early
and the cats never bark at
strangers.” Thus, the sniping
continued ad nauseum.
The dust of the quarrel
eventually settled, and
after more than a century,
Mokena is still lit by
beacons of electric light.
For this we can thank the
foresightedness of our
ancestors, whose hard
work continues to make
our lives easier.
STAY UP TO DATE
ON 22CM EVENTS
IN YOUR AREA.
For more info visit
22ndcenturymedia.com/events
coin
From Page 21
The couple’s total collection
ended up being
valued at around
$105,000, Beckstrom
said.
For those who think
they might be sitting on
a fortune, but end up with
less than they thought,
Beckstrom said he tries
to let them down easy and
give some of the history
of the coins so that they
at least get something rewarding
for their efforts.
“Sometimes that’s more
valuable than the item
itself,” he said. “People
appreciate the history
behind the item, too. So,
they don’t leave emptyhanded;
they at least leave
with the information and
historical story behind the
item that maybe grandpa
had saved.”
He offered some advice
for aspiring numismatists,
or coin collectors.
“One thing you look for
is knowledgeable, ethical
assistance for what they
have,” he said. “A lot of
people will go online and
they’ll try to do some research
on what they have,
which I would probably
do, too. … But the information
you get online,
boy it’s hard to sift out the
fat from the fallacy.”
Beckstrom said collectors
should be wary of
disreputable dealers who
may be trying to part people
from their collections
at a cheap price.
The best solution?
Beckstrom said to seek
out referrals from other
coin collectors or banks.
He recommended people
check out the American
Numismatic Association,
a nonprofit organization
of about 25,000 members.
Its website is money.org.
For more information
on Golden Rule Coins,
visit mycoinguy.com.
munchies
From Page 23
Banana Pancakes.
Our newest addition is
Joel’s Cinnamon Oatcakes.
Why oatcakes? We’ve
discovered that he feels
better not eating gluten
— not that he is severely
celiac, but more that he
has an intolerance. So
we’ve been tweaking
our meals to avoid not
only additives but also
gluten.
The four of us agree
that this new recipe is
just as good, if not better
and heartier than,
flour-based pancakes. So
maybe try it out just for
some variety even if you
aren’t gluten-free.
If you need to be
strict about gluten,
make sure to use oats
that are labeled glutenfree.
Better yet, also
look for the non-GMO
label, too.
Not that we’re planning
on actually running
a bed and breakfast, but
it’s funny how often
we toss the idea around
when we come across a
really tasty recipe. And
aren’t you lucky, because
the majority of them
have shown up in this
column.

mokenamessengerdaily.com mokena
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 25
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26 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger dining out
mokenamessengerdaily.com
The Dish
Ambrosino’s brings traditional Italian tastes to the table
Nuria Mathog, Contributing Editor
Renee Anderson has been a familiar
face at Ambrosino’s Italian
Market and Deli for the past
decade. The longtime employee
has held various roles throughout
her time with the shop, working
at the register, at the deli and
in the kitchen.
Today, the New Lenox resident
runs the show. She took
over the deli in September 2018,
following the retirement of former
owner Peter Ambrosino.
“I like the small business atmosphere,”
Anderson said. “I
like the family atmosphere. It’s
something I really enjoy and
have taken on. It’s been part of
me forever.”
Originally a Chicago-based
deli, Ambrosino’s has been a
staple of the Frankfort community
for the past 23 years. The
shop specializes in authentic
Italian food, with classic pasta
and sandwich dinners. It also is
a popular catering option for the
Christmas holidays, graduations
and other milestones, Anderson
said.
“For me, personally, I like the
meatballs and the lasagna,” she
said. “It’s just like the homemade
flavor. It’s what I’d be
making at home, and I can pick
it up and have it here and know
that it’s just homemade.”
One the deli’s specialities is
its homemade Italian sausage,
which comes in hot and mild
varieties and sells for $3.99 per
pound (or $3.79 per pound in a
10-pound box). Other signature
items include the hot sandwiches,
many of which are named
after Italian artists and composers
— for instance, the Vivaldi
($6.99), a sausage and beef combo;
and the Angelico ($4.99),
featuring hot corned beef with
Swiss on rye.
Ambrosino’s also offers a large
selection of cheeses imported
from Italy — bestsellers around
the holidays, when customers
stop by the deli to pick up freshly
Ambrosino’s homemade Italian sausages come in hot and mild varieties, and are available for $3.99 per pound (or $3.79 per pound for a
10-pound box). Photos by Nuria Mathog/22nd Century Media
grated provolone and Parmesan
for their family recipes.
In addition to deli items,
Ambrosino’s offers an in-store
market stocked with Italian
goods. Jars of the deli’s homemade
pasta sauce — which
comes in marinara, arrabbiata,
vodka and fire-roasted varieties
— line the shelves, along with
boxes of pasta, dipping oil and
other staples of Italian cuisine.
“We do get requests to have
them shipped,” Anderson said.
“We have a lot of families who
moved, and they miss their giardiniera.
I’ve shipped a lot to
Florida and Arizona.”
Ambrosino’s started out as a
family-run business, and even
with new management, it continues
to fulfill that tradition. Two of
Anderson’s three children, Lincoln-Way
West students Zachary
and Amanda, regularly help out
with the store, and her husband,
David, and college-aged daughter
Deja also assists during the
holidays.
Ambrosino’s Italian Market
& Deli
20495 S. LaGrange Road in
Frankfort
Hours
• 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-
Friday
• 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
• 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday
Phone: (815) 464-5002
Website: www.ambrosinos.
com
For Anderson, making customers’
day is the most rewarding
part of the job.
“I like the customer service,”
she said. “I like working with the
people. I like a happy, smiling
face when they get their food.”
RIGHT: The deli offers a variety
of Italian cheeses. On top is the
pecorino Romano ($10.99 per
pound) and on the bottom is the
Parmesan-Reggiano ($16.99 per
pound).

mokenamessengerdaily.com puzzles
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 27
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. Book before
Nahum
6. “Stat!”
10. Not at all serious
14. Oranjestad’s
island
15. 100-pound units
16. Hilariously funny
thing
17. “With parsley,”
on some menus
18. Schooner part
19. Simpsons’ character
20. Step in
22. Hot car
23. Nutritional std.
24. Selling condition
26. CPR pro
29. Hot spot
32. Original name of
New Lenox
36. Brit. police rank,
abbr.
37. Powerful ocean
surge
39. Bug
40. New
Lenox microbrewery,
goes with 65
across
42. Sheep cry
43. Fire off a round
45. Checks for under
21s
46. San Simeon
publisher
47. Pigeon’s pad
50. Fishing equipment
51. Online DIY store
53. Hosp. areas
55. Bar order
56. Luau serving
62. Nevada city
64. Pakistani tongue
65. See 40 across
66. Enter
67. Striking end of a
hammer
68. Suri’s mom
69. Percussion instrument
70. Theories
71. Stand in good ___
Down
1. Epiphany figures
2. Formerly Persia
3. Short
4. Li’l one
5. Mohawk, e.g.
6. Loony Tunes company
7. Trumpeting creature
8. Befuddled
9. L.A. clock setting
10. Fine-toothed cutter
11. Venetian island
12. Chemistry term
13. Academic group,
abbr.
21. 6th letter of the
Hebrew alphabet
22. Frilly and feminine
25. Hollywood Boulevard
sight
26. Archie Bunker’s
mate
27. Jazz singer Carmen
28. Chicken ___ masala
(Indian dish)
30. Fix firmly
31. Canon rival
33. Home in the
mountains
34. Sidestep
35. Bakery supply
38. Be overly fond
40. Urgency
41. Followers
44. Soon
48. Call, in poker
49. Evidence in the
snow
52. City in Belgium
54. Jack who ate no fat
55. Parallel
57. The same
58. Goldberg and
Field played them
59. Singer Seeger
60. “Star Wars” princess
61. Squeezed, with out
62. Something to
poach
63. London lav
64. Reuters competitor
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
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.
Crossword by Myles Mellor and Susan Flanagan
answers

28 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger local living
mokenamessengerdaily.com
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.
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

mokenamessengerdaily.com local living
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 29
Distinctive Home Builders Debuts Luxury Furnished Model
At Hanover Estates in Manhattan within the Lincoln-Way School District
Distinctive Home Builders
continues to add high
quality homes to the
Manhattan landscape at
Hanover Estates; its latest
new home community
located within the highlyregarded
Lincoln-Way
School District. Distinctive
is selling Craftsman
Series and Legacy Series
single family homes with
base prices from the upper
$290s - $400s. Square
footage of the ranch
homes begins at 2,400
square feet and the twostory
homes start from
2,700 square feet. Many
of the sites in both neighborhoods
offer lake views
and all homes will have
brick around the first
floor as a premium standard
feature.
“Sales and construction
are underway and a
brand new Stonebridge
II model is open for touring,”
said Bryan Nooner,
President of Distinctive
Home Builders, “These
new home designs are a
result of an extraordinary
amount of time and effort
spent on refining the
architectural standards.”
“There is indeed a difference
– there is nothing
else like it on the market
– the elevations are outstanding
and our homeowners
also have the ability
to customize so they
can truly have the home
of their dreams,” he said.
Nooner speaks of the
Craftsman designs the
company has introduced
at Hanover Estates. These
new designs feature low
pitched rooflines, large
front porches with tapered
columns and stone
piers, partially-paned
windows, gable brackets,
and an exterior color
palate with a variety of
earth tones or gray tones.
Popular exterior options
are stone and cedar shake
accents.
Besides the new model,
there are several homes
at various stages of construction
are available to
tour and as a semi-custom
builder, Distinctive can
modify any of its standard
designs to cater to a
customer’s tastes, which
means that moving walls,
adding extra windows or
even extending the garage
are all possible.
Numerous home styles
are available, each with
multiple exterior elevations.
Hanover Estates
homes have three to five
bedrooms and two full to
three and one-half baths
and two to three-car garages.
All of the Legacy
Series homes will have
three-car garages.
Homes include custom
maple kitchen cabinets
featuring solid wood
construction (no particle
board) with solid
wood drawers and dove
tail joints; ceramic tile
or hardwood floors in
the kitchen, baths and
foyer; genuine wood
trim and doors; granite
countertops and
concrete driveways.
Building a new home is
certainly not what it used
to be. Thankfully, the latest
technology coupled
with fine-tuned people
skills, has made the experience
an exciting one for
Distinctive buyers at Hanover
Estates.
“We are on the leading
edge when it comes to the
home buying customer
sales experience,” said
Nooner. “Our sales professionals
are among the
best. We provide them
with high-level training
and the latest tech tools to
enhance our homebuyer’s
experience. We also provide
technology to our
homeowners throughout
the home building
process with a private
homeowner portal app.
Building a new home is
an exciting yet long process
that can have many
ups and downs that can
be neutralized by simply
having great communication.
We want our buyers
to be informed and empowered
every step of the
way.”
Daily pictures of customer
homes in progress
are taken and uploaded
for easy access from
anywhere in the world.
Homeowners can view
their selections from their
phone, tablet or desktop;
review detailed information
about the quality
components used in their
new home, and easily access
their documents using
a username and password
that is issued once
construction of their new
home begins.
“Communication exists
on an entirely new level
making building with us a
very personal experience.
Never before could customers
have access to all
of this information 24/7.
We want to raise the bar
for our industry,” added
Nooner.
Through the customer
portal, homeowners can
easily share the pictures
and progress of their
home with friends and
family via e-mail and integrated
links to social
media. They can also
review the construction
schedule to see
what is happening next
in the building of their
new home.
Hanover Estates boasts
four lakes and three
parks within its borders.
The Manhattan Metra
train station, several forest
preserves and many
dining and entertainment
options are nearby.
Hanover Estates children
attend schools
within the Lincoln-Way
School District.
Besides Hanover Estates,
Distinctive Home Builders
has built hundreds
of homes throughout
Manhattan most recently
at Prairie Trails; also in
the Butternut Ridge and
Leighlinbridge communities,
as well as thousands
of other homes in
the Will and south Cook
county areas over the past
30 years.
Our model home visitor
center is located at
23936 William Drive,
Manhattan, IL 60442
and is open daily from 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days
a week or by appointment.
Contact Lynne at
708-737-9142 or 708-
479-7700 to schedule a
private viewing. Specials,
prices, specifications,
standard features, model
offerings, build times and
lot availability are subject
to change without notice.

30 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger local living
mokenamessengerdaily.com
Luxury Townhomes in New Lenox Pre-Construction Sales
Distinctive Homebuilders debuts SkyHarbor Townhomes from the $300s
Sales have commenced on
luxury townhomes in a prime
location in New Lenox at
Laraway and Schoolhouse/
Lincolnway Roads. Known
as SkyHarbor Townhomes,
Distinctive Home Builders
is meeting the need for
townhomes in an area where
they have not been built in a
long time.
“We are excited to bring
these fresh, new architecturally
refined townhome designs to
New Lenox. Now residents
can stay put in town when they
downsize from a large home to
a maintenance free lifestyle,”
said Bryan Nooner, president
of Distinctive Home Builders.
“We discovered that many
area single-family residents
have parents seeking an
independent, carefree lifestyle,
who want to live in close
proximity to their children
and grandchildren. These
buyers tend to spend a couple
months of the year in warmer
climates and don’t want to
be concerned with home
upkeep while they are away.
At SkyHarbor Townhomes a
homeowner’s association takes
care of lawn maintenance and
snow removal for residents.
Additionally, SkyHarbor is
a good fit for many young
families as well. Just a few
minutes from several commuter
train stations and major
highways, the location of
this property makes it easy to
commute to work. The idea of
living in a community with a
maintenance free lifestyle gives
today’s buyer the freedom to
travel and recreate without the
time burden of home upkeep.
SkyHarbor Townhomes is
a small enclave community
with an on-site lake and is
adjacent to single family
homes. Townhomes range in
size from two to four bedrooms
with 1,800 to 2,600 square feet
of living space in three and
four-unit buildings. All homes
include a full basement and
luxury appointments such
as granite counter tops and
custom maple cabinets.
SkyHarbor Townhome
exteriors are architecturally
refined and feature Craftsman
style designs in brick and
stone construction on the
first floor. Tapered columns,
stone accents, bracketing
on gables and bracket detail
on garage doors are some
of the thoughtful features
Distinctive Home Builders has
incorporated into the design.
Distinctive Home Builders
has built thousands of singlefamily
homes throughout
the South and Southwest
suburbs over the past 30 years,
and is dedicated to giving
its customers the best home
buying experience.
Top-notch home creation
with zero punch list items is an
expectation Distinctive delivers
to its homeowners. The builder
performs numerous quality
control checks throughout the
building process and adheres
to a nearly 1,500-point formal
checklist that project managers
certify. Before closing, each
home undergoes an industryleading
checklist that ensures
each home measures up to the
firm’s high quality standards.
“Having measurable, identifiable
standards that our
craftsmen are expected to
maintainiscriticaltoupholding
high quality standards and
ensuresdeliveringaZeroDefect
Home to our homeowners,”
Nooner said.
Communication is key to
maintaining an overall positive
experience during the construction
process. Therefore,
all Distinctive customers have
the Project Manager’s e-mail
address and cell phone
number, as well as access to
the secure online portal where
pictures and logs chronicle the
continued progress on their
home. Customers have access
to the online portal through the
Distinctive Homebuilders App
that can be easily downloaded
to any smartphone or tablet.
“Our customers simply download
our app and they are in
touch with their new home
24/7 from anywhere in the
world. The app allows our
customers to see the progress
of their home and access
their documents at any time”
Nooner explained. “Our customers
really appreciate the
integration of social media
sites within the app allowing
them to easily share photos
and updates of their new
home with family and friends,”
he concluded.
Nooner added that all homes
are highly energy efficient with
upgraded wall and ceiling
insulation, energy efficient
windows and high efficiency
furnaces. Before homeowners
move into their new home,
Distinctive conducts a Blower
Door Test that pressurizes
the home to ensure that each
home passes stringent Energy
Efficiency Guidelines.
SkyHarbor Townhomes is
within New Lenox School
District 122 serving students
K-8 and Lincoln-Way Community
High School District
210, which is ranked in the
top 10 high school districts in
Illinois. Providence Catholic
High School is also located
in New Lenox.
SkyHarbor Townhomes are
served by major thoroughfares
such as IL Rtes. 30, 45 and
52 and I-80, I-355 and I-57.
Residents are serviced by
the New Lenox Metra
Station on the corner of
Cedar and Laraway Roads.
Two large hospital complexes
are in the vicinity: Silver Cross
Hospital and Presence Saint
JosephMedicalCenter;College
education nearby includes
Lewis University, the University
of St. Francis and
Joliet Junior College. Many
restaurants and pubs are in
the area: Starbucks, Cooper’s
Hawk, Teardrop Café, Arrowhead
Ales Brewing Company,
Chicago Dough Company,
Bulldog Ale House, Portillo’s,
and Country Charm Restaurant.
Jewel/Osco is within
walking distance from the
Skyharbor Townhomes. Other
notable retailers nearby are
Kohls, JC Penny and Petsmart.
and the 14-screen AMC
Showplace is on Maple Street.
Our model home visitor
center is open for viewing.
Contact Lynne at 708-737-
9142 or 708-479-7700 to
schedule a private viewing
of our luxury townhomes
or visit our on-site Sales
Information Center located
at 23936 William Drive,
Manhattan, IL., 60442. Hours
are daily 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
open seven days a week.
Specials, prices, specifications,
standard features, model
offerings, build times and
lot availability are subject
to change without notice.
Please contact a Distinctive
representative for current
pricing and complete details.

mokenamessengerdaily.com real estate
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 31
Feb. 10
• 18732 Kestrel Ave.,
Mokena, 60448-
8294 - First Midwest
Bank Trustee to Craig
Chess, Sheila Chess,
$287,000
Feb. 13
• 19307 Derek Way,
Mokena, 60448-1169
- Gerard I. Bowen to
Bradley M. Clemmer,
Jessica D. Clemmer,
$255,000
• 19514 115th Ave. B,
Mokena, 60448-1292
- Us Bank Na Trustee
to Ronald Dietrich,
$84,500
Feb. 18
• 9828 Forestview
Drive, Mokena, 60448-
7773 - Jerry E. St.
Clair to Daniel K. Holt,
Marisa Holt, $317,500
• 12365 W. Warren
Drive, Mokena, 60448-
9221 - Leader 2015
Trust to Andrew W.
Enright, $269,900
• 9450 Willow Lane,
Mokena, 60448-8495
- Steven Ayon to Katrina
A. Ashby, $182,500
Feb. 19
• 12348 Lajunta Court,
Mokena, 60448-1881
- James J. Richards to
Daniel C. Rusnak, Kelli
L. Rusnak, $507,000
The Going Rate is provided
by Record Information
Services, Inc. For more
information, visit www.
public-record.com or call
(630) 557-1000.
DON’T WAIT
...To Place
Your Classified Ad!
CALL 708.326.9170
22ndcenturymedia.com

32 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger classifieds
mokenamessengerdaily.com
Help
Wanted
1027 Arts and Craft Fairs
1040 Fine Jewelry
Garage
Sale
1003 Help Wanted
1057 Estate Sale
Homer Glen 17019 Deer Path
Drive. Fri. 3/20 and Sat. 3/21,
9am -2pm. Appliances, furniture,
lawn equip., and more!
DRIVE CAR BUYERS
TO YOUR DOOR WITH
A CLASSIFIED AUTO AD
CALL US TODAY at 708.326.9170
Automotive
1061 Autos Wanted
Outside Work:
Lawn Fertilizing & Core
Aeration: Year-round &
Seasonal Employment
Potential for paid winters off.
Benefits incl. health, dental,
IRA. Good driving rec a must.
Time and a half over 40 hrs.
Apply in-person 8am - 3pm
Lawn-Tech, Ltd.
7320 Duvan Dr
Tinley Park, IL
708-532-7411
School Bus Drivers Wanted
Homer School District 33C
seeks quality individuals
to join our family of
school bus drivers.
$17.42/hr. + full benefits
available
Training provided.
Call (708) 226-7625
or visit homerschools.org
employment tab
1023 Caregiver
LAWN TECHNICIAN
Professional company
located in Frankfort
looking for reliable
individual to apply dry
fertilizer. Experience a
plus, but not necessary.
For interview call:
(708)479-4600
landscapeassociatesinc.com
Hiring Desk Clerk
(must be flexible w/ 2nd
and 3rd shifts) &
Housekeeping (Morning)
Needed at Super 8 Motel
Apply within:
9485 W. 191st St, Mokena
No Phone Calls
Lawn Care Service
Looking for responsible,
motivated with driver’s
license. Pay based on exp.
708.226.9322
1037 Prayer / Novena
Holy Spirit thou who make mesee
everything and show me the way to
reach myideal. You who give me
the divine gift to forgive, and forget
the wrong that is done to me
and who are in all instances of my
life with me. I, in this short dialogue,
want to thank You for everything
and confirm once more that
Inever want to be separated from
You, no matter how great the material
desires may be. Iwant to be
with You and my loved ones in
Your Perpetural Glory, Amen. Say
this prayer for 3consectutive days.
After 3days the favor requested
will be granted even though it may
appear difficult. This prayer must
be published immediately after the
favor is granted w/o mentioning
the favor. Thank you! R.B.
Oh most Beautiful Flower of
Mt Carmel, Fruitful vine,
splendor of heaven, blessed
mother of the Son of God, Immaculate
Virgin, Assist mein
this my neccessity, oh star of
the sea help me and show me
herein you are mymother. Oh
holy Mary, Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven and Earth, I
humbly beeseach you from the
bottom ofmyheart to succor
me in my necessity (make request)
there are none that can
withstand your power, oh Mary
conceived without sin, pray for
us who have recourse tothee
(3x). Holy Mary, Iplace this
cause in your hands (3x). Say
this prayer for three consecutive
days, you must publish it
and itwill be granted to you.
Tom
Oh, Holy StJude, Apostle &
Martyr, great in virtue and rich
in miracle, near kinsman of Jesus
Christ, faithful intercessor
of all who invoke your special
patronage in time ofneed. To
you Ihave recourse from the
depth of my heart and humbly
beg to whom God has given
such great power to come to
my assistance. Help me in my
present and urgent petition, in
return, I promise to make your
name known and cause you to
be invoked. Say three Our Fathers,
three Hail Marys and
Glories for nine consecutive
days. Publications must be
promised. St. Jude pray for us
all who invoke your aid.
Amen. This Novena has never
been known tofail, Ihave had
requests granted. S.B.
...to place your
Classified Ad!
708.326.9170
WANTED!
WE NEED CARS, TRUCKS & VANS
Running Or Not!
Top Dollar Paid - Free Pick-Up
Locally Located
(708)205-8241
The legend 1995 Jeep Cherokee
straight six. Tires worth
$400. Motor needs work. $850
Call 708-717-5903
1074 Auto for Sale
Rental
DRIVE CAR BUYERS
TO YOUR DOOR WITH
A CLASSIFIED AUTO AD
CALL US TODAY at 708.326.9170
1225 Apartments for Rent
New Lenox
Clean 2 Bedroom
Close to train & stores
Appliances included,
laundry
$1,000
815-485-2528

mokenamessengerdaily.com classifieds
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 33
CLASSIFIEDS
Help Wanted · Garage Sales · Automotive
Real Estate · Rentals · Merchandise
Ready to Sell
Your RealEstate?
CALL
MIKE McCATTY
GROUP
708-945-2121
BILLION INSALES
5000 SOLD
BUY, SELL ORRENT
Handling your entire Family’shousing needs for over 15 years.
• Your listing advertised on all major websites
• Instant feedback- weekly updates
• Professional photography- aerial shots too
• Discounts to all teachers, senior citizens,
veterans, 1st responders, doctors & nurses.
Sell It 708.326.9170
Fax It 708.326.9179
Charge It
DEADLINE -
Friday at 3pm
Automotive
$52
4 lines/
LOCAL
7 papers
REALTOR
DIRECTORY
Help Wanted
per line $13
4 lines/
7 papers
Real Estate
$50
7 lines/
7 papers
Merchandise
$30
4 lines/
7 papers
Want to
See Your
Business
in the
Classifieds?
Call
708-326-9170
for a FREE Sample
Ad and Quote!
CALL TODAY-LISTED TOMORROW
Bob Haustein
Lincoln-Way Resident • Remax 1st Service
Call, Text or Email
708-822-3690
bobhaustein@yahoo.com
www.bobhaustein.com

34 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger classifieds
mokenamessengerdaily.com
CLASSIFIEDS
Help Wanted · Garage Sales · Automotive
Real Estate · Rentals · Merchandise
2003 Appliance Repair
QUALITY
APPLIANCE
REPAIR, Inc.
• Air Conditioning • Furnaces
Refrigeration • Dishwashers
Stoves & Ovens • Microwaves
Garbage Disposals
Washers&Dryers
Family Owned &Operatedsince 1986
Someone you can TRUST
All work GUARANTEED
BEST price in town!
708-712-1392
Business Directory
2004 Asphalt Paving/Seal Coating
Sell It 708.326.9170
Fax It 708.326.9179
Charge It
DEADLINE -
Friday at 3pm
Automotive
$52
4 lines/
7 papers
Help Wanted
per line $13
4 lines/
7 papers
Real Estate
$50
7 lines/
7 papers
2006 Basement Waterproofing
2011 Brick/Chimney Experts
Merchandise
$30
4 lines/
7 papers
2017 Cleaning Services
Barb’s Cleaning
Service
We clean your home the
way YOU want it
cleaned! Good
Quality, Professional,
Reliable, and
Experienced.
Please call for
estimate.
708-663-1789
...to place your
Classified Ad!
708.326.9170
Experienced
Cleaning Lady
Will Clean House or
Apartment.
Free estimates!
815 690 7633
DRIVE CAR BUYERS
TO YOUR DOOR WITH
A CLASSIFIED AUTO AD
CALL US TODAY at 708.326.9170
2018 Concrete Raising
2025 Concrete Work
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the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 35
2025 Concrete Work
2070 Electrical
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2032 Decking
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708 479 9035
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Drywall
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Call Greg At:
(815)922-3782

36 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger classifieds
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2132 Home Improvement
2135 Insulation
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2140 Landscaping
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2150 Paint & Decorating 2170 Plumbing
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2145 Lawn Maintenance
Family owned & operated
Services offered:
• weekly grass • retaining walls/
cutting
paver bricks
• clean ups • tree/bush
• mulch/rock trimming
installation • free estimates
815-534-4723
We offer discounts for seniors, first
responders, and military families
2150 Paint & Decorating
2170 Plumbing
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38 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger classifieds
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Real Estate · Rentals · Merchandise
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2490 Misc.
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for pix. 708-518-0954

mokenamessengerdaily.com classifieds
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 39
2390 Computer Services/Repair
2436 Tax Directory
2702 Public
Notices
Certificate No. 33262 was filed in
the office of the County Clerk of
Will County on February 21, 2020
whererin the business firm ofGlistening
Klean located at 9417 Ash
Ave, Mokena, IL 60448 is registered
and acertificate notice setting
forth the following:
Micheal A. Watkin
9417 Ash Ave, Mokena, IL 60448
779-260-0790
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have
hereunto set my hand and Official
Seal at my office in Joliet; Illinois,
this 20th day of February, 2020
Lauren Staley Ferry,
Will County Clerk
2703 Legal
Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE
Village of Mokena
Board of Fire and Police
Commissioners
Public notice ishereby given to all
persons concerned that onthe 6th
day ofMarch 2020, the Board of
Fire and Police Commissioners of
the Village of Mokena, Illinois
voted to amend their Rules and
Regulations. Printed copies of the
Boards amended Rules and Regulations
may be reviewed at the Office
of the Village Clerk, 11004
Carpenter Street or the Mokena Police
Department, 10907 West Front
Street, Mokena, Illinois 60448. The
amended rules shall beeffective
March 29, 2020, or ten (10) days
from the date of publication of this
notice, whichever is later.
2900 Merchandise
Under $100
Black bird cage, excellent condition
with feeding dishes and
perches, 22x31x17. Call
815-919-5190
Brand new -Sharper Image indoor/outdoor
LED lantern $15.
Call 708-429-1371
Car cover 17 1/2 ftlong polyester,
new $29; 2gal 8oz gas
can w/spout, new $12; SUV
jumbo w/s sun shade $10;
Steering wheel cover $3. Call
708-460-8308
Chrysler middle bench seat,
Free; Chicago NFL Bears coat,
large, new $10. Call
815-838-8207
Civil war puzzles 1000pcs all
done w/frames $20ea; wooded
ships of all kind Mayflower etc
$20ea. Call 630-346-2163
Columbia winter jackets,
womens white-m blue/grey
$25; Hawk 18/20 boys $25.
Call 708-720-3577
FREE-glass beer mugs, coffee
mugs, & glasses. Call
708-429-1371
Hankook Optimo H426 size
P215/55R17 slightly used,
good threads $25 Call
815-463-0282
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40 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger mokena
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mokenamessengerdaily.com newlenoxpatriotdaily.com sports
the mokena new lenox messenger patriot | March 19, 2020 | 41
STAFF REPORT
At the end of every girls basketball season, 22nd Century Media scours through stories, stat
sheets and reporters’ notebooks to compile its Team 22 All-Star lineup. The team features
student-athletes from Lincoln-Way Central, LW East, LW West, Providence Catholic, Andrew,
Tinley Park, Lockport Township and Sandburg high schools.
—Compiled by 22nd Century Media staff
First team
second team
G: olivia molnar, senior, LW
east
15 points per game, 3.1 assists
per game. IBCA All-State Special
Mention. SouthWest Suburban
Blue Player of the Year.
Medieval Classic Most Valuable
Player. Committed to Wisconsin-
Whitewater.
G: taylor Gugliuzza, senior, LW West
17.6 points per game, 3 rebounds per
game, 3 assists per game. 71 percent
free-throw shooter. Illinois Basketball
Coaches Association First Team All-
State. SouthWest Suburban Red Player
of the Year. Led Warriors to first state
trophy with runner-up finish in Class 4A.
Scored over 2,000 career points. Set to
continue her career at Lewis.
G: tara Gugliuzza, junior, LW West
11.8 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per
game, 2.4 assists per game. 81 percent
free-throw shooter. IBCA Third Team
All-State. All-SouthWest Suburban Red.
Committed to Lewis. Scored a teamhigh
16 points in the Class 4A state
championship game loss to Fremd.
G: Lauren Knight, senior, Providence
13.5 points per game, 2 assists per
game. 72 percent free-throw shooter.
IBCA All-State Special Mention. Girls
Catholic Athletic Conference White Co-
Player of the Year. Beecher Fall Classic
Most Valuable Player. Led Celtics to
first sectional championship and school
record 27 wins. Scored 1,250 career
points. Headed to Carthage College for
basketball.
Honorable mentions
G: ava Gugliuzza, freshman,
LW West
13.5 points per game. School
record 115 3-pointers made.
IBCA All-State Special Mention.
G: erin o’connor, sophomore,
sandburg
8.1 points per game, 5
rebounds per game, 3.6 assists
per game, 2.7 steals per game.
All-SouthWest Suburban Blue.
G: regan Loconte, senior, LW central
14.7 points per game. 84 3-pointers
made. 73 percent career free-throw
shooter. All-Southwest Suburban Red.
Led Knights to 19 wins, most since
2007-08. Scored over 1,000 career
points. Set to continue her career at
Quincy University.
F: Brianna Wooldridge, sophomore, LW
West
11.9 points per game, 7.3 rebounds
per game, 2.2 assists per game. IBCA
Third Team All-State. All-SouthWest
Suburban Red. In her first season with
West, transfer from Fremd was a huge
addition, providing an inside presence
for the state runners-up.
G: Grace Badon, senior, Sandburg;
Josie Canellis, freshman, Sandburg;
Destyni Cobbs, junior, Tinley Park; Lilly
Genis, senior, LW East; Autumn Jones,
junior, Tinley Park; Claire McGrath,
senior, Providence; Bella Milazzo,
sophomore, Andrew; Azyah Newson-Cole,
freshman, LW Central; Annalise Pietrzyk,
freshman, Providence; Ashley Raymer,
junior, Providence; Elizabeth Sochacki,
sophomore, Lockport; Sydney Swanberg,
senior, LW West
F: Katie DeHaaan, sophomore, Andrew;
Sydney Furr, junior, Lockport; Maggie
Manthey, senior, Sandburg; Andie Perch,
senior, LW East; Haley Stoklosa, junior,
LW Central; Charlotte Trunk, sophomore,
Sandburg
F: emily Kleffman, senior,
tinley Park
10.6 points per game, 11.4
rebounds per game. 64 blocked
shots. All-South Suburban Blue.
F: Jenna cotter, senior,
Lockport
7.5 points per game, 6.1
rebounds per game, 2 blocked
shots per game. All-SouthWest
Suburban Blue. Signed with
NCAA Division I school IUPUI.

42 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger sports
mokenamessengerdaily.com
Athlete of the Week
3
Baseball
10 Questions
Providence hopes
with Jack Schedin
experience pays off
Jack Schedin is a senior
goaltender on the Lincoln-
Way district hockey team.
How long have you
played hockey, and
how did you first get
started?
I’ve been playing since
fifth grade. I started going
to my cousins’ games
when they were in high
school and it just seemed
like a fun environment. I
went to a couple Blackhawks
games and liked
those. I had tried out every
other sport, so I figured
I would try hockey and I
liked it.
Have you always been
a goalie?
I played my first year as
a skater and then saw how
cool goalie looked. Every
year after that, I’ve been
playing goalie. I’ve liked it
ever since.
What was it like
when you first started
playing goalie?
At first, it was kind of
scary having those shots
flying at you, but after a
while, you make some
stops and you start feeling
good about yourself.
What do you like most
about playing the
position?
When you get a shutout
and you feel like you did a
lot of work, keeping those
pucks out and not letting
any in. It’s a great feeling.
What do you think
makes you a strong
goalie?
I have good reflexes. I
don’t get down on myself.
If one puck goes in, I don’t
worry about it. I just focus
on the next shot and keeping
the puck out the rest of
the way.
What is it like playing
on a district team with
kids from all three
Lincoln-Way schools?
It’s fun. You get to
see kids from the other
schools that you normally
wouldn’t get to see. You
get to make new friends.
If you could be
anybody else for a
day, who would you
want to be?
Probably Patrick Kane.
I think that would be fun.
He’s my favorite hockey
Steve Millar/22nd Century Media
player. It’d be fun to have
all the skills he has, and he’s
won three Stanley Cups.
What is your favorite
TV show?
“Letterkenny” is pretty
good. It’s a Canadian sitcom
and there is a lot about
hockey. It’s a funny show.
If you could be any
superhero, which
would you want to
be?
Probably Superman. He
can be invisible, he can
fly, he has laser eyesight.
That’s all pretty cool.
If you could travel
anywhere in the
world, where would
you want to go?
I think Alaska would be
pretty cool. I’d like to go
hiking up there, play some
pond hockey. That would
be fun.
Interview conducted by
Sports Editor Steve Millar.
RANDY WHALEN
Freelance Reporter
There’s no substitute for
experience.
At least that’s what the
Providence baseball team
hopes this season.
The Celtics have 18 seniors
and 14 starters back
from last season’s squad,
which made the team’s
deepest postseason advancement
since they captured
the trio of Class 4A
state titles from 2014-16.
So the talent is there for
a return to the state finals
pinnacle again this season.
Of course, this area is one
of the most competitive in
the state. But the pieces are
certainly in place.
“The expectations are
high,” Providence coach
Mark Smith said. “Especially
when you have this
much experience back.”
While the Celtics record
was 23-16 last year, marking
their 46th straight season
of 20 or more wins,
they had a lot of close losses
and finished 4-8 in the
Chicago Catholic League
Blue Division.
“A year ago, we lost
nine games in our last atbat,”
Smith said. “If we
won those we could have
been 32-7 and everyone
would have talked about
what a good season we
had. But we did what
Providence baseball does
and played our best in the
postseason.”
Providence did indeed
do that. As the No. 8 seed
in the Class 4A Lockport
Sectional, it advanced to
the sectional championship
game, eventually losing
9-5 to Marist.
So what is it going to
take for the Celtics to get
back to that point and beyond?
“I feel like the leadership
is the best since I’ve
been here,” said Providence
senior Ryan Manikowski,
who is in his third
varsity season. “We are really
close. We have a good
core group returning. We
might not have that one superstar
but we have a good
overall group.”
Manikowski, who has
committed to Creighton,
is one of the team’s top
pitchers. Fellow seniors
Ben Vitas, who doubles
at shortstop and will attend
Central Michigan,
and Aidan Goggins, who
has committed to Lincoln
Land Community College,
are also on that right-handed
pitching list.
“Hopefully winning,”
said Vitas, a four-year
varsity player, on how he
wanted to finish his high
school career. “We have
a lot of guys with experience,
guys that have been
in pressure situations. I’m
looking forward to seeing
how we handle that. Plus
we’ve got guys with good
velocity, a lot of good
pitching.”
Seven pitchers total, who
combined for 14 wins, are
back from last year’s team.
So are seven position players,
including senior Jake
Mucha, who plays second
and third base and can also
play outfield.
“Our senior class is really
close and plays well together,”
Mucha said. “Just
that experience will help
us. “I’m looking forward
to the WJOL Tournament
[between April 2-4] for
sure. That’s always big. I
know a lot of other good
players in the area and [being
from Homer Glen] always
look forward to playing
Lockport.”
The rest of the returning
starters are senior infielder/designated
hitter
Jake Hesselmann, junior
infielder Ryan O’Neil, senior
outfielder Luke Pell,
junior catcher Jake Rybka
and senior third baseman
Brendan Slota, who has
committed to Lindenwood
University.
Some newcomers to
keep an eye on are sophomore
outfielder Alex Alberico,
junior outfielder
Cain Headrick, and junior
infielder Ryan Hussey.
All three of them can also
double as a right-handed
pitcher.
“I’m looking forward to
a fun season with a really
great group of kids,” said
Smith, who is in his 14th
year as Celtics head coach.
“We’ve got a lot of experience
back but a lot of
new guys, too. But there’s
always something that the
guys understand. They
know the responsibility of
wearing Celtics on their
chest.”
visit us online at
www.mokenamessengerdaily.com

mokenamessengerdaily.com sports
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 43
Boys Water Polo
Knights start 1-1 with alum as new coach
RANDY WHALEN
Freelance Reporter
The numbers are down,
but the optimism is still
high for the Lincoln-Way
Central boys water polo
team.
Plus the Knights have a
new coach, who is used to
winning at the school.
That is Elizabeth Senese,
who was a member of
Central's girls water polo
team that placed second in
the state in 2013. She becomes
Central's sixth head
boys water polo coach
since 2010.
"I've been coaching in
the district for the past
three years, including the
last two as an assistant
coach under Eric [Pavlacka]
on the girls level
at [Lincoln-Way] West,"
Senese said. "I was an assistant
on the boys swimming
team this past winter
and I saw that the [water
polo] position was open.
"So, I talked to our AD
[Jason Helbling] about it
and got the job. I'm excited."
Pat Shaughnessy, who
was the boys coach for the
past two years, moved to
the girls side and is now an
assistant with the Knights
under head coach Pam
Dettman.
Senese swam on the
varsity for four years and
played water polo for three
at Central, where she graduated
from in 2014. She then
swam at Lewis University
for four years. Although the
numbers for the Knights
are down this season, she's
ready and so is the team.
"We have 10 guys on the
varsity," she said. "It's not
ideal and we don't have a
lot of people subbing in.
But the guys we have work
well together."
That showed in the season
opener, an 18-11 victory
over Shepard on March
10 in Palos Heights.
In that game, sophomore
goalkeeper Alex Culver
had 10 saves. Junior Dan
Adamson led the way with
11 goals, while the only
senior on the team, Noah
Ivicic, added four goals.
Sophomore Cale Koester
added a pair of goals,
and junior Sean Murphy
chipped in with one for the
Knights.
Things didn't go as well,
however, in the second
game last week. That was
the home opener on Thursday,
March 12.
There, St. Charles North
came in and scored early
and often in an 18-7 win
over Central.
It was the season opener
for the North Stars, who
were led by six goals from
Siba Filipovic and four
from fellow sophomore
Aidin Allamian.
Trailing 1-0, Koester
crept in and got a goal to
knot the game at 1-1 with
5:12 left in the first quarter.
The North Stars (1-0),
however, tallied the next
seven goals to help put the
game out of reach. Filipovic
scored the first three
of them and junior Albert
Buvary added the final one
for an 8-1 lead with 5:26
left in the second quarter. It
had been 6-1 after the first
quarter, was 12-2 at halftime
and 15-5 after three.
Adamson once again
led Central (1-1) with four
goals, junior Will Jager
chipped in with two goals
and an assist, and Ivicic
also added an assist. Culver
completed five saves.
With the coronavirus
outbreak taking an effect
nationwide, Ivicic knew
the importance of playing
these games now.
The event turned out to
be the last game played by
a Lincoln-Way school before
sports were suspended
on Friday, March 13.
"We aren't really sure
of our future," Ivicic said.
"So, we are playing our
hardest now and working
hard for each other. Even
if water polo is not there,
we are going to work hard
for each other."
That is part of the senior
leadership that Ivicic
wants to display.
"My role is very important,"
Ivicic said. "I don't
have to be the best player,
but I have to be the best
example. My attitude and
how I lead will trickledown
and reflect on the
organization. But also, we
know if we play together
that we can play with anyone."
Senese is happy to have
a leader like Ivicic and
hopes this was just the start
of a successful season.
"Definitely their ability
to move the ball around,"
said Senese when asked
what she liked most about
this team so far. "We have
good game awareness on
passing and know where
each other are. Our biggest
thing is getting fouls called
against us. We need to
work on that and building
endurance. Once we do
that, I think we will have a
great season."
Roundup
Mokena Jr. High volleyball makes state, tourney canceled
2
STAFF REPORT
The Mokena Junior
High seventh-grade girls
volleyball team won
the Illinois Elementary
School Association Class
4A Sectional 3 championship,
beating Liberty
Junior High from New
Lenox 25-18, 11-25, 25-
20 on March 9.
Mokena advanced to the
state finals, which were set
to begin with quarterfinal
matches Friday, March 13,
at Kingsley Junior High in
Normal.
However, the tournament
was first postponed
and then canceled by the
IESA due to coronavirus
concerns.
Mokena thus finished the
season with a 15-4 record.
The Meteors advanced
to sectional play by winning
the Regional 5 title,
beating Woodridge Jefferson
25-14, 25-23 in the
semifinals and Homer Junior
High 25-21, 25-7 in
the finals.
LW Central boys track
wins H-F indoor invite
The Lincoln-Way Central
boys track and field
team scored 127 points to
top a six-team field at the
Homewood-Flossmoor Indoor
Invite on March 10.
Tinley Park was second
with 76 points.
Winners for the Knights
included senior Erik Johnson
in the 600-meter run
(1 minute, 32.28 seconds),
junior Caden Simone in
the 800 (2:14.23), and junior
Henry Woods in the
60 hurdles (8.71).
Central teammates senior
Anthony Wasowicz
and sophomore Joseph
Vollmer tied for the win
in the high jump (1.65
meters), while Vollmer
also won the triple jump
(11.94).
Senior Elijah Leonard
prevailed in the pole vault
(3.05) for the Knights,
while sophomore Jack
Mackowiak won the long
jump (6.52).
Central’s 3,200 relay
team of Johnson, Simone,
senior Jared Kreis and junior
Jay Parker was also
victorious in 8:52.46.
LW Central girls water
polo wins opener
The Knights beat St.
Charles North 8-4 in their
season opener Thursday,
March 12. Senior Sierra
Maze scored four goals
and senior Madi Jager
scored two.
The Mokena Junior High seventh-grade girls volleyball
team won a sectional title and advanced to the state
tournament, which was then canceled. PHOTO SUBMITTED

44 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger sports
mokenamessengerdaily.com
Baseball
Knights primed for breakout season
RANDY WHALEN
Freelance Reporter
Last year, the Lincoln-
Way Central baseball team
knocked on the door.
This year, the Knights
hope to break it down.
They have an excellent
opportunity to do just that,
returning eight starters
from last season’s squad
that reached the regional
championship game and
narrowly lost 1-0 to Stagg.
Central finished 23-10
overall last year and was
11-1 in the Red Division
of the SouthWest Suburban
Conference. That
made them co-conference
champs with Andrew for
a second straight season.
Another league title
would be nice, but there’s
more on the minds of the
Knights.
“It feels good to return
this many guys,” Central
coach Mitch Nowicki
said. “We have eight of
our starters back from the
regional title game. Center
field will be the only new
position for us. We still
have some guys competing
for that.”
Plus, four of last season’s
starters are now juniors.
“We started four sophomores
last year and they
all return with solid senior
leadership,” Nowicki said.
“We will still be young but
with plenty of varsity experience.
Our success will
lean on the quality innings
we get from our senior
pitchers, but we expect to
be fast.
“Defensively we should
be very good and, while
we lack a major power
threat, we will have producers
one through nine in
the lineup.”
Two of those juniors
Junior Matt Maloney is expected to be a key player for Lincoln-Way Central’s baseball
team as a pitcher and infielder. 22ND CENTURY MEDIA FILE PHOTO
will be twins Mike and
Matt Maloney. They will
play a lot of infield, with
Matt at second and third,
and Mike at shortstop.
“I think we have a lot
of guys ready to go,” said
Matt Maloney, who will
also do some pitching.
“We have a lot of seniors
and senior leadership. We
are looking to feed off of
them.”
Other junior starters
back include Turner
Doran at second base and
Ryan Kraft. Kraft, who
has already verbally committed
to Indiana University,
will be a top lefthanded
pitcher and also
play outfield.
A trio of right-handed
returning pitchers will
also be looked to. They
are Harrison Dubois, who
has committed to Indiana
Wesleyan, John McGuire,
who also doubles at designated
hitter and will attend
the University of St.
Francis, and Zach Ward,
who is set to continue his
playing career at the U.S.
Naval Academy.
“I feel good with all our
returning players,” Dubois
said. “We were good
last year. Out bats were
good and we have a lot of
pitching depth. We have
guys ready to jump in if
needed.”
Ward agreed.
“I’m pretty confident,”
Ward said. “We have
depth. Not only pitching
but guys all over the field.
I think we can make a successful
run in the postseason.”
Seniors Andrew Hancock
- a first baseman and
right-handed pitcher who
plans to attend the University
of Central Missouri -
and catcher Liam Higgins,
who has committed to the
University of St. Francis,
are also returning starters.
Higgins is confident
in the pitchers he will be
catching this season. He
has experience working
with them, as well.
“I’m just excited,”
6
Higgins said. “I’ve been
catching these guys a long
time and it’s nice to have
that bond. We had that
bond last year and we have
a ton of guys back, including
seven or eight starters.
That experience helps.”
A couple of key newcomers
to watch for include
juniors Charlie
Graefen in center field,
and Ethan Rossow, who
can double in the infield or
outfield.
When it’s all said and
done, the Knights plan to
be very competitive on
the field. They already are
with each other.
“We have a real competitive
group,” said Nowicki,
who enters his
fourth season as Knight
head coach after spending
three seasons as the
head coach at Lincoln-
Way North. “They want
to come in every day and
push and compete with
each other. They have a lot
of ownership of the program.”
High school sports
suspended amid pandemic
STEVE MILLAR, Sports Editor
Lincoln-Way District
210 and Providence Catholic
High Schools have both
suspended sports contests
and practices while the
schools are closed because
of coronavirus concerns,
following an order from Illinois
Governor J.B. Pritzker.
Illinois schools will
be closed from Tuesday,
March 17 to March 30.
Because Lincoln-Way had
spring break scheduled
for the week of March 30,
their schools will remain
closed until April 6.
An e-mail from District
210 stated that, "Beginning
Monday, March 16, ALL
before and after school activities,
meetings, events,
competitions, practices,
rehearsals, field trips, domestic
travel, building
rentals, and performances
are canceled. This includes
the use of our buildings by
outside organizations.”
Providence Catholic
also announced that all
sports and activities were
canceled, beginning with
scheduled practices and
activities over the weekend
of Friday, March 13,
to Sunday, March 15.
The Illinois High School
Association on Thursday,
March 12, announced the
cancellation of boys basketball
playoffs. Class 1A
and 2A schools were preparing
for the state finals
in Peoria, while 3A and 4A
schools were in the middle
of sectional competition.
“We appreciate the patience
and understanding
that we have received from
everyone involved in this
process over the past 72
hours,” IHSA executive
director Craig Anderson
6
said in a press release. “We
have stressed the fluidity of
this situation and have been
transparent about the possibility
that a suspension or
cancellation could occur.
“While we had support
from the Illinois Department
of Public Health and
the Peoria City/County
Health Department to continue
our events with limited
spectators, it has become
untenable to continue the
events among our member
schools. Multiple schools
who are participating or
hosting these sports and activities
have been forced to
withdraw from those roles,
clarifying the need for the
IHSA to take definitive action.
The Board considered
suspending the events, but
after deliberate discussion,
did not believe that was a
realistic option within the
timeline. We feel for everyone
who has been impacted
but must put the health and
safety of all involved ahead
of these events.”
In the same announcement,
the IHSA said it was
not yet making any decisions
on spring sports tournaments
at this time.
“It is too early to make
any decisions regarding
IHSA spring state final tournaments,”
Anderson said.
“We respect the NCAA’s
decision to cancel its spring
championships, but also
recognize that the exposure
and travel by our high
school teams is not as expansive
as collegiate teams.
"At this juncture, we
recommend that all IHSA
spring sport teams consult
their local health departments
and follow their recommendations
on if and how
to proceed with practices and
regular-season contests.”

mokenamessengerdaily.com sports
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 45
Griffins show off offense in season-opening rout of McAuley
8
Star transfer
Schultz’s status up
in the air
STEVE MILLAR, Sports Editor
With the majority of its
team back from a 19-10
season in 2019, Lincoln-
Way East was confident
in the group it sent into
the pool for the season
opener against Mother
McAuley on March 9.
Still, it was hard for any
of the Griffins to imagine
things would go quite as
well as they did against
the Mighty Macs, who
finished third in the state
last season.
East, ranked No. 5 in
the state by Illpolo, rolled
past No. 7 McAuley 18-4
in Frankfort.
“We don’t want to be
too cocky, but for us losing
to McAuley three
years in a row and finally
being able to conquer
that and beating them is a
great feeling,” senior Katie
Meagher said.
Meagher poured in seven
goals to lead the Griffins,
while senior Emma
Hernandez scored six
goals. Junior Cali Burns
scored three goals, while
sophomore Gabby Brozovic
and senior Alicia
Pearson each scored once.
Seniors Morgan Grove
and Grace Wilk split time
in goal, with both playing
well.
“The girls stepped up,”
East coach Kendra Will
said. “We have a really
great, experienced team.
We have a big group of
seniors who have been
working hard for three
years. This is their fourth
year, and they’re ready to
dominate.”
Adding to the excitement
- and a scary though
for East opponents - is
the fact that the Griffins
dominated without one
of their top players, as
senior Tina Winter sat out
with an illness.
“Tina is a big aspect for
our team, but we showed
that we are all shooters,
we can all play defense,”
Meagher said. “We’re a
well-rounded team and
I’m just so happy to be a
part of this team.”
The Griffins could also
receive an astronomical
boost at some point this
season.
Maddie Schultz, who
scored 324 goals over
two seasons as a freshman
and sophomore at
Mother McAuley, and
earned second-team All-
State honors last season,
has transferred to East.
Her eligibility was still in
question as the season began,
so she did not play in
either of the Griffins’ first
two games.
East certainly did not
need her against her former
school.
After the Mighty Macs
took a quick 1-0 lead, the
Griffins scored the next
nine goals.
Leading 2-1 after a
quarter, East broke things
open by scoring seven
times in the second quarter.
Hernandez caught fire
with three goals in the period,
while Burns scored
two.
“It was definitely really
exciting,” Hernandez
said. “Communication
was a big thing. We
played really well as a
team and we all hype each
other up.”
Hernandez expects
team chemistry to be a
huge factor in the Griffins’
success.
“We’ve all been really
good friends for a long
time, so we know each
other’s strengths and
weaknesses and where we
need to work to get better,”
she said.
The Griffins continued
to pour it on, adding nine
goals in the second half.
“We were so hungry,”
Meagher said. “Emma
told us so many times to
keep thinking the score
is 0-0 and keep pretending
it’s a new game every
time.”
East followed up on the
impressive performance
with another offensive
outburst March 10, routing
Neuqua Valley 19-8
in Naperville.
Hernandez scored six
goals and had two steals,
Burns had five goals and
four steals. Winter returned
and score twice,
while Brozovic and Meagher
added two goals
each. Ashley White and
Campbell Greenawalt
each scored one goal.
The strong start certainly
gave the Griffins
a momentum boost, but
Hernandez wants to make
sure they do not get too
far ahead of themselves.
“I think this is definitely
a big confidence boost,
but we know there are
other teams out there, so
we don’t want to get too
confident,” she said.
Last season, the Griffins
fell one win short of
state, falling to rival Lincoln-Way
Central 11-8 in
a sectional championship
game.
East has been to state
four times, most recently
in 2018, but has never
won a game there and has
never won a state trophy.
The Griffins’ boys team
Lincoln-Way East’s Alicia Pearson looks to fire a shot against Mother McAuley during
the Griffins’ 18-4 win March 9. Photos By Steve Millar/22nd Century Media
Lincoln-Way East’s Katie Meagher gets ready to shoot in a March 9 game against
Mother McAuley. Meagher scored a game-high seven goals in the Griffins’ 18-4 win.
made history last season
when they brought home
their first state trophy
with a fourth-place finish.
The girls hops it is their
turn this year.
“I’m really hoping we
go to state and hopefully
we can do some damage
at state this year,” Hernandez
said. “That’d be
fun.”

46 | March 19, 2020 | the mokena messenger sports
mokenamessengerdaily.com
State hockey tourney canceled with LW in Final Four
6
STEVE MILLAR, Sports Editor
The Lincoln-Way district
hockey team was one win
away from playing at the
United Center in its first
state championship game,
but the team will not have
the chance to earn that opportunity.
The Amateur Hockey
Association of Illinois canceled
its high school state
tournaments because of
coronavirus concerns.
“It was heartbreaking,”
senior captain Jason Lange
said. “All these guys have
been playing with so much
heart lately. We’ve been
on a great winning streak.
We’ve been beating teams,
not with our talent, but with
our heart and how much effort
we put into the games.
“We’ve worked so hard
for this. We weren’t expected
to go this far, and
we were so excited to play
[Sunday, March 15]. It was
devastating finding out the
news.”
AHAI announced its
decision to cancel Friday,
March 13.
"Due to the worldwide
coronavirus pandemic and
the recommendation from
the Governor of Illinois,
public health officials and
following the actions of the
IHSA cancelling all of their
winter State Series post
season tournaments, the
Amateur Hockey Association
Illinois, Inc. (AHAI)
has cancelled the remaining
games of the Illinois
High School State Championships,”
AHAI said in a
press release.
“The safety and wellbeing
of our athletes, their
families, friends and fans
will always take precedent
over everything else. Our
Board of Directors has
decided we will not put at
risk any members of our
hockey family,” stated
Mike Barrett, president of
AHAI. “We are very disappointed
we will not be able
to crown a champion at the
various high school levels
this year and share the
feelings of the players and
coaches, but safety must always
come first.”
Lincoln-Way was set to
play Waubonsie Valley/
Metea Valley at 11 a.m.
Sunday, March 15, at the
Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville,
prior to the cancelation.
Lange said several team
members have signed a petition
calling for AHAI to
postpone the tournament,
rather than cancel it.
The petition, which had
over 2,500 signatures as
of the morning of Monday,
March 16, can be found
by going to change.org
and searching Illinois high
school hockey.
“They could have us play
in May or June if it comes
to that,” Lange said. “I’d
play in July if I had to.”
In the meantime, the
team is trying to come to
grips with the cancellation.
"It's a bummer," Lincoln-
Way coach Dave Dingle
said. "I asked around the
room if any of the kids had
been to a Final Four ever,
even going back to youth
leagues, and none of them
ever had. So, to get this
far and have it end without
being able to play is disappointing.
"But our kids understand
that when pro leagues are
shutting down and towns
are closing down, there was
no way they were going to
play a youth hockey tournament."
The news was especially
tough for the seniors like
Lange, who said he may
try to play for a club team
in college, but has no firm
plans for a hockey future.
“As of right now, that
was my last hockey game,”
he said. “It’s all about finding
closure for me. When
you go into a game, you
know there’s a chance it
might be your last game,
but when we win it, you’re
so excited for that next one.
I just wish I could have one
more opportunity to get
that closure.”
Even if the season is indeed
over, Lange hopes his
team made a lasting impact
on the program.
“I think it put our team
more on the map,” he said.
“I think other kids that
could be playing on our
team, but are playing on
clubs, they can look at this
and say, ‘I could have been
on that team and helped
them win a championship.’”
Lincoln-Way, seeded
10th, took down No. 2 seed
PREP (Prospect-Rolling
Meadows-Elk Grove) 2-1
on March 10 in the quarterfinals.
Seniors David Caddigan
and Lange scored for
Lincoln-Way, while senior
Jack Schedin made 30
saves.
Caddigan opened the
scoring in the first period.
“That made the game
happen,” Caddigan said.
“Everyone got going. I
knew we had been playing
well the last few games and
if we just kept playing the
way we’ve been playing,
we’d do well.”
Lange scored with just
10 seconds left in the second
period to put Lincoln-
Way ahead 2-1, and that
score held up as Schedin
and the Lincoln-Way defense
held on in the third
period.
The Lincoln-Way hockey team celebrates after its 2-1 win over PREP in an AHAI
varsity combined state quarterfinal game March 10 at the Edge Ice Arena in
Bensenville. Photos by Steve Millar/22nd Century Media
Lincoln-Way’s Trent Moran carries the puck toward the net during the team’s 2-1
state quarterfinal win over PREP.
“It’s awesome,” Lange
said after the quarterfinal
win. “We’ve never been
this far since I’ve been
here. I just want to keep it
going and go to the United
Center.”
Even if the team does not
get that chance, they have
the playoff run to look back
on fondly.
"We earned it," Dingle
said. "We definitely overachieved.
We don't have
any All-State players, but
we got on a roll, we had
great goaltending, and we
showed that we can play
with anybody. The kids
have a lot to be proud of."

mokenamessengerdaily.com sports
the mokena messenger | March 19, 2020 | 47
fastbreak
After seasons end with heartbreak, let’s hope sports come back soon
4
Stephen Mally/
hawkeyesports.com
1st-and-3
THREE local athletes
affected by NCAA
cancellations
1. Grant Leonard
(above)
The Mokena native
and LW East grad
went from a walk-on
to a record-setting
closer on Iowa’s
baseball team, but
his senior season
was cut short
when the Big Ten
canceled all spring
sports.
2. Cole Kirschsieper
The LW East grad’s
freshman baseball
season at Illini
ended after a fast
start.
3. Payton Richards
A Mokena native,
Richards was having
a huge freshman
season for Florida
gymnastics before
the postseason was
canceled.
STEVE MILLAR
Sports Editor
On Tuesday night,
March 10, I covered
the Lincoln-
Way district hockey
team’s 2-1 upset win over
Prospect-Rolling Meadows-Elk
Grove in the
AHAI varsity combined
state semifinals.
There was so much for
the team to be proud of,
and so much excitement
for the next game.
Then, so much changed
over the next few days.
By the next night, the
NBA had suspended its
season. Then, the IHSA
canceled the state basketball
tournament.
On Friday, March 13,
the inevitable happened.
AHAI canceled the
hockey state tournament,
and Lincoln-Way was left
to wonder if it could have
pulled off another upset
and earned a chance to
play at the United Center
in its first state championship
game.
It was heartbreaking
talking to Lincoln-Way
hockey captain Jason
Lange about the cancellation,
just a few days after
Lincoln-Way West’s girls basketball team poses with its state runner-up trophy. Will
spring sports teams get their chance to make it to state? 22ND CENTURY MEDIA FILE PHOTO
all the excitement.
That is just a local example
of the devastating
endings to seasons happening
all over the state,
and the country.
That is not to say any
of these decisions were
wrong. Not playing games
now is certainly the safe
and correct choice.
Could AHAI or the
IHSA have postponed
these games instead of
canceling them, as some
internet petitions are calling
for?
Maybe. Perhaps that
could still happen. But
those organizations know
a lot more than I do about
the logistics that would be
involved if they decided
to take a wait-and-see
approach and attempt to
play these games if we
are lucky enough to get
past this crisis in a timely
enough matter.
Even if the right decisions
were made, though,
and even though there are
certainly bigger issues
at hand, we can still feel
empathy for the athletes
who had their seasons end
prematurely.
I certainly do.
I am grateful that the
girls basketball season
was able to play out before
this hit. Lincoln-Way
West’s run to the state
championship game was
one of the best stories I’ve
covered in my journalism
career.
After the Warriors’
season came to an end, I
started wondering which
area team would be next
to make it to state.
There are certainly
many candidates across
the Lincoln-Ways and
Providence spring sports
teams. The area is loaded
in talent in baseball,
softball, water polo, boys
volleyball, track, lacrosse,
badminton and tennis.
Of course, that is all on
hold for now.
The week or two
leading up to a season is
preview time.
In the last two weeks, I
went out to baseball and
softball practices, sent
out soccer surveys, and
prepared for the wave on
spring sports.
Everywhere I went,
there was optimism.
That’s typically the case
with any team in the
preseason, but it certainly
seemed especially justified
when studying the rosters
of area teams.
The first spring sports
event I covered was an
exciting one. Lincoln-Way
East’s girls water polo
team rolled to an awfully
impressive 18-4 win over
perennial power Mother
McAuley in its season
opener.
Here’s hoping that will
not be the last game I see
this spring.
Here’s hoping all teams
get a chance to make their
runs at state, even in a
shortened season.
As heartbreaking as it
was to see winter sports
athletes have their seasons
canceled in the heart of the
playoffs, it would be even
worse to see spring athletes
– especially seniors –
never get a chance to play.
In the meantime, we
will continue to look
ahead to their seasons.
You will see some of
those preview stories on
the pages of this week’s
paper. There will be more
coming. We will give
you all you need to know
about the spring sports
teams to be ready when
and if they get their shot
to play.
As usual, we plan on
bringing you interesting
features and a wide range
of sports stories. The
games may be on hold,
but you can still get your
sports fix on these pages.
If you have any story
ideas, please feel free to
reach out. Email me at
s.millar@22ndcm.com.
It is a tough time in our
world, and a strange time
for sports fans. A March
without March Madness
does not seem right.
No NBA? No NHL? No
sports of any kind? I can
only watch Netflix for so
long.
A spring without high
school sports would be
unfathomable.
I can’t wait to see our
teams back in action.
Listen Up
“We’ve worked so hard for this. We weren’t expected to go this far, and we
were so excited to play. It was devastating finding out the news.”
Jason Lange – Lincoln-Way hockey captain, on AHAI canceling the state
tournament after his team had reached the Final Four
what2watch
Coronavirus Concerns
Lincoln-Way and Providence sports are suspended
indefinitely.
Index
42 – Athlete of the Week
41 – Team 22 Girls Basketball
FASTBREAK is compiled by Sports Editor
Steve Millar, s.millar@22ndcm.com.

mokena’s Hometown Newspaper | March 19, 2020
SPORTS ON HOLD
High school sports suspended
as schools close, Page 44
QUEENS OF THE COURT
The area’s best girls basketball players
make up our Team 22, Page 41
AHAI state hockey tournament canceled after Lincoln-Way reaches Final Four, Page 46
Lincoln-Way’s Jason Lange works around a pair of PREP defenders during Lincoln-Way’s 2-1 win in a state quarterfinal March 10 at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville.
Lincoln-Way advanced to the state semifinals before the tournament was canceled because of coronavirus concerns. STEVE MILLAR/22ND CENTURY MEDIA