MK_032620
®
mokena’s Award-Winning Hometown Newspaper MokenaMessengerDaily.com • March 26, 2020 • Vol. 12 No. 33 • $1
A
Publication
,LLC
Lending a
hand
Mokena group
to help residents
in need during
COVID-19 outbreak,
Page 3
The coronavirus pandemic impacts local
government, organizations , Page 6
A different
drive-thru
Mokena medical
group offers driveup
coronavirus
testing, Page 4
Virtual
care
The Cancer Support
Center keeps online
services going,
Page 5
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2 | March 26, 2020 | the mokena messenger calendar
mokenamessengerdaily.com
In this week’s
Messenger
Editorial........................11
Faith Briefs....................14
The Dish........................16
Puzzles..........................17
Going Rate....................20
Classifieds................ 21-28
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
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classifieds/Legal Notices
Jeff Schouten, x51
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Joe Coughlin 847.272.4565, x16
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Managing Editor
Bill Jones, x20
bill@opprairie.com
president
Andrew Nicks
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EDITORIAL DESIGN DIRECTOR
Nancy Burgan, x30
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22 nd Century Media
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Published by
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A Message From 22nd Century Media Leadership
An unshakable commitment to community
There is no denying
we are enduring a
historic moment in
time. The spread of the
coronavirus is affecting
our world and our community
as we know them.
We are all in this
together. We cannot just
say those words; we must
live by them and act in
their respect. And here at
22nd Century Media, we
are working tirelessly with
that goal in mind.
We publish 15 newspapers
(including the
one you are reading) and
news sites, as well as
operate a number of community
events and offer
local marketing solutions.
When the news reached a
critical point two weeks
ago, we let our employees
know that while we
serve an essential function
in these trying times
we needed to act in their
Warm Regards,
Joe Coughlin, Publisher
Cancellations/
postponements
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 -
Cancelled
best interests as well. We
offered for them to work
remotely whenever they
could and told them that
if they felt ill in any way,
please not to come into
the office.
Upon receiving the
email, not one person
exited the newsroom.
News was coming
in, and our journalists
wanted to report it to you.
Local businesses were in
need, and our sales reps
wanted to offer solutions.
Our events director was
rescheduling.
Since that day, whether
working in or away from
the office, our staff has
been dedicated to equip
you with news, information
and resources to help
you and your loved ones
navigate these uncertain
times.
That is our everyday
goal for your community:
6:30-8 p.m. March 28,
Hickory Creek Preserve
– LaPorte Road Access,
10537 W. LaPorte Road in
Mokena.
Mission Meals Dinner -
Cancelled
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.
Pride Fest
Noon-5 p.m. June 13,
Yunker Farm, 10824 W.
LaPorte Road.
To provide accessible and
reliable information and
resources. You deserve access
to such information.
It is a responsibility
that we do not take
lightly. There are many
out there that may abuse
that responsibility and
through either negligence
or immorality present
inaccurate and unreliable
information.
Accuracy matters.
Credibility matters. Your
reality is affected by the
news you receive. That is
always at the forefront of
our decision-making, and
we are honored to be the
trusted provider of your
local news.
In that vein, we have
created a dedicated web
page where you can find
all our news related to the
coronavirus, as well as
local resources — such as
how to help, where to get
Mokena Seniors Club -
Suspended
11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on
the third and fourth Thursday
of the month at the
Frankfort Township Community
Room, 11100 Lincoln
Highway in Frankfort.
help, activities for children,
health information
and more — for you and
your family. We have the
latest news that directly
affects your immediate
health and wellness, as
well as the uplifting stories
that deliver hope.
To support local business,
we have also created
a special Carryout and
Delivery Directory, which
is also free at Directory.
22ndcenturymedia.com
This dependable coverage
is vital during these
times. We thank our loyal
subscribers who help fund
this work, and for those
who have not subscribed,
we hope you see value
in this information and
consider supporting local
journalists at
MokenaMessenger.com/Plus.
Within the news feed,
you will notice multiple
stories of local businesses,
residents and service
groups doing what they
can to help their community
during this time. It is
of the utmost importance
that we support each other
during this time. We have
all heard how this virus
will affect our health and
wellness, but it will no
doubt also have an effect
on our livelihoods.
To the extent of our
means, we must support
each other. Order carryout
from a local restaurant.
Take an online class.
Choose a local grocer. We
will emerge from this, and
when we do, what kind
of community will it be?
That’s up to us.
It is in times of crisis
that true character is
revealed, and we don’t
know about you, but we
think that our bond is
stronger than any crisis,
stronger than any virus.
Heather Warthen, Chief Events Officer Andrew Nicks, President Collins Mony, Chief Technology Officer
Editor’s Note
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.
All events listed here were set to occur as of press
time Monday, March 23. As cancellations may
occur, please check directly with the organization
hosting the event for the most up-to-date
information.
mokenamessengerdaily.com news
the mokena messenger | March 26, 2020 | 3
‘It takes a village’
3
Mokenians band
together to offer
assistance to
residents
Jon DePaolis
Freelance Reporter
Amidst a backdrop of
uncertainty and anxiety, a
group of Mokena residents
have banded together with
the intention of helping
those in the community
who are in need.
Terry Germany, a Mokena
resident, and other
like-minded community
members have formed
Mokena Strong, a 501c3
nonprofit designed to help
their neighbors during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Germany said the idea
formed around March 12,
after he read a post on
Facebook from a woman
who wanted to help the elderly
by going to the grocery
store for them. The
woman wrote that she also
would take out garbage or
do other helpful services
for any older resident who
needed help.
“I was on the road, thinking
about it and thinking
about it,” Germany said.
Later, Germany called
up a friend, Village of Mokena
Trustee Joseph Siwinski,
and asked for his
input on putting together
some sort of community
volunteer group. As they
talked over options, they
decided to loop in another
Mokena resident, Tim Ozinga.
The three of them met
on March 14 to hammer
out some of the details. By
the end of the day they had
reached out to the Village,
the fire department and the
police to let them know
what they were thinking of
doing.
“With their blessing,
which was very nice to
hear by the end of that
Saturday night, the next
step was to get [the group
together] to discuss what
we could do legally,” Germany
said. “Can we pick
up pharmaceuticals? How
do we do that without getting
ourselves into a situation
where you try and
help and do something you
shouldn’t have done?”
What they determined
they could do was take
nonemergency calls from
community members in
need and determine from
there if it was something
the volunteers could handle.
If not, they would
direct the resident to the
fire department, police or
emergency personnel.
“It’s been happening
naturally, which is heartwarming,”
Germany said.
“It’s bringing us together,
which is what we need in
this country. We need to
be brought together, instead
of being divided. It
naturally has brought us
together communitywide.”
Germany said the group
has created a database to
log all the calls and requests.
As the requests
come in, the volunteers
filter them into 19 designated
areas in which
they have divided up the
Village. Each area has a
dedicated number of volunteers.
From there, the
request gets sent to one of
the area’s volunteers to be
handled.
He gave the example of
someone requesting assistance
picking up groceries.
He said the group
would ask where the groceries
were purchased,
where they needed to be
delivered to and any other
specifics about where to
place the groceries upon
delivery.
“There will be no [physical]
contact between the
person who needs help
and the volunteers,” Germany
said. “They will
come place [things] on the
porch, call the homeowner
… and deliver with a mask
and gloves on. Safety will
always be a priority.”
He said all volunteers
will need to be 18 years
or older, and background
checks will be performed
on every volunteer before
they can assist or help.
Germany said before
the group even officially
launched, seven requests
had come in. Currently, he
said Melissa Fedora, the
executive director of the
Mokena Chamber of Commerce,
was volunteering
her time to help answer
some of the requests.
He also said that Mokena
Strong’s services
would not just be for senior
citizens. He said the
group can assist those who
have sustained injuries and
cannot leave their home,
as well as others who are
immunocompromised because
of health conditions.
The group will not deal
with medical assistance or
emergencies in any form,
however, as those calls and
requests should be made
of emergency personnel,
the fire department and the
police.
For more information,
call (708) 400-3434, or
visit mokenastrong.org.
There is also a Facebook
page for the group at @
mokenastrong.
800-421-3220
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4 | March 26, 2020 | the mokena messenger news
mokenamessengerdaily.com
Mokena medical group offers drive-up coronavirus testing
T.J. Kremer III, Editor
Family First Medical Group,
with offices in Mokena and Evergreen
Park, has begun offering
people drive-up testing for the
coronavirus.
Testing begins with a phone
consultation, followed by a video
screening, according to Ryan Dawson,
marketing director for Family
First Medical group.
Should a physical test be recommended,
patients are scheduled for
a drive-up appointment where they
are first given a flu swab, the results
of which take about 8-10 minutes,
Dawson said.
If that flu swab comes back negative,
then patients are administered
a COVID-19 swab, which takes
about 48 hours for results to come
back, Dawson said. COVID-19 is
the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Patients enrolled in Family First
Medical Group’s in-network health
insurance plans typically have
Family First Medical Group founder
Dr. David Beckmann performs a
drive-up test for the coronavirus.
Photo submitted
their costs covered through their
insurance policies; however, those
outside of the network can also be
tested. The cost for the flu swab is
about $90, but Dawson said Family
First Medical Group is working
on securing testing kits that would
give results faster than 48 hours
and would cost $60 to those outside
the group’s health insurance
network.
Family First Medical Group secured
the testing kits from a thirdparty
independent lab, Dawson said.
Family First Medical Group also
works with Women’s Healthcare of
Illinois.
The group’s founder, Dr. David
Beckmann, understood the need for
quick testing while maintaining the
safety of patients who have to come
into the group’s offices, according to
Dawson, and so began the drive-up
testing on Monday, March 16.
Those interested in setting up a
phone consultation should begin by
calling Family First Medical Group
at (708) 572-7575, or Women’s
Healthcare of Illinois at (708) 425-
1907. More information can be
found on their websites at yourffmg.
com and whcillinois.com.
Election 2020
Incumbent Bobby Rush wins
D1 Democratic primary
Jacquelyn Schlabach
Contributing Editor
Incumbent Bobby Rush
won a four-way U.S. Congressional
District 1 Democratic
primary March 17,
setting up a three-way bout
in November against Republican
nominee Philanise
White and independent
Ruth Pellegrini.
In the primary, Rush
earned 88,499 votes (71.76
percent of total ballots
cast), with all precincts
reporting, according to
unofficial results from the
Board of Election Commissioners
for the City of
Chicago, as well as the
clerks’ office from suburban
Cook and Will counties.
Challenger Sarah Gad
earned a total of 12,805
(10.38) votes, while Robert
Emmons Jr. had a total
of 12,254 (9.93) as of Saturday,
March 21.
In Chicago, Rush dominated
with 67,545 votes
(70.55). There, Emmons
took second with 7,067
votes (8.32).
In suburban Cook County,
Rush tacked on another
16,861 votes (58.62).
Gad followed with 5,349
(18.60).
Rush also won Will
County with 4,093 votes
(42.45). Gad was closest
there, with 2,859 (29.65).
Emmons follows with
1,592 (16.51), then Matthews
with 1,098 (11.39).
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the mokena messenger | March 26, 2020 | 5
Virtual programs remain active at Mokena cancer center
2
Mary Compton
Freelance Reporter
Going through cancer is
tough, and going through
cancer amidst a pandemic
can create more anxiety
than usual. The Cancer
Support Center of Mokena
wants to make sure that its
patients are not alone.
“Because of the recommendations
from the [Centers
for Disease Control
and Prevention], we had to
close our doors with oneon-one
direct contact with
our participants,” said Sue
Armato, executive director
of The Cancer Support
Center.
“We have engaged activities
so we can still support
our participants using virtual
options,” Armato said.
“One of the things we’re
doing is anyone who has a
therapy appointment, nutrition
counsel or needs to
talk to somebody, they can
talk to our therapist over
the phone. We also have
a wide range of programs
on our website that people
can watch at home.”
Armato said that new
videos will continue to be
posted every week.
Because of concern
about the coronavirus, two
major fundraisers for the
Cancer Support Center
have been rescheduled.
The Casablanca Casino
Night gala that was scheduled
for May 1 will now
be held on Oct. 30 at the
Olympia Fields Country
Club, and the Spring Walk
of Hope scheduled for
May 17 has been rescheduled
for June 21.
Also because of the
coronavirus, a special program
has been implemented
for mental wellness.
“We want to reduce anxiety
by conference calls,”
Armato said. “Participants
can call in and hear the
presentations remotely.
We’re also going to be
doing wellness checks for
people who are active participants
who have been
coming to the center for
the past 12 months, we
are checking in with them.
We’re still having opportunities
for people who still
want to plug in.”
Armato encouraged
people to visit The Cancer
Support Center’s Facebook
page to get updates
and access all the new information.
Armato encourages
those who have been recently
diagnosed with cancer
to call the center.
With rewards for safe behavior that
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quite right. And with the support you
need, every step of the way. For your
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Contact me today.
Donations can be made
on The Cancer Support
Center’s website at cancer
supportcenter.org, or
checks can be mailed to
The Cancer Support Center,
19645 S. LaGrange
Road, Mokena, Illinois
60448. For more information,
call (708) 478-3529.
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6 | March 26, 2020 | the mokena messenger news
mokenamessengerdaily.com
Coronavirus pandemic begins to shape new normal for community
T.J. Kremer III, Editor
With the rapidly developing
situation that is the
coronavirus pandemic,
The Messenger wants our
readers to have the most
up to date information possible.
The following articles
have been published online
for free at Mokena
MessengerDaily.com, and
DRIVE
CAR BUYERS
there is a dedicated page
on our website with all
the latest area-wide information,
which readers
will find at the top of our
website. The Messenger
encourages our readers to
utilize these resources to
remain informed and safe
during these trying times,
as we will continuously
update these and other articles
as they happen.
TO YOUR DOOR WITH A
CLASSIFIED AUTO AD
708.326.9170
22ndcenturymedia.com
First death related to COVID-19 in Will County reported by State
T.J. Kremer III, Editor
A case of COVID-19
has led to a death in Will
County, the Illinois Department
of Public Health
announced Thursday,
March 19.
As of press time Monday,
March 23, the total
deaths in the state related
to the illness were nine.
Currently, IDPH is reporting
a total of 1,049
cases in Illinois, 21 of
which have been reported
in Will County. Cases
have occurred in ages 9 to
99.
Will County Executive
Larry Walsh on March 16
issued a Proclamation of a
Disaster for Will County
via email in relation to
the COVID-19 outbreak
across the county. This
proclamation will activate
the county’s emergency
response plans to assist
the residents during this
time, according to the
email.
The email advised to
limit gatherings with more
than 50 people and to consistently
wash hands and
use hand sanitizer. People
also are encouraged to
self-quarantine to limit the
spread of the virus.
The Will County Health
Department is recommending
the following
actions be taken for those
who feel they may have
been exposed to the coronavirus:
• Isolate yourself and
self-monitor for the symptoms.
This includes taking
your temperature three
times daily (morning,
afternoon, evening) to
check for a fever, along
with watching for other
symptoms such as cough
and shortness of breath.
• If you do have these
symptoms, you are asked
to phone your medical
provider for an examination,
as your medical
provider is the one who
knows you and your family’s
medical conditions
best. Always call ahead
of time, as your provider
may have certain times or
areas where they prefer
symptomatic patients to
go.
• Call the hotline. The
Will County Health Department
has established
a Coronavirus hotline for
questions, available from
8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday
through Friday at (815)
740-8977.
Residents are encouraged
to continue to monitor
the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention’s
website for more information:
cdc.gov/
coronavirus/2019-nCoV/
index.html.
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LWSRA provides timeline,
answers questions about
participant who tested
positive for COVID-19
Bill Jones, Managing Editor
Lincolnway Special
Recreation Association
provided additional information
March 18 about a
situation involving one of
its participants who tested
positive for COVID-19
after taking part in three
events in early March, in
response to questions the
organization said it has
received since publicly
addressing the situation
March 16.
LWSRA issued a letter
March 18, offering a
timeline, message from
the parent of the Cook
County resident who reportedly
tested positive
for COVID-19 and answers
to some frequently
asked questions about the
situation.
The timeline says the
participant may have
come in contact with
someone at Elim Christian
Services in Crestwood
who tested positive
for the coronavirus,
though the letter from
LWSRA emphasizes this
has not been confirmed.
Coronavirus
update
to Village
services
Submitted by the
Village of Mokena
All Village facilities
remain open for business;
however, a number
of practical, common
sense operational adjustments
have been made
in the interest of protecting
the health, safety,
and well-being of you
and your family, as well
as Village elected officials
and staff.
Village Hall – 11004
Please see lwsra, 8 Please see services, 10
mokenamessengerdaily.com mokena
the mokena messenger | March 26, 2020 | 7
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8 | March 26, 2020 | the mokena messenger News
mokenamessengerdaily.com
NL native making motorcycle trip around the world
Sean Hastings
Contributing Editor
David Smith, a New
Lenox native and 2010
graduate of Lincoln-Way
Central, has known he
wanted to do a big trip and
adventure since he was in
the academy. And when he
was active duty, he would
lay in his bunk and dream
of what that trip would be.
The trip was going to be
on a motorcycle. Some of
the inspiration came from
a book from the ’70s called
“Jupiter’s Travels.”
Just a few years later,
that trip has begun. Smith
embarked on his motorcycle
March 4 from “his
backyard” in Washington
D.C., where he currently
lives.
The plan has been in the
works for three years.
“There’s so many different
facets,” Smith said.
“What type of motorcycle
do I want? And what do
I want to bring? I didn’t
Pictured is the map of David Smith’s route.
want to bring too much
because I have to carry it
on the bike. I wanted to
launch from New Lenox. I
thought it would be poetic.
But when I was getting
discharged and the time of
year, I didn’t want to push
it off.”
The trip is to help raise
awareness for veteran suicide.
He said that every
duty station he was at,
there was some form of
self harm or suicide.
He is teaming up with
Vets4Warriors.com.
“I didn't hear about them
when I was active duty,”
Smith said. “I think there
are a lot of people who
could [benefit] from hearing
about them. There are
a lot of people in my network
who are active duty.”
Smith, himself, got out
of the military Nov. 1. He
served as a Navy Officer
and graduated from the
United States Naval Academy
at Annapolis with a
degree in mechanical engineering
in 2014
Smith is giving himself
12-18 months to finish the
entire trip.
In planning his trip,
Smith said he spent more
time planning in the other
counties since he is not
as familiar. In the United
States, he said he has
it planned out, but also
dropped pins on places he
wanted to see and “connected
the dots.”
The support he has received
is far more than
what he expected.
“I’ve been completely
blown away by the response
people have given
me,” he said. “It’s been
1,000 times more than
what I expected. People I
haven't talked to in years
have reached out. The guy
I stayed with in Charleston,
South Carolina, just posted
an Instagram story saying
it's cool to see someone
pony up and go do their
dream. People have been
sharing stuff, too.”
At first, Smith did not
think the coronavirus was
going to hinder his trip too
much, but the last couple
weeks ended up doing
that. He said he has had to
reroute around cities, but
is still pushing forward
Pictured is New Lenox
native David Smith.
Photos Submitted
with the adventure.
Once he makes his way
across the U.S., he is shipping
the bike to Australia
where he will then ride
across.
He added that he has
learned about the best way
to take the trip across Australia
and has had friends,
and friends of friends,
reach out to him and offer
a place to stay while he is
out there.
Smith’s father, Dave
Smith Sr., plans to join his
son on the Mumbai leg of
the trip.
“This is huge,” Smith Sr.
said. “I’m extremely proud
of the boy. He is an amazing
individual. He has not
failed on anything he’s
wanted to do.”
Smith Sr. has never had
a chance to ride with his
son. He gave it up when
Smith was 1 or 2 years old.
For those interested in
following along with his
trip, follow him on Instagram
@westwardmoto
or at westwardmoto.com.
At press time, he was in
Texas.
“It happened fast. It’s
really crazy to see something
go from when I was
in deployment daydreaming.
I felt like the guy from
Forrest Gump starting the
shrimp company,” he said
with a laugh. “It’s starting
to materialize and now I’m
on the road, it’s been awesome.”
lwsra
From Page 6
That LWSRA participant
then attended a Shamrock
Shuffle event March 6
at the Orland Park Civic
Center, spending 20 minutes
around 6 p.m. at the
LWSRA facility.
HIRING
Then, on March 8 the
participants attended a
Chicago Wolves game, as
part of an LWSRA program,
during which the
group sat in Section 116;
Rows P, Q and R; Seats
1-7. And on March 9, the
individual was part of an
LWSRA program at Thunderbowl
in Mokena.
LWSRA said the bowling
alley also was notified.
According to the participant’s
family, the individual
did not show symptoms
of COVID-19 until March
12, and LWSRA said it
was not aware at that time.
Need help staffing your
business or finding
volunteers during this
time of need?
WE’RE HERE TO HELP!
Reach out to our Recruitment Team today
to get help FAST.
(708) 326-9170 ext. 46 • n.pavlina@22ndcenturymedia.com
The person tested positive
for the coronavirus at
Northwestern Hospital in
Chicago, as previously reported.
On March 13, the association
said it canceled
programs, and cleaned
buses and vehicles, unaware
that an individual
was infected but to address
growing coronavirus concerns.
LWSRA received notice
of the positive coronavirus
test on March 16. It closed
the Lincolnway Special
Recreation Center that
day, according to the letter,
and staff started to notify
people.
LWSRA confirmed in
the letter that the participant
was on buses, which
were sanitized after the
March 6 and March 8
events. Daily sanitizing
started March 13 in an effort
to be “proactive,” according
to LWSRA.
The organization said
no one on its staff has
been experiencing symptoms.
The letter also
notes the participant did
not take part in a March
9 lunch, but was on the
bus the day prior to that
program going out. It also
notes LWSRA moved a
polling place and canceled
a board meeting “in
the best interest of the
community.”
The Q&A adds that
LWSRA will not provide
participant information,
but anyone who thinks
their children have directly
contacted the individual
should self-isolate for
14 days and monitor for
symptoms. The letter also
suggests notifying one’s
primary care physician if
symptoms develop.
LWSRA’s building and
buses are to be cleaned
and sanitized the week of
March 27.
The LWSRA is a nonprofit
organization that
serves those with mental
and physical disabilities
through athletic, social
and educational programming.
LWSRA programming
is suspended
through April 5, and
its offices until March
30, in accordance with
Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
guidelines.
Publisher Joe Coughlin
contributed to the reporting
of this article.
mokenamessengerdaily.com mokena
the mokena messenger | March 26, 2020 | 9
10 | March 26, 2020 | the mokena messenger news
mokenamessengerdaily.com
FROM THE FRANKFORT STATION
Virtual gallery lets
residents appreciate area
artists from home
The Frankfort Arts Association’s
downtown
gallery may be temporarily
closed, but community
members can still enjoy
local artists’ work by visiting
the organization’s
newly-launched digital
gallery.
The association’s latest
exhibition, titled “Treasures,”
challenged artists
to create artwork with a focus
on something valuable
to them. Originally slated
to run March 8 through
April 25 at the physical
gallery, the exhibition has
since moved to an online
format at frankfortarts
association.org/treasuresexhibit.
Frankfort Arts Association
board member Katie
Stempniak said the organization’s
leadership opted
to create the digital gallery
in an effort to help “flatten
the curve” by reducing potential
community spread
of COVID-19.
“We just wanted to be
able to give the community
somewhere to go and
virtually appreciate some
of the art, and give them
the option to purchase it if
they wanted to,” Stempniak
explained. “We want
to be part of the community,
and whether it’s
in-person in the gallery,
a pop-up gallery or a virtual
gallery, we just want
to support local arts and
artists.”
Nearly three dozen artists
from Frankfort and
surrounding communities
contributed work to the
juried exhibition. The submissions
include photography,
sculptures, paintings,
pastels and jewelry,
Stempniak said.
Reporting by Nuria Mathog,
Editor. For more, visit Frank
fortStationDaily.com.
FROM THE TINLEY JUNCTION
Tinley police chief warns
residents at-home
coronavirus testing ‘does
not exist’
Some recent Facebook
postings surrounding coronavirus
concerns have
warned the public that
scammers are going doorto-door,
claiming they are
authorized to administer
at-home tests.
Tinley Park Police Chief
Matthew Walsh said the
police station has not received
any calls related to
it but that it is still important
to let residents know
“this does not exist.”
“Do not let people in
[your] house to be tested
for this virus because it
does not exist,” Walsh
said. “There’s not enough
kits available, and there’s
nobody that’s doing that.”
Assistant Village Manager
Pat Carr said in an
email to The Junction
that he also has not heard
of anything like this in
the area, but the Village
of Tinley Park is not testing
anyone. He added that
testings are to go through
an individual’s health care
provider.
Carr is involved in a new
volunteer initiative with
other residents to provide
assistance to those who are
at-risk individuals and the
elderly.
“What I was told was
any deliveries of food or
anything would be made
by people in uniform in a
Tinley Park marked vehicle,”
Walsh said. “Volunteers
would be making
phone calls to those that
might possibly be in need.”
Volunteers will have
proper credentials and
identification, Walsh added.
Reporting by Jacquelyn
Schlabach, Editor. For more,
visit TinleyJunctionDaily.
com.
FROM THE ORLAND PARK PRAIRIE
Joey’s donates roughly
500 pizzas to people
helping in Chicago area
Two Orland Park businesses
have been helping
those helping others
by making sure they are
well-fed — to the tune of
roughly 500 pizzas.
Joey’s locations in both
Orland Park and Morgan
Park teamed up with
Nick’s Painting & Decorating
Inc., of Orland Park,
to deliver the pizzas March
19 and 20 to first responders,
family shelters, city
workers, medical staff and
more in the Chicago area.
Nick Ipema, owner of
Nick’s Painting, said the
idea started with interior
designer Susan Devito,
who wanted to serve the
community during its response
to the coronavirus
pandemic. She wanted to
“be a light for those that
serve us daily,” Ipema
said.
The original plan was to
provide goods, doughnuts
and other items to people,
but Ipema started making
calls and found everyone
was short on food and had
limited supplies.
“We wanted to do something
big,” he said. “So,
I was conjuring up ways
that we could get a lot
of food, quickly and efficiently,
without taking
over a shop’s entire product
and workload.”
He turned to friends Anthony
Nardo and Nick Iozzo,
of Joey’s. And Joey’s
Pizza soon became the
topic of discussion.
“What an excellent way
to get food out to these
people,” Ipema said. “We
could stagger the deliveries
every three hours, and
I could have my guys use
our vans to deliver.”
Ipema said both Joey’s
and Nick’s are seeing a
slowdown in business, so
this effort became a way to
put their combined talents,
employees and business
tools to use.
Reporting by Bill Jones, Editor.
For more, visit OP
PrairieDaily.com.
FROM THE HOMER HORIZON
Neighborhood comes
together to provide safe,
fun activity for kids
As the world around
them stopped and people
sealed themselves inside of
their homes, one neighborhood
in Homer Glen found
a unique way to get out of
the house while practicing
social distancing.
On March 17, residents
of the Pebble Creek neighborhood
put shamrocks in
their front windows and
challenged local children
to find as many as they
can. Throughout the rest of
the week, it offered a way
Please see nfyn, 11
services
From Page 6
Carpenter St.
• While regular operating
hours continue to be
maintained, we encourage
you to conduct business
with us over the phone at
(708) 479-3900, or online
for the immediate term.
• Water shut-offs for
non-payment of Village
utility bills are being temporarily
halted.
Mokena Police Department
– 10907 Front St.
• Shift strength has been
increased during certain
times each day to offer
greater service to residents
and businesses.
• Public contact for nonemergency
service calls is
being limited. In practical
terms, this means a police
officer may respond to you
over the phone rather than
meeting with you in person.
• Emergency calls for
service (crime or a lifethreatening
medical situation)
will continue to be
answered promptly. Simply
dial 911.
• All on-site public services
(including public
fingerprinting, child safety
seat inspections and drug
take-backs) have been
temporarily suspended.
Precaution guidelines
While the current environment
presents significant
challenges, your
Mokena Village Board and
staff remain committed to
providing the best possible
service to you during this
difficult time.
Social distancing is a
necessary defense in the
battle against this novel
coronavirus; however, we
encourage you not to forget
about our local Mokena
businesses. They need
your support. Did you
know that many Mokena
restaurants have adapted to
Governor Pritzker’s recent
executive order (closing
bars and restaurant dining
areas) by providing carryout,
drive-thru, pick up/
take-out and/or delivery
services.
To be fair, these are
highly challenging times,
but together we will get
through this.
As we have previously,
we urge you to utilize the
following resources to inform
and protect yourself
against the possibility of
this disease:
• Illinois Coronavirus
Hotline: (80) 889-3931
• Centers for Disease
Control: cdc.gov/
coronavirus/2019-ncov/in
dex.html
• Illinois Department
of Public Health: dph.il
linois.gov/topics-services/
diseases-and-conditions/
diseases-a-z-list/coronavi
rus
• Will County Health
Department:will
countyillinois.com/Coun
ty-Offices/Public-Healthand-Safety
You should also continue
to practice the common
sense actions listed below:
• Wash your hands often
with soap and water for at
least 20 seconds. If soap
and water are not available,
use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer with at least
60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your
eyes, nose, and mouth with
unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact
with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you
are sick.
• Cover your cough or
sneeze with a tissue, then
throw the tissue in the
trash.
• Clean and disinfect
frequently touched objects
and surfaces.
Finally, be assured that
Mayor Frank Fleischer,
Clerk Melissa Martini, and
your Board of Trustees,
along with Village staff,
are working closely with
our partners at the federal,
state, and county levels regarding
developments and
additional resources that
may become available to
combat this public health
issue.
Stay healthy, stay safe,
and remain vigilant. We’re
all in this together.
mokenamessengerdaily.com news
the mokena messenger | March 26, 2020 | 11
Social snapshot
Top Web Stories
From MokenaMessengerDaily.com as of
Monday, March 23.
1. Breaking News — LWSRA participant
tests positive for coronavirus
2. Breaking News — 10 coronavirus
cases now reported in Will County
3. Patient tests positive for the
coronavirus at Silver Cross Hospital
4. UPDATED: LWSRA provides
timeline, answers questions about
participant who tested positive for
COVID-19
5. Mokena medical group offers driveup
coronavirus testing
Become a member: mokenamessenger.com/plus
From the Editor
On the value of living virtually
TJ Kremer iii
tj@mokenamessenger.com
Technology is often
viewed as both a
curse and a blessing,
and we are seeing
clear examples of that as
the coronavirus pandemic
continues to affect our
community.
There is no doubt that
modern technology has
contributed to the spread
of the pandemic, with
travel taking such a large
role. Because people were
so easily able to hop from
one place to the next via
airplane or some other
mode of transportation
during the early stages
of the pandemic, untold
numbers who may have
otherwise remained unaffected
potentially became
infected.
But, through the wonders
of the virtual world,
not all ties to the outside
world have been cut.
We are seeing community
members reach
out to others who need
assistance via the internet.
In particular, a group of
Mokenians has started a
nonprofit group, Mokena
Strong. (That story is on
Page 3.)
Even area churches are
turning to modern technology
in order to provide
spiritual comfort to their
followers. (That story is
on Page 15.)
In the coming days,
weeks and —likely —
months, we will become
even more dependent on
technology to keep us
connected.
But we cannot forget
that there are some people
who either do not have access
to the internet, or are
not proficient enough to
utilize this technology.
We must continue to
provide as best we can the
latest news and updates to
those who are unfamiliar
with or unwilling to use
this technology, as well as
to continue to check in on
them to offer any assistance
that we can.
Technology can help us
get through these trying
times. But, for all of us
to get through it together,
we must do our best to
keep those who lack the
technology in the loop as
best we can.
“#9pmroutine”
Steve Frank posted this to Mokena Neighborhood
Watch’s Facebook page Saturday,
March 21.
Like The Mokena Messenger: facebook.com/
mokenamessenger.com
“Go to MOKENALIBRARY.ORG , click on
Reference, and then scroll down and click
on Tutor.com Live Homework Help to get
started for FREE!”
@MokenaLibrary posted this on its
Twitter account March 18.
Follow The Mokena Messenger: @mokenamessenger
nfyn
From Page 10
for youths to get out of the
house and burn some energy.
It also gave parents a
way to get a few minutes
of relief and relaxation.
Kaitlyn Yoder, a resident
of Pebble Creek, found out
about the hunt on Facebook.
“It falls under the social
distancing guidelines,
because we can all do it
from our houses and decorate,”
Yoder said. “But we
can still get out and walk
around the neighborhood
and ride bikes with your
family and make a game
of it.”
With the world slowing
down, people are coming
to terms with the fact that
some things they have enjoyed
in the past might not
be there for them as the
coronavirus continues to
spread across the country.
“This way, we still get to
kind of celebrate St. Patrick’s
Day and get out of
the house while doing it,”
said Yoder, who was wearing
a green White Sox shirt
and green socks as she
worked from home.
After the work day was
over, Yoder and her husband
took their two daughters
out hunting for shamrocks.
Reporting by Benjamin
Conboy, Assistant Editor. For
more, visit HomerHorizon
Daily.com.
CONTACT
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
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HELP YOUR
BUSINESS BLOOM
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LORA HEALY
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12 | March 26, 2020 | the mokena messenger mokena
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• Full Daily activity program which includes
entertainment & trips
• Wellness Center offering podiatry, therapy,
x-ray, lab, hearing & dental services without
having to leave the building
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• Utilities
• Library, chapel, café, beauty/barber shop
• Walking distance to Tinley Park shops & restaurantsts
• Veteran’s Financial Assistance available
WHAT DOES “CATERED
SENIOR LIVING” MEAN?
It means we understand that
each person has unique needs
and wants. At Tinley Court
those needs and wants will
be met with dignity,
respect and support.
Tinley Court strives to nurture individuality with a
sense of purpose in hopes of enriching one’s life. We offer
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22nd Century Media has an opportunity available for a
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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
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If interested, Email us at
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the mokena messenger | March 26, 2020 | mokenamessengerdaily.com
History lesson
Contributing Columnist Matt Galik reexamines
flu pandemic of 1918, Page 15
Curbing the spread Chesdan’s
provides curbside service, talks cleanliness amid
growing coronavirus concerns, Page 16
Mokena church goes digital to reach parishioners, Page 15
The Rev. Dindo Billote prepares to celebrate Mass to a mostly empty St. Mary Church in Mokena Sunday, March 22. The Mass was livestreamed on social
media because of concerns about the coronavirus and large gatherings of groups. T.J. Kremer III/22nd Century Media
14 | March 26, 2020 | the mokena messenger faith
mokenamessengerdaily.com
Faith Briefs
St. Mary’s Catholic Church (19515
115th Ave., Mokena)
All events canceled until
further notice. For more
information, call (708)
326-9300.
St. John’s United Church of Christ
(11100 Second St., Mokena)
All Church Services and
activities are currently suspended.
For more information,
call (708) 479-5123.
Mokena United Methodist Church
(10901 LaPorte Road, Mokena)
Sunday worship is suspended.
For more information,
call (708) 479-1110.
Marley Community Church (12625 W.
187th St., Mokena)
All programs and services
have been suspended
until further notice. For
more information, call
(815) 485-8587.
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church
(10731 W. La Porte Road, Mokena)
All church services and
activities have been suspended
until at least April
5. For more information,
call (708) 479-5600.
Parker Road Bible Church (18512
Parker Road, Mokena)
Worship Service will
be streamed online. Sunday
School and our other
weekly groups are canceled
until further notice.
For more information, call
(815) 463-1125.
Grace Fellowship Church (11049
LaPorte Road, Mokena)
All events and worship
services have been canceled
until further notice.
For more information, call
(708) 479-0300.
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.
Robin’s Nest
Seeing how love can make a difference
Robin Melvin
Contributing Columnist
Our world is highly
anxious and so
easily panicked.
But, take heart. Spring
is about to bloom. In
fact it already has. T.J.
Kremer’s article here in
The Messenger a couple
weeks ago, “Out of tragedy
springs opportunity,”
proves there is always
something good and
wonderful happening.
Jesus tells us that a
true neighbor is someone
who stops to help
another. Especially in the
midst of pain and unsure
times.
That’s what happened
in February as hundreds
of neighbors gathered to
support the Manka family
whose son, Jacob, died
last spring. His dad said,
“There’s a lot of love in
this building … And yes,
it does help. We don’t
know what tomorrow
will bring but we know
that we have people who
care and are praying for
our family. So, yeah, it’s
definitely helpful.”
There were neighbors
in need and neighbors
who stopped to help.
Jacob’s spirit, his passion
to help others, is
quite alive. And I believe
Jacob was loved well,
too. He’s still making a
difference because that’s
what love does.
With tons of negative
media out there, we
need to hold on to these
good stories, these God
stories. Like another I
hear from a friend who’s
helping Nashville rise up
from tornadoes that hit a
couple weeks ago.
“As I worked as a crisis
counselor yesterday,
in the most devastated
area after the tornadoes, I
heard over and over how
neighbors are helping
neighbors. One person
said ‘It doesn’t matter
what color they are, what
party they voted for,
they’re humans in need
just like us.’”
Ya’ll, Nashville and
Mokena show us what
neighborliness is all
about. This is how we
change our communities
and our world. With
kindness and compassion,
we are the heart,
hands and feet of Jesus.
“We the people” break
down dividing walls and
rise strong together.
Death and devastation
don’t get the last word.
The cross is empty.
And because hope rose,
we have the power to
redeem. We have the
tenacity to use pain for
good purpose. By putting
Please see robin, 16
Here’s the good word
“I subscribed for
the breaking local news,
(and) it is great to see what
is going on in our area and
local sports coverage.”
— Ryan Johnson,
of Frankfort
“Love being kept
informed of local news
and events. The online
(version) is easy to read and
very informative.”
— Mary Smith,
of Lockport
“Get the latest
neighborhood news in
real time via email and can
share with other
family/friends.”
— Rosemarie Melnik,of
Tinley Park
Join thousands of
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“I enjoy the digital
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… Keep doing what
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“I get to read the
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Century Media papers.”—
MaryEllen Smolinski,
of Mokena
“ I subscribed
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important to know what is
going on in and around my
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— Joan Pavlik, of
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mokenamessengerdaily.com life & arts
the mokena messenger | March 26, 2020 | 15
Churches turn to technology in time of crisis
3
T.J. Kremer III, Editor
As Rev. Dindo Billote of
St. Mary Catholic Church
in Mokena prepared for
Sunday Mass this past
weekend, he recognized
he and the church were in
uncharted territory.
Instead of preparing to
greet in person the 100 or
so parishioners that regularly
attend the 9:30 a.m.
Mass, Billote was preparing
to greet them in a
somewhat unconventional
manner: online.
Because of restrictions
on gatherings implemented
by the State of Illinois
and recommendations by
the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention,
churches across Mokena
are turning to technology
to reach their followers.
“And, so, we had wanted
to do something for
our people to keep them
spiritually connected to
our parish,” Billote said.
“And while the Mass itself
is beautiful and should be
experienced live to receive
communion, we decided
since they can’t have that
people should make something
called ‘a spiritual
communion,’ which is a
certain prayer that they
would say and receive the
eucharist that way spiritually.”
That led Billote and the
Rev. Dindo Billote, of St. Mary Catholic Church in
Mokena, prepares for a livestream of Mass Sunday,
March 22. Churches are turning to technology in order
to reach followers who are no longer to gather in large
groups. T.J. Kremer III/22nd Century Media
church to get innovative
and livestream the Mass
on social media.
“The technology that we
have — and have never
had in the church 10, 20
years ago — [we decided]
to actually use that and
have livestream of the actual
Mass, which will be
taking place in our parish
church being filmed,” Billote
said.
St. Mary Catholic
Church is among several
Mokena churches — including
Grace Fellowship
Church of Mokena, Immanuel
Lutheran Church
Mokena and Mokena United
Methodist Church — to
continue to try and reach
followers virtually.
With the nature of
church communities being
close-knit ones, shutting
the doors to the public
is a trying experience,
Billote said; however, he
added that being an online
presence for the faithful is
something to help lift people’s
spirits up.
“We just can’t wait for
the day when all this is
over and everyone again
is united with our community
because, basically,
we’re a community and we
want to be together again,”
Billote said. “We want to
be together, for sure. So,
this is kind of whetting our
appetite for that day.”
For more information on
online services, visit the
churches’ Facebook pages:
@stmarychurchmokena,
@mokenaumc and @
GraceFellowshipMokena.
Matt’s Old Mokena
Drawing comparisons between 1918, 2020 pandemics
Matt galik
Contributing Columnist
Much like the
spring of 2020,
the Mokena
of fall 1918 was a place
of worry. World War I
was reaching its bloody
end, and many village
families had loved ones in
the French combat zone.
Although the war was
winding down, American
casualties were still a daily
occurrence. A little over
a century ago, another
enemy reared its ugly head,
and this one too at home.
The new foe, the Spanish
flu pandemic, proved
itself to be just as deadly
as anything lurking in the
trenches of the Western
Front.
While the outbreak of
the illness is usually dated
as having begun in early
1918 and carried on until
the end of 1920, October
1918 bore the worst of it
in the United States. One
chronicler called the Spanish
flu the “greatest medical
holocaust in modern
history”, while the London
Times wrote “never since
the Black Death has such
a plague swept over the
world.” Anywhere between
50-100 million people
across the globe were lost
to the pandemic. Normal
strains of influenza are
most dangerous to the
children and the elderly,
while the variant from a
century ago was claiming
relatively young people in
robust health.
By Oct. 2, 1918, the first
recorded case in smalltown
Mokena cropped up
when 16-year-old Hugo
Niethammer fell ill. The
son of a Front Street hardware
merchant, the trouble
was compounded when
pneumonia also set in. But,
luckily, the lad was able to
pull through. Meanwhile,
just outside town, another
drama was unfolding. At
the time, the Rock Island
railroad housed 52 itinerant
Mexican workers in several
converted box cars on a
sidetrack about a quarter of
a mile east of Mokena. It
was here that the Spanish
flu’s deadly tentacles
would wreak the most
havoc.
Over the course of
the second weekend in
October, the entire camp
was walloped with the
pandemic, entire families
coming down with it at
once. Mokena farmer
George Maue, who also
served as the supervisor
of Frankfort Township,
knew what was happening
and immediately went into
crisis mode, sending an
urgent call for doctors, of
which three Rock Island
physicians showed up that
Sunday. On Monday, Oct.
14, the railroad sent out
mattresses and blankets for
the ill, which was a step up
from the austere conditions
of the bare box cars they
were living in, the inhabitants
oftentimes sleeping
on the floors. Before long,
new cars were sent down
the line, while the old ones
were fumigated.
It was all to no avail. By
the end of that week, six
of the workers were dead,
including a young, freshly
married couple. The harvest
of human life also left
a baby motherless. Saddest
of all, time has not preserved
any of the victims’
names, whose immediate
burial was provided for in
St. Mary’s Cemetery.
As October carried on,
hardly a family in the village
escaped the flu, the list
of infected reading like a
who’s-who of Mokenians
in the era. The Wolf Road
home of Carl and Mable
Krapp was invaded by the
virus, while at around the
same time Clinton and
Dorothy Kraus, children
of the town barber, also
were knocked down with
it. Also included among the
sufferers were blacksmith
Albert Braun, postmaster
Ona McGovney and cattle
man John Cappel. Eighteen
people were displaying
flu-like symptoms on Oct.
14, and that the number
had dramatically climbed
to 25 two days later demonstrates
the rapidity with
which the Spanish Flu was
making short work out of
Mokena.
To protect village residents,
warning signs were
placed around town, and
the homes of the infected
Please see matt galik, 16
16 | March 26, 2020 | the mokena messenger dining out
mokenamessengerdaily.com
The Dish
Chesdan’s remains operational with curbside pickup, delivery during pandemic
Business continues
to serve customers
their favorites
Thomas Czaja
Contributing Editor
With several modifications,
a Homer Glen business,
like many others,
is ready to keep filling
orders for the cuisine patrons
want during a global
pandemic.
Chesdan’s Pizzeria &
Grille in Homer Glen has
had carryout and delivery
options for a while, meaning
it was prepared for recent,
indefinite changes,
according to owner Dan
Garr.
With Gov. J.B. Pritzker
mandating all bars and
restaurants in the state
eliminate dine-in through
March 30 because of
coronavirus concerns,
establishments are doing
what they can to keep
business going. Takeout
via pickup and delivery,
which Chesdan’s does,
are still allowed, as are
drive-thrus.
“We are pretty well set
in terms of having boxing,
delivery bags,” Garr said.
“We have quadrants set
up, and our staff is trained
to take credit cards over
the phone for deliveries
or curbside pickups.”
The business announced
on its Facebook
page March 17 that while
patrons cannot currently
dine in, Chesdan’s is not
limiting its menu for pickups
and delivery. During
this unprecedented time,
all deliveries are free and
taking place all day, beginning
at 11 a.m.
“Somebody can be out
in the parking lot, and
they can always call and
we’ll run it out to them,”
Garr added about pickups.
In terms of cleanliness,
Chesdan’s is following the
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention guidelines,
along with sanitization
checklists. Staff there
wear gloves. Disinfectant
has always been at maximum
strength, and door
handles and pens that are
frequently used are being
wiped down as much as
they possibly can be.
Customers can still
walk in to pick up their
order, but if they are not
“Support your local restaurants.
It’ll be good for everybody.”
Dan Garr — Chesdan’s owner
Chesdan’s Pizzeria & Grille
15764 S. Bell Road in Homer Glen
Hours:
• 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday
• 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
• Noon-9 p.m. Sunday
For more information ...
Phone: (708) 301-8300
Web: chesdanspizza.com
comfortable doing so
given the circumstances,
curbside remains the best
option, with a pickup area
set up on the side of the
building. That said, Chesdan’s
is still trying to do
all it can for its employees.
“We are trying to keep
the waitstaff working,
because we do need hostesses
and people manning
the phones for deliveries,
pickups and things of that
nature,” Garr said.
He noted on the first
day of the new guidelines,
on St. Patrick’s Day, that
orders were still coming
in at a decent pace. On
March 17 on Facebook,
the business wrote, “A
great big thank you to all
our loyal Chesdan’s customers
who are placing
those curbside pickup and
delivery orders! We love
you!”
Garr said since Chesdan’s
makes everything
from pizzas to pastas to
sandwiches to desserts
and more, he expects a
mix of their offerings to
keep moving out the door.
Those in the mood for
a pizza can still get the
The king special personal-size pizza ($9.67) is a quick
option for an individual looking for a meal on the go
from Chesdan’s Pizzeria & Grille in Homer Glen.
Thomas Czaja/22nd Century Media
likes of a large 14-inch
thin crust cheese ($18.50)
that serves 3-4 people,
or any of their other pies
with various sizing, pricing
and toppings.
Elsewhere on the menu,
the baked rigatoni ($17 or
$12.30 for the meta portion)
comes with tomato
Alfredo and mozzarella
cheese, with the option to
add spinach, mushrooms
or broccoli for $3 each.
That and the Parmesancrusted
tilapia ($15.55)
— served with garlic butter,
lemon and Parmesan
— are solid options during
Lent or anytime.
While it is unknown
what the future holds, including
if the no-dining in
mandate will be extended,
Garr and his staff are
ready and willing to keep
serving customers their
favorite menu items.
Those interested can
also order online with
DoorDash via the Chesdan’s
website and/or follow
the eatery on Facebook
to keep up on the
latest with any potential
further changes.
“Support your local
restaurants,” Garr said.
“It’ll be good for everybody.”
Robin
From Page 14
love’s energy into the
living, we serve well and
suffer well. Yes, out of
tragedy springs opportunity.
“I imagine Lent for
you and me as a great departure
from the greedy,
anxious anti-neighborliness
of our economy, a
great departure from our
exclusionary politics that
fear the other, a great departure
from self-indulgent
consumerism that
devours creation. And
then an arrival in a new
neighborhood, because it
is a gift to be simple, it
is a gift to be free; it is a
gift to come down where
we ought to be.
“Self-giving God, call
us to walk the road of
newness—a new self,
a new society, a new
world, one neighbor at a
time. May we have traveling
mercies this Lenten
season. Amen.” ~ Walter
Brueggamann
For more with Robin,
visit robinmelvin.com/
contact or on Facebook,
Robin Melvin, Author.
Also be on the lookout
for her story in a new
Chicken Soup for the
Soul book coming out in
April.
The thoughts and opinions
expressed in this column are
those of the author. They do
not necessarily represent
the thoughts of 22nd Century
Media or its staff.
matt galik
From Page 15
were quarantined. Like
our current battle against
COVID-19, all four village
churches and the Mokena
Public School were
closed until further notice,
and “gatherings of every
nature” were banned in
the incorporated limits.
Early on, 15-year-old Ruby
Bechstein of Mokena
Street was one of the ill.
On Oct. 16, she lost her
battle with the Spanish
flu, and has been remembered
by history as the
first resident of the village
proper to succumb to the
pandemic. The grim reaper
struck town twice that day,
when 33-year-old Emma
Schenkel was also claimed
by the virus. Their deaths,
along with those of the
Mexican railroad laborers,
led the local correspondent
to the Joliet Herald-News
to lament that week as “one
of funerals” for Mokena.
In keeping with quarantine
rules and the belief that the
flu thrived indoors, theirs
were held outside, while
crowds were kept away,
before the young women
were ultimately laid to rest
in St. John’s Cemetery.
When we look back upon
the experience of our village
forebears, we can learn
from their example. Community
leaders placed rules
upon the town, and while
they were uncomfortable
and new, townfolk followed
them and came out of the
pandemic more resilient and
unified than ever.
mokenamessengerdaily.com puzzles
the mokena messenger | March 26, 2020 | 17
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. A.A.A. suggestion,
abbr.
4. Western wolf
8. Bother
13. Night of poetry
14. Much may follow
it
15. Orland Park
standout student,
Jaclyn
16. Be human
17. Heart
18. Bank profit source
19. Overstep a
boundary
22. Like Swiss cheese
23. Weather wetness
27. Character in “As
You Like It”
29. In view
30. First baseball Hall
of Famer
32. Philosophic
33. Go over
37. Cogged wheels
40. Abrogates
41. Car racing champ,
Castroneves
43. Indian lodging
(var)
45. Sandburg basketball
and soccer
player, Erin
48. Reagan and
Sinatra
53. Highly admiring
55. Country rocker
Steve
56. Decide in advance
58. Cold cream
61. Bloviate
62. Affront
63. Planet
64. “Veni, vidi, ___”
65. ___ pinch
66. James Patterson’s
detective
67. First Lady of Jazz
68. Profit bringer,
cash ___
Down
1. Bounce back again
2. Overbearing fear
3. Sign up for college
4. Not really sing
5. “Step ___!”
6. Cover
7. Milo of “The Verdict”
8. Black trees
9. Estrange
10. Big conference in
the BCS
11. Army member
12. Prof’s helpers, for
short
15. Think out loud
20. Caspian or Dead
21. French flower
24. Coal color
25. Declined
26. Parts of a min.
28. Boxer or chow, for
example
31. Hitter’s tool
33. Sneaker
34. Chest muscles,
briefly
35. More than some
36. Bowling variation
38. Raccoon feature
39. Masseur’s workplace,
maybe
42. Burdensome
44. Inactivity
46. Signs
47. Empty (of)
49. Rotating piece of
machinery
50. Of part of the eye
51. Meteorological
event
52. Playground piece
for two
54. Boldness
57. Abbr. on a business
letter
58. Director Jean-___
Godard
59. John Boyd ___:
nutritionist and nobel
prize winner
60. Confucian path
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18 | March 26, 2020 | the mokena messenger local living
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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.
20 | March 26, 2020 | the mokena messenger real estate
mokenamessengerdaily.com
Feb. 20
• 11869 Golden
Gate Drive, Mokena,
60448-2027 - Antonio
J. Gonzalez to David
W. Latko Jr., Marissa
Degroot, $555,000
Feb. 21
• 12526 Crystal Court
W, Mokena, 60448-
7102 - Chicago Trust Co
Na Trustee to Jessica
Ward, Zachary Ward,
$448,455
Feb. 24
• 19736 Foxborough
Diver, Mokena,
60448-1891 - Martin
Cosgrove to Stefano
Fazio, Elizabeth Fazio,
$118,500
Feb. 25
• 20130 Alison Trail,
Mokena, 60448-1688
- Diplomat Property
Manager Llc to Joseph
L. Earl, Joseph H. Earl,
$600,000
• 18133 Haas Road,
Mokena, 60448-8902
- Darren M. Zwonitzer
to John G. Heim, Jill M.
Heim, $550,000
• 10259 Cambridge
Court K, Mokena,
60448-7925 - Federal
Home Loan Mtg Corp
to Terry W. Hammar,
Sandra S. Hammar,
$160,500
The Going Rate is provided
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mokenamessengerdaily.com classifieds
the mokena messenger | March 26, 2020 | 21
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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
Lawn Care Service
Looking for responsible,
motivated with driver’s
license. Pay based on exp.
708.226.9322
Part-time Telephone Work
calling from home for
AMVETS. Ideal for
homemakers and retirees.
Must be reliable and have
morning &evening hours
available for calling.
If interested,
Call 708 429 6477
M-F, 10am - 1pm Only!
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
Sterling Site Access
Solutions LLC.
Located in Phoenix, IL
(near Harvey, IL)
Seeking: Manufacturing
Operators (2 years exp.) &
Manufacturing Maintenance
Technicians (8 years exp.)
Submit resumes to:
recruiting@sterlingsolutions.com
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
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1225 Apartments for Rent
New Lenox
Clean 2 Bedroom
Close to train & stores
Appliances included,
laundry
$1,000
815-485-2528
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2006 Basement Waterproofing
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22 | March 26, 2020 | the mokena messenger classifieds
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Real Estate · Rentals · Merchandise
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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.
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Call, Text or Email
708-822-3690
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2017 Cleaning Services
Barb’s Cleaning
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way YOU want it
cleaned! Good
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2018 Concrete Raising
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R E A S O N A B L E
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2075 Fencing
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708 479 9035
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the mokena messenger | March 26, 2020 | 25
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2145 Lawn Maintenance
Family owned & operated
Services offered:
• weekly grass • retaining walls/
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installation • free estimates
815-534-4723
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Fast, Neat Painting
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Wallpaper Removal
Staining
Free Estimates
20% Off with this ad
708-606-3926
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Neat, Clean, Professional
Work At ACompetitive Price
Specializing in all
Interior/Exterior Painting
• Drywall/PlasterRepair
• Wallpaper Removal
• Deck/Fence Staining
• PowerWashing
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Forquality & service you
can trust, call us today!
26 | March 26, 2020 | the mokena messenger classifieds
mokenamessengerdaily.com
CLASSIFIEDS
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Real Estate · Rentals · Merchandise
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2170 Plumbing
2200 Roofing
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the mokena messenger | March 26, 2020 | 27
2276 Tuckpointing/Masonry
2294 Window Cleaning
P.K.WINDOW
CLEANING CO.
Window Cleaning
Gutter Cleaning
Power Washing
Office Cleaning
call and get $40.00 off
708 974-8044
www.pkwindowcleaning.co4
2390 Computer Services/Repair
2489 Merchandise Wanted
Metal Wanted
Scrap Metal, Garden
Tractors,
Snowmobiles,
Appliances, Etc.
ANYTHING METAL!
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MAGNA |ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATES, LTD.
• Individual, Business,Trust &Estate Tax Services •
• Business Accounting Services •
Have Your Tax Return Prepared By ACPA!
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9031 W. 151st St., Ste 204
Orland Park, Illinois 60462
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2900 Merchandise
Under $100
Chicago Bear official NFL
authorized hooded sweatshirt
large, perfect condition. $15
Call 708-403-2525
Civil war puzzles 1000pcs all
done w/frames $20ea; wooded
ships of all kind Mayflower etc
$20ea. Call 630-346-2163
Complete set bed-in-bag brand
new never used queensize yellow
and blue floral print $25.
Call 708-403-2473
Decorator’s dream! Black w
/gold leatherete bound Encyc
Americana-shelf dec, lamp
base history buffs- creativity is
yours. FREE Call
708-687-0938
Dooney & Bourke leather
handbags -authentic -excellent
condition, both black
w/tan trim. $50ea. Call
708-429-7929. Will text picture.
Electric snow shovel, seldom
used $95. Call 815-478-3870
Golf umbrellas $10ea; tennis
racquet $10; Sears 3/8” electric
drill $20; Black & Decker
edger $10. Call 708-601-1947
Hankook Optimo H426 size
P215/55R17 slightly used,
good threads $25 Call
815-463-0282
Julien #3900 stainless steel
prep sink, new, dimensions
16”x13”x8” deep, high quality
under mount sink with mounting
hardware $85. Call
708-310-0699
Kidde fire extinguisher, rated
A-B-C gauged $17; Vehicle
w/shield snow-shield $6;
1988-89 Tracer rear window
wiper blade $10. Call
708-460-8308
Kitchen dinette set, good condition
all but one chair has no
back. Chairs are caster chairs
$100. Call 815-464-6176
Lg tent w/attached sunroom,
new in box $95. Call
708-429-0259 after 4pm
Lynx pro golf bag $35;
Bullseye putter $30; Titleist
golf bag like new $35. Call
708-478-8976
Men’s Austin Reed suit 44long
tan includes Alfani shirt
16-34-35 and 3ties $80. Call
708-614-8541
Mens cold weather jacket, rich
deep green with all the trimmings.
Excellent condition.
$25 OBO Call 708-403-2525
Mini LED flashlite $2; Large
LED flashlite $5; Miniwax
12oz wood filler, repairs damaged
wood $10; Alum. snow
scoop shovel, new $24. Call
708-460-8308
2900 Merchandise
Under $100
Mini snow shovel steel
blade/handle $8; Ice blast
w/shield de-icer $4; New wall
covering smoother brush $5;
24pc foam brush set $5. Call
708-460-8308
Pair of 26” crystal-look table
lamps cut-glass/polished brass,
excellent condition asking
$50pair OBO; oval mirror
34x21w beveled edge $50. Call
708-460-2587
Peerless kitchen faucet,
#P299575LF.SS, brand new in
box, with sprayer high arc $40.
Call 708-614-5728
Pillsbury Doughboy porcelain
collection 7pieces, $100 Call
815-464-6176
Pro golf bag $35; Bullseye putter
$30; 3pack Titleist balls
$5; Titleist golf bag new $30.
Call 708-478-8976
Quadrilla children’s wooden
blocks, 2complete sets-Rail +
Twist and Rail, lightly used
$100 Call 708-475-2102
Red Wing steel toe insulated
work boots, new inthe box.
Paid $160, sell for $100 OBO.
Call 815-485-6008
Ron Popeil rotisserie grill $30;
grey trunk, great for college
student $30. Call
708-790-1824
Singer sewing machine portible,
many fancy stitches $35;
Sea shell Tritons trumpet $50.
Call 708-535-9354
Snow skies: 5’6” Dynastar,
5’6” Rosignol, 6’3” Heads
w/poles, all for $100. Call
708-717-5054
Weight bench and weights
$100. Weights alone worth
$450. Call 815-469-0891
Weight bench plus weights
$100 (weights alone selling for
over $450 at store). Call
815-469-0891
Weight vest up to 40lbs $40;
Vintage Bulls xl winter jacket
$30; Scottie Pippen vintage
jersey $30. Call or text
224-394-2765
Whirlpool Cabrio laundry
dryer $100 firm. 708-785-0987
Wooden fireplace mantel,
never used, $70. Call
708-479-0193
Place a garage sale ad & reach
over 96,000 homes across
the southwest suburbs!
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ASINGLE FAMILY AD
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28 | March 26, 2020 | the mokena messenger sports
mokenamessengerdaily.com
Athlete of the Week
10 Questions
with Matt Stillman
Matt Stillman is a senior
at Lincoln-Way Central
and an outside hitter for
the Knights boys volleyball
team.
The start of the
upcoming season is on
hold because of the
coronavirus. What are
your thoughts on that?
I’m just trying to stay
positive. Trying to think of
things I’m grateful for, and
pick up friends who are
down. It’s kind of crazy,
all of it.
How did you get
started playing
volleyball?
I’ve been playing since
eighth grade. I’ve played
club every year since then.
My cousin, Sam Gorecki
who is my age and is a libero
on our team here at
Central, played. So I wanted
to play, too. He went to
Martino and I went to Mokena
Junior High, so we
were rivals. I used to play
soccer until eighth grade
but now it’s just volleyball.
What is it about
volleyball that makes
it the sport for you?
I’ve made good friends
playing it. I just love the
competitiveness of it. But
it’s mostly being with your
teammates and having
leadership with them.
What have you learned
from Central volleyball
Photo submitted
coach Mary Brown?
I’ve learned a lot from
her. She makes us work
hard at practice. She
makes us mentally tough.
I’ve learned to be a leader
because she teaches life
lessons too.
Do you have a favorite
moment so far playing
for the Knights?
Yes, it’s actually our loss
to [eventual state champion]
Marist in last season’s
sectional semifinal
[at Marist]. Even though
we lost [25-18, 26-24]
we worked really closely
together [being the only
team that took Marist past
25 points all postseason]
and played our best match
of the year.
What do you do to
pump yourself up
before a match?
Before a club match, I
play on Ultimate 18 Gold,
I listen to music. But in
high school, we get in a
circle and talk about what
to focus on and that’s what
3
really gets you into the
match.
If you could be any
superhero, who would
you be and why?
The Flash. Because he’s
really fast and I could
get to my block sooner. I
would be able to close the
block and get the ball up.
If you could meet any
person in the world,
living or dead, who
would it be and why?
Walt Disney. My family
likes Disney a lot. It would
have been cool to meet
him and see what went
on in his head to make the
whole Disney franchise.
Are you going to play
volleyball in college?
Yes. I’ve already committed
to Trine University
in Angola, Indiana. I did
that last October. The volleyball
coaches and the
team are really cool. But
they also have a really good
engineering program and
I’m going to study that.
What’s the best
thing about being an
athlete at Lincoln-Way
Central?
Probably the competition
that you get here. But
also the teammates in general
and the environment
for the athletes in general.
Interview by Freelance Reporter
Randy Whalen.
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the mokena messenger | March 26, 2020 | 29
30 | March 26, 2020 | the mokena messenger sports
mokenamessengerdaily.com
Athletes, coaches wait and hope for a spring season
6
STEVE MILLAR, Sports Editor
Mariam Azeez misses
long jumps.
The Lincoln-Way East
sophomore track athlete
is able to stay in gear for
her running events easy
enough while school is out
and practices are on hold
amid the coronavirus pandemic.
But after breaking the
school record for the long
jump, going 19 feet-1.5
inches at the LW East Invitational
indoor meet on
Feb. 29 at Olivet Nazarene,
she is not able to
practice that event. There
are no pits for her to jump
into at home.
“I miss it,” she said. “It’s
my favorite event. Right
now, I’m just running outside,
going on the treadmill,
trying to stay active.”
Like all athletes in the
area, Azeez and her Griffins
teammates are in waitand-see
mode, hoping
their seasons can resume
in April or May.
“It’s so sad,” she said.
“Everyone on the track
team is devastated about it,
but we’re all still training.
We’re just hoping the outdoor
season will happen
at some point and that this
will be over with.”
Azeez’s coach, Brian
Evans, said this is unlike
anything he has ever experienced.
“It’s certainly a new
curveball,” he said. “This
is Year 21 for me and
we’ve never had a scenario
or event like this take
place. There’s no manual
or playbook we can go to,
so we’re just taking it one
day at a time.
“Obviously safety is a
Lincoln-Way East’s Mariam Azeez hopes to get back to
competing in the long jump soon. 22ND CENTURY MEDIA
FILE PHOTO
the number one priority.
We just want everybody
to sit down for a minute
and make sure they’re being
safe and we can get
through this as a society
before we even begin to
think about track and field
again.”
Lincoln-Way Central
softball coach Jeff Tarala
said it is tough for coaches
to be apart from their players
for so long.
“We took team pictures
on Saturday [March 14],
and it was kind of sad,”
Tarala said. “A lot of the
girls were like, ‘Hopefully
we’ll see you in a month.’
You get so connected with
them all. We spend an incredible
amount of time
with each other. We’re sad
to have to separate like
that.”
Players and coaches say
they are trying to remain
hopeful that there will be
competition at some point.
“I feel awful for the seniors,”
Tarala said. “I really
hope there is at least
something, whether it’s a
shortened season or just
a playoffs or tournament
format.”
Lincoln-Way West athletic
director Ted Robbins
said all the Lincoln-Way
district athletic directors
are in a “holding pattern.”
They have not yet canceled
games beyond the
start of April, except in
cases where the scheduled
opponent has mandated a
longer shutdown.
“We’ll adapt and move
when we get further information,”
he said. “That’s
where we’re at, I think like
everybody.
“Everybody’s been great
about it, though. They all
understand this is a bigger
situation than high school
athletics. It’s a worldwide
issue. The athletes, especially
the seniors, are disappointed,
of course, but
they have been fantastic in
dealing with this.”
Azeez said her teammates
have tried to get beyond
the initial shock and
sadness and take a positive
approach to the situation.
“We’re trying to stay optimistic,”
she said. “We’ve
been talking in group chats
and we were all really sad
about it at first, but then we
started trying to encourage
everyone to stay positive
and keep working.”
Youth Sports
Pride and heartbreak for Mokena Jr. High volleyball team
7
STEVE MILLAR, Sports Editor
Mokena Junior High’s
seventh-grade girls volleyball
team made a memorable
run to a sectional championship
and qualified for
state for the first time since
2006.
The Meteors never got
their chance to play at
state, though, as the Illinois
Elementary School Association
canceled the tournament
amid the coronavirus
pandemic.
“We’re trying to stay
positive about the situation,
but it is disappointing,”
Mokena coach Crystal
Grimes said.
Mokena was set to play
Taylorville Junior High in a
Class 4A state quarterfinal
match Friday, March 16,
at Kingsley Junior High in
Normal.
The day before, however,
the IESA announced
the tournament would be
postponed. The organization
later announced the
cancellation.
“We knew there was a
possibility it would be canceled,
but we had a normal
practice, getting ready for
the game with Taylorville
the next day,” Grimes said.
“They hadn’t made it to
state in about 20 years, so
we knew it would be an underdog
vs. underdog-type
situation because the last
The Mokena Junior High seventh-grade girls volleyball
team huddles during a match. The team won a sectional
title and qualified for state before the tournament was
canceled. SHARNA WILKERSON/MOKENA JUNIOR HIGH
time we made it to state
was 2006.
“As soon we started
practice, we found out the
news.”
Still, there was some
hope the tournament might
be resumed at a later date.
“At first it was just postponed,”
Grimes said. “We
didn’t know if it would for
sure be canceled. We knew
that if it did get postponed,
we’d have a couple weeks
to practice. So, we wanted
to make this a fun practice
and not push the girls too
hard. They ended up having
fun and stayed positive.
“We reflected on our success
throughout the season.
I couldn’t be more proud of
this group.”
Mokena, which finished
15-4, beat Liberty Junior
High from New Lenox 25-
18, 11-25, 25-20 on March
9 in the sectional match.
The team included Bella
Bullington, Bella Dimitrijevic,
Ava Birmingham,
Morgan Kozlowski, Charlotte
Wilkerson, Aubrey
Birmingham, Flynn Meyer,
Ava Quinlan, Skyla Dolan,
Paige LeCompte, Taylor
Mowry, Gianna Kolenko,
Lily Vargas and Lindsey
Klitz.
Lauren Bullington was
the assistant coach.
“In the end, the girls
were disappointed, but they
stayed positive,” Grimes
said. “That is something
that set this team apart. If
we lost a game, they didn’t
get down on themselves
and came back strong for
the next one.”
mokenamessengerdaily.com sports
the mokena messenger | March 26, 2020 | 31
fastbreak
22nd century media file
photo
1st-and-3
THREE FEATS FROM THE
GIRLS INDOOR TRACK
AND FIELD SEASON
1. Kate Guderjan
Guderjan (above,
No. 51), a LW East
sophomore, broke
school records in
the 600 meters and
the mile (5 minutes,
14.33 seconds).
2. Mariam Azeez
The LW East
sophomore broke
the school record
in the long jump
(19 feet-1.5 inches)
at the LW East
Invitational at Olivet
Nazarene on Feb.
29.
3. Sam Spencer
The Providence
senior and
defending state
pole vault champion
broke the state
record in the event,
vaulting 13 feet, 5.5
inches March 5 at
the Joliet Central
Steelmen Shuffle.
Air Force brings home LW East grad, team stuck in Honduras
STEVE MILLAR, Sports Editor
Lincoln-Way East graduate
native Shannon Cooley and the
other 54 players and coaches on a
women’s tackle football team that
had been stranded in a Honduras
hotel after the country closed its
borders and began a lockdown
were airlifted out of Honduras on
Friday, March 20, and returned to
the United States via two U.S. Air
Force planes.
“It was definitely a crazy couple
days, but I’m really glad to be
back,” Cooley said.
Cooley, a junior at Arizona
State, was part of the U.S. team
competing in the American Women’s
Bowl in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
The team was set to fly home
on Monday, March 16, but late
night on Sunday, March 15, Honduras
president Juan Orlando
Hernandez ordered the country’s
borders to be closed for at least
seven days and put a curfew in
effect because of the coronavirus
pandemic.
The team was staying at a Clarion
Hotel and was not allowed to
leave the hotel premises.
“We have no idea how long
we are going to be here,” Cooley
said before the team was evacuated.
“Our team is together in one
place, so that helps a lot. We want
to stick together as a team.
“We’re just looking forward to
getting out of here, being back
home. Right now, everything is
turned upside down and we’re
looking forward to getting back to
our families and dealing with the
crisis back in the States.”
Cooley and the rest of the team
got their wish as the Air Force
planes flew them into Charleston,
Frankfort native Shannon Cooley
was part of a U.S. women’s
football team that was stranded
in a Honduras hotel for nearly a
week after Honduras closed its
borders amid the coronavirus
pandemic. PHOTO SUBMITTED
S.C. Cooley made it back to Arizona
the next day.
“It was wild,” Cooley said.
“We were in the jump seats. All
our luggage was saran wrapped
and put on pallets and loaded
on. The plane was packed. Every
seat was taken. It was crazy
loud. It was an experience that I
never thought would be on my
bucket list, but now it’s checked
off.
“Just walking off the plane, it
felt so good to be back in the U.S.
It was crazy. It was unreal. It felt
so good to be home and to be all
together as a team.
The coronavirus had not yet
made much of an impact in Honduras
when the team flew into the
country Wednesday, March 11.
The tournament went on as
scheduled from Thursday, March
12, through Saturday, March 14,
before the Honduras government
issued an edict banning events
of more than 50 people, causing
the championship game between
the U.S. and Mexico, scheduled
for Sunday, March 15, to be canceled.
“It wasn’t hectic at all when we
got [to Honduras],” Cooley said.
“Everything was fine. There were
only three [coronavirus] cases in
Honduras, so it actually seemed
safer than the United States.”
Cooley said the hotel was essentially
void of guests other than the
team. Most of the hotel staff was
also gone, but a few employees
were still around to help them out.
“There are some people who
live at the hotel and also work
here, so they are still here,” Cooley
said. “Other than them, there
are no employees here. The hotel
has been good with us, though,
trying to figure out a solution.
“The Mexico team and Costa
Rica team have had to move multiple
times because their hotels
have closed. We’ve been lucky
that this hotel has worked with us
and let us stay.”
Shannon’s mom, Kathi, was in
regular contact with her daughter
throughout the ordeal.
“She’s tough,” Kathi said.
“She’s going to act like, ‘Mom,
I’m good.’ But I know she’s having
a tough time.
“They shouldn’t have to deal
8
with this. They should be able to
go home.”
Cooley, who played basketball
at East, decided to give football a
shot and joined the Phoenix Phantomz
of the Women’s Football Alliance.
She is in her second year as a
receiver with the team, and has
also had the opportunity to play
with the U.S. team – essentially an
All-Star team – in multiple international
tournaments.
“It’s so crazy because I tell people
two years ago, I didn’t even
know how to put a helmet on and
now I’m travelling all over the
world playing football,” she said.
“It’s been an amazing experience,
except for something like
this happening.”
It’s a situation Cooley never
imagined she would be in.
“It seems like it was a movie,”
she said. “It definitely doesn’t
seem like it actually happened, but
I know there were a lot of people
who took some time out and there
were a lot of strings pulled to get
us out of there. I’m thankful for
our organization, all the congressmen
and local representatives who
helped, and anyone that had a part
in getting us out.”
Cooley said she and her teammates
will now share a lifetime
bond.
“Our team said we have to come
up with a saying, so we came up
with ‘There was always Honduras,’”
she said. “When we go other
places or play other teams, we’ll
think back about this.
“We come from all over the
country, so a lot of us didn’t really
know each other before this. But
after this, we definitely know each
other better than I ever imagined.”
Listen Up
“It’s so sad. Everyone on the track team is devastated about it, but we’re all
still training. We’re just hoping the outdoor season will happen at some point
and that this will be over with.”
Mariam Azeez - LW East sophomore track athlete, on spring sports being
suspended
what2watch
Scheduling decisions
Will spring sports resume as April begins, be further
postponed, or will the season be canceled entirely?
Index
29 – Team 22 Boys Basketball
28 – Athlete of the Week
FASTBREAK is compiled by Sports Editor
Steve Millar, s.millar@22ndcm.com.
mokena’s Hometown Newspaper | March 26, 2020
HOMECOMING LW East grad
makes it home after being stuck in
Honduras as borders close, Page 31
KINGS OF THE COURT Meet
our Team 22, featuring the area’s
best boys basketball players, Page 29
Area athletes, coaches deal with life
without sports as they hope for seasons to
resume, Page 30
The Lincoln-Way Central baseball field sits
empty March 17 as all high school sports
games and practices have been suspended.
STEVE MILLAR/22ND CENTURY MEDIA
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