NL_082219

® 

A HEROic gesture New Lenox Police 

Department donates money to HERO, Page 4 

Coming to Town Joey’s opening in 

New Lenox by end of the year, Page 8 

Cash for Laughs Two New Lenox comedians hosting 

comedy show fundrasier for first responders fund, Page 14 

new lenox’s Award-Winning Hometown Newspaper newlenoxpatriot.com • August 22, 2019 • Vol. 13 No. 23 • $1 

A 

Publication 

,LLC 

NL native opens beauty salon in New Lenox that uses organic products, Page 3 

Celebrating the opening of Clean Beauty Boutique, Sheli Dodaro-Hernandez (middle), gets help from her 7-year-old son, Cristiano, to cut the ribbon. Joining her is 

her daughter, Ofelia, and husband, Glyden, as well as friends, family and members of the New Lenox Chamber of Commerce. Mary Compton/22nd Century Media 

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2 | August 22, 2019 | the new lenox patriot calendar 

newlenoxpatriot.com 

In this week’s 

Patriot 

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

Standout Student...........17 

Sound Off.....................19 

Puzzles..........................28 

Home of the Week.........31 

Athlete of the Week.......42 

The New 

Lenox Patriot 

ph: 708.326.9170 fx: 708.326.9179 

Editor 

Sean Hastings, x48 

sean@newlenoxpatriot.com 

sports Editor 

Steve Millar x34 

s.millar@22ndcm.com 

Sales director 

Lora Healy, x31 

l.healy@22ndcenturymedia.com 

real estate sales 

Courtney Masinter ext 47 

c.masinter@22ndcenturymedia.com 

classifieds/Legal Notices 

Jeff Schouten, x51 

j.schouten@22ndcenturymedia.com 

PUBLISHER 

Joe Coughlin 847.272.4565, x16 

j.coughlin@22ndcenturymedia.com 

Managing Editor 

Bill Jones, x20 

bill@opprairie.com 

president 

Andrew Nicks 

a.nicks@22ndcenturymedia.com 

EDITORIAL DESIGN DIRECTOR 

Nancy Burgan, x30 

n.burgan@22ndcenturymedia.com 

22 nd Century Media 

11516 West 183rd Street 

Unit SW Office Condo #3 

Orland Park, IL 60467 

www.NewLenoxPatriot.com 

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circulation inquiries 

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Published by 

www.22ndcenturymedia.com 

Thursday 

Your Light Still Shines 

5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, 

Aug. 22, Lincoln-Way 

West High School, 21701 

Gougar Road. Join us for 

an international overdose 

awareness day event presented 

by the Village of 

New Lenox and the New 

Lenox Safe Communities 

America Coalition. It 

includes a Narcan training, 

informational and 

memorial tables, HERO 

“hidden in plain sight” 

trailer, unwanted medication 

takeback and many 

speakers. For more information 

contact Dan Martin 

at (815) 462-6493 or at 

dmartin@newlenox.net. 

Friday 

Community Night at 

Lincoln-Way Central 

6-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 

23, Lincoln-Way Central 

High School, 1801 

E. Lincoln Highway. The 

Knights will hold their annual 

Community and Fan 

appreciation Night to kick 

off the fall sports season. 

Community Night at 

Lincoln-Way West 

6-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 

23, Lincoln-Way West 

High School, 21701 Gougar 

Road. The Warriors 

will hold their annual 

Community and fan appreciation 

night to kick 

off the fall sports season. 

Tuesday 

Cruise the Commons 

5-9 p.m. Tuesday, 

Aug. 27, New Lenox Village 

Commons, 1 Veterans 

Parkway. Come and 

show your vehicle off in 

the Commons for the final 

Cruise the Commons 

night of the summer. It 

will feature music from 

Electric Avenue. 

Wednesday 

Meal Planning Program 

5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, 

Aug. 28, New Lenox 

Public Library, 120 Veterans 

Parkway. If you struggle 

with the daily question 

of ‘what’s for dinner?’ 

then this presentation will 

surely make it easier for 

you to answer it. We will 

discuss the reasons for 

menu planning and how 

to menu plan. We will talk 

about different options 

or choices for menus that 

will make your life easier. 

Registration required at 

newlenox.librarymarket. 

com/meal-planning-program. 

UPCOMING 

Triple Play Concert 

5:30 p.m. Saturday, 

Aug. 31, New Lenox Village 

Commons, 1 Veterans 

Parkway. Kenny Loggins 

will wrap up this summer’s 

Triple Play Concert 

Series. Gates open at 5:30, 

Kavoossi takes the stage 

at 6 p.m. and The Empty 

Pockets take the stage 

at 7:30 p.m. to open for 

Loggins who will take the 

stage at 9 p.m. Visit the 

New Lenox Village Hall 

for ticket availability. 

Water Lantern Festival 

4-9 p.m. Saturday, September 

7, New Lenox 

Village Commons, 1 Veterans 

Parkway. Water 

Lantern Festival is an incredible 

experience where 

thousands of family, 

friends, and strangers celebrate 

life together. Water 

Lantern Festival brings 

together individuals from 

all ages, backgrounds, and 

walks of life to join in one 

emotional and memorable 

night. You’ll cherish these 

moments as you witness 

the beauty of thousands 

of lanterns reflecting upon 

the water. Tickets are $30 

through Aug. 31. Included 

in the price is entry, floating 

lantern, commemorative 

drawstring bag, 

marker and wristband, For 

ticket and more information, 

visit https://www. 

waterlanternfestival. 

com/joliet.php?id=54537 

&catid=529. 

LW Class of 1989 30-year 

reunion 

8 p.m.-midnight, Saturday, 

Sept. 21, Trails Edge 

Brewing Co., 20 Kansas 

St. Frankfort. The Class 

of 1989 will be holding 

a 30-year reunion. This 

is an 80’s themed occasion, 

dressing 80’s style 

is highly encouraged. The 

cost is $25 per person advance 

purchase, $30.00 at 

the door. Alumni can purchase 

tickets via Venmo 

or PayPal to stacynasr@ 

gmail.com You can also 

purchase tickets directly 

at Ranch Frostie, 1259 

N. Cedar Road in New 

Lenox. Other LW classes 

are welcome to purchase 

tickets at the door. Please 

contact Sheryl Carter 

(312) 859-6770 for more 

information. 

Lincoln-Way High School 

50-Year Class Reunion 

Saturday, Oct. 12, New 

Lenox VFW, 323 Old 

Hickory Road. LWHS 

class of 1969 will be celebrating 

its 50-year reunion. 

The cost is $35 per 

person and the deadline to 

register is Sept. 1. A Friday 

night gathering is also 

being held at 3 Corners 

Grill & Tap, 901 E. Lincoln 

Highway. Other LW 

Central alumni are welcome 

at both events. For 

more information contact 

D. Holm at (815) 485- 

9228. 

ONGOING 

Bags ‘n’ Beer 

6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 

Thomas E. Hartung 

American Legion Post 

1977, 14414 West Ford 

Drive, New Lenox. Everyone 

is invited to the 

weekly bean bags tournament. 

Teams are selected 

by random draw at 6:45 

p.m., and the games start 

at 7 p.m. The fee to join 

is $5, and first, second 

and third place get prizes. 

Bocce ball and horseshoe 

pits will be open for the 

public too. 

Chess Club 

10 a.m. Thursdays, 

New Lenox Commons, 1 

Veterans Parkway. Group 

meets near the benches 

next to the pond until after 

noon. Open to anyone, 

from beginner to master, 

who enjoys playing chess. 

For more information, call 

(815) 485-7425. 

Electronics Recycling 

5-7 p.m. every second 

and fourth Wednesday of 

the month, New Lenox 

Township Office, 1100 S. 

Cedar Road, New Lenox. 

The Township will properly 

dispose of electronic 

waste, including hair dryers, 

fans, computers, cell 

LIST IT YOURSELF 

Reach out to thousands of daily 

users by submitting your event at 

NewLenoxPatriot.com/calendar 

For just print*, email all information to 


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

phones, etc. The Township 

is providing this service 

to our residents as a 

satellite collection site for 

Will County Land Use 

(815) 774-3321. 

Lions Club Meetings 

7 p.m. the second and 

fourth Wednesday of each 

month, Lions Community 

Center, 1 W. Manor Drive, 

New Lenox. The Lions 

Club of New Lenox will 

hold its general meeting. 

All seniors are welcome 

to attend. For more information, 

call Bob at (815) 

474-4672. 

Zumba 

7:15 p.m. Mondays, Tiger 

Kwons Martial Arts, 

352 W. Maple St., New 

Lenox. Classes are free 

for first-time students and 

are led by Tami Andjelic, 

a certified ZIN Zumba 

instructor. Attendees are 

asked to bring a towel and 

water. RSVP to Tami at 

(815) 474-1521. 

Bingo 

6:45-9:45 p.m. Tuesdays, 

VFW Post 9545, 

323 Old Hickory Road, 

New Lenox. Entry tickets 

are $1 and 10 chances to 

win are $5 (required). The 

lightning game is $1 each. 

Early bird raffle is $1 each 

or six for $5. Food and 

drinks can be purchased. 

Doors open at 5 p.m. First 

game starts at 6:45 p.m. 


(815) 485-8369.

newlenoxpatriot.com news 

the new lenox patriot | August 22, 2019 | 3 

New organic-based salon opens in New Lenox 

Mary Compton 

Freelance Reporter 

Carrying around a bag 

of freshly picked garden 

vegetables, Kim and Tim 

Dodaro, of New Lenox, 

have always taught their 

daughter the importance 

of organic products. Sheli 

Dodaro-Hernandez, the 

owner of the new salon, 

Clean Beauty Boutique, 

in New Lenox, was raised 

on natural products before 

it was popular. 

“She grew up in a family 

business,” Tim said. 

“We ran the business 

out of our home for about 

15 years,” Kim added. 

“She saw it all.” 

On Saturday, Aug. 17, 

Sheli Dodaro-Hernandez 

hosted the grand opening 

of Clean Beauty Boutique. 

Her signature services include 

working with women 

who have cancer and 

women who suffer from 

alopecia. 

Dodaro-Hernandez uses 

all organic products. 

“I was looking for my 

niche,” Dodaro-Hernandez 

said. “I realized there 

is a lack of organic options 

for hair. I wanted to 

bring that to the community, 

there is a gap in the 

market.” 

Dodaro-Hernandez 

comes with many years of 

experience. A 1997 graduate 

of Lincoln-Way High 

School, Dodaro-Hernandez 

went on to cosmetology 

school at Aveda Institute 

in Minneapolis. 

“I’ve always been involved 

in organic for 

beauty and Aveda is plant 

based,” Dodaro-Hernandez 

said. “Aveda has their 

own system of cutting and 

coloring. I grew up in a 

home where we always 

went to farmers markets. 

My mom was also in a 

co-op where she would 

buy cases of organic hair 

spray. We would always 

make special trips to 

whole foods. Growing up, 

it was a treat to go to an 

organic grocery store.” 

Clean Beauty Boutique 

strives to bring awareness 

of green and clean 

beauty to the clients 

and the beauty industry. 

Dodaro-Hernandez 

wants to ensure each and 

every client will leave the 

salon looking great while 

using safer, cleaner products. 

Through education behind 

the chair, they encourage 

their clients will 

leave equipped with the 

knowledge of how to 

make daily beauty routines 

safer and cleaner 

through the use of organic-based 

products. Dodaro-Hernandez’s 

goal is to 

seek and educate partners 

in the industry on clean, 

organic based beauty. She 

aspires to start the “Clean 

Beauty Revolution.” 

“Organics limit your 

toxic exposure,” Dodaro- 

Hernandez said. “We are 

bombarded with toxins 

everyday in our life. Our 

hair color is all organic- 

Please see salon, 4 

Owner of Clean Beauty Boutique, Sheli Dodaro- 

Hernandez styles her son Cristiano’s hair during their 

grand opening, Aug. 17. According to their website, the 

boutique strives to bring awareness of green, clean 

beauty to the clients and the beauty industry. Mary 

Compton/22nd Century Media 

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4 | August 22, 2019 | the new lenox patriot news 


New Lenox Police Department gives $2,500 donation to HERO 

Sean Hastings, Editor 

John Roberts, co-founder 

and president of the 

Heroin Epidemic Relief 

Organization, was stunned 

when he found out the size 

of the donation the New 

Lenox Police Department 

was giving HERO. 

HERO lives by donations, 

so even the smallest 

of donations makes 

Roberts happy. And that is 

what Roberts expected. 

When Deputy Chief 

Louis Alessandrini called 

Roberts to tell him about 

the donation the NLPD 

would be giving, he initially 

said it would be $1,500. 

Roberts kind of laughed 

at it because of the size of 

the donation was so huge, 

figuring Alessandrini definitely 

misspoke. 

He did. The actual donation 

was $2,500. 

“It was delightful news,” 

Roberts said. “When I 

heard $2,500, I said ‘oh 

my God.’ We work closely 

with the mayor [Tim Baldermann] 

and I have met 

with him before. They are 

one of the four partners for 

HERO. I told the mayor 

the other day and said it 

last year: New Lenox is a 

model community. All that 

they are doing is so important 

and makes our work 

easier. 

“They know we’re there 

to help. We didn’t ask for 

it and the chief just offered 

it.” 

Alessandrini had talked 

to Roberts a couple days 

before to ask who he 

should make the check out 

to — Roberts or HERO— 

and when Roberts called 

him back, Alessandrini had 

forgotten what the amount 

was going to be. 

Roberts spent quite some 

time talking with Bob Sterba, 

New Lenox chief of police, 

at the National Night 

Out event on Aug. 6 in the 

New Lenox Commons. 

The event was sponsored 

by the New Lenox Police 

Department and HERO 

was there with its “hidden 

in plain sight” trailer. Roberts 

said Sterba offered to 

help with the trailer. 

The two discussed on 

ways that can continue to 

work together to combat 

the heroin epidemic. It was 

Sterba’s doing that got the 

ball rolling for the donation. 

“We’ve grown together,” 

Roberts said. “They know 

what we’re going to do. We 

are who we say we are. The 

chief really surprised me.” 

Roberts added that 98-99 

percent of the donations go 

back into the organization. 

The money for the donation 

came from forfeiture 

funds from drug investigations 

when a car was seized 

or from proceeds received 

on a search warrant or 

things of that nature, Alessandrini 

said. 

Alessandrini added that 

it is ironic that the money 

they used to donate to 

Posing for a photo with the check are (left to right) Deputy Chief April Di Sandro, Mayor Tim Baldermann, HERO 

Co-Founder/President John Roberts, Chief Bob Sterba and Deputy Chief Louis Alessandrini. Photo Submitted 

HERO came from what is 

causing the epidemic, but 

is happy that money is being 

used for good now. 

“We know that HERO 

and John Roberts are 

fighting the good fight 

and trying to prevent this 

epidemic from growing,” 

Alessandrini said. “Overall, 

there may be a period 

of time where we don’t 

hear it and then unfortunately 

you may get a death. 

We try to do what we can 

to combat it and more people 

are affected by it than 

many people realize.” 

HERO offers a family 

support group 7-8:30 p.m. 

every Tuesday at Lincolnway 

Christian Church, 690 

E. Illinois Highway. It also 

offers grief support 7-8:30 

p.m. on the first and third 

Tuesday of every month 

at Calvary Church, 16100 

S. 104th Avenue, Orland 

Park. 

For more information 

about HERO, visit the 

herofoundation.org. 

salon 

From Page 3 

based, because it’s less 

chemical exposure. This 

is my passion.” 

She has also worked 

with women going 

through hair loss, either 

by chemotherapy or alopecia. 

Her salon does not 

do high toxic services 

such as perms and relaxers. 

“Working with clients 

going through cancer, I 

want to limit their toxic 

exposure,” she said. “We 

create a plan for each client. 

Some clients want a 

healthier lifestyle, other 

clients want to be as clean 

and organic as they can be 

and others have allergies 

to hair dye. I assist them 

as well.” 

Stopping by with large 

scissors was CEO of the 

New Lenox Chamber of 

Commerce Emily Johnson. 

“Sheli has done a great 

job of documenting the 

transformation of this 

space,” Johnson said. “It’s 

also a way of learning 

about the services she’s 

doing. It’s been a fun process 

to watch.” 

The New Lenox Chamber 

is always looking for 

businesses to join. 

“One of my goals when 

I took over the chamber 

was to connect with the 

community,” Johnson 

said. “It’s also important 

to reach their target market 

of the Lincoln-Way 

area. We work very hard 

to work with our members 

on sharing their events 

and things they have going 

on such as this ribbon 

cutting today. We want the 

residents to know what’s 

here. We have so many 

unique and special things 

in New Lenox we want 

the ‘shop local’ mentality, 

that residents are embracing.” 

For information on the 

salon visit the website at 

thecleanbeautyboutique. 

com.

newlenoxpatriot.com new lenox 


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Lincoln-Way High Community High School D210 Board of Education 

Moody’s gives D210 a 

bond rating upgrade 

T.J. Kremer III 

Contributing Editor 

It was announced at 

the Thursday, Aug. 15, 

Lincoln-Way Community 

High School D210 Board 

of Education meeting that 

Moody’s upgraded the district’s 

bond rating to Baa3, 

up from its previous rating 

of Ba1. 

Moody’s decision to increase 

the district’s bond 

rating, in part, because of 

“the district’s increased reserves 

and liquidity, which 

are the result of stronger 

budgetary management 

and consecutive years of 

surplus operating results,” 

according to a memo by 

the credit rating company. 

The memo went on to 

state that: “The rating also 

considers the large, affluent 

tax base, above-average 

debt burden with escalating 

debt service, and contingent 

liability risk associated 

with the state’s share of 

the district’s poorly funded 

pension liabilities.” 

According to a press 

release from D210, the 

district experienced an 

operating surplus of $5.04 

million in fiscal year 2017, 

$8.01 million in fiscal year 

2018, and $6.04 million 

for the fiscal year that ended 

on June 30 of this year. 

“When we got the news 

the other day, I got to tell 

you I was not at all surprised, 

and I mean that as 

a credit to the work you 

all put in keeping these 

Round it up 

A brief recap of other items discussed during the Aug. 

15 Lincoln-Way High School D210 Board of Education 

meeting 

• The board voted 7-0 to approve a bid for 32 

commercial refrigerators for food services and 

athletic departments from Sysco Food Services in 

the amount of $85,578.86. 

• The board also voted 7-0 to approve the 

purchase of 53 new copiers and a maintenance 

contract with Proven IT as presented from the 

FY2020 budget in the amount of $305,437. 

* Board Member Peter Wilkes updated the board 

on a student behavioral threat assessment 

training on Aug. 14 that included members of law 

enforcement and 24 LW D210 faculty members. 

budgets in line, improving 

our financial status and 

getting us upgraded,” said 

Board President Joseph 

Kosteck. “Between that 

and the growth in academic 

achievement here, it’s 

really something to see. … 

You’re all — teachers, faculty 

and staff, parents, students 

— everyone is to be 

commended for this. And 

the board.” 

Fiscal year 2020 budget 

on display 

As part of the process 

of approving its FY2020 

budget, the board was 

presented with the first of 

three scheduled presentations 

before it will officially 

vote to adopt a budget at 

its Sept. 19 meeting. 

The tentative budget, 

which is on display 

on the district’s website 

at go.boarddocs. 

com/il/lw210/Board. 

nsf/goto?open 

&id=AY5LW254C59B, 

shows a revenue increase 

of $7.3 million from 

FY2019, an expenditure 

increase of $4.2 million 

from FY2019, with a total 

surplus of $5.9 million 

from FY2019 for all of its 

combined funds. 

“Tonight is just really an 

introduction to the FY2020 

budget,” said Assistant 

Superintendent of Business 

Brad Cauffman. “We 

have … two more times to 

discuss the budget before 

we actually vote on it. … 

Tonight is just an introduction. 

[There is] plenty of 

time for questions.” 

The board will again discuss 

the budget at its next 

meeting on Aug. Thursday, 

Aug. 29. 

visit us online at 

www.newlenoxpatriot.com



The New Lenox Chamber of Commerce 

would like to thank 

The Sanctuary Golf Course and the following sponsors for once again 

for making our Annual Golf Outing on August 2 nd a huge success. 

Chaired by Jon Osborne, Image 360, and Melissa Walter, LincolnWay Community Bank 

Mark your calendars for the 2020 Stars & Stripes Outing on 

Friday, August 7 at The Sanctuary Golf Course. 

Dinner Sponsors 

Lunch Sponsors 

Concept Development Group, Inc. 

 

 

The NLCC would 

also like to thank 

our golfer goodies 

and raffle prize 

sponsors. 

And a HUGE 

THANK YOU 

to the golf 

committee and 

volunteers. 

Premiere Sponsors: 

Eternally Green Lawn Care 

HR Green, Inc. 

Image 360 

Kathy Miller, State Farm Insurance 

Law Office of Theresa A. Berkey 

LincolnWay Community Bank 

Mars Medical Equipment & Supply, Inc. 

MVP Chiropractic LLC 

New Lenox Community Park District 

Old Plank Trail Community Bank 

Village of New Lenox 

Event Sponsors: 

Bettenhausen Automotive 

Chiro One Wellness Centers 

Cruise Planners - Principle Travel 

First Bank of New Lenox 

Gatto’s Restaurant & Bar 

Lenny’s Food N Fuel 

Nothing Bundt Cakes 

Principle Lighting, Inc. 

Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital 

Hole Sponsors: 

AT&T 

Bella Fiori Flower Shop, Inc. 

CRIS Realty 

Edward Jones Investments - Zackery Kuster 

Hickey Memorial Chapel 

Homewood Disposal 

Kurtz Memorial Chapel 

New Lenox Patriot 

NuMark Credit Union 

Rigsby Builders, Inc. 

ServPro 

Shanahan Insurance Agency 

State Senator Michael E. Hastings 

Tom Kelly’s Chophouse & Pub LLC 

Town Center Bank 

Tri-star Cabinets



New Lenox Village Board 

Possible changes for electronic gaming rules ahead 

Jessie Molloy 


The New Lenox Village 

Board discussed an amendment 

to the village’s electronic 

gaming rules at its 

meeting Monday, Aug. 12 

as the State of Illinois prepares 

to expand the practice 

in 2020. 

Starting Jan. 1 Illinois’ 

state gaming rules will expand, 

allowing most businesses 

with a liquor license 

to have up to six machines 

instead of five and up the 

maximum betting amount 

from $2 to $4. The new 

rules also allow large truck 

stops to have up to 10 machines 

and increase the 

state’s tax on machine revenue 

from two percent to 

four percent. 

New Lenox has the ability 

to add additional stipulations 

to business’s ability 

to have video gaming, and 

given the coming changes, 

the board opted to review 

and update its existing 

policies. Currently, New 

Lenox’s only significant 

stipulations on gaming are 

that the machines be separated 

from the rest of the 

establishment by at least 

a half-wall divider, or be 

kept in a separate room 

altogether. The state only 

requires a rope to separate 

the machines from the 

rest of the restaurant. New 

Lenox also requires that a 

certain percentage of the 

business’s revenue come 

from non-gaming activities 

in order to prevent an influx 

of gaming cafes and other 

establishments exclusively 

meant for gaming. 

The proposed update 

discussed Aug. 12 will 

allow for the increase in 

machines from five to six, 

but increases the annual 

registration fee paid for 

the machines by owners 

from $25 per machine to 

$150, with exceptions for 

the Park District and Veterans’ 

Halls. Furthermore, 

the village plans to change 

the required percentage of 

income that must be generated 

by non-gaming activities. 

Instead of the previous 

60 percent, gaming 

locations will now only 

have to have 50 percent of 

their revenue come from 

non-gaming activities; 

however, the non-gaming 

half will not be allowed 

to include the sale of cigarettes 

or other tobacco 

products. 

“We had a loophole develop 

where gas stations 

and other businesses were 

really pushing cigarette 

sales in order to increase 

their revenue,” Mayor Tim 

Baldermann said. “This 

will stop that from being an 

issue.” 

New Developments 

The board voted unanimously, 

minus the vote 

of absent trustee Douglas 

Finnegan, to approve a 

Special Use for the Final 

P.U.D. Plat of Phase 1 of 

the Four Seasons development. 

Phase 1 of the agerestricted 

subdivision will 

include all the required site 

improvements including 

roadwork, drainage and 

landscaping, 195 homes, 

and the development’s 

amenity center. While final 

plans are still being completed 

on the amenity center, 

the board approved the 

first reading of the plan and 

is anticipating the second 

reading with more plan details 

at its next meeting. 

The developer still plans 

to begin construction on the 

site this fall. 

The board also voted to 

grant approval for the site 

plan of a proposed dental 

office at 202 Vancina Lane. 

The office will be the final 

building in its retail development 

and will be located 

behind Five Guys off Lincoln 

Highway. 

Elements of the building 

design including signage, 

are still being finalized, but 

realtor Jessica Kramer said 

the tennant “is very excited 

to move in and is personally 

getting involved with 

the design plans.” 

Kramer noted that they 

have already applied for 

building permits and that 

the office is anticipated to 

open in spring of 2020. 

The board voted to set 

surety on the project in the 

amount of $106,230.94. 

Men Who Cook Fundraiser 

The board was visited by 

a representative of the Will 

County State’s Attorney’s 

office to announce the 

date and details of its 

annual “Men Who Cook” 

Fundraiser. 

The event is held each 

year to benefit the office’s 

Children’s Advocacy 

Center, which provides 

“trained and compassionate 

interviewers” to take 

the complaint statements 

of physically and sexually 

abused children and provides 

them with advocacy 

and therapy services. 

This year’s event will be 

held on Saturday, Sept. 7 

from 6-9 p.m. at the Chicagoland 

Speedway in 

Joliet. Fifty amateur and 

professional cooks will 

prepare samples of their 

signature dishes for the 

public to enjoy and judge 

while listening to live music, 

having some drinks, 

and participating in raffles 

and kid-friendly activities. 

Tickets cost $40 each or 

$70 per couple. For more 

information, tickets, sponsorship 

opportunities, or to 

sign up to cook interested 

parties should go to www. 

MenWhoCook.info. 

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815-485-0304 

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Joey’s Red Hots, Pizza coming to New Lenox 

Business is eyeing 

December opening 

date 

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New Lenox residents 

will soon have a new food 

stop as Joey’s Red Hots 

and Joey’s Pizza is coming 

to town. 

Joey’s currently has a 

location in Orland Park, 

which is staying open, 

with one building serving 

its “Red Hots”—hot dogs, 

beefs, burgers and other 

sandwiches and another 

building serving pizza and 

Please see Joey’s, 9 

Posing for a photo at Joey’s Red Hots in Orland are owners Nick Iozzo (left) and 

Anthony Nardo. Photo Submitted



New Lenox Public Library offering 

Halloween costume exchange 


Halloween costume 

shopping can be stressful 

and expensive. The perfect 

costume is hard to find, 

finding the right size is 

even harder and the costs 

for a one-night outfit are a 

tough pill to swallow. 

The New Lenox Public 

Library is offering an 

“Eek-o-Friendly” Halloween 

costume exchange 

Sept. 16-Oct.31 for people 

to exchange or donate 

last year’s costumes 

and get a “new to you” 

costume. It is also meant 

to have people avoid just 

throwing away costumes 

and recycle them by having 

someone else use them. 

“It’s a nice way to reuse 

your stuff,” Jolyce Abernathy 

Morris, circulation 

manager, said. “It’s a way 

for people to recycle their 

old costumes, donate them 

and get them to people in 

need. They can check out 

the stash that we have 

and find something new. I 

Joey’s 

From Page 8 

Gelato. 

The New Lenox location, 

which will be next 

to the new Starbucks and 

CVS on Lincoln Highway, 

will have a full menu of 

the “Red Hots,” pizza and 

Gelato. 

However, compared to 

the Orland Park location, 

there will not be much 

outdoor seating in New 

Lenox, but there will be 

indoor seating for approximately 

150 people and a 

private party room to seat 

up to 80. 

Co-owner Nick Iozzo 

said when he saw the new 

strip have spots for sale, he 

immediately reached out 

to get Joey’s in the space. 

Durbin’s was originally 

lined up to fill the spot, but 

backed out. Iozzo said he 

wanted to pay “right now,” 

but the leasing agent gave 

Durbin’s a two-week notice. 

He called co-owner Anthony 

Nardo when he saw 

the location — next to the 

train station, Starbucks, 

CVS and on busy Lincoln 

thought it would be fun to 

try here.” 

The costumes should be 

gently used and washed 

before donating them. If 

people do not have anything 

to donate or exchange 

they can pick out a 

costume for $2 for a children’s 

costume or $4 for 

an adult costume. 

“It’s our first time trying 

it,” Abernathy-Morris said. 

“I did this at a park district 

before that I worked at and 

people really seemed to 

like it, then a [library] staff 

member brought it up and 

I said ‘OK, we can try that 

again because it was pretty 

successful where I last did 

it. I think it will be pretty 

well-received here too.” 

Any costume, besides 

wigs, or anything that 

would have been touching 

bare skin should not be donated. 

And the library has 

the right to refuse to accept 

costumes if they are not in 

good condition. 

The donated costumes 

should be the entire costume, 

but if people have 

pieces that they think can 

be used to make a new costume, 

that can be accepted. 

They also do not have to 

be licensed costumes. 

It is all on a first-come, 

first serve basis and sizes 

and styles may vary. 

Abernathy-Morris hopes 

to have a variety of costumes. 

“They’re might be a lot 

of [Buzz Lightyear], for 

example, but that’s OK, 

because maybe someone 

just needs the next size up 

and pay just $2 for it instead 

of going to the Disney 

store and paying $50,” 

she said. 

All extra donations will 

be sent to Morning Star 

Mission. 

Clothing racks will be 

set up in the library to 

donate, people can just 

bring it to the circulation 

desk during regular library 

hours. 

For more information, 

contact the library at (815) 

485-2605 

Highway, Nardo jumped 

on board. 

“We wanted a Portillo’ssized 

store and this gives 

us that space,” Iozzo said. 

He added that he is excited 

to move in and be 

able to accommodate the 

people of New Lenox. 

Mayor Tim Baldermann 

also said he was excited to 

have Joey’s come to town 

and offer its full menu. 

Iozzo signed the lease 

last week and as long as the 

other permits go smoothly, 

he is planning on having it 

open in early December or 

by the end of the year. 

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NL woman warning people about the 

risks, dangers of fractal burning process 


New Lenox resident 

Rachael O’Connor lost 

her husband, Jim, when 

he tried the fractal burning 

process and now she 

is hoping to get word out 

about how dangerous and 

life threatening it can be. 

The process of fractal 

burning, simply put, involves 

taking a piece of 

wood, wiping it with a 

mixed solution of water 

and baking soda, using 

jumper cables and a high 

voltage transformer and 

burning lightning bolt-like 

figures into it. 

The process can yield 

great results, but can be 

deadly. 

It uses high voltage electricity 

and it can magnify 

Fundraiser for Jim 

O’Connor 

Where: Eden Bar & 

Grill, 926 Gardner Ave., 

Joliet 

When: 3 p.m. Sept. 21 

Cost: $20 tickets 

Features: Live music, 

spaghetti dinner, face 

painting for kids, dunk 

tank, car show, 50/50 

raffles and basket 

raffles 

up to 2,000 volts. 

Jim went to visit his 

cousin in Arkansas in early 

February and made a walking 

stick with his cousin. 

Just over two weeks later, 

Jim tried it on his own and 

lost his life, Rachael said. 

“I just want to get the 

word out about the dangers,” 

Rachael said. “I never 

heard of it until he came 

back from Arkansas. 

“You never know who 

might be messing around 

with something like this. 

Anyone could be doing it.” 

Rachael was told that 

Jim never got to the point 

of making contact with the 

wood and was found with 

the cables in his hand. 

The process has become 

known to be so dangerous 

that the American Association 

of Woodturners has 

banned the talk of process 

from its site. It does; however 

allow talk about the 

dangers of it and has a list 

of people who have lost 

their life due to the process. 

It lists 18 names of 

known cases where people 

died over the last few years. 

The site also features an article 

about a man that died, 

who was an electrician. Rachael 

said that strengthens 

her point of how dangerous 

it is. 

Jim and Rachael O’Connor pose for a photo. Rachael 

hopes to get word out about the dangers of fractal 

burning and hopes that Jim’s story can save someone 

else’s life. Photo Submitted 

Jim, himself, was also 

mechanically inclined, Rachael 

said. 

Rachael and her friends 

are holding a fundraiser at 

Eden Bar & Grill to raise 

money to help Rachael and 

her youngest son out. 

“The money is needed to 

help in raising our youngest 

son [16], pay down the 

mortgage to help us keep 

our home and any repairs 

that might be needed to upkeep 

the house,” Rachael 

said. 

The night will feature 

live music, food, raffles and 

options for children. 

Rachael and her friends 

setting up the fundraiser 

are seeking baskets to be 

donated. 

Jim used to race cars and 

since his passing, Rachael 

has taken up the act and recently 

took second place in 

the Street Outlaws event in 

the 7.0 class Aug. 10. 

“I’ve been doing it because 

I think that’s what 

he’d want to be doing. I’m 

doing it in his honor,” she 

said. “I’m trying to do everything 

I can in his honor.” 

She just picked up racing 

over the last few months. 

She had gone down the 

track with Jim before and 

been around the sport, but 

has finally begun racing 

herself. 

The internet is flooded 

with videos of the process 

and while all videos note 

the dangers, they still show 

how to do it, which is what 

Rachael does not understand. 

“It’s not worth it for a human 

to risk their life,” Rachael 

said.



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Legal immigrants given application assistance to attain full U.S. Citizenship 

Lee Cruz, Freelance Reporter 

When immigrants want 

to attain full U.S. citizenship, 

it is important that 

they have a clear understanding 

of the procedures 

involved to make that a 

reality, so that they do not 

encounter lengthy delays 

or incur hefty financial 

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that process. 

To aid individuals aspiring 

to achieve citizenship, 

State Representative 

Margo McDermed hosted 

a free program in which 

legal immigrants were offered 

application assistance 

at the New Lenox 

Public Library on Saturday, 

Aug. 17. 

It was the second time 

McDermed hosted this 

event, after receiving very 

favorable feedback about 

last year’s initial rollout of 

the program. 

With guidance from accredited 

representatives 

of the Illinois Coalition 

for Immigrant and Refugee 

Rights and the Spanish 

Community Center in 

Joliet, attendees received 

citizenship consultations, 

gained assistance with 

completing the application 

for naturalization, and 

learned about citizenship 

classes available. 

In her introductory remarks 

to the participants, 

McDermed stated, “Here in 

the United States we’re all 

children and grandchildren 

of immigrants. It’s really 

important to incentivize 

immigrants who are here 

legally and are following 

the rules. We need to honor 

all of you. Nevertheless, it 

is really complicated, timeconsuming, 

and expensive 

to apply for citizenship, so 

we want to make it easy for 

you and provide the opportunity 

to have this service 

at a low cost.” 

Dagmara Avelar, a program 

manager with the Illinois 

Coalition for Immigrant 

and Refugee Rights, 

emphasized to the attendees 

that it was a good decision 

to participate in the 

program. 

“If you’re deemed eligible 

for citizenship, we 

will follow up to get the 

process going, making 

State Rep. Margo McDermed (left) talks to Dagmara Avela, the program manager for the 

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, about the workshop’s turnout, as 

well as future potential workshops. 22nd Century Media File Photo 

sure you are staying on top 

of all the steps along the 

way,” Avelar said. “We’re 

going to be there for you 

from Point A today to your 

oath ceremony at the end.” 

They were also advised 

to be prepared to furnish 

detailed information on 

their spouse’s and children’s 

backgrounds, in 

addition to their activities 

over the past five years in 

regards to residency and 

employment in the country, 

and travel outside of 

the United States, as well. 

During the event, the 

participants completed 

forms, including a screening 

tool that allowed the 

accredited representatives 

to identify any possible 

issues that might serve as 

obstacles to attaining citizenship. 

That was followed by 

one-on-one consultations 

with the representatives 

who discussed their particular 

eligibility for citizenship 

and possible obstacles 

for attaining it, as well 

as to talk about the steps 

necessary and resources 

available to complete the 

process for becoming naturalized 

citizens. 

Yanzi Mendez, director 

of external affairs for the 

Office of the Republican 

Leader, Jim Durkin, emphasized 

the importance 

of having accredited representatives 

to guide applicants 

through the citizenship 

process. 

“If you make one little 

mistake like accidentally 

placing some information 

in the wrong box, the application 

gets thrown out, 

and so you might have to 

start all over or you might 

have to wait a while to reapply,” 

she said. “Either 

way, you’re penalized, so 

it’s very important to have 

people who know what 

they’re doing to assist you. 

That’s why this workshop 

provided by representative 

McDermed has great 

value.” 

Avelar talked about 

some of the challenges that 

often deter eligible legal 

immigrants from navigating 

through the pathway to 

citizenship. 

One factor is cost. It 

costs $725 just to file for 

citizenship regardless as 

to whether the applicant 

passes the test. Plus, there 

is the cost of attorney fees, 

which could run anywhere 

from $1,500-$5,000 depending 

on how complicated 

the applicant’s case 

is. 

Citizenship classes not 

only cover topics about 

American civics and history, 

but they also provide 

instruction to help prepare 

applicants for the speaking, 

reading, and writing 

portions of the test. 

Avelar also stressed the 

importance of applicants 

to secure guidance from 

properly accredited professionals. 

“There’s this common 

misconception that applying 

for citizenship means 

just filling out a form 

and just sending it to Immigration,” 

Avelar said. 

“But we always stress the 

fact that it’s important to 

get legal consultation to 

see if they are even eligible 

for U.S. citizenship 

before we continue on the 

process.” 

McDermed reaffirmed 

the value of partnering 

with the Illinois Coalition 

for Immigrant and Refugee 

Rights and the Spanish 

Community Center to 

sponsor the program.



Lincoln-Way JROTC summer drill 

camp helps kick off school year 


Rarely does all three 

Lincoln-Way AFJROTC 

programs get together and 

do team building and other 

training exercises as one 

group. 

The last week of the 

summer during the AF- 

JROTC Summer Drill 

Camp, makes that possible. 

It is also a chance 

for returning members to 

catch up, as well as welcome 

in the new freshmen 

to the program. 

From Aug. 12-16, approximately 

120 students 

showed up each day to 

Lincoln-Way Central for 

camp to learn leadership 

skills, drill maneuvers, 

team building exercises 

and play games. 

The different flights had 

approximately 15 people 

in each — larger than usual, 

but were lead by seniors 

who attended the leadership 

class in Ohio in June, 

Sergeant Dan Schliffka 

said. 

For Central senior Abigail 

Knippel, who recently 

received state and regional 

awards for an essay she 

wrote about ROTC, this is 

her last hurrah. 

“The reason why we 

drill is an acronym, DLT: 

discipline, leadership 

and teamwork,” she said. 

“Those are the three main 

things we focus on as well 

as making friends a week 

before school starts.” 

The week-long camp 

was free and students did 

not need to be apart of the 

AFJROTC program to attend. 

The camp was open 

to seventh graders as well. 

And for the ones who 

were not already signed 

up, it gave them an opportunity 

to learn firsthand 

what the AFJROTC program 

at Lincoln-Way has 

to offer. 

“It’s optional and it takes 

the place of gym during 

the school year and they’re 

told in eighth grade when 

they sign up for classes 

that ROTC is an option,” 

Knippel said. 

As a senior, she is hoping 

to be a leader for her 

fellow AFJROTC members 

and the new students. 

“I think the most important 

thing is to have the 

enthusiasm and a good attitude,” 

she said. “As long 

as we’re all happy, they’ll 

be happy.” 

One thing Knippel and 

senior East flight leader 

Colin Murphy both noted 

was that the games were 

one of the best parts because 

it forced a lot of people 

who just met to work 

together. 

“We need to drill into 

Members of the 

Lincoln-Way AFJROTC 

program march in 

formation during the 

annual one week 

AFJROTC Summer 

Drill Camp. On 

average, 120 students 

were at the camp each 

day from Aug. 12-16. 

Sean Hastings/22nd 

Century Media 

their minds, ‘you’re 

strangers, we know,’ but 

you have to work together, 

because it is a team 

sport,’” Murphy said. “If 

one person is not working 

with the team, it’s not going 

to work. The drill has 

to be synchronized. You’re 

working as one person, 

one unit and you’ve got to 

really make sure they understand 

it.” 

He let his flight know 

right away that if any issues 

arise to sort it out on 

their own or come to him. 

He told the groups they 

don’t have to like each 

other, but have to be able 

to work with each other. 

It is Murphy’s first year 

in charge of his own flight 

and while there is some 

added work to it, he is 

looking forward to the 

position. He also racks up 

many community service 

hours. He has the most in 

the Corps. since 2008. He 

has roughly 280 hours and 

is eyeing 400 by the year’s 

end. 

“ROTC has been all my 

life and I’ve met so many 

great friends from it,” he 

said. “It’s bittersweet, because 

I’m moving on to 

college finally, but I’m 

going to miss everyone. 

Colonel and Sergeant, I’ve 

spent 200 something hours 

with them.” 

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APRIL BLAIR 

Broker 

2 New Lenox comics 

hosting charity show 

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• Lifelong resident of the 

LincolnWay area 

• Full time realtor since 1992 

• Remodeling & staging 

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• Professional photography 

included with all listings 

(815) 954-4443 Cell 

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Comedy charity 

show set for Sept. 

11 in Bolingbrook 


New Lenox residents 

Phil Landriault and Joe 

Lauer met when Phil went 

to observe an open mic in 

Alsip where Lauer happened 

to be performing. 

Landriault approached 

him after the show to compliment 

him on his set and 

the two found out they live 

two subdivisions away 

from each other. 

Lauer has been doing 

comedy for a little over 

two years and Landriault 

has been doing it since 

March of this year. Lauer 

first got into comedy after 

giving a best man’s speech 

at his brother’s wedding 

and having people asking 

when they could see him 

again on stage — thinking 

he was a stand up comic. 

He is an attorney. 

“That kind of lit a fire 

under me and probably six 

months after that I did my 

first open mic,” Lauer said. 

The two did a show together 

in June and was a 

big hit and started trying 

to schedule another right 

away. 

CG’s Comedy Club in 

Bolingbrook opened in 

July and will be the site for 

the duo’s comedy fundraiser 

on Sept. 11. 

“We approached Glen 

Martino the owner and we 

talked to him about having 

a show and we’re looking 

at scheduling with him and 

he told us he could give 

us a Wednesday night,” 

Landriault said. “We started 

looking at the schedule 

Posing for a photo at CG’s Comedy Club are Joe Lauer 

(left) and Phil Landriault. Photo Submitted 

and we were thinking late 

August or early September 

and sure enough Sept. 11 

pops up on a Wednesday 

and I suggested we do a 

charity show.” 

The two decided that a 

portion of the money will 

go to The Hundred Club 

of DuPage County, which 

is non-profit organization 

that assists families 

of fallen first responders. 

Landriault said the hope 

is to have at least $1,000 

donated. 

It provides death, disability, 

and education benefits 

to survivors of fallen 

law enforcement officers, 

firefighters, and other first 

responders, residing or 

working in DuPage County, 

who have lost their lives 

or severely injured, whether 

or not the incident was 

duty related, its website 

If you’re going 

CG’s Comedy Club 

• 619 E. Boughton Rd. 

Ste. 125, Bolingbrook, 

• Doors open at 7 p.m., 

show starts at 8 p.m. 

• Tickets $18 

• Money benefits 

The Hundred Club of 

DuPage County 

Comics 

• Joe Lauer 

• Phil Landriault 

• John McCombs 

• Mystery Special 

Guest 

• Brooks Sullivan 

states. 

Will and Cook County 

both have clubs as well. 

They chose DuPage because 

that is where the 

Please see charity, 15

newlenoxpatriot.com community 


THANK YOU FOR VOTING US 

BEST SENIOR LIVING FOR 

THREE YEARS IN A ROW!!! 

Zoom 

The Hullinger 

Family, New 

Lenox residents 

Zoom loves to 

play with other 

dogs, go for 

walks, cuddles 

and go on car 

rides. 

Would you like to 

see your pet pictured 

as The New 

Lenox Patriot’s 

Pet of the Week? 

Send your pet’s 

photo and a few 

sentences explaining 

why your pet 

is outstanding 

to Editor Sean 

Hastings at sean@ 

newlenoxpatriot. 

com or 11516 W. 

183rd St., Office 

Condo 3, Suite SW, 

Orland Park, Ill. 

60467. 

charity 

From Page 14 

show is being held. 

Landriault has been 

stopping by police and fire 

stations over the last week 

to get the word out and invite 

people. 

The two are hoping to 

sell out the space, which 

holds 90 comfortably but 

can hold up to 100 people. 

If they sell out the show, 

Landriault said they will 

try to add a second show 

that night or one later that 

week. 

Lauer said that people 

can expect to see a lot 

of their neighborhood in 

their set. 

“I grew up in the city 

[Chicago],” Lauer said. 

“So a lot of my comedy 

you can see the rough 

streets of the southside 

and I also talk about the 

suburbs. You can see a 

little bit of Chicago and 

New Lenox in my set.” 

Tickets are on sale right 

now at cgscomedyclub. 

com/. Tickets are $18 and 

there is a two-drink minimum. 

Doors open at 7 

p.m. and the show starts at 

8 p.m. Attendees are encouraged 

to bring cash if 

they would like to donate 

more. 

Lauer and Landriault 

do not have any affiliation 

themselves with first responders, 

but have friends 

in it. 

“There’s a number of 

police officers that I’m 

friends with,” Landriault 

said. “Our lives, individually, 

we’re friends 

with some and hopefully 

will never have to use the 

services of The Hundred 

Club, but if they have to 

hopefully our contributions 

help out.” 

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Police Reports 

Man exposes himself to person at Morning Star Treasure Chest 

Charles M. Martin, 59, 

305 Davidson Street, Joliet 

was charged with disorderly 

contact. An officer 

was reportedly dispatched 

to Morning Star Treasure 

Chest in reference to an 

indecent exposure complainant. 

The officer met 

with the complainant and 

learned a male subject had 

exposed himself to the 

complainant while inside 

the store. A subsequent 

investigation led to the arrest 

of the offender, Martin, 

on Aug. 5. 

Aug. 9 

• Hershel Evans, 48, 11028 

S. Green Street, Chicago., 

was charged with DUI. An 

officer was reportedly on 

patrol and observed the 

driver of a vehicle talking 

on a cell phone. The 

officer conducted a traffic 

stop on the vehicle in the 

2400 block of E. Lincoln 

Highway and met with the 

driver, Evans and learned 

through investigation that 

Evans was driving under 

the influence of alcohol. 

• A resident in the 100 

block of Third Avenue 

reportedly had their 

credit card information 

stolen and fraudulent purchases 

were made. 

Aug. 8 

• A female subject reportedly 

stole three bottles 

of alcohol totaling $163 

from CVS Pharmacy, 115 

E. Lincoln Highway. 

• A resident in the 2900 

block of Martin Court 

reportedly had someone 

obtain their personal information 

and opened 

fraudulent accounts with 

Sprint and Comcast using 

their information. 

Aug. 7 

Three subjects reportedly 

stole $1,000 worth 

of products from the 

pharmacy area of CVS 

Pharmacy, 115 E. Lincoln 

Highway, 

EDITOR’S NOTE: The New 

Lenox Patriot’s Police Reports 

are compiled from official 

reports found online 

on the New Lenox Police Department’s 

website or releases 

issued by the department 

and other agencies. Anyone 

listed in these reports is considered 

to be innocent of all 

charges until proven guilty in 

a court of law. 

String of forgeries reported at various NL businesses 


From Aug. 6-10, at least 

seven forgeries were reported 

at different businesses 

in New Lenox. Four 

of those were reported on 

the same day just hours 

apart. 

The first report of forgery 

came from Harris 

Bank, 110 W. Lincoln 

Highway, on Aug. 6 at 

10:06 a.m., where the 

complainant advised that 

they wrote a check to a 

business to pay for services. 

The complainant 

reportedly put the check 

in the mail and eventually 

learned that someone had 

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obtained the check, forged 

it by changing the amount 

and made the check payable 

to someone else. 

Just over an hour later, 

another report of forgery 

came from TCF Bank, 

2400 E. Lincoln Highway, 

around 11:10 a.m. The 


someone tendered a fraudulent 

$100 bill to the bank. 

Deputy Chief Louis Alessandrini 

said this is still 

under investigation and at 

the time of this report was 

not known how the bill got 

there. It was found in the 

bank’s daily count. 

Later that day, an officer 

was dispatched to 

Jimmy John’s, 2400 E. 

Lincoln Highway, at 7:17 

p.m. in reference to a currency 

complaint. A male 

subjected tendered a counterfeit 

$20 bill to pay for 

food. TCBY was the next 

business hit with forgery. 

Under an hour later, the 

complainant at TCBY advised 

that a male subject 

tendered a counterfeit $20 

bill to pay for food. 

Deputy Chief Louis 

Alessandrini said the two 

are connected and the offenders 

were caught on 

video, but left the area before 

police were notified. 

He said in situations like 

this, someone obtains the 

counterfeit money, hires 

others to make purchases 

with large bills, get real 

money in change and be 

paid for the service. 

The following day, Aug. 

7, a resident in the 309 

block of Garnet Drive had 

their bank account information 

obtained. The offender 

reportedly made several 

fraudulent checks with the 

information and the checks 

were cashed against the 

complainant’s account. 

Later that day, a 24-yearold 

female, Catherine 

Spearman, of Gary, Ind. 

was arrested and charged 

with forgery. She reportedly 

attempted to pay for 

her food at IHOP with a 

counterfeit $100 bill. The 

officer that was dispatched 

to IHOP, investigated and 

confirmed the bill was 

fake and Spearman was arrested. 

It was later learned that 

Spearman also passed a 

counterfeit $100 bill at 

Jewel, Buffalo Wild Wings, 

Beggar’s Pizza and Culver’s. 

All of the counterfeit 

money was recovered from 

those locations. The bill being 

used at IHOP was missing 

the security strip and 

that remained consistent 

at the other businesses as 

well. She was also caught 

on video. The bills all had 

the same serial number, 

too. 

Spearman, at press time, 

is the only arrest so far, 

Alessandrini said. 

Another forgery was 

reported three days later, 

Aug. 10, at Walmart, 501 

E. Lincoln Highway. The 


a male subject tendered 

several counterfeit $5 bills 

to pay for a gift card and a 

drink. 

Free falls prevention 

class being offered 

for older local adults 

Submitted by New Lenox 

Safe Communities America 

Coalition 

The New Lenox Safe 

Communities America 

Coalition, in partnership 

with its member organizations, 

is offering “A Matter 

of Balance: Managing 

Concerns About Falls” 

class 9:30 –11:30 a.m. 

Mondays starting Sept. 

16-Nov. 4 at the New 

Lenox VFW Post 9545, 

323 Old Hickory Road. 

Have you turned down 

a chance to go out with 

family or friends because 

you were concerned about 

falling? Have you cut 

down on a favorite activity 

because you might fall? 

If so, “A Matter of Balance: 

Managing Concerns 

About Falls” is a program 

for you. 

Fear of falling can be 

just as dangerous as falling 

itself. People who develop 

this fear often limit 

their activities, which can 

result in severe physical 

weakness, making 

the risk of falling even 

greater. Many older adults 

also experience increased 

isolation and depression 

when they limit their interactions 

with family and 

friends. “A Matter of Balance” 

can help people improve 

their quality of life 

and remain independent. 

“A Matter of Balance” 

is designed to reduce the 

fear of falling and increase 

activity levels among 

older adults. Participants 

learn to set realistic 

goals to increase activity, 

change their environment 

to reduce fall risk factors, 

and learn simple exercises 

to increase strength and 

balance. 

For additional information 

or to register for the 

class, contact Dan Martin, 

Safe Community Coordinator, 

(815) 462-6493 

or via email at dmartin@ 

newlenox.net. Register to 

reserve a seat as seating is 

limited.

newlenoxpatriot.com school 


the new lenox patriot’s 

Standout Student 

Sponsored by Marquette Bank 

WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL, 

CALL 

Vicki Tran, Lincoln-Way Central 

rising sophomore 

What is one essential you must have 

when studying? 

I always need to turn on a TV or have 

any kind of noise in the background. I 

could never study in complete silence. 

Snacks are also a must for me when I’m 

doing homework. 

What do you like to do when not in 

school or studying? 

When I am not studying, I enjoy spending 

time with my family and friends. I 

also love finding new things to watch on 

Netflix and Youtube. 

What is your dream job? 

My dream job is to be a physician assistant, 

specializing in pediatrics at Lurie 

Children’s Hospital. After being treated at 

Lurie’s a few years ago, I became inspired 

by an amazing group of people who made 

a scary experience much more bearable. 

What is one thing people don’t know 

about you? 

Most people don’t know that I was born 

in California and I moved to Illinois when 

I was 3. I love going back to California 

whenever I can to visit my relatives. 

Whom do you look up to and why? 

I look up to my sisters, Kelly and Melissa. 

They always support everything I do 

and give me advice whenever I need it. 

Their success in pretty much everything 

they do inspires me to do the same in my 

own way. The person I am today is influenced 

greatly by what they have taught 

me. 

What’s your favorite class and why? 

My favorite class is Spanish with Senorita 

Gruszka. Everyday I learn something 

new about the language and the culture of 

those who speak it. It’s cool to see how 

similar Spanish is to English and how I 

can apply it to my everyday life. 

What’s one thing that stands out about 

your school? 

photo submitted 

One thing that stands out about my 

school is how everyone is always willing 

to help each other out. If I’m struggling 

with homework or need advice, I always 

have someone I can go to whether from a 

classmate or faculty member. 

What extracurricular do you wish your 

school had? 

I wish there was a club for students interested 

in working in the medical field 

when they get older. It would be cool 

to visit/volunteer at hospitals and learn 

about the different professions in the 

medical field. 

If you could change one thing about your 

school what would it be? 

If there was one thing I would change 

about my school it would be the ability 

to take more electives throughout my four 

years in high school. There are many electives 

Lincoln-Way Central has to offer, 

but I won’t get the chance to take all the 

ones I am interested in. 

What’s your best memory from school? 

My best memory so far has been being 

on the badminton team at Central. It 

helped me learn the importance of patience, 

hard work and perseverance. My 

teammates have taught me to never give 

up and to always believe in myself even 

when a game is tough. 

Standout Student is a weekly feature for The 

New Lenox Patriot. Nominations come from 

New Lenox area schools. 

A Trusted Name in the Lincolnway Community for Over 50 Years 

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FROM THE LOCKPORT LEGEND 

Local exhibit pays homage 

to early Will County 

settlers 

Many people are entranced 

by the romance 

of great historical events 

such as the Civil War, but 

few are in the know about 

the history of the region 

to which they belong, said 

Sandy Vasko, museum director 

at the Will County 

Historical Museum and 

Research Center in Lockport. 

As she researched artefacts, 

she realized that each 

of those have a unique story 

to tell. With an aim to educate 

the residents, Vasko 

curated the Pre-1850 Early 

Will County exhibit at the 

museum that opened in 

May and will be on display 

through February 2020. 

The room dedicated to 

this exhibit is packed with 

interesting objects. One 

such item is the rocking 

chair that belonged to John 

Lane, who invented the 

steel plow to cut through 

the tough roots of the prairie. 

But Lane did not patent 

the plow, and credit was 

given to John Deere. 

“In 1916, the citizens 

of Lockport petitioned the 

Congress to declare Lane 

BE SMART. ADVERTISE IN 

CONTACT 

as the inventor of the steel 

plow,” Vasko said. “After 

much debate, he got the 

recognition he deserves.” 

Reporting by Abhinanda 

Datta, Assistant Editor. For 

more, visit LockportLegend. 

com. 

FROM THE MOKENA MESSENGER 

Mokenians invade Joliet for 

Community Night 

People who attended the 

Joliet Slammers baseball 

game Aug. 14 could be forgiven 

for briefly thinking 

they had somehow entered 

a wormhole and ended up 

in Mokena instead of Joliet. 

That is because the Mokena 

Chamber of Commerce 

partnered with the 

Joliet Slammers to host 

Mokena Community Night 

at the ballpark as the host 

Slammers took on the 

Washington Wild Things. 

Jeff Cordova, a 20-year 

employee with Mokena 

Public Works Department, 

was asked if he would like 

to toss out the ceremonial 

first pitch. His response? 

“Immediately, ‘Yes,’” 

Cordova said. “How often 

do you get a chance to 

throw out a first pitch for 

anything? This will probably 

be it. So, I’m pretty excited. 

I just hope I don’t hit 

the cameraman or something, 

like happened at the 

White Sox game not too 

long ago.” 

Cordova did not hit anything 

except the back of the 

catcher’s mitt, by the way. 

Then, it was time for several 

youngsters from Curtain 

Call Theatre in Mokena 

— Emma Fishman, 17, 

of Tinley Park; and Joseph 

Kotze, 15; Kaitlyn Lee, 16; 

and Brendon McCray, 19, 

each of Frankfort — to take 

center stage for the singing 

of the national anthem. 

Members of Mokena’s 

Fourth of July Parade Planning 

Committee then led 

the crowd in singing of 

“Take Me Out to the Ball 

Game” for the seventh-inning 

stretch. 

Reporting by T.J. Kremer III, 

Editor. For more, visit Moke 

naMessenger.com. 

FROM THE FRANKFORT STATION 

Country Hoedown a hit 

with local seniors 

Frankfort Township’s 

latest event for seniors gave 

area residents a chance to 

connect — and hit up the 

dance floor. 

More than 100 seniors 

signed up for the first 

Country Hoedown, held 

Aug. 14 at CD&ME in 


LORA HEALY 

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

Frankfort, and many of the 

attendees donned cowboy 

hats, plaid shirts and jeans 

just for the occasion. 

The event was organized 

by Senior Activity Director 

Jodi Gallagher Dilling, 

who has been with the 

Frankfort Township for 

more than 17 years. 

Bernie Glim and Country 

Roads performed live 

music at the event, while 

Polonia Catering served 

Southern classics, such as 

pulled pork, and macaroni 

and cheese. Seniors were 

invited to enter a raffle designed 

to raise money for 

a new bus that Gallagher 

Dilling said the Frankfort 

Township “desperately, 

desperately [needed].” 

“We do a weekly activity 

every week, we go somewhere, 

and I usually try 

to keep it locally, within 

an hour’s time because 

the bus ... has seen better 

days,” Gallagher Dilling 

explained. “So, we need to 

get a new bus.” 

Reporting by Nuria Mathog, 

Editor. For more, visit Frank 

fortStation.com. 

FROM THE TINLEY JUNCTION 

PAWS Tinley Park closed 

for dog adoptions after 

nine puppies die from 

illness 

PAWS Tinley Park was 

not open for dog viewings 

or adoptions as of press 

time, after nine puppies 

died from an upper respiratory 

illness, according 

to director and volunteer 

Danielle Radtke. 

Radtke said that a litter 

of nine puppies died from 

an upper respiratory infection 

that turned into a strain 

of pneumonia. 

There are 10 other dogs 

from the shelter that have 

“varying degrees of sickness,” 

Radtke said. 

The mother of the litter 

that died is in foster care 

and “doing well.” 

“So we don’t know how 

it got brought in,” Radtke 

said. “It’s an upper respiratory 

infection that turns 

into a strain of pneumonia 

that does not respond to antibiotics. 

We don’t know if 

it came in from a stray dog, 

we don’t know if it came in 

from this mom with these 

nine puppies that we pulled 

from a kill shelter. We 

don’t know how it got here. 

We’re just trying to treat it 

as best as we can and clean, 

and detox the shelter and 

sanitize it to try to kill it.” 

The shelter will be 

closed for dog adoptions 

for at least 2-3 more weeks. 

Radtke said that PAWS 

is in need of bleach, paper 

towels, cleaning supplies 

and laundry detergent because 

“we are extra cleaning, 

extra hard.” 

Cat adoptions are not affected 

and still open. 

Reporting by Jacquelyn 

Schlabach, Editor. For more, 

visit TinleyJunction.com. 

FROM THE HOMER HORIZON 

Peace Corps volunteer 

returns after two years in 

Cameroon 

When the time came to 

pick a program to apply 

to, Liz Srbeny knew she 

wanted to live somewhere 

in Africa. 

The Homer Glen resident 

already had the experience 

of teaching English 

in Chile for a year under 

her belt and wanted to try 

something different. She 

decided to apply to the 

Peace Corps, getting accepted 

to be a science 

teacher in Cameroon, a 

country in Central Africa. 

Srbeny began her volunteer 

program in May 2017, 

committing to two years 

in Cameroon and finishing 

her stay there on July 26, 

spending some time traveling 

abroad before returning 

home Aug. 11. 

Srbeny said she got to 

teach science classes in 

chemistry and biology to 

the equivalent of sixth- and 

seventh-grade levels in the 

U.S., and that her Cameroon 

school had 4,000 

students total and between 

65-80 boys and girls in her 

classes. She also got to lead 

a science club for students, 

as well as a writing and 

reading club to help them 

further work on literary 

skills. 

“I tried to keep the classes 

interesting and tried to 

learn as many names as 

possible,” Srbeny said of 

the experience. 

Reporting by Thomas 

Czaja, Editor. For more, visit 

HomerHorizon.com. 

FROM THE ORLAND PARK PRAIRIE 

Chiropractors team up for 

new office in Orland Park 

After nearly a decade of 

practicing independently in 

offices throughout Chicago 

and its suburbs, chiropractors 

Francis Puzon and 

Gretchen Martinez have 

teamed up to open Renew 

Family Health Center in 

Orland Park. 

The chiropractic, rehabilitation 

and physical therapy 

office — which takes a 

holistic approach to the disciplines 

— started accepting 

patients in May after 

more than a year of careful 

planning by the business 

partners. Located at 11975 

W. 143rd St., across from 

the Pinewood Plaza Shopping 

Center, Renew offers 

a variety of services to patients 

of all ages. 

“I’ve always liked Orland 

Park,” said Puzon, a 

Bolingbrook native who 

met Martinez when they 

were students at the National 

University of Health 

Sciences in Lombard. 

“When you hear Orland 

Park, you think, ‘Oh yeah, 

Please see nfyn, 19

newlenoxpatriot.com sound off 


Social snapshot 

Top Web Stories 

From NewLenoxPatriot.com as of Monday, 

Aug. 19 

1. Joey’s Red Hots, Pizza coming to New 

Lenox 

2. The Dish: Mamma Onesta’s serves 

traditional Italian 

3. Chalk Walk debut showcases talented 

local artists 

4. PHOTOS: Petting Zoo at New Lenox 

Public Library 

5. Volleyball: Ultimate under new 

ownership, but few changes expected 

Become a member: NewLenoxPatriot.com/plus 

“Did you know we have expanded out RB 

Digital Audiobooks for kids? Go online and 

check it out! 

https://newlenoxil.rbdigital.com” 

The New Lenox Public Library posted this 

Aug. 13 

Like The New Lenox Patriot: facebook.com/ 

TheNewLenoxPatriot 

from the editor 

Find out what makes you feel alive 

Sean Hastings 


When I first started 

to work on the 

story about 

Chad Gabriel, a longtime 

New Lenox resident, who 

is the host and narrator for 

a docu-series called “The 

Search for Aliveness,” I 

was not sure where that 

story was going to go. 

It seemed like a wayout-of-the-box 

idea, which 

is what he called it. But 

once I started to watch 

some the episodes they 

have already released, I 

started to think that idea 

of “what makes you feel 

alive” was not as simple as 

I thought. 

Gabriel said in our interview 

that he and his team 

could have easily just went 

around and picked out 

the “average white male” 

and find out what makes 

them feel alive, but they 

wanted to get opinions and 

thoughts from all walks of 

life. He has been to Zambia, 

Africa to interview 

people out there and he 

also interviewed a rockstar 

who has experienced fame, 

money and success. 

While those two people 

have lived far different 

lives, some of their perspectives 

are just the same. 

One thing Jim Peterik, 

the rockstar that co-wrote 

“Eye of the Tiger,” said 

that people should be 

themselves and not be 

afraid to show it off to the 

world. And in the case of 

the woman in Zambia, 

she has a severe case of 

cerebral palsy, and she is 

not afraid to be herself. 

She hopes to one day have 

people with disabilities 

more accepted in Zambia. 

As I watched along 

with the videos, slowed 

down and really listened to 

what those people had to 

say, I thought about what 

makes me feel alive. And 

the same goes for Gabriel, 

who said, as people talk 

about their experiences 

and why it makes him feel 

alive, he dives deeper into 

what he loves and why it 

makes him feel alive. 

For me, it’s going to 

Dave Matthews Band 

concerts. I’ve seen 23 

shows (rookie numbers 

compared to some fans), 

but every time I go to a 

concert, the feeling is just 

the same. For those three 

hours, no matter what else 

is going on in my life or 

other things I need to do, I 

am able to relax, dance and 

forget about everything. 

It’s just pure happiness. 

Part of it is the adrenaline 

— a common topic 

Gabriel and his team touch 

on in interviews. From 

walking into the venue, 

getting to my seat and 

waiting for the band to 

walk on the stage, my heart 

is racing a mile a minute 

as I’m wondering what 

song they will open with. 

And once they’re actually 

on stage, just about to start 

the show, my adrenaline is 

through the roof. 

And to a lot of my 

friends, I have to justify 

why I catch multiple shows 

per summer, but I never 

have to justify to myself 

because I know how I feel 

being at the concerts. 

But besides that, since 

it only takes up only about 

four nights of my year, 

whatever time I spend with 

my family — sometimes 

even at a concert — I 

would not trade anything 

for. And as I’ve gotten 

older, and my siblings, 

as well, it’s tougher to all 

be together with our busy 

schedules. My brother is 

in college at the University 

of Alabama and both my 

sisters are starting college 

next week. 

It sounds simple. “Of 

course you love spending 

time with your family. 

It’s your family.” Yeah, 

but what makes that time 

special? And that’s one 

of the final things Gabriel 

said to me in our interview. 

“How can we change our 

conversations around the 

dinner table, for example, 

where they are ones about 

how we can be closer and 

more alive as a family. 

It’s not too simple when 

you think about it. 

I encourage you to think 

about what makes you feel 

alive and why. 

“As we continue to prepare for another 

school year, Lincoln-Way teachers 

are learning ways to incorporate more 

technology in their classrooms through 

various technology trainings- all taught by 

their teacher peers!” 

@LWDistrict210 Tweeted this Aug. 14 

Follow The New Lenox Patriot: @TheNLPatriot 

nfyn 

From Page 18 

that’s a nice area. There’s 

a lot going on.’ I think of 

families. So, it’s a great 

place to start our business.” 

Renew offers all the services 

one would typically 

find at a chiropractor or 

physical therapy office but 

goes beyond the basics, 

too. Puzon’s specialty is 

chiropractic biophysics, 

which is focused on restoring 

the natural curvatures 

of the spine through a process 

called traction. Martinez, 

meanwhile, is certified 

in Webster’s technique, 

which is designed for pregnant 

women. 

Both see patients of all 

ages, and Puzon is a proponent 

of starting chiropractic 

treatments early. For more 

information, call (708) 

645-4101 or visit www.re 

newfamilyhealth.com. 

Reporting by Will O’Brien, 

Freelance Reporter. For 

more, visit OPPrairie.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 New Lenox Patriot encourages readers to write 

letters to Sound Off. All letters must be signed, and names and 

hometowns will be published. We also ask that writers include 

their address and phone number for verification, not publication. 

Letters should be limited to 400 words. The New Lenox Patriot 

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

New Lenox Patriot. Letters that are published do not reflect the 

thoughts and views of The New Lenox Patriot. Letters can be 

mailed to: The New Lenox Patriot, 11516 West 183rd Street, Unit 

SW Office Condo #3, Orland Park, Illinois, 60467. Fax letters to 

(708) 326-9179 or e-mail to 

sean@newlenoxpatriot.com. 

www.newlenoxpatriot.com.

20 | August 22, 2019 | the new lenox patriot new lenox 


Crystal Brook of Frankfort 

Grand Opening 

Monday - Friday 

Hawthorn Preserve of Lockport 

Close Out Open House 

Saturday & Sunday 

The Ashley The Milford The Erin II The Caitlin 

• Starting at the Mid 400’s 

• Lincoln Way East 210 School District 

• 56 lots Phase I- going fast 

• Visit us or by appointment 

Open Saturday & Sunday 

11:00- 3:00pm 

NOW 

OPEN 

ONLY 

8 

LEFT! 

• Starting as low as $315 

• 2,100 - 2,500 square feet 

• Visit us or by appointment 

10:00am -2:00pm 

or by appointment 

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708-774-2427 

jmurphy@mallowhomes.com 

www.mallowhomes.com 

Call Mike Mangin 

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mmangin1234@gmail.com 

Are You “Illinoid”? 

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Ready to downsize? 

New Lemont 

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Affiliated 

Mike McCatty 

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McCattyRealEstate.com 

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5,000 

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the new lenox patriot | August 22, 2019 | newlenoxpatriot.com 

An evening out Check 

out photos from the New Lenox 

Ladies Night Out, Page 26 

Feels like family Gatto’s 

in Orland Park traces cuisine back 

to traditions of Bari, Italy, Page 27 

New Lenox man hosts, narrates docu-series interviewing people and learning what 

makes them feel ‘alive,’ Page 23 

New Lenox resident and docu-series host Chad Gabriel talks with two women in Zambia, Africa in the making of the fourth episode of “The Search For 

Aliveness.” Photo by The Search for Aliveness

22 | August 22, 2019 | the new lenox patriot faith 


FAITH BRIEFS 

Revolution Church (24520 South U.S. 

Highway 52, Manhattan) 

More Faith Less Fret Study 

6:30 p.m. Mondays. 

Held at the house of a 

parishioner. Contact the 

church for more information 

at (815) 418-6555. 

Mass 

10 a.m. Sundays, 

United Methodist Church of New Lenox (339 

W. Haven Ave, New Lenox) 

Contemporary Worship 

Service 

5 p.m. Sundays. A light 

dinner is served after the 

service. 

Art Sale at Methodist 

Church 

6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 

13, lower level of the 

church, 339 W. Haven Ave. 

We will be offering a selection 

of quality, beautifully 

framed artwork for sale. 

Visitors should use west 

side lower level entrance. 

Prints and oils are of landscapes, 

seaside, barns, etc. 

The sale is open to the public 

and all proceeds will 

help support church ministries. 


call (815) 485-8271. 

Old Campground Flea 

Market 

9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sept. 21. 

Vendors are being sought 

for the 41st annual Old 

Campground Antiques, 

Collectibles, Flea Market 

and Crafts. The well-advertised 

outdoor sale is held on 

the wooded grounds of the 

United Methodist Church, 

339 W. Haven Avenue, in 

New Lenox. The 15x20 

foot spaces are available 

for $30.00 each. This event 

helps support church ministries. 

For application and 

information call (815) 485- 

8271 Ext. 53. or register 

online at umcnl.com. 

The Artist’s Way Study 

Group 

7 p.m. Sunday evenings 

Sept. 8-Nov. 24. This fall, 

Pastor Matthew and Bridget 

Stefanelli will lead The 

Artist’s Way: a Spiritual 

Path to Higher Creativty, a 

12-week course in discovering 

and recovering your 

creative self, using the 

principles and guidelines 

articulated in the book by 

Julia Cameron. Everyone 

welcomed. All you need 

to participate is a copy of 

The Artists’s Way, a blank 

journal and your favorite 

writing instrument. Email 

matthew@umcnl.com to 

reserve your space. For 

more information call 

(815) 485-8271. 

St. Jude Catholic Church (241 W. Second 

Ave., New Lenox) 

The Life in the Spirit Prayer 

Group 

The Life In the Spirit 

Prayer Group meets on 

Thursday, Aug. 15 immediately 

following the 

7 p.m. Mass honoring the 

Assumption of the Blessed 

Virgin Mary in the Day 

Chapel. Clara Chambers 

will be the featured speaker, 

witnessing on her experience 

with the Blessed 

Mother. Please join us for a 

Spirit-filled evening. Information 

at 815-557-8990 or 

815-557-8274. 

Expectant Mother’s 

Blessing 

11 a.m.- Noon, every 

second Sunday of the 

month. 

Mass Schedule 

7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. 

and 6:30 p.m. Sundays; 

7:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday; 

5 p.m. Saturdays and 

8:30 a.m. Wednesdays. 

MOMS Monthly Meeting 

9:30- 11:30 a.m. first 

Thursday of the month. 

St. Jude Franciscan Hall 

Room 3 and 4, 241 W. Second 

Ave, New Lenox. 

Called To Holiness 

7-8:30 p.m. every first 

Monday of the month. This 

is a new young adult faithsharing 

group for Catholics 

in their 20s or 30s in the 

Chicago Southland area. 

Its purpose is to grow in 

our faith through scripture, 

discussion and prayer. For 

directions to the meeting 

location and more information, 

contact Jennifer 

at calledtoholinessgroup@ 

gmail.com. 

Eucharistic Adoration 

8 a.m.- 5 p.m. first Friday 

of the month. 

Lincoln-Way Christian Church (690 E. Illinois 

Highway, New Lenox) 

Worship Services 

9 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays. 

HERO Family Support 

Group 

7-8:30 p.m. every Tuesday. 

This group is open 

to anyone with a family 

member currently struggling 

with addiction, suspected 

addiction, or currently 

in recovery. Family 

support meetings provide 

helpful tools and information 

to better equip people 

to help their loved ones 

through their struggle. This 

group provides a supportive 

environment with others 

who have had similar 

experiences and an opportunity 

to meet and network 

with others. 

Central Presbyterian Church (1101 S. 

Gougar Road, New Lenox) 

Bible Study 

7 p.m. Tuesdays 

Trinity Lutheran Church (508 N. Cedar 

Road, New Lenox) 

Worship 

5 p.m. Saturday and 9 

a.m. Sunday 

Services 

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

and 10:30 a.m. Sundays. 

Sunday School and Living 

Lutheran 

9:15 a.m. Sundays. For 

more information, call 

(815) 485-6973. 

Bible Studies 

8:30 a.m. Wednesdays 

and 7 p.m. Thursdays. 

Sunday School and Adult 

Bible Class 

9:15 a.m. Sundays. 

Teen Catechesis 

6 p.m. Wednesdays 

Christ Mission Church (22811 S. Cedar 

Road, New Lenox) 

Celebrate Recovery 

7-9 p.m. every Tuesday. 

For anyone struggling with 

hurts, habits, or hang-ups. 


Deb at (708) 516-6318. 

St. John Orthodox Chapel (112 Church 

Street, New Lenox) 

Sunday Services 

10 a.m. Sundays. After 

the service is Introduction 

to Orthodoxy. Refreshments 

served, Seekers 

are welcome. Visit saint 

johnofchicago.com or call 

(630) 638-9462 

New Life Church (500 Gougar Road, New 

Lenox) 


10 a.m. Sundays. For 

more information, call 

(815) 462-0202. 

Intro to New Life 

Church staff offers a 

one-day Intro to New Life 

workshop, which will provide 

the opportunity for 

attendees to engage in an 

in-depth dialogue about the 

church’s mission, beliefs 

and approach to ministry. 

To register, sign up at new 

lifenewlenox.org or call 

the church office at (815) 

462-0202. 

The Hub (1303 S. Schoolhouse Road, New 

Lenox) 

The Landing 

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

Wednesday. This is a group 

to help teens break free 

from hurts, hang-ups and 

addictions. There is no 

charge. For more information, 

search for Freedom 

Haus on Facebook. 

The Center Youth Group 

6:30-9 p.m. every Thursday. 

Teens ages 12-19 are 

welcome. The night features 

live music, an open 

gym, an encouraging message 

and a chance to meet 

new friends. For more information, 

call (815) 717- 

8002. 

Xtreme Church 

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. every 

Sunday. The Hub partners 

with Xtreme Ministries 

to host a church service. 

There is loud music and 

preaching. For more information, 

call (815) 717- 

8002. 

Cherry Hill Church of Christ (2749 Lancaster 

Drive, Joliet) 


10:30 a.m. every Sunday; 

1 p.m. on the first 

Sunday of each month 

and 6 p.m. every Sunday 

except the first Sunday of 

each month. 

Worship and Bible Service 

7 p.m. every Wednesday. 

Bible Study 

9:30 a.m. Sundays. 

Grace Episcopal Church (209 N. Pine St., 

New Lenox) 


8 a.m. Holy Eucharist 

Rite II. 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist 

Rite II with music, 

followed by coffee hour. 


(815) 485-6596. 

Saturday Service 

5 p.m. the first, third 

and fifth Saturday of each 

month. 

Cornerstone Church (1501 S. Gougar Road, 

New Lenox) 

Men’s Bible Study 

6-7:30 a.m. every Friday. 


call (815) 462-7700. 

Junior and Senior High 

Bible Study 

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

Wednesday. For more information, 

call (815) 462- 

7700. 

Parkview Christian Church (2121 S. 

Schoolhouse Road, New Lenox) 


4 p.m. Saturdays; 8:30 

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

a.m. Sundays. 

Peace Lutheran Church (1900 E. Lincoln 

Highway, New Lenox) 

Church Services 

5 p.m. Saturdays; 8:30 

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

“From Dope to Hope” 

7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday 

nights, Opiate Recovery 

Group for both users & 

their loved ones held at 

Peace Lutheran Church. 

Bible Study 

10 a.m. Every Wednesday. 


call (815) 485-5327. 

The Journey Church (14414 W. Ford Drive, 

New Lenox) 

Worship Service 

10 a.m. Sundays. 

Reverberate Youth Group 

1-3 p.m. Every first 

Sunday of the month. The 

group meets to discuss a 

message geared toward junior 

and senior high school 

students. For more information, 

email youth@ourjourney.cc. 

Have something for Faith 

Briefs? Contact Editor Sean 

Hastings at sean@newlenox 

patriot.com or call (708) 

326-9170 ext. 48. Information 

is due by noon on Thursdays 

one week prior to publication.

newlenoxpatriot.com life & arts 


HARD TO DESCRIBE. 

EASY TO LOVE. 

NEW MUSIC 

Chad Gabriel (right) talks with Jim Peterik, co-founder of the band Survivor and cowriter 

for the song “Eye of the Tiger.” The Search for Aliveness 

NL man hosts, narrates docuseries 

on ‘Search for Aliveness’ 


Chad Gabriel, a New 

Lenox resident for 16 

years, works at Tuthill 

Corporations based out 

of Burr Ridge. Tuthill is a 

manufacturing company 

that makes pumps, meters, 

vacuum pumps and blowers. 

But what Tuthill does, 

goes beyond that. And 

Gabriel could not be more 

thankful for their support. 

“We make those kinds 

of things, yet our company 

culture and purpose is really 

about aliveness and 

our purpose statement is to 

‘Wake the World,’” Gabriel 

said. “We want to get out 

there and share what we’ve 

learned as far as unlocking 

aliveness in our employees 

and bringing that out into 

the world.” 

Gabriel and some of his 

coworkers wondered how 

they could bring that notion 

of aliveness outside of 

their four walls at Tuthill. 

One of his coworkers had 

done a documentary before 

and suggested it to Gabriel. 

“He said ‘Chad why 

don’t we do a documentary 

on aliveness,’” Gabriel 

said. “I said ‘man, 

that’s way out of the box. 

That’s an odd-ball project 

for us to work on and I 

love it.’ We essentially got 

support from Jay Tuthill, 

who is the chairman, and 

Tom Carmazzi, who is the 

CEO.” 

And so, “The Search for 

Aliveness” was born. 

“So much news is negative, 

there’s so much political 

dismay, so much 

distraction and people 

are not thinking about the 

things they could be doing 

to feel more alive,” Gabriel 

said. “They’re very much 

focused on ‘how do I make 

enough money to cover the 

bills for next week, how do 

I just get through the day 

and not thinking bigger 

picture. 

“What can I do so my 

family is closer and my 

family feels more alive?” 

The Search for Aliveness 

features Gabriel, who 

hosts and narrates each 

episode, and his team of 

Erica Magada, the cinematographer, 

and Vito Pellicano, 

the creator, director 

and editor. He also spoke 

highly of the work those 

two put in and the long 

hours they endure to make 

the series possible. 

The group interviews 

different people from all 

walks of life to find out 

what makes them feel 

alive, all while tackling 

five categories: purpose, 

connection, energy, being 

present and engaged, and 

emotion. 

He added that peo- 

Please see Aliveness, 24 

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24 | August 22, 2019 | the new lenox patriot life & arts 


Disabled Patriot Fund announces Evening of Care 

Staff Report 

Aliveness 

From Page 23 

ple commonly 

think the notion 

of “aliveness” 

means happiness, 

which is not always 

the case. 

Being sad, scared 

and angry are all Gabriel 

parts of feeling 

alive — the emotions “we conceal,” 

he said. 

Most recently, Gabriel and his 

team took a trip to Zambia, Africa. 

It was the fourth episode of 

the series. 

There, he spoke to different 

people, including two women 

— one who is blind and one that 

has cerebral palsy. 

And that was one of the most 

impactful conversations he has 

had, he said. 

“When Blessing, the girl with 

cerebral palsy, said ‘disability is 

not inability’ and up against all 

odds, she’s in Zambia with no 

At the Disabled Patriot Fund’s annual golf outing at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Lemont, (left 

to right) Miguel Delgado, Brian Wilhelm, Vernon Mitchell and Mike Jaborek received checks from the 

organization, which generated nearly $30,000 through the outing to help the cause. Photo submitted 

opportunity, they’re essentially 

treated like rejects in society 

there,” Gabriel said. “That was 

so inspiring to me, like how dare 

I complain about not being able 

to do something. Hearing that 

perspective from someone who 

has nothing and has all the challenges 

in the world looking to 

dream so big and that moment 

for me was ‘good God,’ my perspective 

is skewed.” 

Blessing also told Gabriel 

that she wants to change the 

way people with disabilities are 

viewed in Zambia. 

“She’s dreaming big,” Gabriel 

said. “That’s so inspiring.” 

With how Gabriel and his 

team wanted to interview people 

from all walks of life, he also interviewed 

Jim Peterik, a rockstar 

who is best known for being the 

co-founder of the band Survivor 

and co-writing the song “Eye of 

the Tiger,” 

Some New Lenox residents 

may remember that Peterik 

played at a Triple Play Concert 

Hot on the hells of the success 

of its annual golf outing 

at Cog Hill Golf and Country 

Club, the Orland Park-based 

Disabled Patriot Fund is announcing 

An Evening of Care 

2019. The event is to take place 

starting at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at 

Thomas E. Hartung American 

Legion Post 1977, 14414 W. 

Ford Drive in New Lenox. 

The event will offer servicemen 

and women complementary 

food, information 

and appreciation at the 

event. The Evening of Care 

is to include information on 

ways to help with anxiety and 

sleep disorders that may be 

the result of post-traumatic 

stress disorder. 

There will be a master chief, 

guest speakers, raffle and a veterans’ 

gift bag, according to 

organizers. Chaplains, counselors 

and other veterans will be 

available throughout the evening 

for those who need to talk 

with someone or share experiences. 

To register or for more information, 

visit disabledpatriotfund.org/an-evening-of-care, 

or emailEOC@DisabledPatriotFund.org. 

The Disable Patriot 

Fund benefits local military 

families who have been 

adversely affected by the War 

on Terror. 

in 2018. 

Peterik said to Gabriel that 

some of his best writing and 

ideas for song lyrics has come 

by walking in nature — a common 

theme among interviewees. 

He added that the one thing 

that stood out about what Peterik 

said was ‘to be you and don’t be 

afraid to share it with the world.’ 

Gabriel realizes that some 

people may think what they’re 

doing is “fufu,” but he really 

hopes that people will slow 

down, watch it and think about 

what makes them feel alive. 

Even though he is the one 

interviewing others to find out 

what makes them feel alive, he 

is learning about himself even 

more each time. 

For instance, Gabriel has been 

coaching New Lenox Rebels 

Baseball for approximately 10 

years and until he started this 

docu-series, he never gave much 

thought about it. He loves the 

game and working with kids, but 

he never thought that is something 

that brings him aliveness, 

he said. 

It’s that, and being with his 

family fishing on a boat at sunset, 

he said. He has two sons, 12 

and 14, and he recognizes this is 

sacred time, because in six years 

they are off to college. 

“Maybe change the conversation 

around the dinner table 

from ‘how was your day,’ ‘oh, 

the weather was terrible,’ ‘what 

did you do,’ to ‘what can we do 

as a family to feel more alive 

together and focusing on those 

connection pieces, the energy 

pieces, health and fitness pieces, 

to that.” 

Two more episodes are 

planned that people can look 

forward to that are set to come 

out at the end of September and 

November. They both really focus 

on experiences, Gabriel said. 

For more information about 

“The Search for Aliveness” visit 

thesearchforaliveness.com/. The 

videos can also be found on 

Facebook. 

Poetry Corner 

God’s 

Creation 

Julie Sanders, New Lenox resident 

Sunlight bursts open the dawn 

into the transpiring moment, I 

am drawn 

Unique in all it’s cascades of 

transcending rays 

Nestled in simplicity fair 

amongst the scattered clouds 

Flowers, an orchestrated array of 

beauty 

the color of fireworks spread 

over early green. 

Land, forever the eye can see 

God’s creation with precision 

clarity. 

Overwhelming beauty to breathe 

in 

to exhale, may be to lose it 

forever. 

Winds ever so mellow, lightly 

touching 

carrying the fragrances of spring. 

Excited by the birth of nature’s 

calling 

The Earth filled with the knowledge 

of the glory of the Lord. 

Reborn in the baptism of spring 

energized to the full measure of 

joy 

Sun’s comforting warmth surrounds 

me 

to hold me like a babe in arms 

Deeply drawn into nature’s 

clutches 

my roots firmly planted in God’s 

magnitude 

Aspired love with God’s creation 

the kiss of spring upon my lips 

Exhilarated to the depths of my 

soul 

igniting and stirring within the 

chasms deep 

Accentuated with alluring definitions 

whispering to my mind of God’s 

greatness, His presence. 

Majestic painter and creator of 

such a masterpiece 

spring mesmerizing, holds me, 

bringing peace 

Sweet liberty of nature rejoices 

with God’s touch 

as I rejoice in His song.



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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.

26 | August 22, 2019 | the new lenox patriot life & arts 


For the Ladies 

Ladies Night held in New Lenox Commons draws in friends, 

family, live music, pets and more 

New Lenox residents Olivia (left) and Kelly Dauksas walk through the New Lenox 

Village Commons during Ladies Night Out. 

New Lenox residents Carol Larsen (left) and Kathy Fox – and dogs Mary Alice 

and Gracie – enjoy Ladies Night Out in the New Lenox Village Commons. Laurie 

Fanelli/22nd Century Media 

Orland Park residents Chris Hudon (left) and Janet Butler raise awareness for PEO, a 

philanthropic educational organization for women during the event. 

New Lenox residents Kathy McPhail (left) and Sandy Goffinet shop for bracelets at 

39th Street Designs. 

New Lenox residents Carol Krull (left) and Tammy Watson listen to music by CK and 

The Gray during Ladies Night Out.

newlenoxpatriot.com dining out 


The Dish 

Gatto’s offers delicious Italian fare, familial comforts 

Abhinanda Datta 

Assistant Editor 

For those looking to take 

a break from their routine, 

there is a quaint eatery in 

Orland Park that not only 

boasts delectable fare but 

also affable staff members 

who work to ensure diners 

are treated like family. 

Gatto’s Italian Restaurant 

and Bar located at 

8801 W. 143rd St. in Orland 

Park was born out of 

brothers Frank and Chuck 

Gatto’s love for food and 

an appreciation of their 

rich Italian heritage. 

“Growing up, we both 

worked for restaurants in 

Little Italy, and in 2000 we 

decided to give our own 

place a try,” Frank said. 

“We are 100 percent Italian, 

and our families are 

great cooks. We borrowed 

all the recipes from them 

and started this journey.” 

The first Gatto’s opened 

in Tinley Park and, after 

winning hearts in a few 

southwest suburban neighborhoods, 

heard about an 

opportunity in Orland Park 

in 2014. 

“This town has a diverse 

population, and I think every 

town like this needs a 

place like ours — a place 

where you can come in 

with your family or your 

date and enjoy reasonably 

priced food with a good 

atmosphere and great service.” 

Frank said. “It is a 

place where you can really 

feel comfortable.” 

With oodles of charm 

and a decor reminiscent of 

a restaurant tucked away 

in a corner of a winding 

street in Italy, Gatto’s may 

not be the only place in the 

area serving this cuisine, 

but it is unique. 

“We created this concept 

that we like to call comfort 

food,” Frank said. 

“It is basically all the 

food you love eating at 

home, really simple items 

from pastas to chicken 

Parmesan, with fresh ingredients 

and made to order.” 

The menu has more 

than 70 items from salads 

to desserts, and an array 

of appetizers and entrees 

in between. According 

to Frank, guests usually 

like to begin with Gatto’s 

Garbage Salad ($8.25), a 

dish that creates visual, 

culinary chaos on the plate 

with a host of vegetables 

such as romaine lettuce, 

roasted red peppers and 

onions, along with ham, 

and blue and Fontinella 

cheeses, topped with an 

Italian vinaigrette. 

Next on the list is the 

fried calamari (10.95) — 

breaded squid rings and 

tentacles, served with a 

zesty cocktail sauce and 

lemons. 

“This is my favorite 

dish, too,” manager Denise 

Sexton said. “It is the best 

fried calamari I have eaten 

anywhere.” 

Choosing an entree can 

be confounding, but Gatto 

himself has a clear winner: 

a pasta that harks back to 

his childhood days. 

“I love the Portofino 

[$21.95], because that 

is what my brother and 

I enjoyed the most,” he 

said. “It is basically a 

hearty concoction of fresh 

shrimps, mussels, clams, 

calamari, on a bed of pasta, 

with a thin marinara 

sauce.” 

Although there are plenty 

of desserts from which 

to choose, the tiramisu 

($5.95) is the perfect dish 

to cap off the meal. It has 

the right blend of bitter 

espresso, balanced by the 

Gatto’s Italian 

Restaurant and Bar 

8801 W. 143rd St. in 

Orland Park 

Hours 

• 4-10 p.m. Monday- 

Thursday 

• 4-11 p.m. Friday- 

Sunday 

For more information ... 

Phone: (708) 349- 

8700 

Web: www. 

gattosrestaurant.com 

The angel hair broccoli aglio ($11.75) is easy on the palate, with flavors of olive oil 

and garlic. Photos by Abhinanda Datta/22nd Century Media 

The eggplant Parmesan ($15.25), served over a bed of pasta and covered in marinara 

sauce, is a popular vegetarian dish. 

sweetness of the rich cocoa 

and whipped cream, 

enclosed within a scrumptious, 

smooth texture. 

Made from scratch and 

fully customizable, special 

items are offered each day, 

and Gatto’s will even prepare 

items that are not on 

the menu. 

“We can make any dish 

you want,” Sexton said. 

“You can choose the kind 

of pasta or the kind of 

sauce and even a whole 

dish like the chicken Milanese 

($17.50) that was offered 

as one of the daily 

specials.” 

The restaurant also has 

a rooftop bar with a view. 

And every Wednesday, 

Gatto’s hosts a Cruise 

Night — a classic car 

show for the family. There 

are no additional costs for 

participating, but goodies 

such as T-shirts are sold 

at the venue, the proceeds 

from which are donated to 

a local charity. 

“We always try to do 

something that impacts the 

community in a positive 

way,” Frank said. “This 

year, we are donating to 

a local veterans organization.” 

Frank’s great-grandparents 

were immigrants from 

Bari, Italy, and every Sunday 

Frank would drive to 

their house to savor a day 

with his big family. 

“We did not have a lot 

back then, except each 

other and food,” he said. 

“And it was some of the 

best foods you could ever 

imagine.” 

With an inherent regard 

for familial bonds, Frank 

made sure his restaurant 

had a very clear motto: 

“You arrive as friends and 

leave as family.” 

Despite the challenges, 

he said he feels fortunate 

“to do something I love.” 

And while the food is important, 

offering a friendly 

service is what truly drives 

him. 

“This business is tough, 

and you spend long hours 

away from your loved 

ones,” Frank said. “But 

we wouldn’t change a 

thing,” 

“Our staff is trained to 

interact with the guests, 

because everyone wants 

to be treated nicely. We 

consider our customers as 

family and want to give 

them a place in this town 

that they can call home.”

28 | August 22, 2019 | the new lenox patriot puzzles 


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

Crossword by Myles Mellor and Cindy LaFleur 

Across 

1. Criticism 

5. Irritating snob 

9. Rugby formation 

14. Mazar of “Good- 

Fellas” 

15. Valentine’s day 

gift 

16. Hugh Laurie 

series 

17. Stagger 

18. Deep black 

19. ‘He’s __ nowhere 

man’ 

20. Latecomer 

22. Olympics reward 

23. Sun protection 

24. Baseball VIP’s 

25. Mokena Community 

Church that 

holds am annual 

flea market 

29. Make ___ while 

the sun shines 

30. Don’t let the tail 

___ the dog! 

33. Lucy’s pal on TV 

34. Swarm 

36. The Kinks classic 

37. Optimist’s statement 

40. Decomposes 

41. Sounds of contentment 

42. Rapidly 

43. Guess, for short 

44. Bobble 

45. Said flatly 

46. Crib 

47. Cleveland cager, 

for short 

48. Baseball’s Bud 

51. Lincoln-Way 

East alum who 

played for the Yankees 

and Cardinals 

56. Respond to a 

joke 

57. Hotel chain name 

58. Rabbit features 

60. Playground retort 

61. CPR pros 

62. Reference 

63. Bogs and mosses 

64. Obi 

65. Swiss artist Paul 

Down 

1. New Deal inits. 

2. Alternatives to 

Levi’s 

3. Biblical shepherd 

4. ___gram 

5. Some cell phones 

6. R2D2, for one 

7. Wasn’t hurt 

8. Kind of pool 

9. Type of leather 

10. Essential parts 

11. Felt bad about 

12. Insurer for military 

personnel 

13. Pell- __ (hastily) 

21. Marine snail 

24. Monopoly, e.g. 

25. Downing Street 

distance 

26. Dumas character 

27. Scarlett’s love 

28. Minus 

29. Snarky laughs 

30. “Pretty ____” 

movie starring Richard 

Gere 

31. “The Brady 

Bunch” housekeeper 

32. Protected, as communities 

34. Autocrat until 1917 

35. Biblical verb suffix 

36. Certain cosmetic 

surgery, for short 

38. Ball material 

39. Maggot 

44. Black pool balls 

45. Breakfast item 

46. Prejudiced individual 

47. Pitches 

48. Lingerie item 

49. Freedom from 

worries 

50. Green moth 

51. Hinds 

52. Jane Austen novel 

53. It comes to a head 

54. Fasten 

55. Uffizi Gallery 

hanging 

59. Poker call 

NEW LENOX 

Little Joe’s Restaurant 

(1300 N. Cedar Road, 

New Lenox; (815) 463- 

1099) 

■5-8 ■ p.m. Tuesdays: 

Piano Styles by Joe 

Williamson’s Restaurant 

and Pub 

(1490 W. Maple St. New 

Lenox, (815) 485-8585) 

■Wednesdays: ■ 

$5 

House Wine Wednesdays 

■Sundays: ■ Spicy 

Bloody Marys $5 

Hickory Creek Brewing 

Company 

(1005 W Laraway Rd, 

New Lenox. (779) 803- 

3974) 

■3 ■ p.m. -close Fridays: 

Happy Hour from 3 

to 6 p.m. followed by 

Smokin’ Z BBQ food 

truck from 5:30 to 

8:30 p.m. and live 

music. 

HOMER GLEN 

Front Row 

(14903 S. Bell Road, 

Homer Glen; (708) 645- 

7000) 

■7 ■ p.m. Wednesdays: 

Trivia 

FRANKFORT 

Pete Mitchell’s Bar & 

Grill 

(21000 Frankfort 

Square Road, Frankfort; 

(815) 464-8100) 

■6-8 ■ p.m. Wednesdays: 

Free N’ Fun Bar 

Game. Free to play. 

MOKENA 

The Alley Grill and Tap 

House 

(18700 S. Old La- 

Grange Road, Mokena; 

(708) 478-3610) 

■9 ■ p.m. Tuesdays: 

Karaoke 

Fox’s Restaurant and Pub 

(11247 W. 187th St., 

Mokena; (708) 478- 

8888) 

■6 ■ p.m. Thursdays, Fridays 

and Saturdays: 

Performance by Jerry 

Eadie 

To place an event 

in The Scene, email a.datta 

@22ndcenturymedia.com. 

answers 

How to play Sudoku 

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that 

has been subdivided into nine smaller grids 

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

column and box must contain each of the 

numbers 1-9. 

LEVEL: Medium 

Crossword by Myles Mellor and Susan Flanagan

newlenoxpatriot.com local living 


two weekends only 

Sept. 14-15 

Sept. 21-22 

models open 12-5pm 

FREE ADMISSION! 

SouthWest Suburban Home Builders Association 

continues to build upon success with its Tour of Homes 

Builders ready to showcase the best of new construction in Chicago’s southwest suburbs in third iteration of event 

ORLAND PARK, ILLINOIS – Builders from 

across the southwest suburbs will showcase 

the crème de la crème in new construction 

as the SouthWest Suburban Home Builders 

Association’s 2019 Tour of Homes makes its 

third annual return. 

The free, information-rich tour aims to 

introduce potential homebuyers to their 

move-in-ready homes by showcasing 

diverse structures crafted by talented area 

builders. Mark your calendars for this unique 

opportunity, which will take place on two 

weekends: Sept. 14-15 and Sept. 21-22. 

In the past two years, the event has 

successfully fostered a rare, one-onone 

connection between builders and 

consumers, making the event a must-attend 

for anyone who is looking to call the bustling 

southwest suburbs home sweet home. 

“We’re just really trying to promote the Tour 

of Homes name and keep growing the event 

to have it be a name people know and an 

event people look forward to each year,” 

said Shannon Rocha, executive director of 

the SSHBA. “We really want the public to be 

able to see what our SSHBA members do.” 

Nineteen homes, including townhomes, 

single-family homes and duplexes, are 

highlighted in this year’s tour, allowing 

prospective homebuyers to get an upclose 

look at the custom work in which the 

respective builders specialize. 

Many of the builders’ names will be familiar 

to repeat attendees, and those who have yet 

to attend will surely recognize the names as 

being some of the best in the business. 

“Most of the builders that are in it, this will 

be their third year that they’re continuing to 

put their homes in,” Rocha said. 

For those who have not previously attended 

the tour but are looking for a new home, 

Rocha assures that they need not be 

intimidated by the prospect of buying a new 

home; it is just as easy as purchasing a 

preexisting home, she said. 

Further, those in the market for a new house 

can rest assured that all SSHBA builders 

represent the best of the best in the industry, 

as the association vets the builders and 

ensures that they are up to date on industry 

trends and rules, among other expertise. 

“It’s just a really good way for our members 

to be promoted to the public,” Rocha said. “ 

... They see the value of how many people 

are coming to visit.” 

Builders featured in this year’s tour are as 

follows: 

• 5th Avenue Construction 

(www.buildwith5th.com) 

— Actual: 12878 Collina Lane, Lemont/ 

GPS: 11250 Archer Ave., Lemont, Estates 

of Montefiori; and 12711 Caruso Court, 

Lemont, Derby Pines 

• Beechen & Dill Homes, Inc 

(www.beechendill.com) 

— 13102 Eliza Court, Lemont, Willow 

Pointe; and 10042 Franchesca Lane, 

Orland Park) 

• Brian Wille Construction 

(www.willeconstruction.com) 

— 15810 Mueller Way, New Lenox, 

Prairie Ridge 

• Castletown Homes, Inc. 

(www.castletownhomes.com) 

— Actual: 14253 Lacey Dr., Lemont/ 

GPS: 14280 McCarthy Road, Lemont, 

7 Oaks; Actual: 12123 Fairmont Lane, 

Lemont/GPS: 12150 Bell Road, Lemont, 

Equestrian Meadows 

• Charleton Highlands 

(www.facebook.com/pages/category/ 

Real-Estate/Charleton-Highlands- 

Development-15557570 8208116) 

— 16343 Emerson Drive, Orland Park; 

16311 Emerson Drive, Orland Park 

• Flaherty Builders, Inc. 

(www.flahertyhomes.com) 

— 1886 Mays Dr., New Lenox, Jacob’s 

Field; 11041 Deer Haven Lane, 

Orland Park, Deer Haven 

• Gardner Luxury Homes 

(www.glhhomes.com) 

— 27232 W. Deer Hollow Lane, 

Channahon 

• M.C. Custom Homes, Inc. 

(www.mccustomhomesinc.com) — 

16455 W. Turnberry Circle, Lockport, 

Oak Creek Phase II 

• McNaughton Development 

(www.mcnaughtondevelopment.com) — 

11245 171st Street, Orland Park, 

Bluff Pointe 

• Mora Builders 

(www.morabuilders.com) 

— 560 Mihelich Lane, Lockport, 

Mihelich Estates 

• O’Malley Builders 

(www.omalleybuilders.com) 

— 17036 Monarch Dr., Orland Park, 

Bluff Pointe 

• Putman Builders 

(www.putmanbuilders.com) 

— 22358 Majestic Lane, Frankfort, 

Frankfort Meadows 

• T.J. Cachey Builders II 

(www.cacheybuilders.com) 

• Sky Harbor 2130 Highview Road, 

New Lenox 

• Lehlinbridge Townhomes 25532 Riley Erin 

Road, Manhattan 

SSHBA’s membership is comprised of 

roughly 180 members and 50 builders in 

the southwest suburbs, with members of the 

Orland Park-based association hailing from 

as far as Channahon, Morris and Coal City. 

“We cover a lot of area,” Rocha said. 

The highly anticipated Tour of Homes 

enables SSHBA to connect its prestigious 

members with the broader public in an 

intimate, hassle-free setting as individuals 

and families are able to come and go at their 

leisure. 

Maps of the featured homes are to be 

made available as the event nears, allowing 

attendees to plan their routes. 

Raffle prizes also will be available. For each 

home that a tour-goer visits, they earn an 

additional raffle prize entry. 

The SSHBA Tour of Homes has three premier 

sponsors: James Hardie, Lakeside Bank and 

Hines Supply. This year, the SSHBA also 

will have a kick-off party for the tour where 

builders will be presented with various 

awards. 

For more details on the upcoming 

tour and to learn more about this 

year’s featured builders, visit 

http://sshbatourofhomes.com. 

To map a route to all 19 homes on the Tour Of Homes, visit 

www.SSHBATourOfHomes.com 

More information on each home and builder can also be found online.

30 | August 22, 2019 | the new lenox patriot local living 


Distinctive Home Builders Introduces New Craftsman Homes 

In Manhattan, Peotone, and Joliet – From the mid-$200’s 

New designs are a result of buyer feedback 

Two refreshing designs mark 

the beginning of a new series 

of Craftsman-style homes 

available from Distinctive Home 

Builders at its latest new home 

communities: Prairie Trails; 

located in Manhattan within the 

highly-regarded 

Lincoln-Way 

School District and at WestGate 

Manor in Peotone within the 

desirable Peotone School District. 

“Craftsman homes were 

introduced in the early 1900s in 

California with designs based on a 

simpler, functional aesthetic using 

a higher level of craftsmanship 

and natural materials. These 

homes were a departure from 

homes that were mass produced 

from that era, “according to Bryan 

Nooner, president of Distinctive 

Home Builders. 

“The Craftsman design has 

made a comeback today for many 

of the same reasons it started over 

a century ago. Our customers 

want to live in a home that gets 

away from the “mass produced” 

look and live in a home that has 

more character. As a result of 

our daily interaction with our 

homeowners and their input, we 

are excited to introduce these two 

homes, with additional designs in 

the works.” 

Nooner, who meets with each 

homeowner prior to construction, 

has been working on these plans 

for a while and felt that the 

timing was ideal for the debut. 

“Customers were asking for 

something different and simple 

with less monotony and higher 

architectural standards.” The 

result was the Craftsman ranch 

and the Prairie two story, now 

available at Prairie Trails and 

WestGate Manor. The Craftsman 

ranch features an open floor plan 

with Great Room, three bedrooms, 

two baths and a two-car (optional 

three-car) garage. The Prairie 

features a two-story foyer and 

Great Room, three bedrooms 

and one and one-half baths, a 

convenient Flex Room space 

on the main level and a two-car 

(optional three-car) garage. The 

Craftsman architectural elements 

on both homes include brick and 

stone exteriors with cedar shake 

accent siding, low-pitched gabled 

bracket roofs, front porches with 

tapered columns and stone piers, 

partially paned windows, and a 

standard panel front entry door. 

Distinctive Home Builders 

offers a Craftsman-style trim 

package offering trim without 

ornate profiles and routers. The 

trim features simplicity in design 

with rectangles, straight lines and 

layered look trims over doors for 

example. The front entry door 

will have the standard Craftsman 

panel style door. Distinctive has 

also created a Craftsman color 

palate to assist buyers in making 

coordinated choices for the 

interior of their new Craftsman 

home. Colors, cabinet styles and 

flooring choices blend seamlessly 

with the Craftsman trim package 

and are available in gray tones 

package and earth tones. 

Distinctive offers custom maple 

kitchen cabinets featuring solid 

wood construction (no particle 

board), have solid wood drawers 

with dove tail joints, which is 

very rare in the marketplace. 

“When you buy a new home 

from Distinctive, you truly are 

receiving custom made cabinets 

in every home we sell no matter 

what the price range,” noted 

Nooner. 


works to achieve a delivery goal 

of 90 days with zero punch list 

items for its homeowners. “Our 

three decades building homes 

provides an efficient construction 

system,” said Nooner. “Many 

of our skilled craftsmen have 

been working with our company 

for over 20 years. We also 

take pride on having excellent 

communicators throughout our 

organization. This translates into 

a positive buying and building 

experience for our homeowners 

and one of the highest referral 

rates in the industry.” Nooner 

added that all homes are highly 

energy efficient. Every home 

built will have upgraded wall and 

ceiling insulation values with 

energy efficient windows and 

high efficiency furnaces. Before 

homeowners move into their new 

home, Distinctive Home Builders 

conducts a blower door test that 

pressurizes the home to ensure 

that each home passes a set of 

very stringent Energy Efficiency 

guidelines. 

With the addition of these two 

new designs, there are now 15 

ranch, split-level and six two 

story single-family home styles 

to choose from each offering from 

three to eight different exterior 

elevations at both communities. 

The three- to four-bedroom 

homes feature one and one-half 

to two-and-one-half baths, two 

to three-car garages and a family 

room, all in approximately 1,600 

to over 3,000 square feet of living 

space. Basements are included in 

most models as well. Distinctive 

also encourages customization 

to make your new home truly 

personalized to suit your lifestyle. 

Oversize home sites; brick 

exteriors on all four sides of the 

first floor; custom maple cabinets; 

ceramic tile or hardwood floors 

in the kitchen, baths and foyer; 

genuine wood trim and doors 

and concrete driveways can all 

be yours at Prairie Trails and 

WestGate Manor. Most all home 

sites at Prairie Trails andWestGate 

Manor can accommodate a threecar 

garage; a very important 

amenity to the Manhattan 

homebuyer, said Nooner. “When 

we opened Prairie Trails and 

WestGate Manor we wanted 

to provide the best new home 

value for the dollar and we feel 

with offering Premium Standard 

Features that we do just that. So 

why wait? This is truly the best 

time to build your dream home!” 

Prairie Trails is also a beautiful 

place to live and raise a family 

featuring a 20-acre lake on site, 

as well as direct access to the 22- 

mile Wauponsee Glacial Prairie 

Path that borders the community 

and meanders through many 

neighboring communities and 

links to many other popular trails. 

The Manhattan Metra station is 

less than a mile away. 

Besides Prairie Trails, 


has built homes throughout 

Manhattan in the Butternut Ridge 

and Leighlinbridge developments, 

as well as in the Will and south 

Cook county areas over the past 

30 years. 

Distinctive has two early 

delivery homes available at its 

newest community, Cedar Creek 

in Joliet where you can choose 

your colors now and move in 45 

days. One is a three-bedroom 

Princeton ranch with two full 

baths in an open floor plan with 

kitchen and Great Room. Priced 

at $289,990 this home has over 

$20,000 in free upgrades. The 

second home is a Brentwood 

three-bedroom raised ranch with 

an oversized garage. Priced at 

$279,900, this home features 

many interior and exterior 

architectural details and over 

$30,000 in free upgrades. 

Visit the on-site sales 

information center for 

unadvertised specials and view 

the numerous styles of homes 

being offered and the available 

lots. Call Lynne Rinck at (708) 

737-9142 or (708) 479-7700 for 

more information or visit www. 

distinctivehomebuilders.com. 

The Prairie Trails and WestGate 

Manor new home information 

center is located three miles 

south of Laraway Rd. on Rt. 

52. The address is 24458 S. 

Rt. 52, Manhattan, IL. 60422. 

Open Daily 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 

p.m. Closed Wednesday and 

Thursday and always available by 

appointment. 

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.

newlenoxpatriot.com real estate 


The New Lenox Patriot’s 

Fabulous floor plan. Over 

9500 square feet of 

living area. 

What: Exquisitely 

designed executive home 

on 2.5 acres; nestled in 

the woods of Chartwell 

Downs. 

Where: 1720 Giddington 

Court, New Lenox 

Sponsored Content 

of the 

WEEK 

Amenities: Stunning two 

story home with nine-foot 

ceilings featuring a main 

floor master suite and 

three generously sized 

ensuite bedrooms on 

the second floor. Dual 

staircases. The gourmet 

kitchen, with granite 

counter tops, Sub-Zero 

and Dacor appliances 

also boasts a custom 

island with vegetable 

sink. The finished 

walkout basement with 

radiant heat has 10-foot 

ceilings and is perfect 

for entertaining. Four car 

garage with radiant heat 

and an epoxy coated floor 

is a must have for our 

winters. Have an electric 

car? the EV charging port 

is here. Come make this 

spacious home yours. 

Convenienty located to 

I-355, Silver Cross and 

the new Coopers Hawk. 

Asking Price: $949,000 

Listing Agent: June 

Graffy Managing Broker 

& Owner 708-269-0127 

email: juneagraffy@ 

comcast.net 

Listing Brokerage: 

New Directions Realty 

Center Inc. 

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

July 08 

• 813 Meadow Ridge 

Lane, New Lenox, 

60451-2448 - Kirby 

Clare to Michelle Mager, 

$179,400 

• 417 W. Haven Ave., 

New Lenox, 60451- 

1613 - Jenna L. Bay 

to Katie A. Ziebell, 

Christopher C. Ziebell 

$242,500 

• 925 Knollside Road, 


3626 - Brian J. Wahl 

to Vincent A. Patrizi, 

$250,000 

• 2422 Kerry Winde 

Drive, New Lenox, 

60451-2538 - Kevin 

Rigsby to Timothy 

Kuyper, Stacey Kuyper 

$270,000 

• 2326 Bluestone 

Bay Drive, New Lenox, 

60451-9216 - Eagle 

Ridge Corp to Robert A. 

Zidek, Dianne M. Zidek 

$367,990 

• 2818 Sunrise Lane, 


3283 - Randall T. 

Czop II to Edmundjon 

Calungcaguin, 

Stephanie Calungcaguin 

$448,000 

July 09 

• 3227 Lightning 

Court, New Lenox, 

60451-5608 - Ellen 

A. Bell to John P. 

Rymsza, Ann M. Wood 

$250,000 

• 1433 Stonebridge 

Drive, New Lenox, 

60451-2300 - Geary 

McMahon to Vincenzo 

Graziano, $290,000 

• 1830 Orchard Lane, 


3486 - Chicago Title 

Land Trt Co Ttee to 

Joseph A. Fowler, 

Cynthia R. Fowler 

$350,512 

• 2112 Thames 

River Lane, New 

Lenox, 60451-9573 

- Neubauer Trust to 

Jeffrey D. Weis, Katie 

Weis $368,000 

• 157 Tonell Ave., New 

Lenox, 60451-1940 - 

Stephen B. Montgomery 

to Robert M. Summers, 

Michelle Summers 

$376,000 

• 2927 Brett Drive, 


3026 - First Midwest 

Bank Trustee to David 

Lesak, Tracey L. Lesak 

$384,900 

The Going Rate is provided 

by Record Information 

Services, Inc. For more 

information, visit www. 

public-record.com or call 

(630) 557-1000.

32 | August 22, 2019 | the new lenox patriot classifieds 


1003 Help Wanted 

CONSULTATIVE SALES ENGINEER 

for Custom Rubber Products Company 

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

providing a great customer experience, and supporting our teams. 

As a consultative sales engineer in our Industrial Rubber Band 

Division, you’ll receive in-depth training on our rubber products 

so you can actively identify new targets and establish new 

business from inception through to final sale. 

To succeed you’ll need to evaluate opportunities, build 

relationships, and develop leads with the support of targeted 

marketing campaigns. You’ll call on qualified targets, provide 

technical sales consultations, develop quotes, and provide 

outstanding customer service to ensure loyal customers. 

Throughout the entire process you’ll track leads with our 

CRM system and report on your results. 

This is an inside non-commissioned position; 

it is not a telemarketing position. 

Qualifications 

- 3-5 years minimum successful B2B development and 

industrial sales experience 

- Prior consultative sales and relationship building 

(not catalog sales) 

- Proven track record of achieving results 

- Strong phone presence with excellent verbal communication 

and listening skills 

- ISO and/or quality system experience a plus 

Benefits 

Medical/Dental/Vision, 401K, 

Performance Bonus, Relocation Package 

About Aero 

Located in SW Suburb of Chicago, 46+ Years Strong 

ISO 9001:2015 

To Apply: Send cover letter and resume to: 

bschatte@aerorubber.com 

F/T & P/T RESIDENTIAL CLEANING PROS NEEDED! 

START IMMEDIATELY! 

Up to $15/hr plus tips and bonuses. APPLY NOW! 

15868 WOLF ROAD, ORLAND PARK 

708.873.9044 - MaidPro.com 

customer_service_chisw@maidpro.com 

Maintenance & 

Janitorial Positions 

Full-time (w/ benefits package) 

employees wanted for 

janitorial and maintenance 

of south-suburban apartment 

community (Orland Hills) 

Responsibilities would 

include but not be limited to: 

Janitorial - general, basic 

cleaning skills 

Maintenance - light electrical, 

plumbing, and general 

maintenance of the property 

If you are interested in this 

position, please email: 

HRmailbox@pmdchicago.com 

Chocolate Retail Sales 

World’s Finest Chocolate - 

Orland Park Outlet Store 

Full and Part-time Positions 

Hourly rates based on 

experience: $13-$15 per hour 

In-store interviews will be held: 

8/22 and 8/23 from 1-4pm 

or apply online at 

www.worldsfinestchocolate.com 

Help 

Wanted 

Part-Time Office Staff 

Seeking office staff 20-25 hours 

per week (afternoons and 

evenings) for busy upbeat 

Music School with locations in 

Orland Park and Frankfort. 

Must have strong organizational 

skills, enjoy customer service, 

pride yourself on efficiency, 

empathy and flexibility, 

and attention to detail. 

Must be proficient in Word, 

Office, Publisher, and Excel. 

$12/hour - Send resume to: 

hiring@theconnection2music.com 

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 

1003 Help 

Wanted 

SENIOR SALES 

ASSISTANT 

Due to rapid growth and 

growing business opportunities, 

Aero Rubber Company 

seeks a detail-oriented 

Senior Sales Assistant for 

a full-time position. 

Working directly with a sales 

engineer, you would be 

responsible for providing 

exceptional customer service 

and performing sales 

administrative functions. 

This is a very diversified 

position in our fast-pace 

office. 

Qualifications: 

- Strong organizational & 

communication skills 

- Expert in Microsoft Office 

- Industrial B2B customer 

service experience a plus 

Competitive salary & 

benefit package including 

401K. 

To apply, send cover letter 

and resume to: 

cstratton@aerorubber.com 

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. 

$15/hr starting pay. 

Apply in-person 7am - 5pm 

Lawn-Tech, Ltd. 

7320 Duvan Dr 

Tinley Park, IL 

708-532-7411 

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! 

Part-Time Kitchen Help 

M & W 8-4 Homer Glen 

Measure, blend, clean. 

Must be able to lift 40 lbs. 

$11 per hr. no exp, 

more based on exp. 

Inquiries w/ job history & 

contact info: 

healthbyjuli@gmail.com 

Hiring Desk Clerk 

(must be flexible w/ shifts) 

& Housekeeping 

(Morning) 

Needed at Super 8 Motel 

Apply within: 

9485 W. 191st St, Mokena 

No Phone Calls 

1003 Help 

Wanted 

WATER METER 

READER/TECHNICIAN 

The Village ofMokena is accepting 

resumes only for the position 

of Water Meter Reader/ 

Technician. This is an entry level 

position involved with reading 

water meters and maintenance of 

same. The successful applicant 

will be required to have ahigh 

school diploma orGED; orany 

equivalent combination ofeducation 

and experience, a valid 

Illinois driver’s license (CDL preferred) 

and some degree of knowledge 

with regard to Utilities 

Operations (snow plowing experience 

also preferred). This position 

also involves interaction with the 

general public, therefore requiring 

excellent verbal communication 

skills. Toapply, please send aresume 

with cover letter to the 

Mokena Village Hall, ATTN: 

Public Works, 11004 Carpenter 

Street, Mokena, Illinois 60448 or 

submit documents electronically 

to publicworks@mokena.org. 

Resumes will be accepted until 

5 p.m. September 13, 2019. 

This position has astarting annual 

salary of $50,874. The Village of 

Mokena is an equal opportunity 

employer. 

Grooming Shop in Orland 

Park looking for someone 

responsible to bathe dogs 

Tuesday, Thursday & some 

Saturday mornings. 

Please call 708-403-2121 

Local company looking for 

Exp. Dump Truck Driver 

Class A & B 

Full & part-time available 

Dump experience necessary 

815-485-2490 

Alvernia Manor Senior Living 

is now hiring 3 positions 

- CNA to work night shifts 

- Dining room aid, part-time 

- Activity aid, part-time 

Call to apply: 630-257-7721 

Piano Instructors 

Part-Time piano instructor needed 

for busy southwest suburban 

Music School. 15-20 hrs per week 

Send resume to: 

janetk@theconnection2music.com 

Medical Biller & Front 

Desk needed. P/T and/or 

F/T. Frankfort. Please fax 

or email your resume to: 

contact@handbmedical.com 

or 815.880.8234 

1004 Employment 

Opportunities 

1023 Caregiver 

WANTED 

I am a retired RN that 

would like to care for an 

elderly or disabled person 

in MY loving, 

well-appointed home. 

Excellent references 

Please call for more details 

(815) 614-8140 

Buy 

It! 

SELL 

It! 

FIND 

It! 

in the 

CLASSIFIEDS 

CALL 

708.326.9170 

1052 Garage Sale 

Homer Glen 12144 Meadowland 

Dr 8/23 &8/24 10-3pm 

Baby boy things, toys, household(some 

new), kids books, 

some Weather Tech, car ramps, 

holiday decor, and much more. 

Lockport 17937 S. Mitchell Ln. 

Fri. 8/23, Sat. 8/24, and Sun. 

8/25, 9 - 3pm. Kids/Adult 

clothing, household items, 

small furniture - everything 

must go! 

Lockport 913 MacGregor Rd. 

Thurs. 8/22, Fri. 8/23, &Sat. 

8/24, 8-5pm. Tools, Lionel 

Trains, Clothes, Nascar Diecast 

Cars, Plumbing & Electric 

Supplies, Cubs, Sox, Bears & 

Blackhawks items, John Deere 

tractor 245, Betty Boop, Elvis 

& More! 

Orland Park 11120 Brigitte 

Terrace. Sat. 8/24 and Sun. 

8/25, 9-2pm. Furniture, 

baby/kids clothing & equip., 

toys, houseware, decor, and 

much more! 

Place a garage sale ad & reach 

over 96,000 homes across 

the southwest suburbs! 

FOR $42 YOU’LL GET 

ASINGLE FAMILY AD 

4 LINES in 7 PAPERS 

CALL THE CLASSIFIED 

DEPARTMENT: 708.326.9170 

With the Purchase 

of a Garage Sale Ad! 


1037 Prayer / 

Novena 

Oh holy St. Jude, Apostle & 

Martyr, great in virtue and rich 

in miracles, near kinsman of 

Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor 

of all who invoke your special 

patronage in time ofneed. 

To you Ihave recourse from 

the depths of my heart and 

humbly beg to whom God has 

given such great power to 

come to my assistance. Help 

me in my present and urgent 

petition. In return, I promise to 

make your name known and 

cause to be invoked. Say 3Our 

Fathers, 3Hail Marys and Glories 

for 9 consecutive days. 

Publication must be promised. 

St. Jude pray for us all who invoke 

your aid. Amen T.B. 

Garage 

Sale 

1053 Multi Family 

Sale 

New Lenox 22033 Howell Dr. 

Unit #6. Fri. 8/23 &Sat. 8/24, 

9-3pm. Garage/Warehouse sale: 

Furniture, clothing, antiques, 

ladders, hardware/electrical 

items, and much more! 

Orland Park Eagle Ridge 3 

17831 &9Abigail Ln, 10432 

Rachel Ln art, clothing, toys, 

tools decorations, and more. 

Tinley Park 16748 Forest 

View Drive 8/24 8-3pm furniture, 

storage items, household, 

kids clothes and much more 

1057 Estate Sale 

Orland Park 17608 Kelsey Ln. 

Fri. 8/23 and Sat. 8/24, 9-3pm. 

Lots of furniture -Sofa bed, 

dresser/drawers, table and 

chairs, dining room table and 

hutch. Also clothes, tools, 

storage equipment, golf clubs, 

and lots more! 

1058 Moving Sale 

Colossal Moving Sale New Lenox 

1057 Sierra Ridge 8/23 &8/24 

9-3pm This is one you don’t want 

to miss! Something for everyone. 

Pictures on Estatesales.net. Sale by 

Creative Home Services. 

Orland Park 17160 Deer Run 

Dr 8/23 &8/24 8-3pm Huge 

Moving Sale and bring your 

truck!

newlenoxpatriot.com classifieds 


CLASSIFIEDS 

Help Wanted · Garage Sales · Automotive 

Real Estate · Rentals · Merchandise 

Sell It 708.326.9170 

Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It 

DEADLINE - 

Friday at 3pm 

Automotive 

$52 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

Help Wanted 

$13 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

per line 

Real Estate 

$50 

7 lines/ 

7 papers 

Merchandise 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

LOCAL 

REALTOR 

DIRECTORY 

BUY, SELL OR RENT 

Handling your entire Family’s housing 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. 

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 

Contact Classified Department 

to Advertise in this Directory (708) 326.9170 

Advertise 

your 

RENTAL 

PROPERTY 

in the 

newspaper 

people turn 

to first 

CALL US TODAY: 708.326.9170 

www.22ndcenturymedia.com



CLASSIFIEDS 



Automotive 

Rental 

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 

Merchandise 

$30 

4 lines/ 

7 papers 

2004 Asphalt Paving/Seal Coating 

1061 Autos Wanted 

1225 Apartments for Rent 

WANTED! 

WE NEED CARS, TRUCKS & VANS 

Running Or Not from Old to New! 

Top Dollar Paid - Free Pick-Up 

Locally Located 

(708)205-8241 

Don’t Junk 

Your Vehicle! 

$$CASH$$ Paid 

Vehicles Running or Not 

Cars, Trucks, Vans etc. 

(708)653-6799 

Real Estate 

Mokena/Weber 

Wills Apartments 

1 Bedroom apt. $ 850 

2 Bedroom apt. $ 980 

CLOSE TO METRA AND 1-80 

708-479-2448 

1315 Commercial Property For Rent 

2 Units Available! 

Frankfort in Heritage Plaza 

1900 to 2270 sq. ft. 

Call for details 

815-469-1844 ext. 206 

New Lenox 

2bd apartment downtown . 

By stores, Metra, dining. 

$995 Includes heat, Chicago 

water, no pets, no smoking, 

credit report required 

815-485-2528 

DRIVE CAR BUYERS 

TO YOUR DOOR WITH 

A CLASSIFIED AUTO AD 

CALL US TODAY at 708.326.9170 





2006 Basement Waterproofing 

2011 Brick/Chimney Experts 

1099 Lake Front Property For Sale 

Business Directory 

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 

...to place your 

Classified Ad! 

708.326.9170 

A+



2007 Black Dirt/ 

Top Soil 

2017 Cleaning 

Services 

2025 Concrete Work 

2032 Decking 

2070 Electrical 

Sawyer 

Dirt 

Pulverized Black Dirt 

Rough Black Dirt 

Driveway Gravel 

Available 

For Delivery Pricing Call: 

815-485-2490 

www.sawyerdirt.com 














708.326.9170 

Sturdy 

Deck & Fence 

Repair, Rebuild or 

Replace 

Make It Safe - Make it Sturdy 

708 479 9035 

2060 Drywall 

EXPERIENCED 

ELECTRICIAN 

R E A S O N A B L E 

D E P E N D A B L E 

SMALL JOBS 

CALL ANYTIME 

(708) 478-8269 

2075 Fencing 

2018 Concrete Raising 

Drywall 

*Hanging *Taping 

*New Homes 

*Additions 

*Remodeling 

Call Greg At: 

(815)485-3782 

2090 Flooring 

2032 Decking 

2018 Concrete 

Raising 

2025 Concrete 

Work 

A All American 

Concrete Lifting 

Concrete Sinking? 

We Raise & Level 

Stoops Sidewalks 

Driveways Patios 

Garage Floors Steps 

& More! 

All Work Guaranteed 

FREE ESTIMATES 

Ask About Special 

Discounts! 

(708)361-0166 

2120 Handyman 

HANDYMAN SERVICE —WHATEVER YOU NEED 

"OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE" 

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

Exterior Painting Wall Paper Removal Professional Work At Competitive Prices 

CALL MIKE AT 708-790-3416



2120 Handyman 

2132 Home Improvement 


2130 Heating & Cooling 

 

 

Starting at $2,595 

(708) 532-7579 

Visit our new website at www.tinleyheatingandcooling.com 


2140 Landscaping 





Buy 

It! 

SELL 

It! 

FIND 

It! 

in the 

CLASSIFIEDS 

CALL 

708.326.9170



2140 Landscaping 

2145 Lawn Maintenance 

2170 Plumbing 












2150 Paint & Decorating 












2141 Lighting 

Want to 

See 

Your 

Business 

in the 

Classifieds? 

Call 

708-326-9170 

for a FREE 

Sample Ad 

and Quote! 

MARTY’S 

PAINTING 

Interior / Exterior 

Fast, Neat Painting 

Drywall 

Wallpaper Removal 

Staining 

Free Estimates 

20% Off with this ad 

708-606-3926 

Buy 

It! 

SELL 

It! 

FIND 

It! 

in the 

CLASSIFIEDS 

CALL 

708.326.9170 



708.326.9170



CLASSIFIEDS 



2170 Plumbing 2200 Roofing 

Automotive 

Help Wanted 

$13 4 lines/ 

Sell It 708.326.9170 | Fax It 708.326.9179 

Charge It | DEADLINE - Friday at 3pm 

2200 Roofing 

$52 4 lines/ 

7 papers 

Real Estate 

$50 7 7 papers 

lines/ 

per line 7 papers 

Merchandise 

$30 7 4 papers 

lines/ 

2170 Plumbing 2174 Propane 

2200 Roofing 

Celebrating 3 generations of outstanding service! 

Tens of Thousands of Highly Satisfied Customers! 

Family owned & operated - 66 years in business! 

"HAVE oNEoN THE HousE- • Sffit/Facia 

•Skylght 

•Chmney Cap 

•Rfing 

•Sidng 

•Windw 

•Gttering 



708.326.9170



2200 Roofing 

2294 Window Cleaning 

2900 Merchandise 

Under $100 


Under $100 

2220 Siding 

2276 Tuckpointing/Masonry 

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 

Buy 

It! 

SELL 

It! 

2390 Computer Services/Repair 

2394 Debt Relief 

FIND 

It! 

in the 

CLASSIFIEDS 

CALL 

708.326.9170 

2 door metal wardrobe cabinet 

$10, Round 40” glass patio table 

& 4 chairs $10 

Call 708-710-0170 

Antique cast iron ice tongs. 

Used years ago to carry blocks 

of ice. Probably weigh about 

5lbs, 16”x10”. Nice ice breaker 

at a party. 

Call 815-462-4942 

Canon AE-1 programable 

35mm camera, flash, lenses, 

tripod, case, and manual. Like 

new $75 Call Dave 

708-203-9272 

Chessie R.R. 16oz beer glasses 

boxed $12 ea, new 1992 ceramic 

candy server boxed $10, 

New 1982 crystal glass party 

plate boxed $20 Call 

708-460-8308 

Computer/multimedia desk 

w/slide out keyboard shelf and 

built in CD holder $50, New 

medal bed frame $20, Holiday 

lawn projector w/12 images 

$20, Franklin folding bean bag 

game $10. Call 708-995-5556 

Golf Clubs, Used, Tour Advanced 

Irons, Driver, 3and 5 

wood, putter, newer Datrek 

bag. $75.00; TV Antennae, 

Clearview, Indoor, hardly 

used, $20.00. 708-822-8119 

Ice maker S./S. new $40 Call 

708-599-6796 

Kenmore heavy duty plus gas 

dryer. Motor is two years old. 

Asking $40. Call 

708-738-2351. If no answer, 

please leave a message. 

Kenmore washer 12 yrs old 

works great $30, Green garden 

cart $10 Call 815-931-3359 

Large roll bubble wrap $5, 

large roll aluminum food wrap 

$10, Toaster $5, Sony 

CCD-F55 Handy Cam video8 

w/accessories &bag $40 Call 

773-552-7850 

Lawn bean bag foldable boards 

new bags $45 Call 

708-479-7537 

Local wild flower honey from 

backyard no sugar added $12 

per quart Call 708-466-9809 

New deluxe 5piece barbecue 

tool set stainless steel with 

solid oak wood handles $25, 

Snap-On tools SAE 7 piece 

vintage deep socket set 3/8” 

drive plus tool box $60 Call 

708-466-9907 

New Weather Tech floor matts 

for drivers seat and passenger 

seat for 2018 Chevy Malibu 

$50 Call or Text 708-528-8391 

Peg-Perego stroller $35, 

Power Flight light weight 

upright vacuum with 45 

new bags $25 

Call 815-469-6554 

Red twig dogwood shrub potted 

$17, glass shelving 15x58in 

$12 ea, 1960 lazy susan set 

chrome/glass pristine $35 Call 

708-460-8308 

Scott’s new 2000 drop fertilizer 

spreader $25, HD rocking 

chair $35 Call 708-479-7537 

Set of2wood dressers good 

condition 2 mirrors included 

$75. Text for pictures 

708-351-9010 

Six assorted lawn sprinklers $2 

each, six time clocks for lamps 

$2 each, one radar detector $8 

Call 708-614-8148 

Small glass fish bowl $5, new 

boxed green wine glasses 4 

$12, 6champagne clear glasses 

boxed $12, car cover cable kit 

$12 Call 708-460-8308 

Sony DVD/CD player $10, 

Samsung Galaxy phone 4G 

5.0 mp camera 1.5 yrs old 

$35, Iphone 4works great 

$25. Call 815-464-5295 

Steel floor lamp $10, car w/s 

sun shade $8, 1998 car color 

chip book $35, 1988-1989 

Merc. Tracer SVS manual $35, 

QT. Graphite 10w-40 oil $1 

Call 708-460-8308 

TV Antennae, Outdoor, HD 

Amplified, New in box, cut 

cable and save money, $65.00; 

Exterior Wall lantern with 

GFCI outlet, new, $30.00. 

708-822-8119 

2482 Lawn & 

Garden 

Equipment 

2000 Toro rider-lawn mower 

Stored in garage, 

has not been used in 5 years. 

$500 or best offer. 

(815) 469-2465 


Wanted 

Metal Wanted 

Scrap Metal, Garden 

Tractors, 

Snowmobiles, 

Appliances, Etc. 

ANYTHING METAL! 

Call 815-210-8819 

Free pickup! 












Western wear: 2 pair Acme 

boots size 9.5, Bailey shapeable 

7’ 1/8” hat and pair of riding 

spurs. All for $80 

Call Dave 708-203-9272 

White orkelly green duct tape 

$4, horsehair car wash brush 

$30, cat brush $4, smoother 

wallpaper brush $5, dust pan 

and brush $6 Call 

708-460-8308

40 | August 22, 2019 | the new lenox patriot sports 


Girls Volleyball 

Villa takes on new challenge at LW West 

STEVE MILLAR, Sports Editor 

The SlammersFINAL homestand 

is August30, 31 &September 1! 

8/30 

8/31 

9/1 

HalloweenNight&FireworksFriday! 

Military Appreciation Night 

Fan Appreciation Day 

AUGUST 

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 

4 

11 

18 

25 

SCH 

LE 

5 

12 

6 7 8 

WSH WSH WSH 

13 14 15 

WSH WSH WSH 

19 20 21 22 23 24 

SIL RC RC WC WC 

26 27 28 29 30 31 

RC 

FLO FLO LE LE 

Come outand support the Slammersintheir final 

homestand of the 2019 season as theyface off 

againstLakeErie! 

Following Military Appreciation Night, we will 

be auctioning off the playerjerseys! 

At FanAppreciation Night, enjoyavariety 

of raffles and prizes courtesyofour sponsors! 

Formoreinformation, call us at 

(815) 722-2287orvisitusat 

www.jolietslammers.com 

1 

SIL 

2 3 

SCH 

9 10 

LE 

16 

SIL 

17 

SCH 

LE 

SIL 

Kendall Villa has a ton 

of experience as a head 

coach. It’s just been a 

while. 

Villa coached the Lincoln-Way 

boys volleyball 

team from 1993-1999 

and went on to coach the 

University of St. Francis 

women’s team in the early 

2000’s before stepping 

away to spend time with 

her family. 

After returning to coaching 

as an assistant under 

Kris Fiore at LW East the 

last four years, Villa is 

back in charge of her own 

program as she gets set for 

her first season as the girls 

coach at LW West. 

“I put my energy into 

raising my own children 

and now I have two going 

to college, my last is at 

West, so I can get back to 

some of the things I love,” 

Villa said. “I’m excited. 

This feels natural. I’m 

teaching full-time again 

and that’s natural for me. 

“I love Lincoln-Way, 

the whole district, and I’m 

lucky to be here.” 

Villa’s opener with the 

Warriors was set for Tuesday, 

Aug. 21 with a home 

match against Oak Forest. 

“It’s all come full circle, 

really,” she said. “Boys 

and girls are different in 

terms of power and strategy, 

but coaching is coaching.” 

West went 22-14 last 

season under Matt Lawrence 

and has some reloading 

to do after losing four 

seniors from that team. 

Outside hitter Kirsten 

Leitshuh, setter Hannah 

Rubin and libero/outside 

hitter Katie Little are 

among the key members of 

this season’s senior class. 

Villa is also counting on 

junior outside hitter Sage 

Junior outside hitter Sage Dunne is one of the key 

players new Lincoln-Way West coach Kendall Villa will 

be counting on this fall. GARY MIDDENDORF/22ND CENTURY 

MEDIA 

Dunne to play a big role. 

“Those four are kind of 

our core players, the girls 

who have a lot of experience 

from last year,” Villa 

said. “Kirsten has been 

hurt over the summer, but 

the footage I’ve seen of 

her has me really excited. 

Hannah Rubin is a gogetter. 

“We also have sophomores 

who have come up 

that we are hopeful about.” 

Leitshuh is excited 

about having Villa as her 

coach. 

“It’s pretty awesome so 

far,” she said. “It’s like 

completely different from 

last year. She gives us a 

lot of one-on-one time and 

she wants to make us better. 

She pushes us.” 

Rubin is eager to take on 

a leadership role. 

“We have a lot of underclassmen, 

so we’re 

going to help them, and I 

think we’re really going 

to grow,” she said. “We 

used the summer to build 

the connections so we can 

all be better as a team this 

fall.” 

The Warriors played 

in the inaugural Velocity 

Summer League in July 

in Mokena. Despite being 

knocked out in the 

first round of the summer 

playoffs by LW Central, 

Leitshuh said the team got 

valuable experience. 

“[Villa] is building us 

up,” Leitshuh said. “We’re 

working on tiny things and 

then moving up to bigger 

things. 

“We’re testing out new 

things, seeing what positions 

work for everyone 

and what works out.” 

Villa was happy to get 

the opportunity to become 

familiar with her new team 

over the summer. 

“It was huge to have the 

summer to see the girls in 

motion, see how everything 

is meshing,” she said. 

“It’s a new group, a lot of 

new girls playing together. 

It’s taken some time to get 

used to each other. 

“We’re going to build. 

We have nowhere to go 

but up.”

newlenoxpatriot.com sports 


This Week In 

KNIGHTS VARSITY 

ATHLETICS 

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY 

■Aug. ■ 27 — SouthWest 

Suburban Conference 

Preseason Meet at 

Lockport, 5 p.m. 

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY 

■Aug. ■ 27 — SouthWest 




BOYS GOLF 

■Aug. ■ 24 — Homewood- 

Flossmoor Invite at 

Balmoral Woods, 12:30 

p.m. 

■Aug. ■ 27 — hosts 

Homewood-Flossmoor, 

Andrew and Lockport at 

Sanctuary, 4:30 p.m. 

GIRLS GOLF 

■Aug. ■ 22 — at Hinsdale 

Central at Oak Brook, 4:30 

p.m. 

■Aug. ■ 24 — Lincoln-Way 

Cup at Green Garden, 8:30 

a.m. 

■Aug. ■ 26 — at Andrew at 

Silver Lake, 4:30 p.m. 

GIRLS TENNIS 

■Aug. ■ 26 — at Plainfield 

North, 4:30 p.m. 

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL 

■Aug. ■ 26 — hosts 

Romeoville, 5:30 p.m. 

■Aug. ■ 27 — at T.F. South, 

5:30 p.m. 

WARRIORS VARSITY 

ATHLETICS 


■Aug. ■ 27 – SouthWest 





■Aug. ■ 27 – SouthWest 




BOYS GOLF 

Aug. 22 – at Bolingbrook at 

Bolingbrook Golf Club, 4:30 

p.m. 

■Aug. ■ 24 – Homewood- 

Flossmoor Invite at 

Balmoral Woods, 12:30 

p.m. 

GIRLS GOLF 

■Aug. ■ 24 – Lincoln-Way 

Cup at Green Garden, 8:30 

a.m. 

■Aug. ■ 26 – Andrew Invite at 


■Aug. ■ 27 – at Lockport at 

Broken Arrow, 4:30 p.m. 

BOYS SOCCER 

■Aug. ■ 27 – Windy City Ram 

Classic vs. Providence at 

Plainfield South, 4:30 p.m. 

GIRLS TENNIS 

■Aug. ■ 22 – hosts Tinley 

Park, 4:30 p.m. 

■Aug. ■ 24 – at Plainfield 

North Invite, 8 a.m. 


■Aug. ■ 27 – hosts Oak 

Forest, 5:30 p.m. 

CELTICS VARSITY 

ATHLETICS 


■Aug. ■ 28 – hosts Celtic 

Conditioner, 5 p.m. 


■Aug. ■ 28 – hosts Celtic 

Conditioner, 5 p.m. 

GIRLS GOLF 

■Aug. ■ 22 – vs. Fenwick and 

Loyola at Fresh Meadows, 

4:30 p.m. 

■Aug. ■ 26 – Andrew Invite at 


BOYS SOCCER 

■Aug. ■ 27 – Windy City 

Ram Classic vs. LW West at 

Plainfield South, 4:30 p.m. 

GIRLS TENNIS 

■Aug. ■ 24 – at Marian 

Catholic quad, 9 a.m. 


■Aug. ■ 27 – at Marist, 6 

p.m. 

Boys Soccer 

Area teams hope to put the right pieces together 

JOE BIELANSKI, Editorial Intern 


Lincoln-Way Central 

coach Sean Fahey is banking 

on his team’s experience 

to carry them. 

The Knights have 13 

players returning from 

last season’s roster and 

are hungry to make a big 

run after finishing 8-9-2 in 

2018. 

“This is probably the 

first year in a three-year 

cycle that we’ve got 

13 returning from last 

year’s team,” Fahey said. 

“They’re not all starters, 

but [Adam] Kedzior 

in goal is a returning guy 

who basically has three 

years of varsity exposure. 

“He’s one of our best 

athletes. Nick Willner has 

been our leading goal scorer 

the last two years. We’re 

looking for a big year out 

of him. Our back line is returning. 

It’s a unique scenario 

that I haven’t had in 

a while.” 

It will be tough to replace 

Connor Erickson, 

the team’s leading scorer 

last season who is now 

playing at Aurora University, 

but Fahey is confident 

that there are several players 

ready to rise to the occasion. 

“Last year, Connor Erickson 

was our nuts and 

bolts, and those are tough 

shoes to fill,” Fahey said. 

“There’s any number of 

guys looking to fill that 

role who are ready. Jake 

Camaioni is a dangerous 

player, Sam Gorecki has 

been a consistent player. 

Mike Whitlock and Andrew 

Burton are going to 

be our center backs. 

“They’ll be returning 

with a chip on their shoulders. 

I think seven games 

out of the nine that we lost 

were one-goal games last 

year. So, being right there 

but not there is something 

they’re looking to remedy. 

I’m really looking for everyone 

to step up a bit.” 

Kedzior is ready to step 

up and have an impact in 

goal this season. 

“I am excited,” Kedzior 

said. “I think that the team 

is mine now, I have control 

of the field. I’m excited for 

the season, it’s going to be 

a good one.” 

Kedzior hopes the 

team’s familiarity with 

each other can make a difference 

this season. 

“The whole back starting 

line is coming back,” 

Kedzior said. “It’s really 

comfortable, I play club 

with a few of these guys, 

too. I’ve played with them 

for many years, so having 

that existing chemistry is 

always a good thing. I trust 

all of them, we’re all pretty 

confident in what each other 

can do.” 

Willner will be relied on 

as one of the team’s top offensive 

players, but he is 

also confident in his teammates’ 

abilities to contribute. 

“I know that my teammates 

can step up and get 

things rolling while I’m 

playing in the midfield,” 

Willner said. “I’m confident 

that we will be fine. 

“I’m looking forward 

to it. I’ve been on varsity 

now for my third year. I’m 

excited to finally be a senior 

and have the younger 

guys look up to me and be 

a good role model.” 

The theme for this season 

is growth. Fahey believes 

that the growing 

pains for this team have 

finally stopped and hopes 

this year all the hard work 

will pay off for. 

“When you look at this 

group of seniors when 

they were freshmen, it’s 

been total growth,” Fahey 

said. “I told them during 

summer, when I look at 

you from freshmen year to 

now, it’s almost laughable 

how far you’ve come. 

“They’ve bought in to 

what we’re building and 

have come a long way. 

I’m very proud of where 

they’ve come from but 

now it’s time for them to 

have a good season. They 

deserve that. We just hope 

that the pieces fall where 

they should.” 

LW West 

Coming off an 8-8 season, 

the Warriors will rely 

on five returning starters 

led by the senior core of 

midfielders Brady Forsythe 

and Miles Hagen, 

and defender Ethan Sall. 

“We are experienced in 

our starting lineup, and we 

are ready to prove to everyone 

that we have what 

it takes to make waves this 

season,” West coach Matt 

Laude said. “We are lucky 

to return some great leaders 

who will be showing 

our younger players the 

expectations that go with 

being a Warrior soccer 

player.” 

Laude expects sophomore 

Anthony Carli and 

junior Cody Colin, both 

forwards, to add some firepower 

to West’s offense. 

Hagen thinks a strength 

will be the way the Warriors 

are able to work the 

ball around the field. 

“I like our technical capability,” 

he said. “We can 

move the ball pretty well. 

We’re not just a kick-andrun 

team, we can move the 

ball up well. We also have 

good fitness so we’re looking 

to outwork teams this 

year.” 

With some newcomers 

expected to play big roles, 

a key will be getting everyone 

to mesh together. 

Hagen does not think that 

will be an issue, calling 

the Warriors a “close-knit 

team.” 

“We lost some very talented 

players last year, but 

the new kids coming in 

this year are really good 

fits. They’re going to work 

really well with us and fill 

some spots.” 

The Warriors open the 

season competing in the 

32-team Windy City Ram 

Classic. They are set to 

take on Providence in a 

first-round game at 4:30 

p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 

Plainfield South. 

Providence 

Frazer Galt takes over 

as coach for Dan Potempa, 

who resigned after 13 seasons 

to spend more time 

with his family. 

Galt is also a club coach 

with the Chicago Rush. 

The Celtics are coming 

off an 11-8-4 season and 

won a Class 2A regional 

title last year. 

visit us online at www. newlenoxpatriot.com



Athlete of the Week 

10 Questions 

with Michael Cascino 

Michael Cascino is a 

Providence graduate 

entering his junior season 

on the golf team at Butler 

University. 

How did this season 

go at Butler? 

It went well. I started 

off pretty good in the fall. 

In the spring, it was difficult 

for me. My putting 

was very poor. I lost my 

ball striking toward the 

end of the spring. Everything 

was kind of going 

the wrong way at the end, 

but before that I played really 

well. 

What type of 

coach is coach [Bill] 

Mattingly? 

Coach Mattingly is an 

old school coach. He lets 

us play and make our own 

decisions. He preaches the 

short game like any other 

coach. He doesn’t control 

us in our decisions, but he 

does help us out in practice. 

What is your favorite 

memory from this 

past season? 

Playing at Inverness 

Club in Toledo, Ohio. 

That course was probably 

the best course I’ve 

played in college. We all 

played pretty well and we 

had a blast. 

How have summer 

tournaments been 

going? 

The summer has been 

up and down. I played 

well in some stretches, 

and then played poorly 

in others. I think that my 

game is coming around. I 

played pretty well in the 

Illinois Open [tying for 

27th]. It’s all rounding 

into form. 

Are you working on 

anything specific over 

the summer? 

Right now, I’m just 

working on training. I’m 

just trying to work out 

more and become more 

physically strong. I’m 

also trying to improve my 

putting. 

What has been your 

favorite collegiate 

memory so far? 

Qualifying and practicing, 

getting a late nine. 

Just being around my 

friends and the team has 

been great. I get to play 

golf with my friends every 

day. I enjoy the team 

atmosphere. 

How did playing golf 

at Providence help 

you get ready for 

college? 

Providence helped prepare 

me because I got 

the opportunity to play 

against some of the best 

golfers in the state. The 

whole team aspect and 

playing your number. 

Having a coach tell you 

what has and what hasn’t 

been working for your 

teammates and translating 

that to your game. 

How does a 

background in hockey 

Butler University 

help with your golf 

game? 

It actually helps a lot. 

The movements in hockey 

are very similar to the 

movement you want in a 

golf swing. It helped in 

high school because it 

gave me a break from golf 

in the winter. It kind of 

helped to reenergize for 

the spring. Both of those 

aspects were huge. 

What are your goals 

for golf in the future? 

I hope that I have a future 

in golf, but I’m pretty 

realistic about it. Whether 

I do or not, the big thing 

that I’ll look back on is 

all of the experiences I’ve 

had during my career. I’m 

going to give it all that I 

have, anything after that is 

out of my control. 

What’s up with the 

lettuce [long flowing 

hair]? 

At the end of last year, 

I had a mullet. I cut it this 

summer; I can still put it 

in a bun though. I think 

that I’m going to grow it 

back out again. 

Interview conducted by Editorial 

Intern Joe Bielanski 

Mokena pool team has strong 

showing at world championship 


When the Slop Shots, a 

pool team based out of The 

Alley in Mokena, arrived 

in Las Vegas earlier this 

month for the American 

Poolplayers Association’s 

8-Ball World Championship, 

seven of the eight 

team members were making 

their first appearance at 

the massive event. 

Thus, expectations were 

not super high. 

The Slop Shots, though, 

surprised themselves with 

a deep run in the event. 

They tied for 33rd out of 

720 teams and were the 

highest-finishing team 

from Illinois. 

“We didn’t expect this,” 

said New Lenox resident 

Daniela Valencia. “We 

never thought we’d finish 

this high.” 

Daniela Valencia’s husband, 

David, was the only 

player on the team with 

past experience at the 

world championship, having 

played there once before 

in 1997. 

Other team members included 

New Lenox’s Randy 

Fencl and Ken Kazaitis, 

Frankfort’s Jason Brown, 

Tinley Park’s Rick Meter 

and Jeff Pazdan, and Orland 

Park’s Scott Coppens. 

The tournament’s early 

rounds feature a double 

elimination format, but 

Slop Shots never needed 

to take advantage of that 

as they went 4-0 and advanced 

to the single elimination 

portion on Aug. 11. 

Tournament matches 

have a time limit and Slop 

Shots’ fifth match reached 

that mark with the teams 

tied, forcing a one game, 

winner-take-all sudden 

death tiebreaker, which 

The Mokena-based Slop Shots tied for 33rd out of 720 

teams at the APA World Championship in Las Vegas. 

Team members include (from left) Scott Coppens, 

Randy Fencl, Rick Meter, Ken Kazaitis, David Valencia, 

Daniela Valencia, Jason Brown and Jeff Pazdan. Steve 

Millar/22nd Century Media 

Slop Shots lost to end their 

run. 

“We all shot great,” 

Brown said. “We were 

unlucky to lose in sudden 

death. It was a great experience. 

I can’t wait to try it 

again next year.” 

Daniela Valencia said 

the team’s success made 

her realize how tough the 

qualifying events were and 

how those competitions 

had prepared her team for 

the big stage. 

The Slop Shots were 

just one win away from 

making it to Las Vegas last 

year. 

“I think it showed that 

the teams in our area are 

really tough,” she said. 

With over 5,000 top 

amateur pool players from 

around the world competing 

on dozens of tables inside 

the Westgate Las Vegas 

Resort and Casino, it 

was quite the atmosphere. 

Of course, Las Vegas 

was not a bad place to 

hang out between matches, 

either. 

The Slop Shots were 

sure to soak it all in. 

“It was absolutely amazing 

to see all the different 

teams from different states 

and see all the skill levels,” 

Daniela Valencia said. 

“We had so much fun the 

whole time out there.” 

While the tournament 

ended in heartbreaking 

fashion with the suddendeath 

loss, Daniela Valencia 

said all the team members 

were proud of how 

they performed. 

“It was amazing just to 

get out there,” she said. 

“We all stuck together. 

We won as a team and we 

lost as a team and we had 

a blast.” 

The Slop Shots already 

have their sights set on a 

return trip next summer. 

“Everybody said that 

now we know what to expect 

next time,” Daniela 

Valencia said. “Hopefully, 

next time will be next 

year. We’re going to go 

for it, give it our all and 

take our best shot at making 

it back to Las Vegas 

next year.”



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LW West soccer players help pitch in for Appalachia 

Patrick Z. McGavin 


Lindsay Fortier is not 

your average 15-year old. 

Already, as the saying 

goes, she contains multitudes. 

She is a gifted musician 

who has played the 

violin for seven years and 

is a member of the orchestra 

at Lincoln-Way East. 

She is also a talented 

athlete who excels at goalkeeper 

for the Griffins. She 

played freshman soccer 

last year and was pulled up 

for a couple of junior varsity 

games. 

For five days in late July 

and early August, Fortier 

was subjected to a wholly 

different perspective. 

As a member of the Tinley-Frankfort 

Soccer Club, 

she was one of 24 players 

ranging in age from 13 to 

18 who took part in social 

service work in Pikeville, 

Kentucky, a socially impoverished 

region of Appalachia. 

Also taking part in the 

trip were Ty Arroyo, Zoey 

Arroyo, Mattea Arroyo, 

Caroline Beaudin, Katie 

Beaudin, Jessica Byrne, 

Madison Dziedzic, Anna 

Fritz, Nora Gaffney, Thea 

Gerfen, Emily Kedzior, 

Lauren Knollenberg, Tori 

Lucarelli, Meghan Majewski, 

Brooklyn Mortell, Ava 

Murray, America Navarett, 

Mary O’Boyle, Gerald 

Vetter, Mia Vetter and 

Sarah Vetter. 

Team members included 

students from Lincoln- 

Way East and Lincoln- 

Way West, as well as other 

schools. 

Giving back 

A region devastated by 

the opioid crisis, rapid demographic 

change and the 

decline of traditional factory 

culture, Pikeville is 

crushed by all sides. 

For young people like 

Fortier, it proved an illuminating 

lesson. She put 

in the hard work to make 

a difference. She even 

brought her violin, showing 

off her precocity. 

“When I think about 

soccer, my worry is about 

saving a shot or making 

sure I make the right pass,” 

Fortier said. “For the people 

that we interacted with, 

their worry is putting food 

on the table, being able to 

buy toothpaste or getting a 

paycheck.” 

Operating out of Tinley 

Park, the soccer club is a 

girls-only program that 

fields teams from U10 

through U19. The program 

was founded by Greg Beaudin 

and his partner Paul 

Toman in 2009, originally 

structured around the playing 

activities of their respective 

daughters, Katie 

Beaudin and Brianna Toman. 

Greg Beaudin’s wife, 

Dawn, is also a key figure 

in the club, part of 

the all-volunteer network 

that raises money in concert 

with Tinley Park and 

Frankfort-area businesses. 

The Kentucky trip is part 

of the group’s altruistic 

endeavors, following trips 

to Guatemala, hurricane 

relief aid, US Amputee 

soccer tryouts and helping 

the Feed My Starving 

Children program. 

“We are unique in that 

we are not a church,” Greg 

Beaudin said. “We are a 

soccer group. We worked 

with [the aid program Experience 

Mission Group] 

to execute the logistics 

of the trip. We have some 

strong soccer teams, but 

we are a little bit more centered 

toward social service 

than just awareness.” 

In Kentucky, the players 

painted a thrift store 

and also washed and 

painted playground equipment. 

They visited an assisted 

living and nursing 

home care facility, where 

many of the patients are 

suffering from early dementia 

or early onset Alzheimer’s. 

In many cases, the more 

direct action was the purest, 

direct interaction or 

communication. 

“A lot of the players I 

have been with for a long 

time,” Greg Beaudin said. 

“It is important for us to 

make sure these young 

women are aware that 

there is more than just 

soccer in the world. They 

need to broaden their horizons.” 

A new perspective 

O’Boyle is a 14-year old 

from Tinley Park who is 

about to begin her freshman 

year at Andrew. She 

is already a member of the 

varsity cheer program. A 

midfielder in soccer, she is 

a recent participant in the 

soccer club. She also took 

part in the Guatemala trip. 

“The minute we got to 

Kentucky, we unplugged 

our phones and kept them 

off the duration of the 

trip so there were no distractions,” 

O’Boyle said. 

“Being new, it was such a 

great bonding experience. 

We all slept in the same 

room on air mattresses on 

the floor. 

“My favorite part of the 

trip was hanging out with 

other kids at the YMCA. 

You could just play with 

them and they would forget 

about everything else 

going on around them. It 

was a great life lesson, 

which is something coach 

Greg always brings up. It’s 

not about winning and losing. 

It’s all about learning 

things different than soccer.” 

Making the trip all the 

Members of the Frankfort-Tinley Soccer Club, including players from Lincoln-Way 

West, gave “blessing boxes” to Appalachia residents, filled with donations from 

local businesses and families from Frankfort, Tinley Park, New Lenox and Mokena. 

Photo submitted 

more resonant and powerful 

was the realization of 

how closely related was 

the poverty of Pikeville 

and that of Guatemala. 

Mortell, a 14-year old 

from Frankfort and an incoming 

freshman at Lincoln-Way 

East, took part 

in both trips. 

She saw the contrast up 

close. 

“Compared to Guatemala, 

Kentucky doesn’t seem 

like the most interesting 

place,” Mortell said. “In 

going there, what you see 

is the difference between 

the very wealthy and 

the very poor. We drove 

through these neighborhoods 

with big houses, and 

then we’d go up the hill 

and find people with a lot 

less. There seemed to be 

nothing in between.” 

With other members 

from the club, Mortell 

visited a pregnancy center 

and assisted living facilities. 

The players also traveled 

to a local Walmart, 

and working off a budget, 

learned how to buy supplies 

and toiletries intending 

to last two weeks. 

Caroline Beaudin is the 

14-year old daughter of 

the group’s founders. In 

the summer of 2017, her 

older sister Katie was part 

of a mission in Honduras. 

She eagerly accepted the 

chance to go to Guatemala 

last year. In Kentucky, she 

took a direct intervention, 

wielding a hammer and 

nails in helping install a 

new floor. 

“Seeing how she lived 

compared to what I have 

back home, I realized I 

was very lucky,” Caroline 

Beaudin said. 

The young players already 

make tremendous 

commitments in time for a 

season that typically runs 

August to June. The experience 

goes beyond the abstract 

and into something 

particular and emotionally 

consequential. 

“Not only is there a bond 

on the field with the girls 

because they have gone 

through an experience, 

some of these life experiences 

together, it creates a 

whole person,” Greg Beaudin 

said. “I think it creates 

a strong, whole young 

woman in that they have 

the strength and they know 

more is out there. Doing 

things like this just creates 

more awareness of what is 

out there.” 

What seemed unquestionable 

was the players 

had an experience likely to 

stamp them for the rest of 

their lives. 

“I think it’s amazing,” 

Mortell said. “You are not 

going to be playing sports 

for the rest of your life. 

Doing something other 

than soccer gives me many 

more opportunities to connect 

with my community 

or connect with people I 

might never meet.”



New Lenox softball players involved in service trip to Dominican 

Randy Whalen 


Carly Salutric summed 

it up best. 

“It was really amazing,” 

the recent Lockport Township 

graduate said. 

The “it” was a softball 

trip that Salutric, three other 

local players and two local 

coaches from the Lockport 

Pride softball team 

were able to be part of. 

But it wasn’t just any 

trip. It was a trip to the 

Dominican Republic. 

Salutric, fellow recent 

Lockport graduate Lauren 

Johnson, recent Lincoln- 

Way West graduate Maddy 

Eckberg and current 

Providence junior Allysa 

Ibarra were the local players. 

Brenda Haas and Stacie 

Haas, the coaches of the 

Lockport Pride, helped organize 

the trip which took 

place from July 23-29. 

“It was done through 

American International 

Sports Teams,” Brenda 

Haas said. “AIST did the 

recruiting but we were able 

to pick a few girls to come 

with us. Our goal is to do 

this every two years.” 

Since 2002, according to 

its website, AIST has been 

traveling the world with 

select players from across 

the country to compete in 

a variety of sports. The 

selection process is based 

on recommendations from 

coaches as well as statistical 

leaders from around 

the nation at all levels of 

college play. 

Two years ago the Haas’ 

daughter, Elly Hagen, did 

a similar trip through 

AIST to Australia. But 

this one had a little different 

feel because of the 

location. 

“We had 17 different 

girls from 12 states on the 

trip,” Brenda said. “Including 

parents and others, 

we had 34 people in total. 

Everyone from all over the 

nation met in Miami and 

from there we all flew to 

the Dominican Republic. 

“Once there we played 

the Dominican National 

Team. They compiled their 

best team from around the 

country. It was a high-level 

team with their ages being 

from 16 to 26. We went 

3-3 against them.” 

That, in itself, was a 

great experience. 

“Playing against the Dominican 

National team, 

not many get that opportunity,” 

said Eckberg, who 

will continue to play softball 

locally at the University 

of St. Francis. “We did 

a camp with them and they 

played their best softball 

players. Even though we 

didn’t speak the same language 

we communicated 

through softball. 

“Seeing all the smiles on 

their faces was just awesome. 

Being there makes 

you grateful for what you 

have around here.” 

Salutric also said the 

communication was hard. 

By the time the trip was 

done, though, everyone 

spoke one langue. That 

was gratitude. 

“The absolute highlight 

of the trip was when we 

went to a small village, 

Quisqueya, at the end and 

put on a softball camp,” 

Brenda Haas said. “We 

brought a snack lunch and 

we all gave it to them. 

After our last game there, 

many of the girls, especially 

the ones were going to 

college, left them their bat 

bags, gloves, facemasks, 

cleats and literally the 

shoes off their feet. 

“It was one of the most 

humbling and amazing experiences 

that these girls 

ever had. Almost the entire 

team left there emptyhanded.” 

Ibarra, whose dad, Tim 

who helps run the Pride 

along with the Haas’ and 

Members of the Lockport Pride who participated in a 

service trip to the Dominican Republic include (left to 

right) coach Brenda Haas, Providence junior Allysa 

Ibarra, Lincoln-Way West graduate Maddy Eckberg, 

Lauren Johnson, Carly Salutric and coach Stacie Haas. 

photo Submitted 

was on the trip, was certainly 

humbled to have the 

opportunity to do this. 

“These girls get what 

is given to them because 

they don’t have a lot of 

stuff of their own,” she 

saud. “It was amazing to 

go to a different country 

and meet people that you 

don’t know. 

“Plus, we all made 

friends with the other players 

throughout the country. 

Now it’s great to keep in 

touch with them.” 

Youth Sports 

NLYFA, Arrowhead Ales team up for fundraiser 


Try a new beer and support local 

youth football and cheerleading 

teams at the same time. 

That is what the New Lenox 

Youth Football Association is 

hoping many people will do at 

Arrowhead Ales Brewing Company. 

The NLYFA partnered with 

Arrowhead to create a new beer, 

“Pride and Glory”, a hazy pale ale 

with mosaic hops and mango, as 

part of a fundraiser for the football 

and cheerleading program. 

“NLYFA board members approached 

me looking for a way to 

raise money for the program and 

I said I’d be all for it,” Arrowhead 

owner Mike Bacon said. 

Board member and cheer coach 

Gina Nawrocki said it is a unique 

way to raise money and they are 

able to support a local business in 

the process. 

The beer went on tap last week 

and a limited supply of bottles – 

300 total – will be available starting 

Friday, Aug. 23, with $2 from 

each bottle sold going to NLYFA. 

Additionally, when anyone 

who goes to Arrowhead from Friday, 

Aug. 23 to Sunday, Aug. 25 

and mentions NLYFA, 5 percent 

of their total bill will go to the organization. 

The cheer teams for the Knights 

and Warriors combined this year 

for competition in the Illinois 

Recreational Cheer Association. 

Competing in the IRCA costs a 

lot of money, Nawrocki said, and 

raising money is crucial. 

Board member and cheer coach 

Kerry Lane said the IRCA helps 

the girls get ready for high school. 

NLYFA board members were 

involved in the entire process as 

several were there for brewing 

day. 

“They came in on brewing 

day and helped with some of the 

steps,” Bacon said. “They helped 

me mash in all the grains. They 

asked some questions about the 

brewing process. I got to explain 

what we do and educate a little 

bit. I don’t mind talking about that 

with anybody if they’re interested 

in hearing it.” 

Nawrocki said they all enjoyed 

helping out with the brewing. 

Mike Bacon, owner and brewer of Arrowhead Ales Brewing Co., talks 

to NLYFA board members (from left) Kerry Lane, Amanda Mellen, 

Gina Nawrocki, Jenny Cryer and Megan Boggs about the beer the 

two organizations collaborated to make to raise money. 

Sean Hastings/22nd Century Media 

Bacon was excited for a chance 

to help local athletes and cheerleaders. 

“There are a lot of kids involved,” 

he said. “It’s for a good 

cause and it’s local. A lot of the 

families support us, they’re in 

here a lot, so this is a way for us 

to team up with them and give 

something back.”



LW Central girls, boys golf teams excited for new challenges 


It is a new era for Lincoln-Way 

Central’s girls 

golf team, but do not expect 

the Knights to disappear 

as a top contender in 

the area and state. 

Grace Curran and Brianne 

Bolden, who led 

the Knights to a thirdplace 

finish in the state in 

Class 2A last season and 

a sixth-place showing the 

year before, have graduated. 

Curran, the 2016-17 

individual state champion 

as a sophomore, is off to 

Minnesota. Bolden, the 

state runner-up each of 

the last two seasons, is 

continuing her career at 

Missouri. 

Still, there is talent returning 

to the Knights’ 

lineup, and the team’s role 

players the past couple 

years are ready to step up 

as the leaders this year. 

“I’m very excited to be 

able to step up and see 

how our team ends up being,” 

senior Maddie Pyle 

said. “I’m excited to show 

strengths of other people 

that maybe didn’t always 

get to show it before. 

“It’s going to be a good 

opportunity to step up and 

show my gifts and have 

Carly [Schiene] show her 

gifts and be leaders of this 

team.” 

Pyle, fellow senior 

Schiene, and juniors Caitlyn 

Parrish and Sydney 

Miron all return after 

playing important roles 

the last two seasons. 

At the state finals last season, 

Schiene tied for 46th, 

Parrish tied for 59th and 

Pyle finished 70th as all 

put up solid scores to help 

the Knights rocket up the 

team leaderboard. 

“It’s all about experience,” 

Central coach Brian 

Shannon said. “Those 

four worked really hard in 

the offseason. They’re going 

to have a lot of opportunities 

to have success. 

We’ve had some other 

players who weren’t on 

that team last year also really 

step up. They’ve seen 

the opportunities that are 

available and they’ve seen 

that it’s worth it to work 

hard in the offseason because 

success can come 

your way.” 

Shannon is confident 

that the returning players 

can help the Knights stay 

highly competitive. 

“Grace and Bri are not 

here anymore and we miss 

them, but we’re not going 

to sit there and wonder 

where we’d be if we 

had them,” he said. “We 

have other people to fill in 

and I think we’ll do quite 

well. 

“Ultimately, all we’re 

worried about is the next 

shot. There are times 

where as a team last year, 

we picked each other up. 

I think that’s the attitude 

with this team, too. There 

are a lot of other players 

with an opportunity to 

step up.” 

Schiene plans to do her 

best to emulate the way 

Curran and Bolden continued 

working hard even 

when they were already at 

the top. 

“I learned a lot from 

them,” Schiene said. “I 

think with other teams 

there might be players that 

become complacent when 

they have the top spot, but 

it was never like that with 

them. It was good to look 

up to them and see what 

that next level looks like.” 

Knights boys team hungry 

for more 

Lincoln-Way Central’s 

boys team had an impressive 

season last year with 

an extremely young squad 

that featured two sophomores 

and a freshman in 

the starting lineup. 

With that group returning, 

led by 2018 Class 3A 

state runner-up Sean Curran, 

expectations are high. 

“We’re really excited,” 

Central coach Ryan Pohlmann 

said. “We have all 

Sean Curran (left), Juney Bai (right) are returning state qualifiers for the Central boy’s 

golf team. 22nd Century Media File Photos 

those guys coming back 

with some more experience 

now, even though 

we’re still pretty young. 

Any time you have a 

player like Sean Curran 

who can go out and put 

up a great number any 

time, that is a great start. 

We expect big things from 

Juney [Bai] and we know 

the rest of our lineup can 

also go out and put up solid 

scores.” 

Bai joined Curran as an 

individual state qualifier 

last season and tied for 

71st as a freshman. 

Junior Nick Tingley and 

senior T.J. Edmier are also 

experienced, dependable 

players for the Knights 

while there is still some 

competition for the fifth 

spot in the lineup. 

As successful as the 

Knights were last season, 

they often came up just 

short. 

That was especially 

true at the Joliet Central 

Regional. The Knights 

finished fourth, just seven 

shots behind champion 

Lincoln-Way West and 

only two behind thirdplace 

Homewood-Flossmoor 

for the final advancing 

spot to sectionals. 

“That has motivated us 

heading into this season,” 

Pohlmann said. “Last 

year, we also had four or 

five second-place finishes 

in tournaments. 

“This year, we’re hoping 

to pick up some trophies.” 

Senior Maddie Pyle 

lines up a putt. Steve 

Millar/22nd Century Media 

Sports Briefs 

Curran wins LW West Invite 

Sean Curran got his junior 

season off to a fast start 

as the LW Central standout 

won the LW West Invite 

with a six-under 66. LW 

West hosted the tournament 

Friday, Aug. 16 at The Den 

at Fox Creek in Bloomington, 

site of the Class 3A 

state finals. 

Warriors boys golf second 

at Oswego 

Aidan Healy finished 

third to lead LW West to a 

runner-up finish at the Oswego 

Stableford Invite. 

Healy shot a one-over 37. 

Vitas commits to Central 

Michigan 

Ben Vitas, a senior at 

Providence Catholic, committed 

to continue his 

baseball career at Central 

Michigan. Vitas was one of 

the Celtics’ top pitchers this 

spring. 

Dvorak named MCL All- 

League 

New Lenox native and 

Providence graduate Jackson 

Dvorak was named 

to the Midwest Collegiate 

League All-League team as 

the top third baseman of the 

season. 

Playing with the Northwest 

Indiana Oilmen, Dvorak 

tied for the league lead 

in RBI with 37. He hit .304 

with two home runs and a 

.407 on-base percentage. 

Dvorak will now continue 

his collegiate career at Missouri-St. 

Louis. 

3-on-3 basketball tourney 

for ages 35 and up 

The New Lenox Park 

District will host the “United 

We Play, United We 

Win!” 3-on-3 basketball 

tournament, open to ages 

35 and over, Sept. 14 and 

15 at Spencer Park. Fee: 

$50. Register by Sept. 4. 

Visit newlenoxparks.org for 

more information. 

Sports Briefs are compiled 

by Sports Editor Steve Millar, 

s.millar@22ndcm.com.



fastbreak 

22nd Century Media file 

photo 

1st and 3 

PREVIEWING THREE 

SPORTS THAT BEGIN 

MONDAY, AUG. 26 

1. Boys cross country 

Senior Jared Kreis 

(above) is a top 

contender for LW 

Central, coming 

off a huge track 

season. Kreis is 

a two-time state 

qualifier. 

2. Girls cross country 

LW Central junior 

Merrigan Allen is 

a two-time state 

qualifier who 

finished 72nd at 

state her freshman 

year. Junior Lauryn 

Grothe is one of 

the top returners 

for LW West. 

3. Girls swimming 

LW Central junior 

Keara McGowan 

and LW West 

junior Lea Moeller 

were both state 

qualifiers in 

both the 50 

and 100-meter 

freestyle last 

season. 

Girls Volleyball 

LW Central’s Stevens doesn’t let heart condition slow her down 

RANDY WHALEN 


Entering her third year 

as a varsity player on the 

Lincoln-Way Central girls 

volleyball team, there’s no 

doubt that Layne Stevens 

has heart. 

She also has a heart condition. 

The senior middle hitter 

has a heart condition 

called supraventricular 

tachycardia. The Mayo 

Clinic website defines it as 

“an abnormally fast heartbeat. 

It’s a broad term that 

includes many forms of 

heart rhythm problems 

(heart arrhythmias) that 

originate above the ventricles 

(supraventricular) 

in the atria or AV node.” 

“The part of my heart 

that pumps the blood has 

an extra connection,” Stevens 

said. “That’s what 

can cause it to happen. 

When it happens, my heart 

can race up to 200 beats 

per minute.” 

It can happen at most 

any time but is usually 

brought about by stressful 

situations. In fact, Stevens 

had no idea that she had 

it until the condition was 

triggered during a volleyball 

match. 

“It first happened when 

I was at Mokena Junior 

High in a seventh-grade 

volleyball match,” she 

said. “We didn’t know 

what was happening and I 

had to go to the hospital.” 

The trip to Silver Cross 

Hospital got it diagnosed. 

“They pretty much 

knew what was happening 

right away,” Stevens said. 

“They were able to get it 

back in rhythm.” 

A hospital visit to get it 

back in rhythm means a 

dose of medicine. 

“It’s a medicine that 

makes my heart stop and 

restart within three seconds,” 

Stevens said. “I 

can only get that medicine 

at the hospital and everything 

gets kind of numb.” 

Obviously still able to 

play the sport she loves 

in volleyball, Stevens just 

has to stay on an even 

keel. 

“I try to keep myself 

centered,” she said. “If 

I’m getting stressed I have 

to calm myself. I try not to 

boast about it [her condition]. 

I really just keep it 

to myself. But I’m not embarrassed 

by it. I don’t let 

it hold me back.” 

There was one time last 

season that she got the 

condition during a match 

and had to quickly make 

an exit from the volleyball 

court. 

“I’m not sure who it was 

against, but it was during 

our Autumn Knights Tournament,” 

Stevens said 

of the October tourney 

that the Knights host. “I 

knew it was happening so 

I called to be subbed out 

and ran off the court to get 

it corrected.” 

Without the medicine, 

how does she correct it? 

“You just have to clench 

your teeth really hard,” she 

Lincoln-Way Central’s Layne Stephens hits a shot against Lincoln-Way West during 

summer league play. Gary Middendorf/22nd Century Media 

said. “By doing that and 

concentrating you can almost 

trigger it to fall back 

into a normal rhythm,” 

Central coach Mary 

Brown knows how hard 

Stevens works, even with 

her condition. 

“Layne has always been 

a hard worker and a competitor,” 

Brown said. “It 

is what made me notice 

her as a potential varsity 

player. She takes the game 

very seriously. It was scary 

when she had an episode 

last year. We didn’t know 

what to do. Thank God she 

was OK. 

“She doesn’t let it slow 

her down, though. She still 

pushes herself to the max. 

I’m looking forward to her 

leadership as a senior this 

year.” 

Stevens is looking forward 

to her senior season 

as well. 

“Myself and Jackie Kulinski 

are the only threeyear 

varsity players on the 

team,” Stevens said, referencing 

the junior outside 

hitter who has been her 

teammate the entire time 

on the varsity. “I feel like 

a leader out there. 

“I think we have a lot of 

newcomers, underclassmen 

up on the varsity. But 

once we get the right lineup 

on the court we will be 

really good.” 

Stevens says volleyball 

has always been the only 

sport for her. 

“I just like the separation 

of the points,” she 

said. “Every point is new. 

It’s not just one ongoing 

game.” 

And as far as her SVT, 

Stevens is also taking that 

one day at a time. 

“I haven’t had an episode 

in six months,” she 

said. “The last time I did 

I was at home and got it 

back in rhythm myself. I 

haven’t had to go to the 

hospital with it for two 

years. It can flutter too. I 

could go this season and 

have it happen 10 times or 

none at all. I just have to 

be ready.” 

LISTEN UP 

“It’s going to be a good opportunity to step up and show 

my gifts and have Carly [Schiene] show her gifts and be 

leaders of this team.” 

Maddie Pyle – LW Central golfer, on the Knights’ seniors filling 

the void left by the graduation of Bri Bolden and Grace Curran 

Tune In 

Boys and Girls Cross Country 

Tuesday, Aug. 26 

• SWSC Preseason Meet at Lockport 

• LW Central, LW East and LW West’s boys and girls cross 

country teams look for a strong start to the season. 

Index 

42 – Athlete of the Week 

41 – This Week In 

FASTBREAK is compiled by Sports Editor 

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

new lenox’s Hometown Newspaper | August 22, 2019 

GIVING BACK 

Local soccer players 

lend a hand on service trip 

to Appalachia, Page 44 

KICKING OFF 

LW Central, LW West, Providence 

soccer teams look to piece 

together new squads, Page 41 

LW Central girls, boys golf teams have high expectations, Page 46 

LEFT: Maddie Pyle (left) and Carly Schiene hope to emerge as the leaders of the Lincoln-Way Central girls golf team. Steve Millar/22nd Century Media 

RIGHT: Junior Sean Curran, the 2018 state runner-up, is looking to take the Knights’ boys golf team to new heights this season. 22nd Century Media file photo

NL_082219

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