Of the mascots representing Chicago’s professional sports teams, the Blackhawks’ Tommy Hawk certainly could be considered the most popular among young people.
Perhaps it’s because Chicago’s NHL team is the most successful in the city. But whatever the reason, Tommy Hawk can light up a room, and he did so again last week when he visited with youngsters at the Lindenhurst Early Childhood Center.
The mascot was the special guest on Blackhawks Day at the Center. He played games, signed autographs and read a special Blackhawks story to the children.
Several of the children wore Blackhawks shirts to celebrate the occasion.
The LECC runs a variety of programs for children, including preschool, full-day child care, and before- and after-school programs.
The Blackhawks will start their season on Wednesday, Oct. 7 against the New York Rangers.
CASA golf a success: CASA Lake County netted nearly $100,000 at two golf tournaments at Kemper Lakes Golf Course, with 194 golfers participating. Main sponsors for golf were Aon for the first outing and CDW at the second.
Funds raised for CASA will be used to provide volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children. About 90 percent of event revenue goes directly into programs benefiting children. Last year, 312 CASA Lake County volunteer advocates served 558 young people.
For more information about CASA and how to become an advocate for defenseless children in need, call Mari Christopherson at (847) 383-6260, ext. 217.
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Wauconda Jr. Bulldogs: This basketball program is for girls currently in school grades 3-8 who plan on attending Wauconda High School.
A skills camp for players is being held on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Oct. 8 at Matthews Middle School.
Tryouts will be on Tuesday, Oct. 13, also at Matthews.
Cost for the skills camp is $20. Players do not have to attend the skills camp to try out for a team.
For more information, see website www.jrladybulldogs.com.
Lake County Wrestling Club: Registration for the youth program will be held from 9 a.m. until noon on Oct. 3 at Antioch Township on Deep Lake Road, on Oct. 5 from 6-8 p.m. at Lakes High School, and on Oct. 14 from 6-8 p.m. at Warren High School on Almond Road in Gurnee.
There are programs for youngsters age 6-under and 7-over.
Practices will be held starting Nov. 2 at both Lakes and Warren. The 7-over age group will go three days a week and the 6-under group will go once a week.
For more information, see www.lakecountywrestling.com.
Lakes grad a soccer star: Lakes graduate and University of South Dakota freshman Sammie Villwock had a game to remember recently. She scored three goals and assisted her team’s other goal as the Coyotes defeated Green Bay 4-3.
The match was tied at 3-3 through regulation. Villwock scored the golden goal in the 92nd minute, taking a quick left-footed shot that went into the back of the net. Villwock has played in all six games for the Coyotes this season and leads the team with three goals and seven points.
With her performance, Villwock was recognized as the Summit League Offensive Player of the Week.
Warren Jr. Lady Blue Devils: This is a basketball program for girls who reside in the Warren High School District.
There are teams for players in sixth, seventh and eighth grades, and teams play in the Northern Illinois Girls Feeder Basketball Association. The season goes from early November to mid-March and games are played in the Lake County area.
Tryouts are Oct. 20-21 at Warren High School on O’Plaine. Girls in school grades 5-6 will try out from 6:45-7:45 p.m. and girls in grades 7-8 will try out from 7:45-8:45 p.m. A parent/guardian must register their daughter the night of the tryouts.
For more information, contact Ron Dorsey at (847) 599-3758 or [email protected].
Twitter: @JeffBonato