Crayfish photo wins June Forest Preserve photo contest
A crayfish with its claws raised in the air like a triumphant boxer was chosen as champ in June’s portion of the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Preserve the Moment photo contest. The photo was taken by Meagan Crandall of New Lenox at Hickory Creek Barrens Nature Preserve in New Lenox.
“The crayfish was spotted right after the bridge over the creek not long after I entered the trail,” Crandall told the Forest Preserve District. “It was actually standing like that on the paved path. I had to lay down to position the camera right. It was right after a rain.”
Crandall said she has been taking photos for about a year, and loves the preserves and being out in nature.
“They are calming and provide a great escape from stress,” she wrote. “My favorite paths are Hickory Creek (Bikeway) and Wauponsee (Glacial Trail). I was excited to see the crayfish right there on the path and didn’t want to bother him too long since it seemed like he was telling me to leave!”
The Forest Preserve’s sixth annual Preserve the Moment photo contest began May 1 and showcases Will County preserves and the flora and fauna they protect. More information is at ReconnectWithnature.org.
Travel on I-55 to get tighter in Will County
The left lane of northbound Interstate 55 between U.S. 30 and Illinois 126 will be closed starting Sunday night for pavement patching and bridge repairs that are part of several planned along I-55 in the next two years, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Starting at 9 p.m. Sunday, one lane of northbound I-55 for roughly 4.5 miles will be closed to accommodate a series of bridge deck overlays, shoulder reconstructions and patching repairs between Weber Road and Interstate 80. A similar lane closure will take place in the southbound direction in about two weeks, resulting in I-55 between Illinois 126 and U.S. 30 reduced to two lanes in each direction until the overall $6 million project between Weber Road and I-80 is complete this fall.
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Other projects on I-55 are underway or will be starting in the coming months, including bridge work at Lemont Road. A bridge project where I-55 crosses the Kankakee River will reduce the expressway to one lane in each direction from south of Lorenzo Road to north of River Road beginning this fall until summer 2022.
Motorists can expect delays, IDOT said.
Crisis Center for South Suburbia sets golf outing
The Crisis Center for South Suburbia, which provides free shelter, housing, counseling and aid to victims of domestic violence and their children, will host the Dianne Masters Cup Charity Golf Outing fundraiser Aug. 10, at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park.
The event also includes an online auction and raffles, and traditional sponsorships as well as a new feature — the Fairway Champion Challenge. A Fairway Champion is someone who hosts their own fundraiser to raise funds for victims of domestic violence and their children through the DMCgolf2021.givesmart.com event website. Community members can vote for their favorite Fairway Champion, and the fundraiser with the most votes and total funds raised will be crowned this year’s Fairway Champion winner.
More information on sponsorships, donations, or registration is with Lisa Molloy at [email protected].
Oak Lawn hunting for Olympics fans
In celebration of the Summer Olympics, along with Illinois Park and Recreation Association’s Unplug Illinois Day on July 10, the Oak Lawn Park District is offering a free, outdoor Olympic-themed scavenger hunt.
The Summer Olympics Scavenger Hunt will be available from noon Fridayto Sunday. Hunters have to find clues in designated Oak Lawn parks and answer Summer Olympics trivia questions to solve an Olympic Rings mystery. Participation packets are available at www.olparks.com.
Completed Scavenger Hunt packets can be submitted to the Community Pavilion, 9401 S. Oak Park Ave., by July 23 and redeemed for a prize and entry into a raffle prize drawing.
Pierogi Fest back on the menu in Indiana
Just over the border in Whiting, Indiana, they’ll be welcoming back the Babushka Brigade and the Precision Lawn Mowing Team and plenty of Polish pastries when Pierogi Fest returns July 23 to 25.
According to organizers, the festival offers pierogies that have been deep fried, boiled, fried and baked, stuffed with cheese, meat and even alligator.
It’s won the Heritage Award from the Polish National Congress and was named by Oprah Winfrey for five years straight as one of her favorite things to do.
More information is at pierogifest.net.
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