Oak Lawn artists hone skills at NIU camp
Two students at Oak Lawn Community High School participated in the Summer in the Arts Visual Arts Camp this summer at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb.
Kai McNulty, who graduated from the high school in the spring, began classes at Northern this month. Abi Leeds will take the skills she learned back to high school.
Both have taken many art classes at OLCSH and wanted to learn more about the arts via drawing challenges, group activities and printmaking and photography classes during the camp.
Willy Woodchuck’s Will County website gets new look
The Forest Preserve District of Will County’s mascot, Willy Woodchuck, has his own website, and it’s been redesigned.
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The revamped version includes expanded resources for kids, parents, guardians, grandparents and teachers, including downloadable scavenger hunts, activity packs and nature quizzes. It will receive regular updates with experiments, stories and other activities.
“Whether it’s nature and wildlife stories to read, experiments and activities to try, or quizzes and scavenger hunts to explore, we’re offering many ways for kids to tap into their curiosity,” Chad Merda, the forest preserve district’s head of digital marketing strategy/engagement, shared in a media release.
Plum Creek Nature Center facility supervisor Heather Van Zyl, who also oversees the Willy’s Wilderness Team, said the website continues its focus on children, their caregivers and teachers. A new digital newsletter, Willy’s Wild Files, will be emailed to subscribers the first Monday of each month. The website can be found at www.willyswilderness.org/.
Meet watercolor artist, teacher at McCord Gallery on Friday
An artists’ reception is planned for a new exhibit featuring watercolors by Phyllis J. Kozlowski from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 29 at McCord Gallery, 9602 W. Creek Road in Palos Park.
The exhibit, titled “Watercolor Bold & Free” showcases paintings by Kozlowski, an artist and teacher for more than 50 years, including as chairman of the Fine Arts and Humanities Department at Moraine Valley Community College. It will be up Aug. 25 to Sept. 20.
Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Information is at mccordgallery.org or 708-671-0648.
Evergreen Park K of C installs officers
Relatives, friends and Knights of the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Council $324 of the Knights of Columbus in Evergreen Park gathered to see the organization’s newly elected 2025-26 officers installed.
They are Grand Knight Tom Heinen, Deputy Grand Knight Phil Kurylowicz, Chancellor Dave Sebok, Warden David M. Harrington, Recorder Jim McKeever, Trustees Tim Morrissey and John Fox, Guard Tom Ostrowski, Financial Secretary John Ryan and Advocate Tom Morissey.
District 18 Deputy Matt Stevens led the ceremony, and attendees learned about the five $500 scholarships given to eighth-grade students and two $500 grants given to two current seminarians studying for the priesthood, as well as other donations.
New student reps join D230 advisory board
Three seniors in Consolidated HIgh School District 230 have been chosen as 2025-26 student representatives to the Board of Education: Zinah Hansan of Sandburg High School, Layla “Mo” Wong of Stagg HIgh School and Shelby Oliver of Andrew High School.
Although students are not voting members, joining school board meetings allows them to hear firsthand about policies and initiatives, which allows them to provide student feedback about such matters.
Wong is a member of the Principal’s Advisory and Superintendent’s Advisory, as well as Winter Guard, Drama Club, Marching Band, Color Guard and Winter Guard.
Hasan is in the National Honor Society and active in Mindfulness Club, Interact and Investment Club.
Oliver, who has provided nearly 145 hours of community service in three years, runs track, is in the National Honor Society and a member of the school newspaper, Project SAVE and Snowball.
Leo Club seeks donations of sports equipment
The Leo Club of Palos is sponsoring Palos Replay, a used sports equipment drive to help children in the Palos community gain access to affordable sports gear.
Items such as bats, helmets, mitts, balls, racquets, T-shirts and cleats are needed. Donations may be dropped off at the recreation centers in Palos Heights, Palos Hills and Palos Park. To have items picked up, email palosleoclub@ gmail.com.
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