PLANT SALE TO BENEFIT SPECIAL NEEDS NONPROFIT
We Grow Dreams, a professional nonprofit nursery and greenhouse run by young adults with special needs, will hold a plant sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, on the Foyo Plaza on Water Street in downtown Naperville.
Hanging flower baskets, containers, mixed pots, garden decor and other items will be available for purchase, a news release said.
We Grow Dreams was established in 2004 and provides jobs for differently abled young adults who have graduated from high school transition programs. The employees help run the nursery, assist customers, operate the cash register and do other jobs, the release said.
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LOCAL STUDENTS WIN $2,500 MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
A dozen Naperville-area residents and students graduating from Naperville schools were awarded $2,500 college scholarships from the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.
The winners were judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for college success, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corp. They were chosen from more than 15,000 finalists nationwide.
Each was selected based on academic record, difficulty of courses taken, scores from a standardized test, leadership in school and community, an essay and a recommendation from a high school official, a news release said.
Naperville North High School recipients are Emilie Fann, who will be studying law; Emily Y. Hu, who will be studying earth science; Kyle Wang, who will be studying computer science; and Allen J. Xu, who will be studying finance.
Naperville Central High School recipients are Hannah W. Leong, who will be studying law, and Darren Zhou, who will be studying biology.
Neuqua Valley High School recipients are Arav Goswami, who will be studying computer engineering; Rhea P. Mhashilkar, who will be studying law; and Aditi Kaushal, who will be studying science/research.
Metea Valley High School’s recipient is Rachel M. Chen, who will be studying medicine.
Waubonsie Valley High School recipients are Vyshnavi B. Reddy, who will be studying law, and Amogh Shivanna, who will be studying computer science.
PLAYGROUND REOPENING EVENT SET FOR MAY 19
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, for the newly renovated Columbia Commons playground at 1524 Oxford Lane.
The new playground includes an alpine slide, a sittable zipline and a Trail Blazer Climber, a Naperville Park District news release said. The park also features new tables and benches and a picnic shelter.
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, the release said.
DOCTOR TO GIVE MENOPAUSE TALK AT FORT HILL
Dr. Christy Takemoto, medical director of OBGYN at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, will lead an hour-long discussion on menopause and perimenopause as part of the Fort Hill Wellness Series.
The presentation will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at the Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Drive.
Admission is free for Fort Hill members, $5 for nonmembers who live in the Naperville Park District and $8 for nonresidents. Members should register in person at the activity center or by calling 630-995-8900. Nonmembers need to register online at www.napervilleparks.org.
Takemoto will discuss menopause, symptoms of which can include hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain and mood changes, and treatment options, including risks and benefits, a district news release said.