Student gets sweet ride to school in Palos Park
A student at The Center’s Farm & Nature School in Palos Park had a pretty sweet ride to school earlier this year, thanks to winning an auction that raised money for education.
The Palos Park Police Department and police commissioner Dan Polk made the VIP treatment possible. She was driven in a police car by Community Services Officer Grace Mischak and Officer Rebecca Duffy.
Blessing of the Waters to mark 20th anniversary in Blue Island
The annual Blessing of the Waters marks its 20th year at 3 p.m. June 28 at the Cal-Sag Channel at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District waterfall, Fulton and Chatham streets in Blue Island.
Music and refreshments will be part of the celebration. The free event is open to the public.
The event “will honor the vital role water plays in sustaining life, supporting ecosystems, and connecting communities,” according to a news release. “Set against the scenic backdrop of the Cal-Sag waterway, the event will offer a moment for reflection, unity, and appreciation of natural resources.”
Plaques highlight Park Forest homes of Jim Edgar, Klutznick
Plaques honoring both former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar and Park Forest founder Philip Klutznick will be attached to the two Birch Street Co-ops that once were their residences in the village.
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The ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 27 at the Birch Street Townhomes, first at the former Klutznick residence at 2651-53 Western Avenue, then moving to 2731 Western Avenue, the former Edgar residence.
The Klutznick family were among the first settlers in town, moving into an apartment in late 1948 after the birth of their daughter, Sara. The Edgar family lived in the village little more than one year, from 1969 to 1970.
Professor joins Hall of Fame at EPCHS
Evergreen Park Community High School recently inducted 1967 alum David McGrath, a college professor and author, into its Hall of Fame during the school’s Honors Night ceremony.
McGrath has written four books and more than 700 essays published in magazines and newspapers around the country, including the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and baiduhai. His books are “South Siders,” “Far Enough Away,” “The Territory” and “Siege at Ojibawa. His stories about growing up and raising a family in Evergreen Park and on Chicago’s South Side have been spread across the nation and led to awards such as a finalist in the national EdPress awards in 1993 and an award citation for the Tribune’s “Most Heartfelt Op-ed” in 2024 and 2025.
The editor for “Florida Sportsman Magazine” earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in English from Chicago State University. He taught journalism/English at Chicago Vocational School, a writing professor at the University of South Alabama and Florida Southwestern State College and professor of English and Native American literature at the College of DuPage.
Library hosts talk about trapping, neutering cats
Anyone interested in helping outside cats is invited to talk from 10:30 a.m. to noon June 27 at the Blue Island Public Library, 2433 York St.
Attendees will learn tricks to set humane traps, which are loaned with a deposit that is fully refundable when they are returned in good condition. They’ll also get a list of low-cost neuter clinics and how to safely transport cats and discover the rights as a caretaker to feed and shelter a colony in Cook County. Those who attend a workshop get priority for trap-neuter-release assistance.
Details are available by visiting www.TripleRPets.or or by emailing [email protected].
Local students named National Merit Scholars
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has named winners in its 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program, worth $2,500, and local students were on that list.
They are Kinga Strzalka, of Lemont, Lemont Township High School, who wants to study science/research; Neel Patel, of Orland Park, Carl Sandburg High School, who plans to study quantitative analysis; and Ashton Zopf, of Tinley Park, Victor J. Andrew High School, who wants to study engineering.
The winners are chosen from an initial screening of high school juniors who took the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2024. By the end of the process, 6,700 finalists earn the Merit Scholar title, sharing nearly $24 million in scholarships.
Church of the Transfiguration hosts free concert
A free concert is planned for 7 p.m. July 2 at Church of the Transfiguration, 12219 S. 86th Ave. in Palos Park.
Liturgical Folk, which pairs modern folk sounds with historic church language, will perform, preceded by the band Good Lord, Rose. A potluck dinner with the bands is set for 5:30 p.m. The event is free but donations are welcome. RSVP at transfigpalos.org.
Crete Woman’s Club sets garden walk
The Crete Woman’s Club Garden Walk, now in its 35th year, won second place in the Woodland Tools garden walk competition, 2026 America’s best Garden Walk, which is based on community, gardens and service.
This year’s walk takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. July 8 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 9. On Thursday, a vendor fair with about 30 vendors will be available during the walk, and information and tickets will be at the club’s tent on the grounds of the Crete Public Library, 1177 Main St.
The walk includes residential gardens as well as a wildflower farm and an organic farm with animals and goods available for sale.
Tickets are sold in advance at On the Move at the Crete Township Community Center, Crete Ace Hardware, Crete Country Store, Crete Township Hall and Forever Green Landscape in Cedar Lake. Information is at www.cretewomansclub.net or 708-672-9438.
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