Triton board chairman recognized for decades of service
Mark Stephens, who was on the board of trustees for Triton College in River Grove more 35 years, was presented with the 2026 Illinois Community College Trustee Association Trustee Service Award during the board’s meeting held in June.
News of the award was announced during the association’s awards banquet held recently in Lombard.
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Stephens, who was elected to the board in 1991 and became vice chairman, assumed the role of chairman the following year. The lifelong Rosemont resident graduated from East Leyden High School in three years and earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a doctorate from DePaul University, as well as completing classes at Triton.
The longtime lawyer with Storino, Ramello and Durkin also volunteers with the Triton College Foundation Board, Little City Foundation, Our Lady of Hope Parish and the Rosemont Voters League, as well as supporting many charitable organizations.
Elmwood Park library notes successful year
More people than ever are attending events at Elmwood Park Public Library, with 25,000 patrons participating in library programs during the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to the library’s director.
Michale Consiglio posted a thank-you letter on the library’s website noting the library marked “a significant milestone in our journey together,” hosting 1,199 programs with more than 25,199 attendees at those programs.
“The achievement reflects not only the dedication of our team but, more importantly, the enthusiasm, engagement, and trust of our patrons, you,” he wrote, adding that the numbers “signal more than operational success; they represent deeper community ties, more families engaged in learning, and a growing demand for inclusive-high-quality library experiences.”
The letter notes the increase in participation in the last few years. In 2022-23, the library hosted 870 programs with 13,422 attendees, and in 2023-24, the library offered 1,002 programs attended by 17,785 patrons.
The library, at 1 Conti Parkway, is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. It’s closed on Sundays. Details are at 708-453-7645 or elmwoodparklibrary.org.
Storyteller, singer performs in La Grange
Kentucky singer-songwriter Daniel Neihoff, who also is a storyteller, takes the stage at 7 p.m. Aug. 14 as part of Wesley’s Place Live Music Venue at First United Methodist Church of La Grange, 100 W. Cossitt Ave.
The artist wrote his first song when he was just 8 years old and honed his musical ability performing at church and learning from guitarist Cheryl Yates. His sound earned him a spot at the iconic Bluebird Cafe in Nashville when he was 20, and his debut album went to No. 32 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts.
Neihoff’s other honors include winning the Rocky Mountain Songwriters Contest in 2023, being a three-time finalist of Songwriter Serenade, earning third place in the Woody Guthrie songwriting contest in 2023 and winning the Kerrville New Folk Competition in 2019.
Tickets to the show, which is open to all ages, cost $20 and are sold at the door. Make a reservation at www.wesleysplacemusic.com.
Arboretum offers members peek at art walk
Members of The Morton Arboretum are invited to an exclusive wine and art walk from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 14 at the arboretum, 4100 Illnois Route 53 in Lisle.
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Attendees can walk along Meadow Lake Trail to view the walk and buy artwork before the show opens to the public. Event check-in takes place in the Sycamore Room in the visitor center’s west pavilion.
Tickets cost $25 and include early access to the wine and art walk and a glass of wine or beer. Entry times are at 5, 5:30 and 6 p.m. and can be chosen when tickets are purchased. Find tickets at mortonarb.org/explore or call 630-968-0074.
Heart to Heartbreaker plays in Darien
Darien’s summer concert series concludes with Heart to Heartbreaker from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 27 in the north parking lot of Carriage Greens Country Club, 8700 Carriage Green Drive, Darien.
The group will perform music by Cher, Pat Benatar and Heart.
Attendees are invited to bring a lawn chair for the concert, which includes food vendors from local restaurants. Participants are urged to bring cleaning supplies and canned goods to donate to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Food Pantry. Details are at www.darien.il.us.
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