Moraine Valley Community College introduces new mascot
As part of the 50th anniversary of Moraine Valley Community College’s athletics program and the college’s founding in 1967, a new mascot has been revealed: Cy the coyote.
Staff at the Marketing and Communications Department at Moraine Valley wanted to connect with the community and engage students during the mascot selection process. Details for the costume’s design, such as fur color, tail position and ear size, portray coyotes that are native to northern Illinois. Cy’s eye color, uniform and shoes match team colors, and his uniform number, 67, reflects when the college was founded – in the spring of 1967.
Athletics began with a men’s basketball team known as the Running Rebels in 1976. In 1982, sports teams were named the Marauders, and in 1997 a renaming contest led to the Cyclones as the top choice. Moraine Valley now has 12 intercollegiate sports teams.
The college’s nickname will continue to be the Cyclones despite the new mascot, Jessica Crotty, chief marketing and communications officer, said is not uncommon. She’s pleased with how things turned out.
“We wanted to create a realistic mascot that is fierce but not scary, friendly but not goofy,” she shared in a news release. “I am very happy with our Cy, and I have been especially thrilled by the amazing response to him from everyone on campus.”
To request Cy attend a community event, email [email protected] or call 708-974-5376.
Bank seeks food donations this month
Helping local organizations receive donated food is as simple as participating in the fifth annual food drive through Oct. 30 at area locations of First Financial Bank, including downtown Chicago, Calumet City, Chicago Ridge, Flossmoor, Orland Park, Olympia Fields and Calumet Park.
Nonperishable and canned food items can be put in marked bins at the bank. When the drive ends, associates will choose local organizations to receive the food. Last year’s drive netted more than 9,800 items for the bank’s Midwest branches.
Trunk or treat set at church in Palos Heights
Families can enjoy trick or treating without worrying about traffic by joining Trunk or Treat from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 24in the back parking lot at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7800 W. McCarthy Road in Palos Heights.
Candy and other goodies will be passed out by volunteers who have decorated their vehicle’s trunk. Goodie bags provided by the church will be given out when attendees arrive while supplies last. Those with food allergies or food restrictions will find options.
Representatives of the Palos Heights Police Department will stop by. Participants are encouraged to come in costume. If it rains, the event will be moved inside. Details are at www.good-shepherd-church.com or 708-448-4170.
KinderCare scholarship goes to H-F graduate
Flossmoor resident Nas Beard was one of 20 students to receive a $5,000 KinderCare Learning Companies’ Kids Scholarship for the 2026-27 school year.
Beard, who began attending KinderCare when he was 5, is a freshman at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. While at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, he earned all A’s, was a member of the National Honor Society and joined the track team, and he hopes to eventually inspire youths.
“My career goal is to open my own school or training program where young athletes can learn the sport of track and develop confidence, character, and a love for competition,” he wrote in his scholarship application.
Guild’s musical fits like a glass slipper
The Beverly Theatre Guild of Chicago presents the musical “Cinderella” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 and 24 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 24 and 25 in the Baer Theater at Morgan Park Academy, 2153 W. 111th St. in Chicago’s Morgan Park neighborhood.
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The musical features music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.
Tickets cost $28 for adults, $20 for children and students and $25 for guild members, seniors and military members. They are sold at beverlytheatreguild.org or call 773-BTG-TIXS.Season tickets also are available.
Orland Park library staff lead tours
The community is invited to get an insider’s look at the Orland Park Public Library during free guided tours that start promptly at 1 p.m. Oct. 23.
Tours, led by library staff, start in the lobby of the building, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., and cover the resources, services and spaces patrons can use. Those include a tech center, teen loft, sensory space, gallery wall and a NASA collection of more than 340 artifacts.
Attendees also will hear about the library’s history from its beginnings in the Purple Candle Building in 1937 to the current 93,000-square-foot building that opened in 2004. Information includes how to get a library card, place holds, use library technology and online databases, access interlibrary loan and digital resources from home, and obtain notary services and language learning resources. Learn more at 708-428-5100.
Workshop details final arrangement options
A free workshop about trusts, estates, legacy arrangement, wills and advance funeral planning will be offered at 10 a.m. Oct. 22 at Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St. in Oak Forest.
Presenters and their topics include Bill Kiley, Sheehy & Curley Funeral Homes; John Devitt, Gaelic Park Endowment; Ericka Vetter, Gaelic Park Banquets; Eileen Kerlin Walsh, estates, trusts, wills and legacy arrangements; Kathy Reany Sales, Athas Designs Funeral Printing; and Megan Curran and Colleen Lucki, music.
Coffee, tea and continental breakfast will be served. Registration is required before Oct. 22 at ChicagoGaelicPark.com. Membership is not required.
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