At Home with Merle Burleigh – September 20, 2023

MERLE’S CORNER

 

“West Chicago Pal Joey’s: We are sorry to say that we are closing our West Chicago location. Our Batavia location is still open. Please contact us at 630-593-6600 for the same delicious menu and party reservations. We Will Miss All of You!” With this notice, an era in West Chicago ended. It was a part of the community for 50 years.

In the spring of 1973, Pal Joey’s opened its doors at 920 Roosevelt Road, the current location of WC Social Club. Although the name of the  original owner wasJoey, the name originated from the movie and the musical, “Pal Joey.” John Hamel, purchased the restaurant in February 2001. Around 2004 or 2005, the restaurant moved its location to the current address of 440 E. Roosevelt Road. In 2012, the restaurant opened its second location in Batavia, 31 N. River St. At this time, Greg Miller managed the West Chicago location.

To many in West Chicago, the restaurant holds dear memories.Many a romance bloomed here—first date, engagement, wedding rehearsal dinners and wedding receptions. It was the place to celebrate birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, reunions, date nights and sometimes meals after a funeral. When Dave and I first moved here, we would dine there with friends on either a Friday or Saturday evening. Even with reservations, we knew we would be standing in line for at least a half hour. In recent years, when out of town friends visited, we would gather at Pal Joey’s .Now we are glad we did this. When Mark and Ann Cowden came for the West Chicago Community High School class reunion of 1983, we went to Pal Joey’s Friday, Sept. 8, not realizing this would be the last time we could do this. As we chatted and laughed, we recalled eating here for different occasions. Another memory-making time. “Memories are made of this.”

AROUND AND ABOUT

 

• The Young Professionals Group, a part of the Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce, host a “Green & Greet Par-Tee, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, at Coyote Crossing Mini Golf Course, 27W650 North Ave., in Carol Stream. The event is open to the public. The charge is $25 for members, $30 for non-members, and for a foursome $80 for members and $100 for non-members. It begins at 5 p.m. with the shotgun start at 5:30 p.m. Other activities include trophies most fun foursome and best dressed, food, hole-in-one contest for a new mini car sponsored by Haggerty Ford, and raffles. Raffle proceeds benefit People’s Resource Center in Wheaton. Title Sponsors are Buck Services Inc., and Groot Industries. Jel Sert Company sponsors 2nd Hole Trophy. To register, visit https://bit.ly/45p5PfY. For further information, call the chamber office at 630-231-3003.

• West Chicago Public Library has a family program, “Stargazing with the Naperville Astronomical Association,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 in the main meeting room, 118 W. Washington St. The program focuses on what persons can see in the night sky in the suburbs. Weather permitting, participants go outside for a view with the telescope. Depending on the light, there is the opportunity to see Saturn, multiple stars and various clusters. To make a reservation, visit https://wcpld.info/, under calendar.

• In partnership with Robert R. McCormick House at Cantigny Park, the League of Women Voters of Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Central Kane County, Naperville and Roselle/Bloomingdale host the Civic Awareness Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept 21, 2023, via Zoom and in person in the Cantigny Visitors Center, 1S151 Winfield Road. The program is “Racial and Economic Justice.” The speaker is Audra Wilson, President and CEO of the Shriver Center on Poverty Law. Registration is required. Register at https://cantigny.org/…/civic-awareness-series-racial…/ .

Wilson has been a champion for racial and economic justice for more than 20 years as a public interest lawyer and teacher, policy shaper, community mobilizer, and experienced executive manager. Wilson began her legal career as a Welfare Advocacy Staff Attorney with the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, where she focused on welfare reform implementation and food security issues in Illinois. She served as Director of Diversity Education and Outreach and Adjunct Professor at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law for seven years. At Northwestern, she co-founded the first formal consortium of law school diversity professionals in Chicago, seen as a national model. As Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Illinois, Wilson advanced the League’s advocacy on issues of race equity and voting rights and built organizational capacity for fundraising and communications. Wilson is also a board member for Bucknell University and Woodstock Institute, and serves on the Illinois Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security and the Illinois Commission to End Hunger.

League of Women Voters of Wheaton includes West Chicago, Warrenville, Winfield, Wheaton and Carol Stream. The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization that does not support or oppose any political party or candidate, but whose purpose is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government.

• West Chicago City Museum presents the Historiography program, a non-fiction book reading group, at 1 p.m.Sept. 21, 2023, in the Museum, 132 Main St .The book is “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI” by David Grann. To get a copy of the book or for further information, visit Friends of West Chicago City Museum website, com or call 630 231-3376. It is not necessary to read the book to attend.

• Per the National Book Foundation, “The book tells the story of the brutal murders behind white settlers’ attempted dispossession of an Osage family’s Oklahoma lands, under which lay some of the world’s most valuable oil fields. That this conspiracy of theft, terror, and genocide helped launch J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI deepens the narrative’s moral complexity.” Time magazine listed Killers of the Flower Moon as one of its top ten nonfiction books of 2017 and was a finalist for the National Book Award and a winner of the Edgar Allen Poe Award for best true crime book.

Grann is an American journalist, a staff writer for “The New Yorker, ”and best-selling author. He received a master’s degrees in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Medford, Massachusetts and creative writing from Boston University. After graduating in 1989 from Connecticut College in New London, he received a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship and did research in Mexico, where he began his career in journalism.

• West Chicago Park District holds an adult Puzzle Pursuit at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in the ARC, 201 W. National St. Teams of two to four people race against each other to finish the same 500 piece puzzle, with up to two hours to complete it. There are prizes for the first three teams. Participants can bring their own adult beverages and snacks; concessions are available. The cost is $35 per team for residents and $42 per team for non-residents. Each team keeps their own custom puzzle. Registration is required and may be made at https://www.we-goparks.org/special

• The West Chicago 5K Fun Run, organized by Healthy West Chicago, is at 7:30 a.m.Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, by Zone 250 at Reed-Keppler Park, 250 W. National St. The 5K Certified Course Run is on the Illinois Prairie Path.The One Mile Youth Run is at 8:30 a.m. All funds received assist with the enhancement of nutrition and physical activity programs organized by Healthy West Chicago.

The registration fee is $30 for adults, student price, aged 17 and under, is $10, youths aged 10 and under can participate in the 1-mile youth run for $5. To register, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2023/74652/healthy-west-chicago-5k-fun-runwalk. For further information, visit https://www.healthywestchicago.org/. To volunteer, email Carly Smitherman at caryls@healthywestchicago.org.

Sponsors include Friends of the West Chicago Parks Foundation, City of West Chicago, Hawthorne’s Backyard Bar & Grill, Athletico Physical therapy, West Chicago Community High School, Kindred Coffee Roasters, FNBC Bank & Trust, WeGo together for Kids, West Chicago Elementary School District 33 and Republic Bank.

• We Grow Dreams Greenhouse and Garden Center, 1055 W. Washington St., hosts its annual “Fall Festival of Color” formerly known as Fall Fest, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Sept. 23, 2023. In addition to the 50 different colors of mums, fall flowers and decor, kale and cabbage, there are fall beverages and treats, such as apple cider doughnuts. (https://merleburl.com)

• The West Chicago Community Garden and Peace Jam Infinity hold their first Community Volunteer Day and Hydroponics Open Lab event from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Neighborhood Food Pantry, 123 Fremont St. Guests learn about his “growing” youth-led community project focused on sustainable agriculture, small-scale engineering, and community-building in West Chicago. This Peace Jam group works out of St. Michael’s United Church of Christ, under the leadership of Alex Galvin. It is open to all youth, not just member of the church.

The Mission of the PeaceJam Foundation is to create a new generation of young leaders committed to positive change in themselves, their communities and the world through the inspiration of 14 Nobel Peace Laureates who pass on the spirit, skills, and wisdom they embody.Since the PeaceJam program was launched in March of 1996, more than one million young people worldwide have participated in the program. Each youth has had an average of 45.5 contact hours with their teacher, mentor, community leader, or PeaceJam staff member. (https://merleburl.com)

• Healthy West Chicago hosts Yoga in the Park at a 6 p.m. each Tuesday in September., in the Shell at Reed-Keppler Park, 832 Arbor Ave. The last45-minute class is Sept. 26, 2023. Participants need to bring a mat or blanket. (https://merleburl.com)

• The West Chicago Public LibraryGettin’ Crafty program, ““Paint & Sip Watercolor ” is at 7 p.m.Thursday, Sept. 27, 2023, in the main meeting room, 118 W. Washington St.. To register, visit https://wcpld.info, under calendar. Sipping juice, participants create the media piece with water colors, shapes, stickers and acrylic paint markers.

• West Chicago Garden Club meeting is Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 N. Prince Crossing Road. Social time at 6:45 p.m., short business meeting at 7 p.m. and program at 7:15 p.m. The meeting is open to the public. Ken Benson presents “Sharpening Garden Tools.” He uses various sharpening stones and shows how to sharpen pruners, shovels and all other garden tools. (https://merleburl.com)

• Prairie Landing Golf Club, 2325 Longest Drive, hosts OktoBEERfest at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in the tent. The $42 charge includes German style buffet and live music. There are assorted beer samplings from local vendors. Reservations are due by Monday, Sept. 25, and may be made by calling 630 208-7641.

• Winfield Township holds its annual Recycling Extravaganza from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at the Township Road District Facility, 30W575 Roosevelt Road. Included again is the collection of non-perishable food items for Neighborhood Food Pantries located in West Chicago There is a $15 cash or credit card cost per car for electronic devices. Included among electronic items are computers, televisions, telephones and keyboards. Recycling for old latex paint is by Epaint Recycling Service, who accepts cash or credit card. The charges for latex paints are $1 for a one-quart can, $4 for a one-gallon can and $10 for a five gallon pail. Glad Can Recycling provides for the disposal of spray paint at the cost of $1 per can. PROSHRED Security provides on-site shredding of confidential paper documents. There is a limit of four banker boxes. DuPage County provided partial funding for this service. Among the acceptable miscellaneous items are cell phones, old flags, eye glasses, fire extinguishers, office furniture, clothing and musical instruments. Scrap metal items include gutters, metal hangers, metal lawn furniture, metal shelving, metal wheelbarrows and radiators. Items not accepted include hazardous waste, explosives, items containing mercury, air conditioners, batteries, dehumidifiers, fluorescent bulbs, motor oil, refrigerators, tires and smoke detectors. (https://merleburl.com)

• Hawthorne’s Backyard Bar & Grill, 1200 W. Hawthorne Lane, hosts the Third Annual Charity Kent Kopinski “This Tournament Sucks” Golf Outing Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Arrowhead Golf Club, 26W151 Butterfield Road in Wheaton. It is a 10:30 a.m. Shotgun start. The four man scramble price is $125 per person. The price includes golf, cart, green fees, driving range, food at the course and pig roast at Hawthorne’s.There are prizes and raffles. Register with the bartender or manager. Proceeds benefit the Kent Kopinski Caddy Scholarship Fund. (https://merleburl.com)

• West Chicago Public Library offers a Microsoft Excel computer class at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in the conference room, 118 W. Washington St. Topics covered include layout and basic functions; entering and editing data; using multiple spreadsheets in the same workbook; formatting and sorting data; writing and understanding formulas. To register, visit https://wcpld.info/, under calendar.

• West Chicago Park District offers a Morton Arboretum Tour Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. Scheduled hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The tour includes a scheduled tram tour of the arboretum and the opportunity to walk the trails before or after the tour.The charge of $28. includes entry into the arboretum, the tram tour and transportation. Persons purchase lunch in the Gingko Restaurant located in the visitors center. Registration deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 20. To register, visit https://www.we-goparks.org/adult-programs.

• West Chicago Park District offers the Paramount Theater series season program for adults. The first of the four musical productions is “Little Shop of Horrors.” The time frame is noon to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. The $48 charge includes the bus ride and the show. Persons purchase lunch at a local restaurant.Seats are on main lower floor. Registration deadline is Saturday, Sept. 23. To make a reservation, visit https://www.we-goparks.org/adult-programs.

Seymour Krelborn ekes out a living at the failing Mushnik’s Flower Shop. Until one day, he discovers a strange and unusual plant he names Audrey II, one that feeds on human blood. Seymour becomes caught up in a wild scheme of trying to acquire fresh blood for his carnivorous plant, all while attempting to save the love of his life from her evil dentist boyfriend. The musical is a wild ride filled with some of the catchiest songs including “Suddenly Seymour” and “Suppertime.” As a side note: I just attended with my son and grandson. We truly enjoyed it, the plant is unforgettable. The musical is receiving food reviews. (https://merleburl.com)

• West Chicago City Museum hosts its annual Tales Tombstones Tell cemetery walk Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, at Oakwood Cemetery, Oakwood Avenue and York Street.The 45-minute tours begin at p.m., start at 10-minute intervals, with the last tour beginning at 7:30 p.m.

• West Chicago Park District offers a trip to see Sweet Reminder, a dynamic duo that entertains audiences with the hits of yesterday in their unique playful style. It takes place Saturday, Oct. 7, in the Jacob Henry Mansion in Joliet. Scheduled hours ar 9:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.The $65 fee includes transportation, lunch and the show. Reservations are due by Monday, Sept. 25, and may be made at https://www.we-goparks.org/adult-programs. Nancy With their upbeat personalities, Baumet and Dia Madden, former Legacy Girls, provide an entertaining time with their great vocals. (https://merleburl.com)

• Neighborhood Food Pantries holds its annual Harvest Fest, “An Autumn Evening,” at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Medinah Banquets, 550 North Shriners in Addison. There are several entree choices. The evening includes an auction. The emcee is CBS2 investigative reporter Dave Savini. The ticket price is $90. To order tickets, visit https://www.neighborhoodfp.org/harvestfest. For further information, call 630 632-7014.

• Save the date of Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, for the West Chicago Lions and Rotary Clubs Pancake Breakfast.

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

 

• WeGo Places of West Chicago Community High School recently interviewed Class of 2021 graduate, Kevin Arriaga, Owner/Project Manager at Everlast Landscape. To view the podcast, visit https://wegovox.podbean.com/…/wego-places-kevin…/. Arriaga said, “Our company has grown over the years from a two person operation into a full staff of professionals able to meet your every landscaping need.”

Everlast Landscape offers professional services residential and  commercial landscaping, hardscaping, paver patio, paver walkway, paver driveway, retaining walls, seat walls, steps paver overlays, outdoor fireplace, fire pit, pergola, landscape lighting, plants, trees and flower bed needs. The company also offers comprehensive landscaping services that include design, construction, installation, removal, maintenance and repairs. (https://merleburl.com)

• The new black awning with the happy, yellow sun at Good Morning Family Restaurant, 116 Main St., gives a feeling of brightness and cheer. Also I find the Wildcat paintings on the window and door reminiscent of the past during the West Chicago Community High School homecoming. The students would paint the windows at various businesses in the downtown district. The windows were judged in different categories. It was fun to walk around and see the colorful windows. The community did know it was homecoming. (https://merleburl.com)

• Augustino’s Rock & Roll Deli and Grill was featured on “Your Everyday Heroes.” Cathy Morelli explained why she and her husband Jerry, as owners were honored by this recognition. “We are beyond proud of the 45 years not only being in business but for our three generations of fans and friends.” Augustino’s has two locations, one in West Chicago at 300 W. North Avenue, and one in Carol Stream, which was the original location. To view the segment, visit https://youreverydayheroes.com/. (https://merleburl.com)

• Great Recruiters recognized Collinwood Technology Partners a a Top Rated IT and Engineering Staffing Firm. Staffing Industry Analysts recognized the company a a 2023 Best Staffing Firm to Work for staffing firms with 10 to 20 employees in North America. Collinwood Technology Partners is a veteran-owned IT recruiting firm providing permanent placement, contract placement, contract-to-hire or recruitment process outsourcing. The business is located at 480 E, Roosevelt Road, Suite 200.

Great Recruiters helps recruiters and staffing agencies collect real-time reviews while providing third party validations. Founded in 1989, Staffing Industry Analysts is the global advisor on staffing and workforce solutions. Our proprietary research covers all categories of employed and non-employed work including temporary staffing, independent contracting and other types of contingent labor.

 

COVID-19

The DuPage County Health Department developed a dashboard to provide information on the total number of people, in DuPage County, who have tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, the dashboard includes a map which shows the distribution of reported cases by municipality and is updated at 4:00 p.m. daily. DuPage County’s “COVID-19 Dashboard” is a one-stop-shop for all the information it offers including a town-by-town breakdown of cases. As of Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, there were 12,131 cases and 67 deaths; this is the number from the beginning of track recording.

 

REMEMBRANCES

• Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Frank Alberto Martinez Lara, who at the age of 33passed away Friday, Sept. 8, 2023.

• Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Sharlene S. Anderson, who at the age of 76 passed away Tuesday, Sept.12, 2023.

SCHOOLS

 

• Turner Elementary School celebrates its 70th Anniversary this year. More details of the celebration to be held Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, will be forthcoming. At this time the Turner PTO Board is seeking old photos, swag or memorabilia, anything with the former logos basically, or even just stories to share.  Also the board is looking for donations of items for the possible auction to help raise funds for current Turner students. For more information or Persons with items to donate and/or lend or, can email turnertigerspto@gmail.com. (https://merleburl.com)

• With the approach of Homecoming 2023 at West Chicago Community High School, there is a full schedule of events. Homecoming week is Monday, Sept. 25, through Saturday, Sept. 30. The theme is ”Under the Sea,” with each class having a colored shirt with the different shades of the blue water theme.

With different modes of styles each school day, fashions vary. Monday is Beach Day. The Dodgeball Tournament also takes place in Bishop Gym. Tuesday is Tourist Day. At sunset, there is a movie on the football field, Memorial Stadium. Wednesday is Class Shirt Day.The Pep Club has a pre-game tailgate before the soccer game Thursday is Floaty Day. There is a volleyball game and Mr. Wildcat Competition , hosted by WeGo Drama.and Friday is the Wildcat Blue and White Day, I will highlight the Homecoming Day activities in next week’s column. (https://merleburl.com)

• West Chicago Community High School football game was played Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, instead of Friday. The Wildcats beat Fenton High School with a score of 56-28.

• In the Friday night football game, Wheaton Academy lost to Chicago Hope Academy with a score of 30-29.

CHURCHES

 

• The congregation of New Hope United Methodist Church, 643 E. Washington St., host an Open House from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. This is a means to celebrate and introduce he community to the church since.the merger of First United Church of West Chicago with Winfield Community United Methodist Church. In addition to refreshments there are beverages, games and take aways. Guests are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for Neighborhood Food Pantry or hats, scarves and/or mittens for area school children. (https://merleburl.com)

 

• Glen Arbor Community Church, 204 Church St., once again offers Awana Kids Ministry, which takes place from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays. The organization is for youths age three through twelve. Clubs for this school year include Cubbies for three and four-year-olds, Sparks for kindergartners through second graders, Truth & Training for third through sixth graders and Trek for seventh and eighth graders. (https://merleburl.com)

• Trinity Lutheran Church recently held a Ladies Event Baby Shower with gifts being donated to Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries. Among the gifts were 42 handmade blankets by church organist Carrie Tedrahn and some handmade gifts by Patty Gaede, the pastor’s wife.

CLUB/ORGANIZATION NEWS

• Girls of Today Leaders, of Tomorrow host and USAgain hold Quince Dress Drive, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at 1555 W. Hawthorne Lane. It is open to girls age14 and attend Leman Middle School or West Chicago Community High School. The girls have a private dress fitting for quinceañeras dresses. Pre-registration is required. The suggested donation is $20 with proceeds benefitting Girls of Today Leaders of Tomorrow.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS HIGHLIGHTS

 

• West Chicago resident Roxanne Matejovsky Hamlin is one of the more than 35 participants in the St. Charles Moose Craft Show, sponsored by St. Charles Women Women of the Moose. Her booth is “Not Your Grandma’s Aprons.” The show takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at the Moose Family Center, 2250 Lincoln Highway.

 

• Former West Chicago resident Gail Cannata directs the actors in the “History Lives” 36th annual Bluff City Cemetery Walk, presented by the Elgin History Museum. It takes place from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, and from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. The ticket price is $20. Tickets must be purchased in advance at https://elginhistory.org/2023-cemetery-walk/. (https://merleburl.com)

WEST CHICAGO FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

 

• In the early morning Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, the Glenview Police Department through Red Alert requested the West Chicago Fire Protection District K9 team to assist is locating a missing juvenile who never came home from school. K9 Thor started a track at the school, tracking for about a mile when K9 Roy from the Romeoville Fire Department arrived to assist. Both dogs tracked the nine hour old track to an area where the police on foot were able to locate the missing juvenile. Also assisting were the Glenview Fire Department with drone support and the Lincolnshire Riverwoods Fire Protection District providing chiefs and ground support. (https://merleburl.com)

 

ODDS AND ENDS

 

• Cycle for Life, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation fundraiser, takes place Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. Starting at St. Charles, the riders, approximately 75, use the Illinois Prairie Path, and are scheduled to be in the West Chicago area between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.(https://merleburl.com)

• The Spotlight Chicago team of Channel 9 highlighted the Tae Kwan Do program offered by Frank Panzek of Lions Panzek Martial Arts in Winfield and Western DuPage Special Recreation Association. Community High School District 94 Board of Education member Kathe Doremus and her daughter Kerry are involved in this program and were featured on the television program. Panzek said, “I am inspired always by the students-their energy, dedication, drive to improve-and pride in learning! They also make me laugh-their joy, unique personalities, and delight in life-every Saturday, I get an attitude adjustment just watching them! I also get challenged to do a push-up or two just watching Kerry work.” To learn more about the program, visit https://panzek.com/. The telephone number is 630 797-6698. (https://merleburl.com)

• Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, DuPage County Board members and Chief Judge Kenneth Popejoy held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the expansion and renovation in the judicial facilities in the county complex. The work included the addition of a third floor into which the public defender’s office is moving, Enlarging the grand jury room, adding two domestic relations courtrooms, plus enlarging and remodeling the bond courtroom at the jail.

 

• Justin Fierz and Michael Androwich’s Midwest Industrial Funds recently sold its new speculative warehouse development to an East Coast firm for more than $41 million. Boston-based Stag Industrial bought the 400,000-square-foot facility, which sits on 23 acres at 537 Discovery Drive. in a deal recorded Aug. 11, according to DuPage County public records. William Crooker is the CEO of Stag Industry, a real estate investment trust focused on the acquisition and operation of industrial properties throughout the United States.

• More than 200 persons attended the Ribbon Cutting and Open House for Main Street Lofts, hosted by Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce, Association for Individual Development and North Arrow Partners . Among those attending were Ward 3 Alderman Al Hallett, Ward 4 Alderman Melissa Ferguson and Ward 6 Alderman Becky Stout, plus representatives of DuPage County. The facility at 487 Main St. has 21 one bedroom apartments and three two bedroom apartments, plus is the first supportive housing building in DuPage County. The apartments are for individuals, not families.

• Lore Baker, President/CEO of AID, welcomed all who attended. “To build this building took perseverance.” She mentioned its beginning with the approval of the grant in January 2020 the ground breaking in July 2020. Then COVID-19 hit. After restrictions lifted, delays continued with shortage of supplies and more. “Yet we continued to persevere and today we have two residents.” Mayor Ruben Pineda said this was a wonderful facility, located by the train station and two grocery stores. Also speaking were State Senator Karina Villa and State Representative Maura Hirschauer. Also the brother of one residents, Raymond, spoke, saying the family is thankful that such a facility is now available.

Following the ribbon cutting, guests toured the building. On the first floor is a kitchen with a comfortable seating area, fitness room, library, recreation room, laundry room, and management office. The upper three floors house the apartments which have a full kitchen, fully equipped bathroom, large living room area and bedroom. Supportive housing combines affordable housing with services that help people who face the most complex challenges to live with stability, autonomy and dignity. It is usually for those lacking housing who face a multitude of complex medical, mental health and/or substance use issues that are co-occurring. Individuals can apply for a HACC voucher online by visiting https://hacc.net/housing/apply-for-housing/. For further information, call 630 966-4000. https://merleburl.com)

• My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.