Before lighting the second candle on Flossmoor’s kinara on Dec. 27, Amabel Crawford, director of learning and instruction for Flossmoor School District 161, offered a few remarks about what Kwanzaa means to her. She said Kwanza is a time for her and her family to “reaffirm our values, how we[Read More…]
Feature
District 161 superintendent lights candle on 1st night of Kwanzaa to celebrate unity
Flossmoor School District 161 Superintendent Dana Smith said he was honored to light the first candle on the kinara in Flossmoor Park on Tuesday, Dec. 26, in part because the theme of the first night, umoja, or unity, is a value the district focuses on promoting with students. “We spend[Read More…]
Hogansons have helped make Drama Group run for 5 decades
Mary Lee Hoganson didn’t intend to audition for a role in the Drama Group’s production of Sound of Music in 1969. She was teaching at Bloom High School and was working with students on an upcoming production. The Drama Group was in an adjacent room conducting auditions. When Mary Lee[Read More…]
Tennis coach Teri Watland retires after 35-year career
For 35 years, tennis pro Teri Watland had a racquet in her hand at the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District’s Racquet & Fitness Club. She retired on Friday, Dec. 29. Watland has been a fixture around the courts teaching all levels of tennis. Over the three-plus decades, she would give tennis lessons[Read More…]
First Irons Oaks holiday trail walk a hit despite soggy conditions
About 450 people signed up for the first Light Up Trail Walk at Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center. Irons Oaks Manager Cheryl Vargo thought that was a pretty good response for the new holiday event. She was even more impressed with the number of people who braved rain on one[Read More…]
Gingerbread day in Flossmoor provides holiday wonder
Saturday, Dec. 2, was a day of gingerbread magic in Flossmoor, starting with the Gingerbread House Extravaganza at Flossmoor Public Library. Youth Services Manager and gingerbread house construction chief Jenny Lucas said the current version of the event has been going for about seven years. She builds the houses in[Read More…]
Winfrey sisters mark two decades of holiday charity work
When Mara and Kayla Winfrey started their annual holiday hot chocolate stand to raise money for the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots program, they did not plan to continue the tradition for 20 years. Of course, they were 2 and 4 years old at the time. Their father, Dave Winfrey,[Read More…]
Homewood Chevy gives new car to brave mom for Christmas
Homewood Chevy gave Chicago resident Tiease Holmes a Christmas she will never forget. On the morning of Christmas Eve, Holmes was presented with the keys to a brand new 2024 Chevrolet Trax. The moment brought her to tears. Homewood Chevy has been playing Santa to locals in need for the[Read More…]
Karaoke party has Swifties celebrating all things Taylor Swift
Homewood Public Library’s Taylor Swift Karaoke event had the crowd ready to share all the music and fun that makes them Swifties. The event Dec. 2 was open to all Swifties, devoted fans of Taylor Swift, for an enchanted evening of making friendship bracelets, deciding which favorite T-Swift song to[Read More…]
Performing arts: 23 Miles South: Community theater with open arms
Both kids and adults can find a home with 23 Miles South, a community theater group. Founder Dawn Peloso said there are people who don’t easily find a place to fit in at school or in the community. She makes 23 Miles South a place they can thrive. “We have[Read More…]
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