Bugle Newspaper 2-11-21

F e BRUaRy 10 , 2 0 2 1 Vo l . 6 5 i ss U e 16

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Will coUnty

local author set to release debut novel By maRK gRegoRy editorial director

@Hear_The_Beard mark@buglenewspapers.com Growing up in the Joliet area, Jennifer Anton always wanted to write and from an early age at St. Mary’s Immaculate Grade School in Plainfield, she was inspired to do just that.

“In the fifth grade, I started a little club in the schoolyard called the Drama and Literature Club.

My teacher, Miss Wilson was so kind and let me encourage the class to submit poems and short stories which she then ‘published’ for us by making a photocopy version,” Anton said. “I guess that was my first publishing experience. Sister Mary Keenan, who died in the Plainfield tornado, was also always encouraging me to write.”

Anton continued to write and on March 8, she will release her debut novel, “Under the Light of the Italian Moon,” a book that focuses on stories of women under Mussolini’s fascist rule leading into the collapse of Italy and WWII. The book is described by Anton as the story of Nina Argenta, the daughter of a strong-willed midwife who falls for a local boy emigrating to America. As Mussolini’s fascists and Hitler’s Nazis threaten to destroy their love forever, she must learn to survive and face a war alone.

“It is a tribute to women and

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

plainfield native Jennifer anton has her debut novel. Under the light of the italian moon set to be released march 8. puts the reader inside the heads of the rural women, during the progression of the dictator and climax of the war and Nazi atrocities,” she said.

The book brings together Anton’s Italian heritage with her upbringing in Will County, with scenes in the book taking place in her hometown.

“Like many Italians, emigration to America was an opportunity for work and a life of opportunity. My family settled in the Joliet and Plainfield area,” Anton said.

“There is a chapter that takes place downtown Joliet, highlighting the Rialto and Chicago Street.

My whole family still lives in Joliet and Plainfield. In fact, my aunt,

the person who helped me answer many of the questions I had when my grandmother died, lives in Plainfield.

“Certainly, my life experiences growing up in Joliet and Plainfield

have been fed into the pages and the family remains in the area.”

The book is inspired by the lives of her female ancestors in

see noVel page 10

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dUpage coUty

DuPage County and SCARCE hosting 15th annual Sustainable Design Challenge for local schools DuPage County and SCARCE are now accepting project proposals from local high school students for the 15th annual Sustainable Design Challenge. The Sustainable Design Challenge, which encourages students to construct building and landscape models using environmental and conservation-friendly design practices, will be held virtually with project submissions due in April.

“The Sustainable Design Challenge is something we look forward to each year, and, despite recent hardships, I’m so pleased it has continued with minimal interruption,” said DuPage County Stormwater Management Committee Chairman Jim Zay. “Through virtual means, the students are still able to interact with and learn from industry professionals as they research, design and construct their own innovative building concepts.”

In addition to inspiring students to explore careers in urban planning, architecture and engineering, the competition promotes environmental and stormwater management education within Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curricula in local high schools.

SCARCE Founder and Executive Director Kay McKeen emphasizes the importance of applying STEM education learned in school to real-life scenarios.

“The Sustainable Design Challenge provides invaluable reallife experience for students,” said McKeen. “In school, they learn about the importance of sustainable concepts, including green infrastructure and energy-effi-

ciency, but actually incorporating these practices into building designs makes a long-lasting impression. Inspired by the competition, some students then go on to pursue STEM-related fields in college and beyond.”

All DuPage County high schools are encouraged to participate.

Past competitors include students from Wheaton Warrenville South (Wheaton), Wheaton North,

Naperville North, Glenbard South (Glen Ellyn), Glenbard East (Lombard), Addison Trail, College Preparatory School of America (Lombard), Neuqua Valley (Naperville), York Community (Elmhurst), Willowbrook (Villa Park), Downers Grove North, Downers Grove South, Hinsdale Central, Hinsdale South (Darien), Metea Valley (Aurora), Waubonsie Valley (Aurora), Montini Catholic (Lombard), St.

Francis (Wheaton) and Lake Park (Roselle) high schools.

Registration will be open through April 16, and final projects are due April 23. For information on participating in this year’s challenge, visit https:// www.scarce.org/sustainable-design2021/.

SCARCE will post all submissions in late April with winners announced in May.

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W e d n es day, F E B R UA RY 3 , 2 0 2 1 | bug l e n e w spap e r s. c o m | pag e 7 Phone: 815.436.2431 >> Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. FAX: 815.439.2415 email: classifieds@enterprisepublications.com IN PERSON: Enterprise Publications >> 231556 Andrew Rd. >> Plainfield, IL

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Help Wanted

Shipping & Receiving Assistant: Computer Skills Required (Romeoville) Shipping & receiving assistant works under the direction and reports to our Operations Managers to process Records Storage tasks and duties F/T M-F some OT, benefits/wage commensurate with skill set/ experience.

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Send resume to Mr. Dale Pundsack email at hr@citadelim.com or by fax to 630-323-1737. Please type in the subject box: Bugle / RS Dept FEBRUARY 2021 Requirements: • 3-5 years past experience in similar warehouse position • Competent computer skills required: Microsoft Office / Must learn and use industry software • Work skills: Accuracy, efficiency, attention to details • Honest character, positive Attitude, team player, reliable • Strong communication skills verbally, phone, email • Good attendance record, punctual • Adheres to all safety processes • Manage physical boxes, climb stairs, lift up to 70 lbs.

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oBitUaRy RiddeR Timothy J. “Tim” Ridder, age 30, a lifelong resident of Plainfield, IL, passed away suddenly on Thursday, February 4, 2021.

He was born January 5, 1991 in Joliet, IL. Beloved husband of Kristen E. Ridder (nee Yeager), whom he married July 24, 2015, loving son of Edward and Diane (nee DeBoni) Ridder, adored brother of Charlie (fiancée, Nicole Sinkevicius), Joey, Mary and Henry Ridder, dear grandson of Margaret and the late Lenny DeBoni and Mildred and the late Fred Ridder, brotherin-law of Skye Yeager, fond nephew, cousin, and friend of many. Tim will be dearly missed by Zeppelin, his Australian Shepherd Mix. Tim grew up in Plainfield, attended St.

noVel FRom page 3 Italy who lived under Mussolini’s rule and held midwife roles which were specifically impacted by the policies put in place by the fascist leader including his outlawing the communication of contraceptive education and abortions, encouraging births for the country and diminishing women’s roles to childbearing for the fatherland.

One of those ancestors was her grandmother.

“My grandmother, who spent her later years in Crest Hill, grew

Mary Immaculate Grade School and was a 2009 graduate of Plainfield North High School. He suffered from OCD (obsessive comic-book disorder). He was a talented musician, and enjoyed playing his acoustic guitar with his brothers, sister, and cousin.

He had a talent for making people smile, and loved to laugh at his own jokes, no matter how bad they were.

He was a devoted dog dad and zookeeper to his wife’s ever-growing family of pets.

Tim was and will forever be the best, funniest person you could know.

He was kind, extremely talented, reliable, and the greatest son, husband, brother, and friend. He will be missed more than these words could ever say.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, 3:00-8:00 PM at Overman-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation

up in Italy under Mussolini’s fascist rule, and then lived through Nazi occupation in her small northern Italian town, yet she never talked about it and the reality of what she lived through went unknown,” Anton said. “She died two weeks after my daughter was born, never getting to meet my baby and I wondered what of hers I could share with my daughter.

The unanswered questions I never was able to ask became a map for my journey to understand her life and brought me to Italy again and again. She never returned to

Services, 15219 S. Joliet Rd., Plainfield, IL. Current health guidelines state that no more than 50 individuals at a time may pay their respects to the family, and guests are required to wear masks and follow social distancing procedures.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, February 11, 11:00 AM at St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, 15629 S. Route 59, Plainfield.

Interment: St. Mary Immaculate Cemetery, Plainfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tim’s memory may be made to: Hopeful Tails Animal Rescue, 2303 Oak Leaf St., Joliet, IL 60436, (779) 206-2132, http://www.hopefultailsanimalrescue.org/ For more information, please call (815) 436-9221 or visit www.overman-jones.com

the country she loved. I did that for her.”

The birth of her daughter, death of her grandmother and a near fatal heart condition all went into the inspiration and 14-year journey that led to the finished product.

“I began writing in 2006, after the birth of my daughter led me to develop a peripartum cardiomyopathy, a deadly heart condition. Two weeks later, my Italian grandmother passed away, never able to answer the questions I had about her life in fascist Italy

and under Nazi occupation during WWII in the town of Fonzaso, Italy,” Anton said. “That began a journey to research and uncover stories and facts between relatives in the U.S., Canada and Italy.

I took over seven trips to the town of Fonzaso, Italy, recreating the stories in my mind and uncovering details to Nazi atrocities that occurred in the town. Eventually, I gained Italian dual citizenship and moved abroad.”

After more than a decade, Anton said she is happy to have her labor of love ready to be released

for the world to read.

“I’m thrilled to have finally finished after all this time,” Anton said. “It was one of the most difficult but important things I will ever do in my life. I encourage anyone with a book they want to read, to write it — no matter how much time it takes.”

“Under the Light of the Italian Moon” officially releases March 8, International Women’s Day, however, it is available for preorder now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble.com and Bookshop.org.

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