Downers Grove 11-20-19

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# Bugl e n e W s your Comm u n i t y. your ne Ws . in tHi s i ssu e Communi t y

outstanding Citizen

Goodman recognized as Outstanding Citizen Volunteer

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e vents

Calendar events Upcoming events in your area see Page 3

l iB rary

Walk the Line Performer brings music of Johnny Cash to library see Page 3

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loCal neWs >> doWners grove

Wednesday, novemBer 20, 2019 | BugleneWsPaPers.Com

goodman recognized as outstanding Citizen Volunteer activist dr. gordon goodman rewarded for his many efforts By ryan ostry Bugle staff

@RyanOstry_BR18 rostry@buglenewspapers.com

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or more than 25 years, Dr. Gordon L. Goodman has worked to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of Downers Grove through his partnership with the Downers Grove Park District.

Throughout his selflessness career with philanthropy, Goodman has

helped to secure significant land acquisitions, ensured long-term preservation efforts and evolved educational opportunities at Lyman Woods Nature Preserve and the Downers Grove Museum.

“I think that it’s a real tribute not necessarily to my work but to the people like me who have been working in the community to make sure the Park District and the village appreciate the natural and built features of our history,” Goodman said.

Because of the dedication and hard work Goodman has displayed, he was awarded the 2019 Outstanding Citizen Volunteer of the Year by the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD).

This prestigious award recognizes citizens’ volunteer efforts to enhance a park district, forest preserve, conservation, recreation or special recreation agency program, service, parkland, open space or facility.

The Downers Grove Park District nominated Dr. Goodman for his longterm, outstanding contributions in securing and safeguarding the Lyman Woods Nature Preserve and the 1846 Blodgett House at the Downers Grove Museum.

Dr. Goodman is a founding member of the Pierce Downer’s Heritage Alliance (PDHA), which formed in 1995 to protect the ecosystem surrounding Lyman Woods.

Through determined efforts over the years, he helped to acquire an additional 50 acres at Lyman Woods, which is owned by the Village of Downers Grove, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and the Downers Grove Park District.

“Back awhile ago we actually wanted to help secure land so there wouldn’t be as much growth as there is today,” Goodman said jokingly. “We wanted to stabilize the land and donate it to the Park District.”

Goodman has remained heavily involved with the partnership between the PDHA and the Park District over the years.

For 16 years, the PDHA has provided an annual donation to the Lyman Woods Little Sprouts Program, an environmental education program for all District 58 first grade students.

In 2013, Goodman encouraged the PDHA to provide financial support to install five beehives at Lyman Woods, where eventually the beekeeping program was developed to provide

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Wednesday, novemBer 20, 2019 | BugleneWsPaPers.Com

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loCal neWs >> Woodridge liBrrary

Performer brings music of Johnny Cash to library

local musician excites crowd with famous american music at Woodridge library By ryan ostry Bugle staff

@RyanOstry_BR18 rostry@buglenewspapers.com

I

t’s not every day where a supremely talented musician performs at a local venue.

The Woodridge Public Library had the privilege of Steve Justman, Chicago area singer, stop by for a rendition of famous singers.

“I’ve been a fan and player of Americana music where country music is now a part of that,” Justman said. “The history of country music

parallels the history of the recording business.”

Justman, who has performed on the WGN radio on Rick Kogan’s Sunday Papers show as well as WDCB Public Radio’s Folk Fest with Lilli Kuzma, has been primarily sang in the Midwest. What started off his “career” with singing at the age of two years old, Justman said he’s loved music for as long as he can remember.

“I started off at a very young age and picked up a guitar at the age of 12,” Justman said. “It’s great to share

a team to find clues and solve puzzles that will save the turkey in time.

noV 1-dec 6 skokie letters from santa. Skokie Park District. Surprise your child with a letter written by Santa. Due to Santa’s extremely busy schedule, participants are encouraged to sign up early. Registrations forms are available at any Skokie Park District facility and online at www.skokieparks.org beginning November 1, 2019. Letters will be on Friday, December 13, 2019 to ensure delivery by Christmas Eve, December 24, 2019. Registration deadline is Friday, December 6, 2019. noVemBer 27 woodridge escape room: saVe the turkeY. 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the Woodridge Public Library. This Thanksgiving turkey will be toast(ed) unless your team can save him before the timer goes off. Work together as

noVemBer 29 Joliet ligHt uP tHe Holidays festival & Parade.

10 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Joliet City Center Partnership 116 N Chicago St #101, Joliet, IL. Light Up the Holidays Festival and Parade is held on the Friday following Thanksgiving each year. Activities begin downtown as early as 10:00 a.m., and include the Fantastic Fun Fair in the Joliet Area Historical Museum’s auditorium, as well as activities in the Joliet Public Library, Jitters Coffeehouse, Chicken-n-Spice, Chevere Latin Cafe, JJC City Center Campus and more. The Rialto Square Theatre’s annual holiday festivities add to the holiday spirit in Downtown Joliet. Christmas Tree Lighting begins at 5:15 p.m. in Van Buren Plaza followed by the Light Up The Holidays Parade at 5:30 p.m. noVemBer 30 crest hill fourtH annual Crest Hill Winter festival. 4-7 p.m. at 1610 Plainfield Road, Crest Hill, IL 60403. Crest Hill’s 4th Annual Winter Festival will be held at the City Hall

a passion for something that you’ve been doing from such a young age.”

In his performances in the Chicago area, Justman performs at many different types of venues such as concerts and programs at many public libraries, festivals, concert series and with many community and special events for audiences of all ages.

Justman showcases his collection of songs in his performances; singing and interpreting a mix of traditional and popular folk, pop standards, early rock and roll, rockabilly and classic country that people might know.

At the Woodridge Library, guests had the chance to listen to The Carter Family, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and more.

“There’s a connection that music has from the fabric in America,” Justman said. “The way that it can make someone feel is very special.”

Out of the few famous musicians Justman emulated, Cash was a big hit to the audience.

Cash, who was a singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor and author, was someone who embraced country music, rock and roll, blues, folk and gospel.

Signature songs such as “I Walk the Line”, “Ring of Fire” and “Get Rhythm” all sparked the interest of more than 50 people in attendance at the library, while Justman also provided history with Cash, among other musicians who paved the way for music today.

parking lot. This year’s live entertainment will be local Crest Hill band, The Jib Brothers Band. As always, there will be horse and hayrack rides, live reindeer, pony rides, and local businesses on hand to ring in the holiday season. Santa Claus has confirmed he will make an appearance as well. The mayor will be doing an annual lighting ceremony with very special guests, so you won’t want to miss this year’s event. NOTE: Parking will be available at El Guero, Chase Bank, and the South Weber Plaza. Knapp Road will be closed from 3:30 - 7:30 p.m. noVemBer 30 westmont rotarY cluB uglY sweater 5k. 9 a.m.

– 12 p.m. at Knights of Columbus Hall. Join family and friends for the Ugly Sweater 5k through the streets of Westmont. The race will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Burlington Ave. Participants registered before November 18 will be guaranteed a race shirt; pre-registration can be done online at westmontrotaryclub.org or by paper forms which will be at the Community Center. Race Day registration will be held from 8:00-8:45 a.m. on November 30. Medals will be presented to our first three finishers and awards will be presented in all other age categories.

“I perform by myself but I also do perform with a Johnny Cash tribute band which is always a lot of fun,” Justman said. “I play the bass and do a little with the historian part about Cash as well.

“I do that around the entire Midwest because of the popularity with him so I really enjoy that among performing some of the best music that America has ever seen.”

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Wednesday, novemBer 20, 2019 | BugleneWsPaPers.Com

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BasketBall soccer cross countrY FootBall soccer tennis BaseBall soFtBall VolleYBall track & Field swimming cheerleading dance BoWling volleyBall

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glory

after placing third a season ago, Benet academy claims the class 4a state volleyball championship BY mark gregorY editorial director

@Hear_The_Beard mark@buglenewspapers.com Last season, as Benet Academy placed third in the state in Class 4A, then-junior Colleen McGuire was not on the floor at Redbird Arena.

After playing on the lower levels her first two seasons at Benet, McGuire decided not to play last season in order to focus on training for her future in beach volleyball, which she will play next season at the University of California-Davis.

This year, she decided to return to the Redwings and the move paid off for both her and the team.

McGuire was an impact player for Benet Academy all season, and recorded two of the most important kills in school history.

On Friday night, she finished off rival Marist to send the Redwings to the state championship match against Wheaton Warrenville South and on Saturday, she got the final point in the 25-12, 25-16 victory over Wheaton Warrenville South to earn Benet the state title.

“This is my last point of indoor ever for me and to have that is an unbelievable opportunity that was given to me and I am happy I had it,” she said. “(After I hit it) I was waiting for the dogpile and it feels really, really good to be part of that.”

McGuire joined Kyla Kenney, Ann Marie Remmes and Rachel Muisenga with four kills on the night, while Sophie Gregus led the

team with eight.

“The feeling is indescribable. To have all the hard work pay off and the fact that I can do this for my teammates. When I graduate, I will remember this moment and hopefully leave a legacy for Benet volleyball. You can’t really top this,” Gregus said. “Our bond is so strong and we trust each other so much.”

It was the fourth state championship in program history and tied the Benet standard with a 41-1 record on the season.

“They really turned it on. I didn’t think we had another level and then since sectional started, only one team even got to 20. You talk about a level of focus - they were in it,” said Benet coach Brad Baker. “It is hard. You have to stay healthy and you have to have the talent, then you have to have all the positions and they you have to actually like each other and want to get along for a season and play for each other. We don’t take it for granted, this team is really special.

“We are not scheduling cupcakes – when you get 40 wins at this school, you earned it.”

In fact, three of Benet’s conference opponents also earned medals at state as Marist placed third in Class 4A and Joliet Catholic Academy was second in 3A. The championship was the third Benet title in a week, as the boys soccer team and girls cross country team also earned state titles.

“I have a lot of friends that just

see ‘glory ’ Page 6

photo by mark gregory

Benet academy setter rachel muisenga helped the redwings defeat marist and Wheaton Warrenville south en route to the ihsa class 4a state championship.

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6 sports

Wednesday, November 20, 2019 | buglenewspapers.com

photo by mark gregory

Sophie Gregus posted eight kills in Benet’s win over Wheaton Warrenville South in the state title match. ‘glory ’ from page 5

‘goodman’ from page 2 historical relevance to Lyman Woods and offers education opportunities. Within all of the great work Goodman has done over the years, in 2007, Dr. Goodman added to his resume by helping to establish the Downers Grove Heritage Preservation Corporation, a non-profit with the mission to save and restore the historic 1846 Blodgett House.

In 2007, that Corporation developed the “1846 Blodgett House on the Move” fundraising campaign to garner community support for the project.

Also that year, the Corporation acquired the house on behalf of the Park District and moved it to the Downers Grove Museum Campus where it could be re-

stored for educational purposes.

After fundraising and volunteer work spearheaded by the Heritage Preservation Corporation, an exterior restoration of the 1846 House was completed in 2010 and interior restoration plans were completed in 2015.

Although Goodman said he appreciates the award that was chosen to give to him, he remains to have a modest attitude and continues to have the best interest of Downers Grove at heart.

“It’s really been great meeting so many people who always want to improve the community of Downers Grove,” Goodman said. “This award isn’t just for me, it’s for everyone who has contributed with all of their hard work that goes into making Downers Grove what it is today.”

won state championships in soccer or cross country and they told me it was our turn and we have pride in the school,” Gregus said.

That pride in the school was what drove senior Hattie Monson.

The University of Notre Damebound libero has won championships all over the world, but her resume was still lacking one for her school.

“This is the best feeling ever. This is a whole different feeling because I am doing it for my school and my community and that is awesome to have all these fans that I am really close to all of them – they are my best friends,” she said. “All of us have worked so hard to get to this point right here and I can’t wait to see the future of Benet because I think they will take it as far as we did and win it again.”

The Redwings got to the final by defeating Marist, who came in ranked 10th in the nation — two spots ahead of Benet.

Coming into the IHSA Class 4A state volleyball semifinals, Benet

Academy had only one loss on its resume, a 25-13, 25-21 loss at Marist in the final regular season match of the season.

That same Marist program had defeated the Redwings in the 2018 semifinals and went on to win its second-straight title.

The Redwings used a dominant first set and a come-from-behind second to defeat the RedHawks 25-13, 25-23.

“These girls prepared for this moment, the results were just a reflection of that,” Baker said after the semifinal win. “We have been going over this match over and over again and we have had some real strict practices on what we need to do to win this match. It is one thing to prepare and know and it is another thing to do.

“They beat us up down there and we took a whooping. We talked about being a winner or a loser – losers are going to hide from it and winners are going to come back and put the work in. It is hard in situations when you adults, but we are asking kids after they take a whooping to look them in the face

not that long ago. That is a great skill – not just in volleyball, but in life.”

Benet did split with Marist during the regular season, as the Redwings earned a three-set win in the Wheaton Warrenville South tournament earlier in the season, but that did not even the score for the Benet players that were part of the only Benet team to advance to the state finals and not play in a championship match.

“Last year, working all year to get to state and losing, it has been with us since the beginning of the season,” said Gregus. “The seniors wanted to make a new legacy and we have been saying all year that that is our year. Having that in the back of our minds the whole year has motivated us to work harder every single day.”

Gregus led Benet with eight kills.

Muisenga paced the Redwings with 22 assists, as well as six blocks (one solo).

“Coming in as underdogs after losing in that match, it made us focused and we were ready for it,” she said.

We d n es day, N ov e m b e r 2 0 , 2 0 19 | b u g l e n e w spap e r s. c o m | pag e 7

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