Bugle Newspapers 5-9-24

Regional office of education awards art contest scholarship

The Regional Office of Education is pleased to announce the winners of its Art Contest Scholarship, showcasing the remarkable creativity and talent of students across the region. In its first year, the contest will be a platform for young artists to showcase their skills and imagination with the possibility of receiving a scholarship.

We hope to inspire students to explore and express their artistic visions through various mediums, including painting, drawing, and digital art. Congratulations to the following students for their outstanding achievement:

First Place: Alexandrea Faurot, Reed-Custer High School

Second Place: Alexis Anderson, Plainfield East High School

The Annual Art Contest Scholarship organized by the Regional Office of Education aims to foster creativity, celebrate artistic expression, and provide students with opportunities to showcase their talents.This scholarship opportunity will take place each year.

Regional Superintendent Dr. Lisa Caparelli-Ruff said, “we extend our appreciation to all participants, teachers, and schools for their dedication to the arts and their support of student creativity.”

The Will County Regional Office of Education serves as a hub for educational resources, support, and initiatives across the region. Committed to promoting excellence in education, the office collaborates with schools, educators, and community partners to enhance student learning and success. For more information the Regional Office of Education, please visit www.willroe.org

The Timbers of Shorewood honors pair of volunteers

Susan Bennett and Geri Martinez received the “Joni Hilger Volunteer of the Year Award” at the Timbers of Shorewood’s Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon held during National Volunteer Week on Thursday, April 25, at the Timbers, 1100 North River Road, Shorewood.

The theme for the April 21-27, 2024, National Volunteer Week is “Celebrate Service.” It’s an opportunity to shine a light on the people and causes that inspire people to serve.

“Susan and Geri are good friends who not only help each other but those they come into contact with,” said Amy Odell, activities director at the Timbers. “They help with games, activities, organization, set up, and clean up. Each has such a giving nature. It’s truly genuine.”

The Timbers’ award is named for Joni Hilger who was a beloved volunteer at the Timbers. In 2020, she was named Volunteer of the Year, but because of COVID-19 restrictions, the presentation did not take place. Tragically, Joni passed away.

On May 8, 2021, the Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Joni’s family, an award that, from that day forward, became known as the “Joni Hilger Volunteer of the Year Award.”

“I’ve been at the Timbers five years,” said Sue Bennett. “Geri and I have become good friends. We are on the welcoming committee and the newspaper committee. I enjoy giving back, and the honor of being named Volunteer of the Year feels good.”

April is National Volunteer Month, a month when people celebrate the work that volunteers do year-round.

Organizations across the country are recognizing their volunteers for helping them achieve their mission. April became National Volunteer Month in 1991 as part of President George H. W. Bush’s 1000 Points of Light campaign.

Volunteering has been shown to improve memory and help with executive function – the mental skills that make-up a person’s active memory, provide for flexible thinking, and set the stage for selfcontrol – all skills required each day. Such skills may help slow or prevent the onset of dementia. They lead to a strong sense of self-control, selfconfidence, and connectedness which can help stave off depression.

“Susan Bennett and I have become very good friends,” said Geri Martinez, a resident of the Timbers for seven years. “In fact, the staff and other residents say, ‘You don’t see one of us without the other.’ Volunteering makes me feel so grateful.”

Plainfield Park District named a finalist for a National Gold Medal award

For the second consecutive year, Plainfield Park District has been named a finalist for the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management as selected by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

The Park District is one of four finalists in the Class III Category (population of 75,001-150,000) for the Grand Plaque. Grand Plaque recipients will be announced at the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference in Atlanta, October 8-10. Other Class III nominees are Waukegan Park District (Ill.), City of New Braunfels Parks and Recreation (Texas) and City of North Port Parks & Recreation Department (Fla.).

“It’s a tremendous honor to again be in contention for the Grand Plaque,” said Plainfield Park District Executive Director Carlo Capalbo. “This second Gold Medal continues to demonstrate our excellence in long-range planning, resource management and innovative approaches to delivering superb park and recreation services with fiscally-sound business practices.”

Founded in 1966, the Plainfield Park District is the 9th largest park district in the State of Illinois, serving over 110,000 residents in

Will and Kendall Counties including the areas of Plainfield, Joliet, Romeoville, Crest Hill and Bolingbrook.

This past January, the District was recognized as an Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency, which is a rigorous evaluation process by a joint committee of park and recreation professionals and elected officials and includes having to meet various standards and criteria in providing exceptional park and recreation services to the community. Plainfield Park District achieved a score of 503.4, exceeding the total possible of 500 points (bonus points awarded for certain accomplishments).

In late 2023, the Plainfield Park District was chosen the BEST park district in the Herald-News Best of Will County Readers’ Choice Awards. The District was also chosen as one of the best in family recreation.

In 2022, the District joined the ranks of elite park and recreation agencies across the country by earning accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the NRPA. CAPRA accreditation is the only national accreditation for park and recreation agencies, and is a measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management and service to the community.

GoSS

Fredrick Joseph Lotarski, age 77 of Channahon, Illinois, and previously from Plainfield, Illinois, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Lightways Hospice Home in Joliet. Fred was born in Chicago on January 8, 1947.

He is survived by his daughters Julie (Doug) Gardner, Karin (Al) Obman and Chris (Jeff) Young, his grandchildren, Mikaela, Josh, Alexis, Jenna, Jack, Maddie, Owen and Natalie and his siblings, Jim Lotarski, Joey (Anne) Lotarski and Nancy Kraus, plus numerous nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Bernice Lotarski, his sister Mary Lou Enriquez, sisterin-law Christine Lotarski and brother-in-law Joe Enriquez.

Following his service with the US Army in Vietnam, Fred was employed by ComEd until his retirement in the early 2000s — when he immediately jumped into his role as a grandpa. Known affectionally to his family as “Dzia Dzia,” he spent his spare time traveling across the country as a #1 Fan to his grandkids’ dance recitals and school functions, plus hockey, football and baseball games. He was also known to schedule “Grandparent Institute Days” from school to take the grandkids on secret outings.

To his family and friends, he was “The Guy” to call when you had electrical issues, car problems, needed any type of power tool or comprehensive research on the best product or biggest bargain.

If at any point one of his kids were in a pickle, they could count on him to drop over a large

supply of chicken or beef — also humorously known as “Crisis Meat” by his daughters.

Fred will be remembered for his love of good Polish food (and sneaking food he wasn’t supposed to have), practical jokes, ability to fix anything, fascination with anything electronic, always having treats in his cars for other people’s dogs and his dedication to his family and Catholic faith.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Fred’s life at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Minooka on Thursday, June 6, 2024. A memorial gathering at will begin at 9:30 a.m., and a mass of Christian burial will start at 10:00 a.m. Cremation rites have been accorded and interment will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL. A funeral luncheon will take place and details will be announced at his services. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name to Lightways Hospice in Joliet would be appreciated.

Problem-Solving court graduations celebrate 44 participants in May

May is National Treatment Court Month, recognizing courts around the country which address the root causes of criminal behavior committed by those suffering from mental illness and drug abuse, as well as military veterans who may be having difficulties associated with readjusting to civilian life.

“May is also a time for graduations, and this month the Circuit Court of Cook County is holding six ceremonies for problem-solving courts in Skokie and at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, celebrating a total of 44 participants,” said Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.

The following ceremonies are being held at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse at 2650 S. California Ave.

Veterans’ Court, presided over by the Hon. John Fitzgerald Lyke, Jr., Courtroom 208, 2 p.m., May 6, with 9 graduates;

Men’s Mental Health Court, presided over by the Hon. Alfredo Maldonado, Courtroom 704, at 2 p.m., May 9, with 3 graduates and one post-graduate celebration;

Women’s Mental Health Court, presided over by the Hon. Domenica A. Stephenson, Courtroom 700, 2 p.m., May 9, with 4 graduates. RAP/WRAP Drug Treatment Court, presided over by the Hon. Charles Burns, Courtroom 402, at 1 p.m., May 16, with 18 graduates.

The following ceremonies are being held at the Skokie Courthouse, Second Municipal District, 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie:

Veterans’ Court, presided over by the Hon. Michael J. Hood, Courtroom 209, at noon on May 10, with 4 graduates;

Mental Health Court, presided over by the Hon. Sharon Arnold Kanter, Courtroom 208, at noon on May 30, with 5 graduates.

There are about 4,000 treatment courts nationwide. There are 20 problem-solving courts operating in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

“I congratulate all the graduates this month for all their hard work, as well as the judges, probation officers and other court personnel who do so much to help people turn their lives around,” said Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans. “One of our goals as a court is not just to

punish, but to move people away from criminal activity and enable them to become productive citizens. The problem-solving courts are a pathway to a better life.”

Problem-solving courts combine intensive judicial supervision and rigorously monitored rehabilitation services and accountability with a team approach to decision-making to help adults with substance use or mental health disorders from becoming repeat offenders.

Problem-solving courts increase public safety and save money by reducing re-arrest and incarceration for many offenders. They also provide social benefits to participants and help them reintegrate back into their communities.

The Problem-solving courts team is led by the judge and includes a prosecutor, defense counsel or public defender, probation officer, clinical case manager, Veterans Justice Outreach or social workers, substance use or mental health treatment providers, resource/treatment coordinator, project manager, law enforcement liaison, and PSC director/coordinator.

The public is welcome to attend graduation ceremonies. The news media should note that some, but not all, graduates sign waivers to allow themselves to be filmed and photographed. Please consult with court communications personnel to see which graduates have given their consent.

Both vvSD High Schools Named to uS News Best High Schools List

Both Valley View School District 365U high schools, Romeoville HS, and Bolingbrook HS, are among the high schools across the United States identified in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Annual Rankings of America’s Best High Schools. Romeoville HS ranks 107th in the state of Illinois and Bolingbrook HS is ranks 127th. Those rankings place both schools among the top 17 percent of the 721 high schools in Illinois.

”Romeoville High School's steady improvement in these rankings reflects our everyday emphasis on continuous improvement and the unwavering support from the community and district administration,” said Romeoville HS Principal Derek Kinder. “In addition to creating an environment of continuous improvement for

students, I have to recognize the work being done in our elementary and middle schools to prepare students for the next level. Our RHS staff constantly looks for ways to improve their practices and processes to best support our students and their families with whatever comes their way.”

Romeoville HS ranks fourth and Bolingbrook HS ranks fifth among the member schools of the Southwest Prairie Conference.

In addition to VVSD’s two high schools, the SPC members are Joliet Central, Joliet West, Minooka, Oswego, Oswego East, Plainfield Central, Plainfield East, Plainfield North, Plainfield South, and Yorkville. (Bolingbrook HS moves to the SPC from the Southwestern Suburban Conference beginning with the

2024-25 school year.)

“We are pleased that Bolingbrook High School is again being recognized among the top high schools in Illinois,” said Bolingbrook HS Principal Dr. Jason Pascavage. “In addition to this being a deserved recognition for our students and staff, the US News ranking should also be a point of pride for our entire community that supports VVSD’s mission to prepare students to be college, career and life ready.”

Both schools are ranked in the Top 130 among Illinois High Schools for the fourth year in a row.

Since the 2020 Rankings, Romeoville HS’s ranking has improved 41 places, while Bolingbrook HS’s ranking has improved 39 places.