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Leyden Highlights
Leyden’s Odd Couple Performances Rescheduled
Leyden High School’s fall play, “The Odd Couple” has been rescheduled for Friday, November 4 at 7 pm (female version) and Saturday, November 5 at 2 pm (female version) and 7 pm (male version). The play will take place in the West Leyden auditorium in Northlake. Tickets cost $2 for students and $3 for adults and are available online through the Leyden website link.
Scholarship for Graduates Taking Entrance Exams
In cooperation with the district’s foundation, Leyden High School District 212 announces a new scholarship program to help graduates pursuing post-secondary opportunities offset the financial burden often associated with entrance exams.
This opportunity is open to any Leyden graduate under 30, who is preparing for an exam for a post-secondary application or career (i.e. Nursing School Exam, MCAT, LSAT, GRE or the Illinois Electrician Licensing exam). The scholarship also covers associated costs such as preparatory courses, books and materials, or registration fees for a related conference in the discipline.
In return, recipients of this scholarship will be asked to mentor a current Leyden student who is interested in a similar post-secondary pathway. This mentorship may include one-onone guidance and/or small group discussions or presentations. The expected mentorship time commitment is estimated between one and three hours total.
To apply, please visit leyden212.org and go to the alumni section of the website under “parents and community.” Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the school year and will be reviewed by a selection committee.
For more information, visit the Leyden website or contact the Assistant Superintendent's Office: (847) 451-3021.
The Illinois Civics Mission Coalition (ICMC) has recently recertified East Leyden and West Leyden as Illinois Democracy Schools. The schools originally earned this noteworthy Distinction of Excellence in 2014.
In order to maintain this designation, during the 2019-2020 school year, Leyden completed an audit, survey, data analysis, and self-assessment to determine the strengths and weaknesses in the 11 elements of democracy schools. Despite the COVID set back, Leyden’s Democracy School Team completed the process, setting goals for the 2020-2021 school year, to improve design and teaching strategies to cultivate media literacy and courageous conversations in the classroom.
Democracy Schools are recognized for providing students with authentic experiences in the rights, responsibilities and tensions inherent in living in a constitutional democracy. Through these experiences, participating schools strive to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for informed, effective engagement in our democracy.
HOW TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR VETERANS
Supporting veterans is a worthy endeavor at any time of year, though such efforts tend to be more prominent in November. Veterans Day is celebrated annually on November 11 in honor of the millions of individuals across the United States who are military veterans. The day coincides with holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other countries and also honor military veterans. There’s no denying that veterans need the support of the people whose freedoms they protect. According to a 2021 study from researchers at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, the percentage of veterans with disabilities is significantly higher among post-9/11 veterans (40 percent) than it was with veterans from previous eras (25 percent for Gulf War I veterans and 13 percent for veterans of previous wars). Veterans can benefit from support legislated by elected officials in Washington, D.C., but there’s also many things ordinary citizens can do to show how much they appreciate the sacrifices veterans and their families have made and will make in the years to come. –Visit wounded veterans –Support legislation that supports veterans –Help raise awareness about homeless veterans –Donate to veteran charities (visit charitynavigator.org for a list)
Veterans Day is a time to show veterans that their service and sacrifices are not taken for granted. Visiting wounded veterans and supporting efforts to ensure veterans get what they need to live full, healthy and happy lives is a great way to send the message that veterans are appreciated.
FRANKLIN AVENUE WILL BE CLOSED OCTOBER 24 TO DECEMBER 18
Franklin Avenue will be closed to through traffic from Silver Creek to the Industrial Park beginning October 24 to remove and replace the existing railroad tracks and signal equipment. The roadway is expected to be fully reopened by December 18. Watch for detours. Local traffic will be able to access the project area and all driveways will have access. Thank you for your patience.
FRANKLIN PARK VETERANS DAY EVENT – NOVEMBER 11
The Village of Franklin Park and the American Legion Post 974 will host their annual Veterans Day observance on Friday, November 11 at 11 AM at the Village’s Veterans Memorial, located west of Village Hall. The program will pay tribute to military veterans who have served our country and will include recognition of the new names to be added to the Monument. Everyone is invited to attend.
LEYDEN FAMILY SERVICES AT VILLAGE HALL, FRANKLIN PARK
Leyden Family Services will be at Village Hall to help residents who have questions or need help applying for government programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and LIHEAP. Staff can also help with understanding medical bills, prescription assistance, and more. Bring your Social Security award letter and paycheck stubs that show the amount of income you receive. No appointment is necessary. Scheduled Village Hall dates are from 9 AM to Noon on November 16 and December 21.
AROUND TOWN
Last year the Park District of Franklin Park installed five rooftop beehives on the Centre of North Park. This effort is part of Project Aurelius, the Park District’s team dedicated to pollinator protection. This year, the established hives produced more than 300 pounds of honey. Park District Staff and After School Program participants assisted in jarring the honey. The rooftop honey is now for sale at the Community Center front desk. A six-ounce jar sells for $6, a 10-ounce jar sells for $10 and a 15-ounce jar for $15. All proceeds from the rooftop honey go toward the Parks Foundation of Franklin Park. The Parks Foundation provides financial assistance for recreational opportunities for in-district residents dealing with financial hardship. Jars are available while supplies last until next year’s honey harvest.
RIVER GROVE
Shopping at Rich’s Fresh Market proved to be a winning excursion for a regular customer who purchased a Lotto ticket that was worth $4.85M! The store said the gentleman, who regularly shops at Rich’s and purchases lottery tickets, came in to check his numbers with the Lottery machine. He was shocked when he discovered he had won. Rich’s also was a winner, as retailers who sell winning tickets receive one percent of the prize amount. Rich’s therefore will get a bonus of $48,500 for selling the winning ticket. The lucky customer is the 10th Illinois Lotto player to win a prize of a million dollars or more since January, 2022, and this is the second largest Lotto jackpot win since April, 2022.
ROSEMONT
Rosemont’s holiday lighting spectacular will be returning this year starting November 18th and continuing through January 1 and located at Impact Field baseball park. Visitors will be treated to millions of colorful lights and a walkway where they can come up close to various holiday displays. Impact Field will be transformed into five illuminated villages with millions of lights, custom 3D holiday features, holiday train adventure, Rudolph’s Kid Zone, Holly Trolly, food, drink and more. Watch for more information and ticket prices.
ATTENTION HOMES SURROUNDING O’HARE SUBURBAN POLL WORKERS NEEDED
Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough is encouraging residents to serve as an Election Judge or Polling Place Technician and to work on Election Day. There are 782 polling locations that will require staffing with poll workers in suburban Cook County. Election Judges are paid $200 and Polling Place Technicians $365 – and the Clerk’s Office provides training for both positions. High school and college students (16 or older) can also serve as judges. For qualifications and more information on being an election judge or polling place technician, visit www.cookcountyclerk.com/work.
The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has announced it is in the absolute final phase of the Residential Sound Insulation Program as part of the O’Hare Modernization Program. The original final deadline to apply had only been extended to Labor Day of 2021. CDA has opened a very short window of opportunity to allow still-eligible homeowners, WITHIN THE 65-DNL NOISE CONTOUR identified in the 2005 modernization plan, a final opportunity for the possibility to acquire sound-insulated windows and doors. Anyone who has previously been contacted and declined or who wants to initiate contact should call the CDA’s residential soundproofing office at 773-894-3255.
DES PLAINES
It’s back! Hamburgers on wheels - The Choo Choo restaurant in Des Plaines has re-opened and ready to serve you. They are again delivering up food to kids, and adults, using model electric trains. The nostalgic diner is a must see and a delight to young and old. Located at 600 Lee Street in Des Plaines, they are open from Tuesday-Saturday, 11 am to 7:30 pm. Closed Sundays and Mondays. To see their story and menu visit www.thechoochoo.com.
