NORTHBROOK – The residents at Covenant Village of Northbrook knit, paint, sew, carve and much more, for an entire year, to raise funds that will be donated, in part, to help local organizations in the greater community. This year, the Holly Fair Committee, part of the Covenant Village Residents’ Council, donated a total of $6,200.

Recipients of the combined donations included the Northbrook Police Department, Northbrook Fire Department, Northbrook Library and the Northfield Township Food Pantry.

“Giving donations to these local organizations is just one way we can show our appreciation for everything they do in our community,” said Joan Mueller, Holly Fair chairperson. “Approximately 200 of our residents worked on our annual Holly Fair Weekend in November, but many additional residents worked throughout the year in the craft room, the woodworking shop, and sorting and pricing collectibles and books to make the Fair a success.”

Checks for the local organizations were recently handed out during a gathering at Covenant Village, which gives residents an opportunity to personally thank them for their service to others.

This was the 36th year Holly Fair has been held at Covenant Village. Other funds raised during Holly Fair are used for employee scholarships and resident life enrichment programming.

Submitted by Covenant Village of Northbrook, a faith-based, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community.

LAKE FOREST – The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary Club honored 122 “Student Volunteers of the Year” at its annual Youth Recognition Breakfast on May 16. The student volunteers and their parents were guests of the Rotary Club at an early morning breakfast at the Lake Forest Club. The recipients received an Award Certificate and introduced themselves and identified their schools and volunteer activities to the full room of attendees and the TV crew from Lake Forest Television. All the volunteers were warmly applauded by their peers, parents and Rotary Club members, culminating with a standing ovation at the end of the program.

Ten schools and organizations throughout Lake Forest and Lake Bluff submitted names of their student volunteers to the Rotary Club’s organizing committee. The beneficiaries of the students’ volunteer efforts ranged from such local community organizations as CROYA and Lake Forest Open Lands to those targeting less fortunate areas and individuals such as Beacon Place in Waukegan, North Chicago Community Partners, and Feed My Starving Children.

“It is our honor and privilege to host these fine students and their families at this annual event,” said Carl Marcyan, this year’s Rotary Club president.

“The volunteer work of these students makes a valuable contribution to our communities and instills a practice of future service in them,” added David Barkhausen, the event chairman. “It is heartening to see our young people learning the benefits and value of this activity at an early age.”

The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary Club, a 60-member branch of Evanston-based Rotary International, consists of many of the area’s business, civic and professional leaders and is one of thousands of Rotary service clubs with 1.2 million members in 200 countries around the world. The annual Youth Recognition Breakfast is one of the service activities the local Club undertakes throughout the year.

Here are some photos of the event:

Submitted by Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary Club

When Wilmette’s Jack Nixon graduated from art school with a degree in graphic design, his father asked him if he would draw the house of one of his friends.

“I did as my father asked and the illustration turned out beautifully,” remembers Nixon, who draws only in pencil. “It made me wonder if I might be able to turn that type of work into a business.”

After taking out an ad in the local paper, Nixon began receiving commissions from numerous North Shore homeowners for sketches of their houses.

“Although I was very busy, I realized that drawing original works I could publish was how I could make money as an artist,” Nixon says.

Wilmette’s Jack Nixon fulfills his life’s masterpiece by capturing the majesty of Michigan Avenue in pencil. PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR

Study in Light and Form: The Wrigley, Tribune, and Medinah Spires

It wasn’t long before Nixon received a commission to draw Lake Forest’s downtown Market Square, an architectural marvel designed by Howard Van Doren Shaw that is credited as the first planned shopping center in the United States.

“Market Square was my first published print,” he says. “It was 1987. It took four months to complete and I loved every minute as I am an architect at heart.”

Nixon’s love for the design details in Lake Forest’s town square led him to turn his sights to Chicago. “It’s funny that even though I grew up in Wilmette, I rarely ventured into the city. When I started to explore Chicago for my art work, it was like seeing it for the first time.”

In the late 1980s, Nixon began to sketch what would become his life’s masterpiece, Studies in Light and Form: The Chicago Seven and the Michigan Avenue Bridge Sculptures. This six-piece suite of drawings is a large, 35-foot modular art installation depicting the many architectural and sculptural splendors appearing on and around the southern entrance and southern foot of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Nixon also handmade each frame that showcases his work. His exhibit made its first debut in Winnetka in October 2017.

The two main drawings, Study in Light and Form: The Chicago River’s Southside Spires and Study in Light and Form: The Wrigley, Tribune, and Medinah Spires are 50 x 66 master works that are a matching and mirrored pair reflecting a past era of design and craftsmanship that may never be seen again in the United States.

The Bowman and North Grant Park Commissioners Memorial

What is most awe-inspiring about Nixon’s work is his level of detail. It’s so complete that the illustrations look like photos—not drawings. From the shading on the brick and stone exteriors of the buildings to the definition of the light in the landscape’s background, Nixon left nothing to chance.

“I only worked on one piece at a time,” says Nixon of the collection that took more than 8,000 hours over 25 years to complete. “I gave up my days, evenings, weekends with friends, the chance to earn a real living, even sacrificed my marriage to complete this work. I just believed so sincerely that someone had to do this—that Chicago deserved it. The process took so long because when I finished my first drawing, The Wrigley, Tribune, and Medinah Spires, I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to draw again at that level. It kept me from moving forward until I realized I had no choice but to finish what I consider to be my life’s work.”

Market Square, Lake Forest (Abridged)

Nixon’s hope is that Study in Light and Form will be the centerpiece of a 2020 architectural retrospective at the Chicago Cultural Center that will be celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the dedication of the Michigan Avenue Bridge.

“I’ve been holding on to these pieces for 30 years because I want them to stay in Chicago,” Nixon says. “I keep dreaming that a patron will find his or her way to my studio, purchase the collection, and then donate them to the Art Institute. That would be my dream come true. That all of my pieces remain together, in our city’s most beautiful art museum.”

For more information, visit facebook.com/jack.nixon.792.

BARBRA SCHUMANN, HANNAH JUDY GRETZ Photography by Will Hartman

Ragdale welcomed a stellar line-up of celebrated authors and artists for a weekend of creativity and conversation starting on Friday, April 27 with Novel Affair’s School Day, part of a growing Ragdale in Schools program. On Saturday, April 28 more than 175 people attended a cocktail party and book signing hosted by Phoebe and Tad Turner at the elegant Shoreacres in Lake Bluff. Many continued on to intimate dinners with featured authors and artists in private homes. This year’s featured authors were: Quraysh Ali Lansana, Nickolas Butler, Bonnie Jo Campbell, Lan Samantha Chang, Jamie Ford, Min Jin Lee, Achy Obejas, Curtis Sittenfeld, and Megan Stielstra. They were joined by conceptual artist Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle and design leaders Bruce Mau and Bisi Williams. More than $75,000 was raised to advance 200 artists’ residencies, 30 Ragdale in Schools fellowships, and more than 50 public programs. The 12th annual event was coordinated by Ragdale’s Events Committee, chaired by Jeanna Park and Rosemary O’Connell, and the Novel Affair Curatorial Committee. ragdale.org

KAITLYN O’CONNELL-KELEGHAN, ROSEMARY O’CONNELL, BRUCE MAU, KAREN MARDJETKO

INIGO MANGLANO-OVALLE, NANCY SMITH

YVONNE STEINWOLD, KIM CAMPBELL, BISI WILLIAMS

JEANNA PARK, TAD & PHOEBE TURNER, JEFF MEEUWSEN

HIGHLAND PARK – Back in business for its 40th Season, the Ravinia Farmers Market is excited to return every Wednesday June 6 through October 31 (closed July 4) from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bringing over 20 vendors and its usual upbeat atmosphere to Jens Jensen park, this year’s market incorporates exciting additions under the new management of Ravinia Farmers Market veteran Ed Kugler.

Deemed a food guru and fantastic gardener, Ed is currently starting The Organic Food Club in Highland Park, a membership service providing organic vegetables grown specifically to your order, and is involved with a number of other natural food ventures. He was also a vendor at the Ravinia Farmers Market in its very first year as “the sprout man” with the Highwood organic sprouts business he opened in 1978.

Under Ed’s “fresh” management, the market is excited to welcome new improvements for its 40th anniversary celebration. This year’s market will feature weekly live music and a larger selection of prepared food and bakery items than ever before. In addition, guests will find local information as well as commemorative reusable shopping bags under the Ravinia Farmers Market Tent. There will also be another tented area where attendees will have the opportunity to watch professional cooking demos, sample vendor products, and participate in different activities throughout the summer.

The attraction of each market day will feature a drawing at 11 am, offering a chance to win a large variety of prizes including lawn passes to the Ravinia Festival, discounted savings certificates from local vendors, gift baskets, and others.

For more information on the Ravinia Farmers Market or The Organic Food Club visit, email Ed Kugler at raviniafm@gmail.com or visit RaviniaFarmersMarket.org.

Submitted by Ravinia Farmers Market

A group gathers in a corner conference room to discuss the challenges of how to bring its business idea MeltWell, a throat lozenge in the form of a thin strip that dissolves on the tongue, to market.

This small group is facing issues common to entrepreneurs looking to create the next big trend, such as developing a prototype and raising capital. But in one way this group is different than most found in business incubators like Chicago’s 1871 — each member is a junior at Lake Forest High School.

The students are enrolled in the school’s business incubator class, which was first piloted four years ago through a partnership between the school and Lake Forest High School Foundation. The yearlong class aims to teach students entrepreneurial skills through the development of a business that is pitched Shark Tank-style at a pitch night at yearend.

“This class is the most like the real world, where they are getting skills they will use in their business career,” Michelle Gramza, business incubator co-chair for Lake Forest High School Foundation, told DailyNorthShore.

The class has turned out to be wildly popular among students, with over 90 students registered for the class next year. “It just speaks to the reputation of the class. These students take these skills with them forever,” Nikki Rhomberg, business incubator vice chair for Lake Forest High School Foundation, said.

The classroom itself is styled after a flexible workplace concept that is popular among start-ups, Joe Pulio, who has taught the class from its inception, explained. There is space for presentations, as well as comfortable chairs and couches that can be moved around — perfect for a breakout session. By the door sits a wall of cubbies, where students immediately drop their backpacks and “go to work,” Pulio said.

From the outset, students learn about teamwork, when they are divided into teams based on skill sets at the beginning of the school year. Each team must identify a problem and come up with a business idea to solve it, going through all of the steps required to establish a viable business. “It is really mirroring business,” Pulio said.

Mentors from the community guide the students throughout the year, providing knowledgeable feedback.

“As a community we are all educating these kids together. It’s the power of everyone,” Pulio said.

One team initially came up with 100 different problems. The team ultimately narrowed it down to a nonprofit called Battle Buddies that connects students with youth battling cancer that they hope to market at a local corporate fair that a student’s father helped facilitate.

Some students found working in a team for an entire year, with people they didn’t get to choose, challenging. “It definitely puts you out of your comfort zone a lot,” Jacqueline Schlosser said. But ultimately, many students spoke of how much they learned working through problems as a team. “I’ve never been pushed this much in a class,” Ashley Bufe said.

Along the way, students learn from the myriad challenges that inevitably arise when starting a business. One team discovered mid-year that their initial idea was too costly — it would require millions of dollars to license a patent — forcing them to pivot and come up with a new idea. Members of the team spoke about their disappointment, but also how they learned that not everything comes easily, and discovered their ability to work through obstacles. Ultimately, the team came up with a business plan for a device that will identify if a food contains gluten, for people suffering from celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.

Instructor Joe Pulio in Lake Forest High School’s Incubator class. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER/JWC MEDIA

Jen Leeson of Battle Buddies is excited to have landed her team’s first client.

Battle Buddies and Hawkeye 360.

The team behind MeltWell, from left: Sean Ramsey, Brooke Faller, Lily Fitzgerald and Ainslie White.

As the year comes to a close, students are working toward an academic pitch night, where the top teams are chosen to proceed to the final pitch night. Students are also actively seeking private investors to attend the pitch night, upping their chances to win a sizable sum to start their business.

Students can also enroll in a continuum of the class their senior year, where they work to get their business ideas up and running, or are hired to work for a business if their idea wasn’t selected at pitch night.

Pulio, who has taught in the high school’s business department for 25 years, finds the innovative approach exciting.

“You have to take it a day at a time. You are learning with them,” he said.

LFHS pitch night is open to the public and will be held at Lake Forest High School on June 1 at 7 p.m.

“Wear Orange” Campaign Inspired by Chicago Teens Working to Honor The Lives of Gun Violence Survivors and Victims; Events Happening in Highland Park, Illinois

HIGHLAND PARK — In honor of National Gun Violence Awareness Day on Saturday, June 2, corporations, mayors, residents and a series of iconic landmarks in all 50 states will participate in the Wear Orange campaign.

● Communities throughout Illinois and beyond will join together to showcase the full creativity of Wear Orange supporters from concerts to picnics in the park to orange walks to meeting at local landmarks as they turn orange. Wear Orange Weekend events are planned to honor of National Gun Violence Awareness in Highland Park, Deerfield and Chicago. Specific event details noted below.

HIGHLAND PARK:
WHAT: Town Hall Meeting during which Mayor Rotering & others will speak about Wear Orange; Mayor Rotering is signing a city proclamation for Wear Orange
WHEN: May 29, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Highland Park City Hall, 1707 St Johns Avenue, Highland Park

DEERFIELD:
WHAT: Mayor Rosenthal will sign the proclamation; individuals will speak about Wear Orange
WHEN: June 4, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Bernard Forrest Deerfield Village Hall, 850 Waukegan Road, Deerfield

“Five years ago, a group of friends and I came together to create Project Orange Tree to honor our dear friend Hadiya and the countless others who have been affected by gun violence,” said Nza-Ari Khepra, founder of Project Orange Tree and co-creator of Wear Orange. “Since then, it has truly been an honor to watch this movement continually grow and touch every corner of our country with events and landmark lightings. This year, Wear Orange reminds us that we are an unstoppable force that is well on it’s way to creating an America that will be free of gun violence.”

Orange is the color that Hadiya Pendleton’s friends wore in her honor after she was shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 15 – just one week after performing at President Obama’s 2nd inaugural parade in 2013. After her death, her friends asked us to stand up, speak out and Wear Orange to raise awareness about gun violence. Orange honors the more than 90 lives cut short
and the hundreds more wounded by gun violence every day – and demands action.

Last year more than 500 noteworthy individuals and organizations, including President Obama, Julianne Moore, Kim Kardashian West, Amy Schumer, Vogue, Teen Vogue and Viacom answered the call, making their support for the movement loud and clear. And across the country, nearly 250,000 people took action online and in person at events. This year promises to reach much, much further—the skyline is the limit. Landmarks across the country – in all 50 states – will go orange in support of National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

About Wear Orange
In 2013, a small group of teens at a South Side Chicago high school asked their classmates to honor the life of their murdered friend Hadiya Pendleton by wearing orange – the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others and a color that reflects the value of human life. They inspired the Wear Orange campaign (wearorange.org ), a coalition of more than 500 non-profits, cultural influencers and elected officials working to reduce gun violence in America.

Spearheaded by Everytown for Gun Safety, the campaign asks Americans who believe we can do more to save lives from gun violence to do one simple thing on June 1, National Gun Violence Awareness Day : Wear Orange. Those who wear orange pledge to honor the lives of Americans stolen by gun violence, to help keep firearms out of dangerous hands and to protect our children from gun violence. Orange is the symbol of the gun violence prevention movement, and is used by activists all over the country to raise awareness.

Submitted by Deerfield Demands Action

At 41 Derek Faust, director of national sales for Aronson Advertising, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and told that he would have less than two years to live. He received this devastating prognosis on December 30, 2015 and after undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, as well as a massive surgery, he is cancer free today.

“I feel great. I’m not cured, but there is no present cancer in my body,” said Faust.

Emily Eisenkramer, director of medical affairs at Rush University Medical Center, always dreamed that her father and mother would walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. Sadly, her dad died after an eight-month battle with pancreatic cancer just weeks before the wedding. He was 63 years old.

“It was a beautiful day, but unfortunately I think I was numb,” said Eisenkramer. “It’s hard to be joyful during your wedding day when you have just lost the rock of your family.”

Highland Park natives Faust and Eisenkramer will both be participating in the June 2 DASH for Detection 5K, which is organized by the (Chicago-based) Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation. The goal is to spread awareness, raise research funds and provide hope to cancer patients and their families.

“The Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation is on the front lines with people like Executive Director Lynda Robbins that can help connect you to the right doctors and right networks to get you into treatment immediately,” said Faust. “The longer you wait the greater the likelihood that the cancer will advance.”

The foundation provided these startling statistics: 70 percent of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2018 will die in one year, while 93 percent won’t survive five years.

In 2015, Faust was experiencing abdominal pains, which he thought were symptomatic of an ulcer, but he received life altering news instead.

“When you get diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the first thing that comes to mind is that it’s a death sentence,” said Faust, who lost an aunt in 2003 to the disease. But the Rolfe Foundation gave him hope by serving as a “phenomenal compass.”

August 18 will mark two years from Faust’s major surgery, which entailed removing the tail of his pancreas, a splenectomy, and partial removal of his intestine and kidney.

Though Faust’s tumor was only one inch by one inch, doctors initially did not think he was a candidate for surgery. He explained that the tumor was completely surrounding his celiac artery, so at that point it was diagnosed as borderline to non-resectable.

After 12 rounds of chemotherapy over six months, Faust’s doctor, Matt Adess, said he was going to get him to surgery, and he kept his word. The road ahead was still difficult, as he went through 28 sessions of radiation with an oral chemotherapy.

Faust explained that because he only has half a pancreas, he uses digestive enzymes when he eats to help with digestion.  He added, “Other than that, I’ve really been able to go back to a normal life.”

He’s grateful for the support he’s received from his family, the University of Chicago and The Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

Faust continues to get checked for cancer every three months.

His wife, Marcie Faust, and three young children will join him for his third DASH for Detection along with friends and family on Team Big D Faust.

“The big takeaway is how quickly pancreatic cancer can get to a point where it’s out of control,” said Faust. “That’s why the Rolfe Foundation focuses on early detection and why DASH for Detection is so important.”

Eisenkramer’s dad, Jack L. Eisenkramer, had a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed at the end of November 2015 and passed away on August 3, 2016.

His symptoms included lack of appetite, back pain and stomach cramps.

“It is unknown what causes pancreatic cancer, but my father had the BRCA2 mutation, which is considered to be a tumor suppressor gene that increases the risk of cancer,” said Eisenkramer.

She explained that her father had three different types of chemotherapy treatments:  two standard, recommended treatments and a non-FDA approved drug for the BRCA2 mutation.

Eisenkramer emphasized how crucial it is for children of cancer patients to know their family history.

“Ask questions and determine if there are any genetic markers which run in your family,” she said. “If so, I would advise getting tested, so you can take preventative measures for your future.”

If pancreatic cancer runs in your family, she recommends building a relationship with a gastroenterologist who is open to screening at a young age by completing CT scans and MRIs.

“This ensures that there is a baseline to be able to watch and see if something develops over time,” added Eisenkramer.

Eisenkramer knows firsthand how difficult it is to see any loved one suffer and not be able to help.

“I believe everyone has their own way of coping and you have to find what is best for you,” she said.” I will always recommend spending as much time as you can with that person.”

She’ll always remember the special moments she shared with her dad and immediate family when the Eisenkramers participated in the DASH for Detection in 2016.

“It was a beautiful day along Lake Michigan,” she said.

Currently there are 33 people registered to participate in memory of her father on Team JLE (his initials) this year.

“The DASH event is a great way to show our support for the community of individuals who are fighting pancreatic cancer or have lost someone to pancreatic cancer,” said Eisenkramer. “It is an event filled with so much love, because it is a group that has one common ground.”

The Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation 2018 DASH for Detection 5K Walk/Run for Pancreatic Cancer Research will be held at Chicago’s Montrose Harbor on Saturday, June 2 at 9 a.m. The walk/run will be routed along Chicago’s lakefront paths and will begin and end at Montrose Harbor. This will also serve as DASH headquarters for all pre- and post- race activities.  

DASH for Detection is a family friendly event with music, bagels and a food truck, and activities including face painting and a post-race Kid’s Sprint.  All DASH for Detection routes are handicap- and stroller-accessible. Dogs are not allowed.

For more information visit: DASH for Detection .

The 2016 DASH for Detection; from left to right, Rob Oledzki (Emily’s husband); mom Ellen Eisenkramer; dad Jack L. Eisenkramer; Emily Eisenkramer and brother Ben Eisenkramer; with their two dogs Buster and Pudgy; photo courtesy of Emily Eisenkramer

Jeremy & Danielle Faust; Marcie & Derek Faust at the 2017 Celebrate Hope: Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation Event; PHOTOGRAPHY BY NAN STEIN

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

New Trier’s Caroline Iserloth takes possession of the ball during the sectional tournament at Glenbrook South. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

A soccer ball soars above and behind New Trier senior right back Caroline Iserloth in a match. She had misjudged the ball’s flight, a rare mistake for the 5-foot-7 backline staple. She hustles back, recovers.
Then she shoots a resolute look at Trevians coach Jim Burnside.
“Next time!” Iserloth shouts. “I’ll get it next time!”

Burnside recounted the telling regular-season sequence after his Trevians had edged Loyola Academy’s Ramblers 2-1 in the Class 3A Glenbrook South Sectional final May 25.

“I think so highly of Caroline,” the coach said of the fourth-year varsity member and third-year starter. “Determined, such a determined player. She plays with a great attitude, with an edge, and she reads the game well, makes great decisions. I love Caroline’s knowledge of the game.

“Great kid, the type of person you want to be around, a kid who supports her teammates at all times,” Burnside added. “Such a pleasure to coach, such a pleasure to know, such a pleasure to have on our team.”

Iserloth plays ‘D’ with forward-like skills. The huge fan of Grey’s Anatomy has a game that’s … surgical. Her passes in transition are right-on, and her headers are precise, always landing near the feet of her targets.

The thought of popping to head a 50-50 ball made Iserloth cringe years ago.

“It’s never been my favorite thing to do in soccer,” admits Iserloth, who will likely play club soccer at the University of Wisconsin. “But I knew I had to at least become comfortable with it.”

Loyola Academy (19-2-4) struck first in the sectional championship match last weekend, with senior midfielder Cate Shellenback heading a gorgeous cross from junior midfielder Sammie Holton with 31:47 left in the second half.

NT, behind in a match? That’s rare — teen-without-a-cellphone rare.

An uncomfortable feeling, New Trier?

Hardly. NT senior midfielder/forward Nicole Kaspi answered with the first of her two goals a little more than 90 seconds later. Trevians senior forward Nicole Basil had initiated the attack with a steal near midfield.

“We bounced back because our energy never dropped after that goal,” Iserloth said. “We’re always talking about the five minutes at the start of each half and the five minutes after a goal. Those are big minutes, important minutes.”

New Trier (22-0-2) was scheduled to face Carmel Catholic (16-4-1) in the Class 3A Evanston Supersectional May 29. The Corsairs’ task wasn’t an enviable one: Reigning state runner-up NT — behind backs Iserloth, Sydney Parker (center right), Meredith Nassar (outside left) and Nell Martin (center left) and junior goalkeeper Meghan Dwyer — had recorded 18 shutouts in 2018.

“They’ve been such good leaders for us,” Nassar said of Parker and Iserloth. “Caroline is incredible, the way she traps the ball, moves the ball up the middle. Teams don’t expect a defender to attack the way Caroline does. She’s fast and quick and smart, with great skills.”

The sister of former New Trier varsity golfer Nicholas Iserloth (Vanderbilt University) and Matt “Barr” Iserloth (Carleton College) liked the idea, as an eighth-grader, of someday playing Division I soccer. She entered high school and helped NT capture a third straight 3A state championship in 2016, scoring a goal in NT’s 4-0 defeat of Collinsville in the state title match. Her priorities changed as she took harder classes, though her love for soccer did not, especially whenever she played alongside her formidable backline mates in NT contests.

“I love my teammates on defense,” said Iserloth, interested in majoring in business at Wisconsin. “Their energy is always high. If there’s yelling, if there’s some confusion about covering a player, we always end up getting together and communicating, making sure we correct whatever has to be corrected.

“In the end, we have each other’s back.”

One of Iserloth’s biggest supporters is her mother, Melissa, an avid tennis player.

“She’s at every game,” the daughter said. “She motivates me.”

Iserloth has also drawn inspiration from her favorite TV character, Dr. Meredith Grey on Grey’s Anatomy. Grey, in a way or two, is Iserloth in scrubs.

“Meredith Grey,” Iserloth said, “is driven, knows what she wants, owns it. She has high expectations for herself. Everybody loves her and respects her.”

Notable: New Trier senior back Meredith Nassar played with a broken bone in her right hand in NT’s 2-1 defeat of Loyola Academy in the Class 3A Glenbrook South Sectional final May 25. She had sustained the injury while inadvertently colliding with an Evanston Wildkit in a sectional semifinal May 22. Nassar, a righty, praised NT trainer Jordan Anderson for providing her with a protective cast that covered most of her right hand and forearm.

“Maybe I’ll become ambidextrous because of this injury,” Nassar cracked.

Nassar will either play club soccer or try to make it as a women’s soccer team walk-on at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, while double majoring in finance and pre-med. Her parents, Brad and Elizabeth, attended Miami and met there as freshmen.

“They’re a Miami merger,” Nassar said.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Andrew Gough has played a ton of baseball over the years. So he pretty much knew the ball was going out the second he hit it.

But he wasn’t going to stand in the batter’s box and admire his long drive. He wasn’t going to turn and face the other team’s dugout — and scream, See that!

No, that’s just not Andrew Gough.

But, for the record, the Lake Forest High School senior did milk it for all it was worth. He savored the moment. Had fun with it.

First, Gough pointed his “finger to the sky” — and kept it there. And then, he wasn’t exactly Speedy Gonzalez — or, Mario Andretti — circling the bases.

Relish the occasion. Why not?

Gough’s clutch home run — his second of the season — over the left-field fence in the top of the sixth inning was enormous. It gave the 13^th-seeded Scouts a 3-2 lead over Warren in the Class 4A regional championship game at Glenbrook North on May 26.

“I didn’t even look up after I hit it … just pointed my finger to the sky,” said Gough, an all-North Suburban Conference second baseman. “I knew it was gone.”

But the celebration, as it turned out, was short-lived.

The Blue Devils, seeded No. 6, tallied one run in the seventh and added another run in the eighth to claim a 4-3 victory to oust the Scouts from postseason play.

Gough, who will take his game to Middlebury College next fall, plans to major in philosophy.

Maybe he’ll pick up a minor in psychology — especially after this gut-wrenching loss.

“I really didn’t think we were going to end up losing,” said Gough, who hit cleanup for the Scouts (19-14-1). “Not even for a moment.”

As a three-year varsity starter, Gough had his share of big moments.

But none bigger than that Big Smack against Warren’s Riley Kocen.

Gough, who was 0-for-2 (two fly outs} against the Blue Devils right-hander, strolled to the plate as the cagey veteran in the sixth inning.

Like a poker player, Gough detected a tell from Kocen.

“After he missed with a fastball outside, I figured that he’d try to mix it up,” said Gough, who teamed with Kocen in club baseball (Slammers).

“Typically, he’s not going to give me another fastball right there,” Gough added. “I saw him digging into his mitt —like he was going to throw a curve.”

He guessed right.

Gough’s picturesque swing did the rest.

“Andrew has done a good job in the four hole,” said Lake Forest head coach Ray Del Fava. “He’s worked hard to increase his power.”

After a slow start, Gough ended the season hitting .320 with 19 runs, 20 RBIs and nine extra base hits. His on-base percentage was .409. His OPS was .859.

What didn’t go as planned for Gough this spring was … Gough, the Pitcher.

A key hurler during his sophomore season, the right-hander had big plans entering the 2018 campaign.

“I was supposed to be our No. 1,” said Gough. “I worked real hard on my pitching in the offseason.”

But that went by the wayside, when he sustained a shoulder injury in his second outing of the season.

“I couldn’t throw a ball for two weeks,” said Gough. “Had to be the DH [designated hitter] for a while.”

Fortunately for the Scouts, who went 16-3-1 in their last 20 games of the season, there were quality pitchers ready to rock and roll, including junior Peter Turelli (2-3, 1.87) and sophomores Michael Vallone (4-1, 1.28), Connor Morrison (3-2, 3.26) and Breck Nowik (3-0, 2.10).

“We had a junior and three sophomores who really stepped up and filled the void,” said Gough. “I trusted them. All of them did amazing jobs.

“And that’s what I loved about this team,” he added. “The seniors looked at the juniors and sophomores as equals. The chemistry on this team was great.”

Once his arm came back, Gough focused on hitting cleanup and playing second base full time.

The keystone combination of Gough and senior all-conference shortstop Caleb Durbin, who also hit a solo home run in the regional final, was top notch.

“For a coach, it was very comforting knowing that you had Andrew and Caleb out there,” said Del Fava. “A pretty good double-play combination.

“Both of those guys gave it their all,” the coach added. “They left everything on the field. We will be okay with pitching next year. We’ve got a lot of depth there. But replacing guys like Andrew, Caleb and Drew [Golde] will be a problem.”

Turning to his right and not seeing Durbin will be an adjustment for Gough.

The Philosophical Gough thought about that for a second — as he ended a postgame interview.

Hmm, no Durbin.

“It’s pretty disappointing to think that I will never play [on the same diamond] with Caleb again,” he said.

Andrew Gough of the Scouts makes a play at second base during the regional semifinal at Glenbrook North. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Andrew Gough delivers a pitch during an April game against Stevenson. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

New Trier’s Emma Weaver celebrates with fans after tallying two goals and two assists in her team’s 5-1 supersectional win over Carmel Catholic. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

See ball.

See Emma.

The ball and the right foot of Emma Weaver worked in tandem and were seldom apart — or, so it seemed — in the Class 3A girls soccer supersectional at Evanston High School on May 29.

In fact, the ball and Weaver were downright chummy as New Trier stormed past Carmel Catholic 5-1 to advance to the state tournament for the fifth year in a row. The sophomore superstar, a Villanova University recruit, ignited the Trevians’ attack with two goals and two assists.

Weaver, with her patented pink headband, was ever-present and ever-dangerous.

“Watching her is like watching a fireworks show,” said New Trier head coach Jim Burnside.

“[When she’s on the field] it’s great to be a spectator,’ the coach added. “She’s as dynamic as all get out. Phenomenally dynamic.”

Weaver, who now has 15 goals to go along with 19 assists, came up with the goal of the game with 10:24 left in the first half.

Set up by senior Whitney Hoban, the strong-legged Weaver unloaded a long-range missile that totally froze Carmel goalie Sophia Sarkis.

“I saw their goalie lined up at the near post, and so I just ripped it to the far side,” said Weaver.

It was one of those don’t-blink-or-you’ll-miss-it shots.

It left a jet stream.

“That’s the thing with Emma,” said Burnside. “One moment she’s got the ball, and then next thing you know the ball is rattling around in the cage.”

The NT coach loved the way his squad jumped out on top.

“I thought we did a good job of matching their energy [in the early going],” Burnside said. “Scoring that first goal was key.”

Weaver’s next big moment came with 37:37 left in the second half, when she took the ball down the right side and sent a perfect cross to a waiting Victoria Flannagan.

Flannagan, who continues to step up her game in postseason play, calmly punched it in to make it a 2-0 game.

“Victoria is pretty amazing at getting to that near post,” said Weaver.

A little over five minutes later, New Trier fans got a peek into the future, when freshman forward Grace Walker scored on a feed from Hoban to put the Trevians (23-0-2) up by a hat trick.

And the rout was on. Well, not quite.

The Corsairs (16-5-1) eventually got on the board, when Olivia Salvi slipped a hard shot past NT goalkeeper Megan Dwyer.

“Carmel is very athletic and very well-coached [Ray Krawzak],” said Burnside. “We were worried coming in. We always worry.

“But tonight happened to be our night,” the NT coach added.

For good measure, the Trevians sealed the win by adding two more goals in the final 17:13 of the game on goals by Weaver and Nicole Kaspi.

And according to Burnside, playing the final weekend of the season at North Central College in Naperville never gets old.

“We never want to normalize [going to the state tourney],” said Burnside. “Because it’s not normal. Getting there is hard work.”

Two seniors — Kaspi and Caroline Iserloth — will be playing in their fourth straight state tournament. They were part of two state championship teams (’15 and ’16), while they helped NT to a state runner-up finish last spring.

Burnside, who went over 500 career wins earlier this season, has guided NT to six state crowns and two runner-up finishes.

This year’s Final Four gets underway on June 1. Reigning champ Barrington takes on Naperville North at 5 p.m. New Trier faces Tinley Park Andrew at 7 p.m.

Andrew topped highly regarded Downers Grove North 2-1 in Tuesday’s supersectional at Tinley Park.

Members of the New Trier girls soccer team pose with their supersectional plaque. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

The Trevians celebrate their win over Carmel Catholic. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Nicole Kaspi (No. 13) celebrates with Emma Weaver (No. 18), Meredith Nassar (No. 7), Nell Martin (No. 8) and others. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Emma Weaver splits a couple of Carmel defenders. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Victoria Flannagan of the Trevians reacts after scoring a goal in the second half. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Nicole Kaspi (left) and Victoria Flannagan are all smiles after NT goes ahead 5-0. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Lily Conley of the Trevians comes up with a header. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

NT goalie Megan Dwyer boots the ball away. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Whitney Hoban of the Trevans heads the ball in front of Carmel’s Lucy Tarcha. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

GLENCOE — The Village of Glencoe Public Safety Department will host a Community Blood Drive from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5, in the apparatus service bay at Village Hall, 325 Hazel Avenue. Community members, including residents, local business employees and Village staff, are invited to participate in this simple, but effective way to give back to the community.

According to blood drive sponsor, LifeSource, the timing of Public Safety’s event this year is paramount as summer months typically see a decrease in the number of blood donations due to vacation traveling and because donors often have to stay home to look after their school age children.

Glencoe Public Safety Officers (PSOs), especially when serving as firefighter/paramedics, are also well aware that the need for blood is constant. In 2003, Glencoe Public Safety Officers saved “one of their own,” a Glencoe resident and fellow PSO, hurt in a tragic boating accident. A great deal of blood was needed to save the PSO’s life, and ever since the department has made hosting a blood drive and giving blood a priority.

Appointments for the Blood Drive are preferred, but walk-ins are also welcome. Donors can schedule their appointment by calling LifeSource at (877) 543-3768, or visiting www.lifesource.org and making an appointment using group code GC32. Participating donors will receive a LifeSource Everyday Heroes shirt while supplies last.

In preparation for their donation, donors are asked to eat well, stay hydrated and arrive with proper identification. The donation process takes about an hour and is both safe and comfortable. Donors must be at least 18 years old to give independently; donors 16 and 17 years of age are welcome with parental consent.

Proper ID is required to donate blood. A LifeSource or military ID, driver’s license or employee badge with a picture and full name are all approved forms of ID. A birth certificate along with a picture ID that includes the donor’s full name will also be accepted. More information can be found on the Village’s website at www.villageofglencoe.org.

Submitted by the Village of Glencoe

LAKE FOREST – For many people, music is a relaxing outlet that makes them feel good. Some listen to music in the car, during a workout or when completing chores around the house.

It should come as no surprise then that music therapy is becoming an increasingly popular treatment to support patients in hospitals. Caitlin Broderick, MT-BC, a music therapist who has been practicing in the field for 15 years, recently joined Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital.

“It has been great. This is the first program at Lake Forest Hospital and the staff has been so receptive and encouraging of this. It has been a really good experience,” Broderick told DailyNorthShore.

Caitlin Broderick serves as the onsite music therapist at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital.

Researchers are continually uncovering the positive impact music can have on people of all ages. In a hospital setting, music therapy offers a wide variety benefits, including emotional support for patients and their families, supporting communication, physical rehabilitation and movement and helping minimize anxiety and stress.

Broderick employs a variety of techniques using live music to support patients and accomplish individualized goals. For example, she might talk an anxious patient through a guided relaxation while playing her guitar. Guiding a patient on a walk through a forest or on a beach, engages the whole sensory system and helps diverts the patient’s attention, Broderick said.

Music therapy also supports family members. When working with parents whose baby is in the neonatal intensive care unit, Broderick might help parents write down their own lullaby that she will then sing. Parents can express what they are hoping for their newborn and share their feelings.

“Music is a wonderful way to bring people together. It even physically brings people together,” Broderick said.

Broderick has a cart filled with musical instruments, such as a guitar, ukulele and keyboard, as well as a variety of percussion instruments such as drums and shakers that she uses. After meeting with a patient, she comes up with an individualized treatment plan based on their needs.

Music therapy is even utilized for respiratory support. When a patient’s breathing is out of control — they might be breathing shallow and fast — Broderick will try to slow down their breathing by playing her guitar and guiding their breathing to the beat she is playing. Eventually the music fades out and the patient will breathe more slowly on their own. 

“It is a really helpful way once they get their breathing under control, they can bring their anxiety down,” Broderick said.

Music therapy is also helpful for end of life where family members want to say goodby to a patient. Broderick is certified in hospice and palliative music therapy. Broderick will share family members’ sentiments in a song that she sings to the patient. “It’s really impactful,” she said. 

When a hospice patient was in acute pain and couldn’t communicate well, Broderick chose songs that were important to his Latino culture. “I intentionally selected songs that were validating his pain but letting him know that people are here surrounding him to support him,” she said.

Broderick is very careful when selecting the appropriate songs. She noted that people are very emotional in the hospital and it’s important to know how to talk to someone once you’ve struck the right cord. “The most common response are smiles, tears and gratitude,” she said.

WILMETTE – While most people enjoy a visit to the library — how great would it be if the library came to visit you? That is what the Wilmette Public Library is proposing with its new book bicycle.

“We love being a part of the Wilmette community and the book bike is a wonderful tool to bring the library out to the community. And it is fun,” Jennifer Bartel, creative experiences coordinator for the library, told DailyNorthShore.

Just recently the bicycle was officially named “Professor Plum,” after the library held a bike-naming contest. The library received over 300 suggestions and over 250 people voted, Bartel said. The winner received a goody bag and a photo op on the bicycle. “The community has been really supportive so far,” Bartel said.

Professor Plum

Professor Plum is a bicycle with a large purple box on the front to house library materials. Bartel said a staff member will ride the bicycle to scheduled events throughout the village such as park story times, the Wilmette French Market and Summerfest. The bicycle’s box will be filled with books that are appropriate for each event. For example, some cookbooks might be chosen for the French Market or children’s picture books for the story times.

An iPad will be used to checkout materials on the spot, and residents can also sign up for new library cards. That’s because the target audience is not only people who frequent the library, but also residents who may not be as familiar with what it has to offer, Bartel said.

The book bicycle was a community building initiative of Heather McCammond-Watts, the library’s previous director, who recently stepped down, Bartel said. A task force of six staff members have been working together to iron out the logistics and schedule for the bike.

The calendar on the library’s website will post the various events that Professor Plum will be attending in the new few months. Since Bike to the Library Day is on May 19, Professor Plum will be on hand filled with goodies, Bartel said. Over time, she envisions the book bicycle will expand beyond the library, such as taking it to Wilmette schools. Staff members also plan take the book bike out periodically for a ride through the village, weather permitting. 

So on the next beautiful day, you may want to keep you eye out for Professor Plum, who just might be cruising down one of Wilmette’s streets. “We are excited to see what the future holds for Professor Plum,” Bartel said.

Youth services librarian Janet Piehl takes the brand new book bike named Professor Plumb out for a test ride in front of the Wilmette Library. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER

GLENCOE – On Friday, May 25, approximately 1,700 veterans marched from Glencoe to Chicago to help raise awareness of veteran suicide. Chicago Veterans started the “Ruck March” to draw attention to a staggering statistic: 20 veterans are lost each day to suicide — a number that recently dropped from 22 per day.

“Our goal is to bring awareness to the community and to anyone who will listen. This issue is there and it affects so many lives everyday,” Karen Hernandez, executive director of Chicago Veterans, told DailyNorthShore. Chicago Veterans is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans in social/community building, employment and education.

Veterans came from all over the Chicago area, with some even flying in from states as far away as California, to participate in the event. Wearing uniforms and carrying ruck sacks that hold 20 pounds to represent lives lost each day, bearing pictures of family and friends lost to suicide, the veterans walk 20 miles from Glencoe to Chicago’s Lake Shore Drive.

While Chicago Veterans has been holding the Ruck March for five years, it wasn’t until last year that Glencoe resident Melissa Lee got involved. After seeing a long line of men and women in uniform at the Starbucks in downtown Glencoe, Lee asked what was going on. When she learned the veterans were in town for the Ruck March, Lee decided to organize her fellow residents and friends to provide a breakfast for the veterans before they walked.

Glencoe resident Melissa Lee, the organizer behind the village’s breakfast outreach to Chicago Veterans Ruck March participants. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER/JWC MEDIA

“It is really just to say thank you for your service,” Lee said.

This year marks the second year Lee will spearhead this effort. Local families, Scout troops and residents come together to donate breakfast items such as bananas, muffins and coffee to the veterans marching. A table is set up across from the train station and volunteers flag down veterans to offer the a bit to eat or drink as they step off the train.

Lee said some local businesses have also donated to the effort. Starbucks donates the coffee, while Skinny Pop donated 1,000 granola bars and 1,000 bags of popcorn. She believes the effort is an important service project that teaches her four children the value of giving back and to appreciate the service of veterans.

“It is really moving and such an easy way to give back,” Lee said.

The breakfast also provides a moment for volunteers to make a connection with veterans. And seeing the photos of loved ones on the veteran’s backpacks has a meaningful impact on everyone who attends the event. Lee and other volunteers were to surprised to see that so many of the veterans marching are young men and women.

While providing breakfast may seem like a small gesture, it is not lost on the volunteers or participants of the march. Hernandez said instead of changing the start location from Glencoe when the suicide numbers dropped to 20, they shortened the walk at the other end because of Glencoe’s unwavering support.

Lee believes that this small effort is an example of how anyone can get involved and be of service to others. “A community can come together to care and do something. It is in our backyard and we can make a difference,” she said.

Here are several images from the Ruck March 2018. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER/JWC MEDIA:

The assembled marchers during the National Anthem.

Many of the marchers have photos of loved ones who have died or committed suicide on their rucksacks during the 5th annual Ruck March.

Navy veteran Stefanie Stone of Skokie, and her friend Rachel Delgado of Wheeling listen to speakers before the march begins.

Veterans Patricia Wallace from Elgin and Sheila Showell of Zion checking in before the march.

13-year-old Cal Lutton of Glencoe hands out water to Ruck March participants.

Scouts from Glencoe Troop 28 get in on the volunteer event.

Declan Ritzenthaler of the Ramblers clears a height at the LA Sectional on May 17. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

The sky’s the limit with Declan Ritzenthaler.

The Loyola Academy senior pole vaulter, who has signed a national letter of intent with Boston University, came up with his best state finish ever on May 26.

Ritzenthaler, a three-time state qualifier, cleared 15-0 to place third in the Class 3A meet at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

He out-jumped Oswego senior Jared Middleton (14-9), but he couldn’t out-do Bloomington’s Zachery Bradford (17-6) and Lake Park’s Tommy Paprocki (16-0).

Ritzenthaler put together a terrific career with the Ramblers.

Earlier this spring — May 4 — he came up with a PR (15-6) at the Titans Invite at Glenbrook South.

Then, at the LA Sectional on May 17, Ritzenthaler went over 15-3.

His best indoor height was 15-0.

Declan Ritzenthaler. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

New Trier’s Jeffrey Chen hits a backhand during state singles. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

It was the roar heard round Arlington Heights last spring.

And it was belted by none other than Jeffrey Chen — a quiet, unassuming, respectful tennis player from New Trier — after a singles victory in a quarterfinal at the 2017 Class 2A state meet.

Chen had just defeated a higher seed, Glenbrook North’s Nick Marino, 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 when he opened wide and turned into a racket-wielding lion on a Hersey High School court, some 27 miles north of Brookfield Zoo.

“I’ll remember that moment for a while,” New Trier junior Brent Saltzman said at last weekend’s Class 2A state tennis meet. “Jeffrey clenched a fist and then yelled. I mean, really yelled. No one expected that to come out of his mouth.

“That was such a great moment to witness, seeing him get excited like that,” half of the Trevians’ No. 3 doubles team added.

Chen, then a junior, ended up fourth at state.

The tri-captain — seeded 5-8 once again in singles — ended his decorated tennis career with another state medal and with a few more celebratory eruptions last weekend, topping Stevenson junior Zachary Kim 6-2, 6-2 in the match for third place at Hersey in sunny, steamy Arlington Heights May 26.

Two years ago, as a sophomore at state, he teamed up with then-senior Michal Kusznerko to place fifth in doubles for the state champions.

New Trier teams featuring Chen placed third, first, second and second at state from 2015-18.

“Such an exemplary leader on the court,” Trevians coach Tad Eckert said of the Brandeis (Massachusetts) University-bound Chen. “He, along with our other captains (seniors Reed Bianucci and Peter Leutz), showed the young guys so much, motivated our young guys.

“Our younger guys this weekend wanted to do well for our captains.”

Captain Chen almost didn’t survive his third-round match against Highland Park junior Jeremy Learner last weekend, after falling behind 6-2, 3-1 May 24. Chen needed an assist in mid-match, and the impressive shotmaker got one — from NT assistant coach Kevin Andersen.

“Good coaching,” Chen said a couple of days after his 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory. “He told me to keep the ball in play, to settle down, to play my game.

“Weathered that storm,” he added with a look of relief.

Chen, Andersen noted, looked way too tight at the outset against the Giant, missing shots he normally whacks for winners.

“Jeffrey loosened up, got steadier and ended up wearing Jeremy down,” Andersen said. “He then played a good, smart, considerably cleaner match in the next round [against senior and reining state runner-up Danilo Kovacevic of Maine South], hitting higher percentage shots than he had against Learner.”

Chen topped 3-4 seed Kovacevic 7-5, 6-3 in a quarterfinal May 25 and lost 6-4, 6-4 to No. 2 seed and eventual state champion Zack Elliot of Hinsdale Central in a semifinal the next day.

Chen’s control and power proved too overwhelming for an exhausted, ailing Kim in the match for the bronze.

“Jeffrey,” Saltzman said, “fights and works hard in every match, and he has every shot known to mankind. He motivated all of us all season. Watching him this weekend makes me want to play on Saturday [Day 3 of the state tournament] next year more than ever.”

Fear gripped Saltzman when he was paired with Chen for a doubles match last spring. But the trepidation had nothing to do with the netters on the other side of the net.

“I was scared of not playing well, of disappointing Jeffrey,” Saltzman recalled.

As Chen left the court following his final prep match last weekend, family members and teammates and friends and other well-wishers caught up to him and congratulated him. Before heading indoors for relief from the stifling (summer in May!) conditions, the polite Trev stopped to answer a few questions.

“I’ll miss high school tennis, everything about it, especially the team atmosphere,” Chen said. “High school tennis was my favorite part of high school.”

Notable: New Trier (33 points) and Stevenson tied for second place behind Hinsdale Central (44) at the Class 2A boys tennis state meet last weekend. In addition to Chen’s third-place effort in singles, New Trier received a fifth-place showing in doubles from junior Jake Zipoli/sophomore Dylan Drier, an inspiring run to the consolation semifinals from unseeded freshman Max Bengtsson and a doubles quarterfinal appearance from seniors Reed Bianucci and Peter Leutz.

NT’s Trevians netted runner-up honors last spring.

“One of my guys told me, ‘What a different feeling, finishing second this year compared to last year,’ ” Trevians coach Tad Eckert said. “We had to work hard all weekend, especially [May 26, Day 3 of the three-day tourney]. A lot of things had to go right for us, and they did. Our kids got over the disappointment of not being able to go for the top prize [after Hinsdale Central had clinched its fifth state championship in seven years well before the end of action on the final day].”

Zipoli/Drier lost only once in seven matches, with the 6-3, 6-2 setback coming in a quarterfinal May 25 to eventual state champs Trevor Hamilton and Andrew Buhelos of Hinsdale Central. The Red Devils duo had entered the state meet with an undefeated record.

Zipoli/Drier beat Lake Forest High School’s Yusef Alsikafi/Oleksyi Vyshyvanyuk 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-0 in the match for fifth place May 26.

“Jake and Dylan had many moments of truth this weekend,” Eckert said. “They did such a good job, coming up big for us.”

Bengtsson went 5-2 at his first state tournament, edging a senior, 3-4 seed Alan Arocho of Loyola Academy, 3-6, 6-2 (12-10) in a consolation quarterfinal en route to a top-eight singles finish.

“Max played so well this year when he had to face an opponent a second time,” Eckert said. “He made the adjustments he had to make the second time around — rare, that’s rare for a freshman.”

Tri-captains Jeffrey Chen, Reed Bianucci and Peter Leutz battled in NT togs for the last time last weekend.

“They’ll definitely be missed, all of them,” Eckert said. “You know what? I don’t want to even think about that right now.”

New Trier’s runner-up finish last weekend was the program’s 15th top-three showing at state since 2000.

Lake Forest HS: The Scouts finished in a tie for ninth-place (10 points) at last weekend’s Class 2A state tennis meet behind Yusef Alsikafi/Oleksyi Vyshyvanyuk’s sixth-place showing in doubles. Seeded 9-16, the pair downed 5-8 seed Joseph Li/Mark Polowczak of Naperville Central in a fourth-round match and again in a consolation-semifinal match.

Lake Forest’s coaching staff paired Vyshyvanyuk, a junior and standout singles player, with Alsikafi, a senior and a veteran doubles player, late in the season. Smart move.
“They’d been getting steadily better and better,” Scouts coach Corky Leighton said. “They played more aggressively, with a better understanding of what it takes to play winning doubles. They were a good fit, chemistry-wise, and they created opportunities for each other with the way they attacked.”

Alsikafi/Vyshyvanyuk won five of seven matches in the three-day tournament. Each received a medal May 26.

Scouts junior Will Zordani won two consolation-round singles matches after a loss to eventual state runner-up Dominick Cuchran of Lyons Township in the first round May 24.

Loyola Academy: Ramblers senior Alan Arocho, seeded 3-4, reached the singles quarterfinals of the 2A state tennis meet, highlighting LA’s eighth-place showing (11 points) in the team standings. LA’s doubles qualifiers — Andy Paden/John Livaditis and Thomas Sullivan/Daly Frost — each won two matches.

Jeffrey Chen receives congratulations in the Hersey High School parking lot. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Lake Forest High School’s Yusef Alsikafi and Oleksyi Vyshyvanyuk receive their sixth-place medals in doubles. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

New Trier’s Albert Yen (right), seen here cruising to a sectional win the 110-meter high hurdles on May 17, earned two state medals at the Class 3A state meet. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Albert Yen made it clear — moments after winning the 300-meter intermediate hurdles at the Class 3A Loyola Academy Sectional on May 14 — that he would not compete in track and field in college.

Maybe he should reconsider.

Hurdles are not barriers for this kid.

The New Trier senior came up with a standout performance at the state meet in Charleston on May 26.

The 5-foot-11, 160-pound Yen cruised to a third-place finish in the 300 hurdles in a PR time of 38.21.

Earlier in the day, Yen placed sixth in the 110 high hurdles (14.49). In Friday’s prelims, he clocked a career-best of 14.38.

Yen, who possesses flawless form, simply lived up to his own expectations on the blue track at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien’s Stadium. At last year’s showcase meet, he placed eighth in the 300 (38.8) and 10^th in the 110.

In fact, after his double win at the sectional, he predicted a top-5 finish at state.

“Nobody’s going to stop me,” said Yen, fielding questions near the finish line at the sectional meet. “I feel real confident about it.”

Yen also is real confident about his future. Son of a doctor, he will attend the University of Illinois at Chicago in the fall and study medicine.

“The medical program at UIC will be challenging,” said Yen, who has been a volunteer at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston for the past two years. “I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to try and jam track into my schedule.”

NORTHBROOK – With jamming bands, burgers & beers, buckets, raffles, kids’ games, and inflatables, there’s something for everyone at this year’s Block Party @ St. Norbert.

Celebrating its 13th year, Block Party @ St. Norbert is an all-day, all-ages fest featuring live music, Kids Zone, great food and drinks, 5K Fun Run & Kids Dash, and much more.

Block Party – the North Shore’s kick-off-to-summer event – gets underway when gates open at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 9 in St. Norbert parking lot, 1809 Walters Avenue (at Meadow Road) in Northbrook.

Headliner Mr. Blotto takes the main stage at 8:30 p.m. Chicago’s favorite jam band draws from a 300+ playlist, jamming hits from country to reggae, from the Grateful Dead to The Velvet Underground, with a few originals added in too.

Live music starts at 5 p.m. with a brief but engaging performance by Northbrook’s own Bucket Boys, featuring Glenbrook North High School graduating seniors Daniel Spencer, Sam Heydt, and Ben Harkey.

After that, acoustic group Crawford’s Daughter takes the stage with songs from artists including Fleetwood Mack, Rolling Stones, Marvin Gaye, and Little Big Town. At 7 p.m., EarthMother takes over the stage. Influenced by 60s and 70s rock from funk to progressive rock to country, EarthMother keeps their “music dripping with psychedelia.”

You won’t want to miss a special surprise treat during the concerts, as Marcello’s restaurant in Northbrook will be honored for their supportive 10 years of sponsoring Block Party @ St. Norbert.

Entry fee for Block Party is $5, but doubles after 7 p.m., so come early and stake out your spot. Food and beverage gardens open at 3 p.m., with craft beer offerings, fresh grilled foods, and new menu items, including corn on the cob and watermelon. There will also be a 50/50 drawing and raffles for a bike, necklace, and Orange Theory Fitness membership. Be sure to sign up for the popular Bags Tournament, which starts at 5 p.m.

The kids will stay plenty busy in Kids Zone, especially with this year’s new attractions – a petting zoo, inflatable bumper cars, and Human Hungry Hippo! Kids Zone, which opens at 3 p.m., also features inflatable bouncy houses, mini train rides, ice cream, DJ, and other fun activities.

To make the most out of this year’s Block Party, start out the day with a 5K Fun Run/Walk and Kids Dash, which steps off at 8 a.m. and winds through the beautiful Techny Prairie Park. This year’s proceeds will support St. Norbert’s Youth Ministry’s annual Habitat for Humanity trip. Registration opens at 7 a.m., and awards will be given to overall male and female finishers and to first place male and female in each age group. Sign up before May 31 to take advantage of the reduced early registration fee, which also includes free admission to Block Party and a commemorative long-sleeve T-shirt, featuring the Chicago city flag.

Block Party @ St. Norbert is steps away from the Northbrook stop on Metra – Milwaukee District/North Line.

For a schedule of events, more information on sponsorship opportunities, and registration for the 5K, visit www.stnorbertblockparty.org. Also like, share, & invite friends on Facebook.

Kids get ready … and set… at a previous Block Party at St. Norbert’s.

Submitted by St. Norbert parish 

NORTHBROOK More than 700 Northbrook/Glenview School District 30 staff members, students, alumnus and families celebrated Wescott School music teacher Bill Vaananen’s last musical performance with “An Encore with Mr. V” at Maple School on May 24. He will retire on June 5, after devoting 37 years to Westcott students.

The evening’s excitement began with an interview with NBC Channel 5 reporter Michelle Relerford. He told her, “I’m a storyteller and then my love of music … it’s music and children that’s the secret.”

Wescott Principal Dr. Chris Brown and Superintendent Dr. Brian Wegley welcomed everyone to the celebration. Board member Nancy Artz and Vice President Ursula Sedlak presented him with a formal proclamation from Village of Northbrook President Sandy Frum.

In a portion of the document, it read, “On behalf of the entire Northbrook Community, I proclaim profound gratitude and appreciation to Bill Vaananen for his exemplary service and his many contributions to our community, especially his professionalism, and dedication of over four decades to the school children of Wescott School…”

Throughout the night, there were celebrations of his 70 musicals and over 400 songs that were performed at Wescott School. Current students who addressed the audience were Cailyn Kelsen and Daniel Fliman. Alumnus Bill Prokopow sang Beatle John Lennon’s ballad “Imagine” to him; which was followed by Josh and Adam Carl and other alums, who spoke of Mr. V’s amazing influence and called him a “hidden treasure” in Northbrook.

Wescott School music teacher Bill Vaananen at his retirement celebration.

However, he’s never been completely hidden. He wrote “A Village by the Stream” in 2001 to commemorate Northbrook’s centennial, which is showcased in a bronze statue in Village Green Park! He has received so many awards, honors and certifications throughout his career, for example the esteemed Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Human Rights Award, and the National Star of Teaching Award.

Former Principals Dr. Judy Frank-Gonwa and Dr. Terri Carman were in attendance and reminisced with the audience. Former Superintendent Dr. Harry Rossi was traveling, but sent a farewell video!

At the evening’s conclusion, everyone joined in singing many of Mr. V favorites, “One Big Family,” “Just Read A Book”, “The Science Mash”, “Dogs”, “Joe Creek”, “Just Plain Folk,” and so many more! This was followed by a surprise appearance of the famous “Wescott Sausage mascots” and Elvis Presley, aka alumnus Andrew Braverman, who played “The King” in one of Mr. V’s musicals back in the 90s!

After retiring, Mr. V has said that he would like to be an artist-in-residence at schools, and publish his songs so that his shows and songs may find a life in other schools nationally and possibly worldwide!

The beat will go on, and the wonderful memories living inside the heads of over 15,000 present and former students will remain. Like the conclusion of the Wescott theme song, “One Big Family,” it is quite probable that Mr. V will “keep on rolling and never stop…at Wescott everyone is family.” That is forever. Happy trails Mr. V!

Encore with Mr. V Committee members who coordinated this event: Principal Dr. Chris Brown, Patrice Bazianos, Roy Grober, Debbie Grundy, Shae Kelsen, Joan Marsh, Beth Preis, Gail Rago, Tia Stevens, and Sara Weinstein. The program design was created by Stephen Marsh and the video design was done by Steve Grundy and Roy Grober.

Submitted by Northbrook/Glenview School District 30