Truckloads of books from storage start arriving Monday at LF Recreation Center to be put on display, a process that takes several days. There are over 3500 boxes of books to be on sale. Temporary workers from Holy Family church in Waukegan are hired to assist.

LAKE FOREST – The 40th Annual Friends of Lake Forest Library Used Book Sale takes place later this week at the Lake Forest Recreation Center Gym — and it’s a doozy, offering a deep selection of more than 150,000 books at great prices.

Here’s what the gym looked like by the end of the day on September 14:

Getting ready for the 2015 Friends of Lake Forest Library Used Book SaLe

And here’s what it looked like in the morning:

Volunteers begin setting up for the 2015 Used Book Sale — shelving one book at a time. Photo by Mike Conklin

“Things are moving so fast,” said Sande Noble of Friends of Lake Forest Library. “A great many of the books are already in categories on the shelves and ready for book lovers to explore later this week.”

In addition to gently used books, the sale also includes thousands of DVDs, music CDs and books on CDs. The money raised supports the library’s free programming for children, teens and adults throughout the year.

The sale takes place at the Lake Forest Recreation Center Gym on Hastings Road in Lake Forest, located behind Deerpath Middle School on the following days:

• Pre-Sale: Thursday, September 17, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (20% markup, Members, volunteers)
• Public Sale: Friday, September 18, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Saturday, September 19, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (20% Teacher discount w/ID)
• Sunday, September 20, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Half-price)

Throughout the year, approximately 25 loyal Friends sort and price books, which community members donate pretty much every day of the week to a drop-off spat at the back of Lake Forest Library. It’s a great, much appreciated convenience for anyone who is de-cluttering, moving or just wanting to share books with others.

A few numbers related to this year’s Book Sale:

• Volunteers sorted through more than 3,500 boxes of books
• From the boxes they unpacked and sorted approximately 150,000 books
• The books were then organized into 116 categories
• More than 200 volunteers will help out at the sale

“The quality of our books is excellent thanks to the generosity of this community. We have beautiful collectors books, very new fiction and nonfiction. There is something for everyone,” said Noble.

She made a special mention of the Book Sale’s children’s section, which accounts for about one-fourth of the books.

The Friends of Lake Forest Library was founded March 20, 1976 by a small group of residents to support the Lake Forest Library’s mission and services. This group held the first used book sale in September 1976 in the library courtyard and lobby. The sale profits were about $4,000, and plans were put in place to make the book sale an annual event.

Over the years the sale was moved from the library to the Gorton Community Center parking lot, to Market Square, to West Park in a yellow tent, and finally to its current location in the Lake Forest Recreation Center gymnasium.

Since its inception, the Friends have raised and contributed close to $1.9 million to the library.

View of a past Friends Used Book Sale at the Lake Forest Recreation Center.

If you’d like to volunteer at the sale, please contact FriendsLFLibrary@gmail.com

GLENCOE – The closest many people get to a Frank Lloyd Wright house is the sidewalk in front of it, but that will change on September 20 when the Glencoe Historical Society offers public tours of four Wright-designed houses.

“This is a big deal. It is the first time these homes have been open since 1993,” said Adam Steinback, treasurer of the  Historical Society.

The Wright in Glencoe Housewalk is one of the culminating events in a year-long centennial celebration of Ravine Bluffs, a development designed by the famed architect that includes seven homes delineated by three street markers and a bridge. Throughout the year the Historical Society has hosted a series of events to celebrate Ravine Bluffs, including lectures at the library and a public art project. Other events are planned for next month — visit this link to learn more.

The curated house tour will provide participants with the rare opportunity to see the interiors of two homes in the Ravine Bluffs development as well as two houses on Sheridan Road. While some of the Wright-designed homes in Ravine Bluffs will not be available to tour inside, docents will be available to provide participants information about those houses as well.

Steinback noted that all of the houses on the tour are very well maintained and participants can expect to see examples of signature Prairie style architecture such as low pitch roofs, wood banding and ornamental stained glass. The Glasner House on Sheridan Road was the first house in Glencoe designed by Wright. The home was designed for banker William Glasner in 1905 as a summer cottage, and while the home received a major renovation a few years ago, the improvements are sympathetic to the home’s history.

The tour also includes a stop at the Glencoe Historical Museum, where the special exhibit Wright in Glencoe will be on display that includes new research and never-before-seen photographs and drawings. The exhibit focuses exclusively on Wright’s work in Glencoe and how Ravine Bluffs was developed. It will also explore the lives of the people who hired Wright and the people who lived in the homes he designed.

“It will make people re-think what they thought they knew about the story,” Steinback remarked.

For more information about the Wright in Glencoe Housewalk and to purchase tickets go to www.wrightinglencoe.org

Previous race photo from the Facebook page of the Lake Bluff PTO Pumpkin Chase

LAKE FOREST / LAKE BLUFF – Four of the major walk/run races in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff are teaming up this fall to create a new competition called the Lake County Race Series, which consists of charity races with age-graded, cumulative scoring. The series includes:

• September 12: GLASA 5K Twilight Run, Lake
• October 4: Swinging Bridge 8K, Lake Forest Open
• October 17: Pumpkin Chase 5K, Lake
• October 24: Red Ribbon 5k Race, Lake Forest

Prize money will be offered in four age-graded categories; Under 40 Men, Under 40 Women, 40+ Men, and 40+ Women. Ranking will be based on the approach of assigning 15 points to the top adjusted time for all runners in each category of each race, 14 for second, down to 1 point for 15th place. The winners will be determined by the total number of points for the series, thus it is an advantage to participate in all four races.

The prize money will be awarded to the top three runners in the four categories after the last race results are tabulated. The prizes are: $100, $75, and $50 for a total of $900 prize money.

There is no additional fee to join the series other than the regular entry fees for the individual races.

How did the idea for the series come about?

The Lake Forest Lake Bluff Running Club has been active on the North Shore for almost 35 years and has provided a number of running/walking related activities for the local communities. Over the years, LFLBRC members have been involved is helping set up different races for local non-profits, including the four now included in the Lake County Series.

To encourage more people to participate in these races, Ed Zylka of the LFLBRC (and also head of the Chicago Area Runners Association) came up with idea of a new competition involving all four of the fall races. Many runners already run all four races, so Zylka proposed setting up cash prizes for the top runners of all four races.

The final determination is based on an age-graded scoring format that takes into account a person’s age and gender to determine his or her final score. This approach provides a true equalization factor and opens the competition to many more runners while still providing serious competition; these age-graded results will be combined from all races to determine the overall winners.

“After the idea was presented to the other race directors, they all thought it was a great idea, giving a unique twist to the four races and all signed on,” Ron Thomas of the LFLB Running Club told Daily North Shore. He added that they decided to call it the Lake County Race Series since all the races are in the county.

For more information on the remaining individual races, click on the following links:

• Swinging Bridge Race 
• Lake Bluff PTO Pumpkin Chase
• LEAD Red Ribbon Race

Running all four races is not a requirement, but it will increase your chances of being in the money. Simply sign up for any of the races and you will be automatically entered. Please check the box on the entry forms to indicate your participation in the Lake County Race Series. And if you have questions, contact Dave Anderson at anderdj455@gmail.com.

Previous Swinging Bridge Race; photo from the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Running Club

HIGHLAND PARK – The City of Highland Park is interested in resident feedback pertaining to the City’s residential sidewalk snow removal program.

Public feedback will be taken through September 30, 2015; click on the following to access the survey: www.cityhpil.com.

During the 2014-2015 winter season, the City provided residential sidewalk snow removal on both sides of street (where applicable) for snowfall accumulations of four inches or more. For the first time, the City contractually plowed approximately 140 miles of public sidewalk and bikepath at an estimated cost of $100,000 for the entire 2014-2015 snow season. This service was in addition to the City Public Works staff plowing sidewalks around schools and public buildings. Prior to last winter season, City contractually plowed residential sidewalks only on one side of street and at high pedestrian traffic areas including schools, parks, business districts and train stations. For 2013-2014 snow season, City contractually plowed 65 miles of sidewalk at a total cost of $36,000. Contractual snow plowing costs vary greatly depending on total snowfall, number of snowfall events, and miles of sidewalks.

Public Works clears snow from streets prior to plowing of residential sidewalks. Upon snow accumulation of 4 inches or more and typically 12 to 24 hours upon snowfall, City begins plowing residential sidewalks. The snow removal on sidewalks could take up to 48 hours. The residential sidewalk snow plowing completion is dependent on rate of snowfall, density of snowfall, and total snow accumulation.

Submitted by the City of Highland Park

LAKE BLUFF – The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce is hosting an event called Sip and Stroll in downtown Lake Bluff on Wednesday, September 16, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Bring along (and meet) business friends and colleagues for some fun in Downtown Lake Bluff! Grab a passport at participating stores and eateries (red balloons outside their doors), get it stamped at each location, and enter to win prizes from all over town. Enjoy plenty of wonderful things to see and taste – and some great networking. (Need not be present at the drawing to win.)

Submitted by the LF/LB Chamber of Commerce

A photo from the Crow Island archives

WINNETKA – While many North Shore families move to this area because of the well-regarded schools, few probably realize that one Winnetka elementary school in particular is also famous for its architectural design. Crow Island School, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, is notable as the nation’s first elementary school built specifically from a child’s vantage point.

“Crowl Island School was the first modern elementary school of its kind. It represents an influential change in thought: Design buildings for people,” states the Perkins + Will website.

While the idea of designing a building from the inside out for the people was controversial at the time, the building has since influenced an entire industry. “It is an icon in school design,” said Dr. Julie Pfeffer, Principal of Crow Island. “It is a monument in the area of school architecture and design.”

Indeed, architects and educators from around the world travel every year to visit the iconic building. The school was established in 1940 and designed by Lawrence Perkins from the Chicago architectural firm Perkins, Wheeler & Will (now Perkins + Will) in collaboration with architects Eliel and Eero Saarinen. Each of the L-shaped classrooms were designed as small houses, with a private bathroom, drinking fountain, and most notably, an outdoor courtyard. Large low windows provide natural light, plenty of built-in storage and distinct areas for different activities. The one story school has four wings (one was added in 1954) connected by a series of common spaces.

The classrooms have stood the test of time

So how did adults design a classroom from a child’s perspective? According to Perkins + Will, Mr. Perkins sat in classrooms and observed how children interacted in the space.

“This is the core of what really happened at Crowl Island. It was the rejection of the rigid conventional classroom,” said Mr. Perkins, in a video on Perkins + Will’s website.

And the forward-thinking design has held up over time. “One of the things that is so great about the school is that it was designed for young children,” explained Dr. Pfeffer.

Dr. Pfeffer views each classroom as its own community that is aligned with the school’s progressive education philosophy that  is child centered and emphasizes community service, and hands-on, collaborative learning, among other ideals.

“We are able to maintain that because of the design of the classrooms,” she said. Over time the school has added modern features such as technology, but the building’s flexible design with open spaces that can be repurposed has made for smooth transitions.

One unique feature that the entire school district continues to enjoy is the pioneer room, which is a replica of a log cabin that was built into the building. Dr. Pfeffer noted that when the school was designed, one of the teachers wanted the students to study pioneer history in as authentic a way as possible. All the third grade students in the Winnetka school district study pioneer history and come to Crow Island to experience the pioneer room.

In 1971, Mr. Perkins accepted the American Institute of Architects’ 25-Year Award and the building was designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of Interior in 1990.

Crow Island will celebrate the 75th anniversary that will take place October 2-4 and will include alumni tours, an open house, an alumni picnic and a panel discussion of the history of the school. For more details go to www.crowisland75th.wordpress.com.

NORTHFIELD – After more than two years of construction, all lanes of traffic along Willow Road reopened August 22, with the majority of the project completed from Waukegan Road to the Edens Expressway. Along with wider roads, the area is seeing an increase in speeding violations, police said.

The controversial project – which brings a 1.2-mile corridor in Northfield from two lanes to four – represents years of debate weighing the needs of drivers and nearby towns with safety concerns in tiny Northfield.

Officials and community advocate groups in Northfield consistently opposed a wider Willow Road for fear it would jeopardize the safety of pedestrians, especially children, at nearby schools, parks, churches and residential areas.

The intergovernmental, $27 million project involving IDOT and the Villages of Northfield, Glenview, Winnetka and Northbrook, is aimed at improving traffic flow during key spikes like rush hour and weekends. The project also included nearly $5 million in funds allocated specifically to ease flooding in Northfield and complete additional infrastructure improvements.

Speed issues

Since the reopening of all lanes on the east-west artery, police have seen an uptick in speeding, with Northfield PD issuing upwards of 150 tickets so far. Officers will continue to enforce the road’s new, 30 mph speed limit – down from 35 mph – said Police Chief William Lustig.

“Willow Road is Northfield’s main street,” reminded Lustig. “We understand the importance of Willow Road for motorists driving to and from Edens Expressway. But we likewise ask motorists to understand that this is a community of families, whose safety is our highest priority.”

Part of a larger series of safety measures to minimize reckless driving, the decreased speed limit along Northfield’s stretch of Willow Road transitions to 40 mph west of Sunset Ridge and then to 35 mph east of the Edens Expressway.

Other safety elements include narrower, 10-foot-wide lanes (from 12 feet), a curbed median, dedicated left-turn lanes and landscaping features alongside the street, all of which will provide a “traffic calming effect,” state officials said.

Speed monitors have been placed in both directions on Willow Road, Lustig explained, though currently, violators are commonly driving 15 miles or more over the speed limit.

Once the project’s final elements are complete, officials anticipate speeding will subside.

Until then, the Village will maintain a proactive approach including:

• Back-to-school banners and posters displayed to remind drivers that school is open and to drive safely.
• An illuminated monitor placed on Willow Road facing both directions to remind motorists of their speed.
• Highly visible police patrols along the route will continue to enforce the road’s new, 30 mph speed limit.

“The road was built to be safer.” Lustig said. “And we want to keep it safe.”

Guy Tridgell, spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Transportation, said drivers can expect occasional lane closures over the next several weeks as final items like striping, landscaping, lighting and traffic signals are checked off IDOT’s list.

“We are excited that the project is nearing completion,” Tridgell said. “The end result will be a much safer roadway that reduces congestion, improves traffic flow and encourages economic growth throughout the region.”

New Trier’s National Merit Semifinalistis

WINNETKA – Thirty-eight New Trier High School students have been named as Semifinalists in the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program competition.

Of about 1.5 million juniors across the country who entered the 2016 program by taking the 2014 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), only approximately 16,000 earned the Semifinalist designation, representing less than 1 percent of all U.S. high school seniors. These students will have the opportunity to continue in the competition for 7,400 National Merit Scholarships worth about $32 million.

To become a Finalist, a Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. Approximately 15,000 Semifinalists are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and Merit Scholar designees will be selected based on their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

New Trier’s 2016 National Merit Semifinalists are:

Hajera Afreen; Jonathon Alcantara; Robert Angarone; Jason Bilas; Owen Cahill; Henry Clabby; Bethany David; Erica Diaz; Rani Duff; Marcus Duquette; Jiangao Fang; Lucas Hess; Emma Hine; Katherine Ho; Emily Kim; Dimitri Kondelis; Jarod Meyer; Gavin Mischler; John Murphy; Samantha Nell; Lauren Newmark; Liam O’Donovan; Samuel Pavlekovsky; Emery Perl; Sean Pietrowicz; Madison Ramsey; Julie Rissman; Emma Robitaille; Lindsey Ruda; Emma Schragel; Zachary Schreier; Eric Stinehart; Zachary Struckman; Caroline Tilley; Oliver Tsang; Mahir Wagh; Emma Willcocks; and Zihan Xiong.

More information on the National Merit Scholarship Program is available through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, www.nationalmerit.org.

Submitted by New Trier Township High School

New Trier debate team members (l-r) Celia Buckman, AJ Byrne, Will Kirby, and Connor Warshauer celebrate their co-championship at the Niles Township Invitational.

WINNETKA – The New Trier High School debate team had a strong start to the season September 10-12, earning a co-championship, several individual honors, and two team qualifying bids to the Tournament of Champions at the University of Kentucky.

New Trier competed at the Niles Township Invitational at Niles West High School, which included 58 teams from over five states and 116 individual debaters. This was the first tournament of the year for New Trier.

Seniors AJ Byrne and Will Kirby debated their way to a 6-0 record in preliminary rounds. They advanced to elimination rounds and were victorious over teams from Glenbrook South, Whitney Young, and Glenbrook North on their way to finals, where they met two fellow Trevians: juniors Celia Buckman and Connor Warshauer. Kirby won the 2nd place individual speaker award, and Byrne took 5th place.

Meanwhile, the junior partnership of Buckman and Warshauer also went undefeated in their preliminary rounds, 6-0. They successfully advanced through four elimination rounds to make the finals. Out of 116 speakers, Warshauer earned 8th place, and Buckman was awarded the 10th individual speaking award.
The four students closed out the final round as co-champions; Buckman and Warshauer did not lose a single ballot throughout the tournament. Both teams have earned a qualifying bid to the Tournament of Champions in April.

Other New Trier debaters also had a strong showing at the tournament. Juniors Charlie Hansell and Jack Scullion ended preliminary debates with a 4-2 record, advancing to the elimination rounds, where they defeated a talented Walter Payton College Prep team. They met Buckman and Warshauer in the round of 16 and finished in 15th place overall.

The senior/junior team of Cameron Dehmlow-Dunne and Jonathan Silverstein finished also preliminary debates with a 4-2 record. They qualified for elimination rounds, where they finished in 17th place.

The debate team will travel to The Greenhill School in Dallas, Texas for their next competition.

Submitted by New Trier Township High School

Credit: San Francisco Silent Film Festival

NORTHBROOK — The recently resurfaced 1916 Sherlock Holmes film made its first Chicago-area appearance on September 9 at the Northbrook Public Library. Nearly 200 silent film lovers attended the screenings, one in the afternoon and one in the evening.

“The crowd seemed to appreciate the story and film technique of the era while enjoying the humor of how we perceive Victorian era acting today,” shared Steve Gianni, multimedia manager for the Library.

Gianni, who has worked with the Library since 2000, said he felt lucky to premier the film as part of the department’s 16th annual Silent Film Festival.

“We have been running a film series for almost 40 years now and have made a name for ourselves,” he said of securing rights for the film’s Chicagoland unveiling in Northbrook. “I am very proud of the longevity of our film series and the support that we get from the community, the Friends of the Library organization and our board of directors.”

Uncovering a classic

Thought to be lost, staff at Cinémathèque Française – a Paris-based archive house with one of the world’s largest film collections – discovered the picture while cataloguing thousands of boxes of nitrate films in 2014.

The 90-minute silent film with French captions was restored in Bologna, Italy and premiered at Cinémathèque’s Toute la Mémoire du Monde Festival in January of this year. Next, the film made its U.S. debut at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival in May before appropriately returning to Chicago where it was originally filmed.

Directed by Arthur Berthelet, the 100-year-old film was shot in the Windy City by Essanay Studios, best know for a series of Charlie Chaplin shorts made in the early 20th century. The film is an adaption of the famed play with the same name, both starring acclaimed American actor William Gillette. Film experts say the long-lost work is the only existing film of the thespian, also a manager, director, producer and playwright.

Library’s focus on film 

Shown as part of the Library’s Classic Film Series, Sherlock Holmes is one of five silent films included in the Series’ “Rarities from the Silent Era” program.

“We strive to show classic films as they were originally presented on 35mm film and now in theatrical DCP format if a film print is no longer available,” Gianni said. “It’s a fantastic way to spend your Wednesday afternoon or evening.”

Audiences enjoyed live piano accompaniment by Dave Drazin, who has played at silent film festivals around the globe, including the Pordenone Silent Film Festival in Italy. Drazin received a standing ovation at both Holmes screenings, Gianni said.

Other upcoming classic titles screening in September, all featuring music by Drazin, include The Grim Game, The Docks of New York and Chicago. Films are shown Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Library’s theatre-style auditorium.

“We like to present films you can’t get on Netflix or on DVD,” Gianni added. “We book films that deserve to be seen on the big screen in their original format.”

Admission and parking for films at the Library, 1201 Cedar Lane, are free. For more information, please visit www.northbrook.info/events/film or reach out to the multimedia department at (847)-272-6224.

HIGHLAND PARK – A Pontiac Vibe was reported stolen on Sept. 11 in the 100 block of Skokie Valley Road.

Police reports state that the Vibe was running and the car was stolen after the driver exited the vehicle to assist a passenger who was getting out of the car at a business.

From the Highland Park Police blotter.

HIGHLAND PARK – Someone took 6 display cases of jewelry from a Dodge Van that was parked in the 1800 block of Second Street, according to police reports.

Police state that sometime between 8 p.m. and 9:40 p.m. on Sept. 13 someone smashed the driver’s side window of the vehicle and took the cases.

From the Highland Park Police blotter.

Donald James Bulucos, was born Jan. 16, 1939 in Chicago to Chris and Mary Bulucos, and he passed away Sept. 12, 2015 in Lincolnshire.

Beloved husband of the late Kathy nee Gahagan; loving father of Danika Bulucos and Draya (Jake) Arkless; proud grandfather of Aryanna, Aidan, Aliyah, Tamiru, Fekadu, Jackson and Brody; brother of Marianne Bulucos; devoted partner of Rebecca Flanagan; cherished cousin, uncle and friend. Don was a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

During his career he taught art and photography at Mundelein College and St. Xaiver University. He retired as professor emeritus at Northeastern Illinois University where he taught for more than 35 years.

He had a deep passion for art and photography which inspired him daily. He had a special love for nature and animals which came to life in his art. He shared his love of art and photography through his years of dedicated teaching. He was a proud member of the Skokie Art Guild.

Above all he loved his family and friends and will be greatly missed.

Visitation Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015 from 4 to 8 p.m. at N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home, 1240 Waukegan Rd., Glenview (just south of Lake Ave. on west side). Funeral Service Friday, Sept. 18 at 10 am at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1500 W. Elmdale, Chicago.

Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Beverly Farm Foundation, 6301 Humbert Rd., Godfrey, IL 62035 or the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Office of Institutional Advancement, 116 S. Michigan Ave., 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603.

Herbert H. Engelhard, Jr. age 87. Beloved Husband of Bonny Engelhard. Loving father of Herbert III (Eileen), Tom (Katherine), David, and Jennifer Engelhard. Dear grandfather of Matthew, Hallie, Emilie, Erica, Elise, Eric, Parker, Erin, Allison, Alexander, Caroline, Kristin, Edward and Lauren; great grandfather of Wiley, Hayden, Ethan and Everett.

Brother of Constance Murray and Joyce (Buck) Haines. In lieu of flowers, donation to Camp Echo/McGaw YMCA, 1000 Grove St, Evanston, IL 60201 would be appreciated. Funeral Service Saturday Sept. 19, 12:00 pm at The Village Presbyterian Church, 1300 Shermer Road, Northbrook. Visitation Friday 4-8 pm at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 1104 Waukegan Road, Glenview. Entombment will be held privately at Memorial Park Cemetery. – See more at Smith-Corcoran.

LAKE FOREST –  Lake Forest School District 67 is providing free educational screenings for the 2015-2016 school year on Friday, September 25, 2015, for preschool-age children who reside in Lake Forest.

Three, four, and five year-old children who have not entered Kindergarten are eligible for the preschool screening. The purpose of screening children is not for advance placement in school, but to help parents identify development lags in their children. Developmental delays can be observed in a child’s speech and language, fine and gross motor skills, learning ability, or emotional and social growth. Nurses also complete a brief vision and hearing screening.

It is not necessary for a child to be screened in all areas, only the areas with which there is concern. In order to participate, a child must be registered in advance. After the child is registered, a packet will be sent home. Parents are asked to complete the necessary forms and bring them on the day of the child’s screening.

To schedule a child’s preschool screening appointment, please contact: Department of Student Services, 847-604-7459.

WINNETKA – The Woman’s Board of The Hadley School for the Blind has been holding its annual Braille Holiday Card Sale since 1956. Beginning October 15, which is White Cane Safety Day, the cards will be available by phone (800-323-4238) and on-site at the school at 700 Elm Street in Winnetka, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through December 17. They are also available for purchase online.

The white cane is a mobility tool for visually impaired individuals, and a blind person is provided the legal right of way when crossing an intersection while using one. White Cane Safety Day, also known as Blind Americans Equality Day, is a day to celebrate the achievements of those who are blind as well as recognize the white cane as an important tool that is critical to independence.

“We felt it was in keeping with our mission to begin phone and in-person braille holiday card sales on a day that celebrates the accomplishments of and independence for the blind community,” says Anne Merriman, Hadley Women’s Board President.

The cards feature greetings in both print and braille and all proceeds benefit Hadley. They come in boxes of 25 for $35. Coordinating gift tags are also available. These folded 3×3 inch gift tags come festively packaged in cellophane and tied with ribbon. The gift tags are $20 for a pack of 20, including shipping. This year’s cards feature an old-fashioned embossed sled resting against a snowy fence adorned with garland and winter berries. The cards carry the greeting, “Wishing you peace, happiness and the spirit of the season” in both print and braille.

New this year is a 4X6 notecard set of 12 cards and envelopes. The original watercolor artwork for the stationery was inspired by two nature scenes (six cards per scene) taking place in the Marylou Hayford Sensory Garden at The Hadley School for the Blind.

This year’s holiday card and notecard art was created by artist, Jennifer Beacom. Beacom, who lives in Wilmette, has created custom drawings and watercolor paintings for the past ten years. Beacom works in watercolor, pen and ink and acrylics.

“We have very close family friends whose son was born with a rare eye disease that leads to blindness. I am honored to support The Hadley School for the Blind and all they do for people living with vision impairment,” said Beacom. See Beacom’s work atjenniferbeacomfineart.com.

For more information or to order a holiday card and/or gift tag online, please visit www.hadley.edu/holidaycard.

Submitted by The Hadley School for the Blind

LAKE BLUFF – The League of Women Voters of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area invite you to enjoy a light dinner or snack at the new Potbelly Sandwich Shop in Lake Bluff on Saturday, September 19. Potbelly is generously donating 25% of all sales from 5 to 8 p.m. If you are available at 5:30 p.m., please join League members at our table. There will be plenty of room, and we will enjoy our usual lively conversations. You can also learn about our activities.

Tell everyone you know to stop by Potbelly and enjoy a freshly made sandwich, soup, salad, milkshake, etc. They promise fresh, fast, and friendly service.  Potbelly is known for its green initiatives which is a nice prelude to our October 4th Membership Kick-Off Event about Environmental Stewardship in the Face of Climate Change.

The League of Women Voters welcomes Potbelly to the community. The League appreciates their support in offering this event.  Potbelly Sandwich Shop is located at 945 Rockland Road across from the new Target.  If you want to order ahead, the phone is 847-739-5153.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information, please visit our website http://lwv-lflb.org/ or follow us on Facebook. We welcome men and women of all ages to become members.

The Malin family with recipients and others at a previous scholarship ceremony

LAKE FOREST – Join Steve and Maria Malin of Lake Forest as they host the 5th Annual “Halo-ween Costume Party Fundraiser” benefiting the Steven Malin, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund at Lake Forest High School.

Costumes are preferred but not mandatory for this year’s event, which will be held at the Lake Forest Club on Friday, October 30th from 7:30-11:30 p.m., and includes a casual dinner, DJ dancing, cash bar, and lots of fun prizes.

Open to the public for adults ages 21 and over, tickets are $60 each for adults 30 and older, and include a $10 drink ticket at the door if ordered by September 30th. Tickets for adults 21-29 years old are also available online at $30 each. Purchase now at www.movingforwardhangingon.com and click on “Store.”

Since 2010, the Malins have awarded close to $25,000 in “Good Character” scholarships to Lake Forest High School seniors who best demonstrate good character in their daily lives. The Malin family established the scholarship in memory of their son and brother, Steven, who was struck and killed by a freight train in Lake Forest in 2003.

Please help spread the word for this fun event in memory of an 11 year-old boy who loved Halloween!

Submitted by the Steven Malin, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund

Guests at a previous “Halo-ween” fundraising event

The Park family will open up their Lake Forest manor, and all its stories, during an upcoming home and garden tour. Photography by Caitlin Collins Saville

LAKE FOREST – The walls of 565 East Deerpath might not be able to talk, but there is one incredible story living inside the home, which will be the topic of conversation as the final stop and reception site of the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation House & Garden Tour on September 20.

The tour’s theme is “The Heart Of Old Lake Forest” and features some of the earliest developments in the town with homes in walking distance of the business district, Lake Forest College, and the First Presbyterian Church. “Some of the homes were constructed before the Chicago Fire. Most were among the first homes built in Lake Forest, and several have been updated and expanded with sensitivity to preservation,” says Allison Derr, vice president of programs for the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation.

At the centerpiece is 565 East Deerpath, an English Arts & Crafts style house that dates back to 1909 and has since become a statuesque fixture in the downtown area of town. At the culmination of the event, guests will be able to mingle inside the first floor and lush outdoor property.

The Tudor manor was designed by famed Chicago architects Pond & Pond, who were also behind the plans of Chicago’s Hull House, the Highland Park Club House, and various university student unions. It was previously owned by Arthur D. and Anna Holt Wheeler, some of the earliest graduates of Lake Forest College in the late 19th century, with Arthur going on to become instrumental in Chicago’s burgeoning telephone industry.

The Wheeler couple called their estate “Thalfried,” which is German for “peaceful valley,” according to Arthur H. Miller, Emeritus Archivist and Librarian for Special Collections at Lake Forest College, who has been among the historians to study the home. It has remained mostly intact until renovations by future owner and local architect and developer Eugune Martin in the ‘80s, which significantly added a bridge that traverses the abutting ravine to access a modified main entrance on Deerpath (previously the entrance was on Washington Road).

Today, the 2.5-acre estate is owned by the Park family, Lake Forest residents for the past 15 years who have lived in this residence since 2009. The location of the property, just a quarter mile from the downtown district and a half-mile to Lake Michigan, was instrumental in the family’s decision to purchase the home, says matriarch Jeanna Park. “We’re right in the center of town practically but it’s also very quiet and secluded since we have the ravine in front, and we often see a lot of deer coming through our property.”

The Parks were drawn to the manor’s style after living in London for five years prior to moving to Lake Forest. “The gardens [in England] are really pretty, the countryside especially is very green,” says Park who also enjoyed the traditional English gardens and cottages in the family’s old neighborhood on the west side of Lake Forest, near Inverness. Armed with that inspiration and trips to the Botanic Gardens, the Parks called on landscaping team Rocco Fiore to help achieve a similar look in the back of their home, but one that also fits in with the natural setting of the ravine that runs across the front of the property.

“We are doing some different perennial plantings in the backyard and have changed some of the front flowerbeds to be more colorful,” says Park, noting that they have not done any significant modifications past what Martin did in the ‘80s, which also offered the chance for pool renovations and resurfacing. For the Parks, keeping the open, family-friendly space was important since they have two teenage boys who like to be active outside: “We usually have a bunch of kids playing football or some kind of sport in the backyard. Our dogs enjoy the space for running and playing, too, and there are some quieter areas for relaxing and reading, or sitting outside and eating dinner.”

Though the Parks have opened their home before for various other functions for Ragdale and their Novel Affair event, as well as the Spirit of 67 Home Tour, this will be the first time their home is involved in the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation’s House & Garden Tour, which celebrates its 6th annual edition and attracts upwards of 150 people. All proceeds benefit the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation projects and providing programs for members and the community.

Tickets are $85 in advance and $100 day-of-event. Patron tickets are also available for $150 as well as sponsorship opportunities. More information can be found at Lake Forest Preservation Foundation.

HIGHLAND PARK – Highland Park High School math teacher Andy Anderson fulfilled a dream of participating on Jeopardy!, but he lost in the end after a close competition that aired on September 15.

The Batavia native competed against Monday’s returning champion, Ed Kim, a small-business owner from Whittier, California, and Audrey Watkins-Fox, a mortgage coordinator from Lockport, New York.

At the first commercial break, Anderson was tied for 2nd place with returning champion Kim at $1,200. Watkins-Fox was in the lead.

After the break, host Alex Trebek spoke with the contestants.  Anderson said he didn’t know that he had passed the Jeopardy! test until it was revealed on the ABC-TV Chicago affiliate’s “Windy City Live.”

After the second commercial break, Anderson was in 3rd Place and was chosen to select the first Double Jeopardy! category. He chose “Shakespearean Deathmatch” for $400.

Trebek said, “He’s a lover and a fighter, as he kills both Tybalt and Paris.”

Anderson correctly responded, “Who is Romeo?”

This brought his winnings up to $2,200.

Throughout the show, Anderson was knowledgeable on a wide range of topics from eBay to Galveston Bay. Astronaut Mark Kelly read this pre-taped question from the “Getting off the Ground” category:

In 2011, I commanded the final mission of this space shuttle named for the ship commanded by Captain James Cook on his first voyage of discovery in the pacific.

Anderson answered correctly with, “What is The Endeavor?” This brought him up to $4,600 with less than a minute left in the round.

When Anderson was up to $5,000, Trebek challenged all of the contestants in the “Naturalization Oath” category, “You take your obligation ‘freely without any mental’ …”

Anderson responded, “What is duress?” The correct response was, “Without mental reservations.” This brought Anderson down to $3,400.

For the game winning Final Jeopardy! Great Thinkers topic, Trebek gave this clue:

“239 years ago, he wrote of ‘The enormous debts which…will in the long run probably ruin all the great nations of Europe”

Anderson was in third place going into Final Jeopardy!, and he appeared confident after answering the question. He wagered all of his $3,400.

The returning champion also made a large wager and had the same response as Anderson. They both wrote Alexander Hamilton.

Watkins-Fox had the correct answer, Adam Smith, and became the new champion with $25,400. Kim went home in second place with $2,000, and Anderson with $1,000.

Andy Anderson preparing to select a category.