Neighbors in the news

• Paul Kaefer of Lombard, son of Jeanne and Fred Kaefer of Lombard, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. Kaefer's fellow scouts in Troop 202 of Lombard elected him to be Senior Patrol Leader of the Troop. Kaefer earned 32 merit badges -- the most in the Troop's history. He only needed 21 to become an Eagle Scout. Kaefer coordinated a service project to remove overgrown evergreens at Sacred Heart Church in Lombard and replant the area with roses. Kaefer is a junior at Montini Catholic High School in Lombard, and plans to study engineering in college.

• Karyn Ustas of Addison, and Grace Martinez of West Chicago were cast in "Matrimony, Mayhem and Murder," a mystery-comedy to be staged by GreenMan Theatre Troupe of Elmhurst. Performances are Feb. 16, 17, 22 and 23 at Angelo's Ristorante in Elmhurst.

• Kevin Mammoser of Wheaton, son of Annette and Chris Mammoser of Wheaton, was named to the Headmaster's Honors List for having at least a B-average at Howe Military School in Howe, Ind. A junior, this is Mammoser's first year at the School.

• Carrie Provost of Wheaton, on the string faculty for the past 21 years in Wheaton Warrenville District 200, was given the honor of being a guest conductor at the Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA) Orchestra Festival at Illinois State University in Normal. Provost, who teaches at Franklin Middle School and Longfellow and Lowell Elementary Schools in Wheaton, conducted four selections at the festival. Her eighth-grade orchestra at Franklin was invited to perform at the IMEA All-State Conventions in 1999, 2003 and 2006, and performed for Music Education Day at the Capital in Springfield in 2001.