Delnor almost finished with latest project

If construction sites pique your curiosity, then Delnor-Community Hospital through the past two decades has been your brick-and-mortar wonderland.

This time, the earthmovers and construction signs weren't as noticeable, at least from Randall Road, where most passers-by get their best look at the impressive Delnor campus.

This time, recent work has been on the new west addition, which hospital marketing director Brian Griffin tells me is the largest expansion in the hospital's history.

"It will be completed in April and open to patients in June," Griffin said of the timetable for the three-story, 100,000-square-foot addition that will increase the number of inpatient beds from 128 to 159.

The hospital has grown with the Tri-Cities, and this expansion will enable Delnor to add 31 private patient rooms and convert the few remaining semi-private rooms in the existing hospital to private rooms as well, Griffin added.

All of this is important to the hospital's mission, Griffin said, because it responds to what patients have said they want and it ties in with studies that say patients respond to a healing environment of natural lighting, water features and comfortable furnishings.

With a weekday occupancy rate of 93 percent in the hospital's current medical units, hospital officials are anxious to showcase and start using the new addition.

For more visitors

Here's another construction site you may have noticed while cruising the area.

It may not look as large as a hospital under construction, but the shell of a new building along Foxfield Drive in St. Charles looks like it could pass for a medical center of some sort.

What we're watching unfold there is a new Hampton Inn hotel for the east side of St. Charles. Future visitors in the hotel who may be Catholic won't have a hard time finding a church to attend when they are in town. The new hotel will be right next to the parking lot for St. John Neumann Church.

He saves the day

When one of his "clients" was choking, James Wilson did not do the same in reacting to the situation.

The term "clients" could be used loosely here, because Wilson's clients are actually school kids riding on his bus every day going to Jewel Middle School in North Aurora.

West Aurora School District transportation director Mark Engen alerted residents and staff last month that Wilson's quick action when a young boy on his bus was choking on a piece of candy averted a possible emergency situation.

"This could have been one of those scary situations, but fortunately our driver was able to respond," Engen said in a written statement to staff. "We do stress constantly from our bus evacuation drills and from drivers that students are not allowed to eat or drink on the buses."

Engen also reported that, after it was clear that the boy was OK, he told school officials he would never eat food on the bus again.

Wilson was recognized and given a Portillo's gift certificate from the district at last week's board meeting for his quick thinking.

Time for heroes

It's time again for one of the most uplifting 90 minutes that takes place all year in this area. If you have never participated, here's your chance.

There's still time to get tickets for the Hometown Heroes breakfast celebration hosted by the Fox Valley American Red Cross and Colonial restaurants. People nominated in eight different categories are recognized for their heroic roles in their communities.

Tickets are free for the 7:30 to 9 a.m. event Friday at Eagle Brook Country Club. For information, call the chapter offices at (630) 443-8844, ext. 15.

Ease the heat cost

Forget all of the snow we've endured. It's also been darn cold this winter and that translates to costly heating bills. And some people need help paying them.

That's where Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can really help income-eligible residents of Kane County. The program, offered through Community Contacts Inc., is a one-time-per-year benefit that helps senior citizens and others on fixed incomes get through a rough winter.

Community Contacts also has other programs designed to educate residents about cost-saving measures and "weatherizing" homes.

Information is available at (847) 697-4400.