Lake County briefs
St. Martin de Porres names new president
The board of trustees of St. Martin de Porres High School has named George B. Rattin as the school's new president. Rattin is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago and received his master of education in administration and supervision from Loyola University and certificate in fundraising management from DePaul University. He was chosen to lead the five-year-old school after an open search for candidates and will start work on March 16. Rattin follows Rev. Charles Bolser, C.S.V., who has served in that office since July 2005.
Hannah's collects for Open Arms
Deciding to offer their own "stimulus package," Hannah's Home Accents store collected more than 300 pounds of food and donated it to the Open Arms Mission in Antioch. Hannah's e-mailed their customers merchandise discount coupons if the shoppers donated food items. The idea came as a way to meet people's needs during this current recession.
Grayslake Middle School play
"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" will take he stage at Grayslake Middle School's large gymnasium at 7 p.m. today and Saturday, March 7. Plans call for a cast of 48 seventh- and eighth-graders, accompanied by a 19-member backstage crew, to present the children's comedy. The spring play written by Richard R. George is about a boy winning a tour through a chocolate factory. Middle school drama instructor Becky Chappell will direct the play, assisted by Joyce VanLaeke and Karen Novack. Tickets may be purchased 30 minutes before the curtain rises each evening for $5.
Warren benefit concert
A yearly concert and raffle event that raised more than $37,000 for the American Cancer Society last year at Gurnee-based Warren Township High School will return March 22. It'll be the Future Business Leaders of America's ninth Concert for Life. FBLA members are seeking raffle donations foe the concert, with the idea of at least matching what was collected in 2008. Singer-songwriter Matt Wessel will perform his inspirational music at the event set to start at 4 p.m. March 22 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6401 Gages Lake Road in Gurnee. Concert tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the door. The tickets may be purchsed at Warren High, by visiting http://blue.wths.net/concertforlife/index/htm or by contacting Kim Wessel at kwessel@dist50.net. Some raffle prizes already donated include four VIP immediate-access passes to Shedd Aquarium and a three-month membership to Gold's Gym.