Gurnee parks receive $20K private grant:

Gurnee Park District officials announced Thursday that a $20,000 grant recently was received from the John H. Emery Youth, Pageantry, and Patriotism Fund. The donation will be used to support children whose family may not otherwise have the income to enroll them in swim lessons. The grant will be used during the next few years to support these individuals enrolling in the park district's instructional swimming program. Emery, a freelance writer who spent much of his life in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, has made sizable contributions to several organizations in the area. "We are very happy to support the wishes of Mr. Emery in providing youth programming opportunities to our community," said Susie Kuruvilla, park district's executive director.