Church honors memory of those they've lost
The congregation of Our Savior Evangelical Free Church in Wheeling suffered a devastating loss last year when four of its members died from cancer.
This year, church members decided to organize a mini-Relay for Life to honor Karl Davidson, John Witucke, Robin Davis and Bob Serio.
"Two of them were 30-plus-year attendees (of the church)," organizer Pamela Antol said.
The two-mile walk will take place on July 26. Registration starts at 8 a.m., and the walk starts at 8:30 a.m.
Light refreshments will be served in the gym.
"It's really more for the message than for the walk," Antol said.
She said the walk will include a memory path and ribbons that will be cut by the spouses of those being honored.
Any money raised will go to the American Cancer Society.
"Our main focus is to reach out to the community and to remember these people," Antol said.
To register in advance, call (847) 808-2020. Registrants are also welcome the day of the walk at 8 a.m. The church is located at 300 S. Schoenbeck, Wheeling.
Top 10? Naturally: After Wheeling was named one of the top 10 places in the country to raise a family by Family Circle magazine, there was some mixed reaction from the community.
On our own Daily Herald Web site, there was some disbelief that Wheeling was picked in the weeks after several crimes were committed in town. One commenter wrote, "Are they crazy?" while another said, "I read the headline and I had to laugh."
However, Brian Smith, the resident who was quoted in the article, said Wheeling is well-deserving of the praise.
"Tell me an area where there isn't crime," he said. "Everyone has criminal activity; that's why there's a police department in every town." He said the diversity angle, especially, makes Wheeling a natural pick.
"Mr. (Lazaro) Lopez is the first minority to be a principal in the district at Wheeling High School," he said. He touted the airport as an example of Wheeling as a transportation hub and pointed at the companies that call the town home.
"We have a significant international presence. Why wouldn't you want to look at that?" he said.
Free Arlington Park tickets: Arlington Park will be hold Buffalo Grove Appreciation Day the weekend of July 18 to 20.
A race will be named for the community on Saturday, and Village President Elliott Hartstein will present the trophy to the winner. Police, fire and local charities will also be represented at the track.
The town's residents will get free admission all weekend when tickets are reserved online at www.arlingtonpark.com. The coupon code BGROVE should be used in the "apply discount" section when purchasing tickets that are valid from 11:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. those three days.
• Do you have any interesting Buffalo Grove, Long Grove or Wheeling story ideas? Pass them along to Nadia Malik at (847) 427-4489 or nmalik@dailyherald.com.