Long Grove resident celebrates 100 years
A longtime Long Grove resident is celebrating her 100th birthday today.
Connie Wachs, mother of village board trustee Charlie Wachs, celebrated her century of memories last weekend with a big bash at the Village Tavern.
The Tavern itself was celebrating its 100 years when Wachs moved into town in 1945 with her late husband Edward.
She raised three children in the area, and her husband was involved in bringing about the incorporation of the village.
Wachs herself was active in the Long Grove Historical Society and the village merchants' events and played the church organ.
The family's home was built in 1865, and she still lives in a cabin next to the main house that was built in the 1950s.
The party at the Village Tavern last weekend attracted 100 family members, according to Charlie Wachs.
The village board also paid tribute this week to the life that Connie Wachs has lived in Long Grove.
More historic moments: Long Grove also honored a longtime business owner this month for his 50 years in town.
Mel Towner, owner of Mel's Marathon Mini Mart, was given his accolade on Oct. 19. The station has been a popular destination for years in downtown Long Grove.
Mel runs the business with his sons Randy and Wendell, who offer everything from oil changes to convenience store items.
Towner also owns a number of buildings downtown, including Timmy's Sandwiches & Ice Cream Shop. The lawn in front of the building, known as Towner Green, is often used for village festivals.
Doing her part: Marilyn Wagner, the owner of Best Salon in Buffalo Grove, made a special contribution during the month of October for breast cancer awareness.
Wagner has been doing pink extensions in her salon for $10 each. Money from those services will be going to the Avon Breast Cancer Walk.
She said last week that she's collected $1,500 so far and expects to have at least $2,000 in donations by the end of the month.
In honor of her anniversary, she also made out a check for $500 that was given to the village for the American Cancer Society. The village participates in the society's Relay for Life on an annual basis.
For more information on the salon and its breast cancer awareness services, contact Wagner at (847) 541-1206, or visit it at 139 McHenry Road.
Special recognition: Buffalo Grove police officer Staci Kupsak was recently recognized by the Lake County Women's Coalition as one of the "Women Who Shield and Protect Us."
Kupsak started her career in 1994 as a community service officer. She's worked in the village's traffic enforcement unit and worked up to school resource coordinator, setting up plans for crises in five school districts in the area.
She's also worked on the sex offender registration for the village and for liquor license enforcement.
The village honored Kupsak Oct. 20 at a board meeting, and the Lake County organization recognized her at an event Oct. 5.
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