Cold, snowy winter predicted for Midwest
Winter seems to have descended on our area quickly this year. No sooner did we get the lawn mower tucked in for the year, and then it seemed like the next day we fired up the snowblower.
A quick visit to farmersalmanac.com shows their prediction for a "numbing" winter with below average temperatures for at least two-thirds of the country. A map called "Winter 2008/2009" has the words "frigid," "wet," "wild," and "snowy" right over the Midwest portion.
If you find yourself grumbling as you bundle up to face the elements, stop a moment and think about what it would be like to face the outdoors without that layer of protection. There are plenty of people, right here in our area, who have to do that on a daily basis.
For that reason, the Dundee Township Library Children's Department has once again erected their traditional "Mitten Tree." Donations of new mittens and gloves are collected for infants, children and adults. Scarves, warm hats and caps will also be welcomed as donations. The items are then given to the Elgin Crisis Center to be distributed to those who need them.
Heidi Hohman, who heads the children's department, said she is not only amazed by the amount donated, but by need there is for all of it.
"Every year I take bags of mittens and things to the (Community) Crisis Center," Hohman said. "People are very generous. And every year the people at the crisis center say 'Thank you so much. We will use it all.' And I'm always so amazed at how much need there is. They use everything we take them."
And this year, she predicts, will be no different.
"This year with the economy the way it is, I'm sure the need has grown again. We're having a cold, snowy winter like we did last year. So there's more of a need because of the weather, too."
You can find the Mitten Tree on the lower level of the library. The last day to drop off donations is Dec. 22.
Congratulations, junior fire fighters: More than 800 entries were received in the Carpentersville Fire Department's annual Fire Prevention Week Poster and Essay Contest. This year's theme was "Prevent Home Fires."
The contest was organized by firefighter Chad Parker. Chief John Schuldt, assisted by "Fire Pup," presented awards to the winners at a recent village board meeting.
The winners in the first grade are: Dominique Anderson, Liberty Elementary, first place; Colton Newett, Parkview Elementary, second place; McKenzie Tisinai, Liberty, third place; and Alexis Vomboeckmann, Liberty, fourth place.
The winners in the second grade are: Osman Baig, Parkview, first place; Joshua Noriega, Liberty, second place; Killian Delaney, Parkview, third place; and Trevor Reusch, Parkview, fourth place.
The winners in the third grade are: Jenna Thelan, Parkview, first place; Dasuni Dharmaratne, Parkview, second place; Sydney Ruggles, Parkview, third place; and Michael Pope, Parkview, fourth place.
The winners in the fourth grade are: Andrea Rico, Golfview Elementary, first place; Regina Zolazny, Liberty, second place; Alexis Sanchez, Golfview, third place; and Megan Ridle, Liberty, fourth place.
The winners in the fifth grade are: Erin Humpfer, Liberty, first place; Monica Lavrisa, Liberty, second place; Chelsea David, Liberty, third place; and Dulce Carrillo, Lakewood Middle School, fourth place.
The overall poster winner is Grace Keller, who is a fourth-grader at Liberty Elementary School. Her poster will appear on the cover of the fire department's annual report.
The winners of the sixth-grade essay contest are both from Lakewood Middle School. First place went to Lisette Diaz, and second place went to Allison Hill.
If you have any news about your club, school, church, business, neighbor, or even yourself, contact Kirstin Finneran by cell at (312) 518-4993 or e-mail at kirstinfinneran@comcast.net.