February 2021 Village of Westchester Newsletter by Village of Westchester, IL

Village of

Westchester FEBRUARY, 2021

POLICE DEPARTMENT

PUBLIC WORKS

FIRE DEPARTMENT

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

LIBRARY

SCHOOL DISTRICT

GIRL SCOUTS

Thank you! The Village of Westchester would like to thank all of those who participated in the Secret Santa program this past December in celebration of the Christmas Holiday. The Village, with the assistance of The Westchester Food Pantry and District 92 ½ Superintendent Phil Salemi, was matched with Westchester children and families that were experiencing challenging times and needed a little extra cheer over the holiday season. In total, the Village was able to have Santa deliver gifts to 43 children within the Village of Westchester. The joy on the faces of the children when Santa came to deliver their presents could not have been possible without the amazing generosity of many Westchester residents. We would like to give a special thanks to all those who donated to the Secret Santa program this past Christmas including: Sue Michelotti, Nick and Kathryn Steker, Rob and Lisa Morales, Giovanni and Patrizia

Fiordirosa, Evie and Tony Slavic, Frank and Peggy Perry, Brian and Cathy Kuratko, Jeff and Tracy Markey, Paul Nosek, Mike and Missy Eck, Kayte Becker, Colleen Burger, Molly Powers, Daniel Maldonado, Bill and Heather McDonald, Indira Espin, Bonni Falco, Tom and Beth Signor, Julie Jordan, Tina Horsky, Holly Stammis, Kelly Mahoney, Matt LeMay , Westchester Professional Fire Fighters Union and Riverside Funeral Directors. Your kindness and generosity helped to bring happiness and joy to so many of our Westchester families! On December 19, 2020, the Village of Westchester also held a Santa Parade, in which Santa and his Elves were driven around the Village on a fire truck to wish all those he came across a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! A special thank you to all those who helped make this possible and all of those who participated in person or watched online via Facebook Live!

FEBRUARY 2021

P olice D epartment

The New Year Has Begun Well finally, the New Year 2021 has arrived and hopefully for everyone it will be a better year to remember. I would like to take this time and remind everyone please always have a contact list attached to your refrigerator in cases of an emergency when police must enter your home to check on your well being. Make your list with a bold title in red letters “CONTACT LIST” listing anyone you may want police or fire personnel to contact during an emergency to secure your home in case you are in need of medical attention and must go to the hospital for treatment. The police department wants to make sure that your home is always protected by having someone you trust to secure your property and assets. Make sure to keep an extra watch on weather conditions for any large snow amounts headed our way, so that you can move your vehicles on designated snow

routes, so plows can do their job and so police officers do not have to ticket vehicles for not complying. Please remember to always lock your car doors, secure your garage door openers and always use good quality deadbolt locks on household doors and garage doors. Always put into place outside sensory lighting devices that light up travel areas during late night hours. Always remember to report anything that may look suspicious going on within your neighborhood to the Westchester Police Department. Do not ever let anyone you do not know into your home claiming to be working in the area without proper identification. “When In Doubt Call The Police Out” By working as a team together, we can continue to provide a safe community for all. Sincerely Chief Daniel Babich

POLICE BLOTTER 1) At 2:38am on December 20, 2020 a Burglary was reported at 1925 Mannheim Road. Quick Mart and Tobacco. After receiving an alarm at the business officers discovered a broken front glass door. Subject was observed on video entering the store using a baseball bat and took one item before leaving. 2) At 9:14 pm on December 21, 2020 a Theft was reported on the 2100 block of Mayfair Ave. The resident reported that items were taken after having been delivered by the Postal Service. 3) At 4:31pm on December 22, 2020 a Ruse Burglary was reported on the 10900 block of Martindale. The resident reported that a subject wearing a yellow work vest came to the back door stating that

they needed to check the water in the house. Subject fled the scene before taking any items from the house. 4) At 9:20pm on January 1, 2021 a Criminal Trespass to Vehicle was reported on the 2400 block of Sunnyside. A suspicious subject was reportedly looking through vehicles in the area. The resident reported that nothing appeared to be missing from their vehicle. Officers attempted to track the subject’s footprints and bicycle tracks in the area. 5) At 1:05pm on January 12, 2021 a Residential Burglary was reported on the 11000 block of Shelley Court. The resident reported that the entry door appears to have been kicked in. The resident reported the rooms were ransacked.

FEBRUARY 2021

PUBLIC WORKS Tree Trimming to start soon… Tree trimming will begin in February 2021. The section to be trimmed for the 2021 program will be the southeast section of town from Roosevelt Road to Cermak Road from the west side of Bristol through Westchester Blvd. Sinnott Tree Service will be doing the trimming. ************************************** The Public Works Department has been filling potholes with cold patch throughout the winter months, weather permitting. Please call Public Works at 708-345-0041 to report a pothole. Adopt a fire hydrant this winter season! Help keep the hydrant clear of snow so that the fire department can easily access the hydrant in case of an emergency and so that the snow

plows can easily identify the hydrants while plowing snow. Restoration of parkways that have been damaged by sewer and water excavations and snow plow damage will resume next spring, as weather permits. As always, Village residents are asked to call Public Works at 708-345-0041 or the police non-emergency number (after hours) at 708-345-0060 if an unusual amount of water is visible in the street or parkway. This could be a main break or water leak that requires our immediate attention. Snow Season Is Here! The Public Works Department’s snow plan is in effect and plows and spreaders are ready to go on a

moment’s notice….. Please assist us by following these suggestions: • Place garbage cans and bins behind the curb line- do not place them in the street • Do not throw or blow snow back in to the cleared streets • Please observe the “ NO PARKING SNOW ROUTE” signs. The snow portion of the signs will be enforced only after 2 inches of snow have fallen and will be enforced between December 1st and March 31st. If you reside on a Primary designated SNOW ROUTE, after 2 inches of snowfall you must remove all of the vehicles from the snow route. The cars and trucks must stay off the street until the streets are cleaned thoroughly by the plows by Public

Works. If the snowfall is continuing the restriction is in place until Public Works completes the plowing for the day. Please check the signs at the corners of your block. AFTER 2 INCHES OF SNOW, on a secondary route, there is no parking Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the even numbered house side and no parking Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday on the odd numbered house side. Please check the signs at the corners and center of your block for guidance. (This includes ALL side streets not designated a Primary snow route) Public Works crews work hard to keep the Village streets clear and safe during these long winter months. We appreciate your cooperation! Please drive carefully!

F ire D e partment FEBRUARY 2021

C h a n me r 6

FEBRUARY 2021

C o m m e rc e

L ibrary FEBRUARY 2021

IMPORTANT LIBRARY DATES: Library events for the village newspaper/ calendar for February 2021 Throughout the month of February: The

Friends of the Library’s Annual Sweetheart Sale. All items are 50% off. Thursday, February 18: Be Aware, Get Involved, and Be Part of the Change

program. 7:00 pm via Zoom. Registration required. Contact Adult Dept for more information at askus@westchesterpl.org. Tuesday, February 23: Celebrate Jazz

program. 7:00 pm via Zoom Registration required. Contact Adult Dept for more information at askus@ westchesterpl.org.

FEBRUARY 2021

P ark D istrict FEBRUARY 2021

S t . J o s ep h 10

FEBRUARY 2021

S t . J ose ph FEBRUARY 2021

S ch o o l D i st r ic t 12

FEBRUARY 2021

Junior Girl Scouts Troop 45148 news Westchester Daisy Scout Troop 47147 kicked off their scout year with a journey badge; 3 Cheers for Animals! The girls met outdoors to discuss how to care for their pets and for animals in our neighborhood. The Daisy Scouts followed this up with a visit to the Trailside Nature Museum and Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in River Forest. There, the girls got a private tour and learned what the center does to help injured animals. The girls met a meatball-loving 3-legged fox, a turkey vulture and several owls. The scouts wrapped up their journey by collecting linens, treats and other necessities for the animals at Trailside. Then, the girls collected food for the most beloved animals—local pets! Dog and cat food were collected for the Wet Nose Pantry in Westchester. As it got too cold to hold meetings outdoors, the Daisies had to turn to virtual meetings. Over virtual meetings the girls enjoyed a holiday party with bingo and games and in another meeting, earned their toy business badge by sharing inventions for new toys. The leaders of this troop also celebrated the season by setting up a ‘you’ve been jingled’ surprise candy cane hunt on the lawns of every daisy scout. Currently, troop 47147 is focused

on Girl Scout cookie sales! The girls are learning about counting money and making a sales pitch. But most importantly, they are learning about goal setting and working toward a

goal. Our daisies look forward to your support in cookie sales in the coming weeks. This energetic group is looking forward to participating in outdoor activities with their cookie money

this spring and summer. Stay tuned! Remember, girl scouts also commit to using their cookie money to give back to the community as well. It’s a winwin!

FEBRUARY 2021

How did Westchester’s earliest residents (circa 1853 ) survive winter on the Prairie? The first inhabitants of the Prairie House would have, by late fall, filled their root cellar with dried beans, a sack of salt, potatoes, beets, carrots, dried fruits and jerky. Inside Westchester’s Prairie House there is a covered opening in its floor, it once led to a root cellar. Large piles of wood, would have been cut and gathered over several months, then stored in a shed. This wood provided the fuel for their only source of heat, a potbelly stove. Heavy curtains would be hung over every window and at night family members would have worn stocking caps to avoid losing heat through their heads. Children were encouraged to sleep together to save body heat. Lucky the child who slept in the middle. But probably the best way to keep warm through the night, was by covering up with a homemade down comforter. Planning, forethought, and determination were crucial to their

survival. Note that in the 1850’s only the school house and adjacent teacher’s residence existed. The larger part of the house, which wrapped around those two

rooms, was constructed in the 1860s. Save The Prairie Society hopes that once the threat of the Covid19 fades, you will visit us at the Prairie House, Westchester’s oldest still standing

house. 11225 Constitution Drive. For more information explore, www. savetheprairiesociety.org or call 708354 5512.

FEBRUARY 2021

Service times at Faith Lutheran Church 2/7 Worship service at 9 a.m., Bible class at 10:15 a.m. and Prayer & Healing Service at 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd. 2/14 Worship service at 9 a.m., Bible class at 10:15 a.m. and Prayer & Healing Service at 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd. 2/17 Ash Wed. Lenten Worship service with Communion at 7 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd. 2/21 Worship service at 9 a.m., Bible class at 10:15 a.m. and Prayer & Healing Service @11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd.

Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd. 2/24 Lenten Service at 3 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd. 2/28 Worship service at 9 a.m. Bible class, at 10:15 a.m. and Prayer & Healing Service @ 11 a.m.at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd. 3/3 Lenten Service at 3 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd. 3/7 Worship service at 9 a.m., Bible class at 10:15 and Prayer & Healing Service @ 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd. 3/10 Lenten Service at 3 p.m. at Faith

VEHICLE STICKERS ON SALE 3/1/2021 Beginning March 1st, 2021, Vehicle stickers will be available for purchase online and at the village hall. Renewal forms will be mailed out on February 28, 2021.

By ordinance, each vehicle (including regular passenger vehicles, motorcycles and trucks) registered to an address in Westchester, OR housed in Westchester, are required to display a Westchester Vehicle Sticker.

3/14 Worship service at 9 a.m. Bible class at 10:15 a.m. and Prayer & Healing Service @ 11 a.m. Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd. 3/17 Lenten Service at 3 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd. 3/21 Worship service at 9 a.m., Bible class at 10:15 a.m. and Prayer & Healing Service @ 11 a.m.at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd. 3/24 Lenten Service at 3 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd.

3/28 Palm Sunday Worship service at 9 a.m. and Bible class at 10:15 a.m. and Prayer & Healing Service @ 11 a.m.at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd. 4/1 Maunday Thursday Worship service at 7 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd. 4/2 Good Friday Worship service at 7 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd. 4/4 Easter Service @ 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd.

FEBRUARY 2021