John Chrenka, seated, attends the ceremony in which he received the Legion of Honor, France’s highest distinction.

GLEN ELLYN

Sidewalk sale celebrates local businesses

 The Glen Ellyn Central Business District will play host to the village’s annual sidewalk sale celebration July 21 – July 24.

Hours of operation may vary by individual merchant, but the general sale hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. July 21; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. July 22; and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 23 and July 24.

Main Street will also feature live music and dance student performances in addition to discounts at the local stores.
Main Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between Crescent Boulevard and Pennsylvania Avenue July 21-July 22 for display of sidewalk sale wares and entertainment. On July 23, Main Street will be open, but the sales and fun activities will continue. For more information, contact the Chamber Office at (630) 469-0907.

ELMHURST

 Theater History Society leaves town for Pittsburgh

Having outgrown its home of more than 20 years and wanting a higher profile for its future, the Theater Historical Society has decided to move its headquarters to Pittsburgh from Elmhurst.

The move is motivated mostly by the space limitations of its current location above the York Theater, 150 N. York St., in downtown Elmhurst.

The society’s space needs upgrading and is too small to house the organization’s archives and artifacts, and cannot accommodate growth.

Besides space concerns, the Theatre Historical Society newsletter said Elmhurst does not satisfy the society’s plan for the future. In Pittsburgh, the organization will be a much larger fish in a smaller pond. According to information about the move on the society’s website, the Theater Historical Society has negotiated a lease agreement with the Senator John Heinz History Center, the largest history museum in Pennsylvania and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

The society will be leasing archival storage space and workspace for its archives director, but it will retain full ownership of the location. With the move to Pennsylvania, the Theater Historical Society aims to grow from a club to an organization that operates a national theater museum.

Library hosts its own Comic Con

Elmhurst Public Library will transform into the mothership for all things fan, fantasy, fiction, books, TV, movies and more during the library’s own Comic Con on July 30. Free activities and events are planned for all ages from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the library, 125 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst.

The day kicks off at 10 a.m. with a chance to walk the red carpet in costume for families and cosplayers. Other highlights include Superhero Storytelling, a drama workshop, Parisi Sports Training, Artist Alley, a chance to meet and purchase items from local artists, a caricature artist, trivia, comic book drawing, crafts, green screen photos and more.

For a complete schedule of the day’s events, visit elmlib.org/comiccon.

WHEATON

WWII veteran receives French honor

 A World War II veteran has been given the highest distinction France can bestow.

John Chrenka received the Legion of Honor during a special ceremony recently at the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. Vincent Floreani, consul general from the French Consulate in Chicago, presented the award. Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the National Order of the Legion of Honor recognizes eminent service to the French Republic.

Chrenka was part of the first wave at Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. After the invasion, he continued with his unit in northern France, then to Belgium for the Battle of the Bulge. Chrenka was wounded in both the Invasion of Normandy and Battle of the Bulge. He was with his unit in Czechoslovakia when the war ended in 1945.

For his service, Technical Sgt. Chrenka received the Combat Infantry Badge, Belgian Fourragère, Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Service Arrowhead Device, Bronze Star and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with one Silver and one Bronze Battle Star. Chrenka enlisted in the Army in 1942 and was assigned to Company B 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division.

STATE

Tips can save lives during heat waves

Extreme heat is deadly. It kills more people each year than other weather-related hazards, such as tornadoes, floods and lightning. From 2006 through 2015, the National Weather Service said heat accounted for an average of 113 fatalities each year; tornadoes caused an annual average of 110 deaths; and floods resulted in an annual average of 84 fatalities.

To increase awareness about the dangers of extreme heat, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies are offering heat safety tips to help people stay safe when temperatures rise.

One of the most important heat safety tips is to never leave children, elderly people, adults with disabilities or pets in parked cars because temperatures rise quickly. Even with the windows slightly open, temperatures will rise 30 to 40 degrees in less than 30 minutes.

Other tips include:

• Stay hydrated by drinking at least 1½ to 2 quarts of fluids daily, even if you don’t feel thirsty;
• Avoid alcoholic beverages and drinks containing caffeine;
• Avoid overexertion and strenuous outdoor activities if possible;
• Take advantage of cooling centers, public pools and air-conditioned stores and malls during periods of extreme heat. Even a few hours a day in air conditioning can help prevent heat-related illnesses;
• Offer pets extra water and place the water bowl in a shaded area if outdoors. Make sure pets have a shady refuge;
• Seek medical attention immediately if someone experiences dizziness, nausea, headache, confusion and a rapid pulse. These could be the symptoms of heatstroke.

Get additional tips about how to protect from heat-related illnesses from the state’s Ready Illinois website, www.Ready.Illinois.gov.