DuPage County News Briefs

This is a scene from York High School’s spring musical, ”Tuck Everlasting,” which has received four nominations from the Illinois chapter of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards. Winners will be announced June 4.

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It is the time of year for turtles to cross roads in search of water, food, mates or nests. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County cautions drivers to watch for turtles on the roads through October.

Female crossings increase from mid-May to mid-July as the turtles leave their watery homes in lakes and streams to make their way to and from drier nesting sites where they lay their eggs.

Forest Preserve District officials suggest that if drivers decide to help a turtle on the road, they should safely pull over and turn on the vehicle’s hazard lights. Helpers should avoid touching the turtles because some will bite or scratch. Rather, samaritans should urge the turtle across the road using a car mat or something similar. If necessary, a turtle should be picked up with two hands toward the back of the shell and never by the tail. Turtles should be helped across the road in the same direction they are heading.

DuPage County is home to a variety of native turtle species, including musk, snapping, eastern spiny softshell, common map, painted and the state-endangered Blanding’s.

Willowbrook Wildlife Center employees and volunteers are available to answer questions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at 630-942-6200.

Forest preserve district honors its volunteers

Nearly 60,000 hours of volunteer work were acknowledged at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s recent annual volunteer appreciation celebration.

Volunteers assist staff in carrying out specialized tasks and interacting with visitors at Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton, Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in Oak Brook, Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago, Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville and Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn and The Preserve at Oak Meadows in Addison.

The Forest Preserve District also recognized individuals who make exceptional contributions. Director’s Award recipients for noteworthy commitment to their respective programs were Sue Wedryk of Wheaton (Danada), Irena Paronis of Darien (Fullersburg Woods), George Myers of Libertyville (Golf Preserve), Jim Truesdale of Wheaton (Kline Creek Farm), Tom Heinz of Hinsdale (Mayslake), Joe Suchecki of Naperville (Natural Resources), Chris Linnell of Naperville (Special Services), Kathy Isoda of Naperville (St. James Farm), Judi Kramer of Naperville (Trail Patrol), Larry Brousil of Cicero (Volunteer Ranger Program), and Bob Rischl of Wheaton (Willowbrook).

This year’s President’s Award recipients, who made significant contributions to their programs, were Cheryl Kasper of Darien (Danada), Debbie Spanski of LaGrange (Fullersburg Woods), Sargon Gilliana of Chicago (Golf Preserve), Jan Yong of Wheaton (Kline Creek Farm), Jeanne Lavander of Burr Ridge (Mayslake), Crystal McAllister of Glen Ellyn (Natural Resources), Corelei Codak of Glen Ellyn (Special Services), Judi Werner of Clarendon Hills (St. James Farm), Bruce & Kathy Dudzik of Wheaton (Trail Patrol), Alan Jirik of Downers Grove (Volunteer Ranger Program), and Mike Shimer of Wheaton (Willowbrook).

ELMHURST

High school musical nets state nominations

York’s spring musical of “Tuck Everlasting” has received four nominations from the Illinois chapter of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards. The awards, also known as The Jimmy Awards, serves as an annual national celebration of outstanding achievement in musical theater performance by high school students. Award categories include best actor, best actress, best scenic design of a musical, best direction of a musical and best overall production.

York’s production is one of five state finalists for best production. In addition, Carina Kanzler, who played Mae Tuck, and Erin Lee, who played Winnie Foster, are finalists for best actress. Performing arts instructor Rebecca Marianetti is one of five nominees for best director.

The Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards will be held June 4 in Chicago. The best actor and best actress award recipients will receive an all-expense paid trip to New York City to participate in a performance enrichment program and represent Illinois at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards on Broadway June 25.

City children’s choir to sing at Bethel United Church

Members of the renowned Chicago Children’s Choir will join the Bethel United Church of Christ, 315 E. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst, for the 10 a.m. worship service June 3. The guest performers are from the Austin and Englewood Neighborhood Choirs of the Chicago Children’s Choir. The congregations will enjoy a morning of festive and uplifting worship in a service of unity through word and music.

The theme is “One Body, One Spirit, One Chicago.”

Forty young people from the neighborhood choirs, under the direction of Keshena Luckett and Lonnie Norwood Jr. and accompanied by Bethel musicians, will sing throughout the service, inspiring worshipers with music of African-American and contemporary origins.

 

–DuPage County News Briefs–