Copyright Chicago Tribune
Veterans Day events planned in Orland Park, Lansing Veterans Day will be honored with celebrations in area communities, including in Lansing and Orland Park. The Lansing Veterans Memorial Honor Guard will host a ceremony that honors all who have served, set for 2 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Lansing Veterans Memorial, at Burnham Avenue and Glenwood Lansing Road. The event is open to the public. In case of bad weather, the ceremony will be held inside the historic Ford Hangar. Information is at 708-895-7200. Orland Park’s ceremony is set for 11 a.m. Nov. 11 inside the Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 S. Ravinia Ave. The program also will be streamed live via the village’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/@VillageofOrlandPark. The Veterans Memorial, Ara Pace – Place of Peace – in Village Center, 14700 S. Ravinia Ave., displays the names of veterans, both alive and deceased, who served in all branches and in all wars. American Legion Orland Memorial Post 111, Orland-Palos Reber-Tesmond VFW Memorial Post 2604 and Veteran’s Voices of Orland Park will present the colors and Orland Park Children’s Theater sings the national anthem. Dan Marsan, coordinator for veterans programs, will give a welcome and the Rev. Don Borling, pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church in Orland Park, will give a blessing. Medal of Honor recipient Allen J. Lynch is the guest speaker. Mayor Jim Dodge will read the names of seven veterans added to the wall. Details are at 708-403-5000 or veteranms@orlandpark.org. Smash pumpkins to keep them from landfills The Forest Preserve District of Will County Pumpkin Smash takes place noon to 4 p.m. at Plum Creek Nature Center, 27064 S. Dutton Road, north of Goodenow Road, in Crete Township. Area residents are invited to roll, drop or pound their pumpkins to smash them into smaller pieces for composting, keeping pumpkins out of landfills. They can aim at a big target at the bottom of the big hill or throw them off Squirrel’s Treehouse. Large pieces can be gathered to reduce to pulp using tools at smash stations. “Look for a special squish zone for our youngest participants,” facility supervisor Heather Van Zyl shared in a news release. The event is led by School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education, or SCARCE, a DuPage County organization that promotes the wise use of resources, including composting. Last year, its programs composted more than 164 tons of pumpkins, per the release. In addition, vendors, activities and refreshments will be available. Recycling experts speaks with Sierra Club Learn recycling facts and fiction at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 with the Sierra Club’s Tallgrass Prairie Group, formerly the Sauk-Calumet Group, at the Frankfort Public Library, 21119 Pfeiffer Road. Attendees will hear about what is recyclable and what should go into the trash from speaker Marta Keane, Will County recycling specialist. She’s past president of the Illinois Recycling Foundation and a nationally recognized recycling expert. The meeting will be in-person only. RSVP at www.sierraclub.org/illinois/events-calendar Orland Park library marks Native American Heritage Month As part of Native American Heritage Month, the Orland Park Public Library will feature indigenous artists, performers, cuisine and musicians as part of its Land Acknowledgment program at 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at the library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave. “The Land Acknowledgment recognizes the history and continuing presence of Native peoples and their enduring relationship with the land on which the library now stands,” a news release reads, adding that the ceremony is the start of ongoing efforts to “honor Native voices” and provide programs that promote cultural understanding. Library Board President Bridget Lindbloom will read the Land Acknowledgment and guests will reflect on it at 6:45 p.m. in the lobby. Ketapanen Kitchen will provide indigenous cuisine at 7 p.m. in Room 104. Native dances will be performed at 7:30 p.m. in the library pavilion, and beadwork and art will be exhibited at 6 p.m. on the second floor as William Buchholtz plays indigenous flute music. The program is free and open to the public. Information is at orlandparklibrary.org. ‘Young Frankenstein’ musical performed at MVCC “The Mel Brooks Musical: Young Frankenstein” continues with shows at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 and 8 and at 3 p.m. Nov. 9 in the Fine and Performing Arts Center’s Dorothy Menker Theater, 9000 W. College Parkway in Palos Hills. The humorous show includes cast from around the area telling the story of the grandson of Victor Frankenstein, who inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. Tickets cost $10 for Moraine Valley employees and students, $15 for adults and $12 for those older than 55. They are sold online at morainevalley.edu/fpac/tickets or by calling 708-974-5500. Evergreen Park library hosts author talks Authors with connections to the South Side of Chicago and nearby have been invited to speak at the Evergreen Park Public Library, 9400 S. Troy Ave. The Evergreen Park Library Foundation presents award-winning author Nicole Kronze at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13. She will draw from her novels “Unscripted” and “The Roof Over Our Heads” as part of a workshop on the science of comedy and writing. The first 30 people who register receive a free copy of one of her novels, which will be signed at the program. Evergreen Park resident Maggie Berry visits the library at 2 p.m. Nov. 16 to talk about her debut book, “A Daily Dose of Mo: Mother’s Journey to Understanding Neurodiversity.” The former stay-at-home mom is inspired by her daughter, Maura, and her own South Side roots, emphasizing kindness, compassion and community. Registration is required to the programs, which are free and open to the public. The library is accessible to people with disabilities; for accommodations, call 708-422-8522 before the event. Register at www.evergreenparklibrary.org Woman’s Club meets Tuesday in Palos Heights Palos Heights Woman’s Club has changed its meeting to 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Palos Heights Recreation Center, 6601 W. 127th St. The program is “Inspirational Reading” with representatives of the Palos Heights Public Library. Refreshments will be served, and guests are welcome. Thankful Thursday is set for 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 20 at Franklins Public House, 12306 S. Harlem Ave. in Palos Heights, and the annual Christmas luncheon, Tinsel, Treats and Treasures, is Dec. 13 at Silver Lake Country Club, 14700 S. 82nd Ave. in Orland Park. Put on bling, cowboy hats for McCord Gallery gala Tickets are on sale for Boots and Bling, a gala that benefits McCord Gallery & Cultural Center on Nov. 15 at Signature Barn, 8831 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park. Cocktails start at 6:30 p.m. with dinner and the program at 7:30 p.m. and music and dancing following at 9:30 p.m. A photo booth and silent and live auctions also are planned. Attendees are encouraged to wear cowboy boots and cowboy hats, fashion jeans and lots of bling. Tickets cost $175 per person. Buy online at my.onecause.com/boots. Information is at 708-671-0648. Send news to communitynews@southtownstar.com.
