Pioneer past comes alive at I&M Canal fur trade era re-enactment

Andy "Story Teller" Talley entertains the crowd with a tall tale.

By Bob Bong
Desplaines Valley News

A River Thru History, which took place in Willow Springs last weekend, recreated the history of the Des Plaines Valley during the fur trade era before Chicago became a city.

"This is one of the best annual events along the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor, as it captures that magical combination of history and entertainment so well," said Bob Navarro, President/CEO of the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"The past comes alive around you in a combination of history, storytelling, music, food and festivities," he said.

Visitors to Columbia Woods in Willow Springs were able to meet fur traders, craftsman, pioneer musicians and entertainers as they gathered along the banks of the Des Plaines River. There were craft demonstrations, a children’s trading post, live animals, storytelling, Native American games, music by Blue Celtic Grass and a skillet toss.

Food vendors served a variety of food similar to what was eaten during the fur trade era including kettle corn, wild rice stew and root beer.

Photos for Desplaines Valley News by Steve Neuhaus

A re-enactor shows some young guests how pottery was made in pioneer days.

Colonial soldiers march through Columbia Park in Willow Springs.

Week 3 High School Football Previews

Argo receiver Drake Walker is tended to
after hurting his knee in action against Ridgewood.

By Phil Arvia
Desplaines Valley News

ARGO (2-0) vs. REAVIS (1-1)

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Reavis High School, 6034 W. 77th St., Burban

THE SCOOP: The Argonauts have 99 points in two games, including 69 in last week's 69-40 shootout with Ridgewood, in which Jason Noel passed for 326 yards and five touchdowns. Reavis can score, too, bouncing back from a 44-16 Week 1 loss to St. Laurence to crush Joliet Central 52-7 on Saturday.

FENWICK (2-0) vs. BROTHER RICE (1-1)

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Brother Rice High School, 10001 Pulaski Rd., Chicago

The Crusaders have been a Jeckyll and Hyde act, winning their opener 42-0 then falling at Marist by a 55-14 count. They'd better hope to catch Fenwick recovering from its Saturday road trip to Dallas, where the Friars beat fellow Dominican-founded school Bishop Lynch 32-14. Fenwick won the last time these teams met, in 2010.

OAK LAWN (1-1) vs. EVERGREEN PARK (2-0)

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Evergreen Park High School, 9901 S. Kedzie, Evergreen Park

THE SCOOP: The Mustangs survived four interceptions to beat Phillips in Week 2, as Jacquet McClendon caught a 15-yard touchdown pass with 37 seconds to play in a 35-32 win. McClendon finished with 10 catches for 92 yards. Oak Lawn, after dumping Kenwood 42-19 in its opener, fell to Stagg 36-14 in Week 2.

LYONS (0-2) vs. LEYDEN (0-2)

WHEN: 7:30 Friday

WHERE: Leyden High School, 3400 Rose St., Franklin Park

If it's shocking that Lyons is 0-2, it has to be more shocking how the Lions got there from 0-1. Hosting Willowbrook on Friday, Lyons lost 62-49, as Willowbrook's quarterback, Brian Johnson, threw for 660 yards and seven touchdowns. The Lions have given up 104 points in two games. Leyden is coming off a 38-3 loss to Oak Park-River Forest.

NAZARETH ACADEMY (2-0) vs. MARIST (1-1)

WHEN: 7:30 Friday

WHERE: Marist High School, 4200 W. 115th St., Chicago

THE SCOOP: The RedHawks' offense was firing on all cylinders in a 55-14 demolition of Brother Rice in Week 2. Jack Donegan completed 21 of 25 passes for 338 yards and six touchdowns, three each to Flynn Nagel and Nic Weishar. In its East Suburban Catholic opener, Marist gets unbeaten Nazareth, which clubbed Julian 51-0 Saturday after beating Proviso East 35-12 in its opener.

ST. LAURENCE (2-0) vs. ST. RITA (2-0)

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE: St. Rita High School, 7740 S. Western, Chicago

THE SCOOP: St. Laurence hasn't been tested yet, posting easy wins over Reavis and Gordon Tech. In the latter, a 36-12 triumph, Frank Miller ran for 131 yards on 19 carries, and Bob Kelly threw for 109 yards and two touchdowns. St. Rita backed up an impressive opening win over Marist by crushing Danville 42-7 in Week 2. Mustangs quarterback Tommy Mister ran for 118 yards and two scores, and added a 39-yard touchdown pass, all in the first half.

SHEPARD (0-2) vs. EISENHOWER (2-0)

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Eisenhower High School, 127th Street & Saramento, Blue Island

The Astros have struggled, losing two games by a combined 91-3 count. In Week 2, they fell at Marian 49-3. Now comes a South Suburban Red opener against surprising Eisenhower, which stunned a talented Rich East squad in Week 1 and followed that with a 45-21 win over Urban Prep.

STAGG (2-0) vs. LINCOLN-WAY EAST (2-0)

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Lincoln-Way East High School, 201 Colorado Ave., Frankfort

THE SCOOP: The Chargers have already matched last season's win total by beating Hillcrest 28-14 in their opener, and Oak Lawn 36-14 last week. Lincoln-Way East, a playoff perennial which played for a state title last year, will be by far their stiffest test to date.

Countryside shoots down Halloween store

New restaurant coming: A new Middle Eastern restaurant is under construction at the corner of 84th Street and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview.

By Bob Bong
Desplaines Valley News

Halloween stores are popping up across the Southland, but you won't find one in Countryside.

Officials in Countryside voted in August to reject plans to open a Spirit Halloween store at 9930 W. 55th St. Aldermen don't hate the idea of people decorating their homes with spider webs and ghouls, but they were not impressed with plans by the retailer to open a seasonal store at that location.

The retailer pulled out all the stops in an effort to win approval even going as far as promising to have police help direct traffic on the weekends.

Bears savings at Jewel

Bears fans take note, if you wear your Bears jersey on game day to a Jewel-Osco store you will get 10 percent off of your grocery bill. The savings will come off after you use any other coupons and, of course, does not apply to prescriptions, alcohol, tobacco and other exclusions.

Harley-Davidson sneak peek

Illinois Harley-Davidson at 9950 S. Joliet Road in Countryside will be offering sneak peeks of the 2014 Harleys from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, at the dealership. Besides the newest Harleys, guests will be able to partake of free beer, free pizza and burlesque dancers.

Failla Realty back in Brookfield

Ross J. Failla, managing broker of Failla Realty Inc. Realtors, wants everyone to know that the 33-year-old realty firm has moved back into their original location at 9140 Broadway in Brookfield. 

"We are happy and proud to be back in our original location," he said. They moved back as of Sept. 1.

Failla said the company will keep a small satellite office in North Riverside, but their full service 

office is back at the Brookfield location.

Their phone number remains the same at 708-485-6606.

Moraine Valley to host fall Job and Internship Fair 

 

Students, alumni and community members who are looking for hourly or salary jobs or paid or nonpaid internships can network with quality employers that have job openings at Moraine Valley Community College’s free fall Job and Internship Fair from 2-5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, from in the Moraine Business and Conference Center, on campus, 9000 W. College Pkwy., Palos Hills. 

Professional business attire and resumés are required for entry. Registration is not required. A complete list of companies expected to attend the fair and additional information can be found at morainevalley.edu/jrc/fair or by calling the Job Resource Center at 708-974-5737.

Countryside Rotary to hold golf outing

The Rotary Club of Countryside will hold its 15th annual Scholarship Golf Outing on Sept. 30 at the Flagg Creek Golf Course. 

Proceeds of the event support the Bill Hughs Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Cost is $65 per person or $250 for a foursome, which includes nine holes of golf (cart not included), two beverages and buffet dinner. There will be door prize drawings, long drive contest, closest to the pin and a silent auction.

Nongolfers join sign up for the dinner buffet for $25.

The outing starts with a shotgun start at 2:30 p.m.

For tickets and information, call Olivia Garcia at 847-268-8600.