Patch Portrait

Patch Portrait: Glenview Fire Chief Reflects on 24 Years of Service

This week's Patch Portraits also features New Trier's senior class president and Des Plaines' theatre renovator.

This week's Patch Portraits also highlight one woman's hopes of a renovated Des Plaines Theatre and New Trier's senior class president discusses life outside the bubble. Glenview Fire Chief Wayne Globerger has seen a lot of changes since he started with the department in 1987.  “When I started we were still riding on the tail board of the rear of the engine, hanging on,” Globerger told Patch. While he’s fought his fair share of fires as he worked his way up the ranks, these days, Globerger said his responsibilities are mainly administrative. He became fire chief five years ago and today, assists on large or unusual calls. Glenview’s five firehouses serve approximately 68,000 people. Beyond the 45,000 in the village itself, the department …

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PHOTO GALLERY: Glenview Civic Awards Honor Commitment to Community

Local residents honored for giving back.

Started in 1967 by the then Police Chief, the Glenview Civic Awards honor citizens who perform outstanding community service. This year marked the awards' 44th year, with the evening's festivities hosted at the Valley Lo Club April 29th.  Honors included Youth of the Year, Citizen of the Year, a Public Safety Award and a Public Service Award. This year, two additional awards were given to people who did not fit a specific award title but who displayed an exemplary commitment to public service.  Special Service Awards were given to Judy Beck, who is retiring from a multi-decade term of service on the Park District Board, and Deborah Harvey, who despite personal challenges has turned giving and volunteering into her way of life. Youth of the…

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PHOTO GALLERY: Former Pro Athletes, Olympic Medalists Talk Ethics with Local Students

Parents and children gathered to hear pros talk about ethics in athletics at Attea middle school April 28.

Former Bulls player Dickie Simpkins, Former Bears linebacker (and current Mayor of Palatine) Jim Schwantz, Olympic medalists Brian Hansen and Bob Berlund, and several others gathered at Attea middle school Thursday night to discuss the role of ethics in athletics. "Character Counts!", an organization dedicated to building character in children, hosted the 2-hour event. Around 100 people came out to listen to the discussion, many parents bringing their own young athletes to learn a thing or two from those who have been there, done that.  Participants were asked a variety of questions, ranging from "what is your favorite sports memory?" to "is excessive boasting on the playing field a problem and what can be done about it?"  A question an …

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PHOTO GALLERY: Run With The Law Supports Special Olympics

A rainy-day run with local middle schoolers and Glenview Police helps raise money for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Despite the rainy weather Wednesday afternoon, roughly 100 Attea and Springman Middle School students—along with teachers, administrators, parents and members of the Glenview Police Department—took part in "Run with the Law" to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.   The event, in addition to the Law Enforcement Torch Run on June 5, raises money for nearly 27,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities. Each participating student was required to raise at least fifty dollars to participate in the one-mile run at Gallery Park.  Special Olympics athlete and representative Meghan O'Connor, who has competed in swimming for 25 years, was on hand to offer her gratitude on behald of the organization.  Above, check out photos from the (very wet) …

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Patch Portrait

Patch Portrait: A Mother, A Survivor

This weeks Patch Portraits also features Morton Groves coffee superman and a 11-year-old social entrepreneur from Winnetka.

This week's Patch Portraits was produced and edited by Philip Downie, Sara Fay, Andrea Hart and Carrie Porter. Check back on Mondays for the next installment. Also showcased, Morton Grove's coffee superhero and a 11-year-old social entrepreneur from Winnetka. Having a baby is usually a life-changing event, but for Glenview resident Jennifer Reis, having her second child was slightly overshadowed by a diagnosis of Leukemia.   "I hadn't had a lot of experience [with cancer]," she said. "My family is fairly small and we didn't see a lot of cancer so it was shocking." Reis underwent chemotherapy and, with the support of friends and family, became committed to fight the disease. Her treatment ran into complications when she ignored a slight …

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PHOTO GALLERY: Youth Organization Celebrates at Annual Benefit Gala

Roughly 300 turned out to support the work of Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook.

Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook held it's Annual Benefit gala at the Hilton Northbrook Saturday night. Roughly 300 guests showed up to celebrate and raise money for the local organization. Guests took part in a silent auction, live auction, reverse auction, and a raffle, all raising funds for Youth Services. Larger ticket raffle items up for grabs included a Lake Geneva getaway, a $400 Catered by Design gift certificate, and a Hilton Chicago/Northbrook getaway. Second City Writer/Producer T.J. Shanoff and master illusionist Bob Higa were on hand to entertain the audience, but a special presentation by Youth Services' Girls Club reminded guests why they were there. Two of the girls took turns to tell guests what Youth Services' means …

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PHOTO GALLERY: Smirles Honorary Street Naming Ceremony Attracts Hundreds

Prairie Street will now also be known as Jim Smirles Way in honor of the former Village President.

Several hundred community members joined the family of former Village President Jim Smirles April 11 for the dedication of an honorary street sign in his memory.  Smirles, who was remembered by speakers as "Glenview's biggest booster" and "Glenview's elder statesman," served at different times as a Village President, Trustee, member of the Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Centennial Commisson. In his honor, Prairie Street  will now also hold the title of Jim Smirles Way.  Additionally, a plaque detailing Smirles' years of service and commitment to the community will be placed in a nearby park and unveiled by the Park District yesterday.  Speaking to the crowd, Bill Smirles, Jim's son, said his father's life revolved around his …

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Photo Gallery: Easter Egg Fun at Park Center

Local families hunt for eggs and enjoy a western-themed carnival Saturday, April 9.

An opportunity to run around and hunt for candy-filled eggs—Who could resist? More than 300 families and thousands of pastel-colored eggs were all part of the festivities at yesterday’s third annual Glenview Park District Easter Egg Hunt. Hosted at Park Center, hundreds of local little ones scooped up pastel-colored eggs by the dozens in baskets large and small. Post egg hunt, families enjoyed a western-themed festival complete with carnival games, face painting and crafts at the Park District’s indoor gym. Above, check out photos from the day’s festivities.

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PHOTO GALLERY: Election Day in Glenview

With only three contested races, turnout was sparse for local elections.

Above, check out images and resident reactions from (a very quiet) election day around town.

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Patch Portrait

Patch Portrait: A Love Affair With Writing

This week's portraits also features Highland Park's politician of the people and Winnetka's former tanning salon pioneer.

This week's Patch Portraits was produced and edited by Sara Fay, Phillip Downie, Jacob Nelson, Joanna Schneider and Allison Williams. Check back on Mondays for the next installment. Also showcased are Highland Park's politician of the people and Winnetka's former tanning salon pioneer. For Jackie Pilossoph, a perfect morning begins at 5 a.m. sitting at her kitchen table with coffee, the sunrise, and her computer. “Writing makes me feel great,” the local author shared with Patch. Pilossoph writing career runs the gamut. From broadcast to screenplays and novels (Hook, Line and Sink Him is her most recent), the mother of two calls writing her therapy. “I have some really good stories to tell,” she said. “If you write about what you know, it …

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