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The Independent Newspapers
2 days ago
Fire Dept. holds ‘Wet Down’ ceremony, a tradition since the 1800sDedication of Engine 1 takes place at north fire stationBy Dee LongfellowFOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENTOn Tuesday, April 10, the Independent was invited to the north fire station to witness a ritual that dates back to the late 1800s. The long-standing tradition is called a “Wet Down” and is celebrated at fire stations throughout the United States. It serves to dedicate a new piece of fire equipment by anointing it with water sprayed by the firefighters and other members of the community.The history of the ceremony began when pumpers were horse-drawn. When new horses or pumpers were purchased, neighboring fire-houses, Department Chiefs and citizens from the area community came out to celebrate the new addition. Local clergy came to bestow blessings upon the horse by throwing holy water onto it to “protect” it and give it long life, strength, speed and good health. The blessings are believed to ward off evil spirit or “gremlins” that could affect the new addition to the firehouse.After a welcome from Elmhurst Fire Chief Thomas Freeman, Deputy Chief William Anaszewicz talked about the timeline of the ceremony. After that, Father Jason Stone offered a blessing and a prayer. Then the “wet down” began as the many firefighters in attendance each took a turn spraying down the engine. The ceremony concluded with all the firefighters working together to push the engine back into the garage where it belongs until duty calls. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed refreshments including a cake adorned with a photo of Engine 1. ... See MoreSee Less
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IC CCW names 2018 Woman of the YearPictured here flanked by CCW co-Presidents Jennifer Morrissey (left) and Gretchen Meurer is Maria Shannon (center), who is this year’s Woman of the Year from Immaculate Conception Parish. Maria has been involved with the food pantry, Easter baskets, Christmas Giving Tree gift sorting, helping with the Bishop Blanchette scholarship award, the cookie walk, the Council of Catholic Women luncheon, and Grace Café. All Women of the Year from parishes throughout the Joliet Diocese will be honored at a Mass in the Cathedral on Saturday, April 28. ... See MoreSee Less
Community CalendarPick of the Week – The event NOT to be missed…Sunday, April 22EHM presents the Real Red Baron WWI Flying AcesAt 2 p.m., the Elmhurst History Museum welcomes history professor Peter Fritzsche who will talk about Manfred von Richthofen and the WWI Aviators, the “Real” Red Baron of Snoopy fame. Held in the Education Center. Free to Heritage Foundation members, non-members, $5. Registration required. Call 630-530-6879 or elmhursthistory.org --------------------------Thursday, April 19 From 7 – 8:30 p.m., the Elmhurst Bicycle Club is sponsoring a Bicycle Safety Seminar at the Elmhurst Library, called the 2-Mile Initiative. Families are encouraged to take the quiz at BIKESAFETYQUIZ.com to see what should be focused on. Please register by calling the library at 630-279-8696. Not an Elmhurst library-sponsored event. Info: 630-204-8945.Friday, April 20 Saturday, April 21 Sunday, April 22Performing in its space at 232 S. York St., GreenMan Theatre Troupe will present Monstrous Regiment. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets: $17/adults, $15/students and seniors. Tickets and info: 630-464-2646, or greenmantheatre.orgSaturday, April 21 Sunday, April 22From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the basement meeting room at Elmhurst Fire Station No. 1, 404 N. York St., the York Radio Club is offering a training class to help participants pass the amateur radio license exam. At the end of the two-day session, volunteer examiners will administer the test required to obtain the FCC license. The class is free, but there is a $14 fee to take the exam. Info: yorkradioclub.com/training.Saturday, April 21From 8 a.m. to 12 noon, Boy Scout Troop 17 will hold its 7th annual 'Red, White and Blue Pancake Breakfast' at Christ United Methodist Church, 920 So. Swain Ave., across from Jackson Elementary School. Tickets, available at the door, are $8 adults, $6 for seniors, children 5-13. Children under 5 are free. Silent auction.Thursday, April 26• At 7 p.m. the League of Women Voters and the Elmhurst Cool Cities Coalition will host a program at the Elmhurst Public Library called Elmhurst H2O, Our Water Supply and Our Connection to Salt Creek. Free but space is limited. RSVP to ecoolcities@gmail.com or call 630-426-9789. Not an Elmhurst Public Library-sponsored event.• At 7 p.m. acclaimed author Devin Murphy visits Elmhurst Public Library to share his debut novel The Boat Runner. There will be Q&A and book signing after the presentation. Copies of The Boat Runner will be available for purchase. Register online at elmlib.org/author., in person, or call (630) 279-8696.Friday, April 27Saturday, April 28 Sunday, April 29Performing in its space at 232 S. York St., GreenMan Theatre Troupe will present Mon-strous Regiment. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets: $17/adults, $15/students and seniors. Tickets and info: 630-464-2646, or greenmantheatre.orgFriday, April 27 Saturday, April 28 Sunday, April 29 Elmhurst Children’s Theatre is currently in rehearsals to perform Fiddler on the Roof, at Sandburg Middle School, 345 E. St. Charles Road. Curtain times are Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 & 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 and sold at the door. Saturday, April 28From 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Elmhurst College is hosting its annual Recycling Extravaganza in the Alexander Street parking lot on the campus of the College. To facilitate traffic flow, vehicles must enter at Prospect Avenue and Walter Street. For a complete list of acceptable items, visit elmhurst.edu/sustainability. The Elmhurst Police Department will hold a prescription drug take-back event at the Recycling Extravaganza.Sunday, April 29Beginning with a kick-off reception at 11 a.m., the Elmhurst Junior Women’s Club and Wangler Builders is hosting the 14th annual Kitchen Expedition. Start at Wangler Builders at 138 W. Park to enjoy refreshments, then head out to visit seven homes. Tickets $35 before Apr. 1; $40 after. Tickets may be purchased at elmhurst-juniors.org.Wednesday, May 2. From 5-7 p.m., the City of Elmhurst will host an open house to present the draft “Elmhurst Subarea Plans,” available for review and comment at City Hall. City staff and the consultant team from Houseal Lavigne Asso-ciates will be available for questions or comments. Free and open to the public.Saturday, May 5At 7:00 p.m., at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, located at 149 W. Brush Hill Rd., the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra wraps up its season in concert with “European Romance,” featuring Baird Dodge, principal second violin with the Chicago Symphony and Aditi Prakash, the Stanger Young Artist competition winner. Behind the Music Stand, led by Dr. Ted Hatmaker takes place at 5:45 p.m. prior to the concert. Tickets are $35 for adults, $32 for seniors, and $12 for students. Tickets and info, elmhurstsymphony.org or call 630-941-0202.Saturday, May 5 Sunday, May 6 From 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Elmhurst’s 22nd Annual Art in Wilder Park presented by Brewpoint Coffee will feature more than 125 artists and their original creations. Including kids activities, entertainment stage featuring School of Rock and Broken Halos, food court. Wilder Mansion will be open for coffee, pastries, boxed lunch-es for sale 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Info: rglmarketing-forthearts.com.Ongoing programs:• A support group for family caregivers of older adults meets the second and fourth Thursdays of every month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Elmhurst Public Library’s second floor study room. (Not an Elmhurst Library program.) Info: (630) 833-9665.• Widows or Widowers (WOW) meet every third Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 537 S. York Road. WOW lends support and provides social activities for those who have lost a spouse. Admission: $5 per person includes live entertainment. Info: Dave at 630-620-4060 or visit WOW.cfsites.org.• The Elmhurst American Legion, T.H.B. Post No. 187, hosts a fish fry every Friday night from 6-8:30 p.m. New York steaks are available first Friday of the month. Musical entertainment follows. Karaoke on the second Friday of each month. Bingo on Wednesdays, starting with Early Birds at 6:45 p.m. Info: 630-833-7800• TOPS—Take Off Pounds Sensibly—meets on Friday mornings at Grace Lutheran Church 950 S. York Road, Bensenville. Weigh-in at 9:30 a.m., meeting from 10-11 a.m. Info: email Millie at johnreiter@sbcglobal.net ... See MoreSee Less
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