This is the Good News Sunday, a compilation of some of the more cheerful and inspiring stories recently published by the Daily Herald:
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker visited Walter R. Sundling Junior High School in the Palatinate on Tuesday to personally congratulate students and staff on their nomination to the National Blue Ribbon School.
The school is one of 18 in the state – and one of 325 nationwide – to be nominated for the honor Cardona compared to winning an Academy Award.
“The whole Sundling family should be proud,” Cardona said during a press conference outside the school.
Other Blue Ribbon 2021 winners include Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Prince of Peace School in Lake Villa, Maple School in Northbrook, Butler Junior High in Oak Brook, Hinsdale Central High in Hinsdale, Westmont High in Westmont and Lincoln Middle in Park Ridge.
For the full story click here.
How Make-A-Wish fulfilled the dreams of a reptile-loving 10-year-old
When Mazie Leonard, 10, from Antioch met a friend's bearded dragon, it aroused such interest that she wrote a book about it.
Her curiosity about reptiles only grew as she learned more, and soon she was caring for her own bearded dragon, a salamander, and other small reptiles.
Thanks to Make-A-Wish, Mazie now has a gorgeous new room to hang out with friends, both reptiles and humans.
Make-A-Wish Illinois recently made dreams come true for Mazie Leonard, 10, from Antioch, who loves reptiles.
– Courtesy Make-A-Wish Illinois
Mazie was diagnosed with a life-threatening autoimmune disease about five years ago, often has severe joint pain, and needed surgery to improve her mobility. Mazie's medical team has linked her to Make-A-Wish.
Mazie's family wasn't at all surprised when they shared their request for a room makeover so they could study more reptiles and happily arranged some space in the house to accommodate their vision.
On her desired day, Mazie was brought to her home by a fire truck on a street lined with cheering supporters. Mazie was overwhelmed with joy the first time she saw the room.
For the full story click here.
Arlington Heights Library Makerplace Opens: “Something No Other Library Has”
Arlington Heights resident Miel Johnson said she could see an immediate, albeit horror-themed, benefit from the Arlington Heights Memorial Library's new Makerplace: the ability to create a chainsaw hand for a Halloween costume for her son, the shortly before the 13th.
“We'll have the tools to do this,” she said.
Sam Johnson and his mother Miel Johnson of Arlington Heights enjoy an afternoon at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library's new Makerplace.
– Steve Zalusky | Employee photographer
Johnson and her family were among the guests who attended the September 19 opening and saw the new facility at 112 N. Belmont Ave. visited, on the former site of the village's first independent library, which was built in 1952.
They encountered a playground with the latest technology with rooms that offered not only 3D printers, laser cutters and forming machines but also sewing machines and a kitchen with a standard stove and double oven, blast chiller, refrigerator, mixer and dishwasher.
While other libraries have makerspaces, the Makerplace is something special, said Mike Driskell, executive director of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, of the $ 1.4 million project.
“It's incredible to have a room – an 8,000-square-foot makerspace,” Driskell told the crowd outside for the dedication. “What we have is something that no other library in this country has.”
According to the library, the room and most of the equipment will be available to visitors from all communities.
For the full story click here.
Glen Ellyn Couple pledges $ 100,000 in “green” donations to DuPage forest reserves
A Glen Ellyn couple pledged $ 100,000 to support renewable energy efforts in the DuPage County's Forest Preserve District.
Ann Boisclair and Jeffrey Jens were honored by forest protection officials during a ceremony on September 18 at the Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn. This property received a $ 25,000 donation from the couple in 2020 for installing solar panels.
“We have been worried about global warming for years and have finally started doing something,” Jens said in an interview before the ceremony. “We have been lucky in our lives and want to share our happiness with those who want to bring more solar energy to the world.”
The $ 100,000 donation goes to a solar power project in the fleet management building in Blackwell Forest Preserve on Mack Road in West Chicago.
“It will be the district's most ambitious solar project yet,” said Daniel Hebreard, president of the DuPage Forest Preserve district. “It will be of great benefit to the DuPage County's environment and taxpayers as it helps us manage long-term operating costs.”
For the full story click here.
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