Wednesday, June 10, 2009

COUNTRYSIDE GIVES TO COOK FUND

The Countryside City Council made a unanimous decision at its June 10 regular meeting to make a $500 donation to the fund established last month to benefit the surviving family members of Cari Cook, who was killed by a motorist May 19 as she crossed 47th Street in La Grange while pushing a baby stroller.

Donations can be made by check payable to the Cook Family Fund, P.O. Box 217, Worth, IL 60482-0217.

Proceeds will be used to cover educational, child care, medical expenses, or any other costs related to the needs of the children.

Four-month-old Connor Cook, who was in a chest baby carrier before she was struck, suffered a broken leg. Two-year-old Ellie Cook was unhurt. She was in the stroller when her mother tried to lift it onto a curb across from a mismatched sidewalk at 8th Avenue.

On a related note, some of the same parents who attended a June 2 Village Board workshop to give input on recommended safety changes along 47th, roads with which it intersects, nearby sidewalks and other streets (see The News) are starting up a citizens action group to monitor progress of village and state officials in the matter.

The organization, being formed by Jackie Clifton and Kathy Wolf, was scheduled to meet this week to set up short- and long-term objectives.

For further information on becoming active, contact Clifton at (708) 354-1983 or Wolf at (708) 579-1927.

Monday, June 8, 2009

La Grange Pointe Senior Fair a Success


Over 150 people attended LaGrange Pointe’s Senior Fair, held as part of the 16th Annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day on May 27.

More than 25 vendors provided information on health, finance and nutrition, and performed blood pressure and vision screenings. In addition, visitors attended presentations from a variety of senior health, finance and living experts including Greg Kite, a 12-year NBA player and member of the 1984 and 1986 NBA Championship Boston Celtics, who spoke about retirement investing.

“The Senior Fair is part of our initiative to provide ongoing educational and enrichment programs for our residents and the public,” said Linda Kunicki, leasing and marketing director for LaGrange Pointe, a new boutique senior living community located in the heart of downtown La Grange. “We wanted to give community members a relaxed atmosphere to seek out information about active and healthy senior lifestyles.”

The LaGrange Pointe Senior Fair was offered as a free event, but participants were encouraged to donate non-perishable food items for St. Francis Xavier Church’s food pantry located in La Grange. Attendees’ contributions totaled more than 15 boxes of non-perishable food and paper goods, plus cash donations.

“We were overwhelmed by the positive response,” Kunicki added. “Food pantries are struggling. People think about donating only around Thanksgiving and Christmas, but they need contributions all year round. We are happy our community could help.”

LaGrange Pointe has additional programming planned for June and throughout the summer to continue its education and enrichment initiatives.

On Wednesday June 17, LaGrange Pointe will host author Randalynn Kaye, for her presentation “Retirement Living 101”. The program will discuss the terminology used in the senior housing industry, compare housing options, evaluate risks and benefits and help attendees understand various financial options.

Free presentations will be held at 11:00 a.m., followed by lunch, and at 5:30 p.m. with appetizers to be followed by the presentation. Seating is limited. Please RSVP to Linda Kunicki 708-354-7600.

LaGrange Pointe is located at 51 E. Cossitt Avenue in La Grange, Illinois. For more information on LaGrange Pointe and upcoming events visit www.lagrangepointe.com.

Friday, June 5, 2009

EXERCISE AND MONEY MANAGEMENT

Physical and financial fitness will be discussed at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 13, at Complete Rehabilitation, 507 S. La Grange Road, La Grange.

Dr. Michael Pinckney will be joined by Keith Hill of Edward Jones.

Light refreshments will be served.

Reservations can be made at (708) 354-1250.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

VILLAGE BOARD CANCELS MEETING

The Village Board meeting scheduled for Monday, June 8 has been cancelled. The next regular meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 22 in the Village Hall Auditorium.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

COSSITT KIDS CELEBRATE VILLAGE BIRTHDAY

Although he was not the first landowner within what eventually became the corporate boundaries of La Grange, one Franklin Dwight Cossitt is considered the founder of the village -- having laid out the community from a tract of land he bought from pioneer farmer Robert Leitch once dubbed "Kensington Heights" sometime after 1870.

To commemorate the founding of La Grange, sixth-grade students at Cossitt Elementary School
were scheduled to host members of the La Grange Area Historical Society at a 130th birthday party in the school's multipurpose room at 10 a.m Wednesday, June 3.

Candles on a cake will be blown out by a direct descendant of Cossitt, who will also give an historical presentation about Cossitt.

Interestingly enough, a home on the southeast corner of Peck and Ogden is still comprised of two rooms that were part of the original Leitch farmhouse. The structure was the homestead for Leitch, his wife Mary and their eight children, on a 440-acre farm he first purchased in 1845.