Music of the 1970s to be featured during performance at St. Charles Public Library

by dap | Jan 10, 2025 | Chicago Tribune

The St. Charles Public Library will continue its Sunday Concert Series with a performance of music from the 1970s at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, at the library, 1 S. Sixth Ave. in St. Charles.

Vocalist Gavin Coyle, flutist Carlyn Lloyd and pianist Jon Warfel will perform the music of James Taylor, Seals and Crofts, Chicago, Elton John and many others at the free concert, library officials said.

For more information, go to scpld.org or call 630-584-0076.

Applications being accepted for Marmion Christmas Craft Show

The Marmion Alumni Association is accepting applications for next fall’s 34th annual Christmas Craft Show.

The event is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, in the Regole Field House and Alumni Hall at Marmion Academy, 1000 Butterfield Road in Aurora.

Last year’s show featured 240 crafters and vendors and welcomed over 4,000 customers, event organizers said. To apply for the 2025 show, go to www.marmion.org/crafter.

Two Books Between Bites programs set

The noontime book program Books Between Bites at the Batavia Public Library will offer two programs in January.

Batavian Karl Bruhn will share his research on Thursday, Jan. 16, about “Unique Structures of Fabyan Forest Preserve and their Fascinating Stories.”

Organizers said a second, bonus Books Between Bites program has been added on Thursday, Jan. 30, to introduce the new children’s book “The Wolf Song In Me” with author Marnie O. Mamminga and illustrator Marcy C. Parks.

Both programs will run from noon to 1 p.m. in the Founders Room at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. The public is invited to attend the free programs, and reservations are not required.

People are invited to bring their lunch and eat as they enjoy the program and discussion, library officials said. Lunch items, beverages and baked goods may be purchased at Flyleaf Bakery Cafe, located just inside the library and next to the meeting room.

For more information about Books Between Bites, go to booksbetweenbites.com.

Blessing bags program begins in Plano

As the new year begins, the First Lutheran Church of Plano Caring Committee and Sunday School has embarked on a new campaign called Blessing Bags for the Homeless, according to a press release from the church.

Blessing bags are a tangible way to hand out basic supplies like toiletries, water and snacks to people in need when an opportunity arises, according to the release. The goal is to assemble 100 bags and give them back to community members to keep in their vehicle to distribute.

Volunteers plan to begin assembling the bags on Valentine’s Day weekend. Donations for the bags may be dropped off at First Lutheran Church at 200 N. Center St. in Plano, where there is a 24/7 accessible bin inside the doors located on the Clark Street entrance of the church, officials said.

Items being sought include toothbrushes, small containers of toothpaste, travel-size soap and shampoo, Chapstick, facial tissues and wipes, mints, cracker packs, socks and magic gloves.

Monetary donations are also accepted to purchase $5 gift cards, church officials said.

For questions or to schedule a pickup of donations, contact Kathy Benoit at 630-816-3366.

The campaign is sponsored by the church and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Action Teams, according to the release.

Ugaste to host coffee event

State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, will host a constituent coffee event from 8 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at Luau Coffee at 40W450 Route 64 in Campton Hills.

Attendees can learn about issues facing the 65th District and all of Illinois while having a cup of coffee, according to a press release about the event. Ugaste will be available to answer questions and discuss issues with constituents during the session, the release said.

For more information, contact Ugaste’s office at 630-797-5530 or go to repugaste.com.

Former Cub Sammy Sosa to sign autographs at restaurant

Former Chicago Cubs star Sammy Sosa will be meeting fans and signing autographs for a fee from noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at Old Republic Kitchen + Bar, 359 S. Randall Road, Elgin.

Patrons will receive 10% off their restaurant/bar tab with any autograph purchase, according to Old Republic’s website.

Tickets are available through Top Shelf Sports Cards. The fee for autographs ranges from $99 to $149, depending on the photo or item signed, according to the business’ website. For tickets, go to topshelfsportscards.com/sammy-sosa-appearance-signing.

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Warren’s Royce Lopez learns from setbacks. Now he eyes the top prize. ‘I’m going for that state championship.’

by dap | Jan 10, 2025 | Chicago Tribune

Warren junior Royce Lopez is already a two-time state qualifier, no small achievement for a wrestler after just two postseasons.

But on a team full of standouts, most notably defending state champions Caleb Noble and Aaron Stewart, Lopez wants more.

“I’m going for that state championship this year,” he said. “I have to keep putting in the work — one hour before practice every day.

“I have the perfect training partner in Aaron. We go at it every single day. I’ve been focusing on the basics, like setups, and have to keep on driving and pushing myself and my team.”

Lopez said it isn’t hard to find motivation. He has never beaten Stewart, who won the Class 3A state title at 157 pounds as a sophomore last season.

“Me and Aaron have been wrestling since I was 7,” Lopez said. “Every single day, I’d get my butt whipped. I wanted to quit and wanted to cry, but my dad told me not to quit and the hard work would pay off.

“Aaron is tough as a rock. He’s gotten stronger, but he’s a good partner. Having him in the room is definitely a positive and a blessing in disguise. He’s one of the best wrestlers in the country.”

Lopez (18-5), a team captain, is making strides too. Coming off a successful season as a starting outside linebacker for the football team, which reached the Class 8A quarterfinals, Lopez won the 165-pound weight class in the Neuqua Valley Scuffle, was the runner-up at Hinsdale Central’s 58th annual Rex Whitlach Invitational and placed seventh at the prestigious Cheesehead Invitational in Wisconsin last weekend.

“At any other school, he would be one of the best wrestlers or athletes on the team,” Warren coach Brad Janecek said. “He has state pedigree. He entered the season ranked second, so that speaks a lot to his hard work.”

“I think he realized it would take a bit more work in order to do something special down at state. He’s accomplished that work in the offseason through football and wrestling.”

Stewart, who rushed for 2,465 yards and 34 touchdowns and was named to the Class 8A all-state team during football season, agreed that Lopez is on the right track.

“He has built up a lot more confidence, starting out the season ranked top three, and the difference is noticeable,” Stewart said. “Being his partner, I know he’s prepared to win state this year. Royce is one of the hardest workers in the room, and we push each other to our limits.

“He makes sure that everyone is doing the most they physically can while also doing what he needs to do to get better.”

Warren senior Anthony Soto, a state qualifier at 215 pounds last season, said the biggest change in Lopez is his drive.

“Royce has improved from last year due to his relentlessness,” Soto said. “He’s always had confidence, but this year he’s not scared or nervous to step on the mat and will do what he has to do to get the win. He’s always pushing himself and others around him to be better versions of themselves.”

Lopez’s free time is limited, but he said he draws to help clear his mind.

“I do a lot of free drawing,” he said. “I draw NFL players, just objects. It calms me and levels my head, allows me to get away from football, wrestling and school. It’s more me time.”

It will be postseason time again soon. Lopez said he learned from his two losses at state last season, when he finished with a 29-9 record.

“I got caught at state in my first match in silly positions that cost me,” he said. “I was definitely dealing with a roller coaster of emotions, especially coming off two losses that I knew I should have won. I learned to keep my head in it.”

Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.

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