Drivin' the Dixie reverses course but continues traditions

By Eric Crump on June 10, 2019 - 9:46pm

The 18th annual Drivin' the Dixie motor tour on Saturday, June 15, will defy gravity, after a fashion, by swimming upstream. The celebration of the historic Dixie Highway has always started in Blue Island and followed a route south to Momence. This year, for the first time, the tour will start in Momence and travel north to Blue Island.

H-F grad recalls journey to appearance on TV’s ‘The Voice'

By Danielle Maya Banks on June 10, 2019 - 1:22pm

On stage, Janelle Butler goes by Oliv Blu. The name is based on a decision that, like most of her artistic identity, can be tied directly to the life experiences that have shaped her. “When she was a baby, Janelle used to beat box,” said Dana Butler, mother of the H-F graduate, who was a recent contestant on NBC’s “The Voice.”

Scenes from day two of the Artisan Street Fair

By Eric Crump on June 9, 2019 - 9:07pm
  • The yoga begins before the fair opens as Liz Smith leads vendors in stretching exercises.
  • Two youngsters enjoy sno-cones at the Artisan Street Fair.
  • Sawyer Horcher, right, paints a heart on Alice Stone's cheek.
  • Morgan Wren Lawrence creates a work of art on Annie Lawrence's arm.
  • Liz Smith leads a session of yoga for kids.
  • Butterfield Creek opens the fair on Saturday morning.
  • Jackson Symowicz builds a tower in the play area for young children.
  • Fair curators Dodi Wians, middle, and Lisa Komorowski deliver water to vendors.
  • Dodi Wians provides a vendor with a cold bottle of water during the heat of the day.
  • Matt Wright and Marc Alan Fishman of Unshaven Comics sign copies of their work.
  • Sam Calhoun, left, and Alexandria Reese of TiMELeSS perform Saturday afternoon.
  • Preslee and Cristiano Anaya of Homewood dance to the music of TiMELeSS.
  • Holly Kelsven announces the ingredients for this year's Cocktail Chemistry Challenge, a benefit in July for the Homewood Science Center.
  • Liz Smith leads a pop-up yoga session in the intersection of Hickory Road and Martin Avenue.
  • The Artisan Street Fair vibe is captured by the message on two chairs in front of the Say Cheese food truck: relax, chill.
  • Scott Sliwinski, left, and Ed Borger enjoy the music and fine summer evening at the Artisan Street Fair.
  • Work in Progress performs the last set of the fair prior to the after party.
  • Not My Dad provides the energy for the fair's after party.
  • Not My Dad's music gets the youngsters moving.

The second day of Homewood's Artisan Street Fair on Saturday, June 8, saw more fair weather and big crowds as area residents enjoyed live music, food and a wide range of art and hand-crafted goods. 

The day was also marked by periodic bursts of yoga, from a stretch session for vendors before the fair opened to a session for kids and a pop-up session early in the afternoon. 

The Homewood Science Center announced the required ingredients for its Cocktail Chemistry Challenge in July. 

Photos by Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle.

Churchill administrators sent to the roof by students

By Marilyn Thomas on June 9, 2019 - 11:40am
This school year ended with three Churchill School administrators spending Monday, June 3, on the school roof playing catch with students.
 
The strange sight was the culmination of a kindness challenge during May. When the 675 students surpassed the 3,000-point kindness target, Principal Nikki Kerr and Assistant Principals Mary Kay Gardiner and Alison Lincoln came through and spent the day on the roof.

Flossmoor police investigate vehicle break-ins

By Chronicle staff on June 8, 2019 - 8:24am

Flossmoor police are investigating a number of vehicle break-ins that occurred between 10 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, and 5 a.m. on Friday, June 7.

The break-ins were reported in the area of Braeburn and Brassie avenues.
 
According to reports, 14 vehicles were targeted, including three that had damage to windows. 

Nine of the 13 vehicles had been left unlocked.
 

Scenes from day one of the Artisan Street Fair

By Eric Crump on June 7, 2019 - 11:18pm
  • One-man band MG Bailey had kids up and dancing during the first musical set.
  • MG Bailey took the lead-off position in the fair's musical lineup.
  • One of MG Bailey's guitars gets a rest.
  • Hickory Road looking east. Near the intersection of Hickory and Dixie Highway is a section of food vendors providing sweets, including cookies, pastries and other treats.
  • Carlton McDowell jams during The McDowell Brothers set of blues and jazz.
  • Peyton McDowell announces the next song.
  • Mike Miller of Flossmoor has his distinctive art on display at the Artisan Street Fair.
  • Independence Park on the southwest corner of Hickory Road and Dixie Highway has space for kids to create their own art.
  • Fun with bubbles.
  • Ellen Kane and Joyce Riley of Village Artists in Homewood.
  • Glass art.
  • Friends and neighbors gather to listen to the music.
  • Funk band Nasty Snack concludes the day's music.

The Artisan Street Fair filled Martin Avenue and Hickory Road in downtown Homewood with artisan vendors, food vendors, live music and a bigger early crowd than usual.

Homewood Events Manager Allisa Opyd said a number of factors contributed to the event's success, from fine summer weather to the number and quality of the vendors. 

The fair continues Saturday from 10 to 6 p.m., followed by an after party until 9 p.m. with music by Not My Dad.

Photos by Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle

Related story:

Public Art Commission seeks submissions for 'Flags of Flossmoor'

By Provided News on June 7, 2019 - 8:53pm

The Flossmoor Public Art Commission is seeking artists and photographers to submit digital images of original artwork to be printed on outdoor flags. The printed flags will be on display on lampposts lining the streets of downtown Flossmoor throughout the summer and available for public auction culminating at Flossmoor Fest on Sept. 7. 


 

Willow School students cruise to first grade

By Marilyn Thomas on June 6, 2019 - 9:35pm
  • A few rain drops couldn't stop the parade as kindergarteners showed off their handiwork to parents and supporters.
  • Odina Muodeme holds up the key for his box car. Kindergarteners each made a key for their car that was equipped with a steering wheel, odometer and side mirror.
  • After an outdoor parade, kindergarteners brought their Box Car Parade indoors to show off their handiwork to fellow Willow School students.
  • Kindergartener Toni Richardson chose a bright purple for her car in the Box Car Parade.
  • Giles Hardison chose white for his spiffy racer designed for the annual Box Car Parade at Willow School.
  • With both hands on the steering wheel, Bennie Cole drove his car through the Willow School playground area on Tuesday, June 4.
  • Emergency vehicles led the parade, driven by school nurse Gail Straney, from left, principal Melissa Lawson and assistant principal Nancy Wood.
Beep! Beep! Box Car Parade coming through at Willow School! The kindergarteners stayed in their lane and obeyed the speed limit as they brought their super duper roadsters out for a spin on the grounds of the school Tuesday.
 

Why blackface carries the weight of history

By Eric Crump on June 5, 2019 - 9:54pm

Viewpoint: 

The commentary below represents the ideas, observations and opinions of the author.

One common theme in the community reaction to the recent blackface incident — four Homewood-Flossmoor High School students who posted a video online of themselves in blackface — was that this is a teachable moment. It sure is.

One thing I’m learning is why blackface is so offensive. 

 

New arts organization's gallery opens Thursday

By Eric Crump on June 5, 2019 - 9:39pm

The Homewood Arts Council is planning the Thursday grand opening of its art gallery at 2023 Ridge Road from 6 to 10 p.m. For local art lovers, it will be a prelude to Homewood's Artisan Street Fair, which begins on Friday.

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