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New sculpture on the way to Highlands Park after Flossmoor approves honorarium

A new sculpture soon will be joining Flossmoor’s outdoor Rotational Sculpture Program.

The Flossmoor Village Board voted unanimously Tuesday, Sept. 7, to pay an honorarium of $3,000 for “Reaching for the Sky,” by Hilde DeBruyne. The sculpture is to be placed at Highlands Park near the intersection of Lawrence Crescent and Harolds Crescent for three years, after which it is to be returned to the artist, who was born in Belgium but now resides in Iowa.

Her work is described as “abstract and organic” and “reflecting the circle of life,” according to a report by Assistant Village Manager Allison Matson.

The village board also voted 5-0 to approve an intergovernmental agreement with the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District that allows Flossmoor to place the sculpture in the park for the duration of the loan. In the event that renovations related to the flood mitigation project for Heather Hill impact the selected spot at Highlands Park, Flossmoor would have to remove the sculpture, according to the agreement, but Matson noted they do not think that scenario is likely.

The park district approved its end of the agreement on Aug. 17. Village Attorney Kathleen Orr reviewed and gave a nod of approval to the agreement, according to Matson’s report. Both parties approved a similar agreement for the two sculptures featured in Ballantrae Park.

Matson noted $3,000 is typical of the honorarium provided to artists for sculptures loaned to the rotational program.

Flossmoor is to work with the park district on scheduling the installation.

Mayor honors longtime postal worker with resolution

Mayor Michelle Nelson read a resolution Sept. 7 to honor Pat Jefferson, who worked for 15 years as a clerk at the Flossmoor Post Office. Jefferson is transferring to the Harvey Post Office for a similar position.

Nelson’s resolution noted Jefferson has an “enormous capacity for hard work and a friendly disposition,” has shown a “genuine love” for Flossmoor, and earned the respect of civic leaders and other residents. Jefferson was thanked for her contributions to the community.

“When I posted about Pat’s retirement, there were hundreds of comments across many social media channels,” Nelson said. “Pat will be dearly missed by the village.”

Mayor Michelle Nelson reads a resolution honoring Pat Jefferson, who served as a clerk for the Flossmoor Post Office for 15 years. (Photo supplied by Village of Flossmoor)
Mayor makes Community Relations Commission appointment

Nelson appointed Flossmoor resident Sandra Hatcher-Holmes to the village’s Community Relations Commission. The village board voted unanimously to approve the appointment.

Hatcher-Holmes, a resident of Flossmoor since 1999, has been active in the community, including serving as secretary for the Flossmoor Hills/Highlands Civic Association, Nelson said. She also works with seniors at Sunrise of Flossmoor.

“She is a wonderful resident, and I am proud and pleased to nominate her to this committee,” Nelson said.

Trustee Mitros pays tribute to Perry Hoag, who resigned from board last month
Following the resignation last month of longtime Trustee Perry Hoag, Trustee James Mitros said a few words near the end of the meeting about his service.

“He had served over a quarter of a century on this board,” Mitros said of Hoag. “That’s pretty remarkable, I think.

“He always did it with the prosperity of Flossmoor and its citizens in mind. He never wavered from that. He was always thoughtful, knowledgeable and pointed in the direction of improving things. …. We’ll miss him, and my hat’s off to Perry Hoag.”

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