southtownstar.suntimes.com

New amenities take the rough out of roughing it

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:55:19 -0500

Those of you who wiggle out of family camping trips by claiming you’re just not into roughing it will have to find another excuse. A range of camping options and innovations have made it far more comfortable to eat, sleep and otherwise spend time in the Great Outdoors.

Charity briefs for May 29

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:20:01 -0500

Vendors sought: The Will County Union of King’s Daughters and Sons is seeking high-quality vendors for the Silver Crossings Craft Fair, to be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 3 in the Silver Cross Hospital Pavilion A, 1870 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Cost is $75 for booth space and an 8-foot table. Vendors are asked to stay the full hours of the fair and to donate a door prize for a raffle. To be considered as an exhibitor, call (815) 729-1264 or email sanla16@aol.com to receive an application, which is due by May 30. Proceeds from the …

Heartfelt mission: Chicago teen helps children cope with loss

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:18:01 -0500

When it comes to volunteer work, Bryan Radtke did not choose the easy path. Radtke talks to youngsters about the deaths of loved ones — particularly the passing of a youngster’s father. When he does, he is speaking from the heart. Radtke, of Chicago’s Southwest Side, volunteers for Heart Connection, a grief counseling program at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park. Through Heart Connection, the 18-year-old learned how to cope with the loss of his brother-in-law, so he now tries to help first- through third-graders through their grief. Radtke’s brother-in-law, Pat Pitcher, lost his battle with brain cancer …

Vickroy: Friends plan Momma Henry’s Trek across U.S.

Thu, 24 May 2012 02:15:26 -0500

Brothers David and Johnathon will honor their mother, Antonia “Momma” Henry, who died in November after a yearlong battle with lymphoma, by biking across the United States to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The Eisenhower High School grads will make a stop at the Blue Island school where Momma Henry worked as a parent liaison.

Your Pets for May 24, 2012

Thu, 24 May 2012 05:13:21 -0500

We want your pet photos. Whether it’s you with your dog, cat, bird, fish or lizard, please email a jpeg photo with your name, your pet’s name and hometown to Jason Freeman at jfreeman@southtownstar.com with “Your Pets” in the subject line.

Stay-At-Home Dad: ‘Coach Ludwig’ big on being a cheerleader

Fri, 25 May 2012 14:32:28 -0500

As coach of the miniature version of the White Sox, he makes up for in praise what he lacks in basic baseball skills.

Campus for May 24, 2012

Thu, 24 May 2012 04:05:07 -0500

Here is a look at what some Southland students are accomplishing in college, including news from Orland Park, Beecher, New Lenox, Lansing, Calumet City, Burbank and Chicago.

Use spirits to up the flavor in foods

Thu, 24 May 2012 02:17:21 -0500

Wine and its kin aren’t the only fluids fit to enhance a dish. A little hooch — whisky, rum, gin, tequila — go a long way to brightening up a variety of plates.

Reunions for May 24, 2012

Thu, 24 May 2012 04:05:12 -0500

Here is a look at reunions in the Southland.

Switch to music proved to be sound decision for H-F teacher

Thu, 24 May 2012 02:16:19 -0500

If Michael Rogers had allowed the conventional wisdom of his generation to rule his thinking as a young man, he would have followed a considerably different career path. “I didn’t intend to go into music in college. I was in the Sputnik generation,” Rogers said, referring to the era of the “space race” that began with the Soviet Union sending a satellite into orbit. “We were all going to be in math or science.” But Rogers gave it a second thought when the director of the music education department at Cornell College in Ohio asked him if math was what …

What’s Going On for May 24, 2012

Thu, 24 May 2012 04:05:07 -0500

Here’s a look at What’s Going On in the Southland including in Chicago Heights, Worth, Evergreen Park, Orland Hills, Richton Park, Chicago and Oak Lawn.

To Your Health: No such thing as a safe tan

Wed, 23 May 2012 05:16:56 -0500

The main reason people get skin cancer — especially melanoma — is too much sun exposure. Whether it is getting a bad sunburn at a young age, too much sun while running shirtless or playing golf, the sun is the primary cause for melanoma. Of course, it’s a bit more complicated than that. We need to consider skin type — pale, freckles, fair skin — the number of moles on your body — over 50 being a risk factor — and even the color of your eyes and hair. These all contribute to your chances of developing melanoma in the …

Pets o’ the Week for May 24, 2012

Thu, 24 May 2012 05:12:17 -0500

The Thursday Neighborhood Star prints adoptable pets. Area shelters should send photos, pet descriptions, shelter hours, address and contact information to Jason Freeman at jfreeman@southtownstar.com with “Pets o’ the Week” in the subject line.

Evergreen Park teen enjoys colorful high school career

Mon, 21 May 2012 02:11:24 -0500

Mary Kate Ogorzalek knew for a while that once she got to Evergreen Park High School, color guard would be among the activities she wanted to join. What she didn’t know was whether it would happen. “Auditioning was very scary. I thought I had done horrible,” she said. “I didn’t think I got on it, but when I made it, I was so happy.” Now a senior, Ogorzalek knows that after she graduates this month, someone will fill her shoes. She has encouraged others to do just that, just as she was encouraged. Ogorzalek was in band and color guard …

Stay-At-Home Dad: The family that prays together

Sun, 20 May 2012 02:23:36 -0500

As a teen, church was boring, but as a dad it’s become an essential part of the weekend.

Health Briefs for May 23, 2012

Wed, 23 May 2012 05:12:01 -0500

Here is a look at health news in the Southland.