Shepard High School band wins competition
Band director Ken George couldn’t have done any better in the first competition he headed up for Alan B. Shepard High School in Palos Heights.
The Marching Astros were named grand champion at the Pontiac Indian Showdown marching band competition earlier this month.
During the competition, marching bands perform choreographed shows with both musicians and a color guard, which uses flags, rifles, sabres and dance to enhance the visual elements of the show.
George, who is a graduate of Shepard, took over from mentor Chris Pitilik in the fall. “I’m so proud of our kids,” he said.
Inaugural OAKtoberfest comes to Flossmoor
Explore the wonders of nature at OAKtoberfest, a new event helping mark the village’s centennial, set for Sept. 28 and designed for people of all ages.
Take a guided walk to discover the local ecosystem’s tree canopy and native flowers from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Flossmoor Park, Brassie Avenue and Flossmoor Road. Experts from the Chicago Region Trees Initiative, Possibility Place Nursery, Thorn Creek Audubon Society, Homewood-Flossmoor Park District and the University of Illinois Extension will present interactive workshops and demonstrations.
Children can climb rocks or enjoy crafts, a bubble performer and face painting. The Homewood Science Center sponsors a native plant sale and activity, and a nature storytime is planned by the Flossmoor Public Library.
Later in the day, attendees can cut loose at the OAKtoberfest Music Festival from 4 to 9 p.m. in the South Commuter Lot, south of Flossmoor Road at Sterling Avenue. DJ Lady Red spins tunes and Butterfield Creek and Ring of Music will perform. Food trucks and local vendors will sell goodies, including Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery.
Information is at www.flossmoor.org.
Cub Scout pancake breakfast set in Palos Heights
Enjoy flapjacks and other breakfast goodies from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 29 in the Life Center at the back of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7800 W. McCarthy Road, Palos Heights.
Tickets cost $10 and will be sold at the door. Proceeds benefit cub Scout Pack 3729, which is chartered by Good Shepherd. Learn about the pack by emailing Packmaster Matt Gierman at Giergman.Matt@gmail.com or visit JoinScouting.com.
‘Murder on the Orient Express’ comes to Chicago Heights
The Drama Group presents Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 6, 12, and 13 at the Milford Studio Theatre, 330 W. 202nd St., Chicago Heights.
Doors open 30 minutes before performances. Tickets cost $19 for students, $23 for seniors and military personnel and $25 for adults, plus a small fee.
The murder mystery thriller features a cast of 14 from throughout Chicago’s south suburbs and Northwest Indiana, as well as 17 production staff members, led by director MaryEllen Fawk. In the show, set in winter 1934, Detective Hercule Poirot discovers a web of motives for murder amongst wealthy travelers on the opulent Orient Express. Everyone becomes a suspect after an American business mogul is found stabbed to death in a locked compartment.
Buy tickets online at the Drama Group website via https://dg.booktix.com or by calling the box office at 708-755-3444.
Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force
Throughout 2024, the state Underground Railroad Task Force has been meeting to develop a set of recommendations on how the State of Illinois should permanently commemorate and support work on the journeys of freedom seekers and the sites of the underground railroad.
Larry McClellan and State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin are the two members of the task force from northern Illinois. McClellan and two other academics will present the draft recommendations and related historical material in a panel discussion Oct. 3 and 4 at the annual Illinois History Conference in Springfield.
Oak Forest Lutheran Church plans Fall Festival
Get an early start on holiday shopping with one-of-a-kind handcrafted goods and other items from crafters and vendors during Fall Fest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 5 at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 15050 Central Ave., Oak Forest.
A baked goods table provides plenty of treats for sale, and fans of pierogi can participate in the homemade pierogi flash sale. Those who are hungry can enjoy food and snacks from the Kozy Kitchen. Food-related vendors include freeze-dried candy.
Fall and Christmas decorations will be sold, as well as candles, hand-knitted items, wood crafts, jewelry, holiday gifts and others. Admission is free. Information is at 708-687-2170.
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