All-American Boy is Minooka's Student of the Month

Nick Mason has been named as the Channahon-Minooka Rotary Club's Student of the Month for May.

Academics, athletics and community-service minded. Minooka Community High School's Nick Mason is described as an All-American Boy in a post on the school's website announcing him as the Channahon-Minooka Rotary Club Student of the Month for May. Mason, the son of Jim and Kellie Mason of Channahon, compiled a 3.6 grade-point average, according to the MCHS post. He was a member of the Minooka boys varsity volleyball team and the Indian Athletic Leadership Club. He also is active outside of school as a volunteer with his church youth group, according to the MCHS website. He has plans to attend Illinois State University—but is undecided at this point on his major.

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Be Inspired by People Doing Great Things in the Community

Take a look through Shorewood's Greatest People section, and you'll find stories about people who give much of themselves for others. These features will reaffirm your faith in your neighbors and fellow people.

Channahon's Fisher Family to Appear on TV Game Show

The Fisher Family of Channahon will face off against the Adams Family of Atlanta in a May 21 airing of the Family Feud on WPWR (Channel 50).

As soon as Venus Fisher found out comedian Steve Harvey was going to be hosting TV's Family Feud, she started watching the popular game show. Soon, Fisher was addicted, shouting answers out at the television set in her living room in Channahon. Her husband, Roger, played along, too. "He'd blurt out something and I'd say, 'Honey, don't give the other family the answer,' " Fisher said. "He'd say, 'You know they can't hear us, right dear?' " Later, Venus and Roger Fisher took their obession for playing the game in their living room to the next level. They applied—and were selected—to audition for a spot on the show at the Rosemont Convention Center. And, eventually, the Fisher Family was selected to play what is billed as "America's favorite …

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Coldwater: Traffic Cop with a Motor for Community Police Work

Friends and colleagues describe Shorewood Police Officer of the Year John Coldwater as a high-energy guy who is driven to succeed on the job and at home with his wife and two boys.

Huband, soccer dad, go-getter. John Coldwater is so much more than a traffic officer with the Shorewood Police Department. He makes it his job to educate young parents on the importance of properly installing child seats in their vehicles. He reads to kindergarteners in the Troy School District. He hands out glow-in-the-dark necklaces to young teens on Halloween. And he helps shape the image of the local police department by organizing events such as the recent weight loss competition between a handful of Shorewood officers. Coldwater shed 29 pounds and was crowned “The Biggest Loser.” Really, he is a winner in every sense of the word, the definition of what community police work is all about. “John’s work ethic makes him a terrific cop,” …

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Grin & Bear It: Offerman Reads Famous Celebrity Tweets

Why not start your day with a smile? Minooka's native son—Nick Offerman—has some fun here reading famous female celebrity tweets.

This never gets old. Minooka's Nick Offerman, who will play Ron Swanson in the two-hour finale special of TV's Parks and Recreation at 7 p.m. Thursday (May 16) on NBC, puts down his chain saw and reads Tweets from famous female celebrities. And he does it in a way Offerman fans have come to know and love—with a dry sense of humor—during a recent appearance on Conan.

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Flood Victims Receive Aid from Shorewood HUGS

Non-profit women's group donates money to extend hotel and motel stays for victims of recent flooding in the area.

When the recent floods left some families temporarily homeless, Shorewood HUGS was there to help. Molly Babyak, a spokesperson for the non-profit women's organization, said Shorewood HUGS received wish requests through its "HUGS and Wishes" program and was able to assist 10 families devasted by flooding in Morris. She said HUGS donations enabled these families to extend their stays in hotels and motels for four additional nights while efforts were under way to salvage their homes and belongings. Do you know someone in need of a wish? Write to Shorewood HUGS, 954 Brook Forest Ave., #100, Shorewood, IL 60404 or reach out through the HUGS website.  

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Shorewood Officials Planning Memorial Day Celebration

The Towne Center fountain will be turned on and fireworks will be launched to mark the completion of Shorewood's Veteran's Memorial Park on Monday, May 27.

A children's parade is planned. Then, there will be a dedication and wreath-laying ceremony. A bicentennial pops orchestra will play. Then, they'll flip the switch on the fountain at the Veteran's Memorial site near the entrance to Shorewood's Towne Center and launch fireworks. And, at long last, a project that Shorewood mayor Rick Chapman personally has worked to oversee for two years will be in the books thanks, in part, to donations from local residents and business leaders. Chapman and Rev. G.A. Klima—father of Shorewood police chief Aaron Klima—will speak during a Memorial Day celebration to mark the occasion on Monday, May 27, said Village of Shorewood executive assistant Toni Dulny. She said the program will begin at 7:30 p.m. …

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Shorewood Police Score Birdie in Fight Against Child Sex Abuse

Proceeds from the Shorewood Police Department's annual charity golf outing were donated to the Will County Children's Advocacy Center.

A little fun and relaxtion. A lot of goodwill. The Shorewood Police Department picked the Will County Children's Advocacy Center as one of the beneficiaries during its annual charity golf outing. And officers scored another birdie recently when they presented a check to State's Attorney James Glasgow. Commander Eric Allen and Officer Paul Hulbert turned over a $2,000 contribution to Glasgow, according to a news release issued by the state's attorney's office. The money will be earmarked to assist in the fight against child sexual abuse. Glasgow serves as the chairman of the Will County Children's Advocacy Center's board. "We are grateful to the Shorewood Police Department for choosing the Will County Children's Advocacy Center as a …

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Minooka Journalism Team Wins State Championship

Minooka Community High School's Journalism Team edged Huntley to bring home the big prize in the IHSA State Championships at Eastern Illinois University.

In the case of journalism at Minooka Community High School, next in line has a tough act to follow. How's that? Well, consider the MCHS Journalism Team won the IHSA Journalism State Championship on Friday, April 26, at Eastern Illinois University, according to a post on the MCHS website. Minooka edged runner-up Huntley 26-25 in scoring at that event. And, consider that Minooka had more students earn all-state honors than ever before, according to the MCHS website. The team is composed of members of the school newspaper—the Peace Pipe Chatter—and the school yearbook—the M-DI-AN. MCHS posted the following individual state results on its website: Also competing at state for the Indians were Brennan Pagel, junior, in Broadcast News Writing; …

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