Will County News

Historically, agriculture has been a big industry in Will County. Dotting the Will County landscape are several corn cribs, such as this crib in front of the new Dollar Tree Distribution Site in Joliet: Ear corn is placed in the crib, and the slats between the boards allow air to circulate and dry the corn.   Corn that is harvested by combine is dried by an  electric dryer  before being stored in bins. Here is a picture of a farmer getting ready to get corn out of a crib: Here's a video of the corn removal, it's pretty shaky, but gives an idea of the process:

Veterans who served in conflicts ranging from World War II through the current Iraq War will participate in the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery’s Memorial Day Observance at 11:30 on Monday, May 25 th at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. “Lincoln’s Legacy” is the theme of this year’s ceremony, featuring aerial flyovers, musical performance and military re-enactments. The 2009 Veterans Administration Lincoln Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit will commemorate the 200 th birth anniversary of America’s 16 th president Abraham Lincoln. The exhibit will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday (May 21) through Wednesday, May 27 at the Public Information Center. Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Daniel W. Grant is the keynote speaker. The annual event will feature a musical prelude by the Joliet American Legion Band , beginning at 11 a.m. For more information, contact Roseann Santore or Lynne Phelan at 815-423-9958.

Hundreds of attendees enjoyed a variety of exhibits by local groups at the Earth Day Event at Dellwood Park sponsored by  Citizens Against Ruining the Environment . Here are some photos of the event (you can click on the pictures for a larger view):

E NVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS is the goal of the Earth Day event Sunday, May 17 at historic Dellwood Park in Lockport. Organized by Citizens Against Ruining the Environment (CARE) , the event will feature over 80 exhibitors, recycling, speakers, entertainment and fun! People should bring things to recycle, Ellen Rendulich of Care said. "I'm telling people to bring shoes--old and new; bicycles--old and new; electronics, and eyeglasses, she said. "It's a fun educational event for all ages--and it's all related to health or the environment," she said. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. and cotinues until 4 p.m. Dellwood Park is at Route 171 and Woods Drive in Lockport. For more information, visit: www.willcountycare.org

BRAIDWOOD-- The Braidwood American Legion Koca Post 39 will present the traditional Memorial Day service beginning at 9 a.m., on Memorial Day. Speakers include U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson , Illinois State Rep. Careen Gordon , and Mayor Sue Grygiel. Commander Jim Canup said the service will begin with members marching from the post to the Reed Township Veteran Memorial across the street from City Hall. Everyone is invited to attend the service, he said. The Reed-Custer Band and Chorus will present the National Anthem, God Bless the U.S.A, and God Bless America. "A medley of service songs will recognize each branch of service," Canup said. Dignitaries will lay a wreath to honor the war dead, and all veterans.

Friends of Offerman School has formed to restore the historic one-room school in JOLIET TOWNSHIP. Former graduates recalled the early days of the school during an open house hosted just before the school was sold to CenterPoint Properties. They recalled helping the teacher, Mrs. Winifred Barra, keep the school in order. Most recalled how much fun they had skating on a frozen field at recess, and remembered how much they learned from each other. CenterPoint agreed to community requests to save the school. It is now on wheels, waiting an appropriate home. Students from Offerman School were consolidated into Laraway School , a new school just east of Offerman on Laraway Road. The Friends of Offerman School visualize a restored school house where today's generation of students will experience an earlier time in American history first hand.