Historically, the Village of Romeoville has always benefited from its location. Romeoville is conveniently situated on the Des Plaines River. The area’s settlement was facilitated by the nearby construction of the I & M Canal. Today, Romeoville’s connection with I-55, I-355, Route 53 and Weber Road, one of the fastest-growing commercial corridors in Will County, has led to unprecedented growth.

Plans are underway for the development of a true community-oriented downtown, replete with new shops, restaurants, residences and a Village Community Center. Construction was recently completed on the International Ice Arena, home of the Huskies Hockey Club, and a Target, and other numerous surrounding high-end stores. The additions have served the current population but also accommodate the large influx of people moving to Romeoville.

The increasingly expanding Village of Romeoville may be building towards a brighter future, but it still holds its tried and true traditions close to heart. Lewis University is celebrating its 75th anniversary, and is consistently ranked as one of the best private universities in the Midwest. Creative entrepreneurs have taken their visions and turned them into successful realities. Romeoville’s many business parks house thriving companies that have spurred economic development in the village. Romeofest, the Village’s annual summer celebration, draws nearly 40,000 people each year from all over the area.

High-quality amenities, including outstanding healthcare and educational facilities, are accessible to Romeoville residents. Four excellent hospitals are provided to the community — Provena St. Joseph Medical Center, Silver Cross Hospital, Edward Hospital, and the up and coming Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital. Several first-rate school districts operate in the Romeoville area, offering education from pre-K to grade 12. Higher education facilities are also offered in and around the community, including Northeastern Illinois, Lewis University and

Joliet Junior College.

No progress is possible without collaboration and cooperation between the government, businesses, schools and concerned citizens. Romeoville’s success says a lot about the ability of all groups involved to work together for the common cause of lifting the village to where it deserves to be. So many committed people and strong organizations have contributed to the success of Romeoville, and the best is yet to come.

Romeoville has long enjoyed a convenient location, ever since its days as a stop on the I & M Canal.

Romeoville is bounded by nearby Interstates 55, 80 and 355, as well downtown Joliet and its network of neighborhood and arterial roads, giving it easy access to downtown Chicago and any number of suburban locations. Two Metra train lines run daily to nearby Joliet, as does the Pace bus service. The I & M Canal affords easy water travel, just as it has done for hundreds of years.

Romeoville is only 20 minutes from Midway Airport and 30 minutes from O’Hare International Airport. The Lewis University Airport has played an important role in the village’s history, and maintains a strong presence in the community. The Airport provides commercial, industrial, institutional and personal aviation services to Will County, and also serves as a general aviation reliever for O’Hare and Midway airports.

The Airport offers number of amenities, including aircraft storage, a pilot’s lounge and conference room, and for the general public, a helicopter shuttle service to and from Chicagoland Speedway, adding a convenient and efficient way of getting to and from one of the region’s most exciting racing attractions.

The Lewis University Airport, which since 1989 has been owned and operated by the Joliet Regional Port District, still maintains a strong relationship with the University. The University flight department leases space at the airport for its 30 or so airplanes, and members of both institutions frequently share input on curriculum and personnel recommendations.

Lewis’ Department of Aviation offers majors in Aviation Administration, Aviation Flight, Aviation Maintenance, Aviation Security and a M.S. in Aviation and Transportation.

Bringing serene inspiration of the outdoors inside does not mean tracking in dirty, slushy snow from a pair of winter boots! To beat the snowy gloom, add warmth by creating an inviting atmosphere of beautifully colored blossoms. Flowers invoke a bright and dramatic design element, incorporating a bit of the sunny alfresco feel of warmer seasons.

Flowers can be placed throughout a home to add interest to any room from the foyer to the bathroom. Not only to be used as a centerpiece or thrown in a vase, flowers can be placed anywhere and in many different types of containers.

A festive floral spray hung on a front door is inviting to guests and can set the mood for the rest of a home. Cheerful, colorful flowers placed in a decorative urn bring immediate life to an entryway. A dining table strewn with rose petals and small bouquets at each seat can make for a distinctive setting. In the living room, add a seasonal assembly to an uncommon location such as a windowsill, if space allows, or on a bookshelf to add flair to rows of volumes. Serving as personal havens, bedrooms need special attention. Flowers can add to the comfort and serenity of the room, with not only visual interest, but aroma as well.

A kitchen is often thought of as the hub of the home, where families and guests spend much of their time. Perk up this high-traffic spot using items such as wine glasses or bowls to as creative displays. In a bathroom, a petite spray placed in a simple jar on the sink enlivens the morning routine. Mary Ann Kantowski, co-owner of Daisy Den Florist in Romeoville says that the vibrancy of fresh-cut flowers can “add life to a room.”

Pairing different kinds of containers with other organic or household items can spice up an arrangement further. Grab an old watering can from the garage and throw in a casual bunch of daisies and greenery. A glass bottle

from the kitchen adorned with a ribbon or raffia serves as an informal vase. Bowls filled with floating buds work as a beautiful centerpiece or accent to a kitchen. Add floating candles or lemon and lime slices for enhancement. Inserting short-stemmed blooms can highlight china teapots. An attractive pitcher doesn’t need to be filled with iced tea, but loaded up with vibrant wildflowers and rustic branches.

Popular glass cubes offer a blank canvas for any or color of blossom. The clear base allows for the addition of items like assorted stones, colored glass marbles, the possibilities are endless. Carve out a gourd, pumpkin, melon, or other substantial fruit or vegetable for an unexpected presentation. Kantowski suggests that adding small seasonal accents can transform an everyday arrangement. “The fragrance and color offers more than just a plain table.”

While florists do a beautiful job and are able to customize orders using a multitude of containers, making an arrangement at home can be both economical and enjoyable. Be sure to choose colors that complement the space and become familiar with florist tools and materials to make the job easier. Caring for fresh cut flowers is simple, and if tended to in the right way, can yield a long shelf life. Kantowski advises re-cutting the stems of the flowers with a sharp knife and place them in lukewarm water, adding flower food to nourish.

Fresh flowers enhance both the beauty and fragrance of a home, but dried flowers can be just as handsome. Dried blossoms can be charming and cheerful, whether hung in small bouquets on a wooden rack or placed in a festive pot. Silk arrangements provide another option. Requiring less time and attention, silk flowers offer longevity and can be just as striking as their vibrant hydrated counterparts, according to Kantowski.

In winter, summer, spring or fall, freshly cut stems bloom forth to bring the outdoors in, breathing life into homes and into those who reside within.

Romeoville residents have always thought of Hampton Park Terrace, located at the intersection of Normantown Road and Route 53, as downtown, despite its lack of civic buildings, cultural icons and pedestrian appeal. When Richard Hitchcock of the Hitchcock Design Group was commissioned to create a mater plan for the area, he had to ask himself, “Can this area really be the center of community life in Romeoville?” After much careful research and planning, his answer was an emphatic “Yes!” eloquently detailed in the architect’s Downtown Master Plan.

The primary goal of the redevelopment is to make the downtown more pedestrian-friendly. The lynchpin of this effort will be the Village Square, a visually appealing, centrally located community gathering point. The prominent elements include a Grand Lawn, a water feature, plaza space and a pavilion. Extending and improving streets and sidewalks is also a must for increased connectivity and pedestrian access. On-street and off-street parking will be created for both casual browsers and shoppers on a mission. Modernizing the storm water system is also a vital area of focus for the planners. New storefronts and unique businesses will be installed to draw visitors from the more convenient Weber Road retailers. The Village is also heavily considering including a Community Center to promote cultural events at all times of the year and draw non-shoppers.

While much of the redevelopment will involve wholesale changes, the planners are also utilizing the area’s preexisting strengths. Residential neighborhoods surround the downtown, supplying a customer base within walking distance for potential businesses. High traffic counts on Route 53 will bring major automobile visibility to storefronts. The Master Plan notes that “businesses merely need to entice customers to stop, much easier than enticing them to drive to a less traveled location.” The Fountaindale Public Library and Robert C. Hill Elementary School also guarantee visitors to the area.

Like any undertaking of this magnitude, the infrastructure must be put in place first before major construction can

begin. Since the release of the master plan in late 2003, the city has been working out engineering issues, realigning streets and implementing an advanced water retention system. The lack of visible progress may seem frustrating, but Engels points out that before construction can begin on the landmarks, residences and business, the area has to be “turned inside out” to accommodate pedestrians, perhaps the most important demographic of the project.

Once completed, this radical restructuring of downtown will turn it into one of Romeoville’s most treasured spaces. However, the master plan notes that the project cannot be accomplished through “sprucing up a few streets. The key to the success of this plan is to create a classic public/private partnership that passionately, continuously and systematically improves every aspect of the downtown from its land uses to its infrastructure to its image.”

The puck glides across the smooth, frozen rink until swept away by a seeking blade. It is passed along from one blade to another, and another and finally…THWACK! The puck is hurled with driving force toward the goal. Closer and closer it sails across the frosty surface until victoriously flying right past the goalie’s reach - SCORE!

Skating on fresh ice, the Huskies Hockey Club settled into their new home at the International Ice Centre in Romeoville this fall. The move to this facility starts a new chapter in its 35-year history.

Until just a few months ago, the club offered only boys’ youth hockey programs, although girls were able to participate on the boys’ teams. Near-constant inquiries about the lacking representation of girls in hockey led to a decision to hold tryouts to initiate a girls’ youth program. Girls’ Head Coach Shawn Harmon was pleased at the turnout on September 1, 2006. Twenty girls now make up the team, with a few playing dual roster on boys’ teams.

The Huskies approached Erin Smith about taking on the position of Girls’ Hockey Director. “I jumped on board instantly.” Smith, toting over 25 years of experience in both women’s and men’s hockey, has not only been playing since her early childhood, but has held a number of coaching positions over the course of her career.

While girls’ hockey is new to the Huskies, girls and women have been playing hockey since as far back as the 1800s. However, it was not until the early 1900s that women’s hockey began to gain momentum. It was then that teams and leagues formed widely through Canada and in some parts of the Unites States.

World War II brought a decline in organized play and it was not until the 1960s that a revival in interest occurred. By the early 1990s the NCAA recognized women’s hockey as a sport. In 1998 women’s hockey found its way to

the Olympics in Japan.

Although Canada and the United States are the major players in the world of women’s hockey, international interest has helped to keep this sport thriving in about 30 countries.

The International Ice Centre is an ideal place for the members of the Huskies Hockey Club to sharpen their skills and master their game. Since its founding, the club’s mission has been to present hockey to children by providing them with a progressive program that matures as they do. The Huskies’ program accommodates a range of skill levels and works to find a niche that is right for each child.

Besides its convenient location right off I-55, Smith described the new facilities at the International Ice Centre as “fantastic.” Three fresh NHL-size rinks have plenty of room for loyal spectators. Two rinks seat up to 250 fans each and the third allows for 500. Twenty locker rooms, a 1,500-square-foot goalie and shooting training surface, and dry land/off-ice training spaces round out the amenities.

Smith noted that since the move, things have improved for the girls. Ice times at a more reasonable hour, more play time and better locker rooms make participation less difficult for them and may even draw more to play due to the added ease.

With hopes to expand the program and encompass all age groups, “we need to get more girls playing,” Smith said. She would like to not only help spur on the popularity of girls hockey with the Huskies, but would like to play a part in promoting girls’ hockey on the whole. Coach Harmon sees girls’ hockey as a sport on the rise and he hopes to see a larger program in the coming seasons.

Today, girls’ youth hockey is finding its way and gaining popularity. The Huskies are on the right track shooting towards the future, pioneering a girls’ team. With continued support and interest the program shows great promise, all pucks are in place for a winning goal.

Other outstanding recreational opportunities are provided at these Romeoville locations.

Brunswick Zone735 N. Center Blvd.Romeoville, IL 60446(630) 378-2695

Heritage Falls Water Park101 Troxel Ave.(815) 886-6263

Isle A La Cache Museum501 E. Romeo Rd.(815) 886-1467

Romeoville Recreation Department

900 W. Romeo Rd.Romeoville, IL 60446(815) 886-6222

The Village of Romeoville has an outstanding and active Recreation Department, which plans and organizes activities, sports, and a number of events and festivals throughout the year. The citizens of Romeoville celebrate themselves with seasonal fun for the whole family, from Easter Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, Halloween Fest to a Winter Wonderland. The annual Winter Wonderland offers a myriad of activities for the whole family. Pictures with Santa, live reindeer, story time, crafts and more, get the whole community into the holiday spirit.

The most popular event of the year is by far Romeoville’s renowned Romeofest. Each year, the village, working with a committee of residents, spends countless hours making painstaking preparations to bring five entertainment-packed days home to Romeoville.

Romeofest, an annual event, draws between 30,000 and 40,000 people. The fest offers a variety of games, music, food and fun, and consists of a main stage, family stage, carnival, a tantalizing array of vendors, sporting competitions and an unmistakable air of celebration.

Popular past events have included Romeoville Idol, clown shows, Radio Disney, an exciting musical lineup that covers every possible genre, such as tribute bands for both the Beatles and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The festivities then explode into the Festival Fireworks Finale.

The village offers a free shuttle service to and from the fest, with several pickup points around town.

For more information, contact the Romeoville Department of Recreation at (815) 886-6222.

Visitors to Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville come for a five-star golfing experience, and that’s exactly what they get. Beyond the club’s immaculate greens, inside the club’s unassuming fifty-seat restaurant lies the delightful surprise of world-class cooking. The culinary quality far surpasses that of the average sports bar, and this is due to the efforts of the man behind the grill, Executive Chef Jim Shamet.

After 22 years of experience, Shamet is a seasoned veteran of the cooking industry. He started at George Jewel Catering, where he was awarded a coveted Silver Plate award by the International Foodservice Management Association. From there, he moved to Georgis Catering, the number one aviation caterer in the world. After two years, he was named Executive Chef.

Shamet has cooked meals for some grade-A celebrities, including Princess Diana and Prince Charles, the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago Bears, Cardinal Joseph Bernadine, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Willis, Steven Spielberg and many more. He still looks back in awe at some of the things he has seen: “It wouldn’t be unusual for me to be cooking at someone’s house and notice ‘That looks like an original Picasso’ and have them respond with ‘That’s because it is.’”

As exciting as tickling the taste buds of some of the world’s most well-known people could be, at times the workload and hours were hard to manage. Surprisingly, professional athletes weren’t the clients with the biggest appetites. “One time I got a call in the middle of the night telling me that 20 Leer jets were getting ready to leave the Polo Ball [a benefit to raise money for landmine removal] and they were all hungry from their night out on the town,” said Shamet incredulously. “I had to gather my team and make custom gourmet meals for all of them before their planes left at 4 a.m…the job could be very unpredictable and stressful at times.”

After eight years in the pressure cooker that is aviation catering, Jim Shamet decided he wanted a job where he could work more normal hours and interact with the clientele. His employment at Mistwood was serendipitous: he happened to be golfing there when the owners recognized him. They asked if he could do some work for them training and advising the cooking staff. They were so impressed with his work after that that they offered him a full-time position as Executive Chef.

The once-struggling restaurant at Mistwood is now top-rated, and Jim Shamet couldn’t be happier. He may not get to rub elbows with the ultra-elite, but he does get to rub elbows: “In my old jobs, I was always stuck in someone’s kitchen or in my own. I never really got to talk to the clients. Now, I have plenty of time to mingle with the customers and really see how they liked the food. It’s instant gratification.”

Even though the restaurant primarily serves a less exotic menu of burgers and steaks, there is still room for experimentation. “Our second-most popular item isn’t even on the menu,” chuckles Shamet. “A lot of the regulars ask for the Chef’s Special, which is whatever I was able to put together that particular morning. It’s a chance for me to be creative.”

Shamet stumbled on his vocation by a fortuitous accident. He attended the University of Iowa to play football, but when a knee injury put him on the sidelines, he found solace in a gift from his mother. A “phenomenal cook,” she had given him some of her old cookbooks when he went off to school. Within two weeks, he discovered that cooking “was automatic.” Twenty-two years later, the Lisle native has now returned to his roots by sharing his gift with the Chicago suburbs.

Thanks to Jim Shamet’s cooking and new ownership, business is booming, and Mistwood Golf Club is moving forward on plans to build a brand new, larger restaurant, giving Shamet even more space and tools to work with. It appears that together, Shamet and Mistwood have found a recipe for success.

The house lights dim. Sounds of props moving across the floor emanate from a dark abyss. Spotlights highlighting the actors brighten the stage, and the audience sits captivated with anticipation of the tale that is about to unfold.

A unique story lies behind the walls of the Philip Lynch Theatre at Lewis University, which has provided a premier venue of the performing arts for over thirty years - it is housed inside an old aviation hangar on campus.

A dream to build the Philip Lynch Theatre began long before the onset of construction. Sir Tyrone Guthrie, an internationally recognized theatre designer and director, visited Lewis University in 1969. After seeing the hangar he knew it would be an ideal spot for a theatre similar in design to those often seen in Shakespearean days. A perfect space for this type of stage that thrusts into the audience, it pushes spectators right into the action, making them feel as though they are a part of the performance.

Opening its doors on February 19, 1976, this 242-seat theater was named after beloved speech and theater professor Brother Philip Lynch. Brother Philip passed away before the completion of the theatre, and because of his integral role in the vision and carrying out of this project, naming the theater after him proved to be a fitting tribute.

Five mainstage productions comprise the season’s lineup. Each summer promises a musical, and two performances are planned for each school semester. Ranging from contemporary to classic, from comedy to tragedy, each season’s productions are determined by the Lewis Theatre faculty. To provide pre-professional training for theater major students, the productions chosen are geared towards this purpose. This gives students ample opportunity to take on different characters and genres while preparing them for the theatre world outside

of the educational arena.

These are coveted roles! Not only offered to Lewis theatre majors, summer musical auditions are open to the general public. While Lewis students primarily make up each production’s cast, parts are also open to non-majors, faculty and staff.

The current season brought “Beauty and the Beast,” a Tony Award-winning musical; “All the Great Books,” a comedy poking fun at those famous literary classics all high school students seem to be required to read; “The Diary of Anne Frank,” telling the story of a young Jewish girl’s experiences during the Nazi regime in Germany; a tale of a mother and the women she met on a quest for closure after her son’s death in “The Women of Lockerbie;” and the popular love story, murder mystery “Red Herring” set in 1952.

With a subscriber base of more than 700, these mainstage performances prove what an asset the Philip Lynch Theater is to Romeoville and surrounding communities. According to Jo Slowik, Philip Lynch Theater Manager, subscribers consist of theatergoers who frequent the likes of the Goodman Theatre, Drury Lane and other professional venues, attesting to the caliber of performances to be found at the Philip Lynch. “Our production standards are very high,” commented Slowik. Besides guaranteed greatness, the location is ideal. For those who want to avoid the hassle of downtown Chicago traffic and parking, this suburban locale is a great alternative. The Philip Lynch Theatre is “a little diamond in the rough,” according to Slowik.

Upon graduation, alumni are eligible join the Heritage Theatre Company. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, the company formed as an outlet for alumni who wish to continue performing. The group puts on a variety of shows each year. Away from academia the Heritage members have more freedom to produce contemporary material that the Lewis University program does not always allow.

According to Slowik the three functions of theatre are to entertain, educate and engage. Theatre explores unfamiliar subjects and compels the audience “to use their imagination.” While the apparent purpose of performance art is to entertain, beneath the surface lies the deeper function of enlightenment.

When the Holy Name Technical School for Boys was founded in 1932, its entire enrollment was 15 young men. The school, a project of the Chicago Archdiocese, would not have even been possible without 160 acres of farmland donated by Michael and Frances Fitzpatrick and a generous donation of $100,000 from Chicago industrialist Frank J. Lewis. Early on, the institution became well-known for its aviation program and dedication to Catholic values. Today, the institution celebrates its 75th year of existence. Though the name and size, among other things, have changed many times over, Lewis University’s reputable programs and commitment to what they call “the interaction of knowledge and fidelity in the search for truth” has remained constant throughout the years.

During World War II, what was then known as the Lewis School of Aeronautics shut down its high school department and turned itself over to the U.S. Navy. By the early 1950s, the newly christened Lewis College of Science and Technology was offering baccalaureate degrees to both men and women.

The 1960s brought the institution accreditation, increased enrollment, campus expansion and the new name of Lewis College. In the 1970s, Lewis added a College of Continuing Education, a College of Business, and several graduate programs. Because of these changes, the school decided on the more appropriate moniker of Lewis University, the title that it currently holds today.

The 1980s and 1990s were a period of continued renovation and expansion. Highlights include the College of Nursing, additional graduate programs, the Harold E. White Aviation Center, the Student Recreation and Fitness Center, the Neil Carey Arena and North Hall. Today, the Lewis Flight Team is still nationally recognized, and the school continues to build on their success, adding new hangars to the aviation center.

This rich history was physically revisited in October when Kurt Schackmuth, a Lewis historian and Director of Mission and the First Year Experience, facilitated a Campus History Walk. Other anniversary celebrations included a special Homecoming held in June dedicating the new Time Plaza, the Alumni Golf Outing, a special 75th Anniversary Mass, and a film festival showing classics from the 1930s, the decade the school was founded.

Celebrations aside, the anniversary year has been an eventful one. Lewis University has shattered its enrollment record for the fourth year in a row, with an incoming class of over 600 students and a total student body of over 5,200. To accommodate this growth, the school opened Mother Theresa Hall, hot on the heels of opening Pope John Paul II Hall in the fall of 2005. Lewis now has 11 residence halls housing almost 1,000 students. In addition, the school opened Common Grounds, a 24-hour convenience store/coffee shop on campus. Critical accolades continued to pile up this year, as the University was highly ranked by both The Princeton Review and U.S. News and World Reports.

The American Chiropractic Association cites back pain as one of the most widespread ailments suffered by Americans. In fact, experts estimate that as much as 80 percent of the population will experience a back problem at some time, and nearly 31 million Americans experience low-back pain at any given time.

The most likely cause of chronic pain and discomfort is simply the persistent misuse of one’s body—incorrect posture, movements and habits that one has acquired over the span of his or her life.

However, an experienced physical therapist is able to recognize poor body mechanics at first sight. Nikki Rivera, P.T., O.C.S. with Newsome Physical Therapy in Romeoville, says, “I can immediately tell a lot about someone’s potential problems as soon as I see them moving. Even the way they get out of their car, walk, sit or stand up reveals a lot about their body mechanics.”

Rivera’s analysis begins by a mix of both normative and subjective tests. By observing a patient performing various activities—sitting, standing and walking—she may notice any limping, slouching, leaning or awkwardness, which are instant signs of poor postural awareness.

In addition to Rivera’s eye for elegance of motion, her analysis is aided by a number of normative tests. By comparing the patients’ measurements for range of motion, flexibility and strength to professional standards, she is able to separate the symptoms from their underlying causes, make a diagnosis and recommend treatment.

Most people, naturally, are satisfied when their pain is alleviated. Through stretching, massage, icing and heating, many of the symptoms may go away. But to actually prevent pain from recurring, patients must correct those underlying actions whose symptoms have become manifest.

“In physical therapy, we guide the patient through everyday movements like walking, sitting and standing, showing how each muscle group should ideally work together, in order to maintain balance, core stability and a minimum of stress,” she explains.

Much of the difficulty in rehabilitation lies in the struggle to appropriate new behaviors and ways of moving into everyday life. One must overcome those habits which had previously felt natural and correct and adopt kinesthetically proper movements.

Rivera gives some general advice for preventing back pain and bodily stress. “Obesity puts added strain on the body, and by remaining active, one’s muscles, joints and other systems stay healthy. One should consciously practice good posture. Also, wearing high-heeled shoes greatly contributes to unnatural posture.”

While most people are oblivious to the impractical and unhealthy ways in which they carry themselves physically, there are many experienced professionals in the Romeoville area that can show anyone the way to a more healthy, comfortable and pain free life.

For more health information, contact one of these Romeoville medical professionals.

Bolingbrook Medical Center400 Medical Center Dr.Bolingbrook, IL 60440(630) 226-8100

Brookville Medical Center485 S. Weber Rd., Unit GBolingbrook, IL 60440630-378-2000

Community Pediatrics2250 Weber Rd., Ste. 2Crest Hill, IL 60435815-744-1600

Dr. Karcavich's Office300 Read St.Lockport, IL 60441815-836-8656

Edward Hospital & Health Services801 S. Washington St.Naperville, IL 60540(630) 527-3000

Provena St. Joseph Medical Center333 N. Madison St.Joliet, IL 60435(815) 725-7133

The Wilco Area Career Center is celebrating 30 years of preparing students to succeed in specialized work fields. As technological advances change the way businesses of all sorts operated, Wilco has worked to keep its students competitive and up to date with these changes. In conjunction with many local Will County school districts, the center offers coursework in Advanced Industrial Technology, Automotives, Aviation, Cosmetology, Childcare, Computer Technology, Health Sciences, Construction, Criminal Justice, Culinary arts and many more. According to Executive Director Katrina Paddick, Wilco’s goal is to teach students to “communicate, problem solve, adapt to change, and most importantly, continue to learn new skills throughout their working life.”

For more information, visit http://www.wilco.k12.il.us or call (815) 838-6941.

Romeoville is a community characterized by involvement and social awareness, and there are many organizations, both nonprofit and commercial, committed to bringing citizens together to form a more cohesive and prosperous village.

The United Way of Will County, a local, community-based organization, annually raises funds to support the programs and services of 45 not-for-profit agencies throughout the county. United Way focuses on mobilizing volunteers throughout the area, in order to coordinate efforts that will improve the living conditions of all residents.

One of the 45 agencies throughout the country supported by The United Way of Will County is the Community Service Council. The Community Service Council provides numerous services to its surrounding communities including family and marital counseling, a domestic violence program, and counseling services regarding mortgage default, rental assistance, money management, and senior reverse mortgage.

Another community-based organization is the Sertoma Speech and Hearing Center. Sertoma provides both children and adults with a wide range of services, which include speech and hearing evaluations, treatments, and communicative tools. Sertoma offers its surrounding communities free hearing screenings for all adults, as well as free speech and language screenings for all adults and children over the age of three.

Individuals as well as corporations volunteer their time and money to the community, providing services such as daycare and healthcare services, home-delivered meals, physical and family therapy, beautification projects and more. Through the organizational efforts of United Way, volunteers and donors are able to make a difference in their community, building partnerships with local government, businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Many local businesses also share in the spirit of community togetherness, and make independent efforts to give back to the community.

Early in 2006, Melody Koonce-Hubbard began creating colorful beaded bracelets with her 12-year-old daughter. About a month into their bracelet making, Koonce-Hubbard felt moved to turn their ordinary fashion bracelets into prayer bracelets, serving as symbols of faith.

Besides its mission to encourage prayer, Biblical Prayer Bracelets, Inc. donates a portion of its proceeds to Highest Praise International Ministries and God Made Me Too, Inc. Each Saturday these non-profit ministries work together in an effort to teach children about faith and religion. Providing a fun way to learn, God Made Me Too presents biblical instruction in a kid-friendly format while Highest Praise International Ministries hosts Club Creativity teaching children through religiously-inspired arts and crafts projects.

A C E F G H M R T

AutomotiveCarpentry/WoodworkingChurchesEducationEmploymentEntertainmentFinancialGovernmentHealthMiscellaneousReal EstateRestaurantsRetail/ShoppingTravel

Automotive

Bennish Auto Wash and Oil ChangeJoe Bennish

1255 Normantown Rd.RomeovilleIL, 60446

815-293-4255815-293-4307

Automotive

All Tune and LubeGeorge P. Mars

32 E. Belmont Dr.RomeovilleIL, 60446

815-293-4612815-293-4614

Carpentry/Woodworking

Wise Old Owl WoodworksBen Mikutis

ElginIL, 60120

630-816-9017

Churches

Biblical Prayers Bracelets, Inc.Darryl Hubbard

429 B. Weber Rd., PMB #153RomeovilleIL, 60446

815-372-1504Fax: www.biblicalprayerbracelets.com

Churches

Bible Baptist ChurchLinda

301 Normantown Rd.RomeovilleIL, 60446

815-886-5618x207815-886-5423

Fax: www.bbcromeoville.org

Education

Joliet Junior CollegeJennifer Stoner

1125 W. Romeo Rd.RomeovilleIL, 60446

815-280-2672815-886-3000

Education

Fountaindale Public LibraryKaren T. Anderson

300 West Briarcliff Rd.Bolingbrook

IL, 60440630-759-2102630-759-6180

Fax: www.fountaindale.lib.il.us

Education

Valley View Public SchoolsRussell J. Fletcher

755 Luther Dr.RomeovilleIL, 60446

815-886-2700815-886-7294

Education

Des Plaines Valley Public Library DistrictDebra Chapp

121 East 8th St.LockportIL, 60441

815-838-0755815-838-9131

Fax: www.dpvlib.org

Education

Lewis UniversityMona LaMontague

One University PkwyRomeovilleIL, 60446

815-836-5587815-838-1267

Fax: www.lewisu.edu

Employment

Wilco Area Career CenterKatrina Paddick500 Wilco Blvd.

RomeovilleIL, 60446

815-838-6941815-838-1163

Fax: www.wilco.k12.il.us

Entertainment

Tri County SRASandy Olson

201 Normantown Rd.RomeovilleIL, 60446

815-407-1819815-407-1829

Fax: www.tricountysra.org

Entertainment

Lockport Township Park DistrictPamela Hutton

1911 S. Lawrence Ave.LockportIL, 60441

815-838-1183815-838-4974

Fax: www.lockportpark.org

Financial

ChaseRandall

50 Phelps Ave.RomeovilleIL, 60446

815-372-4000815-372-4011

Fax: www.chase.com

Financial

Argonne Credit UnionNicole Raabe

1350 W. Renwick Rd.RomeovilleIL, 60446

815-267-7700815-267-7703

Fax: www.argonnecu.org

Government

Village of RomeovilleDawn Caldwell13 Montrose Dr.

RomeovilleIL, 60446

815-886-7200815-293-0397

Health

Edward Hospital and Health ServicesSandy Benson / Jeri

801 South Washington St.NapervilleIL, 60540

630-527-3931630-627-3963

Fax: www.edward.org

Health

Provena Saint Joseph Medical CenterRich Matula

333 North Madison St.Joliet

IL, 60435815-725-7133815-741-7203

Health

Newsome Physical TherapyBrooke Long

467 North Weber PondRomeovilleIL, 60446

815-886-8771815-886-8772

Fax: www.newsomept.com

Health

Shriners Hospital for ChildrenElise Wachspress

2211 N. Oak Park Ave.Chicago

IL, 60707773-385-5420773-385-5453

Fax: www.shrinershospital.org

Health

Searcy Medical Solutions, Inc.Kenneth J. Searcy

606 Halsey Meadows Dr.RomeovilleIL, 60446

815-886-3279309-423-3087

Health

Bolingbrook Medical CenterRhonda Klocko400 Medical Dr.

BolingbrookIL, 60440

630-856-7550630-856-7560

Miscellaneous

The Pizzuti CompaniesNichole D. Hilliard

2001 Butterfield Rd.Downers Grove

IL, 60515630-981-3805630-981-3803

Miscellaneous

Worldwide Logistics, Inc.Dan LaValle

1213 Remington Blvd.RomeovilleIL, 60446

877-354-3600630-300-0562

Fax: www.myworldwide.com

Miscellaneous

Midwest GenerationRon

529 East 135th St.RomeovilleIL, 60446

815-886-1010815-886-4296

Miscellaneous

Westfalia SurgeBlanca Vargas

1354 Enterprise Dr.RomeovilleIL, 60446

630-759-7346630-759-9387

Fax: www.westfaliasurge.com

Miscellaneous

Panattoni Development CompanyJohn Pagliari

6250 N. River Rd., Ste 4050RosemontIL, 60018

847-292-4520847-292-4511

Real Estate

Coldwell Banker Honig-BellFrank Turk

950 Essington Rd.Joliet

IL, 60425815-729-6047815-744-1536

Real Estate

Real Properties Realty Group, Inc.Larry Madden or Pat Garcia

1550 Spring Rd., Ste 308OakbrookIL, 60523

708-921-7650630-279-3571

Real Estate

AngelusJudy Fraser

1800 Parmenter St., Ste 202MiddletonWI, 53562

920-915-1979608-824-0064

Real Estate

Eddie Arguelles Hot Properties (Keller Williams)Eddie Arguelles220 Coral Reef

RomeovilleIL, 60446

773-297-9240773-304-2831

Fax: www.eddiea.com

Real Estate

Sharon GriffinSharon Griffin235 Zinnia Dr.

RomeovilleIL, 60446

815-577-8884866-406-1573

Fax: www.theequitynetwork.com

Restaurants

Eggmans Restaurant and Omelette HouseTed Gatsios

345 Independence Blvd.RomeovilleIL, 60446

815-293-4041815-293-4043

Retail/Shopping

Daisy Den FloristMary Ann

213 West Romeo Rd. (135th St)RomeovilleIL, 60446

815-886-0419

Retail/Shopping

P.S. Nagel Inc., Willowtree AwardsPortia Nagel

749 N. Independence Blvd.RomeovilleIL, 60446

815-886-5788815-886-8504

Retail/Shopping

Unlimited TanEric Anderson

28 S. Weber RdRomeoville

IL, 60446815-372-8900815-806-8892

Fax: www.unlimitedtan.com

Retail/Shopping

WatkinsJohn Bratcher

717 YatesRomeovilleIL, 60446

815-886-9029Fax: www.watkinsonline.com/jbratcher

Retail/Shopping

American SaleRobert A. Jones III8401 W. 185th St.

Tinley ParkIL, 60476

708-633-7700708-633-7701

Travel

Springhill Suites by MarriottVicki L. Kroll

125 Remington Blvd.Bolingbrook

IL, 60440630-759-0529630-759-0530

Fax: www.marriott.com/CHIBL

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