Good afternoon, Antioch!
Spring is right around the corner! The weather keeps getting slightly better (except for today’s flurries…), spring training baseball games started today, and I see the Antioch Dairy Queen has updated their sign with information about their season-opening, coming up on March 1st! Additionally, village staff is getting set to announce the line-up for this summer’s It’s Thursday summer concert series, including information about the highly anticipated kick-off concert! Look for details to be announced on February 29th, as part of the village’s birthday celebration (Antioch will be 132 years old!)
Expect a big crown in downtown Antioch tomorrow! I’m excited to welcome 250+ people downtown for the first-ever Village of Antioch Hot Chocolate Walk! Unfortunately, the event is sold out, however, I am pretty certain this will become an annual family event! Thank you to the sponsors for helping make this happen – including Nestle, who donated all of the hot chocolate! Also, thank you to the staff and volunteers who are making this happen.
Tomorrow morning, the Antioch Traveling Closet, NFP will be holding a giveaway of clothing, toiletries, and essential items for families in need, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at their new location at 311 Depot Street. Please note, this event is only for residents of Antioch, Lake Villa, and Lindenhurst (IDs will be required to show residency). Thank you to Lisa Fisher and all her volunteers for everything you do. More information: https://antiochtravelingcloset.org
Tomorrow afternoon I’ll be going up against Lake Villa Mayor Jim McDonald in a bowling tournament benefiting the Lake Villa VFW at Antioch Lanes. The Lake Villa VFW Bowling Fundraiser is tomorrow starting a 1 p.m. I hear there are a few lanes still available if you’re interested in bowling, otherwise, I encourage you to stop by and participate in the raffles and silent auctions! Plus, the VFW will be hosting a food drive. If you bring six or more canned food items, you’ll be entered into a raffle for an Igloo cooler! For more information, visit the Lake Villa VFW Facebook page, at: https://www.facebook.com/vfwauxiliary4308
There’s one more week to go for this year’s Lake County February Flavor Festival, hosted by Visit Lake County. This is a great excuse to come out and support our great local restaurant community! The Village of Antioch has seven participating restaurants in this year’s event; Casa Ruiz, Johnny’s Snack Shop, Lovin Oven Cakery, Oliverii North, Station 51 Truck Company Bar & Grill, The Rivalry Alehouse, and Vigneto del Bino Winery. For more information, visit: https://www.visitlakecounty.org/Flavor-Festival-Listings
Parents – make plans now for Spring Break! Enrollment is going on now for the Antioch Parks Department Spring Break Camp. Just as the Parks Department did with the Winter Break Camp, the sessions are guaranteed to take place without worry of low enrollment cancelations. That means parents don’t have to worry about finding alternative things do to at the last minute. Spring Break Camp is for children in grades K – 7th and will run from March 25 – March 29, 2024. Camp is $42 per child per day. Register today: https://secure.rec1.com/IL/village-of-antioch/catalog/index/66a879c23ab2ce5fd76ba2a7b1913a45?filter=c2VhcmNoPXNwcmluZyUyMGJyZWFr&fbclid=IwAR3tAtsahJPgx_7I_X4vYjcmxN1GcsPV_jD4srJLiNdMCGCr5a8iE0CCAx8
Registration is still open for next month’s inaugural Shamrock Shuffle 5k family fun run/walk. The Shamrock Shuffle run/walk will take place on Saturday, March 16th, at the Tim Osmond Sports Complex. The run/walk will be followed by music, food, and family-friendly events! For more information, visit https://fb.me/e/3tpXPZqLD
You might have noticed some new signs popping up in the windows of vacant storefronts in town. Our village’s business development team has been working with landlords to help recruit new businesses to our community. As part of this push to attract new business, the village is offering property owners assistance in finding new tenants, including providing these great looking window signs. Any property owner in town who would like to work with the village on attracting new tenants should contact the Village of Antioch Business Development Manager, Mark Sural at 847-395-1000 x1322 or msural@antioch.il.gov
District 34 has a lot to celebrate this week! Earlier this week, Hillcrest Elementary kindergarten teacher Tammy Dati was named a 2024 finalist for the prestigious Golden Apple award! Then, the Lake County Regional Office of Education named seven members of the D34 staff as nominees for Educator of the Year awards! Congratulations, Rachael Walshire, 1st Grade Teacher at W.C. Petty Elementary School, Tonya Mitchell, Instructional Coach at Antioch Upper Grade School, Jennifer Freeland-Wieder, Early Childhood Special Education Teacher at MKM Early Learning Center, Emily Hellman, School Psychologist at Hillcrest Elementary School, Josef Dabrowski, Special Education Teacher at Antioch Upper Grade School, Debbie Sorby, Head Secretary at Oakland Elementary School, and Jodi Lax, Assistant Principal at Antioch Upper Grade School. Congratulations and good luck to all!
In other D34 news, it was exciting to see the unveiling this week of the District 34 Military Wall of Honor. At a dedication ceremony at Antioch Upper Grade School, 32 District 34 graduates who have or are currently serving in the military, were recognized with a space on the Wall of Honor. What a great way to honor those from Antioch who have dedicated themselves to serving our nation. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.
On Saturday, March 2nd Sequoit Pride will host its annual Fundraising event from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Lehmann Mansion in Lake Villa. The Main Event is an annual dinner auction fundraiser that raises money to fund unbudgeted opportunities for ACHS students. The Main Event is the largest fundraiser produced by the Sequoit Pride booster club. Tickets includes dinner, DJ, dancing, and silent/live auction. Purchase tickets in advance at the pre-sale price is $50/person. Tickets sold after Feb 28th and at the door are $60/person. To purchase tickets, visit: https://sequoit-pride-boosters.square.site/main-event
Scott J. Gartner
#antiochil #antiochmayorsupdate
Upcoming Village Events:
February 25, 2024, 12 Noon – 3 p.m. – 2024 Village of Antioch Hot Chocolate Walk
March 10, 2024 – 2024 Village of Antioch Mother/Son Bowling
March 16, 2024, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. – 2024 Village of Antioch Shamrock Shuffle 5k family run/walk
March 28, 2024, 8 p.m. – 2024 Village of Antioch Flashlight Egg Hunt
March 30, 2024, 10:30 a.m. – 2024 Easter Parade – Downtown Antioch
