Page 977 – The Lansing Journal

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September 13, 2017

The Lansing Journal: serving Lansing’s diverse community

New partnership launches The Lansing Journal to meet local needs

LANSING, Ill. (September 13, 2017) – “We have reduced coverage in Illinois significantly,” said a managing editor from the Northwest Indiana Times in a March 2017 email. “Due to resources and limited space in print, [we’re] keeping stories generally to larger issues.” This email might be considered the triggering event behind the launch of The Lansing Journal.

“We have so much going on in our community,” says Lansing native Melanie Jongsma. “And I know people are interested in this news, even though the larger papers aren’t able to cover it. I wanted to find a way to meet that need.” She teamed up with fellow Lansingite Matthew J. Splant, a business efficiencies expert, who immediately set up a website and online subscription service. When Arlo Kallemeyn, owner and publisher of The Shopper, offered to transform the Lansing edition of his paper into a print version of The Lansing Journal, the project picked up speed. The three began discussing a business partnership, which was formalized in August.

“This will be an exciting change for my advertisers who have been so used to the weekly Shopper,” says Kallemeyn. “The Shopper has been serving South Holland and surrounding communities for more than 60 years, ever since my father started it. But we’re flexible enough to make some changes in order to keep serving the community.”

Local inspiration

The success of the Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle (hfchronicle.com) served as an inspiration for The Lansing Journal. Started in June 2014 as a hobby by journalist and Homewood resident Eric Crump, the H-F Chronicle has grown into a real newspaper with a team of experienced local journalists led by Marilyn Thomas, Tom Houlihan, and Patty Houlihan.

A conversation between Crump, Jongsma, and Lansing resident Ashlee De Wit brought more structure to the concept of a Lansing news source. De Wit’s experience with a small-town newspaper in Iowa, and Jongsma’s years of writing news releases for a variety of businesses—combined with their personal commitment to the Lansing community—were necessary elements in generating regular, accurate content.

The past and the present

Splant and Jongsma originally had plans to name their paper the Lansing Chronicle, in homage to the Homewood paper that inspired the venture. But in order to prevent confusion and confirm each paper’s distinct identity, a different name was needed. Looking through old issues of the original 1930s Lansing Journal online, the two recognized an opportunity to honor Lansing’s past by resurrecting the old name. The Lansing Journal will feature occasional articles and ads from the past, providing a unique context for present content.

Township support

When Thornton Township Director of Communications Ernst Lamothe Jr. met with the partners, he was impressed with the potential benefits a solid community newspaper could offer. After sharing the concept with Thornton Township Supervisor Frank Zuccarelli, Lamothe committed to providing regular content from his office.

Local talent

The Lansing Journal is also hoping to attract and develop local writing talent. “We will provide guidance as to our values and philosophy of journalism,” says Jongsma, “and we’re willing to train younger writers. Every writer gets a byline, so we want to make sure every story is one that someone is proud to put his or her name on.”

The Journal is hoping to cover high school sports, art, and theater, and has reached out to both Illiana and TF South to explore the possibility of somehow partnering with their journalism classes. Logistics of those partnerships will take time and experimentation to figure out, but all parties see the potential value and are willing to work out the details.

Diverse representation

Jongsma wants to do more than pay lip service to the diverse demographic make-up of her village. “We want to let people know,” she says, “that The Lansing Journal is a newspaper for all of Lansing. Not only do we want to cover diverse stories in Lansing, we actually want diverse people to participate with us in providing news, photos, and story ideas. We are eager to keep learning and exploring new ways of gathering and sharing information, so Lansing residents can have the newspaper our community deserves.”

Meeting a need

Lansing has not had its own local newspaper since the original 1930s Lansing Journal transitioned to become The Sun, The Sun Journal, and eventually the Daily Calumet in 1983. Regional papers such as the Southtown Economist, the Daily Southtown, and the Southtown Star have all claimed to provide coverage of Chicago’s southern suburbs, yet Lansing-specific stories have been minimal.

Early reactions to the launch of The Lansing Journal have been positive. “Finally, a newspaper we can trust!” said one Lansing resident. Others confirmed that they would love to be able to stop their subscriptions to the larger paper that rarely covers Lansing.

A few have expressed doubts about the wisdom of starting a newspaper in an age when big names like the Tribune and the Sun Times are getting slimmer with each issue. But the Journal partners see opportunity. “We are not competing with the Trib or even the Northwest Indiana Times,” says Splant. “They chose not to serve Lansing, and they felt that was the right business decision for their business model. We are a different kind of newspaper. We believe we can meet a need and serve our community.”

Eclipsing in Lansing

Journal Journeys

Melanie Jongsma

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September 13, 2017

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Community Photography for the September 13, 2017, print issue of The Lansing Journal

The assignment

Send us your “Eclipsing in Lansing” photos or selfies to document your experience with the August 21, 2017, solar eclipse.

The response

LANSING, Ill. (August 21, 2017) – Not everyone traveled to Carbondale, Illinois, to view the August 21 solar eclipse. Lansing residents didn’t let overcast skies and distance from the path of totality discourage them from participating in the historic, astronomical event. For a couple of hours that Monday afternoon, we turned our eyes toward the skies —

Matthew Splant took a shadow selfie. (Photo: Matthew Splant)

Was this actually the eclipse? Or just a cloud passing over the sun? Like most of Lansing, Matthew Splant wasn’t sure, so he snapped a photo just in case. (Photo: Matthew Splant)

Lansing residents Ryan Avenatti and Isabel Duran did travel to Champaign, Illinois, to view the eclipse. (Photo provided)

Related:

October 4 Community Photography: Lansing Journal Sightings

Rancho Grande goes far beyond tacos and burritos

Business and work

Carrie Steinweg

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September 13, 2017

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Rancho Grande goes far beyond tacos and burritos

by Carrie Steinweg

Rancho Grande offers terrific breakfast options, including Huevos a la Mexicana — Mexican eggs. (Photo: Carrie Steinweg)

LANSING, Ill. (September 13, 2017) – Among Lansing’s diverse offerings of cuisine are several Mexican restaurants and markets that feature fresh, authentic meals in a sit-down or carry-out setting. You can’t go wrong at Tacos and Burritos Rancho Grande on Ridge Road. The eatery is one of two Lansing locations (the other is on the north end of town, off Torrence Ave.) There are also three northwest Indiana locations and another in Chicago.

If you seldom branch out beyond Americanized ground beef tacos, this is the place to get introduced to a number of Mexican specialties—burritos, tostadas, sopes, tortas, tamales, carnitas, menudo, and more. If you insist on sticking to tacos, you’ll find over a dozen options, which include carne asada (steak), pescado (fish), pastor (seasoned pork), barbacoa (steamed beef) and homemade chorizo sausage. You can also try a traditional Mexican beverage of horacha (a sweet rice drink) or jamaica (a slightly tart hibiscus drink).

My most recent visit was my first time stopping in to try breakfast. My friend, who is a vegetarian, found a few meatless choices and tried the Huevos a la Mexicana (eggs with tomato, onion, and jalapeño.) I opted for a Buenos Dias Torta, a ham and cheese omelet with lettuce and tomato on soft, fresh bread. We both agreed that we’ll be back for breakfast. I was surprised at how vast the breakfast menu is and how reasonable the prices are, with 15 items ranging from $2.69 to $6.49.

On previous visits, I’ve ordered the spinach quesadillas (a lighter meat-free option that I really liked), tamales (very good and available daily) and barbacoa by the pound with corn tortillas, onions, and cilantro (which was enough for lunch for my five boys.) Rancho Grande’s guacamole is some of the best I’ve had. The barabacoa and carnitas by the pound, along with menudo, are available only on Saturday and Sunday.

In 2008, when renovations were being done to the building before opening, a brick wall was revealed that had a painted advertisement on it for Fox Deluxe Beer. Such “ghost signs” were popular during the 1940s and 1950s. (Photo: Carrie Steinweg)

The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, with some nice Mexican-inspired art on the wall, but one unique feature of this location is a focal point of the dining room. In 2008, when renovations were being done to the building before opening, a brick wall was revealed that had a painted advertisement on it for Fox Deluxe Beer. It is estimated to have been painted during the 1940s or 1950s and was covered when the building that houses the restaurant was built, which left it in good condition. The owner decided to preserve it rather than cover it up. As a local historian, I love this incorporation of the Village’s past into this current business.

Tacos and Burritos Rancho Grande is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and open until midnight for those late night cravings. They offer family-pack meals (a 10-pack of tacos with rice, beans, salsa, and chips and guacamole is $32.99) and catering for larger groups with fajitas, taco bar, and more. Find more information and menus at tacosburritosrg.com.

Lansing community is perfect for BackYard Que

Business and work

Ashlee De Wit

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September 13, 2017

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Lansing community is perfect for BackYard Que

“It’s a family type of town,” says owner Tonya Stanton

by Ashlee De Wit

Tonya Stanton, owner of BackYard Que, will snap your photo with her decorated frame—and put it up on Facebook. “Once you’re framed, you’re family—and I’m posting you,” she says. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)

LANSING, Ill. (September 2017) – “Let me tell you—when we would go to my grandma’s picnics, it was the most fun,” Tonya Stanton says. “Man, we had so much fun.”

Stanton is the owner of BackYard Que, a new barbecue restaurant in Lansing. It’s located just off Ridge Road and Roy Street, between the Chamber of Commerce office and the back entrance to Gayety’s.

“When we went to one of those family barbecues, [there would be] music, and you’d go see all your cousins, and they’re playing football, volleyball, soccer. You’ve got that barbecue from the grill—you’ve got the links, the hot dogs, hamburgers. My auntie would open that macaroni and cheese, and you think, ‘This is why I didn’t eat anything last night.’ You’ve got greens—and the candied yams! My grandma would make them, and those sweet potatoes tasted like candy for real.

“I’m just saying, those were the days.”

That’s the feeling Tonya is going for in her new restaurant—a backyard family barbecue, just like the name says. And that’s why she chose to open the restaurant in Lansing—it was a perfect location for a place with a family feel.

Before she even moved here, Tonya says, “I loved Lansing. I would drive down Ridge and just smile. I admired the community, the people sitting out front of the businesses. It just made me happy. It’s a family type of town.” That’s the kind of atmosphere she replicates in her restaurant, BackYard Que. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)

“Even before we moved to Lansing, I loved Lansing,” she remembers. “I would drive down Ridge and just smile. I admired the community, the people sitting out front of the businesses. It just made me happy. It’s a family type of town.”

Family and Friends

Before opening BackYard Que, Stanton was catering—first for family and friends, and then as she expanded her business, she started renting out other restaurants to cook in. But her primary job was working as a P.E. teacher in South Holland. She loved her time there—but when her mother died, she found that she no longer wanted to go to work. “I was just numb,” she recalls. She needed a change.

For years, she and her husband had talked about opening a restaurant. “My mom wanted to be a part of it. She said she was going to sit at the register,” Stanton says. “So we put her picture up there; she’s sitting by the register.”

No fries

Tonya does all the cooking for the restaurant, and she still offers catering at her new location. Some of the recipes are her own; others are from her mom, grandma, aunts, cousin, and daughter. When you stop in, you can try the ribs, the barbecue chicken, the cornbread and coleslaw and candied yams—just don’t ask for fries.

“Do you find fries at a backyard barbecue?” Stanton laughs.

Her suggestion? If it’s your first time ordering, get her favorite: hot links, tips, and baked beans. “Crystal’s corn on the cob is pretty good too,” she said.

Becoming family

Stanton’s daughters, Crystal and China, both work at the restaurant. Her husband, Joey, and her brother, Lorenzo Davis, do the grilling on their barbecue pit, which is filled with hickory wood chips.

“Family is working here right now, but I’m looking to hire people in the community—and then they can become family,” Stanton says.

Everyone who walks in to BackYard Que is family—at least, that’s how Stanton wants them to feel. “You can put your elbows on the table, lick your fingers…water my plants,” Stanton laughs. “Just be you. I want [customers] to come in and be comfortable. That’s why we’re cracking jokes, laughing, taking pictures, and dancing.”

She’ll even snap your photo with her decorated frame, and put it up on Facebook. “Once you’re framed, you’re family—and I’m posting you,” she says.

BackYard Que is located off Ridge Road, on Roy Street, next to the north entrance of Gayety’s. (Photo: Matthew J. Splant)

BackYard Que is open noon–8:30pm Sunday–Thursday, and noon–9:30pm Friday and Saturday.

Human Relations Commission

Ashlee De Wit

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August 31, 2017

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Mayor’s office expects to finalize selections by year end

by Ashlee De Wit

LANSING, Ill. (August 31) – Mayor Patty Eidam and her staff are in the process of putting together a Human Relations Commission, a campaign promise that was accelerated at the recent Community Meeting to address police/community relations. The Community Meeting was part of the Village’s response to a videoed incident involving a white police officer and a black teenager.

The meeting, held on August 16 at TF South, was facilitated by a representative from the United States Department of Justice.

Following that meeting, several members of the community reached out to the Village to inquire about the Human Relations Commission and express interest in being part of it.

“This is something that Mayor Eidam campaigned on,” said Ken Reynolds, Mayor Eidam’s Executive Assistant and Director of Communications for the Village of Lansing. “At this point, it’s in the development stage. We don’t want to slap something together…with no agenda or design.”

The selection process for the Human Relations Commission is going to be thorough—not as rigorous as a job application, but more involved than simply volunteering, Reynolds said. He is hoping that the selection of commission members will be finalized yet this year.

“I wouldn’t commit to a hard date, but our goal is to have the development and selection done by the end of the year, and begin official meetings in early 2018,” he said.

The first step is to check for any ordinances or resolutions that need to be brought to the Village Board of Trustees.

“We want to make sure we introduce this correctly,” Reynolds said. “We are very aware of the importance of this, and we don’t want to make a commission just off of a controversial incident. Human relations is much bigger than any one incident.

“I think the ultimate goal of the commission is to recognize the various needs and concerns of a variety of representative groups that our community is made up of,” Reynolds added. “We want a balanced cross section. The commission should look like what Lansing looks like.”

ALDI remodels Lansing, Illinois, location

Business and work

Melanie Jongsma

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August 31, 2017

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ALDI remodels Lansing, Illinois, location

Hundreds attend Grand Reopening

ALDI Lansing, Illinois — Dozens of people lined up outside the Ridge Road ALDI on Thursday, August 31, to be among the first to celebrate the newly completed remodeling. Giveaways, coupons, free samples, and friendly staff helped create a party-like atmosphere. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)

LANSING, Ill. (August 31, 2017) – By 8:00am, dozens of people were lined up outside the newly remodeled ALDI on Ridge and Wentworth. By 9:30am, the parking lot was full, the extension lot was full, and shoppers were parking in alleys and side streets. “We’re thrilled with the turnout!” said ALDI’s Phil Kieffer, Divisional Director of Store Operations.

ALDI had anticipated the crowd, and extra staff were available to answer questions, hand out shopping carts (which required no quarter for the day), and generally streamline the flow of traffic inside the store. Attention to those kinds of details helped transform the atmosphere from potentially stressful into a party-like celebration. “This is exciting,” laughed one shopper as he rolled his full cart past an employee and into the crowded parking lot.

Optimized space

Although the remodeling did not increase the square footage inside the store, customers who have been shopping there since the “soft opening” in mid-August report that the store feels bigger. Kieffer attributed that feeling to the new lighting, fresh graphics, and rearranged shelving that help optimize the space. In response to customer requests, the remodeled ALDI offers an expanded selection of organic produce, gluten-free options, and fresh fish.

Smart shopping

Kieffer explained that ALDI’s niche in the competitive retail marketplace is to provide premium groceries at affordable prices. “Our customers will be able to save 50% on their groceries without ever compromising on quality,” he said, standing in the expanded produce area. “We want shoppers to have more money in their wallet when they leave.”

Lynn Cartwright, owner of Lynnie Ques Airport Bar & Grill, appreciates that commitment to both quality and savings. As a Lansing small business owner, she is very conscious of costs, but she knows she can’t afford to lower her standards on the signature dishes her restaurant serves. Lynnie does a lot of Lynnie Que shopping at the Lansing ALDI. “I get all my produce here,” she said. “All my lettuce, all of my lemons and limes, all of my ‘baby buns’ for the five-for-five sloppy joes and pulled pork. The produce is the freshest. Everything’s fresh.”

Beyond Lansing

The remodeling at Lansing’s Ridge Road ALDI is part of ALDI’s nationwide commitment to keep their brand updated and responsive. There are 1,600 ALDI stores across the United States, and Kieffer explained that all are being updated in some way, though not necessarily to the degree the Lansing store was. “We opened in Lansing in 2009,” recalled Kieffer, “and already we’re doing a refresh—what a difference it makes! But in all the changes that we’ve made, one thing always stays the same: We will always offer premium groceries without having to pay premium prices. And really, that’s why we’re growing.”

The August 31 celebration included giveaways, drawings, and product samples. ALDI extended the promos into the month of September with a series of $5.00 coupons.

ALDI is located at 3602 Ridge Road. Store hours are 9:00am–9:00pm, Monday through Saturday, and 9:00am–7:00pm on Sundays.

Beauty and diversity

Business and work

Melanie Jongsma

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August 28, 2017

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Classy Cuts beauty salon brings people together and makes them feel good

Classy Cuts salon — Classy Cuts owner Kris O’Connor (top photo) and stylist Audrey Perkins (bottom photo) have found that they like working together. “I thought it would be a big deal, but it wasn’t,” says Audrey. (Photos: Matthew J. Splant)

LANSING, Ill. (August) – In the naturally segregated world of beauty salons, Kris and Audrey do not consider themselves crusaders for social change. They just happen to like working together.

Kristine O’Connor is the owner of Classy Cuts. She’s white. Audrey Perkins is a stylist at Classy Cuts. She’s black.

Kris’s story

Kris took over Classy Cuts when the previous owner sold the shop. The sale was somewhat sudden, and in the confusion, most of the previous operators found work elsewhere, though Kris would have been happy to keep them. But she took advantage of the opportunity to do some painting and remodeling before officially re-opening the salon on November 1, 2016.

“I’ve been self-employed on booth rental for about 33 years,” says Kris. “I figured I have another 17 in me, and I might as well do it for myself!

“My clients would always ask me when I was going to get my own shop. I used to tell them, ‘When my son is raised. I really don’t want to take time away from him.’ And now he’s grown. So the timing was perfect.”

Audrey’s story

Audrey has been doing hair in her home for the past 15 years, with a faithful following of clients. When she downsized into a condo, she knew she had to move her hair business into a shop. Classy Cuts is within walking distance of her home, so when her husband saw the “Operators Wanted” sign in the window, he suggested she call the number.

Never having worked in a white salon before, Audrey had some worries. “I’ll be honest,” she says, “I didn’t want Kris to lose clients because I showed up.”

But when Audrey met with Kris, a lot of her fears were relieved. Audrey admits, “I thought it would be a big deal, but it wasn’t.”

No big deal

Of course, it helps that both Kris and Audrey have clients who trust them enough to follow them into a new experience. “It’s safer to just stay with what you know,” said the woman in Audrey’s chair one Saturday morning. “It’s easier for me to just go to a shop where everybody looks like me.” But with Audrey’s reassurance, she came to Classy Cuts, and she has no regrets.

Though coming to a new salon—a mixed salon—can be intimidating for clients, Kris and Audrey are enjoying the experience. “We’re at the point now where we’re trading recipes,” laughs Kris. And both women agree that their husbands are the ones benefiting the most from the relationship—Kris’s husband loves Audrey’s greens, and Audrey’s husband loves Kris’s biscuits and gravy.

Feeling good

Kris understands that the purpose of a beauty salon is to help people feel good. The atmosphere at Classy Cuts is relaxed and fun. And Kris knows that the right cut and style can give people a confidence boost.

To further serve her clients, Kris added massage to the list of services available at Classy Cuts. Penny Sumner is a Licensed Massage Therapist and a Registered Nurse who has set up a comfortable massage room at the shop. She preaches the medical benefits of massage, which include enhanced relaxation, improved circulation, lower blood pressure, and reduced muscle tension. Penny is available by appointment only, as her nursing schedule allows, so Kris encourages people to call Penny directly to make an appointment.

“Everyone but the dog”

Rita Welch is another Classy Cuts stylist. She works days, while her children are in school. Her availability is perfect for seniors who are retired, or local business people who need a trim during their lunch hour.

“I would say we do family hair care,” says Kris, describing her salon. “From children to grammas, we do it all. Everyone but the dog!” Roller sets, coloring, highlighting, perms, and haircuts are all in a day’s work.

With a range of hair services that already includes men and women, young and old, black and white, Classy Cuts is eager to keep growing. Kris has open booths that she would love to fill with stylists who bring their own strengths to the team. She also wants a nail technician to complete the ensemble.

“I love people and this is just what I was meant to do,” she shrugs.

Ribbon-cutting

The public is invited to celebrate with Classy Cuts at their ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, October 4, at 9:30am. The shop is located at 3365 Ridge Road, #4. Appointment hours are flexible, so clients can call 708-858-6056 to schedule hair services or 708-280-1877 to make massage appointments.

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Remembrance and re-dedication

Community

The Lansing Journal

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August 26, 2017

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Lansing’s lost Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker finds a home

The re-dedication ceremony for Lansing’s Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker included a presentation of colors and service flags. (Photo: Matthew J. Splant)

LANSING, Ill. (August 26, 2017) – After several years being out of public view, Lansing’s Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker was re-dedicated at the American Legion Edward Schultz Post #697, where it has found a permanent home.

Post Commander Don Lange, who was the Master of Ceremonies, began with a reminder: “Today is a day of remembrance; to remember those men and women who came back, those who never returned, and those who are injured in combat.”

The dedication was attended, on a bright sunny day, by veterans, members of the American Legion, active military, residents of Lansing, Mayor Patty Eidam, Village Trustees, Village Clerk Vivian Payne, and other Village officials.

After the presentation of colors and service flags, the invocation was given by Mrs. Fran Mabry, Chaplain of the Legion Auxiliary. Daniel McDevitt, Lieutenant Commander U.S. Navy (Retired), was the guest speaker.

The Blue Star Marker, once on public display on Ridge Road, was removed to make space available for the Firefighters Memorial statue, which was dedicated in 2010. The Marker went missing until members at the American Legion started asking about its location. An exhaustive search found the Marker in a bad state of repair.

Then-Mayor Norm Abbott and the Trustees contributed to a fund for restoring the Marker. After restoration it was displayed in the Village Hall to wait for a new home.

Legion member Kevin Engelbrecht called on Nora Christine-Feltman, a Navy veteran and fellow member, to help find a way to move the Marker to the Legion’s grounds. Together with Vivian Payne, who was Mayor Abbott’s Executive Assistant at the time, they contacted Kathy Rewerts, Blue Star Memorial Chairman for the Garden Clubs of Illinois. The Garden Club, as administrator of the Marker program, needed to give consent to move and dedicate the Marker on the Legion Grounds. They granted approval in the autumn of 2016.

The Blue Star Marker program was initially conceived by the National Council of State Garden Clubs after WWII as a suitable means of honoring servicemen and women. The program began in 1944 in New Jersey with the legislature designating five miles of highway as Blue Star Drive. In addition, one thousand flowering Dogwood trees would be planted and no billboards were allowed in that stretch.

Christine-Feltman explained that the project was named for the Blue Star in the service flags that hung in windows of homes and businesses to honor servicemen and women. When the Garden Clubs gathered for their 1945 meeting, there was a strong desire to bring the memorial created in New Jersey to every state. Out of that, the Blue Star Memorial Highway Program was adopted. The program grew, and in 1951 it enlarged its mission to include all men and women who had served, were serving, or would serve in the Armed Forces of the United States.

Lansing’s Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker has been installed in front of the flag display at the American Legion. The American Legion is open to the public, and is not exclusive to veterans or members of the active-duty military. The American Legion welcomes anyone to view the Marker and enjoy the bar and camaraderie at 18255 Grant Street, near Clock Tower Plaza.

Mexico comes to Lansing, Illinois

Melanie Jongsma

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August 26, 2017

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Guadalajara’s Ballet Folklórico performs at Memorial Junior High School

Mexico comes to Lansing IL — Colorful costumes, spirited singing, and lively dance steps are all part of the Mexican ballet. The performers came from Guadalajara, Mexico, to tour 14 U.S. cities, including Lansing. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)

Mexico comes to Lansing IIL — Lansing’s Memorial Junior High played host to about 700 visitors who came to see the performance. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)

LANSING, Ill. (August 26, 2017) – A crowd of about 700 people from Lansing, Lynwood, Dyer, Schererville, and beyond filed into the auditorium at Memorial Junior High School for a two-hour performance—México en el Corazón—by Guadalajara’s Ballet Folklórico. The performance troupe is visiting the United States as part of a collaboration with NAIMA (North American Institute for Mexican Advancement) and the Guadalajara government. The tour includes 17 live shows in 14 cities in states with the highest Mexican population: Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Texas, and Illinois. They will cover 7,000 miles in 30 days.

According to spokesman Raymundo Galvan, the group chose Lansing, Illinois, because of the vibrant, hardworking, and growing Latino community, which has similarities to the people of Jalisco, Mexico. The Federacion Jalisciense, a group of hometown associations from Jalisco, sponsored the event to “build bridges between Mexican-Americans in the United States and Mexicans in our native state of Jalisco, in the knowledge that improving communities on both sides of the border strengthens both countries and improves the lives of all people.”

Information provided by the troupe’s publicity team explains that the Ballet Folklórico was formed in 1984 by Guadalajara’s Secretary of Culture, to preserve and share the traditions, music, dances, and folklore of Guadalajara. They have toured internationally as ambassadors of Mexican folklore. The Federacion Jalisciense, a group of hometown associations from Jalisco, Mexico, sponsored the event to “build bridges between Mexican-Americans in the United States and Mexicans in our native state of Jalisco, in the knowledge that improving communities on both sides of the border strengthens both countries and improves the lives of all people.”

Dr. Cecilia Heiberger, Superintendent of School District 158, welcomed the ambassadors by saying, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome the dance troupe, and to be celebrating the fine arts of Mexico and its contributions to our United States as well. I love that my family’s here, and you may not be aware, but yo soy Mexicana!” (“I am Mexican.”)

Mayor Patty Eidam also spoke words of welcome: “On behalf of the Village of Lansing, ladies and gentlemen, welcome. We’re very excited to have this production here today, and we’re all looking forward to learning something new about the culture.”

From Lansing, the Ballet Folklórico takes México en el Corazón to Cicero, where they will perform on Tuesday. On Wednesday they perform in Chicago’s Millennium Park. All performances are free.

Photos and videos

Mexico — The performance opened with mariachi-style folk songs. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)

After more than two hours of non-stop singing and dancing, the performers received a standing ovation. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)

Lan-Oak Lanes attracts film crew

Carrie Steinweg

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August 24, 2017

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Stars Jon Heder and Jim O’Heir spend two weeks in Lansing, Illinois

LANSING, Ill. (August 2017) – The bowling business isn’t quite what it used to be when Lansing’s Lan-Oak Lanes first opened its doors in 1953. The building was built by Mike and Mary Genovese as an eight-lane bowling alley, and in 1959 it was expanded to 16 lanes. Mike and Mary’s sons, Don and Wayne, joined the business full time in 1960. Wayne moved to Arizona in 1979, but Don is still at the lanes regularly, though his sons Dale and Tom run most of the day-to-day operations. Both sons have worked at the bowling alley since they were teenagers. “It’s been a family operation since day one,” said Don Genovese, whose wife, Natalie, also does the bookkeeping.

“Absolutely perfect”

According to Don, it was “the retro feel” that drew filmmakers to the bowling alley to film a movie in August. The indie film “When Jeff Tried to Save the World” stars Jon Heder, best known for his role as Napoleon Dynamite. Playing a supporting role is Jim O’Heir, of the television series Parks and Recreation. Director Kendall Goldberg is a Munster native.

In the movie, Jeff is manager of a small-town bowling alley called Winky’s World. He is trying to save it from being sold and torn down.

“Kendall always wanted to shoot a film in a bowling alley and wrote the story about something that looks exactly like this,” said co-producer Jimmy Seargeant on one of the final days of filming. “She lives in L.A. and looked at about 40 different bowling alleys and in the end came home to visit her parents and happened to stumble across this bowling alley which was absolutely perfect looks-wise.”

Community support

Producer Shane Simmons was pleased with how hospitable the Genovese family was.

“Immediately upon walking in here Kendall said the fact that it felt so much like home is what sold it—and not only the building itself but the people who run it,” said Simmons. “The family who runs it being so warm and friendly and accommodating and enthusiastic really made a huge difference because it would have been a much different shoot without that.”

Seargeant said that shooting in a small town means you get a lot of interest and support from residents. “We did a scene one day where we had almost 80 extras from all over town come and give up their day and hang out with us,” he said.

The crew spent nearly three weeks filming in the Chicago area—almost two weeks in Lansing, one week in Chicago’s Logan Square area, and a day in Oak Park. Simmons said he expects a theatrical run, video on-demand, and Blu-ray release in the spring of 2018.

True to life

Dale Genovese can relate to the premise of the movie. He knows the business has seen ups and downs, and he recalls a time when there was a waiting list to get into one of leagues. “League bowling is almost fading off the face of the earth,” he said. “Young people don’t want to make a commitment for 35 weeks. It’s rough trying to find league bowlers anymore. Everyone in this area is losing bowlers for youth bowling.”

But Dale said he has seen a slight increase in recent years of families coming in to bowl casually. “It was down for a long time in the early 2000s. When phones took over people stopped doing anything,” he said. “It’s coming back a little. We’ll see young people start to get into it, but they’re here for a bit and then don’t come back.”

What keeps Lan-Oak Lanes going these days is a combination of private parties and fundraisers. And they do still have loyal customers who have been coming in for decades. “Sometimes people come in and say they used to work here for my grandfather when they were kids, and they would set the pins by hand before they had machines,” said Dale.

Holidays are some of the busiest times of the year for Lan-Oak Lanes. On Thanksgiving the place is filled with families. “We have regulars who come in every Thanksgiving, and I see the same families every year,” said Dale. “They come in and keep that tradition going to pass on to their kids.” In contrast, summers can be a struggle as people tend to spend time outdoors.

But this summer anyway, Lan-Oak Lanes was busier than ever as they transformed from traditional small-town bowling alley to Hollywood movie set.