Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a prairie next to Downers Grove North became an award-winning classroom

Also, don't miss Garden Club to feature Forest Preserve District President on the Downers Grove Patch calendar

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Friday August 28th Patch AM
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What's up Downers Grove! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a prairie next to Downers Grove North became an award-winning classroom
  • Downers Grove North grad Ella French remembered through a growing nonprofit
  • See how Downers Grove North fared in early-season tournament play

Also on today's calendar: Garden Club to feature Forest Preserve District President and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the tree say when Spring arrived? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 82 and low of 63 degrees.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and comfortable, temps: high: 80, low: 67.
  • Sunday: Humid; breezy in the morning, with a high of 87 and low of 71 degrees. 🌶 Hot!

📰 News we're reading

• Honoring DuPage's Best Educators (downersgrovemagazine.com subscription) — Downers Grove North biology teacher Jeff Grant has been named the 2026 DuPage County Educator of the Year for turning a nearby prairie into a hands-on science lab for his students. The county celebration also honored Elmhurst's Timothy Christian superintendent Matt Davidson and several other standout educators, while spotlighting the DuPage Regional Office of Education's broad support for local schools and teachers.
   

• Remembering Ella French (downersgrovemagazine.com) — Downers Grove readers may remember Ella French as a 2009 Downers Grove North graduate who went on to serve as a Chicago police officer before being killed in the line of duty in 2021. Her mother, now in Westmont, honors her legacy through the Light the Line nonprofit, which supports officers at events and crime scenes and welcomes community donations.
   

• Marcello Martinez's 2 goals lead Minooka boys soccer to win: Thursday's Herald-News Roundup (shawlocal.com) — Area high school teams kicked off fall sports with a busy slate, including Downers Grove North boys soccer falling 1–0 to Joliet Central at the Windy City Classic. The roundup also covers strong showings from Minooka, Coal City, Plainfield-area schools, and others in boys soccer, golf, and girls flag football across the southwest suburbs.
   

📸 Around Downers Grove

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Downers Grove

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Downers Grove Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Downers Grove PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • HUGE tool sale/garage sale
    Delta benchtop planer/jointer, Bosch router table w/ stand, Ryobi miter saw, many power tools, hand tools, all kinds of hardware, saws, clamps,... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Team Trivia Event to Raise Money for Thanksgiving Dinners —Elizabeth Read on Patch
  • Rare black fox, whose coloration is the result of a genetic quirk, makes home in Northbrook
    "Most red foxes are, well, red, or probably more accurately, orange or rust-colored. But a small number are all or mostly black, the result of… (Nextdoor Kingsley Crew)
  • I had a great experience working with Alec!
    He responded to my inquiry very quickly, provided a great price, and scheduled the work on a short notice. The work was flawless! He was extremely… (Nextdoor Lester School/Washington Park)
  • Binny's Beverage Depot posted a job opening for Downers Grove--Part-Time Store Associate in Downers Grove. Apply here.
  • TJX Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Merchandise Associate in Downers Grove. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Downers Grove here.

🗞 Nearby News

Westmont

  • Dementia Friendly Westmont Programs At The Library This Fall • Westmont, IL (illinois.gov)
  • Endless Summer Car Show Tour Brings Popular Event To Area Seniors (illinois.gov)

Clarendon Hills

  • Morton Arboretum Announces New Large-Scale 'Tree Dimensions' Exhibition (patch.com)

Lisle

  • Hinsdale District 86 Mulls Tax Hike For $39M In Projects (patch.com)
  • Hinsdale District 86 May Curb Openness, Doing Away With Records Log (patch.com)
  • The Right Roof Combo (mcsmag.com)

Ok Downers Grove! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: What a re-leaf! (Thank you Flo G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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