🌱 Patch AM: Highland Park Author Chris Johnson Debuts First Novel 'In The Heart Of The Woods'

Greetings Highland Park! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Highland Park author turns childhood adventures into a nature-filled debut novel
• Meet the Highland Park fifth-grader dominating Midwest swim podiums.
• Alison Krauss cancels Ravinia date: what Highland Park ticket holders should do.

Also on today's calendar: Film: The Breakfast Club and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the tractor say to the plow? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Partly sunny, warm and humid, with a high of 82 and low of 61 degrees.
• Sunday: A couple of afternoon showers, temps: high: 72, low: 56.
• Monday: An afternoon shower possible, with a high of 69 and low of 65 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Highland Park Author Chris Johnson Debuts First Novel 'In The Heart Of The Woods' (patch.com) — Highland Park residents can celebrate local author Chris Johnson's debut novel, a nature-themed coming-of-age story aimed at both kids and adults. Johnson, a longtime environmental advocate and former teacher, channels his passion for the outdoors and youth empowerment into a 1950s adventure about four children discovering identity, confidence, and purpose in the woods.
   

• 10-year-old Highland Parker makes a splash at state, regional summer season swim meets (fooshya.com) — A 10-year-old Highland Park swimmer, Ray Ryser, capped his summer by winning state and Midwest zone titles while representing Highland Park Aquatics Club and Team Illinois. The Ravinia Elementary fifth-grader and his coach describe the hard work, discipline, and race-day mindset that helped him excel against top youth swimmers from across the Midwest.
   

• Alison Krauss & Union Station Cancel Fall Tour (liveforlivemusic.com) — Highland Park residents with tickets to Alison Krauss & Union Station at Ravinia Festival should know the Sept. 12 show has been canceled as Krauss takes doctor-ordered vocal rest. All 17 remaining tour dates are scrapped, and fans are advised to seek full refunds from their original point of purchase.
   

📸 Around Highland Park

Subscribe

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 Highland Park

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Sunday September 13
• Film: The Breakfast Club →
  Gorton Center, 400 E Illinois Rd, Lake Forest
  4:00 pm
Thursday October 1
• An Evening of Insight Promised at the GPF Foundation's Ninth Annual Event →
  Northmoor Country Club, 820 Edgewood Rd, Highland Park
  6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday September 12
• Wake up to donuts on your doorstep from Do-Rite! Order by 10pm Friday. →
  6:00 am
• Alison Krauss & Union Station →
  Ravinia, 418 Sheridean Road, Highland Park
  7:00 pm
Sunday September 13
• Los Tigres del Norte →
  Highland Park IL
Tuesday September 15
• Alpha →
  Christ Our Hope Parish (Immaculate Conception), 726 Deerfield Rd, Highland Park
  6:30 pm
Friday September 18
• Port Clinton Concert Series: Sabor De Libertad →
  Port Clinton Square, 600-601 Central Ave, Highland Park
  6:00 pm
Saturday September 19
• HPHS Band Car Wash Fundraiser →
  433 Vine Ave, Highland Park
  10:00 am
Wednesday September 23
• Jewish New Year Concert with Maxwell Street Klezmer Band →
  Sabor A Café Niles - Steakhouse & Live Music Venue, 6873 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles
  7:00 pm
Friday September 25
• Scarecrow Fest →
  Port Clinton Square, 600-601 Central Ave, Highland Park
  4:00 pm
• Port Clinton Concert Series: Scarecrow Fest →
  Port Clinton Square, 600-601 Central Ave, Highland Park
  6:00 pm
• Gather for Good →
  Binny's Beverage Depot - Highland Park, 153 Skokie Valley Rd, Highland Park
  6:03 pm

📣 Highland Park 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 Highland Park PatchAM possible:

• Available rental spaces for your next event at Trinity Church — (847) 432-6653
• YogaSix Highland Park — (847) 868-1396
• North Shore School of Dance — (847) 432-2060
• Auntie Anne's & Cinnabon Northbrook — (224) 723-5799

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• NSYMCA Youth & Government Program Celebrates Achievements at the 2026 General Assembly —North Suburban YMCA Read on Patch
• Folk troubadour Mark Dvorak returns to Ravinia Farmers Market September 16 —Loretta Sawyer Read on Patch

• Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. posted a job opening for Commercialization Manager in Deerfield. Apply here.
• Kroger posted a job opening for Cashier in Deerfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Highland Park here.

🗞 Nearby News

Deerfield

• Curaleaf Assistant Store Manager in Deerfield, IL (masslive.com)
• 943 Forest Avenue, Deerfield, IL 60015 Property for sale (corcoran.com)

Northbrook

• Strangling Allegation, Officer Battery Charge: Northbrook Police Blotter (patch.com)

Ok Highland Park! 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: Hold me close John Deere. (Thank you Jenny H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook