'Mayor's Arctic Dip' Will Support Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle

HOMEWOOD, IL — When then 80-year-old Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld was saved by an anonymous hero after he fell into the icy waters of the Izaak Walton Preserve while saving his dog Annie two winters ago, little was it known then that the scary ordeal would turn into an annual winter event to raise money.

But that's exactly what the "Mayor's Arctic Dip" has become. The second annual event in which participants line up to take a quick dip in a swimming pool on a winter day and quickly warm up is set for Saturday, Feb. 1 from noon to 2 p.m. in Martin Avenue Square outside the Homewood Science Center.

This year, funds from the event will support the non-profit Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle newspaper in support of fair and unbiased journalism, according to a news release from the village of Homewood.

“Many communities have lost their local papers and we are fortunate to have a local paper to tell our hometown stories,” Hofeld, now 82, said. “The funds raised will help the Chronicle to continue their fine journalist efforts. The Chronicle reporters put their heart and soul into the community. It’s a labor of love that has our full support.”

Eric Crump, founding editor of the Chronicle, said “reader support will enable us to do more of what the community values and needs.

"It will allow us to be more independent and thorough. We operate on the assumption that every great community deserves a great newspaper, and it is our mission to make that so.”

Registration for the arctic dip is $25 per person, which includes a warm beverage and pizza. Spectators can pay $15 for the beverage and Aurelio’s pizza only. Registration is open here.

There will be two swimming pools in which participants will enter before warming up inside the science center on the afternoon of the event. Participants should bring a robe, towel and a change of clothing.