Have a writing itch? The Western Springs Writers' Society (WSWS) welcomes writers and would-be writers from the community. Whether this is your career or hobby, writers of all levels and genres are invited. Questions? Please contact Marie Gerken at marie@gerken.org or Jim Swinehart at jswinehart@clausen.com. 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 19 (the next meeting will be on March 19) at Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut St. No registration needed.

Have a writing itch? The Western Springs Writers’ Society (WSWS) welcomes writers and would-be writers from the community. Whether this is your career or hobby, writers of all levels and genres are invited. Questions? Please contact Marie Gerken at marie@gerken.org or Jim Swinehart at jswinehart@clausen.com. 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 19 (the next meeting will be on March 19) at Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut St. No registration needed.

Cook County

David Giuliani

Chicago Metropolitan Area

Western Springs

Illinois

Meeting Thursday, February 19 at 7 p.m. at Ford Library

Western Springs Writers' Society

Neighbor News

La Grange

DuPage County

Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills

Oak Brook

Burr Ridge

Darien

Lisa Marie Farver

Downers Grove

Forest Park

Elmhurst

Oak Park-River Forest

Woodridge

Darien Park District

Getting Started On Medicare: Are you intimidated by Medicare? Would you like to understand the basics, to make it easier to understand your choices?Learn how to navigate Medicare by understanding Original Medicare A &amp; B as well as the difference between Medicare Advantage programs versus Medicare Supplements.

Local Event: Getting Started on Medicare

Getting Started on Medicare

Getting Started On Medicare: Are you intimidated by Medicare? Would you like to understand the basics, to make it easier to...

First Presbyterian Church

This month’s performance in our free Community Concert Series&nbsp;features saxophonist and clarinetist Matt Shevitz. Matt is an in-demand musician in the jazz, blues and popular music scenes in Chicago. Throughout his music career he has performed alongside such internationally renowned jazz musicians as Dick Hyman, Ignacio Berroa, Howard Levy, Frank Capp, Randy Sandke, Ken Peplowski, Byron Stripling and Frank Wess along with blues/roots rock guitarist Eric Lindell and many others. Matt has performed at such festivals and clubs as the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Chicago Blues Festival, Lollapalooza, the Jazz Showcase, the House of Blues in Chicago, the Waterfront Blues Festival (in Portland, Oregon) and as a featured artist for Shedd Institute for the Arts (in Eugene, Oregon) and the Modlin Center for the Performing Arts (in Richmond, Virginia). In addition to performing, Matt has contributed several articles to DownBeat Magazine ranging from transcription analysis of great jazz solos to jazz theory and effective practice habits.&nbsp;
Matt is currently on faculty at the College of DuPage where he teaches a wide range of courses, directs the jazz ensembles, and co-chairs the Music Department. Prior to this appointment he served on the faculty at Harold Washington College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago. He received a doctoral degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2009, for which he did extensive research on the great jazz saxophonist Harold "Tina" Brooks. Matt's other degrees consist of a Master of Music in Jazz Pedagogy from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science in Music from the University of Oregon.

Local Event: Community Concert Series: Matt Shevitz, saxophonist/clarinetist

Community Concert Series: Matt Shevitz,...

This month’s performance in our free Community Concert Series features saxophonist and clarinetist Matt Shevitz.  Matt is an...

Community Concert Series: Matt Shevitz, saxophonist/clarinetist

Name: William “Bill GTO” Nawrot
Service Branch:
United States Army
Years of Service:
1968-1970
Rank: Spec 4
Member: 132nd
Assault Support Helicopter Co
Battle
Region/War: Chu Lai, Vietnam
Awards:
National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam
Service Medal

The Western Springs Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10778 announces the
Grand Marshal and&nbsp;date for the Western
Springs Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2026. Bill Nawrot will
serve&nbsp;as the parade’s
Grand Marshal.
Parade Grand
Marshal
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Located in Vietnam’s
Quảng Nam Province, Chu Lai was a United States Marine Corps&nbsp;military base,
operational from 1965 to 1970, which included an airfield to support
military operations&nbsp;during the Vietnam
War.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Joining the service
ranks in Aug of 1968, Bill enlisted in the Army on his 19th birthday.
He was&nbsp;assigned to the Flight Line in Chu Lai, Vietnam, from Feb 1969 to April 1970, as part
of a 5-man&nbsp;mechanics crew. Bill
was charged with major and minor maintenance repairs, for 12 CH-47
Chinook&nbsp;helicopters
completing a scheduled rotation for parts replacement every 100 hrs.
Sporadically, the Flight Line was
under mortar fire from the Vietnamese forces.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;On Apr 1970, Bill was
discharged from Army Service. Bill returned to Illinois to his
previous&nbsp;job at Illinois Bell
Telephone. He worked at Bell Telephone for 27 years as an outside
communications&nbsp;technician. After
Bell Telephone, Bill began a second career at MCI/Verizon where he
worked for 12&nbsp;years until
retirement in 2010.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Bill was part of the
“Operation Support The Troops America” in Naperville, IL. Since
joining&nbsp;the Western Springs
VFW in 2014, Bill has worked with the Memorial Day Parade Committee
where he&nbsp;creates the 4-page
parade program, and coordinates the vehicles where veterans ride
during the parade.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Bill is married to
Patti, and they are parents to 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and one
great-granddaughter. Bill
and Patti are avid classic car collectors with 2 Pontiac GTO, a
Lincoln Town&nbsp;Car, and 2 Mustangs.

Local Event: VFW Post 10778 Memorial Day Parade And Remembrance

VFW Post 10778 Memorial Day Parade And Remembrance


Name: William “Bill GTO” Nawrot
Service Branch:
United States Army
Years of Service:
1968-1970
Rank: Spec 4
Member:...

🌱 Patch AM: The Western Springs Historical...

Make time for Chicagoland Record & CD Collectors Show - Sunday May 17th on the Western Springs Patch calendar

🌱 Patch AM: The Western Springs Historical Society 40th Anniversary House Walk and 11 more events

Community Corner

And check out Naperville Artisan Market - CityGate Centre (Sat-Sun, May 16-17) on the Western Springs Patch calendar

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Also, don’t miss Naperville Artisan Market - CityGate Centre (Sat-Sun, May 16-17) on the Western Springs Patch calendar

🌱 Patch AM: 'Super Cute' Event Planned In Western Springs 

More Western Springs Pickleball Courts Expected

Privately funded courts are slated for a public park. Parking is considered an issue. 

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Western Springs Writers' Society

Meeting Thursday, February 19 at 7 p.m. at Ford Library

Christine Ricker, Community Contributor

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Community Concert Series: Matt Shevitz, saxophonist/clarinetist

VFW Post 10778 Memorial Day Parade And Remembrance