Two Chicagoans win Naperville’s St. Paddy’s Day 5K
Two Chicago runners took the first place in the 16th annual St. Paddy’s Day 5K held in downtown Naperville Saturday by the Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise, Rotary officials announced.
The top male finisher with a time of 15:26 was Chris Porst. On the female side, the top finisher was Julie Wiemerslage, who completed the race in 17:01.
Bryan Talkie, of Channahon, took the best costume prize Saturday at the 16th annual St. Paddy’s Day 5K held in downtown Naperville by the Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise. (Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise)
Bryan Talkie, of Channahon, was the winner of the costume contest.
Runners from throughout the Chicago region took part in the annual event, held in conjunction with the West Suburban Irish St. Paddy’s Day Parade. The youngest registered runner was 9 years old, and the oldest was over 75, organizers said.
The event raised funds to support KidsMatter’s youth philanthropy initiatives, Grow Wellness in-school mental health counseling and the Naperville YMCA’s sports and wellness camps, organizers said.
Tracy Chapman, left, will succeed Ralph Schultz, right, as the new executive director of the Forest Preserve District of Will County when he retires in May. Chapman is currently the district’s deputy director. (Forest Preserve District of Will County)
Tracy Chapman named forest preserve district exec director
The Forest Preserve District of Will County Board has named Tracy Chapman its new executive director.
Chapman, the district’s deputy director, will succeed Executive Director Ralph Schultz, who is retiring in May after 32 years with the district.
Chapman, of Shorewood, has been with the forest preserve district for more than 20 years, starting as a police officer in 2004, a news release said. She was named chief of police in 2016.
Since 2021, Chapman has overseen the district’s conservation, operations and police departments as deputy director and public safety administrator.
Chapman has been working with Schultz and other department directors to prepare for the transition, the release said. She has also been taking classes and attending conferences.
“My main focus is teamwork and working with staff to achieve forest preserve goals while serving the public,” Chapman said in the release. “Together we will focus on planned capital improvement projects, preservation and opportunities to promote inclusive recreation.”
Registration open for Ron Ory Community Garden Plots
Residents interested in securing a garden site at the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots can register for space with the Naperville Park District.
The gardening area at 811 S. West St. provides more than 500 plots for local gardeners to grow vegetables and flowers, a park district news release said. Full- and half-size, seasonal and year-round plots are available. Those at the far west end of the site are devoted to organic gardening.
Senior citizen discounts for gardeners 60 and older are available. The gardening season begins in May.
For more information, go to www.napervilleparks.org.
Metea Valley Theater presents ‘Legally Blonde the Musical’
Metea Valley Theater will present “Legally Blonde the Musical,” an award-winning musical based on the hit movie, in four performances this spring.
A preview show featuring the understudies will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24, in the Metea Valley High School auditorium, 1801 N. Eola Road, Aurora.
Three other performances will be held at 7 p.m. May 1-3 at the school.
The show follows the transformation of Elle Woods and her journey to Harvard Law School after she breaks up with her boyfriend.
Seats are assigned and can be preordered online starting March 29 at www.meteavalleytheater.org. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors.