As of Saturday morning, Jeff the Turkey was still hanging out at his corner, pondering whatever turkeys ponder while crossing busy intersections. His fame is growing: Chicago radio stations broadcast stories about him early in the day.

Has anyone seen chickens with Jeff? A local resident swears he saw a chicken with the turkey earlier this week.

Lake Bluff says good bye to Jeff the Turkey ... but as of Saturday morning he was still there

Can turkeys hear? Jeff doesn't seem phased by the traffic whizzing past him

By Adrienne Fawcett

ABC Wildlife set two animal traps on Thursday to capture the seemingly tame wild bird that’s residing at Route 176 and Greenbay Road in Lake Bluff. By evening the turkey had not taken the bait, which was a bunch of grapes, bowl of water, and some other vittles.

“He really likes grapes,” said the crossing guard who was on duty when the traps were set. “He also likes McDonald’s french fries. People give fries to him all the time.” The teenager tossed a piece of his banana in the trap, but the turkey didn’t follow it in. “It’s good they’re taking him away. I can’t tell you how many near accidents he is causing.”

The turkey at first seemed curious about the wire cages that were placed alongside the split-rail fence he so loves to sit on while grooming himself. He circled one of the cages in the manner of a human contemplating the purchase of a new car: He poked the door, paced up and down, and clucked quietly while peeking inside the interior.

People sent emails and texts to GazeboNews throughout the day to report on the turkey’s whereabouts. At 2 p.m., he was seen pecking the ground near the tall grass on the southwest corner. Eventually he moved back to the northwest corner where he was seen sitting on the fence. At rush hour he was curled up near a pole, just a foot away from the curb (and looking like road kill). At about 7 p.m. he was foraging on the southeast corner.

Exactly where the wild turkey is going no one will say for sure. Once ABC Wildlife captures him, he’ll be handed over to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which will relocate the bird to state-owned land in northwest Illinois. The deed was supposed to take place several days ago, but there were questions about whether the bird should be put under anesthetic or trapped. The DNR opted for the trap, sources said, because no one was certain how well a wild turkey would take to anesthetic.

A DNR spokeswoman said the relocation site had [...]

American Legion Post 264 is looking for band sponsors for the Lake Forest Day Parade. This is a great opportunity for those who want to have a presence in the parade but don’t have the time, talent or inclination to put a float together.

Band sponsorships cost $800 to $3,000 depending on the size of the band and its ability. “A state champion band will cost more than one that’s not a state champion,” said Vincent Dolan of Post 264. The sponsorships defray the $10,000 that the Legion is paying out of pocket for bands. Sponsors can carry a banner and march in front of or behind their chosen band.

This is the busy week for parade registrations. As of Monday, there were 73 entries, which is about the same as last year at this time. But Mr. Dolan believes there will be slightly fewer floats compared to 2009.

“With construction, my guess is we’ll be a little less–about 90 rather than closer to 100.”

Illinois insurance regulators revoked the licenses of a Lake Bluff insurance agency and three insurance agents for improperly marketing and selling life insurance policies to members of the military. Click here to read the story on IFAWebNews.com, the website for Insurance & Financial Advisor magazine.

A North American river otter. Photo by Ken Thomas of www.kenthomas.us

By Adrienne Fawcett

Two Lake Forest residents went for a swim at Forest Park beach on Monday evening and soon found they were not the only ones paddling through the mucky water.

“Sandy and I went to Forest Park Beach to try out our wetsuits for the first time,” said Neva GaNun (Sandy is her husband). “The Lake was calm, the wetsuits were wonderful–better than becoming hypothermic!–but the water was mucky –like swimming in bilge or cesspool salad –many sticks, leaves, twigs, seed, algae, and seaweed things, just general detritus.

“But, to our amazement, we saw an otter, swimming by us, just east of the first buoy at the north end of the beach, headed for the northernmost rocks, into which he/she disappeared. In some forty years of involvement with, in, and on the Lake–sailing, swimming, just enjoying the view–neither of us had ever seen an otter in the Lake.”

Neva did some research on the state Department of Natural Resources website and found an article called “Unnatural Selection.” It chronicles the wildlife populations of the Lake, including, fish, birds, and game.

“Evidently in the early 1980’s, there were fewer than 100 otters in Illinois,” she said, referring to the DNR article. “Otters were put on the Endangered Species List, and breeding pairs were imported into Illinois from other States. They flourished again, and were removed from the Endangered Species designation.”

We called Dan Reeves, who spends a lot of time at the lake in his role as superintendent of Parks for Lake Forest. He said he’s never seen an otter in Lake Michigan but he’s not surprised to hear that others have.

“They live in fresh water, eat fish,” he said. “Although they prefer rivers, most of the rivers have higher levels of pollution and fewer fish than Lake Michigan, so it seems like a likely spot to move to.”

Neva said she asked a lifeguard/auto-sticker-checker if he has seen otters in the Lake. “He said he had not seen otters ever, but he did say he had heard of them at the beach,” she said. Other guards tried to convince her that what she and her husband saw was a mink, not an otter.

“We saw an otter,” Neva said. “We just hope that the safeguards which protect [...]

The annual Historic Market Square sidewalk sale is on Friday and Saturday, July 30-31. Here’s a list of just a few of the stores that are offering specials and discounted items in and near Market Square:

• Williams Sonoma will be have its annual summer sale on cookware, dinnerware and food items
• Kiddles Sports will offer 75% off athletic shoes; ½ off sports apparel; and used bikes at “an incredible value”
• EJ Mirage will have a huge selection of purses priced $10-30 and great fashion jewelry at $5-30 from Izzie & Jo
• Helanders will feature a wide array of colorful stationery, office supplies and furniture including $5 HP inkjet cartridges, and nifty gifties (shop early for best selection!)
• Gerhards will have specialty items just for the occasion – banana bread dipped in chocolate fondant, lemon pound cake, and cherry Kuchen.

By Ken Hall, LF resident and supporter of KidsUganda

Last summer we had a benefit at Joplin’s Java & Ragtime Cafe (114 S Genesee Street, Waukegan), and were able to raise enough money to sponsor 4 children for one year. The cost of sponsorship is $300 which includes room and board, uniforms, and two meals per day.

It’s now time to renew our support, so we are once again having a benefit. Our line up includes live music by “The Message Ensemble”, hors d’oeuvres by Kevin Considine, and complimentary wine courtesy of Court Yard Wines in Lake Forest. Please note the time is 5pm till 8pm so those folks who are attending another event such as Guys & Dolls at Gorton will have time to catch a set of great music and still make the play.

I traveled to Africa with my family and a group from KidsUganda last February and personally met each one of these wonderful kids. It cost so relatively little and means so much to them to have a quality education. For instance wIthout our support Ibrahim and Shamin (brother and sister) had to walk 10 kilometers in order to get to school and were often late. With our support they are able to stay in the dorms at the Mzigo school in Mityana, Uganda.

If you’re unable to attend and would still like to help this worthy cause please send a check made out to KidsUganda to:

KidsUganda Child Sponsorship
Care of Ken Hall
123 Wildwood Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045

Last year, KidsUganda raised enough money at its benefit to sponsor four children for one year–these are some of the kids. Photos submitted by Ken Hall

Director David Miller with past students. Top row, left to right: Debra Criche Mell, Teddi Santos, Doug Schuetz, Iain Brearton Kristy Minichiello, Matt Bleck, Colin Siekel, Leland Masek, Morgan Luttig, Rory Connolly, Stephen Blowers, Mac Myles, Alex Zylka, Rachel Penn, Jenny Alaimo, Brett Pepowski Chris Alaimo, Ben Davidson, Michael Rohrs. Middle row, left to right: Molly Carr, Alek Weismantel, Megan Pratt, Ross Kugman, Erica Werner, Mark Miller, June Miller, Dave Miller, Margaret Miller, Joseph Aquino, Kaitlyn Anson, Ashley Anderson. Bottom row, left to right: Carolyn Pairitz, Lain Kienzle, Michele Becker, Caitlin McKechney, Kevin McKechney, Mike Kopsick, Matt Dettling, Austin Lin. ... Photo by Ben Davidson

By Kathy Casper, CenterStage co-producer

Many of the “guys” and “dolls” in the CenterStage musical currently running at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest have met before – in a classroom. Both the director, David Miller, and Tom Beck, who plays Nathan Detroit, are educators in the Lake Bluff/Lake Forest schools, and many of the cast and production crew are former students. This production of Guys and Dolls has brought together multiple generations of students with respected and influential teachers from their pasts.

David taught Spanish, TV Production, Animation and Stagecraft at Lake Forest High School before his retirement in 2009. Tom Beck has taught art and drama in Lake Bluff for 22 years, and received the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2003. Both men are enjoying the opportunity to work with past students, some of whom are now adults with children of their own.

For a couple of the cast members the situation has come full circle. Doug Schuetz, who plays Sky Masterson, became a director, and has directed over 20 shows at CenterStage. “Now,” says Doug, “as I stand onstage in actor’s shoes playing a lead in a musical, I am reminded that the last time this happened I was in high school playing Harold Hill in The Music Man and Dave Miller was my teacher!” Ben Davidson, the set and lighting designer, and a more recent Lake Forest High School student of David’s, is currently the theatre manager at the school.

The education connection can also be found with other “guys” and “dolls” in the cast. Christopher Finch, who plays Nicely-Nicely Johnson, is Principal of Westmoor Elementary School in Northbrook. Maureen McGonigle, [...]

Peach Carr is currently Lake Forest’s most famous fashion designer…and if she wins “Project Runway Season 8″ on Lifetime TV, her fame will spread much further. Lifetime posts videos of its contestants online–here’s Peach giving a tour of her 1890 stable/home in Lake Forest:

This is the text of a letter that Lake Forest Schools Superintendent Dr. Harry Griffith read at Monday night’s Board of Education meeting:

July 27, 2010

Dear Colleagues and Friends:

It is a bittersweet moment as I announce my retirement from Lake Forest Schools, effective at the close of the 2011-12 school year. Over the past 16 years, working with our board, administrators, teachers, staff, and parents and serving the Lake Forest students and community has been an incredible experience.

By working together, we have been able to accomplish so many important things for our children and community. I look back with great pride on the fact that we revised every curriculum, raised test scores in both districts to record levels, and we addressed the needs of the whole child by implementing an extensive emotional wellness initiative. We can boast record numbers of National Merit Scholars, and we have established “Problem Solving Teams” in District 67 and “Core Teams” at Lake Forest High School to meet the needs of every student.

Be assured that the Lake Forest High School District 115 and Elementary District 67 school boards will implement a process, which will involve all school stakeholders and ensure a smooth transition as they seek a new Superintendent of Schools for our community.

I have enjoyed serving as your superintendent and will greatly miss the role I have held for so long. I will especially miss you – the administrators, teachers and staff from both school districts. As I noted earlier, this letter is bittersweet for me. Your dedication and friendship have been an inspiration to me and have made my career in Lake Forest not only a challenge and learning experience, but truly very enjoyable. We have worked well together!

I am one of the fortunate! I have enjoyed every day serving as your superintendent and I look forward to working with you over the next two years to further our goals and initiatives. It has been my pleasure to work by your side in such outstanding districts as Lake Forest School District 67 and 115.

I now look forward to the next chapter in my life – devoting more time to my wife and family, my friends and to our recent addition, our baby granddaughter.

Sincerely,

Harry Griffith
Superintendent of Schools
Lake Forest District 67 & 115