News Briefs: Local Veterans Day ceremonies; Sarah Hall Dance Company’s expansion; History for former NTHS golfer

Local communities will honor military veterans this weekend in accordance with Veterans Day on Saturday, Nov. 11.

The Village of Wilmette is cohosting a ceremony at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, at Veterans Park, 1111 Central Ave. American Legion Post 46 and the Wilmette Police and Fire departments will lead the ceremony, which will include a rifle salute, words from local officials and a wreath laying.

Avoca District 37 also held its 15th annual Veterans Day breakfast from 8:45-10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, at Marie Murphy School in Wilmette.

In Winnetka, veterans will be honored during a ceremony at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln Ave. New Trier VFW Post 4831 will lead events, including a presentation of the colors and honorary guest speaker Captain Ryan Costello, a U.S. Air Force veteran.

The City of Highland Park‘s Veterans Day ceremony will commence at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Highland Park Library, 494 Laurel Ave. Representatives from the American Legion Post 145, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4737 and Jewish War Veterans Post 29 will be present, and the program will include remarks from Mayor Nancy Rotering, Naval Station Great Lakes Cmdr. Terry N. Traweek, the City’s Poet Laureate Laura Joyce-Hubbard, and Honor Flight Chicago’s William Fireside. U.S. Navy veteran Lawrence J. Sassorossi will be honored by the American Legion as a Hero Among Us. The Highland Park High School brass quintet will perform patriotic music.  

Sarah Hall Theatre Company to expand youth programming

Sarah Hall Theatre Company is planning a year of growth in 2024, according to a release from the organization.

The local youth theatre and dance company — which offers programming in Glencoe and Deerfield — is introducing a new theater program in Highland Park while expanding its Deerfield offerings to include dance programming.

According to the release, “This expansion not only fills a need for more creative programming in the area, but offers children exciting avenues to enhance their self-confidence through the performing arts.” 

In Highland Park, the newly introduced Little Footlighters is designed for children in Grades K-2. Little Footlighters engages young participants in theater games, rehearsals and live performances, where they will develop fundamental acting skills and rehearsal techniques essential for success on the stage. This program will run on Thursdays from Jan. 18-May 9 at the Irina Makkai Studio. For more information and to register, visit the Sarah Hall Theatre website.

In Deerfield, Sarah Hall Theatre Company is expanding its offerings by introducing dance programming through the Deerfield Park District at the Sachs Recreation Center. The youth dance program includes two new classes designed for children aged 3-5. For more information and to register, visit the Deerfield Park District website.

“This expansion marks an incredible milestone for our company,” said Sarah Hall, founder of the company and a Glencoe resident. “We are thrilled to provide more children with the opportunity to discover their talents and build self-confidence through the performing arts.

“Our vision for the future is to continue helping young artists express themselves and fostering a lifelong love for theatre and dance.” 

For further information about class registration, contact Sarah Hall Theatre Company at  info@sarahhalltheatre.com.

New Trier alumnus makes history for Bucknell golf

With two straight 2-under-par performances, Alex Creamean, a 2023 New Trier High School graduate, became the first Bucknell freshman ever to win a tournament title on Oct. 31 at Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, New York.

According to a release from the school, Creamean began the final day in a tie for fourth place, but stormed to the top of the leaderboard after posting the only under-par round in the 60-player field. He had just one blemish on his card all day, a double-bogey at the par-3 12th hole. Other than that, he made four birdies and 13 pars on the way to a 4-under 140 for the week.

The Winnetka native broke par in five of his final six rounds, lowering his season scoring average to 72.08, near the program’s record low for a fall season. Creamean’s mark is the best-ever for a freshman in his first semester of competition.

Bucknell’s fall season is now complete. The Bison will resume play on Feb. 11-13 at the Palmas del Mar Collegiate, hosted by UNC Greensboro in Humacao, Puerto Rico.

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