News Briefs: Pit & Tap’s holiday popup; HP senior center’s ribbon cutting; Skokie leader’s award; former NT hooper’s honor

A Wilmette restaurant’s popular and annual holiday popup is back.

For the fifth straight year, the Deck the Halls will take over Pit & Tap, 1168 Wilmette Ave., into a winter wonderful for the next six weeks.

The popup began on Thursday, Nov. 20, and will keep the season bright every day (except Thanksgiving and Christmas days) through Jan. 5 with an egregious amount of holiday decor both inside and out of the Wilmette restaurant.

Pit & Tap is also continuing its Breakfast with Santa program for a third year on Saturdays and Sundays through the new year. Tickets can be purchased online and come with a traditional American breakfast (pancakes, eggs, bacon) and a meet and greet with Jolly Ole St. Nick.

The holiday popup also hosts a family-friendly New Year’s Eve event on Dec. 31, when the new year will be celebrated every hour on the hour from 5-9 p.m.

Senior center gets ribbon cutting

The new Highland Park Senior Center was celebrated on Friday, Nov. 14, with a ribbon cutting and visit from local officials and community members.

Following a multi-year improvement project, the facility is open and home to the senior center and venue Moraine Events.

The renovated building includes a new ballroom and multi-purpose spaces.

Renovations on the city-operated facility, which is connected to the park district’s recreation center, began in 2023. The senior center reopened in late 2024 with final touches added throughout 2025.

During the ribbon-cutting Senior Services Manager Laura Frey welcomed guests, and Mayor Nancy Rotering commented on the importance of investing in spaces to support seniors.

City Manager Ghida Neukirch then reviewed the decade of planning that went into the project at the former site of the Highland Park Country Club.

Oakton administrator earns NAACP honor 

Skokie resident Ella Whitehead, an administrator at Oakton Community College, on Nov. 15 was presented with the NAACP Evanston/North Shore Branch’s 2025 President’s Award. 

According to a release from Oakton College, the President’s Award honors individuals who make significant contributions to advancing equity and opportunity in their communities. 

“I’m truly humbled to receive the President’s Award from the Evanston/North Shore Branch of the NAACP,” she said in the release. “This honor means so much because it reflects the heart of what drives me every day — lifting as we climb, standing up for what’s right, and building a community where everyone is seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.”

With Oakton, Whitehead oversees admissions, equity outreach, international student services and the Emory Williams Academy, where her work has strengthened student access, belonging and achievement, the school says.

“Ella’s commitment to advancing equity and student empowerment aligns deeply with the mission of Oakton College,” said Dr. Joianne L. Smith, Oakton’s president, in a statement. “Her leadership and work at the college bring us closer to realizing Oakton’s Vision 2030 goal of building just and thriving communities.”

Whitehead is also the chartering president of the North Shore Section of the National Council of Negro Women, immediate past president of Oakton’s chapter of the American Association of Women in Community Colleges, and an active member of the Evanston/North Shore NAACP, Skokie Valley Rotary Club, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

She also serves on the Skokie Public Library Board and the Skokie Community Foundation Board.

’22 grad Shannon lighting it up for Macalester

New Trier High School alumnus Noah Shannon, a senior at Macalester College, recently was named the MIAC Men’s Basketball Offensive Player of the Week.

Shannon averaged 33.5 points and 10.5 rebounds over two victories: 82-76 against University of Wisconsin-Stout on Nov. 12 and 126-114 against Grinnell on Nov. 15.

Shannon scored a career-high 35 points to go with 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals against UW-Stout. A few days later, he netted 32 points on 7-of-11 shooting and 18-of-21 from the free-throw line. He added 9 rebounds and 4 assists in the victory.

Through five games this season, Shannon is averaging 23.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. He also has taken 51 free throws, a conference best.

Shannon graduated from New Trier in 2022 after helping to lead the Trevians to a 30-4 record and one of the best squads in program history.