News Briefs: Local 9/11 remembrances; Skokie police grant; Mobile sauna’s return; Native plant sale on Saturday

North Shore municipalities will mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 this Friday, also known as Patriot Day.

In Highland Park, an observance will begin at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Bennett Gordon Hall at Ravinia Festival. The program, which will be livestreamed on YouTube, will remember those who were killed and injured, and those who responded to the call for aid, especially first responders from Highland Park and Highwood. The Highland Park Fire Department will lead the Last Alarm Bell Ceremony as part of a program including remarks by Mayor Nancy Rotering, Police Chief Lou Jogmen, Fire Chief Joe Schrage, and Deputy Fire Chief Bill Brennan, who provided mutual aid in New York City. Tom Finnegan of the Shannon Rovers Pipe Band will perform.

In Glencoe, a memorial service is set to begin Friday at 7:46 a.m. — the moment the first plane struck the World Trade Center’s north tower (8:46 a.m. eastern) — around the flag pole at the corner of Vernon and Lincoln Avenues.

In Winnetka, for what is an annual initiative, the Village Green will be filled with American flags, planted in the ground on Sept. 10 and kept through Sept. 11 to honor the 2,977 victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. No formal ceremony is planned.

In Skokie, the Skokie Fire Department will host ceremonies in remembrance beginning at 8:57 a.m. at the flag pole of all three Skokie fire stations —Fire Station 16, 7424 Niles Center Road; Fire Station 17, 8157 Central Park Ave.; Fire Station 18, 9024 Gross Point Road. Two minutes later, at 8:59 a.m, when the World Trade Center’s south tower collapsed, (time of the World Trade Center South Tower collapse), a “last alarm” bell ceremony will occur followed by a minute of silence at 9 a.m. The public is invited to attend along with members of Skokie Fire, Police and other Village staff to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

In Northfield, a remembrance ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m. at the town’s Fire-Rescue Facility, 1800 Winnetka Road. A brief speech will be followed by the tolling of the station bell to recognize when the first tower of the World Trade Center fell on Sept. 11, 2001.

In Wilmette, Loyola Academy will continue its 9/11 remembrance efforts. Each year, the high school’s student council creates a display of American flags near the marquee sign at Lake and Laramie avenues. The display honors the tragedy’s victims, including Loyola alumnus Michael Lunden.

Skokie police awarded ComEd grant

ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus in August announced that 24 local organizations across Illinois, including the Village of Skokie, will receive more than $170,000 through the 2026 Powering Safe Communities Program.

For the last 12 years, the grant program supports projects that enhance public safety and advance clean energy solutions in communities throughout northern Illinois.

With the grant funds, the Village of Skokie Police Department will acquire a mobile light tower/generator to support public safety operations during emergencies and power outages.

“The success of the Powering Safe Communities Program reflects the strong partnership between ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, and our shared commitment to building safer and more resilient communities,” said Melissa Washington, senior vice president of government, regulatory and external affairs at ComEd, in a statement. “We’re proud to help support local projects and invest in communities that are building for the future.”

Since its launch in 2015, the Powering Safe Communities Program reportedly has awarded more than $2 million in grant funding to support more than 260 public safety and clean energy projects.    

Beachside sauna to return to Wilmette in September

Campfire Sauna and Social will return this Friday, Sept. 11, for a second season of lakeside residence at Gillson Beach in Wilmette.

Married Wilmette couple Brett and Lauren Rudowsky founded the mobile sauna company and launched it in Wilmette a year ago under a mission to “build healthier, more connected communities by making Scandinavian sauna culture more accessible.” 

The Rudowskys reportsdly named their concept Campfire Sauna and Social after the environment that is created when sitting around a campfire, one that allows for connection and conversation. 

Each session in the sauna is 50 minutes and pricing begins at $20 for a newbie pass to $300 for 10 passes. They also offer an unlimited monthly membership for $199. You can also rent out the whole mobile sauna, which can fit 10-12 people, or reserve it for an offsite event. 

Go Green Winnetka’s native plant sale coming up

Planting season is not over yet, according to Go Green Winnetka.

Go Green Winnetka is back with its sixth annual Fall Native Plant Sale from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Indian Hill Park, 131 Wilson St.

The organization says in a press release that “Native plants aren’t just pretty — they’re the real MVPs of your local ecosystem. These plants pull pollinators, assist Monarch butterflies in their journeys, tackle stormwater like pros, and barely ask for a favor in return — low-maintenance, high-impact.”

For more information and a complete plant list, visit the Go Green Winnetka website.

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