Melinda Moore

Melinda Moore is a freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune.

Michelle Maxia, founder and director of Toy Box Connection, shows off the DAR Community Service Award she recently received from the Swallow Cliff chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. (Swallow Cliff DAR)

Around the Southland: Swallow Cliff DAR lauds women for volunteerism, trout season opens

March 26, 2026 at 11:37 a.m.

News from around the Southland includes items from Palos Heights, Calumet City, Orland Park, Glenwood, Lemont and more.

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra Education and Community Engagement Director Roosevelt Griffin, from left, student Arabella Alvarez, donor Elaine MacKenzie and Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra Music Director Brian Ostrega gather after a violin was presented to Alvarez during a Valentine's Day Concert at Ozinga Chapel in Palos Heights. (Ken Churilla/Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra)

Violin donated through Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra tugs Oak Forest family’s heart strings

March 26, 2026 at 5:03 a.m.

An act of generosity by an Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra patron has inspired an Oak Forest family to pay it forward.

The Elmhurst University Jazz Band performs during the university's Jazz Festival earlier this year. A gift of $265,000 will help support the festival and two scholarships. (Elmhurst University)

Community news: $265K gift for Elmhurst U jazz programs, trout fishing, and more

March 20, 2026 at 5:21 p.m.

News from the community includes items from Elmhurst University, Cook County forest preserves, Franklin Park, Westmont and more.

Tammi Carlson directs the flute choir at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills. She’s retiring at the end of the spring semester after 27 years as a music faculty member. (Moraine Valley Community College)

Moraine Valley teacher, flautist, retiring after nearly 3 decades of ‘making music tick’

March 19, 2026 at 4:02 p.m.

Tammi Carlson has been playing and teaching the flute for nearly three decades at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills.

More than 500 students from five school districts in Chicago’s south suburbs took to the stage during the 2026 Black History Showcase held recently at Governors State University in University Park. (Matteson School District 162)

Around the Southland: Black History Showcase draws hundreds to GSU, and more

March 18, 2026 at 5:41 p.m.

News from around the Southland includes items from Matteson, Oak Lawn, Tinley Park, District 230, Frankfort, Lansing and more.

Former White Sox and Cubs center fielder Lance Johnson, who played for Triton College, helps cut the ribbon in the college's East Campus Athletic Complex in 2016. Johnson will return for Triton College Alumni Association's “Reunion at the Ballpark” event from 6 to 9 p.m. March 27 at Symonds-Puckett Baseball Field at the college n River Grove. (Triton College)

Community news: Triton alumni event features White Sox great, and more

March 18, 2026 at 9:54 a.m.

News from the community includes items from Triton College, La Grange, Countryside, Hinsdale, Oak Park and more.

Windy City Thunderbolts pitcher Carsen Plumadore and his wife, Avery, stand with Max Kotel, of Alsip, whose family is hosting the player this season. The Kotels have been a host family for Thunderbolts players for several years. “I love that (Max) gets to have somebody that he can look up to because he’s an only child,” Jen Kotel said. (Jen Kotel)

Reaching home: Area families open doors so Windy City Thunderbolts players can chase baseball dreams

March 14, 2026 at 5:03 a.m.

Crestwood-based Windy City Thunderbolts baseball team recruits host families to house players each season, forming new families along the way.

Family friendly events are planned for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m .March 14 during Maple Syrup Magic at Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township. (Forest Preserve District of Will County)

Around the Southland: Maple Syrup Magic in Will County, Green Hills Library work, more

March 12, 2026 at 5:21 a.m.

Forest Preserve District offers Maple Syrup Magic The day will be a little sweeter this weekend at Plum Creek Nature Center, thanks to Maple Syrup Magic, which takes place 10...

East Leyden HIgh School junior Mia Martin won Best of Photography in the Triton College Art Competition for her piece "Chilling Serenity.” Sixty-two Leyden High School students had pieces in the contest. (Triton College)

Community news: Leyden High School artists lauded at Triton competition, and more

March 9, 2026 at 4:16 p.m.

News items from the community include items from River Grove, Leyden Township, McCook, Oak Park, Clarendon Hills, Elmhurst and more.

Josh Misiewicz, originally from LaGrange, participates in the U.S. sled hockey team's Gold Medal game at 2025 Para Ice Hockey World Championship at LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo, New York. He's now in Italy as the team goes for gold at the Paralympics. (Micheline Veluvolu)

Suburban natives hope to lead US sled hockey team to another Paralympic gold medal

March 5, 2026 at 5:01 a.m.

Local players are helping the U.S. Paralympic sled hockey team try for its fifth consecutive gold medal at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

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