By Joe Boyle 

The Worth Public Works Department received high praise from a local official on how they responded to a series of storms that raced through the village on March 31.

Trustee Brad Urban was appreciative of how the public works department reacted quickly in the aftermath of the storms.

“Public works did a great job with the storms,” Urban said during the Worth Village Board meeting on April 5. “They got all of the branches picked up and took care of some trees that were down.”

Urban added that a couple of trees near his home were also uprooted due to the high winds from the storms.

He reminded the board and residents that the Hometown Hero Banner applications are available through April 30. The banners are displayed on Memorial Day through Veterans Day, Urban said.

The fee for each banner is $70. The banners can be purchased at the Worth Village Hall, 7112 W. 111th St.

Village Clerk Bonnie Price mentioned that the Marrs-Meyer American Legion Auxiliary has asked permission to sell poppies for Poppy Day on May 25 at various street corners and retail locations in the village.

The auxiliary received permission to sell the items. All the volunteers will be outfitted in bright yellow safety vests and will be monitored. The solicitors will be selling the poppies beginning at 6 a.m. and will continue until they are sold out.

Trustee Pete Kats, who is the head of the public safety committee, said that Joseph Ratajczak has been hired as a new probationary police officer effective April 4.

“We are excited to have him,” Kats said. “This is where he wanted to be. This is his home.”

Mayor Mary Werner provided the board and residents information on several events that will be taking place in the village and other local municipalities.

The annual Spring Arts, Crafts and Vendor Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Shepard High School, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights.

The event, which is sponsored by the Shepard Band Boosters, will be held in the gym and cafeteria. Entrance is in the rear of the building at door 12. Over 150 crafters and vendors will take part.

Concessions will be provided all day. Admission is $2. Parking is free.

Boy Scout Troop 668 and Cub Scout Pack 3668 will hold the 66th Annual “All You Can Eat” Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 29, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 11007 S. 76th Ave.

The fee is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors over age 65. The fee is also $5 for children ages 3 to 6, and free for children under age 3. Drive-through service is $6. Carry-out options are available.

The Marrs-Meyer American Legion Auxiliary 991 will hold the annual “New to You” rummage sale at the post, 11001 S. Depot St. Donated items in good condition that will be accepted include toys, games, kitchenware, small furniture, electronics (no tube TVs), small appliances, tools, home decor, holiday decor, books, DVDs, videos, and clean undamaged clothing.

Donations will be accepted beginning at noon Monday, April 24, and Tuesday, April 25. The rummage sale will be held Thursday, April 27, and Friday, April 28.

Kentucky Derby Day will be celebrated with post time at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Marrs-Meyer American Legion Post. Women are encouraged to wear their Derby hats. More information can be obtained by calling 708-448-7006.

At the Hop Best Dressed Lunch Dance will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at Shepard High School. Tickets are available in the activities office at the school.

The Worth Cruisers Car Club’s Cruise Nights will begin Monday, May 1, in the Water’s Edge Golf Course parking lot, 115th and Harlem. The cruise nights will be held from 5 to 8:30 p.m. each Friday. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

The board meeting was held a day later because the Village Hall was used as a polling place for the April 4 election. Werner applauded trustees Kats, Kevin Ryan and Laura Packwood, who were unopposed.

“I will do my best to give you four more good years,” Kats said.