News Briefs: Village’s new website, web address; Wilmette 39 music recognition; Loyola Day of Service; Writers Theatre’s season lineup

The Village of Wilmette has launched a new website with a new url: Wilmette.gov. Previously the site address was Wilmette.com.

A message from the Village says the new site was approved as part of the 2023 budget and was designed as part of its effort to be more transparent and user-friendly for residents and visitors.

The village says the project team has worked for nine months to create a site that is easy to use and highlights the most commonly sought information.

Archived information, such as past meeting documents (minutes, packets, etc.), will continue to be added in the coming weeks, according to the Village.

Users can find government, community, business and service information at the top of the page and can quickly access popular topics by clicking on the graphic buttons — linking to meeting agendas, bill payment, permit information, refuse collection details, and a service-request form — below the main image.

A calendar is also available for upcoming village meetings and events.

With questions or concerns, contact the Village webmaster at webmaster@wilmette.com.

Wilmette music students earn high praise

The Wilmette Public Schools District 39 music program recently earned recognition for its instrumental music and choir performances.

According to a release from the district, the Highcrest Hawk Band, Wilmette Junior High concert band, WJH symphonic band and WJHA orchestra all took home top marks at the Illinois Grade School Music Association District 8 contest on March 8-9, earning a Division I rating.

In addition to the instrumental music program, the WJHS honors choir and the district’s High Five junior choir were selected to perform at the 2024 Organization of American Kodaly Educators Conference. Eight members of the High Five choir were selected to be part of a national group that performed for the conference at the Chicago Symphony Center.

“We have many outstanding music educators in the district who are dedicated to developing our young and talented music students,” said Dr. Kari Cremascoli, District 39 superintendent, in the release. “Whether through our instrumental music programs of band and orchestra or vocally through our many music and choir programs, it is wonderful to see the hard work and creative performance of so many be celebrated.”

Loyola Day of Service benefits numerous area nonprofits

Nearly 300 Loyola Academy parents, students and incoming class members participated in the annual Family Mass and Day of Service on Sunday, March 24, according to a release from the Wilmette school. The event has been a tradition since 2013.

The service day began with community members purchasing items from Amazon wishlists, and this year’s beneficiaries were Bernie’s Book Bank, Madonna Mission and Loyola’s own tuition-assisted college-bound students.

Two service events took place, with one held before and after a Mass that was celebrated by campus ministers Rev. Stan Czarnecki and Deacon Arkadiusz Ciemiega.

Loyola families worked on four service projects in support of four different organizations. The first project created college-bound bags for some of Loyola’s tuition-assisted seniors. The second involved sorting through gently used children’s books that were donated throughout Spring Spirit Week for Bernie’s Book Bank. The third consisted of assembling reading booklets, quizzes and flashcard packets for Madonna Mission, and the fourth project involved hosting a neighborhood cleanup, where volunteers helped collect trash around Loyola’s immediate community.

“Seeing so many families come together for a day of worship and service to others makes me proud to be a part of the Rambler community,” said Liz Somer, event chair and current Loyola parent, in the release.

Writers Theatre unveils ’24-’25 productions

The Writers Theatre announced the details of its 2024-’25 season, which begins with “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812” (Sept. 5–Oct. 27). The season opens with the Chicago premiere of the play, which is nominated for 12 Tony Awards.

This is the second time that the company has collaborated with director/choreographer Katie Spelman and music director Matt Deitchman, following their successful two-year run of “Once.”

Also this season, Kimberly Senior returns to WT for a one-person comedic play “Every Brilliant Thing” (Oct. 31-Jan. 5); Vanessa Severo will star as herself and as Frida in “Frida…A Self Portrait” (Jan. 23-Feb. 23), a new play written and directed by Severo; Braden Abraham will bring the Irish drama “Traditions” (April 3-May 4, 2025) to WT; and the world premiere of “Dhaba on Devon Avenue” (June 19-July 27, 2025), directed by Chay Yew, co-produced with TimeLine Theatre Company, concludes the season.

“This season will take us on a theatrical odyssey traversing landscapes both familiar and foreign, where the echoes of history mingle with the vibrancy of contemporary life,” said Braden Abraham, the theater’s artistic director, in a press release. “From Russia and Ireland in the early 1800s to mid-20th century Mexico to the present day in our beloved Chicago, these extraordinary plays are each an invitation to celebrate the human spirit in all its wonder, complexity, and heart. The deliberately intimate setting at Writers, where you are always close to the actors, promises an unforgettable experience that will linger long after the performance ends.”

Find out more about the productions and about tickets at the Writers Theatre website. Tickets are also available by calling the box office at (847) 242-6000.