Jeff Vorva – Page 9 –

With a teddy bear tucked under one arm, Palos Park’s Sawyer Schweikert shows off a balloon monkey she received Wednesday at Orland Square. (Jeff Vorva/for the Daily Southtown)

Children and teddy bears take over Orland Square for a day

July 23, 2026 at 11:10 a.m.

Orland square's Teddy Bear Picnic included face-painting, balloon twisting, mermaid braiding and airbrush tattoo stations.

Katie O’Neill of Elmhurst shows one of the three gold medals she won at the Special Olympics USA competition in June in Minnesota. (O’Neill family)

Gymnast Katie O’Neill garners national attention and 3 gold medals at Special Olympics USA Games

July 20, 2026 at 3:25 p.m.

Gymnast Katie O'Neill, of Elmhurst, was in the spotlight at the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota, winning three Gold Medals.

The late Jack Van Eck’s Studebaker filled with Muppets makes its annual appearance Thursday at the Palos Heights Car Show. (Jeff Vorva/for the Daily Southtown)

Granddaughter carries on family tradition at Palos Heights Classic Car Show

July 19, 2026 at 5:15 a.m.

Shannon Davis, of Tinley Park, drove her grandfather Jack Van Eck's Studebaker to the Palos Heights Classic Car Show.

Despite the smoky air, crowds gather Friday along the railroad tracks in downtown Lemont to wait for a glimpse of the Union Pacific Big Boy Number 4014 steam engine. (Brett Johnson/Daily Southtown)

Patient Lemont rail fans rewarded with view of Big Boy locomotive

July 17, 2026 at 4:15 p.m.

Dennis Motyka, of Lemont, remembers growing up and putting together his own American Flyer train setup on his family’s dining room table. “It was not very elaborate,” Motyka said. “Back...

Frankfort’s Lucy Lindgren, 8, gets some climbing in at Fort Frankfort at Commissioners Park. (Jeff Vorva/for the Daily Southtown)

New Fort Frankfort brings smiles to children and adults

July 9, 2026 at 5:10 a.m.

Commissioners Park new Fort Frankfort has new structures, areas for smaller children, two shelters and a focus on inclusion.

Members of the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary June 26 during a Sneaker Ball at Gaelic Park in Oak Forest. (LWSRA)

Lincolnway Special Recreation Association marks 50th birthday as athletes bring home medals from USA Games

July 8, 2026 at 5:01 p.m.

Lincolnway Special Recreation Association in New Lenox marks 50th year as its athletes bring home medals from SPecial Olympics USA Games.

Connie Behnke-Rotondo and Gene Gerardi wave to the crowd Saturday at Breidert Green. They helped put together a Frankfort time capsule in 1976 that was opened Saturday afternoon. (Jeff Vorva/for the Daily Southtown)

Bicentennial beer cans, mugs among finds in 1976 Frankfort time capsule

July 7, 2026 at 9:11 a.m.

Frankfort residents Connie Behnke-Rotondo and Gene Gerardi who oversaw the burial of a time capsule in 1976 were there to open it.

Faith McPheeters and her brother, Noah, of Worth take a slide on Saturday, July 4, at Tinley Park's inaugural Country Fest. (Jeff Vorva/Daily Southtown)

Despite storms, Tinley Park’s inaugural Country Fest packs in the fun

July 5, 2026 at 2:08 p.m.

Thousands showed up despite storms at TInley Park's Country Fest for music and food including ribs and other attractions.

Andi Borucke, of Orland Park, prays during the veneration of the St. Francis of Assisi relic on June 28 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Orland Park. (Jeff Vorva/Daily Southtown)

Relic of St. Francis visits Orland Park church 800 years after his death

June 29, 2026 at 12:24 p.m.

A first-class relic of St. Francis of Assisi, a fragment of his bone, was on display Sunday at his namesake parish in Orland Park.

An Uncle Sam stilt walker shakes hands Saturday at the Oak Lawn 250th Independence Day Celebration Parade. (Jeff Vorva/for the Daily Southtown)

Oak Lawn gets an early start in celebrating America’s 250th

June 28, 2026 at 8:42 a.m.

Oak Lawn held an early Fouth of July parade for America's 250th, including a post-parade celebration on the Village Green.

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