Thursday, April 5, 2012
The O'Laughlin family writes a letter of thanks to everyone who pulled together to support them and the memory of their daughter, Kelli.
- OPINION
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Thursday, April 5, 2012
Thank You. Two small words, but they mean so much to us. Since our beautiful girl with the radiant, contagious smile was taken from us last fall, people have astounded us with their thoughtfulness and generosity in Kelli’s name. Kelli’s name is, in fact, now inextricably linked with those willing to help others in some way. It is fitting that so many people—of all ages, literally all over the world—have come together to not only support our family, but to raise funds so that others many benefit. After all, our Kelli Joy was always helping others, whether teaching and playing with children, giving her time and talent to schools, teams and clubs or simply asking someone sitting alone at a nearby lunch table to come join her and her friends. …
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
More than 46 area businesses have donated items for a raffle that will raise money for the Kelli Joy O'Laughlin Memorial Fund.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Sabrina Wu
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Wednesday, November 23, 2011
A fundraiser will be held tonight at Mattone Restaurant and Bar in La Grange Park to raise money for the Kelli Joy O'Laughlin Memorial Fund. The 14-year-old Lyons Township freshman was killed after she walked in on a burglary in her own home last month. Forty-six area businesses have donated items that will be raffled off to raise money for the fund that has been set up in her memory. "Everybody that we've talked to about participating with a donation has been happy and eager to be a part of the event," said Erica Alletto, one of the coordinators for the fundraiser. Alletto's brother Johnny and her husband Frank, Lyons Township High School graduates and members of the Acoustic-rock cover band Jank, were scheduled to play at Mattone …
Friday, October 28, 2011
Friends who knew Kelli O'Laughlin since kindergarten will miss her.
About a dozen Lyons Township High School freshmen tied white ribbons around trees in front of the school in Western Springs Friday afternoon. "They're white, because white is pure, just like Kelli," said Abby, a friend of fellow freshman Kelli O'Laughlin, 14, who was murdered after getting home from school on Thursday. The group of students are remembering Kelli by putting together scrapbooks of their times together, and a memorial Facebook page has been created. Most of the students had gone to school with Kelli since kindergarten and several were on the cross country team with her. Friday afternoon, they wore purple ribbons around their heads. "Purple was her favorite color," said Lindsey, another LT freshman, who said she used to call …
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Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The place where parents talk.
On Sept. 11, 2001, I was in gym class playing tennis under a clear, blue sky when the first announcement came over the school's loudspeaker at my high school telling students that two planes had hit the World Trade Center towers in New York City. The rest of the school day was a wash as some teachers took up discussions in class about what had happened, and others attempted to quiet the whispering between students and carry on as normal. It wasn't until I got home from school and turned on the television that I first saw the images of the planes hitting the towers and then watched as they fell, over and over on the nightly news. In the 10 years since, it seems like the lives of so many people my age and younger have been shaped by that …
Friday, September 2, 2011
George Orwell was right!
All that whooping and hollering you just heard was me! I couldn’t help but get a little excited over Houston, TX, removing every last one of its 70 red-light cameras. Despite a despicable legal attack and being outspent 10-to-1, a citizen’s group started by two brothers got the removal measure on the ballot and then prevailed. Not one to admit defeat, the camera company tried a last-ditch legal end run and, when the city council wouldn’t buckle, sued Houston for $25 million. It’s all about safety, isn’t it! That second round of loud applause you heard was also me. After calling every single West Suburban Patch police department, I was astonished to find that only four cities—Geneva, St. Charles, Lisle and Western Springs—employ the heinous…
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
The place where parents talk.
When I was in high school, I'd get up late each morning. Generally that meant enough time for a fast shower, gathering my things and packing a lunch. When I was in school, half my friends would bring a brown bag lunch and half would end up buying food from the cafeterria—grilled cheese and bosco sticks were probably the most popular. So, when it comes to your kid's lunch, what's a parent to do? As a parent, do you know what the cafeteria options at your kid's school are? Are you satisfied with the school's offerings, or are there some items you would prefer to see over others? This is not to say that brown bag lunches are necessarily healthier options for kids. For some of the kids I went to school with, packing a lunch meant not a …
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The place where moms—and dads too—talk.
Every parent needs a night out once in awhile. But when it comes to leaving the kids at home, sometimes it's easier said than done. A lucky few might have a grandparent or longtime friend nearby who is available to watch the kiddies, but for many parents, a night out means hiring a babysitter. So, today, we're talking about babysitters on Moms Talk: For those parents who are long past needing a sitter to watch the kids, tell our other parents your best practices, tips and experiences. Got any funny, scary, or strange stories to share? Tell us in comments.
Matthew Hendrickson
12:52 pm on Friday, April 6, 2012
Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Joyce and goirish. more ›