Tower Town Topics, the weekly column showcasing residents of Western Springs and Indian Head Park, has a New Year’s tradition of recounting highlights of the previous year.

The opening of the column stays the same from year to year as it remains fitting, observing that if the wealth of a community is measured by the value of its resources, then by any measure, Western Springs and Indian Head Park are rich communities. For the greatest resource in a community are the citizens, and Western Springs and Indian Head Park have an abundance of individuals devoting their time and talent to helping others.

Each year, I have the pleasure of talking with some of the finest residents of these two communities. The following are just a few of the individuals and groups who bring honor to their community as a result of their good deeds.

Former Western Springs resident Holly Bennett ran a book drive, collecting items for the students at Paul Revere Elementary School in Chicago. A teacher at the school, Bennett noted that the classrooms had meager libraries. The families of the students, she added, are often unable to afford books and school supplies. The book drive was held at Presbyterian Church of Western Springs and Bennett was thrilled with the response. Because of her initiative along with the support of local residents, many students were given access to great books.

Each year Christine Rehak-Grohne gives a special troupe of actors an opportunity to shine. The Downers Grove resident has headed the Actors with Special Needs Program with Lyons Township High School’s Adult and Continuing Education Program for 15 years. This year, her theater troupe produced Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Getting to Know ... Cinderella,” a specially adapted version of the classic musical. After many months of rehearsal and preparation, the performance took place in late November before a live audience.

“Some aspects could be considered so small by other people’s standards. But just the fact that they stand taller; some of them have the confidence to look you in the eye now. And there’s beautiful teamwork that’s created,” Rehak-Grohne said about her troupe.

Some special needs students at Lyons Township High School were given a unique learning opportunity as the result of the largesse of the Indian Head Park Women’s Club. A greenhouse was planned to be built on LT’s south campus. It will be cared for by students with moderate to severe disabilities, known as low-incidence students, and by students with emotional, behavioral and social needs. Money to kick-start the program was provided by the IHP Women’s Club.

Karen Brown, director of special education at LT said that the greenhouse program was to be “enmeshed into different classes. Our students in the low-incidence program will use it as part of their science program, their English program, and math. It’s an extension of all of the curricular areas.”

For the students with emotional and behavioral needs, she said, it will provide hands-on opportunity to grow socially.

“This is more about authentic learning rather than text book learning. It’s great to have this opportunity for the students to have this authentic experience that can translate into having workplace readiness skills,” Brown said.

The first Tower Town Topics of 2009 is a tribute to these special people of Western Springs and Indian Head Park, who are themselves, tributes to their communities. A happy healthy new year to all!

If you have story ideas, please send an e-mail to wendymfoster@comcast.net.