Bottles, 339 Talcott Ave., will be hosting its second annual “Beerfest” June 9.

Brian Pepich grew up learning the value and importance of volunteering through his parents.

Next Level Lemont, 12301 New Ave., is hosting a group workout called “Stay Strong for Samuel” on Saturday.

Sticking its collective thumb in Gov. Pat Quinn’s eye, the Illinois House passed a major expansion of gambling on Wednesday that would put five new casinos in Chicago, Rockford, Danville, Lake County and the south suburbs of Cook County and place slot machines at the state’s racetracks.

The organizers of the 2012 Advocate Good Samaritan Quarryman Challenge announced the race will not be rescheduled this year, and runners won’t be getting a reimbursement, though they will be offered a discount for the race in 2013.

Cherry trees were planted in a butterfly garden outside the Lemont Library, 50 Wend St., by Girl Scout Troop 88 on May 20.

Lemont High School students met with Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliv this past weekend as an award for winning Chicagoland’s Junior Achievement “Company of the Year” award.

Buglers Across America volunteers are now performing "Taps" at 3,000 services a month — 26 percent of all the military funerals in the U.S.

The Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed the first positive test for West Nile virus came from a crow in Lemont May 17.

The final installment of our Costly Commute series follow Erica Urteaga of Bolingbrook, a busy 33-year-old mom who totes her four children around to various activities on the weekends, then visits family and friends in Chicago on the weekends. The cost of gas is something always on Urteaga's mind, so she relies on advance planning and car smarts to keep a tight budget.

Our complete series of stories and multimedia on the "Costly Commute," a multi-part series about the effects of rising gas prices on suburban residents.

Anyone who has ever vegged out on the couch has Eugene J. Polley to thank for facilitating their relaxation.

Lemont resident Amy Beth Cresap has received the Phyllis Perrin Wilcox Endowment scholarship for her study in sign language at the University of New Mexico.

Lemont resident Laura Fairclough’s “Pink Chicks” will be taking their fifth annual walk for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer event next weekend.

Veterans at the Lemont VFW Post 5819 are upset over Iraq and Afghanistan veterans giving back their medals during a NATO protest Sunday.

The Lemont Historical Society is adding tours to involve a limestone tour, the Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve and the Heritage Quarries.

Although the primary protest against NATO occurred early Sunday afternoon and evening, traffic restrictions will still be in effect Monday.

When Patricia Withers left home Sunday morning, she also left her dependent 29-year-old autistic son behind with her husband, who had to fly back from his home in England. "Just in the event I get arrested," Withers said, "someone has to be here for him."

When Zaklina Trpenovski learned that President of the Republic of Macedonia Gjorge Ivanov was going to be in Chicago for the NATO summit, she thought it only natural to invite him to her church, Macedonian Orthodox Church Sts. Kiril and Metodij in Willowbrook.