After canceling its November meeting, Winfield Area Gardeners rescheduled the postponed lecture to Nov. 18 in Sebahar Hall at St. John the Baptist Church. Members liked the location, praising the spacious and well lit hall. Horticulturist, instructor and landscape designer John Sosnowski from the Morton Arboretum discussed “Pruning Tips and Favorite Gardening Tools.” He suggested pruning tree branches so they are at a 10-to-2-o’clock position, for a nice shape. Winter is a good time of year to do your trimming and shaping. There’s good visibility of branches and trunks, plus wearing winter clothes protects your skin from scratches. Watch for beautifully shaped hedges, bushes and trees throughout the village.

WAG members will bring snacks to share and nonperishable items for a local food pantry to the 6:30 p.m. gathering Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Winfield Community Bank, 27W111 Geneva Road. Past WAG member Rita Harris will help members create a holiday door swag that can be used as a table centerpiece or on a fireplace mantel. Harris will provide pine cones, greens, red velvet or berry ribbon, with higher quality ribbon offered for an additional $4.

Open house

Winfield Fire Protection District hosted a gigantic open house Oct. 11 at the Winfield Fire Station, 27W530 High Lake Road. More than 500 residents and guests attended, and thanks to the nearly perfect weather and the help of 37 employees and volunteers, the event was a tremendous success. A highlight of the afternoon was the display of the Air Angels helicopter, with staff on hand to answer questions. Warrenville Fire Protection District generously donated its ladder truck for demonstration purposes, while the Winfield Fire Department offered rides on a fire truck.

For the first time, Norbert Pools and Spas donated a swimming pool for use by a member of the district’s dive team. The diver was able to demonstrate how various types of diving equipment work underwater, while communicating with the public through an underwater microphone system.

An extraction demonstration is done every year and always attracts a big crowd. Everyone likes to see the “jaws of life” in action. After intentionally smashing two cars into one another, firefighters used their extraction equipment to dismantle the cars and show what they would do if someone were trapped inside.

A booth by the Citizen Emergency Response Team offered information on what the team does and how to become a member. Central DuPage Hospital representatives provided information on health and well-being. Winfield Police Department gave the public a closer look at a police car, and officers answered questions.
Culver’s provided an ice-cream cart and donated its frozen custard to all in attendance. Also served were hot dogs, popcorn, cookies, coffee and juice. Firefighters thanked district residents who helped make the open house a success.

Safety tips

Fire Prevention Bureau Deputy Chief Bryan Lewis suggests taking simple precaution now that the first snow has fallen. Install carbon-monoxide detectors near bedrooms and on each floor of your home. Change the batteries twice a year as you change the clocks. Know the signs of CO poisoning: headache, fatigue, dizziness and shortness of breath. If you experience any of these symptoms, get fresh air immediately and call 911. Keep portable heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, and never leave children alone in a room where a space heater is in use. In case of a power outage, be sure to have extra blankets, flashlights, matches and a first-aid kit. If using a kerosene heater, use only the fuel recommended; never put gasoline into a kerosene heater, because it could explode.

Fish fry

St. John’s Parish’s fish fry is from 5 to 7 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 5 and 19, in the school hall, 0S257 Church St. The menu also includes baked potato, cole slaw, rolls and dessert. Beer and wine will be available. Children who don’t want fish have a choice of cheese pizza, peanut butter and jelly sandwich or macaroni and cheese.

St. John’s Service Commission again will sponsor its annual Christmas Wish Trees. Parishioners are asked to take tags from one or both trees in the narthex and grant the wish of a needy person this holiday season. Trees are covered with color-coded tags from the following organizations: DuPage Convalescent Center (red), Teen Parent Connection (pink), Hesed House (gold), Humanitarian Service Project (purple), St. Vincent DePaul Society (white) and Winfield Woods (green).

Advent brunch

St. John’s Council of Catholic Women’s annual Advent brunch at noon Sunday, Dec. 7, in St. Andrews Golf Club, 3N441 Route 59, West Chicago. Tickets are $18.50. Entrees are roast pork with potatoes, dressing and gravy; chicken Caprese, grilled, herbed chicken with mozzarella and tomato; and roast sirloin of beef. Also offered are French onion soup, salad, rolls, beverages and ice cream. For details, call Stella Howard at (630) 615-0200. Checks should be made to St. John’s CCW.