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4613 N Oketo Ave, Harwood Heights, IL 60706 | 708-867-7828
Mon – Thur: 9AM to 9PM
Fri – Sat: 9AM to 5PM
Sun: 1PM to 5PM
4613 N Oketo Ave
Harwood Heights, IL 60706
708-867-7828

4613 N Oketo Ave, Harwood Heights, IL 60706 708-867-7828

Mon – Thur: 9AM to 9PM | Fri – Sat: 9AM to 5PM | Sun: 1PM to 5PM

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April 16, 2026 Island Within A City Committee Meeting

by | April 18, 2026

The Meeting of the Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees Island Within A City Committee April 16, 2026.

CALL TO ORDER

President Magnelli called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

ROLL CALL

Present: Magnelli, Magnuson, Parent, Ross, Zaporowicz-Short, Massaro, McPhillips, Stam.
Present Electronically: Krebs.
Absent: Blubaugh, Ringelstein, Wittmann.
Also Present: Bacarella, Storelli, Lewis 7:27 (P.M.), Sciaccotta (7:30 P.M.), Bitters (7:34 P.M.), Furfori (7:37 P.M.), Yildiz (7:38 P.M.).

RECOGNITION OF VISITORS

Editor, Jennifer Storelli was in attendance.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE ISLAND WITHIN A CITY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD MARCH 19, 2026 BE APPROVED. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT Ringelstein. The motion carried.

ISLAND WITHIN A CITY

A. Island Within A City Book

i. Progress Report

Julie Stam reported that she and Jen Storelli met with Marisa Palese to review the essay Jen developed from Marisa’s interview with Laura Enright, noting that the original recording was somewhat disjointed. The meeting was productive, and they worked to better focus the content on Harwood Heights. Marisa has signed off on the release.

Jennifer also received an essay from Saint Rosalie. Once a designer is selected, no additional essays will be accepted.

Trustee Zaporowicz-Short suggested reaching out to Guy Nardulli, a local actor recently featured in a Chicago Tribune article, to gauge his interest in contributing an essay. She will follow up with him.

Julie reported that her and Director Wittmann wrote an essay regarding the Magic fountain of youth water in Schiller Park.

Dan is working on reconciling all the essays making sure they have all the release forms.

Julie advised that releases will be needed for photos.

Julie reported that they received numerous title suggestions from staff (some humorous). She thinks there are a few that could be real contenders.

Rich Massaro provided Director Wittmann with a number of photos depicting the Rocking H Stables. We now have a good selection.

Julie and her best friend sourced four pinwheel cookie recipes and spent a day making each one to discover a recipe that produces a cookie that most closely resembles the iconic Maurice Lenell pinwheel cookie. She brought the batches in for staff to taste and vote on the one they think tastes the most like Maurice Lenell’s cookie. She also wrote an essay about the experience, and we are printing the recipe that the staff chose.

Julie advised that the book will include a general Veterans essay. Trustee Magnelli is awaiting information from Mayor Arlene Jezierny regarding the number of veterans in Harwood Heights. Rich will work on compiling an estimated count of veterans.

ii. Book Designer Proposals-Alex Gilbert Design, Innovations Graphic Design, Joann Pantano

Julie reported that three proposals were received. Jennifer has prior experience working with Joanne and Innovations Graphic Design. A straw poll vote was conducted, and Joanne received the majority of support. Innovations Graphic Design did not submit a sample.

iii. Book Cover Ideas

Trustee Magnelli presented a book cover design to the Trustees, which was well received by the committee. All of the photos used were taken by him. The committee raised a question regarding the image from the HIP. This item will be placed on the May agenda. The committee also expressed a preference for including both villages on the cover.

iv. Title Suggestions

A list of title suggestions from staff was included in the Board packets. Julie reported that Director Wittmann would like the committee members to return with their top three selections for the next meeting.

v. Title Suggestions

Julie advised that they are still looking on the order of the essays.

B. Next Meeting Date
The committee will meet next on May 21, 2026 at 7:00 P.M.

OTHER BUSINESS

Rich provided a collection of photos of the stables for the committee’s review. Trustee Magnelli inquired whether an essay had been submitted regarding the Axel roller skating rink. Julie responded that no essay had been provided, but suggested that a photo of the Axel roller rink could be included alongside an essay that references it.

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Zaporowicz-Short, THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT Ringelstein. The motion carried  The Committee Meeting was adjourned at 7:40 P.M.

Categories: Board Documents.

April 16, 2026 Island Within A City Committee Meeting

by | April 18, 2026

The Meeting of the Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees Island Within A City Committee April 16, 2026.

CALL TO ORDER

President Magnelli called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

ROLL CALL

Present: Magnelli, Magnuson, Parent, Ross, Zaporowicz-Short, Massaro, McPhillips, Stam.
Present Electronically: Krebs.
Absent: Blubaugh, Ringelstein, Wittmann.
Also Present: Bacarella, Storelli, Lewis 7:27 (P.M.), Sciaccotta (7:30 P.M.), Bitters (7:34 P.M.), Furfori (7:37 P.M.), Yildiz (7:38 P.M.).

RECOGNITION OF VISITORS

Editor, Jennifer Storelli was in attendance.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE ISLAND WITHIN A CITY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD MARCH 19, 2026 BE APPROVED. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT Ringelstein. The motion carried.

ISLAND WITHIN A CITY

A. Island Within A City Book

i. Progress Report

Julie Stam reported that she and Jen Storelli met with Marisa Palese to review the essay Jen developed from Marisa’s interview with Laura Enright, noting that the original recording was somewhat disjointed. The meeting was productive, and they worked to better focus the content on Harwood Heights. Marisa has signed off on the release.

Jennifer also received an essay from Saint Rosalie. Once a designer is selected, no additional essays will be accepted.

Trustee Zaporowicz-Short suggested reaching out to Guy Nardulli, a local actor recently featured in a Chicago Tribune article, to gauge his interest in contributing an essay. She will follow up with him.

Julie reported that her and Director Wittmann wrote an essay regarding the Magic fountain of youth water in Schiller Park.

Dan is working on reconciling all the essays making sure they have all the release forms.

Julie advised that releases will be needed for photos.

Julie reported that they received numerous title suggestions from staff (some humorous). She thinks there are a few that could be real contenders.

Rich Massaro provided Director Wittmann with a number of photos depicting the Rocking H Stables. We now have a good selection.

Julie and her best friend sourced four pinwheel cookie recipes and spent a day making each one to discover a recipe that produces a cookie that most closely resembles the iconic Maurice Lenell pinwheel cookie. She brought the batches in for staff to taste and vote on the one they think tastes the most like Maurice Lenell’s cookie. She also wrote an essay about the experience, and we are printing the recipe that the staff chose.

Julie advised that the book will include a general Veterans essay. Trustee Magnelli is awaiting information from Mayor Arlene Jezierny regarding the number of veterans in Harwood Heights. Rich will work on compiling an estimated count of veterans.

ii. Book Designer Proposals-Alex Gilbert Design, Innovations Graphic Design, Joann Pantano

Julie reported that three proposals were received. Jennifer has prior experience working with Joanne and Innovations Graphic Design. A straw poll vote was conducted, and Joanne received the majority of support. Innovations Graphic Design did not submit a sample.

iii. Book Cover Ideas

Trustee Magnelli presented a book cover design to the Trustees, which was well received by the committee. All of the photos used were taken by him. The committee raised a question regarding the image from the HIP. This item will be placed on the May agenda. The committee also expressed a preference for including both villages on the cover.

iv. Title Suggestions

A list of title suggestions from staff was included in the Board packets. Julie reported that Director Wittmann would like the committee members to return with their top three selections for the next meeting.

v. Title Suggestions

Julie advised that they are still looking on the order of the essays.

B. Next Meeting Date
The committee will meet next on May 21, 2026 at 7:00 P.M.

OTHER BUSINESS

Rich provided a collection of photos of the stables for the committee’s review. Trustee Magnelli inquired whether an essay had been submitted regarding the Axel roller skating rink. Julie responded that no essay had been provided, but suggested that a photo of the Axel roller rink could be included alongside an essay that references it.

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Zaporowicz-Short, THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT Ringelstein. The motion carried  The Committee Meeting was adjourned at 7:40 P.M.

Categories: Board Documents.