🌱 Patch AM: How Lake Zurich’s own “Mr. Podo” is being remembered in 2025

Good morning Lake Zurich! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How Lake Zurich’s own “Mr. Podo” is being remembered in 2025

Also on today's calendar: Willow Hill Lights - Open nightly thru Jan 4 and 3 more events.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Eva R.!

Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: A little snow, up to 1", with a high of 34 and low of 7 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Thursday: Partly sunny and colder, temps: high: 21, low: 17.
• Friday: Partly sunny, with a high of 27 and low of 12 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Those we lost: Local leaders, former governors and a conservative activist among notable deaths of 2025 (dailyherald.com) — Lake Zurich readers are reminded of eighth-grade teacher Craig “Mr. Podo” Podolski, a Lake Zurich resident whose sudden death in March touched many students and families. He is remembered here alongside other notable suburban figures and former Illinois leaders who died in 2025, from local public servants and educators to ex-governors and community advocates.
   

📸 Around Lake Zurich

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lake Zurich

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday January 3

• Willow Hill Lights - Open nightly thru Jan 4
  Willow Hill Golf Course, 1350 Willow Rd, Northbrook
  5:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday January 1

• Ela Township Offices Closed in Observance of New Years Day: January 1, 2026
  Ela Township , 1155 E Route 22 , Lake Zurich
• Village Offices Closed - New Year's Day
  Lake Zurich Calendar Lake Zurich, IL 60047

Friday January 2

• This week, food events delivered to you from Quartino, Urbanbelly, Smoque BBQ, & more!
  3:00 pm

Monday January 5

• Board of Trustees
  Lake Zurich Calendar , Village Hall 70 East Main Street , Lake Zurich
  7:00 pm

Tuesday January 6

• Tree Commission
  Lake Zurich Calendar , Community Services 505 Telser Road , Lake Zurich
  6:30 pm

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday January 1

• Village Offices Closed
  Hawthorn Woods, IL Calendar Hawthorn Woods, IL 60047
• Ela Township Offices Closed in Observance of New Years Day: January 1, 2026
  Ela Township , 1155 E Route 22 , Lake Zurich
• Village Office Closed
  Deer Park, IL Calendar , 23680 W. Cuba Road , Deer Park
  8:00 am

Friday January 2

• Sustainability Committee Meeting - Cancelled
  Hawthorn Woods, IL Calendar , 2 Lagoon Drive , Hawthorn Woods
  6:30 pm

Monday January 5

• Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting (Canceled)
  Deer Park, IL Calendar , 23570 W. Cuba Road , Deer Park
  7:00 pm

Thursday January 8

• Sustainability Committee Special Meeting
  Hawthorn Woods, IL Calendar , 2 Lagoon Drive , Hawthorn Woods
  6:30 pm

Tuesday January 13

• Lil Pint Soccer Session 1 (Ages 4-5)
  2 Lagoon Dr , Hawthorn Woods
  11:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Lake Zurich PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Start 2026 with a basic computer skills course!
  Lake County is offering no-cost basic courses in computer skills in January. Residents who meet certain requirements may earn a laptop to take home… (Nextdoor )
• Start the New Year Right: Enjoy Free New Year’s Eve Rides on Pace
  To help everyone celebrate safely this New Year’s Eve, Pace will provide free bus and ADA Paratransit rides from 10 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31… (Nextdoor )

• Kroger Family of Companies posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Lake Zurich. Apply here.
• Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 posted a job opening for Long Term Sub Middle School Math Teacher in Lake Zurich. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lake Zurich here.

🗞 Nearby News

Long Grove

• Lake County News-Sun's Top Stories of 2025: Fear grips area as feds step up immigration enforcement (chicagotribune.com)

Wauconda

• Firefighters rescue dog after home's chimney engulfed in flames, leaving family displaced in Gurnee (lakemchenryscanner.com)
• Lake County business officials hope to build on strong 2025: ‘One of the most dynamic economic transformations in Chicagoland' (chicagotribune.com)

Buffalo Grove

Ok Lake Zurich! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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