Patch Picks: New Year, New Fun

Every Thursday, Patch will run a weekly feature called Patch Picks, highlighting editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more.  

You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends, and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids party places, parks and more.

For this week, we've got activities to do to in the new year.

1. Franciscan Village Holiday Housewalk

residents will host a Holiday Housewalk from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, 1270 Village Drive, Lemont. RSVP at 630-243-3479.

2. Kickbox Cardio Workout at the Library

In this four week class, certified fitness trainer, Jessica Colton, will help attendees burn up to 550 calories each session from 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Thursdays, beginning Jan. 5, at the , 50 E. Wend St. The workout will include punching and kicking combinations, as well as heavy shoulder and hip work. Nutrition suggestions will also be offered. Contact the Adult Services/Info Desk at 630-257-6541  or e-mail info@lemontlibrary.org.

3. Winter Library Read-In

Come to the library for a Library Read-In from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7. Participants should stop by the library in the weeks before for a pledge sheet to gather donations for their reading to go towards the American Red Cross. Hot cocoa and cookies will be served. For more information, contact Rachel Snyder at 630-257-6541 or rsnyder@lemontlibrary.org.

4. Historical Society Fire and Ice Program

The will host a program at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 306 Lemont St. The program will detail the 125 years of Lemont Fire Department including a narrated photo history of the department and an exhibit of memorabilia, as well as talk about a former ski slope in Lemont located on the hill where the Hindu Temple now stands. Vintage films of the slope will be presented. For more information, call 630-257-2972 or visit www.lemonthistorical.org.

5. Citizen's Police Academy

The and Illinois State Police will offer their first combined Citizen's Police Academy. The academy will offer eight, two-hour training sessions from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays. The academy will begin Jan. 25. There are additional optional field trips, such as Southwest Central Dispatch Center, Bureau of Identification, and Will County Coroner’s Office. Registration deadline for this program is Wednesday, Jan. 4. This is a free program and class size is limited. Applicants are subject to background and reference checks. Contact Sgt. Therese Thompson at 630-257-2229 for any questions on the program.