Good News Sunday: Recruits from Naval Station Great Lakes enjoy Christmas cheer in Arlington Heights

This is Good News Sunday, a compilation of some of the more upbeat and inspiring stories published recently by the Daily Herald:

On a warm Christmas Day, about 50 recruits from Naval Station Great Lakes received the warmest of welcomes at Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights.

They arrived in a school bus escorted by the Warriors’ Watch Riders and, as they climbed the steps to the entrance, were flanked by cheering, flag-waving supporters.

The annual celebration was held at the academy and was once again hosted by Christian Liberty Academy science teacher Bob Stack and his wife, Linda, whose son, Marine Lance Cpl. James Stack, was killed in Afghanistan on Nov. 10, 2010.

“This is our 11th year,” Bob Stack said. “We lost two years because of COVID.

“We count it an honor to do this,” said Stack, who said he is reminded of his son when he is with the sailors. He said his son’s 14-year-old daughter Mikayla attends school at Christian Liberty.

It was a welcome change for the group after several weeks of boot camp. They were served coffee and pastries as well as two meals. But most importantly, they were provided cell phones, which allowed them to talk to loved ones.

“I can call this a home away from home, because the community and the fellowship here is just tremendous,” recruit Nicholas Menza said.

For the full story, click here.

Recruit Cathy Jacobson, as seen on Worst Cooks in America, Season 27, Spoiled Rotten. Courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery

Chocolate milk in mac and cheese? Vernon Hills dance teacher to compete in ‘Worst Cooks in America’

What qualifies Cathy Jacobson of Vernon Hills to be on Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America”?

Well, her application to be on the show recounted the time she substituted chocolate milk when she was out of white milk while making macaroni and cheese for her kids.

“Chocolate mac and cheese, that sounds delicious. But not,” Jacobson said. “And that’s not even the worst.”

She ran out of milk again once when making biscuits from a box mix. That time she subbed in baby formula.

“Also a really bad idea,” she said.

The dance teacher will appear on season 27 of the competition show, where 16 home cooks from around the country get mentored at a culinary boot camp by chefs Tiffany Derry and Anne Burrell in a battle to see who will improve the most and take home a $25,000 prize.

The first episode airs at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, with a two-hour double-episode.

For the full story, click here.

Robert Balloca, center, visits with, from left, Ryan Sulzen, Nate LaCheta, Andy Seitz, Colten Unzicker, Megan Lyons, and Steven Spiegelman. Courtesy of Warrenville Fire Protection District. Photographer Shawn Hagemeyer

Nine people honored for saving a man’s life at Lifetime Fitness of Warrenville

On Dec. 21, eight employees of Lifetime Fitness of Warrenville and one off-duty firefighter/paramedic from the Addison Fire Protection District were honored with the Warrenville Fire Protection District’s Fire Chief’s Citizen Award.

They were presented with a certificate for their efforts in reviving a Lifetime Fitness patron in cardiac arrest.

Fire Chief Andrew Dina along with the incident survivor were on hand to deliver the awards.

On Nov. 1, Lifetime Fitness employee Andy Seitz found Robert Balloca unresponsive. After seeing he had no pulse and wasn’t breathing, Seitz wasted no time and immediately summoned other employees to call 9-1-1 and to retrieve the automatic external defibrillator.

Seitz immediately began CPR on the patient. Off-duty Addison Fire Protection District firefighter/paramedic Ryan Sulzen was nearby and joined in assisting with CPR. Sulzen and Seitz continued to work on the patient until the AED was available.

With the help of the AED, the patient’s pulse was restored. The Warrenville Fire Protection District arrived and transported him to the nearest hospital.

Because of the quick thinking of Seitz, Sulzen, and the rest of the Lifetime staff, Balloca is alive today.

For the full story, click here.

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