Bridge dedicated in memory of Brooks Edwin Tonn

Brooks1

By Larry Atseff

On Saturday morning, August 21, Hinsdale area residents gathered at Veeck Park to witness the dedication of the 47th Street Bridge to Brooks Edwin Tonn, who passed away on December 1, 2017 at age 10 after a brave battle with rare childhood cancer. Illinois Minority Leader Jim Durkin opened the ceremony by remarking, “I didn’t know Brooks, but I think we all got to know him in some way. This is a young man who in his life and with his passing, has brought this community together like nothing I’ve ever witnessed in my life.” In memory of Brooks, his grandmother Nancy Keenan along with community members reached out to state representatives to request the bridge be dedicated in Brooks’ memory. It was accomplished by unanimously passing a joint resolution in the Illinois General Assembly, led by Durkin, Suzy Glowiak-Hilton, John Curran, and Deanne Mazzochi, who were also in attendance.

Durkin added, “Brooks Tonn lived by the motto ‘have courage and be kind’.” Brooks’ parents, Rob and Nora Tonn were in Durkin’s office when the House resolution passed. “We do a lot of resolutions in Springfield honoring many people,” Durkin said, “but with this one, you could hear a pin drop in the House. I was honored to have his family with me to be able to experience that special moment, where we recognized this young man who has done so much to bring people together.” Tonn grew up in Hinsdale, excelled academically and participated actively in sports. The resolution stated that he was “always first on the field, and always ready for a pickup game”. He was a pitcher on the Hinsdale Red Dogs travel baseball team, quarterback on his Hinsdale Falcons football team; also enjoyed playing golf and swimming. His father, Rob, remarked, “He was always at the park.

Area residents attend the Brooks Edwin Tonn memorial bridge dedication on 47th st. at Veeck Park in Hinsdale IL

Brooks was a natural athlete, and he would stand by, waiting to join a pick-up game.” He smiled, saying, “He was a ‘park rat’. My number, growing up, was 13, and Brooks made that his number, too.” Nora, his mother said, “Kids just liked being around him.” Coincidentally, the legislative bill which passed was number 13. Tonn thanked the community and its inspiring effort to keep the blue and yellow cups on the bridge overpass fence spelling out “BROOKS STRONG” – a powerful symbol of love from a town that has been moved by a young boy who loved sports and just wanted to share the game with his friends. In further memory of Brooks, his family has established The Brooks Strong Foundation to aid families of young athletes who are battling cancer. Tonn thanked everyone for attending, and “for continuing to love and be inspired by Brooks. He led by example, and he showed us how to live.”

Author

Executive Chef Stephen Langlois

Feeding His Passion: Newly appointed Chef Stephen takes the helm at The Westin Chicago Lombard

The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, NM

Celebrating A Century of Open Road: Now in its 100th year, this slice of Americana still beckons travelers

Tely Nagle, Drake Hotel Proprietor, in the Romanesque gardens
Photo by Victor Hilitski

Welcome In! The Drake Oak Brook’s elegance and charm are back to stay

ATJMAH_CM_2223

Striking the Right Note: The Chicago Youth Orchestra shapes the lives of aspiring young musicians

The camaraderie of the volunteers often keeps them involved after their student graduates

Always Boosting: Hinsdale Central’s Booster Club helps fill gaps in student activity and athletic budgets

Anne Schultz, MD, FACP Cindy Lagone, MD, FACP

Authentic Internal Medicine: Building relationships with patients and the community

Hair loss problem after covid search Instagram Post Minimalist -

Is hair loss on your mind? Reclaim Your Crowning Glory

Kristina and Matthew Bailey began reading books to their son, Owen when he was six months old— they haven’t stopped.
Owen turned 4 in June and recently received an award from the Clarendon Hills Public Library for having had 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten.

The library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge is one of a few reading challenge programs offered in Clarendon Hills, where the Bailey family has lived for the past 2 1/2 years.
Kristin Bailey said she saw an ad about the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge and decided it was a good fit for Owen.

“He’s always been really into books,” Bailey said. “He had a natural interest in books at nine months old. That’s when COVID started, and he didn’t get out much, so reading books to him worked out very well. He’s a naturally curious kid, and imagination-building is important. The reading allows him to learn and explore new things, and he really wants to learn to read now.”

Krista Devlin, the Clarendon Hills library’s youth services librarian, said there’s a specific reason The Friends of the Library-sponsored 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge was started in 2022.

“Reading aloud to a child is one of the best ways to help develop important early literacy skills, which will prepare them for kindergarten,” Devlin said. “It is also a great way to bond with your child and to encourage a love of reading.”

Devlin said Owen was the second child to reach the challenge of having 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten. He was awarded a certificate, a crown, and his picture was taken to recognize his accomplishment.

Bailey, who said she is “a big reader,” said her family usually goes to the library once a week. Reading three books each night to Owen, along with a book before nap time, is the household normal.

“Consistency in our routine has been good and is important,” she said, adding that Owen’s two sisters, ages 2 1/2 and 1

An open book: Clarendon Hills four-year-old earns library recognition

Charlie Tomfohrde and his array of house plants for sale at the Hinsdale Farmers Market

A Budding Entrepreneur: Charlie Tomfohrde’s plant business continues to grow

Terri Doney (left) and co-founder Barb Thayer are “sisters” in the group, My Breast Cancer Sisters

Breast Cancer survivors: Hinsdale area group looking for others to help

Maxx Klein and Jack Klein

Airoom’s New Design Space Maxx and Jack Klein take the helm of their family’s business

IMG_4543

Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club A Tennis Player’s Dream