Good morning, DuPage! If only the high today was useful!  The high temperature will peak shortly after Midnight and then temperatures will start to plummet.  It'll be 45°F upon this newsletter hitting your inbox and will continue to drop the remainder of the day.

The Naperville North Huskies softball team faced a significant setback on Friday, March 20, suffering an 8-0 shutout loss against the Plainfield Central Wildcats. This defeat matched the team's largest margin of loss since April 2025 and served as a repeat of their previous meeting with Plainfield Central earlier that year. The loss moved the Huskies' early-season record to 1-1, while the Wildcats also leveled their record at 1-1 with the victory.

Despite the scoreless result, the Huskies demonstrated balanced offensive effort with six different players recording at least one hit. Among the contributors was Aubrey Marino, who went 1-for-3 and added a stolen base. Looking to rebound quickly, Naperville North is scheduled for an immediate turnaround with a game against Wheaton North on Saturday morning, while Plainfield Central prepares to face Peotone.

At its March 19 meeting, the Westmont Village Board formally recognized Bales Ace Hardware for over 65 years of service to the community. Mayor Steve Nero and other elected officials presented Stan Bales Sr. and Stan Bales Jr. with a Proclamation and the Key to the Village to honor the family’s long-standing impact as a local fixture. The recognition follows the Bales family's decision to retire and voluntarily sell the property to the Village of Westmont, which intends to use the site to coordinate future economic development in the area.

The hardware store’s history is deeply rooted in Westmont, beginning in 1960 when four brothers founded the original lumber and supply business. Over the decades, the store overcame a major fire in 1969, evolved into a True Value, and eventually became an Ace Hardware affiliate in 1983. Known for employing multiple generations of local families, the business is expected to continue normal operations through the fall of 2026 before officially closing by the end of the year. The ceremony concluded with a standing ovation from the board and attendees, celebrating the Bales family's six-decade journey with the town.

Exciting news for fitness enthusiasts! Crunch Fitness is set to open a new location in Naperville this fall. Known for its affordable memberships and vibrant atmosphere, Crunch aims to provide a welcoming space for all fitness levels. Residents can look forward to a variety of classes and state-of-the-art equipment, making it easier to stay active and healthy.

See our Calendar of Events Here!

On this day in 1993, Intel shipped its first Pentium chips, revolutionizing computing with a 60 MHz clock speed and paving the way for the powerful processors we use today. 

A fun fact about Roselle is that it is home to Lynfred Winery, which is the oldest and largest continuously operating bonded winery in Illinois.

Established in 1976 by Fred and Lynn Koehler, the winery transformed Roselle into an unlikely destination for wine enthusiasts in the Midwest. It began in a restored 1912 Neoclassical mansion and has since grown into a world-class facility that produces over 50 varieties of wine and over 100,000 cases annually.

Thanks for reading! See you tomorrow, and remember to always support your local businesses!

Know someone who loves staying on top of DuPage News?

Forward this email to one neighbor today or send them the ‘Subscribe Free’ link below. It only takes a few seconds and means the world to me.

Your Friendly Neighbor,

Ben