“Cruise the Creek” is a free, family bike ride and festival hosted by the Forest Preserve District of Will County and presented by Silver Cross Hospital, the event’s title sponsor for 2012.

This fourth annual event will be held at Hickory Creek Barrens in New Lenox on Saturday, October 6 from noon to 4:00 p.m. For driving directions to Hickory Creek Barrens, visit  Google Map.

The bike ride will take place on a two-loop trail through the scenic woodlands, wetlands, and prairie of Hickory Creek Preserve. Riders can choose from a 6-mile loop, an 11-mile loop, or both! Download a route map.

The event is open to all ages, but the ride is recommended for individual riders of at least 11 years of age. In addition to their own bikes, all riders are urged to bring drinking water and wear safety helmets.

Pre-registered riders will be able to check in at 11:30 a.m. at the event. The first 500 pre-registered riders to check in will receive a free T-shirt. (Please note that pre-registration does not guarantee you a T-shirt, and size choice cannot be guaranteed.) Pre-registration will close at noon on Thursday, October 4.

Pre-register on-line now!

On-site registration will be available at the event, but riders who register at the event will not be able to check in until noon. On-site registrants will not receive T-shirts.

All riders must set out on the trail no later than 2:00 p.m.

Bike the trails and then end your ride with a festive fall gathering. Festivities, including entertainment, food vendors, children’s activities, and free pumpkin painting, will continue until 4:00 p.m. Join us for a day full of family fun in the fall!

New for 2012! A free, all-ages “Cruise the Creek Gear-Up” event will be held on Saturday, September 22, at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This special addition will feature bicycle safety checks by Sumbaum Cycle, bicycle decorating and a craft for kids, music, an inflatable obstacle course, and food and drinks for purchase from Niko’s Pizzeria. The first 250 to attend will receive a free hooded sweatshirt. (Please note that size choice cannot be guaranteed.) Pre-registration for “Cruise the Creek” will also be available at the “Gear-Up.” No registration is required for the “Gear-Up.” For driving directions to Silver Cross Hospital, view a Google Map.

Haven’t been to “Cruise the Creek” before? Check out the fun from last year’s event in our Photo Gallery.

“Cruise the Creek” is hosted along paved pathways on manicured lawn. The “Gear-Up” event is held on both paved and natural flat surfaces. In providing programs and services to the public, the Forest Preserve District will make reasonable modifications to ensure that all people have an equal opportunity to enjoy District offerings. View more information or request accommodations.

Partners in your healthcare for life, C & R Medical Group is committed to not only treat but to heal patients’ ailments through convenience and professional medical service to the community.Recently, C & R Medical Group—Drs. Corinne Nawrocki, Rick Singh and Delaney Koehler–have added a new member! Deirdra Greathouse-Williams, M.D., has joined the practice and will begin seeing patients Sept. 1 at the Silver Cross Hospital Campus. 

Dr. Deirdra Greathouse-Williams is board certified in family practice medicine.  She earned her medical degree from University of Illinois-Chicago College of Medicine.  Dr. Greathouse-Williams was Chief Resident at Cook County, Loyola Provident Department of Family Practice. Prior to pursuing her medical degree, she earned a Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Psychology from Illinois State University followed by a year of post-baccalaurette studies in biological sciences at Southern Illinois University—Carbondale.  She is actively involved in the community previously serving as a volunteer with the Will Grundy Medical Society and as a District 86 Elementary School physician. In addition, she was nominated as Physician of the Year in 2010 and received recognition for having patient satisfaction scores in the top 10% for the past five years.  

Want to schedule an appointment? Just call (815) 463-3700.  Evening and Saturday appointments are available and  Medicare and most insurances are accepted.

It’s hard to believe that it is still summer amidst all the back to school bustle and cooling weather… but slow down, and savor the flavors of summer for a little longer. Try some of these tips to hold on to the refreshing taste of summer.

Mint Tea: Brew your tea with a handful of fresh mint leaves. Refrigerate overnight and wake up to fresh mint iced tea. Try it unsweetened or add some honey.

Dill Grilled Veggies: Add a little fresh dill to olive oil and coat your favorite veggies. Grill and finish with a squeeze of lime.

Fresh Cilantro Salsa: Mince some fresh cilantro and add to your favorite salsa for  burst of fresh flavor.

Chili Grilled Corn: Grill corn on the cob until lightly blackened and kernels are slightly tender. Squeeze fresh lime over kernels and sprinkle a little chili powder and just a dash of salt.

Basil Summer Fruit: Add fresh basil to fruit or fruit salads. Delicious with sweet ripe peaches, strawberries, watermelon or mango.

(recipe credit: Aramark)

Visit us at this weekend at the Homer Glen Community Expo this Saturday, August 25 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.  at Hadley School, 15731 Bell Road in Homer Glen. The Silver Cross Homer Glen Health Center will provide free blood pressure and glucose screenings. Silver Cross will also host Spikes from the Joliet Slammers in the afternoon to sign autographs and take photos. Bring your family for a day of fun. Visit other business exhibitors, see the Lemont Classic Car Club Show, meet a Clown Balloonist,a ‘Big Red Monster’, dance with your children, grab some food and much more! This event is free to the public.

Between fall clothes, computers/calculators, book bags, and magic markers … the back-to-school shopping list can quickly grow out of control and overtake the family budget.  We put together a list of some tips to help you this time of year.

• Save money when buying back to school uniforms, fall clothing, and accessories at local re-sale shops. The ENCORE shop, which is located on the Silver Cross Hospital campus is open Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cedar Closet is also another great option.  With all the savings, you can pick up some “fun” clothes for DIY projects to work on with your children or grand-children.
• Visit Advanced Eye Care for your glasses and contact needs. The doctors at Advanced Eye Carespecialize in pediatric and teen eye health. While you are there, make sure to get your eyes checked too!
• You don’t have to spend a lot of money on clothes when your hair looks fabulous. Save money on back-to-school style fixes and use your I Matter card at A Cut Above Hair Studio. The kids can get a quick trim or try a trendy new do for the school year.
• Need a doctor for a school physical? Find one here or call us at 1-888-660-HEAL (4325)

Don’t have an I Matter card? It’s easy to get one (and it helps your health!) Learn more about the Silver Cross I Matter program here and register today.

We want to hear from you, too! Share your best back-to-school cost-cutting tips in the comments section below.

Want this book? It was signed by Paula and it can be yours. Read more to learn how.

Silver Cross Center for Women’s Health will be at The first annual Ladies Night Out on Wednesday, August 22 (from 6-8 p.m.) at the New Lenox Village Commons. Visit our table and sign up for IMatter and you will be enrolled in a raffle to win Paula Deen’s autographed cook book!

Bring your girlfriends for a night away from the kids and the stress, and indulge yourself  in  wine-tasting, artisans, mini-manicures and a movie. At 8:15 p.m., the film is I Don’t Know How She Doest It, starring Sarah Jessica Parker portraying a role in which she attempts to balance work, parenting and marriage, will begin on the lawn. It’s an outside event, so remember to bring along a blanket or a lawn chair!

nternational Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) Margaret Dombrowski, Tracey Lemke, Katy Lebbing, and Cathleen Vasquez shared breastfeeding information with hospital visitors at the World Breastfeeding Week Celebration Day display on August 1.

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, Silver Cross Hospital Lactation Consultants and the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) raised awareness for breastfeeding during the annual World Breastfeeding Week Celebration. An informative display was available on August 1 in the Women & Infant Services Birthing Center Lobby at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox. Silver Cross Hospital’s International Board Certified Lactation Consultants answered questions and provided information to hospital visitors and staff members who visited the display. The 2012 theme is “The Road to Lifelong Health Begins with Breastfeeding.”

“This road to lifelong health is not one for mothers and babies to travel alone.  It is important to remember that the journey to successful breastfeeding begins with support of families, health care providers, governments, employers and communities,” said Katy Lebbing, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant for Silver Cross Hospital. Research shows that the best feeding option globally is the initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of life, exclusive breastfeeding for a full six months, and continued breastfeeding with solid foods added through the second year or beyond. Breastfeeding improves short and long term maternal and child health; and thus contributes to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal to Reduce Child Mortality and Improve Maternal Health, to which many countries and agencies are committed.

Want to learn more about breastfeeding? Visit HERE.

The comforting affects of animals have been noticed through the years. Put simply, dogs make people smile. Even Florence Nightingale recommended “a small pet animal” as an “excellent companion for the sick.” Silver Cross Hospital offers a comprehensive Pet Therapy program for our patients and are excited for patients to experience the healing effects of a wagging tail.

Come meet some of our pet therapy dogs (and bring your four-legged friends) to the Joliet Slammers Baseball field on Sunday, August 19. The Joliet Slammers are hosting a “Bark in the Park” with the gates opening at 1:05.  Fans can bring their dogs to the park and sit in the lawn section (no charge for dogs, just humans!).

Silver Cross Hospital honored members of the 500 Club Volunteers who graciously donated 500 or more hours of their time in a 12 month period by working in various departments within Silver Cross Hospital. Pictured in the front row from left to right are: Judy Buell from New Lenox, Dan Donnelly from New Lenox; Mary Martino from New Lenox and Ruth Brown from New Lenox. Second Row: Mary Beth Antone Administrative Director, Procedural Care Unit; Mike Buell from New Lenox; Kim Deshazo, Manager Guest Services; Marge Persico from New Lenox; Brian Hutson from Lockport; Bill Kargle from Joliet; and Zee Roebuck, Volunteer Coordinator. Back row from left to right are: Jo Kilpatrick, Manager Procedural Care Unit; Dan Shew from Lockport; Laura Valencik, Silver Cross Director of Volunteers Services; and Stuart Switt from Mokena.

Silver Cross Hospital honored members of the 500 Club Volunteers who have graciously donated 500 or more hours of their time in various departments within Silver Cross Hospital in a 12 month period.

These volunteers have worked in various parts of the hospital performing a variety of roles including:

Judy Buell, helps coordinate the Lifeline program.

Dan Donnelly is a Guest Services and Cancer Center volunteer where he  escorts guests and assists the staff of the Guest Services and Cancer Center departments

Mary Martino is a Procedural Care Unit (PCU) volunteer where she greets guests, escorts and transports guests at discharge.

Ruth Brown is a PCU volunteer and Blood Drive volunteer where she greets guests, escorts and transports guests at discharge.

Mike Buell is a courtesy cart driver and a Lifeline volunteer where he installs Lifeline units in patients’ homes.

Marge Persico is a PCU volunteer where she greets guests, escorts and transports guests at discharge.

Brian Hutson is a PCU, transport, Encore Resale Shop and wheelchair repair volunteer. He greets and escorts guests, provides discharge transport, assists the resale shop, as well as keeps wheelchairs in excellent condition.

Bill Kargle is a PCU and Main Lobby Reception volunteer where he greets, escorts and transports guests.

Dan Shew is a Guest Services volunteer and a transporter where he greets guests, assists the staff of Guest Services, escorts guests and provides discharge transport; and Stuart Switt is a PCU volunteer and a transporter where he greets and escorts guests, provides discharge transport.

“We appreciate the dedicated service of all of the volunteers of Silver Cross Hospital and especially wish to recognize this elite group who each has given over 500 hours of service in the past 12 months,” said Laura Valencik, Silver Cross Director of Volunteers Services.

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit www.silvercross.org or call (815) 300-7117.