Community Corner
π± Patch AM: How a Joliet church survived a financial crisis and thrived
You won't want to miss Medicare Workshop: Important Changes for 2027 at the Timbers on the Joliet Patch calendar

Coffee in hand, Joliet? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How a Joliet church survived a financial crisis and thrived
- Explore Joliet's abandoned iron works on a free, family-friendly walk
- Why Joliet's 24-hour Home Cut Donuts still draws devoted regulars
Also on today's calendar: Medicare Workshop: Important Changes for 2027 at the Timbers and 12 more events.
Today's riddle: The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Joliet Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile - America's Best Mobile Network, according to Ookla Speedtest. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Joliet Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Joliet.
- Monday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 69 and low of 45 degrees.
- Tuesday: Sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 72, low: 52.
- Wednesday: Sunny and pleasantly warm, with a high of 76 and low of 48 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Messiah Lutheran in Joliet celebrates 125 years of serving as 'family-oriented church' (shawlocal.com) — Messiah Lutheran Church on Houbolt and Jefferson is celebrating 125 years of ministry in Joliet, highlighting its Norwegian roots, family-focused programs, and deep community partnerships. Leaders describe how the church hosted e-learning during COVID-19, supports local groups, and recently rallied community donations to avoid closure after repaying funds tied to a fraud case.
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• In Illinois, A Wooded Trail Winds Past The Haunting Ruins Of An Abandoned Iron Works (newsbreak.com) — Just off the I&M Canal Trail, the Joliet Iron Works Historic Site offers a free, family-friendly walk through haunting industrial ruins that once powered Joliet's economy. Well-marked paved paths, interpretive signs, picnic areas, and nearby views of Old Joliet Prison make it an easy local outing that blends history, nature, and a touch of eerie atmosphere.
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• 10 Old-School Illinois Donut Shops Worth Getting Up Before Sunrise To Drive To (newsbreak.com) — Home Cut Donuts on West Jefferson Street in Joliet gets top billing in this roundup of classic Illinois donut shops, praised for 60 years of unchanged recipes and 24-hour service. Locals can watch dough being cut and fried behind glass, grab favorites like Vanilla Sticks or Bavarian creme eclairs, and take advantage of free parking, wi-fi, and wallet-friendly prices.
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📸 Around Joliet
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Joliet
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Medicare Workshop: Important Changes for 2027 at the Timbers →
Timbers of Shorewood, 1100 N River Rd, Shorewood
6:00 pm - Annual Meatloaf Dinner →
Hope United Methodist Church, 2506 Caton Farm Rd, Joliet
4:00 pm - Carillon Craft Show →
Carillon Clubhouse, 21146 S Carillon Dr, Plainfield
9:00 am - Witching Hour Masquerade Ball →
Renaissance Center, 214 N Ottawa St, Joliet
6:00 pm - The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet →
1521 S. Linn White Dr., Northerly Island, Chicago, IL 60605,
11:00 am - MEN WHO COOK for the Will County Children's Advocacy Center →
Joliet Junior College Event Center, 1215 Houbolt Rd, Joliet
6:00 pm - Eve Of Haunted Destruction →
Dirt Oval Route 66, 3200 S Chicago St, Joliet
3:00 pm
Tuesday October 6
Friday October 9
Saturday October 10
Friday October 16
Saturday October 17
Saturday October 24
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- State of the University & Student Success Center Ribbon Cutting →
University of St. Francis, 500 Wilcox St, Joliet
3:30 pm - The CENTER Young Adults →
1451 B Black Rd, Joliet
6:00 pm - Auditions →
Saint Joseph Academy and Montessori Preschool, 403 N Hickory St, Joliet
7:00 pm - Fall Rummage Sale →
Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1910 Black Rd, Joliet
9:00 am - Barktoberfest →
Soundgrowler Brewing Co., 8201 183rd St, Tinley Park
5:00 pm - Skills Share & Repair Fair →
Universalist Unitarian Church of Joliet, 3401 W Jefferson St, Joliet
1:00 pm - The CENTER Young Adults →
1451 B Black Rd, Joliet
6:00 pm - Heavenly Harvest Fall Craft & Vendor Fair - SHOPPERS WANTED! →
Channahon United Methodist Church, 24751 W Eames St, Channahon
9:00 am
Wednesday October 7
Thursday October 8
Friday October 9
Saturday October 10
Thursday October 15
Saturday October 17
📣 Joliet Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Joliet PatchAM possible:
- Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory — (815) 741-5500
- Marker Law, LLC — (331) 295-8005
- Timbers of Shorewood — (815) 609-0669
- Bisa Lina Cannabis Dispensary — (815) 418-0200
- Oswego Service Group, LLC — (630) 892-2400
- Carlson-Holmquist-Sayles Funeral Home & Crematory — (815) 744-0022
- Kobi's Massage Therapist — (312) 219-4103
- Meals on Wheels for Northern Illinois — (312) 207-5290
- Jonny's Bar — 6309140007
- Will County Children's Advocacy Center — 815-774-4565
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- 5th Annual Grape Harvest: Slovenian Polka Festival! —Mike Brick Read on Patch
- Obituary: Donald Huntley —Fred C. Dames Funeral Home Read on Patch
- Update;
He has been adopted! Mushu is a male tabby for adoption at Naws today until 3pm (Nextdoor Buy and Sell) - My girls Gremlina and Fiona are set up.
Sweet Thea, my neighbor's foster is next to them as well. (Nextdoor Buy and Sell)
- Dollar Tree posted a job opening for Assistant Manager I in Joliet. Apply here.
- AutoZone, Inc. posted a job opening for Shift Supervisor (Part Time) in Joliet. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Joliet here.
🗞 Nearby News
Crest Hill
- Will County Revives $617M Des Plaines River Bridge Plan, but No One Can Pay (newsbreak.com)
Lockport
- HOTWORX fitness studio coming to Lockport (shawlocal.com)
Plainfield
- Plainfield police issue 82 citations, make 4 arrests as part of traffic enforcement campaign (shawlocal.com)
- Stormwater Drainage Systems Market Forecast to 2035: Urban Flood Mitigation and Green Infrastructure Drive Growth (indexbox.io)
- Edwardsville golf teams eye Illinois state berths (theintelligencer.com)
Ok Joliet! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I ?" — Footsteps (Thank you Patty G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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