Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a Wilmette electrician powered neighbors’ homes for half a century

Also check out Fundraising in the Age of AI on the Wilmette Patch calendar

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Thursday August 27th Patch AM
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Good morning Wilmette! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a Wilmette electrician powered neighbors' homes for half a century
  • Wilmette sprint star Teddy O'Donnell is heading to Duke swimming
  • What recent crime reports around Wilmette reveal about nearby towns

Also on today's calendar: Fundraising in the Age of AI and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Nice with sunshine, with a high of 78 and low of 66 degrees.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny and nice, temps: high: 79, low: 67.
  • Saturday: Periods of sunshine, with a high of 81 and low of 71 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Portrait of a Community Craftsman: Wilmette electrician Jack Spellman reflects after 50 years on the job (therecordnorthshore.org) — Longtime Wilmette electrician Jack Spellman has retired after 50 years of keeping North Shore homes safely powered, closing his Spellman Electric business at the end of 2025. He and his wife plan more travel and work on a Wisconsin property, but they're staying in Wilmette, where his family's roots stretch back to an 1850s farm and decades of loyal local customers.
   

• Blue Devils Snag 2027 Verbal From Sprinter Teddy O'Donnell (swimmingworldmagazine.com) — A standout swimmer from Wilmette, Teddy O'Donnell has verbally committed to join Duke University's swim program for the 2027–28 season, bringing Junior Nationals experience and an Illinois record. The New Trier High School senior specializes in sprint fly and free, with times that would already rank near the top of Duke's roster.
   

• Police Reports: Stolen Segways, stolen guitar, vandalized Flock camera (therecordnorthshore.org) — Recent police activity summaries for Wilmette's surrounding communities show car thefts, burglaries, and property crimes in towns like Winnetka, Highland Park, Northfield, and Skokie, while Wilmette reported no incidents by press time. The Record notes these are preliminary reports and not a complete list of all police activity, and it withholds arrestees' names unless there's a clear public-safety need.
   

📸 Around Wilmette

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Wilmette

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • A Smarter Way to Outsource Print, Chicago Business Executive Wants to Re-Invent Print Procurement —Bill Read on Patch
  • We're looking for a reliable, trustworthy dog walker to help with our pup, and occasionally our adult second dog as well!
    Our schedule varies, so this wouldn't necessarily be a set daily schedule — we'd mainly need help on days when we're both working long hours. I'll… (Nextdoor Hibbard Rd)
  • Looking for a local structural carpenter/framing contractor in the Glenview area to repair a small section of water-damaged subfloor and possibly rim-joist framing over a crawlspace.
    There is heavy stone flooring above, so I need someone very experienced with structural wood repairs, joists, subfloors, and code-compliant work… (Nextdoor Romona)
  • ZMC Hotels posted a job opening for Night Auditor in Wilmette. Apply here.
  • Studs posted a job opening for Store Supervisor (Part-Time) in Wilmette. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Wilmette here.

🗞 Nearby News

Winnetka

  • 680 Lakeside Market Signs 5,512-SF Grocery Lease at 680 N. Lake Shore Drive (cremarketbeat.com)

Evanston

Ok Wilmette! 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: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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