Butterflies, and summer fun in Orland Park

Originally Posted: June 9, 2013   Garden Patch Farms in Homer Glen held its first-ever butterfly release June 1, setting free butterflies that were raised at the farm, 14158 W. 159th St.
They were released at two different times, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., near a stand of butterfly-friendly plants (those that attract the insects).
Hayla and Hayden Nicosia attended the 11 a.m. event with their dad, Jim, and released butterflies that they had raised in netted cases as a school project at Spencer Pointe Elementary School in New Lenox, Jim Nicosia said.
They were the only children to bring their own butterflies to the morning session, but the farm handed out butterflies from the farm to other children so they could release them.
A working farm, Garden Patch offers “U-Pick” events for a variety of apples as well as pears, assorted vegetables and berries, and also has flower and garden stock for your yard. Sign up online to receive alerts on what is ripe and ready to be picked. For more information, contact the farm by email at info@gardenpatchfarms.com, visit its website at www.gardenpatchfarms.com or call (708) 301-7720.

Now, let’s catch you up on some Orland Park news:
Vehicle stickers
on sale
The village stickers are on sale at village hall, 147th Street and Ravinia Avenue, or you can mail in the form if you have received it. If you did not get the form in the mail, a blank form is available for download at www.orland-park.il.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/22194. Simply print the form and either mail it or bring it in to the village hall.
The cost for a passenger vehicle is $30 for a two-year sticker, which must be affixed prior to June 30. Anyone age 65 or who will turn 65 prior to June 30, 2015 can get a sticker for $10. Other sticker fees vary for different sizes and classes of vehicles.
Motorcycles also must display verification that they have the village license by affixing a metal tag (instead of a sticker) to their license plate.
Fun in the park
At 11 a.m. June 18 at Evergreen View Park, 87th Avenue and 141st Street in Orland Park, the parks department will present Steve Beno & Plum Crazy Puppets. This show features puppets, live music, movement, stories and more for children ages 2 through 8.
So pack the kids and a picnic lunch for this neighborhood park event. Face painting, a moon-jump and entertainment are free. Orland Park Bank & Trust will provide sno-cones and popcorn at the event.
Library stories
in the park
On Thursday afternoons at various parks in the village, staffers from the village library will present stories at 3:30 and 5 p.m. to transport you to far-off countries in Europe and Africa, among others.
The Stories in the Park program includes other activities and crafts. Check the library calendar for dates, times, and locations by visiting www.orlandparklibrary.org/events.htm.
Stay and Play
Register to become a “Stay and Play” member to take advantage of special deals and offerings for club members from the village’s parks and recreation department. Membership is free, and each week a new “deal of the week” will be featured.
The deals include discounted admission to the Centennial Park pool complex, party packages and facility rentals and opportunities to earn “Rec Bucks” toward registration costs.
There’s also a “benefit of the month” for club members. June’s benefit is two-for-one kayak rentals at Lake Sedgewick on Fridays. Register at www.orland-park.il.us or call (708) 403-7275 for details.