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October 2024 Public Health E-Newsletter 

Farmers' Market pie bake-off a flavorful success!

Corn, blueberries, apples and peaches were the stars of the 2024 Oak Park Farmers' Market's annual Pie Bake-Off, held Sept. 7. Some of our community's best bakers chose these and other seasonal, farm-fresh ingredients to include in their bake-off submissions. Pies were scored by three volunteer judges and sampled by Market patrons. This year, 12 pies were entered in the contest and judged based on taste, presentation and the creative incorporation of Farmers' Market ingredients. The top three pies and bakers were honored with trophies, and most importantly, bragging rights for the next year!

• 1st Place:  Jamie Paterick - Maizy's Berry Corn Pie
• 2nd Place:  Elizabeth Franken – Fruits of the Forest 
• 3rd Place:  Cady Trelstad and Rohan Mandavilli – Peachy Blue Bliss

Want to try your hand at recreating these standout pies? Click here for a copy of the 2024 Pie Bake Off winning recipes. Make sure to visit the Market this month before our last day, Saturday, Oct. 26! 

The Farmers’ Market Commission appreciates all contest entrants, as well as the Farmers’ Market volunteers and Village staff who helped to make the contest successful!

In Case You Missed It

We had a great time at Barrie Fest on Sept. 7! Every year, we look forward to hosting a table at the festival at Barrie Park. This year we chatted with residents about West Nile virus prevention, rat abatement and how to save lives using Narcan nasal spray. We enjoyed the live music, local food and meeting neighbors!

Catch Us in the Community

We're baaaaaack! The Public Health Department will be haunting the Park District's Trunk or Treat again this year!

You'll never guess what our costumes are for 2024. Come see us . . . if you dare. The event will be held in the Ridgeland Commons Recreation Center parking lot on October 25 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Blood shortages are spooky! The American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage in July after the national blood supply dropped by more than 25%. Heat waves this summer impacted many blood drives, causing decreased turnout, while the need for blood donations remains as constant as ever. For example, a single car accident victim may need as many as 100 units of blood. You can be a hero this month and address this shortage by donating blood at the Oak Park Fire Department open house. The blood drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 at the main fire station at 100 N. Euclid Ave.  Just like Dracula, we want to suck your blood!

Toys recalled due to unsafe lead content

Nearly 520,000 Red Toolbox Stanley Jr. Kids Wheelbarrow and 7-piece Garden Sets sold at Costco have been recalled because they contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead paint ban, posing a lead poisoning hazard to children. Over 2,000 Newmemo children's ring sets, sold on Amazon, contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban and levels of cadmium that are prohibited in children’s products by the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.  Lead and cadmium are toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues. More information about recalls due to lead is available on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website.

Parent and caregiver workshops provided over Zoom

Help stop the spread: Know your COVID-19 status  As we enter respiratory virus season, it's important to know whether those sniffles and throat tickles are symptoms of COVID-19. Testing is key! Every household in the United States is now eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government at www.covidtests.gov. Shipping begins this week. Testing will confirm if your symptoms of sore throat, congestion, fatigue, fever or cough are COVID-19. Knowing your status will help you make decisions about how to stop the spread of the virus, including staying home or wearing a mask in public. We also have a limited supply of free rapid COVID-19 tests available at Village Hall. Community members are welcome to come to 123 Madison St. during regular business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays to pick up free tests. This offer will continue as long as supplies last. To confirm that tests are available, feel free to call us at 708.358.5480 or email at health@oak-park.us before coming in.

One of our longtime community partners, the Collaboration for Early Childhood, along with the Chicago Parent Program, is providing free online workshops to parents and caregivers of children aged 2 to 5 years. Meetings will be held on Zoom from 9 to 10:30 a.m. every other Saturday from Oct. 5 to Nov. 16. They will also provide independent online courses and online support sessions between workshops. This series will provide a space to meet other parents and caregivers raising young children, help parents and caregivers be more consistent with caregiving strategies, and build participants' confidence as a parent/caregiver. 

To register visit the Collab4Kids registration page. To learn more contact Michelle at 708.613.6122 or mhowell@collab4kids.org.

Animal Control Officer adopts dog

It was just another day at the office for our Animal Control Officer Pablo Rivera until his new best friend unexpectedly walked into Village Hall. Chase, a stray dog, was brought in by a concerned citizen, and Pablo estimated that Chase had been on the streets for a couple months. He took the pup to the Animal Care League, where Chase was treated for minor ailments. A few weeks later, when Chase was ready to be adopted, Pablo decided to submit the paperwork himself and bring him home. Learn more about Pablo and Chase's story in this video. 

Though small, Chase's big personality made a memorable impression on the employees at Village Hall, and he found a new forever home with our caring Animal Control Officer!  

Ask the Health Department

What happens when the Animal Control Officer picks up a loose dog?

When we receive a call about a loose dog, the Animal Control Officer captures the dog and takes it to the Animal Care League of Oak Park, where it is processed, and any health concerns are treated. An online profile is made for the dog and posted on the Animal Care League website and other websites dedicated to reunifying lost pets with their owners.

If you have lost a pet, you should first visit the Animal Care League website and file a lost pet report. Then call the Animal Care league at 708.848.8155 to follow up. If you cannot reach the Animal Care League, you may call our Animal Control Officer at 708.358.5486.