Estella Tomaras 100th Birthday at Doubletree Hotel

Estella Tomaras is given a 100th birthday party at the Doubletree Hotel in Skokie by Eric Bates, Director of Operations, who promised her so, several years ago.  Estelle on the left, sitting next to her 96 year old sister, Angela.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Estella Tomaras is given a 100th birthday party at the Doubletree Hotel in Skokie by Eric Bates, Director of Operations, who promised her so, several years ago.  Eric Bates gives Estella some flowers for her birthday with big smiles considering that they got to fulfill their promise.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Estella Tomaras is given a 100th birthday party at the Doubletree Hotel in Skokie by Eric Bates, Director of Operations, who promised her so, several years ago.  Estella in the middle, with Eric bates on the left and Estella's daughter Kathy on the right.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Estella Tomaras is given a 100th birthday party at the Doubletree Hotel in Skokie by Eric Bates, Director of Operations, who promised her so, several years ago.  A magnificent cake was baked for the especially special day of celebration.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Estella Tomaras is given a 100th birthday party at the Doubletree Hotel in Skokie by Eric Bates, Director of Operations, who promised her so, several years ago.  Estella sits and marvels in front of her 100th birthday cake.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Estella Tomaras is given a 100th birthday party at the Doubletree Hotel in Skokie by Eric Bates, Director of Operations, who promised her so, several years ago.  Estella's Grandson's Steve Mourtokokis (left) with brother Pete (right) and daughter Kathy comfort her well, as they pose for a photograph.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Estella Tomaras is given a 100th birthday party at the Doubletree Hotel in Skokie by Eric Bates, Director of Operations, who promised her so, several years ago.  Estella's daughter Kathy cuts her the first piece of her cake.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Estella Tomaras is given a 100th birthday party at the Doubletree Hotel in Skokie by Eric Bates, Director of Operations, who promised her so, several years ago.  A photograph collage was made for her first fifty years and her second fifty years, this being the second.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Estella Tomaras is given a 100th birthday party at the Doubletree Hotel in Skokie by Eric Bates, Director of Operations, who promised her so, several years ago.  A photograph collage was made for her first fifty years and her second fifty years, this being the second.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Christmas Pageant at St. Nobert's Church

St. Norbert Religious Education holds it's annual 2010 Christmas Pageant in Northbrook.  2nd grade children sing O Come All Ye Faithful during the pageant.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

St. Norbert Religious Education holds it's annual 2010 Christmas Pageant in Northbrook.  Ellen Gilbert, age 11, plays the role of the angel that shares the good news to Mary, played by Elizabeth Mathy, also 11, that she shall carry the son of god.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

St. Norbert Religious Education holds it's annual 2010 Christmas Pageant in Northbrook.  Huge crowds completely fill the church to watch the marvelous reenactment that their children put on.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

St. Norbert Religious Education holds it's annual 2010 Christmas Pageant in Northbrook.  1st and 2nd graders sing We Three Kings during the second part of the reenactment.    (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

St. Norbert Religious Education holds it's annual 2010 Christmas Pageant in Northbrook.  1st and 2nd graders sing We Three Kings during the second part of the reenactment.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

St. Norbert Religious Education holds it's annual 2010 Christmas Pageant in Northbrook.  Baby Jesus is played by Greta Mae Klein, 5 months old, held by Elizabeth Mathy, age 11, playing Mary, the 3 kings in front, are played by Samantha Carsello, Lauren Steiner, and Julia Morris.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

St. Norbert Religious Education holds it's annual 2010 Christmas Pageant in Northbrook.  The reenactment went off without a hitch, creating a wonderfully fun time that will be remembered for years to come.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

St. Norbert Religious Education holds it's annual 2010 Christmas Pageant in Northbrook.  In honor of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a student portraying Juan Diego layed out a bouquet of roses at the picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

St. Norbert Religious Education holds it's annual 2010 Christmas Pageant in Northbrook.  1st graders join together with the rest of the actors as the 4th grade choir leads the congregation in Silent Night.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

St. Norbert Religious Education holds it's annual 2010 Christmas Pageant in Northbrook.  In the finale, the 4th grade choir leads the congregation in Silent Night.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

IHSA Varsity Hockey: Loyola Academy at New Trier

Big game in Boy's Varsity Hockey:  Loyola Academy Gold vs New Trier Green at Winnetka Ice Arena.  Loyola's has a team huddlehugging one another like a family just before the start of the game.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Big game in Boy's Varsity Hockey:  Loyola Academy Gold vs New Trier Green at Winnetka Ice Arena.  Joesph Miller of New Trier, brings the puck down hoping to set up a play.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Big game in Boy's Varsity Hockey:  Loyola Academy Gold vs New Trier Green at Winnetka Ice Arena.  William Westhoff of New Trier skates directly toward Loyola's Brian Butler.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Big game in Boy's Varsity Hockey:  Loyola Academy Gold vs New Trier Green at Winnetka Ice Arena.  Loyola's Matthew Blunkett tries his hardest to take the puck away from New Trier's Tyler Pecka.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Big game in Boy's Varsity Hockey:  Loyola Academy Gold vs New Trier Green at Winnetka Ice Arena.  New Trier's captain Tyler Pecka skates extremely fast down hoping to score the first goal.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Big game in Boy's Varsity Hockey:  Loyola Academy Gold vs New Trier Green at Winnetka Ice Arena.  Loyola's Sam DePaz just misses the goal, beaming the side bar, New Trier's goalie Greg Ogard catches a break.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Big game in Boy's Varsity Hockey:  Loyola Academy Gold vs New Trier Green at Winnetka Ice Arena.  New Trier scores the first goal, scored by number 55, Jack Talbot, assisted by number 86, Gregory Smart and number 20 Robert Marren.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Big game in Boy's Varsity Hockey:  Loyola Academy Gold vs New Trier Green at Winnetka Ice Arena.  New Trier's fans go wild after scoring the first goal.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Big game in Boy's Varsity Hockey:  Loyola Academy Gold vs New Trier Green at Winnetka Ice Arena.  New Trier's Gregory Smart battles with Loyola's Axel Lifvendahl for the puck.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Big game in Boy's Varsity Hockey:  Loyola Academy Gold vs New Trier Green at Winnetka Ice Arena.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Big game in Boy's Varsity Hockey:  Loyola Academy Gold vs New Trier Green at Winnetka Ice Arena.  Loyola's team presses the easy button with fans cheering after tieing up the game.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Big game in Boy's Varsity Hockey:  Loyola Academy Gold vs New Trier Green at Winnetka Ice Arena.  Loyola's Charlie Widmar bring's the puck from out of the zone back towards New Trier's goal keeper.  Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Big game in Boy's Varsity Hockey:  Loyola Academy Gold vs New Trier Green at Winnetka Ice Arena.  Loyola Academy celebrates their victory beating New Trier 3-1, fans go crazy on both sides as tension builds in the stadium.

Round Lake Christmas Tree Lighting

The 2010 annual lighting of the Round Lake Christmas Tree kicks off with caroling, a visit from Santa, Hay rides and hot cocoa with cookies.  Georgann Vetrano leads her Village of Elementary Course Carolers during the pre-ceremnoy.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

The 2010 annual lighting of the Round Lake Christmas Tree kicks off with caroling, a visit from Santa, Hay rides and hot cocoa with cookies.  Micayla Radecki (left) age 3, waits patiently in the cold with her sister Caitlin, 13 months old, for Jolly Old Saint Nick.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media) 

The 2010 annual lighting of the Round Lake Christmas Tree kicks off with caroling, a visit from Santa, Hay rides and hot cocoa with cookies.  Santa Clause himself, arrives in Round Lake to greet all the children and their families in an entourage of Fire Trucks.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

The 2010 annual lighting of the Round Lake Christmas Tree kicks off with caroling, a visit from Santa, Hay rides and hot cocoa with cookies.  Santa Clause does the official countdown for the lighting of the Round Lake Christmas Tree.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

The 2010 annual lighting of the Round Lake Christmas Tree kicks off with caroling, a visit from Santa, Hay rides and hot cocoa with cookies.  Round Lake Mayor, Jim Beatz turns around to see his first glance at the 2010 Christmas Tree. (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

The 2010 annual lighting of the Round Lake Christmas Tree kicks off with caroling, a visit from Santa, Hay rides and hot cocoa with cookies.  After the lighting, families and friends stood around the tree holding and hugging each other while singing carols.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

The 2010 annual lighting of the Round Lake Christmas Tree kicks off with caroling, a visit from Santa, Hay rides and hot cocoa with cookies.  Arisdeltzi Lopez, age 6 (left), sits on Santa's lap with her friend Angela Mendoza, age 9, both of Round Lake.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Lindenhurst Tree Lighting Festival

The Lindenhurst Park District holds it's annual Holiday Tree Lighting Event at the Community Center.  Artwork made by the Lindenhurst Park District Engle Junction Preschool decorated the entire gymnasium.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

The Lindenhurst Park District holds it's annual Holiday Tree Lighting Event at the Community Center.  Santa sat patiently as hundreds of children lined up to get their photograph taken with him.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

The Lindenhurst Park District holds it's annual Holiday Tree Lighting Event at the Community Center.  While others lined up to see Santa, Elsa Heyer, age 2, walked around the Christmas displays, completely fixated on all the decorations, pretty lights, and fake snow.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media) 

The Lindenhurst Park District holds it's annual Holiday Tree Lighting Event at the Community Center.  Huge crowds turned towards where the Lindenhurst Park District Engle Junction Preschoolers had a very fun performance singing a couple Chirstmas Carols.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media) 

The Lindenhurst Park District holds it's annual Holiday Tree Lighting Event at the Community Center.  The Lindenhurst Park District Engle Junction Preschoolers sang a couple Christmas Carols just after the lighting of the tree.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

The Lindenhurst Park District holds it's annual Holiday Tree Lighting Event at the Community Center.  The Lindenhurst Park District Engle Junction Preschoolers sang a couple Christmas Carols just after the lighting of the tree.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

The Lindenhurst Park District holds it's annual Holiday Tree Lighting Event at the Community Center.  After the lighting of the tree, people took portraits of each other standing in front of it's classic beauty.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Round Lake Park District Holiday Festival

The Round Lake Holiday Festival at the Rolek Community Center kicked off with Jennifer Crosby conducting the Round Lake Community Band.  The Festival included crafts, entertainment, sleigh rides, and a visit from Santa Claus.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)  

The Round Lake Holiday Festival at the Rolek Community Center kicked off with lots of fun for the family, with crafts, entertainment, sleigh rides, and a visit from Santa Claus.  Cathy Scott sang famous Christmas songs with the Round Lake Community Band, conducted by Jennifer Crosby.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

The Round Lake Holiday Festival at the Rolek Community Center kicked off with lots of fun for the family, with crafts, entertainment, sleigh rides, and a visit from Santa Claus.  The Prairie Grass Nature Museum offered children to construct pine cone bird feeder ornaments, here Kelly Schufreider, 11, with her younger brother Will, age 5 of Grayslake, make their own, first dipping it into the butter, followed by bird seed.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

Trevor Benton, age 5 of Round Lake Beach, decorates his Christmas card with different holiday spirit stamps at the 2010 Round Lake Holiday Fest.  Which took place at the Rolek Community Center in Round Lake having entertainment for the entire family.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

The Round Lake Holiday Festival at the Rolek Community Center kicked off with lots of fun for the family, with art & crafts, entertainment, sleigh rides, and a visit from Santa Claus.  Laila Murphy, age 3 of Round Lake Beach constructs some Christmas Art.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)

The Round Lake Holiday Festival from 2-5pm at the Rolek Community Center.  Including pictures with Santa, Elves Workshop, Trim-a-tree, sleigh rides, moonwalks, entertainment, and a walk in the lights.  (Mark Ukena/Sun-Times Media)