Judy Pochel

Author and Freelance Reporter at Chicago Tribune

Freelance Reporter at Freelance

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Articles

Wayside Cross Ministries looks at building Youth Activity Center in Montgomery

Mar 9, 2025 | chicagotribune.com | Judy Pochel

Wayside Cross Ministries is looking to build a Youth Activity Center on a site near St. Olaf Church in Montgomery. The Montgomery Village Board will get a look at the project on Monday night. Wayside Cross was founded in downtown Aurora in June 1928, on the cusp of the Great Depression, to help those in need.
Montgomery offers bright start to Christmas season

Dec 10, 2024 | chicagotribune.com | Judy Pochel

All things were “Merry and Bright” as the village of Montgomery hosted its kickoff to the Christmas season on Sunday evening. As in previous years, hundreds of children were on hand to welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to the village.
Montgomery set to light village's Christmas tree

Dec 2, 2024 | chicagotribune.com | Judy Pochel

Montgomery will hold its annual Christmas tree lighting event at 5 p.m. Sunday in front of Village Hall, 200 N. River St.The event will feature Santa, giveaways, musical performances and the opening of the Festival of Trees, which will run through Dec. 26 at Village Hall and along River Street, village officials said. School children in various classrooms are busy completing paper ornaments that will cover the village’s Christmas tree. The event will begin with Santa and Mrs.
Montgomery Cemetery Walk to offer trip back in time

Sep 27, 2024 | chicagotribune.com | Judy Pochel

Participants can take a step back in time during the annual Cemetery Walk on Wednesday at Riverside Cemetery in Montgomery. Held every year on the first Wednesday in October, the free historical tour organized by the Montgomery Historic Preservation Commission is designed to transport visitors to earlier days in Montgomery. The walk takes visitors to gravesites in the cemetery at 414 N. River St., where volunteer actors portray residents of the village from the past.
Montgomery Fest just ducky as big crowds turn out for annual late summer bash

Aug 20, 2024 | chicagotribune.com | Judy Pochel

Montgomery Fest may have experienced record attendance, with about 22,000 coming to the village’s annual summertime festival over the weekend, officials said. The 39th annual fest at Montgomery Park at 301 N. River St. in Montgomery included carnival rides, a parade, food, music, fireworks and more. A new event this year was a fundraising rubber duck race down the Fox River on Sunday, with proceeds going to the Rotary Club of Montgomery.
Montgomery Fest to feature music, parade, fireworks and more

Aug 13, 2024 | chicagotribune.com | Judy Pochel

Montgomery’s annual summer festival is set to begin at 4 p.m. Friday, and will feature a carnival, parade, food, music and more. The 39th annual Montgomery Fest, which will be held at Montgomery Park at 301 N. River St. in Montgomery, will run through Sunday. Admission to the event is free, with cash recommended for food and carnival purchases. There will be two ATMs available at the site. There will be 15 food vendors at the festival, as well as a beer tent sponsored by the Montgomery Foundation.
Memorials for veterans, first responders open in Montgomery

Jul 10, 2024 | chicagotribune.com | Judy Pochel

A crowd of more than 200 people was on hand Monday as the village of Montgomery dedicated two memorials – one to veterans and the other to first responders and essential workers – at Montgomery Park. Montgomery Village President Matt Brolley kicked off the ceremony at the Fox Valley Park District park at 301 N. River St. in downtown Montgomery by saying the monuments stand as a tribute to those who have served our nation and for those who will serve in the future. State Rep.
Flower boxes return to Mill Street Bridge in Montgomery

Jun 6, 2024 | chicagotribune.com | Judy Pochel

Flowers are once again blooming along Mill Street Bridge in Montgomery. There was a hiatus in the Montgomery Flower Planter Program due to the Mill Street Bridge improvement project in 2022-23, village officials said, but the flower boxes have now returned. The program, a collaborative effort between the Montgomery Public Works Department and the volunteer-led Montgomery Beautification Committee, aims to beautify the bridge with flower planter boxes and memorial signs, according to officials.
Renovation work continues at Montgomery Park

May 17, 2024 | chicagotribune.com | Judy Pochel

Renovations to Montgomery Park in Montgomery are one step closer to completion with the recent arrival of monuments for veterans and first responders to be placed at the site. The upgrades to the park, at 301 N. River St. in downtown Montgomery, started in 2018 but were stalled by the pandemic. Work started again late last year and should be complete in time for visitors to enjoy during the annual Montgomery Festival, which is centered at the park and set to run this year from Aug. 16 to 18.
Montgomery fest gets holidays off to bright start

Dec 5, 2023 | chicagotribune.com | Judy Pochel

The village of Montgomery got the holiday season off to a bright start Sunday with its annual tree-lighting ceremony and festival. Santa arrived on a Montgomery Countryside Fire Department ladder truck and Mrs. Claus arrived on her own fire truck to begin the festivities. Village President Matt Brolley and Santa then officially turned on the village’s Christmas tree along with another 25 trees along the street, decorated by local businesses and organizations.