Frankfort Bluegrass Festival returns for 12th edition The Frankfort Bluegrass Festival returns for its 12th year July 13 and 14 with 40 performances by 15 bands over its two days. Among the bands playing the Breidert Green and Prairie Park stages in historic downtown Frankfort are award-winning bluegrass acts Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Jim Lauderdale & The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Miles Over Mountains, The Grateful String Band, Wheels North, Special Consensus and more.  Bands will play from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Frankfort Bluegrass Festival has been named “Event of the Year” by the International Bluegrass Musical Association, helping organizers attract musicians from around the world, including South Korean bluegrass band Country GongBang, which has gained an international following through festivals in France and Japan. “This is but one twist to the many stories that have brought us to our 12th annual Bluegrass Festival in Frankfort,” said Steve Haberichter, a founding member of the all-volunteer committee that organizes the festival. “The extraordinary reach of bluegrass music throughout the world has been perpetuated by the IBMA to benefit all. We’re thrilled our audiences get to enjoy new artists in Frankfort every year.” A full schedule and more information on the free festival is at www.frankfortbluegrassfest.com. Homewood Public Works director retires John D. Schaefer, Homewood’s director of Public Works, retired last month following 42 years of public service. (Village of Homewood) John D. Schaefer, Honewood’s director of Public Works, retired last month following 42 years of public service. Assistant Public Works Director Joshua Burman was promoted to director in a corresponding move. Schaefer was hired by the village in 1982 as a utility maintenance worker and promoted to a supervisor role in 1990. He became assistant director of Public Works in 1994 and director of Public Works in 1998. He’s also been Homewood’s acting director of Community Development and a part-time Homewood firefighter for 25 years, where he was a member of the Homewood Dive and Rescue team, CART Technical Rescue team and an academy instructor. “John has been a ‘known professional quantity’  in the municipal world for many years,” said Village Manager Napoleon Haney. “John is a rarity in that, although he had an extensive tenure with Homewood, he was able to consistently remain passionate, creative and highly effective.  We’re going to miss John’s tenacity to accomplish big things, his humor and calm demeanor.  He’s a real Homewood hero.” Spirit of Southland Blood Drive set The third annual Spirit of Southland Blood Drive, a combined inspiration of several leaders from several Southland churches, is planned from 3 to 7 p.m. July 10 and noon to 4 p.m. July 11 at Living Springs Community Church, 19051 South Halsted St., Glenwood. The yearly event brings together church leaders from area churches, pooling their resources to host a larger blood drive than any of the churches could organize individually. Participating churches include Calvary United Protestant of Park Forest, Church of the Holy Family in Park Forest, First Presbyterian of Homewood, Flossmoor Community Church, Hazel Crest United Methodist, Immanuel Lutheran Church of Steger, Life Church of Chicago Heights, Living Springs Community Church of Glenwood, New Faith Baptist International of Matteson, Our Lady of the Heights Catholic Church of Chicago Heights, St. Paul Lutheran of Chicago Heights, and First Presbyterian of Chicago Heights. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments are encouraged at each of the participating churches, by calling 1-800-710-GIVE, or at versiti.org. Metra Electric Line impacted by construction Metra will be adjusting its Electric Line schedules from July 13 through July 20 to accommodate construction work related to the South Shore Line’s service expansion. Though schedules will be adjusted, riders are advised to expect delays and to allow for extra travel time. Construction is to begin July 12 and end July 21. On both Saturday, July 13, and Saturday, July 20, the Metra Electric Line will operate a Sunday schedule to reduce the number of trains in the construction zone. Midday service on the Blue Island Branch will be impacted as well. Detailed schedules can be found at metra.com. Thorn Creek friends plan 55th anniversary picnic Friends of Thorn Creek Woods will celebrate 55 years of support and volunteerism at Thorn Creek Woods in Park Forest with a picnic from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 21 at Somonauk Park Pavilion, Somonauk and Sangamon Streets, Park Forest. Everyone is invited to meet for food and fun at the new Somonauk Nature Adventure Park, which offers kayak rentals, fishing piers, an all-abilities playground, a new basketball court and a new pavilion equipped with a kitchen and restrooms. Main dishes will be provided along with water and ice and people are asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share. Naturalists will present a pond life exploration of the Somonauk pond and its common plants and critters, and there will be displays of aquatic grasses and forbs, and an opportunity to create a dragonfly to take home. Registration is required by July 15 at 708-747-6320. Palos Heights Woman’s Club sets membership drive The Palos Heights Woman’s Club is holding a membership drive event from 6 to 8 p.m. July 16 in a member’s garden. The event offers a chance for prospective members to meet current club members and get information about the charitable organization, a member of the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs. Location details, reservations and more information are at 708-752-5397. Send news to communitynews@southtownstar.com.