Naperville ‘Jeopardy!’ contestant’s tourney run ends
Naperville resident Erin Portman, who reached the semifinalist stage of the “Season 39 Jeopardy Champions Wildcard Tournament,” placed third in the quiz show that aired Wednesday.
Portman, an English teacher at Plainfield East High School, first appeared on the popular game show in January 2023 and then returned Jan. 19 as part of the Wildcard Tournament.
Portman won in the quarterfinals, making her one of nine contestants to move on to the three-day semifinals.
During the episode Wednesday, Portman wore exclamation point and question mark earrings befitting of the show’s format in which answers are made in the form of a question.
Although Portman was one of two contestants to correctly answer the Final Jeopardy question, she could not best Michael Menkhus, of Kansas City, who moves on to the finals. He will be joined by the winners of Monday’s and Tuesday’s rounds: Juveria Zaheer of Canada and Andy Tirrell of San Diego.
Last week, Portman said that her favorite part of being on “Jeopardy” was meeting all the “wonderful, brilliant people” who were also there for the tournament. She prepared for the game by practicing with her parents and sister, she said.
Hidden Oaks Nature Center closing for renovations
Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook will close for renovations starting Monday, Feb. 19.
The center at 419 Trout Farm Road will be shut down for most of the year as the Forest Preserve District of Will County adds and rebuilds exhibits and amenities, a news release said.
The district bought the center in February 2022 from the Bolingbrook Park District.
When the interior and exterior work is complete, it will enhance residents’ understanding of local animals, plants and habitats through interactive exhibits, educational programs, outdoor spaces and hands-on natural play, the release said.
As part of the work, the reception and gift shop area will be expanded, a classroom converted into an exhibit gallery and a program staging area added where a children’s restroom is currently located, the release said.
Work also will include updated rental space with new paint, carpet, cabinets, doors, lighting and wet bar as well as a new shade structure outside and an accessible path from the nature center to the nature playscape and the natural amphitheater, officials said.
Other features include a new permanent tank for the nature center’s turtles and an elaborate indoor birdwatching lookout deck.
Renovations will not affect Hidden Lakes Trout Farms on the northern side of the preserve.
Updates will be posted on www.reconnectwithnature.org and the forest district’s social media pages.
