Aria Mallu, a fourth-grader at White Eagle Elementary School in Naperville, was the first-place art winner for her grade level in Metra's 2021-22 poster contest. She was also the first-place winner in the essay contest for kindergarten to fourth-grade students. (Metra / HANDOUT)

The Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise is hosting a drive-by diaper and moms’ essentials drive from 8 to 10 a.m. Friday, May 13, at the Naperville Park District office, 320 W. Jackson Ave.,

Items collected will go to the West Suburban Community Pantry, which serves more than 500 families weekly from Naperville, Lisle, Woodridge, Bolingbrook, Romeoville and other neighboring towns.

The Rotary Club hopes to receive diapers, especially in sizes 4, 5 and 6, pull-up training pants, baby wipes, and diaper creams and ointments. The club will also accept baby formula or coupons for formula and feminine hygiene products.

“As essential as they are, diapers, baby wipes and personal products cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits,” Rotary spokeswoman Deb Newman said in a statement. “Sunrise Rotary is dedicated to helping kids and families thrive in our community. This is a great opportunity to help moms in need take care of their children and themselves.”

Donations also can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at the pantry, 6809 Hobson Valley Drive, Woodridge.

Toby Keith is the opening night headliner for this year's Ribfest, which starts June 17 at the DuPage Event Center and Fairgrounds in Wheaton. (Annamaria DiSanto / WireImage via Getty Images)

Country music star Toby Keith will perform at Ribfest on Friday, June 17, at the DuPage Event Center and Fairgrounds in Wheaton, the Exchange Club of Naperville announced.

“We’re thrilled to open the fest with Toby Keith,” Bev Schafman, chair for 2022 Ribfest, said in a news release. “When Toby performed at Ribfest in 2017, we had one of our biggest crowds ever. It was a great night. What better way to welcome Ribfest to our new home than with a genuine superstar like Toby Keith.”

Last year, Keith was given the National Medal of Arts. He has sold more than 40 million albums and has had 32 No. 1 hit singles. In 2015, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in New York City.

The Exchange Club is bringing back Ribfest after a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Proceeds raised help fight child abuse and domestic violence.

Festival-goers can enjoy more country music on Sunday, June 19, with Brett Eldredge as the headline act and performances from Ashley McBryde, Levi Hummon and Alexandra Kay.

Naperville students Roman Baranovski, a third-grader at May Watts Elementary School, and Aria Mallu, a fourth-grader at White Eagle Elementary School, were among the winners of Metra’s 2021-22 poster and essay contest.

The contest asked students to create an image or write about the importance of safety near railroad tracks. This year’s theme was “Safety is a Choice You Make,” which asked students to show the importance of being aware of your surroundings and safety when around train tracks, platforms and crossings.

Aria placed first in the essay contest for the kindergarten through fourth-grade division and first for the poster contest for her grade.

Winning designs will be featured in Metra’s safety calendar, website, weekend passes and social media. The contest was open to all students in kindergarten through high school who attend school in Metra’s six-county service area.

Earning second place in the poster contest were Kamen Barzashki, a kindergarten student at Clow Elementary School; Tanishi Singh, a third-grade student at Fry Elementary School; and Rowan Strink, a freshman at Naperville Central High School.

Smayan Vishnukanth, a second-grade student at Peterson Elementary School, placed third in the poster contest. Saanvi Peddireddy, a second-grade student at Owen Elementary School, and Spencer Smolik, a junior at Naperville Central High School, earned an honorable mention.

Residents have until midnight May 30 to vote for the People’s Choice Award. Posters can be viewed and a Survey Monkey voting site can be accessed on the Metra Safety Poster Contest Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/MetraSafetyPosterContest/.