Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families Business
  • Mahnoor Ahmad campaign photo
    Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat Democrat
  • Sunday, October 26, the Village of Orland Park formally rededicated its Village Hall in honor of the late former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens
    Village of Orland Park Rededicates Village Hall in Honor of Late Former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens Government
  • Fire at townhome at 13900 block of Berkhansted Court in Orland Park, just before midnight on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025
    Firefighter treated for dehydration battling townhouse fire in Orland Park – no residents injured Fire
  • Firefighters with the Orland Fire Protection District who responded to a fire in an apartment at 15200 block of Al Camino Terrace on Saturday morning said the next day that they did find a kitten that needed respiratory aid that they saved.
    FIRE UPDATE: Fire District releases photos of kitten saved from Orland Park apartment fire Saturday Features
  • two-story apartment building on the 15200 block of El Camino Terrace in Orland Park
    Orland Park apartment fire Saturday morning, no injuries Fire
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings calls for bipartisan action to protect Illinois families from SNAP benefit shutdown Baby Boomers
  • Illinios Industrial Energy Consumers, information ad
    Get information on the Illinois Energy Omnibus Bill in Springfield Business
  • State Senator Mike Porfirio secured over $20 million to support infrastructure improvements and construction in the 11th Senate District.
    Senator Porfirio applauds more than $20 million in infrastructure repairs coming to the 11th District News
  • Dad and daughter reunited Lebving Law firm photo
    Little Girl Recovered and Reunited with Dad After Long Separation Dads' Rights
  • 11-03-25 OFPD Coffee living alone
    Orland Fire hosts meeting on helping Seniors who live alone Nov. 5 Baby Boomers
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings secures $250,000 grant for Easterseals Academy’s Tinley Park campus Health
  • Chicago ranks as 161st worst city for crime in new national survey Chicago
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    Kat Abughazaleh raises over $520,000 in Q2 of 2025 with more than $630,000 cash on hand for 2026 Democratic primary election elections
  • Silent Threat: The True Dangers of Lithium-Ion Batteries — How to Stay Safe and Respond to a Battery Fire Fire

Skeleton lightens motorists’ mood

Posted on July 28, 2021July 28, 2021 By Steve Metsch 1 Comment on Skeleton lightens motorists’ mood
SHARE THIS STORY
493           
 
  
493
Shares

Skeleton lightens motorists’ mood

Eye-catching landmark in La Grange Highlands

By Steve Metsch

For about four months, motorists driving in the 1600 block of Plainfield Road in La Grange Highlands have done their share of double-takes, slowing down, laughing and even parking to snap a few selfies.

The reason for their fascination is a bright-white, life-sized skeleton sitting atop a lawn tractor facing Plainfield Road.

It’s in front of the house owned by Ryan and Julia Di Pompeo.

It was Ryan’s idea to bring some more life to the old lawn tractor and entertain passersby.

He succeeded on both counts.

Ryan, 32, and Julia, 29, are glad they’ve brightened so many lives.

Ryan and Julia Di Pompeo  with the skeleton riding a lawn tractor that’s attracted plenty of attention along Plainfield Road in La Grange Highlands. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

 

A field mechanic by trade, Ryan goes place to place, working on equipment. On some of those visits, he’s acquired his share of antiques like the1984 Lawn Keeper, made by the Roper Co.

“A friend gave it to me. (He said it was) from somebody who never used the thing,” Ryan said.

In his spare time, he restored the lawn tractor – or riding mower – and gave it a patriotic red, white and blue paint job.

“With the state our country has been the last two years, I wanted to magnify American pride with the American flag but, at the same time, put a fun little twist on it,” Ryan said.

He found the skeleton at a Halloween supply store.

“I’ve always loved skeletons,” Ryan said, pointing to a skeleton among his many tattoos. “I’ve had the Halloween feel in me year around.”

With their house situated on the crest of a slight hill, it’s easy for people who come there for personal weight training taught by Julia to miss it, she said.

Julia thought it would be a good idea to have a landmark of some sort in the front yard for newcomers.

“(I thought) maybe a little scarecrow by the mailbox,” she said, “and he’s ‘I got you.’ Before I knew it, he was painting this.”

Ryan built the wooden frame that holds dirt for a flower bed and also raises the skeleton and riding mower high above ground level.

“Just to make it stand out a little bit more,” he said. “Give some people a little laugh. I don’t think there should be anything offensive about this.”

He recalled last year when he was ordered by state troopers to remove a scarecrow that for years had been on the side of the house. Someone, he said, had found it offensive.

“This (skeleton) is non-gender specific, non-race specific,” Ryan said. “He’s got a smile on his face for everyone to see when they go to work or wherever they are going.”

Ryan also got to experiment with gardening by planting patriotic flowers around the riding mower. He’s happy the flowers bloomed and that nobody has vandalized the skeleton.

“One of my concerns was that someone might mess with it,” Ryan said

“The only thing that’s happened is that after graduation (from Highlands Middle School across the street) one of the graduates came up and put his tie on him,” he said.

Ryan got such a kick out of that, the tie stayed put until after Father’s Day.

“We’ll dress him up for Halloween, for sure,” he said.

The skeleton has a name: Working-class Mascot.

The name is a nod to Julia’s business, Working-class Barbells. A professional body builder who competes, Julia teaches weight lifting lessons in their garage.

Customers like the skeleton as much as the passersby who have given it rave reviews.

“I have cars stop throughout the day and I’ll see people taking pictures,” Ryan said. “A lot of people will say ‘Hey, that’s really cool,’ or ‘I’ll send this photo to my aunt in another state’.”

 

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at [email protected]
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band are still rockin’ - August 10, 2023
  • Weathering personal storms - July 20, 2023
  • Countryside solution irks some - July 20, 2023
NPV: 74
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
493           
 
  
493
Shares
 
493
Shares
 
 
 493         
News, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:La Grange Highlands, lawn tractor, Plainfield Road, Ryan and Julia Di Pompeo, skeleton

Post navigation

Previous Post: Three Goodman plays in different ways in the week ahead
Next Post: Vacation or vaccine, escaping the COVID pandemic

Related Posts

  • Marie Newman, candidate for the 3rd District
    Marie Newman Endorsed by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky elections
  • Palos Township Trustee Sharon Brannigan
    Protests against “racism” must be effective and civil Blogger
  • Orland Township CERT Program
    Orland Township to offer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program Government
  • Sal Bal (left) and his wife Natalie stand in their newest eatery, Sal's Philly Steaks in Hickory Hills. (Photo by Bob Bong)
    Bob Bong on Business: Sal’s Philly Steaks opens in Hickory Hills Business
  • Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Battle for Secretary of State already brewing in Illinois Blogger
  • Police officer saluting
    We need to defend the Police against “cancel culture” corruption Blogger

More Related Articles

Bridgeview may improve range News
Suspect in Cicero Bowling Alley assault that occurred on Wednesday evening, Sept. 4, 2019. Photo courtesy of the Cicero Police Suspect sought in Cicero Bowling Alley assault Chicago
Congresswoman Marie Newman, 3rd District Illinois Congresswoman Marie Newman votes to strengthen postal service Chicago
Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States sworn in on Jan 20, 2021. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia President Joseph Biden’s Inaugural Speech Jan. 20, 2021 Federal
Frankfort Il from village website New Businesses, Renovations, And Restaurants Slated For Downtown Frankfort Business
Officials at Orland Township wear face masks to help protect the residents of the community and they encourage the public to wear face masks. Photo courtesy of Orland Township 2021 Orland Township Board Swearing-In Ceremony Cook County

Comment (1) on “Skeleton lightens motorists’ mood”

  1. Pingback: The Driver's Side" – News From The Motorist's Perspective | theexpiredmeter.com

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Your Mortgage Company May Pay Your Taxes — But You Still Need to Watch
    October 17, 2025
  • Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show small
    The Politicization of the Nobel Peace Prize — and Trump’s Fury Over Losing Again
    October 11, 2025
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families
    October 29, 2025
  • Mahnoor Ahmad campaign photo
    Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat
    October 29, 2025
  • Sunday, October 26, the Village of Orland Park formally rededicated its Village Hall in honor of the late former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens
    Village of Orland Park Rededicates Village Hall in Honor of Late Former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens
    October 29, 2025
  • Fire at townhome at 13900 block of Berkhansted Court in Orland Park, just before midnight on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025
    Firefighter treated for dehydration battling townhouse fire in Orland Park – no residents injured
    October 28, 2025
  • Firefighters with the Orland Fire Protection District who responded to a fire in an apartment at 15200 block of Al Camino Terrace on Saturday morning said the next day that they did find a kitten that needed respiratory aid that they saved.
    FIRE UPDATE: Fire District releases photos of kitten saved from Orland Park apartment fire Saturday
    October 26, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme