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2 days ago
Community CalendarPick of the Week – The Elmhurst event NOT to be missed!Jaycees CarnivalFriday, Aug. 16Saturday, Aug. 17Sunday, Aug. 18The Elmhurst Jaycees will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Charity Carnival in downtown Elmhurst over the weekend of Aug. 15-18. The carnival will be located along Park Ave between Prospect and Myrtle. To purchase a four-day Megapass, visit elmhurstjaycees.com to buy one for $50 in advance, or $55 starting Aug. 15.------------------------------Thursday, Aug. 15• From 6-8 p.m., all are invited to the Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 at Spring Rd. and Butterfield in Elmhurst, for “Cars Under the Stars & Stripes,” a car show for the whole family. Visitors are invited inside the Legion to enjoy $5 food specials.• From 6:30-8:30 p.m., the Spring Road Business Association invites the public to Music At The Gazebo, Spring Road and the Prairie Path. Bring lawn chairs or blankets, picnics. NO AL-COHOL. This week: Mr. Myers Band, reggae, calypso and beach music.Saturday, Aug. 17• From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Jaycees Charity Carnival will host Special Kids Carnival Day, where kids with special needs and their families are invited to come and enjoy having the carnival all to themselves. Enjoy free rides, games, goodies and other attractions with fewer lights and softer sounds to make it easier for disabled kids to enjoy.• The Elmhurst Public Library hosts its second-annual Local Author Fair, where guests can meet local authors who discuss, answer questions, sell, and sign copies of their books. Submissions from local authors are accepted now through Aug. 10. An Elmhurst Public Library card is not required to participate. Approved applicants are able to sell books at the fair.Saturday, Aug, 17From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Men In Brotherhood Lodge #1178 A.F. & A.M. is hosting Motorcycle Show at 159 W. North Ave. Open to all makes and models. Food and refreshments will be available. Thursday, Aug. 22From 6-8 p.m., all are invited to the Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 at Spring Rd. and Butterfield in Elmhurst, for “Cars Under the Stars & Stripes,” a car show for the whole family. Visitors are invited inside the Legion to enjoy $5 food specials.Thursday, Aug. 29From 6-8 p.m., all are invited to the Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 at Spring Rd. and Butterfield in Elmhurst, for “Cars Under the Stars & Stripes,” a car show for the whole family. Free and open to the public. Visitors are invited inside the Legion to enjoy $5 food specials.Thursday, Sept 5From 6-8 p.m., all are invited to the Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 at Spring Rd. and Butterfield in Elmhurst, for “Cars Under the Stars & Stripes,” a car show for the whole family. Visitors are invited inside the Legion to enjoy $5 food specials.Saturday, Sept. 7From 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., the 6th NE District Masonic Blood Drive will be held at the Elmhurst Masonic Building at 159 W. North Avenue. For information, call Mark Entwistle at 630-707-3646 or Reno Reguya at 312-479-6341. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome as well. Photo ID is required. Remember to eat well, stay hydrated and wear something that allows easy access to your arm. Thursday, Sept. 12From 6-8 p.m., all are invited to the Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 at Spring Rd. and Butterfield in Elmhurst, for “Cars Under the Stars & Stripes,” a car show for the whole family. Free and open to the public. Visitors are invited inside the Legion to enjoy $5 food specials.Saturday, Sept. 14The 5th Annual Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest will be held on the grounds of the Elmhurst History Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., featuring 100 special beers and ciders from craft brewers from the Chicagoland area and around the country.Ongoing programs:Elmhurst Farmers Market• Every Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. now through Oct., the Elmhurst Farmers Market will be held at the municipal lot just east of York Road on Vallette. Local farmers, bakers and others will have fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, pastries, cheese, flowers, honey, soaps and more. For best parking, come before 10 a.m. or after 12 noon. Info: yorkandvallette.com• Widows or Widowers (WOW) meet every third Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 537 S. York Road. Admission: $5 per person includes live entertainment. Info: Dave at 630-620-4060 or visit WOW.cfsites.org.• The Elmhurst American Legion, T.H.B. Post No. 187, hosts a fish fry every Friday night from 6-8:30 p.m. New York steaks are available first Friday of the month. Musical entertainment follows. Karaoke on the second Friday of each month. Bingo on Wednesdays, starting with Early Birds at 6:45 p.m. Info: 630-833-7800.. ... See MoreSee Less
3 weeks ago
Community CalendarPick of the Week – The Elmhurst event NOT to be missed!Thursday, Aug. 1Cathy Richardson performs at Spring Road GazeboFrom 6:30-8:30 p.m., the Spring Road Business Association invites the public to Music At The Gazebo, Spring Road and the Prairie Path. Bring lawn chairs or blankets, picnics. NO ALCOHOL. This week: Cathy Richardson, Elmhurst’s own Grammy-nominated Rock Goddess.------------------------------Thursday, Aug. 1From 6-8 p.m., all are invited to the Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 at Spring Rd. and Butterfield in Elmhurst, for “Cars Under the Stars & Stripes,” a car show for the whole family. Visitors are invited inside the Legion to enjoy $5 food specials.Sunday, Aug. 4From 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., the Elmhurst History Museum invites residents to bring their photographs pertaining to Elmhurst history to be digitally scanned to add to the Museum’s growing digital collection. Seeking photos of Elmhurst homes, family, schools, streets and scenery, large gatherings such as parades and parties. Museum staff will scan them (with written permission) and provide participants with digital copies to keep. If you have photos to scan, but can’t make it on Aug. 4, please contact the Museum for an appointment on another day. Info: 630-833-1457 or elmhursthistory.org.Thursday, Aug. 8• From 6-8 p.m., all are invited to the Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 at Spring Rd. and Butterfield in Elmhurst, for “Cars Under the Stars & Stripes,” a car show for the whole family. Free and open to the public. Visitors are invited inside the Legion to enjoy $5 food specials.• From 6:30-8:30 p.m., the Spring Road Business Association invites the public to Music At The Gazebo, Spring Road and the Prairie Path. Bring lawn chairs or blankets, picnics. NO ALCOHOL. This week: Lake Effect, performing pop and standards.Friday, Aug. 9The Park District offers the last “Party in the Park” for the summer, this month at East Park, where all ages are invited for fun activities. The Park District will provide bubbles, hula hoops, jump ropes, giveaways and refreshments. Eco the Raccoon might make an appearance. Free and open to all ages.Sunday, Aug. 10Freedom & Dignity Fest, featuring a concert by Toby Keith, will take place at Schaumburg Boomers base-ball field in Schaumburg as a benefit to Café Liberty, a culinary training program for veterans and their families. Bands begin at 3 p.m.; Toby Keith to perform at 9 p.m. For tickets and info, visit freedomanddignityfestival.org.Sunday, Aug. 11At 2 p.m., the Elmhurst History Museum presents a free gallery talk with Curator Dan Bartlett, as he shares details about some of Chicago's earliest "Worlds of Wonder" venues, their iconic rides, and their places in the lives of Chicagoland residents. Drop in program, no registration required. Info: elmhursthistory.org or 630-833-1457.Monday, August 12From 1 - 4 p.m., the Elmhurst History Museum is hosting its final Museum Maker Monday of the summer. This month, explore the music of Woodstock as Americans remember the iconic concert’s 50th anniversary. Kids and caregivers can play games, complete a craft, and picnic on the grounds weather permitting. Craft supplies available while supplies last. Drop-in program appropriate for elementary age children accompanied by an adult, no registration required. Info: 630-833-1457 or elmhursthistory.org.Thursday, Aug. 15• From 6-8 p.m., all are invited to the Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 at Spring Rd. and Butterfield in Elmhurst, for “Cars Under the Stars & Stripes,” a car show for the whole family. Visitors are invited inside the Legion to enjoy $5 food specials.• From 6:30-8:30 p.m., the Spring Road Business Association invites the public to Music At The Gazebo, Spring Road and the Prairie Path. Bring lawn chairs or blankets, picnics. NO ALCOHOL. This week: Mr. Myers Band, reggae, calypso and beach music.Saturday, Aug. 17The Elmhurst Public Library hosts its second-annual Local Author Fair, where guests can meet local authors who discuss, answer questions, sell, and sign copies of their books. Submissions from local authors are accepted now through Aug. 10. An Elmhurst Public Library card is not required to participate. Approved applicants are able to sell books at the fair.Ongoing programs:Elmhurst Farmers Market• Every Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. now through Oct., the Elmhurst Farmers Market will be held at the municipal lot just east of York Road on Vallette. Local farmers, bakers and others will have fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, pastries, cheese, flowers, honey, soaps and more. For best parking, come before 10 a.m. or after 12 noon. Info: yorkandvallette.com• Widows or Widowers (WOW) meet every third Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 537 S. York Road. Admission: $5 per person includes live entertainment. Info: Dave at 630-620-4060 or visit WOW.cfsites.org.• The Elmhurst American Legion, T.H.B. Post No. 187, hosts a fish fry every Friday night from 6-8:30 p.m. New York steaks are available first Friday of the month. Musical entertainment follows. Karaoke on the second Friday of each month. Bingo on Wednesdays, starting with Early Birds at 6:45 p.m. Info: 630-833-7800. ... See MoreSee Less
1 month ago
Elmhurst Memorial Pink Elephant Shop closes after 35 yearsBy Marisa ManciniFOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENTThe Elmhurst Memorial Re-sale Pink Elephant Shop, an Elmhurst icon for nearly 35 years, will close its doors for good on Friday June 28, 2019. It will be greatly missed by many local resi-dents.The Pink Elephant, founded by Elmhurst Memorial Hospital in 1984, originally re-sided on Addison Street. It was run by the Elmhurst Hospital Guild, a volunteer organization who oversaw its management, staffing, and day-to-day operations. After suffering a fire in 1999, it relocated to 121 West First Street, where it remains today – at least until June 30.Though the shop always generated a profit, the Elmhurst Hospital Guild determined the Pink Elephant needed improvement. In November 2005, Elmhurst Hospital hired Patrick McDonald to manage the shop. With seven years of experience as St. Vincent DePaul’s manager, and a former manager at Baskin’s Clothing Company, McDonald was a perfect fit. “My first impression of the store was that it desperately needed updating and organization,” McDonald recalled. “I was particularly shocked that the price tags were stapled to the items, frequently causing permanent damage, and that there was no sizing system for clothing. Also, I noticed merchandise looked tired and was not moving. My philosophy for the store was to bring in fresh merchandise, and strategically display them to increase sales.” Six months after McDonald started, Pink Elephant’s prof-its doubled and increased every year going forward. As purchases increased, so did the volume of high-quality donations. “My biggest challenge was selling the volunteers on my vision for the store,” he stat-ed. Most of the Pink Elephant volunteers were in their 70s and 80s, and McDonald had to win them over to change. “Once they saw the store’s increased success, each and every volunteer worked hard to change and improve the store. It takes a village to run a store, and that’s what I was fortunate enough to get – a strong team of volunteers devoted to making this store great.” Setting itself apartMcDonald’s efforts set the Pink Elephant apart from tradition resale shops. To attract and educate customers, it offered periodic seminars on a wide range of topics including accessorizing outfits, chalk painting, and glassware collecting. The store also put on a yearly (sometimes bi-yearly) fashion show showcasing outfits selected and modeled by the volunteers -– who also provided food and refreshments for the guests. Additionally, McDonald’s dedication to customer service elevated the tone of the store. “I pride myself in instilling in each volunteer the desire to assist every customer that entered the store.” Customers received the same personal attention they did at a department store. “The store became an upscale resale shop which I feel improved the image of the City.” McDonald feels the volunteers changed his life in many ways. Witnessing their self-less dedication without expecting anything in return humbled and enlightened him. But what impressed him most was the dignity and respect the volunteers showed to every client, whether paying or in need. “That’s what we were all about – providing services and goods to all who entered the store, because our business was to serve the community,” said McDonald.Volunteers share their storiesKay Ryan, a Pink Elephant volunteer for 10 years, first chose to volunteer because she knew it benefitted Elmhurst Hospital. “My experience here has been very fulfilling,” she said. “The customers are wonderful and we work together like a family. I receive the most satisfaction picking out clothes from our store for the poor or homeless patients at Elmhurst Hospital who have nothing more than a hospital gown.” McDonald and the volunteers also take great pride knowing the store’s proceeds funded hospital programs and needed equipment. Reflecting on the volunteers and customers at the Pink Elephant, McDonald stated, “We formed personal connections and cared about each other. We became family.” These sentiments are echoed by its customers. “The Pink Elephant is a social outlet for many in the community – a place to meet friends, enjoy conversations, and find good deals,” stated Elmhurst resident George Slaidas, a Pink Elephant customer for 25 years. “Some people came in every day, some once a week, and others periodically. Patrick always accommodated people and treated them with respect and class. He made it a nice part of our day. It will be big loss for the Elmhurst community.”As McDonald gazed at the few items remaining in the store, he stated, “I will always be grateful to Elmhurst Hospital for the opportunity to make my vision for the Pink Elephant a reality. Knowing the store benefited the community in so many ways will give me a lifetime of satisfaction and I will always miss my Pink Elephant family!” ... See MoreSee Less
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