July-August Around the Block

Send us your news! We want to hear about exciting news and events from your community, school or organization. Email us at info@emeraldmarketing.com.

Darien Lions Club to host Independence Day Parade

The Darien Lions Club will be hosting their 39th annual Independence Day Parade on Saturday, July 3. The 2010 theme is: HONORING OUR POLICE & FIREFIGHTERS. The usual entries are expected and include: decorated civic and commercial floats, government officials, school bands, various clubs, motorcycles, animals, and of course, the Darien Lions who will be tossing candy to the kids. Invitations have been sent to numerous police and fire departments from the State, DuPage County, Darien, and surrounding communities. Thousands of spectators will again line the Parade route, so come out and join us in showing your appreciation to all those brave men and women for doing what they do and for keeping us safe. The Parade will step off promptly at 9:30 am from Hinsdale South High School on Clarendon Hills Road, north to Plainfield Road to 75th Street, then west to Eisenhower Jr. High School. Additional information can be found on our Web site darienlions.org. All Parade participants must submit an Application Form and a signed Parade Rules Form. These forms are available in downloadable format on our Web site. Simply follow the links and instructions. For more information, contact Parade Chairman Lion Kooch (Dennis Kuczynski) at darienlionsparade@gmail.com.

Darien Historical Society salutes our nation’s independence

Join DHS in celebrating Independence Day during the Lion’s Club parade on July 3. Members of the Historical Society offer free lemonade just west of Old Lace Schoolhouse & Museum in the parking lot tent. Watch the labor-intensive floats, cheer the participants and wave your flags! Independence Day honors historic happenings which laid the foundation for today’s rights and responsibilities – Don’t miss it! You can visit Old Lace Schoolhouse during parade hours, 9:30 – 11 am, on Saturday, July 3. It will not be open on July 4. There will be another open house on August 1 from 1- 3 pm. Mark your calendar for the Save the Barn Committee “Movie Night” on Friday, September 3 at the Meyer Woods Barn. This event is family friendly and easy-on-the-pocket. Admission is free and refreshments are for sale. So pack up your blanket and lawn chair and come out for a great night under the stars! For more information call Pam at 630-985-7760

Darien Park District features music in the park

Concerts in the Park

7th Heaven July 14, 7-8:30 pm
The Sensations July 31, 6:30-8:30 pm
Heartache Tonight August 11, 7-8:30 pm

Adult Day Trips

Four Winds Casino July 8, 8:30-4:00 pm
Anderson Japanese Gardens July 22, 8:00-5:15 pm
Mailboat Tour & Yerkes Observatory August 19, 6:45-7:30 pm

Day Camp:
The park district offers camp programs for children ages 3 to 11 and includes options for all day, half day, two or three or day by day. Extended care is offered as early as 7 am to 6 pm. If you are looking for something fun for your child this summer stop by the office, call or go online to: darienparks.com for more information. There are many new and exciting classes this summer for all ages. Kids Corner Plus is a new class for 2-3 year olds. Your child doesn’t have to be potty trained for this fun class. The park district offers a variety of programs for the artistic child. The Musical Theatre Workshop is an excellent way to get your child a chance to sing and act. There are also group guitar lessons, piano, keyboarding, voice and many dance classes. There are various drawing, computer, music, science, sports and many more to pick from. July Fitness Center Special - The Darien Park District is offering a discounted individual annual membership in the month of July! They are taking one month’s membership fees off all of our individual annual memberships. Stop in today to start working out to a healthier you! Great group exercise classes are running all summer long at the Darien Park District! A wide range of classes are offered including but not limited to: Zumba, Pilates, Yoga, Strength Training, Aerobic Interval, and Kick boxing. Sessions typically run 6 weeks long and are very affordable. For more information call 630-968-6400 or visit darienparks.com.

Darien-Woodridge Fire Protection has safety in mind

The Board of Trustees will meet on July 21 and August 18 starting at 6:30 pm at Darien-Woodridge Fire Protection District Station 1 located at 7550 Lyman Avenue. There are two upcoming CPR Classes set for this summer at Station 1. Heartsaver CPR – July 7, 6:00 to 9:00 pm
Health care Provider CPR – August 11, 6:00 to 10 pm
All instructors are certified through the American Heart Association. Please visit: dwfd.org, or call Alicia at 630-910-2200 for additional information.

Safety Village of Darien summer sessions are planned

Programs are under way this summer for this amazing educational program. Sessions are available for 8-10 year olds and 5-7 year olds. Two summer sessions are approaching in July and August. There will be a session from July 12-22 and August 2-12. Be sure to contact Cindie Hagen, Director, at 630-969-4633 or visit SafetyVillageofDarien.org.

Kingswood Academy travels around the world

Do you want to have your children do something healthy this summer? Let Kingswood Academy feed their minds! How about a worldwide adventure they’ll never forget! Kingswood Academy in offering an Enrichment Program for Kindergarten through 6th grade kids called “Around the World in 5 Days”. This program is carefully designed to captivate, engage, and educate young minds. Kids will become explorers and travel “by hot air balloon” visiting countries around the world. They will experience languages, foods, cultures while developing writing, math and map skills. Poland, Korea, Chile, South America, Australia and many other countries will be visited. Kids will become cartographers as well as hot air balloon experts! Mark your calendar for July 19-23, 9 am - 3pm. Call Kingswood Academy at 630-887-1411 for more information and expect your kids to have the time of their lives!

Indian Prairie Library offers family fun nights

Sign up for summer reading clubs today! It is not too late to get the kids reading. There are separate summer reading clubs for children, teens and one for adults.
Make a Splash – READ! New this year you can keep track of how many minutes you spend reading (or being read to), and win prizes for every 5 hours of reading time, all online. Visit: ipplkidsconnect.org.
On Monday nights, the Youth Services Department of the Indian Prairie Public Library invites families with children registered in the summer reading club to enjoy family games, starting at 6:30 pm. Each Monday night has a different theme. Free tickets for each of these gaming nights are available one week before the game night. The tickets may be picked up in person at the Youth Services Desk of the library or may be reserved by calling 630-887-8760 ext. 264. Children must be registered in the summer reading club “Make a Splash – READ!” to participate.

July 12 at 6:30 pm, the Readers’ Theater Troupe from IPPL will perform. The location is the Gower West Elementary School all purpose room.
July 19 at 6:30 pm, “Pinocchio” will be performed by Traveling Lantern Theatre. Recommended ages for this performance are from kindergarten to grade 6. The location of this performance is Gower West Elementary School all purpose room.

FREE! Open to the public: Music in the Park, Sponsored By the Friends of the Library at the Darien Community Park – South Pavilion. Come early!! Bring your blankets, folding chairs and picnic dinner. Join the musical fun with families, friends and children. Both programs will get the audience up and moving to the music. Open to the entire community. Drop in. Dave Rudolf presents The Beach Party Show July 7, 6:30-7:30 pm
Rick Kelley performs Don’t Just Sit There – Read Something! August 4, 6:30-7:30 pm
All ages story time Tuesdays, July 6 and 13, 10:30 – 11:15 am
Chess – grades 1-6 Tuesdays, July 6 and 13; 1:30 – 3 pm; must be in summer reading club
Electronic, Board and Card Games Grades 1-3: July 7, 2-4 pm
Grades 4-6: July 14, 2-4 pm
Home Alone Sponsored by the American Red Cross - Grades 1-6 August 3, 11 am – noon
Add your voice to the Veterans History Project! Do you know a veteran? IPPL and the Library of Congress are interviewing veterans to preserve the oral histories of America’s war veterans. Since 2001, veterans have been coming into the library and telling their stories to a volunteer who records the interviews. The original interview is sent to the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and a copy is kept at IPPL. The interviews are also transcribed and can be seen on our Web site. The library has gathered stories from veterans in every major conflict since World War II in all branches of the service, plus stories from civilians involved in the war effort, such as war industry workers, USO workers, flight instructors, medical volunteers, etc. The project began with World War II veterans and they are a priority now, however, IPPL is collecting stories from veterans of all wars. If you know someone who would like to share their story, contact Joe Popowitch, Reference Librarian at 630/887-8760 ext. 240. The offerings of adult, teen and youth programming are extensive. For more information, visit the Web site indianprairielibrary.org.

Darien Woman’s Club

Congratulations to the scholarship winners for the 2009-2010 club year! The new club year will begin on September 1 so be sure to mark your calendar for a great year of events, programs and charity work! Community Service Scholarship Winners:
Jonathon Wanta, a recent graduate Hinsdale South High School; Mariah Wooda, recent graduate of Hinsdale South High School
Fine Arts Scholarship Winners:
Rose Murphy, a freshman at Downers Grove South this fall; Jake Novak, a senior at Hinsdale South this fall; DWC Member Scholarship Winners:
Anne Brennan, Mary Sullivan

YMCA hosts farmers’ market

The Downtown Downers Grove Farmers Market is open every Saturday morning during the summer from 7 am – 12:30 pm and is hosted by the Indian Boundary YMCA. This market runs through October 16 and offers a tremendous variety of fresh fruits, produce, spices, breads, flowers, oils and vegetables. There are numerous specialty vendors showcasing their unique offerings for your shopping pleasure. For more information call 630-929-2408 or visit their Web site at: indianboundaryymca.org.

KDRMA announces 19th annual Passport Program

School may be out until next fall, but kids can still learn a little history—and earn cool prizes at the same time! The 19th Annual Passport to Adventure Program kicked off on Memorial Day and will run through Labor Day. When families visit a participating organization, children can pick up their very own Passport filled with information about almost 60 museums, nature centers and historical sites all within a short drive from home. Many sites have designed special activities for children who participate in the program. When your journey is complete, if you have visited five sites you can return your passport to any location to receive a Certificate of Achievement. Visiting seven sites earns you the Certificate and a prize provided by the KDRMA. The Passport to Adventure Program is designed for children between the ages of 4 and 12 and sponsored by the Kane DuPage Regional Museum Association. The Kane DuPage Regional Museum Association is an alliance of more than 60 museums, nature centers and historical sites. The organization serves its members through collaborative programming and promotion, professional development and networking.

Top of Page

Download the Around the Block Section here.