This month’s issue of Neighbors of Darien is the annual Darien Chamber of Commerce Business Directory and Community Guide.

We have featured four Darien businesses this year:

Law Offices of Michael Overmann

It’s 4pm at the Cass Professional Center in Darien. Michael Overmann has just finished another Living Trust signing for his clients and is now off to watch his son’s baseball game at Hinsdale South and his daughter’s softball game at Eisenhower. Darien is not only a nice place to live it’s also a nice place to work. Attorney Michael Overmann’s law practice has been in Darien since 1999. What’s unique about Mike Overmann’s law firm is that it’s a family business focused on estate planning. Mike’s wife, Jenny, has worked with him since 2002. Mike’s philosophy as a local business owner is balance. Jenny schedules appointments around their busy family schedule. The Overmanns have a 15 year old son and a 13 year old daughter. “They are very involved in school and sports so we are lucky to have flexibility.” Mike Overmann is also active in the Darien community as a member of the Darien Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce and School Board. Mike’s approach to estate planning is to offer free consultations to answer questions and explain the process. “Most people know they need a will for their family but they don’t know where to start.” Michael Overmann, Ltd. is a law practice limited to wills and trusts. Most lawyers handle many types of legal matters but Overmann specializes only in estate planning and probate law. To learn more about Michael Overmann, Ltd. you can visit his web site at needawill.net.

Rooftech Systems, Inc.

GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, announced that Rooftech Systems Inc. has received the prestigious GAF Master Elite Consumer Protection Excellence Award.  This coveted industry award recognizes Rooftech Systems Inc.’s dedication to helping consumers better understand their roofing options, and helping the consumer make educated roofing decisions.
John Gorgol, the owner of Rooftech, has been roofing full-time since 1972. Gorgol’s company has grown over the past 16 years. He currently employs 15 workers, and training is critical to maintaining the standard he has set. His employees must have more than just job experience.
As a certified contractor with both GAF and CertainTeed, whose roofing products they use, Gorgol’s employees are required to successfully complete regular training with those companies in order to maintain that certification. OSHA safety training is also mandatory.
Rooftech Systems is a family business. John’s wife, Deirdre, is co-owner and helps run the business.
Rooftech Systems, Inc., is located at 402 Maple Lane in Darien. Contact them by phone at 630-969-1910 or online at rooftechsystemsinc.com.

Carmelite Carefree Village

SINCE 1979 Carmelite Carefree Village has been called “DUPAGE’S best-kept secret in SENIOR LIVING” Well, the secret is out! People of all religious persuasions from across the United States, individuals and couples alike, continue to join one of the most unique SENIOR LIVING Residential Communities for adults 65 and over in the West Suburban area. Carmelite Carefree Village’s long tradition of quality SERVICE AND care FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING AND ASSISTED LIVING is now further enhanced WITH SPECIALIZED SERVICES IN MEMORY LOSS & DEMENTIA CARE SUPPORT SERVICES.
This smaller, personalized facility provides studios and suites all self contained and on one floor. Residents are surrounded by 40 beautiful acres and friendly neighbors AND QUALIFIED STAFF who truly care about their well-being, DIGNITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE.
There is an extensive schedule of activities every day with loads of outing and special events. The facility hosts a beauty salon, doctor’s office, banking and on-site chapel.
Carmelite Carefree Village provides a unique opportunity for adults 65 YEARS and older to age gracefully and live comfortably in a home-like atmosphere.
For more information contact Carmelite Carefree Village at 630-960-4060 or visit online: ccvliving.org.

Joan Wayman, Inc. Real Estate Brokerage

Joan Wayman Inc. is an independent real estate brokerage firm of outstanding Realtors who are committed to providing value and outstanding service to buyers and sellers. The agents are known for developing quality working relationships with our clientele; relationships based on respect, integrity, and trust.
Joan has a vast experience in real estate. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Wayman received her MBA from DePaul University with a concentration in Real Estate Finance and a Real Estate Center.
She also earned her Illinois Real Estate license in 1998. She started her real estate career working at Coldwell Banker. After a period of time Wayman was ready to go out on her own. She earned her real estate broker license and opened her real estate firm in November 2007. She brought two experienced colleagues with her—June Woodward and Mike Devlin.
Technology has impacted everything, including real estate. Wayman cites her company’s use of technology as one of their strengths.
Wayman covers an area from Brookfield to Minooka. Her primary focus, however, is the area covered by School Districts 86, 99 and 204.
For more information, contact Joan Wayman at 630-747-5250 or joan@joanwayman.com, or go to joanwayman.com.

The City of Darien maintains a Homeowners Association listing which provides valuable contact information for all active associations. We strive to keep this list as current as possible; however, the only way we can update this information is a phone call from you! We need your help! Please call Mary at 630-353-8115 to update your association’s information.

Wood chip delivery from the City of Darien will again be available this year.  There will be a delivery fee of $35.00 for a half load, which is approximately three cubic yards of chips, and $55.00 for a full load, which is approximately eight cubic yards of chips. Wood chips may be picked up at the Public Works facility at no charge. The wood chips are double ground and are delivered on Fridays.  Please call Municipal Services at 630-353-8105 for more information or to schedule a delivery.

Beginning May 15 through September 15 of each year the City of Darien restricts the watering of trees, gardens, lawns, shrubs, or other outdoor plants. Residents may not water between the hours of 11am and 7pm. This helps to conserve water by preventing evaporation during the hottest part of the day.

In conjunction with the street replacement program, the City of Darien will again offer reduced pricing to residents interested in replacing their sidewalks, driveways and aprons. Suburban Concrete was awarded the bid for 2012. The prices are as follows:

Driveways:    $5.90 per square foot
Sidewalks: $3.89 per square foot
Apron: $3.89 per square foot
Apron w/fiber mesh: $4.25 per square foot
Curb & gutter: $11.90 per square foot
Sealer: $0.95 per square foot

Resident wishing to replace their driveways should call Suburban Concrete directly at 847-837-8805, and inform them you are a Darien resident.  Suburban Concrete will invoice you for the work.
Residents wishing to replace the sidewalk, apron or depress their driveway curb should call City Hall at 630-353-8102. The City will invoice you for this work.
The deadline to participate in this year’s program is July 3.

This year’s street program includes a total 4.9 miles of maintenance and repairs for the City of Darien.
Residents can expect to see the following road applications:
Grinding: The process utilizes equipment to remove approximately two to three inches of the exiting road surface.
Leveling Binder: An asphalt product used to eliminate imperfections in the roadway.
Area Reflective Crack Control Treatment: A blanket material that prevents premature reflective cracking. The product further extends the life of the pavement.  The application of the product is completed approximately 24 hours prior to the final application.
Bituminous surface: The final application/top coat for the road.

The flowers are blooming, trees are budding and excellence in education continues to grow in our community. The Darien District 61 Educational Foundation will be celebrating the season with its first “Spring for Education” raffle fundraiser.

Grand prize is a new Apple iPad3 32GB Wi-Fi (3rd gen), with dozens of other valuable prizes including White Sox tickets, Chicago Rush arena football tickets, a Game Pazzo birthday party, BBQ sets, gift cards to many local stores, eateries, theaters and much more. An updated list of all prizes, along with information on how to purchase tickets, will be available at darien61foundation.org.

Tickets are $10 each or three for $25 and go on sale April 9. Grand prize drawing will be held May 11 at the Art Fest at Mark DeLay School in Darien. Tickets also can be obtained by calling Barbara Finnegan at 630-515-5078 or David May at 773-450-9393.

Proceeds will help advance the Foundation’s mission: to provide supplemental funding for programs and initiatives to enhance the quality of education for students in Darien District 61.  To date, the Foundation has awarded more than $6,500 in teacher grants and other program funding.

Safety Village of Darien (SVD) is a child safety educational program for children ages 5 through 10. It is celebrating a major milestone this year – 25 years of educating the children of our community.  Some 5,000 children have graduated wearing their yellow shirt embellished with the picture of Mark Hagen.  This has happened year after year because of tremendous contribution of the Hagen family.  They have been supported every step of the way by the incredible teaching staff of Jenn Campo, Donna Adams and Beth Orr, along with close to 300 teen volunteers.

The program began in August of 1988. In the summer of 1987 the Hagen family, Dave, Cindie and children Kelly and Mark took a vacation to Oregon to visit family. On the evening of July 12, Kelly, her brother Mark and cousin Mike were going to the arcade. As Mark was crossing the street a driver who was not paying attention to the road struck Mark and he lost his life within an hour. This accident took the life a nine-year old boy who was found to be crossing the street correctly. After many months, the Hagen family was encouraged to start a safety program for children.

Many months were spent researching safety for children and talking to fire, police and school individuals who helped guide the Hagen’s into developing a curriculum. They also had to try and find family and friends who would be willing to volunteer in the operation of the programs. Hours upon hours were spent deciding what and how to teach the many subjects we wanted to offer the students.

The primary focus of Safety Village is for children ages 5 through 7. They offer classes for this age group throughout the summer months. They also have a class for students 8 through 10 years of age usually held in the late summer. Throughout the years they have tried many different ways of teaching the safety subjects and have offered programs to different age groups, but the most impressionable and able to grasp the information fall in the 5 to 10 year old range.

There will be another summer of safety sessions planned with specific dates being announced soon on the website at: www.safetyvillageofdarien.org.  Registration will take place starting April 18 via the website.

The 25th Anniversary Celebrations will start in the spring with monthly activities planned with local schools.  In August there will be a huge Fun Fair and possible 5k run for safety event.  They will also have a presence in the Darien 4th of July parade asking former and current students and teens to participate.

Founder Cindie Hagen shared that, “Dave and I are beyond comprehension of what happened in our lives on July 12, 1987 when Mark died. We had to go on for our teen-age daughter. We have been so blessed by so many people and organizations that gave us a chance and believed in our dreams for Safety Village. That is the only reason we are here on the 25th anniversary. We have absolutely no way of thanking all of these people.  Friendship and strength truly gives a family who has lost a child the reason to live. Dave, Kelly and myself can attest to that kind of love and we are so eternally grateful to each and every person who has been there for us.“

Trees have a transforming effect around our homes and in our community.  Trees add value and beauty to your home, provide food for local animals and birds, and remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air, which helps to clean the air we breathe.  Planting a large shade tree on the west side of your home helps to reduce air conditioning costs in summer.  They provide shade for kids to play under.  Use evergreen trees planted around your property to create a windbreak and help reduce energy costs.

Trees are emotionally important. We plant trees to mark a birth of a child, a special event, or provide a living memorial for someone dear we have lost. Most important, trees make us feel good!  They calm us and reduce our stress.

Do you love trees? Are you interested in Arbor Day? Come to Darien’s 13th Annual Memorial Arbor Day Celebration, on Friday, April 27 at 9:30am. This year’s ½ hour celebration will take place in Westwood Park on 75th Street. Trees will be planted as a living memorial to honor children, parents and those who have given their lives in public service. Local school children will grow butterflies for release during the event, learn about the importance of growing and protecting trees and sing a special “tree” song.  Darien’s Tree Chaplain, Fr. Gavin Quinn will deliver an ecumenical tree blessing. “Tree’t” bags will be given to attending school children with information about growing trees, and how to be “green”, along with seed packs for garden planting. The Morton Arboretum and Darien/Woodridge Firefighters are often in attendance.

This Memorial Arbor Day Celebration is brought to you by the generous support of the Vuillaume family’s The Gift of Carl Foundation.  To help us continue the great work of this foundation, we ask for your financial support at www.giftofcarl.org. This event is also brought to you by the City of Darien and Darien Park District.

For additional information about Darien’s upcoming Arbor Day Celebration contact Kathy Minardi at kathyminardi@comcast.net

This year’s Darien Citizens of the Year  are Robert and Charleen Vuillaume.

2012 Darien Citizens of the Year Robert and Charleen Vuillaume

Since moving to Darien in 1988, “Rob and Char have selflessly given their time, talents and treasures in support of Darien,” states one nominator. “Soon after their arrival, they became leaders and supporters of Darien’s schools, athletics, religious and governmental institutions”, states another.

They both have coached DYC teams. Rob was named an Illinois Coach of the Year in 2004. Char has served on the PTO, was a room mother and volunteered with the Girl Scouts.  Rob, a Navy Veteran, served on the Darien Zoning Board for seven years. Char has been a member of the Darien Woman’s Club, founded a book club and volunteered as an office assistant at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. With their children, Dan, Renee and Carl, they have distributed food baskets to the needy at holiday times. Their giving spirit and dedication to service has affected many.  Their daughter Renee has served in the Peace Corps in Uganda.

In 2005, tragedy befell the Vuillaume family, when their beloved son Carl, 16, died during a family vacation. In response to this tragedy and the outpouring of support from Darien, Rob and Char founded The Gift of Carl Foundation, Inc.  They have committed themselves to Darien in the diverse areas that provided Carl the greatest joy: music, literacy, theater arts and the outdoors.  Since then, they have donated thousands of hours to make Darien a nice place to live. To date, The Gift of Carl Foundation has provided Darien area students and others with over $100,000 in scholarships, grants, etc.

There is a Turkish proverb that states: “He that conceals his grief finds no remedy for it.” Father Gavin Quinn (2003 Darien Citizen
of the Year) says that Rob and Char Vuillaume are “truly dedicated to others.”

Here are just some of their accomplishments with the foundation:

Music and Literacy
•    Help band programs and children whose families would not be able to afford an instrument. They hold instrument recycling drives where hundreds of instruments are donated to schools throughout the Chicagoland area.
•    Create and sponsor the annual Write-On Teen Literacy Festival, in partnership with the Indian Prairie Library.  The festival promotes and encourages Darien and surrounding area teens to participate in creative writing competition, literacy workshops and author visits from award winning teen authors.  They visit local schools to promote the event and share the inspiration behind the creation of The Gift of Carl Foundation.
•    The foundation has also donated library books to the youth services department.
•    Sponsor scholarships for children for private music instruction.  Teresa Avci (Carl’s piano teacher for 10 years) says, “Several of my current and past students have received scholarships for piano lessons.”
Theater Arts
•    Organized 20 theater scholarships for Hinsdale South High School students. Pam Baker Karnstedt, Hinsdale South theater teacher and leader also sings their praises. “The Gift of Carl Foundation has given graduating thespians approximately $20,000 in scholarship money.”
•  LaGrange Actors with Special Needs Theater Group has received a $2500 grant. This donation has helped many young adults of special needs develop their acting, singing, and social skills.

The Outdoors
•    The Darien Community has been beautified by many memorial trees planted in Darien parks with the contributions made by The Gift of Carl Foundation.  Every year on Arbor Day, various other families who have also lost loved ones gather in our parks to be comforted by the living growing trees planted to commemorate their loss.
•    Mobilized a group of volunteers to build and distribute compost bins throughout Darien.
•    Led residents in cleaning and clearing
the walking trails at Waterfall Glenn Forest Preserve.
•    They continue to sponsor grants to children’s outdoor education at Lace and Eisenhower
Schools, band programs at Cass Jr. High, the Hinsdale South courtyard project, and many other projects.

In their quiet, unassuming ways, Rob and Char Vuillaume together have touched the lives of thousands in Darien.  Children and adults, schools and library, parks and athletic programs, city and county government have ALL benefitted from their leadership and support.  Their courage, commitment and humility should be a model to us all.