As always, the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Elmhurst was full of fun floats and fun people, eye candy and real candy, and lots and lots of green. Elmhurst Patch would like to thank Mehta Motors for letting us pitch our tent in front of their shop. And, thanks to all who stopped by. We offered Green River, coffee and newsletter signups to a steady stream of visitors. Feel free to share your St. Patrick's Day photos here.
It was a busy year—and the first full year—for Elmhurst Patch. Our year in photos starts out on a sad note, with the funeral of Elmhurst Police Officer Kyle Dieling in January. Our pictorial also includes everything from holiday events to storm coverage to circus controversy. Tell us what you liked and what else you'd like to see in 2012. Here's to you, Elmhurst Patch readers. May 2012 be your best year yet.
They walked in small groups along the Illinois Prairie Path at the far eastern end of Elmhurst. It was windy and pitch dark, but they were guided by their tiny lanterns—and glow sticks. Nocturnal creatures who normally own that territory stayed in the shadows, in the wooded areas near the path.The Girl Scouts' annual Lantern Hike Friday drew hundreds of scouts from six South Elmhurst schools, accompanied by their little brothers and sisters, parents and friends.More than 900 people came out for the event, said Kristine Degrace, Girl Scout service unit director for South Elmhurst. Some were …
With temperatures in the 80s, the traditional end-of-summer/beginning-of-fall Family Fall Festival at the Old Train Depot couldn't have landed on a better day. The annual event drew hundreds to the Old Train Depot, at York Road and the Prairie Path, on Saturday, Oct. 8. Little ones decked out in their Halloween costumes went trick-or-treating at Safety Town Village, got their faces painted, bounced in a moom jump, rode the ponies, had some snacks and pet some animals. Family Fall Fest is sponsored by the Elmhurst Park District, in cooperation with the York and Vallette Business Association …
Immaculate Conception High School held its 2011 Homecoming Dance Saturday night at the parish's Monsignor Plunkett Hall. This year's homecoming dance coincided with the school's 75th anniversary celebration. The student council chose Fright Knight as this year's Halloween-based theme. Students and volunteers decorated the hall with danger signs, skeletons, werewolves and spider webs. The 2011 Homecoming Court was presented to an enthusiastic and cheering crowd at the dance. This year's Queen, senior Allie Kukla, was crowned by the 2010 Queen Katie Steifbold. "I love homecoming. It is so …
Hundreds of people turned out for fun activities, big rigs and friendly city staff, with a little education thrown in for good measure, at the annual Fire Department open house at Elmhurst Fire Station No. 2 Sunday.
Families came together Saturday at Wild Meadows Trace for an afternoon filled with fun activities and food. The annual Spring Road Day included pony rides, a petting zoo and a Moon Jump provided by Moon Jump 4 U, where the little ones bounced to their hearts' delight. Local artists Paul and Mary McHugh also performed. Roberto’s Ristorante and Silverado Grill provided snacks and drinks, and the proceeds will go towards future events on Spring Road. The Spring Road Business Association organizes Spring Road Day.
York Dukes won their Homecoming game Friday against Conference rival Oak Park-River Forest High School 35-7. Wide receiver David Byerley had a strong game for the Dukes, catching passes for more than 150 yards. "You know what, David is a great player," Dukes head coach Bill Lech said. "David is a premier player in this league and this state. He has trained and worked for this and he deserves everything that comes his way." The Dukes performed for a packed house at Clarence D. East Field in Elmhurst."I love winning homecoming. I love winning period, (but) when it's homecoming, it makes it …
Students at Immaculate Conception High School took time out of their regular school day Friday to gather in the sanctuary to pray and remember the day terrorist attacks changed the course of history. Father Scott McCawley, addressing the students, conjured the decade-old but still-fresh images of Sept. 11, 2001, as he offered words of hope. "We remember the terrifying images of the planes and the towers, images of the faces of the survivors, and those looking for their loved ones, images of the firemen and emergency workers who tirelessly searched the rubble," he said. "We remember the …
Immaculate Conception High School Knights are off to a great start after beating Ridgewood 38-12 at their home field, Lewis Stadium, on Saturday. Strong performances by junior Demetrius Carr and senior Dan Vatch led to a second-half shut-out of Ridgewood. ICHS heads to Edwardsburg, Mich., Sept. 3 for a non-conference game.
The new Wilder Park playground was unveiled at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, and Elmhurst children were ready and waiting. Featuring enhanced accessibility, a pyramid cargo net climber and an exciting design complete with climbing towers, spiral slides, swings, and a separate tot section with sandbox, the playground quickly proved to be a kid magnet.
By 8:30 a.m. Sunday, at Yorkfield Presbyterian Church in Elmhurst, a good showing of the registered participants for the Run for Hunger 5K Fun Run/Walk were ready to run. But Mother Nature was not having it. As the official start time of the race passed, organizers and participants alike sought shelter from the gentle rain, occasionally peering up to search for a spot of sunshine. The runners seemed willing to run in the rain, it was just the far off rumble of thunder and flashes of lightning that kept the runners and organizers away from the starting block. Ultimately, Mother Nature had the …
The Elmhurst Garden Club featured seven unique gardens during its 16th annual Garden Walk and Faire on Sunday, July 10. Whether large or small, manicured or untamed, each garden reflected the personality and family history of the gardeners, creating beautiful inviting spaces for entertainment, medicinal purposes or vegetable patches. The Elmhurst Garden Club is in its 85th year. The Garden Walk is a fund-raiser that benefits the Mildred Hartney College Scholarship Fund and community horticultural projects. Funds raised by the club go toward the proposed children's garden at Elmhurst Memorial…
Every year, Glenbard South High School in Glen Ellyn holds a girls summer basketball league. This year, 20 teams from area schools, including York High School, are participating. The league gives players a chance to hone their skills and gain some game experience. For next year's seniors, it is a chance to put last year's plays into practice. For the new juniors, it is a chance to experience the fast pace of a high school varsity team.
The Warriors' Watch Riders welcomed home an Elmhurst Marine and four of his Marine buddies on Saturday, June 25. Returning home after a seven-month tour of duty in Afghanistan were Lance Cpl. Michael Giuliano of Elmhurst, who's dad also is a Warriors' Watch Rider. Giuliano, along with Lance Cpl. JP Smith, Lance Cpl. Zachary Gordon, Lance Cpl. Jesse Hartness and Lance Cpl. Josh Vogeland, were given a hero's welcome. Warriors' Watch Riders met the Marines at the O'Hare Oasis with a Flag Line, then escorted them to a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at Wilder Park in Elmhurst. Warriors’ Watch …
We’ve driven past the monolithic building on Brush Hill Road for many months. We've heard the hype, watched the construction, and on Sunday, the community got a first glimpse inside the new Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. A comment repeated by visitors walking through the hallways was, “It almost makes me want to get sick so I can stay here.” Of course no one looks forward to a hospital stay, but this new facility is sure to make that stay more bearable for patients and their families. The hospital incorporates the Planetree model of health care: a mind-body-spirit approach to healing. Evidence …
Elmhurst Park District officials will tell you, it can be hard to get teen-agers to attend park programs. They're usually not looking for organized events to pass their time. But the skateboard competition at York Commons Park seemed to be the exception. A couple dozen teens and pre-teens turned out at the skate park June 11 to show off their skateboarding skills in the hopes of winning prizes. They competed in a variety of categories—best trick, free ride and the game of SKATE—in 8 to 11, 12 to 15, and 16 and older age brackets. The event concluded with a half-pipe competition. The Park …
Park Street smells like funnel cakes. And, why wouldn't it? The carnival's in town. It was chilly on Thursday, no doubt about it. We lost about 45 degrees in 24 hours.But that didn't stop the fun from happening. Elmhurst Jaycees Carnival got off to a good start on Thursday, and there's plenty more ahead this weekend. Whether your big or little, whether you like the Ring of Fire or the teacups, it's worth a stop.
The temperature hit 96 degrees in Elmhurst on Tuesday and, by all accounts, we're in for more of the same today. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory. These folks have the right idea. Where better to hang out than at one of Elmhurst's two public pools? Smalley Pool, at York Commons Park, 665 S. York, is tons of spashy fun for kids. Open swim hours are noon to 8 p.m. daily, noon to 4 p.m. on July 4. East End Pool, at 463 Schiller St., offers different hours for adult swim, lap swim and open swim. See the schedule here. Here's the pool pass registration form. Following are …
Annie Ryan Run participants took off right on schedule Sunday morning from York and South streets in Elmhurst despite rain, wind, and temperature that remained in the 40s. Money raised at the 12th annual 5-K and Fun Run goes to the Midwest Children's Brain Tumor Center at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. Annie Marie Ryan was born Aug. 10, 1984, the youngest child of former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan and his wife, Marie. Annie lost her battle with a brain tumor in January 1997. The Ryans started the run to help them heal and to try to help other children with brain …
