Looks Like This Snow Might Stick Around Awhile; Share Your Winter Photos With Us!

Consider yourself a pretty good amateur photographer? Get lucky with a perfectly timed shot? We'd love to see your winter wonderland.

From a humid 60-plus degree day to a snow covered winter wonderland, Elmhurst hit every season this past week. With yards covered in a blanket of snow, snowman being granted life, pine trees looking almost soft with snow hanging on their branches and plenty of children sure to hit the sled hills this afternoon, the photo opportunities are many. Do you have some photos of the snowscape around Elmhurst? Share them here with your fellow Elmhurst Patch readers. Snow was a little late in coming, but it's never too late to get into the winter spirit. To upload photos, select the "upload photos and videos" button at the top left of the picture above. 

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Great American Pastime at Eldridge Park

Youngsters and their families tackle Eldridge pond at the ninth annual Fishing Derby Saturday.

Elmhurst Park District held its ninth annual Fishing Derby Saturday at the Eldridge Park pond in Elmhurst. In preparation for the event, the pond was stocked with hundreds of pounds of large mouth bass, hybrid sunfish and channel catfish of various sizes, said Megan McNamara, marketing specialist with the Elmhurst Park District. The fish registration tables were busy, as kids brought their catches over to be measured and receive prize tickets. The tickets were redeemable for prizes ranging from kids fishing pole sets to bobbers. Connor Dorner, 6, of Elmhurst, said he likes fishing because it is fun and he doesn't have to hang around the house and read all day. Here are the winners:

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Whiz Kid

A Work of Art, a Labor of Love for This Eagle Scout Candidate

Tyler Strezo gives Saplings Nature Preschool an environmentally friendly place for the little ones to sit.

Name: Tyler Strezo Age: 14 School: Freshman at York High School Achievement: Working towards Eagle rank in Elmhurst Boy Scout Troop 82, Tyler has overseen a group of Scouts and volunteers to design and construct three tables and 18 chairs for the Elmhurst Park District’s Saplings Nature Preschool at Eldridge Park. Key to Awesomeness: Tyler’s back yard has been converted into a woodworking shop for three consecutive Saturdays, part of a leadership project he has chosen to earn his Eagle rank in Boy Scouts. Strezo contacted the Elmhurst Park District to find out how his service project also benefit the community. The child-sized tables and chairs will replace plastic furniture at the Eldridge Nature Center. The building, formerly called the …

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Whether a Stoker or a Captain, It's All In Day's Fun

Pairing a blind "stoker" with a sighted "captain" equals a lot of great exercise, comeraderie and new friendships on two wheels.

The sky had been threatening rain all morning Saturday, but that didn't stop about 20 bicyclists from gathering at Eldridge Park for the first Blind Stoker Tandem Bike Ride of the season. For tandem bike riders, the cyclist in front, called the “captain,” steers, brakes and changes gears. In the back, the “stoker” provides the fuel for the ride, in the form of pedaling power. All the stokers on the bike ride—a round trip from Elmhurst to Glen Ellyn—are blind. A few drops began to fall gently, and Rudy Winfrey and Tim Paul, both of Chicago, held out their hands to test just how seriously this might affect the day’s bike ride.  “The rain’s going to stop,” said Winfrey, a stoker from Chicago. “And if it doesn’t, we’re going to ride in it …

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Debbie Simler-Goff

5:48 am on Monday, May 23, 2011

I'd love to be involved somehow next year. I'm not much of a 'biker' but maybe I could help in another way...   more ›

Forever Fit

Share the Deer Trail for a Pleasant, Fresh-air Workout

Bring your workout outdoors at some of my favorite workout spots in and around Elmhurst.

The sun is shining and the weather is beautiful–for today, at least. Why work out inside a stuffy gym when the gorgeous blooms of Mother Nature beckon? Here is a list of my favorite places to get an outdoor workout. Enjoy! Eldridge Park Located on the southwest part of town, this large park boasts several challenges for any level of exerciser and has been the site for numerous FitLife bootcamp workouts over the years. There’s a paved, three-quarter mile trail circling the park that is ideal for walkers, runners, bikers and roller bladers (be careful on those turns!).  The Hill at Eldridge Park: Is it a hill or more like a bump? While this sled hill may not look very steep, after running or walking up it 10 to 20 times, you’ll appreciate …

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Workshop Pairs Paint, Eco-friendly Rain Barrels

Residents test their artistic abilities by customizing rain barrels during a workshop hosted by Elmhurst Park District.

Residents were invited to put their artistic abilities to the test Saturday by painting eco-friendly rain barrels during a workshop hosted by Elmhurst Park District at Eldridge Park. For $88, participants received a 55-gallon rain barrel to take home, but first they learned about the sustainable benefits of conserving rain water collected from from their home's down spouts. Later, the group broke out paint brushes and customized their barrels. The city of Elmhurst also offers rain barrels to residents for purchase through an agreement with The Conservation Foundation.The barrels cost $90 and are available by contacting Andrea Ribulotta at (630) 530-3779. The barrels are about 48 inches high and 24 inches in diameter. They include two …

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