Henry needs a new home
Henry, a 70-pound, healthy hound dog (mixed breed), needs a new home. He’s 5 years old, healthy (medical records available), neutered, friendly, and energetic. Adopted from PAWS shortly after birth, he lives in a loving, but small, urban Chicago home with a couple who recently gave birth to twins. Henry’s owner grew up in Lake Forest and has family in town. Call 847-926-7091.
By Jenny Quill
Looking for something to do this weekend? No need to look far, because there’s a lot going on our end of the North Shore. Here’s a sampling of events to check out; and for more ideas, visit the GazeboNews Calendar. And please keep posting your events on this free and super-easy calendar!
LAKE BLUFF OPEN LANDS ASSOCIATION’S SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
The Lake Bluff Open Lands Association (LBOLA) hosts its annual Celebration of the Summer Solstice on Fri., June 21st at the Lake Bluff Beach, South Shelter. Cocktails will be served at 6:30 p.m followed by LBOLA’s famous potluck dinner at 7 p.m. LBOLA’s summer fundraiser honors the longest day of the year and the official beginning of summer. For those in need of assistance up and down the beach hill, we’ll have a little “jitney” to help. Adults cost $25 each and youth under 21 are $10. There will be a cash bar available as well! For additional information, contact info@lbola.org, 847-234-2860 or go to www.lbola.org.
LEAD’S SUMMER LIFT OFF FUNDRAISER
Join LEAD on Sat., June 22 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Community Townline Park for music, food and games for the kids. Here’s the event lineup:
•Three bands jamming some great music
•Delicious food from local restaurants and vendors
•Games for the kids
•Hot air balloon rides (extra fee)
•Baseball and soccer clinics
•A raffle, including a signed helmet from Chicago Bear Earl Bennett and 4 Chicago White Sox tickets
This community fundraiser for LEAD helps to cover the cost of speakers and educational programs sponsored throughout the year. The cost to attend the event is $10/person, with children 3 and under attending for free. Community Townline Park is located at the corner of Route 60 and Waukegan Road in Lake Forest.
ARTISTS ON THE BLUFF’S 2013 ART FESTIVAL
Artists on the Bluff is hosting the 2013 Art Festival on June 22 and June 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Village Green in downtown Lake Bluff. There will be music and art activities for all ages. Free parking is available at the Lake Bluff Train Station. For more information, visit www.artistsonthebluff.org.
LAKE FOREST FARMERS’ MARKET
The 2013 City of Lake Forest Farmers Market kicks off June 22 and lasts until October 12. The City hosts the Market every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Lake Forest East Train Station parking lot, located at 691 N. Western Ave. Free parking is available. The Market commits to providing the best local, fresh, healthy food to the community and the surrounding area.
VILLA DEL LAGO/EQUESTRIAN CONNECTION POLO CUP
This charity polo match benefiting Equestrian Connection Therapeutic Riding Center in Lake Forest will be held on Sat., June 22 from 3 to 5 p.m. The polo match will take place on the polo field at Crab Tree Farm in Lake Bluff. VIP tickets are $150 and include preferred canopy seating and complimentary refreshments. Lawn tickets are $75 per adult and $25 per child–bring blankets and lawn chairs. At half time, spectators will take to the field for Equestrian Connection’s program demonstration and divot stomping with Chicago Bears Charles Tillman and family. Limited tickets are available and can be bought at www.equestrianconnection.org.
Submitted by Mary Sinclair-Albright
I just want to thank the Lake Forest first responders, paramedics, firefighters, and police officers who showed up so quickly at the scene of our horrific accident which rolled my car over trapping myself and two granddaughters inside last Wednesday on Waukegan Road; especially, a very caring and sensitive lady who cared for my 5-year-old granddaughter and a very nice man who kept me calm and took control until more help arrived. Miraculously, everyone was able to get out and walk away from the scene. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I don’t know what we would have done without you.
Street Archeology and a look into Lake Forest’s past; photo by Stewart Dixon.
Lake Forest resident Stewart Dixon took this photo recently when workers were removing the top layers of pavement on several streets in downtown Lake Forest in preparation for resurfacing. Notice the old cobblestones, which lined the streets of Lake Forest at the turn of the last century.
GazeboNews asked Michael Thomas, Lake Forest’s director of public works, for additional information. He said this year’s street overlay project includes Bank Lane, Forest, Illinois, Oakwood and several other city streets covering about six miles. It’s expected to be completed in July.
The project was budgeted at $1.55 million and is being done in conjunction with the Village of Lake Bluff as part of a municipal partnering initiative, which is an effort for administrations to work together on common services to get better pricing.
Here’s a description of Lake Forest’s annual street resurfacing project from the April 15 Lake Forest Public Works Committee meeting:
APPROVE AWARD OF THE 2013 JOINT ANNUAL STREET RESURFACING PROJECT:
Engineering Supervisor Robert Ells explained to the Committee that approximately six miles of resurfacing is scheduled in this year’s annual resurfacing program. The City bid this project with Lake Bluff, and Peter Baker provided the lowest bid. The budget for resurfacing is $1.55 million and the bid from Peter Baker came in at $1.42. Chairman Novit asked if extra streets could be added seeing there are additional funds already in the budget. Mr. Ells explained that additional streets have been added to the program, and the remaining dollars can be used for contingency in case something arises during construction. Furthermore, staff has $200,000 budgeted for contractual patching, in which Peter Baker was also the low bid. Contractual patching occurs in large areas in need of repair that are not included in the overlay program.
City Manager Robert Kiely asked how prices compare this year to last year. Mr. Ells replied that prices for asphalt per ton went down slightly.Staff added that the City received bridge inspections reports on two pedestrian bridges that are in need of repair. Vehicular traffic on the Illinois Road pedestrian bridge has been restricted until repairs can be made. The report showed that the steel has deteriorated, most likely from salt.
There are also repairs needed at the Elm Tree Road bridge, which is currently not budgeted. Staff needs to investigate the severity of the necessary repairs to determine if it can be budgeted in FY2015 or if dollars from the street patching program would need to be used to repair the bridge. The Committee discussed that repairs to this bridge were privately funding in the past and may be an option to consider in the future.
Staff has not yet received the report for the Woodland Road bridge. Staff will present the final report to the Committee in late summer/early fall.
Alderman Waldeck moved to approve the recommendation to award a contract to Peter Baker for the 2013 Joint Annual Street Resurfacing Project. Chairman Novit seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Submitted by Donna Oldenburg
Lake Bluff resident and local business owner Mark Oldenburg will cycle more than 375 miles over three days in an effort to raise money for Open Arms Home for Children, which provides a loving residential environment for orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children in South Africa.
“Open Road for Open Arms” is the theme of Oldenburg’s journey which will kick off on Thursday, June 20th from the start of the bike path on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago and end at the home of his parents in Rocky River, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland.
“There is some symbolism to ending my journey at my parents’ home in Rocky River. I was blessed to grow up in a safe, nurturing home. There are so many children in South Africa who do not have that opportunity. Thanks to Open Arms, more and more children will have the chance to be in a secure environment where they will be loved and educated.”
Oldenburg’s goal is to raise a minimum of $7,500 for Open Arms, which is the approximate cost of providing a private education for two children for one year. Those wishing to support Oldenburg’s effort can go to www.gofundme.com/3703kw to donate and track his progress. A Facebook page has also been set up under “Open Road for Open Arms.”
Oldenburg, who has only been cycling for about a year, says he replaced his passion for running with cycling as a way to keep in shape.
“I knew I needed the motivation to keep pushing myself more, and Open Arms has been that for me. Seeing how doing something as simple as riding a bike can help make a significant difference in a child’s life by raising much needed funds has given me all the motivation I need to make this trip a reality.”
Artists on the Bluff is hosting the “2013 Art Festival” on June 22 and June 23 on the Village Green in downtown Lake Bluff. Visit www.artistsonthebluff.org for more information about the event and the organization.
Submitted by The Garden Conservancy
On Sunday, June 23rd, make plans to become inspired by five private gardens in Highland Park, Lake Forest, and Winnetka, opening to the public to benefit the Garden Conservancy, a national non-profit whose mission is to preserve exceptional American gardens across the country. Admission is $5 per garden and children 12 & under are free. No reservations needed, tours are self-guided, and are rain or shine. Visit www.opendaysprogram.org or call toll-free weekdays, 888-842-2442 for more information about locations. Gardens open at 10 a.m. but ending times vary.
Visitors will see modern and classical sculpture within the landscapes, classical garden arches creating a passage through a parterre, enclosed garden rooms, a topiary garden, views of Lake Michigan, a garden designed by Rosemary Verey, colored waves of native plants, and the ancient precision of labyrinth geometry.
Additional area Open Days will take place on July 21 in Elburn and West Chicago; and July 28th in Lake Forest and Mettawa – mark your calendars!
From the City of Lake Forest:
The 2013 City of Lake Forest Farmers Market is quickly approaching. “Farmers Market Celebrates America’s Farmers and the Community.”
The 2013 City of Lake Forest Farmers Market kicks off June 22 and lasts until October 12, 2013. The City hosts the Market every Saturday from 8 am-1 pm in the Lake Forest East Train Station parking lot, located at 691 N. Western Ave, Lake Forest, IL 60045. Free parking is available. The City of Lake Forest dedicates this year’s Market to “Celebrating American Farmers.” The Market commits to providing the best local, fresh, healthy food to the community and the surrounding area.
This year’s list of vendors includes: Paul Friday’s Flamin’ Fury Peaches, Geneva Lakes Produce, River Valley Ranch Kitchens & Mushrooms, Twin Garden Farms, Door County White Fish, Apple Holler, Lake Forest College Garden , Endless Greens, Pasquesi’s on the Square, JA Mayer Jams, Fox & Co, Raging Kitchen, Popcorn Company, ImpexNature, For Your Glory Soap, Gimme Granola, Lonely Olive Oil, Zen of Slow Cooking, Parterre, Taste of Paris, High Rise Baking Company, Wildtree Herbs, the Urban Arborist and Nana’s Rum Cake.
The 2013 City of Lake Forest Farmers Market includes a long list of special events coming up this season. All season long we will be hosting a Jr. Farmers Kids Club to educate children on healthy eating practices and the environment. Jr. Farmers Kids Club programs include weekly taste testing and monthly programs organized by our community partners. In support of community programing and local causes, the Lake Forest Farmers Market will host a Community Day the first Saturday of every month. Below is a list of our upcoming events.
Special Events:
June 22, 2013 Farmers Market Kick-off! Includes community day and Jr. Farmers Kids Club registration
June 29, 2013 Celebrate All Things Summer!
July 6, 2013 American Farmers Day!
July 13, 2013 Fun with Fungi!
July 20, 2013 Bike to the Market Day!
July 27, 2013 Side Walk Sales!
August 3, 2013 Community Day!
August 10, 2013 Lake Forest Day!
August 17, 2013 Dog Days of Summer!
August 24, 2013 Back to School Day!
August 31, 2013 Art Fair Day!
September 7, 2013 Community Day!
September 14, 2013 Chef Demo Day!
September 21, 2013 Brussels Sprouts Day!
September 28, 2013 Fall Harvest Day!
October 5, 2013 Community Day!
October 12, 2013 Pumpkin Fest! We are celebrating our last market day with a salute to the fall season with our pumpkin fest.
The city works with the Illinois Department of Agriculture to promote its “Where fresh is” campaign to showcase Illinois grown produce. In addition, the City of Lake Forest Farmers Market is a member of the Farmers Market Coalition to support other local farmers markets.
For more information contact the Office of Economic Development at (847) 613-7005. Find more information on www.cityoflakeforest.com, The City of Lake Forest Farmers Market Facebook page, and our other social media pages on Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and Yelp.
Lake Bluff Garden Club members prepare to plant the planters
By Veva Schreiber for the Lake Bluff Garden Club
Downtown Lake Bluff is wearing flowers in her hair! More than 40 containers are abloom for summer, courtesy of Lake Bluff Garden Club. Early Wednesday morning (June 12) members appeared at Scranton Alley ready to plant with trowels, little red wagons for hauling, and plenty of enthusiasm.
This is a 40 year long tradition introduced by an earlier Village Manager Homer Ankrum. During his Army service he had admired the small towns in Europe adorned with window boxes and planters filled with flowers. He suggested the idea to the Club and they agreed to try it out. Cedar boxes were made by Village Public Works employees, filled with dirt, and ready for the volunteer gardeners. Since that time the project has grown in number of containers and into four year round seasonal plantings.
Lake Bluff Garden Club member Mary Gustafson
Susan Hetzel heads up the project and with her Village Planters committee orders the plant material and schedules the work day. This year 24 of the club members participated. They accomplished the project in record time.
During the summer, members will monitor their planters, deadhead, and determine watering needs. The Village Planters and other committees are also responsible for Washington Park on Sheridan Road and the Blue Star Marker at the railroad station entrance.
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Next week on Tuesday, June 18, garden club members and guests will enjoy a light breakfast, program, and book signing at Elawa Farm. Amanda Thomsen, author of “Kiss My Asters,” will share her light hearted wisdom and casual approach to planting and enjoying a garden. Event is from 10 am to Noon. Tickets are $25. Call Barb at 847.735.0667 for a reservation.
A little girl stops to smell the flowers in downtown Lake Bluff
By Pam Russell of the Lake Bluff History Museum
On Friday June 28, the Lake Bluff History Museum will present the newly restored 1931 Lake Bluff Ice Truck to the community, starting with the grand “reveal” at 5 pm at the fire station, and continuing until 8 pm on Block One of Scranton Avenue. Following the reveal and a brief gathering to meet the individuals responsible for the restoration and learn the truck’s history, the truck will be driven to Scranton Avenue for a block party to support the museum’s efforts to bring the ice truck back to life and share it with the community. The block party will feature the Lake Bluff Ice Truck, several antique cars, a special ice truck brew from the Lake Bluff Brewing Company and other refreshments.
The ice truck when it was trucked back to Lake Bluff in 2010.
The Lake Bluff Ice Company and ice truck were owned by Lake Bluff resident Stephen Meutescu. Meutescu cut ice from local lakes and delivered it to homes in Lake Bluff during the 1930s and into the 1940s. Once refrigerators became common household appliances, the need for ice delivery was eliminated and the truck was put into storage. In the 1960s, Meutescu gave the ice truck to his grandson, Tom Wisdom, and the truck was moved to DeKalb.
The ice truck in storage before restoration.
Fifty-some years later, Wisdom donated the truck to the museum. It travelled to Lake Bluff on a flat bed truck and the restoration project began. The evening’s events represent the culmination of three years work by a team of volunteers that has dedicated time, talent and ingenuity to locate parts, repair, sand blast and paint the truck to bring it back to life. The truck – or parts of it – have made three prior appearances since returning to Lake Bluff. The unrestored truck appeared in the 2010 Lake Bluff Fourth of July parade: the restored chassis and engine were displayed in the 2011 parade. A more intact version was paraded for the crowds in 2012.
This year, the Lake Bluff Ice truck will roll in the parade under its own power. The June 28 event was scheduled to provide an opportunity for people to celebrate this accomplishment, view this masterpiece up close before the ice truck rolls in this year’s parade, and provide support for both restoration work that’s been done and the museum’s future plans to showcase the Lake Bluff Ice Truck!
The truck’s frame being painted by John Tiffany.
The Lake Bluff History Museum connects people with Lake Bluff’s history by researching, organizing, and preserving artifacts relevant to Lake Bluff and its past and present inhabitants; sharing knowledge by telling stories of the people and the social history of Lake Bluff; and creating activities that bring history to life. Located at 127 East Scranton Avenue, Lake Bluff, the facility is open Tuesday and Thursday from 1-4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., or by appointment. For additional information on Lake Bluff history, call (847) 482-1571.
