Elmhurst, the city of exceptional amenities

In this issue, we elaborate on the many outstanding activities, institutions and leaders that make Elmhurst such a great place to live, work, and entertain.

Our first example is on our cover. Elmhurst is home to one of the best hospitals in the United States, Elmhurst Hospital. We had the opportunity to tour the hospital with new President Kimberley Darey. If you have been there, you know how special it is in the way they treat patients and their families. If you haven’t been, the story gives you a tour. When the hospital moved from the downtown area to its current location at Roosevelt Road and York Road, Elmhurst Hospital was planned and built to be one of the nation’s best.

Speaking of Elmhurst Hospital, we covered their recent Chef Fest, which raised $88,000 for the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation to continue exceptional levels of health care.

Another group involving Elmhurst residents is Bridge Communities and their annual Wine, Women, and Shoes event. These women annually raise funds to help 100+ families in DuPage County to transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency.

Since spring is here, thoughts turn to the outdoors, which means thinking of the Elmhurst Park District. We sat down with Jim Rogers, Executive Director of the agency that runs 29 parks covering 475 acres which are chock full of ways to enjoy the outdoors. It takes a 140-page brochure to tell you everything that is offered. Get outside and enjoy what the Park District has to offer. Dive into that information, have some fun, and get some exercise.

For good measure and more outdoor good times, we also put the spotlight on the Club Shot & Beer beer garden. As long-time resident and Elmhurst Magazine writer Dave Noble describes, this location between York and Addison in the Elmhurst City Centre has become a unique find worth checking out.

Naturally, when we think of spring and the outdoors in Elmhurst, our thoughts turn to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In its 25th year, the parade on March 4 on Spring Road attracted a vast crowd, estimated at 25,000. It is now the second-largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the Chicago area. Check out our video of the parade at www.ElmhurstMagazine.com

Please read our Hello Spring listing of nearby activities for even more outdoor fun. Alternatively, consider the opening of Polo season in nearby Oak Brook.

Another important tradition in Elmhurst is Signing Day for York High School student-athletes. That took place on April 12, and we captured the moment of the proud students, families, and friends.

If you want reading material and more, visit the Elmhurst Library. As Director Mary Beth Harper explained to our Elmhurst Magazine Contributing Writer, Chuck Fieldman, “It is one of the last places people can come every day and not spend a dime. It’s truly a gathering place and has a million and one uses.” The article also explains the Makery where you can make things. Besides reading material, you will also want to check out the Library of Extraordinary Things, a collection of items to help patrons learn something new or accomplish something on their to-do list.

Elmhurst has a lot of Americana in its history. One of the most exciting times was the era from 1908 to 1940 when Chicago-based Sears, put out a catalog of kits for building entire homes, with everything you needed, down to the last bolt. Elmhurst Magazine Contributing Writer Maureen Callahan recounts this fascinating era involving several homes in Elmhurst that are still standing.

We like to put the spotlight on leaders in the community. Indeed, one of them is Police Chief Michael McLean. He has been with the department since 2000, and last year he became Chief.

We say goodbye to First Folio Theater in nearby Oak Brook after 26 years and 81 shows. It is a reminder that Elmhurst Centre For Performing Arts will be an essential addition to the future of the arts in the area.

In that regard, we captured the Gala at the River Forest Country Club on April 15. You will recognize many who attended and supported the ECPA!

May is the month for Mother’s Day, so we share a tribute to mothers from famed life coach Jim Fannin, called “Women in the Zone”. It is a free seminar on May 18 for the first 75 women who sign up. Elmhurst Magazine will be there to share the points with you in the July issue.

Enjoy this edition of Elmhurst Magazine and let us know how we’re doing.

Scott Jonlich, Publisher