Winter fun.

If you have driven down by Lake Ellyn you may have seen skaters on the lake. I have to be honest, I have been really wanting to lace up my CCM Tacks, grab a stick and shoot the puck around. So far it has been something I have wanted to do, but since I have not looked for my skates, the likelihood of seeing me on the lake is not good..

Winter activities look really good from warm spots like your car, home or on TV; I just really seem to enjoy the warm months. When we hear of a blizzard coming our way in the next day, this is one of the only times I would like to be in the elements. I would love to go shoot photos of stuck cars, snow drifts and all of the pictures you see from storms long ago. Sick thought I know, but it is appealing as a photographer.

Part of me is having trouble believing we are really going to get this storm, but I know our kids are sending as many prayers as they can out to whomever will listen. They want to make snowmen, sled and be out of doors....what they don't understand is, they will be literally blown away if the forecasters are right and 50 mile an hour winds are part of the storm.

The good news is...when the storm has passed, the sledding will be incredible if we can find large hills; I know the hill at Newton Park will be very crowded as it always is during the winter. Hmm...could be fun to photograph for "Our Town"

I am not sure of the largest storm that's hit Glen Ellyn, but I would have to assume it was the storm in 1967---we had nearly 2 feet. Can you imagine?

Whether or not the storm comes or passes, you can be sure it will bring out the risk takers. They will be on the lake, in the streets, and around the town. I have to say, they might just see me with my trusty Nikon camera---I cannot wait for the storm.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hunger in the suburbs.

Often we think of the suburbs as the escape from many of the problems found in the city. It sounds great, but no matter where you turn, you will find the less fortunate among the very fortunate.

In Glen Ellyn we have the “Food Pantry” located right near the train station.  What I am not surprised to learn are the number of people who have visited the pantry during this prolonged recession. Yes I realize the recession has been declared behind us, but tell that to the hungry families who have to make a choice between food and heat this time of the year. It's a very tough call they have to make.

I learned that the Food Pantry makes appointments with their clients;  you will find families and homeless people looking for help, because they are in a situation they didn’t ask for, but have been dealt with. It cannot be fun to be in this situation, but thankfully there are people who care and understand that donations are the lifeblood of this organization. Whether it’s canned goods or monetary donations, I am reasonably sure this is the worst we have seen it in many decades.

As we prepare for a blizzard that’s supposed to be here in the next 48 hours, I realize how fortunate we are to have a roof over our head, heat in our homes, and a relatively full refrigerator. With all of the children in our home, it is not long for a full refrigerator or pantry to become less than full. Throw in some friends and the food goes even faster. But we are lucky---after these particularly hard times, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

For those who have not seen the light yet, please make sure to not forget them---I am making a personal promise to visit the Food Pantry and give. I cannot imagine the challenges of not having enough food for my family or a warm spot to call home.

We do have hunger in the suburbs;  all we can hope is one day it will not be part of our society, but for now remember those who need us more than ever. It could be a neighbor or someone you don’t know---but I promise, when you give,  you will find any emptiness you have felt  filled up with knowing you have helped someone who is truly in need.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hot. Dog.

In a city known for its deep-dish pizza, there is little doubt hotdogs are right up there with its own culinary charm.

With its unique look comes an incredible dog that would never bite back. Whether it’s the tomato, mustard, seasonings or bright green relish, one thing you do not find on a Chicago dog is ketchup. Never.

Hot Dogs are a staple here in our area. You find them at restaurants around the city, on hot dog carts, and of course at stadiums---funny thing about it, they all taste really good. It’s not like a hamburger or chicken that can have wide taste swings and you really don’t know if it's going to taste good until you bite into it. When you see a good dog, you know before that first bite you are in for a real treat.

The photo above is of the “hotdog” guy. He is located at the corner of Main and Crescent in Glen Ellyn, IL. His name is Joe, has 2 boys and lives in a nearby community. Coming from a background of 10 kids in his family (8 of the 10 are girls), I am sure he knows all about “feeding a crowd.” About 3 years ago, he purchased this business from the “former hot dog” guy---they actually resemble one another---and his business has taken off.

Since Joe is part of “Our Town,” you might wonder at times, how many hot dogs does he sell? Want to know? Sorry, it’s a secret. Let’s just say if you were going to have a hot dog eating contest, you would never be able to eat that many in one sitting.

Probably one of the funniest things on his cart is the container marked, “plain.’ You shake it over your hotdog---that is, just in case you want a plain one. The container is empty and the kids shake it as hard as they can to make sure they have a good ol’ hotdog, plain and simple.

Next time you are down on Crescent and Main, stop by and see Joe, he will be happy to serve you up a good Chicago/Glen Ellyn dog.

Thanks for stopping by.

Oh the things we see and don’t see in “Our Town.”

Sometimes I see things in and around Glen Ellyn that I am not sure others would notice; no this is not a sixth sense kind of thing, it’s more of my imagination running away with me.

If you go downtown you might see a pipe or a bench that has a strange shadow that comes out when the sun hits it. Go over by the bookstore and you will see reflections from the trees and benches that make it look like they are inside the store. You have to be there at the right time, but it’s there. The same is true with “Honey.” I was taking pictures one time trying to get the right view into the restaurant and every picture had a reflection of the trees and fire station across the street in them.

What I like most is when you see something that is so ordinary, yet when there is something above and/or below it, it makes it look like a face or something completely different than what it is.

The photo above is an example. When I first saw this on the side of a brick wall it made me smile. I saw the eyes of a startled woman (it’s the eyelashes that bring it to life) the small little nose and a mouth that is quite unusual. Bring it all together and these common items you find on a building create a funny face with real personality. I still like this picture.

One day, when the sun is coming up or going down…go for a walk to the center of town. Look at the benches, pipes and anything else that sticks out—you will see how the shadows create something that will make you take a second and maybe third look. If you really like it, you just might do what I did---take a picture.

Thanks for stopping by.

Against the odds.

As the owner of a very small photography company, I have begun to understand the challenges of being in business for yourself. If I were to look into a crystal ball---I don’t have one so it would be difficult to do---I am not sure how far to look into the future. Based upon my age, I would doubt I would see anything more than a 25^th anniversary.

Now, take into consideration that photography is a skill that anyone and everyone feels they have---so you have to continue to make sure you have a reputation that is better than the other guys. As the motto of our company states,  “Everyone of our customers owns a camera, they are hiring us to capture a memory;” we can be sure there are many good photographers in and around Glen Ellyn who love to take pictures like we do.

Photography is one thing, but selling appliances is different.

When Young’s Appliances opened their doors in 1931, I have to believe they were not sure they would see their 1^st anniversary yet alone their 80^th. When you start a business in the middle of the depression, and you are selling items when unemployment is at 30 percent, you have to be aware that the likelihood for success is not a sure thing. Either they didn’t worry about it, or they are really good at what they do.

Since the time they opened, I can name 8 to 10 major appliance retailers who have opened and closed their doors. In the Chicagoland area we have seen Polk Brothers, Circuit City, Electric Avenue, Silo and many others do their best to bring the best pricing and service to the sale---but something just didn’t connect.

That’s what makes Young’s Appliances so amazing.

Young’s has lived through the big retailers and they still are very much a part of “Our Town” on Crescent Street in downtown Glen Ellyn. Maybe it’s because when Elmer Young opened Young’s Appliances he made sure that he gave back to the community. Many companies do this---but Mr. Young made the commitment and stick by it. I love success stories where the little guy wins. If you have a moment, be sure and check out their website and look at all of the organizations they support. They believe in “Our Town, “ and I am sure it’s one of the reasons they are a fixture (sorry) in our community.

I have no idea how long our photography business will be in business---but I do know, making sure you are a part of the community, and giving back to it, may not keep you in business forever, but it will make you proud to live in “Our Town.”

Thanks for stopping by.

Step right up.

We are still several months  away from the long weekend when the carnival comes to town. But that doesn’t mean we can’t think about it.

I am not a huge carnival fan, but my kids are; when we see the parking lot across from McChesney’s start to clear out and fill up with the carnival trucks, we know the questions are not far behind. “When can we go? Can we get the wristbands? How many games can we play?” and so on. Funny, except for the wristband question, I did the same when I was a kid living in St. Louis, MO. Carnivals are part of growing up , and the annual carnival that comes to Glen Ellyn is very much a part of “Our Town.”

It must be the camera I carry, but now when I go down to the carnival, people know me. I am not sure if that is anything I really want to divulge, but then again I do get to take photos without anyone asking questions. The owners of the carnival are very protective of their employees; they do not want them to be photographed or in any of the photos where they are visible. I didn’t question it…I just took photos of the rides.

One of the best things about the carnival are the lights on the games and rides; if you remember the movie “Big,” the appeal of the fortune teller was what got it all started, but it was the lights and sounds of the carny, that made the scene so real and credible. The slamming of the hammer on the pad, the bell ringing when it hits the top, has been going on for decades; sure there is a trick to it, but the appeal is still there. Yep, everyone wants to win a stuffed animal.

All in all, the carnival is a great attraction, but it is the rest of the experience just south of the tracks that brings the adults to the center of town. Vendors from the area, and beyond, serve up food and sell items that make the event---Americana. This is what I dreamed of when I was a kid---and even as an adult, when I lived in a community that didn’t have a downtown, I missed these simple parts of the summer.

The warm weather may seem far away, but it will be here as quickly as the cold weather came last fall. If you have not been to downtown Glen Ellyn during these fun times in late spring, step up and do it. You may not win a stuffed animal, but then again if you hit the pad the right way, you just might.

Thanks for stopping by.

The Moon over “Our Town.”

If any of you are wondering why “Our Town” was not up this morning, there is a reason. You might think I forgot, or didn’t have anything to say, or was too busy…no, none of these were the reasons why it is up this evening. I wanted you to remind you to look up in the sky tonight.

Last night, my daughter and I left an area grocery store and as we headed East, I said, “Look at the moon.” Now, my daughter is not one to get too excited over the moon, but she was in awe. She said she had never seen it look as big in her entire life---at 8 years old, she is discovering new and different things. I am sure it has appeared as large as it did last night many times before, but I have to admit, it did look huge.

Of course in any town, city or region across the U.S. and the world, as long as there were clear skies, the moon was likely to appear to be as incredible as what we saw. But then again, this is our town we are talking about---I don’t know what was happening in yours.

Full moons may have been responsible for some pretty odd happenings over time. I cannot say for sure that there was a full moon the night a cow was placed on the roof of one of the downtown buildings or when snakes popped out of the sidewalks (to be discussed in a later “Our Town”) but if it’s true this spectacle brings out the oddities in the world we live in, it wouldn’t surprise me.

One thing the moon did bring with it last night was some very cold weather; if you live here you know we were below zero this morning.

If you have time tonight, take a look to the east; if it’s anything like last night, you will be glad you stopped what you were doing and headed outside. I have always loved looking at the moon---I guess the night the cow was found on the building it must have come up short as it tried to jump over it.

Thanks for stopping by.

What $500.00 bought in 1963.

Before they fill the stadiums, they step on the local fields that line their path to potential greatness; both on and off the gridiron.

Football is of high interest right now as the Chicago Bears prepare for the next step toward the “Super Bowl.” Not an easy task to accomplish, and you can be sure the Green Bay Packers have similar

thinking---both teams are now preparing for the 3^rd game they are facing one another this year and their first post-season match up since December 14, 1941.

But before they would walk on the field at Cowboys Stadium on February 6 for Super Bowl XLV, every one of the players has visualized this moment since they were young boys. That’s one of the greatest appeals of this magical moment in their careers, and the topic of today’s “Our Town.”

When school ends in early June, it’s only a matter of moments before the baseballs are tossed in the bag and footballs come out. This is a sport that stresses learning the basic fundamentals of the sport, teamwork, safety and fun. Without “fun” there really is little reason to participate; with all of the work you go through before the first game, they have to be passionate about the sport.  Fortunately when you talk to the players, of any age, they all say they are having fun. (More fun when they win, just being honest.)

In Glen Ellyn, we have the Glen Ellyn Golden Eagles---they are one of 14 teams (made up of all ages) that are part of the Bill George Youth Football League.

So who was Bill George?

Bill George was not the organizer of the league, it was actually another man named “Bill”---Bill Pope. Mr. George played for the Chicago Bears and was part of their 1963 Championship team. What’s interesting about the story is...when Bill Pope approached 3 of the Bears linebackers from the Championship team to help build awareness of the program (Bill George, Joe Fortunato and Larry Morris) only Bill George gave the agreed upon cash contribution of $500.00. Don’t worry, Bill Pope has been well recognized by the Glen Ellyn Park District by having his name on the football field at Newton Park---it is appropriately known as “Bill Pope Field.” (He was also the driving force in building the league!)

So how important is the Bill George Youth Football League to our community? Ask any of the coaches at local high schools and they will be more than happy to confirm this is the first step to a successful experience in the game. 

The odds are not great that many of today’s local players will be in the NFL, but in the end, learning teamwork, the fundamentals of the game, and having fun, is the greatest investment you can make for the  kids in “Our Town.”

Thanks for stopping by.

It’s your call.

In a time when it seems everyone has a phone in their hand, pocket, or located next to their ear, there was a time when we didn’t have this. Wow.

Since many of us were probably around when the cell/smart phone wasn’t, you might remember when a call made anywhere outside of the county, and certainly the state, would be “long distance.” Probably one of the greatest excuses for not calling home during my college days--- “L.D. calls” as we called them were expensive, and well, we had to get back to studying anyhow. 

Now that long distance has essentially been eliminated, along with roaming charges, operated assisted calls, and anything that has to do with paying extra for calling outside the neighborhood, we have no excuses. (I do think it’s kind of funny when calling your neighbor you have to dial the area code first…culture shock thought, what about going over and talking face to face?)

Imagine what it would have been like calling London or another city across the world?

Turns out a Glen Ellyn man was the first to do this in Chicago. His name was W.W. Shaw, Jr. and in early February 1927 he spoke with John Steele in located in London. The conversation lasted about 12 minutes, and as described by Mr. Shaw, “the conversation wasn’t always clear, it seemed to fade away at times.” The topic…not the weather, royalty updates or how the food was over there, “Mr. Steele told of the English and German industrialists uniting to form a federation to fight American commercial interests abroad.”

That's nice huh?

I guess it would not be polite to hang up so he listened and two stenographers recorded every word of the conversation. In today’s lingo that would be “Wikileaks.”

A lot has happened since this phone call in “Our Town.” The phone is omnipresent; calling anywhere around the world is no big deal, and the phone booth? What’s a phone booth?

Thanks for stopping by.

Wintertime blues, oranges, reds and greens.

I was talking with a neighbor the other day who said, “I got a new camera for the holidays and I can’t wait until spring to start using it.” He knows my passion for photography, that's why he brought it up.

I asked, “What are you planning to take pictures of?” He said, “Outdoor scenes in and around Glen Ellyn.”  My response, “Why wait?”

When the warm weather leaves us, and cold weather comes marching in, many people believe there are two places to be: Your Home and your car. But if you put on a warm coat, gloves and all of the necessary clothes to venture out into the tundra (not really), there is a lot to be seen and photographed. Best part about it, and this is a very anti-social comment, there are many people who aren’t willing to go out and explore, giving you free reign of whatever you want to photograph.

If you did receive a new camera for the holidays, and you are looking to give it a test run before spring hits, there are some incredible photo opportunities in and around “Our Town.”

One of my favorite subjects to photograph are the barren trees in our parks—especially when they have snow on the branches. Throw in some water for reflection purposes and you have the makings of a photo that can make you feel like a pro; better yet, you can print it and put it on the wall in the home you used to not venture from during this time of the year. If you are looking for some of Glen Ellyn’s best parks to photograph wildlife and the best winter has to offer, it’s really simple---go to the Park District’s website. (Okay, I will make this even easier; here is their e-mail address---http://www.gepark.org. The listing of parks and facilities are on the top.)

Want the best colors of the day?  Shoot either early in the morning or 30 minutes before sunset---just remember, these are the coldest times during the day. But if you want drama, not the type of drama you have with teenagers, shooting photos during these times will create “wall-worthy” photos. Just remember to let everyone know the challenges you had to go through to find these incredible scenes---it makes the picture a lot more valuable.

So, next time you have the wintertime blues, put some color back into venturing around “Our Town”--- you and your camera will be happy you did.

Thanks for stopping by.

It’s show time.

On January 31, 1927, the New Glen Theater opened its doors. With seating for 1000, a $25,000 Barton Organ, and “ushers who showed patrons to their seats, stood at the various exits during the evening--” guests were greeted with an atmosphere right up there with a Hollywood premier.

Okay, so the Glen Theater has changed during the past 84 years, but in some ways it hasn’t. With all of the new mega-theaters that have popped up over the past decade or two, something is missing when you enter; similar to going to the mall, and heading into one store instead of another (in the mega-theater’s case it would be one theater instead of another) there really is little glamour or remembrance of the days when going to a major motion picture was an event and not an “I am bored and have nothing else to do.”

Walk into the Glen Theater and you have a ticket seller booth that has withstood the test of time. Yes there are some modern conveniences now associated with it, but nothing like other theaters---it might not be glamorous, but then again, if you want to step back in time, you have to give up some of today’s modern day razzmatazz. I actually think it’s kind of cool.

When I first went to The Glen I was kind of in shock; I had not been to a theater like this since I was much younger and when I learned of some of its history recently, I knew it was going to be fun to write about in “Our Town.” I had no idea there was a bowling alley in the basement or that it had been featured in other motion pictures (it was in the movie, “Lucas” with Charlie Sheen, Corey Haim, and Kerri Green) and whereas I have seen wedding photos taken under its marquee, I have also heard that the marquee has been used to ask for a prom date. Sure hope she said “Yes.”

If you have not been to the Glen Theater recently, head back soon. If you are going to wait until all of the Academy Award nominees are featured—something they do annually--- you will be waiting in lines. It’s one of the special moments every year where you cannot only be in the know of who is up for the awards, but in a night or two you can see them all. In other words, “It’s show time!”

Thanks for stopping by.

Pet Friendly.

No matter where you turn, no matter how warm, cold, rainy or whatever the weather, you will see pets and their owners around “Our Town.”

I have no idea how many dogs, cats, gerbils and fish reside in the 10,000 households that make up our community---however I do know they are loved. When I first moved to “Our Town,” our family had a rabbit; I had never had a rabbit before and although his name was “Lucky,” I think in the end he found a better home to live in than ours, so he really did live up to his name.

Since that time we have had fish and a dog. We actually had two dogs at one point, and although they were brothers, one proved to be too much for our household; so we asked some friends of ours if they would like a pure-bred boxer to move into their home. “Carter “is in a very loving home. We still have “Cash” and as he rests at my feet, while I write “Our Town,” he is very much a part of our family.

On our street I would say we conservatively have 15 to 20 dogs. It is a fairly long street, about 7 blocks, but when you do the math—there is little doubt, dogs are a part of the neighborhood. Sometimes there is a boxer that gets out of a certain house and runs up and down the street; he bolts right through the front-screened door and we sometimes don’t know he is out until a neighbor brings him back. We always feel bad he gets out, and at 90+ pounds, the person who brings him back is not too happy either. He is a strong dog.

What I love most about Glen Ellyn is when you walk on some of the main streets that go from one part of the village to the other and see owners walking their pets. I know from experience, pets help develop friendships. Kind of like how children in the same school class, park district activities, etc. help introduce people.

There is a certain dog on our street that holds a high office. Probably the highest office a dog can have in our community. Murphy the dog is the “Mayor of Euclid Avenue.” I realize we don’t have a mayor in Glen Ellyn, but on our block we do. Lying on his porch, under the flag, “Murph” is well known and very well loved by all. Often referred to as the “son he never had” by his owner, you can tell “Murph” is more than just a member of the family, he is blood. (He is featured in the photo above.)

We all have Murphy’s who live on our blocks, neighborhoods and homes---it’s one of the reasons I really like “Our Town.” We are pet (and people) friendly.

Thanks for stopping by.

Choices.

This is likely to be one of the entries in “”Our Town” where there is a potential for controversy. I am not entering it to be controversial, I am writing about it because it is, in fact, part of “Our Town.”

A few months ago I saw a sign on the side of the Glen Ellyn Police Department building. I had no idea what it was about, so I asked. The sign had only been up for about 45 days and involved a law that had actually been effective for nearly 10 years; based upon my not knowing about it, I suspected most did not either. That was one of the points made to me when I asked about it---I was told, “very few know the options they have.”

Here’s what it’s all about.

The Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act became effective on August 17, 2001; the law permits a parent to anonymously relinquish an unharmed newborn up to 30 days old to a staff member at a designated safe haven. Example would be hospitals, emergency medical facilities, fire houses, police/sheriff stations that have staff present.

Whereas Glen Ellyn may not experience situations like this occurring, to date no one has relinquished a child, I can not imagine the fear and helplessness a young Mom would go through when they feel they have no place to turn. I am well aware there are many other options, but then again I would suspect when you are in a situation like this, you may be scared and feeling quite helpless. Under no situation can a young baby understand what is going on---young Mom’s may not be far behind. By the way, I was told, “once your relinquish the child, if you do change your mind, you can return and reunite with your child.”

If you recall a few years back, the state of Nebraska enacted this law for children but it was for children under the age of 18. Now, as the father of 2 teenagers I would not be 100% honest if I said these thoughts don’t run through my head at times; of course they would never make it any further than thoughts, however in Nebraska, 36 children were dropped off and none of them were infants. The law has now been changed in the state to 30 days and younger.

Growing up in today’s world is challenging; when you are young, and in case you are wondering, 62% of all Mom’s who made this decision were under the age of 24, you make decisions that can effect your life---for the rest of your life that is. I was glad to learn this option was available in our town, I was also very happy to learn no one to date has used it.

Thanks for stopping by.

The highlight of the 4th of July.

Well, here I go again, bringing up the 4^th of July in the dead of winter. Maybe I am just wishing for warmer weather---no check that, I am wishing for it!

After the fire trucks, clowns, politicians and floats have passed, the crowd knows what’s coming next. For me, I am ready for the show. This past year, as we boldly changed locations at the 4^th of July parade, I was well aware I could either get the picture I was looking to shoot, or regret my decision to move. I was happy.

When the Jesse White Tumbling Team comes around the bend, you hear the cheers and clapping from far away. Here are kids from the inner city showing us in the Western Suburbs how they have practiced and committed themselves to working toward a better life.

What do I mean?

In order to be on the Jesse White Tumbling Team, you have to be more than athletic; you have to maintain a “C” average in school, stay out of gang life, avoid drugs and abide by Mr. White’s rules. 

Now I have never lived in the inner city, nor do I intend to, but any of these 4 requirements is a huge hurdle for many of the residents who come from this less fortunate side of Chicago.

But look at the rewards---as a member of the team you get to appear at professional athletic events, travel inside and outside the state (as well as Internationally) and whereas it does not happen with regularity, appear in major motion pictures. (They were in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Heaven is a Playground and The Meteor Man.”)

For more than 50 years, Mr. White has improved the lives of children who are looking to better themselves; since its inception over 10,000 kids ages 6 and up have participated in the program, I am confident many have gone on to jumping over even bigger hurdles in life.

Of course the Jesse White Tumblers are only annual visitors--- but when they are in “Our Town,” I know I am in for a show. For me, this is one of the highlights of the 4^th of July.

Thanks for stopping by.

Loss.

When you lose something it’s unfortunate, when you lose someone it’s devastating.

In “Our Town,” you’ll see plaques on benches, chairs and next to trees; but every so often, in the midst of your everyday life, something makes you stop and say, “Where did that come from?” It might be a house, a unique saying or something you just never noticed---and then one day, you do.

That’s what happened one night when my wife, daughters, and a friend of ours, ventured out to Lake Ellyn for nighttime “treasure hunt.” Normally you might find something to pick up and place in one of the trashcans, see an animal on the lookout for food, or experience the reflection of the moon on the lake, but rarely if ever, anything more.

This night was different. They found a tribute that stopped them in their tracks---literally.

Hanging from a tree they saw dolls, ornaments and mementos celebrating the life of someone who had been taken much too soon. Her name was Jennifer Mills, and I believe she was around 18 when she passed away. I tried to learn more about this dedication but was not able to uncover anything that provided insight on what happened to her. Part of me is glad I didn’t, because in the end it really doesn’t matter.

What does matter is the love and respect others have for this young woman; with leaves collecting around a fairy with its head down, and “ personal remembrances” riding the winds that blow through the tree---the tribute is flat out amazing.

Since this discovery, I have noticed more dedications around Glen Ellyn; although this one ranks very high on my personal list, I suspect there are many more equally as moving and sentimental, I just have not found them.

We never want to experience “loss” of any kind, but when we do, it’s important to celebrate the lives that hold such an important place in our hearts.

Thanks for stopping by.

The Carousel.

I would not be honest if I said this was a new blog topic; I have written one with the same title, and photo before, however this one will be different. Sort of.

If you have watched the series “Mad Men,” you may recall the episode where Don Draper presents a new campaign to a potential client, Kodak. The focus was on a new product launch known as “the wheel---the projector most of us remember as the one with the circular device that sat on top of the machine and sometimes had slides pop out of it hitting the floor. To sum up it up, thanks to Don's masterful presentation,” This device isn't a spaceship; it's a time machine. It goes backwards and forwards. It takes us to a place where we ache to go again. It's not called the wheel. It's called the carousel. It lets us travel the way a child travels, around and back home again to a place where we know we are loved."

In life, we take the ticket handed to us, climb aboard, and go for a ride---yet in the back of our minds, we know we can only go one way.

I have met many people who have grown up in Glen Ellyn; they went to school here, they met their spouses here, and if they moved away, they are back home again. It says a lot about the community and how they feel about it---something that can’t always be said about the places where you grew up. I can’t imagine what it would be like to move back to my hometown or the house where I grew up after all of these years.

For most people who have moved back to the community, they don’t live in the same house where they lived as a child; I would have to believe when they drive by their old house, or now just their “parent’s house,” it would have an outpouring of emotions that can never be replicated. (One where they “ache to go to again.”) Going back home brings out memories of a time that was safe, secure, and relatively simple---even if you don’t live in the same house, it must be nice to be back home.

As I prepared to start “Our Town,” I met a lot of people. When I told them about the idea most said, “I would like to read it.” Some are reading, and many I have forgotten to let know I have started write it. What I learned when I spoke with “lifers,” was how much they love Glen Ellyn; most have had the chance to move on to other areas of the country or the world---and even though it sounded appealing, they decided to stay or come back home.

The photo above was taken by the splash park near Roosevelt Road; what I loved most about the picture was how it reminded me of the good ol’ days when life was simpler. Of course, we can never go back, and if I went on a carousel today I would likely get sick; but watching these kids have fun the way I did as a boy took me to a place I ached to go again--- back home.

Thanks for stopping by.

The Lake effect.

Certainly Lake Ellyn doesn’t have the same effect on the weather as the big lake to the east, but in many ways it has just as big of an effect on our community.

There was a time when Lake Ellyn was nothing more than low-lying land to the north of the Glen Ellyn Hotel. (Yes, there was a hotel located adjacent to the lake.) Right after the turn of the century, the 1900s that is, Lake Ellyn was private property; in other words, the goldfish that have been released over the years and are now giant Carp would have been considered the property of The Glen Ellyn Hotel and Springs Company. There would be no boat regatta---unless it was being sponsored by the hotel—and for sure no ice skating. 

But since those days have long passed, let’s consider what Lake Ellyn and the parks around it bring to the community.

It’s a lake that is used year round; if you have been there in the past few days you will find ice skaters enjoying some of the most beautiful scenery one can have in really cold weather. Move forward to spring and the situation changes completely. The trees lining the shores blossom and bring life back again; residents are out, the swings at the playground are full, and life as we know it has returned.

The summer and fall are my favorite times “down at the lake.” Whether it’s the 4^th of July, boat regatta, the annual Art fair or my favorite as a photographer, the fall effect---with out the lake we would be just another community comprised of cement and homes. (With a smattering of trees situated around the cement and homes.)

Since most of us have ventured down to the lake for the annual regatta---I do not know when this started---it still amazes me that these floating (or intended to float) vessels are made of cardboard. Several years ago, when the Harry Potter craze was an obsession, we worked (very little actually) with some friends who built a near replica of the bus featured in the books and movies.

I may not have been a help with the construction,  but I was a huge help with its destruction. From the time we took off to navigate around the lake, I knew we were in trouble. Water poured in faster than one of our 100 year rains we seem to have every 2-3 years! Luckily we were rescued and did not become dinner for some awaiting Carp---it was fun to be a part of this annual event.

Lake Ellyn may not be one of the original Great Lakes; but as a resident of Glen Ellyn, and knowing the effect it has on the community, it’s a pretty darn “good one.”

Thanks for stopping by.

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The band played on.

In “Our Town,” music departments and bands add a dimension to the community that few other organized activities can do.

Sure, sports and other cultural events are important, but the number of students---whether children or adults---involved in music, I would have to believe far outweigh sports and other popular activities. Just a gut feel, I have no definitive data to prove my point.

One thing I have learned since I began photographing Glenbard West sports has been how coaches and teachers are well aware of those who are passionate or just in it for the fun. But it's more than just sports--- we are talking music, the arts, etc.

One of my daughters has been playing the cello for approximately 3 or 4 years; I have lost count. Now on her 2^nd cello, this is a real one that costs a real lot, she has gone from a “plucker” (the first step in learning this instrument) to someone who really knows how to play. Sure she is only 13 and like many teenagers her interest tends to wane at times; she is involved at school, takes private lessons, and even though she complains about practicing, she seems to love when she plays in front of groups. I doubt she will ever be with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, but learning and loving music is something that lasts a lifetime. Maybe she will play CSO on second thought!

During the summer months, when the “boys of fall” are out sweating and putting as much energy as they can muster into football, not far away the members of the marching band are holding heavy instruments, practicing tunes to be eventually heard on the field, and most important wearing their passions on their sleeves, uniforms and faces. One off note, or misstep and everyone notices---especially the performer.

A tradition I learned about this fall, it was my first year shooting Glenbard West football, was the pregame march from Beister Field House to the football field. The band members lead the players, who are holding hands preparing for battle on the field. I was actually “commissioned” to take the above photo; I will not tell you what it was commissioned for, but after missing the first try one week, I made darn sure I got it the next.

However something happened. As I prepared for the shoot, other photographers stepped in the way; I was one unhappy photographer. In the end I got the shot, but did not have many to choose from.

The next time the Hilltoppers head back to the locker room or wherever they go---send someone else to the concession stand for hotdogs (at $2.00 or so you can buy them one) you’ll be pleasantly surprised as the “band plays on.”

Thanks for stopping by.

Home. Less.

By now, if you are not familiar with the name Ted Williams (not the baseball player who played for 21 years with the Boston Red Sox) then you have had little or no media exposure for the last week.

Discovered with a sign in his hand by Columbus, Ohio online web producer Doral Chenoweth, Williams stated he had “God-given voice.” Most people who would have seen this sign would have laughed it off as they drove past him---except Chenoweth. (He actually gave him a dollar and then came back a week later to learn more.)  

If you have seen the video he asks Williams to “say something with that golden radio voice.” The rest as they say is “his-story.” If you are completely burnt out on this story, click this link---if you can’t get enough, click this link. It really is an amazing story that demonstrates belief, curiosity and the world we live in on a number of different levels. (http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/01/07/ted-williams-doral-chenoweth/)

Most homeless people do not have golden radio voices---most have little or nothing more than what they can carry. It has to be terrifying, humiliating and degrading. But it doesn’t have to end with that.

Glen Ellyn is a bridge community; before writing today’s “Our Town” I had no idea what this was all about. 

Here is what I learned.

“Bridge Communities is a dynamic, grassroots, non-profit organization committed to transforming the lives of homeless families through partnering with talented, resourceful individuals and groups in our community. Our program of housing, mentoring and empowering families focuses on moving them towards a goal of self-sufficiency.”

More than just a mission statement, this group delivers. I went to their website and found success stories that were certainly not on the level of the Ted Williams experience---but equally as important.Ted Williams story demonstrates how viral marketing works in today’s Internet world; his is obviously not the norm. But whether the norm or not, I have learned something about those less fortunate than myself. 

Whether on a large platform like the Internet, or a much smaller one found in “Our Town,” we are all humans and are lucky when people stop and say, “May I help you?

If you know someone who needs help, or can help a complete stranger, why not? You probably will not end up on Good Morning America, but you will be able to feel good about waking up each day.

Thanks for stopping by.

Parades in Our Town.

This may seem hard to believe, but until I moved to Glen Ellyn, I had never been to a parade.

No I was not an infant when I moved here, nor did I grow up in an Eastern bloc country, I just had never attended a parade. So when I learned about the 4^th of July parade I was on it.

Like everyone else in the community I got up early and made sure I “found the spot” where I would be able to get the best view. What I didn’t realize was there are great views no matter where you sit downtown for this annual event. But to me, I had a great one for my family---I was ready for the bands to start. We still sit in the same area every year, however last year we broke tradition and sat on the other side of the street. A bold move, I know.

What surprised me when I went to put the chairs down, were the lack of blankets and chairs already lining the pathway. What was the big deal I had heard about? The big deal was everyone else was at Lake Ellyn putting blankets down for the fireworks show. Lesson learned---we were behind a tree that year, like Wrigley limited viewing.

My first parade in Glen Ellyn was 2002. It was a somber parade due to this being the first year after 9/11---but one that left an impression I will never forget. If you were there, this was the year the jets flew over the parade---loud but amazing.

I went to the Glen Ellyn historical society at Stacy’s Corners to ask about parades in “Our Town." Whereas I don’t have an actual date, Bob Chambers who I still need to talk with was not in that day and knows a lot about Glen Ellyn, I know they have been going on a long time. How?  Through the coasters for sale--they have photos from the early 1920s featuring the Labor Day parade that used to take place on them!

Whereas the photo was dated, and there were no motorized crafts driven by the Shriners, clown rock bands, or my favorite, The Jesse White Tumblers---you could see this was an event that brought the community together. I not only love parades, I love traditions.

The only thing about this parade I didn't see, were the blankets and chairs lining the sidewalks----maybe they were all down at Lake Ellyn getting ready for a Labor Day gathering. Who knows? Bet Bob Chambers does.

Thanks for stopping by.

I am ready for spring and summer.

Yes I am well aware it’s January 7^th, but I also know the days are getting longer and spring and summer are on the horizon. Okay, the horizon is far off but I like to think about it.

Glen Ellyn in the spring and summer takes on a completely different life for me; since I am not a winter kind of person, perhaps I am missing something by not walking outside, skating on Lake Ellyn when it freezes over, or visiting a dog park so our dog can have a romp with other pups.

So if it’s okay with the readers of “Our Town,” I would like to move ahead 4 or so months and think about what’s ahead.

One of my favorite things to do on a Saturday is to go to a sporting event at Ackerman or one of the other local parks; I have kids so soccer has become part of “what we do.” For some reason, and I suspect it’s because my kids are younger, the games usually are not accommodating for those who would like to sleep in. It seems 9AM is a very popular time slot for our games---we deal with it.

One of the best things about organized sports in Glen Ellyn is…they are organized. It’s a lot different than when I grew up; sure they were organized---sort of. But the devotion of the parents who make a commitment to the sport, whether it’s soccer, softball, baseball or the other countless sports, they have the passion and the desire to help mold some very fine athletes.

But it’s more than the sport.

In addition to watching the games, you have the opportunity to meet people who you probably would never have met. It’s a ritual. You see them at practice, then at games, and friendships develop; ones that do not end when the season does or your future athlete decides he or she is not going to be playing in the NFL, MLB, NHL, MSL, etc. For us parents, this is a great way to make the community a much better place to live and make friends for life.

But what happens if you don’t have kids in organized sports or even any children at all? That’s the topic of other entries in the future…I do have to remember, it’s only January 7^th.

Thanks for stopping by.

Tributes, memorials, and memories of another day.

If there is one thing about Glen Ellyn, we are an area rich in history and a village that does not forget.

Walk practically anywhere within its boundaries and you will find tributes and plaques honoring or thanking someone for their effort of making the community a better place to live. That’s what makes Glen Ellyn…Glen Ellyn.

This past year, Memorial Field became state of the art when new turf was added creating a first-class all-purpose field for Glenbard West competing teams and physical education classes. That’s all in good, but the story does not stop there.

In the 1920’s the Glen Ellyn Reds baseball team and Glen Ellyn Bears football team used the field for games. (The turf was a bit different than it is today.) In the latter part of the decade, the Glen Ellyn Women’s Club planted 170 crabapple trees to create what is known as the “Soldiers Pathway”---a memorial for those who served in World War I. Since that time, the field would later be used to memorialize veterans of several wars including the Civil War and the Vietnam War.

The photo above was taken a few weeks after Memorial Field opened this fall---Glenbard West’s field hockey team put it to use against Loyola. By the way, it's a big field for a photographer trying to capture what’s going on during the game---but it is beautiful.

When you head to Memorial Field next spring, and you should just to see this incredible space, you will see a monument honoring the veterans ­that is placed at the beginning of the walkway. Although a story in itself, it has been placed in several areas; at one point it was supposed to be tossed away---luckily a former park district Facility Safety Inspector, Jim Rafferty, had other ideas for the monument. He placed it in his parents backyard until the day someone asked, “Where is the monument?

So, the next time you sit on a chair, rock, or walk on bricks etched with writing on them, it’s fitting to remember that without someone wanting to say “thanks,” you probably would be standing or walking on dirt.

Thanks for stopping by.

Trains.

Unless you have yet to venture to the middle of Glen Ellyn, you know we have train service that comes through our town.

The story of the train line in Glen Ellyn is actually quite interesting; but since I have 360 more entries to go with “Our Town,” I will leave that for another day. But regardless, we Glen Ellynites know trains are very much a part of our community. Yes, sometimes they are a pain to deal with, but without them we would likely be wishing they were, in fact, part of our community.

When I lived in one of the northern suburbs, we didn’t have a train line we were accessible to. Yes, there were freight trains, but METRA had yet to see the importance of our growing community. They eventually did. What happened? I moved a few years later to Glen Ellyn.

To write this entry, I needed some help to understand the impact trains have on Glen Ellyn---so I called the Fire Department to see if they potentially had an idea as to how many trains come through each day. Okay, I also called the Village, Police Department and Union Pacific---but the Fire Department had the answer.

I was told, “In an average day we have more than 120 trains travel through our town; there have been some days, where in a 24-hour period we have had up to 180 trains.” Do the math, and I can say, “That’s a lot.” 

I was told, “Union Pacific does try to stagger the trains so the crossings are not down as long as we seem to think they are, but there is little that can be done due to the need for spacing required for other trains.” (Think of O’Hare or Midway on rails and the spacing becomes understandable.) I guess in other words, during a really heavy day, you may want to stay for that extra cup of coffee at Starbuck’s or Einstein’s depending on what side of the track you happen to be on when the gates are down.

By the way, there are some games you can play while you are waiting for the trains to pass by; you can count the number of train cars—by color, size, type, etc, guess how many more trains are left to go, and my favorite---watch the car clock to see if the hour changes or how many minutes have passed until the gate goes up.

No matter what, be happy we have trains; at gas projecting to hit $4.00 per gallon this year, the train is a very economical way to travel. That is unless you are waiting for one to pass through and you run out of gas.

Thanks for stopping by.

Back to the Future.

When Marty McFly and Emmett “Doc” Brown put the DeLorean DMC-12 in motion that fateful night outside Twin Pines Mall, who would ever have known we would have a similar story here in Glen Ellyn? Sort of similar that is.

No we didn’t borrow, or steal any plutonium; of course we could never reach 88 MPH down Main Street between Pennsylvania and Crescent Boulevards---and what is a “Flux Capacitor” anyway?

Here’s the story.

Back in March, 1924, The Du Page Trust Company promised the Village of Glen Ellyn a clock to be placed on the side of their building. (This would now be where M & Em’s is located.) The clock would do more than let the people of Glen Ellyn know the time, it would chime. To quote the Glen Ellyn News and The Glen Ellyan on March 14, 1924, “A clock in one’s home is a familiar friend, a clock in one’s village will be so likewise and Glen Ellynites will welcome the constant use of it.”

The clock more than chimed on the hour… “At a quarter past the hour, four strokes--- Westminster; at half past the hour, eight strokes---Reveille; at the three quarters past the hour, twelve strokes---Cathedral peal; and on the hour sixteen strokes---Westminster followed by the striking of the full hour, in a clear vibrant tone.”

So what happened?

No one knows, it just stopped one day and it has never chimed again.

I know as a commuter, nothing provides greater pleasure (commuting pleasure that is) to know when you think you are running late for the train, you are not. This clock, which still works today---less the chimes of course---has saved me from sprints, spilled coffee and other mishaps more times than I could ever recall as I was sure I was late for the train.

Do we need the chimes back on in “Our Town?” 

Thanks for stopping by.

Our town. Our teams.

Living in Glen Ellyn has taught me a lot about local sports. 

Having grown up in St. Louis, Missouri (yes I remain a Cardinal fan) I didn’t feel or experience the level of enthusiasm as I do here; especially in local high school sports. For example, when Glenbard West has a football game, it’s exactly what I would expect from a community---support, camaraderie, and history.

We didn’t have a downtown where people hung flyers or displayed any type of support behind our local team like we do here---but we did have a nice football field. However, by today’s standards it would be as contemporary as a Chevy Nova. (Don’t laugh; we had one of those too!).

This past season, and part of the 2009 season, I was fortunate to photograph on the playing field. No it is not like being at Soldier Field, the United Center, Wrigley or U.S. Cellular Field---I have shot at all but Soldier Field---it’s much better.

I am serious.

The players and coaches work hard; they are passionate and they are respectful. Even to photographers. I tend to break a lot of rules when I am on the field---this will probably hurt my chances for next year. I talk to the players when they are hurt, have made a great play, or one that was not so great, and everything in between.  We are human after all. I also talk with the coaches---except the head coach. I am smart enough to know he or she is focused on winning the game, and you do not want to fool with that.

Often I am asked why I don’t hear people yelling my name when I am on the field. It’s really quite simple…I can’t hear them. When you are on the field, it is all muffled and I tend to move around a lot. If you were at the final game of the season at the Wheaton-Warrenville game, I was the photographer in the shorts; I heard from a number of people about that move since it was below freezing. Most questioned my intellect.

Glen Ellyn loves its sports, and this year in “Our Town” I will be writing about them. Let’s face it, I have more than 360 more entries to complete, I will need some good material.

The photo above was taken during a playoff game. Similar to the Chicago Bears, we are hoping their playoff run ends with wins like the Hilltoppers had when they played Lincoln-Way East. 

Thanks for stopping by.

It’s all in the numbers.

There are approximately 6.6 square miles that make up the Village of Glen Ellyn.  Until I saw this statistic a few times while reading about Glen Ellyn, I thought it was an error. I was sure it was much larger---I was wrong.

I am not really a statistics kind of guy, but the more I learned about who, and what, make up Glen Ellyn, the more intrigued I became. Although these figures are from the 2000 Census, they do provide an interesting “snapshot” of our town. (I suspect they will change when the next Census figures are available.)

According to the Census, we have more than 10,000 households and 7100 families. I had to stop and think about that for a moment until I realized there were singles and non-families living together. Oh what we learn when we begin to uncover facts and figures and have no idea how to interpret them.

The figure that made me smile the most was the median home value---it was $274, 293. All I know is, when I moved to Glen Ellyn in 2002, I don’t remember seeing homes in this price range; perhaps they were hidden away somewhere or their numbers were transposed. Who knows?

But let’s get to the most interesting statistic.

In 2000, the population of Glen Ellyn was 26,999. Normally a human or two moving in or out of a location doesn’t really factor in all that much. But this time, you could be that very important stat. Move a family in, and one of the kids or the Mom or Dad could be the lucky number 27,000. Have twins and one is the number turner; think about it, by coming into this world just a few minutes later, this could affect you for the rest of your life. (Just kidding.)  As you can see by the photo above, we have made 27,000---I suspect the number has been rounded in some way, as I have to believe we have not remained at this number for all of these years.

Here’s a little trivia fact for you. When Glen Ellyn was settled in 1834, the population of Chicago and Glen Ellyn (where it stands today) were about the same; as you might guess, we have fallen slightly behind----but you just never know if and when we might catch up.

By the way, in case you missed it, the first child born in the Chicagoland area yesterday came into this world one second after the new year. Cicero can add another little girl to their population of 80,100---now it's 80,101.

I guess you can say, it’s all in the numbers.

Thanks for stopping by.

Welcome to “Our Town.”

It’s hard to believe it’s been an entire decade since we woke up on January 1, 2000 to find all was okay and life still existed. Y2K was suddenly a thing of the past, and we could now look forward to the new millennium and what the future would hold. Now, you might be saying, “We ended the decade last year when we wrung in 2010.”

What gives?

But as I see it, the first decade was officially put behind us last night when we watched the ball drop in New York City, or when we turned on a local news station here in Chicago to see people dancing, blowing noise makers and ringing in the new year. Either way, 2011 is here. Let the next decade begin.

So much has changed over the past 10 years; we have, of course, witnessed some wonderful events---we had 2 winning sports teams in Chicago (and many more if you count the Wolves and other teams that don’t receive much press), some horrific events, and many good and some bad in between. However, for most of us, we are still standing; maybe a little sideways at times, but our heads are up, we are looking forward, and we are ready to face what is placed in front of us for the future.

So where am I heading with all of this?

This past summer, Ron Aubrey called my home and left a voice mail on our answering machine. I was recently unemployed and had begun to photograph families, local sporting events, and everything else with my trusty Nikon. It was a challenging time, and until I found a new job, it was a way to stay busy, enjoy my passion of photography and meet a lot of very interesting people along the way. All have been achieved I am happy to report.

Ron wanted to meet to discuss a project he was involved in and to see if I would come along for the ride; I really didn’t know Ron well, but I said, “Sure.” While we were talking at Caribou Coffee, he paused and I said, “Ron, for the last year I wrote a blog. It ended a few weeks ago and now I am looking for the next topic. I think you just helped me find it.”

He looked at me and I can only imagine what he was thinking. I explained, “I am going to write about Glen Ellyn. I will treat it like an open book and write whatever feels right that particular day.” The look on Ron’s face was a cross between blank and intrigued; the more we have spoken about it over the past few months, the blank look is long gone and a smile has since replaced it.

So for the next 364 days, when you wake up, you will have “Our Town” waiting for you to read. It will be an adventure that I would love for you to take with me. I really didn’t know a lot about Glen Ellyn before I started, but I have learned a lot more recently.

We will look back in time, we will meet very interesting people along the way, and you just might learn something about “Our Town.”

Feel free to visit when you have a few minutes, and if you miss a few days, don’t worry you can always read what you missed---all blogs will be along the right-hand side of the page. If you ever want to contact me, my e-mail address is mrosenbaum123@gmail.com. I would like to know your opinions, thoughts, and ideas for topics. With 364 more entries to write, you can be sure I will be looking for ideas.

Until tomorrow, thanks for stopping by.