The Elmhurst Neighbors & Newcomers Club has helped build bonds for over 75 years

By Valerie Hardy 

When Betsy Laakko moved to Elmhurst from St. Louis in 2020, she was eager to meet new people. Relocating during the pandemic made this challenging, but Laakko got creative. “I reached out virtually to anyone I could find to network and connect,” she said, which led her to Cindy Hradil, a longtime Elmhurst resident, who introduced her to the Elmhurst Neighbors & Newcomers Club (ENNC).

Laakko attended the ENNC’s kickoff event the next fall, joined, and has been “trucking along” within the Club ever since. She enjoys the diversity of events the ENNC offers and the relationships she has built through attending these, so much so that she stepped into the role of ENNC President last summer.

ENNC members gather for a Ladies’ Happy Hour event.

What is the ENNC?

The ENNC is an organization that connects members of the Elmhurst community with one another and provides a wide range of social opportunities. “We focus on social activities and creating connections through casual get-togethers…for individuals, couples, and families, depending on members’ interests,” explained ENNC Treasurer Cindy Hradil.

Established 76 years ago, the ENNC has brought together countless members of the community for fun and friendship and has helped make the transition to town a bit easier for those new to Elmhurst.

Members cite various reasons for joining and remaining active in the ENNC, including the array of social options, the lifelong friendships forged through them, and the Club’s tried and true history. Hradil – who joined the ENNC after having lived in Elmhurst for 25 years to expand her social network after her children grew up – shared that some members even have a multigenerational link to the Club. “One of our former president’s mothers-in-law was actually part of the ENNC years ago…which was kind of cool,” Hradil said.

What types of events does the ENNC organize?

The year begins with the Club’s annual Fall Kickoff event, which is typically held at a local restaurant or at the Wilder Mansion. Returning and prospective members get to connect and learn about what the Club’s officers and committee of planners have lined up for the year.

ENNC members and their families ring in the holiday season at the Club’s annual Santa at the Cinema event.

Another annual event, “Santa at the Cinema” – held at the Classic Cinemas York Theatre and run in partnership with the Elmhurst Area Moms – features a holiday film screening, cocoa and refreshments, crafts, and a chance to visit and get a photo with Santa.

Hradil’s favorite event is a holiday centerpiece-making one, where members meet at Carousel Flowers and create centerpieces for their Thanksgiving tables. Other seasonal events include a December holiday party, a “Cheers to the New Year” party, and summer backyard barbecues and bonfires. The ENNC has also hosted family bowling outings and pool parties.

The ENNC’s calendar features four or five events per month, including standing monthly activities like book clubs, euchre games, and “chick flick” nights. The Club’s “Taste of Elmhurst” outings invite members to try new restaurants and support local businesses. Members may attend any or all of these events.

 “We focus on social activities and creating
connections through casual get-togethers.”
— ENNC Treasurer Cindy Hradil

How does ENNC membership work?

There are approximately 120 members of the ENNC. Membership is open to all Elmhurst residents and those of surrounding communities.

ENNC members bring friendly competition to their monthly euchre events.

While the Club’s membership has historically been predominantly female, “we have a number of men who are pretty active,” Hradil said. Regardless of “gender or age or family dynamic, everyone is welcome,” she added. “We have folks with little kids, folks with teenage kids, folks with grown kids, and folks that don’t have kids.”

This diversity of membership is one of the Club’s greatest draws. In fact, Hradil’s ongoing membership and leadership in the ENNC is largely rooted in her having “become friends with people [she] wouldn’t have crossed paths with otherwise.”

ENNC annual membership dues are $40. Many events are then free to attend, though some special events – like the Club’s summer outing to Ravinia – hold an additional fee to help defray costs.

The Club’s official year runs from the beginning of June through the end of May, but members may join at any point in the year.

Check out the Elmhurst Neighbors & Newcomers Club at the Fall Kickoff at Primos Locos (122 S. York St., Elmhurst) on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. Visit ennc.org for more information.