‘Cue for a Cause

Photo-1-Smokin-Tailgators

By Larry Atseff
Photos by Clark Maxwell

On a beautiful day in September, ‘Cue for a Cause raised a record $49,000+ for the Elmhurst Walk-In Assistance Network (EWAN), according to Executive Director Jackie Crnkovich.

Together, the teams competed for trophies for best sauce, best ribs, best chicken, and Grand Champion. Judges worked hard sampling the entries according to a strict regimen to eliminate any bias. Elmhurst Magazine’s Larry Atseff was honored to be one of the judges.

Winners of the 2023 ‘Cue for a Cause

People’s Choice for Sauce

3rd Meryl Streep led by Guido Nardini
2nd Smokin’ Tailgators led by Steve Deboer
1st Haber ‘Cue led by Joel Haberkorn

Judged Sauce Winners

3rd Haber ‘Cue led by Joel Haberkorn
2nd Sweet William’s BBQ led by Bill Steber|1st Hall Hog BBQ led by Mike Hall

Chicken Winners

3rd Champion Oaks led by John Malysiak
2nd Mike’s BBQ led by Mike Juneman
1st 2 K’s and a Q led by Moira Kinsella

Ribs

3rd Chambers BBQ led by Robert Chambers
2nd Big 10 BBQ led by Joe Calcagno
1st Smokin’ Tailgators led by Steve Deboer

Grand Champion

3rd Hall Hog BBQ led by Mike Hall
Runner Up: Big 10 BBQ led by Joe Calgano
Grand Champion: Smokin’ Tailgators led by Steve Deboer

The event helps support EWAN’s mission to provide compassionate assistance to those going through a difficult time in the community.

Naoko Ostermann, Sandy Maxwell and Diane Ontiveres at the event

Competitors rolled up their sleeves to deliver the best barbecue.

 

 

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Kristina and Matthew Bailey began reading books to their son, Owen when he was six months old— they haven’t stopped.
Owen turned 4 in June and recently received an award from the Clarendon Hills Public Library for having had 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten.

The library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge is one of a few reading challenge programs offered in Clarendon Hills, where the Bailey family has lived for the past 2 1/2 years.
Kristin Bailey said she saw an ad about the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge and decided it was a good fit for Owen.

“He’s always been really into books,” Bailey said. “He had a natural interest in books at nine months old. That’s when COVID started, and he didn’t get out much, so reading books to him worked out very well. He’s a naturally curious kid, and imagination-building is important. The reading allows him to learn and explore new things, and he really wants to learn to read now.”

Krista Devlin, the Clarendon Hills library’s youth services librarian, said there’s a specific reason The Friends of the Library-sponsored 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge was started in 2022.

“Reading aloud to a child is one of the best ways to help develop important early literacy skills, which will prepare them for kindergarten,” Devlin said. “It is also a great way to bond with your child and to encourage a love of reading.”

Devlin said Owen was the second child to reach the challenge of having 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten. He was awarded a certificate, a crown, and his picture was taken to recognize his accomplishment.

Bailey, who said she is “a big reader,” said her family usually goes to the library once a week. Reading three books each night to Owen, along with a book before nap time, is the household normal.

“Consistency in our routine has been good and is important,” she said, adding that Owen’s two sisters, ages 2 1/2 and 1

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