Community Scene: Deco at the Drake

Michelle Spellman, Cindy Short, Janel Daley, Jill Casey, Cori Hamilton
Michelle Spellman, Cindy Short, Janel Daley, Jill Casey, Cori Hamilton

The Hinsdale Auxiliary of the Infant Welfare Society held its annual benefit luncheon Tablescapes 2023: Deco at the Drake on Sunday, March 12. More than 400 generous guests packed The Drake Oak Brook Hotel for an afternoon of lively shopping, bidding, and dining. This year’s theme celebrated and honored the city of Chicago, which is home to the most stunning examples of stylish and elegant art deco design.

“We are excited to share that it was a spectacular fundraising success! We are grateful to our amazing venue, sponsors, donors, boutiques, food demo partners, local businesses, and live entertainment who created a memorable experience for our guests,” said Laura Preusser, President of the IWS Hinsdale Auxiliary. “It would not have been possible without our 47 powerful volunteers who spend all year planning for Tablescapes, our namesake event.”

Established in 1913, the Auxiliary is comprised of nine chapters and nearly 600 members throughout the Chicagoland area. Since its inception, the Auxiliary has donated more than $140 million to IWS and due to the unwavering dedication of members and supporters – is the clinic’s largest single donor each year.

One hundred percent of the proceeds generated from Tablescapes will go toward the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago Angel Harvey Family Health Center.
Those unable to attend the event but who would still like to donate to the Infant Welfare Society, please visit www.hinsdaleiws.com. ■

Melissa Goebel, Linda Davis, Laura Preusser

Michelle Di Benedetto, IWS Chief Strategy Officer, Laura Preusser

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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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