Serving the Community

OBWC2021 (87)

Oak Brook Women’s Club Over 80 Years

By Marcia J. Spingola / President OBWC

In the early 1960’s the Oak Brook Women’s Club was more of a welcoming committee to people moving to this particular suburb from the Chicagoland area. In 1967, it was formally founded as the Oak Brook Women’s Club. At that time, Oak Brook was a burgeoning community of new businesses, residents and schools looking to establish roots in what was surely to become a very popular and highly desirable destination. The women of the OBWC were young mothers and homemakers looking to forge friendships and engage in like minded activities while their young children were in school. Moving forward in time, many of those young women evolved into professions taking them out of the home and into the business world as well as the political arena. Members such as Karen Sherman Bushy who served as the first Village President, served two terms as President of the DuPage Mayor’s and Managers, Charlotte Pruss and Linda Gonnella have both served in the capacity of Village Clerk for several terms. Kathy Maher was President of Maher Lumber and in her spare time almost single handedly turned a crumbling school building into a museum dedicated to the history and development of Oak Brook We also have members involved in the fine arts, most notably Rebecca Childers Caleel, Sculptor, whose pieces are much sought after and appear in private homes and government buildings.

Ms. Renee Rosen signs autographs after her lecture on “The Social Graces”

Other members took career paths in the private sector; corporate attorneys, physicans, PHD’s, accountants and college administrators among others. Another faction of the club and no less important are members who built stellar careers in the volunteer world; giving of their time in local hospitals, elementary schools and community outreach. Over the years the OBWC has made philanthropic donations to various Oak Brook organizations and causes such as: providing protective vests to the Police Department, new stretchers for the Fire and Ambulance Department, display cases for the Library and monetary donations to the Heritage Center. To keep our friendships strong and our network viable, the OBWC provides members and guests with a monthly luncheon and live program at one of Oak Brook’s many fine restaurants and venues. Our membership has a variety of interests and we provide entertainment based on those interests. We have featured Jorge Holmes and Diva Montell, historic re enactors, Leslie Goddard and Martina Mathisen, concert violinist Jennifer Silk, national authors Renee Rosen and Diane Henrique, rock star ex pat Jorie Butler Kent, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Native American Silver expert, Janet Scott Peterson, news anchor Ben Bradley and the list goes on. We also feature activity groups which are the heart of the Oak Brook Women’s Club. For instance, we offer, bridge, mah jongg, theatre, various gourmet groups, fine arts, tennis, 9 and 18 hole golf, bowling, book review and studio arts and a common thread. We truly believe we have something for every one. Our club is as diverse in our ages, activities and functions as is our community which we so proudly support. This is our 57th year and we continue to welcome new members who are residents of Oak Brook. For membership information, please contact Debbie Stangarone at [email protected]

*Photos by Marcello Rodarte

Author

Executive Chef Stephen Langlois

Feeding His Passion: Newly appointed Chef Stephen takes the helm at The Westin Chicago Lombard

The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, NM

Celebrating A Century of Open Road: Now in its 100th year, this slice of Americana still beckons travelers

Tely Nagle, Drake Hotel Proprietor, in the Romanesque gardens
Photo by Victor Hilitski

Welcome In! The Drake Oak Brook’s elegance and charm are back to stay

ATJMAH_CM_2223

Striking the Right Note: The Chicago Youth Orchestra shapes the lives of aspiring young musicians

The camaraderie of the volunteers often keeps them involved after their student graduates

Always Boosting: Hinsdale Central’s Booster Club helps fill gaps in student activity and athletic budgets

Anne Schultz, MD, FACP Cindy Lagone, MD, FACP

Authentic Internal Medicine: Building relationships with patients and the community

Hair loss problem after covid search Instagram Post Minimalist -

Is hair loss on your mind? Reclaim Your Crowning Glory

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

An open book: Clarendon Hills four-year-old earns library recognition

Charlie Tomfohrde and his array of house plants for sale at the Hinsdale Farmers Market

A Budding Entrepreneur: Charlie Tomfohrde’s plant business continues to grow

Terri Doney (left) and co-founder Barb Thayer are “sisters” in the group, My Breast Cancer Sisters

Breast Cancer survivors: Hinsdale area group looking for others to help

Maxx Klein and Jack Klein

Airoom’s New Design Space Maxx and Jack Klein take the helm of their family’s business

IMG_4543

Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club A Tennis Player’s Dream