Posted in Barrington High School, Entertainment, Fundraisers, Nostalgia on July 2, 2025| Leave a Comment »
BHS Alumni Day at the Brat Tent – All Classes Welcome!
Live Music Lineup:
Make this Fourth of July weekend unforgettable – join your BHS family for a day of fun, nostalgia, and great music!
Posted in Animal Welfare, Chicago Tribune, Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation, Nostalgia, Topics Of Interest on March 21, 2025| Leave a Comment »
An adult fox walks through Millennium Park’s Lurie Garden at dusk on May 21, 2023, in downtown Chicago. | Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune
By Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather | Chicago Tribune
Chicago loves a good animal story. Whether it’s the discovery of a massive snapping turtle nicknamed Chonkasaurus, or pondering the lifespan of an Australian lungfish named Granddad, who arrived at the Shedd Aquarium for the 1933 World’s Fair and was estimated to be 109 years old when it died in February 2017.
For older generations, animals were mostly viewed in cages at local zoos. But as animal care practices have evolved, we’ve been able to watch polar bears, gorillas, lions and even beluga whales roam — or sleep — in their habitats from just beyond a panel of glass.
Then there are those wild, recent creatures who have imprinted on our hearts — and even a city sidewalk — for making their homes near ours.
Here’s a look back at some of Chicago’s well-loved animals.
A coyote that wandered into a Chicago Quiznos is released in Barrington Hills by Dawn Keller of Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation on April 4, 2007. | Scott Strazzante/Chicago Tribune
Shortly after lunchtime, a docile coyote nonchalantly wandered through the propped-open door of a Quiznos submarine sandwich shop at 37 E. Adams St. in downtown Chicago and plopped down in front of the soda cooler.
Officials picked up the year-old male about an hour after it entered the restaurant. The animal ate nothing and no one was harmed.
The coyote was released later in Barrington Hills on 9 acres of private property, where rabbits and mice — not submarine sandwiches and chips — would be his daily fare.
Another coyote ventured onto ice on Lake Michigan in 2015, before it ran off into a nearby park. And in January, a coyote was discovered in a refrigerated section inside an Aldi grocery store at 800 N. Kedzie Ave. It was safely removed by Chicago police and Animal Care and Control.
More here.
Posted in Economy, Nostalgia, Property Taxes, Topics Of Interest on December 29, 2024| Leave a Comment »
By Madhu Krishnamurthy | Daily Herald
Patrons bid farewell to neighborhood haunts, chain eateries, mom-and-pop operations, longtime community staples and shuttered shopping malls that were among a slew of business closures in the suburbs this year.
Here, we mark the demise of a sampling of those ventures, some of which left lingering memories in the hearts of their loyal customers.
Closing time: Spring Hill Mall rings up last sales
The largely vacant Spring Hill Mall closed permanently on March 22. Kohan Retail Investment Group acquired Spring Hill Mall on July 16, 2021. West Dundee, which already owns the former Sears and Macy’s buildings, later purchased the mall, which straddles West Dundee and Carpentersville. The village bought the 500,000-square-foot building for $7 million. Previously, West Dundee acquired the former Macy’s and Sears anchors at the mall for $1.1 million and $2 million, respectively.
Citing ‘unfortunate reality,’ park district closes Palatine Stables
The publicly owned Palatine Stables closed in the fall after some seven decades of equestrian operations under the Palatine Park District. | Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
The publicly owned Palatine Stables closed in the fall after some seven decades of equestrian operations. “While the memories of pony rides and show ribbons are recounted by many, the unfortunate reality is that expense of operations and fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers have resulted in a decision to end programming at the end of the summer season,” a lengthy statement on the Palatine Park District’s website read. The last pony rides were offered July 31.
Jelly Belly closes North Chicago plant, laying off 66 workers
Jelly Belly Candy Co. closed its plant in North Chicago in October and laid off 66 employees, according to its Chicago-based parent company Ferrara Candy. The plant closure came after Ferrara, which says it’s the largest sugar candy company in the U.S., bought the family-owned Jelly Belly for an undisclosed sum in November 2023.
Apple Villa Famous Pancake House in Hoffman Estates closes
Apple Villa restaurant, left, in the Fountain Crossings strip mall on Barrington Road in Hoffman Estates closed. | Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com, August 2024
Apple Villa Famous Pancake House & Restaurant, which has been part of Hoffman Estates for nearly all of the 21st century and counted U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth among its local fans, closed in August. The popular eatery was named Business of the Year by the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce & Industry in January 2015. A note on the door at 3101 Barrington Road, photographed and posted on social media, thanked customers for 19 years of memories and encouraged visiting the remaining location at 1961 W. Wilson St. in Batavia.
Read more here.
Posted in Nostalgia, Topics Of Interest on December 21, 2024| Leave a Comment »
“Garfield Goose and Friends” host Frazier Thomas with puppets Garfield Goose and Beauregard Burnside III, with Thomas son Jeff, 5, behind the camera at WGN-TV studios in 1958. | Chicago Tribune historical photo
By Michael Peregrine | Chicago Tribune
Among the scores of celebrated Christmas characters whose memories enrich the holiday spirit, one is truly unique to Chicago. He was real, not fictional, and is best remembered as the daily chronicler of seasonal excitement for several generations of young local television viewers. And to him, it was a high calling.
The local institution that was Frazier Thomas began his career, humbly, as a magician and transitioned to radio and television work in Cincinnati. In the early 1950s, he found TV work in Chicago, first with CBS affiliate WBBM-Ch. 2 and then with the independent WGN-Ch. 9. In 1955, he began hosting a unique afternoon cartoon show that was to turn into a lifetime gig for him and a television classic for Chicago children.
The show, “Garfield Goose and Friends,” featured the puppet Garfield Goose, who fancied himself as the “King of the United States.” The show’s set was modeled after a medieval castle. Wearing a silly uniform festooned with epaulets and medals, Thomas doubled as the show’s host and as Garfield’s “prime minister” and admiral of his navy.
Other puppet characters included Romberg Rabbit, Macintosh Mouse and Beauregard Burnside III. Primitive cartoons such as “Clutch Cargo” and “Diver Dan” were displayed through the “Little Theater Screen,” roughly the size of an Etch A Sketch. Thomas often mixed regal chatter with simple moral lessons for the royal court and also for the children watching at home.
But it was Thomas’ treatment of the Christmas season that particularly endeared him to the kids of Chicago. The big buildup would begin in early December, with the repetitive showing of low-tech holiday cartoons such as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Hardrock, Coco and Joe” and “Suzy Snowflake.” Other Christmas content came from appearances by Garfield’s “cousin,” “Chris(tmas) Goose.”
He would supplement this with annual showings of “Miracle on 34th Street” and “A Christmas Carol” (the scary black-and-white version) on his “Family Classics” program on Sunday afternoons.
But things would come to a fever pitch with Thomas’ breathless radar reports from the North Pole as the days wound down to Christmas Eve. Santa’s sleigh was being tracked! He’s on his way! It was the television version of a Christmas sugar high for Chicago kids, guaranteed to make them stay up well past their Christmas Eve bedtimes.
When “Garfield Goose and Friends” ended after 21 years, Thomas went on to host other memorable programming on WGN, never veering from his focus on children’s entertainment. Indeed, he died suddenly at age 66, the day after hosting an Easter Seals telethon.
All of that is cute, but prehistoric in today’s sophisticated digital world. What’s the big deal? Did Thomas shape laws? Cure diseases? Climb mountains? Win championships? No. But of those who have, it’s a fair bet that some of them grew up watching Thomas — especially at Christmas.
For during the long run of “Garfield Goose,” Thomas brought home the joy of Christmas to thousands of young viewers. Indeed, for many Chicagoans age 60 and older, those wonderful things that were “Frazier Thomas and friends” remain the kind of wonderful things that we remember all through our lives.
Thomas, the man who spent a career talking to puppets, made a difference. And in the spirit of the season, that’s worth remembering — that those who affect the lives of others come in all shapes, sizes and flavors and reflect the widest range of motivations.
Some of them may be driven to achieve greatness, some to achieve wealth and fame, some to serve society, and some may be comfortable serving the smallest of niches, such as entertaining children. But kids aren’t very good at saying thanks.
Which brings us back to the holiday season. To paraphrase some Henry Mancini lyrics, it’s a time when we pause to reflect upon the good things. And we think about those people who’ve meant so much to us and for so many years have made us so very happy. And we count the times we’ve forgotten to say thank you.
Thank you, Frazier Thomas.
– Michael Peregrine is a Chicago attorney. He resists the urge to converse with geese.
Posted in Entertainment, Nostalgia, Public Safety, Topics Of Interest on October 26, 2024| Leave a Comment »
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”
Daily Herald report
Halloween is Thursday, Oct. 31.
Some communities are offering printable signs for those who wish to inform trick-or-treaters that their household is opting out of giving candy. Various towns also offer information on recycling your pumpkin at Pumpkin Smash events.
See some local town’s websites for guidelines and more information.
Click here for the full list.
Editorial note: “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” first aired 58 years ago on Oct. 27, 1966. The run time was 25 minutes – unheard of today for a 30-minute network broadcast.
Posted in Barrington High School, Entertainment, Nostalgia on September 27, 2024| Leave a Comment »
2024 BHS Homecoming Ambassadors: Rohan Soorya, Katie Katula, and Nick Peipert
The theme of Homecoming 2024 is Under the Stars! We hope you can join us at the following community events!
Friday, September 27
Saturday, Sept. 28
For more information, visit Barrington High School Alumni Association.
Posted in 220, Barrington High School, Entertainment, Nostalgia, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Topics Of Interest on September 6, 2024| Leave a Comment »
“Soon it’s Homecoming time at Barrington High School! Join us on Saturday, September 28th, 2024 as our Broncos take on Conant at 1 PM. Celebrate 100 years of Bronco Football and cheer on our team to victory!
Graduating class years ending in 4 and 9 will have reunion events on Friday September 27, 2024 and Saturday September 28, 2024. The latest reunion chairs for classes are available HERE.”
Source: Barrington High School Alumni
Posted in Cook, County, Illinois Policy Institute, Nostalgia, Politics, Preckwinkle's Rules of Order, Taxes, The Greatest Generation, Topics Of Interest on August 10, 2024| Leave a Comment »
At the 1920 Census, Chicago’s population was 2.7 million, up over 516,000 in a decade. More than 100 years later, Chicago’s population is 2.66 million, a loss of 128,034 from nine straight years of decline.
By Bryce Hill | Illinois Policy Institute
Chicago’s population is lower now than it was in 1920, with steady drops in each of the past nine years.
According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Chicago’s population was 2,664,452 in July 2023. Chicago’s population has not been this low in more than 100 years.
At the 1920 Census, Chicago’s population was counted at 2,701,705, an increase of more than 516,000 since the 1910 Census which pegged the city population at just under 2.2 million. Fast forward more than 100 years and Chicago’s population is at lower levels now than it was then.
While Chicago’s population increased rapidly in the first half of the 20th century, the population peaked in 1950 at just over 3.62 million residents. Since then, the city population has declined: steadily from 1950-1990, then a fluctuating drop since 1990.
Currently, Chicago is on a nine-year losing streak. The U.S. Census Bureau has estimated Chicago’s population has declined each year since 2014, losing 128,034 residents.
From July 2022-July 2023, Chicago lost more than 8,000 residents, the third-largest decline of any city in the nation. If post-pandemic population trends hold, Chicago will soon be overtaken by Houston for the title of America’s third-largest city.
Read more here.
Posted in Entertainment, Nostalgia on July 18, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Emmett’s Brewing Co. in West Dundee is celebrating 25 years in business Saturday with a brewfest featuring Big Wheels races. | Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
By Rick West | Daily Herald
Emmett’s Tavern & Brewing Co. is celebrating 25 years in West Dundee the way any venerable downtown institution would … with adult Big Wheel races.
The restaurant and brewing house is honoring their quarter century at 128 W. Main St. with its first Brewfest Saturday. The event will feature a car show, live music, food tents and lots of beer. And, of course, a race to glory on Big Wheels.
Emmett’s Brewing Co. in West Dundee will hold an adult Big Wheel race Saturday as part of its 25th anniversary celebration. | Courtesy of Emmett’s Brewing Co.
Andy Burns founded Emmett’s, which is named after his grandfather, in 1999.
“Very few places make it past their first year, fifth year, let alone get to 25,” he said. “I think I would attribute our staying power to making connections in the community.”
He started doing some home brewing in college before graduating and joining the Marine Corps, where he trained on the West Coast and experienced their exploding craft beer scene.
Read more here.
Posted in Agenda, Better Government Association, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Mówimy po polsku, Nostalgia, Personnel Committee, The New Normal, Unions, VBHPD, Village Attorney, Village Director of Administration, Village Government on July 16, 2024| Leave a Comment »
The Personnel Committee meets today at 10 AM to discuss proposed updates to the Village Personnel Manual. A copy of their agenda (miraculously including a copy of the current manual and their proposed updates) can be viewed and downloaded here.
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