Long Grove Farmers’ Market Opens June 12th

Visit Long Grove Farmers’ Market Sundays from 8 am to 1 pm

The Long Grove Farmers’ Market is opening next Sunday, June 12th at 8 am. It will be held every Sunday from 8 am to 1pm through October. 2010 was the first year for the market and I spent many a lovely Sunday morning there. Mary Ann at the Village Tavern organizes the weekly event and promises that this year will be even better than last!

In addition to tasty produce, there are flowers, handmade soaps, fresh baked goods, jams, jellies and other handmade items. I really have to stay away from the chocolate croissants! Childrens’ events and a featured one-of-a-kind artisan demonstration occur each week.

A visit to Long Grove Farmers’ market instills a sense of community. You get some great produce and other products and have fun mingling with your neighbors. The vendors are friendly, helpful, and always ready to take a minute to teach you about their products or just visit. I’ll be featuring some of the vendors in Terry’s Towns over the course of the summer.

The Long Grove Farmers’ Market is held in historic Long Grove at Towner Green across the street from the Village Tavern. For those who may not be familiar with the area, Towner Green is located on Old McHenry Rd just north of Robert Parker Coffin Road. On Festival weekends it moves to the Hotel parking lot, just north of Towner Green. I look forward to seeing you there!

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Fun Things To Do Around Lake Zurich This Weekend

Parades, Barbeques and Festivals Around Lake Zurich

Memorial Day weekend is the official start of summer activities! Weather.com tells me that it will be a beautiful weekend for traditional celebrations like parades and barbeques. Here are some happenings in Lake Zurich, Buffalo Grove, Palatine, Barrington an even one in St. Charles that is extra special. There’s always something fun happening in Terry’s Towns!

1. Whole Foods in Palatine  (1331 N. Rand),  is offering grilling demonstrations and tastings in their outdoor café today. Stop by on Friday, May 27th from 11 am to 4pm. It’s free and Whole Foods will be featuring kabobs, seafood skewers, veggies and burgers.
 
2. The Barrington Art Festival  is being held on May 28th and 29th from 10 am to 5 pm. Located at Village Center Station and Cook Streets, the event will feature live music, kids’ activities and food vendors in addition to the art offerings.

3. The Lake Zurich Memorial Day Parade  is on Monday, May 30th at 10 am. The parade route is from American Legion 51 Lions Drive, west on Main Street, south on Old Rand Road, ending at 200 Mohawk Trail at the Veterans Memorial, in front of the Police Facility.

4. Paulus Park Beach on Lake Zurich will be open on Sunday, May 28th through Monday, May 30th from 10 am to 8 pm. Season passes for residents and non-residents are available. If you prefer, you can pay by day. Paulus Park offers barbeque area, concessions, bocce courts and sprayground.

5. When I read about “Letters Home: A Memorial Day Remembrance”,  I just had to write about it. Pheasant Run in St. Charles will be featuring two concerts this weekend that will include World War II era music along with actual correspondence between soldiers. Also included are actual letters between a soldier and his wife. Concerts are at 8 pm on Saturday, May 28th and 2pm on Sunday, May 29th. Tickets are $20 and partial proceeds benefit Fox Valley Troop Support and Illinois Wounded Warriors program.

My weekend is full but not too full. I like to leave some time for something spontaneous. I’ll be taking real estate clients out on Saturday. If I finish early enough, I’ll be popping by some clients’ homes with a little surprise. My family is coming over on Sunday for an afternoon of fun and food. That leaves Monday. Botanic Garden?  Lake Zurich Memorial Day Parade?  Hanging out on the deck with a good book? So much to do, so little time. What are you doing this weekend?

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On Angel’s Wings Thrift Store in Lake Zurich Benefits Abandoned Pets

Shop in Lake Zurich and Help Save a Pet!

Have you had a chance to stop by On Angel’s Wings in Lake Zurich? I’ve visited several times over the last month and it’s quite impressive! OAW’s dream is to provide an animal shelter where abandoned pets thrive. They’re helping to fund this dream with their thrift store in Lake Zurich. It’s located at 737 W. Route 22, next to Trader Joe’s and just in front of Tuesday Morning.

The thrift store originally opened as a designer type consignment shop. This model didn’t work out well and as of January 1st they thankfully accept donations for sale in the thrift store. It’s laid out very well and all decked out for Valentine’s Day. This week there was a display of little black dresses and red and white sweaters. Also found this week were Stuart Weitzman shoes, Coach bags, outfits from Chico’s, Ann Taylor and so much more. There are even a few maternity selections.

100% of sales in excess of expenses go to saving the animals. Community support is needed to achieve OAW’s goals. Forever homes are needed for these animals. If you can’t permanently adopt an animal, here are a few ways that you can help:

1. Volunteer at the thrift store in Lake Zurich or the store and pet adoption center in Crystal Lake.
2. Foster families are needed to temporarily care for rescued pets that would have otherwise been euthanized.
3. Donors and shoppers are needed!
4. Monetary donations are always welcome

On Angel’s Wings doesn’t have a huge sign out front because they want to conserve their funds for the shelter. So next time you’re shopping at Trader Joe’s, pop next door. Visit with the friendly volunteers, drop off a donation and perhaps find a treasure. For more information on the Lake Zurich and Crystal Lake locations, visit their website.

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2nd Annual Coldwell Banker Buffalo Grove Blood Drive

Give a Little – It Helps a Lot!

Please join us for Coldwell Banker Buffalo Grove’s 2nd Annual Blood Drive on February 11th from 12 noon to 6 pm. Last year’s event was quite a success and our goal is to beat last year’s donations. If you donated last year, thank you! If you’re planning to donate this year, try to make an appointment. That will save you time in the lines that we experienced at our first event.

Our drive is coordinated through Lifesource. Recently I read stories of donors  as well as recipient stories. They are inspiring and really drive home the importance of blood donations. Lifesource will again have a mobile unit onsite at our Coldwell Banker office located at 350 Half Day Road in Buffalo Grove. It’s a centralized location so we can make it easy for those in Buffalo Grove, Lake Zurich, Long Grove and surrounding areas to make a donation.

After your donation, stop back in our office and enjoy a few treats. In addition to the joy of giving, we have memories of last year’s fun with realtors and clients in the office after their donations. If you need more information, contact me. We hope to see you there!

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Yogi Bear Client Appreciation Event

Yogi Bear Movie Saturday, December 18th

Have you responded to my client appreciation event yet? It’s going to be a ton of fun and I’m really excited about it. Through the years, I have done lots of different things to thank my real estate clients not only for their business, but for our continued friendships. This is the first time that I’m hosting a movie event and I’m anticipating a sell-out crowd!

 “Yogi Bear” releases this Friday, December 17th and early reviews are excellent! Reviewers are saying that fans of Yogi are going to love this. It’s a live action/ CGI film that has a greedy politician threatening to shut down Jellystone Park. That wouldn’t happen in real life, would it?? If that happens, Yogi (Dan Aykroyd) and his lovable sidekick Boo Boo (Justin Timberlake) will be left without a home. To save the park, Yogi and Boo Boo team up with Ranger Smith, played by Tom Cavanagh.

I’ve spent the week finalizing the details and making goodie bags for the kids. I couldn’t have done it by myself. Special thanks to Coldwell Banker Buffalo Grove’s marketing coordinator, Nancy D, for all of her help in getting this together ”Yogi Bear”  isn’t just a “kid” movie! I’ve had several clients call to say they are coming because they remember watching Yogi when THEY were kids. If you haven’t responded yet, call or email me. I’d love to see you there!

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Empty Bowls at Oakton in DesPlaines

Because Someone’s Bowl is Always Empty

Empty Bowls is a grassroots effort to raise money and awareness in an effort to end hunger and food insecurity. I wrote about the Empty Bowls movement  after attending an event in Stevens Point, WI in October. I was so impressed with the spirit and community involvement that I wanted to find an event in Chicago’s northwest suburbs. That event is tomorrow, Saturday, December 4th, at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines.

Last year the Oakton event raised over $20,000 and was one of the largest events in the country. Bowls are donated by Chicago area professional and student potters. For a donation of $12, you will choose a bowl and receive a simple meal of soup and bread. I can’t wait to see the bowls. It was hard to choose in Wisconsin because they were all so beautiful!  Sponsored by the Ceramics Club at Oakton Community College, the event also includes a silent auction, raffle drawing and live music by Patchouli.

I was unable to find an event in Lake County. I’ve thought about trying to organize one but it seems out of my area of expertise. But through my real estate contacts, I know a lot of people and could probably rally some volunteer troops if there’s an organizer out there!

Empty Bowls at Oakton (1600 E. Golf Rd.) begins at 10:30 am and ends at 2 pm. 100% of the proceeds are donated to local food pantries. Visit their Facebook page for some great photos of the potters.  For more information, contact emptybowls@oakton.edu, or call 847.635.1699. I hope to see you there!

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Long Grove Lights Up for the Holidays

Create a Holiday Tradition with a Visit to Long Grove

One of my favorite holiday memories is when my son, Craig, came home for a Christmas visit after Army basic training. He came through the door and said “It smells like Long Grove”. What he experienced was the smell of cinnamon, spices and evergreens and it reminded him of home. Our sense of smell is powerful and can bring fond memories to the forefront. You can experience the sights, smells and sounds of the holidays in historic Long Grove because it’s all decked out in its holiday best!

I walked through the village yesterday and saw thousands of lights and potted trees throughout the town. The shops are filled with special holiday treasures. Friendly, quaint Long Grove is ready to roll out the special holiday events and welcome visitors.

The season officially begins this Saturday with Long Grove’s traditional community tree lighting ceremony. The tree lighting ceremony will take place on November 20th at 3:30 pm in the Apple Haus square. Carolers will be strolling through the square and Santa will be there!

If tree lighting isn’t your cup of tea, there’s sure to be an event that suits you. Just a few are the Nutcracker Tea, Breakfast with Santa or the Victorian Dickens Dinner at Seasons of Long Grove. Visit the shops for that perfect, unique gift. Or just stroll through the town taking in the sights and sounds of the holidays. If you’re lucky there will be a light snow falling to reflect all the lights. As Craig proved, it’s a place where memories can be made!

For more information on Long Grove’s holiday events, visit their website or call the Visitors Center at 847-634-0888.

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Fun Holiday Events at Knupper Nursery in Palatine

Knupper Offers Holiday Events for the Whole Family!

Visions of greenery, berries and bows are filling my head! Those who know me know that I love to garden. That doesn’t stop just because the weather has gotten colder. Now I’ll put my efforts toward creating beautiful winter pots. I’ll be crafting them for the front of my Long Grove home and my Coldwell Banker office in Buffalo Grove. Knupper has everything that I need to do that along with some great holiday events that are fun for the whole family.

This weekend (Saturday & Sunday, November 13th and 14th), Santa will be stopping by for that first photo op with the kids. Why not take this opportunity to get that perfect picture before all of the craziness of the holiday season?

The Winter Container Garden Workshop takes place next weekend. When I first started making winter pots, I attended this workshop and it’s full of great information and a lot of fun. I loved the help that I got from the staff and seeing what others were creating. The fee is $45 and includes all the materials you need. The first workshop takes place on Friday, November 19th at 2pm.

The weekend of November 20th and 21st brings the Christmas Festival to Knupper. Santa’s reindeer will be there on the 20th from 1pm – 3pm. Children can pet and feed the live reindeer. Let’s not forget our pets. Pet pictures with Santa can be taken on November 21st from 1pm – 3pm. I love that they’re accepting donations for Save-A-Pet at that time.

These are just a few of the events that Knupper is offering for the holiday season. For a full list of holiday happenings, visit their website. Knupper is located at 1801 N. Rand Road in Palatine.

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“Empty Bowls” Events Help to Feed the Hungry

Grass Roots Campaign Raises Money and Hunger Awareness

Have you heard of Empty Bowls? I attended an Empty Bowls event in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, this weekend and was so impressed by the concept that I had to share it! Empty Bowls is a grassroots effort to raise money and awareness in an effort to end hunger and food insecurity.

My daughter, sister and I attended the Stevens Point event at the local high school on Saturday. When we arrived, we lined up in the hallway along with, it seemed, half the town! While we waited, volunteers came down the line and offered homemade baked goods. At the front of the line, we made a $10 donation which entitled us to choose a bowl crafted by local artists, church and school organizations and local families. Choosing one was hard because there are so many beautiful bowls. We finally had to decide that it wasn’t about the bowl!

After choosing our bowls, we entered the school cafeteria where live music was playing. Local restaurants served soups that were donated for the cause. Again, it was hard to choose! Shrimp bisque, 16 bean, chicken noodle and beef vegetable were just a few of the choices. There were soft drinks and more homemade goodies! The atmosphere was lively and the people were friendly. It was fun to see everyone walking around with their bowls and enjoying themselves while contributing to such a worthy cause.

Empty Bowls started in 1990 and has since spread across the country and raised tens of millions of dollars for anti-hunger organizations. Ivy Hill school in Arlington Heights held an Empty Bowl event in April of 2010.  Our next local event will be on December 4th at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines. This is their seventh event,  is the second largest in the country and raised over $20,000! Live music will be provided by Patchouli. For more information about the Oakton event, email emptybowls@oakton.edu.

Why not be one of the people to organize an Empty Bowls event at your church, school or whole town? The Empty Bowls calendar does not currently have any events in Lake County. Maybe it’s time to start! Empty Bowls offers an information packet on how to organize events. If you do it, contact me. Not only will I attend but I will help to promote it. Hope to see you at Oakton Community College on December 4th!

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Buy a Pumpkin and Help Feed the Hungry

Lake Zurich Jubilee Garden

Here’s a great opportunity to decorate your home with pumpkins and corn stalks while helping a local organization feed the hungry! The St. Francis de Sales Jubilee Garden is selling pumpkins, corn stalks and homemade raspberry jam at its farm stand on Saturday mornings. The proceeds from the sale will be used for seeds and supplies for next season.

The Jubilee Garden is a non-profit ministry of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lake Zurich. The Garden provides fresh produce to local food pantries including its own St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. Produce is also provided to the Emmaus House Sunday evening dinners where local residents gather to share a meal and conversation. Each year they grow 3000 – 5000 pounds of food for donation.

I spoke with Kathy Gill who is heading the garden this year. She told me that they have had a great year with a yield of about 5000 pounds. The Garden depends totally on donations and volunteer labor to achieve their goals. You can read more about the history of the Garden and volunteer opportunities here.
 
Stop by on October Saturday mornings from 9 am to 12pm. Small pumpkins are $1, all others are $3. Corn stalks are offered for $4 per bundle and the homemade raspberry jam is $5. If you’re in the neighborhood, pick up a pumpkin and help the Jubilee Garden to continue to feed the hungry.

The Jubilee Garden is located on Route 22 just east of Quentin on real estate donated for use by the owner.

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