Publications & Sites 
Rain or shine, kids to hunt eggs on Saturday
Hinsdale 11/20/07 Western Springs Columnist: Vicki Gonia Doings photo by Steve Johnston
Updated: April 2, 2012 10:31AM
The Western Springs Business Association Easter Egg Hunt will be held fro 9-9:30 a.m. on Saturday, rain or shine, at the Tower Green. I remember the first (and only) time that I brought my kids to the Easter Egg Hunt.
I’m one of those people who can’t handle crowds or chaos. Ask me some day to tell you the story of taking the kids downtown to see that Mickey Mouse Christmas parade where they light the Christmas lights on Michigan Avenue, and how we had to hide inside the Fannie May candy store until the throngs of parade-goers all leaving at the same time had completely dispersed. In my eyes, it was a crowd of eight million lunatics, screaming and shoving, possibly rioting and looting, and trying to maim, kidnap or otherwise damage my children. In reality, it was just a big crowd of people all headed to where they’d parked their cars.
I’m pretty sure that, one day (if they’re not already), my kids will tell about how their crazy, crowd-and-chaos fearing mother deprived them of much childhood glee and excitement by refusing to allow them to participate in anything fun like Easter Egg hunts and Christmas parades.
It’s a testament to how much I love the Chicago Bears that I will still go to games even though I still shudder when remembering the time 20 years ago or so when I went to a playoff game and tried to get to my seat right before kickoff, and the crowd was so thick with people also trying to get to their seats that I was lifted off of my feet and carried with the crowd for several feet (I may have been screaming in terror at this point) until a big, tall guy saw my distress and grabbed me by the shoulders, lifted me up, pushed through the throngs and then set me down beyond the edges of the madness.
Or the time we went to Disney World on what we were told, as we headed for the exits after just a couple of hours, was the busiest day they’d ever had. You couldn’t so much walk from ride to ride as just shuffle along with the rest of humanity until you found yourself in another line.
In reality, the Easter Egg Hunt probably isn’t the insane free-for-all my anxiety-ridden brain tells me it is, but rather a lovely tradition that all Western Springs children (except mine) should enjoy with their families, followed by some Saturday morning shopping uptown.
What’s baking
Congratulations to Kirschbaum’s Bakery for being voted the best bakery by West Suburban Living magazine. Of course, we residents already know that Kirschbaum’s is the best there is. Did you know that Kirschbaum’s has a VIP text club? You will receive exclusive discounts and information (and a free cookie just for signing up). Text B774 to 36000. Visit Kirschbaum’s Facebook page for more information.
Don’t forget that new vehicle stickers must be displayed by Monday, April 2. You may renew online, and Village Hall will be open from 8:30-noon on Saturday to accommodate those of us who waited until the last minute.
Summer activites
While we did have a stretch of summer-like weather recently, it’s still a little hard to believe that summer is nearly upon us. Western Springs Recreation Department Summer 2012 brochures have been mailed and should have landed in your mailbox last week (and can also be viewed online from the village website, http://wsprings.com and clicking on “Recreation” under “Our Departments”). Mail-in registration must be received by April 12.
In addition to the tried-and-true programs offered by the Recreation Department, there are some new programs like Fly Fishing; Go Girls Go!, a fun combination of basic sports instruction and craft time for girls only ages 4-7; a Youth Sports Camp for kids ages 5-8; Youth Sand Volleyball; Youth Golf; Make Your Own Backpack; Kitchen Science; Hula Dancing; Small Poets Society; a Glitzy Girlz Summertime Spa; a Lights, Camera, Action--Making Your own Batman Movie class for kids ages 8-12; Murder Mystery Theatre; and much more!
The Recreation Department will be installing green recycling cans along with the black garbage cans in each of our eleven parks in town, so please help by using the green cans for recyclable items.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we are really lucky to have such a wonderful Recreation Department that offers a wide variety of programs for residents of all ages and with all kinds of interests. From sports and recreation to cooking and crafts to special outings and bus trips to movies and concerts in the parks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. And a whole slew of hard-working folks that make it happen.
Readers can contact Viki Gonia by leaving a message at (708) 824-8027 or by sending an e-mail to doingsnews@pioneerlocal.com.
