Publications & Sites 
Things to keep you busy all spring and into the summer
Hinsdale 11/20/07 Western Springs Columnist: Vicki Gonia Doings photo by Steve Johnston
Updated: May 7, 2012 5:44PM
Judging by the thunderstorms in the forecast and the suddenly changing temperatures (freeze warnings followed by 70 degrees?), spring has arrived. I still haven’t put away my winter coat, however. Just in case. You never know when Mother Nature might spit out a last-minute snowfall. I don’t trust her in the least, not after this past winter. I’m worried perhaps she just forgot to give us winter, and might throw it at us now, just for kicks.
There’s lots going on around town now that spring has sprung. Of course, there’s the construction on the tracks at Wolf Road (should be over by the time you’re reading this). And the French Market opens Thursday, May 3. Then there’s Household Spring Cleanup Day this weekend.
In a couple of weeks, there will be a SpringFest in town, on Burlington Avenue. Details are not yet firm, but the event will take place Saturday, May 19, and promises food, wine, beer, music and fun, so mark your calendar! (And while you’re at it, be sure to reserve Friday, June 22 for the Gathering on the Green, Western Springs’ summer kickoff party which helps the Western Springs Business Association raise funds for their College Scholarship Fund and other Western Springs events throughout the year.)
Thomas Ford
There’s always lots to do around here, even in the winter, but I love the way our town comes alive when the weather improves. This year, it seemed that everything turned green over night. I could swear I went to bed earlier this month and the trees were bare and the ground pale and brown, and the next morning, everything was lush and bursting.
Speaking of things to do, if you haven’t checked the Thomas Ford Memorial Library website lately, you should. The library has a booked-solid events calendar. Coming up on May 8 is something I hadn’t noticed the last time I visited the site. Bring your kids (beginning or independent readers) to the library from 7-8 p.m. to read to a dog from the Hinsdale Humane Society. What a great way to give the dogs some interaction time, and kids a chance to practice their read-aloud skills in a no-pressure environment.
Just this month alone, there are book and film discussions, music on a friday evening, a Vintage House and Garden presentation looking at how Midwestern gardens have changed from the 1830s, Knitting Circle, and a Grilling and BBQ demonstration (the menu sounds delicious!).
The kids’ summer reading program begins June 4, with the kick-off event on June 7, and Camp Thommy Ford on June 19.
Travel plans
It’s hard to believe that school is almost done for the year. My own two high schoolers will be done on May 31. Right around the corner. I’ve only just begun considering travel possibilities for the summer. If I don’t get on it now, the summer will slip past as quickly as spring already is, and we’ll enter fall wondering what happened to our vacation.
For teens in June, there’s a Newspaper Blackout event on June 27. The site points to http://newspaperblackout.com for more information, and it looks pretty cool to me — take a newspaper and a black marker and black out the words you don’t need, leaving behind words that create something new.
Other events
The Western Springs Garden Club plant sale is from 8 a.m. to noon on May 12 (just in time, as always, for Mother’s Day) at the Tower Green. The plant sale is an annual tradition in town, and Garden Club members sell plants they’ve nurtured in their own gardens. This is my favorite place to buy plants for my yard (because they always grow beautifully), as well as gifts for the mothers in my life. Be sure to get there early for the best selection!
The Tower Trot happens on May 26 this year, and you may register online through May 24. Visit the Recreation Department page on the village website for links.
And finally, the Western Springs Historical Society will be opening a new exhibit in honor of Memorial Day on Monday, May 30. The exhibit, called We Remember: Western Springs During War Time, will focus on historical artifacts from wartimes with a focus on the village. There’s a great video on the society’s website (http://westernspringshistory.org) about World War II that will be part of the exhibit.
As always when the weather turns warmer, I take a bit of space to remind everyone to be extra aware of fellow residents, especially kids, who will be out and about on bikes and in yards, when driving through town.
Readers can contact Viki Gonia at (708) 824-8027 or by e-mail at doingsnews@pioneerlocal.com.
