Approximately 50 people attended the Hot Cocoa Social a recent Friday at the Prairie View Community Center in Morton Grove.
The late afternoon Morton Grove Park District event on Jan. 17 was held indoors and the schedule included a magic show and choral singing.
The event included coloring activities and, of course, hot chocolate – with many opting for marshmallows. Snacks had a Valentine’s Day theme.
“This Park District event provides an opportunity for residents to come together and relax, get to know other residents and enjoy some wonderful entertainment,” said Sue Braubach, the Park District superintendent of recreation.
Organizing the special event for the first time was Tessa Shorten, recreation supervisor.
“Especially in the winter in the Chicago area, it’s so cold, it’s so hard to find things to get outside and ways to get involved in the community. So, having events like this is just so good to bring families together … just get the kids hanging out,” Shorten said. “So hopefully some kids will maybe make friends, maybe some parents will be able to talk to each other.
Wincy D’Cruz, of Morton Grove, attended with her 4-year-old daughter Gianna.
Gianna was seen coloring and participating in the magic show.
“We just came for fun,” D’Cruz said with a smile.
Performance artist from Glenview, Magic by Randy, put on a magic show.
“There’s magic in happiness, there’s magic in making people happy,” the magician said before the show. “You need to have a little bit of ‘wow’ every day.
“When we smile with one another, we create better connections,” he added.
Connor McGinn, 7, sat in the front row of the magic show, seated next to his friend Evelyn Keller, 7.
“We love the Park District,” said the boy’s mother, Stephanie McGinn. “We try to come to as many events as we can because it’s so great.”
Evelyn’s mother, Brittany Keller, was seen laughing and smiling along with the children.
“The programs that they (Park District) offer at the community center are just awesome,” she said, explaining that her daughter will also take art classes, swimming and attend summer camp this year.
Keller called programs like the Hot Cocoa Social great and interactive
Rhonda Pestka, of Morton Grove, attended with her son Clayton. The 5-year-old Clayton likes his hot chocolate plain without marshmallows.
“We appreciate all the events that they do and everything is reasonably priced for us to be able to keep doing these events,” said Rhonda Pestka. “He (Clayton) loves the programs.”
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Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.