Community garden growing at Carpentersville Middle School
A new community garden, both raised and on-the-ground planter beds trellises, has been set up at Carpentersville Middle School.
It was made possible through a University of Illinois Extension grant, according to a School District 300 social media post.
The work was done by District 300 buildings and grounds and custodial employees Andres Banuelos, Jimmy Gonzalez, Christopher Mietus, Scott Minarczyk, Robert Prehn, Courtney Stone, Otoniel Vargas and Paul Wiloff.
“Thanks to their hard work and support, we were able to build our new community garden, which will provide fresh produce to local families through the D300 Food Pantry,” deLacey Family Education Center Principal Meggan Dacy said in the post.
Elgin Symphony Orchestra, music director receive state honors
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra has been named Professional Orchestra of the Year and ESO Music Director Chad Goodman chosen was chosen as Conductor of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras.
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This marks the first time in the ESO’s history that the organization has received both awards in the same year, according to a news release
The ESO has received the Orchestra of the Year honors in 1988, 1999, 2005 and 2016. It’s the fourth time an ESO conductor has received the state group’s recognition. Robert Hanson received the award in 2001 and 2009 and Andrew Grams in 2015.
“It’s an incredible honor to have these two awards presented in the same year as we celebrate our 75th Anniversary,” ESO CEO Marc Thayer said in the release.
A formal presentation of the awards will be made at a future ESO concert.
Sign up now to be part of Elgin, Carpentersville El Grito parades
Registration is underway through Wednesday, Aug. 20, for Elgin’s inaugural La Fiesta de Elgin parade, a new addition to the La Fiesta de Elgin, and through Sunday, Sept. 8, to take part in Carpentersville’s revived El Grito parade.
The Elgin parade will step off at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at the downtown intersection of Slade and Douglas avenues and concludes at Grove Avenue and Division Street, according to a news release. Seating will be available along Grove Avenue from Slade Avenue to the end of the route.
The celebration will continue from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m with El Mercado along Riverside Drive. The market will feature businesses, food vendors, live music, a car show and family-friendly activities.
An evening festival will be held from 5 to 11 p.m. in Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave. The event will conclude with El Grito, the traditional Mexican call for independence, followed by a fireworks show.
Parade registration is $120 for businesses and $35 for nonprofit organizations. To register, go to lf-forms.cityofelgin.net/Forms/LaFiestaDeElgin.
Carpentersville’s last El Grito Parade was held in 2018, village events coordinator Jen Hyde said.
It has been revived and will be held this year at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 13, with participants lining up at the Meadowdale Shopping Center. The parade will start on Mall Drive, continue down L.W. Besinger Drive, turn onto Maple Avenue and end at Carpenter Park.The village’s annual Fiestapalooza will be held in the park after the parade.
There is no fee to take part in the parade. To sign up, email [email protected].
Elgin Development Group releases ‘2025 Data @ a Glance’
Elgin Development Group, a division of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, has released “2025 Data @ a Glance,” a 12-page booklet about the city.
The booklet contains information about Elgin’s business, municipal and residential activity and growth; population and diversity factors; workforce sectors and categories; health care resources and services; and educational institutions, according to a news release.
Data presented comes from the U.S. Census Bureau, Illinois Department of Employment Security, Elgin Community College and CoStar Group Inc., a provider of real estate information and analytics in the commercial and residential property markets.
“This information is critical to share as it serves as a valuable first path for Elgin businesses interested in expansion and for prospective businesses looking to open in Elgin,” Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Carol Giesek said in the release.
It is also available on the Elgin Development Group and chamber websites and at the chamber office, 31 S. Grove Ave., Elgin.
For more information, go to www.elgindevelopment.com.