A full house turned out for the 100th Birthday Party at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library on April 19 in Arlington Heights.
Birthday cake pops in various flavors were served, one per person please. Flavors included red velvet, vanilla, chocolate and birthday cake. There were other free refreshments too.
The Sunday afternoon party included historical displays, trivia challenges, a scavenger hunt, entertainment with El Mago the Magician, juggling by Jason Kollum of Niles, and the debut of a new storytime puppet as part of attractions and event amenities.
Live music for kiddies caused tots to dance to the sounds of the duet ButterBean.
“It’s just kind of cool to be a part of something that’s been happening so long,” said Julie Jurgens of Des Plaines, who performed with her partner Charlie Crane as ButterBean musicians.
Welcoming opening remarks, along with a time capsule presentation, took place amid a festive balloon backdrop on the first floor at 1:30 p.m. Appointed and elected officials appeared at the podium to offer memories and tributes to Arlington Heights history.
The library’s Executive Director, Mike Driskell of Arlington Heights, said, “For more than 100 years, the Arlington Heights Memorial Library has been the community’s pathway to materials, resources, and services for all stages of life.
“It is the place where the community comes together for education, entertainment, and connection,” Driskell said. “As we celebrate this milestone, we honor the generations who built this library and look ahead to the many more it will inspire.”
Jim Tinaglia, mayor of Arlington Heights, brought a framed proclamation to present during the formal program.
“This is a very important day for the library, 100 years,” Tinaglia said.
“I’ve been here myself since ‘71, I feel like I’ve been here 100 years, but that was only half so they’ve come a long way,” the mayor said with a smile.
Sasha Vasilic of Morton Grove, the library’s director of communications and marketing, carried out an empty time capsule for all to see. Contents were placed nearby on a table. Examples of items going into the time capsule were newspapers, pizza boxes, and books reflecting pop culture.
With support from the Arlington Heights Memorial Library Foundation, officials purchased the time capsule in recognition of the library’s centennial. Later this year, the time capsule will be buried and will not be opened again for 50 years.
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Siblings Stacey Kelley, a library trustee and Arlington Heights resident, and Randy Weidner of Crystal Lake assisted their father, Harold Weidner, of the Arlington High School Class of 1960 and now of Marengo, so their parent could attend the party.
In his mobility transport, Harold Weidner was smiling, taking in the surroundings.
“I love the library so with the 100th birthday, what a great time to see some stuff, how much it’s changed,” daughter Stacey Kelley said.
Son Randy Weidner, a teacher, said their father grew up on a farm in the Buffalo Grove vicinity.
“I haven’t been to this library in, I think, in over 20 to 25 years,” Randy Weidner said, who added he was feeling “overwhelmed.
“This isn’t the Arlington Heights library I used to know, but it’s very nice.
“For 100 years, it’s looking pretty good, I hope I look this good at 100 years old,” Randy Weidner added with a laugh.
The Soni siblings of Arlington Heights, Sunaia, 8, a second-grader, and Suneri, 10, a fifth-grader, seemed to enjoy their cake pops in the company of their parents, Sunil Soni and Suchi Joshi.
“I like the books, and I like the tween space,” Suneri said, referring to the library room for emerging teens. “I like the DVDs.”
The girls’ father said, “I spend so much time here, I work from here.
“I like spending time by the fireplace,” Sunil Soni added. “I just love the library so much.”
The girls’ mother, Suchi Joshi, said about Suneri and Sunaia, “They’ve grown up here at this library.
“Their first visit to the library was when I was pregnant with them,” Joshi said.
“The library is so dear to our hearts, and I think it’s such a great milestone to celebrate 100 years.”
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Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.