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The Landmark, November 29, 2023

Holiday Stroll ■ Brookfield Holiday Celebration PAGE 13

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2023

■ North Riverside WinterFest PAGE 14

Families wait around the tree to get a glimpse of Santa Claus during last year’s Riverside Holiday Stroll.

‘Tis the season for the Holiday Stroll Annual Riverside tradition packed with activities, music, snacks and fun

By JACKIE PISANO

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Contributing Reporter

or 48 years, Riverside’s Holiday Stroll has been the village’s beloved tradition of community, camaraderie and Christmas cheer, marking Riverside’s official start of the holiday season in tandem with the Riverside Chamber of Commerce and dozens of local businesses and civic groups.

And on Friday Dec. 1, Riverside’s downtown and business districts will be greeting neighbors and friends with open arms

from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., providing an evening of yuletide cheer complete with business open houses, entertainment and upbeat activities for the whole family.

Amy Regan, a Riverside resident and area Realtor who is the stroll’s committee chair, says that just as it has for nearly 50 years, the Holiday Stroll promises to spread joy and brighten spirits young and old.

“It’s a great tradition to kick off the holiday season in Riverside and there’s definitely something for everyone,” she said.

“The village will be all lit up, and when it

is, it’s so pretty at night. At the stroll, everyone is just happy and out for a festive evening in downtown Riverside.”

All evening long, Riverside will be bustling with holiday crafts, seasonal snacks and refreshments, Christmas caroling, and of course, the lighting of the village’s official Christmas tree.

Around 5:30 p.m. is when the magic begins. That’s when Santa and Mrs. Claus will hop aboard a fire truck for a short ride and wave in downtown Riverside before arriving at Centennial Park (Longcommon Road and Forest Avenue), mingling

with everyone before helping village officials and kids illuminate the grand tree at 5:50 p.m.

Following the tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus will head right across the street to the Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, for family photo ops. While at the library, enjoy making your own holiday ornament and visit the staff gift shop, including limited edition ornaments made on the spot. Word has it that Santa will be giving small gifts to those who visit him.

See RIVERSIDE on page 19

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The Landmark, November 29, 2023

Holiday Stroll 2023

Happy Holidays from our family to yours

Holiday Stroll 2023

The Landmark, November 29, 2023

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Brookfield gears up for season’s greetings

Annual Holiday Celebration and new Kris Kringle Market set to bring cheer on Dec. 2

By JACKIE PISANO

B

Contributing Reporter

rookfield’s beloved Holiday Celebration — an annual event that unites residents, village officials and business owners in yuletide merriment – returns to kick off the season this Saturday.

But beforehand, this year kicking off the yuletide fun will be the inaugural Kris Kringle Market at the parking lot of Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., check out more than 30 different local vendors selling holiday goods — a great way to get some Christmas shopping done while supporting local entrepreneurs and business owners selling jewelry, home goods, bakery and more. There will be a giant inflatable snow globe for families to hop inside and take photos, face painting for the kids, a letters-to-Santa writing workshop, and live holiday music by students from S.E. Gross Middle School’s band (1:30 to 2

p.m.) and choir (2:30 to 3 p.m.)

And, just like the Chicago-area Christkindlmarkets, Brookfield’s Kris Kringle Market will feature its own personalized mug. Mugs will be for sale at the market while supplies last, and throughout the village, other businesses are planning on selling the mugs as well with their own specialty drinks or gifts inside.

“Brookfield’s Holiday Celebration is a very family-oriented event, and we’re super excited to add this as an attraction,” said Gina Sharenow, a Brookfield resident and Kris Kringle Market organizer. “The idea is to promote local vendors as well as have a great family environment where everyone can intermingle with their children while having fun.”

Sponsored by both the village and Brookfield Chamber of Commerce, this year’s Holiday Celebration will take place Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. along the Grand Boulevard and Broadway Avenue business corridors.

Luke Gunderson, Brookfield’s director of Parks and Recreation, says Brookfield’s

FILE

Aaron Pesek (left) and Juan Silva roast marshmallows for s’mores outside Beach Ave. BBQ in Brookfield last year.

FILE

Kids pose for a photo inside an inflatable snow globe in the S.E. Gross School gym during the Brookfield Holiday Celebration last year. celebration showcases everyone’s shared love for Brookfield.

“This is always a very good community event with a lot of involvement from businesses and residents, and it’s a great local program to get everyone in the holiday spirit,” he said. “This event is a festive way to show both Brookfield residents and others from the western suburbs everything our village has to offer.”

Throughout the event, two courtesy trolleys will run continuously throughout the Grand Boulevard and Broadway Avenue business districts, with trolley stops closest to activities.

At the historic Grossdale Station and Museum, 8820 ½ Brookfield Ave., pop in for a quick visit before making your way across the street to Irish Times, 8869 Burlington Ave., where visitors can enjoy a holly jolly photo op and share Christmas wish lists with Santa Claus.

Along the Grand Boulevard business district, drop in to the various restaurants and businesses for open houses, complimentary drinks and treats, and camaraderie. Catch live wood carving demonstrations at Sebastian’s Ale & Whiskey House, 8900 Fairview Ave.; make your own funky hot cocoa bombs with the Grinch at Daisy’s Treats & Bakery, 3748 Grand Boulevard; decorate sugar cookies at Gosia’s Coffee Shop, 8836 Brookfield Ave.; and stop in for a photo op and meet and greet with Olaf, Elsa and Anna from Disney’s “Frozen” at Fill My Jar, 3726 Prairie Ave. While there, kids can

also make their own reindeer food to take home and leave on their lawns on Christmas Eve. In between Broadway and Grand, stop in the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., where you can stay warm inside while making crafts and paying a quick visit to friendly library staff.

Many of the businesses across the east and west Broadway Avenue corridor will have their doors open, ready to greet visitors with samples, treats, crafts and conversation.

Inside the gymnasium S.E. Gross Middle School, 3524 Maple Ave., skaters of all ages can twirl and glide on the indoor roller rink. Holiday crafts and games for kids will also be sponsored at the school, which is conveniently located right down the block from Progress Park, where the Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held later in the day.

Check out live ice sculpting outside The Compassion Factory, 9210 Broadway Ave., and find new furry friends at the petting zoo at Progress Park, the little slice of park at Eight Corners located at the west corner of Washington and Broadway.

Of course, make sure you don’t miss the evening’s grand finale — the Christmas tree lighting at Progress Park. At 5 p.m., student carolers from S.E. Gross and Riverside Brookfield High School will set the mood with holiday tunes in anticipation for Santa and Mrs. Claus’ arrival via firetruck to Progress Park at 5:45 p.m., where they will merrily lead the crowd in a countdown to light the tree promptly at 6 p.m.

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The Landmark, November 29, 2023

Holiday Stroll 2023

North Riverside celebrates season with annual Winterfest

enjoy comfortable “sleigh rides” around pre-bagged roasted cashews and almonds. celebration.

Santa, sports and laser Winterfest Just for the kids, a face-painting artBryant Rouleau, a lifelong resident and the commons aboard a festively decorated ist will be ready with a brush in hand to assistant with the Recreation Department, trolley led by two trusty horses. lights show help flip the says the event is the perfect way to get into The fun doesn’t stop there — new win- give them the holiday makeup they’ve holiday spirit right here at home before ter fun activities for guests of all ages this always wanted. Or, if painting objects is switch on holiday season the the shopping, travel and other commotions year include the chance to “hit the slopes” more their style, then they can head to the

By JACKIE PISANO

N

Contributing Reporter

orth Riverside is known as the small community with the big heart, so each year when the holidays roll around, it goes without saying that the village is ready to bring on the fun — and bring it big.

To kick off the season, North Riverside’s Winterfest returns on Wednesday Dec. 6., promising attendees an evening filled with good old-fashioned Christmas cheer combined with the neighborly camaraderie on which the village prides itself.

With the fun extended an extra hour this year, visitors are welcome to converge on the front lawn of the North Riverside Village Commons, rom 6 to 9 p.m. for the seventh annual lighting of North Riverside’s holiday tree and third year of the town’s

of the season creep in.

“Winterfest helps bring the community together as the true local kickoff of the holidays, and it’s always just a warm and fuzzy feel-good event for residents young and old,” he said.

Visitors are encouraged to come out as early as possible, as Santa and village officials will be ready to flip the switch and illuminate the tree at 6:30 p.m.

Throughout the evening, Santa and his trusty sidekick, Mrs. Claus, will be rocking around the Christmas tree for photo ops with families.

Kids who have a laundry list of gift requests can write out their own letters to Santa before dropping them off at the special mailbox located at the Village Commons.

While Santa’s posing for the camera and chatting away, two of his beloved Christmas guides will be on site, where guests can

with a mechanical snowboard simulator or glide along an iceless ice rink. Bring your hockey skates from home, or specialty skates will be provided.

To keep warm, find a neighbor and gather around two outdoor fire pits, with ample opportunities to make s’mores and enjoy a cup or two of hot cocoa. And, returning this year will be a vendor selling

Christmas ornament and crafting station and work their magic on some new holiday decor for the home.

No North Riverside holiday event is complete without a grand finale! In lieu of fireworks, this year, Winterfest will debut a laser light show at 8:45 p.m., featuring star showers and holiday shapes set to the sounds of Christmas music.

Winter home decorating competition returns to town

Back for another year for North Riverside residents is the village’s Holiday Home Decorating Competition.

On Thursday Dec. 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., folks from the Parks and Recreation Department will drive through town, ranking residents’ home decor entries and offering prizes to the top three houses of each category: Classiest House, Over-

The-Top House and Best Christmas Theme. For bragging rights, winners will receive a winning lawn sign to declare their triumphant status, and photos of home entries will also be posted on Facebook.

The contest is free, but residents must pre-register by phone at 708-442-5515 or via email at recreation@northriverside-il.org.

At RAC, art nurtures community.

To learn more, visit riversideartscenter.com The Riverside Arts Center (RAC) uplifts the arts in our community and beyond through yearround classes, exhibitions, and partnerships.

Make a gift today to support RAC’s work. Your donation sparks creativity and nurtures community!

Photo: Jessica Montalbano

32 East Quincy St. Riverside, IL 60546 riversideartscenter.com

Holiday Stroll 2023

The Landmark, November 29, 2023

Horse And Carriage Ride Loading And Unloading Near Riverside Foods

ST. PAUL VI PARISH —

Friday December 1st 2023 5:30 to 9pm

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The Landmark, November 29, 2023

Holiday Stroll 2023

Happy Holidays! from your friends at the Riverside-Brookfield Landmark

Support and donate here:

Holiday Stroll 2023

The Landmark, November 29, 2023

Onward & Upward A Progress Report to All Neighors:

• Tho s e in Need • Vo lu nteer s • Do no r s • Co m m un it y Leaders Sh are Fo o d Sh are Love | 9030 B ro o k field Ave. | B ro o k field, IL 60513

Share Food Share Love serves 15 local communities. We’re turning 7,000 square feet of former factory space into a true self-help shopping experience where neighbors can learn about available support services.

Together, we’re building a food pantry with a higher purpose.

Food insecurity has become a familiar catch phrase these days. For most of us, the phrase lacks everyday meaning and relevance. But for many of our neighbors, food insecurity is a crushing feeling you live with daily.

Our 501(c)(3) food pantry serves 15 communities.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty levels across those communities range from zero to 15%.

For many of our neighbors, food insecurity means you have survival decisions to make. It means you can barely pay the rent or the mortgage or other bills. Let alone buy the food you and your family need.

Our neighbors in need include single parents, elderly, and others who know what food insecurity means.

But as we have learned here at our pantry, we are all neighbors. We are all just trying to live a better way of life. We don’t want handouts. What we all want is to be able to help ourselves.

To donate, volunteer, become an advocate, or to learn more, please visit: sharefoodsharelove.com

Q4/2023

Here, neighbors can make healthy food choices by learning about the benefits of a balanced variety of available foods.

“Help yourself” is both an aspiration and a call-to-action here. »

We will help neighbors choose the food they need in a dignified way. So, we are converting a 7,000 square foot former factory building into a grocery store experience.

»

We will also help neighbors overcome the causes of their hunger. So, we are incorporating a bilingual advisory center where neighbors can learn about, and be referred to, the support services they need.

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The Landmark, November 29, 2023

Holiday Stroll 2023

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Holiday Stroll 2023

RIVERSIDE from page 11 Next door, pop into Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Rd., where choir students from Riverside School District 96 will be caroling from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mr. D’s Magic and Illusion Show will also be taking place there at two different times — 6:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. And make sure to take a peek at the student snow globe exhibit throughout the Township Hall’s hallways, handmade by fifth graders throughout Riverside.

Across the street, along Riverside Road, adults are welcome to check out the offerings from the beer truck provided by neighboring Lyons’ business, Buckledown Brewing, which will be located outside First American Bank, 15 Riverside Rd. Inside the bank, kids are welcome to enjoy free popcorn and make holiday crafts, while the acaBELLa bell choir will be performing until 7 p.m.

Walk over to Riverside’s newest restaurant at the Arcade Building, Dulce Mami Cafe, 1 Riverside Rd., for $3 Mexican hot chocolate and free cookies. Its neighboring business, Centre Physical Therapy, will be featuring a variety of kids crafts and holiday snacks, beer and wine samplings from a variety of local vendors.

Then, hop aboard the fun train inside Riverside’s Metra station, where you watch the poms dancers from Riverside Brookfield High School (and even try your hand at one of their routines); watch fun balloon art by Tommy Twister, an annual Holiday Stroll favorite; and get a head start on your holiday shopping by visiting local craft vendors at Santa’s Holiday Market. Find unique buys you won’t get anywhere else, including hand-stamped greeting cards, artisan soaps and candles, upcycled Christmas decorations, hand-painted canvases and one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry.

At the north train station parking lot, civic groups and businesses will be offering complimentary popcorn and hot chocolate, small giveaways and holiday gifts, and selling bags of gourmet coffee.

Along the Forest Avenue/East Avenue corridor, enter the Riverside Masonic Temple, 40 Forest Ave., for even more hot chocolate and popcorn, and the return of the fan-favorite model train display. New this year will be the chance to try your hand at karaoke there, too.

Enjoy cookies, brownies and nonalcoholic beverages at The Sandtrap Grill & Tap, 31 Forest Ave., and afterward, head next door to La Estancia, 25 Forest Ave.,

for some Ponche Navideño — a traditional Mexican hot fruit punch — and a south-ofthe-border seasonal sampling of tamales.

The animals are back this year at Riverside Garage, 19 East Ave. Enjoy model train displays, pony rides and the petting zoo — and don’t forget the hot chocolate served up by Young Life and s’mores from local Boy Scouts.

Across the street right outside the downtown water tower, 10 Pine Ave., visit Riverside Parks and Recreation for an edible craft and chance to visit the museum.

Jogging back to the east side of downtown, enjoy seasonal refreshments at Riverside Plumbing Heating and Cooling, 3 Longcommon Road, and free candy bars for all children at Salon Elia, 5 Longcommon Road.

As always, Burlington Street businesses will be bustling throughout the evening.

Old-fashioned Christmas vibes will abound as horse-and-wagon rides will convey visitors throughout the evening up and down the picturesque street. Take advantage of the opportunity to celebrate the season like Riverside’s first residents did in the late 1800s. Rides begin and end at Riverside Foods, 48 E. Burlington St. Start your Burlington Street adventures at La Barra, 2 E. Burlington St., with live holiday music by singers/songwriters Matt Scharpf and Lou Leone. Pop-up tents will be outside next door at 10 E. Burlington St. featuring a local Girl Scouts baked goods sale and a visit with Buddy the Elf. Grab a Stilts the Giraffe Beanie Baby (while supplies last) at Riverside Bank, 17 E. Burlington St.; snag a candy cane and sing along with the Frozen Robins carolers at Burlington Realty, 21 E. Burlington St.; get the kids’ faces painted at Let Hair Go, 23 E. Burlington St.; enjoy Biscoff, a scavenger hunt and chance to win a free private pilates session at Riverside Pilates, 27 E. Burlington St.; stop in for those classic holiday treats at Aunt Diana’s, 29 E. Burlington St.; catch some spiked holiday eggnog for only $5 at The Chew Chew, 33 E. Burlington St.; indulge in a curated holiday wine tasting at Landmark Kitchen Design, 39 E. Burlington St.; and play corn hole for candy at Athletico Physical Therapy, 51 E. Burlington St. Indulge your artistic side by exploring the pop-up art sale and open house at the Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St.; get free popcorn and candy cane glow sticks at Metal Mites Auto Body, 36 E. Quincy St.; savor churros and Mexican hot chocolate at Black Book Studio, 33 E. Quincy St.; and enjoy even more music and fun activities at the Parks and Recreation Community Center, 43 E. Quincy St.

The Landmark, November 29, 2023

IF SANTA CAN’T BUILD IT, WE CAN. Bring in the box, and we’ll take it from there!

call or text:

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Did you know that in addition to service, we also provide new bicycle builds? From trikes to e-bikes, Gears2You has the expertise to get your new ride on the road.

We can even deliver it to your door in time for the holidays!

Join us for some festive fun during the Riverside Holiday Stroll. Enter our raffle for a chance to win a free regular bicycle tune-up!

winter hours

gears2you.com 90 Bloomingbank Rd. Riverside, IL 60546

Monday 12 – 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 12 – 6 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Closed Sunday & Thursday

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The Landmark, November 29, 2023

Holiday Stroll 2023

Support Brookfield this Holiday Season!

T

he Village of Brookfield’s Economic Development Commission and the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce are excited to introduce the Brookfield Gift Card! The card works like any other debit card but is unique because it can only be used in Brookfield and this partnership is a fantastic new way for the community to support Brookfield businesses.

The Brookfield community has repeatedly proven it understands the importance of supporting local businesses. With that in mind, the Brookfield Gift Card is the perfect way to encourage residents and visitors to the Village to intentionally patronize our local businesses.

This new community gift card may be used at ANY Brookfield business including the gas station, a favorite restaurant, grocery store, coffee shop, retail or service business within the Village boundaries. Additionally, the gift card can be used to pay for a Village water bill, Parks and Recreation programs, and other great programs and events sponsored

by Brookfield organizations that accept credit card payments.

Cards can be purchased by visiting www.enjoybrookfield.com/giftcard, or at Village Hall. Watch social media for other promotions and pop-up locations to purchase cards.

These gift cards are not only a great idea for the holidays fast approaching but also a great way to spread the word to friends and family about all that Brookfield has to offer and show our businesses how important they are to our community.

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Holiday Stroll 2023

The Landmark, November 29, 2023

Holiday Celebration Presented by:

BROOKFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Saturday, December 2nd 2 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. Grand & Broadway Business Districts More information at Brookfieldil.gov

Santa and Mrs. Clause Meet & Greet at Irish Times Roller Rink @SE Gross Gym Courtesy Trolleys Giant inflatable Snow Globe and Photo Keepsake Make your own Grinch Hot Cocoa Bombs Live in-person Olaf, Elsa and Anna Petting Zoo Live Wood Carving Demonstration Make Homemade Reindeer Food Tree Lighting Food and complimentary treats & drinks throughout various businesses Kris Kringle Market @Village Hall 10:00am-5:00pm

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