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Buffalo Grove – A Great Place to Live
Buffalo Grove is one of the greatest communities in Illinois. Our village is distinguished by its outstanding
schools, parks and recreational facilities, programs and activities, businesses and local events. Whether at work
or play, Buffalo Grove is a community that offers wonderful opportunities for everyone.
Over the past several years, the community has been listed among the 50 Great Places to Live and 50 Great
Places to Raise a Family. In one of the listings, Buffalo Grove ranked #1 in Recreation and Cultural Events!
Buffalo Grove is home to two high school districts that have earned the National Excellence Award several
times, the #1 Indoor Golf Dome for the past four years (as ranked by the Golf Range Association of America)
and state and nationally recognized governmental, golf and park district professionals. The village has its own
well-respected Symphonic Band, an adult community show choir (the BG Singers) a summer Fine Art
Invitational, two summer concert series, an end-of-summer community festival (BG Days) and children’s and
adult theater through the Park District.
We are also very proud of business community in Buffalo Grove. Throughout our growing village there are more
than 20 shopping centers, six business parks, numerous corporate offices, two golf courses and an indoor driving
range, and two Metra rail stations. These amenities offer our residents and business owners the convenience and
diversity of a myriad of retail establishments, professional services and restaurants to serve every individual,
family and business need.
The role of the Buffalo Grove Area Chamber is to encourage and foster a healthy business environment in the
Buffalo Grove area, as well as to help our members better promote their businesses and market their goods and
services. It is our goal, therefore, that every business in our community affiliates with the Chamber. This is part
of our commitment and dedication to improve our local economy. Likewise, we encourage all residents to
support and patronize the member businesses of the Chamber. Look for the Chamber Logo and help Buffalo
Grove continue to thrive as the incredible community it has become!
Sincerely,
Lynne Schneider
Executive Director
Buffalo Grove Area Chamber of Commerce
Marc Blumenthal
Attorney-at-Law
Chamber President
An increasingly thriving community, the Village of Buffalo Grove has transformed into one of the finest areas in
Chicago’s northwest suburbs.
A BRIEF HISTORY
Buffalo Grove has come a long way since its first settlers arrived around 1834. These New Englanders laid their
roots and established the area’s first farms. By the 1840s, the area welcomed German immigrants who had fled
their homeland in the Alsace-Lorraine region due to exceptionally poor living conditions and the prospect of
fertile, affordable land in America.
Dairy farming was quite extensive in the community throughout the early 1900s, supplying much of the Chicago
area with an array of fresh dairy products. With the advent of northern Illinois’ first state concrete road, Dundee
Road, automobile access greatly improved; still, residential development did not begin until the late 1950s.
In 1957, a local builder, Al Frank, obtained 100 acres of farmland and embarked on the construction of a number
of ranch-style houses. One year later, on March 7, 1958, the Village of Buffalo Grove was incorporated, sparking
a surge of new developers in the area. Within a short time after incorporation, the Village had expanded from 164
residents to nearly 1,500.
Residential development was not the only growing aspect of life in Buffalo Grove upon incorporation. The
Buffalo Grove Commerce Center’s construction in 1981, followed by the Corporate Grove Industrial Park and
the Buffalo Grove Business Park’s establishments soon after, gave rise to a progressive business sector that still
holds strong to this day.
BUFFALO GROVE: TODAY & TOMORROW
Today, Buffalo Grove boasts a population of more than 45,000 who enjoy the outstandingly high standard of life
in the suburbs. It is a unique community offering suburban living with a little bit of country charm, thanks to the
presence of its local working farm. Yes, in the middle of the quality residential developments, 22 convenient strip
malls and business centers is a working farm, Didier Farm, where residents take advantage of a nursery in the
spring, a pumpkin farm in the fall and a farmstand featuring fresh fruits and vegetables during the summer.
“There’s nothing like having a fresh ear of corn that was just picked hours before it was prepared,” says Lynne
Schneider, executive director of the Buffalo Grove Area Chamber of Commerce. “You can’t beat it.”
Buffalo Grove’s desirability continues to draw in prospective residents and businesses interested in relocation
and/or expansion. Village services are among the finest in the country, the schools are exceptional, the park
district continues to earn national recognition for its programming and facilities, and the economy remains strong.
Additionally, the homes are overall well maintained and well constructed, and there is a price point for every
person or family. A safe, peaceful atmosphere is felt throughout the Village, and its physical layout is a major
contributor to this comfortable environment. Buffalo Grove boasts winding tree-lined streets, with very few
direct routes. Additionally, most of the neighborhoods feature multiple cul-de-sacs, which ultimately discourages
traffic along the residential roads.
The Village is certainly a family-oriented community, drawing growing families and young couples hoping to
start a family in the near future. It is also a wonderful place for retirees and empty-nesters—a population that
continues to grow as the general population ages. The expansive selection of home styles available in Buffalo
Grove caters well to this dynamic, multi-generational community.
Venturing into its 52nd year of incorporation (2010), the Village certainly has plenty to be proud about. Buffalo
Grove has been listed as one of the “Fifty Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family” by renowned authors Lee and
Saralee Rosenberg, and, most recently, was recognized by Money magazine as one of the top 100 best places to
live in the U.S. The list was released in July of 2009, with Buffalo Grove earning the #65 spot. Money reviewed
the community’s housing and overall quality of life, among other factors, with its tree-lined streets, 400 acres of
parks and exciting communitywide events noted. The Village’s ranking established it as only one of three Illinois
communities to make the top 100 list—quite an accomplishment!
Buffalo Grove is a Village of distinction, as shown through its many past and present recognitions. It continues
on its path of excellence and remains dedicated to maintaining a progressive attitude towards the future. For more
information on life in Buffalo Grove, contact the Buffalo Grove Area Chamber of Commerce at 847-541-7799,
via email at [email protected] or visit the organization’s Web site at www.buffalogrovechamber.org.
The Village of Buffalo Grove is strategically positioned within the venerable northwest suburbs, just 30 miles
outside of downtown Chicago.
The community straddles both Cook and Lake counties and is part of Chicagoland’s extensive transportation
network, which includes an intricate web of highways, international airports and convenient and affordable
public transit alternatives. This asset of location is summed up best by Deputy Village Manager Ghida Neukirch,
who says, “Buffalo Grove is ideally situated, as it is just a short drive to beautiful Chicago; yet, we have all the
luxuries of a suburban, open-spaced, green community.”
Commuters and visitors to the Buffalo Grove area will find ease of travel when driving in and around the
community. Well-maintained local thoroughfares make getting to the store or doctor a cinch, while numerous
interstate and state highways provide quick access to Chicago and destinations across the U.S. Interstates 355,
294, 290, 94, 90 and 55 are all reachable from Buffalo Grove, as is the conveniently located Illinois Route 53.
With the recent slump in our nation’s economy, many have chosen to leave their cars at home and utilize the
region’s expansive public transportation options. The Buffalo Grove Transportation Center, at 801 Commerce
Court, is serviced by several Pace bus routes and offers a convenient Park-n-Ride facility for riders. Just up the
street, at 825 Commerce Court, sits the Buffalo Grove Metra Station. Here, patrons hop on the North Central
Service (NCS) line, which regularly travels between Antioch and Chicago.
Riders from Buffalo Grove reach Chicago’s Union Station within one hour or less, depending on the day and
time, and even have access to the O’Hare Transfer Station. This stop offers a quick connection to the busy airport
via three Pace bus routes or the O’Hare Airport Shuttle, operated by Airport Express.
O’Hare International Airport is a short 20- to 25-minute drive from the Village. The airport, noted as one of the
world’s busiest, is serviced by more than 40 airlines, which provide flights to innumerous destinations across the
globe. Midway International Airport is located approximately 40 miles south of Buffalo Grove. For corporate and
general aviation needs, Wheeling’s modern Chicago Executive Airport is reachable in five miles via E. Lake
Cook Road to S. Milwaukee Avenue.
The Village is also a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly community, with dozens of miles of wide sidewalks and
paths perfect for both the active and leisurely resident. Traveling “green” has become a popular mean of getting
around town and is ideal when it comes to reaching destinations within a close distance of one’s starting point.
For more information on locations, fares, schedules and flights, visit the following Web sites:
Pace – www.pacebus.com
Metra – www.metrarail.com
O’Hare International Airport – www.ohare.com
Midway International Airport – www.chicago-mdw.com
Chicago Executive Airport – www.palwaukee.org
Enhancing Your Life Through Active Recreation
Maintaining an active lifestyle in Buffalo Grove is easy, thanks to the Village’s more than 400 acres of parkland,
cutting-edge recreation facilities and lushly landscaped golf courses.
Buffalo Grove Park District
The Buffalo Grove Park District was officially organized a little over 40 years ago, on September 19, 1969. Now
an award-winning organization, the Buffalo Grove Park District has become an unmatched staple in the lives of
more than 45,000 people. Currently, the fully accredited park district manages 50 well-maintained park sites and
facilities, totaling 411.75 acres of land.
Water fun is had at the Aquadome Pool, Spray ‘N Play and Willow Stream Pool, while skaters enjoy grinding at
Busch Grove Community Park’s exciting Skate Park. The park district also oversees the highly rated Golf and
Sports Center, along with two disc golf courses, a soon-to-be opened dog park, the educational Raupp Museum
and the 70,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Buffalo Grove Fitness Center.
Accompanying these features is a calendar year of programming for people of all ages and abilities. From
performing arts, child care and summer day camps to athletics, swimming and senior activities, the Buffalo
Grove Park District offers something for everyone. Plus, the park district, along with 15 neighboring park
districts, supplies recreation and leisure programs for those with disabilities through the Northwest Special
Recreation Association (NWSRA).
A Field of Their Own
Kendrigan Field became a reality in June of 2007, when it was dedicated as the state’s fourth baseball field
designed for special needs players.
Located within the park district’s Twin Creek Park, the $2.6 million Kendrigan Field is complete with a hard
rubber field, embedded bases, covered dugouts and an electronic scoreboard. The field is utilized by the Buffalo
Grove Recreation Association’s Buddy Ball League, which was organized in 1994 as a way for children with
special needs to participate in America’s pastime.
The Buddy Ball League, which includes the Buddy Ball team for ages six through 16 and the Sr. Buddy Ball
team for ages 17 through 21, teams up each player with a buddy. These volunteer buddies assist their players as
needed—pointing out where to throw the ball, helping players bat and run the bases and, most importantly,
offering encouragement. There are no rules and no outs—just a fun game of ball.
In addition to the field—designed by architect John Green, locally known for other buildings such as the Village
Hall and the Raupp Museum—the park features a handicapped-accessible playground, the Safety Town course
and classroom, a nine-hole disc golf course, biking trails, bocee ball courts and a pavilion.
Kendrigan Field, named in honor of the late Kevin Kendrigan, who served as the executive director of the
Northwest Special Recreation Association for 30 years, was presented with the Governor’s Home Town Award
in 2008. This award is granted by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity as a way to
honor Illinois citizens who volunteer their time, money and efforts in order to enhance the quality of life for all in
their community.
Hitting the Greens
Buffalo Grove Golf Club – Built in 1965 and purchased by the Village in 1977, the Buffalo Grove Golf Club
features 18 challenging holes, complete with bent grass greens and bluegrass fairways and tees. The wellmaintained municipal course offers an exciting game of golf for players of all skill levels, with a testing mix of
towering trees, sand traps and water hazards. Three sets of tees allow golfers to play from as far back as 6,883
yards to as short as 5,983 yards. Accompanying the course is an all-greens driving range with 25 stations, a
putting green and a chipping and pitching green. PGA and LPGA professionals are available for private lessons
and clinics, and the full-service pro shop is ready to furnish each golfer with top brand name gear. The Buffalo
Grove Golf Club also hosts the delicious Village Bar & Grill, an ideal dining establishment for a casual dinner,
private party, meeting and outing.
Arboretum Club – The scenic Arboretum Club in Buffalo Grove is a beautifully appointed course featuring a rich
landscape of trees, wildflowers and rolling greens. Designed by Dick Nugent, a well-known golf course
developer and architect from Illinois, the 18-hole Arboretum Golf Course is joined by a modern 27,000-squarefoot clubhouse, which houses a full-service pro shop, spacious locker rooms, a snack shop, as well as a restaurant
and bar. PGA professionals are available for private instruction and clinics, and outings are regularly hosted here.
In addition to the great golf experience offered, the Arboretum is a fine destination for weddings, meetings and
corporate gatherings.
Golf and Sports Center – The Buffalo Grove Park District’s Golf and Sports Center stands as one of the country’s
leading indoor golf facilities. In fact, Golf Range Association of America has presented the facility with multiple
recognitions as one of the “Top Ten” Golf Domes in North America. The dome offers an opportunity for practice
from November through March, with a putting green and a separate chipping green with two sand bunkers
making up the golf options at this 30,000-square-foot center. The facility also features a full-service pro shop, a
snack shop, private and group instruction, along with spaces for indoor soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse and
football. Athletic training programs, an athletic enhancement program and a fitness and conditioning program
round out the eclectic offerings of the Golf and Sports Center.
Residents and visitors to the Buffalo Grove area don’t have to travel far to access some of the region’s most
exciting attractions.
CHICAGO INDOOR RACING
Chicago Indoor Racing is Buffalo Grove’s most fast-paced, action-packed attraction. Opened in late 2003 by
former racecar driver Tony Stewart, Chicago Indoor Racing is the place to be for those ready to experience
realistic, open-wheel racing.
This two-level, 85,000-square-foot space was converted from the former General Binding Corporation warehouse
and production facility into a $3.5 million racing haven. Guests don real racing jump suits and helmets as they
step into low-riding carts that give the illusion of high-speed driving. While racers feel as though they’re topping
100 m.p.h., the reality is that these carts don’t exceed 35 m.p.h.
The Chicago Indoor Racing complex features two 700-foot European road courses, and can host group events for
gatherings as large as 400. The two tracks have the capability of being connected for 1,400 feet of track. This
“third” track is reserved for special events and leagues, with accommodations for 16-18 drivers or teams each
race. The facility also features dining at Stewart’s Bar & Grill, billiards and plenty of single-player and multiplay/multi-participation gaming. Meeting space is available, as are programs for both youth and adult racing
enthusiasts. While racers must be 16 years of age with a valid driver’s license (guests under 18 must be
accompanied by a parent or guardian), the Junior Racing School welcomes children ages seven through 17 to
participate. This venue hosts thousands of corporate events annually, so same-day reservations for individuals are
highly recommended to guarantee a race time.
eSKAPE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER
From bowling to laser tag and arcade games, eSkape Entertainment Center offers 60,000 square feet of
amusements. This indoor entertainment complex offers 36 bowling lanes with individual instructional displays,
electronic score-keeping and animated 3-D graphics. Several of the lanes are even furnished with chic lounge
sofas for added comfort. Surrounding the bowling area is a modern video arcade with meeting and breakout
space, as well as a brand-new, state-of-the-art laser tag arena. Additionally, eSkape’s GrillWorks caters to hungry
guests and those hoping to catch that night’s game with tasty appetizers and a full menu featuring an eclectic
array of entrees.
THE RAUPP MUSEUM
It was 1853 when Melchoir Raupp purchased 187 acres of land for his farm, which remained in the hands of
Melchoir’s descendents for more than 100 years. In 1957, the remaining members of the Raupp family sold much
of the land to a local developer, who ultimately established the community’s first subdivision. A small portion of
the area was presented to the Village of Buffalo Grove for use as either a library or a museum. The Village turned
over the project to the Buffalo Grove Park District and the Raupp Museum came to life when it was dedicated in
1979.
Today, the Raupp Museum invites residents and visitors to step back in time and learn about the history and
growth of the Buffalo Grove community. Three interactive exhibits comprise the museum’s interesting historical
spread. The newly renovated main exhibit shows patrons how life in Buffalo Grove has evolved over the last 175
years, beginning with the Potowatomi existence in the 1830s and traveling through time into the agricultural
period and the 20th century.
The Town Square Gallery displays the hustle and bustle of downtown Buffalo Grove during the early 1900s, with
features including a general store, tavern, working water pump and 1926 schoolhouse. The Lower Gallery hosts
regularly rotating exhibits, which change between three and four times each year. A regular exhibit showcased in
the Lower Gallery is Everybody’s Got A Gift—an annual display of paintings created by adult art students from
the park district.
The museum encourages lifelong learning and achieves this goal through a year-round calendar of educational
programming and events. School groups, home school associations and community-based organizations dive into
the past through various hands-on programs highlighting such areas as archeology, the Potowatomi, the life of
Buffalo Grove’s early settlers and its dairy farmers, as well as the changes that have occurred over the last
century.
ARLINGTON PARK
Neighboring Arlington Heights hosts one of the country’s finest racecourses. Arlington Park has a storied history
that is traced back more than 80 years to October 13, 1927—the date of the park’s first Thoroughbred racing
event. Arlington Park weathered through the Great Depression and World War II, and thrived during the Golden
Era of Racing. In 1981, the park hosted the inaugural Arlington Million—the world’s first million-dollar race.
As Arlington Park was enjoying its prominence, tragedy struck on the morning of July 31, 1985, when a fire
completely destroyed the Grandstand facility. Even with the damages, the park hosted the Arlington Million that
year, complete with tents and temporary bleachers. The following year it hosted the 13-day International Festival
of Racing, and in 1986, construction began on the new six-story Grandstand. After just 19 months, the
Grandstand was completed, reopening to the public on June 28, 1989.
Arlington Park remains at the forefront of Thoroughbred racing. In 2007, the park became the first in the
Midwest, and the fifth in North America, to introduce the state-of-the-art Polytrack—a synthetic racing surface.
Crowds continue to fill the stands every Thursday through Sunday, from late April/early May through
September. And holidays, including Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day, regularly draw a full audience
ready to cheer on their horse and jockey of choice. Arlington Park offers a great day for the whole family to
enjoy. With a reasonably priced entrance fee and betting as low as $2, it also stands as an affordable form of
entertainment in the northwest suburbs.
Though a large village in scope (with a residential population exceeding 45,000), Buffalo Grove has maintained a
small-town feel characterized by a close-knit community of family and friends. Local events continue to bring
together the residents of Buffalo Grove, old and new. The year-long festivities of Buffalo Grove’s 50th
Anniversary Celebration will be remembered well into the future, and residents continue to enjoy regular
concerts by the Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band and the fireworks that light up the sky each Fourth of July. The
following passages highlight just two of the Village’s widely celebrated events: the annual Buffalo Grove Days
and the highly rated Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Art Festival.
Buffalo Grove Days
What started as a modest community picnic in 1958 has grown into a much-anticipated five-day communitywide
festival filled with fun for all ages. Buffalo Grove Days has become a strong tradition among friends and family
residing in the city. “The idea behind the event is to maintain a small-town feel, especially when the community
first formed after [Buffalo Grove’s] incorporation in 1958,” says Village Manager Bill Brimm.
Held over Labor Day weekend each year, Buffalo Grove Days kicks off on Thursday night with the opening of
the carnival and bingo tent sponsored by the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club. Mainstage entertainment begins Friday
night and the full food tent simultaneously opens for business. The smells of nearly 20 local eateries—most of
which are Chamber members—fills the air in and around the food tent all weekend long.
The festival is enjoyed morning and night on Saturday and Sunday, with even more live entertainment and the
addition of fireworks (Sunday night), a business fair and the Annual Arts & Crafts Fair (Saturday through
Monday). The community parade draws in families Sunday afternoon, while Monday’s festivities are centered
around the annual “Fun and Food for People with Disabilities” program.
While the event has grown alongside the community, it has retained the “local” essence that was instilled in its
early years as a community picnic. Don’t miss out on the festivities in 2010, which run between September 2nd
and 6th.
Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Arts Festival
The Buffalo Grove Town Center, situated at the intersection of Lake Cook Road and Route 83, becomes a haven
for artists and art enthusiasts every third weekend in July. It is during this weekend that some 30,000 people
come to browse through the original artwork of 150 artists at the annual Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Art
Festival. This juried fine arts event is coordinated by the nationally recognized Amdur Productions, with
assistance provided by the Village’s Arts Commission and volunteer residents.
Recognized among the country’s top festivals, the fine art festival invests in a competitive selection process,
which decides the artists that will be “invited” to take part. Participating artists display all forms of media—from
painting, sculpture and woodwork to ceramics, photography and glass—which are available for sale. According
to Deputy Village Manager Ghida Neukirch, “This event gives visitors a chance to purchase a piece of
community art.”
The year 2009 marked the first time the art festival featured youth artwork in addition to the 150 artists.
Approximately 15 local youth artists ages nine to 18 years participated last year, showcasing their talents in
various media.
Adjacent to the artist booths is an exciting array of entertainment stages, food and refreshments, as well as the
busy Family Art Tent. “The Family Art Tent offers a place for the entire family to engage in the process of
creating art,” says Neukirch. “All activities are free to the public and includes book design, tile painting and
pretzel decoration, thanks to our great sponsors.”
2010 will mark the Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Art Festival’s ninth year. The event will be held the weekend
of July 17th and 18th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There is no doubt about it… Buffalo Grove is one talented town. Artists, musicians, dancers and entertainers of
all kinds continue to strengthen the cultural scene in this vibrant suburban community.
BUFFALO GROVE SINGERS
A love for singing and entertaining brought together the Buffalo Grove Singers, a part of the Buffalo Grove Park
District Performing Arts department. The first meeting of the newly formed ensemble was held in the fall of
1993, with the hope of attracting around 25 participants. Instead, more than 65 people came out to take part in the
BG Singers. “The group started on a big, successful note its first year,” remarks Bruce Bohrer, a longtime
member of the group and coordinator of its traveling arm, the BG Singers “Encore!”.
Since its inaugural season, the ensemble has grown to a maximum of approximately 75 singers from the greater
Buffalo Grove area. The BG Singers begin weekly rehearsals in September each year, as they prepare for the
main spring concert held at Stevenson High School in March. This much-anticipated concert event is filled with
the sounds of everything from oldies and jazz to pop and Broadway, complete with creative choreography.
In its early years, the BG Singers concluded the season with the spring event, not meeting again until rehearsals
for the next big concert started up again the following September. Many members wished to continue the season
through the summer months. Thus, in 1997, the BG Singers “Encore!” was established. The new 25-member
branch of the BG Singers hit the road and has been a success ever since. The BG Singers “Encore!” travels
throughout the Chicagoland area, delighting audiences with more than a dozen summertime concerts. The group
is seen at charity events, summer festivals, professional sports venues, suburban libraries and various other
locations.
In addition to their performances, the BG Singers play an integral part in the community. The ensemble hosts an
annual charity event representing a different charity each year. One year the group raised enough funds to
purchase new music equipment for Northwest Community Hospital, and last year it made a donation to WINGS,
an area resource providing services to homeless and abused women and children. The BG Singers also funds the
Larry Berkowitz Scholarship Fund, which recognizes the artistic, academic and community service merits of
outstanding college-bound seniors with plans to major in some form of the arts.
The Buffalo Grove Singers recently wrapped up the 2010 spring concert on March 20th and 21st, singing for an
excited audience at Stevenson High School’s Performing Arts Center. The group looks forward to rejoining for
rehearsals as it prepares for the 2011 spring event.
BUFFALO GROVE SYMPHONIC BAND
Seeing a need for a local instrumental band in Buffalo Grove, resident Howard Green proposed the formation of
such an ensemble to the Village and its Arts Commission in 2001. The Village agreed with his proposition and
soon the Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band was formed, led by Music Director and Conductor Howard Green.
According to Linda Rosen, chair of the Village of Buffalo Grove Arts Commission, “This has been a labor of
love for Howard, having been the creative drive and force behind its creation.”
Seventy-three people compose the band, which performs two major indoor concerts each year (fall and spring) at
both Buffalo Grove and Stevenson high schools. The band is also enjoyed at various venues throughout the
holiday season and the summertime months, particularly at community events such as the July 4th fireworks,
Buffalo Grove Days and the Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Art Festival. Crowds are furnished with an
impressive variety of musical genres, spanning the sounds of classical, jazz, Broadway and more.
The Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band is the only adult community band in town. From this group, the village’s
first Jazz Band was formed as an offshoot. Of the Symphonic Band’s more than 70 adult musicians, 25 also play
in the Jazz Band. “We have also formed from those ranks an active Woodwind Quintet, a Brass Sextet and a
Trombone Quartet,” explained Green.
The group is also very philanthropic, donating time for various community events and providing educational
leadership for area school bands. “As a village,” explains Rosen, “we are proud to say that we have our own
community band.”
LIMELIGHT CAFÉ
The Village of Buffalo Grove’s Arts Commission has a mission “to draw upon the diversity and artistic talent
within the Buffalo Grove community and to promote a broad spectrum of the arts, which will serve to enrich our
Village.” To that end, the commission incorporated the Limelight Café program a few years ago as a way for area
youth to display their talents before an audience of peers.
Youth singers, dancers, musicians, comedians, bands and other talented Buffalo Grove residents take part in one
of two Limelight Café programs. High school-aged teenagers participate in Teen Limelight, held each spring on a
Friday night at eSkape in the Buffalo Grove Town Center. The second program, Little Limelight, is geared
towards youth in grades two through eight. Little Limelight is hosted on a Friday in fall at Tripp Elementary
School.
The annual program continues to grow in popularity, featuring approximately 24 acts for Little Limelight and
seven for Teen Limelight. According to Gayle Pervos, arts commissioner, “The Arts Commission felt it was
important to provide a fun, safe and non-competitive environment for the youth of the community to express their
talents.”
Who doesn’t love the smell of freshly baked breads and danishes, or the taste of decadent chocolate as it melts in
your mouth?
There aren’t many people in Buffalo Grove who don’t enjoy these delicacies, with such tasty favorites as
Deerfields Bakery and the Long Grove Confectionery making a sweet home in town.
DEERFIELDS BAKERY
Deerfields Bakery has been a part of the Buffalo Grove area since the Schmitt family opened its first business,
Schmitt’s Bakery and Deli, back in 1886. This original location still stands within a few miles of the community,
in nearby Deerfield. The business’s success over the last century (and then some) spurred its expansion out into
Schaumburg and Buffalo Grove.
According to Tim Schmitt, one of the owners and part of the current managing family generation of Deerfields
Bakery, the Buffalo Grove location was built from the ground up in 1993. The 17,000-square-foot site along
Buffalo Grove Road, one block north of Lake Cook Road, was chosen for its well balanced and diverse
demographic, as well as its proximity to the Deerfield location. “We built Buffalo Grove with the intention of it
being our production facility and largest retail location,” says Schmitt. “Every evening, fresh baked product is
delivered [from Buffalo Grove] to our other locations in Deerfield and Schaumburg.”
The charming two-level bakery is characterized by hardwood floors, ornate woodwork, vaulted ceilings, soothing
music and, of course, the wonderful smells of delicious baked goods. Many of Deerfields’ traditional products
are made by hand, including the croissants, which are individually hand rolled, and decorated cookies that are cut
out by hand and decorated by talented staff members.
More than 100 people are employed at Deerfields Bakery—of which more than 1/5 have been with the business
for 15-plus years. In fact, Deerfields’ production manager, Alfredo Gaytan, began his career with the business 31
years ago when he was hired by Tim’s grandfather, Henry Schmitt.
When asked to point out some of his favorites, Schmitt states, “There are too many to name!” And there’s no
wonder, as Deerfields produces more than 1,000 distinct foods, ranging from donuts, sweet rolls and muffins to
pies, cookies, cakes, tortes and breads. A new line of Gluten Free products is available in the store, as well as in
Chicagoland area Whole Foods stores. The bakery even roasts its own coffee, Deer Joe Coffee, which features
imported fair trade and organic green beans from all over the world. And, in Buffalo Grove, patrons can take a
seat at the Café and choose from a menu of homemade gourmet soups, salads, sandwiches, French toast,
pancakes, quiche and more.
In addition to serving up hungry customers, Deerfields Bakery has dedicated itself to taking part in the
communities it serves as well. Each day, approximately 90 percent of the bakery’s daily product is donated to
those in need. These delicious products are delivered to local food pantries, churches, synagogues and nursing
homes, and are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. Deerfields also sponsors a children’s sport team in each
community, regularly participates in as many Buffalo Grove events and activities as possible and eagerly
supports local schools, libraries, the Buffalo Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and other organizations in town.
Deerfields Bakery has certainly established a loyal following among Buffalo Grovians, who regularly come into
the bakery to enjoy a fresh-from-the-oven treat, flavorful breakfast and lunch items, and gourmet coffee. “Buffalo
Grove is a great community made up of wonderfully friendly people,” says Schmitt. “We know many of our
customers by name and enjoy seeing their smiling faces each morning.”
LONG GROVE CONFECTIONERY CO.
The Long Grove Confectionery legacy goes back in time to the year 1887. It was then that John Mangel, founder
of Mangel Florist, established his first shop in downtown Chicago. That entrepreneurial attitude made its way
through the next generation, as John Mangel II and his wife, Heidi, opened a gift shop and greenhouse in historic
Long Grove in 1967. Mangel and his wife established many other businesses, including the Long Grove
Confectionery, which was created in 1975.
Today, the Long Grove Confectionery operates four locations in the Chicagoland area, including a modern
85,000-square-foot production facility, corporate headquarters and chocolate factory and store in Buffalo Grove.
Every year, approximately 15,000 guests visit the confectionery to watch chocolates being made up close.
Among the popular treats created here are peanut butter cups, caramel apples, English toffee, special holiday
delights and the business’s trademark Myrtles (a blend of chocolate, caramel and nuts).
According to Jodi Hutch, director of retail and tour facilities, Long Grove Confectionery sets itself apart from
others thanks to its quality craftsmanship, old-world chocolate- making techniques and distinguished packaging.
The business is also a part of the community, as it regularly donates to the Little Limelight program, area fire
departments and even offers its delectable treats to patrons at Buffalo Grove Days.
For just $2.00 a person, guests can tour the Chocolate Factory at 333 Lexington Drive and learn how chocolate is
made, view production and packaging of the confectionery’s products and even purchase a sweet or two. In fact,
those with a sweet tooth can peruse through hundreds of chocolate items with prices up to 75 percent off regular
retail prices. Year-round tours are available Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m.-Noon, as well as Saturdays
from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at no cost.
It seems the hip thing to do nowadays is go green. Most everyone is interested in pursuing a more sustainable
way of life. Many businesses and organizations have also developed an environmental conscience. Leading the
way in Buffalo Grove is Adlai E. Stevenson High School, whose Green Committee is doing all it can to ensure
the high school’s carbon footprint is as small as possible.
The Green Committee was created in 2007 with a purpose “to examine and implement strategies that will reduce
the school’s environmental impact.” In order to fulfill this purpose, the original 16-member committee
established six goals.
1. Increase awareness and participation in green initiatives.
2. Reduce kilowatt burn by five percent per fiscal year.
3. Increase the amount of recycled waste by 50 percent over the next 12 months.
4. Reduce the amount of paper used and the number of copies made by 10 percent over the next year.
5. Reduce natural gas consumption by five percent over the next fiscal year.
6. Reduce the number of fossil fuel vehicles on campus by 10 percent over the next fiscal year.
Though the first goal will be ongoing—there can never be enough people who know about the green initiatives at
SHS—it is also one of the easiest to attain. “The students are our biggest advocates,” remarks Assistant
Superintendent for Business Mark S. Michelini. “It’s their planet we’re attempting to save.”
Teachers have also been integral in spreading the word about the school’s “Green Revolution,” even before the
committee was formally created. “Gloria Huntoon, one of our art teachers, has been instrumental in creating the
SAVE Club that does Earth Week and Recycle Week,” relates Michelini. “Don Carmichael, Dave Wilms and
Jason Carlson, part of our AP Environmental Studies team, have been instrumental in advancing our green
initiative long before our Green Committee.”
“Stevenson has always been green,” says Michelini. In fact, SHS earned the Energy Star Award from the
Environmental Protection Agency in 2001, six years before the creation of the committee. Stevenson became the
second school district in Illinois to attain this honor. “In designing each addition,” Michelini continues, “the
Board of Education has always considered green alternatives. Take one look at the building, and you will see the
use of natural lighting, energy-efficient windows and green roofs. On the inside you will see new energy-efficient
boilers and chillers, plus smart building technologies that automate the heating and lighting.”
The integration of more energy-efficient technology on the high school campus is also directly related to the
Green Committee’s second and fifth goals—reducing kilowatt burn and reducing natural gas consumption,
respectively. According to Michelini, the school has already “cut” kilowatt and natural gas burn and is “working
on a matrix to measure cause and affect.”
Though lessening the school’s use of natural gas is not exactly something students can readily take part in, it is
very easy for them to help reduce kilowatt burn on campus. Turning off lights when exiting a room and
unplugging certain appliances when not in use are simple yet effective ways for everyone to help the
environment.
The Green Committee’s third goal is also simple for students and faculty to help attain, but it makes a world of
difference. Recycling is a staple of the green movement, and it has already been a success at Stevenson. Since the
creation of the committee, SHS has increased its recyclable content by 32 percent, a marked improvement from
previous years. Instead of dumpsters, the school now has dual recycling compactors, but that is not enough to
make a difference. “The real challenge is getting the organization to recycle more,” explains Michelini.
“Physically, we’ve made huge changes. Now it’s up to the people who make up the organization to embrace
these changes.”
Everyone who visits the Stevenson campus is encouraged to use the green-topped recycling bins found
throughout the school and the blue bins for paper recycling in the classrooms and office areas.
Though recycling is an important way to help the environment, using less paper is even better. The Green
Committee’s fourth goal addresses this, and already, many initiatives have been put into place to attain it. In its
first session, the committee calculated that each student, faculty member and member of the staff of SHS uses a
box of paper a year. That equals 5,000 sheets of paper per individual—a staggering 25 million for the entire
school. To significantly reduce this number, Stevenson has made some substantial changes—including
converting its printed “Minuteman” monthly publication to the “e-Minuteman,” a weekly online newsletter. This
change alone will decrease paper usage by an estimated three million sheets a year, which translates roughly to
around 1,000 trees.
The Green Committee’s sixth goal is not as easy to measure as paper usage or amounts of recycling, but the
school has taken important steps to reducing the number of fossil fuel vehicles on campus. Until recently, the
school had no way of keeping track of the number of vehicles that were on campus daily. “With the cooperation
of the villages of Lincolnshire and Buffalo Grove,” Michelini explains, “we have just installed vehicle counters
on our campus. For the first time, we will know exactly how many vehicles will come on campus.”
That is only the beginning, though. “Next,” Michelini continues, “we’ll have to determine some strategies to
reduce that number. After that, we will implement those strategies, and finally, we will count vehicles again.”
Although Kermit the Frog may think it is not easy being green, Stevenson High School shows that it can be. The
Green Committee’s goals are attainable, and all members of the Buffalo Grove community can help to meet
them. Community members are invited to sit on the now 46-member committee to offer ideas and support the
great work SHS is doing to help the environment. As board member Merv Roberts is quoted as saying, “Being
green is a journey, not a destination.”
Now has never been a better time to invest in education. With the lagging economy, many hard workers are
finding themselves unemployed or underemployed. As the nation struggles to recover, adults are choosing to
continue along the educational path to enhance skills in a current career or to pursue a new interest.
The opportunities for continuing education are endless and prove invaluable when it comes to catching potential
employers’ attention. For Buffalo Grove residents, two highly reputable campuses are available to help adult
students successfully achieve their learning goals.
College of Lake County
The College of Lake County (CLC) is a comprehensive two-year community college with a number of academic
programs and services geared towards adults seeking new learning opportunities. CLC operates several campuses
throughout the northern suburbs of Chicago, including the nearby Southlake Campus in Vernon Hills, which
serves Buffalo Grove residents.
Southlake provides a wide assortment of credit programs, along with options for career, workplace training and
skills development, non-credit personal enrichment and adult basic education. Adult students seeking immediate
employment take advantage of numerous career programs, which lead to a two-year Associate of Applied
Science (A.A.S.) degree or a certificate. The fields available include business, healthcare, social services,
information technology, creative communication and many others. A certificate in Massage Therapy is also part
of the selection at Southlake, as is non-credit English as a Second Language (ESL) courses and the Discovery
and Quest programs for adults aged 50 and better.
CLC’s Workforce and Professional Development Institute (WPDI) is designed specifically for business
professionals, entrepreneurs and owners. The Southlake Campus offers various professional development
courses, which help develop and/or enhance current career skills, and several small business workshops with
focuses on such topics as employee and human relations, marketing and sales and legal aspects of business
ownership.
The state-of-the-art Southlake Campus has grown immensely in recent years, recently completing an expansion
project in 2007 that nearly tripled its size. The campus is full of resources for students, including computer and
science labs, a library and learning center and the informational Counseling Center. The center provides
unmatched guidance when it comes to career planning and even personal concerns that may be interfering with
student success.
Harper College
Located in Palatine, approximately 11 miles southwest of Buffalo Grove, is Harper College. Harper is a
comprehensive two-year community college that is regularly rated as one of the state’s top institutions and career
training schools. Each year, more than 40,000 students enroll in courses, which lead to a job-ready degree or a
certificate. Several Associate’s degree programs are available, as are more than 40 certificate programs in
virtually every career field. Harper also offers basic adult education/ESL, non-credit continuing education
courses and distance learning options—which also includes the opportunity to earn a Bachelor’s degree online
through institutions including DePaul University, Franklin University, Regis University, the University of
Wisconsin at Green Bay and Western Illinois University.
Harper’s Professional Advancement and Learning Center offers Fast Track accelerated programs in business,
marketing, management and law enforcement and fire science, along with the Career Stimulus Program—a
monthly support group for those affected by the current economy—and two-day NetWorthing Seminars. These
seminars help attendees identify career goals and understand the usefulness of the NetWorthing process.
The campus’s Career Center educates, assists and guides students through career exploration and offers services
for career planning. Students utilize career counseling, internship opportunities and job search assistance, while
the community is welcome to utilize one-on-one career counseling and job search assistance as well. Employers
are also served through the Career Center, with opportunities to access the college’s free Internet job listing
service, participate in the on-campus recruiting program and promoting internships. The center coordinates an
annual job fair, available to all who are interested in seeking options for full-time jobs, part-time jobs and
internships.
Additionally, Harper hosts an Illinois workNet Center in neighboring Arlington Heights, which supplies on-site
career training and job search support. Those interested are invited to participate in free career-related workshops
and WIA-Certified career training programs. Plus, the list of free services includes assistance with online job
search and applications, goal planning and career guidance, resume and cover letter writing, interview techniques
and access to a career resource library and the Internet. Fax machines are available at no cost, and copy machines
are available for a minimal fee.
The healthcare community in Buffalo Grove grew in mid-summer of 2009 with the addition of Affinity
Healthcare’s brand new, state-of-the-art medical office building at 1450 Busch Parkway. According to Jacqueline
Speckin, chief marketing officer, “Our goal was to create a comprehensive medical center that would house
several types of healthcare practices under one roof for convenient access by patients in our northwest Chicago
suburban service area.”
Affinity Healthcare itself is a fairly recent addition to the local healthcare scene. The multi-specialty medical
group practice was created in December of 2007 as a result of the merger between Greater Northwest Medical
Group (which began operating in Buffalo Grove more than 25 years ago), North Suburban Internists and Adult
Care Specialists.
The decision to establish the new medical office building in Buffalo Grove came down to one thing: location.
“When we first began the process of choosing a site for the building, we were presented with several options in
the northwest suburbs,” explains Speckin. “But we always came back to Buffalo Grove.”
The selected location provides an attractive blend of aesthetic landscaping, ample space and easy access for
patients. The single-story, 64,860-square-foot facility sits upon 6.3 acres within The Corporate Grove business
park, which is positioned just off Milwaukee Avenue and near I-94 and I-294.
Construction on the medical center began at the end of August of 2008, with completion at the end of July of
2009. The builder, McShane Construction, and architects/designers from Marasco & Associates, Inc. and
Partners in Design came together to create a Class A facility that now houses several Affinity Healthcare practice
groups. Occupying space within the building are Internal Medicine/Family Practice, Diagnostic Imaging and the
group’s second Immediate Care Center. Additional tenants conveniently located in the new facility include the
Ear, Nose & Throat Center, Quest Diagnostics, Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, Northwest Suburban Urologists,
Sanders Court Pediatrics, Ltd. and WomanCare, PC.
Approximately 10,000 Affinity Healthcare patients currently reside in Buffalo Grove, furthering the importance
of this new addition in the community. The other medical practices housed within the medical center provide
added benefits for patients, as does the Immediate Care Center, which is open to all community members aged 14
and up. “We believe our building location will also be convenient for employees or guests of surrounding
businesses in Buffalo Grove in need of walk-in urgent care for non-threatening injuries and illnesses,” says
Speckin.
Affinity Healthcare in the Community
According to Speckin, when Affinity Healthcare was created, it chose the word “affinity” due to its definition as
a “close connection” or “kinship” marked by common interest or similarity. “Our name stands for our dedication
to developing close connections with our patients, our community and our co-workers,” she states.
Affinity Healthcare is a two-year member of the Buffalo Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and has since
participated at the organization’s Business Expo held during the annual Buffalo Grove Days Festival. Affinity
works with the local police department to provide officers with a personalized Cardiac Screening program and
was the sponsor of the American Diabetes “Stepout Walk for Diabetes” at Didier Farms in October of 2009.
Participants at this event raised more than $5,100 to benefit community members with diabetes. Additionally,
Affinity provides free Community Health Seminars on various health topics, as well as blood pressure readings at
the Village of Buffalo Grove Health Fair and on-site Lifesource Blood Drives and vascular screenings through
Lifeline Screening.
Other Happenings in the
Buffalo Grove Area’s Healthcare Community
Northwest Community Hospital’s South Pavilion
Northwest Community Hospital (NCH) in neighboring Arlington Heights is in the midst of its most ambitious
expansion project. Noted as one of the busiest hospitals in the state, the demand for additional space and
resources was unmistakable. Thus, in July 2007, NCH broke ground on its $250 million redevelopment project,
with the centerpiece being the eight-story South Pavilion, facing Central Road.
Opened on May 1, 2010, the South Pavilion adds approximately 250,000 square feet of space to the hospital and
200 private patient rooms, bringing the total licensed bed count to 488. The state-of-the-art South Pavilion
incorporates strategically placed nursing stations and features a green design, with hopes of achieving LEED
Silver Certification.
The South Pavilion’s ground floor features an enhanced Level II Trauma Center and Emergency Department,
which opened in September 2009. A new 30-bed Critical Care Unit is situated just above the ED, with two floors
of the building occupied by expanded maternity services. The four top floors are reserved for surgical and cancer
patients.
Advocate Condell Medical Center
Approximately 11 miles north of Buffalo Grove is Libertyville, home to the highly rated Advocate Condell
Medical Center. In May of 2009, Advocate Condell Medical Center received full accreditation as a Chest Pain
Center from the Society of Chest Pain Centers. A few months later, on October 1, 2009, Advocate Condell
Medical Center became one of 18 hospitals in the state, and the only hospital in Lake County, to earn designation
as a Level I Trauma Center—the highest level of emergency care. Formerly a Level II Trauma Center, Advocate
Condell Medical Center is noted as one of the nation’s busiest trauma centers, with a presence among the top
third for the number of trauma patients treated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
trauma is the leading cause of death among Americans under the age of 44—making this designation all the more
important for patients located within this region.
Taking the time out to have fun and socialize with friends is important to area seniors. Becoming a member of
the Buffalo Grove Park District Seniors, a program designed for residents aged 55 and up, supplies residents with
the opportunity to join fellow seniors in learning a new craft, staying current on trends regarding senior citizens
today and simply enjoying the company of others.
The park district seniors use up to five classrooms, totaling approximately 2,100 square feet of programming
space, within the Alcott Center—located at 530 Bernard Drive. Senior adult programs have been a mainstay in
the park district’s offerings since the late 1980s and continues to be a great source when it comes to enhancing
the quality of life for all seniors—and ultimately the entire community.
According to Terri Ebner, the Buffalo Grove Park District’s senior coordinator, attending the many programs and
events made available through the park district gives seniors a reason to get up and go out each day. “Seniors
have a great variety of programs,” she says. “The goal is to make sure there is something for everyone.”
There is no doubt that goal has been met, as seniors have plenty of social opportunities to choose among. Weekly
activities for members include Bridge, Texas Hold ‘em Poker, Mah Jongg (regular and drop in), Scrabble, Bunco,
Bingo, Pinochle and Left-Right-Center. Plus, a librarian from the Indian Trails Library visits every Wednesday at
11:30 a.m. with book check-out opportunities, and the Crafty Ladies group meets Friday mornings to create
handmade knitted and crocheted items for donation.
The list of activities doesn’t end there. Seniors are invited to participate in everything from Chair Yoga, music
programs and discussion groups to blood pressure screenings, driver safety classes and lectures and workshops
featuring senior resource specialists, well-known authors and a variety of other speakers. A number of planned
senior trips rounds out the options. Reasonably priced excursions include visits to regional casinos, museums,
plays and musicals, exhibitions and more.
Thousands of seniors have, and continue to, take advantage of the park district’s senior programming.
Membership has its perks. For a small annual fee ($18 for residents and $26 for non-residents), members will
receive discounted rates for many programs, along with invitations to attend free lectures, luncheons, parties and
more. Of further note, residents aged 62 and better are entitled to a 20 percent discount on many of the park
district’s recreation opportunities.
For those in need of transportation to the Alcott Center, Wheeling Township provides weekday bus service for
residents by reservation, while Vernon Township provides transportation on Wednesdays to the center. In
addition, the Village of Buffalo Grove has negotiated a discounted taxi fare for seniors in town. For more
information on the Buffalo Grove Park District Seniors and the area’s senior transportation options, call (847)
850-2117 or visit www.bgparkdistrict.org.
When an early slogan of McDonald’s was telling the country, “You deserve a break today,” one woman decided
they were right. She wanted and deserved a break. Eileen Kushner set about becoming an owner in one of the
most well-known, worldwide chain of restaurants.
After working multiple jobs to help her husband and three daughters prosper, Eileen went to work for
McDonald’s. Living and working in the area around Oak Park, Michigan, Eileen’s initial job there consisted of
making French fries and milkshakes. As time went on, and after working at various McDonald’s, she acquired
many skills needed to own and operate a restaurant.
The mid-1980s brought about the next step in making her dream a reality. She and her husband, Larry, applied to
the McDonald’s Corporation in the hope of becoming an owner-operator. Through the combined efforts of
Eileen’s diligent work ethics and McDonald’s keen foresight in accepting quality business people, the Kushners
were on their way.
The down side to this meant that Eileen and her family would have to leave their home and familiar surroundings
of more than 30 years and relocate to Illinois. This was a hard decision to make, but for Eileen it promised to be a
new chapter unfolding in her life, a chapter she had longed for.
In 1987, Eileen and Larry opened the McDonald’s Restaurant on Rand Road in Palatine, and 12 years later,
another restaurant at 1200 North Arlington Heights Road in Buffalo Grove. “The Buffalo Grove Chamber of
Commerce helps its member universally and was instrumental in getting the McDonald’s in Buffalo Grove
open,” says Eileen.
As of September 2009, the Kushners now own a third McDonald’s on Northwest Highway in Palatine.
Apart from the typical struggles a woman might face in owning and running her own business, Eileen Kushner
discovered she had Dyslexia when she was 35. This learning disability impairs the way we recognize and
comprehend certain written words.
From early on, both Eileen and her twin brother, Elliot, struggled together in a static learning environment that
showed little to no flexibility to children with special needs. Even the means to diagnose these needs was
nonexistent. This left Eileen’s self-esteem and self-worth in a low state most of her teen and young adult life.
Through her highly creative instincts and determined attitude, she was able to hide this disability–a disability she
herself did not know she had–from everyone, including her husband. Later, after she discovered she had Dyslexia
and was able to say, “Yes, I do have a disability,” what she found was a loving husband, supportive children and
active friends all willing to help.
Now, finally, there was a reason for all of the personal trials she had faced up to this point. This disability is not
the reason Eileen is special; she is special because she did not let this disability win. It did not stop her; it just
added more of a learning curve to Eileen’s overall life lessons. She knew she would have to work a little harder
and do things a little differently in order to make her dream a continued success. No matter what, she decided she
was in control of her life and wanted to show that there are different ways each of us can learn.
Through her caring attitude and personal struggles, she has been able to give something back to others—tenfold.
If you walk into Eileen’s Buffalo Grove McDonald’s, you will see many friendly people, both eating and
working there. You might even see a select group of schoolchildren who volunteer their free time to help
maintain a Learning Strategies Bulletin Board with information about celebrities with learning disabilities. Why
do these kids care? You see, they too have learning disabilities.
This learning board, along with a separate Parent Resource Section, is a way to share with readers the pain each
child feels in his or her life and useful tips for coping with and overcoming learning disabilities. Serving as a
community outreach to all who enter, read and update it, this board was the inspiration of Eileen and her friend,
Kathy Young, a Meridian Middle School teacher and author. “We wanted to put something back into the
community,” says Larry.
Fundraisers are a big part of what Eileen and these children are all about, too. The kids work hard to organize,
run and give out final distribution of any fund drives they orchestrate to help other children and needy families.
The rewards and benefits, for not only those in want but also for the kids and families who organize them, is
something you cannot measure or put a ‘grade’ to.
This is truly an American dream come true, for Eileen and the community.
“McDonald’s is always there if you need them,” says Eileen. “I love McDonald’s.”
Many people ask themselves how they can be more involved in their community. Business owners join their local
chamber of commerce and sports enthusiasts sign up for various leagues at the park district. Those of a charitable
nature volunteer at area food drives, and many people annually attend the parades and festivals held in their town.
For residents of the Village of Buffalo Grove, there are many outlets for community involvement. One such way
is the Citizen Police Academy, a unique opportunity for the people of Buffalo Grove to actively learn about the
men and women who serve and protect them.
The Citizen Police Academy began in 1997 and has been going strong ever since. In 12 years, more than 300
Buffalo Grove residents have participated in the 22 academies held by the Buffalo Grove Police Department. One
night a week for eight weeks in the fall, around 15 to 20 academy students learn about many facets of police
work including crime scene processing, firearms safety and traffic accident investigation. No prior law
enforcement experience is required for admittance into the academy. In fact, Crime Prevention Officer James
Yester says most participants “just have an interest in how a police department operates. It is our goal that each
participant comes away with a better understanding of what law enforcement is about here in Buffalo Grove.”
Having spent his entire law enforcement career, more than 20 years, at the Buffalo Grove Police Department,
Officer Yester has an in-depth knowledge of the workings of the department—knowledge he has put to good use
in the Crime Prevention/Community Involvement Unit, which oversees the Citizen Police Academy. “I have
served as a patrol officer, D.A.R.E. officer, juvenile officer,” he recalls. For the past seven years, though, he had
been the crime prevention officer but returned to the patrol division in January 2010.
Officer Paul Jamil is the new crime prevention officer, only one of the many changes that the Citizen Police
Academy has seen. The program is evaluated annually, and throughout the years, changes have occurred to
continually improve the academy for the citizens of Buffalo Grove. “We went from operating once a year to
twice per year, and back to once a year,” says Officer Yester. “We’ve gone from 10 sessions to 12 sessions to
eight sessions.”
The curriculum has changed, also. “At one point we brought in experts from several law enforcement disciplines
for demonstrations,” remembers Office Yester. “My philosophy is that we have the experts here—our officers.
Let’s show our citizens what we can do.”
Because of this philosophy, all programs are now conducted by the staff of the Buffalo Grove Police Department,
adding even more to the spirit of community the Citizen Police Academy fosters.
As an offshoot of the Citizen Police Academy, the Buffalo Grove Police Department also offers the Junior Police
Academy for those between the ages of 12 and 18. Since its inception in 2006, the JPA has offered its students
invaluable information on issues directly related to their safety—drinking and driving, seatbelt usage, bicycle
safety and more. For five consecutive mornings during the summer, around a dozen students participate in the
JPA—not only learning about how to keep themselves safe, but how the members of the Buffalo Grove Police
Department keep them and the entire village safe.
Another subsidiary of the Citizen Police Academy is the Public Safety Breakfast Club—formerly the Senior
Citizen Mini Law Enforcement Academy, which began around 2000. The breakfast club is a collaboration
between the Buffalo Grove Police and Fire departments and the Buffalo Grove Park District Senior Center. Both
public safety departments jointly present safety programs to between 20 and 30 seniors for around an hour and a
half the last Wednesday of each month at the park district.
In addition to the Junior Police Academy and the Public Safety Breakfast Club, the Citizen Police Academy was
also the impetus for a new division at the Buffalo Grove Police Department. Office Yester recounts, “From the
academy we developed our Police Volunteer program. The volunteers can do non-law enforcement duties such as
filing, transporting court documents, delivering trustee packets and taking squad cars to public works for
maintenance. These were tasks that officers had to do throughout their shifts. For the most part, the volunteers
have taken over these tasks and volunteer hundreds of hours annually.”
Police Volunteers also join the officers in helping with parades and special events held by the Village. Though
Police Volunteers are generally recruited from participants in the Citizen Police Academy, residents who have
not completed an academy session are still welcome to apply.
Community involvement is of the upmost importance to the Village of Buffalo Grove, but through programs such
as the Citizen and Junior Police academies and the Public Safety Breakfast Club, it is also clear that the safety of
the Village’s residents is also tantamount. Participating in any of these programs ensures members of the Buffalo
Grove community will learn more about the Village and, more importantly, how to keep it and themselves safe.
For application forms and more information on the Buffalo Grove Citizen Police Academy, Junior Police
Academy, the Public Safety Breakfast Club and Police Volunteers, visit the Village of Buffalo Grove Web site at
www.vbg.org.
Buffalo Grove is truly a community of faith, housing a number of well-established places of worship mixed with
newer parishes, together representing a variety of religions. According to Lynne Schneider, executive director of
the Buffalo Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, the community is known for its rich religious diversity, with
nearly as many synagogues as churches. Not only that, but Buffalo Grove houses of worship work together to
strengthen the local spiritual community and enhance the quality of life for all.
Various events and services throughout the year provide an arena for area religious institutions to convene, give
thanks and help those in need. One notable event is the Annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service.
Each November (the Sunday before Thanksgiving), between 900 and 1,000 worshippers attend the holiday
service. This wonderful affair invites community members of all religions to assemble under one roof and
celebrate the true meaning behind Thanksgiving. The service features readings from both Christian and Jewish
clergy and entertainment provided by various choirs, bands and more. While the event is free of cost, guests are
encouraged to bring non-perishable foods to help stock the shelves of three local food pantries. The year 2010
marks the event’s 19th year in operation.
The Annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service is alternately hosted at the Congregation Beth Am, one
of Buffalo Grove’s largest synagogues, and St. Mary’s Church, an institution that has been a part of Buffalo
Grove for more than 150 years. The congregation’s history is storied, dating back to the arrival of the area’s first
immigrants. The first church was constructed in the early 1850s, but within a couple of years experienced a
devastating fire that would burn the little church to the ground. Services were held in a small schoolhouse for
more than 40 years, until the late 1890s when the congregation came together and raised money to construct a
new church. Today, a portion of the original structure, completed in 1899, remains part of the current church. St.
Mary’s Church remains rich in tradition and now stands as one of the largest churches in the Diocese.
For a list of local churches and synagogues, visit the “Community” page on the Buffalo Grove Area Chamber of
Commerce’s Web site at www.buffalogrovechamber.org.
ACFHLORSW
Arts/Crafts
Automotive - Service
Chamber of Commerce
Financial
Health
Home Maintenance/Improvement
Homes
Legal
Organizations - Non-Profit
Real Estate
Recreation
Restaurants
Retail/Shopping
Senior Services
Worship
Arts/Crafts
Hoffmann Strings Ltd.
William Hoffman
16571 W. Easton Ave.
Prairie View, IL
60069
847-478-1163
Fax: 847-478-1164
[email protected]
www.hoffmannstringsltd.com
Automotive - Service
America's Car Wash
Al & Mae Schwab
400 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Wheeling, IL
60090
847-459-9799
Fax: 847-459-1414
[email protected]
www.americascarwash.net
Chamber of Commerce
Buffalo Grove Area Chamber of Commerce
Lynne Schneider
50 1/2 Raupp Blvd.
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-541-7799
Fax: 847-541-7819
[email protected]
www.buffalogrovechamber.org
Financial
IPA
Jenifer Parsegian
1250 Barclay Blvd.
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-808-5590
Fax: 847-495-6773
[email protected]
www.ipa-c.com
Financial
Dame Financial Services
Daniel R. Dame
1220 Eton Ct., Ste. 200
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-541-7016
Fax: 847-541-4522
[email protected]
www.damefs.com
Financial
Buffalo Grove Bank & Trust
Michael Abruzzini
200 N. Buffalo Grove Rd.
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-634-8400
Fax: 847-634-8410
[email protected]
www.buffalogrovebank.com
Financial
American Enterprise Bank
Bradley D. Gordon
600 N. Buffalo Grove Road
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-465-7844
[email protected]
www.americanenterprise.com
Health
Northwest Community Hospital
Karen Moe
3060 Salt Creek Ln.
Arlington Heights, IL
60004
847-618-5500
Fax: 847-618-5509
[email protected]
www.nch.org
Health
Sleigh Family Chiropractic
Dr. Katie & Quintin Sleight
3285 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Suite 206
Arlington Heights, IL
60004
847-788-0880
Fax: 847-788-0887
[email protected]
www.sleighfamilychiropractic.com
Health
Buffalo Grove Chiropractic Center
Dr. Michael Glaskin-Clay
1411 McHenry Rd., Suite 225
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-276-2868
Fax: 847-276-2783
[email protected]
www.chiroonline.net
Health
Highland Park Hospital Health and Fitness Center
Julie Polovick
1501 Busch Pkwy.
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-229-0292
Fax: 847-229-0293
[email protected]
www.hphfitness.com
Health
Scott Schmaren Mind Performance Training
Scott Schmaren
2761 Acacia Terrace
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-331-5848
[email protected]
www.mindperformancetraining.com
Health
Papworth, Vargas & Associates, Ltd., P.C.
Linda Hlavacek
125 East Lake Cook Rd., Ste. 121
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-537-0001
Fax: 847-537-9305
[email protected]
www.pvdental.net
Health
Sanders Court Pedatrics
Dr. Richard A. Pervos
1450 Busch Pkwy., Ste. 130
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-499-3070
Fax: 847-499-3089
[email protected]
www.sanderspeds.com
Health
Debra D. Feldman & Associates, Ltd.
Debra Feldman
113 McHenry Road, #101
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-913-1700
Fax: 847-883-8632
[email protected]
www.ddfcaremanagement.com
Health
Buffalo Grove Eye Care
Dr. Heimlich
313 W. Dundee Rd.
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-541-1184
Fax: 847-541-1194
[email protected]
www.bgeyecare.com
Home Maintenance/Improvement
All Flood & Fire
Robert Martinez
177 S. Wheeling Rd.
Wheeling, IL
60090
847-202-0231
Fax: 847-465-0231
[email protected]
www.allfloodfire.com
Home Maintenance/Improvement
Sliders
Charlie Scott
427 Elm St.
Deerfield, IL
60015
847-940-7200
Fax: 847-940-0102
[email protected]
www.slidersnorthshore.com
Homes
Brim Consulting LLC
Jerrold Brim
318 Half Day Road
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-498-6540
Fax: 847-276-2904
www.bclarchitects.com
Legal
Marc J. Blumenthal Attorney at Law
Marc J. Blumenthal
355 W. Dundee Rd., Ste. 200
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-808-7090
Fax: 847-808-4292
[email protected]
www.marcjblumenthal.com
Organizations - Non-Profit
Grand Lodge of Illinois
Joe Nugara, Sr.
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
[email protected]
www.ilmason.org
Real Estate
Hamilton Partners
Timothy Beechick
1130 Lake Cook Rd.
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-459-5560
Fax: 847-459-8918
[email protected]
www.hamiltonpartners.com
Recreation
Buffalo Grove Golf Club/The Arboretum Club
Carmen Molinaro
48 Raupp Blvd.
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-459-5520
Fax: 847-229-9734
[email protected]
www.buffalogrovegolf.com
Recreation
Soccer Madness
Lisa & Michael Mathis
364 W. Half Day Rd.
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-947-2060
Fax: 847-947-2076
[email protected]
www.soccermadnessonline.com/
Restaurants
Oishii Thai/Lily's Window Fashions
Sinee Techa
1113 Weiland Rd.
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-537-8889
Fax: 847-537-8880
[email protected]
www.oishiithai.com/
Restaurants
Buffalo Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor
Chris Papaioannou
1180 Lake Cook Rd.
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-808-1120
Fax: 847-808-8999
[email protected]
www.thebuffalorestaurant.com
Restaurants
Culver's of Buffalo Grove
Kevin Weasler
450 McHenry Rd.
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-229-1123
Fax: 847-229-0164
[email protected]
www.culvers.com
Retail/Shopping
TDC Jewelry
Jon Migdow
406 Half Day Rd.
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-913-5531
Fax: 847-913-5529
[email protected]
www.tdcjewelry.com
Retail/Shopping
Gold Medal Ideas
Amy Kritzman
1160 Thompson
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
888-478-0041
[email protected]
www.goldmedalideas.com
Senior Services
Addolorata Villa
Liz Starman
555 McHenry Rd.
Wheeling, IL
60090
847-537-2900
Fax: 847-808-7988
[email protected]
www.addoloratavilla.com
Senior Services
Wealshire, The
Lenna Scott
150 Jamestown Ln.
Lincolnshire, IL
60069
224-543-7127
Fax: 847-883-9029
[email protected]
www.wealshire.com
Senior Services
Belmont Village Assisted Living
Juliet Hiestand
500 McHenry Rd.
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-537-5000 x107
[email protected]
www.belmontvillage.com
Worship
Saint Mary Parish
Nancy M. Wolowicz
10 North Buffalo Grove Rd.
Buffalo Grove, IL
60089
847-541-1450
Fax: 847-541-2443
[email protected]
www.stmarybg.org
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