Wednesday was Valentine’s Day. For many, there were surprise bouquets of flowers, heart-shaped boxes of candy, jewelry, high-tech gadgets or romantic dinners.

But Valentine celebrations aren’t limited to a spouse or lover. There are plenty of “significant others” in our lives who are just as important.

Case in point: the love between a parent and child.

This Sunday,  Feb. 18, fathers in Roselle are invited to spend a Valentine’s Day celebration at the Daddy Daughter Date Night. Sponsored by the Roselle Park District, the refreshments and dancing will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Claus Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

This memorable Valentine’s event is an opportunity for dads, granddads, big brothers, uncles or cousins to spend quality time with a daughter, granddaughter, niece, or cousin. The cost is $20 per couple; additional young ladies are $6 extra. For a reservation, call (630) 894-4200.

If you’re reading this and you live within the Bloomingdale Park District, the date of your Daddy Daughter Dance is Saturday, Feb. 24. The celebration will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Johnson Recreation Center, 172 S. Circle Ave. The cost is $25 per couple for park district residents; $30 for non-park district resident couples. For reservations, call (630)529-3650.

Poetry writer honored
Valentine’s Day is also synonymous with poetry. Melody Hughes of Carol Stream knows a thing or two about writing poetry.

The Glenbard North High School student entered her poem, “Auromorphis” in Writing Magazine’s Take Five Writing Contest.

Melody’s poem received runner-up status in the senior poetry category. Her poem will appear in the April/May issue of the national magazine. Congratulations, Melody.

A Happy Pit Crew
Six Glenbard North High School automotive technician students enjoyed greasy hands and a winning smile. The students placed 10th in the recent state finals of the World of Wheels Chi-Town Pit Crew Contest.

Racing against the clock, the Panthers’ pit crew dismantled and re-assembled a Ford 3.0L V6 engine. Congratulations to crew members Angelo Borgers, Harsh Joshi, Abe Lopez, Akash Patel, K.J. Rapata and Tom Trac.

Congrats to Mayor Bob
Bloomingdale Mayor Bob Iden was recently named 2006 Mayor of the Year by the Ray Graham Association.

For the past 57 years, the nonprofit Ray Graham Association has aided DuPage County children and adults with disabilities including mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism and Down’s syndrome. Currently, there are 2,500 persons in DuPage who receive Ray Graham Association services.

Bloomingdale is the home of two Ray Graham facilities. The first is the Ray Graham Community Learning Center, a daytime facility for 28 adults with disabilities. The second facility is a Ray Graham Community Integrated Living Arrangement which provides 24-hour care for six adults.

In the Ray Graham Association announcement about Iden, spokeswoman Lori Hornick commended the mayor’s dedication to aiding persons with disabilities. “Mayor Iden is a strong proponent of Ray Graham Association,” said Hornick.

Kudos to Mayor Bob for advocating for the disabled.

Noteworthy Neighbors is a weekly column. Ideas and items for the column can be e-mailed to noteworthyneighbors@hotmail.com