First, you’ll visit the masterpieces in the Louvre. Then, you’ll shop along the magnificent Champs-Elysees. Finally, you’ll enjoy delicate French pastries.
Springtime in Paris is wonderful, yet expensive. The next best thing to a getaway to the City of Light is heading to Glen Ellyn.
    Yes, you read that right. On Friday, March 9, the Abbington Banquet Hall, 3S002 Route 53, Glen Ellyn, will be transformed into a Parisian chateau as the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association sponsors the “Portraits of Paris” fundraiser.
    WDSRA is a non-profit organization that provides more than 1,000 programs, trips and special events annually to more than 8,000 individuals with special needs in Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Roselle, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton and Winfield.
    The fundraiser will include a visit to the WDSRA Louvre. This elite collection features masterpieces created by WDSRA artists. For dedicated shoppers, there will be a silent auction featuring a Parisian timeshare, an Indian Lakes overnight package, spa treatments and sports memorabilia.
    There’s also an online auction that includes a dinner for eight prepared by gourmet chef Jane Hove and her husband, Dr. John Butts, who just happens to be the Superintendent of Lake Park High School in Roselle.
    Tickets are $70 each and include two drinks. For information, call (630) 681-09262.

Pulling an all-nighter
    Honor students know all about burning the midnight oil.
    This Friday, members of Glenbard North High School’s National Honor Society plan to dance the night away to raise funds for a water well for a village in Malawi, Africa.
Each student plans to raise $50 through their sponsored participation in the “Up All Night” event. For information about the  fundraiser at Glenbard North, 990 Kuhn Road, Carol Stream, call (630) 653-7000.

Hotcakes on the griddle
    From 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., Sunday March 11, members of Trinity Lutheran Church Boy Scout Troop 408 will host a pancake breakfast in the church hall at 405 S. Rush St., Roselle.
    Maryann Grygiel, whose son is an Eagle Scout, remains active with the troop.
“We invite everyone in the neighborhood to enjoy a hearty breakfast of all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausages, orange juice, fresh fruit, milk and coffee,” she said.
    “The mission of the Boy Scouts is, ‘to serve others by helping to instill values in young people, to teach leadership skills and teach young people responsibility.’ A pancake breakfast can help make all of this happen,” she continued.
    Tickets are $5 for adults; $4 for seniors; and $3 for children. Children younger than 4 may eat for free.
    For information, call (630)893-6647.

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