Because there was once a second commuter railway line in Elmhurst — The Chicago, Aurora, and Elgin, with three stops including Spring and York roads — two secondary Elmhurst business districts were created to serve those who lived in these areas. Today, they continue to thrive and grow and have their own distinct personalities, and when a new business opens, it’s a cause for a celebration.

Inland Bank recently opened a drive-through facility on Spring Road next to Elmhurst Camera, and on one balmy November evening they organized a lovely open house to celebrate.

Many other Spring Road business owners, as well as members of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Tom Marcucci and others, gathered to welcome and enjoy the convivial atmosphere and good food provided by Cuvee Cellars, another business soon to open at 545 Spring Road. I was one of them and listened to John Quigley, Jason James, Tom Myers and other members of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce welcome their newest member.

The mayor said, “Inland Bank is a well-known and respected institution, and we welcome them to our community. A bank draws people to an area where they will then shop at other businesses.”

I had a chance to say hello to Shazad Mehta of Mehta Motors on Spring Road, who is a fellow mentor and who will again be performing with the GreenMan Theatre Troupe’s dinner theater musical at Angelo’s Restaurant in February.

“We still don’t know what the production will be,” he said, “but it always sells out, so buy your tickets early.”

Some others attending this lovely open house were Joyce Sloan, Russ Caforio, Bob Pine, Marlene Tegmeyer, Sally Sotos, Jack Island of the nearby Silverado Grill, Charles Mueller, Pete Di Cianni and Aldermen Moira Moriarty and Norm Leader. We all left feeling well fed and carrying reusable goody bags which included, among other items, a leather wallet containing a two dollar bill! What a good way to attract customers.

I now am the proud owner of five such reusable, “green” shopping bags, which I put to good use for grocery and other shopping. It occurs to me, however, that I now have a shortage of those ubiquitously pesky plastic bags. What, I wonder, will I use to get rid of kitty litter? There are times when it’s definitely not so easy to be green.

Special Kids Day

During the open house, Inland Bank presented a check for $1000 to “Special Kids Day.” Rich Rosenberg of Elmhurst Camera received it and explained that what began 18 years ago as a way for kids who are either physically challenged or developmentally delayed to get their photo taken with Santa Claus and receive a bag of gifts has grown from 15 kids to hundreds.

“This year, ‘Special Kids Day’ will be held at the Elmhurst Art Museum on (Wednesday) Dec. 3 from 3:30 to 8 p.m., and Police Chief Steve Neubauer will be on hand in the parking lot to see that things go smoothly.”

Rosenberg later explained that years ago he would go to the local shopping malls to take photos of kids visiting Santa Claus. It never occurred to him that there were kids who could or would not take part in this childhood event. It was only when his wife Barbara, a nurse, was caring for a child with cerebral palsy that he realized that many children with special needs would love the opportunity to meet Santa Claus, too.

“A mother once related that her healthy child requested a wheelchair for Christmas so that her parents would treat her like her sibling who was in a wheelchair,” he said. “So we welcome not only special needs kids but their families as well and we make sure to treat all the children equally.”

Special Kids Day is sponsored by Elmhurst College, Elmhurst Childrens’ Assistance Foundation, Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce, McDonalds, and many local groups. Check their Web site, www.specialkidsday.org, for more information.

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