Elmhurst is really a special place. Naturally I feel that way because I live here, but the more I learn about the town and its people, the more I appreciate it.

Earlier this month, I attended an open house hosted by Superior Ambulance to celebrate their new 100,000-square-foot corporate headquarters on Lake Street.

It’s a state-of-the-art building for what is the largest independent, locally owned and operated emergency service provider in the Chicago and northwest Indiana area.

They also throw a great party. Guests were provided with wonderful food, a tour of the facility and a viewing of their vehicles, medical helicopter, and collection of antique ambulances, and, when leaving, were presented with gift bags filled with goodies.

Vice President Jay Washburne told me Superior currently employs 1400 people, 250 of whom are in Elmhurst, and operates a fleet of more than 200 ambulances.

I had an opportunity to chat with several employees as well as firefighters from Lynwood and Thornton and also with Rich Daniels, who was very pleased and excited about the sale of the Masonic Temple on the corner of Arthur and York Road.

“The new owners love the building, its history and architecture,” he said. “They plan to keep the main sanctuary as untouched as possible. I remember passing that building and seeing those green stained glass windows daily as a kid on my way to school. It’s good to know that kids will continue to pass the same building and admire those same windows.”

As I wandered around and chatted with employees and other guests, which included many elected officials, I couldn’t help but be impressed at how what began as a small start-up company in Bellwood in 1959, by and because of the extraordinary vision of Blanche and Dave Hill, grew into this great, life-saving operation and continues to be run by their son, David Hill.

I also was pleased and impressed to learn that Elmhurst city attorney Ken Kubiesa won a prestigious award from the International Municipal Lawyers Association at their annual conference Sept. 16 in Las Vegas.

This award of Local Government Fellow is IMLA’s highest for competence and legal ability in the field of municipal law.

“The purpose of the fellow program is to recognize certain lawyers as specialists in municipal law,” said IMLA Executive Director Chuck Thompson.

Since this fellow program was instituted in 1999, 57 fellowships have been awarded throughout the United States and Canada, and Kubiesa’s award is only the second to be awarded to an Illinois municipal attorney.

Kubiesa’s legal career has spanned 32 years, and during that time he has represented Downers Grove, Westmont, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace and Elmhurst.

I had an opportunity to speak with him at a party hosted by Julia and Mark Olson at their Prospect Street home to celebrate the new season of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra.

Kubiesa, who lives in Elmhurst with his wife, Colette, and their four children, said, “IMLA suggested I apply for this fellowship. It consisted of a written exam and completion of a rigorous peer review. I am very honored to have been chosen.”

Colette, who is president of the Park Board, was pleased but was also excited about the birthday celebration she was having for her mother’s 80th birthday. Happy birthday, Mrs. Foreman!

This lovely “after-symphony soiree” celebrated the ESO’s concert called Festa Italiana-Pines of Rome and featured Lisa Dadamo serving wines from Tannin’s and truly wonderful food flown in from New York and prepared on site by Elmhurst native and now New York Chef Michael Carmona. Serving were Alli Price and Kate Sadowski.

Many symphony supporters attended including Marianne and Ray Jagert with their grandkids Amy and Nick Sylvestri, Dora and Arnold Schenk, Janet and Fred Hodge, Marie and James Price, Nancy and Jim Ruprecht, Linda and Bill Lyman, Sue and Bob Coons, Debbie and Joe LaSpisa, Bunny and Paul Taviani, Betsy Goltermann and Ed Momkus, Ray Allen, Loretta Kalina, Jeanne Stuart and Bob Pine, who told me about a show of some of his wall relief sculptures that will be exhibited at Yaeger Gallery, 112 W. St. Charles Road, Lombard, for the next two months.

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