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Hinsdale Rotary Club officials hope when future generations gaze at the clock installed downtown, they will be reminded of the club’s commitment to human service.
The four-sided clock, installed Aug. 7 at the Hinsdale train depot carries the blue and gold logo of Rotary International on each of the clock’s faces.
“Whenever someone looks up to see the time, they will see our Rotary Club International logo,” said Roger Herring, Rotary Club president. “It should increase the organization’s awareness and make people more aware of our motto, ‘Service Above Self.’”
The club annually supports area programs and organizations such as the Wellness House — the annual Rotary Run for Wellness takes place each October — as well as Hinsdale Community Service, the annual Independence Day Parade and the Hinsdale Food Pantry.
Herring, who led the effort to raise funds for the clock throughout the past 18 months, was on the site Aug. 7 as the clock was uncrated and assembled.
First Hinsdale Public Services crews made sure the washers on which the pedestal rests were level, then attached the 800-pound pedestal at the base.
Next a crane lowered the 400-pound clock onto the pedestal, and crew members painstakingly aligned the top portion while Herring kept an alert eye.
“Just want to make sure the clock face is perfectly parallel to the base,” he said.
Within an hour the clock was in place.
“It kind of reminds me of watching a baby being born,” Herring said as rain threatened the operation.
The Rotary Club purchased the cast aluminum clock tower for $28,000 from Rock Island-based The Fancy Street Clock & Light Co., which specializes in ornamental clocks.
“We are licensed by Rotary International, and we’ve worked with Disney and many (Chicago) area municipalities and golf courses,” said Jim Heineman, president of The Fancy Street Clock & Light.
Heineman said his company installs about 300 clocks a year throughout the country, but the Hinsdale installation “was by far the easiest one we have ever been part of.”
The new clock drew praise from downtown patrons seeing it for the first time.
“I think it is just gorgeous. It is a perfect fit for downtown Hinsdale,” said Joan Strade. “I really like it.”
Another visitor, Mary Behler, of Rosemont, Pa., said the clock is unique.
“I’ve never seen done like that, and it really is a nice addition to the downtown area,” said Behler
Hinsdale Rotary Club officials hope when future generations gaze at the clock installed downtown, they will be reminded of the club’s commitment to human service.
The four-sided clock, installed Aug. 7 at the Hinsdale train depot carries the blue and gold logo of Rotary International on each of the clock’s faces.
“Whenever someone looks up to see the time, they will see our Rotary Club International logo,” said Roger Herring, Rotary Club president. “It should increase the organization’s awareness and make people more aware of our motto, ‘Service Above Self.’”
The club annually supports area programs and organizations such as the Wellness House — the annual Rotary Run for Wellness takes place each October — as well as Hinsdale Community Service, the annual Independence Day Parade and the Hinsdale Food Pantry.
Herring, who led the effort to raise funds for the clock throughout the past 18 months, was on the site Aug. 7 as the clock was uncrated and assembled.
First Hinsdale Public Services crews made sure the washers on which the pedestal rests were level, then attached the 800-pound pedestal at the base.
Next a crane lowered the 400-pound clock onto the pedestal, and crew members painstakingly aligned the top portion while Herring kept an alert eye.
“Just want to make sure the clock face is perfectly parallel to the base,” he said.
Within an hour the clock was in place.
“It kind of reminds me of watching a baby being born,” Herring said as rain threatened the operation.
The Rotary Club purchased the cast aluminum clock tower for $28,000 from Rock Island-based The Fancy Street Clock & Light Co., which specializes in ornamental clocks.
“We are licensed by Rotary International, and we’ve worked with Disney and many (Chicago) area municipalities and golf courses,” said Jim Heineman, president of The Fancy Street Clock & Light.
Heineman said his company installs about 300 clocks a year throughout the country, but the Hinsdale installation “was by far the easiest one we have ever been part of.”
The new clock drew praise from downtown patrons seeing it for the first time.
“I think it is just gorgeous. It is a perfect fit for downtown Hinsdale,” said Joan Strade. “I really like it.”
Another visitor, Mary Behler, of Rosemont, Pa., said the clock is unique.
“I’ve never seen done like that, and it really is a nice addition to the downtown area,” said Behler
Brian McElwain, co-chairman of the Hinsdale Beautification Task Force, said the clock location and design is fantastic.
“Initially, I think we were worried a little about the scale of the clock’s base, but it is wonderful. The clock honors Rotary without being ostentatious,” he said.
The design of the clock was chosen because of the way it blends in with the architecture and character of downtown Hinsdale, Herring said.
On Tuesday, Aug. 11, about 300 brick pavers — about 150 of them engraved with customized messages — were laid around the base of the clock.
The clock officially will be unveiled at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, in conjunction with the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce’s “Uniquely Thursday” outdoor celebration.
