Last weekend I had a great time visiting my daughter Rosie at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. I have found that whenever I need my kid fix, I find an excuse to visit her. This time was to bring warm clothes to her along with warmer bedding. And of course it doesn’t hurt to leave behind a bit of home with a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies and Irish soda bread.

On the other hand, my husband Stan stayed in town and had a great night visiting with old friends at the Lombard Log Cabin. The Ute Tribe, part of the Indian Princess program sponsored by the Tri-Town YMCA, had their annual fall campout. Stan and Rosie spent five years in this program, which gives fathers and daughters a chance to spend quality time together and make new hometown friends. They made lasting friendships and feel this was the best bonding experience they had while Rosie was growing up.

With other alumni dropping by, the men had a night of good memories reminiscing about their own campouts, but also had a chance to see what the new members of the Ute Tribe are up to. To no surprise, the girls have not changed. The 5 -year-old princesses were coloring, while the older ones were doing their nails. And of the course the dads were barbecuing. To watch the interaction between the girls and their dads, and the girls with each other, reminded him of why they joined.

Being that Rosie was an only child, joining the Ute Tribe with her dad was a great answer on how to incorporate the life of a little girl with her dad. They joined when Rosie was in kindergarten and graduated when she was in fifth grade. Once a month they attended meetings sponsored at other members’ homes and annually attended at least two campouts.

The range in age for girls Rosie had spent time with over this experience was from girls five years older to girls five years younger, and they have remained forever friends. To ease the first-day jitters when Rosie was a freshman attending Willowbrook High School, an older Indian Princess friend who was a senior at the time walked her through the doors. I will never forget her kindness.   

To find out about the programs offered by the Tri-Town YMCA, log on to www.tritownymca.org or call (630) 629-9622.

Elmhurst Symphony in town

Lombard has had the good fortune to have the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra come to our town for three performances. What a treat having the celebrity of a classic orchestra perform at Beister Auditorium in Glenbard East High School. We don’t have to worry about driving downtown, paying for gas and parking.

Mark your calendar for 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, to experience Comcast anchor Lisa Aprati (narrator) as your guide to experience the beloved works inspired by William Shakespeare. The complete collection of pieces from Tchaikovsky’s tribute to “Romeo and Juliet” is an opportunity for music lovers young and old to experience the true spirit of Shakespeare.

Saturday, Jan. 17, and Sunday, March 14, are the next two scheduled concerts. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (630) 941-0202, go online to www.elmhurstsymphony.org or mail Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, Attn: Box Office, P.O. Box 345, Elmhurst, IL 60126.