Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Winfield Public Library will host an activity-filled holiday open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.

The library’s genesis dates to April 1964, when a group of Winfield residents met to discuss the pros and cons of establishing a public library in the village. That year, they founded the Winfield Library Association to elicit support and funding from the community. In September 1968, Winfield residents voted for the establishment of a tax-supported library.

By that time, Library Association members had books stored in homes, the school and village offices. In 1970, the first library opened in an apartment on the upper floor at 0S169 Church St. Two years later, the small apartment was overloaded, even storing some books in the bathtub. At this point, the library was given a gift of $10,000 from the McCormick Charitable Trust, which enabled the library to open new quarters in two mobile homes next to the Winfield Public School.

In 1979, the community once again showed its support by voting for a bond issue to build a new library at 0S291 Winfield Road. The attractive “Library on the Hill” was dedicated in September 1981. Today, the 10,000-square-foot facility offers children’s and adult departments on two levels, plus a large meeting room.

The holiday open house will provide activities for every age, and guests may enter a prize drawing for a holiday gift basket for kids and one for adults. For young fans of his books, Clifford the Big Red Dog will be prowling the library. From 1 to 3 p.m., children of all ages are welcome to make a special holiday craft. From 1 to 4 p.m., youth in sixth through 12th grades may create handmade gifts by designing a set of magnets and making chocolate bark candy; registration is necessary by calling (630) 653-7599. Violin virtuoso John Tangren will perform at 3:30 p.m.

Decorating contest

Winfield’s fourth annual holiday home-decorating contest returns. Patty Shupp of Realty Executives Premiere sponsors the contest. Rules are simple: Take a picture of the home and submit it electronically to pattyshupp@sprynet.com or mail a print of the home along with name, address and daytime telephone number to P.O. Box 209, Winfield, IL 60190. Deadline is Monday, Dec. 15, and judging will be held Dec. 18. The winner, who will receive $100 in Chamber of Commerce gift certificates, will be notified that week by phone.

Christmas program

St. John the Baptist School students from kindergarten to fifth grade will present their Christmas program at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, in the church, 0S233 Church St. Students also will collect supplies and cards to send to servicemen all over the world during the holiday season. For details or to make a donation, call Pat Zagotta at (630) 668-2625, Ext. 619.  

Toy donations

Cantigny Park teams up with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for the Toys for Tots program. The park at 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, will be a drop-off point this year through Dec. 19. New, unwrapped toys may be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. seven days a week and deposited either with the gatehouse staff or at the special boxes at the Visitors Center. Parking fees will be waived for persons just making a drop-off. Toys most needed are for 2-year-olds and 15- to 17-year-olds, although toys for all ages will be accepted. All the new toys should be about $10 or more in price. Donors are asked not to give stuffed animals or toy military and law enforcement-related weapons. Such toys will be donated to another charity.
 
New members

Rich Bysina, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, announces two new chamber members. First is Cantigny, at the southeast corner of Winfield and Roosevelt roads. A ribbon-cutting ceremony recently took place with Bysina, chamber President Patty Shupp, Cantigny Park Executive Director Matt LaFond and other Cantigny officials in attendance. The other added member is Jake’s Pizza and Sports Bar. Under the new ownership of Fiona Hall, Jake’s Pizza is at 27W101 Geneva Road in the Winfield Pointe shopping center.

Spirit of charity

Winfield Community United Methodist Church adopted a family of three for the holiday season. Donations are being collected for a 4-year-old girl who loves pink and princess things. She needs shoes and boots size 6. Her 1-1/2-year-old brother needs shoes and boots size 6 and a winter coat size 2. The mother’s boot size is 9 and coat size is 2X. Donations should be wrapped and labeled for the specific family member. Items may be brought to the church at 0S347 Jefferson St. until Sunday, Dec. 14.